Weekend Catch-Up: Plenty of Moves and Rumors … but Hope You Missed This Weekend

Weekends don’t get much worse when it comes to on-field results …

Friday, July 24

• Top pick Ian Happ got the promotion from Eugene to South Bend.
• Javy Baez started his rehab (games, that is) at Arizona.
• The Friday Bullets had a lot of stuff, but this high school player’s at bat routine was the best part.
• Clayton Richard cleared waivers and accepted an option to Iowa, so at least the Cubs still have him for depth.
• The Cubs and Red Sox might not be the favorites for Cole Hamels, but they’re reportedly in the mix.
• Luis noted the high price of pitching in July.
• Michael looked at the Mariners as a possible trade partner, if they ever decide to sell.
• The Cubs may be interested in Mike Leake.
• The Cardinals picked up reliever Steve Cishek from the Marlins.
• The Cubs have three prospects in Minor League Ball’s top 75.
• It’s hard to remember after two similarly atrocious losses, but the Friday evening blown game to the Phillies was exceptionally awful. Kris Bryant homered during the game to the opposite field, for what that’s worth.
• The Mets acquired a couple bats in Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson.

Saturday, July 25

• This could have applied all weekend, and I encourage you to read if you haven’t: Why We Watch.
• The Cubs’ offense sure has been bad this year.
• Albert Almora went deep, and it would be nice if he could get hot in his final month of the minor league season.
• The Cubs reportedly brought in some more minor league pitching depth.
• Your latest big round-up of the rumors going around.
• Buster Olney guesses that Cole Hamels winds up with the Cubs. But not soon enough, because …
• Cole Hamels made history, no-hitting the Cubs for the first time in 50 years.
• The catch that ended the game was silly, because of course.

Sunday, July 26

• Luis was at the no-hitter … for a while.
• Luke took a tour around the Cubs’ minor league system.
• Did the no-hitter affect Cole Hamels’ trade value? The answer sure feels like an obvious no – that, plus other bits from his historic no-no.
• The Cubs are reportedly still pursuing Jonathan Papelbon.
• The biggest trade of trade season yet, with the Reds sending Johnny Cueto to the Royals for a haul of three young pitchers, led by Brandon Finnegan. Seriously, it was a really nice return, and it makes you wonder about the rental market.
• Javier Baez’s rehab in Arizona continues successfully – as of the writing, he hadn’t even struck out in 12 plate appearances.
• And the weekend ended with a thud. Interestingly, though the loss was the biggest blowout of the weekend, and capped off a horrible sweep, I was able to walk away feeling pretty shrug about it. Even chuckled a bit.
• The Cubs aren’t out on Hamels, by the way, at least according to the latest reports. But they aren’t the favorite.