Bryan LaHair Beat Carlos Zambrano and Other Bullets

This week is managerial interview week, apparently, as the Cubs will have in a minimum of two candidates, but as many as four. More on that later today, as well as another Lukewarm Stove roundup, and some more on Cubs’ GM Jed Hoyer.

  • Carlos Zambrano made his long-awaited Winter League debut yesterday (his first outing since his August meltdown; August 2011 meltdown, that is) with mixed results. On the upside, he struck out three over 2.2 innings, and appeared healthy. On the downside, he gave up two runs, three hits, two walks, hit a batter, and had a throwing error. One of those runs? A solo bomb to Bryan LaHair.
  • The Cubs, and presumably other big league teams, had a scout in attendance to watch Zambrano, who is under contract with the Cubs for 2012. Cubs’ President Theo Epstein, who is expected to speak to Zambrano this week, refused to confirm the Cubs would be shopping Zambrano, but almost everyone believes the best outcome is Zambrano pitching elsewhere in 2012, with the Cubs saving a few million on the $18 million he’s owed.
  • The Onion, as it so frequently does, skewers the Cubs in a humorous way. In an article entitled, “Theo Epstein Disgusted To Find Cubs Playing In Old Stadium With Weeds Growing All Over Walls,” faux Epstein is quoted as saying, “That hunk-of-junk scoreboard in center is apparently broken—they change the numbers by hand—and I don’t even know if this place has electricity. If this is the way they take care of their ballpark, I’m not surprised they never put together a winning team here.” First, you laugh. Then, you think.
  • Noted White Sox homer, Joe Cowley of the Sun-Times, last offseason wrote that Chicago had officially become “Soxtown.” He’s eating those words now in the face of an offseason dominated by Cubs’ headlines, even after the Cubs put together a miserable 2011 season. He concedes Chicago remains “Cubstown.”
  • Stop by the Message Board, if you haven’t already. It’s a little more free-wheeling than the blog, but with the same interesting discussions and bright commenters. Also: burgeoning discussions on the greatest rock albums of all-time, which is certain produce agreement and no discord.
  • 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

    Chicago Cubs Lineup: (Almost) All the Righties!

    *The Cubs were rained out yesterday, but today? Today, we've got a Friday 1:20 start at Wrigley Field, and that means all is right in the world. Before you take a look at the Cubs lineup against Miami, check out...

    Cubs Farm Report | April 19, 2024: Kevin Alcántara is Heating Up!

    The Iowa Cubs were rained out, but the rest of the farm was in action, and so was Kevin Alcántara, who picked up four hits and now has seven in his last three games as he breaks out of an...

    It’s Not Kyle Hendricks Last Chance (But…), Ben Brown, Jameson Taillon, and Other Cubs Bullets

    Well, the rain stole one from us yesterday, which is a blessing and a curse. On the bright side, the bullpen gets an extra day of rest (on top of the day Hayden Wesneski bought them). But on the flip...

    The Chicago Cubs Are Not Stealing Bases So Far This Year

    The Chicago Cubs are against theft. Of bases: https://twitter.com/codifybaseball/status/1781046629103231339 The Chicago Cubs this year have stolen just three bases, the fewest in all of baseball. Dansby Swanson has stolen two bases, Nick Madrigal has stolen one. That's it. I don't...

    Cubs Roster Moves: Wisdom and Taillon Are Back, Wesneski and Mastrobuoni Are Out

    Even with tonight's rainout, the Chicago Cubs are still making some roster moves. When Patrick Wisdom was removed (perfectly healthy) from the I-Cubs game in the 4th inning on Wednesday, we had an idea of what was coming next. When...

    Tonight’s Cubs-Marlins Game Has Been Postponed

    The weather wasn't going to cooperate for Jameson Taillon's season debut, and tonight's Cubs-Marlins tilt has been postponed. The game will instead be part of a split-doubleheader this Saturday, with the first game at 1:20pm CT and the second at...

    MLBits: Paul Skenes Could Make His MLB Debut Any Day (But Probably Won’t), Red-Hot Orioles, Houck’s Maddux, More

    If you're into tracking young pitchers with star potential like I am—as I watch Jack Leiter's debut while typing this column—then you're probably itching to see Pirates top prospect Paul Skenes make his way to Pittsburgh sooner than later. While...

    Back to Wrigley: Cubs vs Marlins – Series Preview

    Cubs vs Marlins — Whew! The Cubs got through their first West Coast road trip of the year, and did so with a winning record (5-4) against the Padres, Mariners, and Diamondbacks. They definitely let a couple games slip out...

    Taillon Coming Back, Busch’s Integrity and Success, Bad News for the White Sox, Wicks, Hendricks, and Other Cubs Bullets

    As the father of a toddler who was sick for an entire week — the same week Brett was out from his back surgery and the Cubs were playing almost exclusively late-night ballgames on the West Coast — I was...

    Cubs Farm Report | April 18, 2024: Caissie, Alcántara Go Yard, South Bend and Myrtle Beach Smoked, More

    Kevin Alcántara hit his first home run of the season for the Tennessee Smokies last night, and Owen Caissie hit his first Triple-A home run for the Iowa Cubs as Iowa and Tennessee secured victories. The same can't be said...

    Latest News

    Brewers vs. Cardinals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 19, 2024

    The St. Louis Cardinals (9-10), led by Willson Contreras on an 11-game hitting streak, will meet the Milwaukee Brewers (11-6) Friday at Busch Stadium. The Brewers are -122 favorites for the matchup, which starts at 8:15 PM ET on BSMW.Milwaukee's...

    Orioles vs. Royals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 19, 2024

    Two of the league's top power hitters meet Friday when the Baltimore Orioles (12-6) and Kansas City Royals (12-7) take the field at 7:40 PM ET, live on BSKC. Gunnar Henderson has six home runs for the Orioles (-139 favorites...

    Twins vs. Tigers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 19, 2024

    The Minnesota Twins (6-11) are -151 favorites to break their four-game losing streak when they face the Detroit Tigers (10-9), losers of two in a row. The game begins Friday at 8:10 PM ET on BSDET, live from Target Field.Joe...

    Coby White Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Heat – Friday, April 19, 2024

    On Friday at 7:00 PM ET, the Chicago Bulls meet the Miami Heat in the NBA Play-In Tournament, and Coby White's 3-pointer prop for this clash requires three trifectas.Coby White's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HeatCoby White's over/under for three-pointers...

    Nikola Vucevic Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Heat – Friday, April 19, 2024

    Nikola Vucevic's Chicago Bulls face the Miami Heat on Friday at 7:00 PM ET in the NBA Play-In Tournament, and to beat his 3-point prop, he needs to make two from beyond the arc.Nikola Vucevic's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the...

    DeMar DeRozan Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Heat – Friday, April 19, 2024

    At 7:00 PM ET on Friday, in the NBA Play-In Tournament, it'll be the Chicago Bulls against the Miami Heat -- with DeMar DeRozan needing to connect only once from beyond the arc to beat his 3-pointer prop.DeMar DeRozan's Three-Pointer...

    Bam Adebayo Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Bulls – Friday, April 19, 2024

    At 7:00 PM ET on Friday, in the NBA Play-In Tournament, it'll be the Miami Heat versus the Chicago Bulls -- with Bam Adebayo needing to score just once from beyond the arc to beat his 3-pointer prop.Bam Adebayo's Three-Pointer...

    Mariners vs. Rockies Probable Starting Pitchers – April 19

    Following a stretch of three consecutive wins, the Seattle Mariners (9-10) play the Colorado Rockies (4-15) at 8:40 PM ET on Friday.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Mariners will send Emerson Hancock (1-2) to the mound, while Dakota...

    Reds vs. Angels Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 19, 2024

    The Cincinnati Reds (9-9) will try to put a stop to their current three-game losing streak when they host the Los Angeles Angels (9-10) at 6:40 PM ET on BSOH Friday. Bookmakers consider the Reds to be -126 favorites to...

    Guardians vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 19, 2024

    The Cleveland Guardians (13-6) are favorites (-170) on the moneyline when they take on the Oakland Athletics (8-11) Friday at 7:10 PM ET, live on BSGL.Triston McKenzie gets the starting nod for Cleveland while Joseph Boyle is Oakland's starter for...

    more cubs news