CUBS SIGN FREE AGENT SORIANO

June 9,2015

The Cubs have shored up their bullpen by signing free agent reliever RAFAEL SORIANO to a minor league contract. Soriano pitched for the Nationals last year and had remained a free agent despite the dearth of talent in some major league pens. Cubs skipper Joe Madden knows Soriano well from his days that he relied on Soriano as a setup man out of the Tampa Bay bullpen.

Sources indicate Soriano signed a $4 million dollar contract (prorated) with an additional $4 million in incentives potentially available.

MADDEN GETS 800th WIN IN SWEEP OF METS

May 15,2015

Excitement is building in Chicago. Manager JOE MADDEN notched his 800th career win in Thursday Afternoon's 6-5 win over the NY Mets. The Cubs swept the three game series, exciting the fan base who have high expectations after ownership brought in Madden to manage the blue chip young batters on the Cubs roster.
With number 800 Madden ranks 8th among active Major League managers.

Riots Create an Empty Stadium

Wednesday, 4/29/15.

Baltimore, the community unrest, resulting in riots and widespread looting, had cancelled Tuesday's game between the White Sox and the Orioles at Camden Yards. On Wednesday team and league officials have decided to not cancel the game, but to close the gates to the public, in order to save the City of Baltimore from having to pull over 200 police officers from the front lines of the turmoil. Earlier in the week the Maryland Governor had requested additional police officers from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York to respond and assist the law enforcement presence in downtown Baltimore. 

Prior to last nights game with an Official attendance of zero, the MLB record low was six. Players and broadcasters described the experience as surreal.

The Cubs will promote top prospect Kris Bryant

Several sources have indicated that top prospect KRIS BRYANT (3B) will join the club for this weekends series against the Padres.

RAIN OUT

Cubs and Cardinals, Tuesday game in Chicago is officially called.

CHICAGO CUBS

2015 PROJECTED STARTERS

As of 4/6/2015;

Catcher:                                    MIGUEL MONTERO                               L/R  Age 31

First Base:                                ANTHONY RIZZO                                   L/L  Age 25

Second Base:                            TOMMY LA STELLA                              L/R  Age 26

Third Base:                               MIKE OLT                                                R/R Age 26

Shortstop:                                 STARLING CASTRO                               R/R Age 25

Left Field                                  CHRIS COUGHLAN                                L/R Age 29

Center Field:                             DEXTER FOWLER                                  S/R Age 29

Right Field:                              JORGE SOLER                                          R/R  Age 23  

Batter Bench Notable:              ARISMENDY ALCANTARA                  S/R  Age 23

Starting Pitcher 1:                     JON LESTER                                            L/L Age 31

Starting Pitcher 2:                     JAKE ARRIETA                                       R/R Age 29

Starting Pitcher 3:                     JASON HAMMEL                                    R/R Age 32

Starting Pitcher 4:                     TRAVIS WOOD                                       R/L Age 28

Starting Pitcher 5:                     KYLE HENDRICKS                                R/R Age 25

Closer:                                      HECTOR RONDON                                R/R Age 27

Pitcher Bench Notable:            JASON MOTTE                                       R/R Age 32

NOTABLE INJURIES:            CHRIS DENORFIA is the Cubs only significant injury going into 2015.

PROJECTION:  3RD in NL Central. Projected wins - 81

MVP:                                        KRIS BRYANT

POTENTIAL ROOKIE IMPACT: Tremendous, between KRIS BRYANT, JAVIER BAEZ (Technically not a rookie), ADDISON RUSSEL and JORGE SOLER, its a good bet the NL rookie of the year will be a Cub.

COMMENTS:  Although starting the year in AAA, KRIS BRYANT will be with the club as soon as the lineup struggles. The Cubs will be contenders with this crop of young hitters for years to come.

NATIONAL OPENING NIGHT

CARDINALS AT CUBS

Last night at 8pm EST the MLB season officially opened in Chicago. A cold night a perfect setup for a much anticipated pitcher's duel between ADAM WAINWRIGHT and JON LESTER.

The weather certainly seemed to be a factor as the Cardinals eeked out a 3-0 win, with lots of hitting in very timely moments. The Cubs despite having opportunities could not cash in.

Both pitchers were subject to strict pitch counts/innings limits, especially with the temperture approaching the 30s.

MATT HOLLIDAY drove in two, and ADAM WAINWRIGHT and TREVOR ROSENTHAL combined for the Win/Save combination.

DEXTER FOWLER was a bright spot in the Cubs lineup.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

2015 PROJECTED STARTERS

As of 4/6/2015;

Catcher:                                    TYLER FLOWERS                             R/R  Age 29

First Base:                                 JOSE ABREU                                     R/R  Age 28

Second Base:                            MICAH JOHNSON                             L/R  Age 24

Third Base:                               CONOR GILLASPIE                          L/R  Age 27

Shortstop:                                 ALEXI RAMIREZ                              R/R  Age 33

Left Field                                  MELKY CABRERA                           S/L  Age 30

Center Field:                            ADAM EATON                                   L/L  Age 27

Right Field:                              AVISAIL GARCIA                             R/R  Age 23  

DH:                                           ADAM LAROCHE                             L/L  Age 35  

Batter Bench Notable:              EMILIO BONAFACIO                       S/L  Age 30 

                                                 GORDON BECKHAM                        R/R Age 28

Starting Pitcher 1:                     CHRIS SALE                                     L/L Age 26

Starting Pitcher 2:                     JEFF SAMARDZIJA                         R/R Age 30

Starting Pitcher 3:                     JOSE QUINTANA                             R/L Age 26

Starting Pitcher 4:                     JOHN DANKS                                   L/L Age 30

Starting Pitcher 5:                     HECTOR NOESI                               R/R Age 28

Closer:                                      DAVID ROBERTSON                        R/R Age 30

Pitcher Bench Notable:            JAKE PETRICKA                               R/R Age 26

NOTABLE INJURIES:            CHRIS SALE and JAKE PETRICKA will start the season on the retro 15 day DL, but are expected back mid April.

PROJECTION:  1ST in the AL Central. Projected for 84 wins in this division which has lost some luster since last year. 

MVP:                                        JOSE ABREU

POTENTIAL ROOKIE IMPACT: SP CARLOS RODON will be in the rotation by the end of the summer in what will probably be a tight race for the divisional crown.

COMMENTS: The White Sox are probably the most well rounded and balanced team in the AL Central, their bullpen can use some shoring up and if DAVID ROBERTSON stays healthy they should contend for the divisional title in a weak division.