The Cubs record of participating in only one arbitration hearing since 1993 (Ryan Theriot, 2010) is in jeopardy. Matt Garza and the Cubs are more than $4.5 million apart and seemingly on their way toward a hearing.For those of you who don't know, the arbitration process works this way: both player and team submit a salary figure for the 2012 season and a panel of arbitrators pick one or the other. There is no in-between. Garza has submitted a figure of $12.5 million, while the Cubs have countered with $7.95 million. Note that Garza earned $5.95 million in 2011.In the meantime, teams usually come ...
All you ever hear about in Chicago is how the city is all about the Chicago Bears.You hear it on the radio. You read it in the newspapers. You hear fans and other Chicagoans say it.But, let me be the one to tell you that they're all wrong.You have two baseball teams in Chicago—the Cubs and the White Sox. But, there is only one football team.So, theoretically, everyone is a Bears fan. While that might be true, the difference is in the game. Nobody would argue that if you're talking baseball only, it's a Cubs town. For a while, some ...
With Carlos Zambrano's departure to the Miami Marlins to join fellow Venezuelan Ozzie Guillen, Cubs fans around the world rejoice in the fact that their clubhouse will no longer be as dramatic as a high school classroom. Perhaps even more of a relief is the departure of Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols to the American League, both of whom had great success against the Cubs. However, despite the recent additions of pitcher Chris Volstad and Andy Sonnanstine, as well as the much needed re-signing of Kerry Wood and Reed Johnson, there is still much work needed to be done before ...
Jorge Soler's name is brought up by many as the next big thing to come from Cuba.The 19-year-old outfielder is seen as a project that needs developing. But he screams potential, and teams in every sport always seek players who have the word "potential" in their scouting report.Soler sounds like the perfect fit for the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs are in a rebuilding stage themselves, so why wouldn't the team be interested in a 19-year-old project who can be built up with the foundation that Theo Epstein is putting together?Not exactly.While on paper it may be a perfect fit for ...
The kid said it himself: "Of all the teams who have come, the Chicago Cubs have been most interested." And now that MLB has granted his free-agency rights, expect the Cubs to go hard after the Cuban outfielder. Many expect Yoenis Cespedes to sign a deal eclipsing the $30.25 million Aroldis Chapman received from the Cincinnati Reds in 2010.In fact, some even speculate Cespedes' potential contract could more than double this amount if the bidding gets hot.In addition to the Cubs, the Yankees, Phillies, Rangers, Blue Jays, White Sox, Marlins, Orioles, Tigers and Indians have apparently shown interest in Cespedes. Meanwhile, ...
With Prince Fielder leaving for the safety of Detroit (Am I kidding?), following in the footsteps of Albert Pujols and Tony LaRussa both abandoning the St. Louis Cardinals, there can no longer be any doubt that Chicago Cubs GM Theo Epstein has put the fear of God in the team's competitors.
Not only did Fielder and Pujols leave the NL Central Division — they left the league entirely so as not to be embarrassed by the Cubs' budding dynasty.
It was even worse for former Cardinals manager LaRussa. He figured it was better to quit then go up against Theo and the boys.
Without making any major deals for big-name ...
MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo released his top-10 prospect list by position. Making the cuts at their positions for the Chicago Cubs were Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, Dan Vogelbach and Brett Jackson.Rizzo was the highest ranked amongst the first basemen, with Mayo listing him as the No. 1 first-base prospect in baseball. Rizzo was acquired on Jan. 6, along with minor-league starter Zach Cates, in exchange for Andrew Cashner and minor-league outfielder Kyung Min-Na.Rizzo, 22, is in his third organization—all of which have seen Jed Hoyer in a major front-office role. Rizzo struggled in his call-up in 2010, but his potential is ...
Every day there is something new about Cuban "sensation" Yoenis Cespedes. According to ESPN, the Chicago Cubs have shown him the most interest so far, and I would like to know why. He has been compared to Marlon Byrd. I don't want the current Byrd, so I'm not terribly excited about getting a younger version of him. Byrd is an average hitter and baserunner, and a decent fielder with not much power. Cespedes supposedly has more power, and some say he's a better centerfielder than Byrd. Cubs Vice President of Scouting and Player Development Jason McLeod said on ESPN Chicago in Bruce Levine's column, "It's ...
The Chicago Cubs have been one of the most active teams this offseason under the new leadership of Jed Hoyer and Theo Epstein.But what do Theo’s moves mean for the club in 2012?They’ll be competitive and fun to watch…but don’t expect a division title just yet.Gone are the Carlos Zambrano blowups. Don’t expect the lackluster effort that was typically seen with Mike Quade’s squad. But besides that, what else is there to expect?The Cubs will be competitive this year. A large part is due to the NL Central losing its top three players in Albert Pujols (LAA), Prince Fielder (TBD) ...
Baseball and government agencies intertwine when players of this magnitude are forced to seek US citizenship. Cuban citizens are banned from traveling and working with the United States, forcing Cuban players to seek citizenship elsewhere in order to play in the United States.It is a loophole that allows baseball to sidestep a long-standing government policy and get some of the most talented baseball players in the world playing in the top league in the world.Yoenis Cespedes and Jorge Soler are two of the most intriguing Cuban prospects to come out in a while.The Cubs, among others, ...
« Previous Page — Next Page »
