Minor League Playoffs and More

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 09/05/2013 - 1:23pm

The most exciting thing around the Cubsverse right now is the minor leagues competing in the playoffs. Meaningless as a victory may be to the big league club down the line, it's fun to follow and have a rooting interest in something, other than the Cubs losing for a better draft pick slot.

- Last night and advanced to the finals of their respective league championships, both sweeping their best-of-3 series. C.J. "#5 Cubs prospect" Edwards continued his domination with 5 no-hit innings on 8 K's against one walk for the win, Ryan Searle had a 4-inning save and almost closed out the committee no-hitter before giving up back-to-back singles with one out in the 9th. Kris Bryant provided the bulk of the offense going 3-for-3 with a run scored, a double, 2 RBI's and a hit-by-pitch in the 4-0 victory. Daytona will play Charlotte (Tampa affiliate) starting tonight, with Pierce Johnson taking the mound.

- Boise won 11-7 on the strength of 12 hits and the weakness of Salem-Keizer's defense that included 5 errors by the Giants affiliate. Justin Marra went 2-for-5 with 4 RBI's and 2 doubles and Kevin Encarnacion and Daniel Lockhart both had 3 hits. Not a good night for either team's pitching, but Duane Underwood's 1.1 innings that included 2 hits, 2 walks and 3 runs allowed was a particular lowlight. Regardless, Boise starts their finals series versus Vancouver (Toronto affiliate) on Friday..

- Tennessee starts their playoff run as well tonight versus Birmingham (White Sox affiliate). Nick Struck will go for the Smokies.

- put out an all-minor league team and Dan Vogelbach and Javier Baez were the 1B and SS representatives. An admittedly weak first base class at the moment, but still a bit of a surprise announcement on Vogelbach whom will likely slot between #6 - #10 on most Cubs' prospect lists this winter. Baez faced much stiffer competition at shortstop, but making a run at the home run title gave him the nod.

- and one had this to say on Junior Lake

"He is starting to figure it out. He has always had the physical tools but never really looked like a natural baseball player. To see him slow the game down makes him a viable player. Of all the defensive questions I had in the past, his athleticism is starting to answer them at multiple positions. He has the physical attributes to impact major-league games… and it is starting to show up more regularly than expected."

Being the skeptic I am on Junior Lake's major league potential, I thought it would be a good time to bring up that he has a .380 BABIP right now in the majors that has lead to his current and very average 294/339/428 slash line. If you discount his first 7 games, which I admit is a bit of cheating, but it's not much of a leap to assume that major league pitchers weren't too aware of his strengths and weaknesses yet, he's 255/306/365. But if you're looking for upside, he does have some very nice splits versus lefties (1.113 OPS vs. a .637 OPS against righties) and his slash line over his last 16 games (297/348/406) is right in line with his season numbers...and he's 23. Ultimately I still believe he'll make his career as a short-side platoon outfielder or 4th outfielder/utility man.

- Speaking of draft pick slots (check the lower left sidebar), White Sox have taken a 2.5 game lead over the Cubs for the third spot in the draft and Cubs have just a one game lead over the Brewers for the 4th spot, although the Cubs do own the tie-breaker in both situations.

Tags: 
Cubs Minor Leagues
Cubs News of the Moment

Comments

Submitted by Rob G.  on Thu, 09/05/2013 - 1:35pm  

just a guess, but what most top 10 lists will look like

Baez, Bryant, Almora, Soler, Edwards, Olt, Vizcaino, Alcantara, Vogelbach, Johnson

I imagine Baez will sneak into the top 10 of most major league top 100 lists and Cubs should have 4-5 on most of them.

Submitted by Cubster  on Thu, 09/05/2013 - 1:50pm  
White Sox have taken a 2.5 game lead over the Cubs for the third spot in the draft --- The WSux are riding a 6 game losing streak after getting swept in both Boston and NY, while the Cubs have gone 3-3 vs Phils and Marlins. Next they go to Baltimore before a home stand vs Detroit, Cleveland and Minnesota. They end the year with one makeup game vs Toronto (in Chi), then at Detroit and Cleveland before the final series vs KC in Chicago So they have two series vs non-contenders plus the makeup game. 5 series vs contenders (counting the Indians). The Cubs remaining schedule is similar as they are against 5 contenders, except 2 series vs the Brewers. Starting this weekend vs Milwaukee, then a road trip to Cincy, Pitt and Milwaukee. Final home stand vs Atlanta and Pittsburgh. Then final series at St. Louis. So they have comparable end of season schedules with a slightly tougher mix for the Cubs (since they have struggled vs Milwaukee so far)

Submitted by Rob G.  on Thu, 09/05/2013 - 3:16pm  

Daytona lineup for tonight...

RF Chen CF DeVoss 1B Geiger DH Vogelbach 3B Bryant LF Giansanti C Krist 2B Darvill SS Soto RHP Johnson

Submitted by crunch  on Thu, 09/05/2013 - 3:30pm  
sappelt officially outrighted to AAA...hopefully he can get his foot issues cleared up and come back a better player (with 4th/5th OF'r upside that has a touch of speed) next season.

Submitted by Newport  on Fri, 09/06/2013 - 8:55am  
Hopefully he is in someone else's system next year.

Submitted by Carlito  on Fri, 09/06/2013 - 5:39pm  
You read my mind. He brings nothing to the table that we need right now ....

Submitted by Rob G.  on Thu, 09/05/2013 - 6:20pm  

underway in Daytona, Pierce Johnson with a K and gives up a hit, but no other damage.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Thu, 09/05/2013 - 6:41pm  

Chen single, DeVoss double, Geiger groundout scores a run.

Johnson works around a leadoff double with 2 more K's in 2nd (Daytona up 1-0 heading into bottom of the 2nd).

Submitted by Rob G.  on Thu, 09/05/2013 - 6:38pm  

Smokies lineup

CF, Alcantara 2B, SS, DH, Villanueva 3B, Silva RF, LF, Mota 1B, C, Struck SP

Submitted by Rob G.  on Thu, 09/05/2013 - 6:58pm  

bottom of 2nd

  • Anthony Giansanti doubles (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Kes Carter.
  • Chadd Krist strikes out swinging.
  • Wes Darvill strikes out swinging. Wild pitch by pitcher Jesse Hahn. Anthony Giansanti to 3rd. Wes Darvill to 1st.
  • Elliot Soto walks. Wes Darvill to 2nd.
  • Pin-Chieh Chen doubles (1) on a fly ball to left fielder Willie Argo. Anthony Giansanti scores. Wes Darvill scores. Elliot Soto scores.
  • Zeke DeVoss walks.
  • Pitching Change: Jared Mortensen replaces Jesse Hahn.

4-0 Daytona so far....

Submitted by Cubster  on Thu, 09/05/2013 - 7:35pm  
CHA, top 4th, Two outs... Hector Guevara singles on a line drive to left fielder Anthony Giansanti. Drew Vettleson out at home on the throw, left fielder Anthony Giansanti to catcher Chadd Krist. Still 4-0

Submitted by Rob G.  on Thu, 09/05/2013 - 7:46pm  

0-0, top of third for Tennessee, both teams with just a hit, Villanueva for the Smokies.

Daytona goes up 5-0 in bottom of 4th on Geiger RBI double that brings in DeVoss.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Thu, 09/05/2013 - 8:00pm  

Pierce Johnson done, 5 IP, 6 K, 5 H, 0 BB and leaves with a 5-0 lead

Jeffrey Lorick in for another 4-inning save opp.

Tenn still tied 0-0 in top of the 4th.

Submitted by fullykräusened  on Thu, 09/05/2013 - 8:14pm  
Just in case: Alas, poor Lorick. I knew him, Horatio: A fellow of most infinite jest, of most excellent fancy...

Submitted by Jackstraw  on Thu, 09/05/2013 - 9:57pm  
Word.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Thu, 09/05/2013 - 8:25pm  

dueling home runs leave it tied 1-1 in bottom of 5th for Tennessee...Silva with the Smokies HR.

Szczur, Alcantara, Baez and Bour combined 0/8 with 3 K's.

5-0 Daytona through 7 and a half.

Bryant/Vogelbach combined 0/5 with a walk on the night.

Submitted by Cubster  on Thu, 09/05/2013 - 8:51pm  
D-Cubs win 5-0. Zack Cates gets 2 quick outs, then walks the next three before getting the last out with a K. Piniero pitches tomorrow night for the D-Cubs

Submitted by Rob G.  on Thu, 09/05/2013 - 9:00pm  

D-Cubs win 5-0. Zack Cates gets 2 quick outs, then walks the next three before getting the last out with a K.

"Wild Thing" Cates

Tennessee down 3-1 in bottom of 6th.

Submitted by billybucks  on Fri, 09/06/2013 - 8:09am  
Daytona Cubs vs. Chicago Cubs: Who ya got?

Submitted by Cubster  on Thu, 09/05/2013 - 9:02pm  
from the Boston mlb.com beat writer on Daniel Bard...
Only 28, the Cubs have taken an interest in other pitchers full of talent but lacking in results. Bard could be a good fit for the Cubs, though Farrell warned that it might take some time before they see any results.
"There's still a player and a pitcher there that's motivated, and yet anytime that there's activity disrupted by an injury, that's going to slow that process," Farrell said. "Time was of the essence with us. We needed the roster space. But based on what we saw over the last couple of years, it needs to be built back gradually. How long that takes is the unknown in this."
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130...

Submitted by Cubster  on Fri, 09/06/2013 - 6:15am  
John Arguella writes about Masahiro Tanaka http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/2013/09/de...

Submitted by John Beasley  on Fri, 09/06/2013 - 7:29am  
Leaving for Chicago in a few minutes. Have nowhere to be and nothing to do until tonight. So in a moment of impulse, went on StubHub and bought a Cubs ticket. It was only $7, and got a pretty decent box seat. Yet somehow I feel like I'm the one who got screwed.

Submitted by Cubster  on Fri, 09/06/2013 - 11:43am  
Sold my tickets today on stubhub to some Moran for $7. He's screwed (based on sunk costs, of course). Enjoy the game JB.

Submitted by garsky  on Fri, 09/06/2013 - 1:04pm  
https://twitter.com/EamonConQueso/status/3750...

Submitted by Rob G.  on Fri, 09/06/2013 - 2:21pm  

Cubs foolishly beating Brewers 5-2 in the 3rd, Junior Lake with a grand slam.

Submitted by The E-Man  on Fri, 09/06/2013 - 2:49pm  
Stupid Cubs. They can't even lose correctly.

Submitted by crunch  on Fri, 09/06/2013 - 2:59pm  
"Scott Baker (elbow) will make his Cubs' debut on Sunday against the Brewers."

Submitted by Cubster  on Fri, 09/06/2013 - 4:02pm  
Whoa! A Stealth appearance by Baker. Not many will notice because he's going up against the Bears vs Bengals.

Submitted by crunch  on Fri, 09/06/2013 - 5:23pm  
d.lee was at the game today sitting down the line a few rows back near the cubs on deck circle.

Submitted by Cubster  on Fri, 09/06/2013 - 5:33pm  
fun video of DLee getting a foul ball and asking Darwin Barney in the on deck circle to autograph it http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=...

Submitted by Cubster  on Fri, 09/06/2013 - 5:38pm  
Cole Gillespie and Michael Bowden unclaimed and get assigned to Iowa roster. Carrie Muskat interviews Daniel Bard... http://muskat.mlblogs.com/2013/09/06/96-bard-...

Submitted by Cubster  on Fri, 09/06/2013 - 6:09pm  
yep, you guessed it... Playoff game in Daytona, Postponed: Rain http://daytona.cubs.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t450

Submitted by Rob G.  on Fri, 09/06/2013 - 6:18pm  

Tennessee starts Dae-Eun Rhee tonight, Daytona postponed as mentioned, Boise starts Dillon Maples

Smokies lineup: Gm 2 lineup: CF,Alcantara 2B, SS, 1B,Villanueva 3B,Silva DH, LF, RF, C,Rhee SP

Submitted by Cubster  on Fri, 09/06/2013 - 7:09pm  
A BJax sighting!

Submitted by Rob G.  on Fri, 09/06/2013 - 7:01pm  

http://baseballinfosolutions.wordpress.com/20...

kind words on W. Castillo's defense, their system has him as the best defensive catcher in the league...I'm a bit skeptical on that one, but better than being the worst.

(nothing in their system seems to account for pitch framing fwiw, something he's notioursly bad at it, even if improving)

Here's an ESPN insider article discussing that very subject (Molina and Lucroy are called out)

http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/962...

Submitted by crunch  on Fri, 09/06/2013 - 10:20pm  
"their system has him as the best defensive catcher in the league" their system is broken...very highly broken. i like his D...i like his arm...but c'mon...even before "pitch framing" gets into it.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Sun, 09/08/2013 - 1:47pm  

BP article on pitch framing, W. Castillo neither on the good or bad list

http://baseballprospectus.com/article.php?art...

Submitted by Charlie  on Sun, 09/08/2013 - 3:09pm  
Castillo does show up on the "Worst Frames of the Week" list. He catches a sinker outside that he sets up for inside, and in the process he slides his whole body toward the left-handed batter's box. The writer has this to say about it: Not sure what either of the people behind the plate is up to here. Close as I can tell, Ron Kulpa said "BOOGA BOOGA BOOGA," and Castillo got scared and slid to safety in the left-handed batter's box. What they don't mention is that there is a runner on third that Castillo clearly checks up on, and he appears to maybe have been crossed up as well.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Sun, 09/08/2013 - 3:32pm  

pays to scroll all the way down...

does look like a cross-up, or that Arrieta missed his spot by so much that Castillo had to adjust to save the run and not worry about the framing on that one.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Fri, 09/06/2013 - 8:55pm  

4-0 Birmingham over the Smokies through 4 and a half, 2 runs were unearned thanks to a throwing error by the Golden Child at shortstop.

Boise up 1-0 through 4, Penalvar tripled and scored the lone run.

D. Maples: 4 IP, 6 K, 2 BB, 3 H

Submitted by Cubster  on Fri, 09/06/2013 - 9:25pm  
Boise scores 3 more in the 6th on a Rony Rodriquez rbi single and David Bote 2 run double. 4-0 Hawks Maples still pitching in the 7th

Submitted by crunch  on Sat, 09/07/2013 - 3:07pm  
PIT DFA's James McDonald...wow. injured early (shoulder)...not good before the DL, not good since returning...still...wow.

Submitted by Carlito  on Sat, 09/07/2013 - 9:53pm  
Odds he becomes a Cub?

Submitted by crunch  on Sat, 09/07/2013 - 10:58pm  
*shrug* if daniel "cannot find the strike zone for 2 years" bard can be a cub, almost anyone can. that said, SP is one area where they're pretty much full up on talent going into next season...who knows...

Submitted by Charlie  on Sun, 09/08/2013 - 9:44am  
It all comes down to what it would take to get him, I think. If it takes very little, I don't see why the Cubs wouldn't go after him. Always need more young-ish starting pitching. And starting pitching can always become middle relief.

Submitted by crunch  on Sat, 09/07/2013 - 5:21pm  
c.lim debut... 54th player of the season...cubs franchise record...which was set last year. ...and before the 2nd pitch of the game he goes to his mouth on the rubber (which isn't allowed) and the ump has to tell the dugout because lim didn't understand...which prompts welly to visit the mound to pass the message...which is weird cuz i don't think he speaks korean. evidently this is a message which transcends language or lim knows "baseball english". btw, they can't send the interpreter out because he has to be taken out w/ the manager and that would count as a mound visit. 1st batter walked on a full count. 2nd batter single to left on a 3-1 count. now the interpreter/manager come out. double play. end of inning. (he came in with 1 out) 90-93mph...lot of fastballs. he threw 3 very poor sliders through 14 pitches. he also works very slow.

Submitted by Carlito  on Sat, 09/07/2013 - 8:46pm  
Man does he work slow. It was kinda hard to watch . . . And both his windup and stretch are very quirky. Kind of rocks himself into it.

Submitted by Tito  on Mon, 09/09/2013 - 9:32am  
Minor correction, the interpreter went out with Bosio, so obviously it's allowed for pitching coaches as well. And yeah, Lim works painfully slow.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Sat, 09/07/2013 - 6:24pm  

Baez 2-run HR in 1st inning, Smokies lead 2-1 through 4...Jokisch pitching.

Daytona up 1-0 after 1, Vogelbach with a 2-out double to score Geiger...Pineyro pitching...5 straight K's to start the game.

 

Submitted by Cubster  on Sun, 09/08/2013 - 1:21am  
Smokies final was 9-2, Game was close until a 6 spot in the bottom of the 8th: -------- Tennessee Bottom of the 8th Matt Szczur singles on a ground ball to shortstop Tyler Saladino. Arismendy Alcantara pops out to shortstop Tyler Saladino. Javier Baez singles on a line drive to left fielder Brandon Jacobs. Matt Szczur to 3rd. Justin Bour singles on a line drive to left fielder Brandon Jacobs. Matt Szczur scores. Javier Baez to 2nd. Christian Villanueva singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brandon Jacobs. Javier Baez scores. Christian Villanueva to 2nd. Justin Bour advances to 3rd, on a throwing error by left fielder Brandon Jacobs. Kevin Vance intentionally walks Rubi Silva. Pitching Change: Ryan Kussmaul replaces Kevin Vance. Jonathan Mota hit by pitch. Justin Bour scores. Christian Villanueva to 3rd. Rubi Silva to 2nd. John Andreoli doubles (3) on a ground ball to left fielder Brandon Jacobs. Christian Villanueva scores. Rubi Silva scores. Jonathan Mota scores. John Andreoli to 3rd. Fielding error by left fielder Brandon Jacobs. Taylor Davis grounds out, shortstop Tyler Saladino to first baseman Dan Black. Matt Szczur grounds out, pitcher Ryan Kussmaul to first baseman Dan Black.

Submitted by Old and Blue  on Sun, 09/08/2013 - 8:23am  
Sounds like some clutch plays by the team with the glorious minor league type name "The Stone Crabs". Hit by pitch, two errors by Brandon Jacobs. Well done. With that Daytona lineup, I'm surprised they lost any games at all this year.

Submitted by Cubster  on Sun, 09/08/2013 - 9:27am  
Nick Cafardo with a few paragraphs on Epstein/Bard:
That’s what Epstein and Co. are banking on. By claiming Bard on waivers, the Cubs took on an additional $275,000 in salary, the remainder of the $1.86 million Bard is earning this season. The Cubs, obviously, won’t be able to make an evaluation of Bard this season, so they’ll likely work out a pre-tender offer in a split contract for 2014, under which he’d make a certain amount if he makes the major league team or another amount if he’s in the minors.
http://www.boston.com/2013/09/06/sunball/AzuT...

Submitted by jacos  on Sun, 09/08/2013 - 10:47am  

Submitted by John Beasley  on Sun, 09/08/2013 - 10:50am  
Everybody knows he doesn't hit enough to win a Gold Glove.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Sun, 09/08/2013 - 1:08pm  

heh, well-played

Submitted by crunch  on Sun, 09/08/2013 - 1:45pm  
does it not matter one bit to these catcher defensive "scores" how little some catchers have a guy attempt a steal off of them or the impact of keeping them near/on base? ...or how much they play vs what they do when they play? when a C can hold a guy on base through sheer threat it really impacts where the infield D can set up, especially on the 2nd/1st side of the field. ...as much as welly seems overrated in this system...matt wieters seems totally shit upon...

Submitted by Rob G.  on Sun, 09/08/2013 - 1:36pm  

Baker throwing 89 mph (career average is 91 mph), efficient first inning 16 pitches/10 strikes

Submitted by crunch  on Sun, 09/08/2013 - 3:53pm  
s.baker's final AAA start is going well through 4ip... 5ip 2h 1bb 1k - 0 r - 55 pitches on the day for baker ...and grimm/russell blow it out of the pen.

Submitted by Cubster  on Sun, 09/08/2013 - 3:37pm  
Alcantara hits a 2 run single up the middle scoring TDavis and Szczur...bottom 3rd. Alcantara goes to 3rd on SB plus error on throw which hits him on the helmet. Baez K's. Bour F8. On to the 4th tied 2-2.

Submitted by Cubster  on Sun, 09/08/2013 - 3:41pm  
Villaneuva walk, Silva single and Mota rbi single, 3-2 Smokie Links then Szczur doubles scoring Silva and Mota. 5-2, bottom 4th

Submitted by Cubster  on Sun, 09/08/2013 - 4:30pm  
Taylor Davis with a 2 run double in the 6th, scoring base-cloggers Silva and Mota. Smokies 7-4, end of 6.

Submitted by Cubster  on Sun, 09/08/2013 - 5:23pm  
3 more Smokie runs in the 8th. Jonathon Mota triple scores Silva and Andreoli, Szczur SF scores Mota. 10-4 Smokies. Rubi Silva is 4-4 with 3 runs scored.

Submitted by Cubster  on Sun, 09/08/2013 - 5:35pm  
Final 10-7 Tennessee beats Birmingham. Series tied at 2-2. Series finale tomorrow night.

Submitted by Cubster  on Sun, 09/08/2013 - 4:31pm  
Boise game just starting, 3 up-3 down in the first at Vancouver.

Submitted by Cubster  on Sun, 09/08/2013 - 5:44pm  
Boise 1-1 in bottom 5th. Run scored by Bote on a Hankins double in the 2nd inning. update: Vancouver up 4-1, 8th.

Submitted by crunch  on Sun, 09/08/2013 - 4:18pm  
h.rondon finally gets back to back 0er outings! it's his first back to back 0er outing since june 11th/13th. that only took almost 3 months. also, clubs lose.

Submitted by Cubster  on Sun, 09/08/2013 - 5:43pm  
Corey Black pitched 6 innings of 1 hit shutout ball. 2 walks, 2 K's. D-Cubs lead 2-0 in top 8th at Charlotte.

Submitted by Cubster  on Mon, 09/09/2013 - 2:18pm  
Ricketts family at it again...buying Nebraska? http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/i...

Submitted by crunch  on Mon, 09/09/2013 - 3:08pm  
"MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez reports that the Dodgers are close to a deal with free agent Alexander Guerrero." that didn't take long. fwiw..."Sanchez says the pact is "between five and seven years" and will be worth $32 million. Guerrero is a power-hitting second baseman."

Submitted by Old and Blue  on Mon, 09/09/2013 - 3:49pm  
The Havana Dodgers begin to take shape.

Submitted by crunch  on Mon, 09/09/2013 - 6:18pm  
holy cubbery in the 1st inning...bad running at 1st...bad running at 3rd...a run that should have scored didn't...and a runner at 1st that should have stayed there tries for 2nd and runs into a very stupid + not-even-remotely-close out. btw, the attendance at this game @CIN is pathetic for a team in contention...it's wrigley-esque.

Submitted by crunch  on Mon, 09/09/2013 - 6:49pm  
r.sweeney ties a career high in HR with his 6th...in 133ab (previous, 6 in 484ab). the cubs collection of b-teamers are achieving a lot of career power marks in way less ABs compared to previous seasons. ...and valbuena follows it up the next inning hitting a career high of 11 HR in 299ab, passing his career high of 10 in 368ab.

Submitted by Cubster  on Mon, 09/09/2013 - 7:55pm  
D-Cubs win FSL championship 4-0. CJ Edwards with 5 shutout innings, 1 hit ball. Then Ryan Searle retired all 12 hitters he faced. Woo. A championship Cub team!

Submitted by Cubster  on Mon, 09/09/2013 - 8:07pm  
see below

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 09/09/2013 - 8:01pm  

CJ Edwards: 5 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 3 K and the win

R. Searle: 4 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K for the save

Vogelbach 3/4 with an RBI

Tennessee down 6-2 headed to bottom of 5th, Neil Ramirez roughed up for 3.1 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 0 K

Alcantara with 2 errors, Baez with 1

Boise starts Michael Wagner tonight in the winner-take-all Game 3 versus Vancouver

Submitted by Cubster  on Mon, 09/09/2013 - 8:11pm  
Baez just blasted one to left center for a 2 run bomb, also scoring Szczur who had doubled. 6-4 Birmingham in the bottom 5th, two outs, CVillaneuva up (singles)...pitching change. Baez HR estimated at 419 feet.

Submitted by crunch  on Mon, 09/09/2013 - 8:12pm  
t.wood, the best 87-89mph fastball pitcher in quite a while, blanks CIN through 7 innings and 100 pitches (the 1st time in his 2 year cubs career he's been allowed to throw 100+ pitches 4 games in a row, btw...never threw more than 2 in a row last season and 3 in a row only once this season prior to this 4-game stretch). era/whip lowered to 3.05/1.11

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 09/09/2013 - 8:57pm  

bottom of the 8th still 6-4, Villanueva, Silva, Andreoli due up

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 09/09/2013 - 9:10pm  

2-out walk for Andreoli, but nothing happening...to the 9th.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 09/09/2013 - 11:19pm  

Smokies lose 7-4....Boise down 2-0 in bottom of 8th.

At least we'll always have Daytona.

Submitted by JoePepitone  on Tue, 09/10/2013 - 12:25am  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pa-dGYjSq5k Here's lookin' at you, kid.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 09/10/2013 - 12:21am  

Boise loses 5-0 btw.

Submitted by John Beasley  on Tue, 09/10/2013 - 4:13am  
Cubs dropping Old Style in 2014, going exclusively with Amheiser. m.huffpost.com/us/entry/3890344?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003 I assume it won't affect availability of "premium" brands like Corona, Amstel Light, etc. I never liked Old Style, but it's still weird that it won't be available at Wrigley.

Submitted by Doug Dascenzo  on Wed, 09/11/2013 - 2:02pm  
The old school charm (and brand equity) of Wrigley Field is suffering a death by 1000 cuts at the hands of Tom Ricketts.

Submitted by crunch  on Wed, 09/11/2013 - 2:10pm  
it's been weird watching the bleachers change over the years. it started before the ricketts left, but the "oldschool oldtimers" have been slowly/quickly (depending on the view of time) been pushed out of the bleachers by bros, hecklers who think this is a yankees game, and meat market bro hookup opportunities. i wonder if they still give out certificates to those who throw a ball back on the field from an opposing HR. a few weeks ago a bunch of bros and assorted douches were laying into a kid...maybe 10 or 12...to throw a ball back that he caught and was happy as hell about. the "oldtimers" would generally let that kind of thing pass without pressure (especially since he was a kid who brought a glove to the game), but the kid caught so much hell he ended up reluctantly tossing it back on the field to the cheers of dozens of young bros and his own disappointment. i can only hope that some bleacher fan gave the kid a replacement ball, but still...it's not the one he brought his glove to the game and caught.

Submitted by Tito  on Thu, 09/12/2013 - 8:58am  
When was the last time you were at Wrigley? Honestly curious. They always give replacement balls. So to speak.

Submitted by crunch  on Thu, 09/12/2013 - 3:15pm  
1998... i'm used to seeing the 'old guard' out with their certificates, replacement balls, etc as more highly visible fixtures in the bleachers rather than the newer crew (mostly based on TV viewing). i recognize some classic faces out there, but i'm also seeing a lot of them scattered or absent.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 09/10/2013 - 2:39pm  

2014 tentative schedule

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?...

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/schedule/index.js...

Open season on road against Pittsburgh on March 31st...

Home opener vs. Phillies on April 4

4 games vs. WSox from May 5-8 (2 at each park)

home series vs. Yankees, Orioles and Rays

road series vs. Yankees, Toronto and Boston

September is all NL Central opponents except a 3-game set @ Toronto, season ends on Sept 28th @ Milwaukee which comes off a 10-game homestand, so if by some miracle they're in a race, they have that going for them.

Submitted by jacos  on Tue, 09/10/2013 - 2:48pm  
Don't know who this guy is but he enjoys the kool-aid- http://sports.yahoo.com/news/chicago-cubs-10-... 1-no 2-no 3-maybe 4-no 5-no 6-no 7-yes 8-no 9-maybe 10-who cares

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 09/10/2013 - 3:24pm  

wasn't quite so appalled by it...but some strange ones indeed

#1) 85 wins; you never know I guess, not that crazy to believe though

#2) Sveuem replaced - nope

#3) Castro will bat .300 - very possible

#4) Baez will win ROY - no idea of the rookie class next year, but if they find him a position I wouldn't call it impossible

#5) Baker and Bard key bullpen parts - I think Villanueva already has the long role for next year

#6) Ninja and Wood will combine for 35 wins - T. Wood's BABIP says that's not happening

#7) Wrigley purists will enjoy the video board - of course they will, but is it gonna be ready for next year?

#8) Cubs will stand pat at deadline - if they're flirting with .500, certainly possible

#9) Rizzo will be an All-Star - possible of course, Votto, Goldschmidt, Freeman in the way though, not to mention A. Gonzalez

#10) Cubs will win first and last game of year - sure, who cares...unless that last game is a playoff game.

Submitted by jacos  on Tue, 09/10/2013 - 3:28pm  
Baez won't be up long enought to be ROY if he even comes up next year. And the Ninja/Wood thing made me throw up in my mouth.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 09/10/2013 - 3:35pm  

Puig got called up late and he'll probably finish 2nd

Posey played his first game in 2010 on May 28th and won it that year

Harper started on April 28th last year

Chris Coghlan started on May 9th in 2009

off the top of my head, Kolten Wong probably won't lose his eligibility this year and should have a starting job...Oscar Tavares is a good bet for an early call-up. Jameson Taillon might get called up by June for Pirates. Chris Owings of the Diamondbacks may get a gig out of spring training although certainly a lower class prospect. Archie Bradley may have a gig out of spring training or soon after.

Submitted by jacos  on Tue, 09/10/2013 - 7:11pm  
You think Baez will be called up before August ?

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 09/10/2013 - 7:52pm  

i don't know, I think if he has a good AFL, a good spring and is tearing up AAA the first month and Darwin Barney is still playing 2b or there's an injury on the infield or the outfield, he could be called up by May or June.

I wouldn't call it likely, but I could envision it happening.

Submitted by crunch  on Tue, 09/10/2013 - 3:49pm  
most of these predictions are hard to gauge right now...and some pulled out of thin air without more than a wild hunch. they have a lot of money to spend unless the rickets family pulls the plug on it...the season isn't even over and they're already linked to choo. they could not only sign choo, but also other impact players (pending money not being taken away). this is before getting into possible trade-for-talent scenarios. the idea of baez coming up early enough to make a ROY impact seems like a huge stretch. nice power...huge step backwards with D...olt is going to get his shot at 3rd before they start to burn up baez's service time...the Ks issue (which may always be a part of his game)...and he doesn't have to added to the 40-man roster to keep protected from the rule-5 yet. maybe if he has an unreal winter/spring ball showing and castro/baez could be coaxed into 2nd base he could see time earlier...or if he starts to tear up AAA at an un-ignorable pace. what the hell is the love for d.bard? he's lost his killer velocity (4mph missing off his fastball) and has major control issues even while throwing it less hard...an odd combo that traditionally doesn't mix. ...and baker as a pen guy? doubt he'd go for that unless he's holding back as a starter and he can hit 91+mph out of the pen. ...a lot of the type of players they pick up this offseason will determine whether they're going to "stand pat" at the trade deadline. it was obvious before ST started this year that their offseason pickups were designed to be traded to build the minors system. "The Cubs will win the first and last games of the season"...full retard.

Submitted by crunch  on Tue, 09/10/2013 - 5:20pm  
okay sammy sosa...seriously...stawp...stawp before you go full-jackson...just stawp... http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/18zrilnrg3nky...

Submitted by crunch  on Tue, 09/10/2013 - 6:44pm  
second level upper deck welly HR to LF...cubs lead by 2 in the top 2nd. swank.

Submitted by Cubster  on Tue, 09/10/2013 - 6:51pm  
what happened to Cingrani. Gameday says injury.

Submitted by crunch  on Tue, 09/10/2013 - 7:15pm  
no word yet...trainer came out...cingrani came out. it wasn't dramatic, but it was a quick hook. ...back spasms according to reds beat writer c.trent "fat motherfucker" rosecrans.

Submitted by Cubster  on Tue, 09/10/2013 - 6:53pm  
anyone care to predict if Castillo's power will show up in 2014? Upper deck HR's are cool when they are from the Cubs.

Submitted by crunch  on Tue, 09/10/2013 - 6:59pm  
i've always seen him a doubles-power guy...someone that's a 30+double, 10-ish HR type guy over 500ab (given his expected load as a mostly-starting C). he's never had moonshot power, but he's put together a lot of line drive deep hits. thanks to injury/soreness and navarro being kinda awesome with the bat, welly should only get 400ab this year, though.

Submitted by crunch  on Tue, 09/10/2013 - 7:17pm  
another d.murphy HR...cubs lead by 4, top 4rd. 10HR in 107ab...and d.barney is still getting nearly everyday look at 2nd for some reason.

Submitted by John Beasley  on Tue, 09/10/2013 - 7:37pm  
Management needs to take a long look at Barney before definitely nontendering him in November.

Submitted by Cubster  on Tue, 09/10/2013 - 7:51pm  
Management needs to take a long look... --- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbcW81M4L8k

Submitted by crunch  on Tue, 09/10/2013 - 8:03pm  
i just wonder if d.murphy is capable of playing 2nd full time...he seems to have been given chances in the past...he may or may not be capable. if he is capable, though, it'd be nice to see him get an extended look along with seeing what his bat is like over an extended everyday playing time. d.barney is a nice/okay bench-injury guy...a weak regular at best...but ultimately, a guy i'm ready to see not get almost 600ab a year.

Submitted by John Beasley  on Tue, 09/10/2013 - 8:26pm  
For whatever reason, in the case of Barney's MLB career, natural selection does not seem to be working. Damn you, Darwin!

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 09/10/2013 - 7:54pm  

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

The ultimate question about next year was put to Hoyer. Do any of these names have a chance to play for the Cubs coming out of spring training?

"It's likely none of those guys is going to start the season in the big leagues, so as we make out a lineup card for our 25-man roster that's not going to be a part of it," he said.

also says to expect Baez, Bryant, Soler and Almora to be trying different positions in the AFL, especially E-6 Baez.

Submitted by Carlito  on Tue, 09/10/2013 - 8:51pm  
Soriano 2 HR for yanks so far tonight, including a 2 run shot in the 8th to break up a 4-4 tie in Baltimore. Dude is smoking, matches last year's total of 32 HR I believe.

Submitted by crunch  on Tue, 09/10/2013 - 9:03pm  
ejax HR...2nd of career. welly has 2 HR tonight. 9-0, top 7.

Submitted by Cubster  on Tue, 09/10/2013 - 9:03pm  
Back to back HR's, Welly gets his 2nd of the night and ? whoa...cub pitcher power!

Submitted by jacos  on Tue, 09/10/2013 - 9:07pm  
The Reds on fifth pitcher tonite The previous four went 1.2 inning each

Submitted by crunch  on Tue, 09/10/2013 - 9:16pm  
j.lake...wtf was that? that route...that effort...that result. manny ramirez-esque play in LF turns an out into a rbi double. neat.

Submitted by crunch  on Tue, 09/10/2013 - 9:20pm  
b.hamilton getting his 1st mlb AB. 4sb, 3 runs in 4 games without a PA...not a bad start to a career. ...line drive out to castro...castro didn't even have to move his feet.

Submitted by jacos  on Tue, 09/10/2013 - 9:24pm  
Herb Washington agrees

Submitted by crunch  on Tue, 09/10/2013 - 9:39pm  
if only he could have stolen bases as well as he ran. he had a cpat-like ability to turn blazing speed into bad decisions and outs.

Submitted by Carlito  on Tue, 09/10/2013 - 9:38pm  
Please. Make Lim go away . . .

Submitted by crunch  on Tue, 09/10/2013 - 9:43pm  
it's been a long time since i've seen a pitcher work this slow...steve trashhell approves. bases loaded, 2 out...16 pitches...and it's taken about 1/2 hour...or it feels like it.

Submitted by crunch  on Tue, 09/10/2013 - 9:45pm  
...and he gets out of it.

Submitted by Carlito  on Tue, 09/10/2013 - 9:54pm  
Crazy. Yeah he sets up before the sign, after the sign, at the top of the wind up. Might have the clutch gene tho!

Submitted by Rob G.  on Wed, 09/11/2013 - 1:53pm  

I see that Ace Samardzija is at it again....

6-0 Reds in bottom of 6th.

Submitted by WISCGRAD  on Wed, 09/11/2013 - 2:20pm  
Sigh. Just checked in and saw that too. He's been on a free fall the last couple of months.

Submitted by billybucks  on Wed, 09/11/2013 - 2:24pm  
Shark and Rizzo in an active battle for worst finish to a disappointing 2013 season. With the minor league seasons over --- when does AFL start???

Submitted by crunch  on Wed, 09/11/2013 - 2:34pm  
rizzo's aug/sept (aside from the power in aug) has been really "ugg." i can handle a low BA + OB% if he can hit 25-ish HR and 40-ish doubles. i just hope he can keep it up in the following years...or improve... his pay is still reasonable through the length of his contract even if he keeps on the pace of this season with his overall numbers, even if they're paying too much a few years early. if he improves, his options for 2020/2021 could be quite a deal (along with the years before that 1.25,5,5,7,7,11)...it's a 2m per year folly if the 20/21 options are not picked up, though.

Submitted by The E-Man  on Wed, 09/11/2013 - 3:22pm  
Like I keep saying, his loopy/slow swing cannot keep up with the power arms. His weaknesses have been uber-exploited this season. Its up to him to get it together.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Wed, 09/11/2013 - 2:47pm  

6.66 ERA (appropriately) since start of July according to one of the tweets on the sidebar, which includes the one good week he had where he won player of the week.

Submitted by Old and Blue  on Thu, 09/12/2013 - 5:48pm  
Next year: 100 innings, and shut him down.

Submitted by crunch  on Wed, 09/11/2013 - 2:02pm  
PIT is giving a.mccutchen the night off for rest even though they have a DH slot in an AL park...plus because grilli/melancon worked too much yesterday k.farnsworth is tonight's closer (if needed). ...it's like they don't care or something. =p

Submitted by crunch  on Wed, 09/11/2013 - 4:47pm  
...and it all works out...and farnsworth throws 1ip 0h 0bb 1k for the save.

Submitted by crunch  on Wed, 09/11/2013 - 2:32pm  
rosscup breaks 2 bats for outs in a scoreless inning...swank. take that m.rivera.

Submitted by jacos  on Wed, 09/11/2013 - 2:55pm  
I'm thinking Reds bullpen will be spent the rest of the way.

Submitted by crunch  on Wed, 09/11/2013 - 8:11pm  
"Mark Carman @thecarm Mike Olt will not to play this winter according to Jason Mcleod. #Cubs will try to determine what role concussion played in his down year." yow...of all the guys that seemed to actually need to play this winter...hopefully rest will do him good.

Submitted by Charlie  on Wed, 09/11/2013 - 8:48pm  
Winter ball seems to be a way to get real prospects needed experience or a chance to prove themselves a bit more. Olt needs to get right.

Submitted by Old and Blue  on Thu, 09/12/2013 - 5:45pm  
I kinda trust the baseball pros on this one. If they think Olt needs some time away from the game, he probably does.

Submitted by Carlito  on Thu, 09/12/2013 - 5:55pm  
Fully agreed.

Submitted by Cubster  on Wed, 09/11/2013 - 10:04pm  
another 2014 Draft list, Big League Futures. 4 of the top 5 are pitchers. http://bigleaguefutures.net/1/2013/09/09/2014...

Submitted by crunch  on Wed, 09/11/2013 - 10:31pm  
t.beede 10th? cold. ...he's a bit high on nick gordon at 9th, even if he is a SS. kodi medeiros is on his list and he's been absent or very deep on a lot of lists even though he's got great stuff. very interesting guy with extremely good fastball + slider combo and unusual mound delivery. he throws between 3/4 and sidearm...very deceptive...especially for a guy who's stuff, alone, doesn't need deception. the biggest hangup for him is it's been hard to gauge how good he is in competition because he plays weak competition in hawaii. it's hard to tell what kinda loot he's gonna want...he's not committed to any college (and it's thought that he doesn't want to go to college), but if he falls too far in the 1st he may go the community college route to raise his value. btw...i still don't like jeff hoffman as much as some people. he's getting a lot of positive buzz since he's one of an extremely small list of guys who had "sit up and notice" performances with summer ball exhibitions/leagues. still, it's one big crapshoot after c.rondon anyway...who's control/command doesn't excite me very much. killer tools on rondon, though...he's got the parts (fb, cutter, slider, curve, change, kitchen sink, etc)...he just needs to make it repeatable.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Thu, 09/12/2013 - 2:12pm  

Welington the slowest player to first in baseball

http://www.actasports.com/stats_detail/?StatI...

I imagine Dionar is spared only because of hitting from the left side mostly.

Submitted by VirginiaPhil  on Thu, 09/12/2013 - 4:16pm  
Speaking of Castillo, he has a higher DWAR than Russell Martin, 2.6 to 2.4, in spite of being bettered by Martin in every defensive column that I can see. Can anybody explain the magic of DWAR (defensive wins above replacement)?

Submitted by crunch  on Thu, 09/12/2013 - 5:25pm  
DWAR is such a cocksuck stat...imo... a bad catcher or mediocre SS can be as important to the stat as a good 1st baseman based solely on how they weigh the importance of the position. total zone is part of the weight along with runs/to/win. before d.barney's 3.6 DWAR last year we had n.perez with 2.7 in 05 and 1.3 in 06. in 07 r.theriot had a 1.3 and soriano had a 1.2. in 2012 s.castro had a 1.2 DWAR...it's sitting steady at 0.0 DWAR this season. much like WAR, for every few players that belong on the list there's a few "statistical wtf dude?" listings that make it every year. last year in the AL...alex gordon (5), torri hunter (7), and denard span (9) were top WAR guys with 5-6.5 WAR. the stats, both WAR and DWAR need a little work or at least approached with caution...especially if one -CHOOSES- to use these values to project a player's value going forward for either batting or defense.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Thu, 09/12/2013 - 6:51pm  

I can't find any explantion on how BR calculates there catcher defensie WAR, but amongst the defensive WAR stats, the numbers for catcher are probably the least reliable. I believe it incorporates wild pitches, passed balls, errors, and caught stealings, but relative to opportunities of course which the defensive columns you're most likely looking at do not take into account.

Also, 2.6 vs. 2.4 is a pretty miniscule difference in regards to WAR numbers.

Coaching staff seems to be happy with him though...at age 26, I imagine he'll be the answer for 4-6 years.

http://beforeitsnews.com/sports/2013/08/is-ch...

Submitted by crunch  on Thu, 09/12/2013 - 7:58pm  
"I've also added a column for what we calculate the player's defensive performance is worth (dWAR). Unlike with batting, it's generally believed that the replacement level fielder is around league average. The idea is that there are a lot more guys who can field in the major leagues than can hit in the major leagues. There our dWAR value is just the player's total zone defensive runs saved divided by the runs to win conversion (generally ten runs to a win)." http://www.baseball-reference.com/blog/archiv... ...also "Version 2.0, May 2012... dWAR now contains the position component as we feel this better captures player defensive value. In our view, even a poor defensive catcher is likely equally valuable to a good defensive first baseman in terms of team defense." http://www.baseball-reference.com/about/war_e...

Submitted by crunch  on Thu, 09/12/2013 - 8:20pm  
rosscup in to pitch back-to-back days (though it's probably only for 1 batter). one thing he didn't do a lot (hardly at all) in the minors is work consecutive games.

Submitted by crunch  on Thu, 09/12/2013 - 8:25pm  
...and 1 batter it is...which he walked. grimm time. 2 outs, bases loaded, 4th pitcher of the inning.

Submitted by crunch  on Fri, 09/13/2013 - 12:48am  
BA minor league all-star team... http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/2013-mi... baez - DH (beating out x.bogaerts for SS wasn't gonna happen since he's going to be the #2 or #3 top prospect on almost every list coming up) cj edwards - SP (3 of 5)

Submitted by John Beasley  on Fri, 09/13/2013 - 6:24am  
Maybe CJ Edwards becomes Roy Oswalt II, but I still can't help but think he's going to be a bullpen guy. Maybe a great bullpen guy, but still just that.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor  on Fri, 09/13/2013 - 7:15am  
What makes you say this JB?

Submitted by John Beasley  on Fri, 09/13/2013 - 11:34am  
Just that successful long-term SPs usually don't have such a diminutive physical frame. No doubt that the guy throws gas, but whether he can keep it up over a long MLB season for multiple years is quite another story. In his 6 starts after joining Daytona, he went the following IP: 5, 1, 3.2, 5, 4, 4.1. The game he went 3.2 was the only game he got torched. 1 was probably a rain issue or something since we are talking about Daytona 2013. But even on the days he was dealing, he's definitely not going deep into games.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor  on Fri, 09/13/2013 - 11:40am  
That's a good point. I would counter with, after throwing only 67 innings the year before, maybe they didn't want to increase his workload my more than 40-50%? 116 IP this year...If he can get 140 IP next year, and then 170 the year after? Just an idea.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Fri, 09/13/2013 - 11:59am  

I imagine every league organization is a little different, but the starters with the most innings in the FSL average less than 6 innings per outing and Edwards was pitching in a lower league before the trade where he had 93 IP over 18 (right around the 5-6 range).

There's a lot of piggyback starts as well at those levels as they're trying to get their eyes on more pitchers.

Submitted by GDex  on Fri, 09/13/2013 - 5:19pm  
Edwards is skinny at 6'2'' 155 lbs. But the Cubs had a rookie pitcher in 1987 who was smaller, 6'0'' and 150 lbs. Name was Maddux..

Submitted by John Beasley  on Fri, 09/13/2013 - 5:57pm  
And if Edwards ends up being the best control pitcher in history who doesn't have to rely on his hot sauce all the time, I'm sure he'll have a fine career as a SP as well.

Submitted by crunch  on Fri, 09/13/2013 - 6:08pm  
roy oswalt lists at 6'...but most everyone knows it's closer to 5'10". that said, cj edwards is skinny as all hell...but he's always been that way. his little bro chris, highschool senior, has more muscle than him and he's rather skinny, too. juan cruz was 6'2" and looked like a crackhead in street clothes for a good chunk of his early career...could still bring it 94mph.

Submitted by Newport  on Sat, 09/14/2013 - 9:23am  
Chris Sale is like 6'4" 155lbs

Submitted by jacos  on Fri, 09/13/2013 - 11:13am  
Small guy, don't be surprised if he gets flipped in a year or two

Submitted by Rob G.  on Fri, 09/13/2013 - 12:03pm  

Baez and Hendricks named Cubs minor league players of the year

http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/7764

past list of honorees

http://wiklifield.thecubreporter.com/Cubs_Min...

Submitted by billybucks  on Fri, 09/13/2013 - 12:47pm  
When Logan Watkins is your minor league POY and you lose 100 games at the MLB level, you've got a lot of work to do. Which, thankfully, seems to have been well done. EDDIE Zambrano?

Submitted by Cubster  on Fri, 09/13/2013 - 1:55pm  
The EZ-Man... http://www.tradingcarddb.com/Images/Cards/Bas...

Submitted by JoePepitone  on Fri, 09/13/2013 - 1:56pm  
Yeah! Forgot about (never noticed?) ol' Eddie Z. Had a monster year at Iowa back in '93 -- 32 HR, 115 RBI and slash line of .303/.377/.578. Got into 67 games with the Cubs the following year, then disappeared after that.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Fri, 09/13/2013 - 5:11pm  

minor league numbers says he went from Boston to Cleveland to Pittsburgh before he signed as a minor league free agent with Cubs.

While he never came close to the year he had in Iowa at age 27 in 1993, he showed some signs of something interesting before that and his numbers with the Cubs in '94 were pretty good (115 OPS+).  Wonder if there was an injury or something, he ended up in Boston system next year and was pretty awful after that.

Submitted by crunch  on Fri, 09/13/2013 - 6:13pm  
PIT with an extreme right shift on rizzo...he hit it foul, but he tried to put on into left. flied on out the track to just right of CF trying to pull on the next AB, though.

Submitted by John Beasley  on Fri, 09/13/2013 - 6:46pm  
Should've done this: atmlb.com/18jZDXw

Submitted by crunch  on Fri, 09/13/2013 - 7:24pm  
arrieta sharp through 3.2ip...then gives up back to back to back HR. tie game.

Submitted by crunch  on Fri, 09/13/2013 - 8:31pm  
2r rizzo HR...bomb 5-4, top 7...woo.

Submitted by John Beasley  on Sat, 09/14/2013 - 9:24am  
Nice to clinch not-100 losses, but as far as I'm concerned, this team can just roll over and die for Pittsburgh. Fuck St. Louis, and Fuck Cincinnati.

Submitted by Charlie  on Sat, 09/14/2013 - 10:16am  
Can't help but root for Pittsburgh.

Submitted by jacos  on Sun, 09/15/2013 - 8:12am  
Go Buccos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBpYgpF1bqQ

Submitted by Cubster  on Sat, 09/14/2013 - 12:12pm  
Alf Soriano out with a sprained thumb, supposedly according to Roto, he's day to day. http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://be... I'm not sure he had a thumb.

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  • jdrnym 6 hours 30 min ago (view)

    AZPHIL, has there been official word as to whether the 26-man roster has been extended down to the minor league levels that previously had 25-man rosters? Can't really think of a reason why that shouldn't be the case...

     
  • Arizona Phil 11 hours 26 min ago (view)

    Another possibility for a "26th man" in 2020 would be a young pitcher selected in the Rule 5 Draft who has big league upside but who is clearly not yet "big league ready," or a pitcher who is out of minor league options who might not be quite MLB ready.

     
  • Cubster 13 hours 32 min ago (view)

    Just sign Rick Reuschel and lets move on

     
  • crunch 14 hours 14 min ago (view)

    "Buster Olney of ESPN reports that Scott Kazmir will throw for MLB teams this week.

    The 36-year-old Kazmir hasn't thrown in the majors since the 2016 season, but he recently told Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times that he that he hit 90.9 mph with his fastball during a bullpen session."

    someone put another bottle of left-in-the-car warm water under the cubs hot stove and let's get this one done!  woo!

    sigh.

     
  • crunch 1 day 5 hours ago (view)

    bryce harper ruined that bat dragging thing for everyone after his ejection years ago at the junior college world series.

    also, hurrah for baseball making it's return.

     
  • JustSayin' 1 day 5 hours ago (view)

    College ball started Saturday.  Umpire egos in D1 baseball are not that much smaller than in the pros, so of course there was a controversy.  In the late innings of a game in the weekend's biggest series (Michigan vs.

     
  • crunch 3 days 3 hours ago (view)

    the news is mostly based on a Baseball America article from the 11th (behind a paywall)...so the gist of it is rather legit rumor-wise, though it's still too far in the future to call it a 100% done deal.

    btw, the cubs have been strongly linked to pursuing christian hernandez for quite a while.  the BA writer that wrote the article about the cubs links has been following c.hernandez since he was a 14yo talent and is quite familiar with him.  that signing probably is in the bag.

     
  • Wrigley Rat 3 days 5 hours ago (view)

    I don't know much about this website, but they are speculating that the Cubs may sign two of the top International Free Agents available during this signing period: https://www.cubshq.com/print/news.do?id=16441&isNe... Does anyone know if this sounds legit?

     
  • Arizona Phil 4 days 9 hours ago (view)

    Minnie Minoso was playing in the Mexican League (as a DH) at age 47 and Julio Franco was playing in the Mexican League (as a DH) at age 49, so Mexican League teams clearly do not have a problem with signing older players. 

    And of course the ageless Satchel Paige was still working as a SP in AAA (with the Miami Marlins) into his early 50's (and prior to that he pitched in MLB as late as age 46).  

     
  • crunch 4 days 10 hours ago (view)

    b.colon has signed to a mexican league team.  woo old dudes.  he turns 47 in may...believed by some to be older.

     
  • Cubster 4 days 18 hours ago (view)

    Replacing someone like David DeJesus?

     
  • crunch 5 days 11 hours ago (view)

    mark grace returns to chicago as an analyst/on-air-talent for Marquee.

    he won't be part of the main game calling crew, but will be doing support content during games.

     
  • Eric S 5 days 15 hours ago (view)

    Increasing levels of smoke concerning a possible Arenado/KB trade

    https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2020/02/13/cubs-reportedly-are-absolutely-motivated-to-try-to-acquire-nolan-arenado/

    Get Arenado to agree to push back his opt out a few years or so down the road and this could work out nicely for the Cubs

     
  • Arizona Phil 6 days 6 hours ago (view)

    Jason Kipnis (like Brandon Morrow) was a post-2019 Article XX-B MLB free-agent who signed a 2020 minor league contract, so he gets a $100K retention bonus and an automatic June 1st player opt-out if he is not released by 12 PM (Eastern) on the 5th day prior to MLB Opening Day or added to an MLB 40-man roster or MLB 60-day IL by 12 PM (Eastern) on MLB Opening Day. 

     
  • Arizona Phil 6 days 6 hours ago (view)

    The Cubs have signed post-2019 second-contract minor league FA catcher Jordan Procyshen to a 2020 minor league contract and he has been assigned to AA Tennessee.  

     
  • Dolorous Jon Lester 6 days 8 hours ago (view)

    Q could be subbed in for any of those too

     
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