Transactions

[Wrigley Rat]

BA:

Signed: C Jair Fernandez, OF Darnell McDonald

[Wrigley Rat]

BA:

Signed: OF Bobby Buckner (NDFA—Texas A&M-Corpus Christi)

 

Former Texas A&M-Corpus Christi outfielder Boby Buckner is the son of former big leaguer Bill Buckner, who starred for the Cubs from 1977 to ’84.

[Wrigley Rat]

Signed: OF Tim Torres, C Nathan Maldonado (re-signed), OF Brent Lillibridge

Removed from 40-man: RHP Lendy Castillo (outrighted to Triple-A)

[Wrigley Rat]

Signed: C Rony Rodriguez (Quebec (Can-Am)

Traded: OF Tony Campana to Diamondbacks for RHP Jesus Castillo and RHP Erick Leal

[BeerHere]

Starling Peralta was returned from AZ. He was selected in the Rule5 draft and struggled this spring.

[Warpticon]

Awesome.

[Wrigley Rat]

Released: RHP Hung-Wen Chen, RHP Arturo Maltos-Garcia, RHP Austin Urban, RHP Tony York, LHP Kyle Shepard

Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Alberto Cabrera, RHP Trey McNutt, LHP Brooks Raley, 2B Logan Watkins

Optioned to Double-A: RHP Robert Whitenack

[davell]

Holy [expletive], they released Urban? Did I imagine an AZPhil report saying how well he was throwing this spring? Garcia is a shock too. But Urban? He never threw a pitch in a game, did he?

[Guest]

Holy [expletive], they released Urban? Did I imagine an AZPhil report saying how well he was throwing this spring? Garcia is a shock too. But Urban? He never threw a pitch in a game, did he?

 

Yeah, he never pitched. Pretty surprised given Phil's report.

[Wrigley Rat]

Boise Hawks Radio:

I believe Izaac Garsez has been released or has retired (haven't seen anything on BA...he did not go to Spring Training and was seen at his alma-mater's baseball games over the weekend. I believe he is finishing up his schooling.

 

Arizona Phil:

Thanks for the info regarding Garsez. That would explain why he's not in Minor League Camp.

[Wrigley Rat]

Arizona Phil:

The Cubs signed (P) William Hill last week. William Hill (2012 NDFA - Chicago State). Hill is the grandson of Cub great Billy Williams.

 

Back in February, AZ Phil:

Cubs have signed 29-year old switch-hitting "supersub" OF-IF Tim Torres to minor league contract (post-2012 Rule 55 6YFA). No NRI, but he'll probably get some occasional ad hoc opportunities in MLB Cactus League games. Torres is a 257/355/389 hitter with 103 SB (27 CS) in 710 minor league games over seven seasons. Played college ball at Oral Roberts. Has AAA experience but played in AA in 2012. Could make the AAA Iowa roster, but more-likely projects as the #1 OF-IF utility guy at AA Tennessee in 2013.

Edited March 17, 2013 by Wrigley Rat

[Wrigley Rat]

Holy [expletive], they released Urban? Did I imagine an AZPhil report saying how well he was throwing this spring? Garcia is a shock too. But Urban? He never threw a pitch in a game, did he?

Arizona Phil said this on 3/10: "Urban threw the ball very well, and this was actually the first time I've ever seen him throw to hitters. He's been on the DL for his entire Cub career prior to this season with a back injury (he was drafted out of an Iowa JC in 2011 and got an "overslot" bonus to sign), and has yet to pitch in a game of any kind."

 

 

I don't know if anyone saw this, but Arizona Phil said: "And FWIW, Dan Vogelbach is assigned to the Kane County squad, and has been taking grounders at 3rd base."

[davell]

According to AZPhil, he's pretty sure Dustin Harrington, Ty'Relle Harris, Paul Hoilman, Nelson Perez, and Jay Jackson have been released. The following also have disappeared, may have been cut as well: Carlos Martinez, Elicier Bonne, Jason Barken, Matt Spencer, and Scott Weismann.

[CubsInNC]

According to AZPhil, he's pretty sure Dustin Harrington, Ty'Relle Harris, Paul Hoilman, Nelson Perez, and Jay Jackson have been released. The following also have disappeared, may have been cut as well: Carlos Martinez, Elicier Bonne, Jason Barken, Matt Spencer, and Scott Weismann.

 

Saw a comment on an AZPhil story that Brenly was released. And Andrew McKirahan has again tweeted about not knowing why things happen sometimes.

[davell]

Dontrelle and Hayden Simpson released as well, sounds like others too.

[Guest]

Hayden Simpson

Is it wrong of me that I forgot he was still in the system?

[mookie]

Why was he taken in the first round? Seriously.

[davell]

I know I wanted Josh Sale or Stetson Allie at that pick, so I'd have screwed it up too. But Kaleb Cowart, Mike Foltynewicz, Christian Yelich, Gary Brown, Jesse Biddle, Zacj Lee, Aaron Sanchez, Noah Syndergaard, Taijuan Walker, Nick Castellanos, Mike Olt, Tyrell Jenkins, and Jedd Gyorko were all picked in between Simpson and Reggie Golden. Simpson was a signability pick, period.

[toonsterwu]

Why was he taken in the first round? Seriously.

 

My preference was Justin O'Connor, who hasn't exactly done squat.

 

That said, while it was a signability pick, it wasn't the gigantic reach that people made it out to be. He was probably going to go in the supplemental, if not late first (post-draft information suggested that, IIRC).

 

One thing needs to be remembered is that, even the most pessimistic accounts on Simpson pre-draft (stuff/velo wise ... the optimistic end had him in the mid-90's with good secondaries as a starter, the pessimistic end had him low 90's) was better than what he showed last year. Simply put, for whatever reason, he never rebounded from mono and uh, crap, what was the other thing, slipping my mind. Once the velo was gone (he was what, topping out high 80's last year?), he just wasn't the same anymore.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

What I always remember is MLB's broadcast not having any footage of him or a prepared graphic.

 

That, and the draft thread rage was pretty funny.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Dontrelle and Hayden Simpson released as well, sounds like others too.

 

The Brenley kid.

[davell]

Dontrelle and Hayden Simpson released as well, sounds like others too.

 

The Brenley kid.

Brenly has already been mentioned. Zeller, Wallach, and Harman were released though. Harman being a surprise.

[craig]

Why was he taken in the first round? Seriously.

 

...while it was a signability pick, it wasn't the gigantic reach that people made it out to be. ... even the most pessimistic accounts on Simpson pre-draft ...was better than what he showed last year. Simply put, for whatever reason, he never rebounded from mono and uh, crap, what was the other thing, slipping my mind. Once the velo was gone (he was what, topping out high 80's last year?), he just wasn't the same anymore.

 

Yes. We know pitcher picks are injury risks. He injured his elbow and has never been the same. I believe the report was that he had a broken or cracked elbow or something.

 

The fact that he was an unpopular pick to start with makes it seem worse. But the same thing could happen with Appel or Gray, and the blame-tossing won't be the same.

 

But I think it might be completely coincidental that the unpopular "reach" pick happened to be the one whose elbow got shot.

[Wrigley Rat]

Here is the official announcement from BA:

Released: RHP Jason Berken, RHP Ty’Relle Harris, RHP Scott Weismann, LHP Matt Spencer, 1B Paul Hoilman, 3B Dustin Harrington, OF Elieser Bonne, OF Nelson Perez

Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Rafael Dolis, LHP Chris Rusin

[Wrigley Rat]

Iowa:

- Iowa Cubs placed RHP Esmailin Caridad on the 7-day disabled list.

- 3B Donnie Murphy assigned to Iowa Cubs.

- Iowa Cubs released RHP Jay Jackson.

 

Tennessee:

- RHP Trey McNutt assigned to Tennessee Smokies from Cubs Extended Spring Training.

- Tennessee Smokies placed IF Anthony Giansanti on the 7-day disabled list.

 

Kane County:

- David Bote assigned to Cubs Extended Spring Training from Kane County Cougars.

- Kane County Cougars placed C Yaniel Cabezas on the 7-day disabled list. hamstring

- Sergio Burruel loaned to Tabasco of the Mexican League

 

Boise:

- Reggie Golden assigned to Boise Hawks from Kane County Cougars.