The Cubs Off-Season Report - 01/07/06

Spring Training, Ramirez in the WBC, Patterson to the O's? and Winter Ball Wrap-up

Friday started off with a much-anticipated report from the Chicago Tribune about the Orioles interest in Corey Patterson. The Trib's article quoted the Baltimore Sun and said the Orioles are interested in acquiring Patterson for a mid level prospect. How did the Cubs number one pick fall so far? Many attribute his lack of fundamentals and others attribute Patterson's problems are because the Cubs 'rushed' him through the system too quickly. I really hope the Cubs have learned their lesson and do not make the same mistakes with Felix Pie who has been compared a lot to Corey Patterson.

The Cubs announced the rest of their Spring Training Roster, Aramis Ramirez announced he will play in the WBC and Ronny Cedeno continued his improvements in Winter Ball.

According to a report on Cubs.com and found in 'Cubs News from the Wire', the Cubs announced the non-roster invitees to Spring Training. Marquis Grissom, Augie Ojeda and Mike Restovich (signed earlier in the week to Minor League Contracts) will be joined by 10 additional players: Adam Greenberg (OF), Buck Coats (OF), Bobby Brownlie (P), Carmen Pignatiello (P), Raul Valdez (P), Randy Wells (P), Dennis Anderson (C), Jake Fox (C), Casey McGehee (IF) and Brandon Sing (IF). These 13 players will join the other Cubs on the 40-man roster. Pitchers and Catchers report to Fitch Park in Mesa on February 15th with the first workout to be on February 16th. Position players report on February 20th and their first workout is February 21st. The Cubs first Spring Training game is on March 2nd against the A's at HoHoKam Park.

Aramis Ramirez announced on Thursday he will be playing for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) according to a report from the Associated Press. Does anyone else have a problem with this? I am not saying he should not represent his country....I am concerned about his health and the success of the Cubs in 2006. What do you think?

Cubs.com ran reports on Friday about the end of the regular season of Winter Ball. The report mentioned several of the Cubs stats from those games. Ronny Cedeno had a good winter finishing 5th in the league in batting average (.355) in the Venezuelan Winter League. In 45 games at second base and shortstop, Cedeno had 28 RBI's and also finished with 12 errors. Felix Pie did not fair as well. Pie finished his games in the Dominican Republic hitting .209 in 29 games. The report also mentioned Henry Blanco, Adam Greenberg, Jose Reyes, Geovany Soto and Chris Walker.

MLB.com provided a report with all of the stats from the regular season of the 2005-2006 Winter Leagues.

Remember to check in with the CCO for your updated Cubs News, if it happens you will be able to read about your Cubbies here and in 'Cubs News from the Wire'.

Well, that's the news and I'm sticking to it!!

Anthony

Hey guys, I'm always excited to get baseball, and fantasy baseball, started. I don't, however, want to start the season now with this current roster. We have 2, count them, quality starting pitchers in Prior and Zambrano and 2 decent pitchers in Maddux and Williams. If you look at Rusch the past few years, he was a great spot starter but a very poor starter when he went into the season a the starter. We have another strikeout artist in Jones playing RF (3 long years) and an uproven player in Murton playing left. This is not a team that is a no brainer to contend for the divison title. I'm not saying we can't, but it sure doesn't seem probable to me. Let's get some more help and THEN start baseball !!!

Doug

Guys I just heard that Tejada took his trade request back for a second time. I'm glad he has because now we can change our direction and instead of waiting on the O's. Now we can go get Zito or Soriono. I saw it on mlb.com

Neil

Sean the problem I have with Ramirez playing in the WBC is not hurting himself during those games, but the rest of the season with the Cubs. After playing 159 games for the Cubs/Pirates in 2003, he played 145 games in 2004 and only 123 games in 2005. During the 2004 season when the Cubs really needed him, he was out for that 2 week stretch and never came back healthy. During the 2005 season he had problems with his legs. He was not running out ground balls and became an easy double play target. I remember Dusty commenting and telling the media they (the coaching staff) had told Ramirez 'not to push it' and risk hurting himself. In order for the Cubs to have a chance this season, Ramirez has to play an entire year. As much as I like the signing of John Mabry, there is NO comparison. It seems to me the past 2 season Ramirez has had trouble finishing the year and adding games to his season could hurt the Cubs.

Also, I agree...let's get started already. I cannot wait for Spring Training in Arizona.

Trevor I know Cedeno is not 'a popular choice' among the Cubs Faithful to play SS this year. I did get to see him play last year at AAA. There is something special about that kid and I hope I am right.

Trevor

Neil, thanks for the update of Winter League ball (the place where Patterson should have went). Cedeno is not just improving, he's ripping Winter Ball apart! Cedeno needs to get a full year under his belt at the Major league level and lets hope Dusty allows him to do it, (please dont platoon him with Neifi). Also, I completely agree with not rushing Pie. He's not doing so hot in Winter ball right now and the Cubs need to be very patient with him. Remember Patterson, teach the fundamentals and give it time.

sean b

a few things:

first, i fail to see the reason for all the concern over ramirez in the wbc. he's about as likely to get hurt in exhibition games as in teh wbc, which might not even happen now if the cubans aren't allowed to play... see this link for details on that story: http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/9149263

second, by now i'd trade corey for a miguel tejada autographed bat. it has as much to do with all the things surrounding his play than his actual performance. he is close to incoachable on his swing, he wouldn't go and play winter ball, and there was his now infamous "it's only a game" quote. he just seems like the classica athlete who doesn't "get it". if the cubs made any mistake with him, it was fostering a sense of entitlement in him that is terribly off putting. good riddance!

is it still 6 weeks before spring training? this is about the time of year i normally start my baseball cravings, but this year it started about 4 weeks ago, and it's getting really bad now.... start already.