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According to ESPN.com's Rumor Central feature, the Nationals are entertaining offers for left-handed starting pitcher John Lannan, who reportedly has requested a trade after being optioned to the minor leagues in a surprising transaction. Gordon Wittenmeyer of the Chicago Sun-Times writes that the Cubs have inquired about Lannan, and added that Marlon Byrd could be a candidate to be traded to Washington in return. This move wouldn't be a shock, as Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer have made it a point to build rotation depth, knowing how the lack of starting rotation depth in 2011 negatively affected the club. However, while that ...
John Lannan was the topic of conversation for several teams in the offseason, and with his demotion to Triple-A, he has once again popped up on some radars. The Washington Nationals opted to have Ross Detwiler start in the fifth spot, which has left Lannan in Triple-A Syracuse making $5 million. General manager Mike Rizzo spoke of the move, saying, "The last thing I told [Lannan] was, ‘You’re going to help us in the big leagues this year or someone else in the big leagues this year."Although the Nats may to want to hold on to Lannan, it would not be a surprise if ...
Coming off a 2-1 loss to the Nationals on Opening Day, the Cubs didn't exactly have a perfect opener. However, Dempster was strong in his debut, striking out ten, and only allowing two hits over 7.2 innings, even if he did get a few assists from the strong winds coming off of Lake Michigan.With the new season, came new management—both on the field and in the front office—and with them, a whole slew of new players.Without further ado, here's your guide to the 2012 Cubs opening day roster.Begin Slideshow
Thursday was a pretty good day at the ballpark for the Chicago Cubs' Ryan Dempster.Facing the Washington Nationals, he racked up 10 strikeouts while allowing one run and two hits over 7.2 innings. (Unfortunately, Dempster didn't get the win, as Kerry Wood and Carlos Marmol couldn't protect a one-run lead in the eighth inning.)But Dempster's day was going well before he even took the mound—whether he realized it or not.As reported by MLB.com's Carrie Muskat, renowned Cubs fan Bill Murray gave the ball he threw for the ceremonial first pitch to Dempster after autographing it. Dempster apparently didn't realize Murray ...
To clear up any confusion, I am not Theo Epstein. It's an easy mistake to make. We're both incredibly talented.I think I know and understand what Jed Hoyer and Theo are doing with the roster. More Magellan than Columbus but hell, even if we veer drastically off course, but discover something great in the process I'm in.I heard a great phrase recently that applies to so many facets of life if not life as a whole: "If you're eating a sh*t sandwich, chances are you probably ordered it". This phrase perfectly describes the fragile psyche of a Cubs' fan. We ...
After a dismal 71-91 season in 2011, the Chicago Cubs have gone into total rebuild mode by adding a new front office led by former Boston Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein, as well as bringing in a new manager in former Milwaukee Brewers' coach Dale Sveum.Upfront, things are looking promising for the team's future—but what about this year?There are clearly many question marks surrounding the club and where they will go, but surely we will get our answers as the season carries on.Begin Slideshow
Alfonso Soriano’s future will be the story of the Cubs’ 2012 season! He is the link between the Cubs’ past and their future, both a productive player and the last bad contract Chicago’s new management needs to shed before they can build a new contender. So, where will Soriano end up if he is traded this season? Soriano will have to go to the American League. He may be the worst defender in baseball and is completely unable to effectively play an outfield position. But Soriano’s bat, which is capable of 25-30 home runs with a decent average when he ...
Chicago Cubs fans should be optimistic because things are finally looking up for the franchise! But will those improvements be reflected in the team's 2012 win total? The Cubs' win totals have been trending downward since 2008. In that landmark season, the team won 97 games, clinched the central division, and looked like World Series contenders. But the Cubs were upset in the first round and never looked the same. In 2009, the Milton Bradley signing flopped and the Cubs' win total dropped to 83 games. Since then, Chicago has not had a winning record. But now, Chicago’s future ...
After leading the National League in hits last season, consider Starlin Castro the interim title-holder of the "Best Shortstop in the National League."I say interim because injuries can cost the cream of the crop full seasons, skewing the numbers.This summer the real title will be back up for grabs in a competition that not even WrestleMania could script.If Michael Buffer introduced the candidates, he'd start off with Hanley Ramirez in one corner, joined by Miami Marlins-teammate Jose Reyes, Colorado Rockie Troy Tulowitzki and Castro.Ramirez, Reyes and Tulowitzki all missed time last year due to injuries. Ramirez played in just 92 ...
Every spring there seems to be a player who seemingly comes out of nowhere to grab the attention of enthusiastic Cubs fans longing for a hero. This spring that player may be outfielder Joe Mather, who has made the 25-man roster.
I'm not saying that outfielder Mather can't have a long and productive major league career. I'm just suggesting that it may not be advisable to make a huge emotional investment in him, at least based on the relative value (or lack thereof) of spring training statistics.
Mather is a feel-good story. It was not only Mather’s versatility that won him a job (he ...
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