Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune first reported that the Cubs will explore a deal for Carlos Zambrano, though Bleacher Report readers on the Cubs site know that I floated the concept more than a month ago.
It just makes sense. For one thing, the Cubs are seriously weighed down with expensive, long-term contracts that limit their ability to improve a team that was very disappointing this season.
Second, Zambrano, for all of his obvious talent, is a head case who can’t seem to keep his emotions in check to channel that energy in a positive manner. Instead, he sulks, he gets ...
As the Cubs get ready for the first round of organizational talks, I thought I would take a look at some of the Cubs players currently on the roster and project their futures with the team.
Jim Hendry and his merry band of baseball cronies can chew on this as they look forward to 2010.
Aaron Miles. Status: Signed through 2010
If he can’t dump his salary (Hendry should not ask for anything in return), then I suggest the Cubs eat his contract. He is of little to no value offensively. And a team that hits like it has this year just can’t ...
As the Cubs get ready for the first round of organizational talks, I thought I would take a look at some of the Cubs players currently on the roster and project their futures with the team.
Jim Hendry and his merry band of baseball cronies can chew on this as they look forward to 2010.
Aaron Miles. Status: Signed through 2010
If he can’t dump his salary (Hendry should not ask for anything in return), then I suggest the Cubs eat his contract. He is of little to no value offensively. And a team that hits like it has this year just can’t ...
In 2008, as the Chicago Cubs were well on their way to winning 97 games and being declared the best team in the National League, something suddenly happened. The team started struggling and completely laid an egg in the playoffs.
We now know that something was pressure.
The weight and burden of expectations from media, fans, and management for a team that hadn't been to the World Series since 1945 was just too much to bear. They collectively looked like deer in the headlights come October.
They CHOKED.
And so it seems the 2009 Cubs have, at least in part, fallen victim to the ...
In 2008, as the Chicago Cubs were well on their way to winning 97 games and being declared the best team in the National League, something suddenly happened. The team started struggling and completely laid an egg in the playoffs.
We now know that something was pressure.
The weight and burden of expectations from media, fans, and management for a team that hadn't been to the World Series since 1945 was just too much to bear. They collectively looked like deer in the headlights come October.
They CHOKED.
And so it seems the 2009 Cubs have, at least in part, fallen victim to the ...
I don’t know about you, but I would like to see major league baseball alter the way in which it allocates wins to pitchers in a ballgame.
This is nothing new, but Friday’s Cubs game reminded me of how unfair the current rules are. After starter Rich Harden threw an astounding 103 pitches in only four innings of work (not a recipe for success by the way), Jeff Stevens was brought into the game.
Stevens proceeded to give up a three-run bomb to the Reds’ Jonny Gomes and—poof—the game was tied.
That was the only inning that Stevens pitched. He allowed three ...
A new year, a new scapegoat. Last year's playoff failure was blamed on the Cubs being too right-handed. Now, at least based on what Cubs manager Lou Piniella recently had to say, the thinking is that the Cubs are too slow.
Lou's need for speed aside, it is true that the Cubs are a slow, plodding bunch. They rank last in the NL in stolen bases. And while the stolen base has not been as popular since 'roided up players starting popping muscles out of their shirt sleeves, it seems to be on a bit of a comeback.
Meanwhile, rumor has it that the Cubs will try to "steal" Chone ...
One of the many differences between White Sox General Manager Kenny Williams and Cubs GM Jim Hendry is that Kenny harbors no illusions of the playoffs this season. Could it still happen? Sure, mathematically at least. But is it likely? Hell no.
And it's even less likely for the Cubs, of course. The division is out of reach and the wild card requires climbing over too many teams. Plus, the Cubs aren't playing like they want it anyway.
So the White Sox supposedly send a memo to the other clubs that Jermaine Dye, Jim Thome and Scott Linebrink are available.
And why not? ...
Well, one thing is becoming crystal clear in this murky Cubs season: Jake Fox can hit a baseball.
Now, I realize I haven't been his biggest supporter but that is largely due to erroneous reports that his defense was so bad that packing a glove was arbitrary.
The truth is, however, that while Fox will never be more than an average (at best) fielder at any position, his defensive shortcomings have been greatly exaggerated by the organization. His bat may actually more than make up for his glove.
But where could he play in 2010? Even if the Cubs are able to dispose ...
Well, one thing is becoming crystal clear in this murky Cubs season: Jake Fox can hit a baseball.
Now, I realize I haven't been his biggest supporter but that is largely due to erroneous reports that his defense was so bad that packing a glove was arbitrary.
The truth is, however, that while Fox will never be more than an average (at best) fielder at any position, his defensive shortcomings have been greatly exaggerated by the organization. His bat may actually more than make up for his glove.
But where could he play in 2010? Even if the Cubs are able to dispose ...
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