In 2014, center field was arguably the Cubs worst offensive position. After seven total players failed to establish themselves, the front office traded for Dexter Fowler and received an immediate uptick in numbers. Center field managed an overall .252/.345/.411 line with 18 home runs, 53 RBI and 22 stolen bases. Let’s take a look back at the position and where the team may go as they look to remake the position again in this offseason. Dexter Fowler was an immediate revelation and the table … [Read more...]
Cubs 2015 Position Review – Left Field
Like many positions on the diamond for the Chicago Cubs, left field is in a holding pattern of who might be the main starter come Spring Training. Nine total players patrolled there batting .247/.338/.419 with 22 home runs, 67 RBI and 13 stolen bases and became a large platoon of the right player for that day's matchup. Let's take a look back at left field and what we can expect moving forward. A platoon of Chris Coghlan and Chris Denorfia is where the front office decided to go for left … [Read more...]
From the Wire: Cubs Acquire RHP Dan Haren and RHP Tommy Hunter, Trade OF Junior Lake, DFA RHP Ben Rowen
The Cubs added two pitchers to the big league team as prior four roster moves prior to Friday’s non-waiver trade deadline The Cubs acquired RHP Dan Haren and cash ($500,000) from the Marlins for minor leaguers, RHP Ivan Pineyro and SS Elliot Soto. The Cubs traded OF Junior Lake to the Baltimore Orioles for RHP Tommy Hunter. RHP Ben Rowen was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for RHP Dan Haren. With Friday’s roster moves the 40-man roster currently stands at 40 … [Read more...]
Cubs Reportedly Acquire RHP Tommy Hunter from the Orioles for OF Junior Lake
According to multiple reports, the Cubs acquired RHP Tommy Hunter prior to the deadline from the Orioles for OF Junior Lake. The Cubs have not announced the deal but are expected to Thursday afternoon. RHP Tommy Hunter is a free agent at the end of the season and is having a good year for the Orioles. Hunter is 2-2 with a 3.63 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 3.32 FIP. In 44 2/3 innings, Hunter has allowed 19 runs, 18 earned, on 41 hits with 11 walks and 32 strikeouts in 44 2/3 innings. On the road … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/29/15
It was a big Tuesday throughout the system for the affiliates. As of press time last night, the Cubs minor league players had nine home runs and recorded three shut outs. It was all the start to what appears to be a memorable week for everyone. In his first start Iowa, Clayton Richard recorded a shutout as did Ivan Pineyro for Tennessee and Jesus Arias in Venezuela. Jonathan Martinez also fired a gem for Myrtle Beach. Javier Baez was activated from the DL prior to Tuesday’s game and he hit … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/27/15
It was a pretty good start to the week for some pitchers from the 2014 draft class. Lefty Tommy Thorpe is not thriving in the rotation for South Bend, while Brad Markey was blowing hitters away for Myrtle Beach. Austyn Willis also had a good outing for the AZL Cubs, and Ryan Williams kept rolling for Tennessee. Iowa squandered a good effort from Jeffry Antigua, and relievers Adbert Alzolay, Trey Masek, and Jae-Hoon Ha were all effective for Eugene. Back from a week of R & R, the … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/22/15
The ball continues to fly down on the farm. Eloy Jimenez went yard for Eugene while the reigning Midwest League Player of the Week, Jeffrey Baez, kept finding holes. And Erick Leal tossed a gem for South Bend. Chesny Young extended his on-base record and helped Myrtle Beach extend its winning streak. And a grand slam from Cael Brockmeyer did not hurt. The Smokies swept a doubleheader over a South Side affiliate. Christian Villanueva and Rubi Silva hit home runs but Iowa’s winning streak … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/20/15
Gleyber Torres and Jeffrey Baez continued to pound the baseball for South Bend while Rashad Crawford also heated up at the plate. Myrtle Beach ran their winning streak to six games. Chesny Young set a Carolina League record. Young has reached base safely in 38 straight games. Tennessee received a rare bad outing from Ryan Williams and dropped three games. It was Home Run Derby time at Principal Park as the Iowa Cubs completed a home sweep of the Memphis Redbirds for the first time since … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/17/15
After taking a break for the Major League All-Star game, all of the Cubs’ affiliates look refreshed as there were both big pitching performances and excellent offensive displays to end the week. Eugene was a base hit machine thanks to Ian Happ and Eloy Jimenez, while Yasiel Balaguert and David Bote went deep for South Bend. Tsuyoshi Wada looked sharp for Iowa, but Myrtle Beach got the best of both worlds. The Pelicans’ Jen-Ho Tseng and Jonathan Martinez were in top form while Kevin Brown, … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 07/13/15
Tennessee pitching drew the spotlight to start the week as Ryan Williams and Pierce Johnson did everything but sell popcorn in the stands for the Smokies. Meanwhile, Dylan Cease continues to dazzle the Arizona rookie league. Myrtle Beach remains in a lurch in the second half despite excellent outings from Jonathan Martinez and Daury Torrez, while South Bend was carried to two victories thanks to outfielder Yasiel Balaguert and pitcher Tyler Ihrig. In Iowa, Junior Lake blasted two home … [Read more...]