Cubs are Aiming to Portray the House That Theo Built in Boston

Chicago, IL- It's not the first series, but the second series against the Red Sox that Theo Epstein will be spectating from the other side of the dugout as a member of the Chicago Cubs.

When Theo departed from Boston in the 2012 off-season, he left a legacy behind. He successfully ended the "Curse of the Bambino" with a 2004 World Series victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Winning the World Series ended the 85 year drought of no World Series championships for the Boston Red Sox. Players like Manny Ramirez, Pedro Martinez, David Ortiz, Johnny Damon, and Curt Schilling helped bring a championship to Boston. Moving on three years later, Epstein's team managed to win another World Series. In 2007, The Boston Red Sox beat the Colorado Rockies in four games to earn their eighth World Series championship in franchise history. Josh Beckett, David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, and Dustin Pedroia were some names on that 2007 championship team. Both championship teams were managed by fan-favorite Terry Francona. Despite all the grand accomplishments Theo completed as the General Manager, he left the team after a disappointing season. At the beginning of September of 2011, the Boston Red Sox entered the month with a record of 83-52. However, September was a nightmare, as the Red Sox went 7-20 in the final month of the season. Players such as Daniel Bard (10.64 ERA in September), Andrew Miller (11.70 ERA in September), and Jarrod Saltalamacchia (.162 average in September) were key contributors to the disappointing finish. The one to blame for this mess was,Terry Francona, who was fired at the end of the 2011 season. Finishing the year in an ugly slump, allowed the Yankees and Rays to make postseason berths. The Yankees ended up winning the AL East, and the Rays won the AL Wild Card. About the end of his tenure in Boston, Theo told the Daily Herald, "With some time and perspective, I think the way it ended was the way it ended. When you're somewhere for 10 years, there are going to be great moments, and there are going to be painfully disappointing moments."

Coming to Chicago, Theo realized it was not going to be a simple task rebuilding the franchise. Along with Theo Epstein, the Cubs brought in Jed Hoyer and his assistant Jason McLeod. In an interview with the Chicago Sun Times on October 3, 2012, Theo said,"We have a plan and a vision, and it's not going to happen overnight." That plan/vision for rebuilding the Cubs revolves around the following: trading veterans for prospects, choosing smart draft picks, looking overseas for good players, and building a core around Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo.

During the course of two and a half seasons under Theo's control, things have been wonderful not on the Major League field, but down on the farm. So far the front office of the Cubs have watched their Major League club go a combined 161-243. The record has not been the only bad thing the Cubs have endured on the Major League team, as there has been some bad free agent signings and managerial decisions. One free agent signing that has gone downhill for the Cubs  is the signing of Edwin Jackson, as he has not been worth the 4 yr./52 million dollar deal that was handed to him in the 2013 off-season. The first manager hired by the new regime, Dale Svuem, was fired after two seasons due to poor development and coaching abilities. However, Rick Renteria, the new Cubs manager, has been able to get the most out of his roster along with the help of his coaching staff. Chris Bosio has done an outstanding job with pitchers such as Jason Hammel and Jake Arrieta. Bill Mueller, a member of the 2004 World Series championship team, has revived the careers of Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo in his role as a hitting coach.

With all the work being put in to fix the Major League team, the Minor League teams have had a great reconstruction too. Kris Bryant, who was the number two overall pick in the 2013 draft, has been tearing up every level of the Minor Leagues so far. Kyle Hendricks, who was acquired in the Ryan Dempster deal, has been outstanding  for Iowa these season, as he has a record of 9-5 and an ERA of 3.52 in 15 starts according to baseball-reference.com. Manny Ramirez, who was brought in to help at Iowa, has really helped some major bats turn their game around. Javier Baez, who struggled to begin the season, is hitting .265 with 4 HR and 21 RBI in the month of June according to baseball-reference.com. In an interview with the Des Moines insider, Kris Bryant said of having the leadership brought by Manny Ramirez, "I think it's a good resource for all of us, and we're all picking his brain here." Down at the levels such as AA and A+, other prospects have been producing. Albert Almora, the Cubs first round draft pick in the 2012 draft, has hit .259 with 3 HR and 37 RBI in 71 games at Daytona  according to baseball-reference.com. Hammered by injuries so far this season, Jorge Soler has hit a combined .410 with 1 HR and 11 RBI in 12 games between Rookie level and AA according to baseball-reference.com. Once he comes back from the disabled-list, the Cubs hope he can keep up the production.

Comparing the Cubs and the Red Sox, there are many similarities and differences. Both clubs play in old ballparks that have undergone changes to modernize the facilities. In an interview with the Daily Herald about having the ability to work in two old-fashioned parks, Theo said, "I'm so lucky. I'm really a traditional at heart, baseball wise." A major difference between the Cubs and the Red Sox though is the consistency of winning ballgames. When Theo & Co. took over the Red Sox, they took over a team that just finished a season with a record of 95-67. The same can't be said for the Cubs, as they haven't had a winning record since the 2009 season. However, it's not the time for the new regime to focus on the past, as the future is what is at stake for the Cubs. The World Series championships in Boston will always be a part of the regime's heart and mind, but the objective now is to make the Cubs break a long drought of a World Series championship like the 2004 Red Sox team.

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

Dallas Beeler to Make Debut in Game One of Doubleheader

Chicago, IL- Today, Dallas Beeler will make his Major League debut against the Washington Nationals.

 Beeler, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, was drafted in the 41st round of the 2010 draft from Oral Roberts University. The 6' 5" 210 lb. right-handed pitcher started his career at Rookie level, where he went 0-3 with a 2.95 ERA in nine games. Beeler was promoted to A- in 2010, but only appeared in one game.

During the 2011 season, Beeler saw promotions to two levels of the Minors. He started the year at A, where he compiled a record of 1-1 with a 1.66 ERA in twelve games (eleven of those games were starts). Despite the nice start to his career,  Beeler struggled when he got to AA. In his first taste of AA, Beeler went 1-5 with a 4.53 ERA. Eventually, Beeler would remain at AA until the 2014 season. In the 2012 season, he went 6-7 with a 4.24 ERA. Having his season end early with a torn tendon in the middle finger of his pitching hand in 2013, Beeler went 4-2 with a 3.13 ERA in nine games. 

This year, Beeler has been at AAA, where he has a record of 5-3 with a 4.03 ERA in ten games. 

Regarding the atmosphere of his first start at the Bigs, Beeler told Jesse Rogers of ESPN Chicago, "They said just go out and enjoy it and have fun. That's the best advice you can give. They said breathe. That was the big one from everybody. Just get out there, take it all in, take a deep breath."

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

(All stats courtesy of baseball-reference.com)

What Would A Trade Look Like If Hammel Goes To Seattle?

Chicago, IL- Many sources are inking a Jason Hammel trade to the Seattle Mariners. It could happen, as the Mariners are looking for another starter with Taijuan Walker and James Paxton on the disabled-list. Walker is close to making his return to the Major Leagues, but it's unknown if he will stay healthy. If Walker maintains his health, Hammel could give the Mariners a six-man rotation, or replace Chris Young's spot. Hammel is a better pitcher this year compared to Young (Hammel: 3.01 FIP and 1.018 WHIP v.s. Young: 5.14 FIP and 1.223 WHIP). 

A trade scenario could look very similar to the Scott Feldman deal:

Cubs send Jason Hammel (RHP) and Junior Lake (OF/SS/3B) to the Mariners for Nick Franklin (2B/SS/OF), Brandon Maurer (RHP), and Edwin Diaz (RHP).

In-depth look at trade pieces:

1. Jason Hammel: Hammel has been a very solid number two for the Cubs this season. Currently, he is 6-4 with a 3.02 ERA in fourteen game starts. 

2. Junior Lake: Lake has regressed from his 2013 season (.284 Avg in 2013 to .236 Avg in 2014), but in an increase in power has come (6 HR and 16 RBI in 2013 to 9 HR and 25 RBI in 2014). It's worth noting that Lake was rated #15 prospect in the Cubs system in 2012 by Baseball America.

3. Nick Franklin: Franklin has always been a stud in the Minors in the Mariners system. So far at Tacoma this year, he has hit .304 with 7 HR and 28 RBI in 43 games. However, Franklin has struggled at the Major League level when called up (.214 career average between 2013-2014). 

4. Brandon Maurer: Like Franklin, Maurer has never been successful at the Major League level. After being rushed up from AA last season, Maurer compiled a 5-8 record with a 6.52 ERA in 22 games (14 starts) with the Mariners. He was demoted earlier this season due to lack of success once again, but has been good at Tacoma (3.52 ERA and 1.435 WHIP in 10 games). 

5. Edwin Diaz: Diaz was rated #7 best prospect in the Mariners system heading into 2014 by FanGraphs. He is know for his above average control. So far this season for the Lumberkings, he is 2-3 with a 3.38 ERA in 13 games. 

How this trade will help the Cubs: Acquring Nick Fracklin would give the Cubs a second-basemen to build around. Brandon Maurer could prove to be a change of scenery pitcher like Jake Arrieta. Edwin Diaz could become a solid arm for the Cubs in the future. 

How this trade will help the Mariners: Slotting Jason Hammel would give the Mariners another quality veteran pitcher in their rotation along with King Felix, Hisashi Iwakuma, Roenis Elias, and Chris Young/Taijuan Walker. Junior Lake could be the right-handed bat the Mariners desperately need on the bench or in the lineup. If Lake is able to produce, he could play LF instead of Dustin Ackley, or SS instead of Brad Miller.

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

(Stats courtesy of baseball-reference.com, MLB.com, and MILB.com)

Kris Bryant Earns A Well-Deserved Promotion To Triple AAA

Chicago, IL- The future at the hot corner for the Cubs is making a name for himself quick, as Kris Bryant was promoted to Triple-A Iowa earlier this morning.

Thoroughout his short career in the Minor Leagues, Bryant has dominated at every level. After being selected second out of the University of San Diego in the 2013 MLB Draft, he was sent to Rookie Level. He only appeared in two games, batting .167 with a double in six at-bats. Shortly, he was sent to Low-A, and showed off his talent with a .354 average, 4 HR, and 16 RBI in eighteen games. He finished the season at High-A, slugging .333 with 5 HR and 14 RBI. One word to describe his short-showing in 2013 is impressive. 

During the Off-Season, Bryant played in the Arizona Fall League before Spring Training. As a member of the Mesa Solar Sox, Bryant was named the Most Valuable Player due to his performance of a .364 average with 6 HR and 17 RBI in 21 games. His teamed reached the Championship game too, but lost   2-0 to the Surprise. In Spring Training, Bryant hit only .111, but still had 2 HR and 4 RBI in 18 at-bats. All in all, it was a great warm-up for what was bound to come in the 2014 season. 

When Bryant was at Double-A Tennessee, he put up unbelievable numbers. He batted .355 with 22 HR and 58 RBI in 68 games. Also, he made an appearance in the SL Home Run Derby, where we won with a total of 16 HR. Even though he played in the hitter-friendly PCL, his numbers were no fluke because Bryant has always been known for his bat. Many don't see his future as a third-basemen, but if Bryant continues to improve his fielding along with the solid bat, he will find himself as a strong piece of the core in the Cubs infield along with Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro in 2015. 

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

(Stats courtesy of baseball-reference.com)

Have No Fear, The Cubs Ace Is Here

Chicago, IL- Having an ace is a comfort zone for many teams in Major League Baseball. That guy at the top of the rotation stands out among his peers. That guy at the top of the rotation goes out there every fifth day, and maintains a level of consistency. That guy at the top of the rotation has the quantities of an ace.

However for the Cubs, the answer of who's an ace has been unsure for a great deal of years. The closest examples the Cubs have had to an ace in the last five years are Matt Garza and Ted Lily. Jeff Samardzija, is the Cubs ace as of today, but he doesn't have ace characteristics. He might have the ability to rack up the strikeouts (8.9 K/9 rate as a starter from 2012-2014), but he doesn't have the ability to limit the damage (4.17 RA9 average from 2012-2014). An ace doesn't give up runs like a mediocre pitcher, and that's why the Cubs don't feel he is worthy of a contract similar to the one the Dodgers gave to Kevin Brown (7 yrs./105 million). Now, Samardzija will probably be traded at the July 2014 trade deadline, but it's okay to let him go because the Cubs will receive a nice package of prospects for the overrated "ace". 

After dealing Samardzija, the question will occur again of who will be the ace of the Cubs staff? Edwin Jackson is a definite no-no as the team's number one. Travis Wood is a good pitcher, but isn't worthy of being ranked anything higher than a number three on a contending staff. While Jason Hammel has looked magnificent in a Cubs uniform,  he has a mediocre track record, and also will likely be dealt along with Samardija. That means the answer comes down to one more pitcher: Jake Arrieta.

During his years with the Orioles, Jake Arrieta was not the outstanding pitcher he was supposed to be in a not-so-friendly AL East. It wasn't until he came to the Cubs in the Scott Feldman deal last season that he looked solid. Coming to the National League has made Arrieta's career very similar to Chris Carpenter. Like Arrieta, Carpenter pitched in the AL East, but he was a member of the Toronto Blue Jays. As a member of the Cardinals, Carpenter's numbers were 95-44 with an ERA of 3.07. It's also worth  noting that he won the Cy Young award in 2005 when he was thirty-years old. One odd thing is that both players came to their new teams when they were twenty-seven years old. If Arrieta can be like Carpenter, the Cubs may have found a treasure for years to come.

So far in his Cubs career, Jake Arrieta has changed his game around. His walk numbers have improved (4.2 BB/9 in 2013 with Cubs compared to 2.9 BB/9 in 2014 with Cubs), and also his strikeout numbers (4.2 K/9 in 2013 with Cubs compared to 9.2 K/9 in 2014 with Cubs). Despite the great improvements on his approach to hitters, Arrieta has limited the damage like an ace (3.07 RA9 with Cubs 2013-2014). Moving forward, the Cubs should label Arrieta as their ace because he truly is one. 

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

(All stats courtesy of baseball-reference.com)

Anthony Rizzo Is Turning That Frown Upside Down

Chicago, IL- Slumps are something all baseball players don't like to endure. Whether it's not making solid contact with the ball or losing the ability to recognize pitches, all good players fix their holes at the plate sooner than later. Like a good player, Anthony Rizzo has turned his woes around to the other side of town this season. 

Coming off of a successful 2012 season in which he hit .285 with 15 HR and 48 RBI, Anthony Rizzo hit rock bottom in the 2013 season. Unlike the 2012 season where he had a BAbip of .310, Rizzo's luck with balls in play fell to .258 last season. His strikeout rate also increased from 16.9% to 18.4%, which proves that Rizzo's ability to adjust to the ball coming towards him got worse. Despite all the bad things, Rizzo improved in areas such as taking walks (7.3% to 11%) and turning hits into extra bases (8.2% to 9.4%). Even though Rizzo might have progressed in some areas, the 2013 season is still something he'd like to put in the past.

So far in the 2014 season, Rizzo has looked like a completely different ballplayer. His BAbip has re-surged to .305, and his walk rate is at 16%. Along with those key improvements, the Cubs first basemen has returned to the powerhouse he was back in 2012. Currently, Rizzo leads the Cubs offense in HR (12), RBI (33), R (39), OBP (.401), and OPS (.887). Carrying the Cubs offense this season, Rizzo looks very similar to a player such as Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds. One thing worth noting is how Rizzo is actually hitting lefties. During his career in the Major Leagues, Rizzo has hit .216 against lefties, which is not very good for an everyday player. However, Rizzo has tuned his batting average against left-handed pitchers to .333 in 2014. With his great defense at first and improved approach at the plate, Rizzo is really transforming into the franchise player the Cubs had hoped for when they brought him over from San Diego. 

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

(All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference)

Should The Cubs Acquire Jordan Pacheco?

Chicago, IL- The Cubs were struck a blow to their offense on June 3, 2014 when Welington Castillo was placed on the 15-day DL for left rib cage inflammation. According to Baseball Reference, the backstop was hitting .242 with 5 HR and 21 RBI before his injury. He showed a lot of promise last year when he hit .274 with 8 HR and 32 RBI. Even though his production has decreased this year, he is a vital key of the Cubs offense.

According to the Cubs, they will carry a temporary replacement of John Baker/Eli Whiteside. John Baker has been the Cubs backup catcher all year, but he is not starter material in any way. Baker has provided solid defense behind the plate, but his woes are with at bat in his hands, as he has maintained an awful .148 average with 0 HR and 3 RBI. When Baker needs an off-day, his replacement is far worse than he is. Eli Whiteside, who is well known for catching Jonathan Sanchez's no-hitter, has not appeared in a Major League Baseball game since 2012. His statistics this year at AAA explain why Whiteside has not seen Major League time in awhile. During his tenure down at Iowa, Whiteside batted .171 with 3 HR and 13 RBI. Having Whiteside as the backup catcher is like carrying Koyie Hill or Blake Lalli on the team. If the Cubs expect to stay competitive in games, giving Whiteside a start will hurt the team more than looking for other options.

For the Cubs to continue this duel at the plate, they are just wanting to lose ballgames. It's worth noting that on Cubs.com, Castillo's return date is to be determined. Instead of having to make a trade to find a suitable fix for the catching position, the Cubs could take a look at who's available on waivers. The one player the Cubs should look at is Jordan Pacheco. Pacheco, who has played for the Colorado Rockies, was designated for assignment on June 4, 2014. So far this year he has hit .236 with 0 HR and 8 RBI. While the Coors effect has worked for him (.296 average at home v.s. .200 average on road), he still would be a better option than Baker or Whiteside. The twenty-eight year old has showed promise, as he hit .309 with 5 HR and 54 RBI in 2012 in 475 at-bats during the 2012 season. Like many players, a change of scenery could be just what Pacheco needs. Giving him the starting catcher job would see what he's capable of, and move Baker back into the role that suits him best. If Pacheco tends to be capable of providing offensive and defensive production, he could be a nice asset on the Cubs bench for the future. 

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

Cubs Add Another Bat With Schwarber

    

It's been official, the Cubs are choosing a position player again in the first round. With Brady Aiken, Tyler Kolek, and Carlos Rondon gone, the Cubs selected Kyle Schwarber . 

Schwarber, an outfielder and a catcher, is out of Indiana University. He is regarded as the best college hitter in the draft. In 2014, he hit .358 with 14 HR and 48 HR. It's also worth noting that he walked (44) more than struck out (30). 

Kyle should be a great bat alongside with Kris Bryant, Albert Amora, Javier Baez, and Jorge Soler in the Cubs system and future. 

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

A New Age For Cubs Broadcasting Is On The Horizon

After broadcasting Cubs games on the radio for ninety years, WGN's tenure with the Cubs has come to an end. A long term deal has been signed with CBS-owned station WBBM. 

WGN called it quits due to the loss of money coming from radio broadcasting Cubs games the last few years, and also the Cubs demand for new policies. Now, it's not time to think about the past.

Even though WGN has history with the North Siders, the Cubs have been looking to move on from WGN in all its forms of broadcasting the last few years. With mega deals being handed out to other teams around the league, the Cubs want to become a part of that ongoing trend of extra revenue. 

Acquiring a partnership with WBBM 780 AM is the first step in the Cubs new direction for broadcasting their ballgames. Next, the Cubs should be looking at a possible partnership with CBS for televised games. According to MarketWatch, CBS is a large corporation, and brought in a gross income of 6.01B last year. With the pool of money CBS has, the Cubs could become one of the richest ball clubs in Major League Baseball once again. 

This ongoing change might affect the nationwide attention for the Loveable Losers, but it will help the business of the Chicago Cubs grow. 

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

Cubs Looking For Arm In The First Round

Chicago, IL- So far in the Theo regime, the Cubs have drafted hitters in the first round. In 2012, the Cubs selected Albert Amora with the six pick out of Mater Academy Charter School. In 2013, the Cubs picked Kris Bryant out of the University of San Diego. Straying a little bit from the offensive side of the game this year, the Cubs could look to choose the best pitcher available with their fourth pick in the 2014 draft.  

With Carlos Rondon and Brady Aiken likely being selected in the top three picks, the Cubs will have to look over at Tyler Kolek. Kolek, who could be a power pitcher in the Major Leagues, is currently attending Shepherd High School in Shepherd, Texas. While it could be risky to choose a pitcher out of high school in the first round, Kolek has all the tools to become an ace at the top of the Cubs staff. He has a fastball that can reach 99 mph (showcased at PG All-America Classic), a nasty slider, and a curve that needs some work. The 6'6" 245 pound right-handed pitcher looks like a must have for a Cubs farm system that is dim in pitching.

- Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)