Cubs manager Dale Sveum is playing the long-ball game with Starlin Castro. Castro's raw power and ability to make contact at such a young age makes it easy for Sveum to challenge him in the three spot. Not only does he get more at-bats with runners on base, but he sees better pitches with the power hitters waiting behind him.Castro has been a top-of-the-order hitter for much of his career, seeing the majority of his at-bats in Chicago in the leadoff and No. 2 spot. He has had success there too, so much that the Cubs brass view him as something ...
The upcoming season will be very exciting for the Cubs. Despite most assuming they won't be in playoff contention, the Cubs have several prospects who could climb the ladder to Chicago. But there are younger players still years away who will look to put together strong seasons in order to get the attention of the Cubs brass.Let's explore 10 prospects Cubs fans should watch as they consider the long-term future of the Cubs. Begin Slideshow
The Cubs enter the 2012 season with high expectations, mostly set by the fans, but also by the new Cubs front office. The Cubs finished the 2011 season with 71 wins—fifth place in the NL Central ahead of the lowly Astros. After bringing in Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer, the Cubs made a few tweaks in hopes of laying the groundwork for a successful long-term agenda. Most fans don't expect a World Series run in 2012, but they do expect significant strides to be made with some of the new additions they now have. With Opening Day a little over a week ...
Despite the Cubs' woes, they still have shades of talent roaming through major and minor league camp. The new Cubs brass wanted to get a look at a lot of players, but they are figuring out quickly what the game plan is and what the best course of action is for everyone. Whether it be a first-round draft pick, or an emerging late-round pick from a few years back, there is never enough room for everyone. And sometimes the best move is shipping the player to the minors so he can see more time. It is a proven formula that ...
The Cubs came into spring training with a mindset of playing the long game.The new Cubs brass gave votes of confidence to players who would have been in question by fans and the media otherwise, as well as assured young players that there hard work is not going overlooked.That being said, the team is looking to compete in 2012 and are capable of doing so in the NL Central. The Cubs certainly face an uphill battle, but the group have been given a clean slate and certainly have something to prove after a disappointing 2011.That being said, let's explore the ...
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 ...
A report from NBC 5 Chicago suggests that if the Chicago Cubs undergo a major overhaul of Wrigley Field, they would move their home games to U.S. Cellular Field, the home field of the White Sox.Based on the report, it appears that the process could begin as early as October of this year, continuing on through the 2013 season in preparation for the 2014 season. 2014 is the centennial for Wrigley Field—that's right, it's been 100 years for the Cubs at Wrigley.That's two golden Jubilees, if you know what I mean. But it also raises another interesting idea: The Cubs ...
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 ...
Yoenis Cespedes remains at large. ESPN.com's Jim Bowden reports that he will travel to the United States soon and begin meeting with teams face to face. So it would seem he is still at least two weeks away from signing.It is going to take a lot from teams to woo Cespedes. When it comes to international players, the city selection may be more important than the team. If he is uprooting his family, he will want to go to a city that suits his needs and expectations. Somewhere that is safe with good schools and all that hibbidy-jibbidy. The Cubs reportedly gave Kosuke ...
Baseball and government agencies intertwine when players of this magnitude are forced to seek US citizenship. Cuban citizens are banned from traveling and working with the United States, forcing Cuban players to seek citizenship elsewhere in order to play in the United States.It is a loophole that allows baseball to sidestep a long-standing government policy and get some of the most talented baseball players in the world playing in the top league in the world.Yoenis Cespedes and Jorge Soler are two of the most intriguing Cuban prospects to come out in a while.The Cubs, among others, ...
« Previous Page — Next Page »
