Iowa Cubs @ Albuquerque Isotopes Jake Arrieta's Iowa debut was suspended in the top of the second, which is great because Arrieta was on his way to a blowup second, giving up a hit and 2 walks without getting an out. It's also great because I-Cubs. Huntsville Stars 1 @ Tennessee Smokies 3 Arismendy Alcantara went deep for the 12th …
Matt Garza and 2013 International Free Agency
The 2013 international free agency signing period starts July 2nd (Hey, that's tomorrow!). All international players who turn 16 by August 31st are eligible for free agency. Top prospects from Latin America typically sign shortly after they turn 16. Korean and Taiwanese prospects, on the other hand, are usually not signed until they graduate from high school. Players over the age …
JOT: Cubs Minor League Recap for 6-29-13
Chicago Cubs 5 @ Seattle Mariners 3 Starlin Castro hit his first home run in forever. He was 2-5 on the day. Alfonso Soriano hit a 2 run, game winning homer in the top of the 11th and was 3-5, pretty much begging AL clubs in need of a DH to take a look at him. Ryan Sweeney was 0-1 and …
Series Preview 6/21 to 6/23: Astros @ Cubs
Don't miss a second of the action when these two juggernauts collide this weekend! Friday (1:20 CT): Dallas "Big Texy" Keuchel (4.23 ERA, 4.37 FIP, 3.95 SIERA) vs. Matt "Reyezuelo" Garza (4.98 ERA, 4.57 FIP, 4.12 SIERA) Saturday (3:05): Bud "Thumbface" Norris (3.64, 3.54, 4.45) vs. Travis "High Times" Wood (2.74, 3.45, 4.44) *MARQUEE MATCHUP* Sunday (1:20): Jordan "The All-American Kid" …
JOT: Cubs Minor League Recap 6-13-13
Iowa Cubs 8 @ Oklahoma City Bombers 9 (12 innings) The Cubs were perfect-gamed until the 6th inning. Dave Sappelt had a 3-run blast and a double. Donnie Murphy had a good game, going 3-6. Both Logan Watkins and Brad Nelson went 1-4 with 2 walks. 3rd hitter Steve Clevenger had a single and a double. Nick Struck had another poor-ass game. He sits at 6.46 for …
Who Might Be Traded This Year?
A cursory glance at the Cubs' roster tells you a lot about the makeup of this team. They look be to a middling rotation, a middling bullpen, and a bottom-third offense. That's a good enough team to win 73-75 games (which would be a dozen or so win improvement); not the worst team in baseball, but not a good one …
Series Preview: St. Louis Cardinals (11-5) at Chicago Cubs (4-12)
Well, at least the Cubs aren't the worst team in baseball right now. That honor goes to the Royals, who are 3-12 and have lost ten games in a row. But at least they have a farm system percolating its way into the bigs, provided they're not blocked by the multi-year-dealed Jeff Francouers of the world. The Cardinals are coming …
Looking Back on Opening Day
Yesterday was my 15th straight Opening Day, and if I recall correctly, the 15th straight year I have frozen my ass off at Wrigley Field for the first game of the year. To be fair, I'm sure there has been a somewhat warm Opening Day among those 15 years, but I sure as hell can't remember when they happened. Yesterday …
Daily Facepalm 2-8-2012: Numerology
Campana's Number 1! With Fukudome now saving face in free agency, Tony Campana has claimed the number 1 spot in the jersey lottery. Still think he should be wearing 5/8, but whatevs. In other numerical reassignments, Matt Garza has changed from 17 to 22, apparently to match the regularly changing arbitration numbers that have since been rendered moot. And Jason …
Taking a closer look at the Cubs supersized rotation
The Cubs currently have 6 starting pitchers on the roster*. Those 6 include Matt Garza, Ryan Dempster, Paul Maholm, Travis Wood, Chris Volstad and Randy Wells. Jeff Samardzija is also going to be stretched out in spring training, but may return to the bullpen when the season begins. The Cubs also have Andy Sonnanstine and Casey Coleman. If Trey McNutt …