Cubs Blog

Yesterday the Cubs finally parted ways with embattled former closer Carlos Marmol, and they also cut ties with Ian Stewart after his harsh Twitter outburst against the team earlier this month. Here's more out of the NL Central... Pirates general manager Neal Huntington wouldn't say whether or not Gerrit Cole is on an innings limit for his rookie season when asked by Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Huntington did hint, however, that the Pirates try to prepare their minor leaguers to log innings without the media attention that some have gotten, which seems to be an allusion to Stephen... Steve Adams

9:12pm: The Cubs have also received calls on James Russell, but they're not inclined to trade him, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports (on Twitter). 6:26pm: The Cubs are getting multiple hits on closer Kevin Gregg, according to ESPN's Buster Olney (on Twitter). Gregg served as the Cubs' closer in 2009 before signing with the Blue Jays in 2010 and inking a two-year deal with the Orioles that covered the 2011-12 seasons. He returned to the Cubs on a minor league deal this April and now finds himself in the midst of an unlikely career year at age 35.... Steve Adams

The latest column from ESPN's Jayson Stark is jam-packed with trade-related information. Highlights: One National League executive predicted that the Cubs' Matt Garza will be the first pitcher traded; he's thought to be eminently available, as the Cubs are not comfortable with his asking price on a potential new contract. The Padres and Dodgers are among the teams pursuing Garza, reported Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports earlier today. The Astros are looking for volume in any deal they make, one NL exec told Stark. Bud Norris is an obvious trade chip for Jeff Luhnow and company, while I imagine Carlos... Tim Dierkes

The Cubs finally pulled the plug on longtime reliever Carlos Marmol today, announcing they've designated him for assigment. The team also announced the suspension of third baseman Ian Stewart was settled and upheld, and he was granted his unconditional release. The team selected the contract of outfielder Brian Bogusevic to replace Marmol. Marmol had become a symbol for the Cubs' struggles this year, with a 5.86 ERA, 6.8 BB/9, and 1.95 HR/9 in 27 2/3 innings. He began the season as the team's closer, apparently as a way of building trade value, but lost the job after allowing five runs... Tim Dierkes

The five NL Central clubs' possible trade deadline moves are highlighted by Grantland's Jonah Keri in his weekly MLB power rankings. The Cubs have several trade chips to sell while the Brewers may move some relievers at the deadline but wait until the offseason to decide if they're going to truly rebuild, Keri writes. The Pirates have made deadline additions in each of the past two seasons and have a few clear needs now, though Keri says the current team is good enough to get just a minor upgrade or maybe even stand pat. The Reds and Cardinals both need... Mark Polishuk

It was on this day in 1955 that the legendary Sandy Koufax made his Major League debut, throwing two scoreless relief innings (one walk, one hit, two strikeouts) for the Dodgers in an 8-2 loss to the Braves. Here are some notes and items from around the NL West... Peter Gammons hears two rumors du jour from the league's general managers (Twitter link). One involves the Cubs sending Matt Garza to the Padres in exchange for outfield prospect Reymond Fuentes and two other minor leaguers that were originally drafted by Cubs GM Jed Hoyer and senior VP Jason McLeod when... Mark Polishuk

The Indians had a visit today from Crash Davis. Kevin Costner, star of the movie Bull Durham and in Cleveland for the filming of his new movie Draft Day where he plays the GM of the Cleveland Browns, played catch in the outfield, gloved some ground ball at third base, and took batting practice. I was actually glad I made contact, Costner said with a smile to reporters including MLB.com's Jordan Bastian. I hadn't swung in a couple years. I thought my chances of swinging through the ball were just as good as fouling it off. With filming in Cleveland,... Edward Creech

The Rockies have acquired left-hander Hisanori Takahashi from the Cubs in exchange for a player to be named later, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post (via Twitter). The veteran will report to the Rockies' Triple-A affiliate. Takahashi made just three relief appearances for the Cubs this season and spent most of the year with Triple-A Iowa. In the minors, the 38-year-old posted an impressive 1.99 ERA with 8.2 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9. Zach Links

Let's have a look at a few notes on National League players who seem likely to figure in how the trade deadline market plays out: With his return to big league action, Phillies' second baseman Chase Utley quickly drew a flock of top scouts, reports Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com. Salisbury noted the attendance at last night's game of scouts from the Yankees and Giants. Giants center fielder Angel Pagan could be headed for surgery on his injured left hamstring, report MLB.com's Chris Haft and Andrew Owens. According to manager Bruce Bochy, there is no question [surgery] is an option. Today,... Jeff Todd

The Cubs announced that they have traded Brent Lillibridge to the Yankees for a player to be named later or cash considerations. The light-hitting infielder/outfielder has spent the bulk of the year with Chicago's Triple-A affiliate. The 29-year-old saw just nine games of action on the Cubs' varsity squad this season versus 48 games in Triple-A Iowa where he hit .281/.331/.425 with five homers. Across six big league seasons, Lillibridge owns a .207/.271/.339 slash line with five different clubs. Zach Links

We're just under six weeks away from the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. At this point, many teams are still attempting to determine whether or not they're buyers or sellers, and the addition of a second Wild Card in each league has made that a longer process than it was in the past. However, ESPN's Buster Olney has spoken to rival evaluators who have said that the Cubs are open for business and ready to sell (ESPN Insider required and recommended). The Cubs are 13 games below .500 and 17 games out of first place in the National League Central... Steve Adams

Phillies president David Montgomery showed support for GM Ruben Amaro Jr. on Wednesday, Bob Brookover of the Inquirer reports. Ruben is not making independent decisions, Montgomery says. He's going with a pretty good group of eyes who are looking out there at players and making determinations. God knows we're all trying to bat 1.000 on decision making. The reality is I think we do better than the .300 standard in baseball. The Phillies are 35-38 after going 81-81 last season. Here are more notes from the National League. The Phillies are among the teams that must rebuild, says ESPN's Jim... Charlie Wilmoth

Here are today's notable draft notes and non-first-round signings (all slot info courtesy of Baseball America)... High school lefty Stephen Gonsalves has agreed to a $700k bonus with the Twins, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America (on Twitter). The fourth-round pick Gonsalves, once considered a possible first-rounder, signed for about $232k over slot rather than attending the University of San Diego. The Diamondbacks have signed second-round choice Justin Williams with a roughly at-slot bonus, tweets Callis. The high school shortstop, who is advised by the Boras Corporation, will likely take his raw power to the outfield as a pro.... Steve Adams

Despite reports over the weekend that the Astros and first overall pick Mark Appel have already agreed to terms on a below-slot contract, GM Jeff Luhnow today told reporters (including MLB.com's Brian McTaggart and Chris Abshire) that nothing is official and he has yet to meet with Appel or advisor Scott Boras. We're trying to move it as fast as we can, Luhnow said. We wanted to give [Appel] the weekend to enjoy his commencement. We're optimistic we can move it pretty quickly. Luhnow said he hoped that Appel would be signed by as soon as this week. Here's the... Mark Polishuk

The Cubs have signed second-rounder Rob Zastryzny, MLB Daily Dish's Chris Cotillo reports. Zastryzny will receive a $1.1MM bonus, less than the $1.362MM assigned slot value of the 41st overall pick (hat tip to Baseball America for the slotting information). The University of Missouri southpaw revealed that his deal was done on his Twitter account, saying he was officially part of the Chicago Cubs organization earlier today. Zastryzny is advised by Aspire Sports. Zastryzny throws a 90 mph fastball that Baseball America says he effortlessly adds and subtracts from, ranging between 86 and 95 mph. The left-hander throws strikes but... Mark Polishuk

Cubs manager Dale Sveum says his team has no intention of releasing struggling reliever Carlos Marmol and eating the rest of his $9.8MM salary, Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports. We've come to find out that he has trouble with the last three outs, says Sveum. But somebody has to pitch the other innings, and he's done a pretty good job in that role. Marmol allowed four runs in the ninth as the Cubs lost to the Mets 4-3 on Sunday. Here are more notes from around the National League. The Cubs' bullpen has struggled this season, but in... Charlie Wilmoth

The Cubs have signed fourth-round draft pick Tyler Skulina for $800K, Jim Callis of Baseball America tweets. The draft pool value of Skulina's pick, No. 108 overall, is $477K, so Skulina's bonus is significantly over slot. Baseball America ranked Skulina the No. 73 prospect in the draft. Callis writes that Skulina, a junior righty from Kent State, has frontline stuff, with a 91-96 MPH fastball and an 81-84 MPH slider, although his command needs work. MLB.com notes that Skulina uses his height (he's 6'5 and 235 pounds) to throw with a downhill plane that complements his fastball and breaking ball,... Charlie Wilmoth

Earl Webb's Major League record of 67 doubles in a season has stood since 1931 but Orioles phenom Manny Machado could be putting that mark in jeopardy. Machado now has 30 doubles through 68 Baltimore games after collecting a pair of two-baggers in Friday's 2-0 win over the Red Sox. Only five 21st century players have come within even 11 doubles of Webb's record, one of whom was Machado's teammate Brian Roberts, who hit 56 doubles in 2009. Here's the latest from around the baseball world... Yadier Molina's value to the Cardinals is immeasurable, CBS Sports' Danny Knobler writes, and... Mark Polishuk

FRIDAY: Sanchez has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Iowa, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times (on Twitter). TUESDAY: The Cubs announced that they have designated right-hander Eduardo Sanchez for assignment. The move will create room for the newest member of the Cubs, Henry Rodriguez. Sanchez, 24, was claimed off of waivers from the Cardinals back in May. In 43 career relief appearances for St. Louis, Sanchez posted a 3.40 ERA with 9.6 K/9 and 5.8 BB/9. He pitched in six games for the Cubs' Triple-A affiliate this year and allowed eight runs while tallying seven strikeouts... Zach Links

Here's a look at the latest notable draft signings from Day 2 and Day 3.. The Mariners inked sixth-rounder Corey Simpson to an above-slot $400K deal (suggested value: $245K), Callis tweets. The Texas high school catcher/first baseman possesses massive power and a strong arm. The Rangers signed third-round right hander David Ledbetter, tweets Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. Ledbetter's deal comes with a $350K bonus, less than the slot amount of about $521K, tweets Anthony Andro of FOXSportsSouthwest.com. Dodgers sixth-round pick Jacob Rhame agreed to a deal worth $300K, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America (on Twitter).... Zach Links