|
|
Analysis, News & Rumors
Archives
January 2007 Headlines
Impact of Cliff Floyd Signing - 1/24/07 11:07pm
Import the Cubs Schedule into Microsoft Outlook - 1/24/07 10:55pm
Expectations from Jones, DeRosa, and Izturez - 1/18/07 10:23pm
Update on Cubs Convention - 1/16/07 10:46pm
Cubs Convention Attendees - 1/7/07 11:26pm
1/24/07 11:07pm - Impact of Cliff Floyd Signing
With the signing of Cliff Floyd finalized, what impact will he have in the outfield?
Signing a one year $3 million contract with incentives up to $7.5 million in 2007 can only mean the
Cubs plan to use him as a starter. It seems unlikely they will plan to use him as a backup.
To make this more interesting, Floyd has a mutual option for 2008 that can be worth up to another $10
million with incentives.
Since the Cubs now have Floyd, does this increase the possibility of a Jacque Jones trade? What is most likely
is that Floyd will be the starter in left field. Matt Murton will see time, however, he will probably be used
as a backup facing left handed pitchers. The Cubs will also want to make sure Floyd stays rested and
remains healthy, which means Murton should see more playing time than a usual backup player.
If Floyd can stay healthy, an All-Star season is not out of the question. In 2005, Floyd batted .273 with 34 homers
and 98 RBI's, but last year, he batted .244 with 11 homers and 44 RBI's in 97 games.
Floyd's 2006 season was shortened due to an Achilles' tendon injury. During the off-season, he had surgery to remove bone spurs
which were rubbing against that same injured Achilles' tendon.
The fact that Floyd has not stayed healthy over the past four years means that the Cubs would not want to immediately get
rid of Jacque Jones.
The good news is that Cubs fans can rest better knowing that the team now has depth, where last year injuries forced
the team to start a team consisting of minor leaguers.
The signing of Floyd is a low risk considering his potential and the fact the he would be an additional left handed
bat in the lineup. Currently, Jacque Jones is the only left handed bat in the starting lineup.
The Floyd signing does make things more difficult for Matt Murton, who has done fairly well over the past year and a half. It also
makes things unclear for Angel Pagan and Felix Pie.
|
Contact Jim
|
Return to Top
1/24/07 10:55pm - Import the Cubs Schedule into Microsoft Outlook
Do you ever sit at work and wonder when the Cubs are playing or if they are playing at home or on
the road?
Now, only through CBB, you have the opportunity to load the full Spring Training schedule directly
to a Microsoft Outlook calendar.
CBB has put together an easy to follow guide, which will help you import our CubbiesAlert v2.1
software directly to your Microsoft Outlook calendar.
Check back in a few weeks for the full 2007 season schedule.
|
Contact Jim
|
Return to Top
1/16/07 10:46pm - Expectations from Jones, DeRosa, and Izturez
Most of the debate on player expectations from the Cubs is circling around the pitching staff and how well Lee and Ramirez will do in 2007.
What fans aren't talking about is what to expect from Jacque Jones, Mark DeRosa, and Cesar Izturez. While we know what Jones did last year, we
aren't quite sure what DeRosa and Izturez can do in Cubbie blue.
If Jone's absence from the Cubs Convention is any indication, the Cubs are still looking to work out a trade. Early comments from Jones even
suggest he wants to be traded. That could be the reason for the long wait on whether the Cubs will get Cliff Floyd. If Jones sticks around, he will
likely be the answer in center field until Felix Pie is ready (if that ever happens).
The problem with Jacque Jones is that he can't hit left handed pitchers. Other clubs know it. Lou Piniella knows it. Jacque Jones knows it. If
he stays with the team, you can expect similar numbers to what he did in 2006. A .280 average with 25-30 homers and 75-90 RBI's isn't out of the
question. This would fit well with the club, but the Cubs need to focus on someone who can hit lefties and someone who wants to be here.
Izturez and DeRosa are the unknowns from a Cubs fan's viewpoint. With only having Izturez play with the team for 22 games last year, its difficult
to say how he will progress with the team.
All indications point towards a decent year for Izturez. He should bat near .260 with a .305 OBP. Expect him to have around 45 RBI's with roughly
70 runs depending on his place in the batting order. He is projected to be 7th or 8th in the lineup.
DeRosa should bat second in the lineup and should have a slightly higher average. Hitting .275 is expected with a .340 OBP. 15 homers, 65 RBI's, and
90 runs would be a good year for him.
A lineup of Soriano, Derosa, Lee, Ramirez, Jones (if he is still around), Barrett, Murton, and Izturez should be well balanced. It has power, speed, and
should hit for a good team average if everyone stays healthy.
|
Contact Bryan
|
Return to Top
1/16/07 10:46pm - Update on Cubs Convention
The list of convention attendees has been released and the biggest addition has to be fan favorite, Mark Grace.
Grace, who hasn't been to the Cubs Convention since 1999 will also be joined by other big names such as Derrek Lee, Alfonso
Soriano, and Carlos Zambrano. This year's convention looks to be much more star packed than previous years. A large
number of current players will be in attendance.
As usual, Cubs fans can expect to also see Sandberg, Santo, and Jenkins. Many other former players will
be in attendance.
For a complete list of players, please visit cubs.com. For fans who are attending the convention, check back with CBB
this weekend for a full schedule of events, including sessions and autographs in our Cubs Convention
section.
|
Contact Bryan
|
Return to Top
1/7/07 11:26pm - Cubs Convention Attendees
The 2007 Cubs Convention is fast approaching and CBB has the inside scoop on attending players and coaches.
Some of the more popular attendees will include Banks, Barrett, Beckert, Brenly, Cardenal, Cotts, Jody Davis, Dempster, Dernier, Derosa, Eyre,
Glenallen Hill, Rich Hill, Howry, Hundley, Jenkins, Lancaster, Lee, Lilly, Marshall, Morandini, Murton, Ohman, Gene Oliver, Otto, Pafko,
Pappas, Eric Patterson, Lou Pinella, Rothschild, Sandberg, Santo, Lee Smith, Soriano, Stoddard, Sutcliffe, Theriot, Trammell, Trout, Billy
Williams, Wood, Wuertz, and Zambrano.
The official list of attendees and events will be released the week of the convention. The Cubs Convention begins Friday, January 19th and
runs through Sunday, January 21st at the Chicago Hilton.
Check back with CBB for more information.
|
Contact Bryan
|
Return to Top
|
|
|
