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...]
The Daily CCO: Another Deadline Day in MLB and Cubs News and Rumors
Tuesday is the deadline for teams to tender contracts to players for the 2015 season. And there could be a lot of player movement around Major League Baseball before 11:00pm CST. Jon Paul Morosi reported Monday night a GM he spoke with said “trade talks have intensified around MLB in last 48 hours.” Jake Arrieta, John Baker, Welington Castillo, Chris Coghlan, Felix Doubront, Justin Ruggiano, Pedro Strop, Luis Valbuena, Travis Wood and Wesley Wright are the 10 players on the Cubs roster … [Read more...]
Cubs Working on the Pitching Staff as Spring Training Nears
The Cubs reportedly agreed to terms on contracts with Jason Hammel and James McDonald last Friday with both deals not expected to be announced until the pitchers passed physicals. The Cubs have not made either signing official yet and will have to make a 40-man roster move before announcing Hammel’s one-year contract. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer could be trying to sneak one of a handful of pitchers through waivers and still keep him in the system before making the signing of Jason Hammel … [Read more...]