Breaking the Curse--A Chicago Cubs Franchise

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Chicago (AP)- The Chicago Cubs have gone 102 years without winning the world series, that is currently the longest active championship drought in all of the Major North American Sports. The Cubs have various nicknames including the loveable losers, as they have one of the largest fan bases in the country to not win a World Series within the lives of the majority of their fans. In Chicago the Cubs are referred to as the North Siders because of their cross town rival the Chicago White Sox who are on the south side of the city. The Cubs have been playing at the same ball park, Wrigley Stadium, since the year 1916 and it doesnt look to be changing any time soon.
The Curse
For those who don’t know this is the curse that the Cubs have to deal with every season. In the year 1945 the Cubs had a home game in the World Series and a man by the name of Billy Sianis bought two tickets, one for himself and one for his goat. Officials at Wrigley field told Sianis that the goat would have to leave because of the unpleasant smell it was causing. Upon being ejected from the game, Sianis declared “The Cubs, they ain’t gonna win no more.” The Cubs lost the series and have never been back to the World Series since.
Bartman
If you’re a fan of baseball and haven’t heard of Steve Bartman then you have been under a hole since the year 2003. In the 8th inning of the NLDS against the Florida Marlins with a 3-0 lead Louis Castillo hit a ball toward the left field stands, Moises Alou reached up to grab the ball but Steve Bartman reached out and deflected the ball away from Alou, the worst part about this was that Bartman was a lifetime Cubs fan and the game was at Wrigley Field. Castillo would walk and two batters later Cubs shortstop Alex S. Gonzalez became infamous as well. He allowed a ball to go right between his legs on an easy double play ball that could have ended the inning. The inning ended with the Marlins scoring 8 runs and went on to win Game 6 and later Game 7. The Cubs have since reached the playoffs just twice, both times being swept in three games by a team from the NL West, the Diamondbacks in 2007 and the Dodgers in 2008.

Franchise Settings:
System: PS3
Level: Starting on MVP, will adjust if needed
Rosters: Knights full Minors
Games: Playing all of them

House Rules:
Trades: Realistic as possible, I am not controlling all 30 teams so if trades happen I can’t stop them from happening at this point, if ridiculous trades happen I will do what I can to fix them.
Free Agency: Anyone is fair game, If I guarantee a spot in the MLB and that player isn’t in the Majors by the All-Star break then I must release him or trade him immediately for a player of lesser value.

This franchise is purely fiction, all references to real life situations and or people are purely coincidental. This franchise is done in the name of fun and all references to people and their actions are purely to enhance the reading experience.


Note: Yes, I know this is going to be my 4th active dynasty on these forums, don't worry, when Madden and NCAA come out their will be two more

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Cubs Yearly Recap

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Cubs Award Winners:

MLB Award Winners:

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MLB Yearly Recap:

World Series Winners:

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Team by Team Transactions: (All Transactions done at the Major League level will be reported.)

Chicago Cubs
4/2 Placed, 2B, Darwin Barney on 60 Day DL with Broken Arm
4/2 Recalled RP, Esmalin Caridad from Triple-A, Iowa
4/4 Optioned RP, Esmaliin Caridad to Triple A
4/4 Purchesd the Contract of 3B, Bobby Scales from Triple A


Chicago White Sox
4/9 Placed SP, Jeffry Marquez on the 15 Day DL (Strained Pectoral)
4/9 Purshed the contract of RP, Brian Bruney from Triple A
4/12 Place SP, Jake Peavy on the 15 Day DL (Strained Pectoral)
4/12 Recalled SP, Lucas Harrell from Triple A Charlotte


Los Angeles Dodgers:
3/31, 2B, Aaron Miles placed on 15 Day DL
3/31, Recalled SS, Dee Gordon
4/2, Sent RP, Blake Hawksworth to Triple-A Alburquerque
4/14 Activated 2B, Aaron Miles from the DL
4/14 Optioned 2B, Ivan De Jesus to Triple A Albuquerque

Minnesota Twins
4/3 Placed LF, Delmon Young on the 15 day DL (Fractured Wrist)
4/3 Recalled RF, Joe Benson from Triple-A Rochester

New York Mets
4/5 Placed SS, Jose Reyes on 15 Day DL (ACL Sprain)
4/5 Recalled SS, Ruben Tejada from Triple A

San Diego Padres:
4/2, Recalled RP, Enesto Frieri from Triple-A Tucson

Texas Rangers
4/9 Placed LF, Josh Hamilton on the 15 Day DL (Broken Forearm)
4/9 Recalled CF Engel Beltre from Triple A


Cubs Transactions: (All Minor and Major League Transactions)
4/2 Placed, 2B, Darwin Barney on 60 Day DL with Broken Arm
4/2 Recalled RP, Esmalin Caridad from Triple-A, Iowa
4/4 Optioned RP, Esmaliin Caridad to Triple A Iowa
4/4 Purchesd the Contract of 3B, Bobby Scales from Triple A Iowa
4/11 Sent LF, Matthew Spencer from Double A Tennessee to Single A Daytona
4/11 Promoted SS, Junior Lake from Single A Daytona to Double A Tennessee
4/11 Sent RP, John Gaub from Triple A Iowa to Double A Tennessee
4/11 Sent LF, Bryan LaHair from Triple A Iowa to Double A Tennessee
4/11 Promoted SS, Nate Samson from Double A Tennessee to Triple A Iowa
4/11 Promoted 2B D.J. Le Mahieu from Double A Tennessee to Triple A Iowa

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MLB Roster

Chicago Cubs Opening Day Roster
#	PITCHERS	POS	B/T	AGE	HT	WT	SALARY
46	Ryan Dempster	SP	R/R	33	6'2"	215	7.9M
38	Carlos Zambrano	SP	R/R	29	6'5"	255	7.9M
17	Matt Garza	SP	R/R	27	6'4"	215	3.6M
36	Randy Wells	SP	R/R	28	6'5"	230	740K
48	Andrew Cashner	SP	R/R	24	6'6"	210	320K
34	Kerry Wood	RP	R/R	33	6'5"	211	2.5M
45	Sean Marshall	RP	L/L	28	6'7"	220	560K
43	John Grabow	RP	L/L	32	6'2"	205	960K
29	Jeff Samadzija	RP	R/R	26	6'5"	220	270K
40	James Russell	RP	L/L	25	6'4"	205	200K
44	Jeff Stevens	RP	R/R	27	6'2"	205	100K
49	Carlos Marmol	CP	R/R	28	6'2"	215	10.5M
#	CATCHERS	POS	B/T	AGE	HT	WT	SALARY
18	Geovany Soto	C	R/R	28	6'1"	205	1.1M
55	Koyie Hill	C	S/R	31	6'0"	210	140K
#	INFIELDERS	POS	B/T	AGE	HT	WT	SALARY
22	Carlos Pena	1B	L/L	32	6'2"	225	4.2M
9	Blake Dewitt	2B	L/R	25	5'11"	190	460K
15	Darwin Barney	2B	R/R	25	5'10"	180	230K
16	Aramis Ramirez	3B	R/R	32	6'1"	215	5.4M
28	Jeff Baker	UTIL	R/R	29	6'2"	210	230K
13	Starlin Castro	SS	R/R	20	6'0"	190	420K
#	OUTFIELDERS	POS	B/T	AGE	HT	WT	SALARY
12	Alfonso Soriano	LF	R/R	35	6'1"	195	5.1M
5	Reed Johnson	LF	R/R	34	5'10"	180	490K
24	Marlon Byrd	CF	R/R	33	6'0"	245	3.6M
21	Tyler Colvin	RF	L/L	25	6'3"	210	430K
1	Kosuke Fukudome	RF	L/L	33	6'0"	200	750K

Pre-Season Outlook
Rotation: With the front 3 looking strong the Rotation should be solid, the question marks in the rotation are Randy Wells and Andrew Cashner, both of whom are relatively inexperienced though Wells has two years of service. If Wells and Cashner can hold up the back end of the Rotation it could be one of the strengths of the club.

Bullpen: Two of the top 5 players on the team are working out of the bullpen, those are Closer Carlos Marmol, and Setup Man, Kerry Wood. With two rookies working out of the pen and a third in Samardzija that is just over his first season the Cubs could be in for some rough calls to the bullpen if things don***8217;t go well.

Infielders: With Soto holding down the backstop and with Pena, Ramirez and Castro locking up spots in the infield the starters look pretty solid. The question mark is who plays second base and who takes on a bigger role when starters need the day off. Barney, Baker and Dewitt will be competing all season for the starting spot at second base. Koyie Hill will be the veteran behind the plate and while he can spot start at first base he will likely do nothing more than catch once per time through the rotation.

Outfielders: Soriano and Byrd are locking up Center and Left field and look to be the type of talent that can carry the team down the stretch. Reed Johnson is a capable backup at both spots with added speed off the bench. Colvin and Fukudome will be competing for the starting Right Field spot and if Manager Mike Quade feels the need to go young then Colvin will be the obvious choice.

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AAA Roster

Iowa Cubs Opening Day Roster (AAA)
#	PITCHERS	POS	B/T	AGE	HT	WT	SALARY
20	Thomas Diamond (40)	SP	R/R	27	6'3"	240	420K
27	Casey Coleman (40)	SP	L/R	23	6'0"	180	360K
68	Robert Coello (40)	SP	R/R	26	6'5"	250	270K
60	Chris Carpenter	SP	R/R	25	6'4"	220	160K
76	Alberto Cabrera (40)	SP	R/R	22	6'4"	210	155K
66	Rafael Dolis (40)	SP	R/R	23	6'4"	215	91K
33	Esmailin Caridad (40)	RP	R/R	27	5'10"	195	420K
64	Justin Berg (40)	RP	R/R	26	6'3"	230	420K
57	Scott Maine (40)	RP	L/L	26	6'3"	210	230K
78	Kyle Smit (40)	RP	R/R	23	6'3"	170	112K
62	Marcus Mateo (40)	RP	R/R	26	6'1"	160	100K
54	John Gaub (40)	RP	R/L	24	6'2"	210	136K
35	Ty'Relle Harris	CP	R/R	24	6'4"	235	404K
#	CATCHERS	POS	B/T	AGE	HT	WT	SALARY
53	Wellington Castillo	C	R/R	23	5'10"	200	420K
51	Max Ramirez	C	R/R	26	5'11"	175	50K
#	INFIELDERS	POS	B/T	AGE	HT	WT	SALARY
30	Scott Moore	1B	L/R	27	6'2"	195	53K
58	Matt Camp	2B	L/R	26	6'0"	200	30K
19	Bobby Scales (40)	3B	S/R	33	6'0"	185	33K
73	Marquez Smith	3B	R/R	25	5'10"	205	47K
#	OUTFIELDERS	POS	B/T	AGE	HT	WT	SALARY
4	Ty Wright	LF	R/R	26	6'0"	200	30K
7	Bryan LaHair	LF	L/R	28	6'5"	240	41K
41	Lou Montanez	LF	R/R	29	6'1"	200	30K
3	Fernando Perez (40)	CF	S/R	28	6'1"	195	311K
24	Tony Campana (40)	CF	L/L	24	5'8"	160	30K
56	Brad Snyder	RF	L/L	28	6'3"	200	170K

Outlook
Rotation: 6 Starters, 5 of whom are on the 40 man roster, 3 of whom have some Major League experience. Diamond looks to be the ace of the staff and could receive the first call up if Wells or Cashner struggles in the Majors.

Bullpen: Caridad and Berg highlight the bullpen and just missed making the Major league roster, along with Scott Maine and Marcus Mateo they are the only four with Major experience, thus continuing the young Bullpen that is seen the bigs.

Infielders: Castillo behind the dish will either be the catcher of the future or great trade bait near the deadline as he could compete with Hill for the backup spot in the Majors but we felt he should play everyday to get experience. Ramirez will catch a couple times a week to progress a little as he has seen Major league time with the Rangers previously. Moore, Camp, Smith and Scales will be playing everyday unless someone is called up to give them relief as they are the only four infielders on the roster.

Outfielders: LaHair will get added playing time as he is able to play in the infield, Wright and Montanez will be competing for the rest of the playing time in Left. Both Perez and Campana will have a shot to make it to the Majors sometime this year depending on how things go in AAA and in the bigs. Brad Snyder will hold down the Right Field spot unless Colvin or Fukudome is sent down or a trade is made.

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Tennessee Smokies Opening Day Roster (AA)
#	PITCHERS	POS	B/T	AGE	HT	WT	SALARY
71	Trey McNutt	SP	R/R	21	6'4"	220	396K
33	J.R. Mathes	SP	L/L	29	6'3"	210	53K
8	Austin Bibens	SP	R/R	25	6'2"	190	91K
36	Hung-Wen Chen	SP	R/R	25	5'11"	210	53K
28	Polin Trinidad	SP	L/L	26	6'3"	195	53K
37	Angel Guzman (40)	RP	R/R	29	6'3"	200	630K
25	Marco Carillo	RP	R/R	23	5'11"	215	91K
9	Blake Parker	RP	R/R	25	6'3"	225	43K
39	Ryan Buchter	RP	L/L	24	6'3"	185	34K
22	James Leverton	RP	R/L	24	6'2"	185	34K
29	Jake Muyco	RP	R/R	26	6'0"	190	78K
38	David Cales	CP	R/R	23	5'11"	200	396K
#	CATCHERS	POS	B/T	AGE	HT	WT	SALARY
75	Chris Robinson	C	R/R	26	6'0"	220	30K
74	Steve Clevenger	C	L/R	24	6'0"	195	155K
#	INFIELDERS	POS	B/T	AGE	HT	WT	SALARY
34	Blake Lalli	1B	L/R	27	6'1"	205	30K
41	Rebel Ridling	1B	R/R	24	6'4"	230	30K
31	D.J. Le Mahieu	2B	R/R	22	6'4"	185	30K
21	David Macias	2B	S/R	25	5'9"	175	30K
61	Josh Vitters	3B	R/R	21	6'2"	200	218K
6	Marwin Gonzalez	SS	S/R	21	6'1"	185	30K
7	Nate Sampson	SS	R/R	23	6'0"	170	30K
#	OUTFIELDERS	POS	B/T	AGE	HT	WT	SALARY
12	Ryan Flaherty	LF	L/R	24	6'3"	220	30K
40	Matthew Spencer	LF	L/L	25	6'4"	230	30K
59	Brett Jackson	CF	L/R	22	6'2"	210	404K
11	Matt Szczur	CF	R/R	21	6'1"	190	396K
63	James Adduci	CF	L/L	25	6'2"	210	39K

Outlook:
Angel Guzman is one of the best players in the minors for the Cubs, he is currently listed as the 8th best player in the organization but the problem is that he is coming off major elbow surgery. Odds are he is going to move up to Triple A rather quickly and have a shot at reaching the Majors if no signs of injury reappear. Brett Jackson and Josh Vitters are both former number one picks for the Cubs and both have the opportunity to move up the organization quickly this season.