The Cubs didn’t take their talents to South Beach for the weekend. The Cubs are a better team than the one that lost three of four to the Marlins. The Cubs are dealing with a lot of injuries and Joe Maddon has a bullpen that for the most part is not getting the job done right now.
For all of the problems the Cubs seemingly have they finished the last weekend in June with a nine game lead in the NL Central and the best winning percentage in baseball (.649) with a 48-26 record on the season.
The Cubs have a lot of work to do. But getting back the players that helped build the lead in the division will do more than anything for a team that went 1-6 in its last seven games.
Ian Happ was promoted to Double-A Tennessee. Jeimer Candelario stayed hot with Triple-A Iowa. And a veteran closer on the comeback trail made his organizational debut.
With July quickly approaching, the rumors are picking up. The Cubs had scouts in the Bronx this weekend doing their homework.
Here are all the headlines from the last three-plus days chock full of news, and rumors, that you can use despite the Cubs dropping three of four on the field …
Cubs Promote Ian Happ to Double-A Tennessee
Ian Happ was rather busy and on the move during the last full week of June. Happ was named Carolina League Player of the Week, participated in the California-Carolina League All-Star Game and received a well-deserved promotion to Double-A Tennessee.
- Cubs Promote Ian Happ to Double-A Tennessee
- Ian Happ Gets Off to a Good Start with Double-A Tennessee (includes video)
Watch Javier Baez’s Ridiculously Spectacular Defensive Play
Javier Baez turned in two of the best defensive plays in back-to-back games one will see this season.
Click on the link for the video of the first one from Thursday night.
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 06/24/16
Tom recapped all of the action from down on the farm at the end of the week. The Cubs received excellent pitching performances throughout the system. And several of the sluggers came out of All-Star breaks swinging a hot bat.
Joe Nathan Starts Rehab Assignment with Double-A Tennessee
Veteran reliever Joe Nathan reported to Double-A Tennessee. Nathan made his organizational debut Thursday night and tossed a scoreless inning.
The Daily CCO: Anthony Rizzo’s Back, Injuries Taking Toll on Cubs
The Cubs had a rough start to the series in Miami as the injuries continue to pile up. The Cubs had a lot of things go their way early in the season, not too much of late. The Cubs missed Anthony Rizzo in the opener and are simply not the same team without him.
Adam Warren reported to Iowa. Pierce Johnson was placed on the DL. Aaron Brooks had a good outing.
The Daily Report includes all of the news, notes, links, rumors and This Day in Cubs History.
Cubs Also Plan to Play Willson Contreras in the Outfield
Willson Contreras has made quite the impression in the big leagues, at least with the bat. Joe Maddon likes what he’s seen from the Cubs’ catcher of the future. With the Cubs struggling to score runs, the Cubs are looking for ways to keep his bat in the lineup.
In his first week in the majors, Willson Contreras started games as a catcher, a first baseman and a left fielder.
Cubs Prospect Jeimer Candelario is Tearing Up the Pacific Coast League
Jeimer Candelario earned a promotion to Triple-A Iowa and has put up the numbers that were expected at Double-A Tennessee. Candelario is also seeing time at first base with the I-Cubs.
Click on the link to see all of the excellent numbers … and he hit his second Triple-A homer on Saturday night.
Maddon Shakes Up Cubs Batting Order … Heyward Leading Off, Hendricks Eighth, Bryant at First Base
With the Cubs scuffling, Dexter Fowler on the DL and Anthony Rizzo unavailable, Joe Maddon made several significant changes to his lineup for game two in Miami.
As predicted, Maddon batted his pitcher eighth and slid Albert Almora Jr. to ninth. Jason Heyward hit leadoff for the first time on the season with Kris Bryant in the two-hole. Maddon could use this lineup construction more before the break, especially while Fowler is on the shelf.
Contreras and Bryant Deliver, Cubs Grind Out a Win Over the Marlins – Cubs 5, Marlins 4
The Cubs bounced back from a tough loss in the opener in Miami on Thursday night. The Cubs scored four runs in the first inning on six hits. Kris Bryant and Willson Contreras went deep in the opening frame. But Kyle Hendricks made a mistake to Justin Bour that went for a Grand Slam.
Willson Contreras singled in Kris Bryant in the seventh inning for the eventual game winner as the Cubs’ bullpen did its job in relief of Hendricks.
Javier Baez Makes Another Sensational, Must-See Defensive Play
It is possible, Javier Baez topped the defensive play he made Thursday night with the one he turned in Friday. Baez dove into the stands and held on to the ball.
If you haven’t seen Baez’s sensational play … click on the link.
The Daily CCO: What a Week for Willson Contreras and Other Cubs News
Willson Contreras had a special first week in the majors. Contreras contributed at the plate and in the field and helped the Cubs win the games they did in what was a tough week.
Anthony Rizzo was set to return to the lineup after missing a couple of games. Ben Zobrist was okay after getting hit in the ankle. Miguel Montero’s injury was worse than the Cubs let on and forced Maddon to play with an even shorter bench than was known at the time.
The Cubs changed the start time for the Mets game on July 18.
Armando Rivero is a reliever in the minors to keep an eye on.
The Daily Report not only contains good stuff from the history books, but all the news, notes, links and rumors.
Lackey and the Cubs Let the Fish Off the Hook, Drop Another Game in Miami – Marlins 9, Cubs 6
The Cubs had a 4-1 lead in the fourth inning that quickly disappeared. John Lackey had his worst game of the season. And for as bad as the Cubs played, the tying run stepped to the plate in the ninth inning.
Miguel Montero and Addison Russell homered. Willson Contreras doubled in a run. In the end it was not enough.
The Cubs gave one to the Marlins they could not lose with Jose Fernandez on the horizon for the series finale.
Report: Cubs Scouting Yankees Relievers Betances, Miller, Chapman
The Cubs were reportedly on hand for the second time in two weeks to watch Dellin Betances, Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman. The Cubs had three scouts at Yankee Stadium on Friday and Saturday as rumors continue to swirl on how the front office will fill the holes in the Cubs’ bullpen.
The Daily CCO: Cubs News and Notes on the Last Sunday in June
The Cubs entered play on the last Sunday in June with a double-digit lead in the division and the best winning percentage in baseball. The Cubs rough stretch justified Joe Maddon stressing the importance of winning as many games as possible early in the season.
The Cubs are struggling right now. But could also use for a couple of balls to bounce their way like earlier in the season.
This jam-packed Daily Report includes updates on Adam Warren, Jeimer Candelario, Dan Vogelbach, Thomas Hatch and Cubs-Reds series starters. Along with cool stuff from the history book on what was a big day in Cubstory, the daily includes all of the news, notes, rumors and links.
Cubs Mystified By Marlins, Jose Fernandez – Marlins 6, Cubs 1
The Cubs were not able to get on track against the greatness that is Jose Fernandez. The Cubs struck out 15 times, 13 against Fernandez, as the Marlins’ right-hander flexed his muscles for the Cubs.
The game was closer than the final score indicates. A loss is a loss and thankfully the Cubs are done with playing in South Florida for at least another year.