Dreaming on the Possibility of an Effective Brett Jackson and Other Bullets

brett jacksonNerd alert: ‘Game of Thrones’ Season Two marathon today at the Taylor household. Yeah, buddy.

  • Patrick Mooney writes about new assistant hitting coach Rob Deer in the context of Brett Jackson’s revamped swing. I think we’re going to really appreciate Deer’s addition to the coaching staff. As for Jackson, it’s been easy to forget just how enormous of a lift an effective, productive Jackson would be to the Cubs in the next three years or more. Although his ceiling isn’t MVP-level, it is absolutely that of a perennial All-Star who plays solid center field defense (and even better in left, if it comes to that), runs the bases very well, and contributes in a variety of ways. If he can do it, and show by July that he’s ready to do it in the big leagues, the Cubs could deal David DeJesus or Alfonso Soriano for value, and potentially upgrade the overall roster simply by promoting Jackson. It would also provide another cost-controlled starter, which opens up additional dollars to supplement the roster on the free agent market. I already can’t wait for the early season to get underway so I can follow Iowa’s games, hoping Jackson is destroying opposing pitchers.
  • Dale Sveum says the earliest Ian Stewart (and Josh Vitters) will be back on the field is two weeks, but three weeks is more likely. If so, Stewart will have just two and a half weeks worth of games to impress, and cement his spot on the roster. For his part, Stewart is optimistic that, because the injury happened so early, it won’t impact his ability to make the team. “I feel like I was brought back to be part of the team and help this team and I feel like I can do that,” Stewart said, per the Tribune. “This is unfortunate. But I think if this was toward the end of camp or maybe in the middle of it, it may be a different story. It is disappointing though, because I put all that work in in the off-season and my wrist is good. To have that good first hit of camp, even if it was intrasquad …. My confidence is so high right now that this is just kind of a little roadblock.”
  • Gordon Wittenmyer profiles top prospect Javier Baez in what might be one of the most enjoyable “prospect profile” type pieces I’ve read in a while. Nicely done, Gordon.
  • Reliever Blake Parker, who’s had a long comeback from a stress reaction in his elbow last year (shortly before the same injury was suffered by Matt Garza), feels good in camp so far. Healthy, strong, all that good stuff. He’s a long-shot to make the bullpen, but it’s good to know that he’s come back successfully from the injury.
  • Scott Baker threw another successful bullpen session (45 pitches) yesterday. He remains on schedule for an expected mid-April debut.
  • 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

    Now We Know Why Ian Happ Was Removed Mid-game

    In the top of the seventh inning of today's 8-3 win over the Miami Marlins, Alexander Canario trotted out to left field in place of Ian Happ. At first, we thought (or maybe just hoped) that Craig Counsell was giving...

    Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 8, Marlins 3 – April 19, 2024

    And just like that the Chicago Cubs are the first team in the NL Central to reach 12 wins! They're not technically in first place yet because the Brewers (11-6) have played fewer games, but we're talking about a matter...

    Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson with Back-to-Back Slick Defensive Plays

    With a lefty Marlins starter on the mound this afternoon, Nico Hoerner lead off today's game for the Chicago Cubs. And he did it in style, ripping a leadoff double to the left-center field wall, before coming into score a...

    Pre-Gamin’: Marlins at Cubs – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    *The Cubs were rained out yesterday, but today? Today, we've got a Friday 1:20 start at Wrigley Field, and that means all is right in the world. Before you take a look at the Cubs lineup against Miami, check out...

    MLBits: The White Sox Might be the Worst Team Ever, What Games I’m Watching this Weekend, More

    Happy Friday! Well, for everyone except for the pilots who were supposed to be manning the Colorado Rockies flight last week but instead allowed a member of the Rockies coaching staff to hop in the pilot's seat for a fun...

    Can I Interest You in a Positive Injury-Update on Justin Steele?

    Justin Steele, arguably the single most irreplaceable player on the Chicago Cubs 2024 roster, went down with a hamstring injury just 4.2 innings into his Opening Day start against the Rangers on March 28. In his place, the Cubs sixth...

    FAA Reportedly Investigating How a Passenger on Colorado Rockies Team Flight Was Seen Accessing the Cockpit

    If you do this job long enough, it's really wild to see the range of topics that can somehow become attached to sports. That is to say, I did not envision myself at some point writing about flight safety, cockpit...

    Cubs Farm Report | April 19, 2024: Kevin Alcántara is Heating Up!

    The Iowa Cubs were rained out, but the rest of the farm was in action, and so was Kevin Alcántara, who picked up four hits and now has seven in his last three games as he breaks out of an...

    It’s Not Kyle Hendricks Last Chance (But…), Ben Brown, Jameson Taillon, and Other Cubs Bullets

    Well, the rain stole one from us yesterday, which is a blessing and a curse. On the bright side, the bullpen gets an extra day of rest (on top of the day Hayden Wesneski bought them). But on the flip...

    The Chicago Cubs Are Not Stealing Bases So Far This Year

    The Chicago Cubs are against theft. Of bases: https://twitter.com/codifybaseball/status/1781046629103231339 The Chicago Cubs this year have stolen just three bases, the fewest in all of baseball. Dansby Swanson has stolen two bases, Nick Madrigal has stolen one. That's it. I don't...

    Latest News

    Yankees vs. Rays Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Saturday, April 20, 2024

    Amed Rosario (11 games) will look to add to his hitting streak when the Tampa Bay Rays (11-10) and New York Yankees (14-6) meet Saturday at 1:05 PM ET, live on YES from Yankee Stadium. Amed Rosario and the Rays...

    Yankees vs. Rays Probable Starting Pitchers – April 20

    The Tampa Bay Rays (11-10) go on the road at Yankee Stadium against the New York Yankees (14-6) at 1:05 PM ET on Saturday.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Yankees will send Nestor Cortes Jr. (1-1) to the...

    Twins vs. Tigers Probable Starting Pitchers – April 20

    The Minnesota Twins (6-12) host the Detroit Tigers (11-9) on Saturday after a streak of five losses. First pitch is at 2:10 PM ET.The probable starters are Bailey Ober (0-1) for the Twins and Reese Olson (0-2) for the Tigers.Twins...

    Cubs vs. Marlins Probable Starting Pitchers – April 20

    The Miami Marlins (4-16) face off against the Chicago Cubs (12-7) on the road on Saturday beginning at 2:20 PM ET.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Cubs will send Javier Assad (2-0) to the mound, while Jesus Luzardo...

    Cardinals vs. Brewers Probable Starting Pitchers – April 20

    The St. Louis Cardinals (9-11) square off against the Milwaukee Brewers (12-6) on Saturday at Busch Stadium at 2:15 PM ET.The probable starters are Miles Mikolas (1-2) for the Cardinals and D.L. Hall (0-1) for the Brewers.Cardinals vs. Brewers Pitcher...

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

    The San Diego Padres (11-11), led by Fernando Tatis Jr., host Justin Turner and the Toronto Blue Jays (11-9) on Saturday at 8:40 PM ET.Keep reading to find out all the details on how to watch San Diego take on...

    Nuggets vs. Lakers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: NBA Playoffs Game 1 – Saturday, April 20, 2024

    The Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers square off to tip off the opening round of the NBA Playoffs. The Nuggets are favored by 7 points in the matchup, which will be broadcast on ABC at 8:30 PM ET....

    Best NBA Prop Bets Today – Saturday, April 20, 2024

    Today's NBA playoff schedule has four quality competitions on the docket. Among those contests is the Phoenix Suns playing the Minnesota Timberwolves.One of the most fun ways to wager on the NBA is via NBA player prop bets. There are...

    Diamondbacks vs. Giants: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Ketel Marte and the Arizona Diamondbacks (10-11) visit Michael Conforto and the San Francisco Giants (9-12) on Saturday, with first pitch at 4:05 PM ET.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and TV options for the...

    Dodgers vs. Mets: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Saturday, Gavin Stone will start for the Los Angeles Dodgers (12-10) versus Jose Butto and the New York Mets (11-8), with first pitch scheduled for 4:05 PM ET at Dodger Stadium.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on...

    more cubs news