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Bigger isn’t always better. That was the story of the Cubs' 2012 offseason, as they made a series of stealthy trades and upside signings as new bosses Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer reshaped the organization. They haven't attracted too much media attention, but the Cubs’ offseason was quietly one of the most effective in Major League Baseball. Let’s look at the signings. The Cubs began the offseason by inking outfielder David DeJesus to a two year deal for slightly under $10 million. DeJesus will not win any MVP awards, but he is a deceptively effective ballplayer: his on-base percentage is ...
The collective idea is that the Chicago Cubs are still multiple years away from competing for championships, and Starlin Castro is the cornerstone of the foundation Theo Epstein is building. While Castro may indeed be the star of the team and Brett Jackson is on hot pursuit of the majors, it's starting pitching Matt Garza who has the most importance in determining how much and when success will come to the franchise starving for a winning culture. Garza, 28, is coming off the best season of his career after posting an ERA of 3.32 while striking out a career-high 197 batters. On ...
ESPN's Keith Law has named the San Diego Padres' farm system as the best in MLB, thanks in large part to the drafting and trading by Jed Hoyer, who is now the Cubs GM. This is certainly good news for Cubs fans. In fact, it addresses a key failure by the Cubs which, in the opinion of this analyst, is the main reason for the Cubs' long track record of failure. Former GM Jim Hendry may have had a scouting background, but throughout his tenure on the north side, as both scouting director and GM, he failed to bring in star position ...
The Chicago Cubs are a much different team than they were in 2011, and the changes are putting grins on the faces of Cubs fans everywhere. The timeless expression "out with the old, in with the new" fits no team better than the Cubbies this winter, and more changes are sure to come. Building a team that can sustain seasons of success is now the number one priority, but it will be no easy task. There is no denying the club is off to a good start. Clubhouse cancers are now gone, and the lackadaisical efforts and horrid contracts of some are soon ...
The Cubs may have missed out on a chance to reel in two superstars who were on their radar for quite some time—Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder—but Theo Epstein's first offseason as President of Baseball Operations certainly shouldn't be viewed as a failure. So far, the former Red Sox GM has brought in several lesser-known role players who should have an instant impact with the team. His low-key approach is a departure from the big spending style of Jim Hendry, the Cubs' former GM, who was often ridiculed for dropping too much cash on aging, big-name free agents instead of ...
The Cubs made another intriguing move today claiming infielder Adrian Cardenas off waivers from the Athletics. The lefty hit .314 with 51 RBIs, 28 doubles, four triples, five home runs, 70 runs and a .374 on-base percentage in 127 games with Triple-A Sacramento last year.He's the type of guy the Cubs view as better competition for the second-base job than DeWitt, who although very versatile, failed to hit for a solid average last season.But DeWitt has potential.The Rockies even asked for DeWitt in talks for Ian Stewart before the Cubs dangled D.J. LeMahieu out there. LeMahieu put up good numbers in ...
After his tenure in Boston, the Chicago Cubs have turned to Theo Epstein to help them turn around their historic franchise.Now Epstein has a lot on his hands before the season starts. He has star power in players like Starlin Castro, Matt Garza and Anthony Rizzo but has to deal with aging talent in Alfonso Soriano. 2012 will most likely be a rebuilding year for the Cub since they didn't add many players in the offseason, but they will still be competitive with the St. Louis Cardinals.In his time with the Cubs, no matter how long it is, he will go through ...
Just when you thought it was safe to get back in the water, former Chicago Cubs manager Mike Quade's name appeared in the Chicago Sun-Times reacting to the comments new manager Dale Sveum made about his teams' lackadaisical play last year. It must have a slow day in the newsroom, so Daryl Van Schouwen from the Times reached out to Quade while he was fishing in his hometown in Florida. Sveum was quoted previously talking about the effort or lack thereof put out by the team Quade managed last year, saying, "[w]hen you lose that many games, there are obviously problems." "Not running a ball ...
The Chicago Cubs made the newest addition of an active 2012 offseason by signing Cuban pitching star Gerardo Concepcion. It's just another excellent move by new GM Theo Epstein, as he reshapes the Chicago Cubs into future World Series contenders. Earlier this winter, he traded for emerging third baseman Ian Stewart, top first base prospect Anthony Rizzo and developing lefty starter Travis Wood, while jettisoning problematic former ace Carlos Zambrano.He should not be done yet. The Chicago Cubs should make it a trio and sign 2012's other two Cuban stars: Yoenis Cespedes and Jorge Soler.Yoenis Cespedes is the second international ...
When Theo Epstein took the job as president of the Cubs baseball operations, he made it clear that he was going to rebuild the team the right way, "the Cubs way." Yet despite the desire to get younger, more cost-controllable players and build from within while not spending big money on free agency, the Cubs just could sneak into contention in the NL Central this season on the basis of two things. First off, the lack of expectations should make for less pressure on a club that had been expected to contend over the past few seasons. Two, division rivals St. Louis ...
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