Cubs open play in the Cactus League on Feb. 25 with split squad games against the A’s and Giants The Cubs announced their 2017 Spring Training schedule, which begins on Saturday, Feb. 25 with a split squad day that includes the club’s Sloan Park opener against the Oakland Athletics and a road game at the San Francisco Giants. The club’s 37-game schedule includes 17 games at Sloan Park, 16 Cactus League road games, two games in Las Vegas against the Cincinnati Reds on March 25-26 and a pair … [Read more...]
Neil Ramirez Favorite for Final Spot on Cubs Roster? Munenori Kawasaki Still a Possibility
Neil Ramirez reportedly is the frontrunner for the final spot on the Cubs roster ... Munenori Kawasaki still a possibility for a backup role With Spring Training winding down, the Cubs have at least one spot still open on the first 25-man roster of the season. It’s been reported for weeks, the last spot on the roster would come down to the Cubs carrying eight relievers or a fifth position player on the bench. The Sun-Times reported Neil Ramirez is the frontrunner for the 25th roster … [Read more...]
Joe Maddon Using National League Lineup for First Time This Spring
Joe Maddon using National League-style lineup for the first time this spring Joe Maddon posted his lineup for Wednesday’s game in Surprise against the Royals. And for the first time this spring, the Cubs will not use a designated hitter. John Lackey is starting Wednesday’s Cactus League game and he is batting ninth in Maddon’s lineup. Cubs’ starting lineup: Ben Zobrist 2B, Addison Russell SS, Kris Bryant 3B, Miguel Montero C, Jorge Soler LF, Javier Baez CF, Jesus Guzman 1B, John … [Read more...]
Cubs Storylines of the Spring
The Cubs begin the most anticipated exhibition season in nearly a decade on Thursday. The hype and expectations surrounding this team are at an all-time high. Joe Maddon is already looking for ways to keep his players loose and having fun while preparing for the rigors of the 162-game schedule. The Cubs will focus on the day at hand and ‘Embrace the Target’ for the next eight months. On paper, the Cubs have one of, if not the deepest roster in all of baseball. Maddon has his work cut out … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Zobrist Couldn’t Resist the Lure of the Cubs, Notes from Spring Practice and Other News
Countdown to Cubs Cactus League Opener: 2 Days Ben Zobrist would like to be part of The Cubs team that puts an end to the longest drought in the history of North American sports. Zobrist reportedly turned down more lucrative offers from other teams to play for the Cubs and be reunited with his long-time skipper Joe Maddon. Zobrist grew up a Cardinals’ fan in Eureka, IL. Zobrist explained to Tracy Ringolsby that his decision to sign with the Cubs did not sit too well with family and friends. … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: The Band is Back Together, Tom Ricketts, Theo Epstein and Other Cubs Spring News
Countdown to Cubs Cactus League Opener: 7 Days The Cubs received the rock star treatment Wednesday by the large crowd and media that assembled at the team’s facility for the first full squad workout of the spring. Pitchers got their work in separate from the position players. After infield drills, the players entertained the fans with batting practice that was also attended by Tom Ricketts, Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer. Joe Maddon liked the flow of Wednesday’s practice. It was short and the … [Read more...]
Cubs Sign LHP Manny Parra to Minor League Contract Includes NRI to Spring Training
The Cubs announced Monday morning the team signed LHP Manny Parra to a minor league contract. Parra received a non-roster invite to big league camp and with the addition of the southpaw, the Cubs’ Spring Training roster officially stands at 62 players … a full 40-man roster and 22 non-roster invitees. The one-time top pitching prospect of the Milwaukee Brewers has spent the last three years pitching out of the Reds’ bullpen. Manny Parra was 1-3 in 40 games last season with a 3.90 ERA, 1.17 … [Read more...]
Cubs Announce Signing Murton to Minor Contract, Add Williams and Olmos to Spring Roster
The Cubs made it official Tuesday and announced signing OF Matt Murton to a minor league contract. Murton received a non-roster invite to Spring Training and will wear No. 21 in his return to the Cubs. As previously reported, Cubs Minor League Pitcher of the Year RHP Ryan Williams has received a non-roster invite to big league camp. And LHP Edgar Olmos cleared waivers, was outrighted off the 40-man roster to Triple-A Iowa and will be in camp as a non-roster invitee. With the three … [Read more...]
Cubs 2016 Spring Training Preview: Catchers
Catching depth was a major concern going into last year's Spring Training, but it could be argued that the Cubs have some of the best in the majors going into this year. The overall catching position improved greatly last season batting .237/.323/.389 besting the previous year’s .221/.285/.335. With both Miguel Montero and David Ross set to return and young players Kyle Schwarber and Willson Contreras also likely to spend some time behind the dish, it will be interesting to see how the position … [Read more...]
Cubs 2016 Spring Training Preview: Starting Pitchers
Since the start of their tenure in the front office, Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer have preached the importance of improving the Cubs' starting pitching depth. This was even more apparent during the club's first playoff berth in seven seasons where ace pitcher Jake Arrieta tired and backend starters Kyle Hendricks and Jason Hammel struggled to be effective. In the off-season, the team seemed to be in on several highly talented arms on the trade market and added Adam Warren and John Lackey to … [Read more...]