Super Joe is Just Clark Kent and Other Bullets

I keep meaning to mention here, and keep forgetting that I haven’t already, that The Wife and I are expecting another kiddo in early March, and this time it’s a Little Boy joining The Little Girl. Obviously we are super excited, but I suppose the reason I was reminded of it this morning is because The Little Girl had a now-uncommon rough night, which means I’ve been up since around 3am. I’d forgotten how … swell that is. Looking forward to The Little Boy reminding me.

  • Another of those outrighted veterans from last week has elected free agency rather than accepting an assignment to AAA Iowa. This time it’s Joe Mather, which means that we’ll have to retire “Super Joe” for the time being. He, like Justin Germano and Manny Corpas, will try to land a minor league deal (because, again, I don’t see big league deals forthcoming – possibly for Corpas) in an organization where he thinks he’s got a good shot of breaking through to the bigs again. I think departing the Cubs was probably the right move for Joe at this time – Dale Sveum was going to short Joe’s career from overuse if he stuck around.
  • After Gordon Wittenmyer said the same, Steve Stone apparently has now also suggested strongly that Eric Karros is going to be the Cubs’ next color commentator, joining play-by-play man Len Kasper.
  • An extensive interview with the Cubs’ new minor league pitching coordinator, Derek Johnson. The whole thing is worth a read, but here’s an interesting quote from Johnson: “I’ve had other opportunities with other jobs and I felt like … I’m an Illinois guy and I grew up watching the Cubs on WGN just about every day in the summer. I considered myself I Cubs fan growing up. That was part of the appeal. On the mature side of things, it was along the lines of I just felt good about the vision they have for what’s upcoming and what’s next for the organization, and I felt like they were going to give me the opportunity to be involved in that. That’s probably the main couple of reasons the Cubs appealed to me in the first place.”
  • Starlin Castro’s agent, Paul Kinzer, has been fired by his firm after a protracted dispute dating back to his midseason 2011 failure to file a no-trade list with the Mets on behalf of client Francisco Rodriguez. (It was a pretty embarrassing oops, and the details are here.) How that might impact his relationship with Castro remains to be seen. Players tend to be loyal to their agents, rather than their agents’ agencies, but, then again, we’ve all seen ‘Jerry Maguire.’ (Flash to Castro telling Kinzer to show him the money, to shout “I love Dominican people!”, and then Castro catching an important touchdown on Monday Night Football.)
  • Brett Jackson will be opening 2013 back at AAA Iowa, which we knew – but here’s some more on that decision, and on Jackson’s take on the ups and downs of 2012.
  • A friendly profile on Matt Szczur from Arizona, where Szczur is still playing in the AFL. It is, like so many Szczur profiles these days, replete with non-baseball-state reasons to be excited about his future. I’m not saying those reasons aren’t legit – his athleticism, his heart, his effort, his passion, his unselfishness – but he’s reaching an age and a professional experience level where that stuff needs to translate itself into “great numbers.”
  • Speaking of the AFL, Javier Baez and Tony Zych were named as participants in the AFL Rising Stars Games, which is played Saturday night. Obviously Baez can’t play, but it’s a nice honor. And it is notable for Zych, who’ll be shooting for a bullpen spot with the big club as soon as Spring Training.
  • And speaking of Baez’s thumb injury, Logan Watkins has been plucked from his offseason to head to Mesa and join the Solar Sox in Baez’s place. I thought of it as a nice reward for Watkins’ great season, but apparently he thought of it as bear on his already-feeling-awful arm. (I kid, in part – he also said he was blessed by the opportunity.)
  • In case you missed yesterday’s Episode 2 of the podcast Sahadev Sharma and I are doing.
  • Today only, there is free shipping on ALL BN apparel orders. Just use the coupon code “GIVETHANKSSHIP.” I’m truly not trying to “sell” you on the t-shirt thing – I’m just a fan of free stuff/coupons, and I know that if I’d been thinking about getting a BN shirt (holidays coming?), free shipping would be something I’d be hoping to land.
  • And in case you are desperate to see my Halloween costume (unshaven, unkempt, food-stained t-shirt, X-Box underwear and pajama pants … I was a blogger).
  • 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

    Dansby Swanson with a First Inning Three-Run Homer

    For the second straight night, the Cubs are jumping all over the Astros in the first inning. After a couple hits from Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ to get things going, Michael Busch hit a sac fly, Christopher Morel walked,...

    Welcome Back to Iowa, Brennen Davis: Rocket Homer in His First Game Post-Rehab

    What a road it's been - continues to be - for Cubs outfield prospect Brennen Davis. The former top prospect was on a rocket ship to Triple-A in 2021, and then mostly lost the last two years to various injuries....

    CRAAAAAP: Cody Bellinger to the Injured List (UPDATES)

    So much for all those words of optimism and negative X-rays. After colliding with the outfield wall last night, Cody Bellinger fractured his rib (Update: It's actually TWO fractured right ribs) and will hit the injured list today. Chicago Cubs...

    Chicago Cubs Lineup: What is it, June 2023?

    CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs took Game 1 against the Houston Astros in convincing fashion last night. So tonight, they'll go for the quick series win against Spencer Arrighetti at Wrigley Field (it'd be a good idea to win...

    Bellinger Optimistic Post-Injury, Busch’s Defense, Almonte Stock Rising, Tauchman Slugging, and Other Cubs Bullets

    Ed. Note: Since this article was published, a CT scan revealed a rib fracture for Cody Bellinger, who is now on the Injured List. You can find all the details of that news in our most recent article right here....

    Cubs Outfield Prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong Coming Up

    With Cody Bellinger headed to the Injured List with a rib fracture, the Cubs are in need of another outfielder: center field prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong is coming back up to the big leagues for the second time. https://twitter.com/670TheScore/status/1783217891195625709 Crow-Armstrong, 22,...

    Is Mike Tauchman the Best Player in Baseball? An Exploration

    Hey, we're just having some early-season fun. So allow me to present the 'Mike Tauchman Is Clearly Better Than' list. As of this moment, Mike Tauchman has ... ... a higher wRC+ (151) than Pete Alonso, Fernando Tatis Jr., and...

    Cubs Farm Report | April 24, 2024: Kevin Alcántara Cannot Miss Right Now

    Name a player hotter than Kevin Alcántara right now. Go ahead, I'll wait. (He's already raking again today. Literally as I type this.) More on Alcántara's big day and the Smokies home run parade last night in today's Cubs Farm...

    Oof: Blake Snell to the Injured List Just Three Horrible Starts into His Giants Career

    Just three starts into his San Francisco Giants career, Blake Snell is heading to the injured list with a left-adductor strain. Oof. You hate to even say it — and who really knows if this was related — but early...

    It’s Gotten Impossible to Not Comment on the White Sox Making Futility History

    In 1997, I was a miserable Chicago Cubs fan. I mean, that was true a lot of the time, but I mean it in a very specific way that year: the Cubs had started the season 0-14. They had literally...

    Latest News

    Maple Leafs vs. Bruins NHL Playoffs First Round Game 4 Prediction: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Saturday, April 27, 2024

    The bookmakers are expecting a close contest between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins on Saturday in Toronto, with the Maple Leafs given moneyline odds of -110 and the Bruins at -110.Maple Leafs vs. Bruins Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Maple...

    Mariners vs. Rangers: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Thursday, looking for a series sweep, Caleb Raleigh and the Seattle Mariners (12-11) face Adolis Garcia and the Texas Rangers (12-12), with first pitch scheduled for 2:35 PM ET at Globe Life Field.If you're planning on watching this game,...

    How to Watch Padres vs. Rockies: Live Stream or on TV

    The San Diego Padres (13-13), with Randy Vasquez on the mound, visit the Colorado Rockies (6-18) who will counter with Dakota Hudson, at 3:10 PM ET on Thursday.If you're planning on watching this game, keep reading for TV and streaming...

    2024 Las Vegas Raiders Big Board: Potential First-Round Fits Including Tackle & Cornerback

    The desert heat is rising in Las Vegas, and so are the expectations for the Raiders. The 2024 NFL Draft is rapidly approaching, and the Silver and Black hold the 13th overall pick. Will they prioritize shoring up the offensive...

    Twins vs. White Sox: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Minnesota Twins (9-13), led by Ryan Jeffers, host Gavin Sheets and the Chicago White Sox (3-20) at 1:10 PM ET on Thursday.If you're intending to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and TV options for the Minnesota-Chicago matchup.When...

    Astros vs. Cubs: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Justin Verlander takes the ball for the Houston Astros (7-17) when they visit starter Javier Assad and the Chicago Cubs (14-9) at 2:20 PM ET on Thursday.Keep reading to see how to watch the Houston-Chicago matchup below.When is Astros vs....

    Royals vs. Blue Jays: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Cole Ragans will take the mound for the Kansas City Royals (14-10) when they host starter Jose Berrios and the Toronto Blue Jays (13-11) in a rubber match on Thursday, with first pitch at 2:10 PM ET.If you're trying to...

    Yankees vs. Athletics: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Juan Soto and the New York Yankees (16-8) host Abraham Toro and the Oakland Athletics (9-15) on Thursday in a rubber match, with first pitch at 7:05 PM ET.Find out how to watch the New York-Oakland matchup below.When is Yankees...

    Dansby Swanson with a First Inning Three-Run Homer

    For the second straight night, the Cubs are jumping all over the Astros in the first inning. After a couple hits from Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ to get things going, Michael Busch hit a sac fly, Christopher Morel walked,...

    Phillies vs. Reds: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Alec Bohm and the Philadelphia Phillies (15-9) visit Elly De La Cruz and the Cincinnati Reds (13-10) on Thursday in a rubber match, with first pitch at 1:10 PM ET.Keep reading to find out all the details on how to...

    more cubs news