The Cubs are in the midst of a massive outfield bleacher tear down.
But not letting the destruction go to waste, the Cubs are selling off pieces of the ball park as "authentic" Wrigley souvenirs. For a historical ball park, one would think you would try to preserve as much history as possible (even recent history). Instead, it screams of trying to squeeze another buck or two out of the tired fan base.
The Cubs announced that Cubs Authentics, their official
provider of game-used and authenticated memorabilia, has introduced the
Wrigley Field Collection for fans looking to collect unique items from
the historic ballpark. The Wrigley Field Collection will feature
authenticated items in limited quantities throughout the season,
including bleacher seats, flags, scoreboard tiles, signage and
celebrity-guest memorabilia, plus items related to Wrigley's restoration
and expansion.
It also shows that ownership is not the preservationists that some believed when they bought the team from the Tribune. It is like saying to third parties "here are pieces of old Wrigley Field, you keep and preserve them yourself." And many people will gladly do that because it is a physical reminder of past memories at the ball park.
Past memories that will most likely be jolted on Opening Night with the wash of electronic scoreboard lights akin to Times Square.
There is precedence for grave robbing an old ball yard. Old Comiskey Park had an auction when it was determined that the Cell was going to replace it. Thousands of people showed up one weekend to bid on signs, seats, the old scoreboard pin wheels to even toilets. It was the south side garage sale of garage sales. Everything was going to go either to a new home or the land fill.
Why would the Cubs sell "scoreboard tiles?" The answer is simple: the iconic CF scoreboard is going to be retired as the new large Jumbotron will take its place. And, it cuts back on the payroll of the manual scoreboard operators. And who wants 7th inning singers autographs on a program or Pat Hughes napkin? It seems nothing cannot be monetized by the Cubs business managers.
November 26, 2014
November 25, 2014
SOX PICK UP
The White Sox continue to make moves in the early off season. The signing of 35 year old Adam LaRoche to a two year contract helps replace the Adam Dunn/Paul Konerko DH production, and gives the team flexibility at first base to rest Jose Abreu.
LaRoche hit .259 BA, 26 HR, 92 RBI for the Nationals in 2014. He had a 2.2 WAR.
GM Rick Hahn continues to follow a common sense approach to filling his roster. He needed to shore up the bullpen so he signed Zach Duke. He needed to find a new DH, so he signed a proven hitter in LaRoche.
The possible other areas needing an upgrade include catcher, another reliever, and possible LF candidate. A right handed starter seems to be on everyone's wish list, but the White Sox are one team not too concerned about having a heavy left handed rotation.
LaRoche hit .259 BA, 26 HR, 92 RBI for the Nationals in 2014. He had a 2.2 WAR.
GM Rick Hahn continues to follow a common sense approach to filling his roster. He needed to shore up the bullpen so he signed Zach Duke. He needed to find a new DH, so he signed a proven hitter in LaRoche.
The possible other areas needing an upgrade include catcher, another reliever, and possible LF candidate. A right handed starter seems to be on everyone's wish list, but the White Sox are one team not too concerned about having a heavy left handed rotation.
November 24, 2014
SEEING RED
If there was ever a team that should go "all in" in 2015, it is the Cincinnati Reds.
Yes, the Cardinals have been the dominant team in the NL Central, and the Pirates have risen from the bottom to be a contender, but the Reds have one last chance with the current core roster to make a charge.
Many rumors are spreading around the Reds trading off pieces. But some would question why.
Yes, 4/5ths of the current rotation (Johnny Cueto, Mike Leake, Mat Latos and Alfredo Simon) are all free agents following the 2015 season. That is the reason why the Reds should go all out to win in 2015. It will be nearly impossible to rebuild that rotation quickly in today's baseball economics.
In 2014, the Reds finished 76-86, 14 GB in the standings.
The team just needs to tweak the bullpen, shore up the outfield with some power and hope the injury bug does not bite them hard.
The Braves are very much shopping Justin Upton but they are requesting a higher return than they received earlier this week when they dealt their other corner outfielder, Jason Heyward.
In exchange for Heyward and reliever Jordan Walden, Atlanta received from St. Louis a pretty good starter with four years of control in Shelby Miller plus pitching prospect Tyrell Jenkins.
Like Heyward, Upton can be a free agent after this season and is due $14.5 million in 2015 compared to the $8.3 million that Heyward will earn. Nevertheless, the Braves think Upton has greater value in the trade market because his overall offense — particularly his power — is superior. Upton hit 29 homers and Heyward 11. And Upton brings righty power, which is in particularly short demand.
This would one of those "all in" one year or bust deals if the Reds took a flyer on Upton. It would send a strong message: win now, or go home. Actually, that should be every team's message every spring.
Yes, the Cardinals have been the dominant team in the NL Central, and the Pirates have risen from the bottom to be a contender, but the Reds have one last chance with the current core roster to make a charge.
Many rumors are spreading around the Reds trading off pieces. But some would question why.
Yes, 4/5ths of the current rotation (Johnny Cueto, Mike Leake, Mat Latos and Alfredo Simon) are all free agents following the 2015 season. That is the reason why the Reds should go all out to win in 2015. It will be nearly impossible to rebuild that rotation quickly in today's baseball economics.
In 2014, the Reds finished 76-86, 14 GB in the standings.
The team just needs to tweak the bullpen, shore up the outfield with some power and hope the injury bug does not bite them hard.
The Braves are very much shopping Justin Upton but they are requesting a higher return than they received earlier this week when they dealt their other corner outfielder, Jason Heyward.
In exchange for Heyward and reliever Jordan Walden, Atlanta received from St. Louis a pretty good starter with four years of control in Shelby Miller plus pitching prospect Tyrell Jenkins.
Like Heyward, Upton can be a free agent after this season and is due $14.5 million in 2015 compared to the $8.3 million that Heyward will earn. Nevertheless, the Braves think Upton has greater value in the trade market because his overall offense — particularly his power — is superior. Upton hit 29 homers and Heyward 11. And Upton brings righty power, which is in particularly short demand.
This would one of those "all in" one year or bust deals if the Reds took a flyer on Upton. It would send a strong message: win now, or go home. Actually, that should be every team's message every spring.
November 22, 2014
WINTER ROSTER
The Cubs added RHP C.J. Edwards to the protected 40 man roster. The Cubs 40 man roster stands at 39, which means the team has one space to fill via free agency or selecting another team's unprotected player at the winter meetings in December.
It also means that despite the hype of making a lot of moves, the Cubs are probably going to do just one (and most likely not a major move).
If there are players on the roster "bubble" (could easily be cut or waived to sign another player), there any many to choose from:
Watkins seems to be expendable since the Cubs just acquired LaStella.
Villanueva and Olt seem to be expendable when Kris Bryant hits the majors.
Szczur and Lake have not shown any consistent production to stick as a 5th outfielder.
So the Cubs have potentially five (5) additional 40 man roster spots available to upgrade their spring training roster. But if recent history is any tell, they are not anxious to pull the trigger on any substantial changes. One spot has to go to Bryant. Another spot may be for Addison Russell.
The above roster is the blueprint for 2015. Depth is still an issue. Young players adjusting to the majors is another issue.
As it stands today, the rotation seems to be Arrieta, Hendricks, Jackson, Wada, Wood with Turner, Doubront and Straily as injury replacements. This would be a downgrade from the 2014 starting rotation (Samardzjia and Hammel).
An outfield of Coghlan/Ruggiano, Alcantara and Soler is suspect.
The infield has Castro and Rizzo, but can Baez play better at second? Is Valbuena going to stay as a bench player until Bryant is called up in June - - - or will the team trade him at the winter meetings (thus allowing Olt to be the caretaker)?
It also means that despite the hype of making a lot of moves, the Cubs are probably going to do just one (and most likely not a major move).
| # | Pitchers | B/T | Ht | Wt | DOB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49 | Jake Arrieta | R-R | 6'4" | 225 | Mar 6, 1986 |
| 32 | Dallas Beeler | R-R | 6'5" | 210 | Jun 12, 1989 |
| 22 | Felix Doubront | L-L | 6'2" | 225 | Oct 23, 1987 |
| C.J. Edwards | R-R | 6'2" | 155 | Sep 3, 1991 | |
| 52 | Justin Grimm | R-R | 6'3" | 210 | Aug 16, 1988 |
| 28 | Kyle Hendricks | R-R | 6'3" | 190 | Dec 7, 1989 |
| 36 | Edwin Jackson | R-R | 6'3" | 210 | Sep 9, 1983 |
| 43 | Eric Jokisch | R-L | 6'2" | 185 | Jul 29, 1989 |
| Joseph Ortiz | L-L | 5'7" | 175 | Aug 13, 1990 | |
| 50 | Blake Parker | R-R | 6'3" | 225 | Jun 19, 1985 |
| 54 | Neil Ramirez | R-R | 6'4" | 190 | May 25, 1989 |
| Donn Roach | R-R | 6'0" | 195 | Dec 14, 1989 | |
| 56 | Hector Rondon | R-R | 6'3" | 180 | Feb 26, 1988 |
| 59 | Zac Rosscup | R-L | 6'2" | 205 | Jun 9, 1988 |
| 63 | Brian Schlitter | R-R | 6'5" | 235 | Dec 21, 1985 |
| 19 | Dan Straily | R-R | 6'2" | 215 | Dec 1, 1988 |
| 46 | Pedro Strop | R-R | 6'1" | 220 | Jun 13, 1985 |
| 38 | Jacob Turner | R-R | 6'5" | 215 | May 21, 1991 |
| 67 | Tsuyoshi Wada | L-L | 5'11" | 180 | Feb 21, 1981 |
| 37 | Travis Wood | R-L | 5'11" | 175 | Feb 6, 1987 |
| 53 | Wesley Wright | R-L | 5'11" | 185 | Jan 28, 1985 |
| # | Catchers | B/T | Ht | Wt | DOB |
| 12 | John Baker | L-R | 6'1" | 215 | Jan 20, 1981 |
| 5 | Welington Castillo | R-R | 5'10" | 210 | Apr 24, 1987 |
| 51 | Rafael Lopez | L-R | 5'9" | 190 | Oct 2, 1987 |
| # | Infielders | B/T | Ht | Wt | DOB |
| 7 | Arismendy Alcantara | S-R | 5'10" | 170 | Oct 29, 1991 |
| 9 | Javier Baez | R-R | 6'0" | 190 | Dec 1, 1992 |
| 13 | Starlin Castro | R-R | 6'0" | 190 | Mar 24, 1990 |
| Tommy La Stella | L-R | 5'11" | 185 | Jan 31, 1989 | |
| 30 | Mike Olt | R-R | 6'2" | 210 | Aug 27, 1988 |
| 44 | Anthony Rizzo | L-L | 6'3" | 240 | Aug 8, 1989 |
| 24 | Luis Valbuena | L-R | 5'10" | 200 | Nov 30, 1985 |
| 61 | Christian Villanueva | R-R | 5'11" | 210 | Jun 19, 1991 |
| 45 | Logan Watkins | L-R | 5'11" | 195 | Aug 29, 1989 |
| # | Outfielders | B/T | Ht | Wt | DOB |
| 8 | Chris Coghlan | L-R | 6'0" | 195 | Jun 18, 1985 |
| 21 | Junior Lake | R-R | 6'3" | 215 | Mar 27, 1990 |
| 20 | Justin Ruggiano | R-R | 6'1" | 210 | Apr 12, 1982 |
| 68 | Jorge Soler | R-R | 6'4" | 215 | Feb 25, 1992 |
| 6 | Ryan Sweeney | L-L | 6'4" | 225 | Feb 20, 1985 |
| 41 | Matt Szczur | R-R | 6'1" | 195 | Jul 20, 1989 |
If there are players on the roster "bubble" (could easily be cut or waived to sign another player), there any many to choose from:
Watkins seems to be expendable since the Cubs just acquired LaStella.
Villanueva and Olt seem to be expendable when Kris Bryant hits the majors.
Szczur and Lake have not shown any consistent production to stick as a 5th outfielder.
So the Cubs have potentially five (5) additional 40 man roster spots available to upgrade their spring training roster. But if recent history is any tell, they are not anxious to pull the trigger on any substantial changes. One spot has to go to Bryant. Another spot may be for Addison Russell.
The above roster is the blueprint for 2015. Depth is still an issue. Young players adjusting to the majors is another issue.
As it stands today, the rotation seems to be Arrieta, Hendricks, Jackson, Wada, Wood with Turner, Doubront and Straily as injury replacements. This would be a downgrade from the 2014 starting rotation (Samardzjia and Hammel).
An outfield of Coghlan/Ruggiano, Alcantara and Soler is suspect.
The infield has Castro and Rizzo, but can Baez play better at second? Is Valbuena going to stay as a bench player until Bryant is called up in June - - - or will the team trade him at the winter meetings (thus allowing Olt to be the caretaker)?
November 21, 2014
WHO IS GONNA WIN?
In a financial duel for star pitcher Jon Lester, who is going to win?
The Cubs. The Cardinals. The Braves. The Red Sox.
Fans "think" the Cubs have money to burn on star free agents. But nothing has materialized in the last few years. The powder is not dry; it has blown away.
The Cardinals have an interesting budget twist. With Kyle Lohse only making $500,000 on his last front loaded deal, the Cardinals have his "market value" of $10 million as a starter available plus Shelby Miller's potential arb value (another $6 million or so), so St. Louis has free cap space of $16 million to start the bidding for Lester.
The Braves have a new front office after GM Wren's firing, so there may be some incentive to make a big opening splash. The Braves have had a recent history of injured starters. The Cubs sending back Vizcaino for a nominal second baseman may be some insurance. With Medlin and Beachy coming off Tommy John surgeries, the rotation seems it needs a huge shot in the arm.
The Red Sox can be aggressive and they have the best history with Lester. He always said he would be open to returning to Boston. If so, then the trade was a great one for the Red Sox, who acquired Cespedes from Oakland.
It comes down to which team is ready, willing and able to handle a "bad" big money contract (because 70 percent turn out bad)?
I suspect the tale of the tape will be Red Sox, Cardinals, Braves then Cubs running last in a three horse race.
The Cubs. The Cardinals. The Braves. The Red Sox.
Fans "think" the Cubs have money to burn on star free agents. But nothing has materialized in the last few years. The powder is not dry; it has blown away.
The Cardinals have an interesting budget twist. With Kyle Lohse only making $500,000 on his last front loaded deal, the Cardinals have his "market value" of $10 million as a starter available plus Shelby Miller's potential arb value (another $6 million or so), so St. Louis has free cap space of $16 million to start the bidding for Lester.
The Braves have a new front office after GM Wren's firing, so there may be some incentive to make a big opening splash. The Braves have had a recent history of injured starters. The Cubs sending back Vizcaino for a nominal second baseman may be some insurance. With Medlin and Beachy coming off Tommy John surgeries, the rotation seems it needs a huge shot in the arm.
The Red Sox can be aggressive and they have the best history with Lester. He always said he would be open to returning to Boston. If so, then the trade was a great one for the Red Sox, who acquired Cespedes from Oakland.
It comes down to which team is ready, willing and able to handle a "bad" big money contract (because 70 percent turn out bad)?
I suspect the tale of the tape will be Red Sox, Cardinals, Braves then Cubs running last in a three horse race.
November 20, 2014
THE DUKE OF SANDWICHES
The White Sox bullpen was horrible last season. A priority was to fix it.
GM Rick Hahn started by signing LHP Zach Duke for 3 years/$15 million.
The immediate local reaction was that was pretty high cost to get a lefty relief pitcher.
Duke posted his best season year for the Brewers with a stellar 5-1 record, 2.45 ERA, 1.125 WHIP in 74 games of relief. A product of the Pirates system, the former starteris with his 6th team in his 10 year career. He sports a career 7.9 WAR, with 1.2 WAR for 2014.
Duke, 31, puts some veteran stability in the young bullpen. Most would suspect that pitching guru Don Cooper can keep Duke pitching at this year's level.
But the contract seems long and expensive first puzzle piece for the White Sox.
Ever since the Dodgers ownership change, and the billion dollar TV deal (which has gone badly for the cable partner), baseball contract prices have skyrocketed even for marginal players. In Duke's case, if you use $5 million/WAR, his "value" is $6 million for 2015. He took a value discount to get two extra years. Player agents are now more concerned about the number of years than the average salary.
The White Sox bullpen is still its weak spot. The Depth Chart:
Closer: Petricka
Set Up: Jones
Relievers: Duke, Belisario, Webb, Putnam, Guerra, Cleto, Snodgress, Carroll, Surkamp.
GM Rick Hahn started by signing LHP Zach Duke for 3 years/$15 million.
The immediate local reaction was that was pretty high cost to get a lefty relief pitcher.
Duke posted his best season year for the Brewers with a stellar 5-1 record, 2.45 ERA, 1.125 WHIP in 74 games of relief. A product of the Pirates system, the former starteris with his 6th team in his 10 year career. He sports a career 7.9 WAR, with 1.2 WAR for 2014.
Duke, 31, puts some veteran stability in the young bullpen. Most would suspect that pitching guru Don Cooper can keep Duke pitching at this year's level.
But the contract seems long and expensive first puzzle piece for the White Sox.
Ever since the Dodgers ownership change, and the billion dollar TV deal (which has gone badly for the cable partner), baseball contract prices have skyrocketed even for marginal players. In Duke's case, if you use $5 million/WAR, his "value" is $6 million for 2015. He took a value discount to get two extra years. Player agents are now more concerned about the number of years than the average salary.
The White Sox bullpen is still its weak spot. The Depth Chart:
Closer: Petricka
Set Up: Jones
Relievers: Duke, Belisario, Webb, Putnam, Guerra, Cleto, Snodgress, Carroll, Surkamp.
November 19, 2014
RULE 5 CUBS
The Cubs protected 40 man roster stands at 38.
In order to protect minor league prospects who have accumulated enough service time in the minors to be eligible for the December winter meetings Rule 5 draft have to be promoted to the 40 man roster. However, most likely, the Cubs hold open two major league roster spots for potential free agent signings.
If not, the Cubs can only protect two (2) players from this list. (With teams not taking very many players in the Rule 5 draft, since that player must be kept on the team's active 25 man roster for the entire 2015 season or lose him, the chances of the Cubs losing a player is remote.) However, the one guy that pops out as a possibility is RHP C.J. Edwards.
CUBS MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS ELIGIBLE FOR SELECTION IN DECEMBER 2014 RULE 5 DRAFT (last updated 11-3-2014):
Gilberto Abreu, RHP
Gioskar Amaya, INF
John Andreoli, OF
Jeffry Antigua, LHP
Delbis Arcila, OF
Jeffrey Baez, OF
Frank Batista, RHP
Marcelo Carreno, RHP
Zach Cates, RHP
Hunter Cervenka, LHP
Pin-Chieh Chen, OF
Gerardo Concepcion, LHP (Article XX-D player - can elect free-agency if drafted & then later re-claimed by Cubs)
Willson Contreras, C
Blake Cooper, RHP
Wes Darvill, INF
Taylor Davis, C
Alberto Diaz, LHP
C. J. Edwards, RHP
Kevin Encarnacion, OF
Luis Flores, C
P. J. Francescon, RHP
Humberto Garcia, INF
Victor Garcia, LHP
Dustin Geiger, INF
Anthony Giansanti, OF
Jae-Hoon Ha, OF
Marco Hernandez, INF
Michael Jensen, RHP
Austin Kirk, LHP
Matt Loosen, RHP
Jeff Lorick, LHP
Barret Loux, RHP
Dillon Maples, RHP
Andrew McKirahan, LHP
Trey McNutt, RHP (Article XX-D player - can elect free-agency if drafted & then later re-claimed by Cubs)
Alberto Mineo, C
Yoanner Negrin, RHP
Carlos Penalver, INF
Felix Pena, RHP
Starling Peralta, RHP (Article XX-D player - can elect free-agency if drafted & then later re-claimed by Cubs)
Ivan Pineyro, RHP
Austin Reed, RHP
Jose Rosario, RHP
Julio Sanchez, RHP
Tayler Scott, RHP
Rock Shoulders, 1B
Rubi Silva, OF
Brian Smith, LHP
Elliot Soto, INF
Antonio Valerio, C
Yao-Lin Wang, RHP
Ben Wells, RHP
Tony Zych, RHP
In order to protect minor league prospects who have accumulated enough service time in the minors to be eligible for the December winter meetings Rule 5 draft have to be promoted to the 40 man roster. However, most likely, the Cubs hold open two major league roster spots for potential free agent signings.
If not, the Cubs can only protect two (2) players from this list. (With teams not taking very many players in the Rule 5 draft, since that player must be kept on the team's active 25 man roster for the entire 2015 season or lose him, the chances of the Cubs losing a player is remote.) However, the one guy that pops out as a possibility is RHP C.J. Edwards.
CUBS MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS ELIGIBLE FOR SELECTION IN DECEMBER 2014 RULE 5 DRAFT (last updated 11-3-2014):
Gilberto Abreu, RHP
Gioskar Amaya, INF
John Andreoli, OF
Jeffry Antigua, LHP
Delbis Arcila, OF
Jeffrey Baez, OF
Frank Batista, RHP
Marcelo Carreno, RHP
Zach Cates, RHP
Hunter Cervenka, LHP
Pin-Chieh Chen, OF
Gerardo Concepcion, LHP (Article XX-D player - can elect free-agency if drafted & then later re-claimed by Cubs)
Willson Contreras, C
Blake Cooper, RHP
Wes Darvill, INF
Taylor Davis, C
Alberto Diaz, LHP
C. J. Edwards, RHP
Kevin Encarnacion, OF
Luis Flores, C
P. J. Francescon, RHP
Humberto Garcia, INF
Victor Garcia, LHP
Dustin Geiger, INF
Anthony Giansanti, OF
Jae-Hoon Ha, OF
Marco Hernandez, INF
Michael Jensen, RHP
Austin Kirk, LHP
Matt Loosen, RHP
Jeff Lorick, LHP
Barret Loux, RHP
Dillon Maples, RHP
Andrew McKirahan, LHP
Trey McNutt, RHP (Article XX-D player - can elect free-agency if drafted & then later re-claimed by Cubs)
Alberto Mineo, C
Yoanner Negrin, RHP
Carlos Penalver, INF
Felix Pena, RHP
Starling Peralta, RHP (Article XX-D player - can elect free-agency if drafted & then later re-claimed by Cubs)
Ivan Pineyro, RHP
Austin Reed, RHP
Jose Rosario, RHP
Julio Sanchez, RHP
Tayler Scott, RHP
Rock Shoulders, 1B
Rubi Silva, OF
Brian Smith, LHP
Elliot Soto, INF
Antonio Valerio, C
Yao-Lin Wang, RHP
Ben Wells, RHP
Tony Zych, RHP
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)