A Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005
Welcome back our countdown of the top 25 prospects in the Cubs system. For an introduction and an explanation of the rankings, check out yesterday’s introduction. Also a reminder. Clicking on the player’s name will take you to their milb dot com page. 16. Pierce Coppola. LHP. DOB: 12/17/2002. 6’8”, 245. Drafted 7th round (2025) […]
Over the last couple of years, a number of MLB teams have had their RSN deals either end or collapse, and their TV rights have reverted to the league. Prior to 2026, the Padres, Diamondbacks, Rockies, Guardians, Twins and Mariners had their TV rights assigned to MLB Local Media, the league’s production arm for local […]
The news keeps checking in on the checking in and so we continue to await with bated breath while the machinery spins. The Giants no longer need a second baseman and so the Red Sox are the only destination to hang speculation on. Smart money says Nico Hoerner and Matt Shaw stay put but there’s […]
It’s a new week here at BCB After Dark: the coolest club for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. We’re so glad you decided to stop by. Come on in out of the cold. We’ll waive the cover charge for you. Let us take your coat. The hostess can take you […]
MESA, Arizona — I decided to head over to Sloan Park Monday, as I heard the equipment truck that left Chicago Friday was going to arrive. You can see the truck at the top of this post; here are some more photos of Cubs staffers unloading equipment: While I was there I headed over toward […]
Seventh in the series. Today we look at the Cubs’ veteran second baseman. 28-year-old Nico Hoerner, two-time Gold Glover, potential .300 hitter, team leader, is entering the last year of his contract. Odds favor his retention but probably not by much — there are a lot of wheels spinning. Many fans would prefer that Dansby Swanson, subject […]
It’s prospects week here at Bleed Cubbie Blue as today I’m starting the countdown of my top 25 Cubs prospects for 2026. Each day we’re going to look at five new prospects until we get down to the top five on Friday. The Cubs farm system is definitely down at the moment. It’s not the […]
SCOTTSDALE, Arizona — 2026 will be my 37th spring training and as a veteran of going to spring games as well as other places in the Phoenix area, I thought I’d post some helpful hints for those of you venturing to the Valley of the Sun for the first time. This is an updated version […]
Happy Monday, everyone! We’ve got some fun little news tidbits to start your week with, all while we count down the days (less than two weeks!) before pitchers and catchers report. Yes, friends, we’re currently in the same month that Spring Training will begin, meaning the offseason is winding down. The hot stove is cooling, […]
On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a Cubs-centric look at baseball’s colorful past. Here’s a handy Cubs timeline, to help you follow the various narrative paths. “Maybe I called it wrong, but it’s official.” — Tom Connolly, HoF Umpire. Happy birthday Ronny Cedeno*, the Cubs go back to flannel, and other stories. Today in […]
Credit where it’s due, I found the video below at this MLB.com article. This is nine minutes’ worth of various highlights from Ernie Banks’ career [VIDEO]. Your browser does not support the video tag. For this sleuthing exercise, we are concerned only with the first 14 seconds of the video. which shows Ernie hitting a […]
Eli Morgan is a Royal. Or an Omaha Storm Chaser, on a minor-league deal, according to sources. David Robertson has retired. *means autoplay on, (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome). {$} means paywall. {$} means limited views. Italics are often used on this page as sarcasm font. The powers that be have enabled real sarcasm font in the comments. Food For Thought: Please […]
You might not think this photo has enough evidence or clues to figure out the date and situation. After all the sleuthing photos I’ve posted here, though… you should not doubt me. This photo is another from BCB reader Joe Coney. What do we know about this photo at first glance? Pete Rose is playing […]
Reese McGuire is now a Brewer. The Cubs have officially signed three players. There are still two to go. NBC is getting a deal — Anthony Rizzo is going to be good. His articulation and engaging personality will serve him well in that capacity. *means autoplay on, (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome). {$} means paywall. {$} […]
Patrick Wisdom had an interesting four years (plus two at-bats in the 2020 pandemic season) as a Cub. He hit 28 home runs in just 106 games and 338 at-bats in 2021, setting a franchise rookie record. In a nine-game stretch not long after being called up from Triple-A Iowa, he hit .379/.438/1.138 (11-for-29) with […]
Sixth in the series. Today we look at the Cubs’ veteran shortstop. Dansby Swanson will turn 32 on February 11. His skills have yet to diminish appreciably but it’s a matter of time until they do. This will be his 11th year in the major leagues, after being drafted first overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2015. […]
A couple of weeks ago, I posted this article noting that former Cub Anthony Rizzo was being considered by NBC as an analyst as the network returns to national baseball broadcasts in 2026. Now, per Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports, Rizzo is, in fact, going to join the network: The outgoing Rizzo has been […]
Good morning.
On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a Cubs-centric look at baseball’s colorful past. Here’s a handy Cubs timeline, to help you follow the various narrative paths. “Maybe I called it wrong, but it’s official.” — Tom Connolly, HoF Umpire. Happy birthday to Brailyn Marquez*, Grover Cleveland Alexander threatens to retire, and other stories. Today […]
Remember when everyone was excited about Matt “Mash” Mervis making the major leagues? In 2022, he had batted .309/.379/.605 with 36 home runs at three levels of the Cubs system, and got off to a good start at Triple-A Iowa in 2023. When both Eric Hosmer and Trey Mancini were found somewhat wanting at first […]
Fifth in the series. Today we look at the Cubs’ newly-anointed utility man. Matt Shaw is a controversial figure in Cubdom right now. Not for his political beliefs (at this time), but because the signing of Alex Bregman necessarily leads to a change of position for the young man, and because it looks a bit like […]
Spring Training is just around the corner and so is the 2026 World Baseball Classic, which will begin March 4 in Tokyo and March 6 in San Juan, Miami and Houston. A number of Cubs have already committed to play in the WBC, and there could be others going forward — not all the rosters […]
There are a few more signing rumors out there, but we’ll wait for confirmation. The Dylan Carlson deal is done. More pitching and infield help (Gabe Klobosits, Karson Simas) may be on the way. We, um, await developments. *means autoplay on, (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome). {$} means paywall. {$} means limited views. Italics are often used on […]
It’s Wednesday night here at BCB After Dark: the most happening hangout for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. We’re so glad you decided to stop by. Come in out of the cold. We can check your coat for you. We’ve got a fire going and the show will start soon. […]
David Bote was once thought of as a versatile enough player to keep around on a long-term deal given him by Theo Epstein, a five-year deal that didn’t end until a buyout last year. And, you know, it might have worked until Bote suffered a serious shoulder injury in May 2021 that kept him out […]