User:Buster7/Sandbox-Cubs

Nov 13, 2013 @ baseballamerica.com

 * First baseman Anthony Rizzo played in 160 games but hit .233/.323/.419, and his inability to hit lefthanders (.617 OPS in 320 career at-bats) remains alarming. Righthander Jeff Samardzija had his moments but also allowed 25 home runs, and veteran Edwin Jackson, brought in on a four-year deal to provide stability, lost 18 games with an ugly 4.98 ERA.
 * Most concerning was 23-year-old shortstop Starlin Castro, who frequently lost focus and became an out machine during a disastrous .245/.284/.347 season.
 * Poor seasons by those core Cubs contributed to manager Dale Sveum being let go after two seasons, though communication issues and 197 losses helped grease the skids. Team president Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer selected Padres bench coach Rick Renteria as Sveum’s replacement in early November.


 * Getting the best out of the likes of Castro, Rizzo and Samardzija will be crucial for Renteria, and Castro’s 2014 performance also will affect the farm system. The Cubs have quickly built farm depth and boast an impressive array of talent, particularly among their young hitters.


 * Shortstop Javier Baez ranked second in the minors with 37 home runs, and the 2011 first-round pick hit 20 of them in 54 games at Double-A Tennessee. The system’s top prospect could move off short if Castro, signed through 2019 for $60 million, bounces back. But if Castro doesn’t and Baez tones down his errors, the Cubs will have a crunch on their hands. Baez could move to second, though the Cubs like Arismendy Alcantara, a power/speed middle infielder who moved to second in 2013. Baez could shift to third, but that’s also where 2013 first-rounder Kris Bryant, the No. 2 overall pick and BA College Player of the Year, plays.


 * Cuban import Jorge Soler, signed for $30 million in June 2012, profiles best in right field. Baez, Bryant and Soler will have to work out where to play, but the trio gives the Cubs a unique collection of 80-power righthanded bats..

March 18, 2014 @chicagonow,com

 * Think of where the Cubs stand today (March 18) in terms of talent depth among young players: Rizzo and Vogelbach at first, Alcantara, Baez, Bryant, Villanueva, Castro, and Olt elsewhere on the infield, and Almora, Soler, Lake, and Szczur as potential outfielders. Josh Vitters has a .317/.359/.549 OPS in his minor league career against lefties, and is just 24 years old -- yet few are counting on him for anything at MLB.

Trades

 * (2013) On July 2, 2013 Jake Arrieta was traded along with Pedro Strop from the Baltimore Orioles to the Cubs for Scott Feldman and Steve Clevenger.
 * (2013) On July 22, 2013 The Cubs traded Matt Garza to the Texas Rangers on July 22, 2013, in exchange for Mike Olt, Justin Grimm, C. J. Edwards, and Neil Ramirez.
 * (2013) On August 19, 2013 David DeJesus was traded to the Washington Nationals for a player to be named later.

Radio
Cubs move to WBBM (AM) in 2015.

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Nate Schierholtz article

 * Joins Nationals
 * released on 8/14