Albert Pujols Named NL MVP
It was, as it should have been, unanimous. Derrek Lee finished ninth (and got one second-place vote).
about 5 hours ago
Al
13 comments
0 recs
Why The Cubs Should Sign Chad Tracy
by Al on Nov 24, 2009 8:41 AM CST
in The Next 100 Years
96 comments
While all of us are awaiting Thanksgiving dinner and the Cubs to trade Milton Bradley (not necessarily in that order), I thought I'd start an occasional series on players who might otherwise fly under the radar who I think could help the Cubs in 2010.
Obviously, this wouldn't be one of the "sexy" free-agent signings that the Cubs have had in the past -- and given the player payroll constraints, they're not likely to have one of those this offseason. But there were plenty of holes in the Cubs' offense last year, particularly on the bench, that need to be addressed. The 2008 Cubs had a productive starting lineup and a solid bench, and that's one of the reasons they led the National League in runs scored. The Cubs need to solidify the bench as well as answer the obvious questions (such as how and where Bradley will be dealt and who will be acquired to replace him).
It's pretty clear to me that Micah Hoffpauir is exactly who a lot of us said he was -- a Quadruple-A player, someone who can dominate at the Triple-A level but is exposed in the major leagues. Getting extended playing time in 2009 due to injuries, Hoffpauir hit .239/.300/.427 and hit so poorly from June 1-August 2 (.179/.216/.357) that he had to be sent back to Iowa, returning to Wrigley Field with the Iowa Cubs on August 9 and joking that he just wanted to pick up a pair of pants he had left in the clubhouse when the Cubs left on a road trip. Plus, Hoffpauir will be 30 years old on March 1; I think he's had his proverbial 15 minutes.
96 comments | 0 recs |
Joe Mauer Named AL MVP
Almost unanimous -- 27 of the 28 first-place votes. Miguel Cabrera got the other one and finished 4th. Mark Telxeira and Derek Jeter finished 2nd and 3rd.
1 day ago
Al
54 comments
0 recs
More Photos Of The New Bleacher Signs
by Al on Nov 23, 2009 10:09 AM CST
in News
169 comments
169 comments | 0 recs |
Cubs To Name Wally Hayward Marketing Chief
by Al on Nov 23, 2009 8:09 AM CST
in News
11 comments
Thanks to BCB reader eths who posted this information in this FanShot late last night; I wanted to post additional information on the front page.
Wally Hayward, according to Phil Rosenthal's Tribune article, founded the Relay Worldwide agency (WARNING: link plays video without permission) and was involved in the Chicago 2016 bid, is, like his new boss Tom Ricketts, a Cubs fan:
A lifelong Cubs fan, Hayward is acutely aware of the sensitivities involved in trying to cash in on Wrigley Field and its association with the Cubs. But he also understands the equally unique opportunities that exist because of the passion that drives fans to be so reverent of those properties.
"If this was just selling regular signs at another club and the sales inventory, that wouldn't have appealed to me," said Hayward, 41, who grew up in the Chicago area and is a 1990 graduate of Northwestern University. "The thing that gets me excited under the new ownership, with the Ricketts family, is the entrepreneurial feel and startup mentality of looking at all of our assets and what we can do differently to change the game on and off the field for the Cubs and create the ultimate experience here at Wrigley Field."
11 comments | 0 recs |
1 day ago
CubsBullsBears
99 comments
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Name This Old-Time Cub
by Al on Nov 21, 2009 3:10 PM CST
in Name That Cub
49 comments
49 comments | 0 recs |
Guess The 40-Man Roster Additions
by Al on Nov 20, 2009 8:15 PM CST
in News
37 comments
10:59 pm CST tonight is the deadline for teams to fill out their 40-man rosters with players they want to protect from the Rule 5 draft next month.
With the trade of Aaron Heilman yesterday, the Cubs' 40-man roster stands at 33 players -- so they've got plenty of room to add players they want to protect. This article from the Atlanta Braves website gives some details on how this process works and also about some other upcoming deadlines.
The number of players added by tonight may also give us a clue as to upcoming trades or free-agent signings -- if the Cubs don't fill out the roster to the full 40-man limit, it may presage some acquisitions.
Post your guesses as to who the Cubs might add to the 40-man roster (or who -- cough Neal Cotts cough -- might be removed). Once the Cubs post the full list, I'll update this post, either later today or tomorrow.
UPDATE: From the press release today:
The Chicago Cubs today added five players to the 40-man roster, including left-handed pitcher John Gaub, right-handed pitchers Rafael Dolis and Blake Parker, catcher Welington Castillo and outfielder James Adduci. Chicago's 40-man roster now stands at 38.
Gaub and Parker are no surprise, as they were in the Arizona Fall League and expected to be in the mix for the 2010 bullpen. There are two open spots; this could portend a trade, a free-agent signing or possibly a Rule 5 pick the Cubs have their eyes on. Stay tuned.
37 comments | 0 recs |
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NL Central Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
St. Louis
|
91 | 71 | .561 | 0 | Lost 6 |
|
Chicago
|
83 | 78 | .515 | 7.5 | Lost 1 |
|
Milwaukee
|
80 | 82 | .493 | 11 | Won 3 |
|
Cincinnati
|
78 | 84 | .481 | 13 | Won 2 |
|
Houston
|
74 | 88 | .456 | 17 | Lost 3 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
62 | 99 | .385 | 28.5 | Lost 2 |
(updated 11.24.2009 at 5:06 PM CST)
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