The CCO's off-season look at the Cubs' farm system continues today with the top 31 prospects in the Cubs organization according to Baseball America. Baseball America's 2011 Prospect Handbook was recently released with the Nationals' Bryce Harper on the cover. BA was very complimentary of the Cubs' system before the trade with the Rays last month ... and Brett Jackson and Trey McNutt cracked their editor's top 50 lists. The Cubs system made it into the top 10 before the trade (ranked number 8), … [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...]
FanGraphs Top 10 Cubs Prospects
FanGraphs recently released their list of the top 10 prospects in the Cubs system, the first since the Cubs traded five minor leaguers to the Rays for Matt Garza. The Cubs system took a hit when Jim Hendry dealt Chris Archer, Robinson Chirinos, Hak-Ju Lee, Brandon Guyer and Sam Fuld to Tampa. But the Cubs picked up a nice package for Tom Gorzelanny from the Nationals ... including former supplemental round pick Michael Burgess. Here's how the Cubs' system stacks up according to FanGraphs ... … [Read more...]
Cubs Convention Day Three: All About the Young Cubs
The final day of the 26th Annual Cubs Convention focused on the young players in the system ... both at the Major League level and down on the farm. Tyler Colvin, Darwin Barney and Scott Maine talked about being 25 and in the majors. The final session of the weekend, "Down on the Farm presented by the VineLine" featured Oneri Fleita, the Cubs VP of Player Personnel and Tim Wilken the Cubs Scouting Director plus D.J. LeMahieu, Chris Carpenter and Jay Jackson. … [Read more...]
News, Notes and a Few Cubs Rumors
The next five days figures to be anything but boring for the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs announced on Tuesday that pitchers and catchers report to Fitch Park on February 13 with the first workout on February 14. The first full squad workout for Q's crew is scheduled for February 19 ... 31 days before pitchers and catchers report and 46 days until Chicago Cubs Baseball is on the air from Mesa. The Cubs kick off their caravan on Wednesday with a luncheon at Harry Caray's Restaurant. The two-day … [Read more...]
Garza, Quade and Cubs Baseball
It is only 33 days until pitchers and catchers report to Fitch Park and the Cubs Convention kicks off in four days. The baseball season is just around the corner. The Matt Garza trade remained in the headlines two days after the trade became official. Mike Quade spent time discussing the trade and his team on XM Radio ... and Matt Garza joined Dave Kaplan on Monday night. The Cubs also made a roster move on Monday when they claimed Max Ramirez off waivers from the Boston Red Sox. Here's the … [Read more...]
The Garza Trade – A Minor League Perspective
I'm taking some time out from preparing the Down on the Farm report in order to offer some observations on the recent eight-player trade. Please keep in mind that these are just observations ... from a Minor League perspective. … [Read more...]
From the Wire … It’s Official, Cubs Acquire Matt Garza in Eight-Player Trade
The Cubs and Rays officially announced the eight-player trade that sent five minor leaguers to the Tampa Bay Rays for Matt Garza, Fernando Perez and Zachary Rosscup, a left-handed minor league pitcher that was the Rays 28th round pick in the 2009 draft. The Cubs paid a big price for Matt Garza by dealing Chris Archer, Hak-Ju Lee, Robinson Chirinos, Brandon Guyer and Sam Fuld for Garza, Perez and a minor league lefty. Jim Hendry told the media that the Cubs "are not giving away the farm to try … [Read more...]
Waiting for the Official Word on Garza Deal
According to multiple reports, including one from Fernando Perez, the eight-player trade between the Cubs and Rays is done and the only things missing are the press releases from the clubs and for Jim Hendry to hold a press conference. The Cubs sent five players to Tampa for Matt Garza, Fernando Perez and an unnamed minor league player ... some reports have suggested a pitcher (possibly a reliever with Major League experience), others an infielder and one from ESPN 1000 indicated the third … [Read more...]
From the Wire … Cubs Acquire Matt Garza from Rays in Eight Player Trade
According to a report from Bruce Levine, the Cubs have acquired Matt Garza and two minor league players from the Rays for Chris Archer, Hak-Ju Lee, Brandon Guyer, Robinson Chirinos and Sam Fuld. Levine is reporting the two players coming from Tampa are a minor league outfielder and a minor league infielder. Updated - 11:10am CT - According to Bruce Miles, the Cubs will receive Fernando Perez, a switch-hitting outfielder in the deal. Updated - 2:28pm CT - According to a report from ESPN 1000, … [Read more...]