The next few days should be anything but boring for the Chicago Cubs. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer checked off two items from their off-season to do list when they signed Scott Baker and Dioner Navarro last week. The next deadline for the Cubs is Tuesday when they must file their reserve lists to protect players from the Rule 5 Draft. The Cubs have two open spots on their 40-man roster and several players that could be selected in the draft on December 6. There are moves that could, and should, … [Read more...]
Weekend Update … News, Notes and Cubs Rumors
Major League Baseball will be front and center with the announcements of the AL and NL Rookie of the Year (Monday), AL and NL Manager of the Year (Tuesday), AL and NL Cy Young (Wednesday) and AL and NL Most Valuable Player (Thursday) awards this week. And while baseball is focused on awards week, the Cubs will continue working on the roster. The deadline for clubs to file reserve lists both at the Major League and minor league level is looming (November 20) and the Cubs have decisions to make. … [Read more...]
The Cubs Don’t Have Unlimited Assets to Deal … and Other News and Notes
The GM Meetings are underway in Indian Wells, California and the Cubs are "still in the stage of figuring out what opportunities will be there" for them. According to a report from the Tribune, it appears the Cubs will be filling their needs this winter with free agent signings rather than trades. Theo Epstein said Wednesday that the Cubs "do not have a ton of fits with 25 of the other 29 clubs." The Cubs will continue to pursue all avenues but Epstein indicated they will likely focus on the … [Read more...]
Cubs Rumors Heating Up as GM Meetings Begin
The Cubs' brass will continue laying the groundwork for the off-season this week at the GM Meetings in Palm Springs. Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer, Jason McLeod and assistant GMs Randy Bush and Shiraz Rehman will represent the Cubs at the general manager meetings that officially begin Wednesday and run through Friday. Jed Hoyer said last week they've had dialogue with other teams about possible trades and they have also checked in with agents of free agent players they are interested in signing. The … [Read more...]
Weekend Update … It’s Just the Beginning of the Cubs Off-Season
With free agency underway and the General Managers meetings in California during the coming week (November 6-9, Palm Springs), there figures to be a lot of news and even more rumors throughout the game over the next seven days. While activity might be at a minimum, the GM Meetings have historically set the tone for future trades. The Cubs are looking to add at least two starting pitchers, an outfielder and possibly a third baseman and backup catcher. It also appears that the Cubs are trying to … [Read more...]
Cubs Off-Season Kicks into Gear
The Cubs off-season picked up a little steam when news surfaced that the team had a low-level, informal discussion with Ryan Dempster about a possible return to the North Side of Chicago. The Cubs down played the discussion. Dempster is a free agent and is expected to sign a multi-year contract. The Cubs announced Thursday the hiring of Anthony Iapoce as a special assistant to the GM for player development. Iopace spent the last three seasons as the minor league hitting coordinator for the … [Read more...]
Darwin Barney is Golden … and Other Cubs News, Notes and Rumors
Darwin Barney turned in a record setting season and was rewarded with a gold glove on Tuesday night. Darwin Barney beat out the Reds' Brandon Phillips and Arizona's Aaron Hill for the Rawlings Gold Glove. Barney became just the fourth second baseman in Cubs' history to take home the award (Ryne Sandberg, 1983-1991; Glenn Beckert, 1968; Ken Hubbs, 1962) and the first since his mentor and former minor league manager. Darwin Barney saved the Cubs 28 runs with his defense throughout the season and … [Read more...]
Time for the Off-Season to Begin … Cubs Hire Minor League Pitching Coordinator and Other News and Notes
Congratulations to the San Francisco Giants for winning their second World Series title in three years ... When the Cubs announced the new staff structure for baseball operations last Tuesday, two positions had not been filled at that time ... Minor League Pitching Coordinator and Minor League Hitting Coordinator. According to Baseball America, at least one position has been filled. The Cubs have hired long-time Vanderbilt pitching coach Derek Johnson to be the organization's Minor League … [Read more...]
Pitching, Pitching … and Other Cubs News, Notes and Rumors
Early indications are that the Cubs will focus on adding pitching this off-season. Theo Epstein said earlier this week that the Cubs will add at least two starters to go along with Jeff Samardzija, Matt Garza and Travis Wood. Epstein indicated that Garza is progressing as the Cubs had hoped and he should be ready to pitch when Spring Training begins. The Cubs are going to build the 2013 rotation without Arodys Vizcaino but they are hopeful he is able to force his way into the rotation. The Cubs … [Read more...]
Baseball Operations Staff Structures, Theo Epstein and Other Cubs News, Notes and Rumors
The Cubs announced several changes to the front office, scouting and field staff, plus a three-year contract extension for Assistant General Manager, Randy Bush. Dale Sveum finalized his coaching staff on Tuesday with the hiring of David Bell to replace Pat Listach as the team's third base coach. The Cubs also removed the interim tag from hitting coach James Rowson. Theo Epstein discussed his first year at the helm of baseball operations. Epstein stepped down from his position with the Red Sox … [Read more...]