Cubs make roster moves before non-tender deadline; Tree lighting on Thursday

As the MLB non-tender deadline approached Monday night, the Cubs had many decisions to make.  All in all, the team tendered 2014 contracts to the following arbitration-eligible players, including second baseman Darwin Barney, starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija, outfielder Nate Schierholtz, starting pitcher Travis Wood, relief pitcher Pedro Strop, reliever James Russell and third baseman Luis Valbuena.

Starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija was one of seven arbitration-eligible players to whom the Cubs tendered contracts to. (Chicago Tribune photo)

MLBTradeRumors.com projects Samardzija to get $4.9 million in 2014, while Schierholtz is projected to get $4.4 million; Wood $3.6 million; Barney $2.1 million; Russell $1.7 million; Valbuena $1.5 million; and Strop $1 million.

In addition, the Cubs signed fan favorite Donnie Murphy to a one-year $825,000 contract plus incentives.

The Cubs also reached an agreement with backup catcher George Kottaras (who was acquired last week from the Kansas City Royals) for a one-year, $1.075 million contract.

George Kottaras will be the Cubs' backup catcher in 2014 (photo from Chicago Sun-Times)

The Cubs non-tendered relievers Daniel Bard and Chang-Yong Lim and also infielder Mat Gamel.  All three are now free agents.

Former Cubs catcher Dioner Navarro agreed to a two-year, $8 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.  We wish him the best.

The Cubs' 40-man roster currently stands at 37 players.

Former Cubs pitcher Ted Lilly has retired due to chronic neck pain.  "I am retiring," Lilly wrote.  "I don't want to, but I think it is the realistic decision."  Lilly had the nerve endings on the right side of his neck cauterized by a spine specialist recently, which allowed him to pitch in the Venezuelan Winter League, but the discomfort continued.  Besides the Cubs, Lilly also played for the Dodgers, Yankees, Blue Jays, A's and Expos during his 15-year MLB career.

The Cubs Christmas Tree Lighting will take place this Thursday, December 5th in front of the Wrigley Field marquee.  The Cubs have not yet announced the time of the event.

Cubs win 6-2 over Rangers as offense comes alive at wet Wrigley Field

The Cubs were able to play all nine innings at Wrigley Field this afternoon and earn a 6-2 win over the Texas Rangers.  The two teams ended up splitting the two-game series (since Wednesday's night's game had to be postponed due to heavy rain and thunderstorms in Chicago).  A makeup date has yet to be announced.  Personally, I was glad they decided to postpone the game, since I had tickets and wasn't particularly looking forward to trudging to the Friendly Confines in the wet and windy weather.

The Cubs' bats came alive with 13 hits in the team's best performance of the season.  Carlos Villanueva earned the win for his solid outing today.  He allowed two runs on four hits and walked one and struck out six batters.  Villanueva's ERA is 1.29 this season.

Anthony Rizzo and Alfonso Soriano had back-to-back home runs in the third inning.  Rizzo's homer went 475 feet, which is the longest homer in the majors this season. 

Welington Castillo was hot today as he went 4-for-4 with a double and a run.  Luis Valbuena had two RBIs in the game.

Welington Castillo and Carlos Marmol celebrate the Cubs' win over the Rangers on Thursday (photo from Chicago Tribune)

To top it all off, Carlos Marmol pitched in the ninth and was able to get three quick outs without any drama.  Way to go, Marmol!  It was really satisfying to have the Cubs' bullpen be effective (which hasn't happened that often this season).  Also worth mentioning is James Russell's excellent relief pitching this season as he made his eighth scoreless appearance in the eighth inning of today's game.

Tomorrow the Cubs will travel to Milwaukee to start a three-game series against the Brewers.  Jeff Samardzija will start for the Cubs and try to earn his second win of the season.  Tomorrow's game time is 7:10pm CT.

Cubs reduce spring roster to 35 players and win 4-1 over Brewers; 25-man roster announcements

The Cubs reduced their spring roster from 46 to 35, after cutting 11 players earlier today.  Among the cuts were the following pitchers that were sent to Minor League camp:  Jensen Lewis, Drew Carpenter, Blake Parker, Casey Coleman and Jaye Chapman.

Chris Rusin was optioned to Triple-A Iowa and the other players assigned to Minor League camp include Brian Bogusevic, Brad Nelson, Edwin Maysonet, Johermyn Chavez and Darnell McDonald.

Of the 35 players remaining on the spring roster, Matt Garza, Scott Baker, Ian Stewart and Arodys Vizcaino are expected to start the season on the disabled list.

Dale Sveum announced that Michael Bowden and Dave Sappelt have made the Opening Day roster, as have Brent Lillibridge and Luis Valbuena.  This leaves one spot in the bullpen and one infield spot still open.  The contenders for the final bullpen spot include Rafael Dolis, Zach Putnam, Hisanori Takahashi and Corey Wade.  James Russell, Carlos Marmol, Shawn Camp and Kyuji Fujikawa have already secured spots in the bullpen.  The infield spot is down to Steve Clevenger and Alberto Gonzalez.

"Those days you dread," Sveum said regarding the roster cuts.  "Especially a lot of those guys that went down today, they had good springs.  Bogusevic had a really good spring training.  The Colemans, the Parkers, they all threw the ball well." 

Earlier today, the Cubs were victorious against the Milwaukee Brewers by a score of 4-1 in Maryvale, Arizona.  Carlos Villanueva had his best outing of the spring as he allowed five hits over six scoreless innings, while walking one and striking out four.

Carlos Villanueva had his best outing of the spring against the Brewers on Friday (photo from cubs.com)

“I had that one walk and I’m furious about that,” Villanueva said after the game.  “You hate giving up those free runners.  I don’t know what the percentage is but usually they end up scoring.  You make them earn it.”

With the game tied at 1 in the top of the ninth inning, Darwin Barney hit a two-run, two-out home run that gave the Cubs a 3-1 lead.  Then Dioner Navarro immediately followed with a back-to-back homer which increased the Cubs' lead to 4-1, which also ended up being the final score.

There are just 10 more days until the Cubs open their 2013 season in Pittsburgh!

Cubs efforts wasted as they lose a tough one to Reds in 11 innings

The Cubs lost a tough one tonight to the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field Wednesday night in a game that went into extra innings.  The final score was 6-5 Reds in 11 innings.

Chris Rusin started for the Cubs and allowed five runs on ten hits while walking two and striking out two over five innings pitched.  Rusin ends up with a no-decision and Alberto Cabrera is tagged with the loss.

Starlin Castro was 4-for-5 with a run and RBI while Alfonso Soriano hit a two-run homer, which was his 30th of the season.

Anthony Rizzo and Alfonso Soriano celebrate Sori's two-run homer against the Reds (photo from cubs.com)

Things seemed to be hopeful for the Cubs until David DeJesus misplayed Brandon Phillips' fly ball in the 11th, which led to the unearned game-winning run for the Reds.

Another incident that didn't help was when Luis Valbuena was picked off second base in the sixth inning when he wasn't paying attention.  Ouch.

However, the Cubs never gave up as they were down 5-1 at one point in the game.  Especially for a team that could easily lose 100 games, the team gets an A+ for effort.  The team needs five wins to avoid a 100-loss season, which would be the first time they'd lose over 100 games since 1966, when they lost 103 games.

The crazy strong winds in Chicago tonight also made for some unanticipated plays.  After staying up late to watch the Cubs another time this week, there's not much to be happy about, given the losses.  However, Cubs fans on Twitter make it worthwhile and entertaining.  You can find me as @kcburchell on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/kcburchell

Tomorrow the Cubs and Reds will play the final game of the three-game series at 1:20 CT.  Jason Berken will make the start for the Cubs and try to earn his first win.

Darwin Barney sets errorless games record but Cubs lose 3-1 to Brewers

The Cubs lost 3-1 to the Milwaukee Brewers in the third game of the four-game series Wednesday night at Wrigley Field.  Jeff Samardzija started for the Cubs and allowed three runs on seven hits and struck out ten batters and walked none over seven innings pitched. 

Samardzija was charged with his 12th loss of the season, as the Cubs offense never really woke up tonight and the Shark's own throwing error in the seventh inning was what put the Brew Crew ahead.

Jeff Samardzija struck out ten batters against the Brewers on Wednesday night (photo from cubs.com)

The Cubs scored their only run in the second inning when Darwin Barney had an RBI groundout.  Speaking of Barney, his errorless game streak is now at 114 and he has set the NL record for consecutive errorless games by a second baseman in a season.  Barney was originally charged with an error in the seventh inning, but the call was later reversed and changed to Luis Valbuena, who missed Barney's throw to third base.  Phew! Darwin's streak lives on!

Manager Dale Sveum said the following about Barney, "He's made a conscious effort to be the best in baseball on an everyday basis.  Not one day have I seen him take any ground balls off or take any days off.  It's been the same routine, same intensity every single day for him."

Darwin Barney's errorless game streak is now at 114 games and has set a new record (Getty Images photo)

In other Cubs news, the Cleveland Indians claimed left-handed relief pitcher Scott Maine on waivers from the Cubs on Wednesday.  The Cubs also activated RHP Blake Parker from the 60-day disabled list and designated left-handed pitcher Alex Hinshaw for assignment.

On Monday, pitcher Scott Maine was designated for assignment to make room for catcher Anthony Recker on the 40-man roster.  Recker was acquired from the Oakland A's for catcher Blake Lalli.

Starlin Castro signed a seven-year, $60 million contract extension with the Cubs.  The contract doesn't include no-trade provisions but includes a $16 million club option for 2020 with a $1 million buyout clause and a $6 million signing bonus.  Half of the bonus is paid upfront, with $1 million spread out over the first three years, which includes base salaries of $5 million for both 2013 and 2014, followed by salaries of $6 million, $7 million, $9 million, $10 million and $11 million.

Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said, "We’ve gotten to know him very well since (the sexual assault allegations).  And we feel completely comfortable investing in him long-term.  I thought he and his representatives handled themselves appropriately during the process."

Tomorrow the Cubs will play the final game in the four-game series against the Brewers at 1:20pm CT.  Brooks Raley will make the start for the Cubs and most likely won't go beyond five innings, since it's only his fifth major league start.

Cubs lose 3-1 to Mets; Ryan Dempster will return to start in series finale Sunday

The Cubs lost the second game of the three game series to the New York Mets 3-1 at Citi Field on Saturday.  Jeff Samardzija started for the Cubs and allowed three runs on seven hits while striking out four and walking two batters over seven innings pitched.

Jeff Samardzija gave up two homers early, but settled down to pitch seven innings against the Mets on Saturday (photo from cubs.com)

The Cubs' offense consisted of David DeJesus driving in Luis Valbuena with an RBi single in the sixth inning.  Anthony Rizzo increased his batting average to .386 and was 2-for-4 today.  Too bad the Cubs couldn't score much beyond that.

The Cubs were briefly out of last place in the NL Central division when they beat the Mets Friday night, but are now back in last place with their loss since the Astros beating the Brewers on Saturday. 

Tomorrow the Cubs and Mets will play the rubber game of the series at 12:10pm CT.  Ryan Dempster will return from the disabled list after more than three weeks on it and start for the Cubs.   He seems to have recovered from his sore right lat and threw successfully from flat ground on Friday. 

Manager Dale Sveum said Dempster will be held to an 80-pitch limit tomorrow.  "He says he feels as good as he has all year," Sveum said Friday.  "His bullpens are as sharp as anybody's are going to be.  It's just a matter of some durability issues maybe.  The guy keeps himself in phenomenal shape.  That's one part of the decision.  If it was somebody other than Ryan Dempster, you probably wouldn't be thinking about this."  I'm certainly excited for Dempster's return!  Let's get out of last place again, Cubbies!

Cubs beat the Braves 4-1 and win their 4th in a row for the first time this season; Ian Stewart and Ryan Dempster injury updates

The Cubs are in Atlanta for a four-game series against the Braves and started off the roadtrip on the right side by beating the Braves, 4-1 tonight at Turner Field.  This is the first time the Cubs have won four games in a row this season.

Jeff Samardzija started for the Cubs and allowed one run on four hits and struck out a career-high 11 batters, while walking one over seven innings pitched.  This is a nice change from the month of June, when Samardzija went 0-4 with a 10.41 earned-run average in five starts.

Jeff Samardzija threw a career-high 11 strikeouts in Monday's game against the Braves (photo from cubs.com)

First baseman Anthony Rizzo hit his second homer since joining the Cubs in the fourth inning.  Third baseman Luis Valbuena hit the game-winning three-run double in the seventh inning.

Anthony Rizzo is congratulated by Alfonso Soriano after hitting his second homer with the Cubs on Monday (photo from Chicago Tribune)

In other Cubs news, third baseman Ian Stewart, who has been on the disabled list with a sore left wrist, is going to undergo surgery and will most likely be out for the rest of the season.  Stewart, who is regularly on Twitter, announced the news late Sunday through a tweet.

Outfielder David DeJesus was out of the lineup with a stiff neck tonight, but should be back Tuesday.

Ryan Dempster, who has also been on the disabled list since June 16th with a tight right lat, is expected to return to the starting rotation after the All-Star break.  Dempster threw 40 pitches off a mound today and Sveum said he doesn't expect him to go to the minor leagues for a rehab start.  "The kind of guy he is and how he knows his body and the command of his pitches, I think as long as the bullpen goes good and we have a simulated game, that'll be enough," Sveum said.

Dempster and Braves catcher Brian McCann met with families of children with 22q at Turner Field before today's game as part of the Dempster Family Foundation's effort to raise awareness of the disorder, which Dempster's daughter, Riley, was born with.  This is a wonderful charity, so please visit http://dempsterfamilyfoundation.org/ for more information.

Ryan Dempster and members of his Dempster Family Foundation at Turner Field on Monday (photo from @DempsterFnMedia on twitter)

Tomorrow the Cubs and Braves will play game two of the four-game series at 6:10pm CT.  Chris Volstad, who will be called up from Triple-A Iowa, will make his first start for the Cubs since May 17th.

Volstad was optioned to Iowa after starting the season with the Cubs with a 0-6 record and a 7.46 ERA.  After making eight starts at Iowa, Volstad is 2-3 with a 4.44 ERA.  We'll see if his time in Iowa has paid off.  It's expected that Casey Coleman will be optioned to Iowa in a corresponding move.

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!

Cubs crush White Sox 12-3 to kick off Crosstown Classic; Ryan Dempster to DL; Geo Soto is back; other roster moves

The Cubs crushed the White Sox 12-3 to open the three-game Crosstown Classic series at U.S. Cellular Field tonight.  Matt Garza started for the Cubs and allowed three runs on five hits while striking out six and walking one batter over six innings pitched.  Out of Garza's 87 pitches, 59 were strikes.

The Cubs celebrate their 12-3 win over the White Sox on Monday (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Bryan LaHair, Starlin Castro, Alfonso Soriano, Geovany Soto and Luis Valbuena all hit home runs tonight to add to the Cubs' offense.

Bryan LaHair crosses home plate after his two-run homer in the third inning against the White Sox (Getty Images photo)

Regardless of the Cubs' record this season, it's always fun to watch the Northsiders beat up on the Sox!

Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein before the Crosstown Classic game Monday (photo from Chicago Tribune)

In other Cubs news, right handed pitcher Ryan Dempster was placed on the 15-day disabled list today for tightness in his right lat (near his shoulder).  Randy Wells will move from the bullpen to the starting rotation while Dempster is on the DL and will make the start for the Cubs on Wednesday against the Sox.  Scott Maine was called up from Triple-A Iowa to take Wells' spot in the bullpen.

Catcher Geovany Soto was activated from the DL today and was in the starting lineup tonight.  In a corresponding move, Wellington Castillo was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.  Guess all that talk from Cubs manager Dale Sveum about the possibility of using three catchers was just that...a possibility. 

Having Bryan LaHair play right field tonight suggests that the Cubs may be getting ready to call up first baseman Anthony Rizzo from Triple-A Iowa soon.  Last season when LaHair was called up to the major leagues, he played in right field nine times and in left field five times, so this is somewhat familiar to him.  But this also makes me think if the Cubs might be thinking of trading right fielder David DeJesus?  Unless DeJesus will play center field (like he did tonight) and share the position with Tony Campana?  Hmmm, the next month or so should be interesting!

Tomorrow the Crosstown Classic will continue at 7:10pm CT.  Travis Wood will start for the Cubs and try to earn his first win of the season.  Let's Go Cubbies!

Cubs come close, but lose 4-3 to the Red Sox; Cubs have signed 15 of 42 draft picks

The Cubs made tonight's game against the Boston Red Sox interesting in the 7th inning when third baseman Luis Valbuena hit a three-run homer to pull the Cubs within a run of the Red Sox.  However, the Cubs couldn't manage to score after that and end up losing the game 4-3.

Third baseman Luis Valbuena after hitting a three-run homer against the Red Sox (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Jeff Samardzija started for the Cubs and allowed three runs on four hits while striking out six and walking three batters over 5.1 innings pitched.  He didn't have his best outing, but he also didn't receive much run support.

Jeff Samardzija started in game 2 against the Red Sox (photo from Chicago Tribune)

 

Jeff Samardzija shows he's happy with catcher Wellington Castillo's play (photo from Chicago Tribune

In the sixth inning, Alfonso Soriano hit a ball hard to Red Sox third baseman Will Middlebrooks, who dropped the liner, but Soriano stood at the plate and never bothered to run to first base with two runners on base.  Fans booed Soriano's laziness and he was booed again when taking his spot in left field in the top of the seventh inning.  Who knows, that could've made the difference between the Cubs losing or winning the game.

Actor and Chicago area native Vince Vaughn threw out the first pitch and sang the seventh inning stretch tonight.

Actor Vince Vaughn throws out the first pitch before the Cubs-Red Sox game (photo from Chicago Tribune)

In other Cubs news, third baseman Ian Stewart, who is the disabled list with soreness in his left wrist, is scheduled to see a specialist at the Cleveland Clinic on Monday. 

Catcher Koyie Hill, who was designated for assignment on Thursday, has cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Iowa today.

The Cubs have now signed 15 of their 42 draft picks, but first-round pick Albert Almora is not one of those 15.  Almora is an outfielder out of Mater Academy Charter School in Florida.  The Cubs have until July 13 to agree on a deal with Almora, who is expected to sign with the team.

Tomorrow the Cubs and Red Sox will play the rubber game at 7:05pm CT.  Left handed pitcher Paul Maholm will start for the Cubs and try for his fifth win of the season.

Cubs lose 5-3 to Tigers; Ian Stewart to DL; Luis Valbuena called up; Wellington Castillo reactivated; Koyie Hill DFA

The Cubs lost 5-3 to the Detroit Tigers in the series finale this afternoon and end up losing the series.  Travis Wood started for the Cubs and pitched well enough to keep the Cubs in the game, but unfortunately his teammates couldn't provide more offense as Wood takes the loss.

Wood allowed three runs on eight hits during 6 2/3 innings pitched.  He struck out three batters and walked two.

Travis Wood pitched 6 2/3 innings today against the Tigers (photo from cubs.com)

Highlights from the game include second baseman Darwin Barney's RBI double, Valbuena also got his first RBI with the Cubs, and right fielder David DeJesus also had an RBI.

Alfonso Soriano after his base hit in the game against the Tigers (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Detroit's Justin Verlander held the Cubs to two runs on five hits over eight innings.  Once again, it seemed like there were just as many Tigers fans as Cubs fans at Wrigley Field.

In other Cubs news, third baseman Ian Stewart has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a sore left wrist.  Valbuena was called up from Triple-A Iowa and takes Stewart's spot on the roster.

Catcher Wellington Castillo was activated from the disabled list and in a corresponding move, Koyie Hill was designated for assignment.

Tomorrow the Boston Red Sox will roll into town to play a three-game series against the Cubs.  Ryan Dempster will start for the Cubs at 1:20pm CT.