Roster Being Finalized

Less than a week before the season starts and the roster is coming into shape. The Cubs have moved Yovanni Gallardo, Noah Lowry, and Mark Prior to the DL to start the season. In response the Cubs have signed Jason Isringhausen, Brian Wilson, and Derek Lowe and and activated them to the major league roster.

“We are really looking forward to the coming season and hope to have these guys back as soon as possible, but we were also able to fill some needs with these moves and some tough decisions will need to be made in the near future on roster spots. All will have to perform well to stay on the roster as we have some new faces that will be pushing to stay with the team” GM Jason Hoover said on Monday. The two biggest needs that were filled were the additions of Isringhausen and Wilson to a bullpen which was the major weakness of the team last year. Both are solid closers that, along with Bobby Jenks, should produce much better numbers than last year.

The Cubs also made a minor league move, dropping OF Ryan Sweeney and signing 2B German Duran. Duran fills the need of having some IF help in the farm system.

Roster Is Complete / DL Move Expected

With a little over a week to go, the Cubs have finalized their roster.  Most of the roster from last year’s team is coming back, with headliners like Derek Lee, Aramas Ramirez, Eric Byrnes, Torri Hunter, Alfonso Soriano, Ben Sheets, and Carlos Zambrano.  And like last year, few players are in a contract year with only 5 players not signed through 2009 and two of those were free-agent acquisitions this last winter while another was a free-agent pick-up last summer.

Added to this roster are some prominent rookies and minor leaguers from last year, including Evan Longoria, Joey Votto, and Yovanni Gallardo. Gallardo is scheduled to start the season on the DL so the Cubs are actively looking for a pitcher who can contribute immediately.

Stay tuned for more update as the season nears.

Roster Filling Out / First Trade Announced

With the coming of the new new year, the Clarksville Cubs are coming very close to filling out their roster. As of this writing, only 4 positions are remaining on the 35-man active roster.

“We are extremely happy with our team so far,” coach Ron Santo stated early last week. “With the multitude of front-line pitchers and the addition of closers at the end, we believe pitching will be a strenth of our team.” Not to short the line-up, however. The Cubs have plenty of pop in their line-up with Michael Young, Aramis Ramirez, Alfonso Soriano, Marcus Giles, and Vernon Wells and homerun’s should not be in short supply.

Also, finalized on December 29th and announced on December 31st, the Cubs have completed their first trade of the year, sending Dontrelle Willis to the Atkins Alley Cats for Kris Benson, Noah Lowry, and Torri Hunter. “We were very sad to lose the D-train (being a former Cub farm-hand), however, we were able to add young depth to the pitching staff and a big-time player in Torri,” owner and GM Jason Hoover stated on New Year’s Day. This move also opens up a little more cash space as the Cubs make a push for a few more quality free-agents.

“We are in no way done in our pursuit of adding quality players to the Cubs organization”, said Hoover.

Another “Cub”

On Friday, the Cubs announced another signing away from the other Cubs and have inked Matt Murton for 5 years and $55.  “Matt really came on at the end of last year and we expect big things from him in the future”, Coach Ron Santo said on Monday.  Murton joins an outfield that already consists of another former Cub, Jacque Jones.

The Cubs have been very active in the outfielder market recently, however, the turn now will be to add some arms.  Only 3 pitchers have been signed roughly half way through the free-agent period.  “I am very pleased with the quality of players added to the staff, I just need to see some quantity and soon” pitching coach Ferguson Jenkins pleaded on Sunday afternoon.

From a Cub to a Cub

On Monday, the Clarksville Cubs announced the signing of outfielder Jacque Jones to a 3 year, $54 dollar contract, the league average.  “It’s great to have Jacque on board and we know he will bring enthusiasm and a good all-around game to our team”, Owner Jason Hoover stated.

Jones hit .285 and 27 homeruns last year with an .833 OBS and was successful on 90% of his stolen base attempts in his first year with the other Cubs.  Jones joins an outfield with Garret Anderson, who was singed last week.

The Cubs are near the back of the pack in players signed so far this year with 4 through the first 3 days.  Only the Peffercorns and Outlaws have signed fewer players, while the Cardinals have also signed 4.

What the?

As if the I-40 corridor rivalries needed more juice, the Atkins Alley Cats have pulled rug out from the Cubs feet and have stolen Mark Buehrle after it was believed and announced that Buehrle had signed with the Cubs.

“We have submitted a formal request to the commish to look into this situation”, said owner Jason Hoover. “We believe the Alley Cats were getting worried about the pitching strength we were building here inClarksville and contacted Mr. Buehrle’s agent late and got a deal done after the deadline.”

This leaves the Cubs with 3 players signed on Day 2 of the free agency period instead of the reported 4.

“It was obviously all about the money and we hold no ill regards toward Mark, however, the agent and the Alley Cats better straighten up”, Hoover demanded.

Team Logo Introduced

Team Intro

Hello all. This is my first post on my first blog. I am here to introduce the newest team in the URL and that team is the Clarksville Cubs. “We are very excited at the notion of bringing a top quality team to the area” owner and GM Jason Hoover said in an interview this week. “With other quality teams in the River Valley Area, it should be a challenge to attract the top talent” Hoover said.

Things are getting started in the league and posts will be coming in coming weeks to update you on the progress.