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.

News Catch Up

June 7, 2015

Its been way too busy in the real world to blog this week, so here is a little catch up list with links to the stories we missed since Monday.

Yasiel Puig comes off the DL in a tear.

Red Sox Fan Seriously Injured by Broken Bat

King Felix gets his 9th Win 

A-Rod passes Bonds for 2nd on RBI List

Boston's Switch Pitcher makes MLB Debut

Mariners Trade for Mark Trumbo

WEEK 6 UPDATE (a day late)

STANDINGS

NL EAST

TEAM	WINS	LOSS	GB
NYM	23	16	0
WSH	22	17	1
ATL	18	19	3.5
PHL	17	23	6.5
MIA	16	23	7

NL CENTRAL

TEAM	WINS	LOSS	GB
STL	25	13	0
CHC	21	16	3.5
CIN	18	20	7
PIT	18	20	7
MIL	14	25	11.5

NL WEST

TEAM	WINS	LOSS	GB
LAD	24	13	0
SF	20	18	4.5
SD	19	20	6
ARI	16	21	8
COL	13	22	10

____________________________________________________________________

AL EAST

TEAM	WINS	LOSS	GB
NYY	22	17	0
TB	21	18	1
BOS	18	20	3.5
BAL	16	19	4
TOR	18	22	4.5

AL CENTRAL

TEAM	WINS	LOSS	GB
KC	24	14	0
DET	23	16	1.5
MIN	21	17	3
CHW	18	17	4.5
CLE	14	23	11.5

AL WEST

TEAM	WINS	LOSS	GB
HOU	25	14	0
LAA	19	19	5.5
SEA	17	20	7
TEX	16	22	8.5
OAK	14	26	11.5

_________________________________________________________________________________

AL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

IAN KINSLER  - 2B -  TEX                                    11/29 - 5 rbi - 3 SB - 6 runs

NL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

BRYCE HARPER  - RF -  WSH                              11/19  - 3 hr - 8 rbi - 2sb - 9 runs

AL PITCHER OF THE WEEK

COREY KLUBER   -  NYY                                      1-0  -  0.53 era  -  30k

NL PITCHER OF THE WEEK

COLE HAMMELS  - PHL                                         2-0  - 1.88 era  - 16 k


TRADE/INURY/MILESTONE NOTABLES

Marlins fire manager Mike Redmond
Manager Joe Madden of the Cubs gets his 800th career win

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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.

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.