Game Sixty-Five: Cubs 2, Phillies 1 WP – Jake Arrieta (2-1) LP – Roberto Hernandez (2-5) Save – Neil Ramirez (2) Jake Arrieta pitched seven innings of shutout ball and Starlin Castro hit a two-run homer with Anthony Rizzo along for the ride as the Cubs began the three-game series in Philadelphia with a win on Friday night. And Neil Ramirez froze Carlos Ruiz with the tying run on third to close out the win. Jake Arrieta was outstanding Friday night and without question put together his … [Read more...]
Is Josh Vitters the Next Jeff Baker?
When the Cubs selected Josh Vitters with the third overall pick in 2007, he reportedly had the best swing in the draft and was thought to be the top high school bat with an excellent combination of bat speed and power. Scouts thought so much of Vitters at the time that he was receiving 70 grades on his future power potential and hitting ability. The only question was about his defense at third base. But other than that, all signs pointed to him eventually taking over for Aramis Ramirez. Josh … [Read more...]
Is Ian Stewart … Blake DeWitt Version 2.0?
As Cubs fans endure yet another report of third baseman Ian Stewart still not being ready for action after suffering a quad injury and starting the season on the disabled list, I am humorously reminded of former Cubs’ left-hander Steve Barber. As a member of the 1969 Seattle Pilots, Barber was immortalized in Jim Bouton’s groundbreaking 1970 novel Ball Four. Barber pitched in 25 games for the Pilots, but was constantly battling injuries and telling management he would be ready “in a few days”. … [Read more...]
Weekend Update: Cubs Still Have Work to Do Before Pitchers and Catchers Report
It’s the last Sunday in January, there are 14 days left before pitchers and catchers report to Fitch Park and the Cubs still have at least one more roster move to make … plus announce the rest of the players that will be in big league camp on NRIs this spring. The Cubs finally announced the signing of Carlos Villanueva to a two-year, $10 million contract on Saturday ($5 million per year). The Cubs agreed to terms with Villanueva on December 20. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Cubs … [Read more...]
Garza’s Guarantee … and Other Cubs News, Notes and Rumors
David Kaplan spoke with Matt Garza on Friday and he guaranteed that he would be ready to pitch by Opening Day. Garza recently started his off-season program and told Kaplan that if Spring Training started tomorrow he would be ready to go. Garza clarified his statement and said he’s not ready to pitch six innings right now but he reaffirmed that he will be on the active roster when the Cubs’ season kicks off in Pittsburgh on April 1. Matt Garza has not had any issues or setbacks to this point … [Read more...]
Replacing Brenly … and Other Cubs News, Notes and Rumors
The Cubs' off-season will not kick into full swing for a couple of weeks but the speculation has begun on which players Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer might try to sign this winter. The focus will be on adding pitching and filling out a rotation that was void of Major League arms for a majority of the last two months of the season. The search for Bob Brenly's replacement is expected to begin very soon according to a report from the Tribune. Bob Vorwald, director of productions for WGN-TV, told the … [Read more...]
From the Wire … Cubs Acquire Marcelo Carreno from Tigers in Deal for Jeff Baker
The Cubs announced Tuesday morning they received 21-year old right handed pitcher Marcelo Carreno from the Detroit Tigers as one of the players to be named later in the deal that sent Jeff Baker to Detroit on August 5. When the Cubs announced they dealt Baker to Detroit in August, it was supposed to be for two players to be named later. The reports Wednesday morning seemed to indicate that the deal with Detroit for Baker is now complete. MLB.com ranked Marcelo Carreno as the 11th best prospect … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 09/24/12
The Devil You Don't Know The famous quote reads: "The devil you know is better than the devil you don't know" In what seems like forever to many Cubs' fans, this quote appeared to be near and dear to the heart of top brass within the organization as they approached the off-season. But in an unusual twist, the front office would consider players from own system as the later rather than the former, openly embracing fringe and discarded players simply because of their Major League experience. … [Read more...]
From the Wire … Baker Traded to Tigers, Jackson and Vitters Called Up and Campana Optioned to Iowa
The Cubs announced several roster moves prior to Sunday's finale in Los Angeles. The Cubs traded Jeff Baker to the Detroit Tigers for two players to be named later. According to the release from the Tigers, the Cubs will receive those players on or before October 31. The Cubs recalled Josh Vitters from Triple-A Iowa and purchased the contract of Brett Jackson from the Iowa Cubs. Jackson was added to the Cubs' 40-man roster and called-up. To make room on the active roster for Brett Jackson, the … [Read more...]
Volstad Loses Duel … Cubs Drop Fourth in a Row – Cubs 1, Dodgers 3
Game One Hundred Five - Cubs 1, Dodgers 3 WP - Clayton Kershaw (9-6) LP - Chris Volstad (0-8) Save - Kenley Jansen (21) The Cubs dropped their fourth game in a row on a night the offense could not string any hits together against Clayton Kershaw. The reigning NL Cy Young award winner was excellent but the Cubs' offense could not take advantage of the opportunities they had. After managing one run on four hits with four walks in Friday's loss, Dale Sveum's team scored one run on three hits with … [Read more...]
