Cubs getting close to wheelin' and dealin'?
Believe it or not, there are still some reasons to pay attention to the Cubs.
A game like Wednesday night's 8-0 loss to Milwaukee, in which starter Zack Greinke struck out 12 en route to improving to 15-0 all-time as a Brewer at Miller Park, isn't one of them.
In the last two days in Milwaukee, Cubs batters have struck out 29 times and thanks to Wednesday's lackluster performance — coming on the heels of a 10-0 win the night before — their one-game road winning streak is now history.
Cubs fans are hoping the team's hierarchy won't strike out nearly as much in the days and weeks to come when the real fun will begin in what has been an otherwise lost season.
And it will start with the pursuit of Cuban outfielder Jorge Soler, who worked out for several teams Wednesday, including the Cubs. Soler's representatives reportedly have given a Thursday deadline for teams to submit sealed — and final — bids for his services.
The 19-year-old has until July 2 to sign a contract, and he figures to get plenty of offers.
“Judging from all the information we've gathered and articles I've read, I think (the number of teams) is very wide,” Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer told reporters before the game. “It's not surprising. He's really talented. And there is that July 2 uniqueness that adds to it.”
And it's not just the Soler Sweepstakes that should pique fans' interest. Hoyer indicated that the Cubs figure to be players as the July 31st trade deadline approaches.
“I think we will,” he said. “We've already started talking to teams.
“It's such a jumbled race now. It's hard to talk about the wild-card (race) now because in both leagues there's a mass of teams hovering. I think that will shake out a little bit over the next 6-8 weeks and as it does, teams will be more active. I think now teams are in a wait-and-see mode to see how the next month or so works out. We'll be on the phones.”
Greinke (7-2) and Cubs starter Paul Maholm (4-5) dueled early on Wednesday, but a 4-run fourth by the Brewers proved the beginning of the end for Maholm and the Cubs, who mustered only 3 hits in the game and saw their record fall to 19-37.
Like father, like son:The Cubs wrapped up the final day of the MLB Draft by selecting third baseman Rustin Sveum, son of Cubs manager Dale Sveum, in the 39th round (1,184th overall) out of Desert Mountain High School in Scottsdale, Ariz.#8220;He let out a big scream. It's one of those proud days,#8221; Dale Sveum told reporters. #8220;He's still got to develop. He better not sign #8212; he better go to college.#8221; Overall, the Cubs selected 22 pitchers, seven infielders, eight outfielders and five catchers.#8220;I probably thought we'd take a hitter at the top and I thought we'd take a lot of pitching, and that's exactly what we did (first-round pick Albert Almora),#8221; Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said. #8220;We'll find out in five years if we were right, but we're happy with the process.#8221;BBN27533609Carlos Marmol looks back as Milwaukee Brewers Taylor Green rounds the bases on a three-run home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 6, 2012, in Milwaukee. Associated PressBBNBBN20011331Steve Clevenger cant handle the throw as Milwaukee Brewers Cody Ransom slides safely home during the fourth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 6, 2012, in Milwaukee. Ransom scored from second on a hit by Brooks Conrad. Associated PressBBN