The Cubs open a three-game series against the Cardinals in St. Louis today. That’s the kind of sentence that used to bring so much excitement. Now it just brings dread.
Bruce Miles does the unthinkable for a beat reporter: he out-and-out states his belief that it’s time to make a change in the Cubs’ front office. And he makes a very interesting (and sobering) point in the process:
Now comes the hard part. Who is your new GM, and do you trust this organization to pick the right guy if and when it determines a change has to be made?
Ricketts is not a baseball guy. Neither is team president Crane Kenney, a holdover from the Tribune Co., the previous owners.
Before Ricketts took over, I suggested several times the Cubs hire a “baseball man” as president, someone to oversee and advise Hendry. (They could have given Kenney a different title.) Pat Gillick, who built the great Blue Jays teams of the past, would have been my first choice. I also mentioned John Schuerholz of Atlanta Braves fame.
If the Cubs keep Hendry, I’d still love to see them bring in a guy like Gillick or Schuerholz.
The bottom line is that if ownership wants to make a change at GM, it’s going to have to get some expert consultation before making a hire.
Moreanger from the local writers about the state of the organization.
The Cubs are one of nine teams in violation of MLB’s debt service rules (generally prohibiting a team’s debt from exceeding 10 times its annual earnings), but that’s almost certainly simply because of the debt-financed Ricketts family purchase of the Cubs in 2009, rather than an abundance of debt tied to ongoing obligations (like the Dodgers and Mets, for example). I doubt much comes of this.
Darwin Barney comes in for some fluff, as Gordon Wittenmyer calls him the Cubs’ best player so far this year. Barney’s been much better than expected, and I love watching him play, but his numbers have been in free fall since mid-May. His slash line has gone from an excellent .345/.370/.432 on May 16 to a meager .303/.325/.383 today.
For his part, Cubs play-by-play man, Len Kasper isn’t burying the Cubs just yet. He does admit that it can be kind of a grind calling all the game:
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.
Even with tonight's rainout, the Chicago Cubs are still making some roster moves. When Patrick Wisdom was removed (perfectly healthy) from the I-Cubs game in the 4th inning on Wednesday, we had an idea of what was coming next. When...
The weather wasn't going to cooperate for Jameson Taillon's season debut, and tonight's Cubs-Marlins tilt has been postponed. The game will instead be part of a split-doubleheader this Saturday, with the first game at 1:20pm CT and the second at...
If you're into tracking young pitchers with star potential like I am—as I watch Jack Leiter's debut while typing this column—then you're probably itching to see Pirates top prospect Paul Skenes make his way to Pittsburgh sooner than later. While...
Cubs vs Marlins — Whew! The Cubs got through their first West Coast road trip of the year, and did so with a winning record (5-4) against the Padres, Mariners, and Diamondbacks. They definitely let a couple games slip out...
As the father of a toddler who was sick for an entire week — the same week Brett was out from his back surgery and the Cubs were playing almost exclusively late-night ballgames on the West Coast — I was...
Kevin Alcántara hit his first home run of the season for the Tennessee Smokies last night, and Owen Caissie hit his first Triple-A home run for the Iowa Cubs as Iowa and Tennessee secured victories. The same can't be said...
Given the way the offseason played out for super agent Scott Boras's top available clients - Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman, Blake Snell, and Jordan Montgomery - you wouldn't be shocked to see some unhappiness behind the scenes. Did Boras overplay...
Hayden Wesneski was the hero of yesterday's finale and series-win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, coming in to clean up Jordan Wicks' (little) mess in the 5th ... and then tossing 4 shutout innings to save an over-used bullpen and help...
Hand up, I really wanted the Cubs to sign reliever Robert Stephenson this offseason. I felt like they could use one more impact arm (accurate), and I felt like Stephenson was one of the best available (about that ... )....
Rays closer Pete Fairbanks has been an extremely effective reliever the last four years, posting a 2.66 ERA from 2020 through 2023, with a 34.8% K rate and worth 4.1 WAR. But things have started out much more rough for...
The NBA Playoffs are here, and the Eastern Conference first-round ignites with a clash of styles. The Indiana Pacers, boasting the league's top-scoring offense, bring their high-octane attack to Milwaukee to face the experienced Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo's status adds further...
On Friday, Bryan Reynolds and the Pittsburgh Pirates (11-8) open a series versus Jarren Duran and the Boston Red Sox (10-10) at PNC Park, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 PM ET.If you're planning on watching this game, keep reading...
On Friday, Matt Waldron will take the mound for the San Diego Padres (11-10) versus Yariel Rodriguez and the Toronto Blue Jays (10-9), with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at PETCO Park.If you're intending to watch this game,...
Blake Snell will take the ball for the San Francisco Giants (8-11) when they host starter Jordan Montgomery and the Arizona Diamondbacks (9-10) on Friday, with first pitch at 10:15 PM ET.If you're planning on watching this game, keep reading...
Yoshinobu Yamamoto will take the ball for the Los Angeles Dodgers (12-9) when they host starter Sean Manaea and the New York Mets (10-8) in a series opener on Friday, with first pitch at 10:10 PM ET.See how to watch...
The Minnesota Twins will be hosting the Detroit Tigers for a three-game series, with the first matchup getting underway at 8:10 PM ET on Friday, April 19.Twins vs. Tigers Series Info Tigers @ Twins Time: Friday, April 19 at 8:10...
In the opener of a three-game series, on Friday, April 19 at 8:15 PM ET, the St. Louis Cardinals are hosting the Milwaukee Brewers.Cardinals vs. Brewers Series Info Brewers @ Cardinals Time: Friday, April 19 at 8:15 PM ET Cardinals...
On Friday, April 19 at 7:40 PM ET, a three-game series between the Kansas City Royals and the visiting Baltimore Orioles will get underway.Royals vs. Orioles Series Info Orioles @ Royals Time: Friday, April 19 at 7:40 PM ET Royals...
The Seattle Mariners will be on the road, opening a three-game set against the Colorado Rockies on Friday, April 19 at 8:40 PM ET.Rockies vs. Mariners Series Info Mariners @ Rockies Time: Friday, April 19 at 8:40 PM ET Rockies...
The San Diego Padres will be hosting the Toronto Blue Jays for a three-game series, with the first matchup getting underway at 9:40 PM ET on Friday, April 19.Padres vs. Blue Jays Series Info Blue Jays @ Padres Time: Friday,...
NEWSLETTER
The Cubs open a three-game series against the Cardinals in St. Louis today. That’s the kind of sentence that used to bring so much excitement. Now it just brings dread.
