I’ve assumed for some time now that the Cubs weren’t really all that interested in Aroldis Chapman. I had assumed their real and only interest was Andrew Miller, but according to Ken Davidoff, the Yankees have asked for best and final bids from four teams. Those four teams are the Nationals, Cubs, Indians and, you know it, a mystery team. …
Cubs 5, Brewers 2 (7.22.16)
Baseball predictions are silly up to a point, but I’m going to predict the Cubs are about to go on a run that’s similar to what they did in the first half. The Cardinals have pulled within 6.5 games, which is still a mile away in baseball terms, but I do miss the double digit lead they enjoyed for awhile. The …
Cubs Minor League Update (5.27.16)
El Paso Chihuahuas 6, Iowa Cubs 3 Willson Contreras didn't have the best night at the plate, but still managed to go 1-6 with a double. He struckout twice. Dan Vogelbach was 2-4 with a double and an RBI. Juan Perez got the start in CF and went 2-4 with a walk. Albert Almora shifted to LF and was 1-5. Perez is …
Journeymen of Tomorrow: The Story So Far (AAA and AA)
It’s been awhile since we’ve touched on the minor leagues this season. dmick has been busy. Seeing as I held the post of “minor league wonk” fairly recently, I thought I’d give a short synopsis of each team so far. Iowa Arismendy Alcantara has not been so great this year. His walk rate is down precipitously, so even though he …
Minor League Recap: 4-9-14
Iowa Cubs Matt Szczur is off to a slow start with another 0-5 night and he struck out 3 times. Arismendy Alcantara was 1-3 with a walk and Javier Baez was 2-4 with a double and a strikeout. Josh Vitters hit his 2nd home run of the season and was 1-3 with a walk and a strikeout. Brett Jackson hit …
Minor League Recap for April 4, 2014
I know Myles includes the Cubs, in part because they’re essentially a minor league team and in part because someone requested it. I’m not going to include them. It’s not because I have so much to say about the minor leagues. It’s because I just don’t want to write about them. Emilio Bonifacio? Seriously? No thanks. Iowa Cubs Matt Szczur …
OV “Daily” Facepalm
Ted Lilly Added to Cubs front office Ted Lilly signed on with the Cubs FO as a special assistant, and should be around as an instructor in spring training as well as doing some scouting and stuff during the season. Even though he struggled with injuries last year and retired this offseason, he might still have been good enough to …
BP’s top 10 Cubs prospects + consensus Top 14 prospects
The BP list came out, and it's a great read. Here it is, but a sub is required. I recommend getting a subscription; it really is great work. I won't share any of the bits besides the Top 10 list: 1. Baez 2. Bryant 3. Almora 4. Soler 5. Edwards 6. Alcantara 7. Johnson 8. Vogelbach 9. Villanueva 10. Candelario …
Daytona Cubs named Baseball America’s 2013 Minor League Team of the Year
In what seems to me to be a fairly unsurprising choice, Baseball America named the Daytona Cubs as 2013's Minor League Team of the Year. The article is free here, and absolutely worth a read. The important part: The season included special moments such as shortstop Javier Baez’s four home run effort on June 10 against Fort Myers. Matt Loosen …
Mike Olt wants to win the 3rd base job
Mike Olt was acquired in July, along with CJ Edwards, Justin Grimm and a player to be named later (Neil Ramirez), for Matt Garza. Olt was having a horrible season and there were vision concerns at the time of the trade. I seem to recall it being better or even all fixed at the time of the trade, but then …