If you haven’t heard by now, the Chicago Cubs have set their opening day 25 man roster. As the Cubs announced yesterday that left handed first basemen/ third basemen Chad Tracy has made the team over the veteran Kevin Millar. In a corresponding announcement, the Cubs announced that they have released Kevin Millar, who is hoping to find a spot on a major league team.
So with the 25 man roster set, with the exception being Ted Lilly who will in all likelihood begin the year on the disabled list, let’s take a look at the positional breakdown for the Cubs.
Starting [...]

Let’s Start Tuesday off with some links from around the web

Hot Stove Cubbies had an interesting read yesterday, where it was suggested that the Cubs are shopping Kosuke Fukudome, do to the recent “emergence” of Tyler Colvin. But there are a few reasons why I don’t think this is a reality. For one, it is only spring training and just because Colvin is having a good spring training does not mean that he is going to do the same once the season starts. Just examine Colvin’s numbers more closely than just his average and power numbers. You will find that [...]

Cubs Fans are finally going to see the Cubs improved farm system working towards helping the Major League team win. As Lou Piniella told Tyler Colvin yesterday that he has made the team as a backup outfielder. As of today, Colvin has been the best hitter in all of spring training around the majors. Colvin was the Cubs 2006 first round pick out of Clemson University.
Colvin, beat out Sam Fuld this spring for the fifth outfielder’s spot on the team. And the Cubs are confident that he will see enough playing time this year so that it won’t stunt his [...]

Cubs Spring Training Chat

As I mentioned earlier today Andres Blanco could be on the verge of getting traded, and as it so happens that Andres Blanco has indeed been traded to the Texas Rangers for Cash Considerations or a player to be named later. Last year, Blanco hit .252 with the Cubs in a utility role for the Cubs.
With Blanco now out of the picture, Mike Fontenot is now the primary backup at the shortstop position. A move which opens up a spot on the team for Kevin Millar, or Chad Tracy.
Andres Blanco, who wasn’t going to make the team out of spring [...]

Remember back in 2007, when the Cubs gave Jeff Samardzija a 5 year/$10MM contract to help convince him to give up the game of Football, and be a pitcher in the Cubs organization. But we are going on Samardzija’s fourth year in the Cubs organization, and so far he has not lived up to that generous contract the Cubs gave him coming out of college.
Take a look at what transpired during spring training this year. As, Samardzija was finally given the chance to earn a starter’s spot in the rotation, but he was outperformed by Carlos Silva, and Tom Gorzelanny.  [...]

Injuries are a part of every sport you play, and in some cases it could cause that individual their spot on the team. And that Appears to be evident with shortstop Andres Blanco.
Blanco, who at first thought was going to be the primary backup shortstop for the Cubs this year, now appears to be on the verge of not making the 25 man roster. As Lou Piniella anointed Mike Fontenot as the backup shortstop.  Andres Blanco never really had a shot to impress Piniella this spring, as he has been sidelined for most of spring training due to a sprained [...]

Be Sure to join us Tomorrow right here at Cubbies Crib when I host our first Live Chat. From here on out through the regular season you can expect to have a live chat on Cubbies Crib on a weekly basis. On occasion, like this week, we may have two chats per week one during the week, and one on the weekend.
The First Chat will be tomorrow, Sunday, at 3:ooPM.

Hope you are able to join us tomorrow, for our first live chat here at Cubbies Crib.

With only a week remaining in spring training play, Lou Piniella on Friday announced his pitching staff for opening day. Going into camp their were two spots open in the rotation, and four guys were trying to win one of those spots.  And for the bullpen, it was sort of an open competition between the young guys to see who could impress the coaches more. Nonetheless, we finally have the rotation and bullpen slots filled out.
The Starters
1. Carlos Zambrano
2. Ryan Dempster
3. Randy Wells
4. Carlos Silva
5. Tom Gorzelanny
I can’t say I would argue with Lou Piniella’s choice for the 4th and [...]

Baseball season is a little under two weeks away, and for the most part the Cubs have their 25 man roster pretty much filled out. So, Let’s take a look at the latest happenings in Arizona as the Cubs begin to wrap up Cactus League Play.

Reports from all over the web are suggesting that Tyler Colvin has beaten out Sam Fuld for the fifth outfielders spot on the Cubs roster. Colvin benefited from a good spring performance, and a lack thereof from Micah Hoffpauir and Brad Snyder. Here is what Lou Piniella had to say about Colvin.

“First, Colvin has had [...]