Very Sorry

I am very sorry I haven't been able update this past couple of weeks. My computer crashed and I just got it back from the repair shop last night so don't think I quit or anything like that. There has been a lot of rumors floating around the past couple of days, but since I am sure you guys have seen them all, there is no point in posting them. So, keep checking out the blog and I will have all the new Cubs news as soon as it happens!
Thanks for the cooperation
JC

Brewers 6 (9-4) Cubs 4 (5-8)

There was one good note today, as the Cubs fell to the division rivals Brewers, Mark DeRosa made his Spring Training debut after the successful surgery on his irregular heartbeat. Today we will start at the plate, not much going for us at the plate besides Aramis Ramirez, who had 2 doubles and 2 RBIs. After that the only other player who knocked in any runs was Josh Kroeger, who knocked in his third RBI of the Spring. Since there wasn't much at the plate we will shift our attention to the mound. Rich Hill started the game it that pretty much set the tone for the game. Hill lasted 2.2 innings and allowed 4 runs on 8 hits. After that ugly performance, Tim Lahey cam in as a reliever and pitched great, going 1.1 innings and not allowing a hit or a run. Kevin Hart closed out the game and even though he did not earn a save he pitched great not allowing a hit or a run either. Overall I am confused at how you can score 13 runs one game and then only score 4 the next. I hope this is not the way it goes in the regular season and especially opening day. The MVP for the day is close. It was between Aramis Ramirez and Tim Lahey, but I decided to give it to Aramis. Going 2-3 with 2 doubles and 2 RBIs, great job Aramis.

Cubs 13 (5-7) Royals 1 (5-6)

Wow what an explosion on offense the Cubs had. It all started in the 3rd inning when the Cubs scored 5 runs and after that there was only one inning in which the Cubs did not score. Since the offense did so great we will start out at the plate. Micah Hoffpauir went 3-3 and was a home run away from the cycle. Daryle Ward also had a great day at the plate going 4-4 with 3 RBIs. They weren't the only two who did awesome at the plate. Eric Patterson went 3-5 with a homer. Now to the mound, Ryan Dempster definitely locked up the third spot in the rotation today by going 4 innings and only allowing a single hit. After that the Cubs bullpen only allowed one hit and the Cubs easily beat the Royals. The player of the game was actually today the whole team. What a great game we played today, and hopefully it transfers over to the regular season.

Roberts Watch-Did not play

Report: Cubs Close To Trade For Coco Crisp

According to The Cub Reporter, there are reports surfacing that the Cubs will be trading Jason Marquis and Sam Fuld to the Boston for CF Coco Crisp. Last year Crisp batted .268 with 6 Hrs and an OBP of .330 thus completing one of his worst offensive seasons of his 6 year career. If this trade gets completed, lets hope he returns to the caliber of play he possessed with the Indians, when he had an avg. hovering around .300 during the 2004 and 2005 seasons. This report hasn't been confirmed by either team officials as of now. This trade works out well for both teams. Both would get rid of extra baggage and disgruntled players.

Cubs Cut Nine Players

The Cubs started setting their 4o-man roster today by cutting a few players by sending down a few players to the minors. The Cubs sent Billy Petrick and Tyler Colvin to the minors. The others were non-roster invitees, and they were assigned to the Minor League camp. The list includes right-handed pitchers Esmailin Caridad and Jose Ceda, left-hander Geoff Jones, outfielder Andres Torres, infielder Bobby Scales, and catchers Wellington Castillo and Josh Donaldson. Not really major news, but it is worth reporting.

Cubs Likely To Sell Naming Rights

I would never think the day would come where anyone would even think about talking about changing the name of Wrigley Field. Yet here we are, with a new owner, Sam Zell, and maybe a new name for the historic Wrigley Field. To me this is not right, you can't change the name. It has been that way for 92 years. I can live with renovations, which is what they plan on doing, but not changing the name. The Cubs plan on renovating the sky boxes, the restrooms, and the clubhouses. I just can't imagine another name other than Wrigley Field, I am not a big fan of Zell, never have liked him, now I never will, but just think of this, maybe a name like "Old Style Wrigley," or something that keeps Wrigley in the name. I just don't want to be like the Indians and the Mets who totally got a whole new name. Like "Progressive Field", the Indians have always had "Jacobs Field," that is historic, All I am saying is that there is no need to sell the name for an extra buck, I think it is ridiculous.

Cubs 6 (3-6) Mariners (4-4)

The Cubs finally get to hang the win flag today after a tough week of Spring Training games. Ted Lilly had a solid start today lasting 3 innings a single hit, a 2-run homer to Yuniesky Betancourt. After Lilly left the bullpen never really made any mistakes. The rest of the runs were surrendered by Kevin Hart. To the Plate, Daryle Ward hit his 1st homer of the Spring today off of Carlos Silva. Derrek Lee and Kosuke Fukudome both doubled off of Silva also. Ryan Theriot stole his third base of the Spring. Matt Murton probably had the best day today going 2-4 at the plate. Aramis Ramirez went 0-2 in his Spring Training debut.

Roberts Watch- 2-3

Cubs 4 (2-5) D-Backs(4-3)

Carlos Zambrano did about everything you could ask of your pitcher today, but still come away with a loss. Zambrano homered and pitched a perfect 3 innings of baseball, only allowing a single hit. Rich Hill came in and also pitched extremely well, going 3 innings and only allowing a single run to cross the plate. To the plate, Micah Hoffpauir also homered along with Luis Figueroa. Not much action in this one. The player of the game would have to be either Carlos Zambrano or Micah Hoffpauir, both did great.

Roberts Watch- Did not play

Cubs 6 (2-3) Mariners 5 (2-2)

The Cubs finally got their second win today. After a near comeback win yesterday the Cubs rebounded by beating the Mariners 6 to 5. The offense provided some pop today. Jake Fox provided most of it by going 2-5 with a double and a triple, and also knocked in a run. Ryan Theriot had the best day at the plate for the Cubs going 2-3, with a stolen base. Fukudome was hit by his second pitch of Spring Training today, the pitchers must not like him very much. Now to the mound. Jon Lieber made his 2008 Cubs Spring Training debut today. He showed signs of greatness, but by the end of his outing his ERA was 9.00, which is not very good. He pitched 2 innings and allowed 3 runs, all earned. After Lieber came Sean Marshall, and he pitched wonderfully. He lasted 2 innings as well, striking out 2 and allowing no hits and no runs. The bad on ly bad part of his performance was he walked two batters. Jeff Samardzija came and and got the win by pitching a perfect 2 innings, only allowing a single walk. The rest of the pitchers, Eyre, Lahey, and Howry combined to pitch the rest of the 3 innings, giving up a combined 6 runs, five of them allowed by Howry. Overall an impressive performance by both the Cubs pitchers and hitters.

Roberts Watch- Did not play
On the way to Chicago? Maybe!

Cubs And Orioles Talks Heating Up

Talks between the Cubs and the Orioles are finally picking up steam. SI.com is reporting that outfielder Jay Payton is now in the talks to go to Chicago with Roberts. The Orioles have been reportedly scouting the Cubs in recent Spring Training games. The Orioles have been eying pitchers Sean Marshall and Sean Gallagher, along with position players, Ronny Cedeno and Matt Murton. I say why give up even more prospects to Jay Payton? It does not make a lot of sense. Whatever it takes to get a deal done so we can stop getting new rumors everyday, I guess.

Giants 8 (2-3) Cubs 6 (1-3)

The Cubs are lucky this is only Spring Training. It was a pretty solid day for pitching, until Neal Cotts stepped on the mound in the 5th inning. Cotts had a terrible day. he pitched a third of an inning and somehow allowed 5 runs, all earned. Jose Ascanio then came in and pitched excellent. He pitched one inning and allowed no runs. Now to the plate, Felix Pie hit his second home run of Spring Training this one was off of Brad Hennessey. After Pie hit his, non-roster invite Andres Torres hit a homer off Jose Capellan. Both Eric Patterson and Alex Cintron had doubles today. Geovanny Soto had another solid day today, throwing out another base runner, he was also 1-2 at the plate. Fukudome made his Hohokam park debut today, but he had an off day going 0-3 with a base on balls. A late game comeback failed and the Giants prevailed. Today we will sadly raise the "L" flag.

Roberts Watch- 0-3

Marquis: Start Me Or Trade Me

Jason Marquis could not of made a bigger mistake today. After a terrible Spring Training start pitcher Jason Marquis has told management that he wants to be traded if he is not in the starting rotation. Here is what Marquis is thinking, "I love Chicago," Marquis said. "I definitely want to stay here. This is the place I want to be. I signed here for a reason. But I also signed as a starter, and I think that's where I help the team the most. Obviously we'll see what happens when it's time for [the Cubs] to make their decision." This is manager Lou Pinella's response, "Well, if that's the case, he can go somewhere else," Piniella said. "Win a spot in the rotation, you don't have to worry about it. ... I've got seven starters here for five spots, you know? It's a little bit too early to start talking about what he wants to do or not do...He can go somewhere else right now if he wants. How's that?" If i was Marquis I would not of said a single word. I would be happy to be a part of such a great ball club with so much history. I hope Marquis gets traded, because if he is going to start complaining he can say bye bye.

Pinella Wants Hendry Extended?

This is kind of old, but it is worthy of a post. Lou Pinella has spoken up and told management that he would like to have, GM, Jim Hendry's contract extended. With the sale likely to come next offseson, Pinella has said he would like to have all the management issues resolved before the offseason so they can focus on signing players, and improving the team. Here is what Pinella had to say,"He's on the last year of his contract," Piniella said. "He has done a heck of a job here. I've seen where other GMs have been extended. Why not ours?" I would love to have Hendry back, he has made some really bad moves before, but he has made more good trades than he has bad ones. For example, Jose Ceda for Todd Walker and Aramis Ramirez and Kenny Lofton for barely anything. Not to mention all the great free agent signings. I think he is worthy of an extension.

Angels 6 (2-0-1), Cubs 2 (1-2)

The Cubs had a really bad day at both the plate and the mound. Pitcher Jason Marquis did not start out the game very well. He allowed 3 hits, 2 runs, both earned runs, in 2 innings pitched. Like I said not very good. Kerry Wood came in, in the third inning and allowed 3 runs, all earned, all in 1 inning pitched. The rest of the pitchers that pitched for the Cubs only allowed 1 run and 4 hits over 5 innings. Now to plate. Jake Fox hit his first Spring Training homer today off of Jeff Kennard in the 6th inning, Fox also had 2 RBI's. Matt Murton impressed today going 3-3, and so did Soto, defensively. Soto threw out one of the fastest runners in the MLB, Chone Figgins, twice. Overall the Cubs could not stop Torii Hunter who went 2-2 with 1 homer and 4 RBI's.

Roberts Watch- Did Not Play

Angelos Gives MacPhail Green Light To Trade Roberts

Brian Roberts could very well soon become a Chicago Cubs. Orioles owner Peter Angelos has given GM Andy MacPhail the OK to trade Brian Roberts to another team, most likely the Cubs. Angelos is the person who has shot down about 5-10 trades scenarios that would of send Roberts here and about 5 prospects to the Orioles. This report has been verified by ESPN Radio's Bruce Levine. Hopefully now that Angelos has let MacPhail trade Roberts something will get done soon.

Giants 8 (1-1) Cubs 6 (1-1)

Not a very good day for Cubs pitching. Giants 3rd baseman Ryan Rohlinger hit a grand slam off of Les Walrond in the 8th inning, and outfielder Eddy Martinez-Esteve also homered off of non-roster invite Shingo Takatsu in the 7th inning. The Cubs bats had a spark in them today. Mike Fontenot, Luis Figueroa, and Casey McGehee all doubled. Fukudome was 0 for 1,and Soriano went 0 for 2 in his Spring Training debut. Non- roster invites Luis Figueroa and Casey McGehee had the most impressive days both going 2 for 2. Now to the pitching. Carlos Zambrano lasted 2 innings of shutout ball and had 2K's. Rich Hill took over after that and had a rocky day 2 innings and giving up 1 runs and 3 hits. Carlos Marmol closed out the game pitching a scoreless 9th inning.

Roberts Watch- 2-3, 1 double, 2 SB

Brian Roberts Trade Update

Some new developments in the Brian Roberts rumors. The Cubs sent scouts to the Orioles, Marlins Spring Training game on Thursday, and they could not of picked a better day to do it. Roberts smoked Marlin pitching by going 1 for 2 with a double. With DeRosa's recent heart condition, it points to an urgency in the Cubs to acquire Roberts. Most are thinking a deal could include Gallagher, Cedeno, and Jose Ceda or Donald Veal. A new name was thrown around today, Tony Thomas a speedy sceond baseman who we drafted 97 th overall in the 2007 draft.

Another note the Mets have expressed interest in Matt Murton, and it is unlikely that a deal will get done for Coco Crisp or Marlon Byrd because Murton alone would not get a deal done.

More hopefully to come!

Cubs 12 Giants 6

The Cubs kicked off the Spring Training games today, and boy was our offense eager to get to the plate. They exploded on the Giants with 12 runs. Pie and Fontenot both homered to give the Cubs 2 runs and the rest of the 10 were all RBIs. Ryan Dempster started the game, and was solid giving up only a homer to Randy Winn in the 1st inning. Dempster lasted 2 solid innings and then the bullpen took over. Gallagher pitched 2 solid innings also giving up only 1 earned run. Kevin Hart closed the game out, and the Cubs sealed the deal defeating the Giants 12 to 6.

DeRosa Update; Happy 33rd Mark

According to Mark DeRosa he is fine, but according to doctors DeRosa is not alright. DeRosa has been diagnosed with atrial arrhythmia. He is back in Chicago at the moment receiving treatment. For those of you who have no idea what atrial arrhythmia is the Chicago Tribune cleared it up a bit. They describe it as, "A type of irregular heartbeat doctors can correct with medication or a procedure with a heart catheter that involves burning off a pea-sized piece of heart tissue. The treatment has a 98 percent success rate and typically allows athletes to resume their normal routine within a couple of weeks." All that I know is that I want DeRosa, one of my favorite players on the Cubs, to be alright. For those of you who did not know this, Mark DeRosa is celebrating his birthday today, he will be turning 33.

Roberts Dealt Soon?

The Philadelphia Inquirer had an interesting tidbit today. They say that once the Orioles decide what pitchers they want that soon after the trade will be finalized. It had been reported before that the Orioles want to scout the Cubs in Spring Training to see who they want in return for Roberts. I am one of the fans who want Brian Roberts, but I want it done either now or very soon. I just want it done because I am sick of hearing about it.