Spring Training Thread

[KingCubsFan]

McNutt, Raley, Watkins and Cabrera optioned to AAA, Whitenack optioned to AA and Struck to minor league camp per Muskat.

 

Cabrera continues to disappoint me. I keep hoping that flash in 2012 at AAA was real.

Aren't they going to try and make him a starter again? Makes sense he's going back to AAA then.

 

That's my thinking. After a rough go early on, they're likely scrapping the idea of him in the big league pen and going to get him stretched out as a starter in minor league camp ASAP. McNutt and Watkins are probably being sent so they can rack enough as much PT as possible.

It was always planned that he would begin the year as a starter. I think the Cubs hoped he could stay in big league camp a little bit longer and make the decision to send him to AAA a bit tougher.

[fromthestretch]

Heading out to Phoenix for the games against the Dodgers (Thursday) and White Sox (Friday) and then driving to Vegas for the game there on Saturday. I haven't been to Spring Training since 2008, so I'm looking forward to this trip.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Random question; is Jay Jackson still something that exists in any capacity?

[Cubswin11]

Damn it

 

@ESPNBruceLevine Cubs Junior Lake out 6 weeks with stress fracture in rib.

Edited March 13, 2013 by Cubswin11

[mul21]

Damn it

 

@ESPNBruceLevine Cubs Junior Lake out 6 weeks with stress fracture in rib.

 

How the hell do you get a stress fracture in a rib? That doesn't seem possible.

 

Also, damn it.

[Guest]

Second straight season he'll start out on the DL, losing important reps. Especially sucks since he needs all the plate appearances and reps at third or in the outfield.

[Clem Fandango]

Anthony Rizzo fluff piece by Jerry Crasnick on the front of ESPN's MLB page with a short interview about the WBC experience...

 

http://espn.go.com/mlb/worldclassic2013/story/_/id/9047018/wbc-chicago-cubs-anthony-rizzo-real-deal

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Some random negative thoughts as spring training continues its interminable march:

 

The payroll has decreased by roughly 35% since Tom Ricketts took over the Cubs

 

The team has lost more games than the previous season in all three years he's been in charge, for a 207-279 record.

 

Teams run by either Theo Epstein or Jed Hoyer have missed the playoffs in their last five seasons.

[Cubswin11]

Cool story, bro

[imb]

Some random negative thoughts as spring training continues its interminable march:

 

The payroll has decreased by roughly 35% since Tom Ricketts took over the Cubs

 

The team has lost more games than the previous season in all three years he's been in charge, for a 207-279 record.

 

Teams run by either Theo Epstein or Jed Hoyer have missed the playoffs in their last five seasons.

 

your life has gotten progressively worse each year

[MWV]

Some random negative thoughts as spring training continues its interminable march:

 

I think you may have a page-a-day calendar on your hands.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Some random negative thoughts as spring training continues its interminable march:

 

The payroll has decreased by roughly 35% since Tom Ricketts took over the Cubs

 

The team has lost more games than the previous season in all three years he's been in charge, for a 207-279 record.

 

Teams run by either Theo Epstein or Jed Hoyer have missed the playoffs in their last five seasons.

 

your life has gotten progressively worse each year

 

That's not really true. 2011 was better than 2010. 2012 was a low point. 2013 is looking a little better.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Stewart's return delayed, but he will play in the minor league game today.

[davell]

Beat writer extraordinaire Jesse Rogers just mistook Brett Jackson for Josh Vitters while batting and then again after Brett stole second.

[Cubswin11]

According the AZ Phil it sounds like Angel Guzman is going to be with the organization as a pitching coach in some sort of a capacity. He said he thinks he will stick around in EXST to work with guys when all the players leave for their respective levels.

[davell]

Rusin has given up one run in 13 innings. Have to think he's getting the 2nd lefty out of the pen spot, at this point.

[Guest]

Beat writer extraordinaire Jesse Rogers just mistook Brett Jackson for Josh Vitters while batting and then again after Brett stole second.

How'd Brett get on?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Beat writer extraordinaire Jesse Rogers just mistook Brett Jackson for Josh Vitters while batting and then again after Brett stole second.

How'd Brett get on?

 

Single. 1-for-2 today, no Ks.

[davell]

Beat writer extraordinaire Jesse Rogers just mistook Brett Jackson for Josh Vitters while batting and then again after Brett stole second.

How'd Brett get on?

Sniped by Kyle.

[Cubswin11]

Rusin has given up one run in 13 innings. Have to think he's getting the 2nd lefty out of the pen spot, at this point.

I'd have to think so and probably the long man/spot starter spot.

[davell]

The opening rotation goes Shark, E-Jax, Wood, Feldman, and Villanueva. So the pen has Marmol, Fujikawa, Russell, Camp, and most likely Bowden(no options), Rusin, and Rondon, is my guess.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

The opening rotation goes Shark, E-Jax, Wood, Feldman, and Villanueva. So the pen has Marmol, Fujikawa, Russell, Camp, and most likely Bowden(no options), Rusin, and Rondon, is my guess.

 

It's kinda sad how mediocre the rotation looks without Garza or Baker. I really hope we get a few months of the best five going all at once.

 

Looking forward to seeing Samardzija and Jackson open against the Pirates offense in April weather.

[davell]

True, but I'm happy its still considered mediocre, without those two, at the same time. If Baker is ready mid-April and it moves Villanueva into a swing role, it looks much better as a whole. I think it'll be solid enough to put the pressure on our offense to win some games, even before we're at full strength. I think we may actually be able to tread water in April, to where we don't dig ourselves such a hole, its hopeless to get out of. And if Garza is back early May, if it stays healthy, I honestly think we'll find ourselves in a spot that puts the FO in a serious pickle, whether to buy or sell.

[davell]

Offensively, whats truly undecided? I figure our bench definitely has Lillibridge, Navarro, and Hairston on it. I think Stewart begins the year on the DL, so that bumps Valbuena up to a starter. Which leaves 2 bench spots between Sappelt, Bogusevic, and McDonald, I guess? No clue if Maysonet is having a good spring or not. If so, I guess he's in contention as well.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Almora just tweeted that he broke his hamate bone today.