Cubs Acquire Dexter Fowler

The Cubs Convention is over, and the brain trust of the Chicago Cubs is back to work.  Earlier this morning the Cubs acquired Dexter Fowler from the Houston Astros for RHP Dan Straily, and bat flipping third baseman Luis Valbuena.  It’s the latest in a string of moves this off-season that signal the Cubs are no longer the doormat of Major League baseball, and have turned the corner in their building process.

Dan Straily was acquired from Oakland last year in the Jeff Samardzija deal, and Luis Valbuena was a waiver wire pickup.  Theo and Jed were able to turn that into Dexter Fowler, who will be the everyday centerfielder for the Chicago Cubs, he might play some left field as well.  Fowler is the prototypical lead-off man, the kind that Joe Maddon loves, and that the Cubs have been without for so very long.  Fowler is an on base machine, .366 OBP for his career, and finished 2014 at a .375 clip.  You know what you are going to get with Fowler, he puts the bat on the ball, and isn’t afraid to take a walk, 60+ walks is the norm for Fowler.  This move opens up a number of possibilities for the Cubs heading into 2015.

TIME FOR KRIS BRYANT!!!  Well, not exactly.  I know Cubs fans all over want to see Kris Bryant at third base opening night, I do too, but let’s be realistic.  The Cubs have always pushed the service time issues with their prospects, and I doubt that the Cubs will fold now.  However, if Bryant forces the Cubs hand with a solid Spring Training then he might end up starting the season on the Northside.  Let’s just say that he doesn’t, and starts the season in Iowa, Bryant will be on the bleachers schedule, not ready for opening day, but spectacular when opened/called up.  My best guess is that Mike Olt will be given every opportunity to start the season at third base.  Olt is healthy, and has shown the ability to beat the crap out of the baseball, and play a better than average third base, so he’s the first choice.  I could also see Arismendy Alcantara moving back to second base with newcomer Tommy La Stella, and Javier Baez moving to third.  The important point here is that the Cubs have seemingly endless options with their every day lineup, something Joe Maddon is a wizard with, and I’m excited to see what he will do.

Pitchers, and catchers report in less than a month, and the hype machine is already in overdrive.

A Necessary Absence (My Spine!)

Blog posts are missing, it’s a vast wasteland here, and for the most part on twitter, there is a reason for this, my spine!  Not in a figurative sense, in a literal one, for the third time in the last four years, I have spent November through, well, today, recovering from back surgery.  It’s been an exciting off-season for the Cubs, one which we as Cubs fans have not seen for many years, seems like forever.  The Cubs are getting better, and so am I, which means more interaction with you guys, and girls on Twitter, and more blog posts!  Looking forward to getting back at it, but wanted to share how things were going, as a number of you ask, and I appreciate that to no end.

11/11/2014

 

12/11/14

12/14/14

12/25/14

For the most part I’m doing very well.  I had a bout with numbness, and tingling in my legs but that has gone away for the most part.  The pre-surgical pain is gone, haven’t felt it at all, now I’m just dealing with post-op junk, but it’s not too bad.  I’ve walked about 80 miles since my surgery, would have been more if not for that numbness, but it’s still a great number.  My next follow up appointment is on January 26th, another x-ray, and some questions, but hopefully, progress.  I hope everyone out there had a wonderful Holiday season, time to get back at it.  If you have any questions in regards to my procedure, the prep, the recovery, etc, just ask!  Thanks again for all the support!