February 2012 Archives

The Cubs were back at work Tuesday in one of their final days of the spring at Fitch Park. After Thursday's workout, the Cubs move down Center Street to HoHoKam Park.

The Cubs announced Tuesday they added two intrasquad games to their 35-game exhibition schedule. The Cubs will square off against the Cubs on Friday and Saturday at HoHoKam Park. The five to six-inning contests begin at 1:00pm local time (2:00pm CST) and are open to the public. Gates open at 11:00am with limited seating.

Dale Sveum will manage one of the squads with Triple-A Iowa manager Dave Bialas likely calling the shots for the other group of Cubs' players.

Geovany Soto could be sidelined for another week as he tries to recover from what was diagnosed as a mild groin strain last weekend. The Cubs have said Soto's injury is very minor and Dale Sveum put a positive spin on the situation ... he will now be able to focus on the other catchers in camp (Jason Jaramillo, Steve Clevenger, Welington Castillo, Blake Lalli and Michael Brenly).

Are the Cubs working on extension with Matt Garza?

Here's the update ...

Dale Sveum announced Monday that Rodrigo Lopez will take the ball in the Cubs' spring opener Sunday against the Oakland Athletics at HoHoKam Park. Ryan Dempster and Matt Garza will follow Lopez in the rotation and by pitching Dempster in the second game and Garza in the third both pitchers will be in line to face the Nationals on Opening Day.

The Cubs received a scare Monday when Kerry Wood hit Starlin Castro near his wrist in batting practice. Castro was not hurt and did not receive X-rays.

The bunting tournament resumed Monday and the first round is all but complete ... and Dale Sveum edged out Kerry Wood to advance into the second round.

The Cubs time at Fitch Park this spring is almost over. After Thursday's workout, Dale Sveum and company move down the street to HoHoKam Park. The first pitch of the Cubs 2012 Cactus League schedule is just around the corner.

Day nine of Cubs Camp is in the books, here is the update ...

Five Players to Watch: Low-A Peoria Chiefs and High-A Daytona Cubs

This is the second in a series of articles highlighting some of the players not noted on off-season prospect lists. The players are listed in alphabetical order, and as they are presently listed on rosters. Inclusion in this list does not necessarily reflect where each player will start the season.

The first week of camp is officially in the books and reportedly there is a definite difference this spring from the past. The Cubs are focused on baseball and preparation for the upcoming season, even the well-publicized bunting tournament has a purpose.

The bunting tournament resumed Saturday with the first round of position players. Matt Szczur topped Lendy Castillo's high score from the first day and quickly became the favorite to win the tournament until Steve Clevenger eliminated Tony Campana. Szczur beat Castillo's score by 70 points (610-540) but Clevenger totaled 660 points to Campana's 290.

Geovany Soto sat out practice Saturday with a minor groin injury. Soto went through pre-workout exercises but did not participate in practice with the rest of his teammates. Dale Sveum said Soto's injury was not serious.

The Cubs still have not announced the Gerardo Concepcion signing ... and the 40-man roster currently sits at 39 players.

This is the last Sunday without Cubs baseball until October ... the exhibition season begins in a week.

Here's the update ...

Cubs' camp is in full swing after a long day Friday at Fitch Park. All of the players have reported and the Cubs' workout Friday went late into the afternoon.

Tom Ricketts, Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer and Dale Sveum addressed the team before the first full squad workout. Tom Ricketts feels a new energy and a new vibe this spring and thinks he has a good team and it is going to be a good year.

Dale Sveum also met with each player Friday before leading his first full practice as manager of the Chicago Cubs.

It is good to have baseball back. The first pitch of the spring is eight days away.

Here is the update from day six of Cubs camp ...

"Know what the difference between hitting .250 and .300 is? It's 25 hits - 25 hits in 500 at-bats is 50 points."

The quote is from the timeless baseball move "Bull Durham," and is indicative of what the Cubs are hoping for: players' true talent levels to raise their statistics (with a little luck) to a competitive rate.

Batting average on balls in play (BABIP) is the biggest indicator of how a player's actual talent is suppressed or elevated.

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It is position player reporting day in Cubs Camp ... A majority of the players have already reported to Fitch Park but after Thursday Dale Sveum will have his full Spring Training roster in camp. There are only four position players that have not reported ... Alfonso Soriano, Starlin Castro, Blake DeWitt and Jae-Hoon Ha. The first full squad workout is Friday and Tom Ricketts is expected to address the team prior to Friday's workout.

The biggest "news" to come out of Mesa on day four of camp was the buzz created by the bunting tournament that begins Thursday. Not only did Dale Sveum come up with idea but he is putting his money where his mouth is and the Cubs' skipper is participating in the tournament.

Here's the update ...

While pitchers and catchers continued getting their work in during the third day of Cubs Camp, the compensation for Theo Epstein was announced.

Chris Carpenter and a player to be named later were sent to Boston for Theo Epstein and a player to be named later ... officially the deal was structured as a player trade to keep within Major League Baseball protocol, Chris Carpenter and a PTBNL for a PTBNL. Both players to be named later are expected to be equal prospects not on either team's 40-man roster. The trade is expected to be finalized by April 15.

The Cubs still have to send compensation to San Diego for Jed Hoyer and Jason McLeod. The hold-up with the Padres has been the compensation going to Boston for Epstein. The deal with San Diego is expected to be completed by the end of Spring Training.

With the roster move Tuesday, the Cubs created a spot on their big league roster. The Cubs' 40-man roster currently stands at 39.

The position players that are not already in camp report Thursday with the first full squad workout set for Friday ... and the Cubs' kick off their Cactus League schedule in 12 days against the Athletics.

Here is the rest of the update from day three of Cubs camp ...

According to multiple reports, the Cubs have sent right-handed pitcher Chris Carpenter and a player to be named later to the Boston Red Sox as compensation for Theo Epstein. The Cubs will also receive a player to be named later in the deal.

According to reports from the Tribune and Carrie Muskat, the players to be named later will be done by April 15 ... and the compensation for Jed Hoyer and Jason McLeod will be announced soon. Not expected to be any player off the 40-man roster.