12:45 PM EDT, Thu March 28, 2024
Bleed Cubbie Blue

Today in 1984 Cubs history: The Gary Matthews/Bob Dernier trade changed everything

The Cubs struggled through a painful spring training, and then Dallas Green made a deal that defined the 1984 team. The Cubs lost 91 games in 1983, two more than they had in 1982, the first year of “Building A New Tradition” under Tribune Co. and general manager Dallas Green. In fact, they had hovered around .500 as late as June 19, when they were 30-32, but went 41-59 the rest of the way, the worst record in the National League. That got manager Lee Elia fired. When spring training began in 1984, the Cubs had made just two significant player moves since the end of...

Lone Star Ball

AJM makes a guess at the Opening Day roster

Photo by John E. Moore III/ With the Michael Lorenzen signing, we have a better idea of what the Texas Rangers’ Opening Day roster will look like Let’s see if we can predict what the Texas Rangers roster will be a week from now, on Opening Day, when Texas faces the Chicago Cubs. This job is made easier by the addition of free agent pitcher Michael Lorenzen, who has reportedly agreed to terms on a one year deal with the Rangers. That means one question mark in regards to the final pitching staff is now longer in doubt. And while I’ve seen speculation Lorenzen...

Pinstripe Alley

2024 Preview: Cardinals

Photo by Jim McIsaac/ Do Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado have enough left in the tank to lead a revival in St. Louis? The 2023 St. Louis Cardinals had cause for optimism. They were coming off a NL Central division title and their fourth-straight postseason appearance, maintaining their reputation as one of the league’s best-run franchises. They signed three-time All Star backstop Willson Contreras away from their arch rivals, the Cubs, in free agency to replace franchise icon Yadier Molina. There was every indication that the good times would continue to roll in...

Royals Review

Royals trade partner history: The Brewers

Photo by Ron Schwane/ The Royals have done quite well in deals with the Brew Crew. This is a series that looks back at their trade history with each team in baseball. So far, we have looked back at trades with the Braves, Cubs, Diamondbacks, Orioles, White Sox, Angels, and Marlins. Today we look at the history of deals with the Milwaukee Brewers Total number of Royals/Brewers trades: 29 The Royals and Brewers have had a bunch of trades together, and the Royals have come out on the positive end of a lot of them. There were some terrific trades that don’t even make the...

Brew Crew Ball

Brewers drop fourth consecutive game, 6-5, to Chicago Cubs, but Colin Rea dominant

Brewers catcher William Contreras | Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports William Conteras’ four RBIs A hectic game highlighted Box Score The Milwaukee Brewers’ 6-5 loss to the Cubs began as a pitcher's duel with Colin Rea tossing four shutout innings. While Rea struck out seven batters without allowing a hit, the Cubs’ own starter, Justin Steele, threw four innings and struck out nine. The offenses would eventually trade blows before James Meeker allowed a walk-off home run to Cubs third baseman Patrick Wisdom. A STRONG outing for Code Red 4 IP0 H7 K...

Bleed Cubbie Blue

Here are all the remaining MLB free agents

Photo by Elsa/ Could any of them interest the Cubs? Opening Day of the 2024 MLB season is two weeks from this Thursday. Most teams have the players they want on their Opening Day rosters already in camp. But injuries happen — as appears to be the case with Cubs righthander Jameson Taillon — and perhaps teams are still looking for backup plans. Also, there are still the Boras Three, top free agents represented by Scott Boras: Jordan Montgomery, Blake Snell and J.D. Martinez, still looking for work. Here are all the players still listed as free agents by MLB Trade...

Royals Review

Royals trade partner history: The Marlins

Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos via The Royals don’t deal with Fish too much. This is a series that looks back at their trade history with each team in baseball. So far, we have looked back at trades with the Braves, Cubs, Diamondbacks, Orioles, White Sox, and Angels. Today we look at the history of deals with the Miami Marlins. Total number of Royals/Marlins trades: 13 The two teams haven’t engaged on very many big trades together, and hardly any have worked out well for the Royals. Kansas City did unload former All-Star reliever Aaron Crow on the Marlins, but the...

Over the Monster

OTM Open Thread 3/5: It is Tuesday

Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/ And then there were two...(ish) Happy Tuesday. The Boras Two (and a few others) remain unsigned. On the bright side, the Baltimore Orioles could really use a pitcher so them sitting this out too is a slight reduction in strength of the AL East. A tiny boost for the Red Sox. 20 years ago - March 5, 2004 - Nomar Garciaparra was struck with a ball in batting practice and would miss a large part of the season before famously being traded to the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline. Garret Whitlock and the Red Sox take on the Tampa...

Lone Star Ball

Chapman to the Giants, per reports

Photo by David Berding/ Matt Chapman and the San Francisco Giants have reportedly agreed to terms on a three year deal Matt Chapman and the San Francisco Giants have agreed to terms on a free agent contract, per multiple reports. The third baseman is reportedly getting $54 million over three years, with opt outs after years one and two. Chapman is the second prominent Scott Boras client to do a three year deal with opt outs after not finding the market to his liking this offseason, with Cody Bellinger re-signing with the Chicago Cubs on a three year deal with opt outs...

Bleed Cubbie Blue

Cubs vs. Rockies at Mesa preview, Thursday 2/29, 2:05 CT

Photo by Norm Hall/ The Cubs return home to face the visitors from Colorado. MESA, Arizona — Happy Leap Year Day to all those who celebrate! Interesting note from a few days ago that I missed: Former Cubs prospect Brailyn Marquez, who departed as a free agent from the team in November, had signed with the Astros in December. Houston released Marquez a week ago. Marquez hasn’t pitched in the majors since a brief outing on the last day of the 2020 season. He threw a few innings in the Dominican Winter League this past offseason. He turned 25 in January. Worth...

Bleed Cubbie Blue

Cubs vs. Brewers at Phoenix preview, Wednesday 2/28, 2:05 CT

Photo by Norm Hall/ Another road contest for the North Siders. Here’s a bit more on Matthew Thompson, who the Cubs acquired yesterday in a trade with the White Sox: In the 23-year-old Thompson, the Cubs got a righty who was selected in the second round of the 2019 Draft by the Sox. Last season with Double-A Birmingham, Thompson had a 4.85 ERA with 136 strikeouts and 85 walks in 124 1/3 innings. “He’s got a good arm,” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said. “He’s a guy that we liked as an amateur. And I think any time you can grab a starting...

Lookout Landing

Mariners Moose Tracks, 2/28/24: Mitch Haniger, Enrique Hernández, and The Boras Three

Photo by Steph Chambers/ Mitch Haniger is happy to be home. Good morning friends! Let’s get you caught up on the latest news from spring camp and elsewhere in baseball. In Mariners news... Brock and Salk spoke to Mitch Haniger, who never wanted to leave the Mariners in the first place and is now thrilled to be back. Around the league... In a minor trade, the White Sox acquired left-hander Bailey Horn from the Cubs, enabling the north siders to clear a roster spot for Cody Bellinger. Ben Clemens at Fangraphs broke down the Dodgers’ decision to bring back fan...

Nick Castellanos - ON FIRE since joining Chicago Cubs

Nick Castellanos has been absolutely tearing it up since he joined the Cubs at the trade deadline! He has 12 home runs and is batting .346 in just 31 games with Chicago as they push for a postseason spot! Don't forget to subscribe! https://www.youtube.co

Ken Rosenthal on Bumgarner trade talks and potential deadline moves for the Cubs | FOX MLB

Ken Rosenthal joins Alex Rodriguez, Frank Thomas and Kevin Burkhardt to discuss Madison Bumgarner trade talks and who the Cubs might add at the trade deadline. #FOXSports #MLB #MadisonBumgarner #Cubs #KenRosenthal