Spring Training Bullets: February 23, 2011

Hopefully no one takes a dump in Mike Quade’s office this Spring…

  • While he’s leaving open room for surprises, Quade realistically sees just two positional spots on the roster open: utility infield and fifth outfielder. Neither is a surprise when you factor in the eight starters plus Jeff Baker, Tyler Colvin, and Koyie Hill already having spots. Note that Quade’s comments probably confirm that the Cubs will go with 12 pitchers, as they have in the recent past.
  • Speaking of the roster crunch, outfield hopeful Fernando Perez will try switch hitting again this year after batting solely from the right side last year. As a career .234/.301/.351 hitter, you gotta try everything, right? Up next: separating hands a la Ty Cobb, then one-handed hitting, then wearing a gigantic cup to try and get beaned on every pitch.
  • Hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo will be working with Alfonso Soriano this Spring to help continue Soriano’s offensive resurgence (well, theoretical resurgence anyway), but he notes that much of the work will fall to Soriano, himself.
  • Randy Wells digs Tom Ricketts’ words to the team about being the best in Chicago. If successful, the Cubs will ensure that they are at least the 29th best team in baseball.
  • 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

    Cubs Roster Move: Kyle Hendricks Activated to Start Today

    No surprises here, as the decision to start Kyle Hendricks this afternoon against the Pirates was made yesterday, but the news has officially hit the wire, and here it is. Kyle Hendricks Activated Kyle Hendricks is returning from his short...

    Chicago Cubs Lineup: Loading Up on Righties

    CUBS LINEUP — The Cubs have played thirteen series so far this season, and this is already their eighth rubber match. Let's see if Kyle Hendricks and the Cubs can bring this one in. Chicago Cubs Lineup: Nico Hoerner, SS...

    Horrible History, Morel’s Knee, Almonte’s Shoulder, Hoerner, Wesneski, Hendricks, Mervis, and Other Cubs Bullets

    Happy Mother's Day to the mothers among you, and to the mothers in my life! I'll be doing some extra family stuff today, so I'm gonna cruise through these Bullets ... Up front, because this was certainly the thing most...

    Kyle Hendricks Will Start for the Big League Cubs Tomorrow

    The Sunday TBD has been D'd, and it's going to be Kyle Hendricks coming back an outing early. Instead of making another rehab start at Iowa, Hendricks is going to be activated from the IL to rejoin the rotation tomorrow:...

    Enhanced Box Score: Pirates 10, Cubs 9 – May 11, 2024

    The Cubs came within 90 feet of keeping that ridiculous game going. No dice. Stupid game. Early on, it just kinda seemed like the Cubs might lose a perfectly normal - bad, but normal - game. Justin Steele did not...

    Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Pirates (3:05 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    CUBS LINEUP — After a little tease yesterday, Seiya Suzuki is actually, officially in the Cubs lineup today. And he'll be greeted with a tough matchup against the top pitching prospect in Major League Baseball. Welcome back! Chicago Cubs Lineup:...

    Oh, Good, Yency Almonte is Now Also Hurt

    Today the Chicago Cubs placed reliever Yency Almonte on the Injured List with a right shoulder strain. Jose Cuas has been recalled from Iowa to take his place in the bullpen. Almonte, together with Mark Leiter Jr., had been performing...

    Credit to Assad, Huge Ups to Brown, Hopes for Taillon, Happ’s Bat and Glove, Bellinger History, and Other Cubs Bullets

    How did I not know that the Aurora Borealis was going to be visible last night?!?!? I woke up this morning to all these awesome pictures from friends and other people in the area, and I'm MISERABLE ABOUT IT. With...

    24 Years Ago Today, Glenallen Hill Hit a Home Run ONTO a Wrigley Field Rooftop

    In 2015, Kyle Schwarber hit a monster home run onto the top of the right field scoreboard at Wrigley Field, where it stayed for the remainder of the postseason. Watching the game live, I remember thinking "Dang, he got all...

    Cade Horton Had His First Really Rough Night

    Usually, I like to use this space to celebrate a great game from a top Cubs prospect, but sometimes, it's important to note when the other thing happens. Last night, Cade Horton had his very first really bad start. He...

    Latest News

    Cubs Roster Move: Kyle Hendricks Activated to Start Today

    No surprises here, as the decision to start Kyle Hendricks this afternoon against the Pirates was made yesterday, but the news has officially hit the wire, and here it is. Kyle Hendricks Activated Kyle Hendricks is returning from his short...

    Braves vs. Mets Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Sunday, May 12, 2024

    Expect a display of power when Marcell Ozuna (12 HR) and the Atlanta Braves (24-12) take on Pete Alonso (4 HR) and the New York Mets (18-20) at Citi Field at 7:10 PM ET live on ESPN. Ozuna and the...

    What are the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery Odds?

    The NBA Draft Lottery has arrived. Despite the lackluster nature of this year's prospect pool, this remains a highly-anticipated day for teams around the league. The truth of the matter is that the opportunity to snag a high pick is...

    Chicago Cubs Lineup: Loading Up on Righties

    CUBS LINEUP — The Cubs have played thirteen series so far this season, and this is already their eighth rubber match. Let's see if Kyle Hendricks and the Cubs can bring this one in. Chicago Cubs Lineup: Nico Hoerner, SS...

    Top Player Prop Bets for Pacers vs. Knicks Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 4 on May 12, 2024

    Player props are listed for Pascal Siakam and Jalen Brunson, among others, when the Indiana Pacers host the New York Knicks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday at 3:30 PM ET.How to Watch Pacers vs. KnicksDate: Sunday, May 12, 2024Time: 3:30...

    Braves vs. Mets Probable Starting Pitchers – May 12

    Following a stretch of four consecutive wins, the Atlanta Braves (24-12) play the New York Mets (18-20) at 7:10 PM ET on Sunday.The Braves will give the nod to Bryce Elder (1-1, 5.28 ERA), who is eyeing win No. 2...

    Avalanche vs. Stars NHL Playoffs Second Round Game 4 Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Monday, May 13, 2024

    The sportsbooks prefer the Colorado Avalanche at home (-135) over the Dallas Stars (+114) when they meet on Monday, May 13 at 9:30 PM ET.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Avalanche vs. Stars Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Avalanche (-135)Underdog: Stars (+114)Total: 6.5Best Avalanche...

    Release the Ping Pong Balls, Second Round Picks, MJ’s 3-Point Shooting, and Other Bulls Bullets

    If there was an Equipment Manager of the Year award, I think my aunt might deserve it. Having to leave at about 5 a.m. to drive to my sibling's college graduation on Saturday, I may have kinda sorta broken my...

    Hurricanes vs. Rangers NHL Playoffs Second Round Game 5 Prediction: Odds, Picks, Best Bets – Monday, May 13, 2024

    The oddsmakers are expecting a close game between the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Rangers on Monday in New York City, with the Hurricanes given moneyline odds of -118 and the Rangers at -102.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Hurricanes vs. Rangers...

    World Championships Updates, Great Stars, Canes Survive, Still No Q, and Other Blackhawks Mother’s Day Bullets

    Happy Mother's Day to all of the wonderful moms out there. My sons are incredibly fortunate to have a great mom and two wonderful grandmas still in their lives. We hear Blackhawks players talk about hot much they appreciate their...

    more cubs news