Starlin Castro
The Cubs Are Basically Never Going to Steal Bases
Early in the Spring, Chicago Cubs manager Mike Quade was talking a big game about the Cubs’ consistently low stolen base totals, and about how that was going to change under his watch. His comments were met with more than one raised eyebrow as folks looked over the Cubs’ roster and, predictably, thought who exactly [...]
Jeff Baker Wants to Be the Full-Time Starter at Second Base
Coming into Spring Training, few things were assumed. But one locked-down assumption was that second base would feature a platoon between Blake DeWitt and Jeff Baker. DeWitt, a lefty, would start against right-handed pitchers, and Baker, a righty (who destroys lefty pitching), would start against left-handed pitchers. Done and done. But then DeWitt struggled to [...]
Darwin Barney and Reed Johnson “Pulling Away” in Bench Competition?
At present, 11 of the 13 positional spots on the Chicago Cubs’ 25-man roster are locked in (assuming the immovable object that is Koyie Hill is the backup catcher), leaving a handful of players competing to be the fifth outfielder and the middle infield backup. Specifically, Reed Johnson and Fernando Perez are fighting to be [...]
God’s Sigh of Relief Watch: Starlin Castro OK
If there is one player the Chicago Cubs cannot afford to lose this year – for a variety of reasons, some performance-related, and some attendance-related – it’s probably shortstop Starlin Castro. Not only is Castro a unique talent and tearing the cover off the ball this Spring, the Cubs don’t have much in the way [...]
Mike Quade is Clearly Worried About Starlin Castro
If Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro has shown anything in his young Major League career, it’s that he can hit, but is subject to lapses in the field. Whether those lapses are physical or mental is yet unclear, but one thing is certain: it’s gotta change. This team will not win anything if they’re not [...]
Grumble: Aramis Ramirez and Starlin Castro Still Not in Camp
Although yesterday was the official Spring Training report date for positional players, all but a handful of Chicago Cubs were already in camp long before Friday. Included in that handful were annual laggards Alfonso Soriano and Aramis Ramirez, and second year shortstop Starlin Castro. Soriano missed Friday’s workout, but arrived last evening. Unfortunately Ramirez and [...]
Are the Chicago Cubs the Most Likely Destination for Albert Pujols if He Becomes a Free Agent?
The St. Louis Cardinals and star first baseman Albert Pujols are running out of time to negotiate an extension beyond the 2011 season, if Pujols’ stated negotiating deadline is to be believed. If the two sides can’t agree to an extension by the start of Spring Training, Pujols says he won’t negotiate until after the [...]
2011 Cubs Convention Lineup: Includes Matt Garza and Carlos Pena
New Cubs Matt Garza and Carlos Pena, and recently-returned Cub Kerry Wood, will be at this weekend’s Cubs Convention, together with a number of other Cubs stars. And, of course, there are a number of former Cubs players – Ernie Banks, Fergie Jenkins, Greg Maddux, Todd Walker (wait, what?) – who will be there as [...]
