Jeff Samardzija to Chicago, Jose Ascanio to Iowa
Filed under: Chicago Cubs Transactions, Cubs Minor Leagues and Prospects
The Cubs have recalled Jeff Samardzija from AAA Iowa, which sort of seems strange. In a corresponding move, the team sent successful reliever Jose Ascanio back to AAA Iowa, which sort of seems stranger.
I know Samardzija wasn’t being sent down for good, but is he really ready to contribute? And why does Ascanio get the boot? His 3.50ish ERA too lofty for the vomitous pen?
Very Rumorish Rumor: Heath Bell to the Cubs?
For now, treat with skepticism:
According to a tweet from the Monty Show on Sirius 127 (apparently it’s a West Coast thing), the Chicago Cubs are close to acquiring reliever Heath Bell from the Padres. Bell, 32, has been all-universe as the closer for the Padres this year (273 ERA+). In his career, he’s been a pretty good reliever generally.
Translation: this would be a great move for the Cubs, but would cost ‘em. Could allow the team to shop Kevin Gregg, though.
Obviously details at this point are spartan. Monty says he got the word from a Cubs scout who was “filing a report” on the deal. That sounds… strange.
So. Um. Yeah, that’s actually all the details I have for now. Will keep you posted.
Top Prospects Josh Vitters and Andrew Cashner Are Moving Up
Top Chicago Cubs prospect Josh Vitters is being promoted to High A Daytona, which should be a challenge for the 19 year old. But since he handled the pitching in Peoria with ease this year – OPS approaching .900 – it will be welcomed. Nobody doubts Vitters will have the stick to make his way through to the Major Leagues in another couple of years, but his glove at third base is another story.
Word is that 2008 number one pick and near-the-top-but-not-quite-top-top pitching prospect Andrew Cashner will be promoted from High A Daytona to AA Tennessee. Cashner, 22, has excelled so far this year with an ERA well under 2.00, but has thrown very few innings – barely three innings per start. It is hard to know at this point if that’s a product of his development or a product of the oblique injury that sidelined him early this year. The Cubs continue to suggest they’d like to stretch him out and see if he can start, but it is also possible they are simply starting him in the minors to ensure he gets a maximum number of pitches against the other team’s best lineup. His future is almost certainly in the pen.
Obsessive Ramirez Dislocationwatch: Rehab Stint Starting Tomorrow
Finally some good news: assuming batting practice continues to go well, Chicago Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez could begin a minor league rehab stint as soon as tomorrow.
Piniella did not know where Ramirez would be playing, but he expects to get him 20-25 at-bats. That suggests Ramirez could be back for next week’s series against Atlanta at Wrigley Field.
“It’s been a long time for Ramirez,” Piniella said. “He’ll know (when he’s ready). He’s a professional hitter. He can tell us more than we can tell him, honestly. He’s worked hard, to his credit. We thought it would be about two months, and that would be the time-frame. We’re pleased with that.” Hardball.
Any time the Cubs get Ramirez back before the All Star break is a bonus. Of course, he’ll be ginger defensively, and rusty offensively. Oh, and the bat he’ll replace has been one of the few hitting well, in Jake Fox.
Can Ramirez play second base?
Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 3, Pirates 1 – June 29, 2009
Offense was a bit thin, but enough to win. Fact: that rhymed.
Probably Fake List of the 2003 Steroid Positive Tests Leaked by Person Who Clearly Hates the Cubs
This list is supposedly the complete list of the 103 players who tested positive for banned substances back in 2003. It’s being thoroughly debunked by the Sons of Ivy.
Whoever made this up (assuming it’s fake) clearly hates the Cubs. Out of the 103, here are the current and former Cubs on the list:
1.Nomar Garciaparra
14.Alfonso Soriano
29.Milton Bradley
59.Derrek Lee
71.Moises Alou
72.Sammy Sosa
73.Corey Patterson
74.Carlos Zambrano
75.Mark Prior
76.Kerry Wood
77.Matt Clement
78.Antonio Alfonseca
79.Juan Cruz
80.Aramis Ramirez
Series Preview: Cubs v. Pirates, June 29 – July 1, 2009
The Chicago Cubs now head to Pittsburgh to take on the Pirates. If a series with the Pirates doesn’t cure what ails the Cubs, nothing will. Hmm. Seems I’ve tried that one before. A refresher on the series preview here at Bleacher Nation:
The idea is to hook you up with the bare minimum of what you need to know about every series this year. That way you can look like a genius, hardcore fan in front of all your friends, with minimum effort. Oh, and there will be pictures of hot chicks, too.
Check out the Pirates series preview, after the jump
Aaron Miles Back to the DL, Where He Has Been the Most Successful This Year
The Chicago Cubs are expected to place infielder Aaron Miles on the disabled list later today with a hyperextended elbow. Miles has been unavailable for half a week since he hurt the elbow in batting practice last Friday.
Um. How exactly does someone hurt their elbow that badly in batting practice? Whatever.
The Cubs will call up Bobby Scales or perhaps outfielder Sam Fuld to replace Miles on the roster. The latter may make some sense given Reed Johnson’s absence.
