https://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/page/65/?d=7enhttps://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/matt-shaw-tokyo-series-swing-speeds-batted-ball-data/In the weeks leading up to the series in Japan, there was plenty of curiosity as to whether or not Matt Shaw would even make the trip. An oblique injury stalled him early in camp, allowing only six Cactus League games under his belt before the team departed Arizona. But Shaw fared well in that s...1612Fri, 21 Mar 2025 11:15:02 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/cubs-option-jordan-wicks-and-eli-morgan-to-triple-a-iowa-leaving-just-one-more-pitching-decision-r1613/When the Cubs open the season in earnest against the Diamondbacks in Phoenix next Thursday, they'll start with a rotation of Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon, Matthew Boyd, and Colin Rea. It's vaguely possible that Steele will land on the injured list while he ramps up more fully, a...1613Thu, 20 Mar 2025 22:10:02 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/dansby-swanson-the-subtle-savagery-of-baseball-and-why-playing-through-injuries-sometimes-makes-sense-r1610/Dansby Swanson has been smart enough not to let pride prevent him from getting the treatment and rest he needs to maximize his value to the Cubs, even over the first two years of a huge seven-year contract that brings considerable pressure with it. He hadn't spent any time on the injured list si...1610Thu, 20 Mar 2025 12:34:11 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/3-cubs-things-you-are-absolutely-forbidden-to-freak-out-about%E2%80%94and-one-that-might-matter-r1608/The Cubs will come back home from Tokyo without a win, save the one they managed over the Yomiuri Giants in an exhibition game before they took on the Dodgers. By the end of the two-game regular-season series, it was hard not to feel the farce and foolishness of making these games count. In the...1608Wed, 19 Mar 2025 16:34:16 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/can-ben-brown-reach-the-next-level-in-his-development-without-a-third-pitch-r1602/In his rookie campaign, Ben Brown flashed a high-octane fastball and a devastating knuckle-curve, riding those two pitches to a 3.63 ERA in 55 big-league innings. While it was a strong start to his career, his ability to further develop his repertoire will determine how effective he can be in a...1602Wed, 19 Mar 2025 11:13:01 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/cubs-player-height-adjustments-nico-hoerner-pete-crow-armstrong-matt-shaw/When big-leaguers reported to spring training in mid-February, they all went through a new ritual that (presumably) will become a part of the annual routine, along with posing for a few dozen photos and meeting with developers of MLB: The Show. League officials rolled into each camp and assiduou...1607Wed, 19 Mar 2025 09:13:00 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/3-key-takeaways-from-cubs-opening-day-loss-to-dodgers-r1605/Every baseball game has little clues within it—little things that tell you something important about the much larger truths you're really chasing, like which teams are good and what matters in the sport. Even a game with a pageant atmosphere and a bunch of players still only half-ready can do th...1605Tue, 18 Mar 2025 15:08:01 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/happy-opening-day-cubs-dodgers-tokyo-series-lineups-roster-stuff-matt-shaw-keegan-thompson-brad-keller-and-more-r1604/It's hard to surprise anyone with decisions about the roster for a series an ocean away from home. The guys you wanted got on the plane, more or less. The guys you didn't want stayed home, more or less. So, yes, Matt Shaw is officially active for the Tokyo Series, which begins at 5:10 AM Central...1604Tue, 18 Mar 2025 06:48:25 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/could-cubs-opponents-dictate-how-they-divvy-up-playing-time-at-catcher-r1598/Midway through February, we took a look at the Chicago Cubs' potential distribution of playing time for their two catchers. As we prepare for the season-opening two-game set in Tokyo (with an eye on domestic Opening Day, just over a week away), has anything changed on that front? Since the...1598Mon, 17 Mar 2025 11:33:02 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/week-in-review-cubs-arrive-in-japan-with-their-work-cut-out-for-them-r1597/After an early start but (still) an abbreviated buildup to regular-season baseball in their respective spring training camps, the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers are set to square off in their special two-game series. First, though, both clubs took the field in exhibition play against teams...1597Sun, 16 Mar 2025 22:08:01 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/jed-hoyer-and-failure-to-work-effectively-in-the-margins-r1590/The first margin Jed Hoyer struggles to fill is which prospects to trade. In obtaining Kyle Tucker, he traded Cam Smith, one of the few prospects in the system with true star potential. Smith is competing this preseason for a starting job in Houston less than a year after being drafted. If Tucke...1590Sun, 16 Mar 2025 12:16:00 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/gage-workman-is-the-superior-option-to-vidal-bruj%C3%A1n-versatility-be-damned-r1593/The Chicago Cubs entered the spring exhibition slate with a steady backlog of bench options. This jam was the result not of legitimate options holding Major League track records, but of light-hitting, at-one-point-possessing-offensive-upside, versatile names sprinkled throughout the spring invit...1593Sat, 15 Mar 2025 11:56:01 +0000