http://www.thedailycub.com A Chicago Cubs Baseball Blog Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:41:17 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I'm not the only one pleased with the direction the "new" Cubs are taking. Former baseball GM Jim Bowden came out in favor of Theo and Jed's winter moves on ESPN. While I still have cringe-inducing memories of Bowden as GM of my "other" team, the Nationals -- namely his man-crush ... http://www.thedailycub.com/2012/01/11/throwing-praise-cubs-way/ Chicago Cubs fans got a belated Christmas gift with the trade of Carlos Zambrano to the Miami Marlins for Chris Volstad. As far as the Cubs' on-field fortunes are concerned, the deal means little. Both pitchers are back-end-of-the-rotation guys. After a promising rookie season in 2008 (2.88 ERA), Volstad has ... http://www.thedailycub.com/2012/01/05/cleaning-house-was-never-so-much-fun/ As we wile away the winter days, waiting for the start of Spring Training, let's examine some important issues facing the Chicago Cubs, both near-term and long-term. In the first installment of WDWGFH, let's look at one of the Cubs' biggest long-term issues -- the Friendly Confines, Wrigley Field. To get ... http://www.thedailycub.com/2011/12/30/where-do-we-go-from-here-part-1/ Finally put the finishing touches on the latest book and now can return to my "other" passion. Say this for the Cubs new regime -- it's grounded in reality. No proclamations about how we're going for it in 2012. No scoffing at the thought of rebuilding. Nope, the Cubs' new honchos know full ... http://www.thedailycub.com/2011/12/27/reality-sets-in/ There is only one real plum left in the free agent class among hitters -- a very plump and scruffy plum who would fill a gaping hole in the Cubs' lineup. While the Cubs could certainly use Prince Fielder, the question is should they plunk down $200 million-plus to obtain ... http://www.thedailycub.com/2011/12/14/prince-fielder-do-we-want-him/ Obviously desperate for a hitter who doesn't have Lyle Alzado-like testosterone levels or is seeking Albert Pujols-like dollars, the Milwaukee Brewers signed Aramis Ramirez Monday to a three-year contract. As much as the Crew needs an offensive jolt in light of Ryan Braun's suspension and Prince Fielder's imminent departure, this probably ... http://www.thedailycub.com/2011/12/12/now-can-we-interest-you-in-carlos-zambrano/ After taking two out of three games in their first series against the Cubs, the White Sox were able to rattle Carlos Zambrano's cage enough to give him a mental breakdown and get him taken out after one inning and an altercation with Derek Lee in the dugout. In the first ... http://www.thedailycub.com/2010/06/25/crosstown-rivalry-white-sox-get-to-carlos-zambrano/ The Chicago Cubs may have made one of the more lopsided trades in recent memory when they shipped troubled player Milton Bradley for supposedly over-paid under-performing Carlos Silva. Well, he was under-performing. Coming into this season, a lot of people were expecting nothing out of Silva. He was going to be ... http://www.thedailycub.com/2010/06/11/carlos-silva-is-there-any-chance-you-were-expecting-this/ Yesterday, the Chicago Cubs took what, to many, was a big reach when they took Hayden Simpson with their first round pick. Through two days, the Cubs have taken 18 pitchers, six outfielders, four infielders and two catchers. So now that Day Two is complete, who has been picked by the Chicago ... http://www.thedailycub.com/2010/06/09/mlb-draft-day-2-a-look-at-the-chicago-cubs-picks/ The Chicago Cubs have a history of reaching for draft picks in the first round. They did so again this season when they took Hayden Simpson, expected to be a second to fifth round pick, with the 16th pick of the first round. Hayden went 13-1 in 15 starts for ... http://www.thedailycub.com/2010/06/07/mlb-draft-day-cubs-take-hayden-simpson-with-first-pick/