MLB
Sign up for Yardbarker's daily Top 10 newsletter, the Morning Bark! Customize to get news on your favorite sports and teams.
Amare
The NBA's most overpaid players
Price
MLB players likely to be traded by July 31st
Db
10 best WWE matches of 2014 so far
Peyt-593x309
Breaking down NFL MVP odds
Cdn.mse_.psddev
The best GMs in the NFL today

30-1 MLB countdown previews: #24 Cubs

Found March 06, 2013 on MyTeamRivals.com:
PLAYERS: Jed Hoyer,  Theo Epstein,  Matt Garza,  Ryan Dempster,  Paul Maholm,  Edwin Jackson,  Scott Hairston,  Jeff Samardzija,  Travis Wood,  Sean Marshall,  Jon Niese,  Scott Baker,  Scott Feldman,  Shawn Camp,  James Russell,  Kyuji Fujikawa,  Carlos Marmol,  Anthony Rizzo,  Alfonso Soriano,  Starlin Castro,  Darwin Barney,  David DeJesus,  Nate Schierholtz,  Wellington Castillo,  Dioner Navarro,  Ian Stewart
TEAMS: Chicago Cubs,  San Diego Padres,  Boston Red Sox,  Atlanta Braves,  Houston Astros,  Cincinnati Reds,  New York Mets
The Chicago Cubs had a difficult season under new manager Dale Sveum, new GM Jed Hoyer and President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein. In my opinion, this was an example of many things going wrong, led by the injuries to RHP Matt Garza and trades of RHP Ryan Dempster, LHP Paul Maholm and others. I like some of the moves they made this off season, mainly the signings of Edwin Jackson, Scott Hairston and some under-the-radar starting pitchers. Though I do not see the team competing for a playoff spot, or finishing over .500 for that matter, I see a significant improvement from the 101 loss season of a year ago. However, their progress will be effected by the Houston Astros leaving the division and league. The theme from my inverse breakdown is pitching, mostly starting pitching. The teams that are below the Cubs have more questions, in my opinion, over what their rotation will look like and what they can depend on. Jeff Samardzija is one of the most underrated aces a team has...
Original Story: http://www.mtrmedia.com/2013/03/30-1-...
THE BACKYARD
BEST OF MAXIM
RELATED ARTICLES
GOLD, JERRY, GOLD

Cubs to give away golden Barney figurine

Via Bush League Chronicle  |  March 07, 2013
Chicago Cubs second basemen Darwin Barney was awarded a National League Gold Glove Award last season for his superb defensive work.Now, the Cubs are planning to commemorate Barney's achievement by giving away 10,000 bobbleheads in his likeness on June 1 against the Diamondbacks. All of the bobbleheads will feature Barney wearing a golden mitt on his left hand, but only 1,000...

Cubs rumors: Carlos Marmol likely to be traded

Via MLB Injury News  |  March 06, 2013
Several teams are taking a “hard look” at Chicago Cubs reliever Carlos Marmol, and Bruce Levine of ESPN Chicago expects the right-hander to “most likely be pitching for another team before Opening Day.” Levine notes that the Detroit Tigers are specifically eyeing Marmol as a replacement option for current closer Bruce Rondon. The rookie has dealt with control...

Daily Facepalm – 3.5.13

Via Obstructed View OLD  |  March 05, 2013
MLBTR must be reading our comment section They posted a "Where are they now" of everyone involved in the Matt Garza trade with Tampa. I forgot that the Cubs threw in Chirinos and Guyer, unfortunately for them they've both been plagued by injuries since moving to the Rays.  This Jorge Soler guy could be pretty good JD Sussman at Fangraphs wrote a glowing evaluation...

Local Interests Stymie Cubs’ Wrigley Restoration Plans

Via Fangraphs  |  March 05, 2013
Wrigley Field is falling apart. The Ricketts family, which bought the Cubs for $845 million in 2009, has a plan to spend $300 million of their money to renovate the 98-year-old ballpark. There will be structural upgrades, improved clubhouses, new underground batting cages, upgraded luxury suites and club facilities, more and better concessions and restrooms, and a new patio area...

Tigers throw hat into the Carlos Marmol sweepstakes

Via Reading Between The Seams  |  March 05, 2013
Supply, meet demand.  The Chicago Cubs have a supply of relief pitchers, starting with Japanese import Kyuji Fujikawa who projects as the team’s closer for 2013 to go along with incumbent (and lame duck?) closer Carlos Marmol, who struggle mightily on the North side in 2012, seeing his WHIP balloon to over 1.5 baserunners per inning, primarily courtesy of 45 walks in 55 innings...

Chicago Cubs offering special baseball card promotions this season

Via The Sports Bank  |  March 07, 2013
This season, the Chicago Cubs are giving their fans an 82-card Topps Archives set, featuring current and former Cubs players on classic Topps card designs. Chicago Cubs season ticket holders will receive the cards as part of their season ticket package. Their set will be a little more bougy, as (well, season ticket holders are a little more bougy to begin with) as their set will...
MLB News
Delivered to your inbox
You'll also receive Yardbarker's daily Top 10, featuring the best sports stories from around the web. Customize your newsletter to get articles on your favorite sports and teams. And the best part? It's free!

Today's Best Stuff
For Bloggers

Join the Yardbarker Network for more promotion, traffic, and money.
Company Info
Help
What is Yardbarker?

Yardbarker is the largest network of sports blogs and pro athlete blogs on the web. This site is the hub of the Yardbarker Network, where our editors and algorithms curate the best sports content from our network and beyond.