The latest from the falling Cubbies...

Here is the latest-



- The Cubs 4th and 5th starter position is a combined 1-7 with an ERA over 9 since Wells and Cashner both hit the DL.

- Cashner and Wells both had bullpen sessions and are on there way back but the earliest would be the 3rd week of May.

- The Cubs could call up Doug Davis and Todd Wellemeyer to replace Russell and Coleman in the rotation. Both are scheduled to make their debut this week. Todd in AAA and Davis in A ball.

- Baker is still out with a sore shoulder, it is not likely he will be out very long.

- With Soriano’s hot start and the Cubs continuing to scuffle may be a blessing in disguise. The Cubs maybe able to move Soriano if he continues to hit the ball the way he has. The past couple of years we have seen players like Jake Peavy, Vernon Wells, and Alex Rios all traded with a large amount of cash still remaining on their contract. So anything is possible.

- Brett Jackson could be called up very soon if the Cubs continue to fall in the division. They would likely use Jackson this year like Castro last year; a potential spark.

- The Cubs are unlikely to try to trade Zambrano no matter how far out of contention they are because of the dramatic turn around he has shown. Of course that could change if a team like the Yankees or Red Sox came calling with a very strong package for him.

- If the Cubs continue on the road they are heading on you would likely see guys like Blake DeWitt, Jeff Baker, John Grabow, Jeff Samardzija, Alfonso Soriano, Marlon Byrd, Kosuke Fukudome, Carlos Pena, Ryan Dempster, Reed Johnson, Aramis Ramirez and even Randy Wells on the move because they either don’t fit the team financially, don’t help the Cubs build toward the future, or they could snag a good package of prospects from contending teams.

- Ted Lilly was a little puzzled that the Cubs traded him last summer reports Paul Sullivan. Lilly was willing to get creative and to try to stay but talks did not get far. I expected Lilly to get traded but I thought he would have at least tested free agency and let the Cubs shoot him an offer. I think this team would look mighty good Lilly in the rotation.

- Tom Gorzelanny dropped his ERA to 2.93 in 5 starts, it may have been a mistake to trade him something Hendry has been making lately because Pena is starting to look like a 10 million dollar bust.

- The Cubs have no interest in Kevin Millwood.

- If the Twins make Francisco Liriano available the Cubs would likely try to make a deal for him because of his upside, he is a lefty, would likely dominate in the weak NL Central, and is only owed 4.3 million with one more year of arbitration after this one unless he is sent to the DL or down to AAA in which case he may have another arbitration year for 2013. The Cubs could offer the Twins a decent package of prospects to get Liriano but nothing like they had to give up for Garza giving the struggles of Liriano.



Until Next Time….

Levine Notes...

Here is the latest from Levine and other media outlets-



- Levine credits Shark’s success on keeping the ball down and developing the cutter last season.

- Levine says no matter how good Soriano does this year he is untradeable because of his contract. I seriously doubt that considering what we seen happen with Vernon Wells and Alex Rios these past years.

- Quade is continuing to tinker with the Cubs lineup as Castro struggles in the 3 hole. Q needs to leave Castro and Barney in the 1 and 2 spots in the lineup until Brett Jackson comes up then you have to really shuffle your lineup because he is the future leadoff hitter for the Cubs. I think the Cubs should put Aramis, Soto, or Soriano in the 3 hole because Byrd is just not doing it.

- We have likely seen Russell’s last start because of his struggles and the two up coming off days can let the Cubs skip the 5th starter spot.

- Levine says now is not the time to trade your veterans like Byrd and bring up Jackson. I disagree because I think Jackson would bring more to the table than Byrd.

- Baker may end up platooning with Pena at first if he continues to struggle. Nothing like a 10 million dollar platoon player.

- The Cubs may end up turning there attention to Fielder instead of Pujols this offseason because Prince will cost less, likely take less years, and is younger.

- The Nationals have some interest in Byrd.

- Sam Fuld was expected to be dealt during the year last year but injuries prevented potential deals. Fuld is obviously off to a great start and the Cubs looked like they misjudged him but they really did not have a choice with their already crowded expensive outfield.



Until Next Time…

DL Pitchers, Castro #3, and DeRosa Chicago Bound????

Here is the latest we have for you today-

• Randy Wells and Andrew Cashner were re-evaluated on Monday. No word yet on the next time table.




• Starlin Castro could be moved to the #3 spot in the lineup very soon hinted Jim Hendry and Q. Marlon Byrd is in the middle of a slump and is 3 for 20 with RISP. The move would not shake things up too much because Fukudome would likely go into the leadoff spot followed by Barney who is a staple in the 2 hole. Byrd would likely hit toward the bottom of the lineup.
  


• Remember Mark DeRosa? Well he could make his way back on the Chicago Cubs. The Giants are looking to trade Mark DeRosa and the 6 million left on his deal that expires after this season or they may release him. Now the Cubs are not too keen on trading for Mark DeRosa unless the Giants are willing to take John Grabow and his 4.8 million dollar contract or maybe Smardzija and the 3 million left on his contract (although he has already vetoed 2 trades in his young baseball career). The Giants have two players that are currently making there way back from the DL in Cody Ross and Andres Torres. According to officials Mark is likely the odd man out since the middle infield and outfield would then be very crowded. If the Cubs acquired DeRosa it would likely push Blake DeWitt to AAA since he still has an option left where he can get playing time and work on his swing. DeRosa would then assume the super utility role he is use to. DeRosa not only brings strength, versatility, and RBI production to the Cubs bench, he brings leadership and good clubhouse qualities. I am all for the Cubs replacing Blake DeWitt for Mark DeRosa on this team even if it cost the Cubs half his salary to do so.
  


• Until Next Time.
  

Cubs add Vets and looking ahead to 2012

• The Cubs added Doug Davis to their minor league depth. He could actually take the ball in the place of Russell next time around. Both Wells and Cashner could miss 4-6 weeks so you could see a carousel of pitchers filling in the 4th and 5th spot in the rotation.


• The Cubs signed Ramon Ortiz to a minor league deal to add depth to the rotation in AAA Iowa.


• Fukudome is listed as day to day with a strained left hamstring.


• Here is an early look at my Chicago Cubs opening day lineup and rotation for 2012

• Brett Jackson CF


• Starlin Castro SS


• Albert Pujols/Prince Fielder 1st


• Aramis Ramirez 3rd


• Tyler Colvin RF


• Alfonso Soriano LF


• Geovany Soto C


• Darwin Barney 2b


• Pitcher


• Ryan Dempter


• Carlos Zambrano


• Matt Garza


• Andrew Cashner


• Trey McNutt

• I think players like Chris Carpenter, Jay Jackson, Reggie Golden, and Matt Szczur are still a year away although you could see Carpenter in the pen. Players like Josh Vitters, Hayden Simpson, Junior Lake, Jae-Hoon Ha, Ryan Flahery, D.J. LeMahieu, and Michael Burgess are still 2+ years away from the big leagues. Also in this lineup I see Dempster either exercising his player option or signing a longer deal to stay with the Cubs. Randy Wells is likely to get dealt this offseason because his trade value will be high if he pitches like he did in 2009 which I expect him to do so. He is also due a big raise in arbitration next season which could lead to him being dealt. I also see Marlon Byrd’s role on the team limited to a fourth outfielder or platoon partner for Colvin in RF. He could also get dealt as well. Finally I see the Cubs either landing Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder next offseason. The Cubs have a ton of money coming off the books and do not have a solid 1st baseman for 2012. If Ricketts makes one splash this off-season it will be one of those two. I don’t see the Cubs coming out of the off-season without one of them, it just won’t happen.

• Until Next Time…

Cubbie Notes...

Here is the latest on your Chicago Cubs-

• The Cubs and Nationals did have a deal in place that would have sent Nyjer Morgan and Jason Marquis to the Cubs for Carlos Silva, Blake DeWitt, and a PTBNL but the Cubs/Nationals backed out because they could not agree on how much salary the Cubs were going to take on of Silva's. They also could not agree on the "player list" of the possible PTBNL. Now Morgan is killing the Cubs as a Brewer.


• That Cubs are now .500 on the young season and to be honest I am pleasantly surprised.


• Casey Coleman gets the nod today against the Brewers hot lineup and Gallardo.


• Russell will get a start next week.


• Jeff Stevens was called up.


• Cashner and Wells were sent to the DL both with arm issues.


• Silva signed a minor league deal with the Yankees, I thought he did not play in the minors???

• UNTIL NEXT TIME!!!

Levine has the latest and other notes...

Here is the latest from Levine and other notes

1. Levine is not worried about Byrd because it is early but he says he is really behind on fastballs.


2. Barney will get the chance to play 2nd base everyday if he shows he can hit against left-handers.


3. Until that time Baker will get the nod against lefties. *Colvin is the backup for Pena who is day to day with a sprained thumb. Pena might get Weds. off as well.


4. Ramirez says if you can’t play for Mike Quade then you can’t play for anyone.


5. Levine ranks the Cubs bullpen 4th behind the Padres, Yankees and White Sox. Hard to argue that.


6. Pena says he is ready today if they need him and wants to start tomorrow but Quade may want to be cautious and give him the day off.


7. Levine says Pena provides the Cubs with better defense, power, and RBI potential than Derrek Lee did.


8. The Cubs had the lowest attendance yesterday since 2002 at around 26,000. Wood says it is very unusual but the place will be rocking as the weather gets warmer.


9. Castro is an ideal 1,2, or 3 hitter according to Levine but says he will take over the 3rd spot in the lineup in the very near future.


10. Levine does not see Soriano hitting over 30 homeruns. I agree.


11. DeWitt is just a backup right now for 3rd and 2nd but can earn his way to a part-time player if he hits.


12. Here are two great articles from ESPN Chicago and Bruce Levine. QKeepingthemready and Millar keeping it real.

• Until Next Time…..

My 2011 Chicago Cubs Player Projections

HSC2011ChicagoCubsPlayerProjections

• ENJOY!!!!!!!

Back after a long layoff!

We are back at Hot Stove Cubbies!!!! I want to thank you all for your support and I apologize for the delay. I have been super busy with getting everything ready for the new baby to arrive. Oh... Did I fail to mention we are expecting another baby at the end of May?!?! Now that things here are starting to settle down and the "Honey-Do" list is nearly completed I should get back to posting more often and talking Cubs. Go Cubs!!!!

Cashner named 5th starter... Silva on his way out...

- The Cubs named Andrew Cashner their 5th starter. I am so happy with management deciding to go with the person that earned his spot rather than the person with the most money on this contract.

- Jim Hendry told Silva they will try to trade him but asked him if the would report to AAA. Silva said there is no way he is going to AAA so if he refuses then he will be released and the Cubs will have to pay 11.5 million of this 2011 contract while the M's would pay this 2 million dollar buyout. They better hope they find a taker.

- Braden Looper announced his retirement.

- Casey Coleman and Jeff Stevens were sent to AAA Iowa.

- A surprise to me but Mateo made the big league club.

- The Cubs can make another good move by naming Castillo the backup to Soto and cut Hill.

Until Next Time...

Cutting and Adding Time????

UPDATE- Fernando Perez was sent to AAA while Scott Moore, Augie Ojeda, Matt Camp, and Bobby Scales were sent to minor league camp. Darwin Barney has officially made the team.

- The Cubs made the third round of roster cuts Weds, when they sent Justin Berg and Scott Maine to AAA Iowa and put Todd Wellemeyer and Angel Guzman to minor league camp. The Cubs are expected to make another round of roster cuts on Thursday that is primarily focused on position players.

- Todd Wellemeyer is contemplating his future after yet another injury. It is likely he may hang it up if he has to go through another surgery.

- Quade should set his rotation after Sunday. Cashner, Looper, and Silva are still battling for the 5 spot in the rotation.

- Zambrano is looking like he maybe finally growing up, he asked to pitch in a minor league game against the AAA Dbacks team.

- Max Ramirez had a MRI on this left wrist but not information has come from that as of yet.

- James Russell looks like he makes the team as the third lefty in the pen.

- It seems Blake DeWitt is on the hot seat because he is now battling Scott Moore and Bobby Scales for the last spot on the bench.

- Silva had several scouts on hand to watch him pitch yesterday and he threw a gem. The Pirates, Nationals, Toronto, and Minnesota all were on hand to watch Carlos pitch. A rumor from last week stated the Pirates were interested in a Ryan Doumit for Carlos Silva trade but Jim has no place for Ryan on this team.

- I am now hearing the Nationals are interested in Silva and maybe offering Nyjer Morgan. Morgan has fallen out of favor with the Nationals who all but named Rick Ankiel there Centerfielder. The Nationals don’t like his “approach to the game” and “attitude he brings to the park” which could be why the want to trade him rather than sending him to AAA. The money on this deal is not close with Silva owed 5 million this season and a 12 million dollar option for 2012 that includes a 2 million dollar buyout. Morgan is owed under 750K. The Cubs would likely have to eat half the contract to get the deal done. If deal happens then it give the 5th spot in the rotation to Cashner or Looper. The Cubs would then have two options 1. Keep the speedy outfielder on the 25 man roster and cut ties with Reed Johnson or 2. Send Morgan to the minors in case an injury occurs to one of the outfielders on the roster. The most likely option is #2 and Morgan would be a better insurance plan than the struggling Perez. This is a potential good deal for both teams that have players that need a change of scenery.



Until Next Time…