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So, the guy the Cubs signed to one of the worst contracts in the history of the major leagues is unhappy hitting seventh in the order. Well, boo fricken' hoo. Look, Soriano, here is a memo to you: You're lucky that Quade is your manager, because a manager with self confidence would have your lazy, swing-at-everything butt sitting on the bench. But no, because Quade is trying desperately to hang onto his job, he plays the vets, in part because he's in over his head and won't confront them. But mainly because he wants to win as many games as possible. ...
I promised that I would be much more positive as a Cubs writer, but allow me to take a brief detour from that role and tell you that the so-called big names won't be coming to Wrigley Field next season.
As much as many of us would love to see an Andrew Friedman, Theo Epstein or a Brian Cashman take over the reins as Cubs GM, it simply isn't going to happen.
Here is why.
For one thing, they all have better options in front of them.
You think a guy like Epstein, who was born and raised in Boston and is considered a god-like figure ...
Aramis Ramirez has been the Chicago Cubs third baseman through the majority of the Cubs' success over the last nine seasons. There is no doubt that Ramirez has been one of the more streaky players in the MLB, but no matter what, he has always been highly regarded as one of the more dangerous hitters.When Ramirez wants to turn it on, he is arguably one of the best. Unfortunately, most of the time, he just looks like he doesn't want to be out there.Why is this? Is it because he doesn't enjoy the game? Because he has had some managers ...
Believe me Cubs fans, we all know this list could go on for miles. I won't be putting Mike Quade on the list, though his detriments to the team are clearly visible.Yet the rest of this list just makes you a little uneasy about the direction of this team, especially if it isn't handled by a newly-installed General Manager with a barrel of wisdom to spare.These positions are all things that championship-caliber teams usually excel in, but this franchise needs to fix them all. Not exactly a ringing endorsement for the near-future, but handled correctly it could be fixed on a ...
For fans of the Chicago Cubs, change is a good thing. After years of indefensible contracts (I’m looking at you, Mr. Soriano), draft picks who didn’t quite pan out and underwhelming season after underwhelming season, a new ownership group has a chance to breathe new life into one of baseball’s signature franchises in 2012. What form the Cubs roster will take next season is anyone’s guess. The Ricketts family could continue the policy of carefree expenditures that has been partially responsible for the Cubs' recent failures, or they could take a more measured, less flashy approach to building a team. ...
Listening to Chicago Cub manager Mike Quade talk is like listening to a broken record. You keep hearing the same meaningless message again and again.His focus is on playing his veterans, to whom he thinks he owes something, despite those veterans being mainly responsible for the team's current fifth-place status.In the Sunday Chicago Tribune he explained his thinking: "They deserve the opportunity; they don't deserve to be shelved, and I don't think we're going to be successful in a lot of different areas if I shelve all those guys."Let me repeat: They are in fifth place in the division. Does ...
Jim Hendry has already gotten the pink slip, so a lot of the venom Cubs fans may have felt is gone. Now, it is time to pick up the pieces and move on. Unfortunately, there are a lot of pieces to pick up. The Cubs have a top-five payroll and stand in fifth place in their division. That alone tells you the kind of analysis that has been done. Furthermore, they haven’t been a factor in the division for several years.Interestingly enough, this team is not devoid of good players. Quite the contrary, when you look of the number of ...
The hottest free agent prize in nearly 10 years hits the market following this year's World Series. As an added bonus, the man happens to be my favorite player in MLB. He wears my jersey number, how can I not love him?Well, according to the strict rules, I'm not supposed to.See, he plays for our hated rivals. A team that has consistently owned the Cubs at every turn. Even going back to the trade deadline back in '04 when the Cards ended up with Larry Walker and the Cubs...well, let's not talk about that. I've heard fellow Cub fans say ...
Bryan LaHair hit about as dramatic a home run as a non-contender can have hit on their behalf Tuesday night, helping the Chicago Cubs reach extra innings by launching a two-out, two-run bomb to tie the score at 2-2. Entering the frame, Chicago had managed just one hit off Cincinnati Reds starter Mike Leake all night.LaHair also recently won the Pacific Coast League (Triple-A) MVP award, after clubbing 38 homers during their shorter season. His power tool is well clear of average; of that there is no doubt. Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune highlighted the issue of whether or not ...
This is a very early look at next year with bold offseason predictions and MLB additions. We'll look at the current Depth Chart after the predictions.Bold prediction number one: Theo Epstein will leave the Boston Red Sox, not to be the Cubs GM, but the become the President of Baseball Operations. Tom Ricketts will lure him away from Boston by offering him this position and a sizable contract.Bold prediction number two: Epstein will not hire someone from the Boston organization, but will instead steal Rick Hahn from the White Sox to be the Cubs new GM. Hahn has grown up ...
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