Chicago Cubs Blog Fan Site and Schedule with MLB News » tuesday

The view from Chicago: Theo Epstein deal as early…

sdteets — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 07:09:46 +0000

Just in case you haven’t heard enough from the New England media about Theo Epstein joining the Chicago Cubs, certainly one of the slowest-developing deals in Major League Baseball history, here’s a sampling of what they are saying in Chicago.

Without citing any sources, Michael Kaplan of NBCChicago.com wrote Monday:

Both the Cubs and Red Sox expect to make a deal that will allow general manager Theo Epstein to come to Chicago before Game 1 of the World Series on Wednesday … it seems reasonable to expect a press conference as early as Tuesday announcing Epstein’s arrival on the North Side.

Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune has a decidedly different take:

There’s been no real progress to report in the Theo Epstein compensation talks, and no apparent sense of urgency by Boston to get a deal done quickly, sources said Monday.

If the Cubs and Red Sox don’t come to an agreement by Tuesday night, they’ll probably have to wait until after the World Series because MLB prohibits teams from making major announcements during its biggest event.

Wrote Bruce Levin of ESPNChicago.com:

The Boston Red Sox initially wanted Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Matt Garza to be included as compensation for general manager Theo Epstein, but the Cubs refused, according to major league sources …

Recently the teams have been discussing minor leaguers as compensation, according to the sources.

From Gordon Whittenmeyer at the Chicago Sun-Times (2011 Pulitzer Prize winner):

According to players, agents, rival executives and associates, Epstein — still a relative kid for this job at 37 — is as smart and shrewd as it gets in the business. And he brings confidence and a plan.

He also inherits a mess.

Sort of what like he is leaving behind in Boston.

Update: Meanwhile, back in Beantown, Alex Speier of WEEI.com reported late Monday that “an announcement regarding the status of GM Theo Epstein is ‘not likely”‘on Tuesday, meaning that the matter will likely remain unresolved until after the World Series,” according to his source.

That’s all for today guys, i’ll be back to blog you tomorrow.

Marcum pitches Brewers past Cubs 5-1

iruicuinarodru — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 08:12:30 +0000

AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast

Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Nyjer Morgan makes a running catch of a fly ball by Chicago Cubs’ Marlon Byrd during the seventh inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2011, in Chicago.

Shaun Marcum threw eight strong innings and the Milwaukee Brewers moved a step closer to the NL Central title with a 5-1 win over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night.
Marcum (13-7) allowed five hits and one run and chipped in at the plate by doubling and scoring during Milwaukee’s four-run third inning.
Rickie Weeks drove in two runs and Nyjer Morgan reached base three times, stole a base and scored two runs to help the Brewers reach 91 wins for the first time since 1992.
Milwaukee needs a combination of three wins or Cardinals losses to clinch the division. The Cardinals played the Mets on Tuesday night.
Chicago’s Randy Wells (7-5) allowed six hits and five runs in five innings.
Rickie Weeks drove in two runs and Nyjer Morgan reached base three times, stole a base and scored two runs for the Brewers.
Marcum threw just 97 pitches, struck out seven and didn’t walk a batter during an efficient performance that came on the heels of two poor starts in which he allowed 10 runs in 11 2-3 innings. Marcum has never lost three straight starts.
The only damage against Marcum came on Starlin Castro’s leadoff homer in the sixth. Castro has reached base in 33 straight games, the longest such streak by a Cubs shortstop since Woody English in 1929. Castro has 336 career hits, surpassing Glenn Beckert’s franchise record for hits by a player in his first two seasons (post-1900).
Randy Wells (7-5) was roughed up in his second straight outing, allowing six hits and five runs in five innings.
The Brewers didn’t get a hit off Wells until Marcum’s one-out double in the third ignited Milwaukee’s big inning. Marcum scored on Corey Hart’s double. Morgan singled in Hart, stole second and scored on Ryan Braun’s RBI single. Weeks capped the inning by singling home Braun.
Darwin Barney doubled twice for the Cubs.
NOTES: Cubs 3B Aramis Ramirez left the game after the sixth inning because of a mild strain in his right quad and is listed as day to day. … Brewers 1B Prince Fielder walked twice and surpassed the 100-walk mark for the third straight season. … Former Cubs general manager Jim Hendry spent some time on the field before the game chatting with players, coaches and media. Hendry was fired on Aug. 19 after more than 16 years with the organization, including over nine years as the team’s GM. His permanent replacement has not been hired though Randy Bush is filling in on an interim basis. … Cubs special assistant to the general manager Gary Hughes resigned on Tuesday, effective Oct. 31. The scouting guru has been with the organization since 2002 and has spent 44 years in professional baseball, working with a total of nine different franchises. … Matt Garza will start the Cubs’ home finale on Wednesday, his first start since throwing a career-high 124 pitches in a complete-game no decision against Houston on Sept. 16. He’ll face Randy Wolf, who is 1-1 with a 1.37 ERA in three starts against Chicago this season.

If anybody needs tickets to games, remember to click the tickets link at the top.

Iowa Cubs lose Tyler Colvin but gain Augie Ojeda

NeptJathSheeM — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 02:46:42 +0000

The Chicago Cubs recalled outfielder Tyler Colvin from the triple-A Iowa Cubs on Tuesday after putting outfielder Alfonso Soriano on the 15-day disabled list.

Colvin was optioned from Chicago on May 17 and batted .260 with five doubles, two triples, a home run, and eight RBI in 12 games with Iowa.

The Iowa Cubs also added infielder Augie Ojeda to their active roster on Tuesday. The veteran has been recovering from back spasms that ended his bid to make the Chicago Cubs’ opening day roster.

Ojeda spent the past four seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks and hasn’t played in the minor leagues since 2007. He last played with Iowa in 2006.

The Iowa Cubs start a four-game series in Nashville on Tuesday night. Right-hander Casey Coleman makes his first start of the season for Iowa after being optioned from Chicago on Saturday. The game starts at 7:05 p.m.

Iowa Cubs’ 2011 schedule

If you like reading our blog, remember to bookmark it.

Cubs put RHP Garza on DL with stiff elbow

floasuslouddy — Wed, 25 May 2011 05:59:37 +0000

CHICAGO – Matt Garza became the third starting pitcher on the Chicago Cubs’ disabled list when he was shelved Tuesday with right elbow stiffness.

Garza was scratched from his scheduled start at Boston on Sunday night and eventually diagnosed with an elbow bone contusion. The DL stint is retroactive to May 18, and he could return when Chicago travels to St. Louis for a weekend series on June 3-5.

“I’m not happy to be on the DL,” Garza said. “I fought it. It’s not like I chose to do it. The team and everybody above me feel it’s the best thing to do and I trust their advice. There’s nothing I can do. I’d rather be out there 100 percent than put myself in jeopardy and put the team in even bigger jeopardy.”

The 6-foot-4 right-hander is 2-4 with a 3.72 ERA in nine starts in his first year with Chicago. He won 15 games with Tampa Bay last season and was acquired in a trade over the winter.

“It’s just a deep bone bruise with some inflammation around the joint,” general manager Jim Hendry said. “The good news is he knows it’s not going to do any damage to the ligament, which is always the most important thing about getting MRIs. It’s the best news we could have hoped for and there is improvement since Boston already.”

Garza joins Randy Wells and Andrew Cashner among the starting pitchers on the injured list. Wells (strain in his right forearm) is expected to come off the DL to start Saturday against Pittsburgh. Cashner (rotator cuff strain) visited Dr. Lewis Yocum in California on Tuesday, and the renowned orthopedist confirmed the righty doesn’t need surgery.

“It is what it is,” Garza said of the banged-up rotation. “You can’t really control that. As long as you have guys who can go up there and run it up and carry the staff while other guys are down. When we get back to full strength, it’s gonna be fun to get after it.”

Outfielder Lou Montanez was promoted from Triple-A Iowa to take Garza’s roster spot and started Tuesday night against the New York Mets. He had an RBI double in the second inning.

To make room for Montanez on the 40-man roster, right-hander Brian Schlitter was transferred to the 60-day disabled list.

___

AP freelance writer Travis Miller contributed to this report.

___

Jay Cohen can be reached at http://twitter.com/jcohenap

Thanks for reading! .

Chicago Cubs put RHP Garza on DLwith stiff right elbow

ronedrurb — Wed, 25 May 2011 03:26:47 +0000

CHICAGO — Matt Garza became the third starting pitcher on the Chicago Cubs’ disabled list when he was shelved Tuesday with right elbow stiffness.

“I’m not happy to be on the DL,” Garza said. “I fought it. It’s not like I chose to do it. The team and everybody above me feel it’s the best thing to do and I trust their advice. There’s nothing I can do. I’d rather be out there 100 per cent than put myself in jeopardy and put the team in even bigger jeopardy.”

The six-foot-four right-hander is 2-4 with a 3.72 earned-run average in nine starts in his first year with Chicago. He won 15 games with Tampa Bay last season and was acquired in a trade over the winter.

Outfielder Lou Montanez was promoted from Triple-A Iowa to take Garza’s roster spot and started Tuesday night against the New York Mets. He had an RBI double in the second inning.

To make room for Montanez on the 40-man roster, right-hander Brian Schlitter was transferred to the 60-day disabled list.

Thanks for reading! .

Cubs put Wells, Cashner on DL, recall RHP Stevens

JaysonAlamouta — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 02:04:16 +0000

MILWAUKEE (AP)â€”The Chicago Cubs recalled right-hander Jeff Stevens(notes) from Triple-A Iowa after placing starting pitchers Randy Wells(notes) and Andrew Cashner(notes) on the 15-day disabled list because of arm injuries.

Right-hander Casey Coleman(notes) will pitch against Milwaukee on Sunday, and Cubs manager Mike Quade says left-hander James Russell(notes) will start Tuesday at Houston.

Quade says Russell wonâ€™t be expected to throw more than a few innings Tuesday, and expects to use multiple relievers behind him.

Wells has a strain in his right forearm, and Cashner has a mild strain in the back of the rotator cuff in his right shoulder.

Leave your comments on the news below.

Cubs place pitchers Wells, Cashner on 15-day DL

mihatatu — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 00:33:26 +0000

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Chicago Cubs recalled right-hander Jeff Stevens from Triple-A Iowa after placing starting pitchers Randy Wells and Andrew Cashner on the 15-day disabled list because of arm injuries.

Right-hander Casey Coleman will pitch against Milwaukee on Sunday, and Cubs manager Mike Quade says left-hander James Russell will start Tuesday at Houston.

Quade says Russell won’t be expected to throw more than a few innings Tuesday, and expects to use multiple relievers behind him.

Wells has a strain in his right forearm, and Cashner has a mild strain in the back of the rotator cuff in his right shoulder.

That’s all the news for today.

Szczur stays with Cubs, passes on chance at NFL

quesonitro — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 09:06:43 +0000

In the end, the money was too good to pass up for Villanova’s two-sport standout, Matt Szczur.

On Tuesday, Szczur accepted a $1.5 million bonus to remain with the Chicago Cubs organization and walk away from a possible professional football career, according to multiple sources.

The 5-foot-10, 200-pound wide receiver, who was in Florida training for the Senior Bowl, could not be reached for comment Tuesday night. His father, Marc, confirmed the deal in an interview with the Press of Atlantic City.

Selected in the fifth round of June’s Major League Baseball draft by the Cubs, the former all-Big East outfielder received a $100,000 signing bonus and played minor-league ball last season. The senior was expected to receive an additional $500,000 for committing completely to the Cubs before February’s NFL scouting combine.

According to a source with knowledge of the situation, the Cubs raised their offer to $1.5 million on Tuesday while visiting Szczur in Florida.

Szczur batted .347 with 10 doubles, two stolen bases and a triple last season in 25 minor-league games combined in the Arizona Rookie League and with the single-A Boise Hawks and Peoria Chiefs.

In July, NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said Szczur could be selected as high as the fourth round of the 2011 NFL draft.

“Obviously, if I get drafted for football, I will pursue that,” Szczur said at the time. “If you get drafted in the top five rounds, you are going to secure a spot if you outperform your expectations in camp.”

With that in mind, the 21-year-old from Erma, Cape May County, returned to Villanova for a final season, hoping to impress NFL scouts.

His production was limited by a high ankle sprain that sidelined him for most of the regular season.

Contact staff writer Keith Pompey at 610-313-8029 or kpompey@phillynews.com.

If you like reading our blog, remember to bookmark it.

Chicago Cubs sign Garza to 1-year deal

TorbaNaLaptopa — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 21:57:43 +0000

Last Updated: Tuesday, January 18, 2011 | 4:46 PM ET

The Associated Press

Matt Garza was traded to the Cubs in an eight-player deal on Jan. 7. He could be the opening-day pitcher. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Right-hander Matt Garza, who could be the Cubs opening-day pitcher after being acquired in a trade from Tampa Bay last week, agreed to a $5.95 million, one-year contract Tuesday and avoided arbitration.

Garza made $3.35 million last season, when he was 15-10 for the Rays.

Comment Below!.

Cubs’ scheme to overhaul Wrigley includes underground bunkers

Lurgyfoornvug — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 14:52:39 +0000

Hole-y cow, the people who run the Chicago Cubs have lost their minds. As the team finishes making bizarre (if temporary) tweaks to Wrigley Field for this weekend’s Big Ten football clash, the Ricketts family continues to lobby for financial assistance in order to make the major renovations it says the ballpark needs for the long haul.

Feel free to leave your comments below.

Cubs weigh options on new first baseman

Speefrels — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 01:31:00 +0000

The Cubs are in the early stages in their search for a new first baseman. General manager Jim Hendry said Tuesday he and his staff sorted out the various options during the organizational meetings last week in Arizona.

There is the quick update of the day.

Philadelphia Phillies Triple-A manager Ryne Sandberg wonders if Chicago Cubs gave him a fair shot

hemorrhoidnow — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 20:39:27 +0000

Ryne Sandberg was asked Tuesday if he believed the Chicago Cubs gave him a fair shake during the interview process for their managerial position, and Sandberg sounded as if he didn’t believe his candidacy was taken seriously.

There is the quick update of the day.

Voters approve funding new Cubs spring facility

Rodenbo — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 18:50:44 +0000

(AP) — Voters in Mesa have approved funding for construction of a new spring training facility for the Chicago Cubs. With nearly all the ballots counted Tuesday night, the proposal was leading by 21,000 votes out of 86,000 cast.

That’s all the news for today.

Mesa voters OK new Cubs spring ballpark

markaopryw — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly passed Proposition 420 and approved the city of Mesa's plan for an $84 million complex expected to open in 2013.

Running low on time today, i’ll be back tomorrow hopefully with some more news.

Alan Trammell leaves Chicago Cubs for Arizona Diamondbacks

makemoney469 — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 14:16:52 +0000

With the news Tuesday that former Cubs bench coach Alan Trammell officially took a job on former teammate Kirk Gibson’s staff in Arizona, as expected, the Cubs have two openings on new manager Mike Quade’s staff — which they’re expected to fill in the next week or two.Hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo, pitching coach Larry Rothschild, bullpen coach Lester Strode and base coaches Ivan DeJesus and Bob …

What do you guys think about this.