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Cubs 2010 Season Will Determine How Good Off-Season Was

John Ontiveros — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 15:15:20 +0000

What should be one of the bigger advantages for top major league organizations is the size of their wallet and the ability to move top prospects for accomplished stars during the off-season. The New York Yankees were able to trade some of their high level prospects in exchange for center fielder Curtis Granderson. The Boston Red Sox spent a ton of money for a solid starting pitcher when they inked John Lackey. The team with the third largest payroll behind the two aforementioned teams is the Chicago Cubs. They signed free agent Marlon Byrd to a cheap 3 year contract. It was not exactly a stellar off-season for the second year in a row for Jim Hendry and company.

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Theriot to push arbitration hearing?

Bob Sacamento — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 06:09:50 +0000

Entering this offseason the Cubs had eight arbitrational players: Ryan Theriot, Carlos Marmol, Sean Marshall, Mike Fontentot, Jeff Baker, Koyie Hill, Angel Guzman, and Tom Gorzelanny. Of those eight, only Ryan Theriot remains as sole survivor and an unagreed upon contract. The honest truth in all of it, is that the Cubs aren’t too interested in keeping Theriot past this season. For more keep on reading… (more…)

Cubs look to add 4th Outfielder

Bob Sacamento — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 04:53:31 +0000

The Cubs still aren’t done shopping on the free agent market as Hendry is actively shopping the flooded outfield market. Several prominent names have be linked to the Cubs of late, including Xavier Nady, Jermaine Dye, Rocco Baldelli, and Eric Byrnes. All have their drawbacks but all do have high upsides as well. Also not out of the running is the return of Reed Johnson although that does seem like a long shot.

It’s good to see Jim not settling for the likes of Micah Hoffpauir or Sam Fuld to round out the bench and is looking at an experienced discount bat off the bench. For more keep reading… (more…)

Cubs find their CFer by inking Marlon Byrd

Bob Sacamento — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 09:29:38 +0000

On the final day of the 2009 calendar the Cubs purchased their centerfielder for the 2010 season in the 32 year old Marlon Byrd. Byrd has long been on Hendry’s list of players to acquire and when he become eligible in free agency this season he was at the top of the Cubs’ wishlist but Milton Bradley had to be dealt first. The right handed hitting Byrd just served up his career year in his walk season and his first full season as a full-time player since 2003, in 146 games, Byrd posted a line of .283/.329/.479/.808 with 43 2bs, 3 3bs, 20 hrs, 89 rbi, and 8/12 in stolen bases. For more on Byrd and the Cubs future keep reading…

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Cubs Trade Jake Fox and Aaron Miles to Oakland

Bob Sacamento — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 04:39:42 +0000

Today Hendry and Beane pulled off a trade that helped both ballclubs. The A’s were able to acquire a cheap defensively challenged yet strong hitter in Jake Fox while the Cubs were able to shed Aaron Miles while getting a MLB ready reliever, two prospects and clearing 1.5M in salary due to paying Oakland 1M. Inside I’ll discuss more on the deal as we also look at the the 28yo righty reliever in Jeff Gray and prospects 23yo lefty slugger Matt Spencer (AA) and 21yo righty power arm Ronny Morla (High A) keep reading.

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3 Pros and Cons for Rudy Jaramillo

John Ontiveros — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:32:41 +0000

The Cubs offense went south this past season only a year removed from being an offensive juggernaut. While Jim Hendry will attempt to find a new player or two to ignite the team’s offensive power, he signed well respected Rudy Jaramillo as their hitting coach. He will be the highest paid hitting coach in baseball and one of the highest paid coaches in all of baseball. Much will be expected to change of the inconsistent offense of the 2008 Chicago Cubs.

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The Aaron Heilman Trade Return: Scouting Reports on Scott Maine and Ryne White

Bob Sacamento — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:25:10 +0000

The Cubs parted ways with arbitration eligible righty reliever Aaron Heilman on the 19th of November for two midlevel prospects, lefty reliever Scott Maine (AAA) and lefty OF/1B Ryan White (High A). This marks the third time in the last year that Heilman has been traded. The Cubs acquired him from the Mariners in exchange for SS Ronny Cedeno and RHP Garrett Olsen (whom the Cubs acquired when trading Felix Pie to Baltimore). So granted we gave up more to get Heilman than what we received, the club was tempted on non-tendering him a contract this offseason where we would have received nothing. For in-depth reports on the trade return of Maine and White, keep reading…

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Bob’s Top Ten Prospects

Bob Sacamento — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:29:54 +0000

The minor league season has come and gone and it’s time to look at the top prospects in the system and how they progressed through the season. Some of the prospects have been considered bonafide since being drafted while others have quietly been preforming through the system and earning their stripes. Former 2003 fourth rounder, Jake Fox from the University of Michigan, burst onto the scene in the first half putting up dominating numbers in AAA Iowa before becoming one of Piniella’s favorite bats in the second half of the season. After spending only 43 games in Iowa, he was still the season leader for HR (17), RBI (53), Total Bases (138), along with posting a .409/.495/.841/1.336 in 164 at bats for the Iowa Cubs. If not for his callup, Fox would have graced this list although likely at the bottom. For the first time in two years we have a new overall prospect surpassing Josh Vitters. Click on to further read my Top Ten…

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Milton Bradley(AL) if traded Destinations…?

Ryan Pierce — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 05:37:55 +0000

Short, sweet, and to the point: This is a team-by-team look at what the Cubs could possible get in exchange for Milton Bradley if traded to an AL team.

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10-16-09 …around the web

Ryan Pierce — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:43:46 +0000

From MLBTradeRumors…
“The Cubs have now asked the Rangers for permission to speak with hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo, according to MLB.com’s Carrie Muskat… Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald says the Cubs are still discussing a possible Milton Bradley trade with a number of teams, though no move appears imminent… Miles expects the Cubs to lure hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo away from the Rangers. ” - RYAN’s take: Seems like great news. This is the same person who was able to turn around the Andrew Jones debacle last season, which is a good sign that theres a lot that he can bring to the Cubs. Keep in mind, however, that he cant fix everyone… For example Chris Davis had a horrible year last year despite big expectations, which given Jaramillo’s track record, would indicate that he cant do much with players who arent willing to change or adapt to the suggested changes.

Elsewhere on the web:
The Goatriders ask the question… “Hitting coach? Who cares?”