The Cubs have not hidden the fact the front office is looking for ways to improve the pitching staff. Reports surfaced last week that linked the Cubs to lefty reliever extraordinaire Andrew Miller. Rumors have also indicated the Cubs would like to add a starting pitcher to the mix. The Cubs starting staff led by Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester have performed extremely well this season. John Lackey has pitched to expectations. And both Jason Hammel and Kyle Hendricks have been really good in the … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Cubs Can Really Run the Bases and Other News and Notes
The Cubs return to the field Tuesday night and open a six-game homestand with the first of three against the Brewers at Wrigley. Monday was anything but a day-off as far as the news goes. Jake Arrieta, Ian Happ, Chesny Young and Paul Blackburn all received awards for their performances from the past week. FanGraphs posted a report Monday in which August Fagerstrom stated the Cubs are the best base-running team, too. The report details just how good the Cubs have been on the bases so far this … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Time to Vote Cubs and Other News and Notes
Major League Baseball posted the ballots for the 2016 All-Star Game on Sunday and the polls are open. Believe it or not, fans can begin voting for their favorite players to represent their team in the Midsummer Classic. This year’s All-Star Game is in San Diego on July 12. And online voting ends on June 30 at 10:59pm CDT. Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Ben Zobrist, Dexter Fowler, Jason Heyward, Jorge Soler and Miguel Montero are on the ballot. The Cubs are encouraging fans to … [Read more...]
Acquiring Young Pitching Reportedly Still a Priority for Cubs
According to a report Sunday from the Tribune, the front office’s priority remains to acquire young pitching. Mark Gonzales explained “the Rays remain an attractive target and a potential match with the Cubs’ young position players.” Gonzales’ report came on the heels of Matt Silverman acknowledging on MLB Network Radio that the Rays and Cubs have discussed deals this winter. Silverman, the Rays’ President of Baseball Operations, said he has talked to multiple teams this off-season, but the … [Read more...]
Cubs Connected to Fernando Rodney, Indians Reportedly Done Making Big Moves
For the second time this week, the Cubs were included on a list of teams interested in free agent reliever Fernando Rodney. Nick Cafardo reported Saturday the Cubs have "talked about bringing him back." The Padres and Blue Jays "have also kicked the tires on signing Fernando Rodney." With Rodney looking to close games again, the Padres could offer him the best opportunity to do so. According to Chris Cotillo, Rodney is in “active talks” with several teams and the Cubs, Blue Jays, Padres … [Read more...]
Resetting the Cubs Off-Season
With the holidays in the rearview mirror, it should be extremely busy throughout the game in the coming days and weeks. There is an unexpected and large number of big names still unsigned and available in free agency, and reports suggest trades could be made throughout baseball once players sign and teams scramble to fill their needs before Spring Training. As for the Cubs, right now the big changes to the roster appear to be done. That is until a team makes an offer that is too good for the … [Read more...]
Cubs Reportedly Still Talking Trades with Multiple Teams
With 2016 quickly approaching, the Cubs are believed to be looking for ways to upgrade the starting rotation and bullpen. The Cubs are expected to make smaller deals to add depth to the roster in the coming weeks, and those players would likely be signed to minor league contracts with non-roster invites to Spring Training. Another big move or two would depend on the front office’s ability to acquire one of the starting pitchers the Cubs have been linked to for months, or a back of the bullpen … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Cubs News and Notes on the Last Monday of Two Thousand Fifteen
With the big name free agents still available it could be an unusually busy week throughout the game. Typically the time between Christmas and New Year is rather slow in baseball but with players such as Chris Davis, Yoenis Cespedes, Justin Upton, Alex Gordon, Scott Kazmir and Wei-Yin Chen still unsigned it could be a rather interesting four days. For the Cubs, the rumblings continue the front office would like to acquire a starting pitcher and possibly a late-inning reliever. The same names … [Read more...]
Cubs Reportedly Still Taking Offers on Jorge Soler
According to Jon Heyman, the Cubs are “still taking offers” on Jorge Soler. The Cubs would reportedly include Soler in a trade for a controllable starting pitcher. And Heyman thinks there is a decent match-up with the Indians for either Carlos Carrasco or Danny Salazar. The Cubs are consistently linked to three teams (Indians, Padres and Rays) at this point of the off-season as the front office’s search for a starting pitcher continues. The Indians covet Soler and both the Indians and Rays … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Javier Baez Plays Center Field and Other Cubs News and Rumors
Javier Baez saw his first action in the outfield. Baez started Friday night’s game in center field and batted fourth for Santurce in Puerto Rico. Until Friday, Baez had played second base and shortstop in Winter Ball. Doug Dascenzo was sent to work with Baez and he played outfield for the first time in a game since high school. At the plate, Baez went 0-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout in Santurce’s 6-3 loss to Mayaguez. Baez saw a lot of action in the field. Baez was not charged with … [Read more...]