ST Game #4 & #5 Cancelled...

Today the Cubs were suppose to play a 2 games as a split squad. 1 in Mesa vs rival Chicago White Sox and the other one is Glendale vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers but both games were cancelled due to rain.


Tomorrow the Cubs are going to play the Oakland Athletics and Ryan Dempster was scheduled to make his spring training debut. But with the rain outs, will it change the Cubs plan? I don't think so and Dempster will pitch still tomorrow with Samardzija and Gorzelanny pitching the next couple days.


Other notes on an off day in Mesa:


Angel Guzman will opt for surgery on his injured arm. Even though he knows, lots of pitchers don't come back from this injury. I feel sorry for him, with his brother death and not to a career threatening injury


Lou Pinella said that SS Starlin Castro will start the season in Triple A Iowa. I would like him to start the season in the majors but this is probably the right decision in the end.

I will keep you posted.

ST Game #3: Cubs vs White Sox...

Game 3 of 35. Cubs lose 15-3 to the White Sox. Record 2-1.

Players that stood out:
SS Ryan Theriot went 2-3 with 2 1B and a run.
RF Kosuke Fukudome went 1-3 with a 1B and 2 rbi.
C Geovany Soto went 2-2 with 2 1B and a run.
P Carlos Marmol pitch 1 scoreless inning.

Players that stood out but the wrong way:
DH Micah Hoffpauir went 0-3 with 2 K's.
P Carlos Silva pitch 2 innings giving up 7 hits, 6 runs but struck out 2.
P Jeff Kennard pitch 0.2 innings giving up 4 hitPs, 4 runs, 2 walks but struck out 2.
P John Grabow pitch 1 inning giving up 3 hits, 3 runs but stuck out 1.

I know it is still early but todays game, you can look a little more into the stats.

ST Game #2: Cubs vs. Diamondbacks

Game 2 or 35: Cubs beat the Diamondbacks 8-7. Record 2-0.


Players that stood out:
SS Starlin Castro went 2-4 with a 2B and a 1B.
LF Tyler Colvin went 2-3 with a 2B, 1B and 2 rbi.
3B Josh Vitters went 2-4 with 2 1B.
CF Brett Jackson went 1-1 with a 3B, 2 BB and a rbi.
Pitchers Carlos Zambrano and Coleman each pitch 2 scoreless innings.

Players that stood out but the wrong way.
Pitcher Jeff Stevens, he pitch 1.2 innings and gave up 5 runs (4 earned), 3 hits, 1 walk but at least struck out 3.

Tomoorow the Cubs play the White Sox at 2:00pm on WGN and MLBN.

ST Game #1: Cubs vs. Athletics

Game #1 of 35 games this spring: Cubs beat the Athletics 9-3. Record 1-0.

Players that stood out:
LF Tyler Colvin went 3-3 with a HR and 2 2B with an rbi.
CF Kosuke Fukudome went 2-3 with a 2B and a 1B.
1B Derrek Lee went 2-3 with a HR and a 1B.
CF Marlon Byrd went 2-2 with a HR and a 1B with a rbi.
CF Sam Fuld went 1-2 with a 2-run homer.
Pitchers Randy Wells and Sean Marshall both pitch 2 scoreless innings.

Players that stood out but the wrong way:
P JR Mathes pitch 2 innings giving up 2 earn runs, 2 hits, 1 walk and struck out 1.

Don't look at these stats to closely with it only being the first spring training.

Big Z-Carlos Zambrano will get the nod tomorrow to start.

Cubs Sign Cuban Defector Juan Yasser Serrano...

Today the Cubs have reach an agreement with Cuban Defector Juan Yasser Serrano to a contract worth 250,000. The deal should be finalize in about a month now because the MLB has to approve the signing and all the paperwork have to be file and he has to pass a physical..

Bruce Levine is reporting that he will either start in High A Daytona or Double A. The Cubs hope this can be resolve time spring training ends. He is reportedly 20-21 year old and can throw his fastball from 89-92mph. Not to bad.

I like the signing if it does get approve. Maybe he will be better than all teams think and worth a shot for the money they are giving him anyways at least.

More News from Camp as ST Games Approach...

We are just 2 days away from seeing the guys in blue back to action. Here is the latest from Cubs camp:

Ryan Theriot will now start on Thursday and play SS and leadoff. Lou said yesterday Starlin Castro might start at SS and leadoff but that won't happen. But Starlin Castro will see action by coming of the bench on Thursday. Also starters 1B Derrek Lee, 3B Aramis Ramirez, CF Marlon Byrd and C Geonvany Soto will start on Thursday is Cactus spring opener. I can't wait for seeing them all back in action again.

Carlos Zambrano, Carlos Silva, Carlos Marmol,. Ryan Dempster, Esmalin Caridad and John Grabow threw like batting practice today. I hope they do good, all these players are expected to make the opening day roster.

A japanese reporter ask Pinella why he calls Fukudome the "Fook" and he said I like the name and it is easier to say. Get those T'Shirts read he replied. In my opinion I like Fukudome better for some reason.

That is all for now but more might come out as the night finishes up.

Derrek Lee Contract TalK, Camp News...

Derrek Lee mention recently that he wants to finish his career as a Chicago Cub and would like to sign an extension with the Cubs but won't do so until after the 2010 season. The Cubs and new owner Tom Rickeets loves Lee and feel the same way about retaining him. I think the Cubs will sign Lee at the end of the season before he hits free agency to a 2 year contract worth 16 million and a club option for the 3rd year.

News from Cubs Camp:

The Cubs start spring training games on Thursday and manager Lou Pinella sets the rotation for the first 5 days.
*Thursday: Randy Wells
*Friday: Carlos Zambrano (Big Z)
*Satrurday: Carlos Silva. This game is televise on WGN at 2:05.
*Sunday (Split Squad): Tom Gorzelanny and Jeff Samardzija. 1 of these game sis televise on WGN at 2:05.
*Monday: Ryan Dempster

Pinella also said today that SS Starlin Castro may get the start in spring opener on Thursday and be the leadoff man. Also 3B Aramis Ramirez and 1B Derrek Lee said they want to play.

Braves manager Bobbie Cox named his starter for opening day on April 5th against the Cubs, Derrek Lowe will start.