Jim Hickey Steps Down As Cubs Pitching Coach

Sahadev Sharma Twitter

Steve Cishek Deserves Your Attention, Cubs Fans

Wonky is a word that usually describes something not functioning correctly, often related to an item that is crooked or askew. While none of those things necessarily fit Chicago Cubs reliever Steve Cishek and his performance on the field, it’s what most people see when he throws.

FanRags

Five Filthy Pitchers From NL Central Hurlers

Most Major League pitchers can consistently bring velocity into the 90-95 mph range and have an assortment of secondary pitches in the bag of tricks. But fewer of them have that one pitch.

St. Louis Official Site

Cubs Not The Best Fit For Jake Arrieta

On the field and in the clubhouse, the Chicago Cubs are the perfect fit for Jake Arrieta. Both sides love each other and Arrieta is an important leader to the players around him. It’s almost a perfect fit.

FanRags

Brewers Have Been In Touch With Alex Cobb

Jon Morosi Twitter

Astros Planning To Meet With Yu Darvish

The Houston Astros are said by sources to be meeting in Texas with star free agent pitcher Yu Darvish, following by one day the Cubs’ meeting with the right-hander.

FanRags

Cubs Still Determined To Add Alex Cobb, More Pitching

The Cubs added to their rotation with the signing of right-hander Tyler Chatwood to a three-year deal Thursday, but there are still more valuable innings that need to be filled with Jake Arrieta and John Lackey shopping their talents in free agency.

CBS Chicago

Cubs Weighing Options On Pitching Market

The Chicago Cubs met at the GM meetings on Jake Arrieta, and while they are interested, there’s still said to be a gap on the years – he wants long (six or seven years), they want shorter — and the sides aren’t believed to have spoken since the meetings.

FanRags

Job Of Pitching Coach Evolves, Requires More Skills

Never had three managers from playoff teams been fired from those teams after they were eliminated from the playoffs. But the New York Yankees’ Joe Girardi, Boston’s John Farrell and Washington’s Dusty Baker all were shown the door almost immediately after their seasons ended last month.

Post-Dispatch

Cubs Named Jim Hickey MLB Pitching Coach

Chicago-N Official Twitter

As Rays Start Dealing, How Far Will They Go?

After collecting intelligence at last week’s GM meetings, the Rays soon will launch their offseason mission of trading at least a couple of veterans to reduce payroll.

Tampa Bay Times

Jake Arrieta, Wade Davis Decline Cubs' Qualifying Offers

As expected, Jake Arrieta and Wade Davis both rejected the Cubs' qualifying offers on Thursday, although the team was expected to stay in contact with both pitchers' agents about a possible return.

Chicago-N Official Site

Cubs Targeting Alex Cobb

Theo Epstein sat in the middle of a hotel suite at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando and pushed back against any idea that the Cubs will lower their sights this winter or take a step back in 2018.

NBC Sports

Three Best Fits For Alex Cobb In Free Agency

Alex Cobb has spent his entire major league career with the Tampa Bay Rays, but this winter, he’s a free agent. Cobb is testing the free agency waters for the first time in his career, and while he’s not what one would call a big-ticket free agent, he’s still valuable.

FanRags

Cubs & Alex Cobb Keep Looking Like A Match In Free Agency

It’s too easy to connect the dots between the Cubs and Alex Cobb, a team that needs to replace 40 percent of its rotation and a pitcher who came up with Joe Maddon’s Tampa Bay Rays.

NBC Sports

Cubs Should Focus On Re-Signing Wade Davis, Let Jake Arrieta Walk

The only way up for the Cubs in 2018 is to at least make it back to the World Series, and the retooling begins next week at the general mangers meetings in Orlando, Fla

Chicago Tribune

Mike Maddux & The Cardinals Are A Match Made In Baseball Heaven

And he's the right guy for the team at this very moment. If any guy is going to watch tape of Adam Wainwright and get him right for one final ride, it's Maddux.

KSDK

Teams Should Be Wary Of Wade Davis

When the Chicago Cubs practically stole Wade Davis from the Kansas City Royals in the 2016 winter meetings, many saw it as a steal for the Cubs. Davis was everything the Cubs expected and more, converting 32 of 33 saves and being one of the best closers in baseball. However, some of his numbers were up from previous years.

Cubbies Crib

Mike Maddux Blends Old & New

Back in 1995, when he was a rookie just tugging on his red socks for the first time, righthander Jeff Suppan found himself sitting out in the bullpen, beside the veteran who had relieved him in his second major-league start. Suppan, new to the majors and Fenway Park and all things Red Sox, wasn’t sure want to expect, and then Mike Maddux started talking.

Post-Dispatch

Mike Maddux Is The Progressive Pitching Coach The Cardinals Needed

In hiring Mike Maddux, the Cardinals landed the best available pitching coach on the market, and I can’t really ask for more than that.

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