Chicago Cubs News - MinnesotaSportsFan https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/tag/chicago-cubs/ Minnesota sports, but different Thu, 31 Jul 2025 21:56:03 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=32,height=32,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/cropped-cropped-MSF-favicon-1.jpg Chicago Cubs News - MinnesotaSportsFan https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/tag/chicago-cubs/ 32 32 Chicago Cubs Stop at Twins Garage Sale for Willi Castro https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/willi-castro-traded-chicago-cubs/ Thu, 31 Jul 2025 21:43:43 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=65814 We heard reports that the Minnesota Twins were going to get serious as sellers days prior to the MLB trade deadline. The extent that they’d part with pieces remained to be seen, but the aftermath on Thursday afternoon has been jarring.

After trading Harrison Bader and Brock Stewart, the Twins shocked the world and sent Carlos Correa back to the Houston Astros. They then moved bullpen arm Danny Coulombe to the Texas Rangers, and Willi Castro now leaves for the Chicago Cubs.

Willi Castro, Minnesota Twins
Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Players were very upset with Rocco Baldelli on Wednesday after his miscommunicated removal of Castro from the game, leading to chaos in the locker room. The skipper was right though, as that was the last time Twins fans would see the utility man this season.

Minnesota Twins send Willi Castro to the North Side

Willi Castro has been among the best success stories in recent Minnesota Twins history. They picked him up off the Detroit Tigers scrap heap, and turned him into an All-Star. Playing even better this season, and in the final year of arbitration, it was all but assumed he was gone.

At the trade deadline players like Willi Castro are incredibly valuable. His versatility in the outfield and infield is unmatched, and making just $6.4 million this season keeps him affordable.

His 103 OPS+ is backed by a .245/.335/.407 slash line. That’s up from where he finished last year, and that was a campaign that sent him to the Midsummer Classic and had him being named the team MVP.

At 63-45 the Chicago Cubs are just a single game behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central Division. Both have their eyes on the playoffs, but Chicago would like to make the postseason without having to go through the wild card gauntlet.

Related: MN Twins Shock the World: Carlos Correa Back to Astros

Castro will leave the Twins as one of the biggest fan favorites in recent memory. He would be an ideal candidate for the club to re-sign next season over the offseason as well.

Double-A pitchers headed back to Minnesota Twins

Although Castro was one of the more intriguing bats available at the trade deadline, he’s still marginally better than league average and an impending free agent. That muted the return Minnesota could expect to get.

Gallagher was a sixth round pick by Chicago during the 2024 MLB draft. He just recently reached Double-A and has made a pair of starts allowing just two runs on five hits across 11 1/3 innings. This is his first professional season, and across 84 innings he owns a 3.43 ERA with a 96/20 K/BB.

The Cubs took Armstrong in the 13th round of the 2023 MLB Draft. He too is at Double-A Knoxville this season, but owns a 4.62 ERA with a 72/31 K/BB across 89 2/3 innings. He is nearly 25 years old, and the Twins will need to push him aggressively if they expect him to contribute at the big league level.

A pair of low-ceiling pitching prospects are a fair return for Castro. Now Falvey will need to hope his pitching development pipeline can do wonders with the new talent.

]]> Thu, 31 Jul 2025 16:56:03 +0000 Minnesota Twins Twins Fall Flat in Meaningless Exhibition Game to Cubs https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/twins-fall-flat-in-meaningless-exhibition-game-to-cubs/ https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/twins-fall-flat-in-meaningless-exhibition-game-to-cubs/#respond Thu, 23 Jul 2020 15:02:18 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=27645

Minnesota Twins got to see something a little closer to actual baseball Wednesday night. The Twins lost to the Chicago Cubs 4-3 in their first and only exhibition game against another team. While it was a close loss to a team potentially on a path to win the NL Central, it still left a bitter taste for many.

The Twins trotted out their fifth starter, Homer Bailey, in their final warmup before the season starts on Friday. And boy did he live up to his name. Bailey surrendered three homers in three innings. This included a two-run blast from ailing Anthony Rizzo in the first inning…with no outs. Along with a Wilson Contreras no-doubter. Homer’s final line?

3.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 H, 3 HR, 2 BB, 3 K.

Uffda.

I knew there was a reason I traded him early in the season in my Out Of The Park simulation.

QUIET OFFENSIVE NIGHT

The Twins offense fell relatively flat in the game. Eddie Rosario’s double was the only extra-base hit registered by the Twins. In fact they only mustered four more hits total (all singles) from Rosario, Josh Donaldson, Ehire Adrianzam and Luis Arraez.

Although down in a 3-0 hole after the first inning, the Twins scrounged together some runs to make it interesting. The first two coming off two passed balls and a wild pitch. However, the power bats were silent. The top of the order in Mitch Garver and Nelson Cruz were mostly silent and Miguel Sano only reached base on a walk.

The Twins would make it a one-run game in the seventh thanks to a bases-loaded groundout from Jorge Polanco to make it 4-3. But starting pitching and a lack of offensive power doomed them from the start.

THE BULLPEN WAS FIRE

However, there were some silver linings from the exhibition loss. The bullpen was fantastic! Seemingly set to build off a fantastic 2019. Five relievers pitched one inning each and the pen allowed only one hit and a sole walk. Prospect Jorge Alcala was the brightest spot of the game. With a flaming 99-mph fastball and filthy breaking ball, the young gun highlighted what we can expect from him in the near future.

It is pretty evident that the offense will need some time to get up to speed. After becoming used to the aptly named Bombas of 2019 and the 2020 Summer Camp, the team failed to hit any Wednesday. They also scoring no runs off hits. But again, this game doesn’t count. Think of it as the first true warm-up before facing the White Sox on Friday night.

WHO TO EXPECT ON THE 30-MAN ROSTER

One thing to note: With the game against the Cubs being an exhibition, the team likely did not bring everyone who would make their initial 30-man Opening Day Roster.

This includes the likes of Byron Buxton, who was injured last week but could make the trip to Chicago for Opening Day.

Additionally, I believe it is unlikely we see Jorge Alcala and Caleb Thielbar make the initial roster too. Although they showed moxie in their outings on Wednesday, the team is too deep to bring on guys who would need additional rest out of the pen before Friday.

When considering that manager Rocco Baldelli likes to ensure bullpen arms do not pitch on consecutive days, the quick ramp up to the regular season could make him even more cautious. Even with the White Sox series beginning two days after the Cubs game.

As for the starting rotation, fans will have to brace themselves for a change. Jake Odorizzi will start the season on the injured-list due to upper back stiffness. I still expect him to only miss one turn through the rotation and be back for his second start. That could be the home opener against Cleveland. In the meantime, expect youngster Randy Dobnak to slot in if Baldelli decides to go with a five-man rotation.

Because this game didn’t count, my 60-0 prediction still stands and I am absolutely behind the Twins winning it all in 2020!

Jack Kewitsch | Minnesota Sports Fan

]]> https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/twins-fall-flat-in-meaningless-exhibition-game-to-cubs/feed/ 0 Thu, 23 Jul 2020 10:02:26 +0000 Minnesota Twins Twins vs Cubs Will Be on TV and Live Wednesday Night https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/twins-vs-cubs-will-be-on-tv-and-live-wednesday-night/ https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/twins-vs-cubs-will-be-on-tv-and-live-wednesday-night/#respond Wed, 22 Jul 2020 02:02:28 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=27512

Your Minnesota Twins are back in business on Wednesday! They face off against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The exhibition game will air on Fox Sports North with the first pitch at 6:05 pm. The game will also be broadcast via radio on News Talk 830 WCCO.

GIVE US BASEBALL!

Although the Twins have streamed a few of their intrasquad games, this will be the first time FSN has broadcast anything for TV providers since baseball was postponed in March. And boy, my body is ready for it.

Wednesday’s exhibition will be a much needed breath of fresh air. Although the intrasquad scrimmages were great, they did not showcase what this team is truly capable of. Because in the regular season, Twins pitchers don’t have to face Twins batters and vice versa.

Facing off against a true opposing team should give us a better sense of where the team stands headed into the truncated season. Especially when considering the sparks we saw in the few scrimmages that were streamed. Whether it was solid pitching from Randy Dobnak to prospects and vets alike hitting Bombas, you hate to see it come against your own club.

And while the game against the Cubs doesn’t count towards anything, the competition level will be raised. With it being the only chance to tune up against another MLB team, expect the team to go all out. The Twins will trot Homer Bailey on the mound and will also likely dispatch a lineup that will mimic Opening Day.

WHO MAKES THE TRIP

This exhibition game will also provide some much anticipated insight into who makes the initial 30-man roster. As mentioned, the intrasquad games showed glimpses of the team’s future, but there are only so many spots for the prospects to fill.

Expect the team to go with a roster that would have likely resembled their initially-projected March Opening Day roster. With players who are ready to contribute filling up the last four spots. This includes prospect Travis Blankenhorn, Devin Smeltzer, Cody Stashak, and LaMonte Wade Jr.

Yet the biggest question is whether outfielder Byron Buxton will make the trip and when fans will see him play in his first game. After spraining his left foot in practice last week, I do not project him to make the trip or start in the opening series against the White Sox. We will more than likely see him in the home opener against St. Louis next week.

Thankfully, his injury did not end up being worse than needing some rest. So hopefully he will be 100% ready when the Minnesota Twins come home. Lord knows his defense is respected and needed.

Jack Kewitsch | Minnesota Sports Fan

]]> https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/twins-vs-cubs-will-be-on-tv-and-live-wednesday-night/feed/ 0 Tue, 21 Jul 2020 21:10:23 +0000 Minnesota Twins Yu Darvish Signs With Chicago Cubs; Now What? https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/yu-darvish-signs-chicago-cubs-now/ https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/yu-darvish-signs-chicago-cubs-now/#respond Sun, 11 Feb 2018 12:19:31 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=7842

Yes.

After a marathon battle of cat and mouse, the back-and-forth between Yu Darvish and the MLB free agency market finally came to an end on Saturday. The 31-year-old pitcher agreed to a six-year, $126 million deal with the Chicago Cubs.

Well, so much for the whole Mike Napoli recruiting Yu Darvish to sign with Minnesota thing. That whole story was as epic a reach as that one Michael Jordan dunk in Space Jam? Twins fans were supposed to be encouraged that a player, who’s not EVEN on our team, would help land one of the two most sought after free agent pitchers? As much as I wanted it to, that one didn’t pull the wool over my eyes.

Anywho, it’s on to the next one. F*ck it. The initial domino has FINALLY fallen. Yu Darvish, like the recently engaged Carson Wentz, is off of the market.

Per Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press, a rival club official said he still expected the Twins to land a starting pitcher but was “not sure which level they go to.”

As for other free agent pitchers available, Jake Arrieta is now, hands-down, the most coveted starting hurler available. Financially, the former Cy Young Award winner has the potential to top Darvish’s deal. Here are the 31 year-old’s numbers from the last few seasons:

In the event Arrieta is anywhere near his 2015 self, someone out there is getting a bonafide ace. Personally, considering his age and his downward-trending numbers, I’m good without Jake the Snake. Plus, he shaved his patented beard:

After Arrieta, there’s a drop-off to the next tier of talent, which includes Alex Cobb and Lance Lynn. Cobb (30 years-old) is coming of a 2017 campaign with the Rays, where he finished with 12-10 record (29 starts) and a 3.66 ERA. As for Lynn (30 years-old), the longtime St. Louis Cardinal, posted an 11-8 record (33 starts) with an ERA of 3.43 last season. Those numbers are right there with what Arrieta posted in 2017. As for how much Cobb and Lynn will get paid, that won’t be right there with the former Chicago Cub.

Berardino also reported that the Twins are continuing to explore starting pitchers such as Chris Archer and Jake Odorizzi.

The way I see it, outside of avoiding Arrieta and his fat price tag, I don’t give a shit who they bring in at this point. Just bring in someone decent, please. With Ervin Santana set to miss the start of the season with a finger injury, this potential rotation sounds rough…

Johnny Minnesota @TheJohnnyMN
Minnesota Sports Fan MinnesotaSportsFan.com

]]> https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/yu-darvish-signs-chicago-cubs-now/feed/ 0 Sun, 11 Feb 2018 06:31:23 +0000 Minnesota Twins Does Chris Gimenez to Cubs Mean Yu Darvish is Chicago-Bound Too? https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/chris-gimenez-cubs-mean-yu-darvish-chicago-bound/ https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/chris-gimenez-cubs-mean-yu-darvish-chicago-bound/#respond Tue, 23 Jan 2018 22:56:19 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=7330

Unlike a baseball fan’s approach to drinking ballpark beers, Chris Gimenez’ tenure with the Twins was one-and-done. After spending the 2017 season with Minnesota, the 35 year-old has agreed to a minor league deal with the Cubs’ organization. Now, just as he did a year ago, Gimenez hopes to parlay that agreement into a big-league role as a backup catcher.

On the surface, this may appear like a relatively meaningless signing. However, once you consider the much more coveted free agent with ties to Gimenez, this transaction might indicate that Chicago isn’t done making moves:

Previously, as part of the Texas Rangers, Gimenez (a 9-year veteran) was teammates with Yu Darvish. Not only that. He was Yu’s primary catcher. The now former Minnesota Twin has been in contact with the highly coveted free agent throughout this offseason. With that said, I’ll let you put two and two together.

From noon on Monday to noon on Tuesday, there were a couple of other developments in the Darvish sweepstakes, outside of the move his old catcher made to the Windy City. 

First and foremost, the 31 year-old pitcher currently has at least one 5-year contract offer on the table. ESPN’s Buster Olney estimates that deal would be worth “something in the range of $100-125 million.” Second of all, the Associated Press confirmed that the Cubs are in active talks with Yu’s camp. As of Tuesday afternoon, whether or not the (or one of the) proposed half-decade deal(s) came from the 2016 World Series Champions had not been confirmed.

 

Outside of Gimenez’s new, and most recent teams (Cubs and Twins), the Brewers, Yankees, and Rangers remain interested in his old starting pitcher’s services. History shows acquiring top-tier free agents isn’t, to put it nicely, the Pohlad’s style. However, with Falvey and Levine now calling the shots, Up until recently, I remained optimistic that we had a strong chance to land Darvish. Technically, we still have a chance, but it’s far from strong. Actually, it’s weaker than the watered-down cold ones available at MN gas stations.

Despite being an advocate for bringing in Darvish, the second he signs elsewhere, I’m “on to the next one”. Plus, as someone who panics at the thought of commitment, the whole 5 year idea at this stage of his career, is terrifying.

Speaking of “on to the next one”, Gimenez’s departure means MN will have a different pair of catchers on their 2018 25-man roster. It looks like Mitch Garver will be the one to join returning starter, Jason Castro, for this year’s run.

Like the MLB’s pace of play, free agency has been slow. If nothing else, officially losing out on Darvish might cause an aggressive amount of dominos to start falling. By not having that lingering commitment, think of all the possible cool shit we could do.

To view who has already signed, along with who remains on the market, click here: MLB Free Agent Tracker

Johnny Minnesota @TheJohnnyMN
Minnesota Sports Fan MinnesotaSportsFan.com

]]> https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/chris-gimenez-cubs-mean-yu-darvish-chicago-bound/feed/ 0 Tue, 23 Jan 2018 17:05:56 +0000 Minnesota Twins