• Cubs Convention
  • Interviews
  • MLB Transaction Glossary | Rules
    • Major League Baseball Transactions Glossary
    • MLB Rule 7.13 – Collisions at Home Plate
    • MLB Slide Rule on Double Plays Adopted for 2016 Season
  • Archives
    • Chicago Cubs Online General Info
    • Community Blog Archives
    • CCO Cubs-Metrics
    • CCO Cubs Podcast
    • CCO Feedback
    • CCO Predictions
    • CCO Opinion – You Know Better
    • The CCO Wrigley Perspective
    • Fantasy Baseball
    • The Northside Media Guide
  • Cubstory

Chicago Cubs Online

A Site for The Cubs Faithful Since 2005

  • Home
  • News | Transactions
    • News and Transactions
    • Cubs Regular Season Notes
    • Cubs Spring Training News Reports
    • Cubs Off-Season News Reports
  • Minor Leagues
    • Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 2008 to Present
    • Minor League Transactions Glossary
    • Cubs Minor League Players and Pitchers of the Year 1990 – 2017
    • Minor League Updates – 2005-2007
  • Rumors
    • If The Ivy Could Talk – Cubs Rumors
  • Game Day
    • Let’s Play 2 – Game Recap
    • Talkin’ Cubs Live
    • Cactus League-Spring Training
  • Opinion
    • The CCO, Live from Wrigleyville
    • Notes from the Soap Box
  • 40-Man Roster | Contracts
Chicago Cubs Online > Cubs Off-Season News Reports > The Daily CCO: Anthony Rizzo Guarantees a Division Crown for the Cubs

The Daily CCO: Anthony Rizzo Guarantees a Division Crown for the Cubs

January 16, 2015 8:30 am By Neil 22 Comments

Anthony Rizzo did not back down Thursday from his statement at the end of last season. Rizzo said the Cubs are going to win the National League Central Division Crown this year.

Rizzo told the beat writers during a stop on the Cubs Caravan at Jacob Beidler Elementary, “We’re going to win the NL Central. I guess you guys can all quote me on that. With all due respect to every team, they’re just as good, talent-wise. But we are going to do some things this year. That’s what we are expecting, and that’s what we’re putting our sights on and we’re not going to accept anything else.”

And Rizzo is not just looking at the upcoming season he sees the Cubs contending for several years.

“I was saying it to my family when everything was going down to get [Jon] Lester and [Joe] Maddon and signing the other guys. For the rest of my career, I should be on a contending team. That’s exciting.”

Jake Arrieta was asked about Rizzo’s guarantee and he does not think winning the division is “out of reach at all.”

PrintRizzo called the Sporting News “smart” for predicting the Cubs would win The Series, referenced Back to the Future II and said the Cubs are “going to be a fun team.”

Anthony Rizzo reiterated the goal is to make the playoffs then once in the post-season “the ultimate goal is to win the World Series.”

  • Full Report from Comcast SportsNet
  • Full Report from the Tribune
  • Full Report from the Sun-Times
  • Full Report from Bruce Levine
Jake Arrieta

Jake Arrieta told the beat writers Thursday that he thought his one-year contract with the Cubs would be wrapped up in a day or two. There was talk at the end of the season about a possible long-term extension for Arrieta, but that does not appear to be the case this winter.

The right-hander said he didn’t know if the Cubs and his agent, Scott Boras, were discussing a long-term extension or not, but he would be open to it.

Jake Arrieta is arbitration eligible for the first time. Arrieta made $544,500 last year and he should receive around $3.9-4.2 million in 2015 through the process.

  • Full Report from Comcast SportsNet

Joe Maddon and Wrigley Field

Joe Maddon has “always been in awe of Wrigley Field” according to a report from the Tribune and he is excited for the changes that are taking place at the old ballyard.

Maddon knows it could take a portion of the fan base time to get used to the restored and renovated Wrigley Field. Maddon pointed out to the Tribune that a lot of thought was put into the process and “it’s going to be tastefully done.”

  • Full Report from the Tribune
C.J. Edwards

C.J. Edwards is attending the convention and was wearing a Cubs jersey during Thursday’s caravan. Edwards donned a No. 3 and explained to the Tribune why he wears the number.

According to the Tribune, “Edwards will wear jersey No. 3 in memory of friend Will Bedenbaugh, who was killed in an auto accident four years ago. ‘This is the number he wore, and I told his parents that if I can get it, I’m going to wear it. And I’m going to wear it with pride because I’d like to keep the memory of him in my heart and wherever we go.’”

News, Notes and Rumors

The Tribune’s Mark Caro thinks ‘Go Cubs Go’ must go.

Peter Gammons examined The MLB Power Crave while pointing out the Cubs’ front office was two years ahead of the rest of the league when they began focusing on offense and power bats while other teams still centered on pitching.

Jay Jaffe reviewed the Cubs off-season and gave the front office a preliminary grade of A-.

Major League Baseball announced Thursday the 2016 All-Star Game will be at PETCO Park in San Diego. And it’s starting to look like the Nationals will host the 2017 Mid-Summer Classic.

Former Cubs’ lefty Glendon Rusch, who is attending the convention, will be named the pitching coach for High-A Lake Elsinore in the Padres’ system.

Buster Olney continued his mid-January rankings on Thursday with his latest top 10 focused on the best defensive teams in baseball. Olney’s top 10 teams in the field: 1) Royals 2) Orioles 3) Reds 4) Dodgers 5) Cardinals 6) Athletics 7) Rays 8) Pirates 9) Rockies 10) Yankees … and honorable mentions: Blue Jays, Red Sox, Braves and Diamondbacks.

According to Jon Heyman, Norichika Aoki may be of interest to the Giants and Braves while the Orioles have been in the mix for the former Brewers and Royals outfielder for a while. David O’Brien confirmed the Braves interest in Aoki and said there could be a fit if the money is right.

Chris Cotillo reported Thursday the Braves are no longer in the mix to sign free agent RHP Brandon Beachy. Beachy reportedly narrowed his decision to six teams earlier this week and is expected to sign with a team soon.

According to multiple reports, RHP Kameron Loe was suspended for 50 games for a second positive test for a drug of abuse. Loe pitched in seven games for the Cubs during the 2013 season.

This Day In Cubstory

2009 – Cubs signed free agent Erick Almonte

2009 – Cubs signed free agent Matt Smith

2008 – Cubs signed free agent Jon Lieber for one-year and $3.5 million

2003 – Cubs signed free agent Tom Goodwin

2002 – Cubs signed free agent Alan Benes

2002 – Cubs signed free agent Anthony Shumaker

2001 – Cubs signed free agent Jeff Reed

1996 – Cubs signed free agent Bob Patterson

1978 – Alfredo Amezaga, born

1970 – Ron Villone, born

1916 – Chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. became a minority stockholder in the Cubs for $50,000 when Charles Weeghman purchased the team from Charles P. Taft.

1910 – Dizzy Dean, born

1907 – Cubs traded Doc Gessler, Jack Harper and cash to the Reds for Chick Fraser

Follow Chicago Cubs Online on Twitter: @TheCCO and @TheCCO_Minors

Filed Under: Cubs Off-Season News Reports Tagged With: Anthony Rizzo, C.J. Edwards, Jake Arrieta, Joe Maddon

Archives


Memories of Mr. Cub

A Tribute to Mr. Cub

Forever, THE Cub
What is Eamus Catuli
What is Eamus Catuli?
Lakeview Baseball Club

Subscribe to the CCO

Get Cubs Updates in Your Inbox

Tweets by TheCCO

Stats


Trips to the North Side

Copyright © 2021 5 & 11 Online Productions
Privacy Policy | Commenting Policy | About | Contact
ChicagoCubsOnline.com is not affiliated with the Chicago National League Ballclub

7ads6x98y