The Rundown: Jake Peavy Pummeled, Interested in Cubs; MiLB.com Says Cubs Have Top Farm System
The day before taking the mound to start Game 6 of the World Series (in which he gave up five runs on six hits in only 1.1 innings), Jake Peavy intimated he would like to pitch in Chicago next year for the Cubs, according to Gordon Wittenmyer.
And on top of that, he’d be interested in being part of a “package deal” that involved his friend Jon Lester.
Sure, sounds great right? Eh.
I’m all for the Cubs targeting Lester, but not so much on Peavy (and that has nothing to do with his disastrous start on Tuesday). At 33 and with an injury history, I feel like it would be a mistake to give Peavy any sort of multi-year deal.
Wittenmyer said Peavy has the Cubs at the top of his wish list, according to sources close to the former Cy Young winner.
And regarding Lester, Wittenmyer said he’s hearing the Cubs aren’t overly optimistic about being able to sign him and may need to fall back with James Shields. Former Cub Jason Hammel is also on the radar.
Reminder: The Cubs’ minor league system is good
The Cubs’ farm system has been named the league’s best by MiLB.com.
Only three of the Cubs’ affiliates made it into the postseason, but what put the organization on top was the performance of its stars.
Kris Bryant dominated the entire year. Arismendy Alcantara, Javier Baez and Jorge Soler all performed well in Triple-A before being promoted to Chicago. Kyle Schwarber hit better than any other player drafted in 2014.
Add in the Jeff Samardzija trade, which netted impressive prospects Addison Russell and Billy McKinney, and you have the makings of a great minor league system.
The Kane County Cougars, the Cubs’ Low-A affiliate, also was named Best Team in the minor leagues. The Cougars won 91 games and went 7-0 in the playoffs to win the Midwest League title.
The pitching staff was the goods, led by Jen-Ho Tseng, Paul Blackburn and Daury Torrez.
It’s really remarkable to see the Cubs’ system have the kind of success it did in 2014, considering its state only a few years ago.
Other notes
* Something we have discussed here before, but Patrick Mooney writes about the Cubs going after Russell Martin to play catcher next year. Definitely in favor of the possible move, as he’d be a great veteran fit.
The article also includes some great quotes by Cubs reliever Carlos Villenueva from the end of the season: “I’ve seen a lot of Russell Martin,” Villanueva said. “Guys gravitate towards him. Not only is he a good player, but it feels like you hated playing against him. … If I played with him, we would get along very well, because you can see the desire to win. It’s win at all costs.” A lot of other good stuff from Villenueva in the article.
(Mooney also says it feels inevitable that Joe Maddon will be the new Cubs manager.)
* Everything was coming up Milhouse — I mean, Royals — on Tuesday, as they beat the Giants 10-0 in Game 6 of the World Series. So we’ll have to wait at least one more day for the offseason to begin. I hope Game 7 will be a little closer than a majority of the series. Lots of blowouts. I picked the Giants to win the series, but I’d say I’m rooting for the Royals.
* According to Bill Mitchell, in Tuesday’s Arizona Fall League game, starter Ivan Pineyro was removed because of an apparent injury after only facing two batters. Pineyro came to the Cubs in the Scott Hairston trade with Washington last year. The Mesa Solar Sox lost to the Peoria Javelinas 2-1.