Thursday, March 04, 2010

Game One- Nothing But Positive Results

Did the Cubs ever show off the bats today in their first Spring Training game. Not only did the Cubs pile on 16 hits but they also got Homeruns from Lee, Byrd, Colvin, Snyder, and Fuld. Randy Wells pitched well giving up nothing in 2 innings of work while striking out two while Marshall and Caridad gave up no runs or hits as well.

I know it is only the first game but it seems that Colvin, Snyder, and Fuld are all serious about nabbing the last outfield spot on the team.

Good start for the Cubs.

Wednesday, March 03, 2010

Cubs Close to Signing Juan Yasser Serrano

UPDATE @ 7:00 PM- The Cubs did sign Juan Yasser Serrano to a 250K contract. It is now also known that he is 22 years old.

First reported by cubanballplayers.com, the Cubs are close to signing Juan Yasser Serrano to a 250K contract with the Cubs. MLBTR is saying that he has in fact not signed yet but his representatives and the Cubs are in discussions. I do not have a ton of information on Serrano except he is a 20 year old right-handed pitcher and that he throw pretty hard hitting 93 during his tryout for the Cubs.

I will have more on this as it becomes available.

Tuesday, March 02, 2010

1001st Post!

WOW! 1001st Post! I want to thank everyone once again for making this site work. It is because of the love of the Chicago Cubs and my dedicated readers and posters that makes this site so popular and run so well. I look forward to keeping you updated on the Cubs with my next 1001st post and beyond. Hopefully one will include the title "The Cubs Are World Series Champions!"

Thank You!
Hot Stove Cubbies

Monday, March 01, 2010

Lee Wants To Retire A Cubs... Other Notes...

- I may have been to hard on Derrek Lee in the past and tried to trade him in many scenarios to make this team better (what I thought was better). But let me say I am wrong for doing so, and now I am in full support to have Derrek Lee signed to an extension. Derrek Lee came out today and said there is mutual interest in him staying in Cubbie blue by signing an extension after the Season. Derrek told Paul Sullivan he wants to retire a Cub but does not want to be a distraction so they will wait until after the Season. If DLee puts up numbers equal or better than last year expect the Cubs to fork over 10 million a year for two years, which he deserves!

- The Rangers are looking for infield help so why not offer Mike Fontenot and his 1 million dollar contract go to the Rangers for a PTBNL and fill his role with the gifted glove of Andres Blanco?

- Soto felt like he let down the Cubs, his teammates, fans, and himself in 2009. That is why he transformed his diet and hired a personal trainer. We could learn a lot from Geo.

- Thomas Diamond sent Soriano a gift in the form of a fastball in the ribs. Ouch!

Until Next Time...

Sunday, February 28, 2010

More Notes From Today....

- The Cubs pitching rotation for the first game will start with Randy Wells. Wells will pitch two innings followed by Marshall, Mathes, Parisi, and Caridad.

- Angel is feeling better. He threw 30 pitches today and will throw off a mound on Monday. His shoulder if feeling much better.

- Sweet Lou prayed for the Cubs. Did not realize Lou was spiritual, good man!

- Lou will give his young kids playing time, check his leadoff options, and make up lineup ideas over the next weeks. It should be noted that Soriano is slotted in the 6th spot.

Here is some good notes from Wittenmyer on XM-

- Lilly's health will have an impact on the pen.

- The Cubs regret trading Micheal Wuertz, they really could have used him this season but had to cut payroll for guess who??? Milton Bradley!

- 5 guys will battle for two spots in the rotation. He names Gorzelanny, Marshall, Silva, Parisi, and Samardzija. I think Tom will win a spot with Marshall in the pen, Silva on the DL, Shark in Iowa and I am unsure about Parisi. Two other guys that could have a shot according to other media outlets are Jeff Stevens and Thomas Diamond.

- Nady will not be on the DL to start the season but will be limited to pinch hitting. Nady even said he could play some CF for the Cubs.

- Wittenmyer said something very interesting. He said this season could be a transition year for the Cubs. With some veteran contracts expiring, a couple of good prospects near ready for the show, and Sweet Lou's unsure future. If the Cubs are out of the playoff race near the deadline I would not hesitate to trade some expiring contracts for young talent. Not to mention guys like Brett Jackson, Hak-Ju Lee, Josh Vitters, Starlin Castro, and many young pitching prospects are waiting in the wings to take over everyday jobs for the Chicago Cubs. I would be perfectly fine going into next season with Josh Vitters at 1st, Hak-Ju Lee at 2nd, Starling Castro at SS, and Jackson in CF with Ryne Sandberg the manager. I would be fine with that! I have not felt this confident about our young stars in quite some time.

Until Next Time....

Cubs Talk....

- According to ESPN.com the Cubs will be without Ted Lilly until early May. Not the best of news but no need to rush him.

- The Cubs are still looking for bullpen help and have been linked to Jason Frasor and Luke Gregerson.

- Justin Berg has a good shot of making the team out of Spring according to Paul Sullivan.

- Lou thinks this team is a "90 win team"

- Jim Hendry says without and doubt Tom Ricketts will allow this team to make additions at the trade deadline. So notable names that could be available because of expiring contracts are Adam Dunn, Carl Crawford, Lance Berkman, Jose Reyes (has option), Johnny Damon, Manny Ramirez, Brad Hawpe (has option), Jayson Werth, Vlad (has option), David Ortiz (has option), Jim Thome, Josh Beckett, Erik Bedard, Justin Duchscherer, Millwood, Sheets, Westbrook, Vazquez, Webb, and Chris Young. Just to name a few.

- Zambrano will only pinch hit in emergency situations this season.

- There are a ton of players that want Kevin Millar to make the team but Hendry said the decision will be made on how well players do in ST. His main competition is Micah Hoffpauir and Chad Tracy.

- Derrek Lee said comparing Marlon Byrd to Milton Bradley is stupid.

- Marmol hit Starlin Castro, then jammed him, then brushed him back. Lou was impressed how he stayed in there.

- Soriano's knee is 90%.

- The Cubs will sort out the bullpen situation in mid-March.

- Xavier Nady said he might not be ready by Opening Day.

- The Cubs were counting on Angel Guzman and Jeff Gray to fill late-inning roles or as trade candidates but they are behind because of injury.

- Caridad could end up the primary setup man to Marmol.

- Tom Gorzelanny and Jeff Smardzija are probably "1-2" in competition of the final two spots in the rotation. I think it should be Gorzelanny and Diamond.

- Chad Tracy, Micah Hoffpauir, Sam Fuld, Bryan LaHair, and Brad Snyder are in the mix for the final two spots on the bench. I just wish the Cubs could fit Tracy, Snyder, and Millar on the 25 man roster but I just do not see that happening.

- If the Cubs think Mike Fontenot can serve as Theriot's backup then Blanco does not make the team according to Levine. Blanco is better served on this team than Fontenot in my opinion.

Until Next Time...