The Cubs appeared to fire the next shot at the Cardinals during the first weekend of practice in Mesa. Ryan Williams wore a T-Shirt with “In Blue Out Red” across the back and the Instagram post/photo made its way to Jupiter, Florida, the Spring Training home of the St. Louis Cardinals. Gordon Wittenmyer found out the T-Shirts have nothing to do with the Cubs’ rival. They were a gift to some of the players from mental skills director Darnell McDonald during a minicamp in … [Read more...]
Cubs Announce Minor League Managers, Staff and Coordinators for the 2016 Season
The Cubs announced the managers and coaching staffs Thursday for each of its minor league affiliates and the organization’s minor league coordinators for the 2016 season. Marty Peavy (Triple-A Iowa), Mark Johnson (Double-A Tennessee), Buddy Bailey (High-A Myrtle Beach), Jimmy Gonzalez (Low-A South Bend), Jesus Feliciano (Short-Season Eugene), Carmelo Martinez (Rookie Ball Mesa), Claudio Almonte (Dominican 1) and Pedro Gonzalez (Dominican 2) will be the eight skippers in the Cubs … [Read more...]
Cubs Announce Baseball Operations Hirings and Promotions, Establish Mental Skills Program
The Cubs announced a series of baseball operations hirings and promotions, including the establishment of the club’s new mental skills program, the hiring of Manny Ramirez (Hitting Consultant) and Kevin Youkilis (Scouting and Player Development Consultant) and several additions and promotions in amateur and professional scouting. Manny Ramirez and Kevin Youkilis join the organization as consultants. It was reported that Youkilis would be a special assistant to Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer, but … [Read more...]
Cubs Announce Minor League Managers, Staff and Coordinators for the 2015 Season
The Cubs announced the managers and coaching staff Wednesday for each of its minor league affiliates and the organization’s minor league coordinators for the 2015 season. The 2015 season will be the first year for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (High-A), South Bend Cubs (Low-A) and the Eugene Emeralds (Short-Season Low-A) in the Cubs’ system, joining the Iowa Cubs (Triple-A) and Tennessee Smokies (Double-A). Marty Pevey (Triple-A Iowa), Buddy Bailey (Double-A Tennessee), Mark Johnson (High-A … [Read more...]
Cubs Expected to Be Aggressive as Main Focus Shifts to Pitching
The front office has already started planning out the off-season and what lies ahead for the team in what should be an important winter for the Chicago Cubs. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer have talked about the team being ‘aggressive’ with adding pitching and it will be the front office’s main focus this off-season and for the next 12-24 months. Many are expecting the Cubs to target Jon Lester as soon as he hits free agency. Lester will have a hefty price tag, think in the six-year and $140 … [Read more...]
Arrieta’s Rehab Moved to Daytona, Baez Could Return Sunday and Other Cubs News
Happy Easter The Cubs announced Saturday that Jake Arrieta will make his next, and hopefully last, rehab start with the D-Cubs in Clearwater on Monday and not with the I-Cubs as previously reported. Monday forecast in Des Moines did not look favorable, so Arrieta will put on a D-Cubs jersey and face the Threshers (Philadelphia Phillies) in Clearwater’s park. Jake Arrieta threw 82 pitches over 5 2/3 innings in his last rehab start on Wednesday and would like to stretch his pitch count up to … [Read more...]
Cubs Add Darnell McDonald to Front Office as Baseball Operations Assistant
The Cubs announced an addition to the baseball operations department Tuesday with the hiring of Darnell McDonald. The former outfielder, who recently announced his retirement, has rejoined the organization as Baseball Operations Assistant. … [Read more...]
Cubs Reassign Darnell McDonald to Minor League Camp, Release RHP Chang-Yong Lim
The Cubs announced the ninth round of spring roster cuts on Monday afternoon. The Cubs reassigned OF Darnell McDonald to minor league camp and released RHP Chang-Yong Lim. Darnell McDonald hit .222/.320/.296 in 15 games this with two doubles after re-signing with the Cubs on a minor league deal during the off-season. The Cubs released RHP Chang-Yong Lim. After spending a majority of last season rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, Lim made his big league debut in September and while the … [Read more...]
Olt and Baez Hit Back-to-Back Jacks, Cubs Fall to Rangers in Ten Innings – Rangers 7, Cubs 6
Spring Training Game Twenty-Two – Cubs 6, Rangers (ss) 7 – 10 innings WP – Ryne Slack (1-0) LP – Marcus Hatley (1-2) Save – None For the second time this spring, Mike Olt and Javier Baez hit back-to-back home runs. And for the second time this spring, the Cubs lost a night game in extra innings to a team from the AL West. Mike Olt (1-for-2 with a home run, a sac fly, a walk and three RBI) and Javier Baez (2-for-5 with a home run, a double and a stolen base) showed off their power in the … [Read more...]
Two Out Base Knocks Lift the Cubs Over the Halos – Cubs 4, Angels 2
Spring Training Game Twenty – Cubs (ss) 4, Angels (ss) 2 WP – Edwin Jackson (1-2) LP – Joe Blanton (1-2) Save – Neil Ramirez (1) Edwin Jackson pitched four scoreless innings and the offense did just enough against Joe Blanton as the Cubs held on to beat the Angels on Monday afternoon in Mesa. Edwin Jackson needed Monday’s outing, even against an Angels’ lineup without their big bats. Jackson mixed his pitches, threw strikes and got his work in. Jackson surrendered three hits with one … [Read more...]