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 ...
The Chicago Cubs made another set of cuts to their spring training roster this week, and surprised a few fans with the demotion of Welington Castillo and Randy Wells.It was also announced that Steve Clevenger and Joe Mather will be on the Opening Day roster when the Cubs start the season April 4.Welington Castillo was slated to be the backup catcher behind Geovany Soto, but his season will instead start in Iowa. The 24-year-old is one of the Cubs' top prospects and will benefit from playing every day in the minors. Taking his place will be Steve Clevenger, a 25-year-old with ...
Perhaps one of the most recognizable writers of today, John Grisham is best known for his intense legal thrillers and courthouse dramas, as well as the occasional sports novel.Besides law and crime, Grisham is also an avid sports fan. Growing up in rural Arkansas, he is an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, and even jokingly criticized Hillary Clinton for her devotion to the Cubs at a fundraiser that he hosted for her in 2007. Despite his devotion to the Cardinals, Grisham's latest novel details the fictional story of Joe Castle, a AA first baseman for the Cubs who was abruptly called ...
After the official rotation was released and discussed, today is the day that Dale Sveum has announced what the official Opening Day lineup should be, barring injury, according to the Chicago Tribune.While a lot of stock can be put into things like lineup order as well as spring training production, taking these facts with a grain of salt is putting it lightly.Promptly pour the entire salt shaker into your mouth.Spring training statistics don't hold a bucket of water next to the ocean of the season. While it may be nice that guys like Joe Mather produced like Albert Pujols injected ...
With a steady breeze blowing out to straight away centerfield, the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres combined for 34 hits and 23 runs in a 12-11 victory for the Padres in front of 5,325 fans in Peoria, Arizona.The prime hitting conditions made mince meat of starting pitchers Chris Volstad and San Diego's, Clayton Richard. The slugfest featured four home runs and eight doubles.Richard, the Chicago White Sox product who was a key feature in the Jake Peavy deal, made a strong impression with San Diego immediately after he was dealt. However last season his strikeouts per nine innings tailed ...
The Brett Jackson train is full steam ahead, as the arrival of the outfielder seems imminent this season. He'll start the year in Triple-A, but it won't be long before Jackson receives the phone call he's been waiting for his whole life: the one to the major leagues. Here are seven ways Jackson impressed the Cubs and put pressure on the organization to make room for the prospect.Begin Slideshow
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
Starting pitchers are worth much more to a baseball team than relievers. That's not to say relievers aren't important, of course. But a pitcher who can give a club 120-150 innings helps a staff more than one who contributes 70 or so innings.Jeff Samardzija was successful as a reliever for the Chicago Cubs last season, posting a 2.97 ERA with 87 strikeouts in 88 innings. But Samardzija wanted to be a starting pitcher, as he had been for most of his minor league career. And with holes in their rotation, the Cubs were wise to give him a shot this ...
Jeff Samardzija may be the newest man in the Chicago Cubs' 2012 rotation, but there is no guarantee that the former Notre Dame Fighting Irish star dual-athlete will be able to fulfill his new duty with the team.According to ESPN's Doug Padilla, Samardzija beat out two-year starter Randy Wells for a spot in the rotation, a move which sent the latter down to the club's triple-A affiliate in Iowa.As Samardzija said:You don’t know how many of these opportunities you’re going to get to start. Once you become a reliever and have success, a lot of times that’s where you end up for ...
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