A bit of sobering financial news is trickling out of Chicago Cubs land. We all knew that the budget was tight this year – given the already bloated payroll and the ownership transition – but I don’t think we had any idea how tight. In the middle of the offseason, Ryan Dempster agreed to defer […]
The Chicago Cubs just took two of three from the Los Angeles Dodgers on the strength of two dominant pitching performances from Ryan Dempster and Ted Lilly. The latter pitcher’s performance, according to Dodger third baseman Casey Blake, was enhanced by some old fashioned cheatin’. “I know he doesn’t have an overpowering fastball,” Blake said. […]
Unsurprisingly, none of the Chicago Cubs’ current starting pitchers wants to leave the rotation in favor of the bullpen. But of course, the current predicament is a problem of the Cubs’ own making, after moving Carlos Zambrano to the bullpen earlier this year upon Ted Lilly’s return from off-season shoulder surgery, and subsequently announcing that […]
Chicago Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano will come home next week – on the road. When the Cubs face the Pittsburgh Pirates, Zambrano will be one of their starting pitchers. The Cubs are not going to have a six-man rotation, but who will be bumped has yet to be determined. “We don’t have to concern ourselves […]
The Chicago Cubs have announced the Carlos Zambrano will be (mercifully) returning to the starting rotation as soon as he gets stretched back out. But just as when Ted Lilly returned from offseason shoulder surgery, Zambrano’s return to the rotation means that someone who’s pitching well will be bumped to the bullpen – assuming that […]
For obvious reasons, the prevailing assumption has been that, when Ted Lilly returns to the Chicago Cubs‘ rotation later this week, one of Carlos Silva or Tom Gorzelanny would be heading to the rotation. But is it possible that another one of the starters could make the move? Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella was not […]
Chicago Cubs pitcher Ted Lilly threw 35 pitches off the mound this week and is still feeling good. The left-hander, coming off arthroscopic surgery in November, will have another throwing session Saturday and was expected to throw 40 pitches. He’s still hopeful to get into a Cactus League game. “I think he’ll surprise people with […]
All of the Chicago Cubs’ expected starting pitchers, and those competing to be in the starting rotation, will get a shot in the first week of Cactus League games. The Cubs have their Cactus League rotation set for the first five games. Randy Wells will get things started Thursday vs. the A’s, with Carlos Zambrano […]
Chicago Cubs Manager Lou Piniella expects pitcher Ted Lilly to be back from shoulder surgery by May 1. Chicago Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry expects pitcher Ted Lilly to be back from shoulder surgery by April 15. Chicago Cubs pitcher Ted Lilly expects to be back from shoulder surgery by Opening Day. “I don’t know […]
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 […]
