Cubs Trade Rumors: DeJesus, LaHair And Soriano Among Chicago's Trade Candidates

The Chicago Cubs, stuck at 15 games behind the NL Central-leading Pittsburgh Pirates, rank as one of the few teams in the National League poised to be sellers by the 2012 MLB trade deadline.

As such, it appears three Cubs outfielders may be available for the right price. According to MLB Trade Rumors analysts Ben Nicholson-Smith, OF David DeJesus, RF/1B Bryan LaHair and LF Alfonso Soriano could all end the season with a different team:

David DeJesus, Cubs - DeJesus can play all three outfield positions and has a .271/.359/.387 batting line through 311 plate appearances. He earns just $4.25MM per season through 2013. So far there's no indication the Cubs have made him available.

Bryan LaHair, Cubs - There's no urgency for the Cubs to move LaHair, who posted an impressive .286/.364/.519 batting line en route to an All-Star berth.

Alfonso Soriano, Cubs - Soriano could draw trade interest despite his over-sized contract. I discussed him in detail earlier this year. Soriano's contract will clear waivers, so the Cubs could trade him in August without restrictions.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more comprehensive coverage, visit Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue. For more MLB coverage, check out Baseball Nation as well as MLB Daily Dish.

Cubs Roster: RP Alberto Cabrera Could Be Nearing Callup

The Chicago Cubs righty reliever Alberto Cabrera may be in his first season out of the bullpen, but the flame-throwing 23-year-old may be nearing his first major league callup. According to John Arguello of Cubs Den, Cabrera and his plus-plus fastball may the next rookie to break into the majors:

Cabrera has flown under the radar but quietly has become the guy I consider to be the Cubs top pitching prospect, at least among those who have actually pitched this season. Ideally, you'd like your top prospect to be a starter, but the Cubs can use all the arms they can get. And another bullpen arm certainly wouldn't hurt.

Cabrera currently sports a 2.57 ERA and 2.91 FIP with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs through four appearances. In his 35 and 2/3 innings in Double-A, Cabrera struck out over 30 percent of the batters he faces while walking only 6.7percent -- good for a 2.27 ERA and 2.25 FIP.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more comprehensive coverage, visit Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue. For more MLB coverage, check out Baseball Nation as well as MLB Daily Dish.

Chicago Cubs News: Alfonso Soriano To Get More Rest In Second Half

The Chicago Cubs will enter the second half with the second worst record in baseball. Their priorities will be different than most teams, as winning games may eventually take a backseat to getting extended looks at players that may be part of the franchise for an extended period moving forward. Alfonso Soriano, who is signed through the 2014 season despite dwindling skills, is not likely to be one of those players, and as such, his playing time may be cut in favor of younger players.

Soriano is also getting older, and after finishing the first half in 4-for-23 slump at the plate, Cubs manager Dale Sveum noted that he needed to give the left fielder more days off in the second half:

"His presence in the lineup -- we know he's streaky -- but his presence brings a lot," Sveum said Sunday. "He's played pretty dang good defense out there. I've got to find a few more spots to give him days off."

(via MLB.com)

In both 2011 and 2010, Soriano was a better hitter in the first half than the second, though not by a drastic margin in either year.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more comprehensive coverage, visit Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue. For more MLB coverage, check out Baseball Nation as well as MLB Daily Dish.

Cubs Vs. Mets Final Score: Chicago Wins 7-0

The Chicago Cubs shut out an opponent for the seventh time this season on Sunday, defeating the New York Mets 7-0 at Citi Field. The Cubs are hitting their peak as they enter the All-Star break; since June 25, the Cubs have won nine of their past 13 games to get out of the National League cellar.

Returning from the disabled list, Cubs starter Ryan Dempster looked solid over five innings, allowing just four hits and zero walks while striking out four hitters. The Cubs then brought in a parade of relievers to finish off the game, blanking the Mets over all nine frames.

Mets starter Jon Niese lasted seven innings, but he managed to allow seven runs before leaving. Starlin Castro led the way for the Cubs offense, going 2-for-4 with a three-run homer in the seventh inning that nearly put the game out of reach for New York.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more comprehensive coverage, visit Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue. For more MLB coverage, check out Baseball Nation as well as MLB Daily Dish.

Cubs Vs. Mets Lineups: Cubs Lean On Righties Against Jon Niese

With New York Mets lefty Jon Niese on the hill on Sunday, Chicago Cubs manager Dale Sveum has loaded his lineup with righties. Reed Johnson gets the start in centerfield today in place of David De Jesus and Jeff Baker will be in right field instead of Bryan LaHair. Geovany Soto also gets the start as the Cubs go into the All-Star break.

Here are today's lineups for both the Cubs and Mets:

Chicago Cubs

1. Reed Johnson, CF
2. Starlin Castro, SS
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Alfonso Soriano, LF
   
5. Jeff Baker, RF
6. Geovany Soto, C
7. Darwin Barney, 2B
8. Luis Valbuena, 3B
9. Ryan Dempster, P

New York Mets

1. Ruben Tejada, SS
2. Daniel Murphy, 2B
3. David Wright, 3B
4. Ike Davis, 1B
5. Lucas Duda, RF
6. Scott Hariston, LF
7. Jordany Valdespin, CF
8. Josh Thole, C
9. Jon Niese, P

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more comprehensive coverage, visit Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue. For more MLB coverage, check out Baseball Nation as well as MLB Daily Dish.

Cubs Vs. Mets Preview: Cubs Look To Close Out Half With Win

Ryan Dempster's return to the hill will be a welcome sight for Chicago Cubs fans, but the flipside of his return is that it likely begins the countdown to when Jed Hoyer and Theo Epstein deal him to a contending team. Dempster, who has a 2.11 ERA and 1.02 WHIP on the season, hasn't started a game since June 15, and his next few starts could end up being a key piece in the Cubs' rebuild.

If Dempster can maintain both his health and his 2012 performance to-date, the Cubs may be able to fetch a top prospect (or something close to it) as the trade deadline approaches. But for now, Dempster will just be trying to help the Cubs win games, and that starts today in Citi Field against a Mets lineup that he can certainly control.

The Mets, meanwhile, will be trotting out lefty Jon Niese, who is 7-3 on the season with a 3.35 ERA.

Game date/time: Sunday, July 8, 12:10 p.m. CT

Location: Citi Field, Flushing, New York

TV: CSN

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more comprehensive coverage, visit Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue. For more MLB coverage, check out Baseball Nation as well as MLB Daily Dish.

Cubs Hitting Coach: James Rowson To Be 'Highly Considered' For 2013 Opening

The Chicago Cubs sport one of the worst offenses in the league. And though the blame for that problem can likely be spread among many different sources, the Cubs' hitting coach has been of particular focus in the 2012 MLB season. On June 12, the Cubs fired highly-touted hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo and replaced him with minor league hitting coordinator James Rowson.

And according to Cubs manager Dale Sveum, Rowson could have an inside track to securing the job for good:

"No question about it," Sveum said. "Anything like that, it's labeled interim, but he's going to be highly considered."

The Cubs have not noticeably improved under the new hitting scoring, scoring at an identical pace as before his arrival, but Chicago may choose to stick with Rowson if his approach matches the organization's overall philosophy.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more comprehensive coverage, visit Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue. For more MLB coverage, check out Baseball Nation as well as MLB Daily Dish.

Cubs Vs. Mets Final Score: Gee Dominates Chicago In New York's 3-1 Win

The Chicago Cubs (32-53) could not overcome SP Dillon Gee (W, 6-7) as the 26-year-old pitcher gave the New York Mets (46-39) a 3-1 win.

Gee last 8.0 innings as he struck out four Cubs hitters while walking none. He did allow 1 earned run on 7 hits, but the Mets pitching staff kept Chicago to just 6 singles and 2 doubles scattered throughout the game. 1B Anthony Rizzo continued his hot hitting, collecting two hits -- a single and a double -- but CF David DeJesus scored the Cubs only run when he grounded a ball back through the middle of the infield with 3B Luis Valbuena at third.

SP Jeff Samardzija (L, 6-8) appeared shaky at first, and he allowed a pair of home runs within the first three innings. But the 27-year-old righty regained his control by the fourth inning and managed to hold the Mets to just 3 runs on 4 strikeouts, 2 walks and 2 homers.

With the loss, the Cubs drop back to 21 games under .500.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more comprehensive coverage, visit Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue. For more MLB coverage, check out Baseball Nation as well as MLB Daily Dish.

Cubs Vs. Mets Lineups: New York Loads Up On Lefties Against Jeff Samardzija

The New York Mets have decided to play the percentages against Chicago Cubs starter Jeff Samardzija on Saturday, as their lineup is loaded with left-handed bats. Reuben Tejada, David Wright and pitcher Dillon Gee are the only right-handed bats in the starting nine for the Mets, who hope to capitalize on favorable splits. Samardzija has allowed lefties to produce a .270/.356/.494 line with 24 walks in 2012, while he has limited righties to a paltry .253/.297/.346 triple-slash batting line.

Will the move pay off for New York on Saturday? Here are the lineups for each team, via Baseball Press:

Game date/time: Saturday, July 7, 3:10 p.m. CT

Location: Citi Field, New York, NY

TV: WGN

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more comprehensive coverage, visitCubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue. and Mets blog Amazin' Avenue. For more MLB coverage, check out Baseball Nation as well as MLB Daily Dish.

Cubs Trade Rumors: Blue Jays Have Matt Garza High On Their List, According To Report

The trade rumors surrounding Chicago Cubs starter Matt Garza have intensified over the last few weeks, and just one day after providing news that scouts for the Toronto Blue Jays, Cleveland Indians,Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks and St. Louis Cardinals were all in attendance for Garza's latest start on Thursday, Jon Morosi of FOX Sports has provided another update on the market. It now appears the Blue Jays are focused on acquiring pitchers under contract beyond 2012, and Matt Garza and Wandy Rodriguez are both high on their list.

#BlueJays showing most interest in pitchers under control beyond this year. Matt Garza and Wandy Rodriguez high on their list, sources say.

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 7, 2012

Garza is 28 years old and has posted a 4.32 ERA and 4.38 FIP over 93.2 innings in 2012. He is third-year arbitration eligible in 2013 and is set to become a free agent going into the 2014 season.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more comprehensive coverage, visit Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue. For more MLB coverage, check out Baseball Nation as well as MLB Daily Dish.

Cubs Vs. Mets: Jeff Samardzija Makes Saturday Start

The Chicago Cubs have been patient with 27-year-old starter Jeff Samardzija during his recent struggles, and with a strong start on Saturday against the New York Mets he show he has turned the corner before the All-Star break. Samardzija was great during his last outing against the Atlanta Braves -- striking out 11 and allowing just one earned run over 7.0 innings -- but prior to that performance he had given up 25 earned runs and 26 hits over his previous four starts (18.1 innings total).

Meanwhile, Mets starter Dillon Gee is also hoping to build on his last start, in which he gave up just two earned runs and five hits over six innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Here is the TV schedule and first pitch time for Saturday's game:

Game date/time: Saturday, July 7, 3:10 p.m. CT

Location: Citi Field, New York, NY

TV: WGN

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more comprehensive coverage, visit Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue. and Mets blog Amazin' Avenue. For more MLB coverage, check out Baseball Nation as well as MLB Daily Dish.

Cubs Vs. Mets Final Score: Cubs Take Game 1, 8-7

A scene familiar to Chicago Cubs fans played itself out on Friday night at Citi Field. Or, at least it almost did. Cubs closer Carlos Marmol came perilously close to blowing a four-run ninth inning lead, but a mixture of good defense and luck allowed the Cubs to hang on to an 8-7 victory in game one of the teams' three-game series in Queens.

Marmol entered in the ninth with the Cubs up 8-4, and quickly did what Marmol often does. After striking out Mets outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis to lead off the inning, Marmol surrendered a homer to Jordany Valdespin to bring the score to 8-5. Marmol then walked Ruben Tejada, Daniel Murphy and David Wright to load the bases. With one out, Ike Davis singled to right field to score Tejada and Murphy and bring the Mets to within a single run. But in the next at-bat, Mets rightfielder Lucas Duda lined a ball up the middle that was snared by Marmol, who then flipped the ball to first base to double up Davis.

Before that, the Cubs hitters put on one of their best shows of the season, racking up 19 hits and eight runs, including Anthony Rizzo's fourth homer of the season.

The two teams will be back on the field on Saturday at 3:10 p.m. CT.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more comprehensive coverage, visit Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue. For more MLB coverage, check out Baseball Nation as well as MLB Daily Dish.

Ryan Dempster Trade Rumors: Cubs Pitcher Not Bothered By Talk

Ryan Dempster likely isn't long for the Chicago Cubs. Like almost everybody, Ryan Dempster knows this, but as he readies to return from the disabled list, he told reporters that he isn't being bothered by persistent trade rumors.

"That's OK, they've been there, so it doesn't bother me," Dempster said Friday. "I'm just going to try and do my job the best I can and let all those things take care of themselves. Just focus on going out there and taking it one start at a time, one pitch at a time and just go from there."

(via CSN)

Dempster will be a valuable trade chip for the Cubs, and if he can remain healthy it's hard to imagine that Jed Hoyer and Theo Epstein will hold onto him. At any point, a Ryan Dempster start could be his last in a Cubs uniform.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more comprehensive coverage, visit Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue. For more MLB coverage, check out Baseball Nation as well as MLB Daily Dish.

Cubs Vs. Mets Score Update: Chicago Leads 7-2 In The 5th Inning

A five-run fifth inning has helped the Chicago Cubs build a 7-2 edge on Johan Santana and the New York Mets. The big hit of the inning was a three-run home run by Anthony Rizzo; Jeff Baker hit a solo shot a couple of at-bats later and Luis Valbuena capped the inning with an RBI single.

Related: Ryan Dempster Update: Cubs RHP Will Start On Sunday

Reed Johnson got the Cubs started with a home run to lead off the game. The Mets came back with one run in the second and one run in the third before Joe Mather tied the game at two with a sac fly in the fourth.

Cubs starter Travis Wood has given up four hits and walked three batters in four innings of work.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more comprehensive coverage, visit Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue. and Mets blog Amazin' Avenue. For more MLB coverage, check out Baseball Nation as well as MLB Daily Dish.

Ryan Dempster Update: Cubs RHP Will Start On Sunday

Chicago Cubs starter Ryan Dempster is all set to return to the rotation and start on Sunday against the New York Mets, Paul Sullivan reports. Earlier in the week, his return had been expected to come some time after the All-Star break.

Demp starting Sunday.

— Paul Sullivan (@PWSullivan) July 6, 2012

Related: Cubs Vs. Mets Preview: Chicago Looks To Continue Recent Success

Dempster, who has been the subject of several trade rumors in 2012, was in the midst of a career year -- at least in terms of ERA -- before being sidelined by injury. Sunday's start will be his first for the Cubs since June 15.

He's struck out 66 and walked 22 over 81 innings of work this season.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more comprehensive coverage, visit Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue. For more MLB coverage, check out Baseball Nation as well as MLB Daily Dish.

Cubs Vs. Mets Lineups: Bryan LaHair Sits Against Lefty Johan Santana

The Chicago Cubs (31-51) take on the second-place New York Mets (45-38) on Friday afternoon, kicking off their final series before the 2012 All-Star Break. And just 24 hours after saying 1B/OF Bryan LaHair would play against both righties and lefties, Cubs manger Dale Sveum has elected to put LaHair on the bench against elite left-handed SP Johan Santana.

Here is a look at the full lineups, courtesy of Baseball Press:

The Cubs enter the series against the Mets as one of the hotter teams in baseball. They have won 7 of their last 10 games and the slugging duo of LaHair and Anthony Rizzo have led the way, hitting 3 home runs combined with OPS's over 1.000 each.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more comprehensive coverage, visit Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue. For more MLB coverage, check out Baseball Nation as well as MLB Daily Dish.

Cubs Vs. Mets Preview: Chicago Looks To Continue Recent Success

Before this month's All Star break, the Cubs look to continue their recent success with a visit to the Big Apple this weekend.