Nate Schierholtz Will Be Released and Other Bullets

nate schierholtz cubsI’m headed back to Wrigley later this morning to take the tour (well, part one, anyway – because it’s a game day, I’ll see part of the tour today, and then part tomorrow morning). Hopefully I’ll get lots of snazzy pictures to share.

  • It’s looking like we’ve got our resolution on what will happen with outfielder Nate Schierholtz, who was designated for assignment by the Chicago Cubs last week. Without any kind of trade lined up, Mark Gonzales tweets that Schierholtz has been placed on release waivers (he won’t be claimed), and will become a free agent tomorrow. From there, assuming he’s inclined, he’ll be able to ink a minor league deal with a team that may or may not bring him up in September. Assuming they do, the Cubs will save about $100,000 on Schierholtz’s $5 million salary for the year, and that’s all they’ll get for Schierholtz. It’s unfortunate that the Cubs weren’t able to capitalize on Schierholtz’s surprise year in 2013 via trade, and unfortunate that Schierholtz couldn’t duplicate that success this year. As I’ve mentioned before, the offers on Schierholtz at the trade deadline last year were exceedingly weak, as other teams apparently weren’t buying that his breakout was legit. It looks like they were probably right. Hopefully Schierholtz can carve out a career as a complementary outfielder the rest of the way.
  • Today is a huge day for MLB: owners are due to vote on the next commissioner of the game. There’s no certainty that MLB exec Rob Manfred, Bud Selig’s hand-picked successor, will get the votes necessary today, however. Red Sox owner Tom Werner is the primary competitor, who comes from a long TV background. More on the situation, and what might – or might not – happen today.
  • On his first homer at Wrigley Field – a monster shot – Javier Baez says he didn’t really look to admire it (ESPN): “I just run the bases. I don’t want to show anyone up.” Probably the right attitude for now, young man.
  • Jed Hoyer and Rick Renteria on Baez’s first week (ESPN).
  • A short profile on Daytona Cub Billy McKinney, who has been killing it since coming over in the Samardzija/Hammel trade.
  • Well, don’t count on the Rockies to make a late surge in the standings – Troy Tulowitzki will reportedly have surgery on his hip, ending his season.
  • Theo Epstein will participate in the ice bucket challenge today at Wrigley Field after the game against the Brewers. Fans in attendance will have a chance to dump water on him or some of the players, with details on how here.
  • 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

    Oh, Come On: Cody Bellinger Lifted Mid-Game with an Apparent Injury (UPDATE: X-Rays Negative)

    The Cubs cannot catch a break this year, man. They've already dealt with injuries to Jameson Taillon, Justin Steele, Kyle Hendricks, Drew Smyly, Julian Merryweather, Seiya Suzuki, and Ian Happ (did I forget anyone?). And tonight, it seems maybe something...

    Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 7, Astros 2 – April 23, 2024

    Well there was one big thing not to like about tonight's game - Cody Bellinger was lifted with a right rib contusion after colliding with the outfield wall - and about a million things that were great. And since we...

    Mike Tauchman Did it AGAIN – Second Oppo Homer of the Game!

    Nothing like a little insurance late. Mike Tauchman, who already hit his first home run of the season earlier in this game, just hit his second home run in the 8th! Another opposite field blast for Tauchman, who's been hitting...

    James Triantos Homers TWICE for the Smokies

    It really is a Cubs homer party up and down the system. In Chicago, Cody Bellinger and Mike Tauchman have gone deep. At Myrtle Beach, Christian Hernandez and Jefferson Encarnacion each homered. At South Bend, Yohendrick Pinango homered. And at...

    Kevin Alcantara Led Off Tonight’s Game with a Bomb (UPDATE: And Then Did It Again!)

    Kevin Alcantara wasted no time giving the Tennessee Smokies the lead on Tuesday night (or maybe he just wanted to be a spiritual part of the homer party going on at Wrigley Field). Facing off against the Rocket City Trash...

    Mike Tauchman’s First Homer of the Year Caps Off a 5-Run Cubs Ambush!

    I don't like to use "ambush" lightly. But what would you call it when the Cubs put five balls in play over 100 MPH, including a single, a double, and two home runs en route to putting five runs on...

    Ian Happ Hit Missed a Homer by a Foot, So Cody Bellinger Launched One into Space to Pick Him UP

    Ian Happ was back in the Cubs lineup tonight after missing a few games with a sore hamstring. And in his first at-bat back, he sent one 412 feet to dead-center field for a VERY long double (Statcast says it...

    Pre-Gamin’: Astros at Cubs (6:40 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs are back in action tonight for the first of three games against the Houston Astros at Wrigley Field. Here's a look at the Cubs lineup for Game 1. Chicago Cubs Lineup: Nico Hoerner, 2B...

    Jefferson Rojas Has the Longest Active Hitting Streak in High-A

    I know what you're thinking – what the heck is this basketball junkie doing over here on our turf!? He normally only shows up when he accidentally puts his Bulls articles in the wrong category! I need a little palate cleanser...

    MLBits: Jared Jones Made Brice Turang Look Ridiculous, Dylan Cease Dazzles at Coors, More

    If you're familiar with me/my writing, you know how much I love good pitching. To that end, Jared Jones has been one of my favorite stories of the young season. And on Monday, he gave us one of the best...

    Latest News

    Thunder vs. Pelicans Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: NBA Playoffs Game 2 – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

    The Oklahoma City Thunder take a 1-0 series record into Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs. The Thunder are favored by 7.5 points in the contest, which airs on TNT at 9:30 PM ET. The over/under...

    Predators vs. Canucks NHL Playoffs First Round Game 3 Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Friday, April 26, 2024

    The Nashville Predators are solid favorites (-130) at home versus the Vancouver Canucks (+110) on Friday at 7:30 PM ET.Predators vs. Canucks Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Predators (-130)Underdog: Canucks (+110)Total: 5.5Best Predators vs. Canucks Promo Codes[lasso type="table" id="1"]How to Watch Predators...

    Avalanche vs. Jets NHL Playoffs First Round Game 3 Prediction: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Friday, April 26, 2024

    The Colorado Avalanche are moderate favorites (-166) at home against the Winnipeg Jets (+140) on Friday at 10:00 PM ET.Avalanche vs. Jets Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Avalanche (-166)Underdog: Jets (+140)Total: 6.5Best Avalanche vs. Jets Promo Codes[lasso type="table" id="1" link_id="1595686"]How to Watch...

    Braves vs. Marlins: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Atlanta Braves (16-6), led by Marcell Ozuna, host Luis Arraez and the Miami Marlins (6-19) at 7:20 PM ET on Wednesday.Keep reading to see how to watch the Atlanta-Miami matchup below.When is Braves vs. Marlins and when does it...

    Pirates vs. Brewers: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Wednesday at 6:40 PM ET, Connor Joe and the Pittsburgh Pirates (13-11) take on William Contreras and the Milwaukee Brewers (14-8) at PNC Park.Find out how to watch the Pittsburgh-Milwaukee matchup below.When is Pirates vs. Brewers and when does...

    Guardians vs. Red Sox: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Carlos Carrasco will take the mound for the Cleveland Guardians (17-6) when they host starter Cooper Criswell and the Boston Red Sox (13-11) on Wednesday, with first pitch at 6:10 PM ET.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading...

    Lightning vs. Panthers NHL Playoffs First Round Game 3 Prediction: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Thursday, April 25, 2024

    The Tampa Bay Lightning are -110 on the moneyline versus the Florida Panthers (-110) on Thursday, with this tight-looking game taking place at Amalie Arena in Tampa.Lightning vs. Panthers Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Lightning (-110)Underdog: Panthers (-110)Total: 6Best Lightning vs. Panthers...

    Rangers vs. Capitals NHL Playoffs First Round Game 3 Prediction: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Friday, April 26, 2024

    The New York Rangers and Washington Capitals face off on Friday at Capital One Arena in Washington, and the sportsbooks give a big edge to the away team (-180) over the host (+150).Rangers vs. Capitals Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Rangers (-180)Underdog:...

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

    Blake Snell takes the ball for the San Francisco Giants (12-13) when they host starter Sean Manaea and the New York Mets (12-11) at 3:45 PM ET on Wednesday.Keep reading to see how to watch the San Francisco-New York matchup...

    Orioles vs. Angels: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Dean Kremer will take the mound for the Baltimore Orioles (15-8) when they visit starter Tyler Anderson and the Los Angeles Angels (10-14) in a rubber match on Wednesday, with first pitch at 4:07 PM ET.Keep reading to find out...

    more cubs news