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Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo breathed optimism into the lovable losing franchise for the 2012 season, when ESPN Chicago quoted him saying the forever boring, inspirational tag line, "Why not this year?"For every dim-witted Cub enthusiast out there, there are thousands of knowledgeable fans that continue to suffer—that have stepped away from the Kool-Aid of over-exuberance. I understand Rizzo's intentions of instilling hope and determination for his teammates by showing leadership in the clubhouse, but these are the Chicago Cubs we are speaking of.Every single year has been documented as our year, but like gravity—everything seems to come crashing down to Earth ...
Over the past two rollercoaster decades, perhaps no one has witnessed the Cubs' operations as closely as Cubs WGN radio broadcaster Pat Hughes.Hughes, entering his 17th season in the booth, spoke about his thoughts on the upcoming 2012 season.In a phone interview conducted last week, the veteran broadcaster voiced his approval of Theo Epstein and Co.'s moves during the offseason:"So far so good. But the real test will come once the games start in April. It's one thing to make changes, but you never know how the changes will work out until the games begin."Hughes particularly discussed the December 21st trade that ...
The Cubs and Red Sox finally made a decision on the compensation for Theo Epstein...at least, part of a decision. As was reported by both Paul Sullivan and Carrie Muskat on their respective Twitter accounts, the main piece of compensation for Theo will be reliever Chris Carpenter. Both add the inclusion of a player to be named later, though Muskat adds that a PTBNL will also come to the Cubs from Boston.While the matter was to be handled by commissioner Bud Selig, Muskat adds that it was the two front offices that were able to come to this agreement.In Carpenter, ...
While expectations are relatively low for the North Siders this season, there is still reason to believe they will be competitive in a wide-open National League Central.First off, the very presence of Theo Epstein gives Cubs fans the sense that anything is possible. While a playoff run certainly isn't expected, it's not out of the question. And even if the Cubbies fail to reach the postseason, I think most Cubs fans would be satisfied as long as there is hard evidence of improvement—whether that be in the win/loss column, individual player performances, or simply the effort that the players give ...
Cubs fans are some of the most knowledgeable and loyal around.They span generations and fondly remember the great ones.What's beginning to look to like a haiku is actually the beginning of a retrospective unlike any other. I narrowed the scope of consideration because most of us reading this article were not around to see the likes of Rogers Hornsby or Gabby Hartnett. It is very likely that some of our parents and grandparents clamored over Hack Wilson and wondered how Mordecai "Three-Fingered" Brown pitched the way he did. But we are not talking about them this time.We are focusing on the ...
Spring training is upon us. Pitchers and catchers reported on Saturday for the Chicago Cubs in Arizona. Usually spring training is the time for hope in every baseball town. The time of year where there is hope of what could be. However, things are different for the Cubs this season. For the first time in a long time, there is real hope of what the future could hold on the north side of Chicago. For the first time in a long time, there is an actual plan on the north side. For the first time in, I believe, ever, the Cubs ...
The Chicago Cubs enter 2012 with new leadership and hope for the future. But the expectations for this season is understandably low. While I have written that the team could surprise this season, the rebuilding process will take some time. To change the culture of the organization from top to bottom is a lengthy process that requires everyone buying into the new Theo Epstein manifesto entitled "The Cubs Way". Above all, it requires an infusion of fresh talent. The farm system won't be stocked overnight, and while the coming season could certainly benefit from guys like Matt Garza sticking around, ...
With pitchers and catchers reporting today, the Chicago Cubs will welcome a small army of new faces to the organization from the top to the bottom.The manager is new—as are the GM, a good chunk of the pitching staff, the third baseman, right fielder and more.Without further ado, here's a chronological list of events from the day the season ended to today that built the team as we now know it.Begin Slideshow
It's been a good offseason for the Chicago Cubs, but they need to complete it by signing Jorge Soler.Earlier this offseason, I wrote that the Cubs should target both Yoenis Cespedes and Jorge Soler. Cespedes ultimately signed with the Oakland Athletics because they agreed to sign a four-year deal, and let him become a free agent when he becomes 30 years old. The Cubs had little use for a four-year deal because they will not contend for two to three years, so it makes sense that they let Cespedes go to Oakland. But now they need to sign Jorge Soler, ...
It's Year One of the Jed Hoyer-Theo Epstein regime, and the two baseball masterminds have already begun shaping the Chicago Cubs in their images. Sure, they've let some big-name guys head to other teams (Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Pena, to name two), but they've also kept intact a solid foundation of youthful talent (Jeff Samardzija, Starlin Castro, Matt Garza, et al.)who should provide a solid base to build a championship team around. Chicago brought in some depth at the catcher position to help Geovany Soto push his game to the next level. He fell off the map a bit last ...
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