In order to compete in the NL Central, the Cubs will have to improve on their poor fundamentals and atrocious defense from last season. The 2010 Chicago Cubs had arguably the worst defense in the Major Leagues. The Cubs tied with the Atlanta Braves for the third most errors in the league (126) ... only one more error than the Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates. The Cubs led the majors last season in the one category that no team wants to lead the league in, unearned runs. The Cubs … [Read more...]
The Cubs Starting Pitching Possibilities for 2011
Another Chicago team broke my heart last weekend and I told myself, like I've done so many times at the end of a Cubs season, there's always next year. No one expected the Bears to make the playoffs, let alone win the division and make it to the NFC Championship game, maybe the Cubs can surprise us this year as well ... I'm definitely ready for Spring Training. At this point, if everyone stays healthy, Ryan Dempster, Carlos Zambrano and Matt Garza should anchor the Cubs' rotation with Andrew … [Read more...]
Determination, Hustle and Tony Campana
Cubs' prospect Tony Campana is bound and determined to beat the odds. Campana has been a fighter since childhood when he was diagnosed with cancer (Hodgkin's lymphoma) at age 7. Campana went through an excruciating six months of chemotherapy in which he battled being sick on a daily basis, constant tests and doctor visits and losing his hair. After 10 years of being in remission and frequent check-ups, Campana was pronounced cured. At the ripe old age of 18, Campana had already dealt with more … [Read more...]
Shuffling Through the Bargain Bin
According to Bruce Levine, the Cubs remain focused on adding a starting pitcher this winter ... and possibly another reliever and a left-handed bat for the bench. If Jim Hendry is unable to land his main targets, could the Cubs be forced to move on to backup plans to fill out their off-season list? With that in mind, here is my list of free agents the Cubs could sign ... if the price is right. … [Read more...]
Two Cubs’ Farmhands to Keep an Eye on in 2011
The Cubs have a lot of depth throughout the system in the middle infield. From players such as Tony Thomas, Ryan Flaherty, Wes Darvill, Junior Lake, Logan Watkins, Marwin Gonzalez, D.J. LeMahieu and Hak-Ju Lee, the Cubs have big athletic middle infielders that project as big league ball players coming through the system ... and two of those players could be on the verge of separating themselves from the group. I'm going to go out on a limb and predict D.J. LeMahieu and Hak-Ju Lee will have … [Read more...]
The Current State of the Chicago Cubs
The current state of the Chicago Cubs does not look so good ... but the future appears bright in 2012, and beyond. While 2011 isn't looking very promising as 2010 comes to an end, there are several things we should keep an eye on that could very well turn out as positives for the future. Aramis Ramirez, Randy Wells, Marlon Byrd, Carlos Pena, and Kosuke Fukudome could help the Cubs in the future. What did I just say? I must be losing my mind ... … [Read more...]
Chicago Cubs Prospect Profile: Michael Brenly
The Cubs organization liked what the saw in Michael Brenly so much they drafted him twice. The Cubs picked Brenly the first time in the 43rd round back in 2005 then took him again in the 36th round three years later. Brenly is the son of Len Kasper's broadcast partner and one of the candidates to succeed Lou Piniella in the Cubs dugout. Michael's father Bob, a former Major League catcher and part-time third baseman, is currently in his second stint in the Cubs broadcast booth. … [Read more...]
Chicago Cubs Prospect Profile: Thomas Diamond
The Texas Rangers selected Thomas Diamond with their first round pick (10th overall) in the 2004 draft. The one-time top prospect in the Rangers organization has been slowed by injuries, including Tommy John surgery in the spring of 2007. Diamond dealt with a bone spur in his ankle when he got back on the mound in 2008 that ended that season early as well. The Rangers DFA'd Diamond last September, the Cubs picked him up and added him to their 40-man roster. Diamond was removed from the Major … [Read more...]
Chicago Cubs Prospect Profile: Bryan LaHair
The Seattle Mariners picked Bryan LaHair in the 39th round of the 2002 draft. LaHair, a first baseman and a corner outfielder, was removed from the Mariners' 40-man roster last October. LaHair played in 45 games for Seattle in 2008 and hit .250 with a .315 OBP in 150 plate appearances ... four doubles and three homers. Bryan LaHair was once one of the Mariners top prospects ... ranked 16th by Baseball America in 2007 and 19th in 2008. … [Read more...]
Chicago Cubs Prospect Profile: Rebel Ridling
The Cubs picked Rebel Ridling pretty late in the 2008 draft. Ridling was the Cubs 25th round selection two years ago ... and the Cubs might have found themselves a bargain. Ridling had a great start to his pro career. In 2009 at the age of 23, Ridling posted a .310/.357/.466 line for the Peoria Chiefs. Ridling drove in 97 runs and tallied 51 extra base hits including 16 home runs and 34 doubles. … [Read more...]