Major awards week came to an end Thursday with the announcement of the Most Valuable Players. Bryce Harper and Josh Donaldson took home the MVP awards and three Cubs were in the final voting. Anthony Rizzo was fourth in the voting for NL MVP, Jake Arrieta was sixth and Kris Bryant finished 11th after all the votes from the BBWAA were counted. The BBWAA recognized the excellent regular season the Cubs had by naming Jake Arrieta the NL Cy Young Award winner, Kris Bryant the NL Rookie of the … [Read more...]
Spring Training is Near and Other Cubs News and Notes
Five days until pitchers and catchers report to Fitch Park … The Cubs first workout of the spring is scheduled for one week from today (Feb. 12) but many of the players are already at Fitch Park working out and preparing for the start of Spring Training. Position players do not have to report until February 16 and the first full squad workout is scheduled for February 17. Teams are still working on their rosters as Spring Training approaches. The Cubs have not announced the signing of … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 09/17/12
Second Half Minor League Report In looking at the Cubs' minor league system for the second half of the 2012 season, one can break things down into three phases. First there are the AZL Cubs and the Boise Hawks, which received the greatest influence of the Cubs' new front office team. With their rosters heavily populated by players from the 2012 draft and international free agent signings, both ended up in the playoffs at the end of the season, with Boise losing in the finals. Next there were … [Read more...]
Rambling from Something Deeper than the Abyss
After a week off, thanks to life getting in the way of a good rant, Ramblings are back and better than ever. Well, hopefully these are at least decent. Basically, I just hope you enjoy them a little bit. Or more. So let's go ... … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/16/12
Changes appear to be in the air for the minor league system, as Vice President of Player Personnel Oneri Fleita was fired on Wednesday afternoon. Long deserved promotions for pitcher Austin Kirk and outfielder Rubi Silva have finally happened, while Yoannis Negrin, Willengton Cruz, and Jacob Rogers also received a bump up in level. Tennessee has tightened up their defense, which has resulted in shut out wins for Dae-Eun Rhee and Yoannis Negrin. And Iowa actually posted a couple of wins, with … [Read more...]
From the Wire … Cubs Fire Oneri Fleita, Make Front Office Changes
The Cubs announced several changes to the front office prior to Wednesday's game, the most notable was the firing of Oneri Fleita, the team's Vice President of Player Personnel. Fleita joined the Cubs' organization in 1995 and Crane Kenney promoted him to VP of Player Personnel in December of 2007. Tom Ricketts extended Fleita's contract last September and gave him a new four year deal to keep him in the organization. According to Dave Kaplan, Fleita is owed around $900,000 ($300,000 per year) … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 05/16/12
Special Assignment - Peoria Chiefs v. Kane County Cougars Recently, I had the pleasure of being able to cover the series between the Chiefs and Kane County. It was a pleasant addition to be able to meet some of the executives from the Cubs organization. I'd like to thank Shawn Touney, Director of Public Relations for the Kane County Cougars, as well as Broadcast and Media Manager Nate Baliva of the Peoria Chiefs for their hospitality. I'd also like to mention reporters Chris Emma of … [Read more...]
A Busy Day for the Chicago Cubs?
According to multiple reports, the Cubs brass met following Wednesday's game against the Indians to figure out the final three to four spots on the Opening Day Roster. Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer, Randy Bush, Dale Sveum and the coaching staff were expected to decide the Opening Day rotation as well as if Welington Castillo or Steve Clevenger will begin the season as the back-up to Geovany Soto. The decisions on the final two to three spots in the pen could take a few more days. Depending on the … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 02/27/12
Five Players to Watch: Low-A Peoria Chiefs and High-A Daytona Cubs This is the second in a series of articles highlighting some of the players not noted on off-season prospect lists. The players are listed in alphabetical order, and as they are presently listed on rosters. Inclusion in this list does not necessarily reflect where each player will start the season. … [Read more...]
Day Three of the 2012 Cubs Convention … Fathers, Sons and Down on the Farm
The 2012 Cubs Convention wrapped Sunday with the annual panel focused on the Cubs' Minor League system. This year's panel featured six of the Cubs' top prospects ... Brett Jackson, Anthony Rizzo, Junior Lake, Jeff Beliveau, Josh Vitters and Matt Szczur. Oneri Fleita dropped a little news during the Down on the Farm session. Dae-Eun Rhee will start the season in the Smokies' rotation (Double-A) ... and Robert Whitenack is progressing well after last season's Tommy John surgery. Whitenack will … [Read more...]