Weekend Catch-Up: Cubs Rumors, Cespedes Signs, Lackey, Edwards, Alcantara, More

bn baseball featureIt may seem like the quiet time of the baseball year, but there was plenty going on around here this weekend …

Friday, January 22

  • The Cubs have some very popular players, and I think that’s probably really good for baseball as a whole.
  • The most interesting realistic Cubs rumor in a while: there’s a chance they could still bring Austin Jackson back.
  • A bummer of a report, as the Venezuelan Summer League is shutting down.
  • The latest from the Lukewarm Stove, including those persistent Cubs/Rays rumors.
  • Jason Heyward had him some serious range in right field last year.
  • Cubs fans really love the Ricketts Family.
  • One major ranking service has a certain Chicago Cubs prospect as the best behind the plate in all of baseball.
  • Saturday, January 23

  • As Friday turned into Saturday, word broke: the Mets are bringing Yoenis Cespedes back after all, and his contract is really interesting.
  • Although the big moves are likely done, even Jed Hoyer acknowledges some smaller moves are still coming.
  • Questions about the upcoming plaza at Wrigley Field continue, this time from nervous bar owners.
  • John Lackey could have received a lot more money to sign elsewhere, but he picked the Cubs, and things look good for his near future.
  • Speaking of a pitcher’s future with the Cubs, Carl Edwards, Jr. could still be very good – though Jason McLeod had some very specific thoughts on how he gets there.
  • Sunday, January 24

  • Among Sunday’s Bullets, a Padres prospect out there and available, and positivity (already) about the Cubs’ draft.
  • Luis has some fun with the designated hitter rumors, and looks at how the Cubs would fare with the rule in place.
  • Here’s a name you don’t hear nearly as much now as you did a year ago: Arismendy Alcantara. Talking about why, and what comes next for him.
  • Michael looked at Trevor Cahill’s performance with the Cubs, and pondered how much we can trust that it was really legit.
  • Kris Bryant and Jake Arrieta received their hardware, and you can watch a bit of their acceptance speeches.
  • 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.

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