According to reports from Bruce Levine and Mark Gonzales, Tim Wilken is leaving the Cubs to take a similar position in the Diamondbacks’ front office. Tim Wilken was a Special Assistant to Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer and is one of the most respected talent evaluators in the game. Tim Wilken interviewed for the Director of Amateur Scouting position with the Diamondbacks last year. Former general manager Jim Hendry hired Tim Wilken in December 2005. Wilken was the Director of Amateur and … [Read more...]
Cubs Agree to Terms with LHP Carson Sands, LHP Justin Steele and RHP Jordan Brink
According to reports from John Manuel and Jim Callis, the Cubs have agreed to terms with fourth round draft pick LHP Carson Sands, fifth round pick LHP Justin Steele and 11th round pick RHP Jordan Brink. John Manuel reported the Cubs signed Carson Sands for $1.1 million, which would be $619,000 above the slot allotment of $480,600 for the Cubs fourth round pick. The Cubs’ deal with Jordan Brink appears to be for the slot value of $100,000. Jim Callis reported the Cubs also agreed to terms … [Read more...]
Cubs Draft Update: Could Be a Busy Week for Announcements
While Kyle Schwarber is the only draft pick that has officially signed with the Cubs, reports and rumors have suggested the Cubs have agreed to terms with several of the players that were recently selected in the draft. The Cubs have reportedly agreed to a signing bonus with third round draft pick Mark Zagunis. Zagunis’ deal, among others, has not been announced by the team. But that could change this week. Matt Dorey, the Cubs Director of Amateur Scouting, told Bruce Levine and Wayne … [Read more...]
Jason McLeod Discussed the Cubs and the Upcoming Draft on MLB Network Radio
Jason McLeod joined Jim Duquette and Jim Bowden during the Front Office (MLB Network Radio/SiriusXM Radio) on Sunday morning to discuss the upcoming draft. McLeod talked about the draft room, the process the Cubs use to make the decisions on which players to select in the draft, how many players he’s seen, his responsibilities and the chain of command in the draft room. The Cubs have a handful of players still under consideration for the fourth pick in the draft, which begins in just nine … [Read more...]
Updates on Arrieta and Baez and Cubs News from Down on the Farm
Jake Arrieta completed his third rehab start on Wednesday. Arrieta worked into the sixth inning after retiring 10 in a row at one point and setting down 12 of the first 13 batters he faced to start his afternoon. Arrieta ended up allowing one earned run on three hits with one walk and two strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. After being scheduled to throw six innings or 80-85 pitches, Arrieta threw 82 pitches, 50 for strikes on Wednesday. Jake Arrieta could reportedly make his last rehab start at … [Read more...]
Day Two of the 2014 Cubs Convention: Scouting and Player Development
For us baseball nerds the highlight of the Saturday sessions is Scouting and Player Development. The game has evolved in such a way stats can no longer be ignored. But it takes the right combination of stats and scouts to build a successful organization. One can no longer exist without the other. Jason McLeod, Joe Bohringer, Jaron Madison and Matt Dorey are the backbone of the Cubs’ organization. And if the Cubs reach their goal it will be due to the hard work and research turned in by the … [Read more...]
Joba Chamberlain is Reportedly on the Cubs Radar
As expected, the Cubs are among the suitors for former Yankees’ hurler Joba Chamberlain. Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News reported on Friday afternoon that the Cubs and Royals are at least two teams interested in Chamberlain. The Cubs are looking to bolster their bullpen and add both a starting pitcher and an outfielder to the roster and Joba Chamberlain would fill at least one of Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer’s off-season needs. Chamberlain was 2-1 in 45 games for New York last season … [Read more...]
Cubs Hire Bill Mueller, Move Brandon Hyde Into the Dugout
The Cubs named a majority of their 2014 coaching staff on Friday afternoon as well as changes to their minor league system. As expected, the Cubs kept Chris Bosio and Lester Strode to coach the pitching staff under Rick Renteria. Franklin Font was retained as a staff assistant and Mike Borzello was retained but received a new title. Borzello is the Cubs’ catching and strategy coach. The big news was the additions of Bill Mueller and Brandon Hyde. Mueller left his job as a scout with the … [Read more...]
Cubs Announce Rick Renteria’s Coaching Staff for 2014
The Chicago Cubs officially announced Rick Renteria's coaching staff on Friday afternoon. Chris Bosio was officially retained as the team's pitching coach and Lester Strode was retained as assistant pitching coach/bullpen coach. Mike Borzello and Franklin Font will also be part of Rick Renteria's coaching staff as expected. Borzello received a new title and is now the team's catching and strategy coach. Bill Mueller is the Cubs' new hitting coach and Mike Brumley, another former Cubs … [Read more...]
A Look Back at the Cubs Off-Season as Pitchers and Catchers Report to Spring Training
Doesn't it seem like a lot longer than just 144 days since Jed Hoyer's San Diego Padres beat the Chicago Cubs 9-2? Ryan Dempster took the loss on the final day of the 2011 season. Starlin Castro ran his hitting streak to 11 games in the loss and reached base for the 40th game in a row. The past four and a half months have been anything but boring for the Chicago Cubs. The hiring of Theo Epstein and then Jed Hoyer and Jason McLeod continue to make headlines and will well into the season. The … [Read more...]