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...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 11/05/12
Pitching seemed to be the focus this past week, as the organization added two more hurlers in Michael Bowden and Jay Jackson to their winter roster. Starters Yoanner Negrin and Horacio Ramirez had some good showings. Among the relievers having a good week were Jairo Asencio, Jeffry Antigua, Esmailin Caridad, and Nick Struck. It was also a good week for the infielders, as Junior Lake, Luis Valbuena, and Christian Villanueva had their moments, while Alfredo Amezaga simply dazzled. Details … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 10/29/12
It was strange happenings as the fall and winter leagues embraced the Halloween spirit. Eduardo Figueroa became the first trade of the winter, appearing for both Caribes de Anzoategui and Tiburones de La Guaira this week. Meanwhile, Mesa played to a rare tie and Javier Baez took over the league lead in RBI. And after struggling last week, Greg Rohan and Jae-Hoon Ha saw things turn around for them at the plate. … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 10/22/12
Misery loves company, as Greg Rohan and Hector Mayora joined the entire Mesa Solar Sox squad in having a tough time this past week. Mesa was a miserable 0-for-6 for the week, as they wasted decent performances from Matt Szczur and Kevin Rhoderick. However, Ty Wright saw his fortunes turn around as he welcomed Jae-Hoon Ha to Tigres de Aragua. Yoanner Negrin also had a gem for Leones de Caracas, while infielders Alfredo Amezaga, Diory Hernandez and Junior Lake kept plugging along. … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 09/17/12
Second Half Minor League Report In looking at the Cubs' minor league system for the second half of the 2012 season, one can break things down into three phases. First there are the AZL Cubs and the Boise Hawks, which received the greatest influence of the Cubs' new front office team. With their rosters heavily populated by players from the 2012 draft and international free agent signings, both ended up in the playoffs at the end of the season, with Boise losing in the finals. Next there were … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/30/12
Entering the final week of the minor league season has different meanings at each level. For the players in Iowa, such as Greg Rohan and Dave Sappelt, it means their last chance to make an impression and hope for a September call-up to the big leagues. In Boise and Arizona, players like Stephen Bruno, Jeimer Candelario, Shawon Dunston Jr., and Trevor Gretzky are beginning to prepare for the playoffs. While the players in Tennessee, Daytona and Peoria are trying to show management that they … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/27/12
There looks to be some excitement down the stretch as the minor leagues enter the last week of play. Boise has clinched the second half pennant thanks to players such as Gioskar Amaya, Stephen Bruno, Jeimer Candelario, Willson Contreras, Tayler Scott, and Dan Vogelbach. Peoria is charging to the finish line on the bat of Tim Saunders and the pitching of Michael Jensen. While in Daytona, John Andreoli is sure to make a number of other prospects nervous with the season he is having. And Rubi … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/20/12
Things continue to look good from the ground up in the minor league system and Iowa surprised by winning three out of four to end the week as Dave Sappelt appears to have his eye on the big league club in September. Boise has stayed in the lead in the second half of the season thanks to Rock Shoulders, Stephen Bruno and Albert Almora joining an already impressive list of hitters in Gioskar Amaya, Jeimer Candelario, Dan Vogelbach, and Willson Contreras. Speaking of promising hitters, Jorge … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/16/12
Changes appear to be in the air for the minor league system, as Vice President of Player Personnel Oneri Fleita was fired on Wednesday afternoon. Long deserved promotions for pitcher Austin Kirk and outfielder Rubi Silva have finally happened, while Yoannis Negrin, Willengton Cruz, and Jacob Rogers also received a bump up in level. Tennessee has tightened up their defense, which has resulted in shut out wins for Dae-Eun Rhee and Yoannis Negrin. And Iowa actually posted a couple of wins, with … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/09/12
Progress continues to inch along in the Cubs' system, with the lower minor league teams showing the most improvement. Boise has moved into first place in the second half as leading hitters Gioskar Amaya, Stephen Bruno, and Dan Vogelbach have stabilized the offense. Shortstop Tim Saunders has tightened up the defense in Peoria, to the delight of Michael Jensen and Starling Peralta. New faces Christian Villanueva and Javier Baez have been in the middle of things in Daytona, while Tennessee's … [Read more...]