1. Trading Ted Lilly Could Get Chicago Cubs Back on Track

    On December 6, 2006, Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry made one of his best signings. Despite taking heat for passing on Barry Zito, Hendry signed Ted Lilly to a four-year, $40 million deal...

    Pat De Marco Written by Pat De Marco about almost 4 years ago 290 reads 7 comments

  2. Overused and Now They're Getting Abused: Chicago Cubs Pen Getting Hit Hard

    If you didn't see this coming, you have not been paying attention. For the third straight day, the Chicago Cubs bullpen has imploded...

    Pat De Marco Written by Pat De Marco about almost 4 years ago 140 reads 9 comments

  3. Plenty of Post Trade Deadline Players Available for the Chicago Cubs

    The trade deadline has come on and gone, but that doesn't mean the Chicago Cubs can't make a move. The process is much more difficult, but plenty of quality players have been acquired after the July 31 trade deadline...

    Pat De Marco Written by Pat De Marco about almost 4 years ago 220 reads 4 comments

  4. Down the Stretch They Come: St Louis Cardinals Set for Lift Off

    It wasn’t too long ago that five teams were separated by just four games in the NL Central. How quickly things change. Heading into August the St Louis Cardinals lead the Chicago Cubs by just a half game, but the Cubs have two less losses...

    Pat De Marco Written by Pat De Marco about almost 4 years ago 90 reads 4 comments

  5. Low Price, High Reward: Branyan and Bedard Could Be Good Fits For Cubs

    On Friday, the St. Louis Cardinals acquired Matt Holliday from the Oakland Athletics. In my opinion, the move makes the Cardinals the favorites in the very tight NL Central...

    Pat De Marco Written by Pat De Marco about almost 4 years ago 325 reads 7 comments

  6. To Buy or To Sell: Decision Time for Chicago Cubs Nears

    The second half of the baseball season couldn't have started any better for the Chicago Cubs. On Sunday, the Cubs completed a four game sweep against the woeful Washington National in the nation’s capital...

    Pat De Marco Written by Pat De Marco about almost 4 years ago 144 reads 5 comments

  7. Time is Up: Lou Piniella Must Go

    Before I go any further, let me say that Lou Piniella is not the main reason why the Cubs are 41-42. That said, at some point a manager must be held accountable for his teams struggles...

    Pat De Marco Written by Pat De Marco about almost 4 years ago 218 reads 11 comments

  8. Carlos Marmol: A Huge Failure in Cubs' Bullpen

    If you're looking for someone to blame for the Cubs' bullpen failures, look no further than Carlos Marmol. Marmol has arguably been the biggest disappointment on the 2009 Cubs' pitching staff...

    Pat De Marco Written by Pat De Marco about almost 4 years ago 191 reads 2 comments

  9. Cubs Offensive Woes Just Plain Embarrasing

    Add Anthony Swarzek to the list of pitchers to handcuff the Chicago Cubs offense this year. Swarkzek threw seven shutout innings to beat the Cubs, 2-0. Impressive? Not exactly...

    Pat De Marco Written by Pat De Marco about almost 4 years ago 157 reads 9 comments

  10. The Good and The Bad: Chicago Cubs Starting Rotation Progress Report

    With just about one-third of the season behind us, I thought this would be a good time to issue the Cubs starting rotation their first progress report. Starting Pitching Carlos Zambrano: B- Carlos Zambrano is 4-2 with a 3...

    Pat De Marco Written by Pat De Marco about almost 4 years ago 152 reads 3 comments

  11. Back to the Basics: Chicago Cubs Hitters Must Make Adjustments

    The Cubs offense misses Aramis Ramirez. He's clearly their best hitter and one of the best hitters in the National League. That said, his loss has nothing to do with Chicago scoring 4 runs in 45 innings...

    Pat De Marco Written by Pat De Marco about almost 5 years ago 160 reads 3 comments

  12. Living the Dream: Long Journey Worth the Wait for Cubs' Rookies

    Last year at this time, Micah Hoffpauir and Randy Wells were beginning their sixth year of minor league baseball, while Bobby Scales was beginning his eighth year of minor league baseball...

    Pat De Marco Written by Pat De Marco about 4 years ago 108 reads 0 comments

  13. This One Hurts: Aramis Ramirez Out Four to Six Weeks, but Cubs Have Options

    Don't expect any walk-off home runs from Aramis Ramirez anytime soon. The Cubs' star third basemen will be out until at least mid June after suffering a dislocated shoulder in Friday night's 3-2 loss to the Brewers...

    Pat De Marco Written by Pat De Marco about 4 years ago 275 reads 6 comments

  14. Chicago Cubs Have Plenty of Excuses for Slow Start...But Reasons are Obvious

    Before I even begin with this article, I will state what should be obvious: The ongoing battle between Milton Bradley and the Chicago media has nothing to do with the Cubs' four-game slide...

    Pat De Marco Written by Pat De Marco about 4 years ago 644 reads 9 comments

  15. Plate Discipline Key to Alfonso Soriano's Hot Start

    Maybe it's just me, but there appears to be something different about Alfonso Soriano this year. The Cubs left fielder appears to be much more patient at the plate, and it's paying off in a big way...

    Pat De Marco Written by Pat De Marco about 4 years ago 115 reads 7 comments

  16. Cubs and Brewers: One of Baseball's Best Rivalries

    It's not exactly Cubs-Cardinals or Yankees-Red Sox, but the Cubs-Brewers rivalry is quickly becoming one of baseball's best. The past two years, the Cubs and Brewers have battled it out for the Central division title...

    Pat De Marco Written by Pat De Marco about 4 years ago 572 reads 6 comments

  17. Cubs—Brewers: Piniella's Mistake Costs Cubs In Friday's 4-3 Loss

    If you've ever played outfield before, you understand that the most difficult ball to judge is a ball hit right at you. Coaches will tell you that your first step must be out...

    Pat De Marco Written by Pat De Marco about 4 years ago 247 reads 7 comments

  18. Patton and Guzman Break Camp with the Cubs

    The Chicago Cubs' 25-man roster is complete. After careful consideration, the Cubs have decided to go with Rule V draft pick David Patton and Angel Guzman. The odd men out are Jeff Samardzija and Chad Gaudin...

    Pat De Marco Written by Pat De Marco about 4 years ago 122 reads 2 comments

  19. Derrek Lee: Third Best Option to Bat Third for the Chicago Cubs

    So much has been made about Alfonso Soriano batting leadoff, but not nearly enough has been made about Derrek Lee holding onto his spot as the Cubs number three hitter...

    Pat De Marco Written by Pat De Marco about 4 years ago 174 reads 3 comments

  20. Fukudome and Johnson: Not Your Typical Platoon System

    Since the start of spring training, Cubs manager Lou Piniella has said that Reed Johnson and Kosuke Fukudome will platoon in center field...

    Pat De Marco Written by Pat De Marco about 4 years ago 163 reads 0 comments

  21. Chicago Cubs Expectations Based On Surplus Of Talent and Not 100 Years Of Losing

    For years Cubs expectations have been based on them being overdue to win a championship. We've all heard this phrase, "It's been 90+ years and the Cubs MUST win a championship this year...

    Pat De Marco Written by Pat De Marco about 4 years ago 257 reads 2 comments

  22. Cubs Add Versatility With Smart Signing

    Today's Chicago Cubs signing didn't make the headlines, but it may turn out to be an important signing for Cubs General Manager, Jim Hendry. The Cubs have signed utility man, Esteban German, to a minor league contract...

    Pat De Marco Written by Pat De Marco about 4 years ago 331 reads 10 comments

  23. Halfway to Houston: Cubs No. 5 Spot Up in the Air

    With just about half of spring training behind us, I thought it would be a good time to look at the Cubs battle for the No. 5 starter's job...

    Pat De Marco Written by Pat De Marco about 4 years ago 167 reads 0 comments

  24. So Far So Good: Cubs Starters Looking Good In Arizona

    Spring training is just that, it's training for the regular season. It's extremely difficult to get a good read on pitchers in Arizona as pitchers are much more focused on command. It's typical to see quality starters ERA elevate during the spring...

    Pat De Marco Written by Pat De Marco about 4 years ago 186 reads 0 comments

  25. Late Bloomer: Hoffpauir Continues To Grow With The Chicago Cubs

    Micah Hoffpauir is anything but a youngster. The 29-year old was drafted in the 13th round in 2002 by the Chicago Cubs. A career minor leaguer, Hoffpauir began to come into his own with the Cubs Triple-A affiliate Iowa in 2007...

    Pat De Marco Written by Pat De Marco about 4 years ago 185 reads 8 comments