Play resumed Saturday in Puerto Rico and Javier Baez was in the starting lineup for Santurce. Baez batted fourth and played shortstop in the 4-0 win over Caguas. Javier Baez went 1-for-3 with a double, a walk, a RBI and a run scored in four trips to the plate. Baez did not strikeout for the first time in five games. Baez has put together a four-game hitting streak and has reached base in the last 10 games he’s played with hits in six of the 10 games. In 12 games this winter, Baez is … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Cubs Top ESPN’s Power Rankings, Jake Arrieta and Other News
If there was a doubt the expectations for the Cubs in 2016 would not be extremely high, the first two days of baseball’s second season have done very little to make those expectations a little more realistic. The Cubs opened as favorites in Vegas to win the Series next fall, at least according to odds from Bovada, and ESPN’s David Schoenfield reported the Cubs are the team to beat in 2016. Schoenfield released his “way too early” power rankings for next season and his top five teams are, … [Read more...]
From the Wire: Jonathan Herrera, Quintin Berry Elected Free Agency, Taylor Teagarden Outrighted to Iowa
The Cubs posted three roster moves on the official transactions page Monday morning. INF Jonathan Herrera and OF Quintin Berry elected free agency and C Taylor Teagarden was outrighted to Iowa and off the 40-man roster. With the three roster moves, the Cubs 40-man roster officially stands at 29 players. Jonathan Herrera played an important role for the Cubs during the season but did not appear in a game after Sept. 9. Herrera hit .230/.242/.333 in 73 games with five doubles, a triple … [Read more...]
Cubs 2015 Position Review – Catcher
One big priority going into the off-season was upgrades at the catching position as the team felt that incumbent starter Welington Castillo didn't make a big enough leap forward. The front office didn't waste any time in that respect trading for Miguel Montero and signing David Ross to a two-year deal. The combination of them coupled with the call-up of phenom prospect Kyle Schwarber led to an overall line of .237/.323/.389 with 21 home runs and 74 RBI, a vast improvement over the 2014 season. … [Read more...]
Arbitration Eligible Players Will Put a Pretty Big Dent in Cubs Available Payroll for 2016
The Cubs have 10 players eligible for salary arbitration. Jake Arrieta is the biggest of the group and will receive the largest pay increase. Chris Coghlan, Justin Grimm, Jonathan Herrera, Clayton Richard, Hector Rondon, Pedro Strop, Taylor Teagarden, Justin Turner and Travis Wood are arbitration eligible for the 2016 season. The deadline to tender contracts to players for the 2016 season is Dec. 2. The Cubs have not gone to arbitration with a player under the current regime. The last time … [Read more...]
From the Wire: Cubs Add C Taylor Teagarden to 40-Man Roster, DFA LHP Tsuyoshi Wada
The Cubs announced two roster moves Sunday that impact the 40-man roster, not the active NLDS roster. The Cubs selected the contract of catcher Taylor Teagarden from Triple-A Iowa and added him to the 40-man roster. In order to create a spot for on the roster for Teagarden, the Cubs designated LHP Tsuyoshi Wada for assignment. With the two moves, the Cubs’ 40-man roster stands at 40 players. Veteran catcher Taylor Teagarden spent the entire season in the Cubs’ organization. Teagarden … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 10/01/15
Position Analysis – First Base The position analysis series continues with a look at a position that has some questions in the Cubs’ system: First Base. First Base For the third straight season, the Cubs decided against having a prospect at Triple-A and used 10 different players at first base for the Iowa Cubs. Getting the most reps was third baseman Christian Villanueva, who lined up there 35 times. The I-Cubs also used catchers at first base: Taylor Davis 30 times, Taylor Teagarden had … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 09/28/15
Position Analysis - Catcher Welcome to the first installment of a series that summarizes and projects how the minor league system looks on a position by position basis. Today, the CCO will look at a position that is moving toward being one of the strongest in the organization: Catcher. Catcher The Cubs have a bona fide star in 2014 first round draft pick Kyle Schwarber. The trouble comes as to where he fits right now at the position. The Cubs have veterans Miguel Montero and David Ross, so … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 09/07/15
Happy Labor Day! The traditional last day of the minor league season will see us back where we started as Eugene completed their season falling one game short of the playoffs despite the hot hitting of P.J. Higgins. Both Myrtle Beach and Tennessee are creating a buzz as Willson Contreras could take home a batting championship for the Smokies, while the Pelicans are going to the playoffs with their own hitting champ Chesny Young. South Bend will put their first season as a Cubs’ affiliate … [Read more...]
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 09/04/15
The week ended in extremes as Eugene held on to a first place lead with big pitching performances from Justin Steele and Oscar De La Cruz. South Bend’s reshuffled line-up produced a blow out win and a big game from Angelo Amendolare. Myrtle Beach and Tennessee are the home of two hitting leaders as Chesny Young and Willson Contreras look to take home their respective league’s batting crown. And Iowa fell out of playoff contention despite the efforts of Mike Baxter. So get the lowdown as … [Read more...]