Shark Attack and Z Sighting at Fitch!

Today was an off day for most of the Cubs, but not for Carlos Zambrano and Jeff Samardzija, as Big “Z” and the Shark traveled a half-mile south down Center Street to Fitch Park to get in some additional work.



Zambrano made the trip just so he could take pre-game Batting Practice with the Iowa Cubs position players, but Samardzija was sent to Fitch by Manager Lou Piniella and Pitching Coach Larry Rothschild specifically to throw some innings in a game.


Competing with Carlos Silva, Tom Gorzelanny, and Sean Marshall for a spot in the Cubs starting rotation, Samardzija last pitched in a Cactus League game last Friday, so today was the day he would normally be scheduled to pitch, but with the off day for the big club, pitching in a minor league intrasquad game was the next-best alternative.


Samardzija had a poor outing last time out, and although he did throw three no run/no hit innings in today's minor league intrasquad game, he also struggled with his control, at one point walking three consecutive AA Tennessee hitters (Matt Spencer-Kyler Burke-Ryan Flaherty) with two outs in the top of the 2nd, before getting Kevin Soto to fly out to the warning track in LF to end the inning.


The Smokies scored their only run of the game in top of the 9th off LHRP Dustin Sasser, as Jason James and Josh Vitters crushed doubles off the LF fence (and that was James' second two-bagger of the day).  


Hard-throwing RHP Rafael Dolis got the start for Tennessee, one day after the Cubs optioned him to AA. He had a bad first inning, as Brandon Guyer led-off by ripping a triple into the right-center alley. Then Jake Opitz sliced a double into the LF corner, and after Ty Wright advanced Opitz to third with a grounder to the right side of the infield, veteran Jason Dubois dumped a broken bat single into CF to score Opitz.


The I-Cubs added three more runs in the 9th. Russ Canzler singled and then sole second. before scoring on a one-out double into the left-center alley by Steve Clevenger. After Tony Thomas reached base on a two-out Ryan Flaherty error, Clevenger scored and Thomas advanced to 2nd base on a Hank Williamson wild pitch, and then Thomas scored on a Mario Mercedes bloop single into short right center.     


The Cubs minor league squads have been rearranged in preparation for the first minor league Spring Training games tomorrow, with a 5th squad (Boise/Mesa/EXST) being formed from among players moved down from Peoria, Daytona, and Tennessee.


Today’s intrasquad games featured Peoria versus Daytona on Field #2, and Tennessee versus Iowa on Field #3.


Here is the the abridged box score & statistical summary from today’s Iowa-Tennessee game:


NOTE: Some innings were stopped prior to three outs because the pitcher had reached his max pitch count for that inning, while other innings were extended beyond three outs to allow a pitcher to throw more pitches. Also, Blake Lalli PH for Steve Clevenger in the 6th, but then Clevenger returned to the game as DH #2 in the same slot in the batting order in the 9th, and Lalli took his 2nd AB in the #4 slot in the batting oder (replacing Jason Dubois both at bat and in the field) in the 8th.


AA TENNESSEE LINEUP:
1. Brett Jackson, DH #1: 0-4 (F-7, 4-3, 1-U, 3-1)
2. D. J. Lemahieu, DH #2: 1-4 (P-3, 5-3, 1B, Ks)
3. Jason James, LF: 2-4 (Ks, 2B, 1-3, 2B, R)
4. Marquez Smith, 2B: 0-3 (4-3, 1-3, HBP, P-2)
5. Josh Vitters, 3B: 1-4 (P-7, 5-3, 5-4-3 GIDP, 2B, RBI, PO)
6. Matt Spencer, 1B: 0-1 (BB, HBP, F-7, SB)
7. Kyler Burke, RF: 0-1 (BB, BB, F-7)
8. Ryan Flaherty, SS: 1-2 (BB, Kc, 3B)
9. Kevin Soto, CF: 0-3 (F-7, P-4, P-8)
10a. Luis Flores, C: 0-2 (Ks, F-8)
10b. Mark Reed, C: 0-1 (Ks)


AA TENNESSEE PITCHERS:
1. Rafael Dolis – 1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 38 pitches (23 strikes), 3/1 GO/FO
2. Todd Blackford – 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 20 pitches (10 strikes), 3/0 GO/FO
3. David Cales – 1.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 21 pitches (14 strikes), 0/1 GO/FO
4. Luke Sommer – 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 20 pitches (13 strikes), 2/1 GO/FO
5. Chris Siegfried – 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 18 pitches (12 strikes), 3/1 GO/FO
6. Ryan Buchter – 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 1 PO, 18 pitches (15 strikes), 1/1 GO/FO
7. Hank Williamson – 0.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, 1 WP, 22 pitches (14 strikes), 1/1 GO/FO


AAA IOWA LINEUP:
1a. Brandon Guyer, CF: 2-3 (3B, 1B, 6-3, R)
1b. Tony Campana, CF: 1-1 (1B, PO)
2. Jake Opitz, 3B: 1-4 (2B, 1-3, L-9, Ks, R, RBI)
3a. Ty Wright, LF: 0-3 (4-3, 6-3, 5-3)
3b. Matt Camp, LF: 0-1 (Ks)
4a. Jason Dubois, 1B: 1-2 (1B, HBP, Kc, RBI, SB)
4b. Blake Lalli, PH-1B: 0-2 (6-3, 4-3)
5. Russ Canzler, DH-RF: 1-3 (BB, Kc, 1-U, 1B, R, SB)
6. Smaily Borges, RF-DH: 0-3 (Ks, BB, L-8, FC)
7. Steve Clevenger, C-DH: 2-3 (4-3, 1B, 2B, R, RBI, CS)
8a. Nate Samson, SS: 1-2 (P-4, 1B, SB)
8b. David Macias, SS: 0-2 (5-3, P-4)
9. Tony Thomas, 2B: 0-4 (5-3, Kc, Kc, E-6, R)
10. Mario Mercedes, DH-C: 1- 4 (4-3, F-9, F-7, 1B, RBI)


AAA IOWA PITCHERS:
1. Jeff Samardzija – 3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 K, 46 pitches (25 strikes), 3/4 GO/FO
2. Mitch Atkins – 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP, 39 pitches (25 strikes), 4/2 GO/FO
3. Gregory Reinhard – 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 1 GIDP, 1 HBP, 18 pitches (11 strikes), 2/2 GO/FO
4. Jake Muyco – 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 13 pitches (9 strikes), 1/1 GO/FO
5. Dustin Sasser - 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 14 pitches (7 strikes), 0/1 GO/FO


ERRORS (1):
Ryan Flaherty (TENN) throwing error E-6 led to two unearned runs scoring in the 9th.


CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Luis Flores (TENN): 1-3 CS
Mark Reed (TENN): 0-1 CS


Steve Clevenger (IOWA): 0-1 CS
Mario Mercedes (IOWA): 1 PO (Vitters at 2nd base)


I don't know the score of the Peoria-Daytona intrasquad game, but I do know that Daytona RF Nelson Perez was summariliy pulled out of the game by Player Development Director Oneri Fleita in the bottom of the 1st inning for not running out a ground ball.

Tags: 
Carlos Zambrano
Cubs Minor Leagues
Jeff Samardzija
Submitted by Arizona Phil on Wed, 03/17/2010 - 6:30pm
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Comments

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 03/17/2010 - 9:07pm

Who's Jake Opitz and why is he pushing Smith to AA in ST?

Looks like Smardizjai is bound for his third tour of the PCL. Hate to see an athlete of that caliber not be able to make it at baseball, but there are undoubtedly some NFL teams that will pay him a million a year to be a possession receiver.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 3:33pm

On the Cubs pre-game today they said Aram is going to start playing in minor league games to get some extra swings in. His triceps is still bothering him.

Anyone know how Chad Tracey has looked so far this spring? I have a scary feeling we'll be playing without Aram for a big chunk of the season again.

-
Marlon Byrd made a very nice play in CF in the first inning today. He went back on a ball, turned the wrong way facing RF, then turned around to LF and caught the ball against the wall. No Cubs CF in the last few seasons would have made that play.

Submitted by Rob Richardson
on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 3:38pm

"Anyone know how Chad Tracey has looked so far this spring? I have a scary feeling we'll be playing without Aram for a big chunk of the season again."

If ARam misses a large portion of the season the important question is will Lee and/or Zambrano waive their no trade clauses.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Wed, 03/17/2010 - 10:23pm

Thank you AZ PHIL.

I have had this feeling for over a year, but I really feel like Smardizja will just flat out be a bust.

He may pitch in the majors as a journeyman relief pitcher after he is no longer a Cub (while he adds up his investments), but this will be one of those Hendry signings that just will be a head scratcher, imo.

I really hope I am wrong, and will step up and admit it (unlike people here who have slammed Tim Wilken since he was hired) should he become useful - but this is a situation where the GM is shoving a pitcher with two pitches and control problems down the manager's throat.

Again - I hope I am really wrong...

Submitted by CPH2133
on Wed, 03/17/2010 - 10:32pm

Why wouldn't Samninja pitch for AA against AAA?

Just seems like it'd make sense. Unless they wanted to get him pitching against double A for confidence reasons.

What do I know.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 03/17/2010 - 10:37pm

since about this morning/afternoon?

Submitted by QuietMan
on Wed, 03/17/2010 - 10:51pm

I was still having trouble at 4 central time. Things seem okay now.

IE if that makes a difference.

Submitted by Charlie
on Wed, 03/17/2010 - 10:54pm

I had trouble loading the page about an hour ago.

Submitted by JoePepitone
on Wed, 03/17/2010 - 10:54pm

Still having some problems from time-to-time.

Submitted by The Joe
on Wed, 03/17/2010 - 11:12pm

Thus far, it seems to be working just fine. Literally.

Submitted by Jumbo
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 5:51am

I'm not getting the slow load/site error, nor am i having trouble posting comments anymore
Firefox

Submitted by SheffieldCornelia
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 7:44am

It's working fine for me now.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 12:02am

and mother effer...

I'll try and get on it tomorrow morning, otherwise I won't be able to deal with it again until Sunday.

Submitted by Jumbo
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 5:51am

Phil
I seem to have no memory of Ty Wright. He was in Spring Training but it was probably just for split squad action. Any chance you could do a quick history/projection on him? Much appreciated

Thanks for all your spring training reports. It's unparalleled reporting (suck it Sullivan/Rogers)

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 6:14am

Submitted by Jumbo on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 4:51am.
Phil
I seem to have no memory of Ty Wright. He was in Spring Training but it was probably just for split squad action. Any chance you could do a quick history/projection on him? Much appreciated

Thanks for all your spring training reports. It's unparalleled reporting (suck it Sullivan/Rogers)

==========================================================

JUMBO: Ty Wright is an outfielder without the defensive acumen & range to play CF or the arm to play RF, and he doesn't have the HR power you would look for in a LF.

On the other hand, he's a pretty good hitter, he runs OK, and he plays LF with reckless abandon. He's the kind of player fans tend to like.

Probably in an attempt to improve his versatility, the Cubs were working him out at 3B in Minor League Camp last week, but he was back in LF yesterday.

Submitted by Hagsag
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 8:28am

Phil, do the minor league exhibition games begin today? Thanks as always.

Submitted by Sweet Lou
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 8:05pm

Phil -- This is a bit off topic, but I'm hearing that Rep. John McCommish is planning to withdraw the bill he submitted that would have added an 8% surcharge to all Spring Training tickets. In it's place, I understand that officials are talking about a Mesa City or Maricopa County tax as a way to raise the funds needed to build the Cubs new stadium.

Are you hearing anything about this? I can't help but think that the folks in Arizona are going to screw this up and drive the Cubs right into the waiting arms of Naples, FL. Any thoughts? Thanks!

UPDATE: I just read that the Arizona Legislature will be moving forward with the tax on Spring Training tickets. In fact, the article indicated that the legislature is going to drop the $1 increase in the rental car tax and increase the Spring Training ticket tax to 10% (from 8%). Although the article didn't say as much, it sounded to me like the legislature was pissed off at the bitching and moaning from the MLB and Cactus League teams.

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 8:26pm

another 10-30 cents per ticket?!?!?

this is the last straw! what the hell?!? did we lose a war? is this russia?

brb, buying a $5 hotdog.

Submitted by navigator
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 9:54pm

I love your Obama-math.

Alas, $2-$3 is more like it.

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 10:42pm

i love your michelle bachman reading comprehension.

a 2% increase...

where you buying tickets?

Submitted by Ryno
on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 9:06am

omg... zing!

Submitted by navigator
on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 12:35pm

"i love your michelle bachman reading comprehension"

I've told you before I'm not fluent in gibberish.

Submitted by navigator
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 9:50pm

Don't know where you got your information but the Phoenix Business Journal says the Arizona House passed an 8% tax on Cactus League tickets today not 10%.

You know the drill. Next it goes to the Senate.

Submitted by Sweet Lou
on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 2:31pm

From the East Valley Tribune:

The original plan would raise $81 million over 25 years with a $1 car rental fee and an 8 percent spring training ticket surcharge. Earlier this week, McComish dropped the car rental fee and boosted the ticket surcharge to 10 percent, expecting to raise $185 million over 30 years. The House approved the bill Thursday, but McComish left the percentage blank so it can be negotiated when the bill goes the Senate.

The 10 percent surcharge would add about $2 to the price of an average $20 spring training ticket. Opponents have suggested other funding sources such as a sales tax, but elected officials have said that’s politically unthinkable in this economy.

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/151970

There's also talk in the article pointing out the obvious hypocrisy of the other Cactus League teams opposing a surcharge on tickets after they already received their taxpayer funded stadiums.

Submitted by Mike Wellman
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 9:51am

Mario Mercedes - beautiful; please tell me has speed...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 10:33am

seems the server upgrade didn't go through until this morning, so if you run into more problems, drop a note in the comments. Hopefully things will run a little more smoothly from now on...

I'll be back on Sunday.

Submitted by navigator
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 11:23am

There's no improvement as of now. Random 503 errors, posts that don't go thru and this: System Error

at 12:22 ET Thursday

Submitted by QuietMan
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 11:26am

Guzman opts for surgey.

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/03/...

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 12:11pm

wonder what chad fox is up to...

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 12:40pm

Silva is fat, but I am happy to not be concerned with stories like this anymore:

Milton Bradley was ejected Wednesday for arguing a call in the third inning. Bradley was deemed out on a called third strike, then dropped his bat and began taking off his batting gloves. There was only one out at the time, and Mariners skipper Don Wakamatsu thinks Milton was simply confused. "I didn't understand it at all," said Wak. "He can't be ejected on reputation." It is not known whether further punishment is forthcoming.

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 4:40pm

and a couple dozen reporters will be right there to ask him how he feels about it.

Submitted by Jumbo
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 8:27pm

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/316282/Brad...

Found this at USS Mariner. Most think he was done wrong by his quick ejection (and it was quick), but he's done nothing to deserve any breaks anymore.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 12:28am

Looks like a strike, but there's no telling what he could have said "under his breath" loud enough for the ump to hear. Or it could be another over-zealous ump thinking that he got disrespected.

Submitted by Transmission
on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 10:55am

This game actually was aired on the local Fox Sports Net affiliate, I started watching an inning after the ejection. The Rangers broadcasters pointed out that the umpire who ejected him was a 29 year old minor league manager. Their own explanation/defense of the ejection was that he dropped the bat flat over the plate and then just stood there, and that while having words with an ump are common enough, you just don't see a batter stand there in silent protest afterwards. They think it was the unusual nature of Bradley's protest that got him

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 12:11pm

"The Rangers broadcasters pointed out that the umpire who ejected him was a 29 year old minor league manager"

So it wasn't Milton's fault.

Check out a Twilight Zone episode with Billy Mummy as a boy who reads thoughts. If you have a bad thought against him he disposes you to the "corn field"/dead or turns you into a jack-in the box(also classic Simpsons parody). So every one says wonderful things about the boy even though he's an evil little bastard.

Just saying.

Submitted by Transmission
on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 5:13pm

That's one of the few Twilight Zone episodes that I think I've ever seen.

It scared me. I'm very gentle and squeamish.

Yeah, I've always been one of the greater apologists for Bradley around here. But I actually wasn't trying to defend him so much this time. Just saying that it was a young inexperienced guy who (understandably) may have been more concerned about establishing his command of the ballgame.

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 6:55pm

Wasn't slighting you.

Just everyone says he's a great team mate..blah..blah. But he's on his 8th team in 10 years.

Submitted by Transmission
on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 7:06pm

Eh, go ahead and slight me! :)

Submitted by Raisin101
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 2:38pm

Hi Arizona Phil,

Thanks for your wonderful posts.

I am going to Mesa tomorrow and was wondering what time games start at Fitch.

Thanks!

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 2:53pm

Sorry if this 3/44

Paul McCartney may play Wrigley this September-

http://www.maccablog.co.uk/news.php?news=6925

Submitted by QuietMan
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 4:10pm

Lee, Fontenot, Theriot, Ramirez, Fukudome, Byrd, Soriano, Soto, Hill, Nady, Baker

Assuming a 12 man pitching staff, that leaves two spots.

Is it down to Fuld, Colvin, Blanco, Tracy, and Millar for those two spots?

Or is it Fuld and Colvin for one spot. And Blanco, Tracy, and Millar for the other?

And can someone explain to me why Millar is still in the mix here? And I'd like to hear something other than his personality. Even if they go with 11 pitchers, why is Millar being considered?

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 4:27pm

Lou needs a vet he doesn't have to babysit.

If you can't play Colvin everyday have him play AAA.

I would be actively looking to trade DLee(only movable contract,I know he has NTC) because if Colvin is tearing it up in AAA by June, you need to bring him up and put Soriano at first.

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 4:42pm

colvin should be AAA, imo...let him play everyday while he's on a roll.

if soriano to 1st in 2011 is a reality in their minds then it makes even more sense...at least while his bat his hot or he's needed.

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 4:52pm

Soriano at first is going to happen. With his contract and the Cubs having OFers to bring up.

I can't imagine a scenerio with DLee coming back after this season.

Submitted by QuietMan
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 4:59pm

Soriano at 1B after never having played there before?

I understand you can be defensively challenged and still handle 1B. But he was moved out of the infield four years ago for a reason. What happens when he starts making that little hop on every throw to him at 1B?

I don't think Lee will be going anywhere (but what do I know). Colvin played 1B in high school. So he may be a better choice there, if you're talking midseason transition. But I still don't think Lee is going anywhere.

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 5:04pm

1st isn't rocket science. It's a matter of knowing which foot to put behind you on the bag and stopping a ball thrown at you. He's played 2nd before...he could hack it.

DLee is getting old and the chances of him wanting less than 7m bucks (even with a power decline) seems thin without a collapse of his offense. He'll also probably want at least 2-4 years based on his age.

"What happens when he starts making that little hop on every throw to him at 1B?"

extreme humor.

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 9:11pm

"matter of knowing which foot to put behind you on the bag"

Forgot about that, well at least has 5 years to figure it out.

Or Ricketts need to lead the charge to get the DH rule in NL.

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 4:38pm

I think it's the latter. Fuld and Colvin, and perhaps Adduci are battling for the OF spot.

The last spot, given a 5-man bench, would come down to Tracy, Millar, or Blanco.

I would think a 5 man bench would be: Hill, Nady, Outfielder, Baker, and Tracy

I think on paper, Tracy has the edge. He hits LH, can play 1B and 3B, and has experience pinch hitting. And if they are comfortable with Fontenot being the back-up shortstop they'd likely get more value out of Tracy vs. Blanco as far as a bat off of the bench.

The reason Millar is getting a look is that so far Tracy is 4-18, all singles, for a line of .222/.300/.222.

Millar is 5-15, with a 2B and a HR, and has a .333/.545/.600 line this spring.

Granted those are small sample sizes in spring training games, but that's what Lou is seeing. And they are both terrible the last couple of years, so you really have to go on who is doing best now.

Submitted by QuietMan
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 5:22pm

Piniella said that he will make seven or eight cuts from his roster on Friday. And that Esmailin Caridad and Justin Berg are the leaders for a setup role and sixth- or seventh-inning pitcher.

Ramirez sat out again today.

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/i...

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 5:43pm

caridad or berg...

does berg need a cheer-up or something?

i'm not a huge caridad fan, but berg...c'mon...whatever.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 5:51pm

Well if you get upset with Silva and his two pitches, I can just imagine how you feel about Berg.

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 6:56pm

berg at least throws 93-94mph and is slated for pen work...meh control, though.

maybe he's a good guy to have a beer with. if so, he should be the closer.

Submitted by navigator
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 5:57pm

I think this is just Lou's way of telling Hendry to get off his ass and get us some pitching.

Submitted by Ryno
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 5:51pm

Spring training is nice, but I'm on the Silva-is-a-pile-of-turd bandwagon. Thanks, crunch.

Submitted by navigator
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 6:05pm

Jake Fox is kinda blowing it.
2/26 .077 7 SO's so far this spring.

Submitted by John Beasley
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 7:25pm

Still having some connectivity issues. Approx. 8:15 p.m. EST on Thursday.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 12:25am

The site is OK for me, replies to comments getting eaten by a gray candy-cane about 25% of the time. Luckily I don't write anything worth re-writing.

Submitted by Charlie
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 8:40pm

Why don't we have Reed Johnson on the team?

Marlon Byrd better hit enough to make up the salary difference between himself and Reed. And Nady better be a useful pinch hitter.

I have to think a Reed Johnson and Sam Fuld/Tyler Colvin combination would be nearly as productive as Byrd will be, and much cheaper. Why did we not bring him back? (Also, hopefully I'm wrong about Byrd. He does have bigger biceps than Reed, at least. That's gotta be worth something, right?)

Submitted by QuietMan
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 11:09pm

I won't be able to post a source on this. But I seem to recall reading the Cubs were corncerned about Johnson's ability to remain healthy. So they didn't want to pay him what he was seeking at the time. Plus they wanted a middle of the order bat (not saying Byrd is that).

It was probably from one of the two Bruce's, source wise.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 12:26am

Ignoring the fact that Byrd hasn't proven he can play 150 games in a season.

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 12:35am

the power thing is probably a little more important.

reed is now the dodgers 4th OF'r on a 800K contract.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 7:57am

Hey..lol..our last Texas imported outfielder never proved that either...so it'll be nothing new..

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 9:45am

At least this one is cheaper.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 9:51am

Excellent point..I wonder if they'd have thought Colvin could look this good so far...if they'd have signed Byrd maybe to a 1 or2 year del, instead of the Hendry special aka 3-year contract.

Submitted by QuietMan
on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 10:42am

At least there's not a no trade clause (beyond 6/15).

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 12:21pm

To me Byrd is a deluxe fourth outfielder or a starter on a 2nd division team, so if Colvin pushes him to the 4th outfield role, that's not the end of the world, since he'll only make about $650K a year for the three years of Byrd's contract.

Submitted by navigator
on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 12:40pm

I wonder if they'd have thought Colvin could look this good so far...if they'd have signed Byrd maybe to a 1 or2 year del, instead of the Hendry special aka 3-year contract.

Considering the fact that Hendry takes credit for Colvin putting on 25 pounds of muscle this winter you'd think he wouldn't have been surprised that he put on 25 pounds of muscle this winter.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 2:04pm

I would guess talking about the .500 BA and the .750 SLG not how he looks in a bathing suit.

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 9:12pm

Cubs 30 clubs in 30 days starts...March 30.

Submitted by QuietMan
on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 11:22pm

Gregorio Robles, Cubs minor leaguer. Second suspension.

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/03/...

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 12:25am

welcome to release-ville...population that dude.

i dunno crap about him, but he seems to be a swing-at-everything contact hitting OF'r with no power and questionable base stealing skills.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 4:08pm

Also questionable thinking skills.

If you're going to cheat, at least take the drug that they don't test for.

I still say if you're caught cheating the league should cut your arms and legs off. No suspension necessary.

Submitted by Cubster
on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 7:12am

Angel Guzman's shoulder surgery is next tuesday...basically they will tighten up the anterior capsule where the IGHL is embedded (inferior glenohumeral ligament) depending on whether the tissue is detached or just stretched.

Noted surgeon James Andrews will perform the surgery Tuesday in Alabama, then Guzman will begin a lengthy recovery and rehabilitation process.

...Guzman has a badly torn ligament in the shoulder near the armpit. The surgery can't repair the ligament, but it might correct some of the instability in the shoulder.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/...

Submitted by Rob Richardson
on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 11:13am

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?c...

Submitted by QuietMan
on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 12:12pm

B. Parker, J. Stevens, A. Cashner, C. Coleman, T. Diamond, J.R. Mathes, W. Castillo, B. LaHair

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=367241&s...

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 12:22pm

Mild surprises to me are Cashner and Diamond, just because our bullpen seems to be so crappy right now.

Submitted by VirginiaPhil
on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 12:51pm

Maybe the Cubs like the idea of having a plan and sticking to it. I would guess that they see Cashner and Diamond as starters.

I would also guess that Wilken wouldn't draft a pitcher #1 if he thought of him as a reliever, even a closer.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 2:03pm

Sort of similar to Colvin in that regard. I wonder at what point they would finally move him to reliever full time. In either role he's going to need to throw strikes.

Submitted by QuietMan
on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 4:58pm

Cashner's pitching right now against the Sox. Not effectively. But he's still with the big club.

Maybe it's just a prcedural thing. Or with starters going deeper in games, they need to do something to keep Cashner's pitch count up.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 4:07pm

--The group(Baseball Prospectus folks) feels that “we’re about one-fourth of where we want to be in measuring defense.” The BP folks cited John Dewan’s work in the area of defense as “groundbreaking.” The group, however, feels we’re a long way from being able to measure defense really well. They note that UZR (ultimate zone rating, which we cite here from time to time) is “based on incomplete and subjective data.” The good news is that “real data will be here soon,” and that in three years or so, most of today’s metrics will be obsolete.

http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/3656

I hope they recognize that +/- is based on subjective data as well.

Submitted by Sweet Lou
on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 5:20pm

Cubs potentially interested in Boof Bonser

http://www.csnne.com/pages/v1_landing_redsox?...

Submitted by Cubster
on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 7:01pm

from the Crasnik article on Hendry (link in post #62)

Come draft day, Hughes allowed Hendry to sit in the "war room" under the condition that he keep his mouth shut and observe. When several rounds passed and Hughes summoned him to the front of the room, Hendry's heart began pounding like a jackhammer. Did the Marlins need some vital information on a potential draft pick?

"I told him, 'Jim, I hate to do this, but everybody is busy. Would you mind driving down to Publix and picking up some fat-free Fig Newtons?'" Hughes recalled.

Ever the good soldier, Hendry drove to the store and returned with the cookies. Years later, when Hendry was named Cubs general manager, Hughes' secretary sent him a box of fat-free Fig Newtons to commemorate the occasion.

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 03/20/2010 - 1:09am

that's awesome.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Sat, 03/20/2010 - 5:07pm

They left out "the rest of the story" bit where Jim vowed never to eat anything fat-free again after that day.

Submitted by The Joe
on Sat, 03/20/2010 - 5:44pm

Ha ha. I knew there was a fat joke in there somewhere!

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