Category: MLB News

Cubs at the crossroads

October 5, 2008 by donjaime62

The Cubs will move several player sthis winter. Look for Soriano, Cotts, Howry, Edmonds and others to be gone.

Prior's shoulder continues to delay Pads debut

May 17, 2008 by cubsnet

Prior's shoulder continues to delay Pads debut - Oft-injured pitcher Mark Prior has another shoulder problem that will delay his debut with the San Diego Padres. [ESPN.com: MLB Headlines]

It appears that the significant damage to Mark Prior's shoulder lingers on. The way things seem now, he may never pitch in the big leagues again. I hope he does.

Unlimited food seats in some MLB ballparks

March 7, 2008 by diana

Eating away the innings in baseball's cheap seats

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2008-03-06-Concessions_N.htm

Would you choose an unlimited food section at the ballpark?

Jason Bay Agrees With CubsNet.com ...

January 26, 2008 by Squib Hits

... the Pirates are not going to be great in 2008. "I said I think it's pretty obvious that this group of guys is not going to get it done," said Mr. Bay, who, after winning the Rookie of the Year in 2004 and being an All-Star in 2005 and 2006, hit all of .247/.327/.418 last year (worse than the strangely maligned Matt Murton).

Brewers Signing of Cameron Helps Their Defense

January 11, 2008 by Squib Hits

Cubnut at The Cub Reporter is worried about the Milwaukee Brewers' signing of Mike Cameron:

This is bad news for the Cubs in a couple respects. First, Cameron is a talented player. Second, his signing will allow the Brewers to move the big hitting but defensively inferior Bill Hall back to the infield, where he will take over for Ryan Braun at third. Braun, a defensively inferior third baseman–25 errors and a fielding percentage of .895(!!!) in ‘07–will then be able to move to left.

Baseball Musings makes the same point about the Brewers' improved defense. While true enough, Cameron is also now 35 and is coming off a year in which he hit .242 / .328 / .431, while playing average defense in centerfield, according to Baseball Prospectus. Plus, Cameron must serve a 25 game suspension to start the year under baseball's drug-testing program.

The Mitchell Report: No Current Cubs Named; Sosa's Name Absent; Former Cubs Named; Karchner Wouldn't Name 1999 Cubs Users

December 13, 2007 by cubsnet

Based on a quick review, there are no current Chicago Cubs players linked to performance enhancing substances in the Mitchell Report. There are, however, a number of former Cubs discussed, along with rumored acquisition target Brian Roberts. Sammy Sosa's name is absent, other than a brief mention that he declined to answer Mitchell's questions.

Larry Bigbie told Mitchell that "Roberts admitted to him that he had injected himself once or twice with steroids in 2003." Roberts declined to meet with Mitchell.

Patterson Likely Done With Orioles After Two Years

December 4, 2007 by Squib Hits

The Cubs are intent on acquiring a left-handed hitting outfielder this offseason. Here's one available: Corey Patterson. Patterson, now 28, hit just .269/.304/.386 for the Baltimore Orioles in 2007.

Can We Just Elect Shawon Dunston's Arm to the Hall of Fame?

November 30, 2007 by Squib Hits

Shawon Dunston is eligible for the Hall of Fame for the first time this year. With a career adjusted OPS 5.5% below league average, he is not going to make it, or even come close. But he will be remembered. Writes Baseball Prospectus's Jim Baker (sub. req'd): "When somebody does something better than the very best people in his field, it's pretty jarring. Remember the first time you saw Dunston make a throw from shortstop? Didn't your eyes just about unhinge from their sockets? Dunston is already in the Arm Hall of Fame. It's one of the many satellite Halls of Fame located near but not in Cooperstown, New York."

Olney: Mahay Most Wanted Reliever

November 7, 2007 by Squib Hits

According to ESPN.com's Buster Olney, Ron Mahay is the "the most coveted free-agent middle reliever." Who would have thought that when the Cubs released him after the 2002 season, after Mahay allowed 6 home runs in 14.2 innings for the big league club that year? Especially since Mahay was 31-years-old when the Cubs released him.

Baker to Manage Reds

October 13, 2007 by Squib Hits

"The Reds have hired Dusty Baker as manager," reports SI.com's Jon Heyman. The Cubs are going to see plenty more of their former manager for at least the next three years.