USA Today reports Cubs starting pitcher Carlos Zambrano is about to be traded to the Florida Marlins,in an unexpected offseason deal.Maybe "unexpected" is the wrong choice of word, as the deal has been a long-rumored one over the past few months. It is still another clear step in newly appointed Theo Epstein's march to remake the make-up of his Cubs franchise.Dave Kaplan of Comcast news reports that the deals specifics should be finalized in the next 24-48 hours. Although there is some finality to the pieces involved.Jon Heyman, ESPN sports news, Twitter.com that the Cubs will be receiving starting pitcher Chris ...
According to the Associated Press, the Cubs and Rockies have orchestrated a move that sends versatile third baseman Ian Stewart and 26-year-old reliever Casey Weathers to Chicago for outfielder Tyler Colvin and infielder DJ LeMahieu.There have been enough rumors bouncing around the mill over the last week or so about the Cubs' apparent interest in Ian Stewart that this move will come as no shock to many. The only thing that might give pause is the addition of DJ LeMahieu in this package, although many don't see him as ready for prime-time in any serious role in the majors at the moment.Just in this past ...
The Cubs offseason mentality is coming together with rumors like this: According to The Denver Post, it appears the front office is in talks with the Rockies to trade for third baseman Ian Stewart, and the proposed package would be quite a steal.What exactly is this "package" that Colorado is asking for to acquire the 26-year-old infielder? It starts and ends with Blake DeWitt, someone Cubs fans wouldn't bat an eye at releasing outright.If the Rockies only ask for DeWitt in a trade that would send Stewart to Chicago, Theo Epstein has made another savvy, buy-low move in acquiring him.To make a ...
With the signing of David DeJesus, the Cubs are making a clear showing of their upcoming mentality. They've already spelled it out verbally, now they have begun putting the money where their mouth is.They want to upgrade defense.They want to upgrade on-base skills.They want to add consistent left-handed hitters.They want guys who can hit when it matters.For DeJesus, you can check every single thing off of that list. Sure, he'll be 32 this upcoming season, but his 2-year contract is a beautiful buy-low move with nearly no risk involved. He's exactly the type of player who handles himself in a ...
In a move that is sure to inspire some (ever-so-slight) interest in Wrigleyville, the Chicago Cubs have locked 32-year-old David DeJesus into a two-year deal.DeJesus has been an above-average fielder his entire career, adding legitimate value to a position where the Cubs could sorely use it. Coming off a dreadful 2011 season, where he couldn't produce or stay healthy, DeJesus is looking to rebound to the nicer seasons of 2008-2010. Over those three years, he hit .300 with a .365 on-base percentage and averaged an OPS above .800. If he simply stays healthy and produces like he did those three seasons, he'll ...
Believe me Cubs fans, we all know this list could go on for miles. I won't be putting Mike Quade on the list, though his detriments to the team are clearly visible.Yet the rest of this list just makes you a little uneasy about the direction of this team, especially if it isn't handled by a newly-installed General Manager with a barrel of wisdom to spare.These positions are all things that championship-caliber teams usually excel in, but this franchise needs to fix them all. Not exactly a ringing endorsement for the near-future, but handled correctly it could be fixed on a ...
The Cubs are arguably the worst team in baseball as it stands, with the injuries included. The Cubbie faithful (with this season, their faith must run pretty damn deep) have been clamoring for a "youth movement." Believe me, I'm all for it. The team is a mess not seen since the putrid 2006 season, and the soon-to-be-coming overhaul will be much-needed.Thing is, there are some young players on-roster that should have nothing to do with this team's future, if they want it to include winning.Consistently called a fourth-outfielder talent throughout his minor league career, Tyler Colvin was a first-round reach ...
After he struggled to produce at the plate all spring, while unable to play acceptable defense at second base, Blake DeWitt has officially lost his role as the starter.He was never starting full-time to begin with, as Jeff Baker was the plan when lefties were on the mound. Now though, DeWitt has played at such a lackluster level that it forced manager Quade's hand in the removal process.The 25-year-old wound up hitting .186 in 48 at-bats. Paired with his lackluster Major League career thus far, an he has found himself relegated to the bench role of backing up third and ...
Hype is a dangerous thing.Nothing good comes from it. Few players in modern sports ever live up to the hype that the media circus can create. Out of these unjust expectations, disappointment looms large.Cubs fans know a lot about the hype process. All of the "This is the Year!" signs cast aside on the streets of Wrigleyville will vouch for this.I'm writing this article to simply clear up the most prevalent myths pertaining to this upcoming Cubs season. These are things that have spread across the Internet or reside with the comic stylings of what they "report" on Comcast Sportsnet. ...
Carlos Pena, 32, and the Chicago Cubs have finally consummated the rumors and worked out a one year deal worth $10 million.
It's a little more than Pena was projected to get and a little more than the Cubs were expected to have, so the deal is a little confusing on both counts.
With the deal finalized, the Cubs fill a large void at first base.
Though some fans will look quickly to Pena's admittedly very frightening .196 batting average in 2010, either way, Pena was a quite productive offensive guy as recently as 2008 and 2009. He was also a legitimate MVP-candidate in ...
Next Page »
