Chicago Cubs MLB News - Cubs Baseball Blog http://www.cubslocker.com Chicago Cubs MLB News - Cubs Baseball Blog Thu, 02 Sep 2010 22:31:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=wordpress-mu-1.2.5 en Aramis Ramirez is catching fire with the bat for the Chicago Cubs http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/09/02/aramis-ramirez-is-catching-fire-with-the-bat-for-the-chicago-cubs/ http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/09/02/aramis-ramirez-is-catching-fire-with-the-bat-for-the-chicago-cubs/#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 22:31:11 +0000 chinmusic http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/09/02/aramis-ramirez-is-catching-fire-with-the-bat-for-the-chicago-cubs/ 32-year old righty swinging 3B Aramis Ramirez got off to a awful start this season for the Cubs. But he got super hot in July and August for the Cubbies. In July+August, Ramirez was 58 of 189 (.307 avg) with 33 runs scored, 14 homers and 46 RBIs. He started so slow that his full year numbers are still not too impressive. Ramirez has played in 104 games for the Cubs this year and he is 94 of 391 (.240 avg, .734 OPS) with 52 runs scored, 20 homers and 69 RBIs.

]]> http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/09/02/aramis-ramirez-is-catching-fire-with-the-bat-for-the-chicago-cubs/feed/ Carlos Zambrano has been pitching well since his suspension for the Chicago Cubs http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/08/28/carlos-zambrano-has-been-pitching-well-since-his-suspension-for-the-chicago-cubs/ http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/08/28/carlos-zambrano-has-been-pitching-well-since-his-suspension-for-the-chicago-cubs/#comments Sat, 28 Aug 2010 14:36:00 +0000 chinmusic http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/08/28/carlos-zambrano-has-been-pitching-well-since-his-suspension-for-the-chicago-cubs/ 29-year old righty starter/reliever Carlos Zambrano has looked pretty decent since coming off his suspension. Since July 31st, Zambrano has pitched in 7 games in which he is 2-0 with a 2.60 ERA and a 1.66 WHIP. His control has been off a tad as he has walked 20 batters while whffing 19 in his last 27.2 innings but that’s nitpicking a bit as he somehow seems to keep getting himself out of trouble. He has now pitched in 29 games (13 starts) for the Cubs this year and he is 5-6 with a 4.64 ERA and a 1.68 WHIP.

]]> http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/08/28/carlos-zambrano-has-been-pitching-well-since-his-suspension-for-the-chicago-cubs/feed/ Lou Piniella steps down as the manager of the Chicago Cubs http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/08/23/lou-piniella-steps-down-as-the-manager-of-the-chicago-cubs/ http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/08/23/lou-piniella-steps-down-as-the-manager-of-the-chicago-cubs/#comments Mon, 23 Aug 2010 17:09:53 +0000 chinmusic http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/08/23/lou-piniella-steps-down-as-the-manager-of-the-chicago-cubs/ 66-year old manager Lou Piniella stepped down as the Cubs manager after yesterday’s game to go home and take care of some family matters as his mother is very ill in Florida. Piniella led the Cubs to a 51-74 record (40.8%) this year. In four years with the Cubbies, Piniella was 316-293 (51.9%). Piniella managed for 23 years in the majors and he finished with a career record of 1,835-1,713 (51.7%). His crowning achievement was when he led the Cincinnati Reds to a sweep of the heavily favored Oakland A’s of 1990. Sweet Lou will be missed in Chicago but here is to hoping that his family situation works out for the best. 3rd base coach Mike Quade will take over as the Cubs’ interim manager for the rest of the 2010 season.

]]> http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/08/23/lou-piniella-steps-down-as-the-manager-of-the-chicago-cubs/feed/ The Chicago Cubs might use somewhat of a platoon to replace Derek Lee at 1B http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/08/19/the-chicago-cubs-might-use-somewhat-of-a-platoon-to-replace-derek-lee-at-1b/ http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/08/19/the-chicago-cubs-might-use-somewhat-of-a-platoon-to-replace-derek-lee-at-1b/#comments Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:14:54 +0000 chinmusic http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/08/19/the-chicago-cubs-might-use-somewhat-of-a-platoon-to-replace-derek-lee-at-1b/ The Chicago Cubs probably won’t use a straight platoon of 31-year old righty swinging Xavier Nady and 30-year old lefty swinging Micah Hoffpauir at 1B because they want to showcase Nady for a possible deal in the last two weeks before rosters freeze for the playoffs. Nady has played in 80 games for the Cubs this year and he is 42 of 178 (.236 avg, .675 OPS) with 15 runs scored, 4 homers and 23 RBIs. Micah Hoffpauir has played in 3 games for the Cubs earlier this year and he was 0 for 7 (.000 avg) with 4 whiffs. He also has played in 113 games in AAA-ball this year in which he was 114 of 413 (.276 avg, .883 OPS) with 77 runs scored, 22 homers and 92 RBIs. Hoffpauir has played in 141 games in parts of three years with the Cubs and he is 81 of 314 (.258 avg, .760 OPS) with 42 runs scored, 12 homers, 43 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Neither of these guys will likely be the starting 1B for the Cubs in 2011.

]]> http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/08/19/the-chicago-cubs-might-use-somewhat-of-a-platoon-to-replace-derek-lee-at-1b/feed/ Blake DeWitt is off to a good start for the Chicago Cubs http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/08/19/blake-dewitt-is-off-to-a-good-start-for-the-chicago-cubs/ http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/08/19/blake-dewitt-is-off-to-a-good-start-for-the-chicago-cubs/#comments Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:10:23 +0000 chinmusic http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/08/19/blake-dewitt-is-off-to-a-good-start-for-the-chicago-cubs/ 24-year old lefty swinging 2B Blake DeWitt was one of the key players the Cubs got back in the Ted Lilly, Ryan Theriot trade with the Dodgers and he’s off to a fast start. He has played in 17 games for the Cubs now and he is 16 of 56 (.286 avg, .783 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 2 homers, 7 RBIs and 1 stolen bases. The power has been a nice surprise for the Cubs and they hope he keeps up the good work because the depleted Cubbies’ lineup needs all the help it can get right now.

]]> http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/08/19/blake-dewitt-is-off-to-a-good-start-for-the-chicago-cubs/feed/ It’s looking as if Marlon Byrd was a nice hire for the Chicago Cubs http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/08/19/its-looking-as-if-marlon-byrd-was-a-nice-hire-for-the-chicago-cubs/ http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/08/19/its-looking-as-if-marlon-byrd-was-a-nice-hire-for-the-chicago-cubs/#comments Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:07:54 +0000 chinmusic http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/08/19/its-looking-as-if-marlon-byrd-was-a-nice-hire-for-the-chicago-cubs/ I know that there were detractors when the Cubs signed 32-year old righty swinging outfielder Marlon Byrd but he has silenced his critics as this year. Byrd has played in 117 games for the Cubbies this year and he is 136 of 444 (.306 avg, .817 OPS) with 64 runs scored, 11 homers, 53 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Byrd has been a decent CF and he’s a very aggressive player in the field, at the plate and on the basepaths as he is fast becoming a fan favorite at Wrigley Field.

]]> http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/08/19/its-looking-as-if-marlon-byrd-was-a-nice-hire-for-the-chicago-cubs/feed/ The bloodletting continues as the Chicago Cubs trade Derek Lee to the Braves http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/08/18/the-bloodletting-continues-as-the-chicago-cubs-trade-derek-lee-to-the-braves/ http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/08/18/the-bloodletting-continues-as-the-chicago-cubs-trade-derek-lee-to-the-braves/#comments Wed, 18 Aug 2010 22:30:48 +0000 chinmusic http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/08/18/the-bloodletting-continues-as-the-chicago-cubs-trade-derek-lee-to-the-braves/ If this season couldn’t get any worse for the Cubs they have sent 34-year old 1B Derek Lee to the Braves for 19-year old righty starter/reliever Robinson Lopez, 23-year old righty reliever Tyrelle Harris and 22-year old lefty reliever Jeffrey Lorick. Lee played in 109 games for the Cubs this year and he was 105 of 418 (.251 avg, .751 OPS) with 63 runs scored, 16 homers and 56 RBIs. He played 7 years for the Cubs appearing in 924 games in which he was 1,046 of 3,514 (.298 avg, .903 OPS) with 578 runs scored, 179 homers, 574 RBIs and 51 stolen bases. The Cubs will likely use a lot of players to replace Lee at 1B the rest of this season. Look for the Cubs’ offense and defense to be weaker the rest of the year without Lee.

Robinson Lopez came into this season as the Braves’ #16 ranked prospect according to Baseball America. Lopez has pitched in 24 games (16 starts) in A-ball this year and he is 3-8 with a 4.37 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. He has now played in 35 games (24 starts) in his two years in the minors and he is 6-9 with a 3.31 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. Tyrelle Harris has pitched in 30 games (1 start) in A+AA-ball this year and he is 1-2 with 6 saves, a 2.90 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. Harris has whiffed 60 batters this year while allowing only 38 hits in 49 2/3 innings showing what kind of stuff he has. Harris has now pitched in 42 games (1 start) in his two years in the minors and he is 3-2 with 7 saves, a 2.42 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP. Jeffrey Lorick has pitched in 27 games (4 starts) in A-ball this year and he is 3-6 with 4 saves, a 2.24 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. He has now pitched in 44 games (7 starts) in his two years in the minors and he is 5-7 with 7 saves, a 2.95 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP.

This was a trade the Cubs had to make as they acquire three live arms for Lee. Still, Lee will be missed as he had a outstanding career for the Cubbies.

]]> http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/08/18/the-bloodletting-continues-as-the-chicago-cubs-trade-derek-lee-to-the-braves/feed/ The Chicago Cubs hope Carlos Zambrano shows something the rest of the year http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/08/12/the-chicago-cubs-hope-carlos-zambrano-shows-something-the-rest-of-the-year/ http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/08/12/the-chicago-cubs-hope-carlos-zambrano-shows-something-the-rest-of-the-year/#comments Thu, 12 Aug 2010 23:14:15 +0000 chinmusic http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/08/12/the-chicago-cubs-hope-carlos-zambrano-shows-something-the-rest-of-the-year/ The Chicago Cubs have replaced Ted Lilly in the starting rotation with 29-year old righty Carlos Zambrano. The Cubs hope that Zambrano finishes the 2010 season strong so that they can trade him over the winter. Zambrano has pitched in 26 games (10 starts) for the Cubs this year and he is 3-6 with a 5.46 ERA and a 1.79 WHIP. Big Z has allowed 79 hits and he has walked 36 batters in only 64 1/3 innings this season for the Cubs. But, he has also struck out 60 batters so I think his troubles are in his head right now. He still has the talent to excel as long as he can get motivated and stay focused like he has until this year in his career.

]]> http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/08/12/the-chicago-cubs-hope-carlos-zambrano-shows-something-the-rest-of-the-year/feed/ The Chicago Cubs trade Mike Fontenot to the Giants http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/08/11/the-chicago-cubs-trade-mike-fontenot-to-the-giants/ http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/08/11/the-chicago-cubs-trade-mike-fontenot-to-the-giants/#comments Thu, 12 Aug 2010 01:04:39 +0000 chinmusic http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/08/11/the-chicago-cubs-trade-mike-fontenot-to-the-giants/ The Cubs have traded 30-year old lefty swinging infielder Mike Fontenot to the Giants for 22-year old righty swinging outfielder Evan Crawford. Fontenot played in 75 games for the Cubs this year and he is 48 of 169 (.284 avg, .734 OPS) with 14 runs scored, 1 homer, 20 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He played in 422 games in his five years with the Cubs and he was 276 of 1,025 (.269 avg, .757 OPS) with 130 runs scored, 22 homers, 132 RBIs and 12 stolen bases. Crawford played in 109 games in A-ball for the Giants this year and he was 110 of 432 (.255 avg, .684 OPS) with 64 runs scored, 4 homers, 29 RBIs and 24 stolen bases. He has now played in 156 games in his two years in the minors and he is 164 of 612 (.268 avg, .706 OPS) with 101 runs scored, 5 homers, 59 RBIs and 38 stolen bases. Crawford doesn’t have a huge upside but he will bring speed to the Cubs’ organization.

]]> http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/08/11/the-chicago-cubs-trade-mike-fontenot-to-the-giants/feed/ The Chicago Cubs lose John Grabow for the year http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/08/11/the-chicago-cubs-lose-john-grabow-for-the-year/ http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/08/11/the-chicago-cubs-lose-john-grabow-for-the-year/#comments Thu, 12 Aug 2010 00:58:47 +0000 chinmusic http://www.cubslocker.com/2010/08/11/the-chicago-cubs-lose-john-grabow-for-the-year/ 31-year old lefty reliever John Grabow tore his medial collateral ligament in his left elbow on a rehab assignment ending his season. Grabow is done for the year for the Cubbies. He pitched in 28 games (0 starts) for the Cubs last season and he 1-3 with a 7.36 ERA and a 1.87 WHIP. In his two years with the Cubs, Grabow has pitched in 58 games (0 starts) in which he is 3-3 with 1 save, a 5.33 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP. The Cubs won’t miss Grabow as they are just playing out the string the rest of the way.

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