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Bleed Cubbie Blue

A Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005

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Cubs position player pitchers: Jon Berti

When the Cubs signed Jon Berti as a backup infielder before the 2025 season, it seemed like a reasonable thing to do. Berti had led the National League in stolen bases in 2022 with 41, and the following year posted a .748 OPS in 133 games with the Marlins, with 16 steals and 2.2 bWAR. […]

2026 Chicago Cubs player profiles: Michael Busch

Eighth in the series. Today we look at the Cubs’ third-year first baseman. Michael Busch, drafted in the first round (2019) by the Dodgers (31st overall, from UNC), and later acquired by the Cubs for second-round pick Jackson Ferris and minor leaguer Zyhir Hope, has paid dividends since being installed as the Cubs first baseman. He […]

BCB Top 25 Cubs prospects for 2026: 16 through 20

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) […]

Chicago Cubs news and notes — Happ, Hoerner, Jenkins, Steele

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 […]

Cubs BCB After Dark: Would you trade Matt Shaw to Boston?

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 […]

A visit to the Cubs Sloan Park complex

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 […]

2026 Chicago Cubs player profiles: Nico Hoerner

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 […]

BCB Top 25 Cubs prospects for 2026: Introduction and 21 to 25

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 […]

A visitor’s guide to 2026 Arizona spring training

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 […]

Chicago Cubs history unpacked — February 2

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 […]

Cubs historical sleuthing: Ernie Banks video edition

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 […]

Chicago Cubs news and notes — Hoerner, PCA, Ricketts

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 […]

Cubs historical sleuthing: Ryne Sandberg/Pete Rose edition

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 […]

Chicago Cubs news and notes — Hoerner, Rizzo, Suzuki

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). {$} means paywall. {$} […]

Cubs position player pitchers: Patrick Wisdom

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 […]

2026 Chicago Cubs player profiles: Dansby Swanson

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. […]

MLB

It’s official: Anthony Rizzo is joining NBC’s baseball coverage team

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 […]

Chicago Cubs history unpacked, January 30

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 […]

Cubs position player pitchers: Matt Mervis

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 […]

2026 Chicago Cubs player profiles: Matt Shaw

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 […]

Chicago Cubs news and notes — Carlson, Gallen, Happ

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 […]