Chicago Cubs News
MLB wary that Tanaka might 'repay' Japanese team
As Masahiro Tanaka awaits a nine-figure contract with a major league club, the commissioner’s office is expected to review the winning bid to ensure his Japanese club does not get more than the $20 million promised under a new agreement between Major League Baseball and its Japanese counterpart.
Cubs announce Veras signing
The Chicago Cubs announced the signing of right-handed reliever Jose Veras on Friday to a one-year contract with a club option for 2015.
Lots of room, amenities for Cubs spring training
MESA, Ariz. — The Cubs' new spring training facility represents more than one-stop shopping for fans lusting for a look at the team's top prospects while praying Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo show signs of rebounding from off seasons.
13 for '13 video: Biggest busts
Chicago Tribune sports experts discuss their choices for the biggest busts in 2013 sports.
Japan's Tanaka to be posted
The Chicago Cubs will get their chance to make a splashy offseason move after the Rakuten Golden Eagles announced their decision Wednesday to post Japanese right-handed pitcher Masahiro Tanaka.
Think these 10 sports records can be broken? Think again
The assignment — rank the top 10 sports records that will never be broken — seemed straightforward enough until you dig into the research and realize you could easily fill the list with records from Major League Baseball alone.
Cubs claim RHP Marshall off waivers from Yankees
The Chicago Cubs claimed right-handed pitcher Brett Marshall off waivers from the New York Yankees, the team announced Monday.
Starlin Castro's head at heart of on-field woes?
After signing his seven-year, $60 million extension with the Cubs in the summer of 2012, Starlin Castro assured everyone he wasn't going to let the money go to his head.
Starlin Castro files countersuit in money dispute
A smoldering legal battle between Starlin Castro and a Latin American baseball academy agent might come to an end next week and millions of the 23-year-old Cubs shortstop's earnings are at stake.
Pros are often amateurs running charities
Five years ago, Carlos Boozer of the Bulls touted his charitable efforts in a heavily-promoted ESPN package, talking about how he and his wife wanted to assist children with sickle cell anemia. But a nonprofit he founded closed two years after it was founded, records show.
Grace takes minor league job with D'backs
USA Today Sports reports: Former player and broadcaster Mark Grace was named a hitting coach for the Diamondbacks' Class A Hillsboro (Ore.) affiliate. The ex-Cub was on the player-development staff last season.
Cubs sign four to minor league deals
The Cubs signed four players to minor league deals Thursday, including left-hander Jonathan Sanchez, who will compete for a bullpen spot.
Cubs' Castro has $3.6 million seized in legal dispute
Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro had $3.6 million seized from his bank accounts Wednesday for refusing to pay 3 percent of his contract to a baseball school in the Dominican Republic, according to published reports.
Angel Guzman joins Cubs as minor league pitching coach
Former Cubs pitcher Angel Guzman joined the organization as pitching coach of their Venezuelan Rookie team.
Cubs sign Sanchez to minor league deal
The Cubs signed free agent left-hander Jonathan Sanchez to a minor league deal, according to a source.
Jose Veras agrees to 1-year, $4 million deal to close for Cubs
The Cubs came to an agreement with former Astros closer Jose Veras on a one-year, $4 million deal Tuesday, a major league source said.
Tanaka decision looms as new posting system passed in Japan
The Cubs have made few moves this winter, and none that has involved any significant money.
Cubs target lefty Sanchez
The Chicago Cubs are one of several teams interested in signing free agent left-hander Jonathan Sanchez.
Family: Ex-Cub Freel suffered from CTE
Former Major League Baseball player Ryan Freel had a degenerative brain disease known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) when he committed suicide last year, his family announced Sunday, the Florida Times-Union reported.
Coomer returning to his home team
Despite his local roots, Ron Coomer was very comfortable in the Twin Cities and had no intention of moving.
Reports: Cardinals sign ex-Dodgers 2B Ellis
The St. Louis Cardinals agreed to a one-year deal with veteran free-agent second baseman Mark Ellis, according to multiple reports.
Cubs invoke 'fatigue' clause to shut down Lake
The Chicago Cubs might not be popular among fans of Estellas de Oriente, but they believe they're acting in the best interests of outfielder Junior Lake.
Cubs, WGN name Coomer radio analyst
WGN-AM 720 and the Chicago Cubs officially announced the hiring of former player Ron Coomer as color analyst for their radio broadcasts.
Cubs add four players
The Chicago Cubs claimed pitcher Liam Hendriks off waivers from Minnesota and signed infielder Ryan Roberts, outfielder Ryan Kalish and catcher John Baker to minor league contracts.
Coomer will be new Cubs radio analyst
Ron Coomer will be the Cubs' new radio analyst. The Tribune has confirmed he agreed to a two-deal that will be announced Friday to replace Keith Moreland in the WGN-AM 720 booth alongside play-by-play man Pat Hughes.
Cubs GM Hoyer: More deals in works
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — After balancing the Cubs’ lineup Thursday morning, general manager Jed Hoyer said the team could receive some gifts for Christmas.
Sullivan: Winter meetings roundup
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Baseball's winter meetings ended with no big signings or mega-trades, going down as one of the least interesting in memory.
Sullivan: Cubs seem stuck on hold
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Cubs may have possession of the Crosstown Cup, but there's no question as to which team has won the public relations battle in their duel efforts to resuscitate last-place teams.
Boras believes Cubs are too passive
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — President Theo Epstein said Wednesday that the Cubs have made free agent offers to a starting pitcher and a reliever and have made a trade proposal for a position player.
Mayor: Fix Wrigley Field now
The Chicago City Council had barely finished giving the Cubs additional freedom to expand Wrigley Field and schedule night games Wednesday when Mayor Rahm Emanuel delivered a message to the Ricketts family: It's time to break out the jackhammers already.
Boras: Cubs' Bryant deserves more money than Sox's Abreu
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The discrepancy in the size of bonuses between Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu and client Kris Bryant of the Cubs fuels a strong suggestion by agent Scott Boras to revamp the system for signing amateur players.
Cubs' Epstein once sought by Tanaka's owner
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- It’s just a coincidence that the Chicago Cubs are interested in pitcher Masahiro Tanaka if he is posted by the Rakuten Golden Eagles – whom Cubs President Theo Epstein once was asked to work for eight years ago.
Home plate collisions could be banned next season
Baseball as you knew it is changing. The major leagues, years after Little League did it, are expanding the use of instant replay and giving managers the ability to lodge challenges. And this week, a Major League Baseball rules committee announced plans to institute a rule banning head- or shoulder-first home plate collisions.
Boras suggests Rays should relocate to Montreal
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Agent Scott Boras reiterated Wednesday that baseball should consider relocating the Tampa Bay Rays to another city, suggesting Montreal would be a perfect place.
Plenty to assess for Cubs, Samardzija
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- After watching one potential destination all but vanish, the agent for pitcher Jeff Samardzija and the Chicago Cubs were scheduled to meet Wednesday morning to discuss the future of their workhorse pitcher.
City Council approves more Wrigley Field renovation changes
The Chicago City Council today approved measures to give the Cubs more flexibility on scheduling night games, an advertising archway over Clark Street and permission to push back the exterior outfield walls at Wrigley Field as part of the team’s planned $300 million renovation of the iconic-but-aging ballpark.
Cubs' Ricketts mum on rooftop deal
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Construction has been underway inside Wrigley Field since the end of the season, and new manager Rick Renteria acknowledged Tuesday that it has prevented him from seeing what his office looks like.
Local scouts to be honored
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Doug Mapson, credited with the drafting and signing of Greg Maddux with the Chicago Cubs, and South Side native Bill Bryk will be honored Wednesday night at the 13th annual Scout of the Year reception at the winter meetings.
2nd chances for PED users abound
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Mixed messages are all around the baseball landscape, even at the winter meetings.
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