The Cubs announced Monday the team acquired OF Dexter Fowler from the Houston Astros for INF Luis Valbuena and RHP Dan Straily. The Cubs 40-man roster officially stands at 39 players with Monday’s trade. The Cubs have been looking for a left-handed hitting outfielder that could hit at the top of the lineup and play center field. And the Cubs found what the front office was looking for in the switch-hitting Dexter Fowler. Fowler is a free agent at the end of the season and did not avoid … [Read more...]
Report: Cubs Close to Acquiring Dexter Fowler from the Astros
According to a report from Bruce Levine, the Cubs are closing in on a deal to acquire OF Dexter Fowler from the Houston Astros. Buster Olney has confirmed Levine’s report. Dexter Fowler is eligible for free agency after the 2015 season but would fit with what the Cubs have been looking for, a leadoff hitter that hits from the left side and plays center field. Fowler is a switch hitter and has a history with new Cubs hitting coach, John Mallee. Dexter Fowler did not avoid arbitration … [Read more...]
Pitching Staff Projections for the 2015 Chicago Cubs
Pitchers and catchers don’t report for seven weeks and Opening Night against the Cardinals is more than four months away, but it’s never too early for projections. For the first time during the Theo Epstein-Jed Hoyer regime the team’s focus will be on winning ballgames. The front office, Joe Maddon and a few of the players have said the Cubs goal is to make the playoffs next season. The Cubs will have a young roster on Opening Night and will be depending on those players to produce while … [Read more...]
Cubs Receive Cash from Oakland to Complete Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel Trade
The Cubs received an undisclosed amount of cash from the Athletics on Monday to complete the trade that sent Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel to Oakland last July 4 a team source confirmed Tuesday morning. The Cubs were expected to receive a player as the fourth piece in the deal in which Addison Russell, Billy McKinney and Dan Straily came to the organization last summer for Samardzija and Hammel but Oakland sent cash to the Cubs instead. The deal with Oakland ended up being RHP Jeff … [Read more...]
Rambling While the Cubs Future Takes Shape
Well, I guess there is only one thing to say at a time like this … Hello again, everybody! It is great to be back. Unfortunately, life gets in the way sometimes, but as this life starts to get back to normal, I felt it was time to get back to what I do, and what I enjoy. And I thoroughly hope you welcome back my ridiculous, random and rolling thoughts with a huge dose of support, doubt and judgment because, well … I wouldn’t have it any other way. And with that … let’s get down to … [Read more...]
Report: Cubs Close to Re-Signing Jason Hammel
According to a report from Jon Heyman, the Cubs are close to a deal with RHP Jason Hammel. The Cubs and Hammel were reportedly interested in a reunion after he put up good numbers for three months last season. Jason Hammel was 8-5 in 17 starts with a 2.98 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 3.19 FIP. In 108 2/3 innings, Hammel gave up 36 runs on 88 hits with 23 walks and 104 strikeouts. The Cubs dealt Hammel, along with Jeff Samardzija to the A’s on July 4 for Addison Russell, Billy McKinney, Dan … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 12/04/14
Position Analysis – Triple-A Iowa Pitching Staff The ninth installment of the off-season series to summarize and project how the minor league system looks on a position by position basis focuses on the possibilities for the pitching staff at the highest level in the Cubs’ system, Triple-A Iowa. Triple-A Iowa Starters and Relievers The Cubs pulled off a big trade with the Oakland A’s last summer that not only netted top prospect Addison Russell, but RHP Dan Straily. Selected by the Athletics … [Read more...]
Cubs Position Analysis – Starting Pitchers
A strength for the Cubs the year before with a 3.97 ERA, starting pitching was an absolute rollercoaster for the team last season totaling a 50-63 record, 798 strikeouts in 927 innings with a 4.11 ERA and 1.31 WHIP. The Cubs were among the best in the league at the beginning of the year, but trades of Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel left the team scrambling for arms as Travis Wood and Edwin Jackson continued to struggle. The team saw some impressive performances from Jake Arrieta and Kyle … [Read more...]
Addison Russell Plays Final Game in Arizona Fall League, Cubs Cut Fall Season Short
According to reports from Mark Gonzales and Patrick Mooney, Thursday was Addison Russell last game in the Arizona Fall League. The Cubs said that Addison Russell is healthy but he was being shut down after 11 games after seeing enough playing time this year. The team would like for Russell to take a short breather before beginning his off-season conditioning program. In what was reportedly his last game of the fall, Russell was 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI on Thursday afternoon at … [Read more...]
The Cubs Front Office Has an Off-Season Wish List
This off-season the front office would like to begin adding players from outside of the organization to the existing young roster in order to help take the Cubs to the next level. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer have stated publicly the Cubs will not alter The Plan and sellout to win in 2015, but it is time for the team to focus on winning games while continuing the development of young players at the big league level. From the outside looking in, the glaring need is starting pitching and the … [Read more...]