Splitting Squads Again: Cubs vs. Angels at Mesa and Cubs vs. Brewers at Maryvale, Wednesday 3/31, 3:05 CT

by Al Yellon on Mar 31, 2010 1:00 PM CDT in Game Threads

The Cubs are now set with their 25-man roster to open the season, so the next two Cactus League games and the two at Chase Field vs. the Diamondbacks this weekend are just tuneups. Incidentally for those who think the Cubs farm system is not productive, Bruce Miles points out that 11 of the 25 are products of the Cub organization.

So, here are a few miscellaneous Cubs and baseball notes before today's split-squad games.

The game today vs. the Brewers at Maryvale will feature mostly Cubs from the minor league camp.
After another warm (though very windy) day today, there's a pretty good chance that tomorrow's game vs. the Rockies may be rained out.
The Reds' Aroldis Chapman will be heading to the minor leagues to start the season.
But Dontrelle Willis is going to be the Tigers' #3 starter. (Seriously?)
The Rangers' Ian Kinsler, nursing a sprained ankle, is probably going to start the season on the DL. Which means the Rangers' opening day 2B will be... Andres Blanco.
Ted Lilly is pledging money to Ryan Dempster's foundation based on his performance this year:
Lilly is donating $10 for every strikeout and $1,000 for every win this season to the Ryan and Jenny Dempster Family Foundation.
Sad story about former major league pitcher Juan Acevedo, who is now in jail in suburban Chicago. Acevedo is the guy who gave up the game-winning homer to Eric Karros in a game in which Roger Clemens faced Kerry Wood at Wrigley Field on June 7, 2003. Three days later in a Steinbrennerian fit of pique, the Yankees released him.

Carlos Zambrano makes his final spring start today at Mesa vs. the Angels' Jered Weaver. Don't expect Z to go more than four innings. Meanwhile, an assortment of Cubs minor league pitchers will face the Brewers' Yovani Gallardo at Maryvale.

Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today. The Maryvale game will be on MLB Audio with MLB.com announcers -- don't know exactly who at this writing. The Mesa game vs. the Angels will also be on MLB Audio via KLAA (the Angels flagship).

MLB.com Gameday for Cubs/Angels

MLB.com Gameday for Cubs/Brewers

SB Nation game preview for Cubs/Angels

SB Nation game preview for Cubs/Brewers

As usual, the first pitch thread will post at 3 pm CDT, and the overflow thread at 4:15 pm CDT. With two games going, if you need another one, post as a FanShot.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

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Comments

I miss Steinbrennerian fits of pique.

Meanwhile, it’s darn near 75 here in Indianapolis today. Great baseball weather.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Bill Potter on Mar 31, 2010 1:05 PM CDT reply actions

Send that our way.

It’s around 40 here in Vermont. Apparently, someone has forgotten that it is springtime here.

I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.

Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.

Go Pack!

by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST

by Vermont Cubs Fan on Mar 31, 2010 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm in Indianapolis too

Just looking out at Victory Field let’s me know baseball season is almost here.

by MarCubs on Mar 31, 2010 2:51 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I'll listen to the Brewers game

If it’s any of our guys or the Ueck. Otherwise, I may just ignore things today like I have for the other split-squad days. Too much stuff going on at once.

"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root

by Clutch16 on Mar 31, 2010 1:10 PM CDT reply actions

Surprised Dontrelle Willis

is going to be the Tigers #3. I thought I read the other day that he was a fringe candidate just to make the rotation.

Good for Andres Blanco.

"You've got to get your damn shirts rolled up and go out and kick somebody's ass. That's what you've got to do. Period." -- Lou Piniella

by tripdenten on Mar 31, 2010 1:15 PM CDT reply actions

I guess the Tigers traded their No. 5, Nate Robertson, to the Marlins.

Not sure what happened to the other guy.

Follow me on Twitter here and catch my twice-weekly Cubs news updates here.

by daver on Mar 31, 2010 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions

I didn't really understand the AP article on the trade...

…discussing how they traded their No. 5 to the Marlins to make room for Willis to be there No. 3.

Funky math they have up there in Detroit.

"...the internet is not something you just dump something on. It's not a truck. It's a series of tubes." - Sen. Ted Stevens

by bobby h on Mar 31, 2010 4:02 PM CDT up reply actions

I only count 9 homegrown players out of 25

caridad, marmol, marshall, samarj, wells, zambrano, soto, theriot, colvin. still, that is a lot. Perhaps he is counting Berg (yanks) and Fontenot (Orioles), signed by other teams, then traded to cubs while minor leaguers

by holy mackeral on Mar 31, 2010 1:16 PM CDT reply actions

Blech.

Of those, only Zambrano can be considered possible top 15 at their position. Soto would be if we were starting the 2009 season and may be again.

may addition by subtraction be real

by N Oakley on Mar 31, 2010 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions

I believe Berg and Fontenot

count as Cub farmhands as they both played in the Cubs minor legues before making their MLB debut with the Cubs.

Players don’t necessarily have to be originally signed by their team to be considered home grown.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Mar 31, 2010 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Eh, I dunno...I don't think Fontenot counts.

Here’s the list I get:

1. Theriot
2. Soto
3. Colvin
4. Zambrano
5. Wells
6. Marshall
7. Samardzija
8. Berg
9. Russell
10. Caridad
11. Marmol

Follow me on Twitter here and catch my twice-weekly Cubs news updates here.

by daver on Mar 31, 2010 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions

wells=toronto

by KyCubsFan on Mar 31, 2010 3:19 PM CDT up reply actions

uh no,

Wells=Cubs, he came up with the Cubs and was drafted in the rule 5 draft by the Blue Jays from the Cubs and the Jays had to allow him to return to the Cubs after they opted not to keep him on their roster.

"You've got to get your damn shirts rolled up and go out and kick somebody's ass. That's what you've got to do. Period." -- Lou Piniella

by tripdenten on Mar 31, 2010 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Yabbut,

does a guy you allow to leave via the Rule 5 draft still count as from within your system if a guy you acquire in the minors (fontenot) doesn’t count?

may addition by subtraction be real

by N Oakley on Mar 31, 2010 3:43 PM CDT up reply actions

I would say yes,

because the Cubs drafted Wells, he went through their minor league system, had a brief detour to Toronto, came back to the Cubs system, and is now on the Cubs. The Cubs “developed” Wells, I think they actually converted him from a catcher, whereas the Cubs didn’t really develop Fontenot.

"You've got to get your damn shirts rolled up and go out and kick somebody's ass. That's what you've got to do. Period." -- Lou Piniella

by tripdenten on Mar 31, 2010 3:46 PM CDT up reply actions

↑ This. ↑

Follow me on Twitter here and catch my twice-weekly Cubs news updates here.

by daver on Mar 31, 2010 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions

Why wouldn't he?

The Cubs drafted him and he never played in the Blue Jays’ minor league system. Not sure how he could be considered a product of Toronto’s farm.

Fontenot was drafted by the Orioles and was traded to the Cubs for a major leaguer (Sosa).

by JohnM on Mar 31, 2010 3:48 PM CDT up reply actions

They only took him as a Rule 5 pick and gave him back.

Follow me on Twitter here and catch my twice-weekly Cubs news updates here.

by daver on Mar 31, 2010 3:58 PM CDT up reply actions

Billy Williams getting a statue-WOW

Cubs now realize that players are more important than broadcasters. Great stuff

by holy mackeral on Mar 31, 2010 1:18 PM CDT reply actions

Ernie Banks

would like a word.

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Mar 31, 2010 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions

haha..

thats great.

I kind of wish Billy would try managing..he’s certainly paid his dues..

The journey is the reward!

by wicubfan on Mar 31, 2010 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions

Caption: We are all dancing Fulds...

"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
@Twitter as @brommmietze

by eths on Mar 31, 2010 1:37 PM CDT reply actions

Caption: "... oh, yeah, the kids are great ... hey, hold on just one ... oops."

Congrats, Billy!

by JimWa on Mar 31, 2010 1:42 PM CDT reply actions

Bud Selig

I’m sure everyone will want to roadtrip to Milwaukee to see the Selig statue

The journey is the reward!

by wicubfan on Mar 31, 2010 1:51 PM CDT reply actions

Caption:

“AAAAGGH!!!!!!! I JUST SAW HWSNBN!!!!!!”

I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.

Go Pack!

by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST

by Vermont Cubs Fan on Mar 31, 2010 1:51 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

Close but I think it was this

AAAAGGH!!!!! THAT HORRIBLE WOO WOO SOUND JUST RUINED MY EAR DRUM

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim

by Doggie Stalker on Mar 31, 2010 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Caption:

What was that about tee times?

"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray

by Archie on Mar 31, 2010 1:57 PM CDT reply actions

Caption:

“Scottsdale: Get sucked in today!”

"What the hell, let's review it." - Dale Tallon
"They are!" - Pat Foley
"What a farce." - Dale Tallon

by HawkVision on Mar 31, 2010 2:07 PM CDT reply actions

I haven't seen any listings of

recent minor league re-assignments. I’m wondering who all will be on the Peoria team I watch in two weeks.

by timh815 on Mar 31, 2010 2:13 PM CDT reply actions

Way to go Ted!

That’s awesome about Ted Lilly! All the starting pitchers should do that.

by spain2323 on Mar 31, 2010 2:17 PM CDT reply actions

I dunno ...

it SOUNDS like a good idea, but on the last day of the season, when the Cubs are in a three-way tie for first, Lilly is pitching with 24 wins and starts to question if his wife will be made if he gives away $2,500 …

(please note: this remark is being made completely from a sarcastic standpoint … I really DON’T want the Cubs to lose the last game of the season and miss the playoffs)

by JimWa on Mar 31, 2010 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions