- NFL
- MLB
- NBA
- NHL
- NASCAR
- NEWS
- BLOGS
- MULTIMEDIA
- FORUMS
 |
|
|
Lou Piniella, MAN, Chicago CubsHot off the Wire Fantasy Sports NewsCubs | Piniella may not manage beyond 2010 The Arlington Heights Daily Herald reports Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella told WGN Radio Thursday, Sept. 24, that he cannot see himself managing past the 2010 season. "I really don't. I see giving it everything I've got to get the organization back on top, and I look forward to that challenge," Piniella said. Cubs | Piniella says team doesn't have great chemistry ESPNChicago.com reports Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella said the current team does not have the best chemistry. "I told you all this spring it takes a while with new guys. It doesn't necessarily fall on your lap. This hasn't been one of our ... this hasn't been one of my better chemistry teams. But is that the reason why we're winning or losing baseball games? No,'" Piniella said. Cubs | Piniella ejected The Associated Press reports Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella was ejected over a disputed double-play call Sunday, Aug. 9. Cubs | Piniella feels team is in position to win division Carrie Muskat, of MLB.com, reports Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella said he believes the Cubs are in "good position to win this division." He added, "Two things -- stay healthy, get healthy and swing the bats. That's it. We do those two things, we can win the second half. Those are two big 'ifs,' though." Cubs | Piniella ejected Wednesday Wayne Staats, of MLB.com, reports Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella was ejected Wednesday, July 1, for the first time in almost a year. Cubs | Piniella to retire after contract expires The Chicago Tribune's Paul Sullivan reports Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella plans to retire after his contract expires after the 2010 season. Cubs | Piniella seeing signs of turnaround According to Bruce Miles, of The Arlington Heights Daily Herald, Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella is seeing signs of a turnaround on offense. "I'd like to see more patience," Piniella said. "Don't try to do too much if the pitcher isn't giving anything." Cubs | Bradley still out The Associated Press reports Chicago Cubs OF Milton Bradley (groin) did not start for the third straight game Thursday, April 16, and manager Lou Piniella said it could be another five days before Bradley returns. Cubs | Gregg is the closer, says Piniella The Arlington Heights Daily Herald reports Chicago Cubs CL Kevin Gregg is the team's closer, according to manager Lou Piniella. Gregg even said it would take time to come back from offseason knee surgery. "Coming out here the first part of spring training was a battle to understand the ins and outs of my knee, how it was going to react the first time being out on the mound ... and now the intensity of the regular season," Gregg said. Cubs | Bradley may be back within five days The Arlington Heights Daily Herald is reporting Chicago Cubs OF Milton Bradley (groin), who strained his right groin Sunday, April 12, looks to be out 3-5 days, according to manager Lou Piniella. Cubs | Bradley not in lineup Monday Paul Sullivan, of The Chicago Tribune, reports Chicago Cubs OF Milton Bradley (groin) is not back in the lineup Monday, April 13, after straining his groin Sunday, April 12. However, Bradley is improving and will be back soon, according to manager Lou Piniella. Cubs | Gregg having knee issues The Arlington Daily Herald's Bruce Miles reports Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella said the team's trainers told him that CL Kevin Gregg's (knee) left knee tightens when he's on the bench. Piniella said he won't use Gregg in the eighth inning again. Cubs | Soto should be full strength by Wednesday Updating a previous item, The Associated Press reports Chicago Cubs C Geovany Soto (shoulder) could be back to full-time duty by Wednesday, April 15. Manager Lou Piniella said Soto could be available for pinch-running or pinch-hitting in an emergency. Cubs | Marmol earns save Saturday; Gregg remains regular closer Chicago Cubs RP Carlos Marmol earned his first save of the season Saturday, April 11, against the Milwaukee Brewers, according to The Associated Press. He allowed one hit and struck out two batters in one inning of work. Manager Lou Piniella said CL Kevin Gregg remains his closer, but he did not want to warm up both Gregg and Marmol in case the game went extra innings. Cubs | Fukudome likely out of Tuesday lineup The Chicago Sun-Times' Gordon Wittenmyer reports Chicago Cubs OF Kosuke Fukudome, who went 0-for-4 Monday, April 6, is not expected to be in the Tuesday, April 7, lineup. It is not because of impatience by manager Lou Piniella; the Houston Astros are starting SP Wandy Rodriguez, so OF Reed Johnson is likely to play. Cubs | Gregg named closer The Associated Press reports Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella has named RP Kevin Gregg the team's closer. Gregg beat out RP Carlos Marmol for the job. Cubs | To name closer Sunday Carrie Muskat, of MLB.com, reports Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella promised to name his closer Sunday, March 29. The competition is between RPs Carlos Marmol and Kevin Gregg. Cubs | To announce closer soon Gordon Wittenmyer, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports the Chicago Cubs will name their closer by this weekend, according to manager Lou Piniella. RPs Carlos Marmol and Kevin Gregg are currently vying for the job. Cubs | Soto added weight during WBC Paul Sullivan, of The Chicago Tribune, reports Chicago Cubs C Geovany Soto added a few pounds while he was playing for Puerto Rico in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, according to manager Lou Piniella. Cubs | Heilman to pen The Chicago Tribune's Paul Sullivan reports Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella said P Aaron Heilman will pitch in the seventh and eighth innings in the bullpen. Cubs | Marshall the No. 5 starter The Chicago Tribune's Paul Sullivan reports Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella named SP Sean Marshall the No. 5 starter. Cubs | Fontenot considered front-runner for second base job Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella said if the season started today, 2B Mike Fontenot would be his starting second baseman, according to The Associated Press. He envisions Fontenot batting sixth in the lineup. Cubs | Zambrano to start Opening Day Chris De Luca, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports Chicago Cubs SP Carlos Zambrano will start the team's Opening Day game this year, according to manager Lou Piniella. He will be followed by SPs Ryan Dempster and Ted Lilly in the rotation. Cubs | Harden to be No. 4 starter Paul Sullivan, of The Chicago Tribune, reports Chicago Cubs SP Rich Harden will be the team's No. 4 starter to open the season, according to manager Lou Piniella. His first start will come April 10 against the Milwaukee Brewers. Cubs | Fukudome likely to hit second Carrie Muskat, of MLB.com, reports Chicago Cubs OF Kosuke Fukudome will likely hit second in the team's lineup this season, according to manager Lou Piniella. Cubs | Gregg impresses Piniella The Chicago Tribune's Dave Van Dyck is reporting Chicago Cubs RP Kevin Gregg, who is battling RP Carlos Marmol for the closer's role, has made an impression on manager Lou Piniella. Gregg pitched a scoreless inning Thursday, March 5. "He is throwing the ball good," Piniella said. "I'll tell you what, he's a tough kid, he's a competitor. He has good stuff." Cubs | Harden to throw simulated game Friday Gordon Wittenmyer, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports Chicago Cubs SP Rich Harden (shoulder) threw to live hitters Tuesday, March 3, and is scheduled to throw a simulated game Friday, March 6, according to manager Lou Piniella. Piniella also said that barring any setbacks, Harden will pitch in his first spring game sometime next week. Cubs | Zambrano, Dempster could start Opening Day Carrie Muskat, of MLB.com, reports Chicago Cubs SPs Carlos Zambrano or Ryan Dempster could start the team's Opening Day game this season, according to manager Lou Piniella. However, Piniella would not make a firm decision on who the Opening Day starter would be. Cubs | Marmol to pitch in WBC Contrary to previous reports, Chicago Cubs RP Carlos Marmol has decided to pitch for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, according to The Associated Press. He will pitch for the Cubs Monday, March 2 before leaving for the WBC the following day. Manager Lou Piniella said he was fine with the decision, and added that it will not affect the competition between Marmol and RP Kevin Gregg for the closer's role. Cubs | Piniella concerned about Lilly Gordon Wittenmyer, of The Chicago Sun-Times, reports Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella is concerned about SP Ted Lilly taxing his arm too hard. "My concern is he throws too hard too soon because of the World Baseball Classic,'' Piniella said. ''We've talked to him about it. But you get into a competitive situation, and you throw all caution to the wind.'' Cubs | Soriano could run more often Jerry Crasnick, of ESPN.com, reports Chicago Cubs OF Alfonso Soriano will stay in the leadoff spot to begin the 2009 season and could also be asked to steal more bases. Manager Lou Piniella said that he thinks Soriano could steal around 30 bases this year. "He's really running well," Piniella said. "He's in great shape. I think this is the first time he's actually worked hard before coming to camp, and it shows. I told him that today." Cubs | Marmol struggles with control Monday Carrie Muskat, of MLB.com, reports Chicago Cubs RP Carlos Marmol was struggling with his control while throwing to live hitters Monday, Feb. 23, according to manager Lou Piniella. The team may give Marmol more side sessions before he pitches in a Spring Training game. Cubs | Soriano unlikely to move down in order Contrary to previous reports, Gordon Wittenmyer, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella is now saying that it is unlikely that OF Alfonso Soriano will be moved from the leadoff spot this season. However, Piniella stated it remains a possibility and he will test Soriano in the middle of the lineup during Spring Training. Cubs | Theriot to get more rest Cubs.MLB.com's Carrie Muskat reports Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella wants to give SS Ryan Theriot more rest this season after he netted 580 at-bats last year. Cubs | Samardzija could be sixth on depth chart Gordon Wittenmyer, of The Chicago Sun-Times, reports Chicago Cubs SP Jeff Samardzija may be the first option off the bench for manager Lou Piniella should any of the top five fail or be injured. Cubs | Soriano could be moved from leadoff spot Carrie Muskat, of MLB.com, reports Chicago Cubs OF Alfonso Soriano could be moved from the leadoff spot in the batting order this season, according to manager Lou Piniella. "We've got a combination of Derrek [Lee], [Milton] Bradley and [Aramis] Ramirez," Piniella said. "You know what -- I'm not going to throw out the possibility of throwing Soriano into that mix. We can play around a little bit with that this spring." Cubs | Harden throws off flat ground Chicago Cubs SP Rich Harden (shoulder) threw off of flat ground Saturday, Feb. 14, instead of off the mound like most of the team's other pitchers, according to The Associated Press. "Don't read anything into it," manager Lou Piniella said. "We've got a much longer spring than normal, so we don't really need to rush anybody. He's been throwing and feels nice and strong and healthy. Basically we're just holding him back a little." Cubs | Fukudome working on core strength Carrie Muskat, of MLB.com, reports the Chicago Cubs have adjusted OF Kosuke Fukudome's offseason workouts to focus more on his core strength. He has been working on stretching, massages, throwing and hitting and the core work, according to manager Lou Piniella. Piniella thinks Fukudome will bounce back in 2009 after struggling down the stretch last season. Cubs | Soriano fine with batting down in order Dave Van Dyck, of The Chicago Tribune, reports Chicago Cubs OF Alfonso Soriano is all right with batting down in the order. "I feel comfortable batting leadoff and any place in the lineup," Soriano said. "It's not about me, it's about the team and what Lou Piniella wants to do this year because, I'm 33 now and they think I can't run anymore." Cubs | Piniella says Harden will be ready by Spring Training Carrie Muskat, of MLB.com, reports Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella indicated that SP Rich Harden (shoulder) will be ready to go by the time Spring Training starts. However, pitching coach Larry Rothschild hinted that Harden is behind schedule in his offseason workouts. Cubs | Piniella opens competition for closer role Cubs.MLB.com's Carrie Muskat reports Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella said RPs Carlos Marmol and Kevin Gregg will compete for the closer role in Spring Training. "Let them compete," Piniella said. "I feel comfortable with Marmol, there's no question. But we traded for (Gregg), and he was a closer (for the Florida Marlins) with success. Give him a chance, too." Cubs | Soriano to be leadoff hitter The Chicago Tribune reports Chicago Cubs OF Alfonso Soriano will be the team's leadoff hitter this season, according to manager Lou Piniella. Cubs | Marshall in at No. 5 The Chicago Tribune's Paul Sullivan reports Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella has SP Sean Marshall as his fifth starter. Cubs | Piniella downplays chances to land Ibanez John Hickey, of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, reports Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella downplayed the team's chances of signing free-agent OF Raul Ibanez (Mariners). Piniella is not sure that Ibanez would be able to play right field. Cubs | Piniella interested in Ibanez Adam McCalvy, of MLB.com, reports Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella seems to be interested in free-agent OF Raul Ibanez (Mariners). "Raul can hit, there's no question," Piniella said. "He's a professional bat, and he's that type of hitter that we're alluding to. ... And he's a great guy, no question. I like the guy. He's a professional hitter; he plays hard; he's a good player." The Cubs are currently looking for a left-handed hitter for the middle of their lineup. Cubs | No longer seeking Peavy Updating a previous report, Adam McCalvy, of MLB.com, reports Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella said the team is no longer seeking a trade for San Diego Padres SP Jake Peavy, according to the Chicago Sun-Times' Gordon Wittenmyer. "No," Piniella said. "Starting we don't need. We're set. We've got six good starters, and they're all experienced. Getting Dempster back was the key. We're in good shape with our starting pitching. Bullpen-wise, [we're looking for] possibly one more experienced pitcher. We've got a lot of young kids out there." Cubs | Team wants left-handed hitting The Chicago Tribune's Chris De Luca reports Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella said the team's No. 1 priority this offseason is acquiring left-handed hitting. Cubs | Pick up Piniella's option Gordon Wittenmyer, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports the Chicago Cubs picked up the 2010 option on manager Lou Piniella's contract Tuesday, Sept. 30. Yankees | Team has a job waiting for Piniella The Chicago Tribune's Paul Sullivan reports New York Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner is ready to offer Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella a job as a consultant as soon as he retires from managing. Cubs | Playoff rotation won't be set until opponent is determined The Associated Press reports Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella said he wouldn't set his playoff rotation until their opponent is determined. | Feature LinksFantasy Football Weekly Playbook FREE Fantasy Baseball
Talk Sports 24/7! |
© 2009 Fantasy Sports Ventures, Inc.
