Lots of Cubs news coming out of Mesa the past few days. Let's get caught up!
Sandberg Leaves Organization
Ryne Sandberg will not return as the manager of the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. He was offered his position back but decided to move on after losing out on the managerial position. Bob Nightengale tweets that Ryno was offered the bench coach position but turned that down as well. Hendry said that the decision was entirely up to Sandberg but he did not want to return to the minor league level.
Mesa Vote Approved
The city of Mesa has approved funding for a new Chicago Cubs spring training complex. The city will pay up to $99 million for the complex, which will be located two miles southwest of HoHoKam Park.
Aramis Ramirez Exercises Option
As expected, Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez has exercised his 2011 player option. The Cubs knew during the season that Ramirez intended to take the option and the news was officially announced earlier this week. He will make $14.6 million next season.
Dave Keller Rounds Out Coaching Staff
Mike Quade's full coaching staff was officially announced on Tuesday. Dave Keller will be the special assistant to the staff, a role previously held by Matt Sinatro. He has been in the organization as the minor league hitting coordinator since 2004 so he has a knowledge of the players coming throughout the system. One of his jobs will be to assist Rudy Jaramillo. Larry Rothschild, Rudy Jaramillo, Lester Strode, and Ivan DeJesus all return to the staff while Bobby Dernier enters his first full year on the big league staff and Pat Listach joins the club as the bench coach. Interesting to note that the Cubs do not have any former catchers on their staff to work with Geovany Soto and Koyie Hill.
Guzman Outrighted, Signs Minor League Contract
The Cubs outrighted Angel Guzman, removed him from the 40-man roster, and then signed him all in one day. According to Bruce Levine, has inked a minor league deal with the club that includes an invite to Spring Training. Guzman missed all of 2010 with an injury that took place during Spring Training. The 40-man roster is now at 37.
Minor League Coaching Staffs
Full minor league coaching staffs most likely will not be announced for another month, but some of the Cubs' farm clubs' staffs are starting to take shape. Bill Dancy, who led the Tennessee Smokies to the Southern League title game this season, will most likely be promoted to Triple-A to take over for Ryne Sandberg. Tom Beyers is set to replace Keller as the hitting coordinator. Beyers was the Tennessee hitting coach this past season.
Giants Win the World Series
A late congratulations to the San Francisco Giants for becoming the champions of the baseball world on Monday night. The Giants included former Cubs Mark DeRosa, Mike Fontenot, and Andres Torres. Shawn Dunston is a special assistant for the Giants, so he will get a ring as well. Fontenot appeared in eight postseason games, one in the World Series.
That's it for now, but I'll keep you posted!
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