Every year, the MLB Rule 5 Draft goes overlooked, but there has been a history of some star players that have come from it.This year could very well prove to be a similar story, as several teams have picked up players with that very star potential. Houston Astros - RHP Josh Fields With the first-overall pick in the Rule 5 Draft, the Houston Astros picked up Josh Fields from the Boston Red Sox. Fields, now 27 years old, will give the Astros a major league-caliber reliever without having to outbid other teams on the open market. In the 2012 season, ...
ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick tweeted yesterday evening that the Cubs have agreed to a one-year deal with outfielder Nate Schierholtz. The deal is worth $2.25 million with another $200,000 in incentives a possibility, pending a physical. Theo Epstein has certainly been active this offseason, although none of the moves that have been made so far could be considered to put the Cubs over the top. It’s reminiscent of a sailor simply plugging the holes in a ship’s damaged hull, trying to hold off sinking before he gets back to shore and do a major repair. Schierholtz, the latest signing, is not ...
As we move into day three of the Winter Meetings, all has been quiet on the Chicago Cubs front so far. The Cubs began addressing their issues in early November, starting with the rotation, and signed Scott Baker and Scott Feldman. More recently, the bullpen was addressed, and the team landed the heavily lauded Japanese closer Kyuji Fujikawa. Even though the Cubs have taken steps in the right direction, holes still remain, most noticeably in the outfield and at third base. There have been many rumors about how the Cubs may address these holes going forward, from free agent signings ...
It's that time of the year again.The MLB Winter Meetings kicked off on Monday in Nashville, Tenn.Other than near the trade deadline, there are very few times over the course of a calendar year when rumors swirl as much as they do now.One of the more recent rumors surrounding the Chicago Cubs comes from FoxSports.com's John Paul Morosi, who indicates that the Cubs will be using the winter meetings to discuss the possibility of moving veteran outfielder Alfonso Soriano with other teams.Trading Soriano should be at the top of GM Jed Hoyer's agenda during the meetings in Nashville.Soriano is the ...
Despite being in the middle of a rebuilding process, the Chicago Cubs may have interest in signing free-agent outfielder Michael Bourn, according to ESPN Chicago’s Bruce Levine. With the organization prepared to build around several of its younger players, Starlin Castro, Anthony Rizzo and Jeff Samardzija, the news comes as a surprise—somewhat. As I wrote about a few weeks ago, the organization is still multiple years away from serving as a playoff contender, even if only in the NL Central. And although it has a fine crop of highly-regarded prospects, none of them figure to be big-league-ready until the 2014 ...
It just got worse for the Cubs in 2012. Things were supposed to be different coming off of a 71-91 season under manager Mike Quade, but Dale Sveum couldn't do much better in leading the team to a 61-101 mark and leaving the future of the team in more chaos than before.The Cubs are an interesting mix of youth, castaways, talent and aging veterans. It all adds up to an organization that is in need of a rebuilding effort in the highest order.It starts with trades. The Cubs have a few bloated contracts and ineffective former stars who still have ...
Former utilityman, Jimmy Stewart, who played for the Chicago Cubs from 1963 to 1967, died Nov. 24 at the age of 73. According to Cincinnati.com, Stewart died at his home in Odessa, Fla. Born James Franklin Stewart on June 11, 1939, the switch-hitter spent 10 seasons in Major League Baseball, including his first five in Chicago. He was mostly used as a backup, though early in his career he received considerable playing time as a starter. He spent 324 games in a Cubs uniform, hitting .236 with 196 hits, 32 doubles and 25 stolen bases in 830 at-bats. The speedy, ...
Ken Rosenthal tweeted earlier that the Chicago Cubs have agreed to terms with Kyuji Fujikawa.It was previously thought that the Angels were the front-runners for acquiring the Japanese closer.Fujikawa should fill in nicely as the Cubs' closer for the 2013 season. In the last six seasons spent across the Pacific, Fujikawa has accumulated a total of 202 saves and pitched to the tune of a minuscule 1.36 ERA. How that translates in the big leagues is yet to be seen, but it is very promising.Theo Epstein has stated that if there were sound investments available, the Cubs would be not be afraid to ...
In what would be a surprise move, the Chicago Cubs have reportedly signed coveted Japanese closer Kyuji Fujikawa. Fox's Ken Rosenthal has the scoop:
Sources: #Cubs in agreement with Japanese closer Kyuji Fujikawa. Rival executives involved in bidding had expected him to go to #Angels.— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 1, 2012
Fujikawa deal with #Cubs is two years with a vesting option for a third. He likely will be the team's closer.— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 1, 2012
If Fujikawa option does not vest, #Cubs hold $5.5M club option with $500K buyout. A total of $9.5M guaranteed.— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 1, 2012
Rosenthal ...
After Mark Reynolds was non-tendered yesterday by Baltimore, a few teams were mentioned as a possible landing destination for the former Oriole’s third/first baseman. One of the possible teams mentioned was the Cubs. But why? After last season’s performances by their third basemen, the Cubs cannot go into the 2013 season with Luis Valbuena or Josh Vitters as the starter. The club’s only option is to bring in a player from outside the organization to man the hot corner for the next four seasons—give or take a season—until Javier Baez makes it to the majors. Which brings me back to ...
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