I know a lot of people thougth Pawelek was a stupid signing when it happened. Sure he was a fireball thrower, but he played in the state of Utah and didn’t exactly face the best competition out of high school. Also, it was very weird seeing him sign the same day even though he was a Scott Boras client. Talk about taking seven figures from the Cubs and giving nothing back as far as production! Oh yeah, we can’t forget about the falling in the middle of the night over your Playstation and breaking your arm! Or having passport problems and getting shut down the rest of the year even though you were healthy. Sounds like there was more to Pawalek then most of us know.

Pawelek appeared in only 54 games over four seasons with the Cubs, mostly at short-season Low Class-A Boise. He was 6-12 with a 3.80 ERA and 147 strikeouts and 79 walks in 149 1/3 innings in those four seasons.

Pawelek was told “We have exhausted all efforts with you, and things did not go as we planned.’ Basically … ‘you’re not playing well and we don’t want you around anymore in Pawelek’s words.’”

Harvey is actually one player I was excited to see progress through the Cubs minor league system. However that never really happened as he only made it to Double-A Tennessee. Harvey compiled a career batting average of .247 in 471 games with a career .298 OBP. He was the Cubs first round pick in the 2003 draft and the sixth overall pick. Ryan had a very hard time hitting the ball in the minor leagues, and the Cubs had thoughts of coverting him to a pitcher as he also pitched in highschool but he didn’t want any part of that I have heard.

As for Johnson, he was the teams first pick in the 2004 draft even though he was drafted in the second round out of Notre Dame. Johnson struggled at Class-A Daytona Double-A Tennessee last season as he compiled a 5.32 ERA to go along with a 3-8 record.

The Cubs also released Paul Bako and Mike Stanton as they have trimmed their Major League roster down to 28 players. Expect to see a trade or release involving Chad Gaudin or Angel Guzman who both have struggled this spring and both are out of options. We could also possible see Jeff Samardzija be sent down Triple-A Iowa.

Cubs Blog

Cubs release three top draft picks

I found a youtube video of the fight happening.  I will tell you that there is foul language in the video so make sure your volume is down if you are at work or have children around.

Cubs Blog

Peoria Chiefs minor league fight video

Sean Gallagher had one bad inning where he gave up four runs.  He was only charged with three runs however as one of the runs scored unearned due to a Cubs error.  Gallagher is now 3-4 and could be moved to the bullpen soon.

Jose Ascanio gave up two runs while Jon Lieber gave up one run.  The Cubs pitchers just didn’t have it going on the mound.  Hopefully they weren’t thinking ahead to the big weekend series with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Mark DeRosa had two rbi to lead the Cubs at the plate. DeRosa doubled in the sixth inning to score Derrek Lee and Jim Edmonds.  Lee had the Cubs first rbi in the first inning when he scored Reed Johnson.  It was nice to see Johnson make his return to the lineup as he went 1-3.

To make room for Johnson on the roster, the Cubs sent Eric Patterson back down to Triple A Iowa.

I hope everyone has a fun and safe July 4th tomorrow and we can all sit down and watch the Cubs beat the Cardinals!

Cubs Blog

Cubs lose 8-3 and split four game series with the Giants

So what will the Cubs do now?  Start Mark DeRosa in left field and give Mike Fontenot that majority of the starts at second base?  What about giving Ronny Cedeno some time at second base?  Micah Hoffpauir looks to be the guy that will get called up to take Soriano’s spot on the roster and he can see some time at left field as well as first base and DH in the upcoming interleage matchups.

Another name to look out for would be Eric Patterson.  We could see Patterson being called up along with Hoffpauir and a reliver sent back down to the minor leagues as the Cubs will need an extra batagainst the Toronto Blue Jays this weekend.

Cubs Blog

Soriano out for six weeks, Hoffpauir likely to be called up

Ok, so Ascanio throws the ball very well when given the chance and he still gets sent down for a player who has struggled in the past with the big league team?  I don’t quite understand the move, but half the time us Cubs fans don’t know what Hendry and company are really thinking.

What do you think of this move?

Cubs Blog

Jose Ascanio send down and Neal Cotts called up

Micah Hoffpauir has been called up to take Ward’s spot on the roster.  Hoffpauir can play the corner outfield positions as well as first base but I would expect most of his at bats to come as a pitch hitter just like Ward has done.

Cubs Blog

Daryle Ward to the disabled list as Micah Hoffpauir is called up

Tickets are on sale now at Cubs.com if you would like to go.  Ryne Sandberg will be coaching the Peoria Cheifs so make sure you get out there early and possibly get an autograph by the former Cubs second basemen.

Let us know if you plan on going!  It would be great for your entire family to spend a day at Wrigley Field!

Cubs Blog

Peoria Chiefs to play the Kane County Cougars at Wrigley Field

We will see if Murton gets any starts out in left field or if he will come off the bench like most people are thinking.  If he can hit the ball and get on base I think he is a better option in left field then Mark DeRosa, who is better suited at second base.

What does everyone else think?

Cubs Blog

Matt Murton called up as Eric Patterson is sent down

Gallagher is a guy that will probably be called up at some point in the season.  That is if he isn’t traded before hand.  Gallagher is a key player in any trade that happens for Brian Roberts of the Orioles so who knows if he will make another pitcher for the big league Cubs.

The spring roster now has 38 players, and includes 19 pitchers, three catchers, 10 infielders and six outfielders.

Cubs Blog

The Cubs send Sean Gallagher and Jose Ascanio to Triple A

Other players sent to the minor league camp included Esmailin Caridad, Jose Ceda, Geoff Jones, Andres Torres, Bobby Scales, Wellington Castillo, and Josh Donaldson.

With the moves, the Cubs’ spring roster now is 50, and consists of 26 pitchers, four catchers, 12 infielders and eight outfielders. 

Cubs Blog

Cubs send Tyler Colvin and Billy Petrick down along with seven others

Floyd is back with the team after being with his family during his fathers health problems and death.  Floyd says that it is great being back with the team, and a much needed relief at this time.

Blanco joins the team after having some back and neck problems which has kept him out most of the season.  He was 2-10 during a minor league rehab which isn’t that great but we know he is on the team for his defense more then his offense.

Buy and Sell Cubs Tickets at StubHub!

Cubs Blog

Cubs send Ronny Cendeno back to Iowa and DFA Koyie Hill

I think we can pretty much assume with “Hank White��? going to the 60-day DL his year is finished.  With Fox coming up, the Cubs are hoping to add a little bit more pop to the lineup.  How many chances will he get though?  That is what I want to know.

Cubs Blog

Cubs Blog

Cubs make roster moves today

Look for Pie to get most of the starts in centerfield, Matt Murton and Eric Patterson playing left field, and Jacque Jones / Cliff Floyd in right field until Alfonso Soriano comes back.

Cubs Blog

Angel Pagan to the D.L. – Felix Pie called up

Eric Patterson will be taking Soriano’s spot on the roster right now.  Patterson is the younger brother of Corey Patterson who also played for the Cubs.  Patterson was batting .299 at Triple-A Iowa with 14 homers, 23 doubles, 62 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. He has primarily hit leadoff all season, batting .300 in the No. 1 spot in the order with a .365 on-base percentage.  He mostly plays second base, but has been played in the outfield the last 10 games in the minor leagues.

I don’t know why this move was made rather then calling up Felix Pie.  Pie has some more experience in the big leagues then Patterson.  I would rather have Pie on the roster down the playoff hunt then I would Patterson just because Patterson isn’t a true OF, and hasn’t played one game in the big leagues yet.  The only thing I can’t think of why they made this move is because they feel Patterson is more of a lead off hitter then Pie.

The Cubs also put Wade Miller on waivers today and DFA’d Brian Dopirak.

Cubs Blog

Cubs call up Eric Patterson as Alfonso Soriano heads to the D.L.

I would expect to see Ryan Theriot play most of the time, but Cedeno can play as his backup or even move Theriot to 2nd base and play Cedeno at short to get another right handed bat in the lineup when needed.

Hopefully Cedeno’s time at Triple A and getting his swing back will help him out in the Big Leagues.  If he doesn’t hit, you can’t put him in there when you have Theriot and Mike Fontentot who have been pretty good.

Cubs Blog

Cubs Blog

Ronny Cedeno called up from Triple A