Eloy Goes Deep and Strop Continues Rehab at Diablo Park

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 05/27/2014 - 5:39pm

Raul Linares ripped a game-winning walk-off RBI double with two outs in the bottom of the 9th, as the Angels rallied from a four-run deficit to edge the Cubs 7-6 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action this morning at Diablo Park Field #7 in Tempe, AZ.

Eloy Jimenez belted a three-run home run and an RBI single, Jeffrey Baez singled twice, walked, stole a base, and scored three runs, and Kevin Brown singled twice, walked, and scored two runs to help the Cubs take an early 4-0 lead, and Nataniel Delgado doubled twice and scored and Trevor Gretzky laced a two-run triple to aid the Angel comeback.  

The Angels collected six doubles and one triple among their nine hits.

RHRP Pedro Strop (on Cubs MLB 15-day DL - groin) continued his EXST rehab with a shutout inning (18 pitches - 10 strikes). Strop was not as sharp this morning in Tempe as he was on Saturday in Scottsdale, as he walked one and was behind in the count on just about every hitter, but he did not allow a hit, he struck out two, and he got the third out on a broken bat 5-3 GO. 

Here is the abridged box score from today's game (Cubs players only): 

CUBS LINEUP:
1a. Jeffrey Baez, CF: 2-2 (BB, 1B, 1B, 3 R, SB)
1b. Rashad Crawford, CF: 0-1 (K)
2a. Kevin Brown, LF: 2-2 (1B, BB, 1B, 2 R)
2b. Oliver Zapata, LF; 0-1 (K)
3. Eloy Jimenez, RF: 2-4 (HR, K, 1B, F-8, R, 4 RBI)
4a. Justin Marra, 1B: 1-2 (BB, 3-U, 1B)
4b. Alberto Mineo, 1B: 1-1 (1B)
5. Jesse Hodges, 3B: 0-4 (F-8, E-5, K, 6-4-3 DP)
6. Mark Malave, DH #1: 0-4 (6-4 FC, 5-3, L-6 DP, 1-3)
7. Zak Blair, 2B: 1-4 (K, 1B, 4-3, F-7)
8. Erick Castillo, C: 1-4 (4-3, 1B, 4-3, 6-3)
9. Varonex Cuevas, SS: 0-3 (F-7, P-6, F-7)
10. Shamil Ubiera, DH #2: 0-3 (F-9, 5-4-3 DP, F-7)

CUBS PITCHERS:
1. Frailyn Figueroa: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 WP, 1/1 GO/FO, 21 pitches (13 strikes)
2. Pedro Strop: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1/0 GO/FO, 18 pitches (10 strikes)
3. Trevor Clifton: 4.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R (3 ER), 2 BB, 3 K, 8/1 GO/FO, 63 pitches (37 strikes)
4. Adbert Alzolay: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R (3 ER), 3 BB, 0 K, 1/2 GO/FO, 31 pitches (12 strikes)
5. Victor Salazar: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 2/1 GO/FO, 31 pitches (18 strikes)  

CUBS ERRORS: 1
SS Varonex Cuevas: - E-6 (throwing error allowed batter to reach base safely)

CUBS CATCHER DEFENSE:
Erick Castillo: 1-2 CS

ATTENDANCE: 5

WEATHER: Sunny & a bit breezy with temperatures 100+

Tags: 
Cubs Extended Spring Training
Eloy Jimenez
Pedro Strop
Jeffrey Baez
Kevin Brown

Comments

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 05/27/2014 - 5:55pm  

Alcantara playing OF tonight for first time in his career...Vitters to DL with broken toe.

Submitted by crunch  on Tue, 05/27/2014 - 6:42pm  
though he'll probably continue to be a primary IF'r (2nd)...he's not showing much improvement there defensively this year.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 05/27/2014 - 5:57pm  

Wright on paternity leave, Parker called up.

Submitted by jacos  on Tue, 05/27/2014 - 7:08pm  
Lot change since Zimmer was manager. /Pico'd

Submitted by Old and Blue  on Tue, 05/27/2014 - 8:05pm  
Eloy sounds ready. Bring him up. Cubs need an outfielder or three.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 11:37am  

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2014/05/27/levine...

Guess Levine got a new gig, says Orioles are "leading" candidate for Ninja. Gausman and Bundy will do just fine.

The denial from the O's front office should be out in any minute I'm sure. 

Submitted by Rob G.  on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 1:52pm  

well not quite a denial, but not a lot cooking

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bl...

“Our young pitching is maturing,” Duquette said. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to use it to help out our own ballclub.”

Does say a Cubs scout was watching Hunter Harvey this weekend, also important to note that Bundy hasn't pitched this season (maybe get some starts in June) and Eduardo Rodriguez is just getting back from a knee injury, so Cubs will certainly want to see that before anything happens with those two.

Submitted by jacos  on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 2:58pm  
New Hot Commidity Post TJ OP pitchers!

Submitted by Rob G.  on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 3:10pm  

works all the time actually, A. Vizcaino being one. Dempster was a good buy by Hendry.

Submitted by jacos  on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 3:21pm  
and I wasn' joking. Will be interesting to see how all these TJ's play out

Submitted by Rob G.  on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 11:46am  

Speaking of Ninja, teams that could/should cough up 2 top prospects.

Orioles, Blue Jays, Yankees, A's, Rockies

Rangers, Angels, Mariners, Braves, Giants would be the second tier in my opinion, maybe Cardinals and Brewers if they go down that road,

Submitted by Charlie  on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 1:15pm  
I'm convinced that the Cards' front office includes at least one practitioner of the Dark Arts and that if the Cubs were to trade Shark to them, their prospects would turn into pumpkins and Shark would turn into a sex robot with a laser canon for an arm a legit ace upon completion of the transaction.

Submitted by Ryno  on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 5:39pm  
Ninja has really developed a nice slider/splitter. He's filthy- and I mean Kerry Wood levels of filth. So if they trade him, they ought to get TOP dollar... a king's ransom. If no teams want to pony up, no problem, the Cubs can keep him and negotiate an extension. I'm good with it either way.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 2:10pm  

in case it went unnoticed, Cubs slipped to worst record in baseball last night, and Astros winning again today.

still a decent -6 run differential but a 3-10 record in 1-run games.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 2:20pm  

Emanuel on #Cubs #Wrigley renovation plans: "This recent submission is not ready for next week. They have work to do" pic.twitter.com/kg4ndRQ1x3

Submitted by Rob G.  on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 3:10pm  

@hangingsliders

This is Lincecum's first start this season where his ERA heading into the game was lower than the opp pitcher's ERA.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 4:00pm  

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/diamondbac...

yep, Kevin Towers is so gone.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 4:20pm  

Cubs no-hit through 5. Lincecum over 90 pitches already.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 4:39pm  

ruh-roh, through 6. Lincecum out after 5, Kontos pitched the 6th.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 4:47pm  

ASMI article from Dr. Andrews and someone else on Tommy John surgery

http://www.asmi.org/research.php?page=researc...

list of recommendations include not going 100% the entire time and avoiding winter ball

Submitted by Rob G.  on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 5:15pm  

John Baker single with one out in 7th ends the no-hitter. Cubs down 2-0 (Colvin double led to one run), but have 2 on, 1 out in 7th now.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 5:25pm  

"fun" facts:

Bonifacio first 8 games:500/537/579

221/264/305 since (39 games, 36 started)

Submitted by Ryno  on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 5:28pm  
That's nice, but if he reaches base and is picked off for being a bonehead, I think that should subtract from his avg/obp

Submitted by Rob G.  on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 5:32pm  

sure

think you missed the point of my comment though

Submitted by Ryno  on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 5:34pm  
Good for about a week. Shitty since. I was just saying, even good isn't as good when you're making boneheaded baserunning plays. :)

Submitted by Rob G.  on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 5:42pm  

and still batting leadoff...wonder if Capt Happy has looked at a stat page since spring training?

Submitted by Ryno  on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 5:34pm  
Double post removed.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 5:25pm  

Rick Reilly verbal handjob to Jeter

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/10995146/ri...

Submitted by Charlie  on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 5:39pm  
If a writer for a major outlet would rail on Jeter this year for his career-long smugness--hall of fame level smugness--I'd be eternally grateful. Maybe that writer could also tear apart other writers for pretending that Jeter has been underrated somehow.

Submitted by Ryno  on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 10:22pm  
Sounds like someone hasn't yet caught Jeter Fever...

Submitted by jacos  on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 6:35pm  
I read that Reilly article 10 years ago

Submitted by Charlie  on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 6:55pm  
Derek Jeter never hit 40 homeruns in a season because he respects the game too goddamn much. In heaven, Derek Jeter will play poker with Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and Joe DiMaggio for eternity. He will never tell a dirty joke, but he will smile knowingly at all of theirs. Following Derek Jeter's retirement at the end of the 2014 season, all baseballs on the planet simultaneously committed suicide. They just no longer saw the point.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 5:38pm  

and now 5-0 Giants...the no-hit streak shall live along with the Cubs still suck streak.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 5:45pm  

Olt made a nice defensive play on a Pagan bunt attempt and then whiffed on an easy chopper by Posey that scored a run. Called it a hit though.

#enjoythebench

*changed to error apparently

Submitted by QuietMan  on Wed, 05/28/2014 - 7:56pm  
Another Mock Draft http://mlbdraftinsider.com/2014/05/the-mock-2... Has Cubs selecting Nola. "I’ve heard all sorts of names attached to the Cubs: Max Pentecost, Kyle Freeland, Michael Conforto, Bradley Zimmer, Nick Gordon, etc. At the end of the day, I think they go with the pitcher, but to say that I’m not sure is quite the understatement."

Submitted by Arizona Phil  on Thu, 05/29/2014 - 2:14pm  

Or the Cubs could not sign their 1st round pick (#4 overall) this year and instead get a comp pick in next year's draft (would be #5 overall) when the draft might have five players at the top of the draft who are actually worth taking that high. 

Submitted by Rob G.  on Thu, 05/29/2014 - 3:23pm  

when the draft might have five players at the top of the draft who are actually worth taking that high.

or it might be worse, right?

Submitted by Rob G.  on Thu, 05/29/2014 - 3:26pm  

I haven't found anything recent, but here's a look at 2015

http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx...

Georgia HS OF Dez Cameron, Florida HS SS Brendan Rogers and TCU RHP Riley Ferrell were noted as the top 3 in December with FSU QB Jameis Winston possibly the best talent if he chooses baseball, but don't see the Cubs going near him.

Submitted by Arizona Phil  on Thu, 05/29/2014 - 4:05pm  

There has been chatter on the web that the Cubs might select a "signable" player at #4 who is not actually a #4 talent-wise, if the player they pick agrees in advance pre-draft to accept an "underslot" bonus such that the Cubs can then spread the money they save from paying their 1st round pick "underslot" money over picks 2-10.

IMO, if you are picking at #4 overall and a premier impact talent is not on the board when you pick at #4, than punt (select somebody you know you can't sign) and take your chances next year with the #5 overall pick. It can't be any worse than picking a "signable" player and then signing him to an underslot bonus at #4 this year. 

The Cubs don't need to select & sign another good player with the #4 overall pick (the system is full of guys like that). They need a high-end impact talent that you should be able to get only by drafting at #4 overall.

Submitted by Rob Richardson  on Thu, 05/29/2014 - 4:12pm  
While I agree with your logic, I can't image the Cubs want to take the PR hit from drafting but not signing their #1 pick this year.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Thu, 05/29/2014 - 4:25pm  

maybe, if that underslot is Jeff Hoffman at #4, then I'm all for it. Astros picked Correa at underslot at #1 a two years back and used it to get McCullers. No one seems to be complaining now. Don't think it's a bad strategy as long as Wilken isn't doing the picking and grabbing Hayden Simpson :)

Actually, picking Samardzija in the 5th round is looking quite brilliant even with Colvin as a nearly bust, but it's the same principle. No one hits 100% on the draft, you just place your bets accordingly and some people are just better at it than others.

And you can't have enough good players, no matter how stocked anyone thinks the system is.

Submitted by Arizona Phil  on Thu, 05/29/2014 - 4:52pm  

When a team has the #4 overall selection in a draft, it should be an opportunity to not just add another "good" player to an already strong system full of good players, it should be an opportunity to select a premier impact talent that is (most years) only available to a team with the #4 overall pick. Unless there isn't a #4 talent available when the team picks at #4 (as might be the case this year), in which case punting and trying your luck next year at #5 overall might be a gamble worth taking.  

Of course adding more good players is fine, but a #4 overall pick should be better than good. When the Astros selected Carlos Correa with the 1st overall pick in the 2012 draft, Correa was considered (pre-draft) to be a premier impact talent and one of the two or three best players in that draft (although not #1), and it also so-happened that Correa was willing to sign for below-slot money, too, which helped the Astros out. But it wasn't like the Astros used their #1 overall pick to select a Max Pentecost or a Michael Conforto. 

Submitted by Rob G.  on Thu, 05/29/2014 - 5:16pm  

failing to see how the gamble of punting for a possible better #5 pick next year that they would have to sign is any better of a gamble than getting a previously unsignable player with extra bonus money in round #2 or #3.

Regardless, some mid-first round talent at #4 would disappoint me as well (Pentecost for example), although not as disappointing if they land someone thought to be unobtainable with their later picks.  If they get Hoffman for cheap or one of the other top 8-10 talents it wouldn't upset me as long as they believe in his talent. (Aiken, Colon, Kolek, Gordon aren't coming cheap and probably not Jackson, but maybe Nola or Freeland).

We'll see what happens...

PS - not sure whom they could pick here and not sign withouth looking either stupid or cheap, maybe Kolek if he drops presuming Rodon and Aiken are gone. Don't see Jackson or Gordon passing up slot money ($4.6212M, Cubs have $8.352M total for first 10 rounds or over $100K).

http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/2014-dra...

$1.25 M for 2nd/#45

$715K for 3rd/#78

Submitted by Arizona Phil  on Thu, 05/29/2014 - 5:33pm  

ROB G: If the Cubs were to punt their #4 overall pick in 2014 and get the #5 overall pick in 2015 and then don't sign him, either, they would get the 6th overall pick in the 2016 draft.  Then if the Cubs do not sign the second compensation pick (the #6 overall pick in the 2016 draft), then they would not get a compenation pick in 2017. NOTE: This rule was modified in the 2012 CBA.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Thu, 05/29/2014 - 5:40pm  

ah thanks, thought it only carried over for one year. Regardless, after #5, your chance of "impact talent" goes down significantly.

Whom do you think they could draft at #4 and get away with saying they couldn't sign him? Regardless of the soundness of the theory behind it, there's a real PR issue that they would have to deal with.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Thu, 05/29/2014 - 5:18pm  

here's a list of all-time #4 picks for those curious

http://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/?over...

The Pirates should hope to never get another #4 pick again (Tony Sanchez, Brad Lincoln, Daniel Moskos)

Submitted by John Beasley  on Thu, 05/29/2014 - 5:58pm  
In the past 22 years, the only 3 overall #4 picks who have put up at least 6 career WAR are Kerry Wood, Gavin Floyd, and Ryan Zimmerman. #3 pick: 8 guys with at least 6 WAR. #5: 7 guys (with one barely qualifying). Throw out the last 4 years (guys are still too young). So of the 54 guys taken #3, 4, or 5 overall between 5 and 22 years ago, 18 of them (1/3) have at least 6 career WAR. At this point in the draft, it's kind of a crap shoot, and a little off-base to be talking about can't-miss impact talent. For impact talent, you have to go to #2 (13 of 18 guys once Pedro Alvarez gets 250 more ABs) or #1 (12 of 18 guys).

Submitted by Rob G.  on Thu, 05/29/2014 - 6:06pm  

thanks for the research, I revise my earlier statement then, after the #2 pick, your chances of impact talent goes down signficantly

Submitted by Charlie  on Thu, 05/29/2014 - 6:37pm  
Thanks for this!

Submitted by Arizona Phil  on Thu, 05/29/2014 - 8:43pm  

In the entire 49 year history of the MLB Rule 4 Draft, here are the number of 6 WAR players selected with the Top 15 overall picks in the 1st round: 

1 - 29
2 - 25
3 - 18
4 - 17
5 - 11
6 - 12
7 - 12
8 - 14
9 - 12
10 - 16
11 - 7
12 - 14
13 - 11
14 - 14
15 - 9

The pick you want to stay away from is the 11th overall pick, but #10 is better than picks #5-9, and it's almost as good as #4, and the 14th overall pick is better than 5-6-7, as good as 8, and better than 9 & 11. 

Submitted by Old and Blue  on Fri, 05/30/2014 - 6:07am  
Overall then, I'm not convinced, but at least your idea of punting is an interesting idea. I'd say if one of the top three pitchers isn't available the Cubs should grab the best position player, maybe Jackson or Zimmer. Yeah, they already have plenty of young not ready talent, but that could come in very handy when the Cubs start looking for a real major league caliber outfielder to trade for.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Thu, 05/29/2014 - 5:42pm  

btw, here's a Pentecost write-up

http://www.amazinavenue.com/2014/5/28/5735386...

..."scouts have reservations about how Pentecost's body will hold up to the rigors of catching one-hundred-plus games...most see him as possessing below-average power, with the potential for that to improve if he can develop additional strength...defensively Pentecost does not grade poorly, but his bat is his calling card. He possesses average arm strength, and his pop time is consistently MLB average or even slightly better, but he has inconsistent throwing mechanics that hurt his accuracy"

yes, I'd be disappointed if they took him 4th

 

Submitted by Arizona Phil  on Thu, 05/29/2014 - 5:46pm  

Hopefully Brady Aiken and/or Carlos Rodon will somehow fall to the Cubs so that they will get "full value" (an elite pitching prospect) out of the 2014 #4 overall pick. After what Cub fans went through last season, using the #4 overall pick the Cubs got for sucking to select Michael Conforto or Max Pentecost would be very demoralizing.  

Submitted by Rob G.  on Thu, 05/29/2014 - 5:54pm  

for most Cubs fans it won't matter a lick to be honest, for the vocal minority fans like us, maybe so

I'd be amazed if Aiken or Rodon fall, not sure the deal on Kolek, people seem to be weary, could be a make-up issue and Cubs F.O. seems to take that seriously with their top pick at least.

Jackson, Gordon, Nola, maybe another name or two that eludes me at the moment wouldn't upset me at all.

Submitted by QuietMan  on Thu, 05/29/2014 - 6:27pm  
Heard Kolek was up to 270 lbs. And not a good 270 if that makes sense. And some studies suggest harder throwers like him are more likely for TJS down the road.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Thu, 05/29/2014 - 6:33pm  

oh yeah, forgot he was a big fat guy...

Submitted by Newport  on Thu, 05/29/2014 - 7:40pm  
Big fat C.C. was great until he got skinny. I can't recall a big fat 100mph starter off hand as a comp.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Thu, 05/29/2014 - 7:45pm  

I'm sure there are a lot we never heard of that failed...success stories may be Sabathia, Broxton, Chamberlain?

Submitted by Rob G.  on Thu, 05/29/2014 - 7:00pm  

Iowa Cubs on CBS Sports Network right now...

Submitted by QuietMan  on Thu, 05/29/2014 - 9:32pm  
I-Cubs get their first hit with 2 outs in the 9th.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Thu, 05/29/2014 - 9:03pm  

more on draft picks and value

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/10976377/ex...

Gavin Floyd is the average expectation of a  #4 pick, best case scenario is Barry Larkin

fun read

Submitted by Rob G.  on Thu, 05/29/2014 - 9:03pm  

and as AZ Phil noted above, the 11th pick is cursed

http://deadspin.com/5914786/the-11th-pick-in-...

Recent comments

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  • Arizona Phil 3 hours 42 min ago (view)

    jdrnym: That's correct.

    Under the new rules, the 38-man AAA reserve list is now only used beginning on the date reserve lists are filed in November and extending up through the conclusion of the Rule 5 Draft. Then after the conclusion of the Rule 5 Draft, everybody goes back into the off-season 190-man Domestic Reserve List hopper. 

     
  • jdrnym 6 hours 51 min ago (view)

    Phil, can you settle a Twitter discussion? A team can only select players in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 Draft until its 38-man Triple-A reserve list is full, correct? Don't believe this changed with the latest Major League Rules that introduced the Domestic Reserve List and eliminated individual level reserve lists during the offseason.

     
  • crunch 11 hours 3 min ago (view)

    "Mark Berman of FOX 26 in Houston reports that Carlos Correa's agent has been contacted by the Astros, Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, Cubs and Braves.

    It's not clear when the contact took place or what level of interest each club has."

    ...with the yanks and dodgers both with piles of cash and a bit of need, i wouldn't get too stoked...but at least there seems to be some interest in what his market is.

     
  • Arizona Phil 15 hours 23 min ago (view)

    Stroman's salary escalators apply to 2024, so if Stroman reaches 160 IP in either 2022 or 2023 (but not both) it adds $2M to his 2024 salary, and if he reaches 160 IP in both 2022 and 2023 it would add $4M to his to 2024 salary.

    So he gets $25M in both 2022 and 2023 (that's locked-in), and then either $21M, $23M , or $25M in 2024, depending upon whether he reaches his salary escalators in 2022 and/or 2023. 

     
  • Arizona Phil 15 hours 28 min ago (view)

    W-RAT: I should also mention that the Cubs cannot outright David Bote while he is injured or rehabbing from an injury, except during a window starting on the day after the conclusion of the MLB regular season up until the day that off-season reserve lists must be filed (normaly 11/20, but it was 11/19 in 2021 because 11/20 fell on a Saturday, and it will be 11/18 in 2022 because 11/20 will fall on a Sunday). 

     
  • Arizona Phil 15 hours 44 min ago (view)

    W-RAT: The Cubs can outright David Bote (if he is not claimed off waivers) once the transaction freeze is lifted. That's not a problem. 

    If he is outrighted and then elects free-agency, he would forfeit what remains of his contract - AS LONG AS - the contract is not fully guaranteed. 

    If the contract is fully guaranteed he would likely elect free-agency and the Cubs would be on the hook for what remains of his salary, offset by the MLB minimum salary if he were to sign an MLB deal with another club.

     
  • crunch 20 hours 1 min ago (view)

    kristin call has been named GM of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.  she's been the assistant/associate GM for a few years and was formally a marketing director for the team.

    she's been involved in baseball for a living for 16+ years.

     
  • Wrigley Rat 1 day 2 hours ago (view)

    Hey Phil - Could David Bote be outrighted at any point before the start of the season (obviously not now while players are being locked out). I wonder because if someone claimed him, oh well. If he elected free agency, wouldn't that void his contract? These are the thoughts going through my head as I look to open up another 40-man spot, and Bote will be out until at least May.

    I've read your 40-man tag for him, but I'm not quite smart enough to figure this out! :) Thanks!

     
  • crunch 1 day 7 hours ago (view)

    Jeff Passan @JeffPassan
    Marcus Stroman signed a three-year, $71 million contract with the Chicago Cubs that includes an opt out after the second season, sources tell ESPN. He’ll make $25 million in 2022, $25 million in 2023 and $21 million in 2024. It includes $2M escalators for 160 IP in ‘22 and ‘23.

     
  • Arizona Phil 1 day 10 hours ago (view)

    The Cubs have re-signed RHRP Jonathan Holder and C-INF P.J. Higgins to 2022 minor league contracts, presumably with an NRI to MLB Spring Training. 

    They will be Rule 5 Draft-eligible, if and when there is a Rule 5 Draft. 

     
  • Dolorous Jon Lester 1 day 19 hours ago (view)

    Owners' stooge Bobby Manfred coming out swinging at the players with his statement about the owners instituting a lockout.

     
  • Arizona Phil 2 days 1 hour ago (view)

    The Cubs re-signed OF Michael Hermosillo to a 2022 Major League contract just prior to the midnight Wednesday MLB transaction freeze. 

    Hermosillo was non-tendered on Tuesday because he was a Rule 5 Draft-Excluded Player, and if he had remained on the 40 the Cubs would not have been able to outright him to the minors any earlier than 20 days prior to MLB opening Day. 

     
  • crunch 2 days 5 hours ago (view)

    we shouldn't, especially with how much payroll room for 2024+ this top-costing-for-fans team with a heavily monitized ballpark in a major media market has.

    backloaded contracts aren't exactly groundbreaking new things...neither are cheap-ass owners.  i don't expect them to compete every year, but i expect them to try after a punt season where they traded away the core.  NYY, NYM, LAD, LAA, BOS, etc. don't seem to have trouble doing this even if it means throwing a bit of money around...

     
  • Sonicwind75 2 days 6 hours ago (view)

    Stroman, a pleasant surprise.  Good to know we aren't completely punting until 2025.

     

     
  • Arizona Phil 2 days 6 hours ago (view)

    CRUNCH: Clint Frazier's 2022 base salary is only $1.5M and he has a minor league option available, so I think it's more likely than not that he opens 2022 at AAA. 

    On the other hand, Harold Ramirez is out of minor league options, and it is unknown at this point what he will get in 2022 as a "super two." 

     
  • crunch 2 days 6 hours ago (view)

    until clint fraizer came on board i wouldn't have counted bryant out.

    OF is kinda crowded right now, though there's no stars in the mix.  fraizer - happ - ortega - heyward - h.ramirez leading the group...  even if he split time between OF/3rd with wisdom that just makes it more crowded, plus the team allegedly wants hoerner to prepare to be used as a super-utility guy.

     
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