Today the Chicago Cubs theoretically (been using that word a lot lately) recouped some of their marginal infield depth by claiming infielder Jeff Bianchi off waivers from the Royals.
Bianchi, 25, was dumped by the Royals on November 30 to make room for reliever Jonathan Broxton. He was a second round pick in 2005, and showed promise, but for a number of injuries that largely derailed his career. He lost the 2010 season to reconstructive elbow surgery (Tommy John surgery), and almost all of the 2006 season to a torn labrum. Dude couldn’t catch a break.
Before the elbow surgery, Bianchi had established himself as a decent hitter in the low minors – .300ish/.350ish/.440ish – and an excellent defender in the middle infield. His 2011 season was a disappointment, however, hitting just .259/.320/.333 in 119 games at AA. He was the Royals’ projected long-term shortstop as recently as January 2010, for whatever that’s worth.
Still, Bianchi just turned 25, and his excellent glove work could find him a home eventually as a utility infielder in the bigs. One plus he’s got on Ryan Flaherty and DJ LeMahieu: he can actually play good defense at second base and shortstop. Whether he can hit like them remains to be seen.
Bianchi takes the 37th spot on the Cubs’ 40-man roster, and will presumably get a chance to make the club out of Spring Training. If he doesn’t – and Darwin Barney’s presence (hopefully as the middle infield backup) suggests he won’t – he’ll provide depth at AAA, and look to re-establish himself.
There’s not a huge upside here, but there’s virtually no downside. This is the kind of move you’d like to see the Cubs making while they enjoy such a favorable waiver position (read: they were crappy in 2011, so now they get an early shot at guys like Bianchi).
Carrie Muskat’s tweet has the Cubs roster at 36 with Bianchi.
Edit: I count 36 without Bianchi. Either she’s miss-counting, or she knows something we don’t (Koyie Hill non-tendered perhaps).
Hmm, I’ve got 37 with Stewart and Weathers.
Strike that. Forgot to remove LeMahieu.
Double-strike that – I’ve still got it at 37 (forgot that I forgot about Lendy Castillo). Looks like 37 to me, but I could be missing someone: http://cubs.mlb.com/team/roster_active.jsp?c_id=chc
Either way, it’s going to drop on Monday (and then maybe increase).
Just so you know … mine is also at 37 … which includes Woody … just cuz !!!
She can kiss my arse!! Double yoy!!
Your edit makes my multiple replies look silly. In sum: for now, it’s 37.
We’re not the only ones scrambled. ESPN is saying the roster is now 36.
http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/7428/cubs-claim-inf-bianchi-from-royals?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
Weird.
Don’t tell me somebody is actually putting weight on what Carrie Muskrat is saying! (Yes, spelled wrong on purpose)
Where’s the muskrat love?
we are quietly putting together one helluva boring roster!
Weather > Whether
Werther’s > Weather > Whether
I haven’t had a Werther’s in too long. That sounds delicious.
They are effin’ awesome. I can eat enough of those to make lesser men sick for weeks.
That’s an ugly one. Eesh.
(Remember what I said earlier? I take it back. I now hate you.)
Internet Random — winning friends and influencing people since the 1970s.
….all the while having the greatest avatar on the site.
Calm down brother, I am the one they see as “ugly”.
Fear not. Since I haven’t gone out of my way to be an ass, I don’t have to be defensive. Therefore I took Bert’s comment in the spirit in which it was intended.
It ain’t glitzy, but it doesn’t hurt either. Meh.
That’s worth a roster spot but Flaherty and Marwin Gonzalez weren’t?
Meh.
I’d take Bianchi over Gonzalez.
I’d take Bianchi over Flaherty.
I’m waffling on that one. Strong middle infield defense vs weaker defense but decent left handed bat. Without seeing Bianchi play I lean towards Flaherty, but familiarity breeds comfort.
I might fall victim to that, myself. I will admit that I am much more familiar with Flaherty. I would just prefer the usuable bench bat more than the 9th inning defensive replacement. That’s essentially what we’re talking about here.
As would I. Wouldn’t take him over Flaherty, though.
Watched Bianchi play for the Naturals. Very good defensively. Could possibly be a better bat than Barney. Also would say he has better power than Barney. If anything, an excellent utility infielder but I expect him to push Barney for his spot if given the chance.
I have better power than Barney, and I’m a puppet!
I have better power than Barney and I am a “muppet”.
Haha. Very good points Fishin Phil & BetterNews. I should’ve said better power than you would normally expect for the position.
“weather he can hit like them remains to be seen”. Hmmm! Whether you need to know the difference between “weather” and “whether” to be a writer also remains to be seen. Where’s the proof reading involved in some of these stories.
Add whether you can post a non-duplicate comment to that list.
There’s no excuse for errors like that. But I’m going to make one anyway: I’ve written over 15,000 words in the last four days. A few were bound to be misspelled. I’m very impressed at your ability to spot Waldo.
That said, should I make a mistake like that in the future (I will), and you spot it, a little more grace in pointing it out would be appreciated.
We can forgive a few but you, sir, are either an imbosile or are typing in Vulcan.
Yes, I want a refund! Oh, wait…
Because I want to keep liking you, I’m going to assume that this is intentional hilarity.
YOU LIKE ME!?!?!?!?!?! HOLY HELL, SOMEONE LIKES ME!!!!!
In that case then yes, it was…wither or not in was intentianal is your call.
Now that was cleaver.
Katie likes you, no secret there Why not text each other and leave baseball to fans?!
I think you were supposed to spell it “you’re”
It would seam that their is no reason to spell “your” like “you’re” in that situation. You would never spell it like that unless your simply confused. It doesn’t bother me either way but it’s just the principal I suppose. I always try to be fare but it must be in my jeans cause I feel like I’m always write about these kind of things. I don’t want to waist anymore time in proving something that we can all sea though.
By the weigh, what’s the whether supposed to be like tomorrow?
Ol’ Charlie Brown – its “thyme.” Not “time.” Also, “weigh.” Not “way.” Come on!
While we all would like to put out perfect work product all the time, I think there are in fact reasonable excuses. For instance, if quick, accurate information is your number-one priority, then getting all of your homophones straight can’t be your number-one priority too. That’s not the way number-one priorities work.
And for what it’s worth, your “fielding percentage” here is incredibly high given your opportunity for errors. Anybody who actually does any writing will know that.
Plus, he’s got a lot of upside.
Gracias. And, also, let’s be fair: it’s not as if I don’t know the difference between “whether” and “weather.” I typed and edited too quickly.
There was never any doubt in my mind. Trust me. I, and almost everybody else who knows better, make the same kind of mistakes with homophones. When you’re writing fast, it’s bound to happen.
The pair that makes me feel dumbest is “our” and “are”, because they really shouldn’t even be homophones (but they are where I grew up). And those are by no means the only ones that I misuse when I’m writing quickly.
My biggest problem is leaving out articles. I think a lot faster than I type, and for some reason I just automatically stick the correct article back into the sentence when I read it. I’ve reread material a half a dozen times before, only to discover the day after I posted it that that I left out six necessary placements of ‘a’, ‘an’, and ‘the’.
Same.
Luke—-No prob! I take heat for my username which everyone loves to jump on. your good!!(Some might say tooo many exclamation points)
Probably get fined for disagreeing with things these days.
I think Brett intentionally said weather as a tribute to the newly acquired Casey Weathers, the Ricky Vaughn of the Cubs’ farm system.
I think it’s actually spelled “garcias”. What’s with all the typos Ace?
“then getting all of your homophones straight can’t be your number-one priority too…”
Bigot.
I don’t get it.
Theres a lot of things you will not figure out with TWC>
Obviously, you’re not a golfer.
Nope! Neither are you from what I heard.
Perhaps prayer will work.
By the way Brett, I’m sure you noticed, but yesterday alone there were almost 800 comments, not counting however many were in the message board. I wish there was BN stock I could have bought in May.
Thank you – it has indeed been a very busy time.
Seriously, she sits on my hand while i try to type! Can’t say “no” to a woman.(LOL)
And you thought I was bad even with a cat on the mouse?
Wow Adam H. You show up to a free website, contribute little or nothing to the cause, and then have the marbles to criticize the creator of such free content.
Note: It was only after I wrote this that I realized I bascially copied Nicholson from “A Few Good Men”
Blah, blah, blah. Are you still talking? Me pointing out his lack of proof reading isn’t something to get butt hurt about. Get a life.
Had you simply pointed out the error, you wouldn’t be getting torched. Since you were an ass about it, you are getting attacked.
Brett’s a pretty smart guy – U of M grads with law degrees typically are. Next time a simple “it should be whether instead of weather” will suffice. The additional commentary is not required.
One point of clarification: UM fan, but the law degree, ironically, is from OSU.
You have an undergrad degree from Michigan and a law degree from Ohio State? Do you feel, you know….conflicted inside? Simple solution: root for the finest educational institution in the universe-The University of Illinois FIGHTING ILLINI!!!! ILL — INI!!!!
No conflict whatsoever (undergrad is from Miami (Ohio, though we hate having to add that)). My only connection to UM is a family one. GO BLUE!
Mighty…ask him who he cheers for in college basketball.
His insight and writing prowess mask an insane cacophony of soul-wrenching demons.
“You want in those Bleachers, YOU NEED ME IN THOSE BLEACHERS!!!”
Hey Adam
Asshats like you are most definitely unwelcome in the reader-friendly environment that Brett provides.
Or do the socially proper thing … send him an email suggesting a mistake.
Ace was making clever word play.
Now gtfo – you are not welcome here, sir.
Aww. I see you proof read after posting. Nice.
I wonder if Adam H’s IP is the same or similar to BetterNews’s?
What the hell are you talking about? Better news? Get a life with your gossip queen self dude.
“Proofread” is one word. So are each of “pot”, “kettle”, “black”, and “douche”.
Love it haha
@kinhin, yes, but is he scrappy?
He is from Lancaster, PA. That is home of the Scrappy!
Check that, home of scrapple. Never mind.
Oh definitely! Definitely scrappy! :p
Brett, any idea on how much interest the Royals have in Matt Garza?
No idea beyond – “they’ve reached out to the Cubs.”
Hmm I’d really like to see the Cubs go after Danny Duffy or Mike Montgomery.
You could probably pick any two of the Royals top 10 or so, and I wouldn’t argue.
Wow, now here’s a pickup that totally makes my socks go up and down with excitement!
Hey brett, OT but looks like the A’s will deal Cahill to the DBacks for Jarrod Parker and Collin Cowgill. Others are involved also.
Just saw that. The A’s are both hurting and helping the Garza market – it’s a good return, but it’s another arm on the market.
MM I agree. Garza is better then Cahill as well. Jarrod Parker is a great prospect.. Cowgill not as much but still not a terrible piece. I’d wager we could have received Parker, Davidson +. The Cahill deal, as you’ve stated, is interesting because it sets the market. I’m now more convined that we can get a Perez and Olt or Montero + Noesi / Phillips + package.
Garza is not going anywhere!
We all have our opinions.. But hasn’t it been written like.. all over the place, that hes “More then likely” to be moved?
BN, you have me hoping garza gets traded, just so you and your unnamed source are wrong…
Kinda sad, but I do too.. I don’t want to see Garza traded but part of me really wants BN to be wrong..
Why? JUST to prove someone wrong? You need JAP slapped at the least!
I thought BetterNews might be trolling. Now I’m certain. Racist comments are a dead giveaway.
JAP–Just A Pop. Hello random trouble maker.
No food, troll.
What is this – Barrens chat????
I’m afraid I don’t know what that means.
Racist comments are widely known to be a common tactic of trolls.
See, for example, Wikipedia here.
It’s time to completely ignore BetterNews he (or the multiple people posting as BetterNews) are not worth the time and effort. Responding, engaging, or even acknowledging its presence keeps it around. Give it the Godfather kiss of death and let him be dead to you.
Honestly, for a package like that, I’m kind of wondering why the Cubbies didn’t make a bigger push for Cahill. He’s like 24 and has a Brandon-Webb-esque sinker. If we need pitching, that would’ve been the guy for it! You’ve gotta think a package of McNutt + Vitters + Szczur would get us just about anyone
“Whether he can hit like them remains to be seen.”
This kinda assumes that either Flaherty or LeMahieu have established themselves as being able to hit in the pros, which they have not. Its a dangerous road to go down assuming prospects ability in the pros.
I felt you did a bit of the same in the first article about the Ian Stewart trade… valuing LeMahieu by a perceived ability to hit in the majors than any demonstrated ability. I’m not meaning to be terribly negative (i love the blog) but I think it could be kept in better perspective by all fans.
There is a danger in thinking too much in the other direction as well. Down that roads lies undervaluing all prospects because they haven’t produced in the majors. Then you see people arguing, for example, that the Cubs should trade Brett Jackson for a back up catcher because they know what the catcher can do but Jackson hasn’t proved anything. (That’s a real argument, by the way. Someone made that case to me last season and was shocked when I didn’t agree).
All you can do is pool the stats and the scouts into your best projection of what a prospect will do in the majors and run with that. That projection will be wrong, but it will be more accurate than assuming that a prospect that has not produced in the majors is less valuable because of that.
That’s one of the places where teams with a strong scouting department will have an edge. There is no substitute for seeing a player in person.
True, I didn’t mean to imply that prospects should be undervalued either.
I don’t think however that LeMahieu is considered high upside prospect by anyone. Best I have heard have him as an average player, most seem to to think of him as a backup or utility player (at which point his 2b defense becomes suspect).
If thats how thoyer view him then I see the events of the last few days as an overall improvement… not anything huge but getting things in place for an improved defensive team without really sacrificing any hitting.
The one worrisome thing is we have been getting a lot of players with shaky injury histories. At this point though its really the best shot at putting together a competing team for next year without breaking the bank or selling the farm.
They have each hit at a higher level – that’s all I meant.
Brett,
Just found your site a few weeks ago- definitely a higher quality of writing than most other Cubs blogs, keep it up!
I keep waiting for the rest of this jigsaw puzzle to fall into place, but I gotta admit, Im a bit bewildered so far
Thanks, Bren.
Bren…he spelled “whether” wrong about two hours ago. A lot of people were hurt by it…
You put your trust in someone…
I’ll fix his @#$!
ha, oh yeah? While I suppose it’s not as egregious as a their/there/they’re mix-up
Wow ! How many “spelling bees” have you won?
I lost count – how many theirs did you put in that they’re sentence their?
I have no issue with trading Garza for an appropriate package. The issue is a package like that isn’t appropriate. Further, if they trade Garza for less say then 2 of the Rangers top minors pitching prospects, a minor leave hitter and Feldman then they are nuts. Completely nuts to base anything on what the A’s will get for a mid rotation guy. Garza is frontline and clearly more dominant stuff than Wilson. He could be a Cy Young candidate on a Texas roster and they should pay accordingly if they want him. There’s no way if they get less it makes sense unless he has arm trouble or they are broke. I don’t think either apply.
And as to prospects, I think they all reach the point where it’s play them or trade them and that applies to all, including Jacskon. Jackson is 23, this is a make or break season. They probably haven’t enough exposure to make a decision, but say they really are interested in Cespedes and internally have questions about Jackson, were that the case, hell yes I would include him in a package for a pitcher like Gonzalez. There’s nothing wrong with trading prospects or putting them in the line-up and letting them work their way through problems, especially if you aren’t a contender. What’s wrong in my view is running that big ass of Byrds or Soriano and the bunny hop out there to make a joke of himself. We really don’t know where Theo is on any of this, and need to give him the benefit of the doubt. So if he wants to trade anyone so be it, as long as Gammons is wrong. I think he’s senile and likely to be completely off, so when he says they have no cash that’s something they should respond to. Cub fans don’t deserve a fire sale. And were that the case it ought to start with Soriano and Zambrano being pushed for some sort of relief. Soto, Byrd and Marmol being shipped for what they can get and relieving themselves of any other excess. I don’t see them doing that and think the fact they were more in the Pujols thing is a good sign.
For the record I think a shorter than 10 year deal on Pujols was exactly right and don’t see anyway they sign Fiedler to any deal especially an extended one. The real sign on the Cubs will be if they put a serious bid on Darvish.
Profar.
I thought these were comments, not essays!
And that is why you fail. </yoda>
Now we know who one troll is!
MLB hot stove channel ranks White Sox as biggest FA losers….well, there is always something to cheer about if you look long and hard enough…And they predict that Fielder
going to Houston…again something to look forward to cheer about after 2012 too….TGIF
It is sad….I can’t say anymore
Houston is looking to get rid of salary, not add it.
Die Hard—-Cubs to sign Yigushi Tusikama to 30 year 750 mil deal! You good with that?
DH, I’m about the only one on here that actually likes ur comments, ur very insightful and I would say ur a smart person as well, not too keen on ur ideas or ur philosophy but I do see ur points. MLB Network hot stove said the Rangers were the best fit for Fielder, not Houston.
Nope —I like Dh 2. He brings different point of view. Thats hard for “some” people to accept!
I thought said Rangers first too but at very end as signing off host turned to Williams and said Houston to which I thought Wiliams replied yes….so, some confusion there too….still feel Houston better fit…but Rangers now have pressure to match Angels….not surprised if goes there too and can become 1B/DH from day one…he knows DH is in his future…either way gives Perry campaign ad that “Fielder chose Texas over any other State and thus elect me”…Ron Paul wouldnt stoop that low… ace in the hole are Chicago White Sox who can use him to switch 1B/DH duties with Konerko and would upstage Cubs…huge if gets done in Chicago but cross town
what the hell are you talking about?…..the White Sox can’t sign anyone….also that is some serious rambling you have going on…..
It’s barely coherent, even more confusing than usual.
I thought that was my line?
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT !!!
All capital letters! You fail.
…random reference to my boy Ron Paul, and I don’t even know what he said?
Seriously, what in the hell are you rambling about?
Let me break it down for those who think one dimensionally. If Fielder goes to a Texas team, watch Perry claim credit as he is desperate for anything to save his campaign. Paul, who is also from Texas, is too principled to even acknowledge such a signing. Fielder would hit a ton in Houston’s park and thats why I believe Houston is likely destination. The White Sox could swing this by money saved on not signing Buerhle. They would first have to move Dunn’s contract off the books which can be done if he would retire in exchange for an annuity that spreads payments due him over 30 years. He may realize that there is nothing left in the tank and rather than embarrass himself again he would take this. If can be worked out, adding Fielder would be doable. Fielder needs someone like Konerko, nee Braun, to protect him. What other AL team has someone like Konerko without another slugger? Dunn was supposed to fill this role but cant anymore.
“ur”
fail.
Just a thought… Wouldn’t teams be getting free player evaluations from Theo everytime they dangle prospects for Garza?
Possibly, but I think most GMs are a bit more cocky than that…more likely to not care what an outsider thinks about their prospects.
Yes, it should go like this, that player is nice, but not good enough to get Garza, now go bring me your top prospects, not your fringe ones. And make sure you bring me five of them!
Hey Brett, somebody named Mike Axisa put a bunch of MLB blogs on mlbtraderumors and BN wasn’t among them. WTF? I tried to e-mail him and tell him to put BN on his list but his e-mail link didn’t work. He had some douchebag on there who said Ron Santo shouldn’t be in the HOF! I am shocked and appalled by the crap they put on the internet when they could put quality up like BN. In the words of Marge from Fargo “I just don’t understand”
With a score of a C+ for top end talent don’t get too excited about 2012. This is an abberation year for the Cubs as the front office can’t do much in their first year. LaHair is your 1st baseman so get used to it. Theo’s approach to FA is simple as he explained it to Sullivan of the Tribune. Snatch up guys who are coming off injury ridden years for CHEAP is the gameplan. 2012 season-THE ISLAND OF MISFIT TOYS!
Campana to start in OF! Breaking news!
Is Bryd or Soriano gone?
Also, management standing by Garza in that he not on the “trade block”! Your welcome.
Ok, I’ll take the bait. Where did you hear that?
Its not bait. Which quest(question) are you asking about? Campana?
I’m sure this has been echo’d on the board recently, but what Theo and Co are doing right now smacks of their moves prior to 2004. With everyone of the assumption that 2012 will be at best competitive and mostly likely not, and presuming the Central will be down by attrition, maybe they feel they have a chance to catch lightning in a bottle twice? Certainly if they don’t, they have very little expectation.
Define “they”….If the Ricketts family, then a 25% reduction in ticket and concession prices is warranted; if the Pres and GM, then Bosox and San Diego should be paying Cubs compensation or compensation payable to each team should be based on 2012 record; if the Cubs fans, then thats good news as realism trumps false hope and eventually leads to success.
I think the Cubs needed to see what type of offers they received on their players and how they could fit those offers into their long range plans. Fielder is still out there. Texas, Royals, Yankees, have not made moves yet. The assumption is that additional moves will be made.
Giants have to move either Cain or Lincecum? Should Cubs trade Castro for either? Would do so in a heartbeat if Garza stays which would make rotation formidable.
Die Hard,
I’ve read some of your posts and your clearly delusional. Trade Castro, are you crazy? Trading one of your best positional players that you have developed who is cheap and will be cheap for the next few years for a guy who will be paid alot and is one pitch away from plowing out his elbow and would be useless to the team.
Your nuts!!!
Most of the scenarios you have suggested in your last posts are so far from reality it’s laughable.
It’s best to just ignore these ridiculous comments
Most important is for everyone on the board to do their best to keep it fun. If someone…anyone…is annoying you, the best option is to simply ignore that person. I’m not sure why anyone would want to come to an anonymous board and try to disrupt it, but if that’s what people are experiencing…a little extra concentration will help you (and everyone) to keep things happier.
‘your nuts’
What about my nuts?!?!?
sorry, had to haha.
MichiganGoat is turning out to be quite a goat. Take that back. Has been a “goat for a long time”
Yes. MichiganG.O.A.T. is the Greatest of All Time.
Hands down.
Bitches.
I “lump” you with that crowd sjj!
Nice, thanks brother. Can’t believe I’ve never thought of that acronym. You rock.
@BetterNews, thank you. Id rather be “lumped” in with a crowd containing MichiganGoat that be “lumped” into a crowd containing “Debbie Downer diehard” and “Chatty Cathy BetterNews.”
@Michigan Goat. No problem. Ha.
Word.
…is the Byrd!
….wait, that might be backwards.
Yikes…after that showing of sardonic wit, I am a bit frightened to tread on to the main page…you guys are takiing it to them!…using goat in a negative fashion…pure and utter genius….
now, for the grown ups, Bruce Levine was pretty convinced on Talkin Baseball this morning that the Cubs are seriously in on Fielder…
I see no reason the Cubs aren’t in on Fielder, but if a team is willing to go 10yrs/200M the Cubs need to walk away. I see their ceiling being 6yrs/150M.
MichiganGoat is not a genius neither are you!
White girls LOVE Michigan goat
This white girl does. But I have to reign that shit in since this is most definitely NOT a dating site.
It’s not?? I have been wasting a lot of time here for nothing.
A girl, a goat, and a dirty puppet. I’ve seen that movie
<3