A Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005
Fifth in the series. Today we look at the Cubs’ newly-anointed utility man. Matt Shaw is a controversial figure in Cubdom right now. Not for his political beliefs (at this time), but because the signing of Alex Bregman necessarily leads to a change of position for the young man, and because it looks a bit like […]
11 days ago | 4 reads
Spring Training is just around the corner and so is the 2026 World Baseball Classic, which will begin March 4 in Tokyo and March 6 in San Juan, Miami and Houston. A number of Cubs have already committed to play in the WBC, and there could be others going forward — not all the rosters […]
11 days ago | 2 reads
There are a few more signing rumors out there, but we’ll wait for confirmation. The Dylan Carlson deal is done. More pitching and infield help (Gabe Klobosits, Karson Simas) may be on the way. We, um, await developments. *means autoplay on, (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome). {$} means paywall. {$} means limited views. Italics are often used on […]
11 days ago | 1 read
It’s Wednesday night here at BCB After Dark: the most happening hangout for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. We’re so glad you decided to stop by. Come in out of the cold. We can check your coat for you. We’ve got a fire going and the show will start soon. […]
12 days ago | 2 reads
David Bote was once thought of as a versatile enough player to keep around on a long-term deal given him by Theo Epstein, a five-year deal that didn’t end until a buyout last year. And, you know, it might have worked until Bote suffered a serious shoulder injury in May 2021 that kept him out […]
12 days ago | 0 reads
Fifth in the series. Today we look at the Cubs’ new third baseman. Alex Bregman should need no introduction. The Cubs wanted to sign him last year but were unable to close the deal. They made up for it this year, signing the free agent to a massive five-year, $175 million contract. Bregman has won two World […]
12 days ago | 1 read
After I posted this article Tuesday citing a Joon Lee report on the Dodgers supposedly not paying their fair share of TV revenue sharing, my attention was called to this Los Angeles Times article by Bill Shaikin, in which Lee’s claims are, well, basically refuted: It also revived a strange chapter in team history, with […]
12 days ago | 1 read
Happy Wednesday, everyone! We’re inching ever closer to Truck Day, which means we’re closer than ever to pitchers and catchers reporting. Baseball is almost back! We’re turning our attention to the World Baseball Classic today, as reports are out that Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve will both miss the WBC due to insurance issues. Bo […]
12 days ago | 3 reads
On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a Cubs-centric look at baseball’s colorful past. Here’s a handy Cubs timeline, to help you follow the various narrative paths. “Maybe I called it wrong, but it’s official.” — Tom Connolly, HoF Umpire. Kiki Cuyler* makes the Hall, and other stories. Today in baseball history: Cubs Birthdays: Bob […]
12 days ago | 0 reads
It’s Tuesday night here at BCB After Dark: the grooviest hangout for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. Come on in out of the cold. We’re so glad to see you. There’s no cover charge. We can check your coat for you. Bring your own beverage. BCB After Dark is the place […]
13 days ago | 0 reads
The Cubs signed Tucker Barnhart to a two-year, $6.5 million contract before the 2023 season to be the backup catcher to Yan Gomes. This was another miscalculation by Jed Hoyer, as Barnhart was released before the ‘23 season ended after batting just .202/.285/.257 and throwing out only 18.9 percent of runners trying to steal. And […]
13 days ago | 1 read
Fourth in the series. Today we look at the Cubs’ recently-acquired backup DH/First Baseman. Tyler Austin is a 34-year-old journeyman, drafted by the Yankees in the third round of the 2010 MLB Draft. His lifetime 0.9 bWAR is inflated by his reasonable 2018-2019 seasons. After 2019, he journeyed to NPB, where he did well for six […]
13 days ago | 3 reads
Last week, I wrote this article noting that a number of owners were “enraged” about the Dodgers signing Kyle Tucker and that some owners were going to push for a salary cap “no matter what.” The Dodgers are doing a pretty good job of playing MLB’s villain team, the equivalent to the “Evil Empire” the […]
13 days ago | 3 reads
There are bound to be some events of note at some point. Perhaps not today. But we remain vigilant. Pitchers and catchers are due to report in two weeks. We do have a nice The Compound Podcast if you have time, and several shorter stories, both on video and via text. Randy Holt has a […]
13 days ago | 2 reads
Welcome back to BCB After Dark: the coolest club for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. We so glad you braved the weather to visit us. Please come in out of the cold. It’s plenty warm in here. We can check your coat. There’s no cover charge. Bring your own beverage. […]
14 days ago | 2 reads
Miles Mastrobuoni was the 26th man on the roster for most of his time with the Cubs in 2023 and 2024, a substitute fielder, pinch-hitter and pinch-runner. The Cubs were 14-10 after defeating the Padres April 27, but then went on a long losing skid, losing 10 of 15 entering the final game of a […]
14 days ago | 1 read
Third in the series. Today we look at the Cubs’ young DH/C/1B. In previous episodes, we looked at the Cubs’ two catchers, Miguel Amaya and Carson Kelly, indulged in a little speculation, and had video of some of their exploits. As we move on to the rest of the roster, it seems reasonable to look […]
14 days ago | 2 reads
One of the things the Cubs lacked in their 92-win team in 2025 was a good, traditional backup outfielder. They had Vidal Bruján backing up Pete Crow-Armstrong in center field, and that, as you know, was hardly optimal. Willi Castro and Jon Berti also played outfield for the Cubs last year. Apart from Ian Happ, […]
14 days ago | 1 read
Good morning.
14 days ago | 1 read
On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a Cubs-centric look at baseball’s colorful past. Here’s a handy Cubs timeline, to help you follow the various narrative paths. “Maybe I called it wrong, but it’s official.” — Tom Connolly, HoF Umpire. Steve Trout* and others are traded for, plus the expanded strike zone and more! Where […]
14 days ago | 0 reads
This is a really good view of a bygone era at Wrigley Field, also sent to me by BCB reader Joe Coney. I had to enhance the colors a bit; the original photo as sent to me was a bit washed out. This also made it easier to read the matchups on the scoreboard, and […]
15 days ago | 3 reads
The gloves are still on. But the Cubs are ‘going for it’, and there aren’t so many kids playing. Maybe Kevin Alcantara breaks camp with the big kids. Otherwise, it’s pretty much a veteran squad. Jaxon Wiggins might change that some, but he isn’t expected any time soon. He’ll be handled with the proverbial sartorial […]
15 days ago | 2 reads
Japanese star Yu Darvish signed a six-year, $126 million deal with the Cubs before the 2018 season, with escalators that could have brought that deal to $150 million. You all likely remember the “Daily Darvish” posts I made here in early 2018 in anticipation of Darvish’s signing. Injuries and ineffectiveness ruined his first year with […]
16 days ago | 2 reads
Here’s another photo sent to me by BCB reader Joe Coney. I sleuthed one of his scoreboard photos last weekend and this is another one. So, what do we know about this photo? The Cubs are playing the Giants. Again, as in the last photo, it has to be between 1978 and 1981, because the […]
16 days ago | 1 read
Welcome to the weekend. We can expect some winnowing around the edges, but it looks like the personnel are settled, more or less. I have some concerns about the handedness of the bench but it’ll work out. Or it won’t. Ability counts more, really. But I like balance. Apparently I’m not alone. I understand that […]
16 days ago | 0 reads