PrimeTime

The battle for the 5th rotation spot is complete [expletive] show. All these guys blow.

Looks like Javy swung at three straight pitches..Were they even in the zone? Nevermind, I don't know if it was 3 straight. Gameday is saying it was and then said Olt walked on 4 straight pitches.

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Scott Miller ‏@ScottMillerBbl Update: Impasse now between Padres & Shields after flurry of talks over last several hours. Sources: Ball in Shields' court.

WEEI.com's Rob Bradford reports that Craig Breslow will make a decision to sign with either the Red Sox or Cubs.

Maddon is on Sportscenter right now on ESPNews

I hate to contribute to that show's ratings but.... I'm sure the drinks will be flowing at the Cubby Bear 3 hours from now until they're on...This should be real entertaining.

Seems like a real cool ass guy you'd love to pound down some cold ones with.

This is [expletive] exciting. Not only because we have one of the top managers in the game now, but having him here with his credibility and track record will lure free agent pitchers & make it a real desirable destination for free agents. Price and Maddon reunion in 2016?? The next 2 off seasons are going to be real fun, folks.

Dang. Half a mil buy out. What a brutal contract that turned out to be. They got to do something to shed E. Jax this off season. What's he owed,22 million more or something? I just can't see them rolling him out there next year..Theo even said how he regrets the signing of him. Hopefully if we get Lester or sign someone else they'll bid farewell to him.

It's on ESPN.com and everywhere now http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/11786485/joe-maddon-agrees-become-chicago-cubs-manager

Man that [expletive] guy is strong

Yayyyyy Javy

Damnit. Jammed him

I [expletive] love Soler.

Intentionally walking Coughlin to get to Baez..Make em pay Javy!

CONTRA

Javy is really making me sad lately. :(

Baez will hit a bomb today. Book it

Would definitely rather wait 2 years until he becomes a FA and give him a truckload of cash instead of giving away prospects from our sexy farm system.

No [expletive] [expletive]. I find it really unnerving that many of the same meatball, anti-saber types who relish pointing out that "the game is played by men, not robots", will immediately recant when players behave like men, and not robots. Then those players are weak, undisciplined and worthy of contempt. Lost in all this spurious Castro condemnation is the fact that Soler hit a HR with his first swing in MLB tonight. Baez drove in 2 with a double, K'd only once and damn near took Chapman deep in the 9th. The Cubs fell from 13 below .500 to 14 below? Who [expletive] cares? Tonight was a good night. Frustrating at times, sure, but a good night. I love both of these posts.. If this ever happened to Barney or Theriot in the field or at the plate like Castro tonight, the media and everyone would not give a flying [expletive] or just completely brush it off..Somehow he's always the whipping boy. Who knows what he was going through mentally after something traumatic like that? He could have just zoned, spaced out,or just some kind of small mental lapse that hits you at a certain moment and then your like " Oh [expletive]!" and refocus. One week is nothing after losing multiple close people/relatives who just tragically passed. It takes a bit more time to get back to reality, adjust mentally, and get past the grieving and emotions. I been through some similar events, so I can feel for the guy. One week is nothing, cut the guy some [expletive] slack. Anyways, it's not like the team rolled over. Soler had a great debut and Baez was a couple feet away from taking a dominant closer yard for a go ahead 3 run shot. Once Baez adjust, he will be a monster. I can't wait until Bryant joins this party lineup next year ...So [expletive] exciting.

Retweeted by David Kaplan Len Kasper @LenKasper · 41s Look I like Starlin. His terrible habit has to change. But he's played for Lou/Quade/Sveum/Renteria. At some pt it's just on the player no?

Just my opinion on Javy, but I think he should maybe stand a little closer to the plate and have that similar plate coverage and approach like Rizzo has and that Soriano used to have. He is getting constant pitches outside and if he was in a little more to the plate with his batting stance and with his power, I'm sure he could smack a lot of those outside pitches oppo for base hits or home runs..Make those pitchers throw him inside, which he has the power to muscle them out. I'm barley seeing him getting pitched inside his entire time up and he seems to be chasing and whiffing on everything right on that outside corner. With a Rizzo like approach covering that plate he'd make that pitcher think a little more where he's throwing and make some more contact and smash balls to right field. I'm not a hitting coach, and could be completely wrong here, just going on my personal opinion..I want the guy to tear it up so bad!! I just hope so badly he adjust like he has all the other minor league levels and is going through a growing pain stage and comes around from it.

Contra is going through some really rough times..Seems he's missing a lot of hittable pitches or striking out looking every time I see him up.

BAEZ BOMB