The Cubs Have Two MVPs in the Bullpen and Other Bullets

The “first half” is in the books, and we’ll be able to ruminate over that half in the coming days. Today’s the Home Run Derby, though, which – to me – is still a lot of fun.

  • Speaking of that first half, Dale Sveum named his MVPs yesterday. Ryan Dempster? Starlin Castro? Bryan LaHair? Alfonso Soriano? Nope. A couple of relievers: James Russell and Shawn Camp. “Those guys have been phenomenal in the first half. Without those two guys, we would’ve been in a lot of trouble,” Sveum told reporters, presumably not making a joke with that last bit. “The combination of both of them has been tremendous. They’ve been consistent all season long. To have the numbers they have and handle the position they’ve been put in where they haven’t been put in in their careers speaks volumes for what they’ve done for this team this year.” I have no problem with the selection from Sveum’s perspective – the two relievers really have been excellent. But I do have a problem with the fact that a couple middle reliever/set-up men are the plausible MVPs for the Cubs in the first half. It speaks volumes about the relative weakness in the rotation and the lineup. Instead of being a good story, it’s actually a bummer.
  • A scathing note about Cuban signee Gerardo Concepcion in Danny Knobler’s latest (which is, in part, about Tigers interest in Matt Garza, about which, more later): “The Cubs spent $6 million and a 40-man roster spot on 20-year-old Cuban pitcher Gerardo Concepcion, but scouts who have seen him pitch in the Class A Midwest League have come away totally unimpressed. ‘They’re trying to tell people it’s just mechanics that he needs to get straightened out,’ one scout said. ‘But I’m telling you, he stinks. If he was in a junior college game you were at, you’d leave.’ Concepcion is 2-6 with a 7.39 ERA in 12 starts for Peoria.” There isn’t really anything in there we don’t know already, in terms of his performance thus far. Still, he’s a 20-year-old transitioning to a new system, a new style, a new league, and a new country. I still say we don’t know what he’s been working on, and it’s silly to panic at any point this year. If he struggles next year, and/or returns to Peoria, then it’s time to think about using the word “bust.”
  • The Cubs changed up their post-All-Star break rotation a bit, now going Maholm-Dempster-Garza in the three days after the break. Purportedly, that schedule works better with Dempster’s throwing schedule. Originally, Dempster had been going first. Conspiracy theory? The Cubs are giving themselves an extra day to finalize a deal for Dempster before he has to start again in a Cubs uniform (it would be unreasonable to hold him out until 5th; and a deal can’t be announced during the All-Star festivities). I don’t buy it, but that would be your theory. Alternate conspiracy theory? Remember the last time the Cubs shuffled Dempster’s start day? Everyone figured it was because it would be his last start as a Cub, and a Friday at Wrigley was better than a Saturday for whatever reason. Maybe this time, Saturday is better than Friday?
  • Dale Sveum says he’s going to try and find more days in the second half to give Alfonso Soriano a break here and there. You know what else would give him a break? If he were DH’ing on an AL team. Just sayin’.
  • Ryan Dempster with the zinger, when asked about Starlin Castro’s progress at shortstop this year: “Obviously he’s not turning around and looking in the outfield when pitches are going this year. That’s always a good step.” Dempster was, of course, referring to this. Dempster went on to say nice things about Castro, but that’s boring.
  • Chris Volstad was optioned back to Iowa yesterday when Ryan Dempster was activated. You already knew that, but I didn’t explicitly say it (after the transaction happened, that is) in this space at any point yesterday. So there’s your official notice.
  • A little more on Jae-Hoon Ha’s Future’s Game experience.
  • MLBullets at BCB looks at some of the leaders from the first half.
  • 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

    Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Rangers – Lineups, Pitching Matchup, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    *SHORT COURTS: It's Time To Bring The Home Court, Home! Looking for a unique way to celebrate your athlete or team before you peruse the FIRST CHICAGO CUBS LINEUP of the Year? Don't miss out! For just one more week...

    The Cubs Are Among the Most Returning-y Teams

    I am still mostly incapacitated at the moment, so apologies for the short shrift on such an otherwise blessed day. In between pokes and prods, I wanted to share a chart I saw that was pretty interesting, even if unsurprising:...

    Maybe the Cubs Are the Favorites in the NL Central, After All?

    ESPN was the first to throw some love the Cubs way this week, with an overwhelming majority of their writers, analysts, and editors picking the Chicago Cubs to win the NL Central in 2024. But the love doesn't end there....

    The Season Begins, Love for Morel, Counsell’s Value, and Other Cubs Bullets

    You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...

    Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

    Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

    The 2024 Chicago Cubs for Dummies

    Boom. We made it. The offseason is over, and the Cubs regular season - and those elevated expectations - begins tomorrow. But in case you slept through the winter, I'm here to catch you up on everything you need to...

    I’m Expecting More This Year, Cubs — It’s Time to Start Winning

    There's no way around it: The Chicago Cubs did *not* have the offseason we hoped they might after making Craig Counsell the highest paid manager in MLB history. Not that they did poorly, mind you. Cody Bellinger, Shota Imanaga, and...

    I Dug Deep on the Cubs 2024 Schedule (And I Like What I See)

    Finally, with Cody Bellinger in the fold, we can start focusing more seriously on the season ahead. So today, I thought we'd take a look at the Cubs 2024 schedule. You can flip through the Cubs 2024 schedule right here...

    Here’s What I’m Betting on the Cubs for Opening Day

    I get it. Sports betting isn't for everyone — like, say, the interpreter for an international baseball superstar — but some of us quite enjoy it! If you are one of those people, this article is for you. Below, I'm...

    WAKE UP, BASEBALL IS BACK

    The day has arrived. Opening Day. The most glorious day on the baseball calendar, save for the day of each Chicago Cubs World Series win, of course. See, I get to say things like that on Opening Day. Maybe the...

    Latest News

    Rome Odunze Has a Visit With the Bears Coming Soon

    If you aren't already familiar with Rome Odunze's name or game, your time will come. The University of Washington wide receiver is one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. At this point of the year, I've officially...

    Matt Eberflus Opens a Window to the Chicago Bears Draft Plans

    NFL coaches are notoriously tight-lipped. And in his first two seasons as Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus has been no different. But every once in a while you'll catch Eberflus peel back the curtain and provide some insight regarding the...

    How to Watch Braves vs. Phillies: Live Stream or on TV

    The Atlanta Braves, with Spencer Strider on the mound, take on the Philadelphia Phillies (who will counter with Zack Wheeler) in their opening game of the season, at 3:05 PM ET on Friday.Keep reading to find out all the details...

    Jonas Valančiūnas Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Bucks – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    On Thursday at 8:00 PM ET, the New Orleans Pelicans play the Milwaukee Bucks, and Jonas Valančiūnas' 3-pointer prop for this clash requires just one trey.Jonas Valančiūnas' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the BucksJonas Valanciunas' over/under for three-pointers in this game:...

    What Would be the Best Draw for the Chicago Bulls in the Play-In Tournament?

    Nine games stand between the Chicago Bulls and the Play-In Tournament. I know ... yippie! Practically locked into the No. 9 seed, this puts them in line to host the No. 10 seed at the United Center in Round 1....

    Top 25 College Basketball Picks and Best Bets: March 28

    The Illinois Fighting Illini and the Iowa State Cyclones hit the court in one of four games on the college basketball slate on Thursday that include a ranked team.How to Bet on Top 25 Games[lasso rel="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"]Top 25 Games for...

    What Does a Chicago Bears NFL Draft Trade Down Look Like?

    You'd think we'd be well-versed in trade-back options after months of wondering what kind of haul it would take for the Bears to move off taking quarterback Caleb Williams with the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. But trading...

    Diamondbacks vs. Rockies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Arizona Diamondbacks begin their season as -226 favorites in a home tilt against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET, live on ARID.Arizona's Zac Gallen and Colorado's Kyle Freeland have been named the starters for this contest.Diamondbacks...

    Mariners vs. Red Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Seattle Mariners start their season as home favorites (-155) in a matchup with the Boston Red Sox on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET, live on NESN from T-Mobile Park.Seattle's Luis Castillo and Boston's Brayan Bello have been named the...

    Guardians vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Cleveland Guardians look to start their season with a win as road favorites (-145) in a season-opening matchup with the Oakland Athletics. First pitch is on Thursday at 10:07 PM ET on NBCS-CA, live from Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.Cleveland's Shane...

    more cubs news