According to a report from Bruce Levine, the Tigers have their top scout, Scott Reid, watching the Cubs this week. The Tigers are interested in Darwin Barney and Nate Schierholtz as possible replacements for shortstop Jose Iglesias and outfielder Andy Dirks. Levine reported last week the Tigers and Cubs discussed a deal involving either Nate Schierholtz or Ryan Sweeney. And now the Tigers are apparently interested in trading for Darwin Barney again. Levine pointed out that Detroit has had … [Read more...]
Baez Scheduled for Second Base This Week, Arrieta to Throw Live BP and Other Cubs News and Rumors
Rick Renteria said Saturday that Javier Baez will play second base either Monday or Tuesday. The Cubs have two games Monday, one in Phoenix against the Athletics and they host the Angels at Cubs Park. The team travels back to Surprise to take on the Rangers under the lights Tuesday night. Renteria said Baez’s work at second base during practice "has been real good" and he does not think Baez will have any problems moving to the other side of the bag. Baez said he is feeling more comfortable … [Read more...]
Are the Cubs Interested in Jacoby Ellsbury? And Other News and Rumors
The biggest Cubs’ rumor to come out of Orlando on the final day of the GM Meetings on Wednesday was courtesy of Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News. Feinsand reported the market on Jacoby Ellsbury looks thin and his source indicated "the Cubs are stealthily waiting in the wings." While Feinsand is hearing there is a thin market for Ellsbury, Scott Boras told Jon Paul Morosi that the interest in Ellsbury is far more than normal for elite players The Cubs front office is obviously familiar … [Read more...]
The Rumor Season is Underway and Other Cubs News and Notes
The GM Meetings and Owners Meetings began on Monday in Orlando. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer arrived early in the afternoon and met with the media. Hoyer confirmed the Cubs’ interest in Masahiro Tanaka and indicated the Cubs are looking to hire two hitting coaches with both positions likely to be filled from outside the organization. As is the case every year, the rumors began to fly out of the GM Meetings before the attention turned to the BBWAA awards. Jose Fernandez of the Marlins and Wil … [Read more...]
Rambling as the Cubs Season Awaits
In ten days, the Cubs will begin their 2013 campaign, and while it will take place on April 1st, we all hope this upcoming edition is no joke. It is widely documented and discussed that two of the offseason “risks” will not pan out because Stewart and Baker are hurt or shut down for now. It is March 22, and people have decided that these signings have not worked and are horrible. Sure, they MIGHT turn out that way, but let’s just wait until its warm enough to wear shorts before we make that … [Read more...]
Cubs Watching the Waiver Wire and Other Off Day Notes
With Ian Stewart unavailable for the start of the season, Dale Sveum announced Tuesday that Luis Valbuena would be at third base for the Cubs on Opening Day in Pittsburgh. Valbuena and Brent Lillibridge, who has played his way onto the 25-man roster this spring, figure to share time at third base early in the season. But the Cubs may not be done adding players to their roster. According to multiple reports, Dale Sveum said Tuesday that the team would continue to look at the waiver … [Read more...]
Samardzija Satisfied, the Bullpen and Other Cubs News Bits
Jeff Samardzija was satisfied with the start he made in a B game against Rangers’ minor leaguers on Wednesday. The Cubs decided to have Samardzija pitch in a minor league game instead of facing the big league team … and that decision could have to do with Texas making a trip to Wrigley in the middle of the first month of the season (April 16 – April 18). Samardzija allowed five runs on six hits in four innings, and served up a three-run home run. Samardzija reportedly had one bad inning and … [Read more...]
Nothing to the Marmol Rumors? And Other Cubs News Bits
The Carlos Marmol rumors predictably kicked into gear on Tuesday shortly after Danny Knobler reported the Tigers would like to trade for a closer. Detroit is reportedly not pleased with the way Bruce Rondon has pitched this spring and the Tigers have limited options on their roster to fill the closer’s role. Carlos Marmol is available, and the Cubs have been interested in trading for Rick Porcello since Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer took over baseball operations. So could there be a fit? Bruce … [Read more...]
Report: Tigers Among Several Teams Taking a Hard Look at Carlos Marmol
According to a report from Bruce Levine, Carlos Marmol "will likely be pitching for another team by Opening Day." Levine reported that several teams, including the Detroit Tigers, are taking a "hard look" at the Cubs' closer. Marmol is owed $9.8 million for this season, the third and final year of the three-year contract he signed prior to the 2011 season. … [Read more...]
Cubs Pitchers and Catchers Report to Fitch Park
Charley Steiner once said, “There is something liberating about those magical words, pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training.” The off-season is over … the Cubs’ baseball season officially begins today. While a majority of the pitchers and catchers on the Cubs’ Spring Training roster has already reported to Fitch Park, the mandatory reporting date is today. The players will take physicals and have meetings with the coaching staff on Monday with the first official on-field workout … [Read more...]