Jed Hoyer reiterated Thursday what he and Theo Epstein have been saying since the Cubs’ season ended, Starlin Castro is the team’s starting shortstop in 2015.
Buster Olney brought up Thursday how well the Cubs and Mets would match-up on a trade, swapping a shortstop for a pitcher, despite multiple reports from Cubs and Mets beat writers that the two teams do not appear to be a fit. The Mets overvalue its pitching prospects, while the Cubs are not going to give away a position player, especially Starlin Castro, for one young starting pitcher.
Olney reported it would probably cost the Mets “something in the likes” of Jacob deGrom or Zack Wheeler.
Jed Hoyer joined Mike Ferrin and Jim Duquette during Thursday’s Power Alley (MLB Network Radio) and was asked about the possibility of moving Castro or at least listening to offers for him.
“We are always open to conversations about everyone. I think you have to have that mindset. But he’s going to be our shortstop in 2015,” Hoyer said.
“We are all excited about what he did last year. He had a bad 2013. I think he’d be the first person to admit it. He kind of lost his confidence and lost his way a little bit. He worked hard in the off-season. He did a great job last year.”
“His defense was more consistent and he’s really started driving the ball offensively,” Hoyer said. “It was a shame. He got hurt right at the beginning of September and missed a month. It’s too bad because he was really starting to drive the ball. It looked like the power that we always thought was coming was starting to click.”
“We are excited for that going into next year because we thought he made some really nice advances. Unfortunately his season got cut short, but he will be ready to go next spring.”
The Cubs consider Starlin Castro one of the two staples in their lineup. And it’s truly amazing how little Starlin Castro is valued around the game.
Kris Bryant
Kris Bryant did something rather cool for a baseball fan and memorabilia collector. And proved, as Mick Gillispie said, that he just gets it.
Bryant was contacted on Twitter from a fan that was looking to purchase one of his game used bats. Mike Kennedy reached out to Bryant to make sure it was one of his bats before he paid $850.00 for it.
Kris Bryant told Kennedy he did not have to buy it, thought the price was ridiculous, asked him what he was looking for and said he would send it to him. And Kennedy received a signed game used bat in the mail.
Wrigley Field Restoration – The 1060 Project
The team is relocating the Caretaker’s Cottage to a nearby parking lot where the building will be restored. The Cubs are going to great lengths to preserve the structure. The building has been part of Wrigley Field since 1923 when it was built for Bobby Dorr, the Cubs’ longtime groundskeeper. William Wrigley Jr. had the building added to the park’s property for Dorr and it is considered a significant historical feature of Wrigley Field. The area around the building once included an enclosed backyard. The bricks have about 20 coats of pain that will be removed during the restoration process.
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- Photo – @WrigleyRenovate
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- Photo – @WrigleyRenovate
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- Photo – @WrigleyRenovate
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- Photo – @WrigleyRenovate
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- Photo – @WrigleyRenovate
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- Photo – @WrigleyRenovate
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- Photo – @WrigleyRenovate
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- Photo – @jon_greenberg
Joe Maddon
Joe Maddon placed full page ads thanking the community and fans in Tampa.
News, Notes and Rumors
Dave Martinez is on a rather long list of managerial candidates for the Rays. And it could get even bigger according to Marc Topkin. The noise around the game has gotten louder that if Dave Martinez was going to be named the Rays skipper it would have happened by now.
According to Mike Berardino, the Twins might be able to move Ricky Nolasco and the three-years and $37 million he is owed for someone like Edwin Jackson (two years, $22 million) or B.J. Upton (three years, $46.35 million) but “that’s not the plan.”
Joe Maddon is a perfect blend of old-school and new-school according to Patrick Mooney.
Ken Davidoff explained why he thought the Cubs would sign Jon Lester and Max Scherzer and the several of his other free agent predictions.
Theo Epstein is one of five executives who will shape the Hot Stove according to Richard Justice.
According to a report from Andy Martino in the New York Daily News, the Cubs not interviewing a minority candidate before hiring Joe Maddon has upset “Latinos in the game and are considering whether to contact the commissioner’s office.”
Around Major League Baseball
The 2014 Silver Sluggers Awards winners were announced Thursday night. AL Winners: Jose Abreu (1B), Jose Altuve (2B), Adrian Beltre (3B), Alexei Ramirez (SS), Mike Trout (OF), Jose Bautista (OF), Michael Brantley (OF), Yan Gomes (C) and Victor Martinez (DH). NL Winners: Adrian Gonzalez (1B), Neil Walker (2B), Anthony Rendon (3B), Ian Desmond (SS), Andrew McCutchen (OF), Giancarlo Stanton (OF), Justin Upton (OF), Buster Posey (C) and Madison Bumgarner (P).
This Day In Cubstory
2013 – Cubs named Rick Renteria the 53rd manager in Cubs history
2012 – Cubs signed free agent Blake Parker
2004 – Nomar Garciaparra signed a one-year, $8 million contract with the Cubs
2001 – Cubs granted free agency to Ron Coomer, Eric Young and Kevin Tapani
1999 – Cubs singed free agent Alan Zinter
1979 – Bruce Sutter won the National League Cy Young Award. Sutter saved 37 of the Cubs’ 80 victories.
1976 – Les Walrond, born
1974 – Glendon Rusch, born
1973 – Cubs traded Glenn Beckert and Bobby Fenwick to the Padres for Jerry Morales
1958 – Reggie Patterson, born
1941 – Clarence Jones, born
1928 – Cubs acquired Rogers Hornsby from the Braves for Fred Maguire, Doc Leggett, Percy Jones, Harry Siebold, Bruce Cunningham and $200,000.