Chicago Cubs News: Ticket prices hurting loyal fans; Cubs off to a hot start

The Chicago Cubs continue to play well in Arizona. Meanwhile, as the regular season nears, ticket prices and the debate around them has heated up again.

On Saturday in Arizona, the Chicago Cubs split the squad up for a pair of Cactus League contests. In the first, after former top prospect Eloy Jimenez blasted a go-ahead home run for the White Sox, Cael Brockmeyer hit a long-ball of his own, sending the crosstown rivals home with a 4-4 tie.

In the nightcap against the Dodgers, Chicago came up short. Peter Bourjos added two hits to raise his average to .348 on the spring, but no other hitter tallied more than one knock in the 6-5 loss. For Los Angeles, former Cub Rich Hill twirled four innings, allowing just one unearned run, striking out four and walking none.

Former St. Louis Cardinals hurler Lance Lynn is officially off the market. After Mike Moustakas and Carlos Gonzalez signed one-year deals, the right-hander agreed on a one-year, $12 million with the Minnesota Twins. Chalk this one up to another firmly disappointed free agent who began the winter with multi-year dreams and is now settling just to get back on the field.

Some have suggested these players wait it out and sign mid-year. But, at that point, you don’t know when you’ll wind up taking the ball in a big league uniform. Missing starts could cost you money, as well – but, for the time being, Jake Arrieta and Alex Cobb remain unsigned.

These and other stories you might have missed:

Maddon loses Davey; team will be just fine without him – Cubbies Crib

Jed Hoyer thinks Cubs nailed the offseason – is he right? – Bleacher Nation

Rising ticket prices are the cost of Cubs’ recent winning – Cubbies Crib

Professor Hendricks takes the Sox to class – Cubs Insider

Early spring performances a cause for optimism – Cubbies Crib

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