Saturday, March 13, 2010

Some of This... Some of That...

- Aram left the game today against the Reds with a right tricep soreness. He is listed day-to-day and the Cubs are not worried.

- Darwin Barney could play his way on this team because he is a "Lou kind of player."

- Hak-Ju Lee made his Spring Training debut today and went 1 for 2 with 2 RBI. I calling it right now that Hak-Ju Lee and Starlin Castro will make up our middle infield no later than 2012. Both show smooth fielding skills and can handle the bat. I have not been this excited for two prospects in my whole life as a Cubs fan.

- Lilly is ahead of schedule now and throwing off the mound every 3-4 days. He is even expected to pitch in a ST game.

- Cuts maybe coming after Sundays game.

- It is now said that it would be a "surprise" if Tyler Colvin does not make the 25 man roster out of ST. He has made a great impression on Lou and his staff not only with his bat but his glove. He is a left handed hitting outfielder with power that can play all three outfield positions which puts him head and shoulders above the rest.

- This is for fun; here is my " All Cubs Prospect Starting Lineup" for this Season-

1. Hak-Ju Lee 2b
2. Starlin Castro SS
3. Tyler Colvin RF
4. Josh Vitters 1st
5. Ryan Flaherty 3b
6. Geovany Soto C
7. Bret Jackson CF
8. Kyler Burke LF

Just Missed- DJ LeMahieu, Logan Watkins, and Darwin Baily. I would love to go into 2013 with this lineup except exchange Flaherty with Aramis and Kyler Burke with Carl Crawford (free agent after this season). A young inexpensive team to build on!

Who is your prospect lineup?

Until Next Time....

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Nady Has Bad News.... Bradley is a BAD MAN

- Xavier Nady continues the bad injury news that has plagued the Cubs this Spring. It is said today that Nady will not he able to throw at full strength until June but that he will play with his arm at less than 100%. Nady is currently throwing at 120 feet. With Nady's arm issues the Cubs are more inclined to give Sam Fuld a roster spot over Micah Hoffpauir according to the Tribune.

My question is why in the HELL would they even consider Micah Hoffpauir on this team when guys like Kevin Millar and Chad Tracy are more deserving. To be honest I am not fully sure that Fuld belongs on this team either with the dynamic play of Brad Snyder and Tyler Colvin so far this Spring. The Tribune needs to get a clue!

I also think if Nady is not able to play the outfield like he should they need to place him on the DL to start the year and give the fourth outfielder job to someone else until he is able.

- Here are the latest links from the Bradley Saga that still haunts the Cubs.

Bradley's interview link
Soriano to Bradley link
Hendry blames himself link
Bayless sounds off link
Hey Bradley look in the mirror link

I will not beat a dead horse here but let me say Skip Bayless hit the nail on the head. I think every Cub fan does not care what color you are, just preform. He did not so he took the heat that he could not handle. Bradley is Bradley no matter what city he is in, watch the same issues will arise in Seattle, I guarantee it!

Monday, March 08, 2010

Sorry for the Delay..... Updating the Cubs the past 4 days....

Sorry for the delay guys. My computer monitor went out and could not get it replaced until today. So here is the latest from Cubs camp...

- Andres Blanco is out up to two weeks with a knee sprain. Which will likely cost him breaking camp with Chicago Cubs. Since Blanco is out of options I expect him to be placed on the DL to start the season. There are several in house candidates to replace him such as Mike Fontenot, Darwin Barney (who has a great article about him here), and Bobby Scales.

- Starlin Castro will not start the season in Chicago because Lou wants him to get regular playing time in AAA. Lou says the only way Castro starts in Chicago is if Theriot gets injured.

- Guzman is basically out for the season unless the risky surgery is a success. The Cubs currently are looking at the trade market for a veteran set-up guy but were going to use Guzman to acquire such a player. If the Cubs started the season today Cashner and Caridad would set-up for the Cubs.

- Jeff Gray is still having injury woes but could see action soon.

- Nady is expected to make his debut on Thursday against the Padres. He would be used as a DH.

- Kevin Millar has been getting tips from Jaramillo and it is showing. Millar is hitting .400 but so is his competition. Tracy is hitting .400 but Hoffpauir is hitting a weak .143.

- Lilly threw 30 pitches off the mound Sunday and may even see some cactus action but the Cubs are not going to rush him. He is expected to start the season on the DL and be ready in mid April to early May.

- Add Casey Coleman to your list of young Cubs to watch. Coleman has impressed a ton of players, coaches, and fans already with his command and movement on this pitches. He has been compared to Maddux command wise and could be on the fast track to the Majors. Do not be surprised if he gets in the running for the 5 starter spot. Here is a good article on Coleman.

- Carlos Silva is still awful. My guess is he will start the season on the DL or be released.

- The Cubs inquired once again on Jason Frasor says Jerry Crasnick of ESPN. He says the Cubs are "urgently seeking relief help." The Cubs are also looking at Padres reliever Luke Gregerson. Tim Dierkes of MLBTR says that the Cubs could look at Russ Springer, David Weathers, or John Smoltz as free agent candidates but the Cubs have said no free agents interest them. I personally like John Smoltz.

- Add Chad Cordero as an option for the Cubs. He is throwing the ball extremely well in Mariners camp but is not expected to break with the team because of the already stack bullpen. Cordero saved 47 games in 2005 but has been plagued with injuries since. This Spring he is has had limited pitching but has thrown a scoreless inning with one hit. Keep an eye on Cordero.

- Adeiny Hechevarria is free to sign with any MLB team now that he is "unblocked" by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. The 19 year old stud SS is getting interest from the Jays, Angels, Yankees, and now the Cubs. He is likely to get 8 figures which could effect the Cubs signing him not to mention the Cubs already up and coming stud middle infielders already in the minors.

- Colvin, Snyder, and Fuld are all battling hard for the 5th outfielder job on the Cubs. Snyder is batting .444 with an .500 OBP and a homer, Colvin is batting and has an OBP of .500 with a homer and 3 doubles, while Fuld in 2 ABs is hitting .500 with 1 homer and 2 runs. I like Colvin and Snyder both but Colvin gets them better defense and versatility than Snyder does.

That is it for now, until next time.....