It wasn't long ago that the Chicago Cubs locked up their long-term closer solution to a lucrative three-year deal in Carlos Marmol. As is the case for every other long-term closer not named Mariano, it didn't seem to last very long. For now, Rafael Dolis is getting the ball in save opportunities that are scattered few and far between. Is he the reincarnation of Lee Smith walking through the door? Probably not. That's a lot to live up to. But as long as it isn't Joe Borowski, the Cubs have reason to believe he's prepared to be the next "guy". ...
Jeff Samardzija struggled with the command of his off-speed pitches throughout his career, while also having difficulties blowing his fastball straight past hitters. To say Samardzija has surprised this season would be an understatement. But is it just a mirage of what he really is? Or is this Samardzija the one the Cubs thought they were getting in the fifth round out of Notre Dame? At 4-1 with 2.89 ERA and 45 strikeouts, Samardzija has potentially put his name in All-Star consideration. Can he be an All-Star and anchor of a competing Cubs rotation? Here are five reasons to believe ...
Brett Jackson, Anthony Rizzo and prospects, oh my!Chicago Cubs fans cannot wait for the major league arrival of the two big-name prospects with the intention of leading Chicago down the yellow brick road to a championship sooner rather than later.Fortunately, the man in charge knows it'll take more than a click of his heels to bring a championship home.Theo Epstein's hands are full with draft evaluations and questions from all angles asking when the two top prospects will be seeing time in the majors.On the surface it makes perfect sense. Rizzo is posting numbers that appear to be pulled out ...
It didn't take long for Chicago Cubs fans to become smitten with Geovany Soto, following a 2008 rookie campaign that featured an All-Star Game appearance, the Rookie of the Year Award and even a few league MVP votes. That's what 23 home runs and 86 RBI will do for you in Chicago.Unfortunately, in Chicago, not living up to the expectations that follow ends the relationship quicker than it starts.Soto still is considered an above-average offensive catcher, and a change of scenery is best for both parties in this instance.He is hitting a measly .140 and reaching base just a shade over .200. ...
Jed Hoyer worried that he rushed Anthony Rizzo, then of the San Diego Padres, to the majors before he was ready.At this point, Hoyer can't pick up the phone soon enough to instill Rizzo into the everyday lineup.Rizzo, a left-handed hitting first baseman, is tearing up Triple-A right now for the Chicago Cubs and is one of the top prospects in the system.Acquired in the offseason for pitcher Andrew Cashner, Rizzo is hitting .391 with five home runs and 13 RBIs. At this point, there is little else that Rizzo needs to prove at that level.Sooner or later, Rizzo needs ...
In the opening series between the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals, the Cardinals won the pivotal third game 10-3 capturing the series.Sunday's game was won before either team took the field.With a chance to win a series early in the season against the arch-rival Cardinals, Cubs manager Dale Sveum failed at his duty to give his team its best chance to win.Sveum sat half of his regulars Sunday afternoon, including three of his four best offensive players.Joe Mather replaced Alfonso Soriano in left field. David DeJesus had the day off in right and was replaced by Reed Johnson. The ...
Two blown saves and a 1-2 record later and Cubs fans are already calling for the release of Carlos Marmol and Kerry Wood. Dale Sveum can't escape criticism for the use of his bullpen. Some fans have already thrown in the towel for the 162-game schedule.If we're using a three-game schedule to determine seasons, then those of you that had the Cubs finishing with more wins than both Boston and the New York Yankees, enjoy your pay day.For the rest of us, there is still plenty to watch for this year. But there's no doubt Cubs fans are already peeking ...
After leading the National League in hits last season, consider Starlin Castro the interim title-holder of the "Best Shortstop in the National League."I say interim because injuries can cost the cream of the crop full seasons, skewing the numbers.This summer the real title will be back up for grabs in a competition that not even WrestleMania could script.If Michael Buffer introduced the candidates, he'd start off with Hanley Ramirez in one corner, joined by Miami Marlins-teammate Jose Reyes, Colorado Rockie Troy Tulowitzki and Castro.Ramirez, Reyes and Tulowitzki all missed time last year due to injuries. Ramirez played in just 92 ...
The Brett Jackson train is full steam ahead, as the arrival of the outfielder seems imminent this season. He'll start the year in Triple-A, but it won't be long before Jackson receives the phone call he's been waiting for his whole life: the one to the major leagues. Here are seven ways Jackson impressed the Cubs and put pressure on the organization to make room for the prospect.Begin Slideshow
There are roughly two weeks left before Opening Day as 14 spring games remain before the Cubs take the field against Stephen Strasburg and the Washington Nationals. Strasburg and Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro will highlight the big names when it comes to fantasy baseball. In fact, Castro may be the only Cubs player that fantasy owners across the nation expect much of anything from. More times than not, it isn't the player you draft in the first or second round that determines the success of your fantasy season. Instead, it's the diamond in the rough you find in the late ...
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