The Cubs shifted into off-season mode Thursday afternoon as Theo Epstein held his end of the season press conference. All of the reports linked in this roundup are must reads. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer have been transparent and honest since taking over baseball operations four years ago. A lot can be learned by reading and listening to the front office. Rumors surfaced late Thursday and throughout the weekend as to which players the Cubs could try to acquire and/or sign this … [Read more...]
Cubs Would Like to Add at Least One Quality Starting Pitcher
Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer said last fall the front office planned to add two impact starting pitchers over the next 12-18 months to an organization that was rather thin in the pitching department. The Cubs signed Jon Lester last winter and for the second off-season in a row pitching is a priority for the front office. The lack of pitching depth was exposed in the second half and especially in the post-season. And Theo Epstein addressed the team’s plans during his end of the season press … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Dan Haren Retires, Cubs Moving to The Score and Derek Johnson Leaves Organization
The first day of the Cubs’ off-season was a rather busy one. Theo Epstein held his end of the season press conference in the afternoon and talked for close to an hour. Epstein answered every question and provided detailed answers to a variety of topics. Check back throughout the weekend as the information from his media gathering will be posted in multiple reports. Dan Haren officially retired from baseball following Wednesday’s game at Wrigley Field. Haren made the announcement on Twitter. … [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 and Braves Might Have Discussed More Than Swapping Edwin Jackson and B.J. Upton
David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution provided a little clarity on the swap of bad contracts the Cubs and Braves reportedly discussed that would have sent Edwin Jackson to Atlanta for B.J. Upton. According to the report, the Braves will try to trade B.J. Upton and the three years left on his contract during the upcoming off-season. And O’Brien confirmed the Cubs talked about trading Jackson to the Braves for Upton before the July 31 trade deadline. … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Greg Maddux and Hall of Fame Sunday
Greg Maddux, along with Frank Thomas, Tom Glavine, Tony LaRussa, Bobby Cox and Joe Torre, will be inducted into Baseball’s Hall of Fame Sunday in what should be a special ceremony. Greg Maddux was the best starting pitcher of his generation and one of the greatest of all-time. Maddux finished his 23 year big league career with a 355-227 record in 744 appearances, 740 starts, with a 3.16 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. Maddux struck out 3371 batters while walking only 999 over his career. Maddux is one … [Read more...]
David Price Clears Up Comments Made About the Cubs
David Price created quite the buzz Monday when he answered a hypothetical question about pitching for the Chicago Cubs. Price is a free agent after next season and told the assembled media, “That would probably be the coolest city to win a championship.” David Price has a connection to the Cubs through his former pitching coach, Derek Johnson, at Vanderbilt and he sees what the Cubs are building. And he’s not the only big leaguer that has noticed what the Cubs’ front office is assembling in … [Read more...]
Cubs Draft Profile: Tyler Beede
Tyler Beede Position: RHP School: Vanderbilt (College), Junior Bats: R, Throws: R DOB: May 23, 1993 Height: 6-foot-4, Weight: 215 Grades from MLB.com – Fastball: 65 | Curveball: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45 | Overall: 60 MLB.com uses the 20-80 scouting scale for future tools: 20-30 – well below average | 40 – below average | 50 – average | 60 – above average | 70-80 – well above average Tyler Beede has no-hit stuff, the problem is that he has trouble controlling it. Beede, … [Read more...]
Cubs Announce Minor League Managers, Staffs and Coordinators for the 2014 Season
The Cubs announced the coaching staffs for all minor league levels and field coordinators on Wednesday. There was very little turnover or changes made to the coaching staffs that were in the Cubs' system a year ago with the exception of the pitching coaches. Marty Pevey (Triple-A Iowa), Buddy Bailey (Double-A Tennessee), Dave Keller (High-A Daytona), Mark Johnson (Low-A Kane County) and Gary Van Tol (Short-Season, Low-A Boise) were retained to run the five upper level teams in the Cubs' … [Read more...]
MLB Replay, Posting Tanaka and Cubs News and Notes
The GM and Owners Meetings took place in Orlando this past week. Teams began talking with one another about potential trades and setting up what could be a very interesting Winter Meetings when the baseball world meets again in Orlando on Dec. 9. While the focus is usually on possible player movement and the countless rumors that surface during the meetings, there was other news to come out of those meetings that could impact the game moving forward. … [Read more...]