The Cubs were pretty quite this past off-season. They didn’t make too many moves, and the ones that they did make were more to sure up the bench rather than to provide a punch to the lineup.

They were, however, able to get rid of last season’s big mistake. Milton Bradley will be ruining the Seattle Mariners this season, after his work of art in Chicago.

However, if you ask Bradley, it was Chicago that ruined him, not the other way around, just ask the wordsmith known as Milton.

“Two years ago, I played, and I was good. I go to Chicago, not good.”

So lets see if Bradley returns to “good” this season, it should be interesting.

However, the Cubs didn’t just get rid of Bradley, they also found a couple of players who will come in and be pivotal to helping the Cubs try to get back to the top of the NL Central. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s all good for Cubs fans, at least for now. The Cubs beat the Astros 12-3 on Thursday to close up a big four-game series, where the Cubs won three of the games.

The Cubs’ slamming of the Astros came after routing them 12-0 the day before. Everyone in the lineup is contributing, and you no longer hear anyone saying the word “slump.” Read the rest of this entry »

According to Chicago Tribune writer Paul Sullivan, the Cubs’ lone All-Star is likely heading to the disabled list.

“Oh gosh, we were just talking about getting [ Ryan] Dempster back,” manager Lou Piniella said. “We were happy about that, and all of a sudden, the Lilly situation [comes up]. It seems like every time we get a player, we lose one. But let’s see what the MRI says on Theodore, and we can go from there.”

Lilly has been the most consistent Cubs starter this season, going 9-7 with a 3.59 ERA. Read the rest of this entry »

The Cubs traded minor league pitcher Al Alburquerque to the Rockies for infielder Jeff Baker.

Baker has spent his career in Colorado but has only played consistently over two seasons.

He has spent most of this season on the DL thanks to troubles with his wrist, but he will be activated today and brought right to the majors. Read the rest of this entry »

First of all, I realize that this may never happen.

But Buster Olney of ESPN.com raised the possibility, so we should at least examine the opportunity.

According to Olney, the Boston Red Sox have a surplus of pitching and may use some of that to fill other needs that their ballclub has.

For example, Daisuke Matsuzaka is expected to return to the rotation soon, so Justin Masterson will likely go back to the bullpen.

And don’t forget, the Sox have John Smoltz waiting in the wings. Also, they have Clay Buccholz in the minors.

So, as Olney speculates, Brad Penny may become available at some point in the very near future. Read the rest of this entry »

The Chicago Sun-Times reported today that Cubs Chairman Crane Kenny anticipates payroll room to make moves around the July trading deadline.

This is good news for Cubs fans in that it gives the team a competitive advantage if the Cubs discover they need some help around midseason.

This also means that the sale of the team will be done by then. The Sun Times quotes Kenney as saying the Tribune and the Ricketts family are “very close to the terms of their deal,” which could be wrapped up in May.

While other teams react to the economy and talk about slashing payroll, the Cubs will be active bidders. Let’s take a quick look at who may be on the market by the deadline:

Jason Bay

I don’t think the Red Sox will trade Bay, as they are always in contention and Bay is a big part in their success. But he will be a free agent following the season and can play center field in a pinch. The Sox have been unable to get the former Buc signed to a long-term deal.

Erik Bedard

The left hander was injured for much of last season, but appears healthier this spring. If the Mariners fall out of contention, they could make him available. If the Cubs have injuries to their staff, or Sean Marshall doesn’t pitch well in the 5th starter role, this could be an interesting pick up.

Justin Duchscherer

The potential free agent is always a health concern, but if he is strong and pitching well, the A’s could look to move him rather than risk losing him after the season and getting nothing in return. Batters hit only .210 against him last year. Of course, the Cubs didn’t let an injury history stop them from acquiring another A’s pitcher last year.

Randy Johnson

If the Giants falter early, they could make the Big Unit available. While 46, Johnson did post a 2.41 ERA after the All-Star break last season with 78 strikeouts in 86 innings and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of nearly 5-to-1. The Cubs did express some interest in him over the winter, so who knows?

John Lackey

Lackey is eligible for free agency after the season and the Angels have been unable to sign him. It is doubtful that they would move him since they will almost assuredly be in contention, but it bears watching. He has been strong so far this spring.

Joe Beimel

The Nationals just signed the lefty relief specialist, who had a 2.02 ERA in 2008, but they could move him to a contender if they get the right young player in return. The Cubs need a southpaw for the bullpen, with only Neal Cotts available (assuming Marshall is in the rotation), and this need may be exasperated if Cotts pitches poorly.

Jake Peavy

The often rumored trade of Peavy to the Cubs just won’t die. It is very unlikely that new owner Tom Ricketts would sink so much money into Peavy, but we know the Padres will be looking for payroll flexibility. We also know that Jim Hendry likes Peavy. An injury to Carlos Zambrano or Rich Harden could force his hand.

-Bob Warja

Today’s Chicago Cubs signing didn’t make the headlines, but it may turn out to be an important signing for Cubs General Manager, Jim Hendry.

The Cubs have signed utility man, Esteban German, to a minor league contract.

I know, The name doesn’t make you jump out of your seat. The 31-year old German will likely fill out the Cubs roster as their 25th man.

Lou Piniella and Jim Hendry love versatility and that’s exactly what they’re getting from German.

A career .277 hitter, German played four different positions in 2008: short, third, second and left field.

The Royals released German last week. In 2008, he batted .245 with no home runs and 22 RBI in 89 games. German’s best year was 2006, when he batted .326 in 106 games.

Similar to a long relief pitcher eating up innings, German will be asked to fill many holes especially in those lopsided games or those long marathon extra inning ball games.

It doesn’t sound like a lot, but it’s very important to have a player like German in a 162 game season.

Don’t expect power from the former Royal. He has just seven career home runs in six seasons.

That said, he’s the type of player who will slap a base hit through a drawn in infield in the 15th inning. He will play four or five different positions in a four-hour ball game.

With Aaron Miles and Esteban German, the Cubs have two guys who can play at least four different positions.

The Cubs recently signed Corey Koskie to battle for the team’s last infield spot. If healthy, Koskie who hasn’t played since 2006 will provide more offense than German.

What he won’t provide is versatility.

I believe German wins the 25th man spot on this years Cubs team. It’s all about filling holes and the Cubs filled a hole with German.

-Pat DeMarco