The Cubs named a majority of their 2014 coaching staff on Friday afternoon as well as changes to their minor league system. As expected, the Cubs kept Chris Bosio and Lester Strode to coach the pitching staff under Rick Renteria. Franklin Font was retained as a staff assistant and Mike Borzello was retained but received a new title. Borzello is the Cubs’ catching and strategy coach. The big news was the additions of Bill Mueller and Brandon Hyde. Mueller left his job as a scout with the … [Read more...]
Reserve Lists, the Cubs Roster and Samardzija Rumors
Wednesday is the deadline for all 30 teams to file their reserve lists at the major and minor league levels to protect players from the Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 12. The Cubs 40-man roster currently sits at 37 players, so there are three empty spots the front office could use to protect players. Of the eligible prospects in the system, Arismendy Alcantara is the only slam dunk to be added to the 40-man roster. Outfielder Jae-Hoon Ha and LHP Eric Jokisch are also candidates for a promotion to the … [Read more...]
Kris Bryant Wins AFL MVP and Cubs Continue to Explore Options
Weekend Update The Arizona Fall League wrapped up the 2013 season on Saturday with Mesa losing 2-0 to Surprise in the Championship game. But before the contest, Kris Bryant received the Joe Black Award for the Most Valuable Player in the Arizona Fall League. Bryant was impressive during the fall league and created quite the buzz. Bryant edged out Solar Sox teammate, C.J. Cron for the honor. Kris Bryant hit .364/.457/.727 with eight doubles and one triple. Bryant led the AFL in home runs with … [Read more...]
Mueller? Mueller? Cubs Coaching Staff Coming Into Focus
Multiple outlets confirmed the Sun-Times report that the front office is looking to hire Bill Mueller to be the Cubs’ new hitting coach. Mueller would be one of possible two hitting coaches on Rick Renteria’s staff. The front office knows they cannot miss on what will be the team’s third hitting coach in three seasons. Mueller has mainly been working in the Dodgers’ front office since he retired. Mueller served as a special assistant to GM Ned Colletti before replacing Eddie Murray on an … [Read more...]
Report: Cubs Talking to Bill Mueller about Hitting Coach Position
According to a report from the Sun-Times, the Cubs are talking to former Cubs and Red Sox third baseman Bill Mueller about joining the Cubs' staff as hitting coach. The Cubs front office is obviously familiar with Mueller from their days together in Boston. Mueller has been a scout in the Dodgers' system. The Sun-Times confirmed the Cubs have retained Chris Bosio and Lester Strode. Rick Renteria's coaching staff could be announced in a week or so according to the report. … [Read more...]
The Rumor Season is Underway and Other Cubs News and Notes
The GM Meetings and Owners Meetings began on Monday in Orlando. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer arrived early in the afternoon and met with the media. Hoyer confirmed the Cubs’ interest in Masahiro Tanaka and indicated the Cubs are looking to hire two hitting coaches with both positions likely to be filled from outside the organization. As is the case every year, the rumors began to fly out of the GM Meetings before the attention turned to the BBWAA awards. Jose Fernandez of the Marlins and Wil … [Read more...]
Cubs to Focus on Coaching Staff, Adding Pitching and the Process with Tanaka
With Rick Renteria in the fold and the GM Meetings beginning on Monday in Orlando, the Cubs should be extremely busy over the next six weeks leading up to the Christmas Holidays. Not only will the Cubs name their Major League coaching staff, but minor league coaching assignments will be announced in the coming weeks. The deadline to set their reserve roster to protect players from the Rule 5 draft is Nov. 20 and teams have until Dec. 2 to tender contracts to arbitration eligible players and … [Read more...]
Rick Renteria In, Chris Bosio Back and Other Cubs News and Notes
Rick Renteria was introduced as the 53rd manager in franchise history during a conference call with the Chicago media on Thursday afternoon. Renteria said all of the right things during the 30 minute teleconference and Theo Epstein was complimentary of his new skipper. Epstein explained that Renteria has an "impeccable reputation" and he tried to hire him as a field coordinator in Boston more than a decade ago. Rick Renteria said the one thing the players need is confidence and his team will be … [Read more...]
Cubs Announce the Hiring of Rick Renteria
The Cubs officially announced the hiring of Rick Renteria as the 53rd manager in franchise history just after noon on Thursday. Renteria signed a three-year contract that includes club options for the 2017 and 2018 seasons. The financial terms of the contract have not been released. Rick Renteria will meet with the Chicago media via a phone press conference at 4:30pm CST on Thursday. … [Read more...]
Updating the Skipper Search: Cubs Might Not Be Able to Interview Torey Lovullo
Multiple outlets confirmed Ken Rosenthal’s report that the Red Sox might not allow Torey Lovullo to interview for the Cubs’ managerial opening based on the agreement made between the two teams when Theo Epstein left Boston for Chicago more than two years ago. As part of the compensation the Red Sox received for letting Epstein out of the final year of his contract, the Cubs were not allowed to hire any Red Sox personnel to fill positions with the Cubs. Reports at the time indicated the Red … [Read more...]