March 2011
You are browsing the archive for March 2011.
Spring Training Miscellany: Cubs 7 and 4, Diamondbacks 5, Dodgers 3
In case the title is unclear (I’m not saying it’s intentionally obtuse because it tickles me, but I’m not not saying it), the Cubs swept their split squad games today against the Diamondbacks and Dodgers. Carlos Zambrano had another solid outing, Starlin Castro continues to destroy the ball, and Koyie Hill went back to his [...]
The Yankees and Nationals Have Been Scouting Carlos Silva
At this point, no one but Chicago Cubs management is hoping Carlos Silva makes the team’s rotation. And no one (perhaps but Cubs management) expects him to, either. That’s why it’s not particularly surprising to learn that teams have been showing up at Silva’s Spring starts to see how he looks. Specifically, the New York [...]
Another Michael Young to the Chicago Cubs Rumor
It wasn’t too long ago that it seemed all Michael Young trade rumors were put to bed. He’s due $48 million over the next three years, and the Rangers have been unwilling to eat much of that sum in order to move Young – which is the only way they’ll find a taker. Well, the [...]
Cubs Clearly Want Jeff Samardzija to Succeed
Not that the Cubs would wish failure on any of their players, but the team’s effort to push Jeff Samardzija to success this Spring has been obvious and, at times, painful. He regularly pitches the 9th inning of Spring Training games, where he faces a cadre of minor leaguers, and is subjected to little criticism when he [...]
Spring Training Miscellany: Cubs 6 and 8, Reds 7 and 9
A couple of one-run losses to the Reds – get ‘em out of your system in the Spring, boys. The bigger news? Koyie Hill had his first hit of the Spring! That double was easily worth $850,000… Carlos Silva dropped another deuce, this time to the tune of four earned runs in five innings of [...]
Spring Training Miscellany: Cubs 4, White Sox 3 – March 11, 2011
Beating the White Sox feels good even when it’s completely meaningless. Ryan Dempster was superb for five shutout innings, and each reliever kept the shutout intact until… Jeff Samardzija gave up three earned runs, including a two-run homer to Pirate cast-off Lastings Milledge. Once again, Samardzija was pitching the 9th inning, which he has in [...]
The First Cut is the Shallowest: Caridad, Gaub Out
Though he’d suggested he wouldn’t make any cuts for another week or two, today Chicago Cubs manager Mike Quade gave the axe to two young relievers, neither of whom was expected to make the bullpen. Lefty John Gaub, one of three the Cubs got from the Indians in the Mark DeRosa trade, once again failed to impress, and will [...]
Did Randy Wells Just Nail Down a Rotation Spot?
Randy Wells hasn’t given up an earned run this Spring, and yesterday he mowed down the Indians, going four innings, giving up just one hit and one walk. Has he finally done enough to end the farce that is the requirement that he “compete” for a rotation spot? Neither Mike Quade nor Wells will say, [...]
