Signing Schierholtz is further evidence that Theo & Jed are dead serious about improving the Cubs' defense. They've said all along that was a priority, not just for the obvious reasons but also because it will, in effect, improve the pitching. I like it.
Rondon was out of left field, but I like it. It seems that no other rule 5 pitcher offered his combination of high ceiling (98 mph, excellent control, mid rotation starter) along with his seeming readiness to contribute at the major league level. Obviously, it all comes down to health, and as others have noted, Cubs seem to like g@mbling on elbow injuries. I've read elsewhere that Hoyerstein think health may be the new market inefficiency, so let's hope they know something others don't with all these bum elbows.
Eh, McGehee just isn't very good. He's as much a butcher defensively as Reynolds, but he has Stewart's offense. They might as well go in with Stewart and Valbuena unless they can get someone who is a true upgrade. No point in bringing in another .650-.700 OPS guy who probably doesn't play defense as well as either of the guys we already have.
Thinking about it we dont even have anybody in the high minors that could come up and make an impact this year other than cats like Junior Lake and Matt Szczur.
Might a Rule 5 pick coming off elbow surgery be easier to hide by having him spend much of the season on the DL?
Gordon Wittenmyer @GDubCubCubs confirm Stewart returns to club on 1yr $2m deal. He goes to spring as starter. Team still seeks RHH capable of backing up.
Paul Sullivan @PWSullivanStewart returns on non-guaranteed $2 million, 1-year contract. If released in spring training, Cubs off hook
I saw Casey McGehee's name floating around Twitter earlier today. Perhaps he might be an option, especially since our in-house 3B's are both left handed?Granted he's been a lousy hitter for two years in a row, but just about everyone else at 3B is a lousy hitter at this point it seems.
Jerry CrasnickStewart back to full health after playing 2 years with a broken bone in his wrist. #cubs