March 2010
You are browsing the archive for March 2010.
The First Cut is the Deepest: Nine Players Get the First Spring Axe
Spring cuts are upon us, but there’s actually little news here – none of the nine guys who comprise the first set of cuts were expected to actually make the Cubs. It is no reflection of how the Cubs think about these guys’ future – in fact, two of the guys cut were former number [...]
God’s Wrath Watch: Derrek Lee Still Has Foot Issues
Last Wednesday, Chicago Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee fouled a ball off his foot, and was pulled early from a Spring Training game. No one was terribly concerned – and I don’t want to induce PANIC, I’m not terribly concerned yet either – but Lee hasn’t seen game action since. Manager Lou Piniella reiterated yesterday [...]
Cubs Are Not Opposed to “Cubs Tax,” Which, um, Duh
Late last week, based on some comments by Cubs Chairman Crane Kenney, everybody was reporting that the Chicago Cubs would not utilize the so-called “Cubs Tax” to keep the team Springing in Mesa, Arizona. The Tax is a ticket surcharge on all Cactus League games, and would help finance new facilities for the Cubs. We [...]
Spring Training Battle Watch: March 13, 2010
The Chicago Cubs had another split squad day, and this time they won both games. They’re well on their way to winning the Cactus League Championship. Woo hoo. For the second straight day, Mike Fontenot played second base and Jeff Baker played third base. Telling? Not necessarily, but interesting nevertheless. Fontenot went 0-2 while Baker [...]
PANIC! Aramis Ramirez Leaves With Sore Triceps
Ok, get it out of your system. Now relax. Yes, Chicago Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez left today’s game against the Cincinnati Reds with right triceps soreness, but it doesn’t sound serious. Ramirez left after the top half of the third inning. He missed two months of the 2009 season after dislocating his left shoulder [...]
Spring Training Battle Watch: March 12, 2010
The Chicago Cubs played a couple of split squad games yesterday – they were stomped by the Brewers in one, and they beat the White Sox in the other. Tons of battles on display: Jeff Samardzija, hoping to claim one of the two open rotation spots, started against the Brewers and was blasted for four [...]
Lou Piniella Considering Going with 11 Pitchers in April
Two relatively big pieces of information, buried in Carrie Muskat’s blog, from Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella: The Cubs do need five starters when they open the season. Sometimes with off days, a team can get by with four. The way it’s projected, the Cubs’ fifth starter would make four starts in April. “I asked [...]
Mini Ted Lilly Update
Chicago Cubs pitcher Ted Lilly threw 35 pitches off the mound this week and is still feeling good. The left-hander, coming off arthroscopic surgery in November, will have another throwing session Saturday and was expected to throw 40 pitches. He’s still hopeful to get into a Cactus League game. “I think he’ll surprise people with [...]
