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Rebuilding continues in Chicago

The rebuilding process of the Chicago Cubs was very much in evidence last week as they parted with two starting pitchers Samardzija and Hammel both with ERA's under 3 runs per game for two highly touted young position players and a 25 year old starting pitcher plus a fourth player to be named later
Trading Jeff Samardzija did not meet with approval with many Cub fans as he had proven himself to be one of the premier right handed pitchers in all of baseball. In an effort to retain Samardzija the Cubs offered him a 5 year contract worth 85 million dollars but he declined it. Samardzija is eligible for free agency at the end of 2015 and is probably wanting a longer term contract. Jason Hammel on the other hand is eligible for free agency at the end of this year and expessed interest in returning to the Cubs.

The key piece in the trade for the Cubs was securing Addison Russell 20 year old shortstop the number one prospect in the Oakland organization. Russell is described as a Barry Larkin- type short stop with substantial power. Baseball America rates Bryant number two. Russell number 6 and Baez number 7, And Alcantara number 18. Many of the sportswriters have now labeled the Cubs farm system as number one in all of baseball. In the past the emphasis was on hitting with most teams. Today the emphasis is on pitching as evidenced by most teams struggling for hitting. The Cubs now have a stranglehold on prospective position players who can hit for power and average and could trade one for starting pitcher. I hope this is not the case and management will look to free agency for experienced pitching.

Besides securing Addison Russell in the trade the Cubs also obtained Billy McKinney 19 year old outfielder who was Oaklands first round draft choice this year. He is now in the same outfield with Albert Almora Cubs first round draft choice in 2012 playing for Daytona class A.

With the departure of Samardzija and Hammel there is concern for experienced pitching. The performance of Jake Arrieta, whom they acquired in the Baltimore trade last year, involving Cub pitcher Scott Feldman has proven to be a plus for the Cubs. After being on the disabled list for a long stretch he has a 5 and 1 record with an ERA of under 2. I feel strongly now the Cubs will go to free agency for an experienced starting pitcher or two. They have the money to accomplish this. Young pitchers on the up swing give me reason not to be worried about starting pitching for 2015. The bullpen has improved with the addition of Neil Ramirez, Justin Grimm and others. You can't help be impressed with future reliever Amando Rivero who in 34.2 innings pitched has struck out 54 batters, allowed 16 walks with an ERA of 1.56.

As respects the trade with Oakland I believe the Cubs did very well. True it is evident that Samardzija and Hammel will give Oakland the impetus to retain their lead in the American league west division and lead them into the world series, but in the long run the trade favors the Cubs. The Cubs landed a 20 year old premier shortstop in Addison Russell an Oakland number 1 pick out of high school one year ago who is already listed number 5 of all minor league prospects . They also secured Oaklands number 1 prospect just out of high school 19 year old outfielder Billy Mc Kenney who is a switch hitter with speed, some power and rated  very high. Also included in the trade the cubs acquired starting pitcher Staily and a fourth player to be named later.

What management has accomplished is securing a minimum of 8 young positions players who will in time be labelled impact players which is unprecedented in my life time as a Cub fan, which precedes the world series of 1945. During the era of Banks, Williams and Santo you could not label the other position players as impact players. If you are a Cub fan you have got to be excited about the future of the Chicago Cubs. I don't recall any major league team in recent years with so many good prospective position players. This is being recognized by other teams as well as the media. Out of the seven top prospects in the country Kris Bryant is ratednumber two ,Addison Russell number 5, and Javier Baez number 7. Also Alcantarra is rated number 18. Almora the Cubs number 1 draft pick in 2012 and Jorge Soler whom the Cubs signed out of Cuba several years ago with a 9 year 30 million contract are among the elite young outfielders named by Baseball America. Young McKenney will soon be listed as well. Perhaps the most exciting young player in the group is the Cubs first round draft choice this June Kyle Schwarber 21year old catcher/outfielder. In 5 games at Boise this summer he had 12 hits in 20 timrs at bat with 4 homers .Was sent to Kane County class A where is is presently hitting 377 with 8 doubles and 4 home runs in only 61 plate appearances.

I personally compliment management for what they have accomplished. When you consider the age of these promising young players you have to be excited about the future of the Chicago Cubs.

Schwarber-21

Mc Kenney-20
Almora-20
Soler-23
Bryant-23
Russell-21
Baez-22
Alcantarra-23
Castro-24
Rizzo-24
Some of the ages shown may be current age, or age at beginning of 2015 season.

Submitted by Jim Copeland

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