Bard, Russell, and Denorfia Get Pre-Game Reps at Extended Spring Training

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Wed, 04/08/2015 - 3:01pm

Adonis Paula singled twice, stole a base, and drove-in a run, Kevonte Mitchell singled twice and scored a run, and Carlos Sepulveda smacked a solo home run, in Cubs Extended Spring Training intrasquad game action this morning on Field #5 at Mesa CubTown at Riverview Park. 

The game was called after 4-1/2 innings with the score tied 2-2. (All three Extended Spring Training intrasquad games played this week have ended in a tie)

RHP (ex-C) Mark Malave finally made his game debut as a pitcher, throwing a shutout inning (4-3, 3-1, BB, 4-6 FC). I didn't see anthing special with his stuff, although he throws both a two-seam fastball and a curve (and the curve might be his best pitch). Malave received a reported $1.6M bonus when he was signed by the Cubs as a 16-year old switch-hitting catcher out of Venezuela in July 2011, the highest bonus ever given by the Cubs to an international amateur free-agent up to that point in time. He was moved almost immediately to 3rd base, and then he was moved back to catcher again (and gave up switch-hitting to hit only RH) after the 2013 season. He struggled offensively throughout his pro career as a postion player (248/347/305 in 141 career minor league games and 560 career minor league PA), and then was converted to a pitcher at Minor League Camp last month.       

In Cubs minor league roster news, RHP Daniel Bard (signed to a minor league contract during the off-season with an NRI to Spring Training, then couldn't throw strikes) and ex-Cubs LHP James Russell (signed to a minor league contract by the Cubs this morning after being released by the Atlanta Braves last week) have been assigned to Extended Spring Training. Both pitchers threw morning bullpen side-sessions but did not pitch in the game. Rehabbers RHP Dylan Cease (2014 TJS), RHP Trey Masek (2014 shoulder surgery), and RHP Austin Reed (2014 TJS) also threw bullpen side-sessions this morning.  

Chicago Cubs OF Chris Denorfia (15-day DL - hamstring) took BP on Field #6 prior to the game.  

Here is the box score from the game: 


SQUAD "A" LINEUP: 
1. Kevonte Mitchell, CF: 2-3 (1B, 5-3, 1B, R)
2. Frandy de la Rosa, 2B: 1-3 (1B, 5-3, F-9, R)  
3. Bryant Flete, SS: 0-2 (4-3, K) 
4. Eloy Jimenez, RF: 1-2 (5-3, 1B, RBI)
5. Adonis Paula, 3B: 2-2 (1B, 1B, RBI, SB)
6. Tyler Alamo, 1B: 0-2 (FC, K) 
7. Ricardo Marcano, LF: 0-2 (L-8, 4-3) 
8. Miguel Rico, DH #1: 0-2 (5-3, 4-3) 
9. Jordan Hankins, DH #2: 0-2 (K, L-6) 
10. Eric Gonzalez, C: 0-2 (3-U, 5-3) 

SQUAD "B" LINEUP: 
1. Kevin Brown, 1B: 1-2 (3B, 1-3, R)
2. Ho-Young Son, SS: 1-2 (1B, 5-3, RBI, CS) 
3. Carlos Sepulveda, 2B: 1-2 (HR, 3-1, R, RBI)
4. Tyler Pearson, DH #1: 0-2 (K, 4-3)
5. Varonex Cuevas, LF: 0-2 (K, 3-1)
6. Jhonny Pereda, DH #2: 0-0 (BB, BB)
7. Roney Alcala, RF: 0-2 (FC+E4, 4-6 FC)
8. Carlos Jimenez, 3B: 0-1 (3-U)
9. Kevin Encarnacion, CF: 0-1 (4-1)
10. Roberto Vahlis, C: 1-1 (1B)

SQUAD "A" PITCHERS:
1. Brad Markey: 1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 2 K, 1 HR, 16 pitches (10 strikes)
2. Michael Wagner: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 3/0 GO/FO, 15 pitches (9 strikes)
3. Austyn Willis: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 3/0 GO/FO, 12 pitches (7 strikes)
4. Mark Malave: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 3/0 GO/FO, 13 pitches (6 strikes)   

SQUAD "B" PITCHERS 
1. Ben Wells: 0.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, 1 WP, 2/0 GO/FO, 14 pitches (8 strikes) 
2. Alexander Santana: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 2/1 GO/FO, 12 pitches (9 strikes)
3. Jesus Castillo: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1/1 GO/FO, 12 pitches (7 strikes)
4. Andin Diaz: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 2/0 GO/FO, 15 pitches (8 strikes) 
5. Jose Zapata: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 1/2 GO/FO, 17 pitches (9 strikes) 

SQUAD "A" ERRORS: 1 
2B Frandy de la Rosa - E-4 (throwing error attempting to turn DP allowed batter to advance to 2nd base)

SQUAD "B" ERRORS: NONE 

SQUAD "A" CATCHERS DEFENSE: 
Eric Gonzalez: 1-1 CS 

SQUAD "B" CATCHERS DEFENSE: 
Roberto Vahlis: 0-1 CS, 1 PB

ATTENDANCE: 7 

WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures in the 70's 

2015 CUBS EXTENDED SPRING TRAINING ROSTER: 63+7

Last updated 4-8-2015

NOTE: The Extended Spring Training (EXST) group (AKA "Eugene/Mesa") is formed during Minor League Camp. This group consists of players who are the replacement cadre for the full season affiliates, players deemed not ready for full-season leagues, and injured players.

PITCHERS: 39+6
Adbert Alzolay
Pedro Araujo
Daniel Bard
Dallas Beeler (INACTIVE - shoulder)
Jordan Brink
Jesus Camargo
Marcelo Carreno (LIMITED ACTIVITY REHAB - post-2013 shoulder surgery)
Jesus Castillo
Dylan Cease  (ACTIVE REHAB - 2014 TJS) 
Oscar de la Cruz
* Andin Diaz
Greyfer Eregua
Scott Frazier
David Garner
Trevor Graham 
Taner Griggs
Luis Hernandez
Corbin Hoffner
Pierce Johnson (INACTIVE - lat strain)
John Michael Knighton 
Daniel Lewis 
Mark Malave (ex-C)
Dillon Maples
Brad Markey 
Trey Masek (ACTIVE REHAB - 2014 shoulder surgery)
Trey McNutt (INACTIVE - 2014 shoulder surgery)
Yomar Morel
Erling Moreno (LIMITED ACTIVITY REHAB - 2014 TJS)
* Ariel Ovando (ex-OF)
* Jose Paulino
Hector Perez
Austin Reed (ACTIVE REHAB - 2014 TJS)
* James Russell
* Carson Sands 
Alex Santana
* Justin Steele
Jacob Turner (INACTIVE - shoulder)
Michael Wagner
* Tsuyoshi Wada (ACTIVE REHAB - groin)
Ben Wells 
Austyn Willis
* Sam Wilson
Jose Zapata

CATCHERS: 7+1
Tyler Alamo (also has been playing 1B)
Eric Gonzalez
* Jordan Hankins (ex-3B)
Tyler Pearson 
Jhonny Pereda
Will Remillard (INACTIVE - 2015 TJS) 
Miguel Rico (ex-3B)
Roberto Vahlis

INFIELDERS: 10+2
# Roney Alcala
* Danny Canela (LIMITED ACTIVITY REHAB)
# Varonex Cuevas
# Frandy de la Rosa
* Bryant Flete 
Carlos Jimenez
Joey Martarano (INACTIVE - attending college)
Adonis Paula 
Tim Saunders (LIMITED ACTIVITY REHAB)
* Carlos Sepulveda
Ho-Young Son 
* Logan Watkins (INACTIVE - torn achilles tendon) 

OUTFIELDERS: 8
* Kevin Brown
Chris Denorfia (LIMITED ACTIVIIY REHAB)
* Kevin Encarnacion (formerly a switch-hitter, he is now hitting only LH)
Calvin Graves (LIMITED ACTIVITY REHAB)
Jae-Hoon Ha (LIMITED ACTIVITY REHAB)
Eloy Jimenez
Kevonte Mitchell
* Ricardo Marcano

GAME MANAGERS: 
Carmelo Martinez (AZL Cubs Manager)
Gary Van Tol (Eugene Manager)

COACHES
Oscar Bernard (AZL Cubs Hitting Coach)
Tom Beyers (Assistant Minor League Hitting Coordinator)
Nate Maldonado (Mesa Rehab Assistant Coach)
Ricardo Medina (Eugene Hitting Coach)
Terrmel Sledge (Eugene Assistant Coach)
Anderson Tavares (Eugene Pitching Coach) 
Rick Tronerud (Mesa Rehab Pitching Coach)
Ron Villone (AZL Cubs Pitching Coach) 
Ty Wright (AZL Cubs Assistant Coach)

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACHES 
Sean Folan (AZL Cubs)
Ryan Nordvedt (Eugene)

ATHLETIC TRAINERS: 
Chuck Baughman (Assistant Minor League Training Coordinator - Mesa Rehab)
Mike McNulty (Eugene) 
Toby Williams (AZL Cubs)


Tags: 
Cubs Extended Spring Training
Mark Malave
James Russell
Daniel Bard
Dylan Cease
Trey Masek
Austin Reed
Adonis Paula
Carlos Sepulveda
Kevonte Mitchell
Chris Denorfia

Comments

Submitted by Arizona Phil  on Wed, 04/08/2015 - 3:23pm  

The Cubs have released VSL Cubs IF-OF Humberto Garcia and RHP Julio Sanchez. Neither player could return to Latin rookie ball in 2015 because they have spent four "full seasons" playing in Latin rookie leagues, and players can't go back there once they reach the four year limit, Apparently the Cubs did not feel either was worthy of getting a shot in Extended Spring Training.

Both Garcia and Sanchez were "second contract players," with Garcia having signed with the Cubs in 2013 after being released by the White Sox, and Sanchez having signed with the Cubs in 2014 after being released by Cleveland. 

Submitted by Rob G.  on Wed, 04/08/2015 - 4:14pm  

http://www.csnchicago.com/cubs/why-cubs-are-s...

Edwards starting in AA, wanting to monitor his workload and keep innings down early in case they need him later in year.

Submitted by crunch  on Wed, 04/08/2015 - 4:29pm  
starting...bullpen...title gore. spring training is over mooney, get it together.

Submitted by Old and Blue  on Wed, 04/08/2015 - 5:46pm  
They didn't mention that Dusty Baker has been hired to be the new manager at Tennessee. Boom!!

Submitted by Rob G.  on Wed, 04/08/2015 - 7:31pm  

for what little it's worth, Mets batting DeGrom in the 8th slot tonight.

Submitted by mannytrillo  on Wed, 04/08/2015 - 7:51pm  
The genius of Tony LaRussa finally spreading through MLB.

Submitted by crunch  on Wed, 04/08/2015 - 8:23pm  
ichiro's 1st hit as a marlin is a bunt single to 3rd. i hope he gets 3000 hits (2845 now)...it'll probably take another season beyond this age 41 season, though. he got his start on the quest for 3000 at age 27...crazy.

Submitted by crunch  on Wed, 04/08/2015 - 9:47pm  
a.cashner is throwing 98-99mph tonight on his fastball (one at 100mph)... ...and he just walked in a run to tie the game at 2 in the bottom 2nd.

Submitted by crunch  on Wed, 04/08/2015 - 9:53pm  
...and then the SD defense implodes...holy crap. this makes some of the weird cubs D we've seen since spring tolerable. SD got lucky puig ran LA out of the inning.

Submitted by mannytrillo  on Wed, 04/08/2015 - 10:00pm  
Latoya does his best Hawkins impression and just blows a 2 run lead in the 9th for Colorado. What great memories...

Submitted by mannytrillo  on Wed, 04/08/2015 - 10:28pm  
And of course Hawkins gets the vulture win.

Submitted by bigsky33  on Wed, 04/08/2015 - 10:13pm  
Phil, Kevin Brown is leaving tomorrow morning to join AAA . Happy for him. He is a player! Just like you mentioned, he will probably make out better being here in Mesa a couple of extra days. It worked out for him. I know he will deliver.

Submitted by crunch  on Wed, 04/08/2015 - 10:52pm  
agonz is really good at hitting baseballs long distances.

Submitted by mannytrillo  on Wed, 04/08/2015 - 10:53pm  
Adrian Gonzalez putting on a show against Cashner. 3 HR thru 5 innings for him.

Submitted by Carlito  on Wed, 04/08/2015 - 11:12pm  
He has 5 HR on the year thru 3 games. Cashner dropped his head in defeat after delivering the pitch for 3rd one.

Submitted by Old and Blue  on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 8:18am  
Somebody needs to tell him about the 13 shutouts in MLB so far this year.

Submitted by toonsterwu  on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 3:18am  
AzPhil, Hope all's well. Been trying to find a way onto TCR all spring, but my carrier abroad kept blocking me (Rob, if you go through your list of people blocked from accessing TCR ... that would be me trying to log-in from Taiwan ... I guess it's possible there's others, but a lot of them were likely my attempts ... am using someone else's carrier right now and this question has been bugging me for a long time now). Anyhow, AzPhil, it's possible you've answered this, but as noted, haven't been able to get on. Can you give me your take on what's happened to Ben Wells in the past year? Admittedly, I was always higher on him than most (although, it was more of the "profile" that I liked, the big, strong power sinkerballer who, during his draft year, supposedly showed a decent breaking ball). Anyhow, he's 22 now, so the intrigue is gone, but ... what happened? It wasn't that long ago that he held some intrigue - 2012 he started of real well in A ball before getting hurt. I don't think people remember how ... good he was to start that year. Even in 2013, he was ... passable in High A. No one expected the K rate to stay high, as the secondaries weren't that good, but he was still ... usable. At the very least, I thought he could move into a pen role and become a power sinker guy out of the pen and have an outside shot of reaching the upper minors. Then 2014 came and he just ... collapsed. Heck, IIRC, there was talk he might start in AA to start 2014 before being bumped down (memory could be shoddy). And now, he doesn't seem to be doing much in XST. What happened? Velocity was down from his Boise days, but that was to be expected, IMO, as he was sort of a wild power sinker guy back then. Anyhow, it's been bugging me for long enough for me to work to find a way to get on TCR and ask you. Best.

Submitted by Arizona Phil  on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 9:37am  

TOONSTER: I don't know the cause of it (and he probably does not know either), but Ben Wells showed up at Minor League Camp last season (2014) with a case of the yips. It wasn't as bad as the Daniel Bard or Scott Frazier cases (which are REALLY bad), probably more like Dillon Maples, or Trey Lang (before he retired).   

He eventually ended up at Extended Spring Training and they tried to adjust his mechanics (grip, arm slot, release point landing spot), but it didn't really fix the problem. 

Some days are better than others, but he still isn't throwing with much confidence. He's been getting cuffed around, almost like he's throwing BP.

 

Submitted by Charlie  on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 9:45am  
Hmm. Can't think of many sinkerballers who completely lost the plate.

Submitted by Cubster  on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 6:49am  
Another mock draft...projects Ashe Russell, HS righty, throws 96mph. Makes sense as the Cubs are obviously collecting Russells. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2015-mlb-d...

Submitted by mannytrillo  on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 8:50am  
Does anyone have a site that easily gives a breakout of career numbers of a hitter vs. today's probable starter?

Submitted by mannytrillo  on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 8:54am  
Nevermind, found a good break down on ESPN.com

Submitted by Dusty Baylor  on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 9:02am  
See? It's just that easy Manny!

Submitted by Arizona Phil  on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 10:07am  

Based uppn the sequence they were in at Minor League Camp from this past weekend, the Myrtle Beach starting rotation is Underwood-Torrez-Blackburn-Skulina-Tseng (in that order), and the South Bend rotation is Stinnett-Hedges-Null-Leal-Clifton. However, Hedges got bombed on Friday and so he could be replaced by Ryan Williams or Ryan McNeil (both are stretched-out). James Norwood was stretched-out as a starter but then he was moved to the bullpen this past weekend. 

Iowa had Roach-Pimentel-Jokisch-Loux #1-4 through this past weekend with the #5 slot TBA (could be a Britton-Negrin piggy-back, or maybe Tsuyoshi Wada on a 30-daty minor league rehab assignment, since Wada threw 64 pitches in an Extended Spring Training intrasquad game on Tuesday).  

Tennessee had Black-Pineyro-Zastryzny-Pena #1-4 through this past weekend with the 5th slot TBA. 

Submitted by Arizona Phil  on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 10:18am  

The minor league third-catchet/player-coach DL assignments have begun... 

3rd catcher Alberto Mineo to 7-day DL at Myrtle Beach, and I would expect the same thing for Erick Castillo (3rd catcher) at AA Tennessee. 

Submitted by Rob G.  on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 12:34pm  

Brewers Double-A team will play first 2 months on the road

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/12652787/mi...

Submitted by Hagsag  on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 1:03pm  
AZ Phil, is there any hope that Bard can recapture his past?

Submitted by Arizona Phil  on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 1:25pm  

HAGSAG: There isn't a lot of hope for a pitcher as deep into the yips as Bard is. I think the Cubs are just giving him a chance because the FO knew him from Red Sox days, but he looks really messed up right now. If the strike zone was high & outside he'd be fine. 

Submitted by jacos  on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 4:51pm  
According to Maddonni the yips are a golf term, baseball players refer to it as "the thing".

Submitted by Dusty Baylor  on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 1:07pm  
Wow.....Milton Bradley is a real POS. Ugh....

Submitted by Rob G.  on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 1:20pm  

yup, pretty terrifying article even if you knew about it, probably didn't know the ugly details.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 1:22pm  

http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/san-diego-...

Rosenthal on Padres SS search has this about Castro

Much of the recent media speculation centers on Castro, whom the Cubs likely will attempt to move to clear the position for top prospect Addison Russell.

Well, the Padres indeed have talked to the Cubs about infielders, but not recently, one source said. What’s more, some with the Pads are less than enamored of Castro’s defense, another source said, echoing a view held by many in the industry.

Don't know about the first part because I doubt they're really sold on LaStella/Alcantara at 2b or Baez and Castro can move to 2B for Russell or vice-versa (guessing it's Castro that moves).

Submitted by John Beasley  on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 3:25pm  
Might have been Valbuena.

Submitted by George Altman  on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 4:54pm  
For some time now, Theo & Jed have been very coy when it comes to Castro doing everything possible (IMO) to keep his trade value as high as possible. I feel if Baez could show any semblance of plate discipline, he and Russell would solve the 2B/SS situation. Until then, I look for continued talk of 'Starlin is our SS....we're satisfied with his progress....etc., etc.'

Submitted by crunch  on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 4:18pm  
CLE loses their bid for a multi-pitcher no-hitter (t.bauer went 111 pitches in 6 innings) with 1 out in the bottom 9th...so close. dave steib laughs at your pain, CLE.

Submitted by Arizona Phil  on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 4:55pm  

To get down to the 25-man Opening Day active roster limit, the Iowa Cubs have placed INF Javy Baez on the Bereavement List and LHP Joe Ortiz on the Suspended List, and have released RHP Jorge DeLeon. OF Kevin Brown has been moved up to Iowa from Extended Spring Training to replace Baez. Also, LHP James Russell is supposedly en route to Memphis to join the I-Cubs after throwing a bullpen side-session at Cubs Minor League Camp at Riverview Park yesterday morning (he spent most of Spring Traning with the Atlanta Braves). 

The reason for Ortiz's suspension would NOT be a Prohibited Substance violation, because if that's what it was he would have been placed on the Restricted List. So best guess would be that there was some violation of team rules, like he missed the bus when the I-Cubs left for Memphis from Des Moines yesterday, or he got arrested, or he had a fight with the manager or with a coach or a teammate. 

To get down to the 25-man active roster limit, the Tennessee Smokies have placed C Erick Casillo on the 7-day DL and LHP Jeffry Antigua has been sent to Extended Spring Training, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans have placed LHP Michael Heesch and C-1B Alberto Mineo on 7-day DL. and the South Bend Cubs have placed LHP Tyler Ihrig and OF Yasiel Balaguert on the 7-day DL. 

The fact that E. Castillo, Heesch, Mineo, Ihrig, and Balaguert were not left behind at Extended Spring Training (and they all looked perfectly healthy on Sunday) tells me they are not really injured (at least not enough to require rehab) and that they will be the in-house "replacement players" for those affiliates. The "injured" pitchers will throw bullpen side-sessions and the "injured" position-players will work as a bullpen catcher or a 1st base coach, and  be available to be reinstated whenever needed to replace a player or pitcher who goes on the 7-day DL, and then they go back on the 7-day DL when they are not needed. 

Submitted by Old and Blue  on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 6:11pm  
What happened to Baez family-wise? HAven't heard anything.

Submitted by Carlito  on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 6:14pm  
I believe his sister died. It's heartbreaking, tho she was sick, I remember reading how much he was inspired by her battle - spina bifida I think.

Submitted by Old and Blue  on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 6:45pm  
Ah, yes, I do remember that, thanks Carlito. Not that he's reading this, but best wishes to him and his family, and I'm rooting for him whenever he gets back.

Submitted by QuietMan  on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 10:09pm  
http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2015-04...

Submitted by Rob G.  on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 8:06pm  

Minor league games begin...early returns.

Iowa: Russell 2/2,  Bryant 1/2 with a SB, D. Roach starting

Tenn: C. Black starting, 2 shutout innings so far

Myrtle Beach: J. Rogers 3/3 with a HR, V. Caratini 2/3, Penalvar 2/2 and D. Underwood went 5 innings, no earned runs, 5 K, 2 BB

South Bend: Jeffrey Baez 1/3 with a HR, J. Stinnett went 5 innings, 1 ER, 4 K, 2 BB

Submitted by Charlie  on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 8:56pm  
On this note, I wonder if AZ Phil would mind swinging by and suggesting some young players for my MLBfarm list that don't appear on most of the top X lists.

Submitted by mannytrillo  on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 9:12pm  
What positions were Bryant and Russell playing?

Submitted by Tito  on Fri, 04/10/2015 - 9:26am  
Catcher and first base.

Submitted by mannytrillo  on Fri, 04/10/2015 - 10:50am  
What are they going to do with Rizzo then? :)

Submitted by jacos  on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 8:24pm  
Follow Bert Byleven on Twitter /f Detroit

Submitted by mannytrillo  on Fri, 04/10/2015 - 11:02am  
Cubs Lineup today: Fowler Soler Rizzo Castro Olt Szczur Castillo Wood Alcantara

Submitted by Rob Richardson  on Fri, 04/10/2015 - 11:19am  
Interesting line up. Seems like he is shooting for power over speed, which makes sense in Colorado. Also, of course, the platoon advantages.

Submitted by crunch  on Fri, 04/10/2015 - 11:19am  
who the hell is castillo? also, he's been one hell of a sport not pushing his "3rd string" status in public. if he's not traded and everyone stays in roles as expected he's going to be lucky to see 200-250 PA...and pretty much ruin his immediate future earning potential in the process unless he puts up some nice numbers doing it.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Fri, 04/10/2015 - 1:47pm  

also, he's been one hell of a sport not pushing his "3rd string" status in public.

Please stop trying to make this a thing.

Submitted by crunch  on Fri, 04/10/2015 - 2:34pm  
alright...should i ignore his "i'm going to miss being here"-type comments he made in spring training and simply pretend he's not expecting to go anywhere. others have thrown fits over less. i think the guy's being a hell of a sport about it.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Fri, 04/10/2015 - 2:43pm  

we got that...move on, because literally no one else here or in the universe has mentioned, cared or said one thing about Castillo being a distraction about this. He's on the Geovany Soto career journeyman path, I'm sure he knows his place in the baseball world by this point.

Submitted by crunch  on Fri, 04/10/2015 - 2:48pm  
ooooooooooooookay. *clicks boot heels together*

Submitted by mannytrillo  on Fri, 04/10/2015 - 3:08pm  
TCR brass has spoken!

Submitted by Jace  on Fri, 04/10/2015 - 3:11pm  
I completely agree with crunch. I think it is remarkable that Castillo is not making a stink about this. I am not saying he should. I think he should be commended for it. Doesn't seem right for Rob to just tell crunch to move on...

Submitted by Rob G.  on Fri, 04/10/2015 - 3:24pm  

Castillo (runs into Theo office): TRADE ME!

Theo (hangs up phone): I've been fucking trying!!! No one wants you.

*End scene

Submitted by mannytrillo  on Fri, 04/10/2015 - 3:25pm  
Sounds like a conversation Cutler might have had with Bears management.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Fri, 04/10/2015 - 3:26pm  

Hah!!

Submitted by Rob G.  on Fri, 04/10/2015 - 3:26pm  

as for the moving on comment, since you clearly have not been around...harping on things is frowned upon around here, particularly things that aren't things, I obviously wouldn't say anything if that was the first or even second time it was mentioned.

Submitted by Jace  on Fri, 04/10/2015 - 3:33pm  
Yeah, fair enough. I get that. Do you really think that Castillo is going to slowly fade away into irrelevance, like Soto did? That's just not where i expected this to end up...

Submitted by Jace  on Fri, 04/10/2015 - 3:44pm  
As one who was guilty of bringing up the idea of pee-soaked baseballs more than once, I can understand why you might be sensitive to repetitive topics.... Seriously, though, I think Moises Alou was onto something!

Submitted by jacos  on Fri, 04/10/2015 - 11:34am  
Looks like we have a new member. /Cult of Olt

Submitted by crunch  on Fri, 04/10/2015 - 1:10pm  
that comes with a membership card, an actual piece of the bench he sits on, a signed game-unused bat, and a packet of Oltimate Orange Gatorade. you're also entered to win a yearly drawing for one of the rarest pieces of olt memorabilia, an actual cubs lineup card where he's penciled in as a starter and played all 9 innings.

Submitted by jacos  on Fri, 04/10/2015 - 1:40pm  
haha, non-believer!

Submitted by jacos  on Fri, 04/10/2015 - 12:34pm  
Schlitter has returned from the Yukon Grimm retro DL

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  • Hagsag 54 min 5 sec ago (view)

    Will Schilling storm the HOF with a mob?

     
  • crunch 12 hours 27 min ago (view)

    schilling denied (71.1%, 16 votes short).

    some people did nazi that coming.

    no one inducted this year...aram got 1% of the vote so he found more than 1 vote out there (4 votes).  latroy hawkins got 2 votes for being a solid dude to other people (very friendly with the press and pretty much everyone)...sosa got 17% of the vote...

    schilling/bonds/clemens are going in their last eligible class in 2022...could be a hell of a "controversial" class...but bonds/clemens need to find 50+ votes.

     
  • Sonicwind75 18 hours 16 min ago (view)

    Arizona is allowing fans in the stands for indoor NHL hockey games but it's too dangerous to let players following protocals; at least more so than hockey fans, to practice outside in a controlled environment.  Wonder how much of that is coming from MLB ownership trying to get a late start and pro-rating player salaries. Stall and save some money until more fans are allowed to attend later in the year. 

     
  • crunch 18 hours 42 min ago (view)

    few hours away from HOF announcements (6pm EST, unless leaked early).

    schilling seems to be the only guy with a legit shot this year and i wouldn't be surprised to see no one get elected...

    big up aramis rarmirez getting at least 1 known vote on publically shared ballots.

     
  • crunch 1 day 15 hours ago (view)

    "MLB will hold its first-ever pre-draft combine from June 20-28 in Cary, North Carolina.

    The combine will take place at the USA Baseball National Training Complex, with top draft-eligible college and high school players invited. As part of the combine, the top-88 prep players will take part in a tournament through June 26th consisting of eight games."

     
  • crunch 1 day 17 hours ago (view)

    cactus league officials are requesting MLB delay spring training because of elevated COVID cases + deaths.

    their summer peak was 70-80 deaths a week and they're currently at 140-160 deaths a week.

    things should be trending down now that most of people that wanted to kill relatives in order to have turkey dinners in NOV/DEC seems to have peaked.

     
  • Hagsag 2 days 14 hours ago (view)

    $$$$ for trump's defense fund.

     
  • Dolorous Jon Lester 2 days 14 hours ago (view)

    But they got $600 a few months back. Each! That was an unexpected windfall.

    Can't wait to see us acquire a 17 year old, 16 year old, 11 year old (all in the 15-30 range of Blue Jays prospects) and one of the shitty Jays surplus OFs. Randal Grichuk jerseys will be the new hot item among Cubs fans.

     
  • crunch 2 days 15 hours ago (view)

    things are a little tight, we have to be patient with the ricketts family finances.

    when TD Ameritrade was fully/completely sold in october they expected to get 26 billion dollars of value on the transaction, but it only got 22 billion dollars.  the massive slew of millions that didn't fully come to realization on the ricketts side of that sale stings.

     
  • Dolorous Jon Lester 2 days 15 hours ago (view)

    Trade Hendricks? Cant be true. We're "going to be competitive this year."

    Sell the team, Ricketts family.

     
  • crunch 2 days 15 hours ago (view)

    "Scott Mitchell of TSN reports that the Blue Jays have discussed a potential trade with the Cubs involving Kris Bryant and Kyle Hendricks.

    Mitchell was responding to a question on Twitter asking whether there was any truth to the rumor that the Jays had talked with the Cubs about a deal for both players, and he answered in the affirmative."

    this timeline sucks.

     
  • bradsbeard 3 days 19 hours ago (view)

    International Scouting Director Louie Eljaua was just on The Score and he mentioned that COVID is causing issues with completing physicals and officially signing guys, but he said they have 24 guys unufficially signed right now.

     
  • KingKongvsGodzilla 3 days 20 hours ago (view)

    These guys are a year apart in age and Miller's easily had the stronger career to date. While I'm not big on Miller, much prefer his more standard injury (TJ) than whatever it is that sapped Foltynewicz's velocity. Folty without velocity just isn't interesting and is likely a much bigger injury risk

     
  • Cubster 3 days 21 hours ago (view)

    from an mlb.com article by Jordan Bastian...excerpt on Cubs free agent starting pitching options:

    "Still, the Cubs need some more experienced Major League innings.

    Given the way the offseason has played out for the North Siders, free-agent possibilities could include Chris Archer. Archer missed all of 2020 due to thoracic outlet syndrome, but he hopes to be ready to go by Spring Training. Free agents Mike Foltynewicz, Carlos Rodón, Rick Porcello and Trevor Williams are coming off forgettable '20 seasons but might benefit from the Cubs' analytics team.

     
  • Charlie 4 days 14 hours ago (view)

    At this rate, they will need 11 starters in 2021 but like 6 of them will be more or less Alec Mills. The defense will get plenty of practice, at least.

     
  • crunch 4 days 18 hours ago (view)

    i wouldn't be surprised to see jake arrieta come on board since no one else seems to want him and he'll probably have to take a 1yr deal...

     
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