A Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005
As you know, the Cubs did try to sign Alex Bregman last offseason. They made him a four-year, $130 million offer. That’s an AAV of $35 million, which would have been the highest AAV for any contract in Cubs history. Bregman turned that deal down and instead signed a three-year, $120 million ($40 million AAV) […]
23 days ago | 0 reads
We cover the coverage like PCA covers center field. The Professor said goodbye. The Cubs’ plans for him are as yet unascertained. Jesse Rogers had what info there was to be had. We of course wish only the very best for Kyle Hendricks and his family and await any developments. Regardless of where you stand […]
23 days ago | 0 reads
Welcome back to BCB After Dark: the coolest club for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. Please come on in and sit with us. If you need anything, let us know. We can check your coat for you. There are still a few tables available. The hostess will seat you now. […]
24 days ago | 1 read
Just one day after Orlando Merced thrilled a full house at Wrigley Field with a pinch-hit, three-run walkoff homer (written up here last Friday), the Cubs did it again against the Brewers, this time with longtime fan favorite Mark Grace doing the honors. This game also featured Sammy Sosa’s 61st and 62nd home runs, at […]
24 days ago | 1 read
The Hall of Fame ballot to be voted on by members of the Baseball Writers Association of America was released Monday, and it contains 27 players. New to the ballot this year are outfielders Ryan Braun and Matt Kemp, infielders Howie Kendrick and Daniel Murphy and pitchers Cole Hamels and Rick Porcello. Also added are […]
24 days ago | 0 reads
The 2025 Arizona Fall League season wrapped up and I regret to inform you that the Surprise Saguaros won the title for the third time in the past four years. But the Mesa Solar Sox almost surprised the Saguaros in the semifinal before finally succumbing on a walk-off RBI single with two outs in the […]
24 days ago | 0 reads
I’m including Ranger Suárez in this series because a couple of the writers at MLB Trade Rumors think he could wind up with the Cubs. And why not? Here’s a left-hander who fits the Cubs’ needs perfectly. He’s been quite consistent over the last four seasons, even though he’s maxed out at 29 starts (2022). […]
24 days ago | 0 reads
Good morning.
24 days ago | 0 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. Today in baseball history: Cubs Birthdays: Tom Dettore, Mitch Williams, Darnell McDonald, Scott Moore. Also notable: Tom Seaver HOF. Today […]
24 days ago | 0 reads
For this one, we go back almost 80 years. First, a note about where I found this photo — on the Encyclopedia of Chicago website. Where they said it was from 1950. It’s not, and I will show my work. Or, mine and Mike Bojanowski’s, because I had to send it to him for help […]
25 days ago | 0 reads
We cover the coverage like PCA covers center field. Oh, baby! Dansby and Mallory Swanson have had their first child. Not much else happening on this fine Slothday Sunday. Enjoy! *means autoplay on, (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome). {$} means paywall. {$} means limited views. Italics are often used on this page as sarcasm font. The powers that be have […]
25 days ago | 0 reads
Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson and his wife Mallory, who took leave from the Chicago Stars while pregnant this year, have announced the birth of their first child, a girl named Josie James Swanson: Congratulations to the Swansons on the birth, and the addition of someone new to the Cubs family. Just thought you’d like a […]
26 days ago | 0 reads
Here is a very good photo of the Wrigley Field marquee, and it is from a very specific time frame. The marquee was painted blue/green until 1965, as noted in this Wrigley Field history post (the marquee photo there is from 1962). When Tribune Co. bought the Cubs, they replaced the manual letters and numbers […]
26 days ago | 0 reads
We cover the coverage like PCA covers center field. Boras, no Natasha, alas. Izvini, Fearless Leader. The GM Meetings are over and I’m not sure what that had to do with anything yet. The Cubs signed a pitcher, Sam Mettert by name. He throws 99 and is from Tread Athletics by way of St, John’s. […]
26 days ago | 2 reads
You probably don’t even remember Orlando Merced as a Cub. He played in just 12 games, all as a pinch-hitter, finishing two of them in the field. He went 3-for-10 with a walk and a sacrifice fly. One of those hits, though, cements Merced in Cubs history. Merced had been acquired by the Red Sox […]
27 days ago | 0 reads
No one has been doing prospect rankings longer than Baseball America, and today the venerated publication revealed their top 10 Cubs prospects for the 2026 season. (sub. req.) While the scouting reports that go with each player are behind a paywall, I can share the rankings. I don’t think it’s unfair to say that the […]
27 days ago | 1 read
Framber Valdez is considered by some to be the best free-agent starting pitcher on the market. Since becoming a full-time starting pitcher in 2020, Valdez has been remarkably consistent, posting ERAs no lower than 2.82 and no higher than 3.66, the latter his 2025 ERA. Overall in that time frame: 154 appearances (153 starts), 3.23 […]
27 days ago | 2 reads
Hoo boy, awards fans, we have some catching up to do. Since our last links post, we’ve gotten the biggest award winners of the season. On Wednesday, the Cy Young Awards were announced, and Tarik Skubal won for the second year in a row in the AL, while Paul Skenes of the Pirates won for […]
27 days ago | 0 reads
Sosa and Palmeiro free as birds, and other stories. Happy Birthday to Xavier Nady!* 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. Today […]
27 days ago | 2 reads
The 1993 Cubs were a maddening team. (Not “Maddon” ing, incidentally.) In their second year under manager Jim Lefebvre, they had hoped to make a jump into contention, but struggled around .500 most of the year. One of the bright spots on the team was catcher Rick Wilkins, who had been a part-time backstop for […]
28 days ago | 3 reads
The 1993 Cubs were a maddening team. (Not “Maddon” ing, incidentally.) In their second year under manager Jim Lefebvre, they had hoped to make a jump into contention, but struggled around .500 most of the year. One of the bright spots on the team was catcher Rick Wilkins, who had been a part-time backstop for […]
28 days ago | 3 reads
Most, if not all, of the players I’ve put in this series to date are guys the Cubs likely will not sign — too much money, too many years, or both. Here’s a pitcher who seems more up Jed Hoyer’s alley at the present time. Zac Gallen was originally drafted by the Cardinals (third round, […]
28 days ago | 0 reads
We cover the coverage like PCA covers center field. *means autoplay on, (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome). {$} means paywall. {$} means limited views. Italics are often used on this page as sarcasm font. The powers that be have enabled real sarcasm font in the comments. Food for thought: Please be reminded that Cub Tracks and Bleed Cubbie Blue do not necessarily endorse the content of […]
28 days ago | 0 reads
It’s Wednesday at BCB After Dark: the hippest hangout for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. Come on in and join us for a while. There’s no cover charge. The dress code is casual. We still have a few tables available. Bring your own beverage. BCB After Dark is the place for […]
29 days ago | 3 reads
The hit by Luis Salazar that won this day’s game might have been the single play that cemented the NL East title for the Cubs in 1989. To understand that statement, a little context is needed. Salazar had been acquired in trade just 10 days earlier from the Padres. It was just his ninth game […]
29 days ago | 4 reads