February 2011
You are browsing the archive for February 2011.
Report: Albert Pujols to Announce Tuesday that Contract Discussions Are Over
Albert Pujols’ pre-free agency version of The Decision is set to conclude on Tuesday, according to Bob Nightengale. Pujols has rejected a contract extension from the Cardinals, a source close to Pujols says, and will announce Tuesday (a day before his February 16th deadline) that contract discussions are over until after the season. Pujols is roundly [...]
Pitchers and Catchers: REPORT
For whatever reason, hearing that pitchers and catchers are reporting to Spring Training, in addition to getting me irrationally excited, also makes me think of “Wonder Twin powers: activate!” Pitchers and catchers: report! See? Yeah, I’m cool. Nevertheless, today is indeed the day that pitchers and catchers are due to report to Chicago Cubs Spring [...]
Did the Rangers and Cubs Discuss a Michael Young Trade?
This week, the Texas Rangers went from we-aren’t-trading-Michael-Young to we-have-to-trade-Michael-Young back to we-aren’t-trading-Michael-Young, all in the span of a few days. It is safe to assume that the book-ends of that back-and-forth are mere posturing, and, as an expensive, disgruntled, superfluous player, Young’s days in Arlington are numbered. The Chicago Cubs have never been a [...]
Carlos Marmol Has Taken His Pre-Extension Physical
Very little content to offer right now, but because he’s an important player – and the last remaining arbitration-eligible Cub – it’s still worth sharing: today, Carlos Marmol took his pre-extension physical in Mesa, according to Carrie Muskat. Recall, the Cubs are intent on signing Marmol, who’s eligible for arbitration for the second time (hearing [...]
The White Sox Are the Only Relevant Baseball Team in Chicago
Few articles require no introduction, and indeed – where ridiculous enough – no fisking. To wit: Beginning next week and playing out all summer long, the only relevant baseball team in New Gotham is at 35th and Shields. Yes, for the first time in decades, this town belongs to the White Sox. Stop right here [...]
Matt Garza, Geovany Soto, Randy Wells and Marlon Byrd Have Already Reported to Camp
One of my favorite things about Spring Training is the insight it gives into the individual players’ desires for the upcoming season. While you can paint with too broad of a brush, I tend to think the guys who show up early for Spring Training are the ones who really want to perform in the [...]
Jeff Samardzija Has a Slightly Better Attitude About the Bullpen Thing
Chicago Cubs pitcher Jeff Samardzija hasn’t always had the best attitude toward the organization that drafted him four years ago, and paid him $10 million to forgo a career as a wide receiver in the NFL. Because he’d never been a full-time baseball player, Samardzija was understandably slow to develop consistency as a pitcher, and [...]
