In case you haven’t been paying attention, the Chicago Cubs’ roster is a little, well . . backed up. Normally, I’d make some kind of joke about fiber and Colon Blow, or about how they only PLAY like they’re backed up. But, in this case, the 40-man roster really IS backed up.
While the Cubs’ agreement to sign outfielder Scott Hairston to a two-year contract is pending a physical, an announcement also may be delayed as the team sorts through a roster glut. The team’s 40-man roster is full and does not yet include right-hander Carlos Villanueva, who agreed to a two-year deal before Christmas.
A source indicated the Villanueva deal is not in jeopardy of falling apart but isn’t considered completed, for a reason not related to his physical. It’s possible the team is taking its time while it unravels the roster crunch.
As you can imagine, these unusual roster circumstances have led to a bit of intrigue in the Chicago Cubs blogosphere. And the fact that the Cubs have been reported to be “in” on Michael Bourn has only served to fuel the flames. Is a major trade in the works? Does it involve moving Soriano? Could the Cubs be offering up someone for a major young pitcher? And, most importantly, does it involve moving Soriano?
The answer, of course, is that none of us know. However, we DO know what the current lineup probably looks like, and, to be fair, it too is awfully glutty. In fact, if the Cubs do manage to land Michael Bourn, this is what we’re looking at:
Rizzo
Barney
Castro
Soriano
Stewart/Valbuena
Castillo/Navarro
Bourne (?)/DeJesus
Sheirholtz/Hairston/Sappelt/Brian Bogusevic
And that only includes the players who are expected to be part of a platoon. And what does all this mean for poor, hot Brett Jackson? And will all these players affect my ability to get grilled onions on my hot dog without having to walk all the way to left field? Maybe one of them could be in charge of the grilled onions?
I posted a link to this Cubs charity event in the comments yesterday. If you can identify more than 50% of the players in these photos, you probably work in the Cubs HR department.
Finally, I’m thrilled to announce that Wrigley Talk Friday will return next Friday, February 8th. We’ll get back to you with the time. Are you excited? I knew you would be.
I think this team wins 72 games.
That’s pretty damn optimistic.
I’ll say 75 games.
I think the pitching is OK. And I think they’ll make a mid-year acquisition who will improve the team. And I think they’ll start to gel toward the end of the year.
But the beginning of the year will be brutal.
What I see right, expecting DeJesus, Soriano and Garza to be traded before the end of July…the fact this team still can’t score any runs…
68 wins.
Thats actually a good point.
84 Wins barring another mid season dump of anyone with an arm.
You set the bar high didn’t you?
I think that was the ZiPS prediction a month ago or so.
What is ZiPS
it’s like PECOTA but different. One of those sabermetric computer projection thingies.
Wasn’t he one of the pilots under the command of Ted Striker during the war?
It figures you would start Wrigley Talk Fridays when I’m on vacation.
Bastards.
Perhaps the excess players could work as greeters at Wrigley,or could have their presence thrown in to packages? You know, buy XX number of high-priced tickets, and have your very own Cub for a day? I’m not saying they would work as escorts, but just as an incentive for groups/businesses to spend their $$ at Wrigley…
You want to turn Wrigley into a Walmart?
More like a social club…
It’s already a social club.
Hairston should be in charge of grilled onions. He seems like that type of guy that would be really good at that.
The rooftops have their say…
And this is what they want to see…
http://www.trbimg.com/img-5102bb91/turbine/chi-wrigley-rooftop-owers-20130125-003/600
They don’t have signs like that now? They’re missing an easy buck.
I thought they already had signs like that. Those make sense,because they are still legible,yet not blocking the seats…
I believe the city won’t let them put up signs right now.
The signs on the Budweiser/Horseshoe Casino/United Airlines and the Torco/Miller Lite buildings have been grandfathered in since those buildings have had advertisements on them since before WWII.
Haha, look at all the empty seats.
Here is the video presentation given by the rooftop owners.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ccWojDm76s&feature=youtu.be
The only I feel I need to write a blog post about this.
So, who is this guy in the middle?
http://www.chicagonow.com/candid-candace/2013/01/strike-a-pose-chicago-cubs-players-and-their-wives-hit-the-runway-for-charity/#image/53
Also, if you like cheap laughs at homely kids, click the next button to picture 54.
Darwin Barney is cute. Starlin Castro is a complete dumpster fire.
http://www.chicagonow.com/candid-candace/2013/01/strike-a-pose-chicago-cubs-players-and-their-wives-hit-the-runway-for-charity/#image/68
Meh.
I thought that was Anthony Rizzo.
I am stuck at the Caribou with the worst internet connection in the history of the world.
I’ve told you a million times, stop being hyperbolic.
That’s what you get for going to Caribou…
You’ve been there for like 8 hours. WTF!
I know. I did an “office hours” thing today where I was there from 9-5 and people could stop in and ask for help. The connection was horrible and it was FREEZING.
um…so your office as a Caribou? So…you like work there or something?
Can I have an expresso and a scone please?
No. I made it my office for the day.
So you worked there for only one day before they fired your ass.
Nice job.
To quote Wisconsin’s best rock band, “It’s good work if you can get it.”
Wisconsin has a “best rock band”?
Cheap Trick is from Madison, right?
Wikipedia says Cheap Trick is from Rockford, Illinois.