Now that Dale Sveum is in place as the manager of the Chicago Cubs, it is time to starting figuring out the rest of the Cubs coaching staff. The team announced today that Rudy Jaramillo will return as its hitting coach. Jaramillo is entering the final year of his three year contract.
Sveum is also slated to meet with the two other coaches that are under contract, Lester Strode and Pat Listach. Most likely Bobby Dernier, Ivan DeJesus, Dave Keller and Mark Riggins will not return. In fact, Dernier and DeJesus have already been informed that they will not be back for next season.
Sveum is going to conduct interviews for his own pitching coach and bench coach jobs. Listach could return to the staff in a different role.
Sveum already has a list of candidates that will be interviewed for the job of pitching coach. He is looking to bring in someone who is very close to him as the bench coach. Mark Riggins spoke to Sveum over the weekend. The two are expected to talk again soon.
The full coaching staff should be in place sometime in the next few weeks. That's it for now, but I'll keep you posted!
Showing posts with label Ivan DeJesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ivan DeJesus. Show all posts
Monday, November 21, 2011
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Do the Cubs Need to Make a Change on Their Coaching Staff?
Many times, when your team has one of the worst records in the league, a change on the coaching staff is considered. Improvements are rarely seen based on a tweak on the staff, but management likes to send the message to the team that losing will not be tolerated. So the question is, should the Cubs fire of their coaches?
Mike Quade is in his first year as the manager of the Cubs, as are many of the assistant coaches. Q has made some questionable decisions, but I don't think many people expected the Cubs to contend this year anyway. At this point, I think it would be best to stick it out with Quade for at least the rest of the season.
The two coaches that most often take the blame for their team's struggles are the pitching coach and the hitting coach. Pitching coach Mark Riggins is in his first year, so it may be too soon to pull the plug on him. However, I doubt that guys like Carlos Zambrano, Matt Garza, Carlos Marmol, Kerry Wood and Ryan Dempster truly have that much respect for the longtime minor league coach. Riggins main job is to work with younger hurler such as the currently disabled Andrew Cashner, Chris Carpenter, Marcos Mateo and even Randy Wells or Jeff Samardzija. None of those guys have performed particularly well and I haven't heard anyone rave about Riggins. None the less, I'd stick with him for at least the duration of 2012.
Rudy Jaramillo is supposed to be a hitting guru. However, he has failed to help the Cubs offense. The hitters continue to scuffle in Jaramillo's second year on the job. If you're going to make a move just for the sake of making a move, I'd fire Rudy. The Cubs could bring Jim Riggleman on the staff to take his place or promote Dave Keller to interim hitting coach and then hire someone else at the end of the year.
Pat Listach might have been a mistake as Q's bench coach. Mike could have used an ex-big league manager at his side. If the Cubs hadn't been so rude to Alan Trammell, keeping him on would have been a good move. This is another place that Riggleman could take over. Rarely is a bench coach fired in the middle of the season.
Ivan DeJesus has made some poor decisions in the third base coaching box this season. Coaching third is a very difficult job. For next year, the Cubs may consider swapping DeJesus and Listach. Pat did a solid job coaching third for the Washington Nationals and DeJesus is familiar with a assistant coaching role in the dugout. I do think Ivan is an asset to the staff, but he has struggled a bit as the third base coach.
Thoughts?
Mike Quade is in his first year as the manager of the Cubs, as are many of the assistant coaches. Q has made some questionable decisions, but I don't think many people expected the Cubs to contend this year anyway. At this point, I think it would be best to stick it out with Quade for at least the rest of the season.
The two coaches that most often take the blame for their team's struggles are the pitching coach and the hitting coach. Pitching coach Mark Riggins is in his first year, so it may be too soon to pull the plug on him. However, I doubt that guys like Carlos Zambrano, Matt Garza, Carlos Marmol, Kerry Wood and Ryan Dempster truly have that much respect for the longtime minor league coach. Riggins main job is to work with younger hurler such as the currently disabled Andrew Cashner, Chris Carpenter, Marcos Mateo and even Randy Wells or Jeff Samardzija. None of those guys have performed particularly well and I haven't heard anyone rave about Riggins. None the less, I'd stick with him for at least the duration of 2012.
Rudy Jaramillo is supposed to be a hitting guru. However, he has failed to help the Cubs offense. The hitters continue to scuffle in Jaramillo's second year on the job. If you're going to make a move just for the sake of making a move, I'd fire Rudy. The Cubs could bring Jim Riggleman on the staff to take his place or promote Dave Keller to interim hitting coach and then hire someone else at the end of the year.
Pat Listach might have been a mistake as Q's bench coach. Mike could have used an ex-big league manager at his side. If the Cubs hadn't been so rude to Alan Trammell, keeping him on would have been a good move. This is another place that Riggleman could take over. Rarely is a bench coach fired in the middle of the season.
Ivan DeJesus has made some poor decisions in the third base coaching box this season. Coaching third is a very difficult job. For next year, the Cubs may consider swapping DeJesus and Listach. Pat did a solid job coaching third for the Washington Nationals and DeJesus is familiar with a assistant coaching role in the dugout. I do think Ivan is an asset to the staff, but he has struggled a bit as the third base coach.
Thoughts?
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Mid Week Roundup: Ramirez to the DL, Howry Pitching Well, The Hawks, and More
We've spent the past few days focused on the draft, but it's time to get caught up on what's going on with the big league club!
Update 4:10 CT: Now it's official. Ramirez to the DL, Tracy called up. Chad is expected to be with the team tonight.
Ramirez to the DL?
According to the Chicago Tribune and several other sources, Aramis Ramirez will finally be placed on the DL with a left thumb injury. The roster move should happen sometime today. The Cubs are expected to callup Chad Tracy, who's tearing the cover off the ball at AAA-Iowa. Aramis has been in and out of the lineup lately and is hitting just .168 this season.
Theriot's Coming Around
Ryan Theriot is finally starting to see the ball a little better. Ryan has worked a few walks this week but says he hasn't changed anything in his approach at the plate. He wants to be a little more selective but not overly defensive up there. Lou Piniella says that The Riot is still his best leadoff option.
Howry Pitching Well
The return to Chicago seems to have helped RHP Bobby Howry, who struggled before he was released by Arizona. Howry has not allowed a run in seven outings with the Cubs.
Cubs Draft Ivan De Jesus
The Cubs selected a centerfielder from Cupeyville High School in the sixth round of the draft. The odd thing is, the outfielder has nearly the same name as Cubs' first base coach Ivan DeJesus. However, the two men are not related. DeJesus (the coach) says he was surprised to see his name on the list of players drafted by the organization. Today the Cubs drafted Benito Santiago Jr., who is the son of the former Cubs catcher.
Site Notes
Please vote on our new poll on the right sidebar! Also, you can follow my Cubs Farm Updates Twitter at www.twitter.com/cubsfarmupdates. Don't forget that the right sidebar also features Cubs Links and a place where you can share this site on Twitter and Facebook! Questions, comments, suggestions, or ideas should be sent to cubsblogmailbag@aol.com.
Tonight the Cubs play the Brewers at 7:15 in a game that will be on ESPN-TV and 560 AM (instead of 720 because of the Stanley Cup Finals). Carlos Zambrano will get his second start since returning to the rotation.
Speaking of the Stanley Cup Finals... Go Hawks Go!!!
Update 4:10 CT: Now it's official. Ramirez to the DL, Tracy called up. Chad is expected to be with the team tonight.
Ramirez to the DL?
According to the Chicago Tribune and several other sources, Aramis Ramirez will finally be placed on the DL with a left thumb injury. The roster move should happen sometime today. The Cubs are expected to callup Chad Tracy, who's tearing the cover off the ball at AAA-Iowa. Aramis has been in and out of the lineup lately and is hitting just .168 this season.
Theriot's Coming Around
Ryan Theriot is finally starting to see the ball a little better. Ryan has worked a few walks this week but says he hasn't changed anything in his approach at the plate. He wants to be a little more selective but not overly defensive up there. Lou Piniella says that The Riot is still his best leadoff option.
Howry Pitching Well
The return to Chicago seems to have helped RHP Bobby Howry, who struggled before he was released by Arizona. Howry has not allowed a run in seven outings with the Cubs.
Cubs Draft Ivan De Jesus
The Cubs selected a centerfielder from Cupeyville High School in the sixth round of the draft. The odd thing is, the outfielder has nearly the same name as Cubs' first base coach Ivan DeJesus. However, the two men are not related. DeJesus (the coach) says he was surprised to see his name on the list of players drafted by the organization. Today the Cubs drafted Benito Santiago Jr., who is the son of the former Cubs catcher.
Site Notes
Please vote on our new poll on the right sidebar! Also, you can follow my Cubs Farm Updates Twitter at www.twitter.com/cubsfarmupdates. Don't forget that the right sidebar also features Cubs Links and a place where you can share this site on Twitter and Facebook! Questions, comments, suggestions, or ideas should be sent to cubsblogmailbag@aol.com.
Tonight the Cubs play the Brewers at 7:15 in a game that will be on ESPN-TV and 560 AM (instead of 720 because of the Stanley Cup Finals). Carlos Zambrano will get his second start since returning to the rotation.
Speaking of the Stanley Cup Finals... Go Hawks Go!!!
Friday, May 7, 2010
Starlin Castro Called up to the Big Leagues
Starlin Castro is now a Chicago Cub. The story was first reported via twitter this morning, and now it is official. Castro is the Cubs' top prospect in the organization. The 20-year hold short stop was hitting .376 with 20 RBIs at AA-Tennessee this year. He will make the jump from double-A to the big leagues without making a pit stop in Iowa.
Ryan Theriot will shift to second base so that Castro can take over everyday duties at short. Both middle infielders were working on the field in Cincinnati today at 2:00 with coaches Alan Trammell and Ivan DeJesus.
To make room for Castro on the roster, the Cubs sent Chad Tracy to AAA-Iowa. Chad had been struggling in his pinch hitting and backup role. Jeff Baker and Mike Fontenot are effected by this move as well, because both will see less playing time.
Starlin will become the youngest Cubs short stop ever and the youngest player to make his Cubs debut since Oscar Game (19 years, 250 days) in 1969. Castro is in the starting lineup for tonight's game. Here's the rest of the starting 9:
1. Ryan Theriot, 2B
2. Kosuke, RF
3. Derrek Lee, 1B
4. Marlon Byrd, CF
5. Aramis Ramirez, 3B
6. Alfonso Soriano, LF
7. Geovany Soto, C
8. Starlin Castro, SS
9. Carlos Silva, P
The Castro callup lead to a string of roster moves in the Cubs' organization:
Ryan Theriot will shift to second base so that Castro can take over everyday duties at short. Both middle infielders were working on the field in Cincinnati today at 2:00 with coaches Alan Trammell and Ivan DeJesus.
To make room for Castro on the roster, the Cubs sent Chad Tracy to AAA-Iowa. Chad had been struggling in his pinch hitting and backup role. Jeff Baker and Mike Fontenot are effected by this move as well, because both will see less playing time.
Starlin will become the youngest Cubs short stop ever and the youngest player to make his Cubs debut since Oscar Game (19 years, 250 days) in 1969. Castro is in the starting lineup for tonight's game. Here's the rest of the starting 9:
1. Ryan Theriot, 2B
2. Kosuke, RF
3. Derrek Lee, 1B
4. Marlon Byrd, CF
5. Aramis Ramirez, 3B
6. Alfonso Soriano, LF
7. Geovany Soto, C
8. Starlin Castro, SS
9. Carlos Silva, P
The Castro callup lead to a string of roster moves in the Cubs' organization:
- Andrew Cashner promoted to AAA-Iowa.
- Josh Vitters promoted to AA-Tennessee.
- Marwin Gonzalez promoted to AA-Tennessee.
- Mike Parisi optioned to AA-Tennessee.
- Ryan Flaherty optioned to Class-A Daytona.
Our new short stop will sport jersey number 13. The last Cub to wear that "unlucky" number was Andres Blanco last season. Before that, it was last seen on Nefi Perez's back in 2006.
If nothing else, this gives Cubs' fans a reason to tune in! I'll keep you posted.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Cub Pre-Convention Roundup: Non Roster Guys, The Caravan, the Bullpen, and More
Non Roster Invites
The full list of Chicago Cubs non roster invites to Spring Training was released today. In addition to everyone on the 40 man roster, to following prospects will be in camp to try to impress manager Lou Piniella and his staff:
The full list of Chicago Cubs non roster invites to Spring Training was released today. In addition to everyone on the 40 man roster, to following prospects will be in camp to try to impress manager Lou Piniella and his staff:
- Josh Vitters, 3B
- Andrew Cashner, RHP
- Brett Jackson, OF
- J.R. Mathes, LHP
- James Russell, LHP
- Casey Coleman, RHP
- Thomas Diamond, RHP
- Jeff Kennard, RHP
- Vince Perkins, RHP
- Robinson Chirinos, C
- Steve Clevenger, C
- Blake Lalli, C/1B
- Chris Robinson, C
- Darwin Barney, SS
- Matt Camp, INF/OF
- Starlin Castro, SS
- Bryan LaHair, 1B
- Bobby Scales, 2B/3B
- Brad Snyder, OF
Cubs Caravan Updates
The Cubs Caravan got underway today. Carrie Muskat provided us with some updated, include the info that Lou Piniella expects the Cubs to win the division. The team is still looking for a veteran right handed reliever and a 4th outfielder, but outside of that Lou feels the Cubs are "pretty set to go". Today Caravan stops included 4 schools for the Cubs Spotlight on Ready, 1 Boys & Girls clubs for the P.L.A.Y. program, a hospital visit, and the sold out Cubs Care Luncheon. Bruce Miles was at Harry Caray's for the lunch, and blogged on it afterwards. Randy Bush, Cubs assistant GM, told Miles that the Cubs haven't ruled out resigning Reed Johnson. I'll have more on the caravan as it continues tomorrow!
Coaching Swap
According to Cubs.com, Ivan DeJesus will serve as the Cubs first base coach in 2010. Matt Sinatro, who was the first base coach, will fill the role that DeJesus previously held as an assistant to Lou Piniella. Matt will still work with Cub catcher, but now will also be involved with the advance scouting reports.
Lilly Injury Update
Cubs lefty Ted Lilly could throw while in Chicago. Mark O'Neal checked up on Ted recently and Lary Rothschild hopes to see him pitch while they are in town for the Convention.
Updates from the Owners Meetings
According to Bruce Levine, the Cubs will decide on either Naples or Mesa next week. They are looking a 3 sites in Florida and two in Naples. Levine chatted with Crane Kenney about the situation. Jim Hendry told Bruce that his time was well spent at the meetings, and 27 of the 30 GMs were there. Hendry planned to talk to some teams about possible moves tonight.
Jason Bourgeois in Cubbie Blue?
Our friends over at Hot Stove Cubbies have a source that tells them that the Cubs are ready to acquire Jason Bourgeois from the Astros. This was posted at 11:30 this morning, and so far we have heard nothing from big league sources. If nothing else, something to keep an eye on.
Calero Still on Cubs' Radar, Bell Probably Staying Put
Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports that the Cubs are among the teams that have checked on Kiko Calero. The interest is "contingent" on how confident they are in the health of his shoulder. The Cubs are committed to Marmol as their closer, but would like to add another late inning guy. Today, I chatted with former Cubs broadcaster Andy Masur right here on Everything Cubs Blog. One of the many interesting things Andy told me was that he doesn't see the Padres moving Heath Bell this off season, but maybe at the trade deadline. While Masur thinks it would be "frustrating" for Bell to have to share time with Marmol as Cubs' closer, Heath could be an option in July if Marmol struggles in his new role in the first half. I would encourage everyone to click the link above and check out the full Q&A!
The Cubs Convention is the day after tomorrow!
I'll keep you posted on Everything Cubs as always!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
