Jeff Samardzija came to the Chicago Cubs on a major league contract when he was drafted a few years ago. That means that he came with big expectations. And although he’s performed well in his way up the minor league chain, and was great in a brief stop with the Cubs in relief at the […]
Here’s a helpful recap of the players participating in Spring Training with the Chicago Cubs this year – pitchers and catchers report this week. Thanks to Bruce Miles for putting this together. Pitchers: Mitch Atkins, Justin Berg, Esmailin Caridad, Ryan Dempster, Rafael Dolis, John Gaub, Tom Gorzelanny, John Grabow, Jeff Gray, Angel Guzman, Ted Lilly, Carlos […]
Last year, Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Ryan Dempster welcomed a daughter into the world. Riley Dempster was a light in his life and an obvious blessing, but she suffered from a relatively rare disorder – DiGeorge Syndrome – which prevented her from swallowing on her own. Her needs were great, and Dempster was understandably distracted, […]
Pitchers and catchers report to Mesa, Arizona in 10 days, but that doesn’t stop them from showing up early if they’re so inclined. And Carlos Zambrano is so inclined. And I am so inclined to say that is so awesome. “We did it quietly,” general manager Jim Hendry said. “I don’t think he wanted any […]
Hooray! The Chicago Cubs are looking at a starting pitcher! Oh … it’s Mark Mulder? The Cubs, Dodgers and Cardinals are among the teams still monitoring the progress of left-hander Mark Mulder, one major league source said. Mulder hasn’t remained healthy over a full season since 2005. He is 6-10 with a 7.73 ERA in […]
For weeks I’ve contended that the Chicago Cubs, rather than focusing on the bullpen, should be looking to pick up another starting pitcher. With Ted Lilly laid up following shoulder surgery (notice how his return ETA keeps getting pushed back? It’s now been reported that early May is “optimistic”), and Rich Harden off to Texas, […]
The 2010 Cubs Convention attendees list has finally been released, and it features new Cub Marlon Byrd and new Hall of Famer Andre Dawson (I don’t see him going to any ‘Expos Convention’ – just sayin’). The Ricketts family will be there, as will Lou Piniella and his staff, Jim Hendry and his staff, and […]
Oh those Chicago Cubs. They are, as always, predictably unpredictable – with the exception that they are predictably disappointing. Now, with the advent of 2010, we can finally reflect dispassionately on the 2009 Chicago Cubs. The 2009 iteration of the Cubs was no exception in the disappointment department. We didn’t quite know how things would […]
After some very clear indications that the Chicago Cubs were not really listening to offers on Carlos Zambrano, Si’s Jon Heyman threw a wrench into things with this tweet: before getting javy, #yanks definitely talked to #cubs about zambrano, who appears eminently available. Hmm. That’s not just a little available. That’s eminently available. As in, the Chicago Cubs would […]
For the briefest of moments today, the Cublogoverse was gripped by the following rumor: With his everyday lineup for 2010 set, Cashman has turned attention to the rotation, and will almost certainly add a starter by New Year’s, according to a major league source. Cashman is believed to have inquired about Carlos Zambrano, but with […]
On Saturday, an ice skating rink will open up just across from Wrigley Field. You can go skating there. It will be neat. The Rink at Wrigley will open to the public for the first time following the opening ceremony on Saturday. The rink was to be open on Wednesday, but it was delayed because […]
Here’s about as bare bones as a rumor gets: the Cubs are looking to sign Vicente Padilla. That’s it. That’s all I got on the details. La Prensa in Nicaragua reports that the Cubs and Cardinals are in the lead to sign free-agent pitcher Vicente Padilla, according to Cesar Batista, who is linked with the […]
The Chicago Cubs’ primary target this offseason is, and should be, Detroit Tigers’ center fielder Curtis Granderson (you know, assuming the team can dump Milton Bradley, blah, blah, details). But the names suggested as the Tigers’ return – reliever Carlos Marmol, and shortstop prospect Starlin Castro – have been largely shot down by Cubs sources. […]
In case I haven’t banged the drum loudly enough, the Chicago Cubs could stand to add a starting pitcher. Ted Lilly’s return in 2010 will be delayed, and his performance will be uncertain. Rich Harden isn’t returning at all. Randy Wells is no lock to repeat his early success. Surely they would consider adding the […]
Here at Bleacher Nation, we consider it our duty to report any and all rumors involving the Chicago Cubs, no matter how unlikely. Frankly, that’s how we get involved in these obsessive watches. That said, many of the “rumors” are not, strictly speaking, actually rumors. They are ideas, offered by journalists and other experts in […]
Obviously moving outfielder Milton Bradley is the Chicago Cubs’ top offseason priority. You might even say, it’s an obsessive priority (ha – self referential!). But we all know there are other holes in this club – not to mention the hole that moving Bradley will create. The Chicago Tribune recently explored what it considers the […]
How about Ryan Dempster? He’s been absolutely dominant for nearly two months now. Good for him.
The Cubs head out to San Francisco to play spoiler to a Giants team that is in the desperate throws of a final playoff push. Oh to be them. A refresher on the series preview here at Bleacher Nation: The idea is to hook you up with the bare minimum of what you need to […]
Usually when a player is disciplined, either by Major League Baseball or by the player’s team, the player’s teammates tow the company line, but avoid making any comments that indicate they agree with the discipline. They say things like, “I understand the team’s decision, but I don’t agree with it. I hope we can get […]
All season, Ryan Dempster has been dealing with a personal crisis that I truly can’t imagine. That’s why it’s so freaking awesome to see starts like this.
Chicago Cubs writer Dave Kaplan set off a firestorm yesterday when he posited that Carlos Zambrano May Be the Most Overpaid Player in the Game. That suggestion, alone, would have been enough to subject Kaplan to ridicule. After all, one need look no further than Zambrano’s own teammates – Alfonso Soriano, Aaron Miles, and Ryan […]
Before yesterday’s game against the Houston Astros, the Chicago Cubs made a minor move by sending reliever Jeff Stevens back to AAA Iowa, and calling up pitcher Mitch Atkins. The move was much less a statement about Stevens – he’s actually pitched will in 6+ innings of ML work this year – as it was […]
Well, first place was nice. It’s good to have Ryan Dempster back and all, but he may want to consider, you know, pitching better. And as wonderful as the bullpen was on Monday, it was perfectly, oppositely bad on Tuesday.
Justin Berg was the odd man out when the Cubs activated Ryan Dempster from the DL today. Berg will get another shot with someone at some point, but for now, his career line stands at: – – -, -.–.
The Chicago Cubs were already rumored to add a lefty reliever before Ted Lilly went down with a shoulder injury, but now that he’s out for perhaps a month, the need to add another arm seems even more pressing. The Cubs have been talking to a number of teams, including Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Washington, about […]
When the going gets tough, the tough get going. But for the Cubs, when the going gets tough, the tough get injured. Look for the Cubs to place left-hander Ted Lilly on the disabled list today. Lilly, the Cubs’ lone all-star, had an MRI arthrogram performed on his left shoulder Friday after experiencing soreness in […]
