The Cubs focus since Jon Lester put on his Cubs jersey for the first time in public has been on adding depth to the outfield. Even with the addition of Chris Denorfia, the front office isn’t believed to be done looking for an outfielder that would give Joe Maddon options. Reports have suggested a left-handed hitting, top of the order bat that could set the table for the middle of the order and play center field was the front office’s preference. But that might not be the case. Buster Olney … [Read more...]
Cubs Centered On Finding Answers for the Outfield
According to a report from Bruce Levine, centerfield is still a question mark for the Cubs. The front office would like to add another outfielder, beyond Chris Denorfia to the mix. The Cubs haven’t announced the signing of Chris Denorfia to a one-year contract yet and will have to make room on the 40-man roster before adding him to the mix. With Denorfia in the fold, the Cubs have options on the roster but a lot of questions as well. Jorge Soler, Chris Coghlan, Ryan Sweeney, Junior Lake … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Rumors, Rumors and More Cubs Rumors
The rumor mill went from zero to 100 on Sunday morning as the baseball world began getting back into the full swing of the off-season following the holidays. The Cubs have a lot of work to do and based on reports continue to explore ways to add depth to the outfield. Ben Zobrist, Colby Rasmus, Denard Span, Coco Crisp and James Shields were connected to the Cubs on Sunday by the mainstream media. While the first month of the New Year has a tendency to be quiet, it appears this January … [Read more...]
Cubs Weekend Headlines: A Roster Addition, News, Notes and Rumors as the Calendar Rolled to 2015
It was a rather busy end to 2014 and beginning to 2015 for the Cubs. The front office agreed to terms with OF Chris Denorfia. FanGraphs projected a 10-win improvement for Joe Maddon’s Cubs and the holiday weekend wrapped up with rumor Sunday as baseball gears up for the stretch run before pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training. The Cubs appear to be in the middle of what could be an active trade market for outfielders as Jon Paul Morosi predicted. Here are the headlines from … [Read more...]
Denard Span, Coco Crisp on Cubs Radar?
Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer would like to acquire a left-handed hitting centerfielder that can hit at the top of the lineup. The Cubs have not ruled out beginning the season with Arismendy Alcantara as the starting centerfielder. It is believed the team is happy with the progress Alcantara made defensively last year and this winter playing for Licey in the Dominican Republic. And the front office thinks Alcantara will perform better at the plate than he did in his first 70 games in the big … [Read more...]
The High Cost of Matt Garza … and Other Cubs News, Notes and Rumors
The Cubs finally announced the one-year contract with Reed Johnson on Tuesday. The agreement between the Cubs and Johnson surfaced on December 21 and Johnson spoke about re-signing with the Cubs during an interview on MLB Network Radio/XM Radio shortly after the agreement was leaked. Johnson made $900,000 last year and will be paid $1.15 million for the upcoming season. Matt Garza and Prince Fielder continue to be main topics of conversation surrounding the Chicago Cubs. Theo Epstein and Jed … [Read more...]
The PF Flyer, Matt Garza … and Other Cubs News, Notes and Rumors
Baseball's off-season is beginning its stretch run. With the holiday season in the rearview mirror, teams have a lot of work to do over the next six weeks leading up to pitchers and catchers reporting to camp. It should be a very interesting first month of Twenty-Twelve around the game as well as for the Chicago Cubs. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer appear to be working on several deals that could have a big impact on the roster they begin Spring Training with ... much less the regular season. … [Read more...]
Three is Not Enough for Fielder … and Other Cubs Rumors
The noise and rumors surrounding the Cubs continue to be louder than the actual news coming out of the offices at 1060 West Addison. The Cubs continue to be connected to Prince Fielder by the mainstream media and the Matt Garza trade rumors will not go away. Peter Gammons riled up Scott Boras late Tuesday night. Gammons reported that several general managers think Scott Boras could do a three-year deal for Prince Fielder worth $26 million per season. Gammons said Fielder would end up topping … [Read more...]
‘Tis the Season for the Cubs to Rebuild
For those that had any doubt what the Cubs' plan is for the immediate future, Theo Epstein reiterated it Friday. "We value the season right in front of your face as important, but we've been pretty open about the fact if there's a move that can't serve our interests both now ad in the future, we're probably going to err of the side of the future." Epstein further explained, "We're in the business right now of taking our short-term assets and turning them into long-term assets." As Bruce Miles … [Read more...]
The Front Office, Fielder, Marshall, Compensation … and Other Cubs News, Notes and Rumors
The player moves the Cubs are rumored to be working on continued making noise on Tuesday. According to a report late Tuesday night from Ken Rosenthal, the Cubs and Reds are discussing a deal that could send Sean Marshall to Cincinnati for Travis Wood. It is unknown if there are other players involved in the talks. Marshall is under contract through the 2012 season and is one of the Cubs most valuable trading chips. Theo Epstein has hired two more front office personnel and another could be … [Read more...]