David DeJesus is Probably the Cubs’ Leadoff Hitter and Other Bullets

Feb 24, 2012

The first round of the Cubs Bunt Tourney is expected to continue at some point today. To the extent possible, I’ll try and cover it live again today – not because it’s important, but because it’s fun…

Dale Sveum said yesterday that David DeJesus is probably the Cubs’ leadoff hitter (good – but maybe not against lefties, mmkay, Dale?), and Bryan LaHair is probably his cleanup hitter (though Dale conceded that Alfonso Soriano could also get a look there (against lefties, that would be fine with me)). We know that Starlin Castro, then, will be hitting two or three, a decision that I suspect will be driven by whether or not someone else emerges who can plausibly hit third.

Speaking of Castro and Soriano, they, together with fellow Dominican, Junior Lake, hadn’t yet arrived to camp as of yesterday afternoon. Yesterday was their due date, as it were, so everyone expects that they did arrive in time, and will participate in the first full squad work out today.

Sveum, as well as Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer, and Tom Ricketts, is expected to addressthe full team for the first time together this morning. He’s been preparing a speech like the best man at a wedding. “You try not to sit there and read off a card or anything, you just start rolling with whatever comes to your mind. You try to keep it as brief as you can, no doubt about it — not that I’ve made one before …. You’ve definitely heard them enough and you try to stay away from ones you didn’t care for and get quick and to the point. You don’t want people in that room all day long.” Free tip: start with a joke. End with a reminder about patience at the plate.

Bud Selig says an international draft is “inevitable.” Most insiders have assumed this was the case once the international spending limitations were implemented in the new CBA, but how long an international draft will take remains to be seen. The most obvious impact to the Cubs will tie to the uber-facility the organization is constructing in the Dominican Republic. Still, even in a draft system, teams will still have to find and scout players, and will still have to convince them to sign. If there’s a limited pool of money to spend each draft year, the Cubs can still use the facility as an incentive to get kids to sign – maybe for a little less than they otherwise would, allowing the Cubs to sign incrementally more “good” Latin American prospects in the draft.

Buster Olney says that the expectation within baseball is that the two additional Wild Cards will be added in time for the 2012 season. Recall, the plan is to have two Wild Cards in each league, bringing the total number of playoff teams to 10. The two Wild Card teams in each league will square off in a one-game playoff before the rest of the playoffs get underway. I’ve made no secret of my belief that the addition of two more Wild Cards is wonderful, both for the increased importance of winning your division, and the increased chance that your fan base will have something to cheer for deep into July/August/September (which may not impact the Cubs in 2012, but easily could in 2013). That said – and, yes, I understand the scheduling limitations – I really hate the idea of a one-game playoff. Can’t we figure out a way to at least play three games? Even the best team in baseball, playing the worst team in baseball, is going to lose 30 to 35% of the time in a one-gamer.

More MLBullets over at BCB, focused primarily on Ryan Braun.

written by

Brett Taylor

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

Cade Horton Dominates Once Again in His Latest Start

Another day, another dominant Double-A start from top Cubs pitching prospect Cade Horton. The 22-year-old righty went 5.0 scoreless innings for the Tennessee Smokies, allowing five hits, no walks, and striking out six. https://twitter.com/MLBPipeline/status/1784397003340034131 There sure doesn't seem to be...

Brett Taylor

Apr 28, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Oh, Noooo: Jordan Wicks Has Forearm Tightness and Won’t Start Tomorrow

At the end of a nice winning streak, it was easy enough to shrug off a throwaway 17-0 loss to the Red Sox. And I didn't even let Christopher Morel's tumble and early exit throw me, as he was apparently...

Michael Cerami

Apr 27, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Red Sox 17, Cubs 0 – April 27, 2024

Here's how you sum that one up: It's not too often that you see a position player pitching TAKEN OUT MID-INNING because he hit his pitch count. But that happened today. So, yeah, that did not go well. Unless, of...

Brett Taylor

Apr 27, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Justin Steele Could Be Back Sooner Than (I) Expected (UPDATE)

And here I was thinking the only silver lining about Justin Steele's Opening Day hamstring injury was the path it cleared for Javier Assad and Ben Brown to step into the rotation. Turns out there's another positive with respect to...

Michael Cerami

Apr 27, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Trading Garrett Cooper to the Boston Red Sox

The Chicago Cubs had seven days to trade, waive, or release Garrett Cooper after designating him for assignment this past week (making room for Matt Mervis). Because Cooper is a good Major League player, it's not necessarily a surprise that...

Brett Taylor

Apr 27, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Red Sox (3:10 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs won the opener at Fenway last night behind a strong starting effort by Shota Imanga and a grinding offensive approach by the entire Cubs lineup. Let's see if they can do it again with...

Michael Cerami

Apr 27, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Rotation and Bullpen Finally Settling in, PCA Hitting, Maybe the Cubs Are Good? And Other Cubs Bullets

Taking my toddler son to my nephew's t-ball game today. Pretty excited about that. In case you missed the good news, Justin Steele might need just ONE rehab appearance at a Cubs minor league affiliate before returning to the big...

Michael Cerami

Apr 27, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 7, Red Sox 1 – April 26, 2024

Cubs win again! And it was a breezy 7-1 road victory over the Red Sox ... perfect for a relaxing Friday night. I don't think it'll be this easy forever, but the Cubs are really buying themselves some breathing room...

Michael Cerami

Apr 26, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Red Sox (6:10 CT) – Lineups, Pitching Matchup, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs are starting a new series tonight against the Red Sox, with Shota Imanaga going up against Boston's righty Kutter Crawford. Here's a look at the Cubs lineup for game one at Fenway. Chicago Cubs...

Michael Cerami

Apr 26, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Farm Report | April 26, 2024: South Bend Shutout the Lone Victory on Thursday

Brody McCullough, Sam Armstrong and Chase Watkins teamed up to throw a shutout for the South Bend Cubs in the only victory of the day for the system on Thursday. That and more in today's Cubs Farm Report. Cubs Farm...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 26, 2024

Picks

Red Sox vs. Cubs Probable Starting Pitchers – April 28

The Boston Red Sox (15-13) have a home game against the Chicago Cubs (17-10) on Sunday. The contest is set to begin at 7:10 PM ET.The Red Sox will look to Tanner Houck (3-2) against the Cubs and Hayden Wesneski...

Data Skrive

Apr 28, 2024

Picks

Golden Knights vs. Stars NHL Playoffs First Round Game 4 Prediction: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Monday, April 29, 2024

The Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars face off on Monday at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, and the bookmakers have the home team at -110 and the visitor at -110.Golden Knights vs. Stars Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Golden Knights (-110)Underdog: Stars...

Data Skrive

Apr 28, 2024

Picks

Panthers vs. Lightning NHL Playoffs First Round Game 5 Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Monday, April 29, 2024

The Florida Panthers welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday, and are -175 favorites on the moneyline, with the away team at +145.Panthers vs. Lightning Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Panthers (-175)Underdog: Lightning (+145)Total: 6.5Best Panthers vs. Lightning Promo CodesHow to Watch...

Data Skrive

Apr 28, 2024

Picks

Hurricanes vs. Islanders NHL Playoffs First Round Game 5 Prediction: Odds, Picks, Best Bets – Tuesday, April 30, 2024

The Carolina Hurricanes have been made -250 on the moneyline against the New York Islanders (+205) on Tuesday, with this matchup taking place at PNC Arena in Raleigh.Hurricanes vs. Islanders Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Hurricanes (-250)Underdog: Islanders (+205)Total: 5.5Best Hurricanes vs....

Data Skrive

Apr 28, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cade Horton Dominates Once Again in His Latest Start

Brett Taylor

Apr 28, 2024

Chicago Blackhawks

IceHogs Drop Game One, Net Front Shaq, Toronto’s Got Problems, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

The Rockford IceHogs hosted the Grand Rapids Griffins in their first round playoff series on Saturday night. It started very well for Rockford. Michael Teplý scored in the first period off a pretty set-up from Lukas Reichel and Zach Sanford...

Tab Bamford

Apr 28, 2024

Picks

Giants vs. Pirates Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Sunday, April 28, 2024

The San Francisco Giants (13-15) are favored on the moneyline (-113) in Sunday's contest with the Pittsburgh Pirates (14-14). Game time is at 4:05 PM ET on SportsNet PT. The Pirates, with +161 odds, are favored against the spread (1.5).San...

Data Skrive

Apr 28, 2024

Picks

Padres vs. Phillies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Sunday, April 28, 2024

Alec Bohm (11 games) will look to add to his hitting streak when the Philadelphia Phillies (18-10) and San Diego Padres (14-16) meet Sunday at 4:10 PM ET, live on SDPA from PETCO Park. Alec Bohm and the Phillies are...

Data Skrive

Apr 28, 2024

Picks

Mariners vs. Diamondbacks Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Sunday, April 28, 2024

Entering Sunday's matchup with the Seattle Mariners (15-12), the Arizona Diamondbacks (12-16) are on a three-game losing streak. The contest starts at 4:10 PM ET on ROOT Sports NW with the Mariners listed as -136 favorites, while the are +113...

Data Skrive

Apr 28, 2024

Picks

Astros vs. Rockies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Sunday, April 28, 2024

Following a two-homer game last time out, Yordan Alvarez leads the Houston Astros (8-19) into action as -213 favorites against the Colorado Rockies (7-20). First pitch from Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu at 4:05 PM ET on Sunday, live on ESPN.Houston's...

Data Skrive

Apr 28, 2024

David DeJesus is Probably the Cubs’ Leadoff Hitter and Other Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular