This is a guest post by SVB. Both Myles and dmick have noted some constraints in their ability to write recently, so I’m writing in an attempt to give Myles and dmick a break, as well as to prevent another unloadable 200+ comment thread from developing. Don’t worry, I won’t become the Jay Leno (or even the David Brenner) of …
Why the Cubs Can’t Wait
I'm starting to hear whispers that the Cubs are already going to punt on 2014. I really, really don't get it. Let's rewind the clocks to 2011, when Theo Epstein was hired. He inherited a really poor team and a really poor farm system. There was no chance that the Cubs were going to be good in 2012, and no …
Variations on a Cubs Theme: LOYALTY! PATIENCE! PROGRESS! COMMITTED!
I headed down to the first of four Season Ticket Holder events that the Cubs are putting on today and tomorrow at the Bank of America Theatre downtown. I met up with Ivy Chat Chuck (who I hope will also write his perspective) and we bumped into Tom Ricketts before the show started. As I shook his hand, I realized …
Top Free Agents of 2013 Offseason
I thought it might be too early to write the story, but seeing as Tim Linecum got a 2/35 deal, clearly the offseason is closer than I thought. First, a short breakdown of the Freak deal. Lincecum was a back-to-back Cy winner in 08 and 09, but those days are behind him. In his place, he has had an ERA+ of …
Do Arizona Fall League (AFL) Stats Mean Anything?
Be sure to enter the OV Free Agent Contest. It ends when the World Series ends. The Cubs, along with all the other teams, have several well known prospects playing in the Arizona Fall League (AFL) right now. They're about 10 games into their season and we've been recapping those games here. There are a lot of issues to consider …
Minor League Roundtable Part 3: Cubs Prospects ETA
This is our third part of the roundtable. Myles was not present at the time that Sitrick and I started, but his answers are toward the end. dmick89: Of the major prospects, it's expected that Javier Baez will get to Chicago first. If he gets off to a good start at Iowa where I expect he'll begin the year, he …
Let’s talk about 2002
If you read Baseball Prospectus, you probably know who Jason "Professor" Parks is. Parks had a chat yesterday that was very interesting for Cubs fans, and the most interesting question would be this one: BTH524 (Pennsylvania): Where do you project the top 2013 draft picks (Kris Bryant, Mark Appel, etc.) to be slotted in your top prospect list? With the understanding …
Want or Don’t Want: Jacoby Ellsbury
Jacoby Ellsbury's season isn't finished yet as the Red Sox continue on in the ALCS. He's probably not begun to think a whole lot about his upcoming free agency, but it will be the talk of the offseason. The centerfielder turned 30 on September 11th and will be entering his age 30 season at the tail-end of his prime. I …
2013 Cubs Prospects In Review: Albert Almora
Albert Almora is a right-handed center fielder, and just finished his age 19 season. He stands 6'2-180. He came to the Cubs as the first round pick in the 2012 draft. Taken sixth overall, Almora signed for an overslot $3.9 million to pry him away from a commitment to the University of Miami. Soon thereafter, he was sent to the …
2013 Cubs Prospects in Review: Kris Bryant
Kris Bryant stands 6-5 and weighs 215 pounds. He was born on January 4, 1992 and was drafted out of the University of San Diego this year. He was the Cubs first pick (2nd overall) and was rated as the 3rd best draft prospect by Baseball America. He plays 3rd base and es expected to be able to continue playing …