As the regular season in the Caribbean and Mexico begin to wind down, and the holidays approach, this week saw minimal participation of players from the organization. That's not to say things haven't been interesting. Carlos Zambrano and his Caribes de Anzoategui teammates flirted with greatness on Wednesday, while reliever Kyle Smit was on top of his game in his debut for Indios de Mayaguez in the Puerto Rican League. Marco Carrillo and Austin Bibens-Dirkx continued to baffle hitters, while … [Read more...]
A Full Field of Cubs Rumors and Notes
Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer have said countless times they like keeping their decisions close to the vest. And while not much is coming out of the offices at 1060 West Addison, the Cubs continue to be connected to free agents and linked to possible trades. Most think the Cubs are interested in Prince Fielder, Yu Darvish and Yoenis Cespedes despite the fact they've said they do not have the money to sign a high-dollar free agent. The Cubs' new regime has a lot of holes to fill on their big league … [Read more...]
Brett Jackson and Vitters among Cubs Second Round of Roster Cuts
The Cubs announced the second round of roster cuts Tuesday morning. The team trimmed their Spring Training roster by 18 players, reducing the number officially in big league camp down to 40 players. Brett Jackson, Josh Vitters and Trey McNutt were among the second round of roster cuts. … [Read more...]
Z Cubs Zweep Sunday’s Zplit Zquad Games – Cubs 4 Dodgers 3, Cubs 7 D-Backs 5
Spring Training Game Seventeen - Cubs (ss) 4 Dodgers (ss) 3 - 10 innings WP - Jeff Stevens (1-0) LP - Michael Antonini (0-1) Save - None Spring Training Game Eighteen - Cubs (ss) 7 Diamondbacks 5 WP - Braden Looper (1-0) LP - Daniel Hudson (1-1) Save - None After dropping both split squad games Saturday, Q's crews in Las Vegas and Scottsdale won on Sunday. A solid effort by Braden Looper and the second home run by Carlos Pena in three games led the Cubs to victory in Scottsdale. Carlos … [Read more...]
Cubs Split the Split-Squad Games – Cubs 5 Dodgers 3, Cubs 0 Reds 10
Spring Training Game Eight - Cubs (ss) 5 Dodgers 3 - 10 innings WP - Esmailin Caridad (1-0) LP - Luis Vasquez (0-2) Save - None Spring Training Game Nine - Cubs (ss) 0 Reds 10 WP - Johnny Cueto (1-1) LP - Todd Wellemeyer (1-1) Save - None The Chicago Cubs won one and were hammered in the other Sunday afternoon in the Cactus League. D.J. LeMahieu received a call-up from minor league camp and hit a two-run, walk-off homer in the 10th at HoHoKam. Following a leadoff walk by Luis Montanez, D.J. … [Read more...]
Day Eight of Camp ‘Q’ … Dempster Gets the Nod and Other Cubs Notes
The first pitch of the Cubs' Cactus League schedule is five days away ... The Cubs continued making headlines as the second week of Spring Training began Monday. Mike Quade had a meeting with Ryan Dempster, Carlos Zambrano and Matt Garza and told the top pitchers in his rotation which one would be getting the ball on Opening Day. Quade gave Dempster the nod and announced Zambrano and Garza would be slotted behind Dempster to begin the season. The choice of Ryan Dempster as the Cubs Opening Day … [Read more...]
The Cubs are Ready to Get to Work
Pitchers and catchers reported to Fitch Park on Sunday ... and the biggest news to come out of Mesa centered on Carlos Marmol. Jim Hendry met with Marmol's agent, Barry Praver, to further discuss a multi-year contract for Carlos Marmol. A deal is expected to be announced on Monday ... a day before Marmol's arbitration hearing. If the two sides cannot agree to the rumored three-year contract, the Cubs and Marmol have a one-year deal in place to avoid arbitration. The first on field workout for … [Read more...]
Weekend Update … The Week that Was in Cubs News
The last weekend in January and the end of the final month without Cubs' baseball until at least October ... pitchers and catchers report to Fitch Park in just 14 days. It was a busy six days for the team on the North Side of Chicago. From the non-roster invitations to minor league signings the Cubs were in the news just about every day. The Cubs' Spring Training broadcast schedule should be released in the coming week but as for the announcement of Pat Hughes' new partner, that could be a … [Read more...]
From the Wire … Cubs Ink Looper and Ojeda to Minor League Deals and Announce Non-Roster Invitations to Spring Training
According to a report from Cubs.com, the Cubs signed Braden Looper and Augie Ojeda to minor league contracts on Thursday. The Cubs also released the list of the 21 players that will be participating in big league camp this spring on non-roster invitations. Trey McNutt, Brett Jackson, Josh Vitters, Marquez Smith, Jay Jackson and Chris Carpenter are among the Cubs minor leaguers to receive invites. … [Read more...]
From the Wire … Cubs Ink Reed Johnson to Minor League Contract
According to multiple reports, the Cubs signed Reed Johnson to a minor league contract on Wednesday. The deal includes a non-roster invite to big league camp. … [Read more...]