Good riddance, Big Z. In your case, the "Z" stands for "zero," as in what a zero you were for the Cubs in terms of attitude these past few years. According to ESPN Chicago, Carlos Zambrano was traded to the Miami Marlins for veteran right-handed pitcher Chris Volstad. The trade unites Zambrano with his friend and fellow Venezuelan, Ozzie Guillen. On the surface, the trade would appear to work in the Marlins favor. For one, the Cubs have agreed to pay $15 million of the $18 million owed to Zambrano for the coming season. For another, he has had a better career ...
According to sources, the Cubs have agreed to trade left-handed reliever Sean Marshall to the Cincinnati Reds for left-handed starter Travis Wood and two prospects.On the surface, without knowing the names of the prospects, the trade seems like a fair swap. Anytime a club can get a starting pitcher for a relief pitcher, it's usually a good move.But Marshall is a better reliever than Wood is a starter, at least thus far in their respective careers. So the key will be the prospects included in the deal.The Cubs need starting pitching, like most teams, and they didn't have a legitimate southpaw ...
The Chicago Cubs have only begin to re-shape their club, but only I know who will be the main players for 2012. Yes, my crystal ball gets hazy at times, but I will give you the starting nine and the five pitchers who will lead the Cubs into battle next season.Remember, the Theo Epstein plan will take time, so don't fret that they didn't make a real offer to Albert Pujols or attempt a real bid on Japanese pitching sensation Yu Darvish.Likewise, as I have written, don't expect Prince Fielder to be the first baseman unless he takes a shorter deal.But the ...
Just like the Albert Pujols negotiations, the Cubs are purposely not trying to quash their reported interest in Prince Fielder, even though they have only a small chance of signing the Milwaukee first baseman.Yes, the Cubs presented Pujols an offer, but it was one they knew wouldn't be accepted. It was likely for five years with an average annual salary well above what other teams were offering.In other words, Theo Epstein and the Cubs were hoping that Albert would take a shorter-term contract worth more per year than the other offers.But, in reality, they knew that wouldn't happen.Still, this kept ...
Call off the "Occupy Cooperstown" protests and the cries for a boycott. Ron Santo is a Hall of Famer, and though it would have been better for it to have happened sooner, it is still worth accepting on his behalf. In case you missed it, there are Cubs fans suggesting that the Santo family refuse to accept the award in protest of the fact that it occurred posthumously. And while I agree that Santo deserved enshrinement long ago, I'm sure that the family will gain some enjoyment from the honor. Still, I must wonder what happened between the end of ...
Chicago Cubs owner Tom Ricketts announced on Friday that Carlos Zambrano would be given an opportunity to come back to pitch for the team in 2012. That is a mistake in my opinion.
Yes, I know he is under contract for this season, and yes, I also know that the Cubs need starting pitching.
But they don't need the headaches this guy causes. They don't need his temper tantrums, his bizarre behavior, and they certainly don't need bad clubhouse chemistry.
You would think that after what Theo Epstein went through during the collapse in Boston last season, that the importance of leadership and ...
With Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer taking over this club, knowing that the path to consistent winning involves young players, there really should be no players on the current roster who are untouchable. Yes, that even includes Starlin Castro, although I would want a king's ransom for him. So, in effect, he is the only player who is almost untouchable. But if I were the Cubs brass, I would listen at least. But my main focus would be on players who may have value to other teams that are willing to move young pieces in return. Some have questioned the ...
Dale Sveum hasn't managed a game yet for the Chicago Cubs, but we're already beginning to get an early indication of the kind of manager that he might be.
When asked by a Chicago sports radio station if he would bunt a guy over to third with a man on second and no one out, he said, basically, that "it depends."
Which, on the surface, makes sense. I mean, you can't really answer that question without knowing the situation—what is the score, what inning is it, etc.
Personally, I would never bunt a guy over in that situation and I am surprised that ...
According to sources, Dale Sveum has been offered the job as Chicago Cubs manager. Since he is also a candidate for the Boston Red Sox job, it is uncertain what he will decide to do. But assuming he agrees to come on board, the question is: Was he the first choice of Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer, or is he a "settle" candidate? I ask this for two reasons. First, there appears to have been a disconnect between Epstein and Hoyer over the candidacy of Terry Francona. It seems that Epstein was more willing than Hoyer to bring "Tito" to ...
ESPN reported tonight that the deal is now official. Theo Epstein has resigned as a member of the Boston Red Sox and is the new Cubs President of Baseball Operations. Bruce Levine was on ESPN TV just now saying that the threat of Bud Selig getting involved as a mediator possibly helped move the two sides to close this deal. After weeks of wrangling, the two sides have agreed to allow Epstein to come to the Cubs although no compensation has been announced. Once the compensation is determined, the two sides will announce it, and if they cannot come to an ...
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