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Pre-arb Excellence: a Chicago Cubs podcast

Pre-arb Excellence: a Chicago Cubs podcast

By Tim Huwe

Pre-arb excellence looks at the Chicago Cubs "bottoms-up" perspective. The minor leagues, the June draft, player development, and anything else that leads to pre-arbitration excellence.
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Thursday in the pipeline

Pre-arb Excellence: a Chicago Cubs podcastSep 02, 2021

00:00
11:17
5 Minute Rule: The Sean Newcomb trade

5 Minute Rule: The Sean Newcomb trade

And status on Abbott and Deichmann
Apr 21, 202219:20
Rosterbation Saturday

Rosterbation Saturday

Roster moves galore.
Apr 18, 202207:31
Deliberately Compromising Competitiveness

Deliberately Compromising Competitiveness

Today, we find out, yet again, if competing is as important as wealth retention to Tom Ricketts.
Apr 16, 202229:57
Keegan Thompson and Al Leiter, Jr

Keegan Thompson and Al Leiter, Jr

A suspension, and a potential call-up.
Apr 15, 202213:13
XST rosters

XST rosters

Cristian Hernandez and 95 other names
Apr 15, 202218:25
Ben Leeper and Roster Manipulatiob

Ben Leeper and Roster Manipulatiob

Patience and logic. Patience and logic.
Apr 15, 202216:06
Suspensions and Supports

Suspensions and Supports

3 up and 3 down for the Cubs tonight.
Apr 15, 202219:10
Saturday in the pipeline, and trainracing.

Saturday in the pipeline, and trainracing.

Saturday was a good day in the pipeline.
Apr 10, 202225:42
1-4 and an injury

1-4 and an injury

It wasn't a Cubs injury, this time.
Apr 09, 202223:42
Rainout and Ed Howard

Rainout and Ed Howard

Who should be the primary SS in South Bend? Why?
Apr 08, 202226:15
Oh, what a relief it is, Davis

Oh, what a relief it is, Davis

The I-Cubs bullpen is representing as a strength. Brennen Davis is off-limits to a slow start.
Apr 07, 202213:58
Why "tanking" is a useless term

Why "tanking" is a useless term

Terms with no accepted definition should largely be avoided.
Apr 06, 202212:43
Subtext and the Andrew Chafin trade

Subtext and the Andrew Chafin trade

Sometimes, a "short answer" to a question misses the important point of why the question was asked in the first place.
Apr 06, 202241:19
I-Cubs lose opener 3-2

I-Cubs lose opener 3-2

Despite quality efforts from Robel Garcia and Matt Swarmer
Apr 05, 202208:26
Opening Day Call-Up Preference list

Opening Day Call-Up Preference list

Who should be considered first, and why?
Apr 05, 202209:11
Why didn't the Cubs trade for Austin Meadows?

Why didn't the Cubs trade for Austin Meadows?

It's a bit logical, and a bit tactical
Apr 05, 202217:50
Kimbrel, Crochet, and batting ninth

Kimbrel, Crochet, and batting ninth

Don't draft relievers in the first round. Don't turn starting pitchers to leverage relievers on a whim.
Apr 01, 202217:41
Pending assignments

Pending assignments

Prospect assignments are due very soon
Mar 31, 202212:24
Seiya later

Seiya later

Seiya Suzuki breaks out in a major way.
Mar 31, 202211:09
Almora, Norwood, like

Almora, Norwood, like

Our preference of a player doesn't really matter.
Mar 30, 202210:40
Miguel Amaya news

Miguel Amaya news

And why I care a little less than I used to.
Mar 28, 202209:31
Snark? Or trends? Baseball trades.

Snark? Or trends? Baseball trades.

Which is more important? Showing snark, or learning?
Mar 28, 202212:21
The Royals game, and trading prospects

The Royals game, and trading prospects

Is Tim opposed to trading any prospect? Of course not.
Mar 28, 202245:27
Current rosterbation

Current rosterbation

13 hitters or 14 hitters on a 28 man team? It shouldn't matter.
Mar 26, 202231:02
Ramirez, Quiroz, and smashed

Ramirez, Quiroz, and smashed

The Cubs get pounded, and make a logical trade.
Mar 26, 202214:58
Nance, Amaya, Deichmann

Nance, Amaya, Deichmann

The Cubs needlessly DFAd Tommy Nance today.
Mar 25, 202232:41
The other Alcantara and the other Ramirez

The other Alcantara and the other Ramirez

One player DFAd. One exempted from it, for now
Mar 24, 202210:39
Owne Caissie and a few relievers

Owne Caissie and a few relievers

Ethan Roberts and Ben Leeper tossed today.
Mar 23, 202219:59
Davis and bullpen sort

Davis and bullpen sort

Davis will be fine. As should be the bullpen.
Mar 23, 202217:60
Ortega, Davis, Young homer

Ortega, Davis, Young homer

Cubs beat the Padres 5-4
Mar 20, 202212:42
A Miguel Amaya decision

A Miguel Amaya decision

Amaya should follow David Bote to the 60 Day Injured list.
Mar 19, 202210:14
The case for Greg Deichmann

The case for Greg Deichmann

Deichmann should not be DFAd until he gets 6 weeks as a starter in Des Moines
Mar 19, 202234:50
An Eric Hosmer trade I could stomach.

An Eric Hosmer trade I could stomach.

With a hat tip to Brett Taylor.
Mar 18, 202216:30
Cardinals and the draft combine.

Cardinals and the draft combine.

As cool as it is that the Cardinals don't get a free draft choice, articles referring to the baseball draft combine as a feature, not a drawback, are problematic.
Mar 18, 202217:08
Aaaaaand, they're off

Aaaaaand, they're off

Cubs lose a pair of 7 inning scrimmage games on Thursday
Mar 18, 202209:37
The Suzuki Rule, Part II

The Suzuki Rule, Part II

Could it be that teams will use the new rule to manipulate service time?
Mar 18, 202208:49
The Suzuki Rule

The Suzuki Rule

The Cubs could be looking at an extra draft choice in 2023.
Mar 17, 202216:58
Suzuki, and an old headache

Suzuki, and an old headache

Getting Suzuki helps the Cubs, and equally hurts the Padres. Which helps the Cubs.
Mar 16, 202214:13
Cubs add Seiya Suzuki

Cubs add Seiya Suzuki

The outfield import costs only money, not draft picks or international spending space.
Mar 16, 202208:49
If Contreras to the Yankees (or elsewhere)

If Contreras to the Yankees (or elsewhere)

Who is the Kevin Alcantara comp? Otherwise? Pass.
Mar 16, 202214:41
Tom Ricketts, cheapness, and the courts

Tom Ricketts, cheapness, and the courts

Legislation may soon further change minor league baseball by increasing prospect pay. Will the Cubs still commit to the pipeline?
Mar 16, 202214:15
Rizzo to the Yankees, again.

Rizzo to the Yankees, again.

Color me not shocked, at all.
Mar 16, 202212:37
A bit about NRIs

A bit about NRIs

All teams invite some non-roster invites to MLB camp. Don't fear treating them as real baseball players.
Mar 14, 202223:05
Learning from the Pirates

Learning from the Pirates

Trades that don't make sense for both teams? They're unlikely to happen.
Mar 13, 202220:56
A bit more about Ed Howard

A bit more about Ed Howard

Most of his 2020 struggles were understandable. If you understand how much better high-end college baseball is than high school baseball.
Mar 12, 202229:29
With no MLB Rule 5 Draft

With no MLB Rule 5 Draft

The Cubs get to keep three "of interest" players.
Mar 12, 202225:11
A few draft questions

A few draft questions

The draft will be in July. Punishments for signing qualifying free agents remain until both sides agree on the specifics of an international draft.
Mar 12, 202213:16
Andrelton to the rescue

Andrelton to the rescue

I was only surprised that I didn't expect it.
Mar 12, 202216:48
We have a CBA

We have a CBA

And some new call-up rules.
Mar 11, 202220:48
2 cases of TJS

2 cases of TJS

Coding Heuer and Drew Gray are already done for 2022
Mar 10, 202222:04