Spring '09 - Game Two Preview (updated)

The Cubs face the Brewers in Mesa at 2pm CT. Sean Marshall gets the first couple innings against Yovani Gallardo. Available for work after Marshall are Neal Cotts, Chad Fox, Chad Gaudin, Angel Guzman, Kevin Hart, Carlos Marmol and Mike Stanton (source).

Lou will probably put out some regulars who didn't play on Wendesday, including Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano Milton Bradley*. I'll update later when line-ups are announced.

Here are the starters for the Cubs:

Gathright (CF)
Miles (2B)
Bradley (RF)
Aramis (3B)
Hoffpauir (LF)
Fox (1B)
Bako (C)
Barney (SS)

No DH, pitchers are hitting. For Milwaukee it is Weeks/Duffy/Hardy/Braun/Cameron/Rivera/Nelson/McGehee

Casey McGehee is an ex-Cub. Good to see Darwin Barney getting in a game already. Fox and Hoffpauir are clearly being given extended looks this Spring. Hoffpauir should have the edge.

*lame excuse for the brain cramp: I'm under the weather

Housekeeping - Cubs Sign All 0-3's Early

According to a press release at Cubs.com, the Cubs' front office took care of some business. "0-3" players are anyone with the aforementioned years of experience in the majors (minus the super twos, who become arbitration eligible "early") that are on the current 40-man roster. The deadline doesn't come until March 11, but why wait, it isn't like these guys have any leverage.

For the Cubs, the 40-man includes the following 0-3 players (source):

Right-handed pitchers Jose Ascanio, Mitch Atkins, Justin Berg, Angel Guzman, Kevin Hart, Carlos Marmol, Marcos Mateo, David Patton, Jeff Stevens and Randy Wells.

Left-handed pitcher Sean Marshall.

Catchers Koyie Hill and Geovany Soto.

Infielders Mike Fontenot, Micah Hoffpauir and Ryan Theriot.

Outfielders Jake Fox, Sam Fuld, Richie Robnett and Brad Snyder.

That's a lot of good, cheap, controlled talent. The minimum for a 2009 big league contract is $400,000 ($65,000 for most minor leaguers listed above).

Spring '09 - Game One Preview (updated twice)

Alright, it is time for a "game". Sure, it's just the first exhibition game, but it's a game. WGN Radio has it at 1:30, first pitch 2:05 - Cubs and Dodgers in Mesa.

Based on various reports at Cubs.com, here's a little bit of who to expect. I'll add more if/when I find them. Press Pass is out...

Cubs Pitching
Jeff Samardzija (2 innings)
Mitch Atkins (2 innings)
Esmalin Caridad (sleeper pick for bullpen)
Ken Kadokura (Welcome to the States)
J.R. Mathes (Good year in Iowa, played some Winter ball)
David Patton (Rule V pick, probably end up returned, despite what I said in THT 2009 Preview)
Jeff Stevens (DeRosa trade)
Jason Waddell (minor league free agent pick-up)

Cubs Batters
Mike Fontenot
Derrek Lee
Geovany Soto
Ryan Theriot

Birthday Boys
Brenly and Santo

Line-Ups

Cubs
Soriano (LF)
Theriot (SS)
Lee (1B)
Hoffpauir (DH)
Soto (C)
Fontenot (2B)
Johnson (CF)
Robnett (RF)
Scales (3B)

LA
Pierre (LF)
Ausmus (C)
Ethier (RF)
Loney (1B)
Blake (3B)
Kemp (CF)
DeWitt (2B)
Young (DH)
Abreu (SS)

Could Bobby Scales get a real look as the back-up for Aramis?

Billy Petrick Lands in Indy Ball

The Cubs parted ways with Billy Petrick this Winter, but he didn't go far:

Crestwood, IL - The Windy City ThunderBolts professional baseball team, 2007 and 2008 Frontier League Champions, has announced the signing of right-handed pitcher Billy Petrick to a contract for the 2009 season. Petrick will be entering his eighth season of professional baseball this summer, highlighted by pitching in eight games for the Chicago Cubs in 2007.

Petrick was throwing fastballs around 91/92 mph during that brief stint in the majors.

Cubs Spring Has Sprung

Feels good to read this:

MESA, Ariz. -- Ken Kadokura, a 13-year veteran of the Nippon Professional Baseball League, threw about 50 pitches off the mound on Thursday. Chad Gaudin threw his share, as well. Both are hoping the early work helps them secure spots on the Cubs' roster this year.

Pitchers and catchers officially report on Friday to Fitch Park, but several Cubs got a head start the day before, including Geovany Soto, Kevin Gregg, Jeff Samardzija, Neal Cotts, Kevin Hart, Randy Wells, Jake Fox, Koyie Hill, and Wellington Castillo.

It has been a long Winter.

2009 Season Preview Shipping

The Hardball Times Season Preview 2009 has hit the loading docks. If I said anything wrong about the Cubs, I'll blame the editors. I was lucky enough to be given a chance, post-deadline, to update the chapter after some big trades were made (Milton Bradley, for example).

A Little Spring '07 Video to Get the Blood Flowing

Baseball is almost here. Here's a warm-up video, h/t Towel Drills

For the Last Time, Aaron Miles is NOT the Cubs Second Baseman

You'd think the so-called beat reporter at cubs.com would have a clue, but we all know she doesn't.

In the projected line-up, Muskat has Aaron Miles batting 2nd and playing 2nd. The Cubs have said he's not there to take the starting job away from Fontenot. He'll platoon against lefties and pick-up ABs around the infield. Somehow, a lot of folks think he's DeRosa's replacement, while it was Fontenot's success that made it easy, and wise, to trade DeRosa.

While no one is outright handing Fontenot the job, this situation is not news - unless you've been asleep for a month.

Good, Stay There, Aurilia

I have to admit, I was still a little curious about the Cubs and Rich Aurilia. Curious as in "why would they do that?". Well, looks like the Giants are making a play to keep the veteran corner infielder:

In a bid to add infield depth, the Giants have offered a minor-league contract to Rich Aurilia worth about $1 million if he makes the team. Aurilia, who just completed a two-year, $8 million deal with the Giants, would provide a right-handed alternative at first base to left-handers Travis Ishikawa or John Bowker against lefty pitchers.

Right-handed hitting first-baseman.

That assumes the Giants do not add third baseman Joe Crede, which would result in Pablo Sandoval playing first base. KPIX television reported the Giants have offered Crede a one-year deal.

Does this mean I still have to worry about Jim Hendry trying to sign Aurilia? Especially since moving Cedeno could supposedly trigger the Cubs to make the signing? Even though Aurilia wouldn't be there to play short (per Ken Rosenthal)?

Cubs Add a Minor League Catcher

The Cubs picked-up Shawn McGill from the Lincoln Saltdogs:

McGill, who will turn 25 at the end of February, took over as Lincoln's starting catcher in late May and went on to post an outstanding 2008 season. The Rhode Island native hit .299 with nine home runs and 43 RBI on the year. His nine homers tied him for the active team lead, and he led the team outright in triples (six) and times hit by pitch (16). Shawn ranked second on the squad in RBI and walks as well. McGill also showed versatility in the field, appearing as an outfielder in 18 games. After the season, he was ranked by Baseball America as the fourth-best prospect in independent minor-league baseball, as well as the top American Association prospect and the top independent catching prospect.

You always need lots of catchers in camp, but McGill could also be useful down the road.

Crowded Race for Cubs Bullpen (and Rotation - 2/2 update)

With the 40-man roster and the 21 NRI, the Cubs big league camp will have plenty of arms going.

Here's what I've got as of 1/21 1/30 2/2

*NRI
starter
starter candidate

LHP (9)

Eduardo Campusano*
Neal Cotts
Ted Lilly
Sean Marshall
J.R. Mathes*
Matt Smith*
Mike Stanton*
Jason Waddell*
Bill White*

RHP (23)

Jose Ascanio
Mitch Atkins
Justin Berg
Esmailin Caridad*
Andrew Cashner*
Ryan Dempster
Chad Fox*
Chad Gaudin
Kevin Gregg
Angel Guzman
Rich Harden
Kevin Hart
Aaron Heilman
Ken Kadokura*
Carlos Marmol
Marcus Mateo
David Patton
Rocky Roquet*
Jeff Samardzija
Jeff Stevens
Luis Vizcaino
Randy Wells
Carlos Zambrano

Wuertz to Oakland

Hendry seems to like Andy and Billy, so he does a lot of business with the O's and A's as a result. After sending Rich Hill to Balitmore, the Cubs have traded Michael Wuertz to Oakland, according to the AP:

In the Oakland deal, the Cubs received outfielder Rich Robnett and infielder Justin Sellers.

For a "last" look at Wuertz, see my post at Beyond the Boxscore.

Cubs Over Hill

Finally, Rich Hill finds a new home. For now. If Baltimore doesn't keep him on the active roster, he'll either need to be traded to another team or clear waivers to be sent to the minors.

Hill is one of the most, if not the most, frequent subjects of mine. Whether it be PITCHf/x or his foibles in Venezuela, it's all right here.

No Cubs in Mexicali for Caribbean Series

Winter Ball wraps-up this week with the round-robin Caribbean Series. No Cubs players (minor league or otherwise) are participating, according to the current rosters.

Dominican Republic
Mexico
Puerto Rico
Venezuela


Play starts Monday at 4pm Chicago time. The MLB Network is carrying the games. You can also buy an online package, which I believe will be en Español.