November 2nd, 2011
11/2 AFL update – Wednesday’s games
Josh Vitters was 2-for-5 with two RBIs in Mesa’s 11-8 loss Wednesday to Phoenix in Arizona Fall League play. Jeff Beliveau, making his first Fall League appearance after pitching for Team USA in the World Cup and Pan Am Games, struck out one in one inning. Marcus Hatley and Chris Carpenter each pitched one inning in relief. Carpenter gave up two runs on three hits and struck out two. On Thursday, Mesa plays host to Phoenix at HoHoKam Park with first pitch scheduled for 12:35 p.m. MT.
11/2 Ramirez wins Silver Slugger
Third baseman Aramis Ramirez, who posted his sixth season with at least 30 doubles and 25 home runs this year with the Cubs, won his first Silver Slugger award. Ramirez, 33, who is a free agent after nine seasons with the Cubs, batted .306, seventh best in the National League. His 173 hits and 288 total bases both ranked 10th in the NL. He was named the NL Player of the Week June 27-July 3, hitting .393 with six homers and 10 RBIs in eight games. Ramirez also hit .332 at home, fourth best in the league.
This season, Ramirez belted his 300th career homer on July 1, connecting against Edwin Jackson in an Interleague game against the White Sox. Ramirez is the first Cubs’ Silver Slugger winner since pitcher Carlos Zambrano won his third such award in 2009, and the first non-pitcher to win since catcher Michael Barrett and first baseman Derrek Lee both won in 2005.
– Carrie Muskat
11/2 Sandberg not a candidate for Cubs job
Ryne Sandberg is not a candidate for the Cubs’ managerial vacancy. Theo Epstein said he wants someone who has managerial or coaching experience at the Major League level. Sandberg has managed in the Minor Leagues for five seasons, including four with the Cubs. This season, he left the Cubs to manage the Phillies’ Triple-A team.
Epstein called Sandberg about 10 minutes after the Cubs issued the release about Mike Quade.
“He didn’t owe me that at all,” Sandberg told the Arlington Heights (Ill.) Daily Herald. “He didn’t have to do that. It was a classy move and I’m very appreciative of the phone call. In the end, I wished him and everybody there good luck.”
Sandberg said Epstein had a list of possible candidates.
“Cubs fans should have trust in Theo,” Sandberg said. “They’re in great hands with him and Jed and Jason [McLeod]. They’re heading in the right direction and they’re going to do everything in their power possible to get the Cubs where they ultimately want to be.”
– Carrie Muskat
11/2 Quade dismissed
Mike Quade will not be back as Cubs manager. Theo Epstein, Cubs president of baseball operations, made the announcement Wednesday after traveling to Florida to inform Quade face to face. Epstein and new GM Jed Hoyer met with Quade last Thursday for about seven hours to discuss the 2011 season, which was Quade’s first as manager. The Cubs finished in fifth place at 71-91.
The search for a new manager will begin immediately, Epstein said. Among the people the Cubs were expected to talk to include Dale Sveum and Quade’s bench coach Pat Listach.
“We are looking for someone with whom and around whom we can build a foundation for sustained success,” Epstein said. “The next manager must have leadership and communication skills; he must place an emphasis on preparation and accountability; he must establish high standards and a winning culture; he must have integrity and an open mind; and he must have managerial or coaching experience at the major league level.”
Epstein said Quade had a reputation as an outstanding baseball guy and tireless worker.
“His passion, knowledge of the game, commitment, and integrity stood out immediately,” Epstein said. “While Mike is clearly an asset to any organization and any Major League staff, Jed and I believe that the Cubs would benefit long-term from bringing in a manager for 2012 who can come in with a clean slate and offer new direction.”
Quade was the 51st manager in Cubs history. He replaced Lou Piniella on Aug. 23, 2010, and the Cubs went 24-13 for the final six weeks.
– Carrie Muskat
11/2 Ramirez officially free agent
Aramis Ramirez notified the Cubs late Tuesday that he was declining to exercise his side of the 2012 mutual option, and is now a free agent. The Cubs had exercised their side on Sunday, and the third baseman had two days to declare his intentions. By declining, the Cubs do not have to pay the $2 million buyout, and they will receive a supplemental pick in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft as compensation. In nine seasons with the Cubs, Ramirez batted .294 with 239 homers, 806 RBIs. He posted seven seasons with at least 25 home runs.
– Carrie Muskat
11/2 Zambrano tunes up with 40-pitch session
Carlos Zambrano tuned up for his first Venezuelan Winter League start with a 40-pitch workout in a sim game on Tuesday. He will make his first start Sunday for Caribes.
“It’s great to have someone of Zambrano’s experience and leadership abilities,” said catcher Jose Gil, one of Zambrano’s teammates. “He inspires us all and exudes confidence. He really believes in the talent this team has, especially with the youth we have around here. He is even taking BP every day which is amazing to see.”
Zambrano told Venezuelan media that he’s motivated to pitch again in the big leagues.
“I know I’ve said many bad things in moments of frustration, but I certainly want to keep playing baseball,” he said. “I love this sport and that’s why I’m here.”
Zambrano told Caribes he will pitch through November and early December. He has a commitment Dec. 20 in Guatemala regarding the young boy he has been trying to adopt.
As for new Cubs president of baseball operations, Theo Epstein, Zambrano called him “a person with vision of the game that comes from a team of great tradition ( Red Sox) like Chicago.” Zambrano told reporters he wanted to meet with the Cubs new management team face to face, and not talk on the phone.
As for his conversations with new Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen, Zambrano said both are aware of tampering rules imposed by Major League Baseball. The two filmed a commercial together in Venezuela recently.
– Carrie Muskat
11/2 AFL update – Tuesday’s game
Josh Vitters hit a RBI double but it wasn’t enough as Mesa lost, 7-5, on Tuesday to Surprise in Arizona Fall League play. Vitters is batting .343. Trey McNutt started and gave up three runs on four hits, including three home runs, in three innings. He struck out three. Andrew Cashner followed McNutt, and gave up two runs on three hits in one inning. Mesa faces Phoenix on Wednesday with first pitch scheduled for 12:35 p.m. MT.
Also on Tuesday, McNutt, pitcher Chris Carpenter and shortstop Junior Lake were named to the Arizona Fall League Rising Stars team.
– Carrie Muskat
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