Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full) 

28 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, and twelve players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 

Last updated 3-26-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 15
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

INFIELDERS: 7
* Michael Busch 
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
* Miles Mastrobuoni
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Cody Bellinger 
Alexander Canario
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, P 
Alexander Canario, OF 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

 



 

Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Opening Day At Wrigley!

HOME OPENER IN-GAME DISCUSSION THREAD [PARACHAT] ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (3-0) AT CHICAGO CUBS (1-1) WRIGLEY FIELD 1:20 CDT, TV: WGN-TV WEATHER: 40 degrees, overcast, wind blowing in 25 MPH CARDINALS: David Eckstein, SS Juan Encarnacion, RF Albert Pujols, 1B Jim Edmonds, CF Scott Rolen, 3B So Taguchi, LF Gary Bennett, C Aaron Miles, 2B Jeff Suppan, P CUBS Juan Pierre, CF Neifi Perez, 2B Derrek Lee, 1B Aramis Ramirez, 3B Jacque Jones, RF Michael Barrett, C Matt Murton. LF Ronny Cedeno, SS Greg Maddux, P Albert Pujols is 10-24 with 3 HR lifetime versus Maddux Jacque Jones is 11-31 with 4 HR and 9 BB lifetime vs Suppan Derrek Lee is 12-25 with 4 2B, 2 HR, and 7 BB lifetime vs Suppan

Comments

"Jerry Hairston is only 2-for-19 against Suppan, and I think we'll need Neifi's defense with Greg on the mound," Baker said. Yay for using ridiculously small sample sizes.

Well, in this case it's somewhat defensible to start Neifi, since he has to start on occasion. But hitting second...*sigh*.

My idea- Bat Barrett second today, move every one up and bat Neifi 8th. Call me crazy. Has anyone been watching the free Major League ticket on cable? THe Seattle broadcast team were entertaining. I almost ordered it for that. And when the Dodgers were on they had the Braves broadcast, bummer because I was hoping to hear Vin. Go Cubs!!!

Isn't Neifi's defensive prowess somewhat diminished when playing 2B instead of SS? Is there really any justification in playing him today over Hairston, besides the inane use of 19 AB as a performance prediction?

As has been mentioned here dozens of times, batting Neifi in the 2-hole is unforgivable. Just absurd. Over-under on DPs he hits into today with Pierre on base in front of him: 1. I'll take the over.

DLEE!!! WOOT!!!

Neifi is fast? He was out by ten feet on a hit in the hole.

Woot!!! 1-0 Cubbies! Too bad nobody was on in front of him. Yeah... lineup construction means nothing. *cough*

Neifi was out on a slow roller up the middle with a weak throw by the second baseman. Other than Pierre, and to an extent Lee, this entire team is very slow. Having speed in Pagan and Bynum doesn't mean anything since neither will ever get playing time.

Kaspar says the Cub infield grass is new this year. But is it different? Different blend? Mowed shorter? Harder base? Wrigley's grass has traditionally been long, tough and thick stuff, not because the Cubs necessarily wanted it that way but more likely because the Bears played there for fifty years.

The grass- It's hybrid of California Sachawee and Kentucky Blue grass.

Why in the HELL is neifi batting 2nd. Why not bat Murton 2nd. Another Dlee hr. Sorry ANOTHER DLEE 1 RUN HR.

Did anyone see Maddux' home/away split last year? He was 3-10 at home and 10-5 on the road. So let's get him as many home starts as possible this year. Same thing with Rusch, Dusty wanted him to face the Cincy lefties - lefties hit .333 off Rusch last year. Dusty has a likeable personality, but it only takes a couple of games to be fondly reminded of how bad of a manager he is. Murton (or Barrett) should be hitting second. Neifi should only hit 8th. His lack of speed and mlb-worst obp kill a team at the top of the order. He still has value, and should get a lot of playing time at ss, but always hitting eighth. Plus, Dusty told reporters that Blanco was catching. Was he a last minute health scratch or is Dusty second guessing himself already?

The grass- It's hybrid of California Sachawee and Kentucky Blue grass. ________________ The great thing about it is, you can play 36 holes on it by day... Somebody had to pick you up.

I propose we start the "Neifi-2-Hole-Missed-Run" Count: Every run missed by Neifi striking or grounding out while batting anywhere above 8th counts. Anybody wanna wager what the tally will be at the end of the season? I'm too nauseated to try to guess.

I have no problems with neifi even starting at 2nd every time maddux pitches BUT JUST PLEASE DONT BAT HIM SECOND :(

cedeno comes thru!

I don't have any problems with Neifi starting at 2nd behind MadDog either... It's just when he bats anything other than 8th that bothers me.

Wowie, the kids came through. What's with the lake on the warning track?

Good job Cedeno! Too bad he will be benched tomorrow for Neifi, who will then bat 8th like everyone wished.

You're right, Badguy, Maddux does look very sharp today. Hopefully he can go deep.

who is singing the 7th inning today?

Manny is at the game. I thought I'd help him out.

Ray Meyer's family is signing the 7th Inning Stretch.

Big Murt with a surprisingly beautiful throw to nail Encarnacion! The Professor still looking sharp, in spite of a long bottom-3rd and the cold weather...

That was an incredible play by Murton. Of course, that means he will be sitting for two games to rest his rookie arm.

Was it a hit run or did Encarnion fall? Murton grow Ellis Valentine's arm?

Cedeno is really earning that day off tomorrow.

Can someone explain what happened with the double play?

thanks i could get used to this "scoring every inning" business...

dave pat hughes didnt mention anything about encarnacion running with the pitch, but did say he was near 2nd when murton caught the ball. one-hop throw got him at first.

Cards are playing pretty poorly today. Baserunning mistakes, untimely errors - they've caught Cubs-itis!

Nice to see the strong throw from Cedeno on the DP. Hopefully the spring throwing problems were a aberration.

Encarnacion was PAST second when the ball was caught. That was the dumbest baserunning goof I've seen in a while.

Hey, this is a little late, but when Maddux sacrificed Cedeno over to second in the boottom of the fourth, that was a perfect model of baseball execution. You knew, you just KNEW that he was faking the bunt and was going to pull back and swing, but he executed it well enough to get the guy over. The fans behind the Cubs dugout gave him a very nice cheer on his way in. You won't often see somebody get cheered for a non-run-scoring sacrifice, but it was good to see the fans acknowledge the veteran savvy of Maddux.

To anyone who is watching, how does the "new" Wrigley look?

I've watched the last 2 cardinals games and have decided that Juan Encarnacion may be one of the worst baserunners in baseball... In yesterday's game, on a hit and run, there was a lazy popup in short center that Rollins had plenty of time to get to; the play was in front of Encarnacion and he nearly got doubled off (and he had plenty of time to get back); Rollins was just slow getting the ball to first.

Bleachers look very modern.... Also looks like a drunk fan is going to fall over the back of Wrigley at some point...

Man...it is really nice to Maddux pitch well. 6 ip, 74 pitches, just 3 hits. That is beautiful, vintage Maddux. Great to see.

Bulldog is hitting, so hopefully he can get through the 7th.

Wrigley looks pretty good on TV. Showed some folks on the street in RF watching throughthe fence - seemed pretty neat. On the DP with Encanaricon, Murton was running back to the wall and all of a sudden the wind knocked the ball down and he had to stop and actually lunged a little back toward the IF to make the catch. The runner was already at 2nd base. He might not have expected such a strong throw from Murton. By the way, you can't have a sacrifice when you swing at the ball as Maddog did. The strong throw by Cedeno on the alst DP was accompanied by a strong throw by Neifi. IMO Walker doesn't make that play because he is slow getting rid of the ball on plays like that.

Now that the chain link fences are gone, you could just lean a large ladder against the outside wall and get right in the park.

I hear they're installing large buckets of boiling oil to fend off the barbarians storming at the gate.

thanks Walt for the explanation. Fred- I believe Wrigley will station their 80 year old ushers at the top of the fence and pour hot melted nacho cheese on you if you make that attempt.(see Lord of the Rings sequels) But they nap frequently, so timing is everything.

Looks like I shouldn't have said anything about Maddux pitching well...

A ladder may cost more, but you could use it a bunch of times. Of course, a zip line from one of the rooftops would be cooler.

who is warming up in the bullpen right now?

Go Brewers

why is larussa letting bennett hit here? it will be a long year for the cards if bennett/molina is the #7 guy...

scoreboard...look at their bench. It is not like they have a great options sitting on the bench.

its funny - sometimes listening to Pat and Ron, when there is a play of any magnitude, good or bad, Ron will just shout nonsense words (WOH! GAW!) at a volume that drowns out Pat's actual call. I had to wait a minute for Pat to detail the play to learn that Jones made a good catch and not a bad error.

miles/spivey/whoever playing 2nd are just as bad as hitters as bennett/molina; so damned if you do, damned if you don't. At least neither of them is batting 2nd..(as neifi reaches bases again)

As much as I love to see 3 hits out of the #2 spot, I can't stand the fact that all three were bloopers/lucky bounces, and yet Dusty will give Neifi more chances to hit there regardless.

I told you guys my Neifi could hit. 3 hits today - makes me want to sing! "Three coins in a fountain, each one seeking happiness..."

53 of 66: By Walt (April 7, 2006 03:59 PM) The strong throw by Cedeno on the alst DP was accompanied by a strong throw by Neifi. IMO Walker doesn't make that play because he is slow getting rid of the ball on plays like that. --- Agreed. Neifi turned that one quickly and smoothly. He's having a good game.

they have encarnacion batting 2nd...yuck. I think they are going to be hard-pressed to win 90 games this year, along with the brewers and cubs. will be an ugly dogfight.

Woohoo...how about Howry. Something tells me that this bullpen is going to be really good this year.

Man, all they did was move Corey to RF and change his number. Jones sucks.

I wonder how long it'll be until Jones gets a hit...

Did anyone else read that Dusty will be his "own agent" in his contract talks? Please just for the comedy value be true.

What a great game so far. Did Barrett have problems with hitting into double plays last year? He certainly seems to this year. At least some of the guys seem capable of working the count, and Cedeno and Murton, back to back, are capable of working together to create a few runs.

This isn't a save situation, but it's still a big test for Dempster, facing the heart of the Cardinal's offense.

CUBS WIN!

CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN! Nice to have a bullpen that can finish.

Cubs win!! Defense, pitching, small ball... great game!

Nice win. The Cubs played very well in all aspects of the game, and if not for three GIDP the score might have been more lopsided.

A ladder may cost more, but you could use it a bunch of times. - Not if you use it to sneak into Wrigley.

Nice game. Catch you guys later, have a great weekend.

Who needs a ladder? Grappling hook all the way.

#73, You're wrong, that's not all the Cubs have done here. They've also doubled his salary and given him a guaranteed three year contract. By the time the contract expires, JJ will be looked upon as the worst signing of the Hendry era. Anyway, for today at least, all is good in Wrigleyville.

GREAT GAME TODAY! Haven't seen anyone mention the ATTEMPTED SQUEEZE! Cedeno on 3rd, Pierre almost got him home (fouled it barely), then had a single anyway! I can't remember the last time Dusty did that. You may remember LaRussa did it 3X successfully against us last year! Also - I have 4 Upper Deck Box for Tue and Wed. FACE. Sec 406/407 (right on the edge), 4th row. E

"when there is a play of any magnitude, good or bad, Ron will just shout nonsense words (WOH! GAW!) at a volume that drowns out Pat's actual call". Ham, what you have to do is interpret the tone of Ron's voice. With a little practice, you can tell what's going on by determining whether you're hearing Happy Ron or Sad Ron: the former cries have a rising tone, sometimes to the point of cracking, while the latter sounds like he's choking down an obscenity. My daughter once called Ron "The Voice of the Id", which pretty much sums it up.

E-Man, Agreed on the attempted suicide squeeze. I am not a fan of bunting but it is good to signal early that we have that tool in our arsenal this season. It will cause infielders to guard for it in similar situations. When was the last time a team had to worry about a suicide squeeze by the Cubs?

may we take unto our breasts the game won today. nurture it, attach to it, so it becomes 120 games one day. as it sucks from our teets colustrum at first, assure it to latch on for that is the worst. next will come milk brewed from my loins, and from this it can earn championship coins. drink it all down, down to the last drop, licking my nipple unitl i beg it to stop.

may we take unto our breasts the game won today. nurture it, attach to it, so it becomes 120 games one day. as it sucks from our teets colustrum at first, assure it to latch on for that is the worst. next will come milk brewed from my loins, and from this it can earn championship coins. drink it all down, down to the last drop, licking my nipple unitl i beg it to stop.

Way uncool. That kind of talk may be common on the southside, but not here.

justin: lol

to all of those who were at the game and are complaining it is too cold. it's 95 degrees and humid where I am at....and its 7.

NEIFI HAD 3 HITS. NEIFI HAD 3 HITS. NEIFI HAD 3 HITS. there, somebody had to point that out since none of you fucking cowards would except for bluedog who only vaguely alluded to it. i will be lighting incense and doing some buddhist chanting for murtons sake so the kid gets some more hits rather than walks and groundouts before dusty sits HIS ass.

Great win Today! Does anyone know if they are going to annouce the Hendry re-up tommrrow? I know STL has a few injuries and dissapointments but still if your 6-8 guys were planning on being Bigbie, Spivey, and Yadi Molina I dont know why everyone thinks their a "shoe-in" to 3 peat as Division champs. I think somewhere bewteen 86-88 games will win this division and it will be a 3-team dog fight bewtten us, STL, and MIL. If Hou is somehow able to retain Clemens (though I would handi cap the sitution as 2:1 Retirement, 5:1 Red Sox, 15:1 a Texas team) they would probly be in the mix assuming there are 100% healthy.

From previous thread... MikeC: "Seriously if Neifi is batting #2, our manager needs to be fired ASAP. He didn't learn from last year and will never learn." And in perfect timing, Neifi goes 3-4 with a run today... PRICELESS!!! In Dusty We Trusty!!!

My OBP may suck but I've hit .287 as a Cub :) I'm not as horrible as some people think.

CUBS WIN!!! CUBS WIN!!!! Great game at the old ballpark today. It was FREEZING, but still it was Opening Day. Can't beat it!! And on top of it all the Cubs looked AWESOME. Maddux looked great, Howry and Dempster were lights out. Jones (diving catch) and Murton (great catch and DP) made two very nice plays in the OF. Oh yeah, some guy batting 2nd in the lineup had 3 hits today, not sure who he was, but if I recall all last night and at the beggnning of this thread people were crying about it. Lee hit a MONSTER shot into a HUGE wind for the HR in the 1st. I loved the squeeze attempt. Even had a hit and run with Neifi/Lee. The only thing I did not like was Cedeno's defense. He had a bad throw early in the game that Lee had to pick out of the dirt and had a play alter that he should of made but bobbled and made a bad throw. Luckily they called it a hit. But he made up for it with his bat today. OVerall, very nice day.... CUBS WIN!! In Dusty We Trusty!!!

Oh yeah, Jacos, thanks for the shout out earlier... I got an extra ticket for the April 25th night game vs. FL. If you are interested, you can come and sit with me in my seasons for the game (wife isn't intersted in a night game taht early in the season). Just face value ($22) and you get to sit next to me for the entire game, can't beat that, huh?? Either shoot me an email or post on a thread here to let me know. Thanks man!!!

This coming from the guy who supported Neifi in the middle of his 3 month .240 hitting spree. You know you are coming off looking like a fool right?

MikeC: "You know you are coming off looking like a fool right?" No more foolish that you my man....Have a good night!!

Neifi having 3/4 is a curse in disguise of course. I won $114 on my $2 bet on my first trip ever to a horse track. Never really won again. These early successes by Neifi can have a lasting bad effect.

Neifi-bench guy is totally different than Neifi-play every day until he slumps guy. When he slumps he doesn't track the ball to the bat. You can see the replays when he's slumping, he's looking off into the distance and has no idea where he's swinging. He looked good making contact and lifting the ball. What an offense today. Last year I remember thinking, oh brother, Hollandsworth... K-Pat... Dubois... _______(fill in the blank) is up, there goes the inning. Considering how well Suppan was pitching, and he didn't miss his spot too many times, it was a great day for our Cubbie offense. 3-way tie for 2nd in runs-scored: Braves: 28 (4 games) Cubs: 27 (3 games) Indians: 27 (4 games) Tigers: 27 (3 games)

I am sure everyone loves your Nanny Nanny Boo Boo rants.

MIKEC: "I am sure everyone loves your Nanny Nanny Boo Boo rants." Just as much as I am sure they love you coming after me for everything just because you dislike me. :)

Superjimmer- You might have a very good point, if Neifi was an everyday starter. But at this point and barring any injuries or MAJOR slumps, that ain't happeneing. Neifi will get his Ab's just like all the bench guys will. that is Dusty's style, but Walker will get teh bulk at 2B with Neifi and Hairston splitting time for back up duties and Neifi will get back up duties for Cedeno and when that happens, he might very well bat lower in the lineup where Cedeno bats. We will have to see, but I hope people are happy that Neifi did well today.

Manny, I am happy that there was a Ne!f! sighting today. Like the majority, though, that fact that he was in the two slot to begin with is scary. Too many memories of the late season Ne?F? that followed early season Ne!f!.

I was at the game today too -- I was lucky enough to gravy train on some ridiculous seats (Sec 27 row 4). My thoughts... It was absurdly cold. I had gloves on and could barely feel the beer(s) in my hand(s) -- no idea how pitchers can pitch in this. No exaggeration, DLee's HR was the hardest hit HR I have seen in person in my life. With no wind that thing would have been headed way across Waveland; with the wind blowing out, several buildings would have been knocked over and dozens of people would have been killed. The wind knocked that thing down, like a brick wall. The changes to the bleachers are pretty much unnoticeable unless you are looking for them. They did a great job with that. From the outside they look great, too. The center field batters eye Darth Vader lounge thing looks cool --better than the bushes. Cedeno is a blast to watch -- he seems really excited and confident all at once. Neifi batting second is inexcusable, but that's not breaking news. I fear that Dusty will feel validated by his 3-4 performance in the 2 slot and we will see it again. I have a feeling that Dusty still has a boner against Walker. He publicly shat on him, saying that we need defense today so Walker can't play (obnoxious). And remember how pissed Walker was last year not to start the home opener? That day means a lot to Walker, and Dusty knows it.

So Lee set a deadline of Saturday morning for a deal, and this was a surprise to Hendry? Not a good development. Story is on cubs.com.

433: "I have a feeling that Dusty still has a boner against Walker. He publicly shat on him, saying that we need defense today so Walker can't play (obnoxious). And remember how pissed Walker was last year not to start the home opener? That day means a lot to Walker, and Dusty knows it." Actually Hendry is the one with more of a boner after him (he wanted to trade him and Dusty has said Walker will be playing most). But if Walker has a problem with Dusty picking someone in a game like today because of defense, maybe he should work on it more. Neifi was the right choice today if defense was the key. Batting him 2nd?? To me is shouldn't be a big deal and oh yeah, he went 3 for 4. This is one game that Neifi started over Walker, if it happens 5-6 times this month, then start crying, but till then, people should relax.

433: "So Lee set a deadline of Saturday morning for a deal, and this was a surprise to Hendry? Not a good development. Story is on cubs.com." I heard that on the post game show on the way home. If Hendry does not get an extenstion before tomorrow, he is REALLY dropping the ball. Unless Lee is asking for more money then Konerko, he should be signed with NO EXCUSES!!!! And I don't blame Lee at all for not wanting to get this done or put it off. It can become very distracting.

I wouldn't blame Dusty or Hendry for holding a grudge against Walker after the stuff Walker said this year -- it's just interesting to see Dusty tweak him so blatantly and publicly. Walker is what he is: a very good hitting, slightly below average fielding 2B. I don't see that changing much at this stage of his career no matter what he works on. I also don't have a problem with Neifi starting today (other than batting second) -- that's what he's there for, to spot start once in a while. I just think it's interesting that Dusty threw Walker under the bus. There seems to be a love/hate thing going on.

did i miss something? what did baker do to walker lately?

Agreed, if Hendry doesn't get Lee signed now, that's a huge mistake, all on Hendry. He can't let that happen unless Lee is asking for the moon.

Crunch -- nothing huge, he just mentioned how Walker wasn't starting today because he can't play defense, basically. Not a major thing but an unneccessary comment, which leads me to believe he doesn't mind tweaking the guy. Also, Walker was on record last year as being very pissed for not starting the home opener, and Dusty did it again. By the way, this may all be a good motivational tool for Walker, who knows. Dusty knows him, I don't.

433: "Walker is what he is: a very good hitting, slightly below average fielding 2B. I don't see that changing much at this stage of his career no matter what he works on." I do agree with that 100%, but he needs to understand games when maddux is itching, then he might not be starting. If Hairston wasn't 2-19 against Suppan, then Dusty implied he would of started.

Just in case you all haven't noticed, the White Sox are in the midst of blowing a 6-0 lead to the KC Royals tonight. They are currently losing 11-7 now going into teh 9th inning. What a great day Cubs look great, beating the Cardinals. And the White Sox choke it up...

How the hell hard can it be to sign Derrek. You give the Savior whatever he wants. He should have been the MVP last year. MVP means most valuable player, meaning his salary will be among the top in the league anyways.

I agree, Hendry has to make this happen. But he has a great track record for spring re-signings, which makes me a little nervous that Lee and/or his agent may be asking for too much -- probably in terms of total years, as Lee doesn't seem like a greedy $$ guy.

Ryno- Hendry doesn't like to pay for top dollar for a player. Thus why he has never signed a top flight FA. You can even look at the weak contract he signed ARam to with an 100% out after this season. Hendry might be a good judge of talent and might of made a couple good trades, but when it comes to negotiating or contract making, he is absolutely horrible. Maybe the Cubs should hire someone else to do that part of his job. Oh yeah...SOX LOSE!! SOX LOSE!!!

Oh yeah, today was the first step to the coming back to reality for Jon Garland. He had a fluke season last year and is only a .500 pitcher. He had one good half of baseball in his career. He was .500 in the 2nd half last year. Today he was 5.1 IP, 10 hits, 9 ER (15.19 ERA)and 2 BB.

Manny, While I agree with your sentiment about the whole Sox losing thing, at this point, who cares? They so got over on us last year and until we win the World Series they have scoreboard on us. They can go 0 - 162 and it still won't matter. It still makes me sick to this day. I often asked people "You know the who saying about if a tree fell in the forest and no one was around to hear it, would it make a noise? Well, if the Sox won the World Series, would anybody care?" Well I guess I got that answer and its a resonding yes. Cause I care and it depresses me every freaking day of my life.

C'mon Chad its just a game the White Sox winning the world series shouldn't depress you every day of your life. I can admit I was jealous but I'm over it now.

Chad: "While I agree with your sentiment about the whole Sox losing thing, at this point, who cares?" I understand your thoughts about that. But if I recall, you don't live in Chicago, right? Living here and dealing with Sox fans everyday might change your mind. But I agree I should not care about them, but I do. And I was jealous, still am jealous and I am NOT over it. Only a WS title would get me over it and truthfully if the Cubs win a WS this year, it would be VERY sweet, but slightly less sweet as the White Sox already won it last year.

CHAD- I agree, it hurts me too, every time I see someone wearing the WS hat, I want to crawl into a hole. Damn we better win that thing. CUBS '06~ 161-1 isn't a bad record ar all.

I am not worried about this Lee thing, its probably his camp's attempt to get a little xtra out of Hendry. Anyways I would prefer to see if 2005 D-lee is the real one before we pay him 15+ mil a year. Manny on the Sox losing streak it really does not matter cause the jackass fans of theirs are still going to talk about how they won the WS first. Honestly I'll be happy the day Gio Gonzalez wins the NL CY Young and Chris Young wins the NL MVP and all they had to show for devloping those guys was a broken down slugger and a .500 pitcher.

*It's hybrid of California Sachawee and Kentucky Blue grass.* Uhhh, Jacos...it's "California Sensemilla" and Kentucky Bluegrass. Kids these days...

NO. "This is a hybrid, a cross, uh, Bluegrass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Featherbed Bent and uh, Northern California Sensimilla. The amazing stuff about this is, you can go out and play 36 holes on it in the afternoon, take it home and just get stoned to the bejeezus belt that night on this stuff. Here, I got pounds of this." If you are going to quote the best movie ever made, at least get the quote right. Its your duty as an American.

If they annouce the Hendry extension on the same day Hendry announces that he couldn't sign Lee - Uh well that would be frickin TYPICAL for the most dysfunctional and losingest org in sports. Seriously, think about that. I wonder if Lee's agent played that card in announcing the deadline? Should be worth a few million actually.

"Hendry doesn't like to pay for top dollar for a player. Thus why he has never signed a top flight FA. You can even look at the weak contract he signed ARam to with an 100% out after this season. Hendry might be a good judge of talent and might of made a couple good trades, but when it comes to negotiating or contract making, he is absolutely horrible. Maybe the Cubs should hire someone else to do that part of his job." -- Manny, you're such a fucking simpleton. You'd be the first to complain if Hendry paid someone over market value and they came up injured or under-performed. Paying Furcal $13mil. means D-Lee likely negotiates for $15mil. and A-Ram gets a huge raise. Maybe the Cubs should find someone else to do the managing part of Dusty's job. He's pretty horrible at that... they can still pay him $4mil. to keep everyone cool.

J-Damn- Thanks for the catch. Maybe Lee can get Dusty to renegotiate his contract.

Saturday's Sun-Tmes on the Cubs situation at second: "After Walker started the first two games in Cincinnati and got a total of four hits and played solid defense, Neifi Perez started at second Friday based on the concept that Greg Maddux would induce St. Louis into enough grounders that the Cubs needed Perez's greater range." Bravo Rob G! OK, you wanted JHJ instead of Neifi, but still - the concept is the same. Could Dusty be lurking on TCR?

Big John Stud: "Manny, you're such a fucking simpleton." Thanks man, love you too...

I agree with Big John Stud. How does one say that Hendry can't negotiate a good contract? What do we know about what is going on behind closed doors? If someone's demands are unreasonable I expect my GM to say NO. The simple fact that a contract hasn't been made does not mean Hendry is inept at negotiating anything. Maybe if more GM's held the line the game wouldn't have the rediculous ticket prices we have now.

Uh Walt. I agree we don't know what is up with behind the scenes contracts BUT it sounds a little weird to put Cubs and reduced ticket prices and gate revenue back to back. The Cubs are a finely tuned and marketed money making machine. They are not afraid to insitute their own scalping system and are adding seats and revenue while raising prices AND lowering their payroll this year. I just don't think that Hendry is all about saving money for baseball and the fans. Maybe making money for the Cubs. Which doesn't necessarily mean he is out to sign big contracts with any intensity at all or the goal of winning. I think he wants to win BUT I think he wants to make money for his bosses even more and that motivates his fearfulness in spending.

hendry has the money to sign lee...he has budget left...there is no big bad tribune breathing down his neck. he still has millions THIS year and there's little indication he'll have less to spend next season. hendry is not the CEO of the trib, nor does he care about their stock price...the trib doesnt have him or mcphail under a stranglehold. hendry's trying to run a roster. has the trib EVER been this hands off since they bought the team as theyve been the past 5-10 years? i don't remember a time. its not the 80s/early90s anymore...theyre practically a silent pocketbook. not signing a guy doesnt mean there's some big money conspiracy or we're suddenly gonna find out hendry hold 3m shares of Trib. the cubs "money machine" isnt a blip compared to the media and syndication outlets they own.

OK, you wanted JHJ instead of Neifi, but still - the concept is the same. Could Dusty be lurking on TCR? Posted by: Brown Line I don't understand your comment Brown Line. Dusty was talking about doing this weeks ago. He always has "good" reasons for inserting NP in the lineup and a ground ball pitcher is one of them. Neifi's .290 Batting Average at Wrigley is another.

ALL IS EXPLAINED: The Tribune Co. Chairman, President and CEO Dennis FitzSimons is a Mets fan.

hahahah

OK. This a very belated posting with comments from the ballpark on Opening Day, but I had to send this. My family attended the game last Friday. We drove in from Michigan. It was their first opening day and my first since 1971 (also vs. the Cards- Gibson vs. Jenkins; 2-1 Cubs in 10 innings; 1 hour and 58 minutes). I've been bringing my wife to Cubs games since 1984. She had NEVER seen a Cubs home win in 23 years. 0-13 at Wrigley, and she's got Cubs fever worse than I do. (She's 1-1 on the road with a loss in Montreal and a win in Pittburgh) Despite the bitter cold, wind, and overpaying for game tickets and a hotel room, we finally broke the home curse. Great game. My wife finally bought the "W" flag that she's been promising herself for YEARS (but only when the Cubs finally won at home for her). It hangs in her classroom (she's a High School teacher) and she's been smiling year to ear since last week. The pressure is off now and the Cubs are free to win the whole enchilada... We'll be back for 3 more games and can't wait for an encore of Opening Day.

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Javier Assad started the Lo-A game (Myrtle Beach versus Stockton) on the Cubs backfields on Wednesday as his final Spring Training tune-up. He was supposed to throw five innings / 75 pitches. However, I was at the minor league road games at Fitch so I didn't see Assad pitch. 

  • crunch (view)

    cards put j.young on waivers.

    they really tried to make it happen this spring, but he put up a crazy bad slash of .081/.244/.108 in 45PA.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Seconded!!!

  • crunch (view)

    another awesome spring of pitching reports.  thanks a lot, appreciated.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Here are the Cubs pitchers reports from Tuesday afternoon's Cardinals - Cubs game art Sloan Park in Mesa:

    SHOTA IMANAGA
    FB: 90-92 
    CUT: 87-89 
    SL: 82-83 
    SPLIT: 81-84
    CV: 73-74 
    COMMENT: Worked three innings plus two batters in the fourth... allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits (six singles and two doubles) walked one, and struck out six (four swinging), with a 1/2 GO/AO... he threw 73 pitches (52 strikes - 10 swing & miss - 19 foul balls)... surrendered one run in the top of the 1st on a one-out double off Cody Bellinger's glove in deep straight-away CF followed one out later by two consecutive two-out bloop singles, allowed two runs (one earned) in the 2nd after retiring the first two hitters (first batter had a nine-pitch AB with four consecutive two-strike foul balls before being retired 3 -U) on a two-out infield single (weak throw on the run by Nico Hoerner), a hard-contact line drive RBI double down the RF line, and an E-1 (missed catch) by Imanaga on what should been an inning-ending 3-1 GO, gave up another run in the 3rd on a two-out walk on a 3-2 pitch and an RBI double to LF, and two consecutive singles leading off the top of the 4th before being relieved (runners were ultimately left stranded)... threw 18 pitches in the 1st inning (14 strikes - two swing & miss, one on FB and the other on a SL - four foul balls), 24 pitches in the 2nd inning (17 strikes - three swing & miss, one on FB, two SPLIT - six foul balls), 19 pitches in the 3rd inning (13 strikes - seven swing & miss, three on SL, two on SPLIT, one on FB - three foul balls), and 12 pitches without retiring a batter in the top of the 4th (8 strikes - no swing & miss - four foul balls)... Imanaga throws a lot of pitches per inning, but it's not because he doesn't throw strikes...  if anything, he throws too many strikes (he threw 70% strikes on Tuesday)... while he gets a ton of swing & miss (and strikeouts), he also induces a lot of foul balls because he doesn't try to make hitters chase his pitches by throwing them out of the strike zone... rather, he uses his very diverse pitch mix to get swing & miss (and lots of foul balls as well)... he also is a fly ball pitcher who will give up more than his share of HR during the course of the season...   
     
    JOE NAHAS
    FB: 90-92 
    SL: 83-85 
    CV: 80-81 
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day... relieved Imanaga with runners at first and second and no outs in the top of the 4th, and after an E-2 catcher's interference committed by Miguel Amaya loaded he bases, Nahas struck out the side (one swinging & two looking)... threw 16 pitches (11 strikes - two swinging)...   

    YENCY ALMONTE
    FB: 89-92 
    CH: 86 
    SL: 79 
    COMMENT: Threw an eight-pitch 5th (five strikes - no swing & miss), with a 5-3 GO for the first out and an inning-ending 4-6-3 DP after a one-out single... command was a bit off but he worked through it...   

    FRANKIE SCALZO JR
    FB: 94-95
    CH: 88 
    SL: 83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 6th inning... got the first outs easily (a P-5 and a 4-3 GO) on just three pitches, before allowing three consecutive two-out hard-contact hits (a double and two singles), with the third hit on pitch # 9 resulting in a runner being thrown out at the plate by RF Christian Franklin for the third out of the inning... 

    MICHAEL ARIAS
    FB: 94-96
    CH: 87-89
    SL: 82-83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and allowed a hard-contact double on the third pitch of the 7th inning (a 96 MPH FB), and the runner came around to score on a 4-3 GO and a WP... gave up two other loud contact outs (an L-7 and an F-9)... threw 18 pitches (only 10 strikes - only one swing & miss)... stuff is electric but still very raw and he continues to have difficulty commanding it, and while he has the repertoire of a SP, he throws too many pitches-per-inning to be a SP and not enough strikes to be a closer... he is most definitely still a work-in-progress...   

    ZAC LEIGH: 
    FB: 93-94 
    CH: 89 
    SL: 81-83 
    CV: 78
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and tossed a 1-2-3 8th (4-3 GO, K-swinging on a sweeper, K-looking on another sweeper)... threw 14 pitches (11 strikes - one swing & miss - eight foul balls)... kept pumping pitches into the strike zone but had difficulty putting hitters away (ergo a ton of foul balls)... FB velo is nowhere near the 96-98 MPH it was a couple of years ago when he was a Top 30 prospect, but his secondaries are better...   

    JOSE ROMERO:  
    FB: 93-95
    SL: 82-84
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 9th (14 pitches - only six strikes- no swing & miss) and allowed a solo HR after two near-HR fly outs to the warning track, before getting a 3-1 GO to end the inning... it was like batting practice when he wasn't throwing pitches out of the strike zone...

  • crunch (view)

    pablo sandoval played 3rd and got a couple ABs (strikeout, single!) in the OAK@SF "exhibition"

    mlb officially authenticated the ball of the single he hit.  nice.

    he's in surprisingly good shape considering his poor body condition in his last playing seasons.  he's not lean, but he looks healthier.  good for him.

  • crunch (view)

    dbacks are signing j.montgomery to a 1/25m with a vesting 20m player option.

    i dunno when the ink officially dries, but i believe if he signs once the season begins he can't be offered a QO...and i'm not sure if that thing with SD/LAD in korea was the season beginning, either.

  • crunch (view)

    sut says imanaga getting the home opener at wrigley (game 4 of the season).

  • crunch (view)

    cubs rolling out the who's who of "who the hell is this guy?" in the last spring game.

  • videographer (view)

    AZ Phil, speaking of Jordan Wicks having better command when he tires a bit, I remember reading about Dennis Lamp 40 years ago and his sinker that was better after 3 or 4 innings when he would tire a bit and get more sink with a little less speed on the pitch.  The key for Lamp was getting to the 4th inning.