Mark DeRosa Retires and Other Bullets

mark derosa cubsBelieve it or not, there’s a fresh BN Podcast episode on the way later today!

  • Ladies, guard your hearts, and gents, guard your … well … hearts: although he was under contract for 2014 at $750,000, Mark DeRosa has elected to retire. That means the long-time Cubs fan favorite is available to become the new color man in the radio booth for WGN, as we discussed yesterday. DeRosa, one of several reported options for the gig, has provided occasional commentary on various broadcasts over the last few years He would certainly be an energizing choice – as energizing as a possible one-year radio color man can be. If DeRosa is looking to break into broadcasting, though, maybe a short stint – assuming the Cubs can’t figure out a way to lock him up for a longer period regardless of the WGN radio contract potentially ending after 2014 – would be perfect for him. It’s not unlike those short-term, “prove it” contracts the Cubs’ front office would be all to fond of handing out to free agents these days. And, if things aren’t working out with Pat Hughes come July, the Cubs can flip DeRosa for a high school broadcaster.
  • Don’t expect the Cubs to go out of house for a third baseman in 2014, as GM Jed Hoyer tells Cubs.com that he’s very happy with the Cubs’ depth at third at the organizational level, and in terms of big league coverage in 2014. It sounds like it’s going to be a mix of Luis Valbuena, Donnie Murphy and Mike Olt at third to start 2014. The former two would probably operate in a platoon if Olt can’t win the job outright.
  • The Mesa Solar Sox won again yesterday, getting a 1-3 effort from Jorge Soler with a walk. Kris Bryant and Albert Almora were each 1-4. Lendy Castillo threw an inning where he struck out one and gave up an unearned run … but he also walked three. Oof.
  • Although Red Sox GM Ben Cherington tells CSN that the Cubs were never denied permission to interview bench coach Torey Lovullo, it is because the Cubs never technically requested permission. But, reading the report, you can still that this is just further confirmation of how things played out: because of the agreement not to poach Red Sox employees tied to Theo Epstein’s hire after the 2011 season, the Chicago Cubs – strictly speaking – were not even allowed to ask about trying to hire a Red Sox employee. So let’s not get mixed up in the language: the essence is that the Red Sox prevented their bench coach from interviewing for one of the top managerial jobs in the game because of a two-year-old agreement that was put in place when he wasn’t even a Red Sox employee. They can color it however they want. It was a shitty thing to do. But the Cubs now have Rick Renteria, and all is well. Moving on.
  • I like you Mark Titus of Grantland. I’ve always liked you. (See the fourth footnote.)
  • The Willis Tower in Chicago (née Sears Tower) is no longer the tallest building in the United States, with the new World Trade Center taking the title thanks to the spire on top, which was ruled a true “spire” and not a mere antenna (yup, that’s actually a thing that people discuss … and drag mayors into the fight).
  • written by

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

    more cubs news

    OMG: Michael Busch Scored the 9th Inning, GO-AHEAD Run, Because He Just Never Stopped Running

    That was absolutely incredible. To all the little kids out there, when your coach tells you to never stop running, this is why. Rookie Cubs 1B Michael Busch (the guy the Cubs got from the Dodgers this offseason to be...

    CRAAAAAAP: Justin Steele Exits the Game with an Injury (UPDATES)

    Yep. That's about as bad as it gets. All those fears and anxieties you felt when Justin Steele took that liner off his knee in spring training came back tonight, only this time it's a soft tissue injury during the...

    Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Rangers – Lineups, Pitching Matchup, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    *SHORT COURTS: It's Time To Bring The Home Court, Home! Looking for a unique way to celebrate your athlete or team before you peruse the FIRST CHICAGO CUBS LINEUP of the Year? Don't miss out! For just one more week...

    The Cubs Are Among the Most Returning-y Teams

    I am still mostly incapacitated at the moment, so apologies for the short shrift on such an otherwise blessed day. In between pokes and prods, I wanted to share a chart I saw that was pretty interesting, even if unsurprising:...

    Maybe the Cubs Are the Favorites in the NL Central, After All?

    ESPN was the first to throw some love the Cubs way this week, with an overwhelming majority of their writers, analysts, and editors picking the Chicago Cubs to win the NL Central in 2024. But the love doesn't end there....

    The Season Begins, Love for Morel, Counsell’s Value, and Other Cubs Bullets

    You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...

    Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

    Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

    The 2024 Chicago Cubs for Dummies

    Boom. We made it. The offseason is over, and the Cubs regular season - and those elevated expectations - begins tomorrow. But in case you slept through the winter, I'm here to catch you up on everything you need to...

    I’m Expecting More This Year, Cubs — It’s Time to Start Winning

    There's no way around it: The Chicago Cubs did *not* have the offseason we hoped they might after making Craig Counsell the highest paid manager in MLB history. Not that they did poorly, mind you. Cody Bellinger, Shota Imanaga, and...

    I Dug Deep on the Cubs 2024 Schedule (And I Like What I See)

    Finally, with Cody Bellinger in the fold, we can start focusing more seriously on the season ahead. So today, I thought we'd take a look at the Cubs 2024 schedule. You can flip through the Cubs 2024 schedule right here...

    Latest News

    OMG: Michael Busch Scored the 9th Inning, GO-AHEAD Run, Because He Just Never Stopped Running

    That was absolutely incredible. To all the little kids out there, when your coach tells you to never stop running, this is why. Rookie Cubs 1B Michael Busch (the guy the Cubs got from the Dodgers this offseason to be...

    Astros vs. Yankees: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Friday, Kyle Tucker and the Houston Astros (0-1) face Juan Soto and the New York Yankees (1-0), with first pitch scheduled for 8:10 PM ET at Minute Maid Park.Keep reading to find out all the details on how to...

    Rays vs. Blue Jays: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Toronto Blue Jays (1-0), led by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., visit the Tampa Bay Rays (0-1) at 6:50 PM ET on Friday.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on how to watch Tampa Bay square off against Toronto live.When...

    CRAAAAAAP: Justin Steele Exits the Game with an Injury (UPDATES)

    Yep. That's about as bad as it gets. All those fears and anxieties you felt when Justin Steele took that liner off his knee in spring training came back tonight, only this time it's a soft tissue injury during the...

    Heat vs. Trail Blazers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Portland Trail Blazers (19-54) are heavy underdogs (+14.5) as they attempt to break an eight-game losing streak when they visit the Miami Heat (39-33) at 8:00 PM ET on Friday, March 29, 2024 at FTX Arena. The matchup airs...

    Cavaliers vs. 76ers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Cleveland Cavaliers (44-29) take the court against the Philadelphia 76ers (39-34) as 7.5-point favorites on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup has an over/under of 210 points.Cavaliers vs. 76ers OddsCavaliers odds to win:...

    Knicks vs. Spurs Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The New York Knicks (44-28) are heavily favored (-10) to continue a three-game winning streak when they visit the San Antonio Spurs (17-56) at 8:00 PM ET on Friday, March 29, 2024 at AT&T Center. The contest airs on BSSW....

    Wizards vs. Pistons Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Detroit Pistons (12-61) are 2.5-point underdogs as they attempt to turn around an eight-game losing streak when they visit the Washington Wizards (14-59) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Capital One Arena. The matchup airs at 7:00 PM ET...

    Pacers vs. Lakers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Los Angeles Lakers (41-32) will attempt to extend a five-game winning streak when they hit the road to play the Indiana Pacers (41-33) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse as just 2.5-point underdogs. The game airs at...

    Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Western's top two teams, the Denver Nuggets (51-22) and the Minnesota Timberwolves (50-22), hit the court at Ball Arena on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 9:00 PM ET on ALT. The Nuggets are favored by 6.5 points at home....

    more cubs news