Cubs MLB Roster

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40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full), plus two players are on the 60-DAY IL 

26 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, ten players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, two players are on the 15-DAY IL, and two players are on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-17-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 13
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Colten Brewer
Ben Brown
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Mark Leiter Jr
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

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

OPTIONED: 10 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Luke Little, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

10-DAY IL: 2 
Seiya Suzuki, OF
Patrick Wisdom, INF 

15-DAY IL: 2
* Justin Steele, P  
Jameson Taillon, P 

60-DAY IL: 2 
Caleb Kilian, P 
Julian Merryweather, P
 




Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Too Soon?

Submitted by Rob G. on

Let's never speak of last night again...

Good news is that the Cubs get a favorable pitching match-up today when Ryan Dempster faces....(shuffles papers)

(Yells at TCR Secretary)

What do you mean Cliff Lee is starting?....Who? He's just the AL Cy Young Winner....No, I don't need a sandwich Mom and don't come down here...Yes, I know it's the basement, but it's my office...and my bedroom.

alright...so bad news is that the Cubs have lost 6 of 7 and are facing last year's AL Cy Young Winner and recent Philly acquisition Cliff Lee in an attempt to avoid the sweep. Good news is that the Earth hasn't been hit by a large asteroid in a really long time.

Reader art after the jump...

 

Thanks to either The Cincy Kid or Ryno for that one, I can't tell you people apart by your real names when you email me.

Tags
Cubs Recap

Comments

Submitted by Jeff_Pico on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:49 am

What's really amazing is that this team has lasted as long as it did and I'm not sure if I would count them quite out yet. Stranger things have happened. Chances of winning todays game? Somewhere less than 1%. Game Board just got his 30th RBI last night...he might be looking at about 40 for the whole season? He's really not been hurt that much this year even though Lou has benched him a few times....when was the last Cub middle of the order guy who played a whole season had less than 40 RBI's? Whats the all time record for HBP by a reliever and can Carlos Marmol break it? These are the big question of the 2009 Cubs.

Submitted by Brick on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:22 am

I for one would welcome the asteroid.

Submitted by Bigz on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:05 am

well, lets save some cash on these escalators and play the iowa cubs. At least that might be more fun. p.s. I have mets tickets now for sale.

Submitted by Cubster on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:09 am

I for one would welcome the asteroid. --- We all know that's the punch line for an old joke but I don't understand how the Cubs win the WS after Armageddon, if the planet is blown up. Maybe Hell freezing over but not Armageddon.

Submitted by Cubster on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:17 am

Sun Times article saying Zambrano's had epidural cortisone injections before (annually). --- ''I've been assured by doctors that there was no new damage,'' general manager Jim Hendry said. ''He gets that epidural every year at some point. I fully expect him to be healthy the rest of the way once he gets back out there.'' Zambrano, who had his latest epidural over the weekend, is expected to be ready to rejoin the rotation about the time he's eligible to return from the DL, possibly during the four-game weekend series in Los Angeles that starts next Thursday. http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1714591,CST-SPT-cubnt13.ar…

Submitted by Cubster on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:24 am

below quote from the same article... they interviewed Michael Brenly on wscr this am...Lilly bought the team Steak/potatoes and fixings from Texas Roadhouse for the post-game spread. Brenly loved catching Lilly's 12-6 curve and apparently Lilly was a big hit talking pitching with the young-uns ala Greg Maddux. --- Rehabbing left-hander Ted Lilly threw five innings of shutout ball, allowing two hits and a walk, for Class A Peoria in a tuneup for his anticipated return to the rotation Monday in San Diego. He struck out two

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Submitted by VirginiaPhil on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:45 pm

Apart from Ted Lilly dropping by with food, a couple of other good things happened in that game. Ridling reached 80 RBI, and Burke reached 60. Brett Jackson (2 HRs last night) so far has been a high-voltage leadoff man.

Submitted by Cubster on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:24 am

one more tidbit from the sun-times article... it still really irks me that they haven't said which bone was fractured in Reed Johnson's foot. I wrote that if it's a navicular fracture he's going to take longer (possibly weeks longer) to recover, so reading this makes me wonder what is going on: Center fielder Reed Johnson's fractured left foot is progressing slower than anticipated, and the Cubs don't expect him to return from the DL until sometime during the next homestand in two weeks. He injured the foot when he fouled a ball off it July 29 against Houston.

Submitted by Cubster on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:25 am

...and Gorzelanny's foot is OK and is expected to get his scheduled start vs Pirates on Saturday

Submitted by jacos on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:42 am

What are Farah Fawcett and Michael Jackson going to do on Labor Day? Watch the 2009 Cubs in person. too soon?

Submitted by MikeVail on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:45 am

Maybe Samarz. should have gone to Drew Henson for career advice....

Submitted by Cubster on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:52 am

this article is a day old but Paul Sullivan/Tribune still doesn't realize ARam's injury was a Dislocated shoulder (which is very different from a separated shoulder...which implies injury to the AC joint, btwn distal clavicle and shoulder blade/acromion). ARam says he doesn't expect to undergo surgery on it in the offseason. http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-12-cubs-bits-chi… --- Aramis Ramirez is resigned to playing the rest of the year in pain while recovering from a separated shoulder. "I've been in pain since I came back, and I won't be 100 percent the rest of the year," Ramirez said Tuesday. "I'm going to have to play like that." Ramirez received a cortisone injection in the left shoulder Tuesday to alleviate the inflammation and said he hopes to return to the lineup Thursday. He began feeling pain in the shoulder during the road trip after finishing his swings, but doesn't think he will have to undergo shoulder surgery after the season. "You worry about surgery if you feel like your shoulder is slipping out and stuff," he said. "But it's just the muscle memory." Asked if he returned too soon, Ramirez replied: "I don't know. That's a good question." Did the Cubs rush him back? "They didn't rush me," he said. "I just wanted to come back and play. We're in the pennant race. ... I was doing pretty good two weeks ago, and all of sudden it starts to hurt. It just happens."

Submitted by The E-Man on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:03 am

LMAO Excellent work Rob G! I think we needed something like your terrific open! Thanks.

Submitted by Dmac on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:43 am

Watching this team this year has been akin to Japanese water torture (no offense to Fukudome) - and last night they may have finally bottomed out. Hope they catch the fan who dumped his beer on the outfielder and burn him alive - what, are they trying to go the Philly fans one better now?

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Submitted by O.Julius on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:43 am

Deadspin posse, saddle up, we've got a man's life to ruin. That would be justice. Apparently the real culprit told security it was the other guy. Can we pass some law that forever separates "Cubs fans" with "Wrigley bleachers-goers."

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Submitted by Jace on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:40 pm

Am I the only one who doesn't understand why this particular incident had made so much news? This is FAR from the first time I have seen that happen, all over the league, but also at Wrigley. I would guess that this type of thing happens at least once or twice a month, somewhere in the league. It is a very distasteful thing to do, but why is everyone so up in arms about this particular incident?

Submitted by Mike Wellman on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:18 am

You know, sometimes the whole scene [the team, the beer-dumpers, the boos, etc.]starts to feel really tired doesn't it? What are odds Lou returns next year? He's starting to exhibit the 'with fans/players/press like these, who needs enemies?' body language. If he doesn't come back, who replaces him? Too soon for Ryno? Hoping for a year of him in Des Moines...'highlight' of recent skid is Brenly's tirade re: not running hard after Theriot trotted home just ahead of Bradley making 3rd out @ 2B in Colorado...near future is not good w/ albatross contracts like the LF's & the 'ace's' strangling the team...

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Submitted by Charlie on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:19 am

I pretty much tuned out the game during the 4th inning. I don't know who the fans were booing, the Phillies or the Cubs, but neither was appropriate. If they were booing Marshall, why? Yeah, he had a really bad night, but it's not like he failed to run out a ground ball or threw the ball into the stands--he just got hit. If they were booing the Phillies, why? They were playing well--that's their job. If they were booing the Cubs team as a whole, okay I understand that, but I still think it's pointless and pretty low. Booing the Cubs at this point is very much beating a dead horse.

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Submitted by SJS on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:34 pm

Beating a dead horse is right....but who else pays $50 a ticket to do it. The fans at Wrigley have every right to verbally berate this team from top to bottom.

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Submitted by Charlie on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:12 pm

Sure, they have the right; "boo" doesn't fall under hate speech legislation or anything like that. But it's still dumb and pointless. Also, they should know that just because the ticket is expensive doesn't mean the team will be any good. What they paid for their tickets is their own problem. They could have paid a month's cable bill for that price and seen several games--possibly a win or two. Or they could've spent their money on something else. Buying a ticket does not equal buying a win. Again, I understand booing lack of hustle and lack of concentration--problems that can be fixed on the spot by more or more focused effort--but to boo a person or a group of people simply for failing makes little sense. If the problem is with the way the team is put together, maybe they should send Hendry an e-mail rather than booing the players, who have no say in the roster composition.

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Submitted by The E-Man on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:26 pm

Dude, this has been going on since Roman times. It is pointless, but does not FEEL that way to me. I pay the $45-$50 x 2 x 81 games If I want to boo the fuck out of them, I am going to! Those sorry-ass, MONEY-STEALING, lazy, heartless, underachieving thieves!

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Submitted by VirginiaPhil on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:23 pm

"near future is not good w/ albatross contracts like the LF's & the 'ace's' strangling the team..." Well, Mike, Zambrano can always play left field, but I don't think Soriano can pitch.

Submitted by artskoe on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:56 am

Damn! The season's over and I haven't purchased the team photo yet. Was waiting for the new manager, and I guess I waited to long to make a move...

Submitted by Dmac on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:33 am

"What are odds Lou returns next year?" Pretty low at this point, wouldn't you say? Unless Ricketts can convince him (not that he wants to), I don't know why he'd sign up for another year like this one. At this point I'd be fine if Brenly came down for a dugout run - no, he's not the greatest manager in the world, but with players like these, what difference does it really make in the end?

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Submitted by Mike Vail on Fri, 08/14/2009 - 08:53 am

I guess I'm one of the few that hopes that Lou returns. I seriously doubt he will. He tends to leave before he's asked to leave. I wonder how much contracts are forcing him to play people such as Miles. I know he's not absolved from this year's fiasco. His insistence that more left-handed batters would prevent another post-season choke made me cringe. I just like his desire to win. At least he cares. The problem is this team doesn't have the talent or the desire to win. I mostly blame Hendry for dismantling a 97-win team. Clown hat, frowny-face.

Submitted by Dmac on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:35 am

BTW, you should hear some of the fan's comments as they trudge back from the games in front of my building. Priceless, the kind of talk you usually only hear at 2:00 AM at the Cubby Bear.

Submitted by RI Mike on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:47 am

Got to blow it up. Z? Ace my ass Soriano? .250 20 88 Gregg? Joe Borowski Fontenot? Neifi Fuko? Doug Glanville I could go on and on, but I would just get sick(er). And Lou is so overrated. Jim Riggleman with a more talented cast of characters.

Submitted by Ryno on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:48 am

Though I would really like to take credit for the photo, it must have been The Cincy Kid. Good news is that the Earth hasn't been hit by a large asteroid in a really long time. No, but the odds are high that the earth could be hit by a meteorite at some point this week with the Perseid Meteor shower going on right now. *sigh* And to the fan throwing the beer... dood. We don't need that. The baseball world already hates us and thinks we're racists. Knock it off jerk.

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Submitted by Charlie on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:08 pm

Not a fail. That works. Though I imagine it's probably a lot easier with a scope and a tripod than holding the camera in one hand and a set of binoculars in the other.

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Submitted by Paul Noce on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:29 pm

Sorry for the double post. I've had an hour of internet hell courtesy of Comcast. My connection went out as I tried to post the first time and I tried again when it came back, briefly, only to see it drop again.

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Submitted by Paul Noce on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:56 pm

He claims his health is finally ok but he's struggling in the Independent League, hitting .242. But it's an interesting article.

Submitted by RI Mike on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:26 pm

Glanville -- 1999 628 AB, .325 BA, .376 OBP, 204 Hits, 101 Runs, 73 RBI, 34 SB and good glove Fuko -- last year 501 AB, .257 BA, .359 OBP, 129 Hits, 79 Runs, 58 RBI, 12SB and good glove Rob, you're right. Glanville may be better.

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Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:41 pm

so take Glanville's career year out of 8 versus Fuku's worst year in a 1.5 seasons and you've got it figured out?

Fantastic analysis....

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Submitted by RI Mike on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:24 pm

First, Glanville's best MLB year is better than any Fuko has had in MLB, so the comparison is not completely inane. Second, let's assume it's fair to throw out Fuko's Japan days so we can compare apples to apples. Even looking at Glanville's career numbers, which include his last year, which Fuko's of course, do no, it's not clear Fuko will be a better major leaguer. I hope he is, but I wouldn't bet on it. So before you so flippantly dismiss my comparison, consider: For his career, Glanville hit .277. So far, Fuko has hit .264. In the six seasons in which he had over 400 AB, Glanville averaged 163 hits. (Fuko had 129 last year and has 93 this year). Glanville averaged 74 runs. (Fuko had 79 last year and has 54 this year). Glanville averaged 25 stolen bases. (Fuko had 12 last year and has 6 last year). Glanville averaged 48 RBI. (Fuko had 58 last year and has 40 this year). I hope you get my point. What we wish we were seeing is not always what we actually see. As a Cub fan, you should know that.

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Submitted by Chad on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:48 pm

doug glanville career ops+: 78 fuku career ops+: 101 and that includes his first year dragging him down. his first year, which was a 90. Doug cracked 90 ops+ once in his career. and aside from his career year his highest was 88. not even close

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Submitted by Chad on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:42 pm

you have to. we are comaring a guy in his second year to a 9 year vet. i like counting stats but you need some perspective.

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Submitted by RI Mike on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:41 pm

For sure, I stand by my rant. I never said Glanville was a better player, I said, rhetorically, that Fuko was not playing much better than Glanville. Lay off my rant.

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Submitted by Paul Noce on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:31 pm

Happy about the guy going down, but I don't think Berg can pitch up here either. I really want to see Atkins get a legitimate shot, but his AAA season has been hit and miss.

Submitted by Wes on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:46 pm

I'm blatantly stealing the photo from the post and using it for my own benefit.

Submitted by Chad on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:57 pm

Comment under the beer throwing article at deadspin: "This is just the sort of thng that can end up jinxing a franchise. You wait and see!" awesome

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:52 pm

people took my post too literally...Parachat is lonely

Submitted by billybucks on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:54 pm

Last night: "Enough. This is a frustrating waste of time. I'm done." Today, 2 minutes ago: "Hmmm... 2nd inning, two on, no outs, Soriano and Soto due up. Let's see." Then: Soriano -- swingomg Soto -- looking Now: "Enough. This is a frustrating waste of time. I'm done."

Submitted by MikeVail on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:21 pm

Way to bear down and pick up the team, Dempster.

Submitted by billybucks on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:23 pm

Definitley, not "too soon". What a complete embarrassment.

Submitted by billybucks on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:15 pm

So.......I hear the Bears have a new quarterback.

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Submitted by Jace on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:50 pm

Yeah, and anyone who thinks that he is going to turn the Bears offense into gold better take a moment to compare the corps of receivers he had in Denver to those with the Bears, along with the creativity of the ex-Denver coach to the creativity of the Bears' coach. He will be better than Orton, though! I will definitely give you that!

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Submitted by billybucks on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:27 pm

Maybe Hester won't have to wait, tapping his foot impatiently, for the ball to arrive when he beats his man deep. Sorry for the Bears talk -- can't, ah, bear to discuss the Cubs, as I am allegic to the taste of bile.

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Submitted by Dusty Baylor on Fri, 08/14/2009 - 08:20 am

I would like to go through last season's games, and factor in the dropped passes in Orton's numbers. Cutler is better, but last season Orton played pretty well overall. He probably should have sat a couple more weeks with that ankle injury. It wasn't his fault the Bears D couldn't hold Houston under 31 points the last game of the season.

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Submitted by Dusty Baylor on Fri, 08/14/2009 - 08:29 am

Really? That's the best you could do? Orton put up some pretty good games with that cavalcade of crap at the WR position. If the Bears defense mans up and plays worth a shit, the 2008 Bears make the playoffs at 10-6. He did throw for 2 TD's with no picks that game. Look...I watched every game last season. Orton had problems with the deep pass last season, absolutely. But at some point..doesn't the WR have to make a play on the ball on the deep pass? I've seen enough football to know that not every deep pass is floated perfectly over the defender into the WR's hands 50 yards downfield. Sometimes, a WR will go up and make that play where he wants the ball more than the defender, and takes it. Think Marcus Robinson during his glorious 1999 season. He went up and got a lot of jump balls that season. I'm sure that Cutler is a more physically gifted QB than Orton. I am also sure that throwing to Eddie Royal and Brandon Marshall is a lot different than throwing to Devin Hester and Rashied Davis/Brandon Lloyd/Marty Booker.

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Submitted by Tito on Fri, 08/14/2009 - 08:58 am

Worth pointing out, too, that Orton was much better pre-ankle injury than after. If he'd been healthy the entire year, his numbers would've been better. The Atlanta game was the one that really killed them last year, even more than the Houston game.

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Submitted by Dusty Baylor on Fri, 08/14/2009 - 08:18 pm

The last 30 seconds of that game may have been the dumbest in Lovie's career...that stupid effing quib-ish kick....wtf!

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Submitted by dc60124 on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:54 pm

what did the 2009 bears do that the 2009 cubs did not do? "go 3 and out" too bad all the ill health fell on ramirez, and not on soriano. one is far more replaceable than the other. and who does randy wells think he is, not going on the d/l and such??

Submitted by Mister Whipple on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:02 pm

I'm so honored. And the answer is, no sir. Your timing is impeccable.

Submitted by The E-Man on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:09 pm

Well, my attendance record is now 2-11. I am just about done for 2009 after attending last night and today. As i said to my friend today among many things (sori bunt failure in the 2nd, Dempster shitting himself against Howard), the fact that Lou chose Miles to ph, made me sick. It is sad that this is an option at all. Fuck you again, Hendry.

Submitted by rokfish on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:45 pm

On postgame Todd Hollandsworth said he liked the idea but Soriano should have been bunting down third base line.Lou probally thought at least if we make him bunt he wont strikeout. Note to Lou you dont hit Soto and Soriano back to back, should have been Soriano, Baker, Soto.

Submitted by Jace on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:07 pm

Umm... when do we start bagging on Soto? I know he is relatively cheap and all, but we have gotten NO production out of a spot that I certainly was feeling pretty good about at the start of the year, before he went on his 3-week WBC pot bender, and gained 25 pounds... Bradley's poor production hurt early on, but Soto and Soriano have hurt more... Of course, I think the biggest fail is the 2b situation, but then I am not alone there...

Submitted by The E-Man on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:30 pm

"Umm... when do we start bagging on Soto?" In 2006 I saw him on a couple call-ups. Frankly, I was not impressed. So I was shocked and pleasantly surprised by 2007 & 2008. Since he is still relatively young, and had success in the pass - he will have ST and early 2010 to get his shit together Id think.

Submitted by Old and Blue on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:42 pm

I'm at the point where I want a third team in Chicago. Maybe the DeKalb Pansies. I'd watch them over these guys and I'm sure as fuck not gonna root for the White Sox.

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Submitted by SJS on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:43 pm

If the Flyers moved to the NL, they would be better than the Nats...but the Central would be crowded. Can we move Pittsburgh to the AL?

Submitted by Old and Blue on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:03 pm

Following up on my post it's clearly time we figure out how to fix this club. My first choice is to find a real lead off man. I think everything needs to start with that. Then a true number 3 hitter, and a true number 4 hitter. Maybe an almost true number 2 hitter but Bradley seems to like it there in between injuries. Since we're stuck with each other I hope the fans start rooting for him a bit. He actually could be good there. A little power, a nice OBP. Leadoff hitter gets on and he hits a few home runs to start a game a few times? Sounds okay to me. Of course, I'm one of the few Bradley sympathizers here so I'm a little biased, hoping against hope. I know Aramis is a true #3 or #4 and I read Cubster's earlier post about the difference in shoulder injuries but if they insist on playing him through the season doesn't that risk another kind of injury? I wish they could have played like this in a more timely way so Hendry could have pulled at least a minimal fire sale, not that I trust him at this point to pick up the right kind of prospects. Honestly, I'm nowhere near the expert most of you guys are. I would call my self an educated fan but zero on personnel, especially with other teams, but shit. When the new owners reboot and hire another GM, where the hell is that dude gonna even begin? Hendry gambled the ranch on making it during his tenure and he didn't do it. When he picked up Soriano I was happy because I thought he could help a lot and, if the Cubs made a WS, I didn't give a shit if the last 5 or whatever years of his contract were swirls of goo in the toilet. But now we get the swirls of goo, and no WS. I'm too used to this to be real tired of this. I'm more interested in maybe a new thread about how you guys would fix this. Maybe Rob G., if he reads this, will honor that request because, no, it ain't too early. This team has been dead for some time.

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:09 pm

really? Breaking news? "BREAKING: Wrigley Beer Thrower Turns Himself In - Bleed Cubbie Blue"

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Submitted by Old and Blue on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:27 pm

Oh, and where's my FIX IT! post? I don't know if you saw the Sat Night Live post with the dude saying, about the economic crisis before the election, "FIX IT!" but that's what we need now. We need to fix it, and I'm counting on you guys to do it. Thanks.

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Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:18 pm

all requests are noted by TCR staff and subsequently ignored....

but really, things suck right now and the season is pretty close to the brink, but a sweep of the Pirates and they're right back in the mix. Also, since the trade deadline passed already and waiver deals may happen but certainly harder to accomplish, not much fixing you're going to do right now.

Not that people can't talk about it or anything, but it's still a bit premature...plus what the hell are we gonna do for the 6 months after the season ends? Save me some ammo...

[ ]

Submitted by Ryno on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:31 pm

Mathematically it's possible, it wouldn't be difficult for them to do... is it likely considering the way the Cubs have been playing lately, though? No. It's becoming less and less likely.

Submitted by Ryno on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:31 pm

Oh good... todays game is being played again on CSN if you want to watch some good baseball.

Submitted by Ryno on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:41 pm

The fan turned himself in. At least he did that. A suitable punishment would be to force him to attend the rest of this season's games with no beer allowed.

Submitted by Cubster on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:48 pm

per WGN radio: John Maccioni charged with misdemeanors (usually gets a fine plus up to a year in jail depending on the level of misdemeanor)... Battery and Misconduct in a sports facility --- Won't Shane Ejectorino have to show up in court at some point to press charges?

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Submitted by Old and Blue on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:04 pm

Sorry, replied to my own post by not replying to my own post. Stay of execution, get it? Anyway, the court system is tied up to death anyway, but even if it isn't the DA can make an argument that the witness is under extenuating circumstances (he plays baseball for the away team) and the court date should be set for when he is available. That, and the Cubs are heavy witnesses for the prosecution so he may not even be needed. I'm sure he'd appreciate it if it was done without his involvement.

Submitted by Old and Blue on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:00 pm

of execution. Dumb ass mother fucker

Submitted by Cubster on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:28 pm

from Rotoworld: Mariners placed 3B Adrian Beltre on the 15-day disabled list with an injured testicle. Cue the laugh track. Beltre, who doesn't wear a protective cup, had a ball clip him in the groin during Wednesday's game. There was some tearing and internal bleeding. The team is waiting to see if he will require surgery. With surgery, he would be out a month. Without, roughly two weeks. Beltre's certainly been snake-bit in his free agent season. --- I love getting post #100

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Submitted by Doug Dascenzo on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:48 pm

"Snake-bit" would imply that something unfortunate, beyond his control, happened to him. Anyone's who has ever played more than an inning at 3B should know better than to not wear a cup. Even if the infields are groomed perfectly and you're better than Brooks Robinson, a ball's going to hit you in the balls sooner or later. What a dumbass.

Submitted by rokfish on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:34 pm

So when Lilly and Zambrano come back how bout we put Harden on waivers and see what happens. Think hendry has put Hielman on waivers?

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Submitted by Old and Blue on Fri, 08/14/2009 - 08:27 am

basketball or baseball? And don't give me that "The Korean" is the next best thing. I totally bought with Hee Chopped Soy. So fuck that.

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Submitted by Old and Blue on Fri, 08/14/2009 - 08:15 am

Props for him for not blaming the alcohol. A lot of people do. If you're an ass while drinking you're an ass while you're not and he didn't even try to go there.

Submitted by carmenfanzone on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:27 pm

I know this won't happen but I'd sure like to see Harden become the closer. Lilly, Z, Dempster, Wells and Gorzelany/Marshall filling out the rotation... So let's say we don't have a great September-what changes do you make in the offseason to right the ship? You could attempt to trade Zambrano or Lee and get younger and more athletic or you could run out the same basic team and start with a new manager. I personally think the latter is what they'll do. As far as the current team is concerned this lack of speed and power has to change. They're like a basketball that only shoots three's-pretty easy to defend. They all try to hit the ball out of the ballpark and therefore leave tons of runners on base. I'd sit Soriano and play Fuld in left during the Pittsburgh series.

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Submitted by Old and Blue on Fri, 08/14/2009 - 08:09 am

I really wish people would stop with the Harden as closer crap. It takes him two centuries to warm up when he starts. They'd have to get him up in the 6th inning.

Submitted by carmenfanzone on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:33 pm

Here would be my lineup for Friday's game: Theriot Bradley Lee Ramirez Fukudome Soto Baker Fuld

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Submitted by Wes on Fri, 08/14/2009 - 08:32 am

I would rather Lou write the card after drawing them out of a hat. Or write it based on whatever order he gets his Alpha-Bits on his spoon tomorrow morning. Nothing else is working.

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Submitted by Ryno on Fri, 08/14/2009 - 08:17 am

This would be my lineup for Friday: Fuku CF Derosa 2B Lee 1B Hoffpauir RF Ramirez 3B Soriano LF A Blanco SS Soto C

Submitted by Paul Noce on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 08:33 pm

My internet is back after almost 8 hours being out. Of course the cable never went out, so I wasn't spared the unpleasantness of watching today's game. Damn Comcast.

Submitted by Dmac on Fri, 08/14/2009 - 08:37 am

I can't believe I read that story regarding Beltre - whoever heard of a 3rd basemen not wearing a frickin' cup? I've heard of "manning up," but that's just ridiculous, unless you're interested in reforming the Bee - Gees. I've forgotten how deep in the hole this club's going to be in the future with all of those back - loaded contracts and no - trade clauses. Does anyone have an updated list displaying length of contracts, amounts due, and no - trades as well? Just curious - and worried.

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Submitted by Ryno on Fri, 08/14/2009 - 08:40 am

For this team to change significantly in the next few years someone would have to waive a no-trade clause. After making the playoffs in 07 and 08 I thought that was a good thing, but after this year... meh... hope they bounce back.

Submitted by navigator on Fri, 08/14/2009 - 08:48 am

I'm eating an egg now with a fork.

Submitted by Old and Blue on Fri, 08/14/2009 - 08:03 am

Here's my lineup fucking card: 1. fuck you 2. douche bag 3. ass wipe 4. dumb mother fucker I found it getting so foul I had to stop. Why do people fill lineup cards with a team like this? Seriously, find some garbage in your house and collect that. You'll get more pleasure out of the final result. EDIT: And, no, I'm not pissed off.

Submitted by artskoe on Fri, 08/14/2009 - 08:11 am

Ironic that this site mentions asteroids when NASA asks for 800 Billion so we can watch closer the ONE that comes and hits us..."NASA up to bat, 2 out,2 strikes, there's the pitch, SWING and a MISSSSS....oh, the humanity"

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Submitted by Old and Blue on Fri, 08/14/2009 - 08:16 am

I really don't understand this fear about government spending. You're okay with 34 percent interest rates but government spending pisses you off?

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Submitted by Ryno on Fri, 08/14/2009 - 08:35 am

Interesting that excessive government spending was never a problem until mid-January 2009. I'm not taking sides, I'm just saying.

Submitted by Ryno on Fri, 08/14/2009 - 08:30 am

Here's the video of Johnny Maccioni: http://www.wgntv.com/sports/chi-14-cubs-beer-chicago-aug14,0,6215615.st… Chicago police are filing a couple minor criminal charges. I expect Victorino and the Cubs won't actually file any civil complaints. This will probably expose me for the softy that I really am, but I say leave the kid alone. Slap him with a $500 fine or something stupid like that and send him on his way. He had a stupid moment, he knows it, case closed.

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Submitted by Old and Blue on Fri, 08/14/2009 - 08:39 am

sorta my feeling. Like I said in an earlier post, if he said, "I wuz drunk and the booze made me do it" I'd say, cuff him for about 3 years. But he just owned it so fine.

Submitted by rokfish on Fri, 08/14/2009 - 08:07 am

Ah nothing like a good laugh Soriano gets a 75,000 bonus when he wins a gold glove.

Submitted by Dmac on Fri, 08/14/2009 - 08:15 pm

Thanks for the info, Quiet Man. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go slit my wrists. Nightmares of an enfeebled Fonzie swinging from his heels at every pitch three years down the line has that kind of effect on me.

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    cubs getting crazy good at not having player moves leak.

    taillon we 100% know is pitching tonight.  who he's replacing and any additional moves are unknown as far as i can tell.

    p.wisdom was not in today's lineup in iowa (rained out) and he was removed from the game last night mid-game, but not for injury.  good bet he's with the team in the bigs, too.

  • Bill (view)

    A good rule of thumb is that if you trade a near-ready high ceiling prospect, you should get at least two far-away high ceiling prospects in return.  Like all rules-of-thumb, it depends upon the specific circumstances, but certainly, we weren't going to get Busch for either prospect alone.

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    Right on schedule, just read an article in Baseball America entitled "10 MLB Prospects Outside The Top 100 Who Have Our Attention".  Zyhir Hope was one of the prospects featured. It stated that he's "one of the biggest arrow-up sleeper prospects in the lower levels right now."

     

    Not sharing to be negative about the trade, getting a top 100 prospect who is MLB ready should carry a heavy prospect cost.  But man, Dodger sure are good at identifying and developing young talent. Andrew Friedman seems to have successfully merged Ray's development with Yankees financial might to create a juggernaut of an organization.  

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    I suspect Brown will spend some time in the bullpen due to inning restrictions.  Pitched only 93 innings last year and career high is 104 innings in 2022.  I would expect them to be cautious with a young player with his injury history.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    I wanted Almonte gone last week, but that was before Merryweather went down and Little got demoted. Almonte in his last 5 appearances has gone 4.1 IP with no ER or Runs. NO hits, 3 BBs and 8 SO. He did hit 96 with his 2S FB in AZ on Tues.
    I don't see Jed waiving him when we have injuries all over and guys with options that can be sent down.
    I probably won't like the move Jed makes, but he can't play the "let's hope no one wants his 1.7mil remaining deal and we can hide him in Iowa" card.
    That's why I think the current Bullpen stays as is and Wicks goes to Iowa.
    I don't like that, but that's the fix I see.
    We'll find out soon enough!!!

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Teheran minor league deal is done, per MLB.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Based on Phil’s sound analysis it sounds like a no brainer for Almonte to be placed on waivers as today’s roster move. We shall see.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    I suspect Counsell/Hottovy will use the piggy-back extensively, with Taillon and Hendricks pitching as the "pig" (and with a very short leash) and some combo of Wicks, Brown, and Wesneski (whichever two do not start) as the "backers."  

    Keep in mind that Keegan Thompson has a minor league option available, and if Yency Almonte is not outrighted by 4/26 he cannot be sent to the minors without his consent after that date. Almonte is out of minor league options, so I am talking about him getting outrighted to the minors if he is not claimed off waivers, and if he is claimed off waivers, the Cubs save the pro-rated portion of his $1.9M salary, which helps lower the Cubs 2024 AAV.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Totally agree. The 26 man roster very rarely consists of the 13 best position players and 13 best pitchers.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Based on what Jed has done in the past, I’d say the plan is to

    -give Hendricks another few starts
    -give Taillon some runway ot get his season underway

    -Mix and match in the bullpen and see what sticks

    Jed usually doesn’t do a whole lot of waiver wire plays in-season, at least early in the season. He only reallly did that after he blew up the rosters in 21 and 22 because they needed bodies (guys like Schwindel, Fargas, etc).

    I think he’s a little handcuffed by a full 40 man in that he can’t really maneuver much with giving anyone showing ability at AAA (R Thompson/ Sanders/ Edwards etc). Brewer has the most tenuous grip there, and we will see what kind of chance he gets. Other than his spot, there isn’t a ton of 40 man wiggle room.

    I’m very curious to see what happens with Brown now that Taillon returns. Bullpen? Wicks to Iowa? 

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