Tuesday was the deadline for eligible players to file for salary arbitration. 146 players across the league filed for salary arbitration, including the eight remaining players on the Cubs’ roster. It is not believed the front office will end up in an arbitration hearing in February (Feb. 1 – Feb. 21) with Jeff Samardzija, Travis Wood, Darwin Barney, Luis Valbuena, Justin Ruggiano, Pedro Strop, Nate Schierholtz or James Russell. Darwin Barney said last month he has spoken with management about … [Read more...]
Cubs Interview Dave Martinez for Managerial Opening
As expected Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer interviewed Dave Martinez on Thursday and the two-time former Cub is looking to become the next manager of the team that drafted him in 1983. According to Bruce Miles, Epstein and Hoyer spent the entire day with Martinez at Wrigley Field. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer met with Rick Renteria in San Diego on Monday and have already interviewed A.J. Hinch and Manny Acta. … [Read more...]
Joe Girardi and the Search for the Next Cubs Manager
The Cubs know what they are looking for in a manager. The front office is looking for their new manager to be dynamic and creative with tremendous energy as well as a track record of developing Major League talent and while one with a Cubs’ background would help, it is not necessarily a priority. Did Theo Epstein have anyone in mind on Monday when he detailed what the front office is looking for to lead the big league team next year and beyond? The Cubs are expected to ask the Yankees for … [Read more...]
Dale Sveum Out as Manager of the Chicago Cubs
According to multiple reports, the Cubs have fired Dale Sveum and he will not return to manage the Cubs in the final year of his three-year contract. According to multiple reports, some members of Sveum's staff may return but those positions will not filled until a new manger is hired. Updated 11:14am CDT - The Cubs made it official and announced that Dale Sveum has been relieved of his duties as the manager of the Cubs. Theo Epstein said the Cubs want a "dynamic new voice and the … [Read more...]
Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. Nationals – 05/10/13
Game Thirty-Five: Cubs (13-21) vs. Nationals (19-15) Game Time – 6:05pm CDT Coverage – TV: WGN TV – Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channels 183/844 Location – Nationals Park, Washington D.C. Jeff Samardzija (1-4, 3.09/1.17) vs. Ross Detwiler (1-3, 2.50/1.39) After a much-needed day off, Dale Sveum’s team hits the road for a brief three game trip to the Nation’s Capital, then right back to Wrigley for a six game homestand next week against the Rockies and Metropolitans. Jeff Samardzija … [Read more...]
Cubs Cannot Buy a Clutch Hit – Cubs 4, Brewers 5
Game Fifteen - Cubs 4, Brewers 5 WP – Marco Estrada (2-0) LP – Jeff Samardzija (1-3) Save – Jim Henderson (3) The Cubs dropped the first of the three-game series at Miller Park on Friday night. The Cubs had plenty of chances to pick-up Jeff Samardzija after a rough first inning. Jeff Samardzija struggled through a 27-pitch first inning and allowed four runs on five hits in the opening frame. The Brewers hit for the cycle against Samardzija in the first with the big hit coming off the … [Read more...]
Day Two of the 2013 Cubs Convention … Dale Sveum and the Coaching Staff
Dale Sveum and his coaching staff were next up on Saturday. Sveum was joined by Jamie Quirk, James Rowson, Dave McKay, Lester Strode and newcomers, third base coach David Bell and assistant hitting coach Rob Deer. Chris Bosio was not able to attend and left the convention early. Bosio is recovering from knee replacement surgery. Sveum and his coaching staff discussed their first year with the Cubs, what challenges lay ahead for them in year two and what they have planned for Spring … [Read more...]
MLB Owners Approve Rules Changes
According to a report from Jayson Stark, several rules changes were voted on and tentatively approved during last week’s owners meetings. The changes must be approved by the players’ union before the changes can be implemented for the upcoming season. Teams will be permitted to have a seventh coach in uniform in the dugout during games, the fake-to-third, throw-to-first pick off move would be considered a balk and coaches and managers will be allowed to bring interpreters to the mound were … [Read more...]
From the Wire … Cubs Add Rob Deer to Sveum’s Coaching Staff
The Cubs announced the hiring of Rob Deer on Monday. Deer will serve as the team's assistant hitting coach, a new position on the Cubs' big league staff. Deer will formally assist hitting coach James Rowson, who was named as the team's full-time hitting coach in October after taking over for Rudy Jaramillo on an interim basis last June. Rob Deer previously served as a minor league hitting coach and minor league hitting coordinator in the Padres organization but has been out of baseball for the … [Read more...]
Cubs Set Coaching Staff … Hire David Bell, Remove Interim Tag from James Rowson
The Cubs announced two changes to their coaching staff on Tuesday morning. The Cubs hired David Bell to be the team's third base coach next season and removed the interim tag from hitting coach James Rowson. James Rowson replaced Rudy Jaramillo on an interim basis on June 12 and finished the season as the team's hitting coach. Following the last game of the year, the Cubs did not name Rowson as the permanent hitting coach but said he was in the running for the full-time position. The Cubs were … [Read more...]