Cubs Rumors 2012: Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Marmol Not Likely To Be Traded This Month

The Chicago Cubs aren't likely to trade outfielder Alfonso Soriano or relief pitcher Carlos Marmol before the end of the month, as Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun Times writes. Players traded in September aren't eligible to play in the postseason, so this essentially means that the team will wait until the offseason to entertain deals.

Both players already cleared waivers earlier this month, so they're eligible to be traded to any team, but they're both owed significant money, so trades would ultimately be complicated. At the end of this season, Soriano is owed $36 million for two years, while Marmol is owed $9.8 million for a final season.

Given those prohibitive price tags, the Cubs would need to eat substantial money in any deal, but both players continue to offer value at the MLB level so they're still intriguing trade pieces.

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Chicago Cubs Claim RHP Miguel Socolovich Off Waivers From Baltimore

The Chicago Cubs have claimed right-handed relief pitcher Miguel Socolovich off of waivers from the Baltimore Orioles, according to CSN Chicago's Mark Strotman. To make room for him on their 40-man roster, the Cubs designated catcher Blake Lalli for assignment.

Socolovich, 26, made his major league debut on July 14, 2012 for the Orioles. In six appearances with the big league club, he posted a 6.97 ERA with six strikeouts and six walks in 10.1 innings. Socolovich began the year at Triple-A Norfolk, and dominated hitters to the tune of a 1.90 ERA and 0.90 WHIP across 52 innings. He signed with the Orioles prior to the 2012 season, after being granted minor league free agency following four years in the Chicago White Sox organization.

Lalli, 29, also made it to the major leagues for the first time this season. He hit .133/.188/.133 in 16 plate appearances with the Cubs in limited action. Lalli is a career .296/.357/.416 hitter over seven seasons in the minor leagues.

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Chicago Cubs 2B Darwin Barney Is Pushing For A Gold Glove

Chicago Cubs second baseman Darwin Barney is making a strong push for a Gold Glove, writes Patrick Mooney of CSNChicago.com.

Barney, 26, came up through the Cubs' system as a shortstop, only to be moved to second base when Starlin Castro burst onto the scene. Barney hasn't had much of a problem with the transition, though; he has not made an error in 108 games, and has only two this season in 565 chances. In addition, Barney leads the leads the National League in defensive wins above replacement, which has heavily weighed into his ranking of eighth overall in WAR.

Cubs' manager Dale Sveum is in full support of his second baseman, adding that there's more to Barney than just the errorless streak:

"It's the range he's showed and the ability to have everything in his tool box - going to his right, going to his left, everything. Right now, there's no doubt in my mind that he should win a Gold Glove."

Barney's glove more than makes up for his bat, which is a bit below league average thus far in 2012; his batting line through Wednesday's action is .262/.303/.378, good for a .681 OPS.

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Chicago Cubs Players Confident Ryne Sandberg Gets Shot At Big League Job

The Cubs are hoping that Hall of Fame second baseman RyneSandberg eventually ends up managing in the big leagues, even if it's not in Chicago. After coming to Chicago from the Philadelphia Phillies after the 1981 season, Sandberg played the rest of his big-league career with the Cubs, retiring in 1997. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2005.

Sandberg's managerial star has been on the rise since he became the skipper of the Cubs' Class-A Peoria Chiefs in 2007. He was promoted to Class Double-A in 2008, became the manager of the Triple-A Iowa Cubs in 2009 and was named the Pacific Coast League Manager of the Year in 2010.

The Cubs have a number of players on the roster that came up through the ranks with Sandberg as their manager, and all are confident that he will get his shot at the big leagues sooner than later, according to CSN Chicago.

"Any time you have a Hall of Fame guy as your manager," pitcher Jeff Samardzija said, "it's going to be a good situation, especially a guy like Ryno, a good communicator who can talk to his players. When it's coming from that background, you usually take it to heart.

"He was always the same guy, win or loss. He competed. He cared. He was a great dude."

When Cubs interim manager Mike Quade was fired by new general manager Theo Epstein in late 2010 and the team said they wanted a manager with big-league managing experience, Sandberg left the organization to manage the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies.

With Phillies manager Charlie Manuel likely nearing the end of his career, some expect Sandberg to get his shot at the Philadelphia job. His former players in the Cubs organization seem convinced he's more than ready for the step up.

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Brewers Vs. Cubs Final Score: Chicago Drops Series Finale In Milwaukee, 3-2

Powered by a 3-for-4 performance from star outfielder Ryan Braun, the Milwaukee Brewers pulled off a three-game sweep of the visiting Chicago Cubs on Wednesday with a narrow 3-2 victory.

Braun, who smacked Chicago pitchers for an RBI double in the first inning, a solo home run in the sixth and then his third triple of the season in the eighth, finished a mere base hit away from his first career cycle in the win.

Taking the loss for the Cubs was left-hander Travis Wood, who fell to 4-10 on the year despite seven strong innings of six-hit ball where he only gave up three runs. After opening the season with a 4-3 record and stellar 3.05 earned-run average, the 25-year-old Wood has now walked away with a defeat in each of his last seven decisions.

Now with a 4-17 record in the month of August, the Cubs will travel back to the Windy City for a three-game set with the Rockies starting Friday afternoon.

Head over to Bleed Cubbie Blue for more news on the Cubs, and be sure to check out Brew Crew Ball for more Milwaukee coverage. Also visit Baseball Nation for even more analysis from around the league.

Chicago Cubs Continue To Clean House, Let Go Six Scouts

The Chicago Cubs have been cleaning house under new president of baseball operations Theo Epstein, a process that's gone on essentially since the beginning of his tenure. On Wednesday, the Cubs let go six scouts, some pro and some amateur, as ESPN's Keith Law reports.

These departures are just the latest for Chicago's front office, which has undergone absolutely massive changes over the past year. In August of last year, the Cubs fired GM Jim Hendry and brought in Epstein to helm the club's overhauled management team.

Epstein has already brought in numerous guys of his own, including GM Jed Hoyer, vice president of scouting and player development Jason McLeod and manager Dale Sveum. He's also kept some of Hendry's guys, including special assistant Tim Wilken and assistant GM Randy Bush.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this series, head over to Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue and Brewers blog Brew Crew Ball. And for more news and notes from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation.

Brewers Vs. Cubs Preview: Chicago Looks To Avoid Sweep

The Chicago Cubs have struggled badly of late, but they're hoping that Travis Wood can help to get them back on track going forward. The lefty is taking the mound on Wednesday as the Cubs look to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Milwaukee Brewers in what's been a miserable month for the team competitively.

In August, the Cubs have won just four of 20 games, and they've been particularly bad on the road, going 1-12 away from Wrigley Field during the month. Wood has been a big part of the problem, as he's gone 0-6 with a 7.68 ERA and 13 home runs allowed in seven outings since the All Star break.

Game Date & Time: Wednesday, Aug. 22, 1:10 p.m. CT

TV: WGN

Radio: WGN 720

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this series, head over to Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue and Brewers blog Brew Crew Ball. And for more news and notes from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation.

Cubs Vs. Brewers Final Score: Cubs Comeback Effort Falls Short In 5-2 Loss

The Chicago Cubs made a bid for a comeback in the ninth inning of Tuesday's game vs. the Milwaukee Brewers, but it ultimately fell short, resulting in a 5-2 loss. The Cubs scored two runs off of reliever Manny Parra but, after the game got a bit too close for comfort for Brewers manager Ron Roenicke, closer John Axford was brought in to close the door.

Milwaukee went up 1-0 in the fourth inning on a Corey Hart infield single and added three more in the sixth on a wild pitch that scored Rickie Weeks and a Jonathan Lucroy double that plated Aramis Ramirez and Hart. The Brewers then went up 5-to-0 when Carlos Gomez singled to left in the bottom of the eighth inning.

The Cubs got on the board in the ninth when Alfonso Soriano scored Josh Vitters on a single to left, and added their second run on a Starlin Castro grounder to third that brought Anthony Rizzo home. But that would be it for the Cubbies, who lost their 75th game of the season.

The two teams will wrap up their series Wednesday at 1:20 p.m. CT.

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Matt Garza Injury: Shutting Down For Season Makes Sense To Cubs Starter

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Matt Garza discussed the team's decision to place him on the 60-day disabled list, which will end his season, and agrees it is the right move to make for both his recovery and the team.

"It's just kind of mathematically how it works," Garza said about the team's roster moves. "It's the best move and it gives a guy the opportunity to show what he's got."

Garza continues to recover from his elbow injury, but with time needed to rehab the Cubs don't want the pitcher to rush back with the season's end in sight. While Garza understands the situation, it doesn't mean he has to like it.

"I'm not fine, never going to be fine with it," Garza said when asked about the situation. "But you kind of have to. It is something you're dealt with and you have to accept it in order to get it better. So I'm getting better, been working out and I'm just going to stay ready and when they say it's okay to go then I'll be out there ready to go."

Garza started 18 games this season with a 5-7 record and a 3.91 ERA.

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Cubs Vs. Brewers: Starting Lineups For Tuesday's Game

Looking to avoid a 3-game losing streak, the Chicago Cubs will send 25-year-old left-hander Chris Rusin out to make his major league debut on Tuesday for game two of their series with the Milwaukee Brewers.

A former Kentucky Wildcat selected by Chicago in the fourth round, Rusin was tabbed by Baseball America as having both the best change-up and best control in the Cubs organization after the 2010 season. He will face a Milwaukee lineup that exploded for 8 runs in the fifth inning alone in Monday's opener however, and will need to be extra sharp in his first outing in the big leagues.

Cubs manager Dale Sveum will once again roll with third baseman Josh Vitters in the No. 2 hole for game two, after the 22-year-old prospect finally broke through for his first career home run in Monday's loss. Vitters is hitting a meager .108 in 11 games since his call-up, but will look to build on his strong Game 1 performance against Milwaukee's Marco Estrada on Tuesday.

Here are the starting lineups for both teams:

Cubs
1. David DeJesus - RF
2. Josh Vitters - 3B
3. Anthony Rizzo - 1B
4. Alfonso Soriano - LF
5. Starlin Castro - SS
6. Welington Castillo - C
7. Brett Jackson - CF
8. Darwin Barney - 2B
9. Chris Rusin - SP

Brewers
1. Norichika Aoki - RF
2. Rickie Weeks - 2B
3. Ryan Braun - LF
4. Aramis Ramirez - 3B
5. Corey Hart - 1B
6. Jonathan Lucroy - C
7. Carlos Gomez - CF
8. Jean Segura - SS
9. Marco Estrada - SP

Head over to Bleed Cubbie Blue for more Cubs news, and check out Brew Crew Ball for more on the Brewers. Also visit Baseball Nation for more MLB cover from around the league.

Kane County Cougars To Be Cubs Single A Affiliate In 2013

Some Chicago Cubs prospects will be playing 120 miles closer to Wrigley Field in 2013. The Kane County Cougars will reportedly replace the Peoria Chiefs as the Cubs' Single-A affiliate in the Midwest League next season.

Neither the Cubs nor Kane County has yet confirmed the report, but the move was a surprise to Peoria brass:

"It definitely caught us off guard," Chiefs president Rocky Vonachen told the Peoria Journal Star. "It’s the first we’ve heard anything like that."

Mark Grace and Greg Maddux are two prominent Cubs who played minor league ball for the Chiefs, over an on-and-off 30 year affiliation between the two teams. Kane County's contract with the Kansas City Royals ends after the 2012 season.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of the Cubs head over to Bleed Cubbie Blue. And for more news and notes from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation.

Matt Garza Injury: Cubs Starter Out For Year

Chicago Cubs starter Matt Garza was moved to the 60-day DL on Tuesday, which ends his 2012 season. Garza had not pitched since July 21. The club Twitter account announced the move:

LHP Jeff Beliveau and IF Adrian Cardenas were optioned to @iowacubs, while RHP Matt Garza was transferred to the 60-day disabled list.

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 21, 2012

Garza had initially hit the 15-day disabled list with elbow soreness. Further examination showed that he had a triceps injury that was causing stress on the joint. Garza finished the year with a 3.91 ERA over 103.2 innings.

The move made room for Alex Hinshaw to join the Cubs roster after he was claimed off the waiver wire from the San Diego Padres. Hinshaw will be available against Milwaukee Tuesday night, when southpaw Chris Rusin makes his major league debut for the Cubs.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this series, head over to Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue and Brewers blog Brew Crew Ball. And for more news and notes from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation.

Cubs Vs. Brewers Final Score: Cubs Lose, 9-5

The Chicago Cubs dropped the opening game of their three-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers Monday, losing by a score of 9-5.

The Brewers scored eight of their nine runs in the fifth inning, including four runs on back-to-back home runs by Jonathan Lucroy and Carlos Gomez. The fifth-inning home run was one of two Lucroy hit in the game, finishing 2-3 with four RBI. Mark Rogers got the win for the Brewers, allowing three runs over five innings.

The Cubs started out strong and took a 3-1 lead into the fifth, but starter Justin Germano was unable to survive the inning. Germano took the loss after he allowed seven earned runs in 4-2/3 innings. Josh Vitters was one of the offensive bright spots for the Cubs, as the 22-year-old rookie hit his first major-league home run.

The Cubs will try to even the series Tuesday with Chris Rusin making his major-league debut for Chicago.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this series, head over to Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue and Brewers blog Brew Crew Ball. And for more news and notes from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation.

Cubs Vs. Brewers Score Update: Cubs Down 5 In The 7th Inning

The Cubs began a three game series with the Brewers Monday but they will have to rally late to come out with a win. The Cubs trail 9-4 in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Chicago scored first and led 3-1 going into the bottom of the fifth inning but the Brewers exploded for eight runs in the inning to take a 9-3 lead. The Cubs got one back in the seventh inning but still trail by five runs.

Justin Germano lasted 4.2 innings for Chicago allowing seven runs on eight hits. He struck out three batters. Part of the damage came when Jonathan Lucroy hit a three-run home run in the fifth inning, his second home run of the game.

It hasn't been all bad for the Cubs as Josh Vitters hit his first career Major League home run in the fifth inning.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this series, head over to Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue and Brewers blog Brew Crew Ball. And for more news and notes from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation.

Cubs Vs. Brewers Starting Lineups: Anthony Rizzo Returns On Monday

After getting a day off to clear his head, the Chicago Cubs have first baseman Anthony Rizzo back in the starting lineup as they kick off a series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night.

The 23-year-old first baseman has struggled of late after a strong start to his Cubs career, but his overall numbers are still solid. Bryan LaHair got the nod in Chicago's series finale against the Reds, but he's back on the bench now.

Justin Germano is making his fifth start of the year for the Cubs since being acquired in July. He's pitched well so far in a Chicago uniform, posting a 3.91 ERA with 15 strikeouts and five walks over 25.1 innings.

Chicago Cubs:

1. David DeJesus (L) RF
2. Josh Vitters (R) 3B
3. Anthony Rizzo (L) 1B
4. Alfonso Soriano (R) LF
5. Starlin Castro (R) SS
6. Welington Castillo (R) C
7. Brett Jackson (L) CF
8. Darwin Barney (R) 2B
9. Justin Germano (R) P

Milwaukee Brewers:

1. Norichika Aoki (L) RF
2. Rickie Weeks (R) 2B
3. Ryan Braun (R) LF
4. Aramis Ramirez (R) 3B
5. Corey Hart (R) 1B
6. Jonathan Lucroy (R) C
7. Carlos Gomez (R) CF
8. Jean Segura (R) SS
9. Mark Rogers (R) P

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this series, head over to Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue and Brewers blog Brew Crew Ball. And for more news and notes from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation.

Darwin Barney's Defense: The Chicago Cubs Second Baseman Is Approaching Historical Significance

Chicago Cubs Pitcher Jeff Samardzija Isn't Worried About A Contract Extension

Chicago Cubs starter Jeff Samardzija has potentially earned himself a contract extension with his breakthrough 2012 season, but he told the Chicago Tribune on Sunday that it's not something he's worrying about.

"I signed a nice contract coming out of college, and I don't have many expenses," said Samardzija, who signed a five-year, $10 million contract in 2007. "I don't have that many bills to pay. So I don't really need any money, to tell you the truth. I'm not asking for anything. I'm asking to pitch. I'm asking to pitch every fifth day, and I'm asking to pitch a lot."

(via Chicago Tribune)

Samardzija has a $3.5 million option in 2013, when he'll be eligible for arbitration. In 24 starts this season, Samardzija has a 4.17 ERA but a 1.28 WHIP. He's also struck out 146 batters in 144.2 innings.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this series, head over to Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue and Brewers blog Brew Crew Ball. And for more news and notes from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation.

Cubs Vs. Brewers Preview: Chicago's Road Trip Continues In Milwaukee

The Cubs open up a series against Milwaukee on Monday.