A Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005
Last February, ESPN, which has been carrying Major League Baseball games for 35 years, including its signature Sunday Night Baseball franchise, opted out of the last three years of a deal with MLB in which it was supposed to pay the league $550 million a year. The breakup was somewhat acrimonious, with MLB issuing a […]
19 days ago | 0 reads
We cover the coverage like PCA covers center field. Rumors abound but few things have materialized so far. *means autoplay on, (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome). {$} means paywall. {$} means limited views. Italics are often used on this page as sarcasm font. The powers that be have enabled real sarcasm font in the comments. Food for thought: Please be reminded that Cub […]
19 days ago | 1 read
It’s Wednesday night at BCB After Dark: the coolest spot for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. Come on in out of the cold. So glad you decided to stop in. It’s a special night tonight. There’s no cover charge. We have a few tables available. The hostess will seat you […]
20 days ago | 1 read
The stove is hot and Tuesday was the day we learned if players were going to take the qualifying offer or not. There was a bit of suspense for the Cubs on this one because while it was pretty much a lock that 2025’s blockbuster trade addition, Kyle Tucker, would decline the qualifying offer and […]
20 days ago | 0 reads
In 2007, the Cubs were coming off a 96-loss season. But they had a new manager, Lou Piniella, and general manager Jim Hendry had made some key acquisitions, including signing Alfonso Soriano to what was at the time the biggest contract in franchise history. And then, thud. The team got off to a bad start […]
20 days ago | 1 read
When you post on SB Nation, we don’t want you to miss all the conversations and responses that follow. So starting today, whenever a user replies to your comment or to your post on the Feed, you’ll see a notification at the top right corner of the page. And of course, this means that when […]
20 days ago | 1 read
Josh already wrote about the Japanese star here last week, but I wanted to post my thoughts, especially after Shōta Imanaga accepted the qualifying offer Tuesday. Many of you think that’s it for the Cubs, that they aren’t going to go after another free agent starter such as Dylan Cease, Michael King or Tatsuya Imai, […]
20 days ago | 0 reads
Everyone loves a dog, but apparently, Josh Naylor really loves the Mariners’ clubhouse dog, because the sweet pooch was a big deciding factor in why he decided to re-sign with Seattle for another five years. Other teams take note! We’ve also seen the new Hall of Fame ballot for 2026 with a dozen new faces […]
20 days ago | 0 reads
On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a Cubs-centric look at baseball’s colorful past. Here’s a handy Cubs timeline, to help you follow the various narrative paths. “Maybe I called it wrong, but it’s official.” — Tom Connolly, HoF Umpire. Today in baseball history: Cubs Birthdays: Billy Sunday, Stu Martin, Manny Jimenez, Dickie Noles, Jeff Hartsock, Jeff Gray. Also notable: Roy […]
20 days ago | 0 reads
It’s Tuesday night here at BCB After Dark: the grooviest afterparty for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. Come on in out of the cold. We’re so glad you decided to stop by. Your name is on the guest list. We still have a few tables available. Bring your own beverage. […]
21 days ago | 1 read
Today at 5 p.m. Central time was the deadline for teams to move players in their minor-league systems to their 40-man rosters to protect them from being selected in next month’s Rule 5 Draft. As a reminder, players 19 or older drafted or signed no later than 2022 and players 18 or older drafted no […]
21 days ago | 0 reads
We’ve been waiting for this decision ever since the Cubs and Shōta Imanaga both rejected their mutual contract options for 2026 and beyond. And now, just before the 3 p.m. CT deadline for such things, we have Imanaga’s decision: I think most of us expected this decision after Imanaga’s bad second half of 2025, in […]
21 days ago | 0 reads
This game had some crazy things happen, and not all on the field. Joe Girardi, who wasn’t hitting much around that time, was just a pinch-hitter as he walked this game off. Let’s begin at the beginning. The Cubs entered this day with a 63-47 record and led the NL Central by 1.5 games over […]
21 days ago | 0 reads
As you know, the Cubs did try to sign Alex Bregman last offseason. They made him a four-year, $130 million offer. That’s an AAV of $35 million, which would have been the highest AAV for any contract in Cubs history. Bregman turned that deal down and instead signed a three-year, $120 million ($40 million AAV) […]
21 days ago | 0 reads
We cover the coverage like PCA covers center field. The Professor said goodbye. The Cubs’ plans for him are as yet unascertained. Jesse Rogers had what info there was to be had. We of course wish only the very best for Kyle Hendricks and his family and await any developments. Regardless of where you stand […]
21 days ago | 0 reads
Welcome back to BCB After Dark: the coolest club for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. Please come on in and sit with us. If you need anything, let us know. We can check your coat for you. There are still a few tables available. The hostess will seat you now. […]
22 days ago | 1 read
Just one day after Orlando Merced thrilled a full house at Wrigley Field with a pinch-hit, three-run walkoff homer (written up here last Friday), the Cubs did it again against the Brewers, this time with longtime fan favorite Mark Grace doing the honors. This game also featured Sammy Sosa’s 61st and 62nd home runs, at […]
22 days ago | 1 read
The Hall of Fame ballot to be voted on by members of the Baseball Writers Association of America was released Monday, and it contains 27 players. New to the ballot this year are outfielders Ryan Braun and Matt Kemp, infielders Howie Kendrick and Daniel Murphy and pitchers Cole Hamels and Rick Porcello. Also added are […]
22 days ago | 0 reads
The 2025 Arizona Fall League season wrapped up and I regret to inform you that the Surprise Saguaros won the title for the third time in the past four years. But the Mesa Solar Sox almost surprised the Saguaros in the semifinal before finally succumbing on a walk-off RBI single with two outs in the […]
22 days ago | 0 reads
I’m including Ranger Suárez in this series because a couple of the writers at MLB Trade Rumors think he could wind up with the Cubs. And why not? Here’s a left-hander who fits the Cubs’ needs perfectly. He’s been quite consistent over the last four seasons, even though he’s maxed out at 29 starts (2022). […]
22 days ago | 0 reads
Good morning.
22 days ago | 0 reads
On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a Cubs-centric look at baseball’s colorful past. Here’s a handy Cubs timeline, to help you follow the various narrative paths. “Maybe I called it wrong, but it’s official.” — Tom Connolly, HoF Umpire. Today in baseball history: Cubs Birthdays: Tom Dettore, Mitch Williams, Darnell McDonald, Scott Moore. Also notable: Tom Seaver HOF. Today […]
22 days ago | 0 reads
For this one, we go back almost 80 years. First, a note about where I found this photo — on the Encyclopedia of Chicago website. Where they said it was from 1950. It’s not, and I will show my work. Or, mine and Mike Bojanowski’s, because I had to send it to him for help […]
23 days ago | 0 reads
We cover the coverage like PCA covers center field. Oh, baby! Dansby and Mallory Swanson have had their first child. Not much else happening on this fine Slothday Sunday. Enjoy! *means autoplay on, (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome). {$} means paywall. {$} means limited views. Italics are often used on this page as sarcasm font. The powers that be have […]
23 days ago | 0 reads
Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson and his wife Mallory, who took leave from the Chicago Stars while pregnant this year, have announced the birth of their first child, a girl named Josie James Swanson: Congratulations to the Swansons on the birth, and the addition of someone new to the Cubs family. Just thought you’d like a […]
24 days ago | 0 reads