The last weekend update before the exhibition season gets underway on Thursday. The Cubs lineup was the hot topic on Friday. Lou Piniella appeared on the Mike North show and confirmed reports from Thursday that he was considering hitting Kosuke Fukudome third in his lineup. Several reports brought up the number 125, as in the total number of lineups Piniella used in his first season on the North Side. Piniella will continue to tinker with his lineup all spring....history has proven this much. A … [Read more...]
Oh So Close
In seven short days the 2008 version of the Chicago Cubs will take the field for the first time in Scottsdale against the San Francisco Giants....the baseball season is just around the corner. Many have predicted the Cubs will have a good season but some feel the Cubs still have areas they must address, mainly in centerfield and in the bullpen. A majority of the roster is set, barring injuries, but there is always at least one surprise that comes out of Mesa. Which player will end up turning … [Read more...]
Storylines of the Spring….The Rest of the Roster
The first full squad workout is scheduled for later today as the last few position players reported to Fitch Park on Monday. The biggest surprise from Day 5 of Camp Lou was the Cubs signing Alex Cintron to a minor league deal. Rumors began to circulate the signing of Cintron was a precursor to a bigger deal involving a certain middle infielder but Jim Hendry shot down all of the speculation. According to a report in the Tribune, with Ronny Cedeno splitting time between the infield and outfield … [Read more...]
Headlines and Rumors from Day Three
There was one big surprise from Fitch Park on Day Three of Camp Lou. According to multiple reports, Piniella stated Rich Hill is currently slotted as the 4th starter in his rotation, not the third as has been assumed all winter. Piniella is undecided on which pitcher will occupy the 3rd and 5th spots in the Cubs starting rotation. Jason Marquis, Ryan Dempster and Jon Lieber are the leading candidates for the last two spots according to a report in the Tribune. Piniella added he is "not looking … [Read more...]
Storylines of the Spring….The Rotation
To quote the great Charley Steiner, "There is something liberating about those magical words, pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training." The wait is over. The baseball season begins today. Ryan Dempster, Rich Hill, Angel Guzman, Scott Eyre, Sam Fuld, Jeff Samardzija, Daryle Ward, Geovany Soto and Jason Marquis were among the early arrivals to camp. Samardzija, along with Tyler Colvin and Jake Fox were victims of a thief that broke into the locker rooms at Fitch Park on January 29th and … [Read more...]
Spring Training NRI’s….The Catchers
While many remain very interested in what may or may not transpire with the Orioles, pitchers and catchers report to Fitch Park....in just one day. The winter long speculation of what could be and what should be is just about over. Several reports have indicated Jim Hendry is still exploring ways to improve his club before the games start to count in six weeks. While Hendry may still be working the phones, Lou Piniella has the task of molding the players on the Cubs roster into a winning … [Read more...]
Back to Business
MLB front offices, like most of the business world, will return to work today after the long holiday break. Over the next month there should be more wheelin' and dealin', as well as free agent signings, as clubs prepare for Spring Training to begin in mid-February. Probably the biggest story to follow in the coming weeks will be that of Johan Santana. His future in Minnesota will have a domino effect throughout the league as the teams that are rumored to be interested in acquiring his services … [Read more...]