Coming into spring training this MLB season, the Chicago Cubs have some decisions to make regarding roster spots. They also have some decisions to make regarding where to start their young prospects when the season begins. Many of those decisions will be made based on performances in spring training and so far, the Cubs have gotten strong performances from a handful of players. While many players have played well, five have shined brighter than the rest.
These five players include prospects the Cubs are counting on in the future, guys who hope to make a name for themselves and recent acquisitions ...
When you think of patience and the Chicago Cubs, usually it's about the fans who have waited more than a century to see this lovably inept franchise win a championship. We shouldn't forget about the restraint shown by the new front-office regime, led by Theo Epstein.
In his final season with the Boston Red Sox (2011) and two years since, Epstein has come under fire for leaving that team in the lurch. (This was before Ben Cherington built a title team in 2013.)
How quickly everyone forgets that Epstein was instrumental in building two championship teams for the once-maligned franchise.
Forbes' sports business reporter ...
One of the most exciting parts about being a team in full-blown rebuilding mode is the way it makes spring training infinitely more watchable. Top prospects are going to be given a bigger stage with more opportunities to show fans and teams what the future holds.
For a franchise like the Chicago Cubs, which has been in a perpetual state of rebuilding for more than 100 years, promising fans the future doesn't really mean a lot to them. It should in 2014, because this is as good a farm system as they have had in a long time.
With high-end talent, as ...
As spring training gets underway and position battles begin, it's time to look forward to who's in and who's out on the Chicago Cubs' Opening Day 25-man roster. Several spots are already set in stone for the North Siders, and many more are still to be decided.
There are plenty of intriguing storylines. Will Darwin Barney hold onto the starting second base job? Will Mike Olt finally claim the third base job? These and plenty of other questions may be answered this spring.
New additions such as Jason Hammel and Emilio Bonifacio will look to prove their worth. Bonifacio will fight for a ...
Following a 66-96 season, the Chicago Cubs are in desperate need of a turnaround season.
But in the middle of a deep division that includes the St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds, the Cubs have a ridiculously tough road to hoe.
Chicago has a plethora of young talent like Anthony Rizzo, Darwin Barney and Starlin Castro hoping to erase the memories of last year's failure. For that reason in particular, the Cubs have a glimmer of hope heading into spring training.
Though Jeff Samardzija avoided arbitration during the offseason, the 29-year-old ace for the Cubs knows his time might be limited, ...
Spring training is like a great awakening across Arizona and Florida as teams build hope and expectations for the year to come. Luckily, the Cubs aren't trying to fool anyone into thinking they'll contend this year.
However, for Cubs fans, there are still several things to look forward to this spring training. This is such a vital development time for young and talented players, something the Cubs have a lot of, and to see that development firsthand is pretty exciting.
Everyone has their own opinion of what they are most looking forward to in spring training whether it be position battles, talented ...
The last half-decade has been rough for the Chicago Cubs.
The franchise owns a 356-453 overall record since its last playoff berth in 2008, recording only one winning season (2009) during that span. And if that wasn’t bad enough, the Cubs are coming off back-to-back dismal seasons in which they combined for 197 losses.
However, help is on the way.
If you’ve seen my top 100 prospects and farm system rankings for 2014, then you probably already know that the Cubs’ collection of prospects is among the best in baseball. Specifically, the organization placed seven players in the top 100, with three ranking ...
After two consecutive All-Star seasons, Starlin Castro's production drastically decreased in 2013. Because of his struggles, Castro has been the topic of much criticism of late.
Though he is signed through 2019 with a team option in 2020, Castro's future with the Cubs may be in jeopardy due to the team's arsenal of young infielders in the minors. Ranked as the No. 7 overall prospect for 2014 by MLB.com, shortstop Javier Baez could overtake Starlin Castro's job in the future. However, Castro's future lies in his own hands.
As Phil Rogers of MLB.com reported on Thursday, Castro's job is safe while the team develops ...
Every spring training defined storylines are set. However, as it progresses, some unexpected developments take place and change everything fans had assumed. Breakout stars emerge and other “sure things” disappoint.
This year will be no different, and the Cubs have as much uncertainty at the major league level as any team in baseball. That’s why this spring training could be so interesting for the North Siders. Some unexpected contributors could crack the Opening Day roster and some role players could end up with bigger roles than expected.
While there are plenty of moving pieces as the Cubs try to figure out their ...
The 2014 Chicago Cubs broke camp in Mesa, Ariz. this week with several unanswered questions in regard to their final 25-man roster. There are several position battles which will involve players who are on the cusp of making the major league squad.
Which players currently on the roster bubble are going to have a tough time making the team?
Let's take a few moments to examine the players that project to be locks to make the team.
Starting Pitchers: (Spots 1-4)
2013 Stats
W
L
ERA
GS
IP
H
BB
SO
Jeff Samardzija
8
13
4.34
33
213.2
210
78
214
Travis Wood
9
12
3.11
32
200.0
163
66
144
Edwin Jackson
8
18
4.98
31
175.1
197
59
135
Jason Hammel
7
8
4.97
23
139.1
155
48
96
The first four roster spots will be allocated to the rotation. Samardzija, Wood and Jackson are no-brainers. Hammel ...
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