Jake Arrieta is coming off a career-year. Arrieta emerged as the top starter on the Cubs staff and posted a 10-5 record in 25 starts with a 2.53 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 2.26 FIP. Arrieta struck out 167 batters with 41 walks in 156 2/3 innings. Arrieta has been very good with the Cubs under Chris Bosio’s tutelage since the trade from Baltimore in 2013. Arrieta said in August he would like to stay in Chicago and would be interested in signing a long-term extension with the Cubs, even if it meant … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Checking on Javier Baez in Winter Ball and Other Cubs News and Rumors
Javier Baez appeared in his fourth game Wednesday for Santurce and reached base twice in four at bats. Baez played second base, hit third and scored his team’s only run. Baez went 1-for-3 with a double, a walk and a strikeout in Santurce’s 2-1 loss to San Juan. Javier Baez is 5-for-14 in four games with two doubles, one home run, two walks and seven strikeouts, four of the strikeouts in last three games (.357/.412/.714/1.126). David Ross The Cubs are reportedly interested in David Ross and … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Jason Motte Says Hello to Cubs Fans and Other News, Notes and Rumors
Ken Rosenthal reported Tuesday that RHP Jason Motte passed his physical and his one-year, $4.5 million contract with the Cubs was done. Motte’s contract includes a $2.5 million incentives package based on games finished. The Cubs have not announced signing Jason Motte and will have to open a spot on the 40-man roster in order to officially add Motte. Jason Motte said his good-byes to the Cardinals fans and hello to the Cubs fans on Twitter. “Thank you for the warm welcome. Thanks to the … [Read more...]
Cubs Reported as a Possible Suitor for RHP Kenta Maeda
Reports have indicated the Hiroshima Carp could post RHP Kenta Maeda before the end of the month. Once he’s posted, Maeda will garner a lot of attention as teams across the league lineup to commit the $20 million fee for the right to negotiate a deal with him. Last year it was believed the clubs that lost out on Masahiro Tanaka would be in the mix for Maeda this winter. And the Cubs were among those that tried to convince Tanaka to forgo pitching in the Bronx. Jim Duquette listed the Cubs, … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Russell Martin to Reject Pirates Qualifying Offer and Other Cubs News and Rumors
Monday is the deadline for the 12 players to accept or reject the $15.3 qualifying offer for next season. The Cubs have been linked heavily to four of the 12 players: Russell Martin, Max Scherzer, David Robertson and James Shields. According to a report from Jon Heyman, as expected Russell Martin will officially reject the Pirates qualifying offer prior to Monday’s deadline. The Cubs met with Martin last Thursday and according to Heyman, the meeting “is said to have gone very well.” Martin … [Read more...]
Second-Tier Pitching Options for the Cubs
By all accounts, Jon Lester is at the top of the Cubs list and is the front office’s primary pitching target of the off-season. James Shields has been mentioned as a fallback option in case the front office can’t land Lester. The Cubs are reportedly interested in Max Scherzer as well. And Cole Hamels is also a possibility for the Cubs to upgrade the rotation. As Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer have said, the front office would ideally add two starting pitchers this winter. Despite reports from the … [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...]
Free Agent LHP Brett Anderson a Possible Buy-Low Option for the Cubs?
According to a report from the Sun-Times, LHP Brett Anderson can be added to the list of free agent starting pitchers that are on the Cubs radar this winter. The Cubs’ plans for the winter season have not changed with Joe Maddon now in the fold and calling the shots from the dugout. The front office would ideally add two starters to the roster this winter and Jon Lester remains the Cubs primary target. But the Cubs are also interested in James Shields as a fallback option and have been … [Read more...]
James Shields Could Reportedly Be a Fallback Option for the Cubs
The Cubs have made no secret of the fact they are looking to add one, ideally two starting pitchers this off-season. While a report from Nick Cafardo indicated the Cubs would possibly go after both Jon Lester and Max Scherzer this winter, realistically if the front office signs two starters, one would be a top of the rotation-type arm and the other would slot into the middle of the rotation. The front office’s primary off-season target is believed to be Jon Lester and reportedly Lester has … [Read more...]
Cubs Reportedly at the Top of Jake Peavy’s Wish List
Jake Peavy has gone from a possible back-up plan for the Cubs if the front office is not able to sign Jon Lester to telling the Sun-Times that he and Lester are a “package deal” for any team. Peavy and Lester are very close and while he would not confirm his interest in the Cubs with the Sun-Times, Gordon Wittenmyer’s sources indicate the Cubs are “at the top of his wish list.” Peavy told the Sun-Times, “Me and Jon are obviously very close. If there was ever a fit with both of us on the team, … [Read more...]
