According to a report from Susan Slusser, the Cubs were among four teams on hand last Thursday night at the Coliseum to watch LHP Scott Kazmir’s outing against the Mariners. The report from the San Francisco Chronicle indicated the Royals, Nationals and Twins were the other three teams scouting the lefty. Scott Kazmir shut down the Mariners for eight innings. Kazmir allowed just two hits and struck out seven while not issuing a free pass. Kazmir has put together five excellent starts in a … [Read more...]
Cubs Weekend Headlines: Splitting with the Royals, Draft News and a Bunch of Rumors
Even with only two games it was a typically busy weekend for the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs ended up with a split of the two-game series with the Royals and finished May with a 14-14 record. More rumors surfaced on which players the front office could try to acquire to improve the big league roster. And speculation continued about the direction the Cubs could go in the draft. The Cubs wrapped up the homestand with a 2-3 record and begin a nine-game, three-city road trip on Monday night in … [Read more...]
Player Acquisition Cost: RHP Tyler Clippard
The Cubs may have a better record if it weren't for a struggling bullpen that sports a 4.08 ERA after Friday’s game. A strength last year, the team has blown eight saves and needs some veteran assistance in the area for Joe Maddon to rely on either in setup or as a closer. Tyler Clippard of the Oakland A's may be a solid fit as he has experience in both areas and has shown he can get hitters out consistently throughout his career. Let's take a look at Clippard at what it may cost to get a player … [Read more...]
Cubs Weekend Headlines: More Homers, Rumors and Injury Updates than Wins
It was a rather busy weekend for the Chicago Cubs. From the action on the field to the rumors about which player the front office could select in the first round of the draft and which players the Cubs may be interested in to improve the big league roster, there wasn’t much down time over the last four days. Counting the late victory Thursday in San Diego, the Cubs went 2-3 in the five games over the extended holiday weekend. Joe Maddon received a complete game effort from Kyle Hendricks in … [Read more...]
Cubs Reportedly Interested in Ben Zobrist and Tyler Clippard
Could the Cubs and A’s swap players again this summer before the trade deadline? The Cubs have already been connected to LHP Scott Kazmir and according to Jim Bowden, the Cubs are one of several teams interested in acquiring INF/OF Ben Zobrist and RHP Tyler Clippard. Once Billy Beane decides to start trading players he figures to be rather busy leading up to and possibly after the deadline. There are several players on the A’s roster that teams could be interested in. Of the moves he could … [Read more...]
Cubs Reportedly Showing Interest in RHP Mitchell Boggs and RHP Roberto Hernandez
The Cubs' front office is exploring ways to add pitching to the big league team and have shown interest in right handed reliever Mitchell Boggs and right handed starter Roberto Hernandez. Hernandez is better known as Fausto Carmona from his days in Cleveland. Reports on Wednesday morning indicated the Cubs had spoken to Miami about Logan Morrison but the Marlins sent Morrison to the Mariners for RHP Carter Capps. And the Cubs also lost a trading partner on Wednesday. The Nationals were … [Read more...]
Winter Meetings Day Two: Cubs Continue Talking Samardzija, Focus on Pitching
2013 Winter Meetings – Day Two As was the case on Monday, the front office is talking to several teams about ways they can improve the overall health of the organization. And any possible trades would require pitching in return. The Cubs talks with the Diamondbacks about Jeff Samardzija took a backseat when news surfaced Kevin Towers was working on a three-team deal that would include one of the possible trade chips for Samardzija. Towers pulled off the deal with the Angels and White Sox … [Read more...]
More Cubs Rumors than News at the Winter Meetings
Tuesday morning was rather quiet at the Winter Meetings with the exception of the three-team deal being worked on by the Angels, White Sox and Diamondbacks that could take Arizona out of the Jeff Samardzija market. The Cubs continue to look for pitching, both starters and relievers, and Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer appear to be listening to offers for James Russell, Nate Schierholtz and of course, Jeff Samardzija. … [Read more...]
Winter Meetings Day One: Cubs Emphasizing Pitching In All Trade Discussions
2013 Winter Meetings - Day One Jeff Samardzija is reportedly the Cubs’ player that attracted the most attention on the first day of the Winter Meetings. The Cubs are listening to offers for Samardzija but are asking a steep price for him right now. Jed Hoyer maintained the Cubs would prefer to sign Samardzija to a contract extension. Nate Schierholtz is also drawing interest according to Gordon Wittenmyer. There was a little noise on Schierholtz earlier in the winter, but those rumors … [Read more...]
Cubs Reportedly Eyeing Nationals’ Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard Among Reliever Options
One of the many areas the Cubs are looking to improve this winter is their relief corps, especially the backend of the bullpen. The Cubs have added lefty Wesley Wright to the mix but they are not done. According to a report from the Sun-Times, the Cubs have checked in on possible trades for relievers and are eyeing the Nationals' Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard. … [Read more...]