January 2010
You are browsing the archive for January 2010.
The Chicago Cubs Top 11, er, 15 Prospects
Baseball Prospectus is out with its Top 11 prospect lists – presumably they do Top 11 to differentiate from everyone else – but for the Chicago Cubs, they’ve actually offered a Top 15 list. Five-Star Prospects 1. Josh Vitters, 3B 2. Starlin Castro, SS Four-Star Prospects 3. Hak-Ju Lee, SS 4. Brett Jackson, CF Three-Star [...]
Ben Sheets, Unlike Outfielders and Relievers, is not a Priority for the Chicago Cubs
It shouldn’t be a big surprise, but – right or wrong – the Chicago Cubs are not focused on the fifth starter (or fourth starter, while Ted Lilly recovers from shoulder surgery) role right now, believing internal candidates could successfully fill the role. Instead, the Cubs are focusing on the need for a fourth outfielder [...]
Whew: Jose Contreras Ain’t a Cub
Some folks around the Cublogoverse are pretty excited that Jose Contreras has not landed on the Chicago Cubs. I was fairly ambivalent about the prospect of landing Contreras, thinking that he would get a minor league deal and an invite to Spring Training. Apparently he actually got a big league deal. Jose Contreras has signed [...]
A Couple of Minor League Deals for the Cubs
Apologies to recently re-signed minor league veterans Mark Johnson and Scott “John” McClain. They were signed to minor-league deals earlier this week, and we were remiss in reporting it. Each got a Spring Training invitation, but to the minor league portion. The Cubs have signed a couple of familiar faces to minor-league deals and invited [...]
Ferguson Jenkins: Badass
Everyone’s got an opinion on former slugger Mark McGwire’s recent admission that he used steroids during his playing career. For a variety of reasons, the “admission” was deficient, and a few folks have called McGwire on it. But none better than former Chicago Cubs ace and Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins. “How many pitchers do [...]
So, Florida’s Still Got a Shot for Cubs Spring Training
Despite reports earlier this week that the Chicago Cubs had decided to remain in Mesa, Arizona for Spring Training, pending a city vote on Monday, things may not actually be official. At least Florida doesn’t think so. “Where we are today is in the running,” Crist said from the pitcher’s mound during a press conference [...]
Jeff Baker Wants to Punch Mike Fontenot’s Heart
Last year, Mike Fontenot was anointed the Chicago Cubs’ starting second baseman out of Spring Training following a 2008 season where he was dominant at the plate in a part-time role. He struggled. The Cubs responded to his struggles (and Aramis Ramirez’s injury and Aaron Miles’ totally unpredictable sucking) by acquiring second baseman Jeff Baker from the [...]
Fourth Outfielder Watch: Jonny Gomes is in Love with the Chicago Cubs
Add another name to the list of possible fourth outfielder options for the Chicago Cubs: Jonny Gomes. After raking for the Cincinnati Reds last year, Gomes was non-tendered for fear that he’d bring in too much money for the small-market club in arbitration. Gomes, 29, was presumed to be looking for a starting gig, but [...]
