Is this an upgrade over Ruggiano?

I didn't realize I typed JD. It was Stephen in my head. Ha

And now both of those guys are gone and the Cubs have claimed Mike Kickham.

https://twitter.com/MDGonzales/status/556107791534800896?s=09

Cubs, OF Chris Coghlan agree to one-year, $2.505 million contract.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/coghlch01.shtml

M'eh ... no strong feelings either way.

https://twitter.com/MDGonzales/status/556117655992545282?s=09

Cubs, catcher Welington Castillo agree to $2.1 million contract.

I don't dislike him nearly as much as other do (I believe) ... that said, surely this is a precursor to the ol' sign-and-trade dance, no?

Has the parade route been established yet for this World Series victory?

Has the parade route been established yet for this World Series victory?

Yes.

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

Have the Brewers done anything this offseason other than prep for the sausage races?

They did everything prior to the season ending other than they picked up Adam Lind. Their payroll is going to be right at 110 million which will be the largest ever. They will still sign bullpen help, but they don't have any room.

The Cubs are giving Daniel Bard another chance to revive a career that once looked so promising.

Cubs VP Jason McLeod confirmed Bard has signed a minor-league deal and will go to spring training trying to find what had made him an elite setup guy with the Boston Red Sox.

“There’s a lot of history there,” McLeod said Sunday. “We’ve been with him through a lot.”

As Cubs Convention closed down at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, it’s a reminder that all these prospects aren’t going to make it and enjoy an uninterrupted 10-year run in the big leagues.

McLeod had been Boston’s amateur scouting director when the Red Sox selected Bard in the first round of the 2006 out of the University of North Carolina. Bard eventually emerged as a weapon out of the Red Sox bullpen in 2010 (1.93 ERA) and 2011 (74 strikeouts in 73 innings) before everything unraveled.

It’s a long story, but Bard tried to transition to the rotation and had major problems with his command. He developed issues with his right shoulder and eventually needed surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome. He hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since April 2013.

Cubs executives have been through this before. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer knew Bard well from their time together at Fenway Park and claimed him off waivers in September 2013, but he never actually pitched for the team in a game.

“He’s supposed to be ready to throw,” McLeod said. “With everything that’s happened – coming through the injuries and some of the control issues he had – we’ll see where he’s at.”


It’s a long shot, but the Cubs hope new Triple-A Iowa pitching coach Mike Cather – a former instructor in the Red Sox organization – might be able to help make a difference.

“He and Daniel have a really good relationship,” McLeod said. “Back in the early days in Boston, after Daniel’s draft year, he really struggled out of the gate. His first full year was a terrible year.

“We sent Daniel to Hawaii that fall with Mike Cather and that’s when we made him a reliever and it just clicked. Not saying that’s the reason or anything, but that’s another voice Dan feels really comfortable with.”

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

Bruce Levine @MLBBruceLevine
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Breaking news -Cubs close to completing trade for Houston CF Dexter Fowler .
9:40 AM - 19 Jan 2015

Carrie Muskat retweeted
Susan Slusser ‏@susanslusser 4m4 minutes ago

Dan Straily, the former #Athletics starter, is going to #Astros in this Dexter Fowler deal with #Cubs



Bye. Let's see what else we give up but won't miss this guy.

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

Valbuena and Straily heading to Astros

I think you're highly underestimating Straily. Still, a good deal depending on what else they have to give up.