The Cubs traded OF Justin Ruggiano to the Mariners for RHP Matt Brazis The Cubs announced Wednesday morning that OF Justin Ruggiano was traded to the Seattle Mariners for for minor league RHP Matt Brazis. The trade clears a spot on the 40-man roster for RHP Jason Motte. With the trade, the Cubs 40-man roster officially stands at 39 players. And trading Justin Ruggiano gives the Cubs salary relief to make other additions this winter. Ruggiano is arbitration eligible and was looking at a pay … [Read more...]
Winter Meetings 2014: Cubs Leave San Diego with Two Starting Pitchers, a Catcher and Irons in the Fire
The Cubs had a very good week in San Diego and the front office is not done shaping the big league roster. Jed Hoyer said Thursday after the meetings officially wrapped, the Cubs “have irons in the fire, both trade-wise and free-agent wise” and are “far from a finished product.” Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer made the Cubs front page news again, for the right reasons, early Wednesday morning by agreeing to terms on a six-year, $155 million contract with Jon Lester. The addition of Jon Lester … [Read more...]
Front Office is Not Done Shaping the Cubs Roster
The front office landed the Cubs top off-season target Tuesday when Jon Lester agreed to terms on a six-year, $155 million contract. And signing Jon Lester appears to be just the beginning of what could be a series of roster moves. Ken Rosenthal reported earlier in the week that if the Cubs were able to sign Jon Lester the next step would be to pursue a big bat because the Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer would accelerate the process to make the Cubs more competitive in 2015 and beyond. And Buster … [Read more...]
Winter Meetings 2014: Cubs Have Work to Do in San Diego
Baseball’s Winter Meetings are underway in San Diego and run through Thursday (Dec. 7-11). It is expected to be a rather busy week at the annual gathering throughout the game. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer are expecting a lot of activity this week, but not necessarily with the Cubs. The front office has a list of areas they would like to address between now and Opening Night. Epstein and Hoyer would like to add veteran leadership to the bench, starting rotation and bullpen while trying to get … [Read more...]
Cubs Tender Contracts to Eight of Ten Arbitration Eligible Players, Non-Tender John Baker and Wesley Wright
The Cubs tendered contracts to eight of the ten players on the roster arbitration eligible for the 2015 season and the 22 players on the 40-man roster with 0-3 years (automatic renewal) of service time. Travis Wood was among the eight players tendered contracts for the 2015 season. The Cubs did not tender contracts to C John Baker and LHP Wesley Wright and both players are now free agents. With the two roster moves, the Cubs’ 40-man roster officially stands at 37 players. Jake Arrieta, … [Read more...]
Cubs Face Roster Decisions Prior to Non-Tender Deadline
To tender or not to tender, that’s the next question for the front office. Tuesday (11:00pm CST) is the deadline to tender contracts to players for the 2015 season. The Cubs have 10 players on the roster that are arbitration eligible for next year and 22 players with 0-3 years (automatic renewals) of service time the front office must decide whether or not to offer contracts to for next season. Players not tendered contracts become free agents. The deadline to exchange salary arbitration … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Maddon’s Contract Includes Incentive Bonuses Tied to Cubs Playing in the Post-Season
Joe Maddon Day did not disappoint as the new Cubs’ skipper was extremely impressive during his introductory press conference. Shortly after the Cubs released the news that Joe Maddon had signed a five-year contract, details of the deal were leaked. Joe Maddon received a five-year, $25 million contract that is reportedly loaded with incentive bonuses tied to the Cubs playing in the post-season. Maddon’s contract with the Cubs does not include an opt out or a change of control clause. Joel … [Read more...]
From the Wire: Cubs Activate Ruggiano and Sweeney from 60-Day DL
According to the transactions page on Cubs.com, the team activated OF Justin Ruggiano and OF Ryan Sweeney from the 60-day DL on Monday. With activating Justin Ruggiano and Ryan Sweeney and re-signing LHP Tsuyoshi Wada, the Cubs’ 40-man roster officially stands at 37 players. The Cubs acquired Justin Ruggiano at the end of the Winter Meetings last December from the Marlins for Brian Bogusevic. Ruggiano dealt with leg injuries in the spring and he struggled staying on the field last season. … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Joe Maddon Day and Other Cubs News
Monday is a big day for the Chicago Cubs. Joe Maddon will be introduced as the 54th manager in franchise history Monday afternoon (2:00pm CST) at The Cubby Bear. Comcast SportsNet is carrying the press conference streaming it online. The Cubs announced the hiring of Joe Maddon Friday afternoon to what is expected to be a four to five year contract with an annual salary of around $5 million. David Haugh talked to Theo Epstein about the decision the Cubs made to pursue Joe Maddon once he … [Read more...]
Cubs Position Analysis – Right Field
Going into this season, the Cubs were hopeful in seeing what they had in Nate Schierholtz, who had ended the previous season hitting .251/.301/.470 with 21 home runs, 68 RBI and six stolen bases and made himself into quite the trade candidate for prospects. Instead, the Cubs received a total disaster season from Schierholtz and endured a revolving door of 10 players at the position to equal a .243/.290/.382 line with 16 home runs, 77 RBI and 10 stolen bases. Despite the disappointment at the … [Read more...]