In his new book ‘The Arm,’ Jeff Passan broke the news that Jon Lester has a bone chip in his left elbow. According to the Sun-Times, Lester “seems confident it will remain the non-issue it has been for much of his career.” The Sun-Times explained that Lester had an MRI after the 2014 season “that produced a largely glowing report on the shoulder and elbow, except that a little grenade floated near his ligament, and at some point it would warrant surgery.” Gordon Wittenmyer talked to Lester … [Read more...]
Cubs Plan is to Play Bryant, Russell and Baez at Multiple Positions with I-Cubs and News from the Farm
The front office would like for the position players coming up through the system to be able to play at least two positions in the field. The Cubs are so focused on position flexibility that they’ve added it to each player’s development plan. Jaron Madison, the Cubs farm director, spoke with the Des Moines Register after the minor league assignments were announced Monday. Madison told Tommy Birch the Cubs would like for Kris Bryant, Addison Russell and Javier Baez “to play multiple positions … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Anthony Rizzo Gives Back, Josh Vitters Moves On and Other Cubs News and Notes
Anthony Rizzo recently gave back to the cancer center that treated him. According to a report from Carrie Muskat, the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation “made a gift of $250,000 to the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami School of Medicine.” The money was raised through fundraisers and will be “used to support the research of Dr. Izidore Lossos, director of the lymphoma program.” “The hospital announced the waiting room on the second floor of a clinic at Sylvester … [Read more...]
Josh Vitters Among Fifteen Cubs Minor League Free Agents
Fifteen players in the Cubs’ system have been granted free agency. Josh Vitters headlines the Cubs list of minor leaguers that have been granted free agency and are able to sign with another organization. The Cubs outrighted Josh Vitters off the 40-man roster on Oct. 31 and assigned him to Triple-A Iowa. The Cubs selected Vitters with the third overall pick in the 2007 draft and passed on Matt Wieters to take who was considered to have the best high school bat in the draft. Injuries and … [Read more...]
Cubs Decline 2015 Option on RHP Kyuji Fujikawa
The Cubs announced Thursday the team would not be picking up the 2015 club option for $5.5 million on RHP Kyuji Fujikawa. The Cubs paid the $500,000 buyout on the option that was included in the two-year, $9.5 million contract Fujikawa signed in December 2012. With the Cubs declining his option, Kyuji Fujikawa becomes a free agent. With the six roster moves the Cubs have made in last two days, the 40-man roster officially stands at 35 players. The Cubs will use two of the open spots on OF … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Let the Off-Season Begin and Other Cubs News and Notes
The 2014 baseball season came to an end Wednesday night with a tremendous seventh game of The World Series. Madison Bumgarner picked up a five-inning save after shutting the Royals down in relief of Jeremy Affeldt. The Giants won its third championship in five seasons and became the first road team to win a seventh game of the Fall Classic since the ‘We are Family’ Pirates back in 1979. Brian Sabean and the Giants’ front office have built an excellent organization that developed a homegrown … [Read more...]
Cubs Outright Josh Vitters, Chris Valaika, Ryan Kalish to Iowa, James McDonald Elects Free Agency
The Cubs announced four roster moves Wednesday and created three spots on the 40-man roster. OF/INF Josh Vitters, INF/OF Chris Valaika and OF Ryan Kalish were outrighted to Iowa after clearing waivers. RHP James McDonald, who spent the season on the 60-day DL and did not count against the 40-man roster, elected free agency. OF Ryan Sweeney and OF Justin Ruggiano will take two of the three spots on the 40-man roster the Cubs created Wednesday when they are activated from the 60-day DL after … [Read more...]
Cubs Prospects Q & A with Iowa Cubs Broadcaster Randy Wehofer
Triple-A baseball is typically the last step for a player before he reaches the Major Leagues and the Iowa Cubs had a good year before promotions depleted the roster in the second half and down the stretch. The second interview with the broadcasters in the Cubs system is with Triple-A Iowa’s Randy Wehofer. Randy Wehofer has been calling Iowa Cubs games since 2008 with Deene Ehlis and has seen many of the players come through the system during his time with the I-Cubs. Randy recently … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 10/10/14
Position Analysis – First Base A series of reports over the off-season will summarize and project how the minor league system looks on a position by position basis. Today, the CCO looks at a position that was once a strength in the organization but now has some questions: First Base. First Base For the second straight season, the Cubs decided against having a prospect at Triple-A when they left Justin Bour unprotected, and he was selected in the Rule 5 draft. In his place, the Cubs used … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Cubs Still Have Work to Do as the Season Winds Down
The Cubs have 13 games remaining on the schedule and the lineup should get a boost with the return of Jorge Soler, who is expected back Monday night for the start of the 10-game homestand. Anthony Rizzo was reportedly targeting Monday’s opener with the Reds as when he would be ready to play again. But reports late Saturday and Sunday have put Monday’s return in question. Rick Renteria said Anthony Rizzo was doubtful for Monday, but the Cubs are thinking he could return at some point during … [Read more...]
