The 2013 international free agency signing period starts July 2nd (Hey, that's tomorrow!). All international players who turn 16 by August 31st are eligible for free agency. Top prospects from Latin America typically sign shortly after they turn 16. Korean and Taiwanese prospects, on the other hand, are usually not signed until they graduate from high school. Players over the age …
What the hell am I missing? Can the Cubs contend in 2014 or 2015?
Over the last two or three days, I've read a few articles that have mentioned that the Cubs could contend as early as next season. I don't want to single anybody out, because I have a lot of respect for both of these writers. The first time I read it, I thought "what the hell?". The second time I read …
Cubs trade Brent Lillibridge, Hisanori Takahashi and other notes
Yesterday the Cubs traded Brent Lillibridge to the Yankees for a player to be named later or cash. Lillibridge had only 24 PA for the Cubs before being sent to the minors. He managed a .042/.042/.042 batting line and provided -0.5 fWAR. The city of Des Moines is thankful the Cubs have traded him. The Cubs also traded Hisanori Takahashi …
Series Preview: Chicago Cubs (28-39) at St. Louis Cardinals (44-25)
I had to stop and ask myself if the Cubs had even played the Cardinals yet this year. Two and a half months into the season, the Cubs and Cardinals have only played a two game series back in May that they split. This is probably a good thing for the Cubs win-loss record (or a bad thing, depending on …
Series Preview: Chicago Cubs (26-38) at New York Mets (24-37)
The Cubs have had a crappy year, but it's been just about as bad for the Mets. I'm sure Ron Santo is smiling somewhere that at least if the Cubs are going to be bad, the Mets are just as awful. They've gone 2-8 in their last ten games, and there's been a roster shakeup or two. Manager Terry Collins's …
Series Preview: Chicago Cubs (23-32) at LA of AAA Angels (25-33)
The Cubs head to LA for a short 2 game series against the Angels, who are fresh off being swept in a four game series by the Astros. I’m not kidding. Seven of the Astros’ twenty-one wins this year have come against the Angels, which tells you pretty much all you need to know about how their season has gone. …
Series Preview: Arizona Diamondbacks (30-23) at Chicago Cubs (22-30)
The DBacks lead the NL West division with a record of 30-23, which would be good for fourth place in the surprisingly competitive NL Central. The Cubs are movin' on up, and now have a comfortable three game lead on the Brewers for fourth place. We're not Number Five! Let's see if they can continue to promote the ephemeral momentum …
Umpires practicing their ejection moves for June 10-13
Temperes flared in yesterday's Cubs game after Reds starter Johnny Cueto threw a pitch over David DeJesus's head in the sixth inning. Cueto was visibly pissed with DeJesus at the start of the game when he felt DeJesus stepped out of the batters box several times and took way too long to get ready at the plate. Both benches were warned …
Cubs at Reds gamethread 5.26
The Reds go for the sweep in what is easily the best pitching matchup of the series. Here are the lineups Cubs wOBA wOBA Reds CF David DeJesus .365 .413 CF Shin-Soo Choo SS Starlin Castro .291 .259 SS Zack Cozart 1B Anthony Rizzo .354 .438 1B Joey Votto LF Alfonso Soriano .297 .348 2B Brandon Phillips RF Nate Schierholtz …
Series Preview: Cubs (18-28) at Reds (29-18)
The Cubs are back in the basement of the NL Central following their winless series against the Pirates. If the season ended today, they would have the fourth pick in the 2014 draft. The Reds, meanwhile, are coming off a sweep of the Mets and get their ace back this week. Team Overviews Cubs Reds wRC+ 90 (11th) 99 …