Buster Olney reported Chris Sale is not an option for the Cubs The White Sox could trade several of their players this winter in order to begin a rebuild on the South Side that is long overdue. The White Sox watched the Cubs win The World Series while suffering through another losing season under then manager Robin Ventura. The Sox made a change at the managerial position and promoted Rick Renteria. The Sox are believed to be listening to offers for several of their players, including … [Read more...]
White Sox Reportedly Set to Replace Manager Robin Ventura with Rick Renteria
Former Cubs skipper Rick Renteria expected to be named White Sox manager The White Sox have scheduled a press conference for Monday at 11:00am. At that time the Sox are expected to announce Robin Ventura will not be returning for a sixth season as manager of the team. According to a report from the Sun-Times, former Cubs’ manager Rick Renteria will be named White Sox manager Monday. Ventura’s contract expires at the end of the season and according to multiple reports it will not be … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Jake Arrieta Extension Update, Theo Epstein and Cubs News and Rumors
The Cubs plan to talk to Scott Boras this winter about a contract extension for Jake Arrieta. The Cubs are obviously happy with Arrieta and would like him to remain with the team beyond the two years of control left before he becomes a free agent. Arrieta is arbitration eligible for the second time and is in line for a substantial raise. Arrieta was paid $3.63 million for what could be a Cy Young winning performance in 2015. Arrieta will make between $10-11 million next season. Jake Arrieta … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Anthony Rizzo Receives Heart and Hustle Award and Other Cubs News
A tip of the cap to all of the Veterans for what you’ve given to provide the freedom that we all enjoy on a daily basis Anthony Rizzo was named the Heart and Hustle Award winner Tuesday at the MLBPAA dinner. Rizzo called it an incredible honor and said, “There is still a lot more work to do and we aren’t stopping until be knock cancer out of the park.” • Report from MLB.com The Cubs did not have any Gold Glove winners this season. Anthony Rizzo did have ESPN’s 10th best … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: All About Respect and Cubs News from Day Seven of Camp Maddon
Countdown to Cubs Cactus League Openers: 6 days The first week of Spring Training is in the books and today is the last Friday without a Cubs game until October. Based on the various reports the Cubs had another good day of practice Thursday as the players prepare for the Cactus League openers next week. Joe Maddon is all about his team respecting the game. And his ‘Respect 90’ slogan was waiting for the players on Field 1. Maddon tweeted in December that he would “make a daily push … [Read more...]
Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer Discussed the Cubs on Multiple Outlets
It’s been a rather busy winter for the Chicago Cubs and because the team has been one of the biggest stories of Baseball’s other season, Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer have spent a lot of time on multiple radio outlets. Due to the transparency of the Cubs front office, the time Epstein and Hoyer spends on the radio talking about the team can be rather informative. Maybe the entire interview does not reveal new information, but seemingly every time Epstein and Hoyer are on the radio they provide … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Cubs Researching Benefits of Batting the Pitcher Eighth in the Lineup
Joe Maddon loves books, but he doesn’t manage by one. Maddon said that particular book was written so long ago it doesn’t really apply today. Maddon is known for thinking outside of the box and trying things with his lineups to get the most out of his players. After he took over as Cubs manager, Joe Maddon was asked about lineup construction. “I think every manager’s dream is to have a lineup that he really likes 1-8 or 1-9 and stay with it versus a righty and then stay with it versus a … [Read more...]
Cubs Prioritize Winning in the Pursuit and Hiring of Joe Maddon
The Cubs broke their silence Friday afternoon with two swift announcements about an hour apart. The team fired Rick Renteria and made the hiring of Joe Maddon official. The Cubs scheduled a press conference for Monday afternoon (2:00pm CST) at the Cubby Bear to introduce Joe Maddon as the 54th manager in franchise history. Theo Epstein, through a statement issued to the media, explained the front office’s decision to let Renteria go in favor of Maddon. Epstein said it was a difficult decision … [Read more...]
From the Wire: Cubs Make It Official, Announce Hiring of Joe Maddon
The Cubs announced Friday afternoon the team has hired Joe Maddon to be the 54th manager in franchise history. A press conference is scheduled for 2:00pm CST on Monday afternoon at the Cubby Bear due to the construction at Wrigley Field. Terms of the contract have not been released yet. The Cubs were expected to sign Joe Maddon to a four to five year contract for around $5 million per season. The Cubs fired Rick Renteria earlier in the afternoon and made the announcement with the following … [Read more...]
Gary Jones Not Returning as Cubs Third Base Coach
Shortly after Theo Epstein released the statement the Cubs had fired Rick Renteria, the Sun-Times reported third base coach Gary Jones would not be returning for the 2015 season. Gary Jones was one of two coaches on the Cubs staff that Rick Renteria brought in last year. Quality Assurance Coach, Jose Castro was the other and he accepted the assistant hitting coach position with the Braves earlier this week. The Cubs will be looking for at least two coaches once Joe Maddon is officially in … [Read more...]