Don't Say C*rse: Chicago Cubs 2013 and Beyond

[ChrisG]

GM's Diary:

3/30/2013: Something bizarre has happened to Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer, and Jason McLeod. Aliens abducted all three of them, simultaneously. Clearly they wish to develop a baseball program of their own.

I, fourth in line to succeed as General Manager of the Chicago Cubs, was spared. I guess it's that…you know…again.

Jed set the Opening Day roster. Glad he could do that before heading off to outer space.

Honestly, I think this team could surprise the rest of the league. If everything falls into place, we could do a lot better than the pundits expect us to. Wait a second, this is the Cubs we're talking about here.

My plan for this season is to build for the future. Realistically, we're probably not going to make the playoffs or even be close to .500 this year. I won't say that to the Chicago media or the team (can't be seen as throwing in the towel before the season has even begun!), but it's true. So the hope is that some of our veterans turn into valuable trading chips near the deadline to get us some younger guys.

Opening Day is in two days. What have I gotten myself into?

----------------

About this Dynasty:

I will sim most games and occasionally manage some of them. I'll write this dynasty mainly from the perspective of me, the GM.

Settings/Changes (different than default):
Set AI trading frequency to low (may change it back to normal closer to the deadline). Also changed the AI to weigh current year stats ever so slightly more.

I updated the Cubs 25/40-man roster to what it was on Opening Day (minus Junior Lake, who will be added to the 40-man when his injury time is up). I updated the durations of current injuries to reflect what actually happened so far this season.

I also included Anthony Rizzo's extension. We'll pretend it was signed pre-season.

[ChrisG]

Farm Report:

3/31/13: I'm really excited about our minor league system, we have quite a bit of depth on top of some really solid looking prospects. Here is my personal Top 5:



#1 SS Javier Baez
Age: 20
Bats/Throws: R/R
Current Level: Daytona (A+)
ETA: 2015

This guy's bat speed is incredible. Has stud written all over him, but he is not without faults. He really needs to learn how to get on base and cut down on the K's though. He just might be able to stick at SS but he may need to be moved to 3B or 2B because of Starlin Castro. All in all, a pretty good problem to have. He's still at least a year and a half away though.



#2 RF Jorge Soler
Age: 21
Bats/Throws: R/R
Current Level: Daytona (A)
ETA: 2014

Part of a trio of Cuban outfielders expected to be stars in the coming years alongside Yoenis Cespedes and Yasiel Puig. This guy can rake. But he can also work the glove too and is a solid right fielder. Closer to the bigs than Baez. I could even see him manning right at Wrigley on Opening Day next year if he really excels.



#3 CF Albert Almora
Age: 18 (age 19 season)
Bats/Throws: R/R
Current Level: Kane County (A-)
ETA: 2015/2016

Athletic CF with a nice swing and a strong arm. Hard to tell exactly when he'll be up in the big leagues, but I could see him coming up as early as September of 2014 if he tears up A and AA ball. Time will tell. He's currently recovering from a broken hamate bone, so we'll see how he performs after that.



#4 RHP Arodys Vizcaino
Age: 22
Bats/Throws: R/R
Current Level: ? (DL)
ETA: 2014

Acquired in the Paul Maholm deal, Vizcaino is currently on the 60-day DL recovering from Tommy John surgery, and we're not sure when he'll return. At the latest, he'll return by the end of this year, and we will see him up in the bigs next year. He profiles as either a frontline starter or a closer.



#5 1B Dan Vogelbach
Age: 20
Bats/Throws: L/R
Current Level: Kane County (A-)
ETA: 2015/2016

This guy is big but he has an even bigger swing. He can flat out smash, but the problem is is that he is without a clear path to the big leagues with the Cubs. He can only play 1B (and not too well I might add), and Anthony Rizzo is already solid there. I see him as trade bait, short of the NL adopting the DH sometime in the next 2-3 years.

[ChrisG]

Farm Report:

I'm really excited about our minor league system, we have quite a bit of depth on top of some really solid looking prospects. Here is my personal Top 5:



#1 SS Javier Baez
Age: 20
Bats/Throws: R/R
Current Level: Daytona (A+)
ETA: 2015

This guy's bat speed is incredible. Has stud written all over him, but he is not without faults. He really needs to learn how to get on base and cut down on the K's though. He just might be able to stick at SS but he may need to be moved to 3B or 2B because of Starlin Castro. All in all, a pretty good problem to have. He's still at least a year and a half away though.



#2 RF Jorge Soler
Age: 21
Bats/Throws: R/R
Current Level: Daytona (A)
ETA: 2014

Part of a trio of Cuban outfielders expected to be stars in the coming years alongside Yoenis Cespedes and Yasiel Puig. This guy can rake. But he can also work the glove too and is a solid right fielder. Closer to the bigs than Baez. I could even see him manning right at Wrigley on Opening Day next year if he really excels.



#3 CF Albert Almora
Age: 18 (age 19 season)
Bats/Throws: R/R
Current Level: Kane County (A-)
ETA: 2015/2016

Athletic CF with a nice swing and a strong arm. Hard to tell exactly when he'll be up in the big leagues, but I could see him coming up as early as September of 2014 if he tears up A and AA ball. Time will tell. He's currently recovering from a broken hamate bone, so we'll see how he performs after that.



#4 RHP Arodys Vizcaino
Age: 22
Bats/Throws: R/R
Current Level: ? (DL)
ETA: 2014

Acquired in the Paul Maholm deal, Vizcaino is currently on the 60-day DL recovering from Tommy John surgery, and we're not sure when he'll return. At the latest, he'll return by the end of this year, and we will see him up in the bigs next year. He profiles as either a frontline starter or a closer.



#5 1B Dan Vogelbach
Age: 20
Bats/Throws: L/R
Current Level: Kane County (A-)
ETA: 2015/2016

This guy can flat out smash, the problem is is that he is without a clear path to the big leagues with the Cubs. He can only play 1B (and not too well I might add), and Anthony Rizzo is already solid there. I see him as trade bait, short of the NL adopting the DH sometime in the next 2-3 years.

[ChrisG]

Around the League

Opening Day



Rangers Beat Astros on Opening Day

3/31/13: The Astros have started the 2013 season occupying a familiar position, last place, in an unfamiliar league.

The Texas Rangers beat them 4-3 in the first American League game on their home turf to open the 2013 Major League Baseball season. A.J. Pierzynski hit the only homer in the game, a two-run shot in the fifth. Rangers RHP Yu Darvish only went 5 and 2/3 innings, but got the job done, striking out nine and giving up two runs to earn the victory.

Rangers LF David Murphy exited the game early with an injury, but the team is not sure how long he will be out.

[ChrisG]

Rain Limits Pitchers on Opening Day, Wild Marmol Costs Cubs Game


4/1/13: Rain limited starters Jeff Samardzija (CHC) and A.J. Burnett (PIT) to under five innings on a cold day in Pittsburgh.

The Cubs thought they were going to open the season with a late comeback victory. Down 2-1 in the seventh, they got a break as a two-out error by Clint Barmes gave RF Nate Schierholtz a chance to double in a run, tying the game. In the top of the ninth, Scott Hairston hit a pinch hit two-run home run off of Jason Grilli to give the Cubs a 4-2 lead. But Carlos Marmol was Carlos Marmol. The wild closer was ineffective today, giving up three runs in the bottom of the ninth (including a two-run double to former Cub top prospect Felix Pie), with the Pirates getting a walkoff victory on a wild pitch.



Around the League
- Stephen Strasburg fanned 16 batters in a 5-0 victory against the Marlins
- Lucas Duda went 3-for-3 with 2 HR in a 12-3 victory against the Padres

[ChrisG]

Cubs Drop Series in Pittsburgh

4/3/13: Cubs 5 Pirates 2
WP: Jackson (1-0) LP: Rodriguez (0-1)
SV: Marmol (1)
HR: CHC Hairston (2), PIT Jones (1)

4/4/13: Cubs 1 Pirates 3
WP: McDonald (1-0) LP: Villanueva (0-1)
SV: Grilli (1)
HR: PIT McCutchen (1), Snider (1)

Around the League
4/4/13:
- Jeremy Affeldt signs a 2 yr/$8.4 mil extension with SFG
- Erick Aybar goes 5-for-5 vs. CIN

[ChrisG]

Braves Sweep Cubs

4/5/13: Cubs 3 Braves 4
WP: Minor (1-0) LP: Fujikawa (0-1)
SV: Kimbrel (1)
HR: CHC Lillibridge (2)

4/6/13: Cubs 3 Braves 7
WP: Teheran (1-0) LP: Feldman (0-1)
HR: ATL J. Upton (1)

4/7/13: Cubs 3 Braves 7
WP: Teheran (1-0) LP: Feldman (0-1)
SV: Kimbrel (1)
HR: ATL J. Upton (1)

Standings as of 4/7/13:


Around the League
4/5/13:
- Phillies make an early trade, sending C Erik Kratz and minor league RHP Ryan O'Sullivan to the Yankees for 3B Kevin Youkilis. (GM Note: A bit of a head-scratcher for both teams)
- Joe Nathan notched save number 300
- Jason Heyward broke his kneecap and will miss seven months

4/6/13:
- Mark Trumbo hit for the cycle against the Rangers

[ChrisG]

Cubs Drop Home Opening Series

4/8/13: Brewers 4 Cubs 3
WP: Lohse (1-1) LP: Jackson (1-1)
SV: Gonzalez (2)
HR: MIL Segura (2), CHC Soriano (1), Castillo (2)

4/9/13: Brewers 8 Cubs 7
WP: Kintzler (2-0) LP: Bowden (0-1)
SV: Henderson (1)
HR: None

4/10/13: Brewers 1 Cubs 5
WP: Wood (1-0) LP: Fiers (0-1)
HR: MIL Gomez (1), CHC Rizzo (1)

[Muskies]

Tough start to the season good luck!!

[ChrisG]

Feldman leaves game with injury, Cubs beat Giants

4/11/13: The Cubs won their first game in the four-game set against the San Francisco Giants, but they may have lost a member of their rotation. Scott Feldman left the game in the first inning with an undisclosed injury. Manager Dale Sveum said that team physicians are examining Feldman and that the team should have a diagnosis soon.

4/11/13: Giants 5 Cubs 8
WP: Takahashi (1-0) LP: Zito (1-1)
SV: Fujikawa (1)
HR: SF Torres (1), CHC Soriano (2)

[ChrisG]

4/12/13: Giants 2 Cubs 3
WP: Samardzija (1-1) LP: Cain (2-1)
SV: Marmol (2)
HR: None

4/13/13: Giants 3 Cubs 6
WP: Jackson (2-1) LP: Bumgarner (1-2)
SV: Marmol (3)
HR: SF Pence (2), CHC Sappelt (1), Rizzo (2)

Feldman diagnosed with mild abdominal strain, will make next start
4/13/13: The Cubs organization breathed a sigh of relief today as pitcher Scott Feldman's injury turned out to be a simple mild abdominal strain. He will not go on the disabled list and will make his next start as scheduled, on April 17 against the Texas Rangers.

"I'm feeling good, and I should be back to throwing by tomorrow," Feldman said.

[ChrisG]

Cubs come from behind to win 15-inning game; sweep Giants in 4

4/14/13: The Cubs Scott Feldman returned from injury a little earlier than expected, coming in relief in a 3-3 ballgame 11th inning against the defending world champs in lieu of a tired and taxed bullpen (the Cubs had already used five relievers in the game, with only the tired Hector Rondon and Michael Bowden available). But after he gave up two runs in the 15th, he thought his team was done.

"I admit, I thought, man, down by two in the 15th, everyone must be tired. I didn't think we could do it."

But he was wrong. The Cubs scored three with two outs in the bottom of the 15th to win their fifth straight ballgame.





Feldman's start, originally scheduled for April 17, will be pushed back thanks to tomorrow's off day. Jeff Samardzija will start in his place on normal four days' rest.

In Other News: Barney begins rehab assignment
Darwin Barney, who started the season on the 15-day disabled list, began his rehab assignment in AAA Iowa today. He is expected to play in Iowa for about a week before returning to the major league club.

4/14/13: Giants 5 Cubs 6 (15)
WP: Feldman (1-1) LP: Kontos (0-1)
HR: SF Crawford (1), Sandoval (3),

[ChrisG]

Rangers End Cubs' Win Streak at 6; Take Series

4/16/13: Rangers 2 Cubs 3
WP: Wood (2-0) LP: Holland (1-1)
SV: Russell (1)
HR: TEX Berkman (4), CHC Hairston (3)

4/17/13: Rangers 3 Cubs 1
WP: Darvish (3-0) LP: Samardzija (1-2)
SV: Nathan (5)
HR: None

4/18/13: Rangers 9 Cubs 0
WP: Ross (1-1) LP: Jackson (2-2)
HR: TEX Martin (2), Pierzynski (2)

Around the Majors:


4/16/13:
- Mariano Rivera (NYY)'s injury on April 13 was diagnosed as a torn labrum. This means he will miss 8 months and potentially end his career in the majors, unless he decides to make another comeback attempt. (GM Note: Poor Mo.)
- Ryan Roberts (TB) and Darren O'Day (BAL) were suspended for their roles in a bench-clearing brawl

[ChrisG]

Soriano injured; will miss at least a month


(Left: Alfonso Soriano, Right: Ryan Sweeney)

4/19/13: The Cubs lost their left fielder, Alfonso Soriano, to an oblique strain. Soriano left Friday's game against the Brewers in the second inning after an awkward catch. He was replaced in left field by Dave Sappelt. Soriano was batting .226 with 2 home runs and 11 runs batted in before the injury, putting up a meager .661 OPS. The Cubs placed Soriano on the 15-day disabled list and purchased the contract of 28-year-old OF Ryan Sweeney from Triple-A Iowa. Sweeney played in the majors from 2007-2012 with the White Sox, Athletics, and Red Sox. He was hitting .344 with 1 home run and 13 runs batted in Iowa. Sweeney was promoted over hot-hitting outfielder Brett Jackson. Cubs general manager Chris Gee said that the organization wants Jackson to get more regular playing time in center field.

4/19/13: Cubs 0 Brewers 6
WP: Peralta (1-1) LP: Villanueva (0-2)
HR: MIL Ramirez (3), Braun (4)

Around the Majors:
4/19/13: Two milestones on the same day as Roy Halladay (PHI) notched his 200th win and Torii Hunter (DET) earned hit #2000 for his career.

[ChrisG]

Barney returns from disabled list; Lillibridge designated
4/20/13: Gold Glove 2B Darwin Barney returned from his rehab stint at AAA Iowa and was activated from the 15-day disabled list today. Cubs designated IF/OF Brent Lillibridge for assignment. Barney will be in the starting lineup for today's game in Milwaukee. Lillibridge put up a .602 OPS while playing second and third for the Cubs.

Clevenger injures toe, will miss a week
4/20/13: (BNN News) Steve Clevenger will miss a week after a freak accident in his hotel room. Clevenger woke early and when attemping to get up to close his curtains in his room, he tripped over a coffee table. The table toppled over and struck his toes. An MRI was negative, Clevenger will miss a week.

Cubs pummel Brewers 12-3

20 hits on April 20th…


…but none of them were homers!

4/20/13: Cubs 12 Brewers 3
WP: Feldman (2-1) LP: Lohse (1-3)
HR: None

[ChrisG]

Brewers take series
4/21/13: Cubs 3 Brewers 4
WP: Gonzalez (1-0) LP: Bowden (0-2)
HR: None

TRANSACTIONS

Cubs designate Bowden for assignment; promote Parker
4/21/13: The Cubs designated RHP Michael Bowden for assignment and purchased the contract of RHP Blake Parker from Triple-A Iowa.

Bowden was 0-2 with a 9.76 ERA in 7 appearances (8.1 IP) out of the bullpen for the Cubs this season. He was acquired from the Red Sox last season in exchange for CF Marlon Byrd.

Parker, a 16th round pick by the Cubs in 2006, had yet to give up a run in 6 appearances (7.1 IP) out of the bullpen for Iowa. He made his major league debut with the Cubs last year and had a 6.00 ERA in 7 appearances out of the bullpen. He will wear #50 and be available to pitch in tomorrow's game against the Reds.

Lillibridge clears waivers
4/22/13: IF Brent Lillibridge cleared waivers and accepted his assignment to Triple-A Iowa.

[ChrisG]

Reds take series

4/22/13: Cubs 6 Reds 4 (11)
WP: Russell (1-0) LP: Chapman (1-1)
HR: CHC Schierholtz (1), Hairston (4), CIN Choo (2)

4/23/13: Cubs 4 Reds 5
WP: Cueto (2-2) LP: Jackson (2-3)
SV: Chapman (5)
HR: CHC Schierholtz (2), CIN Choo (3)

4/24/13: Cubs 7 Reds 3
WP: Villanueva (1-2) LP: Latos (2-1)
SV: Marmol (4)
HR: CHC Castillo (3), CIN Frazier (5), Votto (7)

TRANSACTIONS:
4/22/13: RHP Michael Bowden accepted his assignment to Triple-A Iowa

Around the Majors:
4/22/13:
- Jonathan Broxton (CIN) will miss 8 weeks with a rotator cuff strain
- Twins trade RF/1B Chris Parmelee and RHP Angel Morales to the Mets in exchange for RHP Dillon Gee

4/23/13:
- Red Sox trade C Jarrod Saltalamacchia to the Blue Jays in exchange for LHP Darren Oliver and minor league OF D.J. Davis

[ChrisG]

Marlins take 3 of 4
4/25/13: Cubs 0 Marlins 1
WP: Alvarez (1-0) LP: Feldman (2-2)
SV: Cishek (8)
HR: None

4/26/13: Cubs 2 Marlins 3
WP: Dunn (1-2) LP: Fujikawa (0-2)
HR: MIA Olivo (4)

4/27/13: Cubs 5 Marlins 4
WP: Takahashi (2-0) LP: Webb (0-1)
HR: None

4/28/13: Cubs 2 Marlins 5
WP: Slowey (3-0) LP: Jackson (2-4)
SV: Cishek (9)
HR: MIA Kotchman (1)

Around the Majors:
4/25/13:
- Yovani Gallardo (MIL) will miss 4-5 months with a sore shoulder

4/27/13:
- Juan Pierre (MIA) will miss 4-5 months with a torn labrum

[ChrisG]

April winds to a close

4/29/13:Padres 4 Cubs 5
WP: Villanueva (2-2) LP: Cashner (0-1)
SV: Marmol (5)
HR: SD Alonso (6)

4/30/13: Padres 2 Cubs 0
WP: Volquez (2-2) LP: Feldman (2-3)
SV: Gregerson (7)
HR: None

Around the Majors:
4/30/13:
- The Detroit Tigers are on an 11-game winning streak! They haven't lost a game since April 19.
- Torii Hunter (DET) hit home run #300

[ChrisG]

April In Review

Standings & League Leaders


Cubs Leaders, Rankings & Injuries


Cubs Team Batting Stats


Cubs Team Pitching Stats