Pitchers and catchers reported to camp on Friday. For the Cubbies, Ken Kadokura, Chad Gaudin, , Geovany Soto, Kevin Gregg, Jeff Samardzija, Neal Cotts, Kevin Hart, Randy Wells, Jake Fox, Koyie Hill, and Wellington Castillo all showed up on Thursday.
Good to see enthusiasm from a team that has only seven players on the roster left over from the 2007 Opening Day roster, the first as a Cub for Sweet Lou. This year's newcomers include pitchers Gregg, Aaron Heilman, and Luis Vizcaino; outfielders Milton Bradley and Joey Gathright; infielder Aaron Miles; and catcher Paul Bako.
I can't wait. Pie is finally gone, Big Z had Lasik surgery, Woody left town with the class he always exhibited while on the Cubs, the ownership situation is finally moving toward resolution, and there is depth and talent in abundance on this team.
This should be another banner year for the Cubs. Hopefully they can make this one last a little longer with some actual playoff results.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Cuban blogs the Cubs
http://blogmaverick.com/2009/01/06/the-cubs/
Interesting stuff from an interesting dude.
Interesting stuff from an interesting dude.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Milton Bradley, come on down
3 years, $30 million signing expected with physical on Thursday.
Bradley hit .321 with an on-base percentage of .436 last year primarily as a switch-hitting DH with Texas. He'll have quite the challenge fielding the right pasture at Wrigley, but Fukudome will be able to spell him late (as well as platooning with Reed Johnson in CF).
Switch-hitter Aaron Miles was added at 2 years, $4.9 million earlier, on the heels of moves that cleared room.
The Cubs dealt DeRosa and Marquis and let Kerry Wood move on.
DeRosa went to Cleveland for 3 minor-league pitchers. I'll miss DeRosa a ton. He was as versatile a fielder as you will see and he was coming off his best offensive season. Nevertheless, he is 33 years old and his quality production just wasn't irreplaceable. As the most obvious right-handed bat to be dealt (both in terms of return value and contractual situations), DeRosa had to go. He was a fan favorite and the best interview in the clubhouse.
Marquis is expected to go to the Rockies for reliever Luis Vizcaino. Latest hints are that the deal will get done Tuesday. This would appear to be primarily a money saving move. Marquis was due $9.875 million in the coming season, the final one in his deal. Vizcaino will make $4.0 million. The Cubs are also expected to pay around $1 million of Marquis' 2009 salary. Marquis was 11-9 last year, the fifth straight with double-digit wins, but his 4.53 ERA was nothing special and his salary was high for a back-of-the-rotation guy. No love loss from this fan as Marquis heads out the door. He was among the top 10 starters in run support to get to those 11 wins. Not a bad pitcher, but I think it was time for club and player to part ways. The Cubs also need to add relief arms prior to spring with the departure of Wood.
Bradley hit .321 with an on-base percentage of .436 last year primarily as a switch-hitting DH with Texas. He'll have quite the challenge fielding the right pasture at Wrigley, but Fukudome will be able to spell him late (as well as platooning with Reed Johnson in CF).
Switch-hitter Aaron Miles was added at 2 years, $4.9 million earlier, on the heels of moves that cleared room.
The Cubs dealt DeRosa and Marquis and let Kerry Wood move on.
DeRosa went to Cleveland for 3 minor-league pitchers. I'll miss DeRosa a ton. He was as versatile a fielder as you will see and he was coming off his best offensive season. Nevertheless, he is 33 years old and his quality production just wasn't irreplaceable. As the most obvious right-handed bat to be dealt (both in terms of return value and contractual situations), DeRosa had to go. He was a fan favorite and the best interview in the clubhouse.
Marquis is expected to go to the Rockies for reliever Luis Vizcaino. Latest hints are that the deal will get done Tuesday. This would appear to be primarily a money saving move. Marquis was due $9.875 million in the coming season, the final one in his deal. Vizcaino will make $4.0 million. The Cubs are also expected to pay around $1 million of Marquis' 2009 salary. Marquis was 11-9 last year, the fifth straight with double-digit wins, but his 4.53 ERA was nothing special and his salary was high for a back-of-the-rotation guy. No love loss from this fan as Marquis heads out the door. He was among the top 10 starters in run support to get to those 11 wins. Not a bad pitcher, but I think it was time for club and player to part ways. The Cubs also need to add relief arms prior to spring with the departure of Wood.
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