With the minor league regular season concluding on Labor Day, here is what to expect from Down on the Farm Report and the CCO’s continued coverage of the Cubs’ farm system in the coming months. The CCO will present an on-going, in depth look at all of the prospects in the minors, both positions players and pitchers. All of the national top prospect lists will be posted as well as news from the minor league teams, coaching staffs and player movement. And we will publish our annual list of the … [Read more...]
Hit and Misses….but mostly Misses
As the 2002 MLB draft was approaching, the Chicago Cubs' farm system was highly regarded. Baseball America had it ranked in the top 3 in 2002, and 2001 and the trend would continue in 2003. Their biggest strength at the time was pitching. The club had four out of the first thirty-eight picks in 2002 and spent them all on promising pitching prospects. Unfortunately for the Cubs, only one of them tasted AAA ball and he, Bobby Brownlie, is in independent ball now. I was planning on writing this … [Read more...]
Freeform Friday
The last Friday without baseball for the next 8 months.... The Cubs single game tickets go on sale at 10:00am C.T. this morning. So while you are in the virtual waiting room today open another browser and spend your time on the CCO debating the latest from Day 8 of Camp Lou. Lou Piniella announced on Thursday that Ryan Dempster will take the hill in the Cactus League opener against the Giants. Also, Piniella is toying with the idea of hitting Kosuke Fukudome third, dropping Derrek Lee to 4th … [Read more...]
Spring Training NRI’s….The Catchers
While many remain very interested in what may or may not transpire with the Orioles, pitchers and catchers report to Fitch Park....in just one day. The winter long speculation of what could be and what should be is just about over. Several reports have indicated Jim Hendry is still exploring ways to improve his club before the games start to count in six weeks. While Hendry may still be working the phones, Lou Piniella has the task of molding the players on the Cubs roster into a winning … [Read more...]
Another Day Closer?
The reports out of Baltimore concerning the future of Erik Bedard and Brian Roberts seemingly change by the minute. Several news sources stated on Wednesday morning the Orioles and Mariners were once again talking about sending Bedard to Seattle and the deal was close to being completed. Then reports began to surface that Andy MacPhail indicated other teams were back in the mix to land Bedard. A third different story surfaced on Wednesday night when MLB.com reported the Orioles were attempting … [Read more...]
Still Working
With a little less than three weeks before pitchers and catchers report on February 13th, Jim Hendry told the Tribune he is not done with his roster. There are additions the Cubs would like to make before Spring Training according to statements made by Hendry over the last week. The same names continue to be mentioned on a daily basis without any movement. Could Hendry be on the verge of adding a couple of players to the mix or will the Cubs start Spring Training with their current 40-man … [Read more...]