There was quite a bit made about the Cubs losing Jeff Beliveau on waivers last week to the Rangers. Beliveau has the makings of a good lefty specialist (LOOGY) and he was the Cubs Minor League Pitcher of the Year just the season before last. Did the Cubs give up on him too quickly? Or did a calculated gamble backfire? Whether or not Beliveau will realize his promise with the Rangers’ organization or not is a debate for another day. But being named as a player or pitcher of the year in the … [Read more...]
Baseball America’s Top Cubs Prospects 2005 – 2010
Baseball America is viewed as the leader in ranking prospects and minor league systems. While publications like Baseball Prospectus have garnered a lot more respect in recent years, Baseball America remains the industry leader. A good ranking by Baseball America can increase a player's value overnight and that alone can be worth it's weight in gold ... or at least on the trade market. A well-stocked Minor League system with high praise from Baseball America can end up being the difference in … [Read more...]
A Creative Off-Season Ahead for Hendry?
As the baseball world converged on the Happiest Place on Earth, the rumor mill picked up a little steam Monday as Jim Hendry prepared for the GM Meetings. In recent years, Hendry has laid the groundwork on free agent signings and trades during this week. According to a report from Bruce Levine, Jim Hendry "will have to be creative" in order to find a way to add a starting pitcher, a reliever and a first baseman. Hendry "may have as little as $5 million in payroll flexibility going into this … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 11/15/10
The Mesa Solar Sox are eliminated from postseason contention. One Cubs prospect is named an All-Star and is released all in the span of 24-hours. Eight minor leaguers in the organization become free agents while four others re-sign with the club. A few Cubs farmhands are set to play in Australia, while Austin Bibens-Dirkx is still mowing 'em down in Venezuela. All that and more in today's Down on the Farm Report! … [Read more...]
Cubs Moves from Down on the Farm
The Cubs continued making roster moves this week, both at the Major and Minor League levels. John Grabow was activated from the 60-day DL on Tuesday. Brad Snyder was outrighted off the Cubs 40-man roster Wednesday and became a free agent. Eight players in the Cubs' system filed for free agency on November 6 and the Cubs re-signed four Minor League players eligible for free agency according to the transaction wire on Baseball America. Bryan LaHair, Mitch Atkins, Mario Mercedes, Jeff Gray, Mark … [Read more...]
Cubs News and Rumors on the Final Monday of the Twenty-Ten Season
The Cubs have only seven games remaining in the season, four in San Diego and three in Houston. One week from today, Year One under the Ricketts family will be in the books and the front office will turn their attention to 2011 ... and beyond. Tom Ricketts addressed the team's payroll for next season prior to the home finale on Sunday. Ricketts said they "haven't made any decisions" on where the payroll will be for next season. The Cubs chairman then added, "I think it will be slightly lower … [Read more...]
Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. Giants – 09/23/10
Game One Hundred Fifty-Two: Cubs (69-82) vs. Giants (85-67) Game Time - 6:05pm CDT Coverage - Comcast SportsNet - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 183 Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago Ryan Dempster (14-10, 3.50/1.29) vs. Madison Bumgarner (5-6, 3.27/1.30) 11 games remain in Twenty-Ten ... as countdown has begun to the end of another baseball season, the Cubs will try to win another series under Mike Quade. The Cubs are 2-4 versus the Giants this season and while San Francisco has already … [Read more...]
Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. Giants – 09/22/10
Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Giants - 09/22/10 - (2010cubslive151) Game One Hundred Fifty-One: Cubs (68-82) vs. Giants (85-66) Game Time - 7:05pm CDT Coverage - WCIU - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 187 Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago Randy Wells (7-13, 4.46/1.42) vs. Jonathan Sanchez (11-8, 3.21/1.23) Will the Cubs offense show up tonight? Mike Quade ran out his veteran lineup Tuesday night and received no production ... and it does not figure to get any easier today. The Cubs slipped to … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 09/09/10
The Iowa Cubs lose a heartbreaker to Memphis and see their playoff hopes vanish. The Tennessee Smokies get set to begin their postseason slate. Jason Dubois hits two home runs in the final game of the year at Iowa. One Cubs prospect is named the Topps Player of the Month, and the other is the PCL Player of the Week. Plus, team leaders and final standings from every Cub affiliate as the regular season reaches its conclusion. All that and more in today's Down on the Farm Report! … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 09/06/10
The Iowa Cubs reduce their magic number to one but come up short in their first chance to clinch. Two Cubs minor league managers are named the Manager of the Year for their respective leagues. One Cubs minor league skipper is ejected from a game in the first inning. Three Tennessee Smokies are named postseason All-Stars. The Daytona Cubs and Peoria Chiefs are both eliminated from playoff contention. All four Cub full season affiliates end the year with records over .500! All that and more … [Read more...]