The Cubs are looking for two new hitting coaches in the wake of Bill Mueller stepping down from his position with the team. A week after Theo Epstein announced assistant hitting coach Mike Brumley was not asked back for the 2015 season, Mueller resigned and walked away from the second year of the contract, that included an option for the 2016 season, he signed last fall. Bill Mueller was the team’s third hitting coach since the start of the 2012 season. Multiple reports indicated the front … [Read more...]
Reports: Bill Mueller Resigned as Cubs Hitting Coach
Updated 3:39pm CDT – Cubs confirmed reports Bill Mueller will not return as the Cubs hitting coach for the 2015 season. Mueller decided not to return due to family reasons and the front office’s decision not to retain assistant hitting coach Mike Brumley. According to reports from ESPN Chicago and Comcast SportsNet, Bill Mueller has resigned his position as Cubs hitting coach a week after assistant hitting coach Mike Brumley was not retained for the 2015 season. Mueller and Brumley were … [Read more...]
Rick Renteria, Majority of Cubs Coaching Staff Returning in 2015
Theo Epstein held his season ending press conference Tuesday afternoon. And the first line of business for the day was to announce Rick Renteria and a majority of his coaching staff will return for the 2015 season. The Cubs did not offer Mike Brumley the assistant hitting coach’s job, but would like for him to stay in the organization in a different role. Unless changes are made that were not announced Tuesday, Renteria’s entire staff will return with the exception of Mike Brumley. Rick … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Starlin Castro Not Expected to Play Again This Season
According to multiple reports, Starlin Castro will not play again this season. Castro is still in a walking boot and with only four games remaining on the schedule Rick Renteria said Tuesday it would be difficult for him to return this year. Starlin Castro has not stopped rehabbing the sprain left ankle that appears to have ended his season on Sept. 2. But Castro has not resumed baseball activities, which signals the end of his year without the coaching staff having to say a word to the Cubs … [Read more...]
Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. Pirates – 03/31/14
Opening Day - Game One: Cubs (0-0) vs. Pirates (0-0) Game Time – 12:05pm CDT Coverage – TV: WGN TV, ESPN – Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channels 183, 844 Location – PNC Park, Pittsburgh Jeff Samardzija (0-0, -.--/-.--/-.--) vs. Francisco Liriano (0-0, -.--/-.--/-.--) Chicago Cubs Baseball is on the Air! It’s Opening Day! Rick Renteria and the Chicago Cubs kickoff the season this afternoon in what could be a very interesting year for the big league team. While the win-loss record might … [Read more...]
Cubs Storylines of the Spring
Regardless of the win-loss expectancy at the big league level, this spring and the upcoming season are important steps in the building process for the organization. And the Cubs take another step Thursday afternoon when Rick Renteria’s team kicks off the Cactus League schedule against Kirk Gibson’s Arizona Diamondbacks. Several players that are coming off down years or perceived bad seasons need to have the proverbial bounce back season. Those players include Starlin Castro, Edwin Jackson and … [Read more...]
Cubs Release Spring Training Broadcast Schedule and Other News and Rumors
While the focus Monday was on prospects and the battle with the rooftops, the Cubs released their Spring Training broadcast schedule. Pitchers and catchers report to Mesa on Feb. 13, position players on Feb. 18 and the first full squad workout is scheduled for Feb. 19. And a little more than a week later, Rick Renteria’s team will take on the Diamondbacks at the first game at Cubs Park on Feb. 27. WGN TV will carry the first game of the Cubs’ 2014 Cactus League schedule on Feb. 27 with … [Read more...]
Day Two of the 2014 Cubs Convention: Welcome the Cubs New Skipper Rick Renteria
Rick Renteria and a majority of his coaching staff were on hand for the second session on Saturday afternoon. Rick Renteria, Brandon Hyde (bench coach), Chris Bosio (pitching coach), Bill Mueller (hitting coach), Mike Brumley (assistant hitting coach), Gary Jones (third base coach), Eric Hinske (first base coach), Jose Castro (quality assurance coach) and Mike Borzello (catching coach) received warm welcomes. The only member of Renteria’s not in attendance was assistant pitching coach/bullpen … [Read more...]
Day One of the 2014 Cubs Convention: The Future is Bright
The past, present and more importantly the future was on display Friday at the 29th Annual Cubs Convention. The theme of this year’s convention is 'The Party of the Century Celebrating 100 Years of Wrigley Field' and the team has several events planned for the year-long celebration that will be unveiled on Saturday. While the team will honor the baseball cathedral that is Wrigley Field, the organization is pointing to the future and what the big league team will look like at a restored … [Read more...]
Don’t Count the Cubs Out of the Masahiro Tanaka Sweepstakes
The Dodgers broke out their checkbook in a big way Wednesday and they may not be done. Clayton Kershaw agreed to a contract extension that will pay the 25-year old southpaw $215 million over the next seven years. And Kershaw can opt out of the contract after five years if he wants to pass on the last two years of the deal. According to Jon Heyman, Kershaw received an $18 million signing bonus and will be paid $22 million in 2014 ($18 million signing bonus, $4 million salary for the season), $30 … [Read more...]