Cubs players file for arbitration; Cubs Convention; Strike A Chord; Woody's Winter Warm-Up; Clark the Mascot

As the Cubs Convention is just two days away, there has been a lot Cubs coverage in the media this week.  First off, eight Cubs players filed for salary arbitration on Tuesday.  The players and their 2013 salaries and projected 2014 salaries are listed below:

Jeff Samardzija: $2.64 million (2013); $4.9 million (2014 projected)
Darwin Barney: $562,000 (2013); $2.1 million (2014 projected)
Travis Wood: $527,500 (2013); $3.6 million (2014 projected)
Nate Schierholtz: $2.25 million (2013); $4.4 million (2014 projected)
James Russell: $1.075 million (2013); $1.7 million (2014 projected)
Luis Valbuena: $930,000 (2013); $1.5 million (2014 projected)
Pedro Strop: $502,500 (2013); $1 million (2014 projected)
Justin Ruggiano: $494,500 (2013); $1.8 million (2014 projected)

The Cubs and players will discuss salary figures on Friday if an agreement isn't reached before then.  If necessary, arbitration hearings will take place between February 1-21.

This Friday, January 17th kicks off the 29th Annual Cubs Convention which will take place at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, 301 East North Water Street in downtown Chicago.  The Convention continues on Saturday, January 18th and will wrap up on Sunday.  Opening Ceremonies will start at 6pm and will include introductions of all current and past players down a red-carpet runway. 

Confirmed players, coaches and executives attending the convention include:

Major League Players:
Jake Arrieta RHP
Darwin Barney INF
Welington Castillo C
Starlin Castro INF
Kyuji Fujikawa RHP
Justin Grimm RHP
Edwin Jackson RHP
George Kottaras C
Junior Lake OF
Donnie Murphy INF
Blake Parker RHP
Brooks Raley LHP
Anthony Rizzo INF
Hector Rondon RHP
Justin Ruggiano OF
Chris Rusin LHP
James Russell LHP
Jeff Samardzija RHP
Nate Schierholtz OF
Pedro Strop RHP
Ryan Sweeney OF
Luis Valbuena INF
Carlos Villanueva  RHP
Jose Veras RHP
Travis Wood LHP
Wesley Wright LHP

Minor League Players:
Arismendy Alcantara INF
Albert Almora, OF
Javier Baez INF
Kris Bryant INF
C.J. Edwards RHP
Kyle Hendricks RHP
Pierce Johnson RHP
Eric Jokisch LHP
Mike Olt INF
Neil Ramirez RHP
Armando Rivero RHP
Rubi Silva OF
Jorge Soler OF
Christian Villanueva INF
Arodys Vizcaino RHP

Cubs Alumni:
Ernie Banks INF
Glenn Beckert INF
Jim Bullinger P
Bobby Dernier OF
Scott Eyre P
Randy Hundley C
Fergie Jenkins P
Jay Johnstone OF
Les Lancaster P
Derrek Lee 1B
Ted Lilly P
Bill Madlock INF
Gary Matthews OF
Dave Otto P, Broadcaster
Milt Pappas P
Mark Prior P
Mike Remlinger P
Scott Sanderson P
Dwight Smith OF
Lee Smith P
Tim Stoddard P
                                        Rick Sutcliffe P
                                        Steve Trout P
                                        Billy Williams OF
                                        Kerry Wood P


 

Coaching Staff:
Rick Renteria, Manager
Mike Borzello, Catching Coach
Chris Bosio, Pitching Coach
Mike Brumley, Assistant Hitting Coach
Jose Castro, Quality Assurance Coach
Eric Hinske, First Base Coach
Brandon Hyde, Bench Coach
Gary Jones, Third Base Coach
Bill Mueller, Hitting Coach
Lester Strode, Bench Coach

 Team Executives/Broadcasters:
Tom Ricketts, Chairman
Laura Ricketts, Board Member
Pete Ricketts, Board Member
Todd Ricketts, Board Member
Theo Epstein, President, Baseball Operations
Crane Kenney, President, Business Operations
Jed Hoyer, EVP/GM
Jason McLeod, SVP, Scouting & Player Development
Randy Bush, Assistant GM
Shiraz Rehman, Assistant to the GM
Pat Hughes, Radio Broadcaster
 Ron Coomer, Radio Broadcaster
                                                         Len Kasper, TV Broadcaster
                                                         Jim Deshaies, TV Broadcaster


I always look forward to the Cubs Convention (tweet with #CubsCon) and will share my experiences on this blog throughout the weekend.  You can also follow me at @kcburchell on Twitter.

There are also two Cubs events this Thursday and Friday, which are scheduled around the Convention.  First, former Cubs outfielder David DeJesus and his wife Kim are hosting "Strike A Chord" along with Cubs Charities and the David DeJesus Family Foundation on Thursday at 6:30pm at American Junkie, 15 W. Illinois Street.  Cubs players will sing karaoke to help raise money to benefit ALS research and support.  Heavy appetizers will be provided by American Junkie, Chicago q, GT Fish and Oyster, Siena Tavern and Wow Bao.  Tickets are $125 in advance or $150 at the door and will also include an open bar, live auction and raffle.  For more information or to purchase tickets: cubs.com/karaoke

The Wood Family Foundation (WFF) (Former Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood and his wife Sarah's foundation) will host the third annual "Woody's Winter Warm-Up" event on Friday night at 8pm at Harry Caray's Tavern, Navy Pier.  The event will emceed by radio personality Pete McMurray and television host Catie Keogh and will showcase Chicago Cubs past and present, celebrities and media personalities as 'guest-bartenders' mixing drinks and competing for tips to raise money for WFF.  The night will also feature meet-and-greet opportunities with players, a silent auction, premium open bar, dinner buffet, raffle and DJ.  Robert Randolph is the headliner of this year's event.  Tickets are $150 in advance or $175 at the door.  For more information or to purchase tickets, go to this link.

Ernie Banks and Kerry Wood at "Woody's Winter Warm-Up" in 2013

In other Cubs news, the team introduced their first mascot in history, Clark the Cub on Monday.  Fans seem to have mixed feelings about Clark as a large amount of fans expressed negative feelings on Twitter and Facebook towards the new mascot, but others think the mascot is a good idea for entertaining kids.

Cubs prospects helped to introduce Clark at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago on Monday when they helped to reinforce positive activities being taught to children with autism and other developmental challenges.  The players did jumping jacks and stretches with the children, answered questions about their favorite ice cream flavor and colors and competed in friendly games of "Connect 4."  Kris Bryant, the Cubs' No. 1 Draft pick was on hand, as well as Albert Almora, Jorge Soler, Mike Olt and Eric Jokisch.

Cubs prospects Kris Bryant, Armando Rivero and Arodys Vizcaino and Clark visit with kids at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center

The Cubs organization says that Clark will help to welcome fans to his own clubhouse at Wrigley Field, where families can visit.  Fans also will be able to interact with Clark on Twitter and Facebook.  At first, I wasn't so sure about a Cubs mascot, but as I've had time to think about it, I like the idea of having Clark to interact with kids at events both at and away from Wrigley Field.  It's hard to break tradition of not having a team mascot, but Clark seems harmless enough.  I just wish he would wear some pants!

Lastly, the Cubs have signed 28-year old Chris Coghlan, who was the 2009 National League Rookie of the Year, to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training. The left-handed hitting outfielder/third baseman will earn $800,000 if he makes the Major League roster and can earn another $250,000 in incentives.

I hope to see some of you at the Cubs Convention this weekend and stay tuned to Cubby News for Convention updates throughout the weekend.  Go Cubs Go! 

Woody's Winter Warm-Up a success for 2nd consecutive year

Former Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood and his wife Sarah hosted the second Woody's Warm-Up event on Friday, January 18th 2013, which was also the opening night of the 2013 Cubs Convention. 

Cubs players, Bears players and local celebrities got behind the bar and served drinks to guests while competing for tips.  There was also a live and silent auction.  More than $96,000 was raised at Harry Caray's Tavern at Navy Pier that night to benefit the Wood Family Foundation.

I had the pleasure of attending the fundraiser for the second year and it was a night to remember.  It was so special to see everyone come together to support such an amazing foundation.  Even though Kerry Wood retired last spring, many members of the current Cubs roster still came out to support the former Cub.  Some of the Cubs' top prospects also helped out behind the bar and mingled with guests.

Trey McNutt, Darwin Barney and Marcus Hatley (photo by Karen Burchell)

Cubs manager Dale Sveum, along with President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein, Senior Vice President of Scouting and Player Development Jason McLeod, Director of Pro Scouting Joe Bohringer, as well as Tom, Todd and Pete Ricketts were also in attendance.

Some of the players in attendance that I had a chance to talk to included Anthony Rizzo, Darwin Barney, Tony Campana, Matt Garza, Jeff Samardzija, Steve Clevenger, Ian Stewart, Dave Sappelt, James Russell, Brooks Raley, Travis Wood, David DeJesus, former Cubs Jody Davis, Kerry Wood and Scott Sanderson.  In addition, prospects Dallas Beeler, Marcus Hatley, Zac Rosscup and other Cubs minor leaguers were there to support the Wood Family Foundation.

Hanging out with the host of the evening, Kerry Wood (photo by Karen Burchell)

This is one of my favorite Cubs fundraisers because of the more relaxed and casual atmosphere.  It's also a great opportunity to meet and talk to your favorite Cubs players and staff.  Everyone is friendly and accessible, minus the chaos of the convention.  I hope that Kerry and Sarah will continue to host this event, which is also a perfect kickoff to Cubs Convention weekend.

Paul Maholm's best performance of season leads Cubs to 4-0 shutout of Astros; Kerry Wood's Bowling Fundraiser

Paul Maholm had his best outing of the season as he pitched 8-2/3 innings and allowed just four hits, leading the Cubs to a 4-0 shutout of the Houston Astros Friday afternoon at Wrigley Field.  Maholm struck out six batters and walked one.  Today's win was Maholm's first in his last eight starts, as well as his 200th career start.

Paul Maholm pitched 8-2/3 innings in Friday's Cubs win over the Astros (photo from cubs.com)

Luis Valbuena, Steve Clevenger, and Alfonso Soriano all homered in today's game.  Clevenger's was his first career homer, which was hit onto the Budweiser Patio and into the hands of one of several guys dressed in red pajamas/long underwear.  It looked like the Cubs had to make a deal with the red PJ guy to have him give up the ball to Clevenger for a keepsake.

In other Cubs news, right-handed pitcher Randy Wells, who was designated for assignment on Wednesday, cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Iowa today. 

Randy Wells has cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Iowa on Friday (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Ryan Dempster is expected to miss another start on Tuesday in Atlanta.  Cubs manager Dale Sveum has yet to decide who will pitch in Dempster's spot, but it sounds like it will be either Chris Volstad or Casey Coleman.  Should be interesting, either way.

Dempster won't return to the rotation until just after the All-Star break.  “I feel great, completely pain free,” Dempster said Friday morning.  It won't take long after I get going."

Kerry Wood, along with his wife Sarah, and his Wood Family Foundation hosted its 7th annual Stike Zone Celebrity Bowling Tournament at 10pin Bowling Lounge on Wednesday night, which raised over $300,000 to benefit children in need.

Most of Wood's former Cubs teammates were in attendance, along with WWE Champion CM Punk, former WWE Diva Lita, the Plain White T’s band members Tom Higgenson and Dave Tirio, and ‘85 Bears player Steve McMichael.

Ryan Dempster was all decked out for the Wood Family Foundation bowling fundraiser on June 27, 2012 (photo by Kenny Kim)

Kerry Wood and his family at his fundraiser on June 27, 2012 (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Tomorrow the Cubs and Astros will play game two of the three game series at 3:05pm CT.  Matt Garza will start for the Cubs and will hopefully get some run support and a win for the Cubs.  Then maybe his teammates can get back at him with multiple shaving cream pies!