The annual General Manager Meetings officially begin Wednesday in Palm Springs. The meetings run through Friday and these meetings usually set the groundwork for future trades and free agent signings. Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer, Jason McLeod, Randy Bush and Shiraz Rehman made the trek out west and will continue conversations they've already had with other teams and agents. The Cubs have significant flexibility and are going to be aggressive in free agency according to a report from Comcast … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 11/28/11
As we paused this past Thursday to give thanks, the winter leagues saw many comings and goings. However, to answer some concerns of the Cubs Faithful, several pitchers stepped up their games. Austin Bibens-Dirkx, Marco Carrillo, and Jay Jackson were perfect in their starts, while Blake Parker and Oswaldo Martinez continue to mow them down in relief. Meanwhile, infielder Junior Lake had a memorable season debut in the Dominican Republic. To see where some of the prospects are now turning up, … [Read more...]
The Cubs First Interview Is In the Books … and Other News and Notes
Team Epstein completed their first formal interview on Friday for the Cubs managerial position ... current Phillies' bench coach, Pete Mackanin. Mackanin said he enjoyed the interview and described it as "thorough and a little exhausting." According to multiple reports, Mackanin said the interview was comprehensive and Team Epstein did not let him up for air ... they just kept pounding questions at him. Mackanin added that the interview process was similar to the one he went through in Boston … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 10/05/11
Next up on the CCO's trip through the Cubs minor league system are the pitching staffs of the Daytona Cubs and Peoria Chiefs. Pitching Analysis … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/25/11
As the season begins to wind down in the minors, player movement again seems to be the norm. Arizona, Boise, Peoria and Daytona have all struggled as they have tried to integrate new players. But Peoria's Richard Jones is still in play for the Midwest League Triple Crown, while Bryan LaHair is also in the hunt for the same honor in the Pacific Coast League. Meanwhile, Tennessee is trying to take the second half title in the Southern League and secure a playoff bye. Along with News and Notes, … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/22/11
It's a brand new day for the Cubs' Farm System. Here's hoping for sunny skies ahead. The system's teams responded by going a collective 12-7 over the past weekend, buoyed by Tennessee's five-game winning streak. Iowa has also won four out of its past five games, while Peoria and Boise each posted a 2-2 record. Brett Jackson continues to be on fire in Iowa, while Matt Spencer, Rebel Ridling and Justin Bour delivered key home runs. Chris Rusin and Ryan Searle also had top-notch pitching … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/18/11
All the teams in the system suffered their ups-and-downs to begin the week. The Iowa offense let down a couple of their young pitchers, but came through for Jay Jackson. Tennessee still has some struggles on offense as well, but Brooks Raley was the beneficiary of an outburst. Daytona battled weather problems; bullpen collapses plagued Peoria; while Boise actually split with archenemy Tri-City. Along with News and Notes, and a weekly recap of action in the Dominican Summer League and the … [Read more...]