Wrigley Rat

Chicago: - Chicago Cubs recalled CF Tony Campana from Iowa Cubs. Iowa: - Iowa Cubs placed LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith on the 7-Day disabled list. (Sore back) - LHP Sheldon McDonald assigned to Iowa Cubs from Boise Hawks. - Sheldon McDonald assigned to Cubs Extended Spring Training from Iowa Cubs. - Ty Wright assigned to Iowa Cubs from Tennessee Smokies. - Frank Batista assigned to Iowa Cubs from Tennessee Smokies. Tennessee: - Tennessee Smokies placed 3B Matthew Cerda on the 7-Day disabled list. - LHP Casey Harman assigned to Tennessee Smokies from Daytona Cubs. - RHP Scott Weismann assigned to Tennessee Smokies from Peoria Chiefs. Daytona: - Daytona Cubs activated RHP Matt Loosen from the 7-Day disabled list. Peoria: - Gerardo Concepcion assigned to Peoria Chiefs from Daytona Cubs. - Yaniel Cabezas assigned to Peoria Chiefs from Boise Hawks.

Iowa: - Ty Wright assigned to Tennessee Smokies from Iowa Cubs. - Iowa Cubs activated 2B Edgar Gonzalez from the 7-Day disabled list. Tennessee: - Tennessee Smokies placed 3B Matthew Cerda on the 7-Day disabled list.

Peoria: - Peoria Chiefs placed OF Reggie Golden on the 7-Day disabled list. - Oliver Zapata assigned to Peoria Chiefs from Boise Hawks.

Tennessee: - Tennessee Smokies activated RHP Marcus Hatley from the 7-Day disabled list. Daytona: - RHP Joseph Zeller assigned to Daytona Cubs from Tennessee Smokies. - Daytona Cubs placed RHP Matt Loosen on the 7-Day disabled list.

Arizona Phil said that Soccoro is a player-coach at Peoria (and he now appears there on the Peoria roster page on milb.com). Cuneo was apparently close to being released, but he salvaged a spot at the last minute.

BA: - Signed: RHP Manny Corpas*, 2B Luis Valbuena* - Released: RHP Dustin Fitzgerald, SS Leugim Barroso - Added to 40-man roster: RHP Rodrigo Lopez - Removed from 40-man roster: 2B Luis Valbuena (outrighted to Triple-A) - Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Starling Peralta, 2B Edgar Gonzalez, SS Kenny Socorro A major league Article XX(B) free agent who would have received a $100,000 bonus had he reported to Triple-A Iowa, Rodrigo Lopez joined the Cubs' major league roster on Saturday, April 7, after Chicago resolved its roster situation with Luis Valbuena. They claimed the out-of-options infielder at the tail end of spring training but had to outright him to the minors in order to free up the 25-man roster spot for Lopez. - Released: RHP Hector Mayora, RHP Ramon Reyes, RHP Juan Serrano, LHP Cam Greathouse, C Jason Jaramillo, C Nathan Maldonado, 2B Bobby Scales, 3B Marquez Smith, SS Matt Camp, OF Abner Abreu - Acquired: 1B Jair Bogaerts from Red Sox, completing deal in which Cubs traded RHP Chris Carpenter and RHP Aaron Kurcz to Red Sox as compensation for general manager Theo Epstein and a player to be named (1B/C Jair Bogaerts) - Loaned to Mexican League: RHP Yoanner Negrin (Tabasco) - Outrighted to Mexican League: RHP Marco Carrillo (Monterrey) - Added to 40-man roster: RHP Shawn Camp, 2B Blake DeWitt, OF Joe Mather - Removed from 40-man: RHP Frankie de la Cruz (outrighted to Triple-A) - Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Casey Coleman, RHP Randy Wells, LHP Scott Maine, LHP Travis Wood, C Welington Castillo, OF Tony Campana, OF Dave Sappelt - Optioned to high Class A: LHP Gerardo Concepcion - Option transferred: RHP Alberto Cabrera (Triple-A to Double-A), OF Matt Szczur (Double-A to high Class A) - Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Justin Berg, RHP David Cales, RHP Marcus Hatley, RHP Robert Whitenack, LHP Gerardo Concepcion, LHP Graham Hicks, LHP Zach Rosscup, C Micah Gibbs, 2B Pierre LePage, 3B Dustin Geiger, SS Junior Lake, OF Evan Crawford, OF Matt Spencer The Cubs' other spring-training acquisition was waiver-claim middle infielder Luis Valbuena, who is out of options but came to the organization on a major league deal. - Signed: RHP Shawn Camp - Released: RHP Colin Richardson, LHP Brent Ebinger, LHP Trever Miller, C Mario Mercedes, 3B Jacob Opitz, OF Mayke Reyes - Elected free agency: RHP Andy Sonnanstine - Optioned to Triple-A: 1B Anthony Rizzo, 2B Adrian Cardenas - Removed from 40-man: RHP Andy Sonnanstine (outrighted to Triple-A) - Outrighted to Mexican League: RHP Oswaldo Martinez (Mexico City) Arizona Phil: - SS Leugim Barroso and RHP Juan Yasser Serrano were released, and RHP Yoannis Negrin was loaned to a team in the Mexican League (meaning that the Cubs still control Negrin).

Iowa: - Iowa Cubs placed 2B Edgar Gonzalez on the 7-Day disabled list. Sore right calf. Tennessee: - Tennessee Smokies placed RHP Marcus Hatley on the 7-Day disabled list. - Joseph Zeller assigned to Tennessee Smokies from Boise Hawks. Peoria (referred to in post above): - Peoria Chiefs placed SS Kenny Socorro on the 7-Day disabled list. Strained right hamstring. - Ryan Cuneo assigned to Peoria Chiefs from Boise Hawks.

Sweet. Any velocity reports or something else we can pick at? http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2012/4/7/2933579/cubs-minor-league-wrap-april-7

Chicago: - Chicago Cubs called up Rodrigo Lopez from Iowa Cubs. - Chicago Cubs called up Blake DeWitt from Iowa Cubs. - Chicago Cubs called up Joe Mather from Iowa Cubs. - Chicago Cubs called up Shawn Camp from Iowa Cubs. Iowa: - Chicago Cubs outrighted Luis Valbuena to Iowa Cubs. - 2B Matt Tolbert assigned to Iowa Cubs. - Ty Wright assigned to Iowa Cubs from Tennessee Smokies. - LHP Nate Robertson assigned to Iowa Cubs. - RHP Rodrigo Lopez assigned to Iowa Cubs. - 2B Alfredo Amezaga assigned to Iowa Cubs. - C Blake Lalli assigned to Iowa Cubs. - 2B Edgar Gonzalez assigned to Iowa Cubs. - LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith assigned to Iowa Cubs. - Chicago Cubs optioned CF Tony Campana to Iowa Cubs. - Chicago Cubs outrighted RHP Frankie De La Cruz to Iowa Cubs. - Ty Wright assigned to Iowa Cubs from Tennessee Smokies. Tennessee: - Alberto Cabrera assigned to Tennessee Smokies from Iowa Cubs.

Official Transactions as per milb.com since January 1, 2012 (definitely missing many): Iowa: - Released: Kyle Smit - Outrighted: Manuel Corpas - Optioned: Blake DeWitt, Casey Weathers, John Gaub, Josh Vitters, Jeff Beliveau, Alberto Cabrera, Andy Sonnanstine, Adrian Cardenas, Anthony Rizzo, Dave Sappelt, Scott Maine, Welington Castillo, Casey Coleman, Travis Wood, Randy Wells Tennessee: - Optioned: Matt Szczur, Junior Lake - Assigned: Jeffry Antigua, Michael Brenly, Juan Apodaca, Matthew Cerda, Logan Watkins, Frank Batista, Dallas Beeler, Alberto Cabrera, Elliot Soto, Justin Bour, Michael Burgess, Dae-Eun Rhee, Nicholas Struck, Casey Weathers Daytona: - Released: Jordan Latham, Jake Opitz - Assigned: Larry Suarez, Nelson Perez, Matthew Szczur, Ty'Relle Harris, Eric Jokisch, Sergio Burruel, John Andreoli, Brian Schlitter, A. J. Morris, Elieser Bonne, Dustin Harrington, Arismendy Alcantara, Austin Kirk, Nelson Perez, Richard Jones, Larry Suarez, Rubi Silva, Hayden Simpson, Anthony Zych, Ronald Torreyes, Brett Wallach Peoria: - Released: Robinson Lopez, Yohan Gonzalez, Ben Klafczynski, Rafael Valdes - Assigned: Patrick Francescon, Taiwan Easterling, Jose Rosario, Michael Jensen, Rafael Lopez, Yao-Lin Wang, Andrew McKirahan, Bryce Shafer, Taylor Davis, Benjamin Wells, Kyler Burke, Willengton Cruz, Jeffrey Lorick, Wes Darvill, Scott Weismann, Austin Reed, Brad Zapenas, Zeke DeVoss, Pin-Chieh Chen, Paul Hoilman, Eduardo Gonzalez, Reggie Golden, Marco Hernandez Boise: - Released: Jean Sandoval, Blair Springfield

Even so, it's nice to see the daily discussion thread back! :)

Typed in order of system: Chicago, Iowa, Tennessee, Daytona, Peoria Starters: Dempster, Garza, Samardzija, Volstad, Maholm Wells, Coleman, Wood, J. Jackson, Rusin Raley, Struck, McNutt, Rhee, Searle Jokisch, Beeler, Del Valle, Loosen, Kirk Cates, Concepcion, Liria, Rosario, Wang Relievers: Lopez, FA pickup or Castillo, Russell, Corpas, Dolis, Wood, Marmol Cabrera, Carrillo, Beliveau, Maine, Camp, Caridad, Parker Serrano, Harris, Weathers, Antigua, Rhoderick, Hatley, Batista Wallach, Figueroa, Lorick, Francescon, Harman, Suarez, Zych Simpson, Spencer, McKirahan, Jung, Shafer, Burke, Morris

Each position listed in order: Chicago, Iowa, Tennessee, Daytona, Peoria Catcher: Soto, Clevenger Castillo, Lalli Noble, Brenly Gibbs, Giansanti Lopez, Contreras, Burruel Infielders: LaHair, Barney, Castro, Stewart, DeWitt, Baker Rizzo, Cardenas, Amezaga, Vitters, Gonzalez, Tolbert/(Ryan Flaherty if returned) Ridling, Watkins, Lake, M. Smith, Bour, Mota/(Marwin Gonzalez if returned) R. Jones, Torreyes, Soto, Cerda, Barroso, Rohan Hoilman, DeVoss, Alcantara, M. Hernandez, Darvill, Geiger Outfielders: Soriano, Byrd, DeJesus, R. Johnson, Mather Sappelt, B. Jackson, Campana, Adduci Wright, Easterling, Burgess, N. Perez Bonne, Szczur, R. Silva, A. Abreu Andreoli, P.C. Chen, Golden, X. Batista DL (some may be released): M. Mateo - 60 Day B. Scales, J. Apodaca, Berg, Gaub, Chen Crawford, Ha, Whitenack, Cales, Schlitter, Samson Negrin, Maldonado, Rosscup, Macias, Berlind, (Flores on Suspended List) LePage, Fitzgerald, Cuneo, Balaguert, Harrington

That's about where I have him. The more I look at Sappelt, the more I'm not quite ready to give up on him as an everyday LFer. Not a "this position is set forever" starter, but not an "oh crap, we can't find somebody better than *him* to start?" starter either. His 2011 ZIPS projection had him at .282 .324 .405 for 2011, and I think that's reasonable with full-time duty in 2012. I could easily see him adding another 10-15 points of batting average (and thus OBP and SLG) to that, too. The NL average LFer last year hit 259/328/421. If he can play plus defense in LF like the scouting reports say he can, the ZIPS projection would make him maybe a 2.5 WAR starter in LF. To be perfectly honest, I'm having trouble making a case that he's not better than Soriano right now. Maybe he's our starting LFer for 2012? I wouldn't be stunned to see Looking at the current Cubs' roster of players, it sure seems that Sveum could find decent success utilizing platoons at several positions. I don't know Sappelt's minor league L/R splits, but giving DeJesus and Stewart time off against lefties would seem like a smart idea. Reed Johnson/Sappelt and Jeff Baker should be in against lefties for them. I could see Byrd and Soriano traded off making it easier to get playing time for B. Jackson, maybe Campana, and maybe DeWitt could take more time away from Barney, etc.

At least one person is speculating that Weathers could be compensation to the Red Sox or San Diego.

I like the trade, though, as I didn't think LeMahieu's skill set would be much more valuable than a Ryan Theriot and Colvin should have been a 2nd-4th round pick anyway (although his power was worth keeping around for another year IMO).

Actually, O'Dowd did this exact thing in this very deal. He took both Stewart and Weathers in the 1st round. True, but contrast what O'Dowd gave up to what we gave up: Weathers had TJ surgery, and in 2 years has yet to bounce back from it. Stewart is making too much money to keep around if he's not going to start. IMO, that's very different from two guys with options left making close to the minimum salary.

Anyone look at Baker's splits by month last year? I know AVG is not anyone's favorite stat, but man! April/March - .364 May - .375 June - .179 July - .208 August - .192 Sept/Oct - .200

I think it's a fair trade, but we gave up two young, high draft picks for an unproven guy. No way most GM's would do that if it was their system who drafted those players.

Interesting debate you guys - thanks for the insight on Carpenter and Kurcz! A good read.

Chicago: - Chicago Cubs recalled John Gaub from Iowa Cubs. - Chicago Cubs recalled DJ LeMahieu from Iowa Cubs. - Chicago Cubs recalled Lou Montanez from Iowa Cubs.

Daytona: - Taiwan Easterling assigned to Daytona Cubs from Peoria Chiefs. Peoria: - Peoria Chiefs activated OF Smaily Borges from the 7-Day disabled list.

Chicago: - Signed: RHP David Henrie (NDFA—Trinidad State (Colo.) JC) - Chicago Cubs called up Bryan LaHair from Iowa Cubs. Iowa: - Iowa Cubs activated LHP Scott Maine from the 7-Day disabled list. - Iowa Cubs activated RHP Chris Carpenter from the 7-Day disabled list. - Andrew Cashner assigned to Iowa Cubs from Tennessee Smokies. Tennessee: - Daniel Berlind assigned to Tennessee Smokies from Iowa Cubs. - Tennessee Smokies placed LHP Eric Jokisch on the 7-Day disabled list. - Hung-Wen Chen assigned to Tennessee Smokies from Iowa Cubs. - Tennessee Smokies placed RHP Larry Suarez on the 7-Day disabled list. - Tennessee Smokies placed SS Matt Camp on the restricted list. Daytona: - RHP Patrick Francescon assigned to Daytona Cubs from Peoria Chiefs. - RHP Yoannis Negrin assigned to Daytona Cubs from Peoria Chiefs. Peoria: - Charles Thomas assigned to Peoria Chiefs from Boise Hawks. - Peoria Chiefs placed OF John Andreoli on the 7-Day disabled list. abdominal pain - Peoria Chiefs activated SS Arismendy Alcantara from the 7-Day disabled list. - Ryan Hartman assigned to Peoria Chiefs from AZL Cubs. Boise: - Angel Guzman assigned to Boise Hawks from Daytona Cubs. - Jeffrey Lorick assigned to Boise Hawks from Daytona Cubs.

Iowa: - Iowa Cubs placed C Welington Castillo on the 7-Day disabled list. - Mario Mercedes assigned to Iowa Cubs from Boise Hawks. Boise: - Boise Hawks placed RHP Yao-Lin Wang on the temporarily inactive list. - Boise Hawks placed OF Pin-Chieh Chen on the temporarily inactive list. - James Pugliese assigned to Boise Hawks from AZL Cubs. - Kyung-Min Na assigned to Boise Hawks from AZL Cubs. - Javier Baez assigned to Boise Hawks from AZL Cubs. - Anthony Zych assigned to Boise Hawks from AZL Cubs. - Michael Jensen assigned to Boise Hawks from AZL Cubs.

Mesa: - SS Javier Baez assigned to AZL Cubs. - RHP Michael Jensen assigned to AZL Cubs. - RHP Tayler Scott assigned to AZL Cubs.