Countdown to Opening Night: 3 days Joe Maddon said Wednesday that he expects the team’s first roster of the season to be finalized by Friday. The Cubs made three spring roster cuts prior to Wednesday’s Cactus League finale. RHP Brian Schlitter, LHP Zac Rosscup and OF Junior Lake were optioned to Triple-A Iowa. The Cubs technically have 32 players in camp, but only 28 players are healthy enough to start the season on the active roster. The pitching staff is believed to be set. Lefty … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Joe Maddon Compliments Cubs Coaching Staff and Other News and Notes
While the Cubs haven’t won a game this spring, several of the players have looked good over the first four games of the Cactus League schedule. Spring Training is about preparing for the games that count and Joe Maddon is happy with what he’s seen to this point. Joe Maddon apparently really likes the coaching staff he inherited. With the exception of Dave Martinez, the entire coaching staff was in place before the Cubs hired Maddon. And once Martinez was on board, Brandon Hyde was shifted to … [Read more...]
Joe Maddon Announces Cubs Rotation for First Six Spring Games, Jon Lester to Make Debut Friday
The Cubs begin play in the Cactus League on Thursday with a split squad day. And on Monday, Joe Maddon announced his starting rotation for the first six exhibition games. Travis Wood (A’s) and Jacob Turner (Giants) get the Cactus League openers on Thursday. And Wood will oppose fellow lefty Barry Zito at Sloan Park. Jon Lester makes his Cubs debut on Friday (March 6) against the Reds at Sloan Park. Jason Hammel takes on one of his old teams on Saturday (March 7). Hammel and Felix … [Read more...]
Cubs Storylines of the Spring: The Catchers
The Cubs Storylines of the Spring series continues with a look at the catchers in big league camp. While Miguel Montero and David Ross get to know the pitching staff, the two biggest storylines to follow when it comes to the Cubs catchers this spring are health and Welington Castillo. Welington Castillo is on the trade block and could get moved at any time. Several teams are reportedly interested in Castillo, most notably the Phillies, and if Theo Epstein or Jed Hoyer finds the right deal … [Read more...]
Cubs Storylines of the Spring: The Pitching Staff
The Cubs Storylines of the Spring series continues with a look at the pitchers in big league camp. Three, if not four, of the five starting spots are set as Spring Training begins for the Cubs. As long as everyone stays healthy Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta and Jason Hammel should be slotted in as the top three starters in Joe Maddon’s Opening Day rotation. The fourth spot appears to be Kyle Hendricks’ to lose which could leave quite the competition for the fifth spot and at least two reliever … [Read more...]
Cubs Storylines of the Spring: Let’s Go
Spring Training is underway for the Chicago Cubs. Pitchers and catchers have reported to camp and its only 13 days before Opening Day in the Cactus League. For the first time this decade and under Ricketts family ownership, there is excitement and expectation surrounding the Chicago Cubs. The narrative has changed. It’s no longer just about the future for the Cubs. It’s time for the team to win games at the highest level while continuing player development and working toward being a perennial … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Kris Bryant’s Concentration is on the Field, Not on the Business Side of Baseball
Countdown to Pitchers and Catchers Reporting to Mesa: 0 Its reporting day for the pitchers and catchers as baseball begins for the Chicago Cubs. Kris Bryant spoke with the media Wednesday on the eve of the pitchers and catchers report date, and the reigning Minor League Player of the Year delivered the same statement he has the entire off-season. Bryant plans on making it difficult on the Cubs to send him to Triple-A Iowa to start the year. Bryant cannot control the decisions the front … [Read more...]
Cubs Baseball Begins, Pitchers and Catchers Report to Spring Training
The Cubs’ long and eventful off-season officially comes to an end today as pitchers and catchers report to the team’s facility in Mesa. And the coaching staff and players will start preparing for the most anticipated season this decade. To say a lot has changed since the Cubs topped the Brewers on Sept. 28 to wrap up the 2014 season would be an understatement. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer made wholesale changes to the roster after hiring Joe Maddon to run the team. The Cubs made significant … [Read more...]
Cubs 2015 Spring Training Preview: Catchers
With most of the free agency budget spent in the pitching department, the Cubs decided to maximize their return on their investment and made over the catching position as well. Let's take a look at the moves they made and how they will affect the club in the coming season. The first acquisition the team made was trading for Miguel Montero, formerly of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The move was made after the front office refused to go five years with free agent Russell Martin. The trade gives the … [Read more...]
Cubs Outright RHP Gonzalez Germen to Triple-A Iowa, Receives Non-Roster Invite to Spring Training
The Cubs announced Friday RHP Gonzalez Germen cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Iowa. Germen received a non-roster invite to Spring Training and will be in big league camp when pitchers and catchers report to Mesa next week (Feb. 19). Germen was designated for assignment Feb. 4 when the team claimed LHP Drake Britton off waivers from the Red Sox. The Cubs needed the spot on the 40-man roster to add Britton to the organization. With the addition of Gonzalez Germen, the Cubs’ … [Read more...]