Cole Hamels would like to be traded this winter, but he won’t demand one according to a report from Bob Nightengale. There are not many teams that have both the prospect currency it would take to acquire him and the payroll flexibility to add the $96 million left on his contract over the next four years. And one of the teams, the Red Sox, was added to his no-trade list, which likely means he would ask for the $20 million option for the 2019 season to be picked up. So for a team, like the Red … [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...]
Reserve Lists, the Cubs Roster and Samardzija Rumors
Wednesday is the deadline for all 30 teams to file their reserve lists at the major and minor league levels to protect players from the Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 12. The Cubs 40-man roster currently sits at 37 players, so there are three empty spots the front office could use to protect players. Of the eligible prospects in the system, Arismendy Alcantara is the only slam dunk to be added to the 40-man roster. Outfielder Jae-Hoon Ha and LHP Eric Jokisch are also candidates for a promotion to the … [Read more...]
Cubs Looking for a Southpaw and Other News, Notes and Rumors
Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer have been upfront about their desire to add pitching to the roster this winter. The Cubs are thought to be looking at starters Scott Baker, Josh Johnson and Phil Hughes while trying to improve the bullpen in the process. The Cubs are reportedly in the market to add a lefty reliever to the mix. James Russell has been overworked the past two seasons and Zac Rosscup has a bright future, but very little experience. The Cubs could take a long look at Brooks Raley in the … [Read more...]
Kris Bryant Wins AFL MVP and Cubs Continue to Explore Options
Weekend Update The Arizona Fall League wrapped up the 2013 season on Saturday with Mesa losing 2-0 to Surprise in the Championship game. But before the contest, Kris Bryant received the Joe Black Award for the Most Valuable Player in the Arizona Fall League. Bryant was impressive during the fall league and created quite the buzz. Bryant edged out Solar Sox teammate, C.J. Cron for the honor. Kris Bryant hit .364/.457/.727 with eight doubles and one triple. Bryant led the AFL in home runs with … [Read more...]
Samardzija Rumors Heating Up and Other Cubs News and Notes
The Cubs’ front office spent a majority of the week in Orlando laying groundwork on possible trades and free agent signings. With the GM Meetings in the rearview mirror, the front office has roster decisions to make in the very near future. Wednesday (Nov. 20) is the deadline for teams to file their reserve lists for all Major and Minor League levels. Players not on the 40-man big league roster after Wednesday are eligible for the Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 12. The Cubs currently have 37 players on … [Read more...]
Are the Cubs Interested in Jacoby Ellsbury? And Other News and Rumors
The biggest Cubs’ rumor to come out of Orlando on the final day of the GM Meetings on Wednesday was courtesy of Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News. Feinsand reported the market on Jacoby Ellsbury looks thin and his source indicated "the Cubs are stealthily waiting in the wings." While Feinsand is hearing there is a thin market for Ellsbury, Scott Boras told Jon Paul Morosi that the interest in Ellsbury is far more than normal for elite players The Cubs front office is obviously familiar … [Read more...]
Darwin Barney is Golden … and Other Cubs News, Notes and Rumors
Darwin Barney turned in a record setting season and was rewarded with a gold glove on Tuesday night. Darwin Barney beat out the Reds' Brandon Phillips and Arizona's Aaron Hill for the Rawlings Gold Glove. Barney became just the fourth second baseman in Cubs' history to take home the award (Ryne Sandberg, 1983-1991; Glenn Beckert, 1968; Ken Hubbs, 1962) and the first since his mentor and former minor league manager. Darwin Barney saved the Cubs 28 runs with his defense throughout the season and … [Read more...]
Pitching, Pitching … and Other Cubs News, Notes and Rumors
Early indications are that the Cubs will focus on adding pitching this off-season. Theo Epstein said earlier this week that the Cubs will add at least two starters to go along with Jeff Samardzija, Matt Garza and Travis Wood. Epstein indicated that Garza is progressing as the Cubs had hoped and he should be ready to pitch when Spring Training begins. The Cubs are going to build the 2013 rotation without Arodys Vizcaino but they are hopeful he is able to force his way into the rotation. The Cubs … [Read more...]