Last night we learned that the Cubs and shortstop Starlin Castro have been working on a long-term deal which could span six years or more. A six-year deal would take care of all of the 22-year-old's arbitration years and two of his free agent seasons. More on the Cubs..
- Hoyer indicated that the Cubs aren't likely to spend big on a marquee free agent this winter in an appearance on "Chicago Tribune Live", writes CSNChicago.com's Patrick Mooney. While the GM wouldn't completely rule out making a splash on the open market, he was less-than-enthusiastic about the prospect of spending big money on players that are on the back half of their career.
- Instead, Hoyer says that the club will focus on keeping their in-house talent, which is consistent with last night's news on Castro. “We have to build from within and build young players, because the days of going out and signing young free agents is over. Teams lock up their guys. Look at how many long, multiyear deals teams are signing with their pre-arbitration players," Hoyer said.
- With the news of a new deal for Castro in the works, ESPN.com's Buster Olney (via Twitter) notes that since last fall, the Cubs have had a policy of no no-trade clauses.
- Mooney writes that it is unclear if the Giants would be interested in David DeJesus in the wake of Melky Cabrera's suspension or how he fits in the waiver process, but the outfielder says that he wants to remain with the club. DeJesus' contract calls for him to make $4.25MM this season and next with a $6.5MM club option ($1.5MM buyout) for 2014.
I really like what I’m hearing and seeing happen within the Cubs organization. Patience with the new front office as they evaluated the personnel within the organization before making big changes, establishing a “Cubs Way” beginning with playing hard as has been evident this season on the field, not spending stupid big money of patchwork free agents.
And finally I like how they are loading up on young arms and focusing on building the farm so that in the future the Cubs can replenish a MLB need primarily from within with only moderate participation in the FA market.
Well done so far Tom, Theo, Jed, Dale and company!!
+1 Now if they could find some players who could hit with RISP,we might actually get somewhere.
I agree with the logic of not signing big money free agents. But not many guys like Zach Greinke hit the market at a relatively young age. I would think the cubs at least have to take a look.