December 30, 2011 – Northwest League (NWL) Boise Hawks
CHICAGO, Ill. – The Chicago Cubs have rounded out their minor league coaching staffs, announcing this afternoon that Bill Buckner will serve as hitting coach for the Boise Hawks.

Buckner, a resident of Eagle, returned to coaching last season as the manager of the Brockton Rox, leading the team to a 51-42 record in the independent CanAm League, earning the squad a postseason berth. He will replace Desi Wilson, who will serve as Class-A Daytona’s hitting coach.

“We are extremely excited in the Cubs decision to have Bill Buckner as our hitting coach,” said Todd Rahr, Boise Hawks president/general manager. “To have someone local on the staff, who had such a great career, will be beneficial to our organization. Bill had a Hall of Fame caliber career and we look forward to working with him year round. It will definitely be a treat.”

Buckner rejoins the Cubs system for the first time since playing for the big league team from 1977-84 – winning the 1980 National League batting crown and earning a spot in the 1981 All Star Game. The 22-year veteran served as the Chicago White Sox hitting coach in 1996 and 1997, while also serving as a hitting coach in the Toronto Blue Jays minor league system.

Buckner played in 2199 major league games with the Dodgers, Cubs, Red Sox, Angels, and Royals, hitting .289 with 174 career home runs and 1,208 RBI. He played in a pair of World Series’ – in 1974 with the Dodgers and 1986 with the Red Sox.

Three others return to the Hawks for the 2012 season – manager Mark Johnson, pitching coach David Rosario, and trainer Bob Grimes. Johnson skippered last season’s squad to a 36-40 record, including Boise’s first postseason berth since the 2006 season.

The Hawks, in their 12th season as an affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, open up the 2012 Northwest League season on June 15 at Salem-Keizer, with their Memorial Stadium opener on June 20 against Eugene. Season, mini-pack, bonus books, and group nights for Hawks’ games are available at 322-5000 or online at www.boisehawks.com.

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• Bill Buckner Named Boise Hawks Hitting Coach – Boise Hawks

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

You might be wondering why Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer would pursue a 29-year-old middle reliever who hasn’t pitched in MLB since 2010 and who has been mostly irrelevant since 2007.

The Chicago Cubs have agreed to a one-year contract with reliever Manuel Corpas. Corpas has a career ERA of 3.93. He was also a critical part of the Colorado Rockies’ National League pennant during the 2007 season. Corpas finished that season with 19 saves and a 2.08 ERA. He also had five saves and a 0.87 ERA during the postseason.

Since then, Corpas hasn’t finished any season with an ERA lower than 4.52. He hasn’t pitched in MLB since having Tommy John surgery after appearing in 56 games in 2010. The Texas Rangers signed Corpas to a minor-league contract in 2011. He never appeared in an organized game with them. Corpas also played winter ball in Panama.

The Cubs recently traded Sean Marshall to the Cincinnati Reds. Marshall had progressed into one of MLB’s best left-handed relievers and setup specialists over the past couple of seasons. The Cubs traded Marshall because he was one of the few players who were currently on the roster who could net some decent prospects. The Cubs also have Kerry Wood or Jeff Samardzija as potential replacements for his setup role.

I’m not sure that this is supposed to be an answer to that departure. Corpas is just trying to make his way back into MLB following that surgery. He’d be a fantastic addition to the bullpen if he could rediscover what made him so good during his first two seasons. Of course, we’re talking about 2006 and 2007. It’s very unlikely that he’ll ever play like he did during that pennant run.

Who knows? Maybe Corpas will enjoy a resurgence and become an important component in the Cubs’ bullpen. Jose Lima had a couple decent years that almost nobody expected. There’s no risk in this signing and he has been good in the past. The worst scenario that could happen is that he never makes the 25-man roster and he’s released in 2013. He could also give the Cubs another reliable reliever at a cheap rate.

Joshua Huffman grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as a Green Bay Packers and Chicago Cubs enthusiast. He immediately gained an admiration for Cubs fans after watching numerous games on WGN during the mid-90s. His favorite Cubs moment was Kerry Wood’s(notes) 1-hitter, 20K extravaganza that was only denied of a no-hitter by Kevin Orie’s defensive blunder. As a Packers and Cubs fan, he suffered through Steve Bartman and “4th & 26″ in a span of three months.

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Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer appear like they’re making moves to finalize the 40-man roster for the 2012 MLB season. The Chicago Cubs are expected to re-sign Reed Johnson to a one-year contract. The deal was pending a physical.

Johnson would be sandwiched inside a stable of outfielders that include Alfonso Soriano, Marlon Byrd, David DeJesus, Tony Campana and possibly Brett Jackson. Johnson would probably be a reserve outfielder who could possibly be in a platoon role with DeJesus because Johnson has more success against left-handed pitching.

Johnson is a 35-year-old outfielder who doesn’t figure into the long-term rebuilding plan for the Cubs. However, he’s a solid player who plays good defense at all three outfield positions. While he lacks power, Johnson is a good hitter who enjoyed a bit of a resurgence in 2011. Johnson hit .309 with five home runs, 28 RBI and a .348 OBP in 246 at-bats.

Johnson decided to re-sign with the Cubs because he felt at home with them. He praised recently-hired manager Dale Sveum by calling him “A very smart guy.” Johnson seems like he’d like to complete his career with the Cubs. He’s spent three of the past four seasons with them. He played with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2010.

I have no problems with this re-signing. Johnson was one of my favorite players in 2011. I would’ve liked to see him play more. I thought he outplayed Byrd in the limited playing time that he did receive, especially after that facial injury that Byrd suffered. Johnson was one of the few players who I actually felt good about when the Cubs were faced with a clutch-hitting scenario. He’s the type of veteran who I’d like to have around young players like Starlin Castro.

I wouldn’t think that the Cubs would keep six outfielders on their 25-man roster. Maybe that means that Jackson will start the season in Triple-A? Maybe they don’t feel like Campana’s speed is enough of an asset for him to remain on the 25-man roster? Maybe they’ll try to trade Byrd as he’s probably one of the few players who could net some prospects?

Maybe they’ll eat Soriano’s contract? I know; fat chance.

Joshua Huffman grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as a Green Bay Packers and Chicago Cubs enthusiast. He immediately gained an admiration for Cubs fans after watching numerous games on WGN during the mid-90s. His favorite Cubs moment was Kerry Wood’s(notes) 1-hitter, 20K extravaganza that was only denied of a no-hitter by Kevin Orie’s defensive blunder. As a Packers and Cubs fan, he suffered through Steve Bartman and “4th & 26″ in a span of three months.

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Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer appear like they’re making moves to finalize the 40-man roster for the 2012 MLB season. The Chicago Cubs are expected to re-sign Reed Johnson to a one-year contract. The deal was pending a physical.

Johnson would be sandwiched inside a stable of outfielders that include Alfonso Soriano, Marlon Byrd, David DeJesus, Tony Campana and possibly Brett Jackson. Johnson would probably be a reserve outfielder who could possibly be in a platoon role with DeJesus because Johnson has more success against left-handed pitching.

Johnson is a 35-year-old outfielder who doesn’t figure into the long-term rebuilding plan for the Cubs. However, he’s a solid player who plays good defense at all three outfield positions. While he lacks power, Johnson is a good hitter who enjoyed a bit of a resurgence in 2011. Johnson hit .309 with five home runs, 28 RBI and a .348 OBP in 246 at-bats.

Johnson decided to re-sign with the Cubs because he felt at home with them. He praised recently-hired manager Dale Sveum by calling him “A very smart guy.” Johnson seems like he’d like to complete his career with the Cubs. He’s spent three of the past four seasons with them. He played with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2010.

I have no problems with this re-signing. Johnson was one of my favorite players in 2011. I would’ve liked to see him play more. I thought he outplayed Byrd in the limited playing time that he did receive, especially after that facial injury that Byrd suffered. Johnson was one of the few players who I actually felt good about when the Cubs were faced with a clutch-hitting scenario. He’s the type of veteran who I’d like to have around young players like Starlin Castro.

I wouldn’t think that the Cubs would keep six outfielders on their 25-man roster. Maybe that means that Jackson will start the season in Triple-A? Maybe they don’t feel like Campana’s speed is enough of an asset for him to remain on the 25-man roster? Maybe they’ll try to trade Byrd as he’s probably one of the few players who could net some prospects?

Maybe they’ll eat Soriano’s contract? I know; fat chance.

Joshua Huffman grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as a Green Bay Packers and Chicago Cubs enthusiast. He immediately gained an admiration for Cubs fans after watching numerous games on WGN during the mid-90s. His favorite Cubs moment was Kerry Wood’s(notes) 1-hitter, 20K extravaganza that was only denied of a no-hitter by Kevin Orie’s defensive blunder. As a Packers and Cubs fan, he suffered through Steve Bartman and “4th & 26″ in a span of three months.

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Paul Maholm may not be the only left-handed starting pitcher that the Chicago Cubs are pursuing this offseason.

The Cubs are reportedly discussing a trade with their National League (NL) Central rival, the Cincinnati Reds. Reports indicate that the Cubs would receive 24-year-old starting pitcher Travis Wood. The Reds would receive 29-year-old setup specialist Sean Marshall. The Cubs might also get prospects.

Assuming these reports are true, it’s beginning to look like Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer want every left-handed player in MLB other than Prince Fielder on the Cubs’ roster in 2012. Seriously though, they’re placing a strong emphasis on adding left-handed hitters into their lineup and at least one left-handed pitcher into their starting rotation.

Marshall has been one of MLB’s best left-handed setup specialists for the past two seasons. Marshall finished the 2011 season with a 2.26 ERA in 78 appearances. Marshall was praised by some fans as an All-Star candidate as he had a 0.95 ERA after 28.1 innings pitched. A midseason slump prevented him from being selected.

The Reds acquired starting pitcher Mat Latos from the San Diego Padres. They’re currently looking to bolster their bullpen with a quality left-handed reliever. Marshall would be the perfect candidate because of his familiarity with the NL Central. Wood has become expendable because of Latos.

The Reds selected Wood with a second-round pick in 2005. He had a solid MLB debut in 2010 that included a 5-4 record, 3.51 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP in 17 starts. Wood debuted against the Cubs on July 1, 2010. He earned a no-decision after he surrendered two hits and two earned runs in seven innings. Wood took a perfect game into the ninth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in just his third start.

2011 wasn’t as kind to Wood. He finished with a 6-6 record, 4.84 ERA and 1.49 WHIP. Wood was demoted to Triple-A for approximately two months for underperformance. He was also the subject of trade talks before the July trading deadline.

Was 2010 a fluke? According to RedLegs Baseball, Wood was the No. 4 prospect in the Reds’ farm system heading into 2010. Epstein is also rumored to be intrigued in him.

Wood appears to be extremely dependent on flyballs. That always worries me with pitchers at Wrigley Field. I prefer strikeout pitchers and groundball pitchers. A flyball pitcher is always at risk when the wind is blowing out.

You might be wondering, “Why doesn’t Marshall just move back into the starting rotation?” I’d actually rather see that happen before a straight swap for these two players. I think the Cubs should just keep Marshall if they can’t get more for him.

I’m guessing that Kerry Wood would become the full-time setup specialist. Jeff Samardzija would probably be the secondary guy. The Cubs might attempt to develop Andrew Cashner into a closer if Carlos Marmol doesn’t fix his control issues.

Joshua Huffman grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as a Green Bay Packers and Chicago Cubs enthusiast. He immediately gained an admiration for Cubs fans after watching numerous games on WGN during the mid-90s. His favorite Cubs moment was Kerry Wood’s(notes) 1-hitter, 20K extravaganza that was only denied of a no-hitter by Kevin Orie’s defensive blunder. As a Packers and Cubs fan, he suffered through Steve Bartman and “4th & 26″ in a span of three months.

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Read More: Jeff Baker (3B – CHC), Matt Garza (P – CHC), Koyie Hill (C – CHC), Geovany Soto (C – CHC), Ian Stewart (3B – CHC), Randy Wells (P – CHC), Blake DeWitt (2B – CHC), Steve Clevenger (C – CHC), Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs had to decided whether to tender contracts to their arbitration eligible players — Koyie, Hill, Jeff Baker, Blake DeWitt, Matt Garza, Geovany Soto, Ian Stewart, and Randy Wells — prior to 11 p.m. Monday night, and decided to extend offers to all eligible players except catcher Koyie Hill. 

The 32-year old Hill served as a backup to 2008 National League Rookie of the Year Geovany Soto, and only hit .194/.268./.276 over 46 games for the Cubs in 2011. SB Nation’s Chicago Cubs blog, Bleed Cubbie Blue, wasn’t exactly broken up about the decision to non-tender Hill:

So the Cubs will have a new backup catcher in 2012. Steve Clevenger seems the likely choice if the Cubs stay in-house; he hits well, and is also lefthanded, something MLB moguls seem to like in a backup catcher if the main guy hits righthanded.

Koyie Hill, for his part, seems like a good guy, and someone who, like a lot of catchers who can’t hit much in the major leagues, might make a good coach or manager someday. He’ll be 33 in March; if Koyie wants to stay in baseball, I hope Theo & Jed can find a place for him in the organization to begin a coaching career. 

The rest of the listed players were expected to receive tender offers from the team.

For more updates on Chicago sports, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of the Cubs, head over to Bleed Cubbie Blue. Also, check out MLB Daily Dish for Cubs rumors and transactions.