starlin castro Archives

The Chicago Cubs week that was and more Cubs stuff

February 3, 2012 By paulmbanks Leave a Comment

After a crazy Cubs week, full of news and groundbreaking signings like those of Trever Miller and Matt Tolbert combined with another eye-opening list of prospects from BA that no one has ever thought of before, it is hard just to catch one’s breath.

Can you sense the sarcasm? Good, because I am laying it on pretty thick.

And as I am typing this, word breaks across the wire that the Cubs landed themselves and 18-year-old Cuban prodigy. I am pretty sure that I had something to with that by typing the opening paragraph at the precise time I did. You are welcome.

And I digress, it has been rather quiet so new prospect lists are a good way to create conversation and discussion and debate. Who is the Cubs best prospect? I have no idea. That is as honest as I can be.

So, let’s shake it up with some ramblings on a Friday. And I sure hope this can create some good banter to get the Super weekend started.

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Filed Under: Chicago Cubs, MLB Tagged With: Alfredo Amezaga, anthony rizzo, baseball america, Brett Jackson, Chicago Cubs, Chicago Cubs baseball, Cubs, Cubs baseball, Derrick Rose, Dominican Republic, Garza arbitration, Gerardo Concepcion, javier baez, Jorge Soler, madonna, manny corpas, Matt Garza, Matt Szczur, Matt Tolbert, Mesa, Prince Fielder, Scott Boras, Spring Training, starlin castro, Super Bowl, Super Bowl Weekend, Tom Ricketts, Trever Miller, Yeonis Cespedes

Plenty of Depth, Lack of Pizzazz Defines Cubs’ Farm System

January 21, 2012 By paulmbanks 1 Comment

Anthony Rizzo

“As the Cubs’ draft went on, we were sitting around in our draft room and we could tell what they were doing. We said ‘hey, they get it, they’re finally getting it’….That got my attention, the attention of a lot of other people in the game.”

Those words, spoken by Theo Epstein at his introductory news conference in Chicago in October of last year, speak volumes about the state of the Cubs’ farm system. Obviously, there is an element of intrigue there, with the Cubs’ drafting of a very strong class last year. They got several big prospects, and they were able to sign a big chunk of them, spending more in bonuses than they had in the previous two drafts combined.

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Filed Under: Chicago Cubs, MLB Tagged With: Alfonso Soriano, andrew cashner, anthony rizzo, aramis ramirez, Brett Jackson, Bryan LaHair, Cleveland Indians, dan vogelbach, david dejesus, geovany soto, javier baez, jed hoyer, Jeimer Candelario, John Sickels, Josh Vitters, Junior Lake, Marcos Hernandez, marlon byrd, Matt Szczur, starlin castro, Theo Epstein, Welington Castillo

Kerry Wood Thrills Convention Goers, Re-signs with Cubs

January 13, 2012 By paulmbanks Leave a Comment

After months of speculation as to whether or not he would return to the North Side, reliever Kerry Wood revealed his decision on Friday night by being the last player introduced at the Cubs Convention at the Hilton Chicago. The event, always geared toward recognizing the new faces the team has brought in over the winter, as well as appreciate the club’s history, but this time, it took on a special meaning with Wood emerging on the stage.

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Filed Under: Chicago Cubs, MLB Tagged With: Chicago Cubs, Ian Stewart, Ivan DeJesus, jed hoyer, Kerry Wood, Paul Maholm, starlin castro, Theo Epstein

Coverage of Castro Accusations Sets Dangerous Precedent

January 6, 2012 By paulmbanks Leave a Comment

On day that Cubs fans should be celebrating both the departure of Carlos Zambrano and the arrival of super prospect Anthony Rizzo (who was an instrumental part in the trade that sent Adrian Gonzalez to the Red Sox), instead the news cycle on the North Side has been dominated by a bombshell dropped earlier today. Starlin Castro, the star shortstop who has been touted as the next big star for the Cubs, has been accused of sexual assault by a 22-year old woman in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred in September, according to reports.

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Filed Under: Chicago Cubs, MLB Tagged With: Adrian Gonzalez, anthony rizzo, Carlos Zambrano, Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Cubs, Crime, Michael Vick, Patrick Kane, starlin castro

Cubs Trade Tyler Colvin to Colorado Rockies for Ian Stewart

December 9, 2011 By paulmbanks 1 Comment

Before leaving Dallas and the Winter Meetings on Thursday, Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein and General Manager Jed Hoyer did manage to make one move. No, it wasn’t signing Albert Pujols or CJ Wilson (both of whom signed with the Angels), but instead it was a trade, acquiring third baseman Ian Stewart from the Colorado Rockies. They also acquired minor league pitcher Casey Weathers in the deal.

In exchange, the Cubs sent outfielder Tyler Colvin and infielder DJ LeMahieu to Denver.

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Filed Under: Chicago Cubs, MLB Tagged With: albert pujols, Alfonso Soriano, aramis ramirez, Carlos Pena, Casey Weathers, CJ Wilson, COlorado Rockies, david dejesus, DJ LeMahieu, geovany soto, Ian Stewart, jed hoyer, Los Angeles Angels, marlon byrd, Prince Fielder, starlin castro, Theo Epstein, Tyler Colvin

What’s My Motivation: Cubs Interested in Fielder, Pujols?

November 29, 2011 By paulmbanks Leave a Comment

Just when you thought the Cubs had already made some serious waves during this off-season, they could be preparing to make an even bigger splash. According to a report by FoxSports.com, the Cubs are pursuing free agent first basemen Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder, who are the two crown jewels of this year’s free agent class. Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com also weighed in this morning, reporting that the Cubs have reached out to Pujols’ agent Dan Lozano, and are apparently serious about joining in the race for the slugger’s services.

If the report is accurate, the Cubs would join the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins in the Pujols sweepstakes, and they could also be joining the Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners, and Washington Nationals in pursuit of Fielder. Both players are going to get large paydays, but the fact that the Cubs are in a rebuilding mode may not be deterring them from spending money.

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Filed Under: Chicago Cubs, MLB Tagged With: albert pujols, Chicago Cubs, chicago tribune, Dan Lozano, ESPN, jed hoyer, Jerry Crasnick, Josh Hamilton, Phil Rogers, Prince Fielder, Robinson Cano, starlin castro, Theo Epstein

Cubs Starlin Castro, White Sox Carlos Quentin Make MLB All-Star Team

July 3, 2011 By paulmbanks Leave a Comment

Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro today was named to the 2011 National League All-Star team, the first selection of his MLB career. Castro joins manager Mike Quade, who was named to National League Manager Bruce Bochy’s coaching staff last week, in representing the Cubs at the 82nd Major League All-Star Game Tuesday, July 12 in Phoenix .

At age 21, Castro becomes the youngest player in franchise history to be named an All-Star. 300 game winner Greg Maddux was 22-years-old when selected in ’88 but did not play in the exhibition game. The youngest position player in franchise history to play in the All-Star Game was Ron Santo, who was 23 in 1963.

Right fielder Carlos Quentin was selected as the lone White Sox representative.

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Filed Under: Chicago Cubs Tagged With: al all-star selections, Carlos Quentin, carlos quentin all star, carlos quentin white sosx, Cubs, cubs all-star, cubs all-star rep, mlb all-star, mlb all-star selections, nl all-star selections, starlin castro, starlin castro all -star team, starlin castro all-star, starlin castro cubs, white sox, white sox all-star, white sox all-star rep

Rotator Cuffs and Forearms Seriously Frustrating to Cubs Fans

April 8, 2011 By paulmbanks Leave a Comment

With the off day yesterday, the DL debacle and Dempster’s destruction, it is time to just get it all out and rant like nuts about all things Chicago Cubs.

So, let’s get it on …

• Dempster does not look good. In fact, he looks bad.

• I feel like with need a real-life version of ESPN’s fantasy baseball commercial, where Quade sits down with Marmol, Wood and Marshall and lets them know that they might pitch in 150 games each.

• That was just horrific on Tuesday watching the Shark and Mateo completely botch that game. Thankfully, the Cubs still won, but it was just plain ugly.

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Filed Under: Chicago Cubs, MLB Tagged With: Alfonso Soriano, bob brenly, Carlos Pena, Carlos Zambrano, casher injury, cashner, cashner DL, cashner injured, Chicago Cubs, Chicago Cubs baseball, Cubs, Cubs baseball, darwin barney, Elias Sports, James Russell, kosuke fukudome, Matt Garza, Randy Wells, Ryan Dempster, starlin castro, Tyler Colvin, Wrigley Field

Chicago Cubs are Starlin Castro’s Team Now

April 7, 2011 By paulmbanks Leave a Comment

The Chicago Cubs of 2008, the team that was a juggernaut up until late August; who finished just shy of 100 wins before performing the ultimate choke job of all choke jobs, are pretty much gone. The high-priced, built to win now team is almost entirely turned over in just three short years. Most of the starting rotation is gone, as is the bullpen.

Aramis Ramirez is the only infielder left, but he’s not expected to produce as much of the offense as he did back three years ago. Same with Alfonso Soriano, who’s disgustingly bloated contract, by far the worst investment in Cubs history, has has morphed from tragedy to farce today. Jim Edmonds, Derrek Lee and the “ot boys” are all gone.

And in their place is a young nucleus with the names Darwin Barney, Tyler Colvin, Marlon Byrd and Starlin Castro. That’s the future of the Cubs, especially that last one.

By Paul M. Banks

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Filed Under: Chicago Cubs, MLB Tagged With: Chicago Cubs, cubs starlin castro, cubs stats, mlb player of the week, starlin, starlin castro, starlin castro bobblehead, starlin castro cubs, starlin castro major league player of the week

Some Cubbies Ramblings During a Deep Freeze

January 21, 2011 By paulmbanks Leave a Comment

Hello again, everybody. We are a week removed from the Cubs Convention, and like they say, there is never really an off-season when the hot stove is sizzling.

More moves, more thoughts, more rumors, and more pontificating from the masses … just another week for the Cubs.

It is cold in Chicago. When it was 20 degrees warmer it is was freezing. Now it is mind numbing, bone-chilling ridiculousness.

So, with all that said, let’s ramble a little bit. Let’s just have the random stream of consciousness coming flying out on paper, or more accurately, an electronic screen.

By: Brian McCabe

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Filed Under: Chicago Cubs Tagged With: Adrian Beltre, andrew cashner, aramis ramirez, Ashton Kutcher, Carlos Pena, Carlos Zambrano, Chicago Bears, Chicago Bears football, Chicago Cubs, Chicago Cubs baseball, Cubs, Cubs baseball, demi moore, Javy Lopez, Matt Garza, Notre Dame, notre dame football, Ricky Gervais, starlin castro, Tom Gorzelanny, Tyler Colvin

Cub fans, Commence the Starlin Castro Bandwagon!

May 7, 2010 By paulmbanks 2 Comments

By Paul M. Banks

(update: Cubs super-prospect Starlin Castro goes yard in his first at bat!)

The Chicago Cubs today called up Starlin Castro from Double-A Tennessee after infielder Chad Tracy was jettisoned to Triple-A Iowa.

Castro, the first ever Cub born in the 1990s (don’t you feel old now) wears uniform number 13 and hit a three-run homer in his first ever at bat. The 20 year old is rated the number one prospect in the Cubs’ system by Baseball America.

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