There are some things in Major League Baseball that simply are just astounding.From some of the bizarre unwritten rules about where not to walk on the field, to the outlandish contracts given to players who fail 70 percent of the time, baseball doesn't always make sense.We are in a fortunate year for the sport, where we are seeing the emergence of some of the most talented players in some time coming into the big leagues and succeeding, as fans bear witness to the talents of Bryce Harper and Mike Trout.It makes you wonder sometimes, how players can just simply disappear from the ...
Major league baseball isn't as formulaic as other major American sports leagues like the NBA or NFL, as star players can show up at any time, no matter what their age.So could be the case for the Chicago Cubs first baseman Bryan LaHair, who could follow a path to success similar to the one Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista has taken.Bautista, now 31, didn't really become much of a force in the league until he was 29 years old. Before the 2010 season, there just wasn't much to say about him because there wasn't much of him.He had played for ...
I like Bryan LaHair and would not mind if the Cubs decided to keep him. But would the Cubs deciding to keep him delay Anthony Rizzo’s call-up?I believe, yes. A prospect like Rizzo deserves to play every day, not sparingly.We all know when Rizzo is called up he will be the Cubs' first baseman. That leaves LaHair as the odd man out– or the even man out since he would be option No. 2 of 2.If both Rizzo and LaHair are on the big league roster together, then one of them will have to change positions. That would most likely be ...
With June and the All-Star break approaching, the North Siders haven't reached a better time to capitalize on the much weaker NL Central. After losing $200 million superstars Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder to the hitter-friendly American League, the declining NL Central still houses likely All-Stars Joey Votto, Ryan Braun, Carlos Beltran and Andrew McCutchen, among many others.However, the Cubs have a legitimate chance of coming back in the standings this season. Headed into Tuesday's matchup against the St. Louis Cardinals, here are the changes most important to long-term success for the Cubs. Standings after 05/14/12:
Teams Wins Losses GB
St. Louis Cardinals ...
Tom Ricketts didn't want to tell you this. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer won't publicly admit it. But even Dale Sveum, whose managerial career may depend on winning, must know. The Cubs brass harbored no illusions of being competitive this season.
Sure, Epstein laid out his plan to build from within. To do things the right way. The Cubs way.
But what he didn't want you to know is that the Cubs, if they are truly committed to this plan, will not be contenders for several years.
I realize they did tell us that rebuilding takes time. But if you recall, they all said—especially Ricketts—that there's ...
Jeff Samardzija struggled with the command of his off-speed pitches throughout his career, while also having difficulties blowing his fastball straight past hitters. To say Samardzija has surprised this season would be an understatement. But is it just a mirage of what he really is? Or is this Samardzija the one the Cubs thought they were getting in the fifth round out of Notre Dame? At 4-1 with 2.89 ERA and 45 strikeouts, Samardzija has potentially put his name in All-Star consideration. Can he be an All-Star and anchor of a competing Cubs rotation? Here are five reasons to believe ...
Brett Jackson, Anthony Rizzo and prospects, oh my!Chicago Cubs fans cannot wait for the major league arrival of the two big-name prospects with the intention of leading Chicago down the yellow brick road to a championship sooner rather than later.Fortunately, the man in charge knows it'll take more than a click of his heels to bring a championship home.Theo Epstein's hands are full with draft evaluations and questions from all angles asking when the two top prospects will be seeing time in the majors.On the surface it makes perfect sense. Rizzo is posting numbers that appear to be pulled out ...
Frank Sinatra released a song in 1966 that can summarize multiple Cubs seasons. The song title also gives eloquent reason for the Cubs to trade some players now rather than waiting until the July trade deadline.
The song? “That’s Life.”
There is a line from that song which could define the predicament the Cubs are currently in: riding high in April; shot down in May.
We have all seen the surprise starts to the season by both Bryan LaHair and Ryan Dempster, both playing at a level which few believe they can sustain for very long—riding high in April. Therefore, the Cubs would be ...
The Chicago Cubs must start making some moves, especially before its too late. One player the team must look to move immediately is veteran pitcher Ryan Dempster.Before the season, Dempster accepted his player option for the 2012 season. That gave the inconsistent right-hander $14 million for the season. Coming off a 2011 season with an ERA of 4.80 and 211 hits over 202.1 innings, Dempster certainly didn't look like a $14 million pitcher.In just five starts, though, Dempster looks like that type of pitcher. So far, he has an ERA of 1.02 through 35 innings with a record of 0-1—and yes, you ...
The Cubs are currently in last place in the NL Central, seven games back with a 12-18 record. Despite the teams struggles, there are several bright spots throughout the organization that are giving people an excuse to be patient. Cubs ace Matt Garza is off to a strong start, going 2-1 with a 2.67 ERA and 36 strikeouts through 33.2 innings pitched. He has made five starts, with his next start coming in a few days.There's been a lot of talk about the Cubs moving Matt Garza for more prospects because they are in a rebuilding mode. That is not entirely ...
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