Spring Training Thread

[Cubswin11]

We are about a week away from spring training starting. Figured it deserves its own thread, especially for all the articles/info that is going to come out during it so we don't have multiple threads started.

 

Looks like Garza is on track to have a normal schedule this spring, threw a pain free bullpen session yesterday.

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/14652/matt-garza-throws-pain-free-bullpen-session

 

The Chicago Cubs' prospects for a solid pitching rotation were enhanced on Monday when Matt Garza threw a bullpen session for the first time since the end of July and had no complications.

 

Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer and pitching coach Chris Bosio watched Garza throw 30 pain-free pitches at the team’s minor league complex.

 

“Matty looks like he is in great shape,” Bosio said. “It looks like he worked hard in the offseason. His legs are in great shape and I believe he is ahead of where he was last year when he reported.”

 

 

Garza had his 2012 season cut short after experiencing pain in his right triceps. That injury eventually led to a stress reaction in his elbow that ended his season in July after 103.2 innings pitched. Garza, who was on the trading block before his elbow strain, compiled a 5-7 record with a respectable if not spectacular 3.91 ERA.

 

The 29-year-old right-hander is going into his free-agent year after the 2013 season, in which he will earn $10.25 million.

 

“He has been on his program all winter and has not had any hiccups at all,” Bosio said. “The ball was coming out of his hand great today. He should be pretty happy and it was good to see him pitch with no concerns at this point.”

 

Garza threw mostly fastballs in Monday’s session. Before taking the mound, the pitcher played long toss for 20 minutes and joked with other players in camp. Bosio hit Garza some ground balls to end his workout for the day.

 

“He is on a program we put him on and at this point he is ahead of schedule,” Bosio said. “The communication I have had with our trainers indicate they are very happy where Matt is at in his program. As for me, I do not have any concerns at all for him. He has always been very honest about how he feels with us.”

 

The plan, according to Bosio, will have Garza throwing every other day at the beginning of camp . After two or three bullpens the starting pitchers throw live batting practice every fourth day with a side session in between. Garza and the rest of the Cubs’ rotation pitchers will then pitch every five days when the Cactus League season begins Feb. 23.

[Elrhino]

I expect lots of glowing reports this spring coming from the organization regarding Garza. They'll also offer financing for people with bad credit and first time buyers. Call today, he won't last long folks!!

[Sammy Sofa]

I expect lots of glowing reports this spring coming from the organization regarding Garza. They'll also offer financing for people with bad credit and first time buyers. Call today, he won't last long folks!!

 

It's not like they can just flat-out lie about his health. It's one thing to prop up a player's performance or mechanics or attitude or whatever to try and entice a team; it's another to stupidly try and make something up that would just be exposed in the physical.

[Smack]

I've barely looked at the 2013 schedule, with the Astros no longer in the NL Central how were those extra games distributed? I see we're still doing a 3 game series against them.

[Sammys Boombox]

I've barely looked at the 2013 schedule, with the Astros no longer in the NL Central how were those extra games distributed? I see we're still doing a 3 game series against them.

 

2012/2013

vs NL East - 32/32

vs NL West - 34/34

vs NL Central - 81/76

vs AL - 15/20

 

Basically, not much difference. We play the four remaining division opponents 19 times each in 2013. It was 17 (Brewers/Cardinals) and 16 (Pirates/Reds) last season. So, basically an extra series against each of them. Since 3 of the additional AL games are against Houston, it really didn't change the schedule much at all. Cubs played Houston 15 times last year.

 

Four games instead of six against the White Sox.

 

I'd be curious to see how this affects the other divisions in baseball year-to-year.

[Smack]

I've barely looked at the 2013 schedule, with the Astros no longer in the NL Central how were those extra games distributed? I see we're still doing a 3 game series against them.

 

2012/2013

vs NL East - 32/32

vs NL West - 34/34

vs NL Central - 81/76

vs AL - 15/20

 

Basically, not much difference. We play the four remaining division opponents 19 times each in 2013. It was 17 (Brewers/Cardinals) and 16 (Pirates/Reds) last season. So, basically an extra series against each of them. Since 3 of the additional AL games are against Houston, it really didn't change the schedule much at all. Cubs played Houston 15 times last year.

 

Four games instead of six against the White Sox.

 

I'd be curious to see how this affects the other divisions in baseball year-to-year.

 

Thanks!

[Heisenberg]

A week away! Already?!?? :shock:

[CubsWin]

A week away! Already?!?? :shock:

3 days, 17 hours and counting until pitchers and catchers report.

[woodchip2153]

some pics at boys of spring

 

http://boysofspring.com/d-train-pulls-fitch-park-sightings/

[J.R.]

First pics! It just got real.

[Guest]

Barney looks like he beefed up over the winter.

[mookie]

Barney has a gut.

[ConstableRabbit]

I think you misspelled "grit".

[BleacherBadger]

Someone get the walking glue stick behind Dontrelle some sunscreen before he shrivels up and dies.

[Brian]

Rizzo's in the house

http://boysofspring.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Rizzo.jpg

 

http://boysofspring.com for more

[Slugger_16]

http://boysofspring.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Buckner-300x240.jpg

 

I see Chet Steadman is back with the Cubs.

[Sammy Sofa]

Rizzo's in the house

http://boysofspring.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Rizzo.jpg

 

http://boysofspring.com for more

 

Get a haircut, hippie.

[treebird]

http://boysofspring.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Buckner-300x240.jpg

 

I see Chet Steadman is back with the Cubs.

 

jeff samardzija might win the cy young this year if he learns to pitch from the have to

[Guest]

best salisbury steak i've ever had in my life

[Cubswin11]

Get a haircut, hippie.

Cut those side burns!

 

http://i50.tinypic.com/2ih2w7s.jpg

[davell]

Evidently Theo and Jed will have a play-in match for the last spot in the bunting tournament. Jed was a college 2B, wasn't he?

[Cubswin11]

Evidently Theo and Jed will have a play-in match for the last spot in the bunting tournament. Jed was a college 2B, wasn't he?

They're doing that stupid [expletive] thing again this year? Only bad things can come of that, like Campana winning and the "fans" pointing to that as being a reason he should be starting over Soriano.

[Gilby]

Evidently Theo and Jed will have a play-in match for the last spot in the bunting tournament. Jed was a college 2B, wasn't he?

 

I want to say he was a closer and shortstop.

[Guest]

Evidently Theo and Jed will have a play-in match for the last spot in the bunting tournament. Jed was a college 2B, wasn't he?

They're doing that stupid [expletive] thing again this year? Only bad things can come of that, like Campana winning and the "fans" pointing to that as being a reason he should be starting over Soriano.

 

Why are you so mad about this?

 

It's not like it makes Sveum become Ryne Sandberg in actual games or something.

[Butterscup1679666578]

This is spring training. You're not supposed to have fun.