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 ...
The Chicago Cubs have a new plan for 2012, year one of their rebuilding efforts. Theo Epstein has already made moves to acquire players like Anthony Rizzo and Ian Stewart while getting rid of troubled pitcher Carlos Zambrano. These moves are just the beginning of what will be a busy season for the team as they prepare to turn around the Cubs' losing ways. Here are 15 bold predictions about the Cubs roster moves this season.Begin Slideshow
In a very interesting piece by Gordon Wittenmeyer of the Chicago Sun-Times, former Cuban league stud Yoenis Cespedes said that the Cubs offered him a six-year, $36 million deal and that he would have signed with the Cubs had they offered him the same contract that the Oakland A's did.The thought of Cespedes having joined the Cubs is surely interesting. With Gerardo Concepcion in tow, and the Cubs highly considered the front-runners for Jorge Soler, Team Theo would have hit the Cuban trifecta this offseason.Had Cespedes picked the Cubs over Oakland, the effects of the signing would have been huge.First ...
Heading in to the 2012 campaign, Chicago Cub fans should be excited about the talent they have at the minor league level. They have a couple of top prospects who are already making a major impact in spring training, and Cub fans should not forget these names once the regular season hits. On Opening Day, the Chicago Cubs have Marlon Byrd penciled in as their starting center fielder, and Bryan LaHair is your starting first baseman. Both of these players deserve to be starters heading into the season; however, if they should struggle out of the gate, the Cubs have two ...
Despite the Cubs' woes, they still have shades of talent roaming through major and minor league camp. The new Cubs brass wanted to get a look at a lot of players, but they are figuring out quickly what the game plan is and what the best course of action is for everyone. Whether it be a first-round draft pick, or an emerging late-round pick from a few years back, there is never enough room for everyone. And sometimes the best move is shipping the player to the minors so he can see more time. It is a proven formula that ...
The Chicago Cubs have spent their offseason getting younger and preparing for a brighter future. However, in the meantime, they need Alfonso Soriano to play well both to have a good season this year and to be able to unload him in July or next offseason. Back in 2007, the Cubs signed Soriano to a monstrous eight-year, $135 million deal. He was expected to become their All-Star center fielder for years to come. The center fielder part of that signing was always unrealistic—Soriano is a terrible defender and was moved to left field quickly. However, he did display the power ...
The Cubs aren't expected to make the postseason this year, but that doesn't mean that they are simply going through the motions. Every team wants to win, and the Cubs are no exception. While the Theo Epstein plan will take time to materialize, the 2012 Cubs will be playing 162 baseball games like everybody else. Why not try to win more than they lose? That's easier said than done, of course. One look at their one through eight positional starters tells us that power and run scoring could be hard to come by this season. But it's the pitching that likely will ...
Yes, everything. That’s new additions, prospects and 2013 free agency. In a best case scenario, the Chicago Cubs could compete for a World Series. Of course, the “best case scenario” never happens. Just ask Cubs fans, we’ve been missing out on the best case scenario since 1908. But, in the spirit of eternal Cubs optimism, let’s break down what that best case scenario would look like for this season and beyond. First, the end of 2012 free agency. The Cubs manage to sign prospect outfielder Jorge Soler, which is actually expected. He proves his talent, rises far faster than most ...
The Chicago Cubs signed 20-year old Cuban left-hander Gerardo Concepcion on Sunday, ending weeks of speculation as to the details of the contract. The deal guarantees $6 million to Concepcion, including a $3 million signing bonus. The remaining $3 million will be spread out over the five years of the deal, as reported by ESPN.Concepcion becomes only the seventh left-handed pitcher on the Cubs' current 40-man roster. Despite this fact, there is absolutely no rush to bring Concepcion to the majors for quite awhile.Perhaps most importantly, Concepcion must adjust to the grueling MLB season. Concepcion's previous league, the Cuban National ...
The Cubs came into spring training with a mindset of playing the long game.The new Cubs brass gave votes of confidence to players who would have been in question by fans and the media otherwise, as well as assured young players that there hard work is not going overlooked.That being said, the team is looking to compete in 2012 and are capable of doing so in the NL Central. The Cubs certainly face an uphill battle, but the group have been given a clean slate and certainly have something to prove after a disappointing 2011.That being said, let's explore the ...
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