The front office continues to address the Cubs needs as the end of the best year in franchise history quickly approaches. The World Series Champions have added relievers to the bullpen, most notably Wade Davis. And the Cubs have reportedly agreed to terms on a one-year contract with Koji Uehara. Once Uehara’s deal is official, three of the last four pitchers to record the final out to win a World Series will be on the Cubs roster. The Cubs continue to be linked to Tyson Ross and Rays’ … [Read more...]
Rays Have Reportedly Placed Hefty Price Tag on Pitching, Especially Chris Archer
Report indicates Rays looking for a Chris Sale return in any deal for Chris Archer The Rays have several starting pitchers on their roster that are of interest to other teams. The Cubs, Dodgers and Rangers have been connected to the Rays and are believed to have the players it would take to acquire one of their young hurlers. The Cubs have had conversations with Matt Silverman and Tampa’s front office for well over 18 months. The Cubs and Rays have admitted publicly that on paper the two … [Read more...]
Cubs Still Looking to Add to Bullpen After Acquiring Wade Davis
The Cubs have a new closer after acquiring RHP Wade Davis from the Royals for Jorge Soler. The Cubs have added two relievers to the bullpen in the last week but are not done. Jed Hoyer said Wednesday the front office would like to add more relievers, particularly left-handers and have stayed in contact with Travis Wood about a possible return. The Cubs have been linked to LHP Jerry Blevins, RHP Brad Zeigler and RHP Daniel Hudson. All three relievers are free agents and would add a veteran … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Cubs Winter Meetings News, Notes and Rumors
Baseball’s Winter Meetings officially get underway today. There was a lot of buzz and a big-name signing Sunday as the baseball world made its way to the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer are focused on upgrading the Major League pitching staff, both starters and relievers, according to Joel Sherman, which is exactly what the Cubs have said publicly. Epstein and Hoyer would like to acquire pitching this week. According to ESPN … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Let the Meetings Begin and Other Cubs News and Rumors
Baseball’s Winter Meetings begin Sunday and officially get underway Monday in National Harbor, just outside of Washington DC. The Meetings run through Thursday and conclude with the Rule 5 Draft. The Cubs are looking for pitching, both starters and relievers. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer are focused on acquiring pitching and exploring all avenues from veterans to young controllable starters with options and minor league depth. On the closer front, the Cubs have been linked to Kenley Jansen, … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Ben Zobrist, Javier Baez and Other Cubs News and Rumors
Two questions that have surfaced since the Cubs won The World Series earlier this month, where will Ben Zobrist and Javier Baez play next season? Zobrist and Baez are under contract and will not be traded. But with Zobrist playing left field throughout the postseason and Baez starting at second base, it has been assumed that Baez will be the Cubs’ everyday second baseman next season with Zobrist moving full-time to the outfield. And that’s not the case according to a report from Comcast … [Read more...]
Cubs Talks with Rays Have Reportedly Included Chris Archer
The Rays have reportedly made all of their pitchers available this off-season, in the right deal, as a way to improve other areas of the roster. The Rays are believed to be exploring options to add offense to a team that underachieved this past season. The Rays have a surplus of pitching, a rarity in today’s game. Offensively, the Rays have struggled with consistency for years. And with the cost of pitching, both in free agency and on the trade market, being so incredibly high, Matt Silverman … [Read more...]
Report: Rays Likely to Trade Pitching to Improve Other Areas of Roster
The Tampa Bay Rays have several very good, controllable starting pitchers. And because of other areas Matt Silverman and the front office need to address, the Rays may trade pitching this off-season to improve the roster. According to a report from Joel Sherman, the Rays “left the GM Meetings under the stronger belief they would trade one from among starters Chris Archer, Jake Odorizzi, Drew Smyly and less likely Alex Cobb.” The Cubs are one of several teams that have prioritized adding … [Read more...]
Cubs Weekend Headlines: Meat Loaf in Milwaukee, Roster Moves, Rumors, Fowler Returns and Aroldis Chapman
Joe Maddon’s team spent the weekend in Milwaukee and ended up winning a series against the pesky Brewers. Dexter Fowler supplied the spark, and a few big hits on Friday night in his return to the lineup. Fowler led off the game with a home run, doubled in a pair runs and scored twice. Saturday did not go the Cubs way. After being blanked for five innings on Sunday, the Cubs scored one in the sixth and five in the seventh with Anthony Rizzo delivering the big hit a bases clearing … [Read more...]
Josh Reddick, Rays Pitchers High on Cubs List
Reports continue to surface connecting the Cubs with veteran outfielder Josh Reddick. According to a report from Jon Heyman, the Cubs “are showing interest” in Reddick and Jon Paul Morosi reported for the third time in as many days the Cubs, along with the Indians and Dodgers, are in the mix for Reddick. During his show Saturday morning on 670 The Score (Inside Baseball), Bruce Levine said Reddick is “the ideal guy to plug into the outfield.” Chris Coghlan has dealt with injuries and been … [Read more...]