Jump to content
North Side Baseball

  • Major League Notes

    Notes about the team are posted here.

    64 rumors in this category

      Matthew Lenz

      Amid all the trade deadline buzz, it's being widely reported that the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field will host the 2027 MLB All-Star Game. The official announcement is expected the day following the trade deadline, August 1st.

      Wrigley Field last hosted the event in 1990. Prior to 1990, Wrigley Field hosted the All-Star Game in 1947 and 1962 (note that there were two All-Star Games played in 1962, with the other held in Washington, D.C.).

      In the 1947 MLB All-Star Game, the American League defeated the National League 2-1 in a pitcher's duel. Johnny Mize hit a home run for the National League, but the American League scored the tying and winning runs in the sixth and seventh innings, respectively.

      In the second All-Star Game played in 1962. The American League broke a five-game losing streak, defeating the National League 9-4. Leon Wagner was named MVP. The game was marked by four National League errors and three American League home runs.

      Finally, in the 1990 MLB All-Star Game, the American League shut out the National League 2-0. Julio Franco hit a two-run double in the seventh inning, providing all the scoring, and was named the game's MVP. The National League only managed two hits, the fewest in All-Star Game history.

      Matthew Lenz

       

      The Chicago Cubs are hoping to hit on at least one diamond in the rough and have added another candidate to the growing list of players on a minor league contract. 

      Independent reporter Francys Romero is reporting that the Chicago Cubs and righty reliever Yacksel Rios have agreed to a minor league deal. Though not reported, these deals typically include an invitation to big league camp as well.

      Rios, 32, hasn't pitched in Major League Baseball since 2023 with the Oakland Athletics. For the last two seasons, he has spent time in the New York Mets organization (mostly at Triple-A - Syracuse); however, he was limited to 4 appearances in 2025 after suffering an injury in 2024. Over his career, he has made 92 relief appearances, posting a 6.32 ERA (5.61 FIP) across 98 1/3 innings. He has a lowly 8.3% strikeout minus walk rate thanks to an elevated walk rate, which has always been a hindrance to his success.

      Do you think Rios can show enough to break camp with a big league club, or is he destined for Triple-A Iowa? Let us know in the comments!

       

      Brandon Glick

      The one thing the Cubs successfully did at the trade deadline was address their porous bench, adding utility man Willi Castro just before the final buzzer sounded. Now, Castro hasn't been great in Chicago (.433 OPS), but his defensive versatility has been huge for a lineup that was overplaying its regulars.

      Now, the team is adding more depth to the bench, as they appear close to signing Carlos Santana, just days after the Guardians released him:

      I did a full write-up of Santana a few weeks ago prior to the trade deadline (in regard to his fit with the Red Sox, but the analysis still applies), so to paraphrase myself: he's a 39-year-old former catcher playing in his 16th MLB season. Offensively, Santana isn't quite the voracious slugger he once was, but he's still capable of producing when it counts. Through 116 games (455 plate appearances this season), the veteran is slashing .225/.316/.333, good for an 86 wRC+. His ISO (.109) is down at career-low levels, but his walk (11.4%) and strikeout rates (18.9%) remain positively elite.

      Santana has become a great defender at first base in recent years, and he's on pace for perhaps his best season with the glove yet. His seven Outs Above Average are in line with the 14 he gave Minnesota in 2024, and his 11 DRS tie his best mark (set in 2023).

      Cubs fans will remember him best from the 2016 World Series, when he tormented Cubs pitching to the tune of a .771 OPS. Hopefully, he can provide the kind of veteran leadership this club needs to make a deep run in the playoffs.

      Brock Beauchamp

      How To Install On iPhone or iPad
      How To Install On Android Device

      Developing a pure, native app for either Android or iOS is a breathtakingly expensive endeavor, which is why we haven’t done it, despite so many requests over the years. Thankfully, technology has met us halfway, and PWAs (Progressive Web Applications) have reached maturity in the marketplace.

      What is a PWA? It’s effectively a pseudo-app that works much like a native application but doesn’t require tens of thousands of dollars in development to produce. It creates a single browser instance and maintains it as if it were an application. It’s basically a standalone browser tab, dedicated specifically to North Side Baseball.

      From this app instance, you can receive notifications; the typical browser interface is removed, and the site is presented clearly, using as much screen real estate as possible, all without sacrificing any functionality. The site is faster, more reliable, and offers more mobile functionality than a standard web browser.

      Additionally, a newer, completely updated North Side Baseball is coming later this year, and that will add even more app-like features, making PWA usage even better for all our users.

      With that said, here’s how you turn North Side Baseball into an app on your mobile device.

      How To “Install” North Side Baseball on iPhone or iPad Using Safari

      First, go to the home page of North Side Baseball at https://northsidebaseball.com/.

      1. Tap on the ellipses (…) at bottom right of screen.
      2. Tap “Share” in pop-up menu.

      ios1.jpg

      3. Tap “View More”.
      4. Tap “Add To Home Screen”.
      5. Tap “Add”.

      ios2.jpg

      That takes you to your home screen on iOS, where you can move the North Side Baseball app around, just as you would any other app.

      Additionally, you can turn on notifications for them. Just go to the following link while logged into the site: https://northsidebaseball.com/notifications/options/.

      ios3.jpg

      How To “Install” North Side Baseball on an Android Device Using Chrome

      First, go to the home page of North Side Baseball at https://northsidebaseball.com/.

      1. Tap on the vertical ellipses (…) at top right of screen.
      2. Tap “Share…” in pop-up menu.

      android1.jpg

      3. Tap “Add to Home Screen”.
      4. Tap “Install”.

      android2.jpg

      That takes you to your home screen on Android, where you can move the North Side Baseball app around, just as you would any other app.

      Additionally, you can turn on notifications for the site. Just go to the following link while logged into the site: https://northsidebaseball.com/notifications/options/.

      android3.jpg

      CBT847

      For the first time in his career, Owen Caissie has been named International League Player of the Week following an absolutely dominant series against the Omaha Storm Chasers last week.

      Caissie slashed an incredible .476/.560/1.143 hitting two doubles, four home runs and tallying six RBIs, while also scoring nine runs and drawing four walks.

      The Cubs' No. 1 prospect (MLB.com) started the series against the Storm Chasers with an 0-for at the dish before ripping off four straight multi-hit performances, which included three-hit games on Friday and Sunday.

      Caissie also launched two-homer games in consecutive contests on Thursday and Saturday, bringing his season total to 16, just six shy of his career-best mark of 22, which he set in 2023 at Double-A Tennessee.

      His torrid start to July comes on the heels of a monster June, where he slashed .316/.435/.605 with five home runs and 13 RBIs in 22 games.

      The headlining prospect return piece as part of the Yu Darvish trade with the Padres in the winter of 2020, his peak is coming at the perfect time for the Cubs, who might want to use the 2025 MLB All-Star Futures Game participant to headline a trade package for a top-of-the-rotation arm at the deadline.

      Brock Beauchamp

      Kyle Tucker has earned his fourth All‑Star nod—but this time as a National League starter, joining the Cubs after a blockbuster offseason trade. This season he’s slashing an impressive .290/.393/.533, with 17 homers, 20 steals, and a .923 OPS. Although Tucker has been one of the best players in the game for years, this marks his first All‑Star start, coming after three previous reserve selections with Houston.

      Pete Crow‑Armstrong, the 23‑year‑old Cubs center fielder, has turned heads this season and is the first All‑Star selection as an NL starting outfielder. Offensively, he’s recording a .265/.301/.537 line with 21 home runs and 25 steals, ranking first in NL bWAR (4.5) and second in fWAR (4.0). His defense has been equally elite, leading NL outfielders in defensive runs saved. Crow-Armstrong has quickly become a fan favorite, and this is the first time he has been voted into the starting lineup for the All‑Star Game.

      Steve Drumwright

       

      For the second time this season, the Chicago Cubs are down their closer.

      Right-hander Daniel Palencia was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday by the Cubs with inflammation in his right elbow. Right-handed reliever Gavin Hollowell was called up from Triple-A Iowa.

      Palencia went on the 15-day IL on April 16 with a mild strain of his left oblique. It was a short stay there as he returned to the Cubs on May 3. Palencia appeared in Monday's game, pitching the ninth inning of the Cubs' 5-4 walk-off victory over the Colorado Rockies. He walked one and struck out three.

      The 26-year-old has a 3.46 FIP (2.70 ERA) in 19 games and 16⅔ innings, with a walk rate of 8.5% and a strikeout rate of 26.8%.

      Hollowell is up for the second time this season. In a one-day call-up, he appeared in the May 7 game against the Cincinnati Reds, pitching 1⅔ innings, giving up two runs on two hits, including a homer, with four walks and a strikeout. In 15 games at Iowa this year, he has a 3.63 ERA with 14 walks and 27 strikeouts in 17⅓ innings.

       

      Matthew Lenz

      Major League Baseball announced the National League Silver Slugger winners, and one Chicago Cubs player will need to make room in his trophy case.

      Outfielder Kyle Tucker won his first career Silver Slugger in his first (and maybe only) season with the Cubs. He joins his outfield counterparts in bringing home some hardware (Ian Happ and Pete Crow-Armstrong won Gold Gloves).

      Tucker slashed .266/.377/.464 (.841 OPS) with 22 home runs and 22 stolen bases. It was his third 20-20 season in four years. He was most effective with runners on base, posting a .908 OPS, including a .865 OPS with runners in scoring position and 28 extra base hits. On another note, the Cubs tendered a qualifying offer to Tucker, and he could return if he agrees to a one-year, $22.025 million pact.

      The Silver Slugger Award is an award that recognizes the best offensive player at each position in both leagues. It is voted on by managers and coaches around baseball.

      Will he be back with the club in 2026? Let us know what you think in the comments!

      Matthew Lenz

      While the Chicago Cubs as a team didn't bring home any postseason hardware, one of their players may need to make room on their mantles for an individual award.

      The Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWA) announced its award finalists on Monday, including Case Horton as a Rookie of the Year finalist.

      Horton, who debuted on May 10th against the New York Mets at Citi Field, threw 118 innings across 23 appearances (22 starts). His 2.67 ERA was truly elite, though a still solid 3.58 FIP suggests maybe some regression in the future. He posted a lowly 13.4% with a respectable 6.9% walk rate but a low 20.4% strikeout rate. While his fastball had a Run Value of 7 in 2025, his secondary offerings were some of the most effective in baseball. Opponents batted .176, .115, and .196 against his sweeper, change up, and curve ball, respectively. Moreover, only four extra base hits were hit off of his change-up and curve - none of which were long balls.

      Do you think he will win the award? Let us know in the comments!

      Steve Drumwright

       

      The Chicago Cubs have suffered yet another blow to their starting rotation.

      The Cubs on Sunday placed right-handed starter Edward Cabrera on the 15-day injured list with a blister on his right middle finger. Left-hander Jordan Wicks was called up from Triple-A Iowa.

      The fortunate news is this is just a blister, meaning Cabrera is likely to miss just the minimum 15 days. The move was backdated to Thursday, so Cabrera could return next Sunday. Cabrera was the Cubs' big offseason rotation addition, acquired in a trade with the Miami Marlins.

      The Cubs' rotation is already extremely banged up with Cade Horton out for the season, Matthew Boyd recently having minor knee surgery and Justin Steele still not back after having a setback in his return from UCL revision repair surgery.

      Wicks will be making his season debut with the Cubs. He has made seven appearances, all starts, at Triple-A, with a 4.44 ERA in 26⅓ innings, walking 12 and striking out 20. He appeared in eight games with the Cubs last year, all in relief, with a 6.28 ERA in 14⅓ innings, walking one and striking out 13.

      The Cubs will need another starter at some point this week as they have a four-game series vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates, then three against the St. Louis Cardinals, all on the road.

       

      Steve Drumwright

       

       

      Within the span of about 12 hours, the Chicago Cubs lost 40% of their starting rotation.

      The Cubs on Wednesday placed right-handed starters Edward Cabrera and Ben Brown on the 15-day injured list. Right-handed relievers Gavin Hollowell and Vince Velasquez were called up from Triple-A Iowa. Velasquez needed to be added to the 40-man roster, which is full, so right-hander Eduardniel Nunez was designated for assignment.

      Cabrera went on the IL after he strained his left adductor and left hamstring while stretching for a throw as he covered first base in Tuesday's 9-6 victory over the New York Mets. Brown's IL placement was due to a strained neck. They make it six Cubs starting pitchers on the IL, with left-hander Matthew Boyd set to come off Thursday.

      More testing was set for Wednesday to determine the extent of Cabrera's injury, which figures to be much more longer than Brown's. Brown is likely to just have a minimal IL stay. Cabrera, acquired in a big offseason trade with the Miami Marlins, is on the IL for the second time this season after missing the minimum with a blister on his right middle finger, having just returned June 5.

      Cabrera has a 5.07 FIP (5.10 ERA) with a 9.4% walk rate and 21% strikeout rate in 14 starts. Brown has stepped into the rotation following a myriad of injuries, making eight starts in his 20 appearances. He has a 2.50 FIP (1.85 ERA), walking 7.2% and striking out 24.5% of batters.

      Hollowell had just been sent down the day before as right-hander Jayden Murray was added to the roster following a trade.

      Velasquez made a triumphant return to the majors this season after last appearing in 2023. The recently turned 34-year-old pitched in just one game, going 2⅓ shutout innings, with one hit, no walks and one strikeout April 25 in a 12-4 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

       

       

      Brian Kelder

      Iowa Cubs reporter Tommy Birch broke the news Tuesday that the Cubs are adding LHP Luke Little and RHP Ryan Rolison to their active roster. With Hunter Harvey (triceps) and Phil Maton (knee) on the shelf, and recently recalled Charlie Barnes unavailable due to pitching three innings of mop-up work, the Cubs' bullpen was in need of fresh arms. 

      The 6-8 LHP Little has struggled with command in Triple-A Iowa, currently sporting a 1.96 WHIP paired with a 4.70 ERA. He has struck out nine batters in seven innings on the mound, but 10 walks in that time frame seem to indicate that he's slated for mop-up duty in Chicago.

       

      Rolison has a slightly lower 3.68 ERA, but a higher WHIP at 2.00. Walks are his bugaboo; he has six walks in just seven innings pitched. Rolison does have ten strikeouts, so maybe he can corral his electric stuff in Chicago.

      Matthew Lenz

      The Chicago Cubs have been busy in the first four-plus days of the offseason, with moves painting a picture of what might come over the next four months. They declined Shota Imanaga's option, extended Colin Rea, and now have lost an infielder.

      Via an official announcement from the MLBPA, Justin Turner has become a free agent. It's unclear which side declined the option, though it was nearly a given that the Cubs would be the party to do so. They will pay him a $2 million buyout instead of a $10 million salary in 2026.

      The 41-year-old struggled mightily in 2025, posting a .602 OPS with three home runs and two stolen bases. That production, or lack thereof, resulted in a .268 wOBA and 71 wRC+ across 191 plate appearances. Given his age and the 2025 season, he will likely hope for a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training if he doesn't choose to retire.

      Between this move and Imanaga's, the Cubs are opening up the budget for this offseason. Do you anticipate them spending? If so, where? Let us know in the comments!

       

       

      Steve Drumwright

       

      It was indeed a minimum stay on the injured list for Edward Cabrera.

      The Chicago Cubs activated the right-hander in time to start Friday's series opener against the San Francisco Giants. Cabrera had been on the 15-day injured list due to a blister in his right middle finger. Right-handed reliever Tyler Ferguson was sent down to Triple-A Iowa.

      Cabrera developed the blister in his May 20 start vs. the Milwaukee Brewers in which he lasted just three innings and allowed four runs (one earned) in a 5-0 loss. Cabrera has a 4.00 ERA in 10 starts and 54 innings, with an 8.8% walk rate and 20.7% strikeout rate. While his walk rate is about 3 percentage points better than his career number (11.4%), his strikeouts are down to 20.7% from 25.4 for his career.

      Ferguson was called up Tuesday, but didn't appear in a game in his brief stay with the Cubs. He did appear in one game in the majors this year, May 5 with the A's, who then designated him for assignment and was scooped up by the Cubs.

       

×
×
  • Create New...