October 2009
You are browsing the archive for October 2009.
Tom Ricketts Media Blitz
Tom Ricketts (ok, well, it’s actually the whole Ricketts family, but Tom is the face, and will henceforth be the proxy owner of the Cubs for all purposes hereafter in perpetuity) was introduced as the official owner of the Chicago Cubs yesterday. And despite an 11 a.m. press conference, which was supposed to be the [...]
Geovany Soto Will Be in Better Shape Next Year if He Can Lay Off the Pidgeon Peas
As documented in these here pages, Geovany Soto attributed his Rookie of the Year 2008 campaign to a strict offseason workout and diet regimen, as developed by former Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood. Before 2009, Kerry Wood left, Soto appeared to gain weight, and then boom, his 2009 pretty much sucked. So here’s hoping he’s got [...]
Koyie Hill is an Awesome Guy
Chicago Cubs catcher Koyie Hill stepped up for the team this year when Geovany Soto struggled and got hurt. No, Hill didn’t replace Soto’s 2008 production, but he gave the Cubs another option behind the plate, played good defense, and caught a good game. He did all that after sawing off a bunch of his [...]
Chicago Cubs Working the Phones in Tampa and Toronto
The big move on the horizon for the Chicago Cubs is obviously dumping Milton Bradley. But that isn’t necessarily the sole focus of the Cubs’ offseason, and General Manager Jim Hendry is already reaching out to several teams about possible moves. Though, to be frank, most are likely tied to Milton Bradley. For now. General [...]
Please God Not Gary Matthews, Jr.
Anaheim Angels outfielder (and former Cub) Gary Matthews, Jr., recipient of one of the most unwise contracts in recent years, has become inexplicably disgruntled. He is frustrated with a lack of regular playing time – playing time he would probably get if, you know, he didn’t suck. So Matthews has asked to be traded – [...]
Payroll May Increase Slightly, But Might Not Include Any New Big Names
The Chicago Cubs sported a very healthy $140 million(ish) payroll in 2009 – good enough to top the Senior Circuit (with the New York Mets having about the same payroll). And it was worth every penny, right? Fans no doubt expect that payroll will increase next year, and it is expected to do so, incrementally [...]
Cubs Prospect Kyler Burke Had Himself a Swell Year
The Chicago Cubs acquired a moderately nondescript outfielder from the San Diego Padres in the summer of 2007 when they unburdened themselves of uniballing, Zambrano-fighting catcher, Michael Barrett. That outfielder, youngster Kyler Burke, had struggled in his time in the low minors, but was still very young, so the collective shrug of Cubs nation at [...]
Obsessive New Ownerwatch: Ricketts Officially Owner, Obsession Over
In case you hadn’t heard, Tom Ricketts officially took over as the owner of the Chicago Cubs today. Let a new era of peace and prosperity enter Cubdom. Oh, and maybe win a championship or something.
