Albert Almora and Jorge Soler are Roommates and Other Bullets

One more off-day before we get back to baseball. I’m headed to Chicago tomorrow, and to the game on Saturday (though I’m going with some old friends at SOI, so I won’t be in the bleachers). If he’s not dealt before then, I’ll get to see Ryan Dempster, perhaps for the last time at Wrigley Field.

  • The days after the All-Star Game are always ripe for retrospectives on the first half of the year, and prospectives on the second half. We’ve touched on most of the former (though here’s another: Carrie Muskat looks at the highs and lows of the first half), but there were plenty of the latter hitting the wire in the last day. Doug Padilla asks 10 questions about the Cubs’ second half, Patrick Mooney looks at a variety of subjects that will continue to play out, and Phil Rogers looks at 10 baseball-wide story lines for the second half.
  • The Cubs’ front office believes Dale Sveum has done a good job so far, according to Assistant to the GM Shiraz Rehman. “He’s really an open-minded guy who tries to find different ways to skin a cat, which is what we try to do,” Rehman told Paul Sullivan. “Leave no stone unturned. The players have responded to him …. He has the right short- and long-term vision.” I love that last part, as I’m sure does the Cubs’ front office. Rehman added that Sveum has been “nothing but positive” in the eyes of the front office.
  • The Cubs took a minor league flyer on reliever Mike MacDougal earlier this year, but, after 19 appearances worth of ineffectiveness at AAA Iowa (7.85 ERA, 2.564(!) WHIP), the Cubs have cut MacDougal loose.
  • The Cubs officially announced Albert Almora’s signing, and the 18-year-old outfielder has already made his way to Mesa to start training for his season. While in Mesa, Almora is rooming with none other than Jorge Soler, the Cubs’ other young, big-time, recently-acquired outfield prospect. I can’t say how much I love that, even if it’s just for a short time in Mesa (it’s possible that Soler will eventually be assigned to Peoria, and Almora to Boise). Soler is adjusting to both professional baseball, life in the United States, and instant stardom within certain Cubs fan circles. I can’t think of a better kid whom he could align with than Almora, who’s not only a talented player (and they can learn from each other in that regard), but is also a great kid with great character. Hopefully they can work their way up through the system over the next couple/few years, become great friends, and make it to the bigs together. Wouldn’t that be a great story? The only way it could be greater is if, at some point, Jorge has to put tape down the middle of their room, indicating to Albert that one side is his, and the other is Jorge’s, leading to hilarious hijinx.
  • What would happen if you tried to hit a pitch thrown at 90% of the speed of light? The short answer: lots of bad things. The long answer is at that link, and it’s glorious.
  • Kerry Wood talks to Sarah Spain, but I see something creepy. I’m easily unnerved.
  • A Cubs choose your own adventure. Remember those books? They were awesome.
  • Dave Kaplan and Baseball America each offered a mid-season take on the Cubs’ minor leagues (with Kaplan’s being far more involved). Ronald Torreyes shows up as a disappointment on both (though if not for an absurdly low BABIP early in the year, he might be looking just fine right now (and let’s not forget: he’s one of the youngest players in the Florida State League – I’m actually not worried about him)), and Anthony Rizzo shows up as a top performer on both. BA notes that Arismendy Alcantara is a riser to BA, and is on Kaplan’s watch list.
  • Speaking of Alcantara, he features, together with Rock Shoulders, Taiwan Easterling, and Jae-Hoon Ha, on MILB’s Moniker Madness – which is exactly what it sounds like. Rock Shoulders, somehow, is merely a four seed. Among the top seeds: Caleb Bushyhead, Rougned Odor, Forrest Snow, and Duke von Schamann. My non-Cub favorite? A 10 seed, Kansas City farmhand Cheslor Cuthbert. Your fave?
  • 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

    Two NL Central Pitchers Down: Miley and Montas

    A couple injuries to note among other NL Central contenders, as each of the Brewers and Reds have taken a hit to their rotation. The presumption for now is short-term on each, but I suppose we'll see. First, you have...

    Brewers Pitcher Jakob Junis Taken Off Field in an Ambulance After Being Struck by BP Ball

    A very scary scene in Pittsburgh, where Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jakob Junis, currently on the IL with a shoulder impingement, took a batting practice ball off the neck and went down. Junis was apparently on the ground for a long...

    Nico Hoerner is Back to Being Nico Hoerner

    On April 9, I took an early look at Nico Hoerner's apparently evolving approach at the plate, which featured a lot more patience and a lot more big hacks. Effectively, it seemed like he was trying for a little more...

    MLBits: Spencer Strider Speaks (His and Other Pitcher Arm Injuries), Shohei Ohtani’s Latest Milestone, More

    There's been much debate about pitcher arm injuries lately, much of it sparked by Spencer Strider's season-ending Tommy John surgery, and Strider spoke to the media for the first time since the injury on Friday. Spencer Strider on pitcher arm...

    Chicago Cubs Sign Lefty Pitching Prospect Mitchell Tyranski

    A new signing popped up on the Chicago Cubs' transaction log: lefty Mitchell Tyranski. Tyranski, 26, put up a 3.83 ERA over 42.1 innings at High-A last year in the Dodgers organization, striking out 47 and walking 21. Were you...

    The Cubs Have TWO of the Early Front-Runners for NL Rookie of the Year

    We already dove deep into Shota Imanaga's latest impressive start against the Marlins yesterday. And there's been no shortage of love for Michael Busch this season either. But I do want to take this time to illustrate just how good...

    My Expectations and Realistic Hope for the Cubs VERY Tough Upcoming Schedule

    Even though Sunday ended in a loss for the Chicago Cubs, we did get some good news in the form of positive injury updates. Ian Happ (hamstring) was available off the bench and could be good to go tomorrow, when...

    Aaron Boone Just Got Ejected Despite Saying Literally Nothing

    I know that sometimes there is a history between an umpire and a manager. I know that sometimes a manager can subtly get under the skin of an umpire without doing much that we can see or hear. And I...

    Cubs Farm Report | April 22, 2024: Weekend Wrap

    Let's get caught up on all of the action down on the farm in today's Cubs Farm Report. Cubs Farm Report | April 22, 2024 Triple-A Iowa Cubs (13-8) The Cubs were swept in a doubleheader by the Louisville Bats...

    Looking at the Positives, Bellinger and Morel Streaking (in Opposite Directions), and Other Cubs Bullets

    What started as a small convo for the bullets ballooned into a deeper dive on Kyle Hendricks, what's going wrong, and where the Cubs go from here. So if you're looking for the Hendricks discussion, that was earlier today. Despite...

    Latest News

    Best MLB Prop Bets Today, April 23, 2024

    The MLB lineup today, which includes the Boston Red Sox squaring off against the Cleveland Guardians as one of 15 contests, should provide some fireworks.If you're looking for MLB prop bets for today's games, we're here to help. Below you'll...

    Red Sox vs. Guardians Probable Starting Pitchers – April 23

    The Cleveland Guardians (16-6) face the Boston Red Sox (13-10) at home at Progressive Field on Tuesday, with first pitch at 6:10 PM ET. The Guardians enter the contest with a four-game winning streak.The Red Sox will call on Tanner...

    WATCH: Jamal Murray Epic Buzzer-Beater Completes 101-99 Comeback Win Over Lakers

    In case you were sleeping - which let's be honest a lot of us probably were - Jamal Murray hit an awesome buzzer-beater to give the Nuggets a 101-99 Game 2 win over the Lakers. Murray's game-winner was the icing...

    Baltimore Ravens 3-Round Mock Draft: Who Will Fall to Pick 30?

    Baltimore Ravens 3-Round Mock Draft - The Baltimore Ravens haven't strayed far from their identity in recent years – a physical running team anchored by a dominant defense. However, cracks are starting to show. The offensive line struggles to consistently open holes...

    Los Angeles Rams 3-Round Mock Draft: Building the Trenches

    Los Angeles Rams 3-Round Mock Draft - The echoes of the Rams' Super Bowl LVI victory have faded, replaced by the harsh realities of a roster in transition. Key veterans have departed, and the remaining core ages. The 2024 NFL Draft...

    Washington Commanders 3-Round Mock Draft: Adding Depth Behind New Franchise QB

    Washington Commanders 3-Round Mock Draft—After years of searching for a franchise quarterback, the Commanders hold the coveted second overall pick. The decision is clear: secure the organization's future under center. There's a top-down changing of the guard within the organization's decision-making structure,...

    Two NL Central Pitchers Down: Miley and Montas

    A couple injuries to note among other NL Central contenders, as each of the Brewers and Reds have taken a hit to their rotation. The presumption for now is short-term on each, but I suppose we'll see. First, you have...

    Stars vs. Golden Knights NHL Playoffs First Round Game 2 Prediction: Odds, Picks, Best Bets – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

    The Dallas Stars are -142 on the moneyline against the Vegas Golden Knights (+130) on Wednesday, with this matchup taking place at American Airlines Center in Dallas.Stars vs. Golden Knights Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Stars (-142)Underdog: Golden Knights (+130)Total: 5.5Best Stars...

    Oilers vs. Kings NHL Playoffs First Round Game 2 Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

    The Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings face off on Wednesday at Rogers Place in Edmonton, and the bookmakers like the home team (-180) over the visitor (+150).Oilers vs. Kings Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Oilers (-180)Underdog: Kings (+150)Total: 6Best Oilers vs....

    76ers vs. Knicks Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets for NBA Playoffs Game 3 – Thursday, April 25, 2024

    The Philadelphia 76ers are 4-point favorites in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center on Thursday, beginning at 7:30 PM ET on TNT. The Knicks lead the series...

    more cubs news