Thanks to MLB.COM-
CHICAGO -- Kerry Wood made his first Minor League rehab outing on Saturday in Mesa, Ariz., and struck out the side. That's good news for the Cubs.
Wood has been on the disabled list since the start of the regular season with tendinitis in his right shoulder. He did pitch in Spring Training, totaling five innings over five games. But the right-hander, who won the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 1998, had to be shut down because of his cranky right shoulder.
On Saturday in Mesa, pitching for the Cubs' Rookie League team against San Francisco's squad, he threw 14 pitches and struck out all three batters he faced.
"Kerry has worked hard," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said Saturday. "Let him work. Let him keep working at his own pace. Let's not rush him and see where that takes us.
"He's a good young man," Piniella said of the right-hander, who turned 30 on June 16. "It'd be a really good feel-good story, No. 1, and more important than that, it would be a story that would help our situation down the road."
When Wood does come back, he'll pitch strictly in relief and not as a starter. He came back last season as a starter and was 1-2 with a 4.12 ERA in four games but had to be shut down because of problems with his shoulder. Wood, who had arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder in August 2005, has a career 71-56 record and 3.68 ERA.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Friday, July 13, 2007
Cuban's bid Leaked????
According to several sources the Cuban bid has been leaked already. The "bid" Cuban has placed is leaked to be 1.4 billion dollars. That is a very large bid and it is expected that many other investors will make a bid but will it be more than 1.4 Billion?
The majority of investors intrested in the cubs have a net worth around 2.5 billion. Would the inverstor be able to outbid Cuban's leaked 1.4 billion dollar bid? I honestly dont think so and hope they dont. The Cubs need an owner like Cuban. He spares no expense when it comes to winning( which is starting to earn him the nickname young Stienbrenner), he is very invloved with the team, fans, and players, he is one of the most passionate and smart men in the US today. And I know I would be honered to call him the owner of the Cubs!
The majority of investors intrested in the cubs have a net worth around 2.5 billion. Would the inverstor be able to outbid Cuban's leaked 1.4 billion dollar bid? I honestly dont think so and hope they dont. The Cubs need an owner like Cuban. He spares no expense when it comes to winning( which is starting to earn him the nickname young Stienbrenner), he is very invloved with the team, fans, and players, he is one of the most passionate and smart men in the US today. And I know I would be honered to call him the owner of the Cubs!
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, has submitted his bid to purchase the Chicago Cubs!
How one goes about sending in an application to buy a Major League Baseball franchise is a mystery to those of us who aren't in the ballclub-acquisition business. By fax? By standard mail? Or is there an on-line form?
Controversial Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said Thursday that he has submitted his application to purchase the Cubs. He said he believed he sent it in last week, though he wasn't sure. Dates don't matter anyway. What matters is that he's officially serious about buying the valuable, championship-starved franchise on the North Side.
For those Cubs fans who are excited about the possibility of a free-spending owner taking over their beloved team, the news that Cuban formally has taken the first step in the bid process is huge.
But it's hard to shake the image of Commissioner Bud Selig holding Cuban's application by his thumb and index finger, and at arm's length, as if he were holding a rat by the tail. That's probably unfair to Cuban, who runs a successful NBA franchise, but it seems to sum up baseball's general estimation of him.
This sentence ran in a Tribune story Thursday about a potential ownership bid by the Ricketts family, whose estimated worth of $2.3 billion was built on its Internet-based discount brokerage: "And while Internet billionaire Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, has expressed interest, most observers think Major League Baseball would balk at a potential owner as unpredictable and outspoken as Cuban.
"I e-mailed Cuban to get a response to that sentence—a sentence that wasn't a whole lot different than what I've been hearing since Tribune Co. announced in April it intended to sell the Cubs.
"I never comment on 'most observers' reports," Cuban said. "It's like responding to a random blog post, a waste of time.
"I told him the sentence in the story seemed to capture the sentiment of him among baseball people.
"Sentiment?" he said. "Hearsay of hearsay of hearsay doesn't deserve a response either.
"He's right about the hearsay. It's not always true. But I'll say what I hear from people who are close to Selig: Baseball doesn't like Cuban. It doesn't like the fact he has had to pay about $1.5 million in fines for criticizing the NBA and its referees, among other sins. It can't imagine what he would do around umpires, a notoriously grumpy group. Baseball doesn't like the perception that Cuban wants to be the star of the show. It doesn't like the thought of Cuban as ringmaster of the Wrigley circus.
Again, hearsay. About as good hearsay as you can get, but hearsay. What Cuban brings to the table is an armored bank truck. Forbes estimates his worth at $2.3 billion. He has a reputation as an owner who doesn't spare expenses when it comes to building a team or taking care of his players.
Selig has a fairly easy out if he's looking for one regarding Cuban. He has said the prospect of local ownership will weigh heavily in the selection process. John Canning, who heads a private-equity firm based in Chicago, is considered a strong candidate. Other potential candidates include Chicago Wolves owner Don Levin, as well as a partnership of Chicago attorney Thomas Mandler and businessman Jim Anixter.
The Ricketts' bid will be led by Tom Ricketts, who earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Chicago. The family is based in Omaha.
The Ricketts family reportedly is readying its application. Cuban's is already on someone's desk at MLB headquarters
.At a minimum, he could help drive up the sale price of the franchise, which some experts believe could top $1 billion.
It's hard to picture Bulls and White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, who has seen Cuban's act in the NBA, remaining quiet during the bid process. It's one thing to have to deal with Cuban as a fellow owner; it's another to have to deal with him as a fellow owner in the same city. Selig takes his cue from the owners and is especially close to Reinsdorf. It's true there's a "Cub" in Cuban's name. It's also true there's a "ban." Stay tuned.
http://chicagosports.chicagotribune....home-headlines
Controversial Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said Thursday that he has submitted his application to purchase the Cubs. He said he believed he sent it in last week, though he wasn't sure. Dates don't matter anyway. What matters is that he's officially serious about buying the valuable, championship-starved franchise on the North Side.
For those Cubs fans who are excited about the possibility of a free-spending owner taking over their beloved team, the news that Cuban formally has taken the first step in the bid process is huge.
But it's hard to shake the image of Commissioner Bud Selig holding Cuban's application by his thumb and index finger, and at arm's length, as if he were holding a rat by the tail. That's probably unfair to Cuban, who runs a successful NBA franchise, but it seems to sum up baseball's general estimation of him.
This sentence ran in a Tribune story Thursday about a potential ownership bid by the Ricketts family, whose estimated worth of $2.3 billion was built on its Internet-based discount brokerage: "And while Internet billionaire Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, has expressed interest, most observers think Major League Baseball would balk at a potential owner as unpredictable and outspoken as Cuban.
"I e-mailed Cuban to get a response to that sentence—a sentence that wasn't a whole lot different than what I've been hearing since Tribune Co. announced in April it intended to sell the Cubs.
"I never comment on 'most observers' reports," Cuban said. "It's like responding to a random blog post, a waste of time.
"I told him the sentence in the story seemed to capture the sentiment of him among baseball people.
"Sentiment?" he said. "Hearsay of hearsay of hearsay doesn't deserve a response either.
"He's right about the hearsay. It's not always true. But I'll say what I hear from people who are close to Selig: Baseball doesn't like Cuban. It doesn't like the fact he has had to pay about $1.5 million in fines for criticizing the NBA and its referees, among other sins. It can't imagine what he would do around umpires, a notoriously grumpy group. Baseball doesn't like the perception that Cuban wants to be the star of the show. It doesn't like the thought of Cuban as ringmaster of the Wrigley circus.
Again, hearsay. About as good hearsay as you can get, but hearsay. What Cuban brings to the table is an armored bank truck. Forbes estimates his worth at $2.3 billion. He has a reputation as an owner who doesn't spare expenses when it comes to building a team or taking care of his players.
Selig has a fairly easy out if he's looking for one regarding Cuban. He has said the prospect of local ownership will weigh heavily in the selection process. John Canning, who heads a private-equity firm based in Chicago, is considered a strong candidate. Other potential candidates include Chicago Wolves owner Don Levin, as well as a partnership of Chicago attorney Thomas Mandler and businessman Jim Anixter.
The Ricketts' bid will be led by Tom Ricketts, who earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Chicago. The family is based in Omaha.
The Ricketts family reportedly is readying its application. Cuban's is already on someone's desk at MLB headquarters
.At a minimum, he could help drive up the sale price of the franchise, which some experts believe could top $1 billion.
It's hard to picture Bulls and White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, who has seen Cuban's act in the NBA, remaining quiet during the bid process. It's one thing to have to deal with Cuban as a fellow owner; it's another to have to deal with him as a fellow owner in the same city. Selig takes his cue from the owners and is especially close to Reinsdorf. It's true there's a "Cub" in Cuban's name. It's also true there's a "ban." Stay tuned.
http://chicagosports.chicagotribune....home-headlines
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Rumor and News overload!
There is alot of rumors and some news out there today. First the news-
- Soto was called up today and Pie was sent down. The cubs will carry three catchers for some dumb reason and they send down a young kid who deserves to play CF everyday.
And now for the numerous rumors-
- Arod is expect not to negotiate thru the season. If the Yanks want to keep him they will have to negotiate with him after the season Boras said. Boras also said he will be the first 30 million dollar a year man. I believe him and expect the cubs along with other big market teams to make a push.
- The cubs are still trying to shop Jones. The Twins are very interested but they want the cubs to pay the majority of the contract. The cubs seem unwilling to do that ( they should just trade him and pay him, let Pie play). The A's, Marlins, Rangers, and White Sox remain interested.
- Griffey to the cubs?? Don't count it out-
www.daytondailynews.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/pro/reds/2007/07/11/ddn071207reds.html
I'm assuming they mean the Cubs because him going to the cheap ass Sox wouldn't make sense considering they want to get rid of TI and Dye and maybe Vazquez.
Griffey would look damn good in cubbie blue!
-Bruce Levine on ESPN Radio 1000 that the Cubs have 3 serious bidders for Cesar Izturis. He said if Cesar is traded Cedeno would be called back up from Iowa. I don't think the cubs would call up Cedeno, why would they want to get another youngster up here to sit on the bench. Stick with the Three headed Monster in the MI ( Derosa, Theriot, and Font).
There is all the rumors for today. Interesting to see if these Rumors have any truth to them!
- Soto was called up today and Pie was sent down. The cubs will carry three catchers for some dumb reason and they send down a young kid who deserves to play CF everyday.
And now for the numerous rumors-
- Arod is expect not to negotiate thru the season. If the Yanks want to keep him they will have to negotiate with him after the season Boras said. Boras also said he will be the first 30 million dollar a year man. I believe him and expect the cubs along with other big market teams to make a push.
- The cubs are still trying to shop Jones. The Twins are very interested but they want the cubs to pay the majority of the contract. The cubs seem unwilling to do that ( they should just trade him and pay him, let Pie play). The A's, Marlins, Rangers, and White Sox remain interested.
- Griffey to the cubs?? Don't count it out-
www.daytondailynews.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/pro/reds/2007/07/11/ddn071207reds.html
I'm assuming they mean the Cubs because him going to the cheap ass Sox wouldn't make sense considering they want to get rid of TI and Dye and maybe Vazquez.
Griffey would look damn good in cubbie blue!
-Bruce Levine on ESPN Radio 1000 that the Cubs have 3 serious bidders for Cesar Izturis. He said if Cesar is traded Cedeno would be called back up from Iowa. I don't think the cubs would call up Cedeno, why would they want to get another youngster up here to sit on the bench. Stick with the Three headed Monster in the MI ( Derosa, Theriot, and Font).
There is all the rumors for today. Interesting to see if these Rumors have any truth to them!
Monday, July 09, 2007
Cubs looking for a righty bat
Chicago-Sun Times:
PITTSBURGH -- Another rough day scoring runs, in particular against a left-hander, has the Cubs looking even a little harder at trying to add a right-handed hitter to the roster before they resume play Friday.
The Cubs had a 4-3 road trip against bad teams in Washington and Pittsburgh but blew a chance to gain at least another game on first-place Milwaukee in the division-- mostly because they were held to six runs combined in the three losses.
And two of those losses came against left-handers as the Cubs fell to 8-14 when a lefty starts for the opponent. They are hitting just .243 against lefties (.277 against righties).
''[General manager Jim Hendry] and I will talk during the All-Star break,'' manager Lou Piniella said, ''and see if we can look at the possibility of getting a right-handed batter in here so it can help us out against left-handed pitching.''
As I said before, I feel the cubs need another right handed bat to platoon in RF with Floyd. I also feel the cubs need an everyday CF and I think Pie is the answer but here is a list of OFers that are righthanded that can handle lefthanded pitching-
Wily Mo Pena- He is a young right hander with raw power. He will be really cheap trade wise and could be the perfect platoon partner with Floyd in RF
Jermaine Dye- Another solid right handed bat who will be a free agent at the end of the season. Kenny Williams is asking for 2 of the 3 top prospects in the organization for Dye. This means Veal, Gallagher, Pie, Hill, Marshall, Epatt, Theriot, or Cedeno in a deal.
Austin Kearns- Having a down year. He is also young, hit great at Wrigley. He also could be expensive considering there GM want the world for his players.
Mike Cameron- Free agent after the season. Decent speed, great defense, good righty bat, and would look good in the #2 hole. He also has power and could play RF or CF for the cubbies. He is hitting .357 against lefties. He could be the answer, he also could cost alot.
Aaron Rowand- Just an all around good player both defensively and offensively. Would be really expensive
Carl Crawford- Another guy out of our reach but I would absolutely love to have him. This won't happen but I put it on here for the hell of it.
Craig Monroe- Raw power. .331 average against leftys. Don't know if he is available but we should give the Tigers a call.
Jonny Gomes- Smashed leftys, he could cost a pretty penny.
Another way to get a righty bat in the lineup is to maybe considering getting a defensive catcher with a decent bat. Here is a list of some catchers-
Ryan Doumit- Good defensive catcher that has a really good bat. Would cost alot to get him to.
Ramon Hernandez- Good defensive catcher and decent offensively but not showing it this year. I think we could work another deal with the O's.
Yadier Molina- He is one of two catchers that I would give up alot to get. I know he is a cardinal but he in my opinion is one of the best defensive catchers in the league.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia- To be honest I think this guy is the answer to alot of our problems. A young switch hitting C, who is tremendous defensivly. Got great pop and is only like 21 years old. He could be the catcher for now and the future!
PITTSBURGH -- Another rough day scoring runs, in particular against a left-hander, has the Cubs looking even a little harder at trying to add a right-handed hitter to the roster before they resume play Friday.
The Cubs had a 4-3 road trip against bad teams in Washington and Pittsburgh but blew a chance to gain at least another game on first-place Milwaukee in the division-- mostly because they were held to six runs combined in the three losses.
And two of those losses came against left-handers as the Cubs fell to 8-14 when a lefty starts for the opponent. They are hitting just .243 against lefties (.277 against righties).
''[General manager Jim Hendry] and I will talk during the All-Star break,'' manager Lou Piniella said, ''and see if we can look at the possibility of getting a right-handed batter in here so it can help us out against left-handed pitching.''
As I said before, I feel the cubs need another right handed bat to platoon in RF with Floyd. I also feel the cubs need an everyday CF and I think Pie is the answer but here is a list of OFers that are righthanded that can handle lefthanded pitching-
Wily Mo Pena- He is a young right hander with raw power. He will be really cheap trade wise and could be the perfect platoon partner with Floyd in RF
Jermaine Dye- Another solid right handed bat who will be a free agent at the end of the season. Kenny Williams is asking for 2 of the 3 top prospects in the organization for Dye. This means Veal, Gallagher, Pie, Hill, Marshall, Epatt, Theriot, or Cedeno in a deal.
Austin Kearns- Having a down year. He is also young, hit great at Wrigley. He also could be expensive considering there GM want the world for his players.
Mike Cameron- Free agent after the season. Decent speed, great defense, good righty bat, and would look good in the #2 hole. He also has power and could play RF or CF for the cubbies. He is hitting .357 against lefties. He could be the answer, he also could cost alot.
Aaron Rowand- Just an all around good player both defensively and offensively. Would be really expensive
Carl Crawford- Another guy out of our reach but I would absolutely love to have him. This won't happen but I put it on here for the hell of it.
Craig Monroe- Raw power. .331 average against leftys. Don't know if he is available but we should give the Tigers a call.
Jonny Gomes- Smashed leftys, he could cost a pretty penny.
Another way to get a righty bat in the lineup is to maybe considering getting a defensive catcher with a decent bat. Here is a list of some catchers-
Ryan Doumit- Good defensive catcher that has a really good bat. Would cost alot to get him to.
Ramon Hernandez- Good defensive catcher and decent offensively but not showing it this year. I think we could work another deal with the O's.
Yadier Molina- He is one of two catchers that I would give up alot to get. I know he is a cardinal but he in my opinion is one of the best defensive catchers in the league.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia- To be honest I think this guy is the answer to alot of our problems. A young switch hitting C, who is tremendous defensivly. Got great pop and is only like 21 years old. He could be the catcher for now and the future!
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Pie could be sent down??? Jones to take over CF??
Thanks to ROTOWIRE-
Jacque Jones (CHC - RF)
News: Jones could see more at-bats in the second half, especially if the Cubs send down Felix Pie, the Cubs' Web Site reports. "We'll give him a chance," manager Lou Piniella said of Jones.Impact: If the Cubs can't move Jones (and they've already tried), they might just stick him in center field and use him against right-handed pitchers. As such, Jones is a good player to speculate on for the second half. He's capable of 10 homers and 10 steals if he gets the at-bats. (RotoWire - Sat. Jul 7, 2007 )
Felix Pie (CHC - CF)
News: The Cubs are expected to open the second half with a little different roster, and a key decision will be whether Pie is better suited in the role he's in now, or if he needs to get more at-bats in the minor leagues, the Cubs' Web Site reports.Impact: Pie was batting .217 in 47 games, and 19-for-89 in his last 29 games, but he hasn't been starting regularly in center. Even with Ryan Dempster's status uncertain, the Cubs want to get back to 12 pitchers. If Pie gets sent down, Jacque Jones could get regular at-bats in center field against right-handed pitching. (RotoWire - Sat. Jul 7, 2007 )
This is not good news to me. This means Jones cant find a home and as a result take Pie's spot in CF. Yes we are 5.5 games out of first but we got there with Pie in the lineup and coming off the bench. We didn't get to 5.5 games out by playing Jones everyday in CF. Pie's defense enough should hand him the CF roll, his base stealing and pinch running abilities are far better than Jones and right now I trust him in a hitting roll far better than I trust JJ.
If they want to make a roster move how bout TRADING JONES! No more lets see what we can get for him. Get a bucket off ball and pay a large portion of his contract and send him to Texas, White Sox or to the Fish. Want another idea to free up some roster spots? Send Eyre or Izturis packing! Alot of teams need bullpen help and I'm sure a team would take a chance on Eyre. Izzy could be valuable off the bench for alot of teams, why not send him to the O's???
There are so many solutions other than sending the kid to Iowa. DON'T SEND PIE DOWN!
Jacque Jones (CHC - RF)
News: Jones could see more at-bats in the second half, especially if the Cubs send down Felix Pie, the Cubs' Web Site reports. "We'll give him a chance," manager Lou Piniella said of Jones.Impact: If the Cubs can't move Jones (and they've already tried), they might just stick him in center field and use him against right-handed pitchers. As such, Jones is a good player to speculate on for the second half. He's capable of 10 homers and 10 steals if he gets the at-bats. (RotoWire - Sat. Jul 7, 2007 )
Felix Pie (CHC - CF)
News: The Cubs are expected to open the second half with a little different roster, and a key decision will be whether Pie is better suited in the role he's in now, or if he needs to get more at-bats in the minor leagues, the Cubs' Web Site reports.Impact: Pie was batting .217 in 47 games, and 19-for-89 in his last 29 games, but he hasn't been starting regularly in center. Even with Ryan Dempster's status uncertain, the Cubs want to get back to 12 pitchers. If Pie gets sent down, Jacque Jones could get regular at-bats in center field against right-handed pitching. (RotoWire - Sat. Jul 7, 2007 )
This is not good news to me. This means Jones cant find a home and as a result take Pie's spot in CF. Yes we are 5.5 games out of first but we got there with Pie in the lineup and coming off the bench. We didn't get to 5.5 games out by playing Jones everyday in CF. Pie's defense enough should hand him the CF roll, his base stealing and pinch running abilities are far better than Jones and right now I trust him in a hitting roll far better than I trust JJ.
If they want to make a roster move how bout TRADING JONES! No more lets see what we can get for him. Get a bucket off ball and pay a large portion of his contract and send him to Texas, White Sox or to the Fish. Want another idea to free up some roster spots? Send Eyre or Izturis packing! Alot of teams need bullpen help and I'm sure a team would take a chance on Eyre. Izzy could be valuable off the bench for alot of teams, why not send him to the O's???
There are so many solutions other than sending the kid to Iowa. DON'T SEND PIE DOWN!
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
RUMOR: Could Sosa become a Cub?
This rumor has been overflowing in my in box so I decided to address it. Now, realistically could Sammy Sosa become a Chicago Cub once again before the trade deadline? My answer is Yes!
Texas is on the verge of a huge firesale. Shopping all there bloated contracts, veteran players, and pending free agents. Along with players like Gagne, Wilkerson, Gagne, Byrd,Catalanotto, etc, Sosa could find a new home. Sosa would provide a good veteran with good power, OK defense, and a valuable bat off the bench or in a platoon situation. Now how does this fit with the cubs? The Cubs are currently overloaded with outfielders but if you can subtract one ( Jones) and get Sosa, I say you do it. Sosa would provide a good bat off the bench and could relieve time for Floyd in RF.
The few problems with this is it seems Selig is saying no more debt to the cubs. That means no more bloated contracts or deals where there is debt involved. Now Sosa is only making 3 million( that's if he does all his performance bonuses). So you would have to do somewhat of even trade for that amount of dump salary on another team. The Rangers are looking to dump players and salary so that could be a problem.
The other problem is the overloaded outfield situation. If you could unload a Jones or trade him to the Rangers you wouldn't have the problem with Jones anymore and you would get a solid righty and HOFer off the bench.
Personally I would like to see Sammy back in a cubs uniform. But alot of things have to happen to make this happen.
Texas is on the verge of a huge firesale. Shopping all there bloated contracts, veteran players, and pending free agents. Along with players like Gagne, Wilkerson, Gagne, Byrd,Catalanotto, etc, Sosa could find a new home. Sosa would provide a good veteran with good power, OK defense, and a valuable bat off the bench or in a platoon situation. Now how does this fit with the cubs? The Cubs are currently overloaded with outfielders but if you can subtract one ( Jones) and get Sosa, I say you do it. Sosa would provide a good bat off the bench and could relieve time for Floyd in RF.
The few problems with this is it seems Selig is saying no more debt to the cubs. That means no more bloated contracts or deals where there is debt involved. Now Sosa is only making 3 million( that's if he does all his performance bonuses). So you would have to do somewhat of even trade for that amount of dump salary on another team. The Rangers are looking to dump players and salary so that could be a problem.
The other problem is the overloaded outfield situation. If you could unload a Jones or trade him to the Rangers you wouldn't have the problem with Jones anymore and you would get a solid righty and HOFer off the bench.
Personally I would like to see Sammy back in a cubs uniform. But alot of things have to happen to make this happen.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Lee and Sori named All-star reserves
Thanks to cubs.com-
CHICAGO -- If Tony La Russa needs instant offense for the National League All-Star team, he can call on Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano.
Soriano was named to his sixth straight All-Star Game on Sunday, selected by the player votes. Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee also was selected by player votes and will make his second trip to the All-Star Game, which will be played July 10 in San Francisco and near his hometown of Sacramento, Calif.
Soriano was edged in the fan balloting for a starting spot by San Francisco's Barry Bonds. New York's Carlos Beltran and Cincinnati's Ken Griffey Jr. are the other starting NL outfielders.
The Cubs left fielder has had an All-Star June, batting .336 with 11 homers and 18 RBIs. He hit a solo homer in each of the Cubs' games against the White Sox June 22-24, and also hit three home runs against the Braves on June 8.
He's not on the same pace as last season, his first 40-40-40 season, when he hit 46 homers and 41 doubles and stole 41 bases.
All La Russa has to do is put Soriano in the leadoff spot and sit back and relax.
The Cubs left fielder was named National League Player of the Week for June 18-24, and posted a slugging percentage of 1.080. Soriano led the NL with 27 total bases, hit four home runs, and tied for first with 12 hits as well as batting .480 that week.
"It was just a matter of time," Chicago's Mark DeRosa said.
"The warmer weather has helped, I think the move to left field has helped," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said of Soriano's surge. "The fact that he's acclimiated to day-night games has helped.
"And the last reason is he's a very talented young man who's finally hitting his stride," Piniella said.
Make sure you tune in early. Soriano has taken advantage of pitchers, slugging leadoff homers before most of the fans are settled in their seats. Pitchers know he's a fastball hitter but still throw fastballs.
"The first pitch of the game, that's the best pitch the pitcher has to open the game," Soriano said last week. "It's a little complicated because they know I'm a fastball hitter, but they don't want to throw a first-pitch breaking ball because they don't feel comfortable. I always feel good swinging at the first pitch."
Lee, 31, who won a batting title in 2005, was hitting .340 with six homers and 40 RBIs, second in the league behind Colorado's Matt Holliday. He also played in the 2005 All-Star Game in Detroit and was 1-for-3 with a double.
His home run numbers are down, but the right-handed hitter is a presence in the lineup. Lee is batting .383 with six doubles, a triple, five RBIs and eight walks in his last 17 games after a mini-slump in which he hit .129 in eight games.
Lee is healthy after missing most of last season because of a fractured right wrist suffered in a freak collision with Rafael Furcal, and also ranks among the NL leaders with a .366 average with runners in scoring position.
It's the first time the Cubs have had two representatives since Lee and Aramis Ramirez went in 2005. Carlos Zambrano was the team's lone rep last year but did not pitch.
The 78th Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and Sportsnet HD and televised around the world by Major League Baseball International, with pregame ceremonies beginning at 8 p.m. ET. ESPN Radio will provide exclusive national radio coverage, while MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage. XM will provide satellite radio play-by-play coverage of the XM All-Star Futures Game.
CHICAGO -- If Tony La Russa needs instant offense for the National League All-Star team, he can call on Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano.
Soriano was named to his sixth straight All-Star Game on Sunday, selected by the player votes. Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee also was selected by player votes and will make his second trip to the All-Star Game, which will be played July 10 in San Francisco and near his hometown of Sacramento, Calif.
Soriano was edged in the fan balloting for a starting spot by San Francisco's Barry Bonds. New York's Carlos Beltran and Cincinnati's Ken Griffey Jr. are the other starting NL outfielders.
The Cubs left fielder has had an All-Star June, batting .336 with 11 homers and 18 RBIs. He hit a solo homer in each of the Cubs' games against the White Sox June 22-24, and also hit three home runs against the Braves on June 8.
He's not on the same pace as last season, his first 40-40-40 season, when he hit 46 homers and 41 doubles and stole 41 bases.
All La Russa has to do is put Soriano in the leadoff spot and sit back and relax.
The Cubs left fielder was named National League Player of the Week for June 18-24, and posted a slugging percentage of 1.080. Soriano led the NL with 27 total bases, hit four home runs, and tied for first with 12 hits as well as batting .480 that week.
"It was just a matter of time," Chicago's Mark DeRosa said.
"The warmer weather has helped, I think the move to left field has helped," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said of Soriano's surge. "The fact that he's acclimiated to day-night games has helped.
"And the last reason is he's a very talented young man who's finally hitting his stride," Piniella said.
Make sure you tune in early. Soriano has taken advantage of pitchers, slugging leadoff homers before most of the fans are settled in their seats. Pitchers know he's a fastball hitter but still throw fastballs.
"The first pitch of the game, that's the best pitch the pitcher has to open the game," Soriano said last week. "It's a little complicated because they know I'm a fastball hitter, but they don't want to throw a first-pitch breaking ball because they don't feel comfortable. I always feel good swinging at the first pitch."
Lee, 31, who won a batting title in 2005, was hitting .340 with six homers and 40 RBIs, second in the league behind Colorado's Matt Holliday. He also played in the 2005 All-Star Game in Detroit and was 1-for-3 with a double.
His home run numbers are down, but the right-handed hitter is a presence in the lineup. Lee is batting .383 with six doubles, a triple, five RBIs and eight walks in his last 17 games after a mini-slump in which he hit .129 in eight games.
Lee is healthy after missing most of last season because of a fractured right wrist suffered in a freak collision with Rafael Furcal, and also ranks among the NL leaders with a .366 average with runners in scoring position.
It's the first time the Cubs have had two representatives since Lee and Aramis Ramirez went in 2005. Carlos Zambrano was the team's lone rep last year but did not pitch.
The 78th Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and Sportsnet HD and televised around the world by Major League Baseball International, with pregame ceremonies beginning at 8 p.m. ET. ESPN Radio will provide exclusive national radio coverage, while MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage. XM will provide satellite radio play-by-play coverage of the XM All-Star Futures Game.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Jones finally traded! All but complete.
Thanks to MLB trade rumors-
Marlins Trade For Jacque Jones
UPDATE: Ken Rosenthal says this deal has stalled over the money changing hands. I knew $1MM sounded too good to be true for the Cubs.
According to Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the Marlins have traded for outfielder Jacque Jones. Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post says the Cubs are kicking in only $1MM of the $7.1MM remaining on Jones' contract. The Cubs will get a pitcher from Class A Greensboro, possibly 23 year-old lefty Graham Taylor.
The Cubs' motivation is to free up a roster spot while paying less than half the money still owed to Jones. Jim Hendry got the best of Larry Beinfest in the Derrek Lee/Hee Seop Choi deal, but Beinfest exacted his revenge two years later by stealing three useful pitchers for Juan Pierre.
If Jones can play a credible center field, the Marlins will come out ahead here. My guess is that Jones will return to his career offensive levels once out of the Chicago spotlight. He should still be benched against lefties though.
Marlins Trade For Jacque Jones
UPDATE: Ken Rosenthal says this deal has stalled over the money changing hands. I knew $1MM sounded too good to be true for the Cubs.
According to Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the Marlins have traded for outfielder Jacque Jones. Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post says the Cubs are kicking in only $1MM of the $7.1MM remaining on Jones' contract. The Cubs will get a pitcher from Class A Greensboro, possibly 23 year-old lefty Graham Taylor.
The Cubs' motivation is to free up a roster spot while paying less than half the money still owed to Jones. Jim Hendry got the best of Larry Beinfest in the Derrek Lee/Hee Seop Choi deal, but Beinfest exacted his revenge two years later by stealing three useful pitchers for Juan Pierre.
If Jones can play a credible center field, the Marlins will come out ahead here. My guess is that Jones will return to his career offensive levels once out of the Chicago spotlight. He should still be benched against lefties though.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Former Cub Rod Beck dies at 38.
Thanks to cubs.com-
SAN FRANCISCO -- Rod Beck, a former reliever for the Giants, Padres, Cubs and Red Sox, has passed away, the Giants said on Sunday. Beck was 38 years old.
The Giants were informed of Beck's death on Saturday night and told the players, announcers and front-office staff, who were openly talking about the death prior to Sunday's game against the Yankees at AT&T Park.
Details began to emerge throughout the day, although no cause of death was released. Beck had a history of substance abuse and went into drug rehab only months before his career ended with the Padres in 2004, when current Giants skipper Bruce Bochy was the manager in San Diego. Beck was found dead in bed in his Northeast Phoenix residence.
"It comes as a complete shock," said Barry Bonds, who played with Beck on the Giants from 1993-97. "We all just found out. He was a great guy, great for us when he was here."
Beck came up with the Giants in 1991 and holds the team record for most saves in a single season with 48 in 1993, although his career best was 51 for the Cubs in 1998. His 199 saves with the Giants is second in club history to Robb Nen, who finished with 206, and his 286 saves during his 13-year career places him 22nd on Major League Baseball's all-time list.
Beck was nicknamed "The Shooter" by his teammates on that 1993 team that won 103 games but lost the National League West title on the last day of the season to the Braves.
"Because he was a gunslinger, man," said Mike Krukow, the former Giants pitcher and current announcer who retired in 1989, before Beck joined the team. "That's the way he approached everything. He had a huge heart, a Hall of Fame heart."
Phoenix police were investigating the death because Beck was found alone, the Arizona Republic reported on its Web site, also saying that no foul play was suspected. Beck was estranged from his wife, who traveled to California, where the couple's two daughters were in camp.
The Giants were told about Beck's death on Saturday night by Rick Thurmond, his agent, who requested that the team refrain from issuing a formal statement until the girls were informed.
The Giants family has been rocked by a number of deaths in the last year or two, including Tom Haller, Ed Bailey, Jose Uribe, Chris Brown, Pat Dobson and Harmon Burns, the team's majority owner.
"Everyone in the Giants organization is deeply saddened by the loss of a dear friend," Peter Magowan, the team's managing general partner, said. "Rod Beck was a true Giant in every sense of the word -- from his dedication on the field to his selflessness away from the park. Today, our hearts go out to the Beck family. Rod will be deeply missed. Beyond his contributions on the field, Rod will be forever remembered for his huge heart. He was a community leader in the clubhouse and, along with his wife Stacey, always tried to enrich the lives of others."
Likewise, the Padres have had their share of bereavement. Since Alan Wiggins died in 1991, Eric Show, Jack Krol, Mike Darr and Ken Caminiti have all perished young. Bochy, then a backup catcher, played with Wiggins and Show and Krol was a coach on San Diego's 1994 NL pennant-winning team. Bochy managed Darr, Caminiti and Beck during his 12 seasons in the San Diego dugout.
Wiggins, Show and Caminiti all suffered drug-related deaths. And Beck was barely beginning his second season with the Padres when he went into rehab. He was released by the team on Aug. 24, 2004, and never pitched in the Major Leagues again.
"[Beck] went out and got some help, I know that," Bochy said on Sunday. "In '04, during the spring, he had some problems. That's when he went into rehab, but I don't know where."
The previous season, with Trevor Hoffman recovering from shoulder surgery, Beck was reclaimed off the junk heap and saved 20 games in 20 chances.
"This is a bad day in baseball to lose a guy at such an early age who's done so much for the game," Bochy said. "[In San Diego], what a job he did for us. We were desperate at the time for a closer. I know he and Trevor became very good friends. He was such a warrior on the mound. Anybody who played with Rod Beck can tell you just what a great teammate he was, what a big heart he had."
Beck grew up in the Los Angeles area and was drafted in 1986 by the A's, who traded him to the Giants two years later. His San Francisco run ended when he became a free agent after the NL West-winning 1997 season, and he signed with the Cubs. Beck was on the mound against the Giants a year later and closed the NL Wild Card playoff game at Wrigley Field, putting the Cubs back into the playoffs for the first time since 1989. But he was traded to Boston before the 1999 season was complete.
Though his Cubs tenure lasted less than two years, he was fondly remembered in Chicago. Last Sept. 2 at Wrigley, Beck was invited back for a Giants-Cubs game to throw out the first pitch and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."
"I heard the stories that he said, 'I'll pitch every day,' and that's the attitude I have towards pitching," said Cubs reliever Scott Eyre, who like Beck, lists the Giants and Cubs on his resume. "He pitched every single day and he saved every game for weeks straight. He went out there with nothing, and still had all the confidence in the world."
Beck's Boston tenure was equally as short, lasting little more than two years before he blew out his right elbow. But "The Shooter" still had his impact.
"I'm just a little lost for words," said Jason Varitek, the Red Sox catcher, who played with Beck during those years. "He didn't have the same fastball by the time he got to Boston, but you learn different ways to succeed. He could pitch. More so, he was just such a great teammate. A great person to be around. I just can't say enough about what a great teammate he was."
Beck missed the 2002 season after having Tommy John surgery, but in early 2003 he tried to rejuvenate his career with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. In Des Moines, he became a mini personality, living in his mobile home outside the outfield fence and drinking beer with fans when they dropped by to visit.
"He came there and his stuff wasn't what it was, but he had the savvy and the desire, even in Triple-A," said Mike Quade, the Cubs' third-base coach now and the Iowa manager back then. "It wasn't easy for him. He had a trailer and lived outside the ballpark. He was a fun-loving guy, a competitive guy, and he loved life."
With Beck's passing on Sunday, that's undoubtedly the way he will be remembered most.
SAN FRANCISCO -- Rod Beck, a former reliever for the Giants, Padres, Cubs and Red Sox, has passed away, the Giants said on Sunday. Beck was 38 years old.
The Giants were informed of Beck's death on Saturday night and told the players, announcers and front-office staff, who were openly talking about the death prior to Sunday's game against the Yankees at AT&T Park.
Details began to emerge throughout the day, although no cause of death was released. Beck had a history of substance abuse and went into drug rehab only months before his career ended with the Padres in 2004, when current Giants skipper Bruce Bochy was the manager in San Diego. Beck was found dead in bed in his Northeast Phoenix residence.
"It comes as a complete shock," said Barry Bonds, who played with Beck on the Giants from 1993-97. "We all just found out. He was a great guy, great for us when he was here."
Beck came up with the Giants in 1991 and holds the team record for most saves in a single season with 48 in 1993, although his career best was 51 for the Cubs in 1998. His 199 saves with the Giants is second in club history to Robb Nen, who finished with 206, and his 286 saves during his 13-year career places him 22nd on Major League Baseball's all-time list.
Beck was nicknamed "The Shooter" by his teammates on that 1993 team that won 103 games but lost the National League West title on the last day of the season to the Braves.
"Because he was a gunslinger, man," said Mike Krukow, the former Giants pitcher and current announcer who retired in 1989, before Beck joined the team. "That's the way he approached everything. He had a huge heart, a Hall of Fame heart."
Phoenix police were investigating the death because Beck was found alone, the Arizona Republic reported on its Web site, also saying that no foul play was suspected. Beck was estranged from his wife, who traveled to California, where the couple's two daughters were in camp.
The Giants were told about Beck's death on Saturday night by Rick Thurmond, his agent, who requested that the team refrain from issuing a formal statement until the girls were informed.
The Giants family has been rocked by a number of deaths in the last year or two, including Tom Haller, Ed Bailey, Jose Uribe, Chris Brown, Pat Dobson and Harmon Burns, the team's majority owner.
"Everyone in the Giants organization is deeply saddened by the loss of a dear friend," Peter Magowan, the team's managing general partner, said. "Rod Beck was a true Giant in every sense of the word -- from his dedication on the field to his selflessness away from the park. Today, our hearts go out to the Beck family. Rod will be deeply missed. Beyond his contributions on the field, Rod will be forever remembered for his huge heart. He was a community leader in the clubhouse and, along with his wife Stacey, always tried to enrich the lives of others."
Likewise, the Padres have had their share of bereavement. Since Alan Wiggins died in 1991, Eric Show, Jack Krol, Mike Darr and Ken Caminiti have all perished young. Bochy, then a backup catcher, played with Wiggins and Show and Krol was a coach on San Diego's 1994 NL pennant-winning team. Bochy managed Darr, Caminiti and Beck during his 12 seasons in the San Diego dugout.
Wiggins, Show and Caminiti all suffered drug-related deaths. And Beck was barely beginning his second season with the Padres when he went into rehab. He was released by the team on Aug. 24, 2004, and never pitched in the Major Leagues again.
"[Beck] went out and got some help, I know that," Bochy said on Sunday. "In '04, during the spring, he had some problems. That's when he went into rehab, but I don't know where."
The previous season, with Trevor Hoffman recovering from shoulder surgery, Beck was reclaimed off the junk heap and saved 20 games in 20 chances.
"This is a bad day in baseball to lose a guy at such an early age who's done so much for the game," Bochy said. "[In San Diego], what a job he did for us. We were desperate at the time for a closer. I know he and Trevor became very good friends. He was such a warrior on the mound. Anybody who played with Rod Beck can tell you just what a great teammate he was, what a big heart he had."
Beck grew up in the Los Angeles area and was drafted in 1986 by the A's, who traded him to the Giants two years later. His San Francisco run ended when he became a free agent after the NL West-winning 1997 season, and he signed with the Cubs. Beck was on the mound against the Giants a year later and closed the NL Wild Card playoff game at Wrigley Field, putting the Cubs back into the playoffs for the first time since 1989. But he was traded to Boston before the 1999 season was complete.
Though his Cubs tenure lasted less than two years, he was fondly remembered in Chicago. Last Sept. 2 at Wrigley, Beck was invited back for a Giants-Cubs game to throw out the first pitch and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."
"I heard the stories that he said, 'I'll pitch every day,' and that's the attitude I have towards pitching," said Cubs reliever Scott Eyre, who like Beck, lists the Giants and Cubs on his resume. "He pitched every single day and he saved every game for weeks straight. He went out there with nothing, and still had all the confidence in the world."
Beck's Boston tenure was equally as short, lasting little more than two years before he blew out his right elbow. But "The Shooter" still had his impact.
"I'm just a little lost for words," said Jason Varitek, the Red Sox catcher, who played with Beck during those years. "He didn't have the same fastball by the time he got to Boston, but you learn different ways to succeed. He could pitch. More so, he was just such a great teammate. A great person to be around. I just can't say enough about what a great teammate he was."
Beck missed the 2002 season after having Tommy John surgery, but in early 2003 he tried to rejuvenate his career with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. In Des Moines, he became a mini personality, living in his mobile home outside the outfield fence and drinking beer with fans when they dropped by to visit.
"He came there and his stuff wasn't what it was, but he had the savvy and the desire, even in Triple-A," said Mike Quade, the Cubs' third-base coach now and the Iowa manager back then. "It wasn't easy for him. He had a trailer and lived outside the ballpark. He was a fun-loving guy, a competitive guy, and he loved life."
With Beck's passing on Sunday, that's undoubtedly the way he will be remembered most.
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