Latest news with #DanielPalencia
New York Times
08-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
How the Cubs wound up trading for future closer Daniel Palencia at the trade deadline
As Chicago Cubs officials deliberated ahead of the 2021 trade deadline, they worked on a small transaction that would not resonate until four years later. Amid the flurry of deals during that franchise-changing event, Jed Hoyer's front office evaluated an A-ball pitcher with a 6.91 ERA. As intricate as baseball's modeling systems can be, the logic behind acquiring Daniel Palencia was straightforward: This dude throws 100. Advertisement Velocity is still the main thing for Palencia, whose thumping walk-out music at Wrigley Field is Daddy Yankee's 'Gasolina.' By this point, when he emerges from the bullpen, a crowd of roughly 40,000 people can expect to hear the 'Go Cubs Go' victory song playing a few minutes later on the ballpark's sound system. As automatic as those final three outs appear to be right now, his rise to becoming a dominant closer for a first-place team was not entirely smooth. Go back to that 2021 trade deadline when Anthony Rizzo, Javier Báez and Kris Bryant would all scatter. The Cubs had multiple scouts filing reports on Palencia, who at the time was pitching for the Stockton Ports, the California League affiliate of what was then known as the Oakland Athletics. The Athletics had signed Palencia as an international free agent out of Venezuela on Valentine's Day 2020, about a month before the baseball industry shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which would wipe out that entire minor-league season. Palencia made six 'starts' for Class-A Stockton in 2021, though none of those appearances lasted longer than three innings. As the Cubs shopped left-handed reliever Andrew Chafin, Palencia's name popped up. One of the more promising dispatches on 'Ivy,' the club's information-sharing platform, was optimistic but not effusive: Interesting project for player development. Sitting 97-99 for strikes. Low efficiency. Solid splitter. In thinking about faraway prospects such as Palencia, Hoyer used a different sports metaphor. The Cubs wanted to take more shots on goal. Good things happen when a team moves aggressively and creates opportunities. By hanging around the net, the Cubs wouldn't bury every chance, but they would be in scoring position. Eventually, some of those deals would break through. Advertisement It just took some time with Palencia, 25, who did not make the club's Opening Day roster this season, and wasn't summoned from Triple-A Iowa until April 15. His career major-league numbers heading into this year (5.02 ERA in 43 innings) were unspectacular and inconsistent. 'In spring training, the first time we talked, it was clear to me that he had turned the corner here,' Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. 'In young players, one of the things you're looking for is: 'Can I assess what happened last year? Can I self-assess? Can I do it well, and can I do it fairly?' 'He just understood what happened, and then you make the necessary adjustments. A lot, for Daniel, was just mental, (getting) through the confidence issue, and then trusting what he's great at.' Palencia reported to the Arizona complex in better shape and with a new outlook. Those physical changes helped him maintain his velocity and pitch more effectively in back-to-back games. Focusing on the mental side of the game enabled him to prepare for each outing and then move on to the next one without worrying about getting sent back to Iowa or wondering if he was ready to handle the ninth inning. 'Confidence,' Palencia explained. 'I know I'm good. I know that that's the moment for me.' That internal belief was tested early this season. Ryan Pressly's initial struggles as Chicago's closer and Porter Hodge's subsequent injury issues thrust Palencia into the spotlight. His first save attempt on May 19 did not go as planned. With two outs in the ninth inning, Palencia was one strike away from finishing the Miami Marlins. Things then quickly unraveled when he hung a slider to Derek Hill, who ripped the pitch to the opposite field for a double. Palencia walked the next batter on four pitches before serving up a walk-off triple to Jesús Sánchez in an 8-7 loss. Advertisement Instead of overreacting, Counsell kept giving Palencia chances. And rather than allowing their season to spiral, the Cubs kept competing. Since that moment, Palencia has quieted any doubters. He has allowed just two earned runs in 16 innings following that blown save, striking out 19 while walking just four (one intentionally). His overall body of work includes a 1.71 ERA, a 0.947 WHIP and 10 saves in 11 opportunities. Daniel Palencia 101 mph ⛽️ — Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 31, 2025 Palencia's growth was perhaps most clearly illustrated with his June 26 save at Busch Stadium, which salvaged a split against the St. Louis Cardinals. Handed a 3-0 lead, Palencia allowed a leadoff double to Alec Burleson and then hit Willson Contreras with a pitch on a 1-2 count. Contreras, the excitable ex-Cub, took exception and barked at Palencia. A lesser reliever might have gotten rattled and overthought the situation. Not Palencia. The overpowering right-hander bore down, striking out the next three batters and celebrating what looked like a defining moment. 'That's being a closer,' Counsell said. 'You come in with a lead, the other team gets a rally, and then the emotion in the stadium starts to go up. You have to control it and make pitches. That's where Danny's taken a huge step forward this year.' Palencia wasn't necessarily the biggest prospect in the Chafin trade, which came together while the lefty reliever was out in the Wrigley Field bullpen during a July 26, 2021, game. In taking more shots on goal, the Cubs also acquired Triple-A outfielder Greg Deichmann, a second-round pick who had played in the Arizona Fall League and at Louisiana State University. Deichmann appeared in 14 games for the Cubs in 2021 before being released the following year. For Palencia, this season probably represented a make-or-break year in Chicago. Palencia doesn't have a track record in the playoffs or a full major-league season on his resume. The Cubs are planning to look at the entire pitching market and get creative at the July 31 trade deadline, which means they aren't ruling out adding another closer. But the Cubs are in a position to think big because this dude throws 100. Advertisement 'The stuff's always been electric,' Cubs outfielder Ian Happ said. 'But there's confidence he'll throw strikes with the fastball, and mix in the slider and the splitter in the right spots. And he's got the right attitude for it. That's key. He's got the right presence on the mound for that situation.'
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cardinals' Willson Contreras apologizes to Cubs after heated moment
The post Cardinals' Willson Contreras apologizes to Cubs after heated moment appeared first on ClutchPoints. A four-game series amid a fairly tight divisional race was already enough to add some spark to the longstanding St. Louis Cardinals-Chicago Cubs rivalry, but a strong emotional response from someone who has played on both teams might as well have been gasoline for this National League Central conflict. Cardinals first baseman Willson Contreras and Cubs relief pitcher Daniel Palencia are doing their part to extinguish the flames, however. Advertisement Contreras, a three-time All-Star who spent seven seasons as Chicago's catcher before signing an $87.5 million contract with St. Louis in 2022, took issue with a high 101 MPH Palencia fastball that hit him in the hand in the bottom of the ninth inning. He had some words for his fellow Venezuelan, and the right-hander eventually reciprocated after striking out the side to clinch the 3-0 Cubbies victory. Palencia pounded his chest and turned his attention to Contreras, prompting the 33-year-old to get hot once again. Cardinals first base coach Stubby Clapp held him back, and disaster was ultimately averted. Cubs manager Craig Counsell commented on the situation, and in the process, displayed some subtle savagery.'I didn't see it, I was giving high-fives,' he told reporters after the win, per Marquee Sports Network. The two countrymen at the center of the incident each expressed regret for how things unfolded in Busch Stadium. Cardinals' Willson Contreras and Cubs' Daniel Palencia share their perspectives 'My reaction was bad,' Contreras said, per Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 'I apologize to the Chicago Cubs for the way I reacted… I don't want to fight them.' He attributed the fiery reaction to the forearm fracture he suffered last year. The 2016 World Series champion obviously does not want to endure another lengthy stint on the injured list. Furthermore, most hitters get animated when a fastball comes blazing toward their upper body. Advertisement Everyone knows the risks, and it seemed clear that Palencia did not intend to hit Contreras, but pitchers are expected to exercise reasonable command of the strike zone when throwing at such a blistering velocity. When a batter's livelihood comes into question, tempers are naturally going to rise. Non-Cardinals fans will argue that Willson Contreras is one of the more volatile guys in the league, but this issue is bigger than one incident. Nevertheless, this is a former Cubs slugger who left the Windy City on icy terms. People are going to feel a certain way when he is involved in a heated exchange. Daniel Palencia does not wish to engender any additional animosity, however, nor does he want to start a feud with a man he grew up watching on television. 'I was pretty hype … I don't want to hit that guy,' the 25-year-old told reporters, via Marquee Sports Network. 'I've been watching that guy since I was a kid. I feel proud of him for what he's doing for the game. Like I said, the moment was intense, close game. I think it was just that.' It sounds as if both sides have cooled off and are ready to move forward, but fans will be on high alert when the Cardinals (44-38) and Cubs (48-33) collide again next week. Wrigley Field will surely have much to say following Thursday's altercation. Advertisement Related: Cardinals place outfielder on IL with appendicitis, but there's a bright side Related: Cardinals' Nolan Arenado gets real on St. Louis' success amid constant trade rumors
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Benches Clear in Cubs' Win Over Cardinals After Heated Exchange
Benches Clear in Cubs' Win Over Cardinals After Heated Exchange originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Cubs secured a 3-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday afternoon to split a four-game series. However, the ending of the game involved a heated exchange with both teams' benches clearing. Advertisement After allowing a leadoff double while leading 3-0 in the bottom of the ninth inning, in a 1-2 count, Cubs pitcher Daniel Palencia hit Willson Contreras with a high fastball. Contreras had words for Palencia as he walked to first base, which also brought the tying run to the plate with no outs. Palencia would go on to strike out the next three batters to secure the win for the Cubs. As he walked off the mound celebrating, Palencia shouted something in the direction of Contreras, which led to a heated exchange and the benches for each team clearing. Despite the flair for the dramatic, both teams returned to their respective dugouts rather quickly. After the game, Palencia made it clear he had no intention of hitting Contreras. Advertisement 'It was high intensity,' Palencia told reporters in St. Louis after the game. 'I was very hyped. That's part of the game. Nothing was intentional. I don't want to hit that guy. I've been watching that guy since I was a kid. I feel proud for him, what he's doing for the game. The moment was intense, close game. I think it was just that.' Contreras also apologized for his actions after the game. 'My reaction was bad," Contreras told the media. "I apologize to the Chicago Cubs for the way I reacted … I don't want to fight them.' This wasn't the first time Contreras has been caught in the middle of an altercation this season. A couple of weeks ago, against the Milwaukee Brewers, Contreras was involved in a collision at first base that left a sour taste for Brewers' players. Advertisement Later in that game, Brewers' pitcher Jose Quintana hit Contreras with a pitch in response. However, Contreras got the last laugh in that game as he homered in his next at-bat in the Cardinals' 8-5 win. Cardinals celebrate after Willson Contreras' walk-off singleJeff Curry-Imagn Images Contreras has always had a flair for the dramatic, and after spending seven seasons with the Cubs before signing with the Cardinals, emotions were high on Thursday. However, the Cubs got the final say this time as Palencia walked off the mound with a victory for his squad. The Cubs and Cardinals will meet again in eight days, this time at Wrigley Field on July 4. Related: Cubs' Kyle Tucker Discusses Looming Free Agency This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Washington Post
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Happ homers twice as the Cubs hold off Raleigh and the Mariners for a 10-7 win
CHICAGO — Ian Happ homered twice and drove in four runs, and the Chicago Cubs held off Cal Raleigh and the Seattle Mariners for a 10-7 victory on Saturday. Raleigh opened the ninth inning with his major league-leading 30th homer after he also went deep twice on Friday. Luke Raley hit a two-out single for Seattle, but Daniel Palencia closed it out when he retired Donovan Solano on a foul popup.
Japan Times
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Japan Times
Seiya Suzuki's three-run homer helps Cubs get by Brewers
Seiya Suzuki launched a go-ahead three-run home run in the fifth inning on Tuesday night to propel the Chicago Cubs to a 5-3 victory over the visiting Milwaukee Brewers. Ben Brown (4-5) went five innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits, while striking out five and walking two to earn his first win since May 2 — also against the Brewers. Closer Daniel Palencia allowed Jackson Chourio's two-out double in the ninth but got William Contreras to fly out to secure his seventh save of the year and the Cubs' third straight win. Pete Crow-Armstrong homered and Kyle Tucker tallied three hits as Chicago improved to 3-1 against its National League Central rivals this year. Chad Patrick (3-7) surrendered four earned runs on six hits in defeat, while also striking out five and walking a pair. Isaac Collins went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer for the Brewers, who dropped their second game in three tries. After Rhys Hoskins worked a leadoff walk in the top of the second, Collins launched his third home run of the season to give Milwaukee a 2-0 edge off Brown. Chicago cut its deficit in half in the bottom of the second as Nico Hoerner's two-out single was followed by Matt Shaw's RBI double to center. Ian Happ walked and Tucker doubled in the bottom of the fifth before Suzuki hit his 18th homer of the year — a 413-foot (126-meter) shot to left — to give Chicago a 4-2 advantage. Genesis Cabrera relieved Brown in the sixth, allowing Brice Turang's leadoff single and Joey Ortiz's run-scoring base hit to pull Milwaukee within a run. Nick Mears threw a scoreless bottom of the sixth in relief of Patrick. The Brewers threatened in the seventh against Brad Keller. Contreras walked and reached third with two outs before Hoskins struck out to end the frame. Crow-Armstrong smashed a 452-foot solo homer in the bottom of the eighth off Rob Zastryzny to give the Cubs a 5-3 edge.
