Big Cubs Comeback Leaves Rockies Fit to Be Tied

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Sat, 10/15/2011 - 10:30pm

Trey Martin blooped an opposite-field single over the second-baseman's head to score Rubi Silva from 3rd base and cap a furious comeback, as the Cubs rallied to score seven runs over the last four innings to tie the Rockies 7-7 in AZ Instructional League action this morning at Fitch Park Field #3 in Mesa.

The game started at 9 AM, and there was a pre-scheduled curfew of 11:30 AM or seven innings (whichever came first), so that players could get to the airport and catch their flights. As it turned out, the game did go seven innings, ending at 11:20 AM.


The Cubs played short-handed today from the gitgo, what with five players (Javier Baez, Taiwan Easterling Dustin Geiger, Reggie Golden, and Rafael Lopez) on the shelf with injuries, and with another group (Jose Arias, Jeffrey Baez, Jeimer Candelario, Mark Malave, Carlos Penalver, and Alexander Sanchez) having left Phoenix last night en route to the Dominican Academy to participate in the Dominican Instructional League.


In fact the Cubs were so short-handed that Garrett Schlecht played RF but did not bat (he has some type of injury where he can catch & throw but can't hit), Yaniel Cabezas missed two ABs because he was busy warming up pitchers in the bullpen, Rubi Silva played shortstop for the first time in his career, and DH Dan Vogelbach left the game and was not replaced after the end of the 5th inning (he was last seen running in full sprint to the clubhouse so that so he could get to the airport and fly home to Florida... whether he had time to change out of his uniform first, I do not know).


It kind of reminded me of one of those neighborhood baseball games you played as a kid, where some of the guys have to leave before the game is over. Like maybe Johnny's mother is calling him to come home for dinner, or Bobby has a clarinet lesson, etc.


The Rockies rocked Tony Zych and David Henrie for seven runs in tbe top of the 2nd inning, as Tyler Massey (two-run single), Trevor Story (bases-loaded triple), and Tim Smalling (RBI double) contributed key hits. It was the worst outing of Tony Zych's pro career.


The Cubs bullpen then retired 16 of the last 18 hitters they faced, as the Cubs offense kept pecking away at the deficit.


The Cubs scored three times in the bottom of the 4th, as Rubi Silva and Micah Gibbs singled, Dan Vogelbach blasted an RBI double, and Trey Martin followed with an RBI single. The third run of the inning scored on a double play.


The Cubs scored two more runs in the bottom of the 5th, as Yaniel Cabezas pulled a one-out double into the LF corner, Zeke DeVoss singled, and Rubi Silva bounced an RBI FC. The second run scored on a two-out E-4.


The Cubs narrowed the Rockies lead to one, scoring once in the bottom of the 6th inning on a balk after consecutive singles by Danny Lockhart and Shawon Dunston, Jr.


That set-up the bottom of the 7th as the final half-ining of the game (and 2011 Instructs), with the Cubs down 7-6.


Rubi Silva led-off with an infield single, outracing the pitcher to 1st base (the pitcher was late covering). Micah Gibbs lined a single to RF to move Silva to 3rd, and then Trey Martin came through with his game-tying bloop hit.


With runners at 1st & 2nd and no outs, it looked like the Cubs might come all the way back and win the game, but Danny Lockhart struck out after trying (unsuccessfully) to lay down a sacrifice bunt, and Shawon Dunston, Jr grounded out 4-3 (although the runners did advance to 2nd & 3rd). Justin Marra then walked to load the bases, leaving it up to Zeke DeVoss.


But DeVoss lined-out to SS for the 3rd out, bringing the 2011 AZ Instructional League season to a close for the Rockies and for the Cubs. (The Giants, Royals, and Reds have not yet concluded intructs, and will be playing games next week).


Here is the abridged bix score (Cubs players only)


LINEUP:
1. Zeke DeVoss, 2B: 1-5 (P-3, K, 1B, K, L-6)
2. Rubi Silva, SS: 2-4 (5-3, 1B, 4-6 FC, 1B, 3 R, RBI)
3. Micah Gibbs, 1B: 3-4 (K, 1B, 1B, 1B, R)
4a. Dan Vogelbach, DH #1: 1-3 (P-3, 2B, E-4, R, RBI)
4b. SLOT WAS SKIPPED 4th TIME THRU BATTING ORDER
5. Trey Martin, LF: 2-4 (5-3, 1B, F-8, 1B, 2 RBI)
6. Danny Lockhart, 3B: 1-4 (K, 6-3 DP, 1B, K, R)
7. Shawon Dunston, Jr, CF: 1-4 (3-U , K, 1B, 4-3)
8. Justin Marra, C: 0-3 (K, K, 5-3, BB)
9a. SLOT WAS SKIPPED 1st & 4th TIMES THRU BATTING ORDER
9b. Yaniel Cabezas, DH #2: 2-2 (2B, 1B, R, CS)
10. Garrett Schlecht, RF: NO AB - PLAYED DEFENSE ONLY


PITCHERS:
1. Zac Rosscup: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 12 pitches (7 strikes), 0/1 FO/FO
2. Tony Zych: 0.2 IP, 4 H, 6 R (6 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, 1 HBP, 30 pitches (20 strikes)
3. David Henrie: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 2 K, 29 pitches (21 strikes), 2/0 GO/FO
4. Dillon Maples: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 12 pitches (6 strikes), 2/0 GO/FO
5. Jose Rosario: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 11 pitches (8 strikes), 1/1 GO/FO
6. Dustin Fitzgerald: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 16 pitches (11 strikes), 3/0 GO/FO
7. Frank Del Valle: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 6 pitches (5 strikes), 0/2 GO/FO


ERRORS: NONE


CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Justin Marra: 0-1 CS


ATTENDANCE: 12


WEATHER: Sunny with morning temperatures in the 80's

Tags: 
Cubs Minor Leaguers
Micah Gibbs
Dan Vogelbach
Rubi Silva
Trey Martin
Tony Zych
AZ Instructional League

Comments

Submitted by crunch  on Sun, 10/16/2011 - 12:05am  
woo...rosscup is back for another week or 2 before he gets injured again. i know he's nothing special with his velocity, but he seems to have stuff that's hard for hitters to handle and doesn't make many mistakes.

Submitted by Paul Noce  on Sun, 10/16/2011 - 12:33am  
Nick Cafardo, Theo update at 10pm: An executive familiar with the negotiations described them as “business-like, civil and moving forward over the weekend.” There were no indications that the talks would break down. http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/...

Submitted by Pell Mell  on Sun, 10/16/2011 - 7:24am  
D'you ever wonder if this thing is really more sewn up than we've been led to think, and that 1) they're waiting until the LCSes are all done to announce, and 2) Boston is amping up its own media with dramatic spin because they think that helps them save face somehow?

Submitted by Tony S.  on Sun, 10/16/2011 - 9:16pm  
I absolutely think it's sewn up, and the MLB media machine is feeding bs tidbits as they see fit. #conspiracytheory

Submitted by Ryno  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 10:42am  
MLB is very sensitive about not drawing away attention from the playoffs & world series. I believe the deal will be announced as finished the day after the conclusion of the world series. Yes, I believe it is sewn up. In fact, the only thing I see as odd about this ordeal is HOW much information has leaked out.

Submitted by Old and Blue  on Sun, 10/16/2011 - 8:26am  
From that same article, for those who don't like to click links: "Carrie Muskat, MLB.com’s well-respected Cubs beat writer, reported that outfield prospect Brett Jackson would not be part of any compensation package." I'm with those who say that he shouldn't hold up the talks, but it would be nice to keep him as he sounds like an interesting prospect. My opinion on Ricketts has really turned around. That started with the smart way he dumped Hendry, how he trusted Hendry to finish up the draft signings even though he knew was outta here. Ricketts showed that he understands people when he trusted Hendry. Say what you want about Hendry, but he also showed a lot of class during his exit. Picking up Epstein, however, really makes me sit up and take notice. I was a little worried that he was going to try to be a hands on owner, with that contract extension for Wilken, for example. But it looks like he'll let Epstein run the ship completely - I can't imagine Epstein taking the job if that wasn't the case, and it looks like the Cranester will be relegated to non-baseball business, which is fine -- I think he's fairly harmless there. I haven't been too excited about the Epstein thing yet because this is the Cubs, so for me, my long standing policy is, I'll believe it when I see it. So, I hope this gets wrapped up soon. If this falls through somehow, it will be Cubsdom (aka CubsDumb) at its finest, and I never discount the possibility of disaster when it comes to this team, no matter who is running it.

Submitted by John Beasley  on Sun, 10/16/2011 - 10:15am  
I'm excited about Epstein because Carl Crawford and John Lackey aren't free agents this year. ;) But yeah, pretty much.

Submitted by Paul Noce  on Sun, 10/16/2011 - 12:10pm  
I haven't been too excited about the Epstein thing yet because this is the Cubs, so for me, my long standing policy is, I'll believe it when I see it. So, I hope this gets wrapped up soon. If this falls through somehow, it will be Cubsdom (aka CubsDumb) at its finest, and I never discount the possibility of disaster when it comes to this team, no matter who is running it. --- Being a Cubs fan does often feel like watching the Hindenburg in a lightning storm.

Submitted by champsummers  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 10:17am  
I share the sentiments. I was one of those who thought that MacPhail was the answer. Allright! We got the genie from Minnesota. Yep, lets just arrange the sofa cushions, sit back and enjoy the fun for the next 10 years... Nope.

Submitted by The E-Man  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 10:57am  
Not me. The ONLY GM I truly admired was Dallas Green. Hendry startled me when he went on the spending binge and put the teams together for the '07/'08 runs. I cannot blame him for the post season failures and the '08 team I felt was the best Cubs team, and the deepest in a long time. McFail is another matter. I hated him from the beginning and believed that the Tribune hired him to try to win on the cheap. To bring the Twins philosophy to the North Side. It was a miserable failure. The overall talent evaluation, and lack of budget for decent starting pitching really mired the team in the lower notches of the division. Ed Lynch was also a disaster. When McFail was hired in 1994, the team had Jim Bullinger, Jose Guzman, Kevin Foster, Steve Traschel, and Willie Banks as starters. Dave Otto and the great Dan Plesac were terrific non-contributors as well. Amounted to 5th place with 49 wins. 1995 they made it to 73 wins and a 3rd place finish with Navarro, Frank Castillo, Kevin Foster, Trachsel, and Bullinger as starters. 1996 went backwards with a 76 and 86 record, good for 4th. Again, Navarro, Trachsel, Castillo, Bullinger, and the amazing Turk Wendell as closer. 1997 the Cubs upped their game by aquiring...Terry Mulholland! add Trachsel, Foster, Ger. Gonzalez, and Castillo. All good for a 5th place finish. Seeing a pattern here so far? A pro team with all #4 and 5 starters. 1998 finally, the Cubs had something positive with Kevin Tapani, Mike Clark, Trachsel, WOODY, and Gerimi Gonzalez. And my favorite, Rod Beck. Good for 90 wins, a 2nd place Wild Card finish and a Braves sweep in the Playoffs. 1999 however, they slid back to 6th place, with Trachsel (the human game delay), a 35 year old Tapani, Kyle Farnsworth, a 36 year old Terry Mulholland, plus Terry Adams with 13 saves and Rick Aguillara. Gary Gaetti pitched an inning. So this is the first five years, and it was another three years until the infamous 2003 occurance. So the Cubs would have never been the Twins, and McFail, as time would show, would never have the success he had with the Twins, or anything close.

Submitted by The Real Neal  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 11:39am  
Wait a second... the Cubs didn't win the World Series in 1997? I think describing Navarro and Trachsel as 4th starters is a bit disgenuine.

Submitted by jacos  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 11:57am  
Sox gave Navarro ace money after 1997.

Submitted by champsummers  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 12:06pm  
Bleah. I was hoping that I would never see those names again.. -as painful as it is nauseating. Nice summary though. At that time, I had little understanding of what, if any, philosophy Andy had. All I knew is that he got a low budget team to the WS, and that was good enough for me.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Sun, 10/16/2011 - 1:27pm  
being the key to the playoffs The Rangers had no quality starts in the ALCS, and they are in the World Series. The Cardinals have none in the NLCS, and are one win away

Submitted by Paul Noce  on Sun, 10/16/2011 - 3:09pm  
Then the Cubs are on track for 2012 champions!

Submitted by Paul Noce  on Sun, 10/16/2011 - 4:12pm  
Did Casey McGeehee get even one start in the playoffs? Weren't they talking to him earlier this season about a long term deal? His future went south quick.

Submitted by Cubster  on Sun, 10/16/2011 - 4:59pm  
Boston Globe writers say David Kaplan's report that Lucchino was making talks contentious are unconfirmed.
An executive familiar with the negotiations described them as “business-like, civil and moving forward over the weekend.” There were no indications that the talks would break down.
A report from Comcast Sports Chicago suggested that Red Sox president Larry Lucchino was holding up the talks. But there was no independent confirmation of that report.
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/... Kap needs to take some diazepam and shut down his incoming twitter feeds at least until Wednesday.

Submitted by Paul Noce  on Sun, 10/16/2011 - 6:10pm  
I wouldn't be against Kap being in the compensation for Theo. He comes off as phony to me. Announcer voice, spray tan, etc.

Submitted by crunch  on Sun, 10/16/2011 - 7:46pm  
s.marcum...you and your 86-88mph fastball suck. he's got an awwwwwwwwwwesome changeup, but unless he's hitting at/near 90mph with the fastball it just doesn't work. to think MIL gave away the one thing they truly need to get marcum...a pimp 3rd baseman.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Sun, 10/16/2011 - 7:56pm  
shoulder injury, shouldn't be pitching

Submitted by crunch  on Sun, 10/16/2011 - 8:25pm  
this whole game sucks on both sides going into the middle 3rd...bleh. also, marcum's been throwing cutter/cutter/cutter/cutter way too much for a guy who has a cutter for his 3rd best pitch...but his fastball/changeup combo don't work when it's not fooling anyone.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Sun, 10/16/2011 - 8:27pm  
guess I'm a Rangers fan for the next week... 2 days for Cubs to make an announcement...

Submitted by Paul Noce  on Sun, 10/16/2011 - 9:46pm  
So is this Fielder's last game as a Brewer? I would think so. On the other hand, I have a hard time believing Pujols and the Cards don't get something done, unless the Cards lower their offer. I'm not sure who is going to make Pujols an offer like he's rumored to want. Maybe the Rangers/Nats get involved, maybe the Cubs do, but I'd be a little surprised. Other than that, are any teams really able to offer him $25 mil + for longer than 5 years? It does only takes one crazy GM/owner. Look at Texas with ARod years ago. Maybe the O's go after Fielder. I'd think Texas probably makes an offer to one of those guys.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 9:03am  
Brian O’Halloran, Epstein’s right-hand man in recent years, and trainer Mike Reimold have been reported to be the two guys most likely to come to Chicago with Epstein. There’s also been some speculation about Dave Finley, who the Red Sox list as a special assistant to Epstein. http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball...

Submitted by The E-Man  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 9:11am  
one of the more reasoned ones I've read: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/baseball/r... Discussed several Front Office scenarios as well as Byrnes, and the possibility of Theo becoming President AND GM ala Dombrowski.

Submitted by The Real Neal  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 10:42am  
Well he was a vice president and GM, and he had to be promoted so, it's pretty much a given that his title will be president. Probably "President of Baseball Operations" with more control over scouting budgets and minor league issues than he had in Boston.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 12:13pm  
for those that don't want to click the links :) a few more names mentioned than the Rogers article Three Red Sox names that could be part of Epstein’s request are Brian O’Halloran, vice president of baseball operations; Dave Finley, special assistant to the general manager; and Mike Reinold, head athletic director and assistant director of medical services. Both O’Halloran and Finley are considered well qualified to be an assistant general manager, while Reinold is held in high regard by Epstein and could head the Cubs’ medical department. Josh Byrnes, Epstein’s former assistant, is another mentioned as joining him in Chicago. Another name that could be added to that list is Jason McLeod, who headed the amateur draft with the Red Sox and is currently Jed Hoyer’s assistant general manager in San Diego.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 12:00pm  
http://www.csnchicago.com/baseball-chicago-cu... A source predicted that the Red Sox will play this exactly like the agents at the signing deadline, waiting until the last minute to get the best possible deal for their clients. says McNutt is one name they're focusing on and likely will take 2 prospects. Any Cubs expected to be on the the 40-man this upcoming season are likely not going (B. Jackson, Szczur, Vitters).

Submitted by The E-Man  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 12:16pm  
Yeah, I read this. If this happened, Hendry's strategy of keeping one of Archer or McNutt, will of course blow up. And, as far as I know, there is no one close as a pitching prospect to McNutt in the minors. Then again, no one close to Epstein's success that has been associated with the Cubs. Each scenario is no guarantee, however.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 12:17pm  
well technically Struck, Rusin and Jay Jackson are closer to the majors, just not as much upside as McNutt.

Submitted by crunch  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 6:37pm  
i sure as hell would rather have garza than a guy in a suit... at the end of the day theo has made nearly 1:1 bad moves for good moves. i like the guy, but there's a few others who can do the job at/near his level without giving up as much money...much less prospect(s). i do like the notion that theo is strong enough of a suit to not take barking orders from the ricketts family, though.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 12:10pm  
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/chat/chat.p...

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 12:16pm  
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php... also an article on the negotiations Make no mistake, the Red Sox have the leverage here simply by holding the most desirable asset in the negotiation. That's business 101.

Submitted by Old and Blue  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 12:29pm  
I disagree with that assessment. If the negotiations fail, the Red Sox have the worst possible kind of lame duck in recent memory. Epstein is gifted, but he's not God. There are lots of talented front office sabrewhizzes out there.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 1:01pm  
we don't know what his contracts stipulates, they could reassign him, promote someone above him, Lucchino could void all his deals, and so on...

Submitted by The Real Neal  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 12:30pm  
I don't think there is any such thing as "Business 101". If there was, it certainly wouldn't include negotiation. I don't really agree that the Red Sox are in a position of particular leverage here. As many people have pointed out, there are plenty of qualified applicants for the Cubs GM job. If the Red Sox don't release Theo, they're going to be in a pretty silly situation themselves.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 1:06pm  
the PR hit for the cubs would be damn brutal. Casual Cubs fans don't know who the fuck Trey McNutt is and probably do know who Epstein is. Not that they should care that much, but clearly Theo's the guy they wanted, to strike out over it now would be pretty brutal.

Submitted by Old and Blue  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 1:11pm  
I don't think that should play into Rickett's thinking or negotiations at all. Not that I really care if they give up McNutt, I'm just saying it shouldn't be relevant to hiring your GM. Losing 90+ games is a bigger PR hit than that will be any day.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 1:34pm  
well of course they shouldn't, but doesn't mean that's not a component of how businesses work. Players should play for less money than good teachers, but shit don't work like that. Doesn't sound like any of the prospects involved were going to keep the Cubs from losing 90 games in a year anytime soon, so just get this Theo deal done already.

Submitted by The Real Neal  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 1:56pm  
I am sure that the Red Sox are asking for a shit load, though. I think you're over estimating the PR hit the Cubs will take. Is someone seriously not going to buy tickets or a Cubs hoody, if Rick Hahn is the new GM? I also doubt that Epstein is a big a celebrity as you make him out to be. If a Cubs fan knows who the GM of the Red Sox is, he probably also picks up the BA Top NL Central Prospects issue.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 2:09pm  
his name has been all over the papers the last 2 weeks including a Bigfoot sighting at Starbucks, he's about the best known GM besides Beane and Cashman. They certainly know his resume if not the name and that's the kind of benefit of the doubt that no-name GM will never get. It's a big step in getting the fan base excited and not getting it done now would just be another chapter in "The Cubs Fuck Up Everything". Would it ultimately hurt the franchise? not that much and the fans always come back. The season ticket waiting list is so long it doesn't matter, but it certainly would make for an uncomfortable offseason and probably 2012.

Submitted by The Real Neal  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 3:16pm  
Compare it to the Red Sox hiring Beane after 2002. No big deal.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 3:28pm  
ultimately no big deal, sure. slightly different scenarios though... Beane turned down the Red Sox after accepting the job and made it very clear in his statement that it was decision and even gave a glowing praise of Epstein that he could handle it. if the cubs don't get Epstein now, it's all on them once again for fucking things up.

Submitted by Charlie  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 3:37pm  
Or the Red Sox for making unreasonable demands. Seems to me a savvy front office could control the spin.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 3:48pm  
considering the leaks in the Red Sox dam so far, I'm sure we'll eventually find out exactly what they're asking if the deal doesn't happen, then there won't be much to spin. nonetheless, the deal will happen as both parties have plenty of motivation to make it happen, but the thought that the Cubs have little to nothing to lose here smells a bit of homerism. Ricketts doesn't want to lose out on his top choice and Red Sox don't want to deal with a lame duck GM.

Submitted by The E-Man  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 3:50pm  
Due to the fact that we really do not know what the hell is going on, and everything between the parties is vacuum-packed, I don't think we can make a judgement on if the Sox' demands are reasonable or not. I guess one has to believe that first of all, if Epstein is not hired, the world ends for the Cubs. However, I think there are talented options that are "in the ballpark", so to speak. So, maybe a 1a, or 1b choice. The thing is, management, since the hiring of Crane Kenney, has overtly wanted to emulate Boston to the tune of a near-Red Sox West. This, with the unique combination of the similar peculiarities of Fenway to Wrigley (age, problems, dealing with government authorities, tradition, etc.), I am sure has strongly influenced Tom that Epstein is the right guy. So, its the "whole package" of someone who would "get it" in Ricketts mind, in addition to the metrics, negotiations, and scouting side of things.

Submitted by Rob Richardson  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 12:31pm  
IMO the party with the most leverage is the one that can stand up and walk away.

Submitted by QuietMan  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 2:13pm  
Agreed. Rick Hahn or John Coppolella are looking pretty good to me this afternoon.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 2:21pm  
isn't that both parties in this case?

Submitted by Rob Richardson  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 2:51pm  
Not really. If the Cubs walk away they can hire a GM today and then hire Theo as the President of baseball operations next off season. So they will take a PR hit this year it will go away next year, and I agree with TRN that the PR hit is very over rated. The Red Sox on the other hand have to keep a lame duck GM for a year. If I were the Cubs I would call their bluff.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 3:22pm  
there's no guarantee that Cubs could hire Theo again next year and your scenario means completely wasting 2012 for the Cubs. I can't say for sure of course, but I imagine there's many creative ways for Ben Cherington to run the Red Sox this year regardless if Epstein is still being paid by the organization.

Submitted by Rob Richardson  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 3:39pm  
I guess we will see, but ultimately I think the Red Sox will blink.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 3:51pm  
guess it depends on what blinking means... McNutt and Cub Carpenter is my guess

Submitted by Rob Richardson  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 3:54pm  
Agreed. I didn't mean to imply that the Cubs would give up nothing. I just don't expect them to give up too much, and as you have pointed out before the deal is going to get done.

Submitted by jacos  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 4:26pm  
Would the BoSox be interested in an undershirt worn by Anthony Quinn?

Submitted by Dusty Baylor  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 4:50pm  
Winner!

Submitted by Paul Noce  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 6:01pm  
There may be creative ways for the Red Sox to have Cherington run the team while Epstein is GM, but they would have to pay Epstein around $6 million to do nothing for a year. The Cubs have more leverage because of that. Ricketts and co. need to draw a line in the sand and explain to Lucchino, "You can have a couple of decent prospects AND save $6 million or get nothing and cost yourself $6 million." Take it or leave it.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 6:08pm  
sure, but Lucchino strikes me as the type of guy willing to do that.

Submitted by Paul Noce  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 12:32pm  
Another reason to not watch ESPN, Ozzie Guillen to join ESPN for the World Series.

Submitted by Old and Blue  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 12:46pm  
Could be worse. Could be Hawk Harrelson.

Submitted by crunch  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 6:39pm  
good...the FCC needs more funding.

Submitted by Paul Noce  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 9:00pm  
Eric Idle had a very humorous song a few years back called F!!! The FCC. http://youtu.be/jixxYx9fklM

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 2:27pm  
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/... soft deadline of tomorrow to get deal done...

Submitted by The Real Neal  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 2:51pm  
Talk about over-reaction from the Red Sox writers... can't imagine what they'd say about Zambrano. http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/... Lackey at $18 million for three years sounds good to me.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 2:28pm  
Hmm. Excellent source just told me that he thinks that the deal for Theo won't get done by tomorrow. We'll see.

Submitted by Tony S.  on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 4:22pm  
The magic 8-ball in question could not be reached for comment

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 2:32pm  
elects for free agency after being outrighted by O's.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 3:49pm  
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/... more McNutt talk among 3-4 names being discussed.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 3:56pm  
well might as well shoot high. http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/711... have since moved to minor league players, says usually have 7 days to get a deal done once permission is granted although they can ask for an extension.

Submitted by Cubster  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 3:59pm  
While both sides would lobe to get this done ... --- Boston Globe referencing Frontal lobotomy?

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 5:06pm  
http://www.csnchicago.com/blog/the-kapman However, my sources tell me that the Cubs will not panic and overpay just to get a deal done. Instead, they are holding to their position that the Red Sox are entitled to a fair deal but not a major windfall from the Cubs system.

Submitted by VirginiaPhil  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 5:33pm  
Lake has been batting third for the Solar Sox lately. Today he was one for four with a double and two RBI, plus the obligatory stolen base. I believe he has 8 SBs in 8 attempts in the AFL. At Tennessee he was 19 of 21. Vitters has missed two games since going 4 for 5 on Friday.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 6:11pm  
I presume these are straight steals now...his Daytona numbers were mostly delayed steals, not sure about Tennessee.

Submitted by Cubster  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 6:17pm  
here is a Bruce Levine link that says the Bosox initial Theo offer was for Garza. http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/711...

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 7:22pm  
bonus includes personal appearances by his sister http://withleather.uproxx.com/2011/10/great-m...

Submitted by jacos  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 8:04pm  
Are those real?

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 8:11pm  
pictures? yes boobs? probably not

Submitted by Ahone Ahtwo Ahthree  on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 12:53am  
pictures? yes boobs? DEFINITELY not There, I fixed that for you

Submitted by The Real Neal  on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 9:51am  
If they're fake, they're the smallest fake ones I've ever seen. Who gets fake A-Cups?

Submitted by garsky  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 10:00pm  
Talk about the Great One .. those are the Great TWO

Submitted by Cubster  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 10:46pm  
Comcast New England has a new post up...
The Sox have an interest in pitching prospect Trey McNutt, though his inclusion in a compensation package is far from guaranteed at this point. It's likely that the Red Sox will also receive a second, lesser prospect.
http://www.csnne.com/baseball-boston-redsox/n...

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 11:54pm  
The Cubs, one baseball person said, continue to stress to the Red Sox that compensation issues for non-uniform personnel has historically been minimal. It's the view of the Red Sox that, given the magnitude of the deal being given to Epstein and owner Tom Ricketts's desire to have Epstein run his organization's baseball operations department, that this deal defies precedent. ~snip~ One issue that is not a sticking point, contrary to multiple reports, is the matter of which current Red Sox employees would join Epstein in Chicago. A mutual understanding is in place that Epstein will not "raid" the Red Sox baseball operations department.

Submitted by Cubster  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 10:47pm  
can we just trade for Brian Roberts and call it a day?

Submitted by crunch  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 11:02pm  
i know, right...

Submitted by The Joe  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 11:04pm  
Right now, I don't think Roberts is the answer. Let's see if Tejada is available.

Submitted by big_lowitzki  on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 11:24pm  
Can we finally sign the ace that we need, and give Jason Schmidt that 3 year, $44 million contract?

Submitted by The Joe  on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 12:02am  
Actually, I think the Dodgers already got him; not sure of the dollar amount, though I imagine it'll be substantial for a potential ace like him.

Submitted by crunch  on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 12:17am  
if c.kenney and hendry didn't blow the budget on infield rakes and simoniz he could have been a cub.

Submitted by The Joe  on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 2:03am  
At the very least, the could have traded them for Jake Peavy. I'm starting to doubt Mark Prior's future in this organization so a replacement frontline starter is a must. Cubster can comment further, but I hear he's come down with a bad case of vaginitis.

Submitted by crunch  on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 3:52am  
angel guzman should be the cubs future ace if mark prior can't handle it for some reason.

Submitted by The Joe  on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 6:08am  
Ok, that just made me sad.

Submitted by The E-Man  on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 7:04am  
As long as we don't give up our terrific catching prospect, Marmol, we should be ok.

Submitted by WISCGRAD  on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 8:08am  
I am not too worried about that, Hector Villanueva is waiting in the wings to take over.

Submitted by Tito  on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 9:07am  
No need to re-sign Pena, Julio Zuleta is ready.

Submitted by The E-Man  on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 10:05am  
lmao

Submitted by Cubster  on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 6:18am  
Or Juan Guzman can just replace Greg Maddux

Submitted by The Joe  on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 6:58pm  
Raise of hands, who honestly still has a Matt Clement fake chin-beard?

Submitted by Cubster  on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 8:43pm  
you can still get Clement chin-beards... http://tinyurl.com/3gypdun

Submitted by Cubster  on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 6:21am  
Cubster can comment further, but I hear he's come down with a bad case of... --- No punching below the belt. Yosh Kawano was in charge of washing Prior's cup.

Submitted by Jackstraw  on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 6:11pm  
After which Moises pissed on Yosh's hands, so that shouldn't be a problem.

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  • Hagsag 13 hours 33 min ago (view)

    Phil, is the 3 weeks camp going on now?

     
  • Arizona Phil 15 hours 45 min ago (view)

    The Cubs have signed free-agent LHP Stephen Gonsalves to a 2022 minor league contract.

    If he were to be added to the MLB 40-man roster at some point in 2022, he has no minor league options left and he has Article XX-D rights (he can elect free-agency if outrighted).

    So 78 Cubs minor leaguers are now eligible for selection in the 2021 Rule 5 Draft.

    Also, the Cubs off-season minor league Domestic Reserve List now stands at 173 (17 slots are open).

     
  • Arizona Phil 1 day 6 hours ago (view)

    jdrnym: That's correct.

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

     
  • jdrnym 1 day 9 hours ago (view)

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

     
  • crunch 1 day 13 hours ago (view)

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

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

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

     
  • Arizona Phil 1 day 18 hours ago (view)

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

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

     
  • Arizona Phil 1 day 18 hours ago (view)

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

     
  • Arizona Phil 1 day 18 hours ago (view)

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

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

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

     
  • crunch 1 day 22 hours ago (view)

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

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

     
  • Wrigley Rat 2 days 4 hours ago (view)

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

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

     
  • crunch 2 days 10 hours ago (view)

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

     
  • Arizona Phil 2 days 13 hours ago (view)

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

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

     
  • Dolorous Jon Lester 2 days 22 hours ago (view)

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

     
  • Arizona Phil 3 days 3 hours ago (view)

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

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

     
  • crunch 3 days 8 hours ago (view)

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

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

     
  • Sonicwind75 3 days 8 hours ago (view)

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

     

     
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