A rebuild for the ages -|Chicago Cubs|-
 Chicago Cubs A team that the nation would almost unanimously love to see win a world series hasn't come close since the turn of the millennium and even than they hadn't played in the penultimate series in over fifty years, and haven't won for over a century. The Cubs have tried everything to rebuild, from quick fixes in big free agent signings to attempting some development, prospects such as Kerry Wood and Mark Prior have come through the system and a star was born in Sammy Sosa, but with a cracked bat and a misplaced fan the teams fortunes came to an end. The Cubs have occasionally contested for the NL Central but faded heavily and are drifting towards the bottom of the MLB, but with the signing of MLB genius Theo Epstein in a much publicized move the Cubs ushered in another new era of rebuilding. The process had been slow but in a recent move, Epstein has stated that with the 2014 season on the horizon that there would be a spree of moves to encourage team development this season and beyond, and with several players poised to be moved, this could prove to be quite an exciting season. |
Re: A rebuild for the ages -|Chicago Cubs|-
 Epstein announces moves that brings in several prospects The Cubs made a few key moves and good young prospects in the rough years leading up to the hire of Epstein. One of those draftees, Jeff Samardzija has been a hot topic in winter meetings and the team has finally retooled the squad to send the ex-Notre Dame product abroad. Albeit to a not much better situation. The San Diego Padres were the ones that emerged as favorites thanks to the offering of a young piece in Jedd Gyorko to head off at second base, immediately making Darwin Barney expendable, and with Gyorko having some more promise and youth on his side, it's not much of a risk, and it allows the team to extend one of their assets into the future somewhat. Gyorko isn't a star, but he will be a valuable piece for their future. Included were a few young pieces in Tyson Ross and Matt Wisler. Ross will feature a spot in the rotation immediately, fitting in as a third spot after Samardzija left a big hole at the top of the pitching rotation for the Cubs. Recalling to his old team which came fresh off a world series championship, the Cubs parted ways with one of their most consistent performers and one of their more questionable signings in one deal that retooled their roster for the future while the Red Sox got a few more pieces to make a play for their present. The Cubs sent Darwin Barney and Edwin Jackson to the Red Sox for a relief pitcher and a starting pitcher prospect. The Red Sox surprised many by surrendering Anthony Ranaudo to the Cubs, an excellent pitching prospect, he was expected to be a quality starter for the Red Sox down the road but he was the key component of the deal that brought talent now while giving the Cubs a young starter. As well, the Cubs will receive Edward Mujica to shore up a dilapidated bullpen which was a weak point for the Cubs last season. Mujica posted a 2.78 ERA and 37 saves for the Red Sox but was deemed expendable as he has reached the apex of his career and with a strong bull pen the Red Sox were ready to move on. The trade for Edwin Jackson gives them an expiring contract to fill the fifth slot in their pitching rotation to account for a declining Ryan Dempster, who falls out of the depth chart and very well could be done in the MLB. Jackson struggled to a 8-18 record and 4.98 ERA last season but with more support in Fenway he may prove to be more inclined to post better numbers. Darwin Barney won't contest for the starting job at second base but will see spot time at short stop and third base where young talents are still grasping the pacing of Major League play, and will be a key player of the bench, which should aid a deep run again. The Cubs in their final move during spring training made what would've once been considered a home run of a deal in trading for Bubba Starling of the Kansas City Royals but after a dismal 2013 season, his stock fell rapidly and as he approaches the age where some visible growth needed to be seen he found himself middling around in the low A leagues as opposed to reaching the double and triple A's as projected. The Royals opted to take some current talent and some future talent in the same time, when they received shortstop Torres, third baseman Mike Olt and starting pitcher James McDonald while surrendering Starling and Yordano Ventura. Ventura is another young potential ace to add the Cubs burgeoning stockpile of young pitching prospects. Theo Upstein and Rick Renteria will have their 40 man roster and lineups set to go in the coming days with all the moves coming into effect and shaping up the roster for opening day against Pittsburgh. |
Re: A rebuild for the ages -|Chicago Cubs|-
 Chicago Cubs release their lineups Starting Rotation Travis Wood 9-12 3.11 ERA 144 K Jason Hammel 7-8 4.97 ERA 96 K Tyson Ross 3-8 3.17 ERA 119 K Jake Arrieta 5-4 4.78 ERA 60 K Anthony Ranaudo (ROOKIE) Bullpen Junichi Tazawa (5-4) 3.16 ERA 72 K Edward Mujica (2-1) 2.78 ERA 46 K 37 S Pedro Strop (2-5) 4.55 ERA 66 K 1 S Wesley Wright (0-4) 3.69 ERA 55 K Blake Parker (1-2) 2.72 ERA 55 K 1 S James Russell (1-6) 3.59 ERA 37 K Carlos Villanueva (7-8) 4.06 ERA 103 K Jose Veras (0-5) 3.02 ERA 60 K 21 S *CLOSER* Catcher Wellington Castillo .274 8 HR 32 RBI John Baker .150 2 RBI 1st Base Anthony Rizzo .233 23 HR 80 RBI 2nd Base Jedd Gyorko .249 23 HR 63 RBI Arismendy Alcantarta ROOKIE 3rd Base Placido Polanco .260 1 HR 23 RBI Christian Villanueva ROOKIE Short Stop Starlin Castro .245 10 HR 44 RBI Left Field Junior Lake .284 6 HR 16 RBI Center Field Emilio Bonifacio .243 3 HR 31 RBI Justin Ruggiano .222 18 HR 50 RBI Right Field Nate Schierholtz .251 21 HR 68 RBI Batting Lineup Emilio Bonifacio Placido Polanco Starlin Castro Jedd Gyorko Anthony Rizzo Nate Schierholtz Welington Castillo Junio Lake |
Re: A rebuild for the ages -|Chicago Cubs|-
 Cubs start out season with victory ; than swept Traveling to take on a Pittsburgh Pirate squad coming off the best season in recent history, the Cubs had almost no expectations for this first match up, and despite not having much hope for a victory, the Cubs notched a crucial victory in their opening match up. Emilio Bonifacio had a huge start and proved to be a true reason to be the Cubs lead off batter this season going 4-5 with a RBI, while Wellington Castilo added 2 hits and 3 RBIs as the Cubs ran away with a 9-5 victory over the Pirates in large to a surreal 16 hit performance that overcame two Cub errors en route to a victory. Travis Wood allowed three earned in his season debut as the top Cubs pitcher, posting a 4.76 ERA in 5.2 Innings pitched, allowing 4 hits with three of those hits turning into points. Tazawa posted a perfect inning and a third going for one strike out and no hits, while Edward Mujica struggled mightily in his one inning, allowing 3 hits and 2 earned, leading the Cubs to bring in Villanueva who allowed one hit to close down the game. Cole on the flip side posted a solid game, going for 6 innings and posting a 3 ERA, including 2 strike outs on 2 earned runs, where the Pirates felll apart despite taking a 3-2 lead heading into the final pair of frames, was the eigth, where Melancon, Wilson and Watson couldn't last the inning, each allowing 2 earned runs and posting a 54 ERA as they would be pulled. Jason Hammel pitched his first game as a Cub and lost a hard fought one in a 3-4 decision, Hammel ended up getting blown up in the sixth inning allowing 3 earned after allowing only 1 run and 2 hits through the first five innings, Parker pitched the final two innings allowing two hits and no runs, but the Pirates whom built their lead upon their 3 run burst in the sixth were able to hold on, Grilli earned his first save of the year. Tyson Ross becomes the first Cubs starter to pick up a win in this young season with his victory over the Pirates, as the Cubs shut out the Pirates in a 2-0 decision, led in a big way by Jed Gyorko who broke the dead lock in the fourth with a two run shot that would serve as the only score on the afternoon. Tyson Ross went 5.2 innings before getting the hook and struck out 3 allowing no earned and Jose Veras earned his first save of the year. Series Summary Cubs 9 @ Pirates 5 WP: Junichi Tazawa (1-0) LP: Mark Melancon Cubs 3 @ Pirates 4 WP: Fransisco Liriano LP: Jason Hammel (0-1) Cubs 2 @ Pirates 0 WP: Tyson Ross (1-0) LP: Wandy Rodriguez The Cubs than returned to the friendly confines with a three game slate that likely brought back many memories of the past season as the Cubs would be smashed in their own home, the Phillies posted a 3 game sweep of the Cubs in the friendly confines, that concluded with a 1-10 rout in the conclusive game of the series against Travis Wood. Anthony Ranaudo made his first major league start and was beat up to 5 earned runs in 5 innings pitched to post a 9 ERA in his first major league go about, a forgettable endeavor, he posted 4 strike outs and allowed 6 hits, while Edward Mujica redeemed himself by posting 3 shut out innings, Kendrick allowed 3 earned, but would go into the sixth and lead to Papelbon earning his second have of the year. Placido Polanco added a triple, the Cubs first of the season, while Jimmy Rollins picked up a home run. In the second game of the series, no balls left the park, but there was definitely a lot of balls hit into play and despite posting 2 errors and 2 less hits, the Phillies managed to stave off the Cubs and win in a crucial victory for a Philiadelphia squad whom came into the series winless. Hernandez allowed only 1 earned in six innings of duty and rung up eight Cubs batters, while Carlos Villanueva had a respectable 2 earned performance while going 5, but the Cubs couldn't hold on as Wright would succumb in the eighth to allow a score. Three Phillies would homer in their final game of the series, including former Cub Marlon Byrd who also had a double as the Philadelphia bats came alive for 14 hits and 10 runs. Cliff Lee would go the entire 9 innings allowing only 1 earned and striking out 8. While Travis Wood would allow 4 earned in 5 innings on 6 hits and would ultimately be pulled for Tazawa who would yield 5 more earned in a single inning, shooting his ERA up. Series Summary Phillies 5 @ Cubs 4 WP: Kyle Kendrick LP: Anthony Ranaudo (0-1) Phillies 3 @ Cubs 2 WP: Brad Lincoln LP: Wesley Wright (0-1) Phillies 10 @ Cubs 1 WP:Cliff Lee (CP) LP: Travis Wood (0-1) |
Re: A rebuild for the ages -|Chicago Cubs|-
 Hot start leads to three sweeps When hearing about a hot start, one would expect that the momentum would continue and with the Cubs their momentum took the form of a winning series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, holding a 4-2 record against their NL Central foes in this young season. Jason Hammel continued to struggle in the Cubs second loss to the Pirates of the season but Edward Mujica helped stave off a furious rally by the Pirates in game two of the series starter Arrieta was pulled allowing two home runs early in the contest, the Cubs rallied and won off a Starlin Castro walk off single. Continuing an early trend where the starters aren't holding onto their decisions, James Russell picks up his first win on the season after Tazawa blew a save that was set up by Pedro Strop which sent the game into extras, but the Cubs emerged victorious thanks in large to an error in the 12th inning that allowed a double that set up the game winning hit off the right field wall that brought a celebrating Cubs side onto the field. That would be their last win for ten games and for four series, being swept out of three and falling 1-3 in their four game series against the Diamond Backs. Opening the sweeps was the Cardinals, the Cubs traveled to Busch stadium and didn't put up much of a fight against a team that made it to the World Series last year, Jamie Garcia went the distance, pitching nine shut out innings while allowing 5 hits, not allowing the Cubs to cross home plate once, Villanueva had a solid outing for the Cubs allowing 3 earned in 6.2 innings, but when the offense isn't producing it's hard to pull out a victory. After two games, the Cubs still hadn't scored, as the Cubs who were stuck in a 0-0 dead lock heading into the 11th inning watched as Edward Mujica collapsed and surrendered a run in the home half of the elventh inning, ending another game in defeat for the Cubs. The Cubs went 21 innings without scoring against the Cardinals, that streak ended in the fourth inning when Anthony Rizzo knocked a home run into the nearest stands to the field, on a line drive shot that would bring the Cubs to a 1-2 deficit, that would extend to 1-8 by the seventh inning, and an 8th inning rally led by Starlin Castro would yield 3 points but wouldn't overcome the 7 run deficit as the Cubs fall in a sweep for a 4-8 deficit. The Cubs traveled to the Bronx and to face a familiar face in Alfonso Soriano, and Soriano would impress in the first game, with a home run and a double as the Yankees powered past Jake Arrieta and the Chicago Cubs with Michael Pineda picking up win number two on the season. Rookie Anthony Ranaudo would take the field against the Yankees in the second game of the series and after yield five runs he would end up as the losing pitcher, with the Cubs offensive woes continuing and unable to surprass the five run mark yet again as they bowed out. Pitching on short rest, the Reds once again drew Anthony Ranaudo as Renteria had a rather unexplained pitching rotation change that brought in his young pitcher on short rest and he would get lit up for seven earned through four innings, and the Reds who look poised for a run at the Central crown, blew past the Cubs, behind Phillips, Heisey and Ludwicks home runs, Heisey had a 2 run shot and Ludwick had a 3 run shot. Travis Wood lined up as the top ace on the squad but his stats aren't quite so reflective, and in only 4 innings, Wood would surrender 9 hits and 4 earned as the Reds piled the runs on against a helpless Cubs squad that once again couldn't bring about the runs that were needed to pick up a vital win, their losing streak continuing. Concluding the sweep, Johnny Cueto went 8 innings and shut out the Cubs as Jason Hammel picks up the loss with allowing only 2 earned. The Cubs in the middle of a losing home stand welcomed the Diamond Backs and Daniel Hudson did what he has been doing all season, win. Tyson Ross would pick up another loss as the Cubs fell 2-5 against the Diamondbacks, Trumbo would hit a three run home run and Goldschimdt would hit in a RBI in the eighth to extend the lead. The Cubs had a 2-1 lead in the fourth but would allow 4 runs as the Diamond Backs emerged the victors. Jake Arrieta continues his early season struggles, and his 5.68 ERA is reminiscient of that, as the Cubs would be blanked once again against the Diamond Backs, in a 0-6 decision against a 4-1 Brandon McCarthy who is averaging only 2.18 Earned runs, he would strike out 7 Cubs on the day, a season high. Finally on the 23rd of April, the Cubs would win. With Wesley Wright outshining Wade Miley and a big 4 run inning against Miley would spell the end of the losing streak after 10 games, Anthony Rizzo had a two run double and would be batted in by Villanueva two bats later. Just as quickly as their losing streak had ended, the Cubs returned to their losing ways, getting shut out for a second time in the series in a 0-7 rout at the hands of a familiar face in Bronson Arroyo, the ex-Reds pitcher has settled in quite nicely with the Diamondbacks and is posting an impressive 2.09 ERA. The Cubs head into the final two series of the month at 5-16; the worst record in the MLB and while it was expected that the Cubs would struggle, the team will likely be looking to make some moves, this has been a historically bad month for the Cubs and this was a team that had some hopes of at least posting a .500 record this season. Pitching has been awful and the bats haven't been producing, something has to give in Wrigley. |
Re: A rebuild for the ages -|Chicago Cubs|-
 Cubs drop 2 series to close out the month As expected in a horrible month, the Cubs in their final two series of the month, both road affairs against NL Central foes would fall 1-2 in both series, the Cubs would pick up a series opening win against the Brew Crew in Jason Hammel's first victory as a Cub, a 8-3 rout that saw the Cubs finally circumvent that five run ceiling that has alluded the Cubs for all season. Schierholtz especially had a huge game, hitting a 3 run homer and hitting in an extra run in the eighth inning to extend the Cubs lead to 7. The Cubs would than drop three straight, including the two final games against the Brewers. Tyson Ross picks up his second loss as the Cubs fell on the wrong side of a rout, Ryan Braun would pile on with a home run that brought in three Brewers in the fourth inning that cut Tyson Ross's outing short. Another late inning fiasco saw Edward Mujica once again surrender a late inning lead, as the Cubs would fall in the 12th inning in a 1-1 game after Jake Arrieta posted a beautiful game that included 10 strike outs and allowing only 1 earned in his no decision. Mujica would yield a run on only 2 hits in an inning and a half of work. Anthony Ranaudo still has yet to win in the majors and will likely be demoted come the end of the month as roster changes are sure to follow, and it hasn't been pretty for the young pitcher, who ended up allowing 4 runs (although none were scored as earned) and would be pulled earning his fourth loss of the month and the Cubs really had no shot of victory in this one.Falling 5-10. Travis Wood would pick up the first win of the season for him as the Cubs win 2-1 behind a strong 7 inning performance from their starting pitcher who showed the glimpses of what the Cubs hope he can be. He has to grow still but this performance is just some proof that he has some signs of greatness in him. Finally, the Cubs would end the month in just a bad way, as the Cubs realize now why Tazawa was likely waived in the first place, blowing a second save in the Cubs 3-4 loss to the Reds, the Cubs had undefeated JJ Hoover against the ropes when Tazawa came in, to a 3-1 lead and succumbed in a big way allowing 3 runs in the final frame as the Cubs dip to a new low and fall to 7-20 in the month of April. |
Re: A rebuild for the ages -|Chicago Cubs|-
 Epstein active in early season movements after horrible opening month The time is now for a prospect and another trade rings in another month of Cubs baseball that left little to be excited for this season following one of the worst months in recent history that would ultimately spell another 100 loss season if things couldn't be turned around. The Cubs major league has struggled majorly as the minor league squad developed and sometimes it becomes apparent that a change is needed, and the Iowa Cubs will have some large changes as the Cubs moved players around in attempt to juxtapose a squad together that can prove to have some winning elements and accentuate the 'tradable' talent that Epstein has managed to cull fourth from free agency to further empower the minor league system.   The Cubs had hopped that Placido Polanco would be a worthwhile addition that could hold down the roster spot for this season and allow a youngster to take over next year, but after batting just .171 with 4 fielding errors in a single month, the Cubs announced they were buying out the remainder of his contract and he was waived where he wasn't signed, Polanco is expected to retire. The Cubs also brought up hot hitting Josh Vitters to the major league squad, Vitters batted .389 in a month of AAA play and the Cubs hope to bring him off the bench in pinch hitting situations and utilize him for days off in the outfield to allow for rest.  The Cubs send new comer Edward Mujica who struggled in a large way in the NL back to the AL to join the Devil Rays as their best option from their bull pen, while the Cubs add Brett Jackson (OF) and veteran Jon Baker (C) to the deal and in turn also got relief pitcher Juan Oviedo (who the Rays were also looking to deal) and youngster Guerrieri who will pitch in the AA's. |
Re: A rebuild for the ages -|Chicago Cubs|-
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