[Someday We'll Go All The Way]- Chicago Cubs 2009 Franchise

[Eamus Catuli]

http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2007/scorecard/01/24/brushback.cubs/hendry.jpg
BREAKING NEWS: Cubs Sale Final, Jim Hendry Released as Cub's GM.
The Chicago Tribune is reporting that after almost two years the Chicago Cubs have finally been sold to the Ricketts family. Details of the sale have not yet been made public but the final price is said to be in the $900 million range. New owner Thomas Ricketts wasted no time making changes and released Jim Hendry as the Cub's General Manger. "As a life-time Cubs fan I know how the fans feel, we need to win it all and we need to win it all now" said Ricketts "Jim did all he could to make this the team to bring our team to the promise land, but it wasn't enough, we're going to start moving in a new direction." Ricketts has not revealed his pick for the new Cub's General manager but is expected to hold a press conference in the coming weeks. How could this effect the team that starts spring training in less than two weeks?

[AeroZach]

Well, someone had to get rid of Hendry :D

Following 100%, my friend :thumbsup:

[Cubfan]

also following! :thumbsup:

I wonder :think: who the new GM will be.....;)

[NEPatriot77712]

ill be following man! good luck with everything

[slantedeyematt]

I will be following aswell. Great stuff

[Eamus Catuli]

http://course1.winona.edu/dsalyards/Chicago_Cubs_Logo.jpg
A Preview of the 2009 Chicago Cubs
It has already been a busy off season for the Chicago Cubs but with the recent news of a new Cubs GM waiting in the wings have we seen the end?


A New tribe- Fan favorites Kerry Wood and Mark Derosa will both be playing for the same team in 2009, but who would have thought a few short months ago that it wouldn't be the Cubs?

Milton Bradley joins the Cubs- After a long search for a left handed out fielder the Cubs found their man in controversial player Milton Bradley. Bradley, who hit for .321 and an OBP of .436 in 2008 could be the left handed spark the Cubs need to get deep into the playoffs.

The Curious Case of Kosuke ***udome- ***udome has many fans still scratching their heads. Kosuke who was supposed to be the Cubs left handed answer in 2008 went from being an offensive spark plug all-star in the first half of the season to finishing 2008 with only 10 homeruns and a .257 batting average. Which Kosuke will the Cubs get in the 2009 season?

Bullpen mix-up- With last years closer Kerry Wood leaving the team the 2009 Cubs bullpen is destined for a new look. With the signing of Kevin Gregg and power house Carlos Marmol both fighting for the role Wood left voided who will be the Cub's closer in 2009?

Starting rotation- With rumors of a Jake Peavy trade through out the winter not coming to fruition the staring rotation looks to set up like: Zambrano, Dempster, Harden, Lilly, and Marshall. If Harden stays healthy and could put up numbers like the ones he did after being traded to the Cubs it looks like a pretty solid starting 5.

Starting lineup- With Mark Derosa being traded and the acquisition of Aaron Miles and Milton Bradley it looks as though the Cub's 2009 lineup will be more left-handed happy. Although Lou Piniella declines to discuss the opening day lineup as of right now it is expected that Alfonso Soriano will once again lead off with a platoon of ***udome and Johnson in center, and a platoon of Miles and Fontenot at second.

With new ownership and a new General-Manager set to be announced this week how many more changes if any will we see before opening day 2009?

[NEPatriot77712]

very nice. looking forward to this

[AeroZach]

With new ownership and a new General-Manager set to be announced this week how many more changes if any will we see before opening day 2009?


I'll say a name I've chanted all winter long.

JOE BEIMEL!

[Eamus Catuli]

Soriano Agrees to Move Down in Order:
Word coming out of Mesa Arizona today is that Lou Piniella has discussed using a different lead off man in the 2009 season. "With Soriano as our lead off man in 2008 we were very successful but I think that we could benefit from Soriano's strong bat lower in the batting order so I think we're gonna play around with the line up in spring training, we'll see what happens" Lou said. With Soriano possibly being moved lower in the line up who will lead off for the Cubs? Speedy Ryan Theriot, Mike Fontenot, or will the Cubs persue a trade for a new lead off man? "I don't see us trading for anyone, I think we have a few young players that would fit nicely as a lead off man, but lets not rule anything out quite yet" Piniella said during an interview Sunday afternoon, Lou declined to discuss the Cub's General Manager situation, "I'm worried about getting our players ready for the long season, i'll let the business guys worry about that situation" Where we stand now there are alot of questions to be answered this spring for the Chicago Cubs.
http://media.collegepublisher.com/media/paper736/stills/qj7vsmb1.jpg

[Eamus Catuli]

Spring Training Report: New GM, 5th Rotation Spot
Late Sunday night new Cubs owner Thomas Ricketts announced that he will reveal the new Cubs GM on March 3rd but there is bigger news coming out of Cub's camp tonite. Lou Piniella has named his 5th starter and in an interesting news he has appointed young hurler Jeff Samardzija. "It was pretty obvious this kid worked hard this off season, he deserves a chance to start and I wanted to make this decesion early on so that we could focus on our bullpen issues" said Lou. Samardzija has added a few more pitches to his reprituar and is ready to take the ball every 5th day. "Let's see what this kid could do, if he can't preform we have a few other options for the 5th spot but I believe Jeff will fit nicely in our rotation" Piniella said Sunday. Now one is forced to ask if there is room for both Marshall and Heilman in the bullpen?

http://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/this-is-after-he-had-a-haircut.jpg
(personally knowing shark had no effect on this decision :-P)

[mars040520]

haha lead us to the promised land. I'll be following. Check out my giants chise

[Eamus Catuli]

im gonna be posting this on DM now, someone posted the link to that place and now it hink im addicted ha..... is anyone else from these forums no there?

http://www.dynastymanager.com/teampage.php?sport=mlb&u=speakoutj

[Eamus Catuli]

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b294/jspiekhout/headline.jpg?t=1236469479
CHICAGO- The new Cub's general manager started his job on Tuesday morning and wasted no time getting to work finalizing 3 trades and 2 free agent signings today.

The Cubs aquired left handed reliever Rafael Perez from the Cleveland Indians for Aaron Heilman. "There was no room for Aaron on our team this year, we needed more left handers in the bullpen so the deal was a no brainer" Cub's GM said.

Joe Beimel was acquired off free agency, he signed a one year deal with The Cubs. Beimel gives the Cub's bullpen more depth and another left handed arm.

The Cub's outfield has been given a huge shake up as well.

Jim Edmonds signed a reported 1 year 3.8 million dollar deal giving The Cubs more depth and more power off the bench.

The Cubs send Reed Johnson, Micah Hoffpauir, and Neal Cotts to the Florida Marlins for outfielder Jeremy Hermida, and 3rd baseman Dallas McPherson.
Hermida is confident he will be able to convert himself to a center-fielder in time to start the season there for the Cubs this year.

In a blockbuster deal that was rumored since Decemeber the Cubs acquired Jake Peavy from the San Diego Padres. The Cubs send Kosuke ***udome Sean Marshall and minor leaguer Josh Vitters to San Diego.
The acquisition of Peavy bumps Samardzija out of the starting rotation but it is likely Samardzija will spot start through out the season.

dynasty manager:http://www.dynastymanager.com/teampage.php?sport=mlb&u=speakoutj


**could a mod move this thread for me, thanks.

[Cubfan]

Heilman has been a stud for me so far! Edmonds kind of iffy though, but i guess you needed to replace Reed Johnson. How hard is it to trade or did you force trade?

[Eamus Catuli]

no they were all legit trades.. i'm suprised the peavy one went through actually i was just doing it outta curiousity n it worked hah

[Eamus Catuli]

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b294/jspiekhout/headline2.jpg?t=1236569107


HOUSTON- The Cubs and Astros opened the 2009 season under the stars at Minute Maid Park with a pitchers duel. Both Zambrano and Oswalt brought there stuff but it was Oswalt that came out on top throwing a rare 9 inning shut out to open the 2009 season.

The Cub's offense struggled all night but Zambrano kept them in the game getting him self out of 2 bases loaded jams without a run scored.

The game was decided with 1 out in the 3rd when Lance Berkman delivered a game winning solo home run.

"Well we're happy with the performance Zambrano gave us, but the offense needs to get going we didn't get our first hit till what, the 4th inning?" Cub's skipper Lou Piniella said after the game.

"Yeah we'll have to be more patient at the plate, we'll get it we have a good line up"

The Cubs will look to even the series tomorrow with new Cub Jake Peavy starting.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b294/jspiekhout/1boxscore.jpg?t=1236571509
box score is screwed up but im not gonna fix it haha, i think u guys get it though

[Ferrari997]

I'm kind of sick of the Cubs team lol...their players are aging and they don't exactly have the young players in place in the farm system to replace them.

In my franchise, I may make trades (clean house) to bring in young talent and build on that. It's kinda more fun that way anyways.

I am targeting Evan Longoria (yea I know, not that realistic, but he's awesome), Brandon Wood (good hitter, can play SS) and maybe a young pitching prospect.

[Eamus Catuli]

Cub's bats come alive to win opening series in Houston

March 16, 2009

HOUSTON- The Cubs opened the 2009 season with a loss against The Houston Astros and Roy Oswalt but Cubs bounced back quickly in games 2 and 3 of the series.
New Cubs' hurler Jake Peavy (1-0) picked up the 9-4 win in game 2 backed by home runs by Bradley, Ramirez, and Soto. Derrek Lee also went 4 for 5 with 1 RBI in an impressive bounce back win against losing pitcher Backe.

In game 3 Rich Harden (1-0) silenced critics allowing 1 home run in 7 innings. Milton Bradley left with a wrist injury after hitting his 2nd home run in as many games in the first. The Cubs squeeked by with a 2-1 victory over Rodriguez (0-1) and The Astros.

Milton Bradley is listed as day-to-day after injuring his wrist on the outfield wall after chasing down a fly ball.

[Eamus Catuli]

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b294/jspiekhout/headline3.jpg?t=1237258398

MILWAUKEE- The Cubs rolled into Milwaukee on a two game win streak looking to hand The Brewers their first loss of the season.

Ryan Dempster (0-1) started game 1 for The Cubs looking to forget his struggles in the post season last year. After The Brewers jumped ahead with a run in the second The Cubs plated two runs in the fourth to take the lead. Prince Fielder and the Brewers wasted no time tying it back up in the bottom of the fourth, and then retook the lead in the 7th.

The back and forth battle continued as The Cubs would not give in tying the game in the 9th to take the game into extras. The Cubs struck for two runs in the 10th but it wasn't enough. The Brewers got to Carlos Marmol in the bottom of the 10th to win the game 6-5.

In game 2 Ted Lilly (0-0) and The Cubs looked to bounce back and hand The Brewers their first loss. With a 3 run outburst in the 4th Ted Lilly looked to pitch The Cubs to a victory.

The Brewers would not go down quietly scoring 1 run in the 5th, 6th, and 8th sending the two teams into another tied 9th inning. Jeremy Hermida lead off the 9th with his first homerun of the season, and Aramis plated an insurance run for The Cubs. Carlos Marmol pitched a perfect frame in the 9th picking up his 2nd save of the season, and giving Kevin Gregg his first win.

Carlos Zambrano (0-2) looked to rebound from his opening day loss but The Brewers had other ideas. Zambrano got rocked for 9 earned runs in 5.2 innings in the Cubs 9-1 loss. Samardzija pitched a solid 2.1 innings in relief giving up only 1 hit.

The Cubs will host the Rockies next in their home opener.



more stats- http://www.dynastymanager.com/teampage.php?sport=mlb&u=speakoutj

[Eamus Catuli]

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b294/jspiekhout/headline4.jpg?t=1237327547
CHICAGO- The Cubs opened Wrigley's doors for the first time in 2009 as they hosted The Colorado Rockies.

With a sold out crowd on hand Jake Peavy dazzled The Rockies giving up only 2 hits through 6 innings. Peavy's luck ran out as he gave up four straight hits before getting the first out in the 7th leaving the game with his team down 2-1.

The Cubs bats couldn't salvage Peavy's gem as they were shut out after scoring their only run off an Edmonds sac-fly in the 5th.

"Our pitching has been very good so far in exception to Zambrano our offense just isn't clicking, we'll probably try to switch a few things up pretty soon" Cubs' skipper Lou Piniella commented after the loss.

Lou didn't say what those changes will be but it is expected Alfonso Soriano will return to the lead off spot in the line-up.

Milton Bradley continued to sit out because of a wrist injury about a week ago. Bradley isn't expected to start against The Rockies in game two but should be ready in time for the 4 game series against The Cardinals.

The Cubs will look to split this two game series against The Rockies after an off day.

[Ferrari997]

That's a typical Cubs game...all the hype, but in the end, it ends up with an L

[Eamus Catuli]

haha wait till i post the last game against the Rockies, its a lil diff story, but yeah even tho i got the L its still so entertaining because to me this game feels very true to life..

[AeroZach]

That's a typical Cubs game...all the hype, but in the end, it ends up with an L

Yeah, but 97 times last year it ended with a W :rolleyes:

[Eamus Catuli]

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b294/jspiekhout/headline5.jpg?t=1237424247


CHICAGO- Just two days after Jake Peavy threw 6 shut out innings Rich Harden follows with a complete game shut out.

Harden was unstopable from begining to end allowing only 3 hits and 1 walk.

"I went out there feeling good, I know theres doubt about my health but maybe this will clear the air im healthy as i've ever been. This was a real confidence booster" Harden said after striking out his 8th victim to end the game.

The line-up got the shake up that it needed putting Soriano back in the lead off spot a change that produced 7 runs.

"I like Soriano in the lead off spot the line up seems to click more with him up at the top" Piniella said about the changes.

Soriano went 3-5 with 1 RBI and 2 doubles. Lee Ramirez and Theriot all went 2-4 with an RBI a peice.

The Cubs begin a four game series agaisnt rivals St. Louis Cardinals starting tomorrow.

more stats- http://www.dynastymanager.com/teampage.php?sport=mlb&u=speakoutj