1:55pm: The team has indeed reached new contracts with all three players, ESPNChicago.com’s Jesse Rogers reports on Twitter.
10:43am: The Cubs have released Shane Victorino, Manny Parra, and Munenori Kawasaki, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports (Twitter links). Chicago has interest in reaching new deals with all three, but obviously wasn’t willing to add them to the active roster or pay the $100K roster bonuses that each would have commanded as an Article XX(B) free agent.
Victorino had already been told he wouldn’t make the active roster, and is reportedly taking an opportunity to rehab his injured calf before moving onto the Triple-A roster. The other two players also seemed like longshots to crack a deep Cubs roster coming into the spring. Parra, 33, has had his moments as a southpaw pen piece, but was looking up at Travis Wood and Clayton Richard in the organization’s pecking order. Things were even tougher for the defensive-minded Kawasaki, who was buried behind multiple infielders.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Manny Parra return to the Reds… rule 5 LHP Chris O’Grady has had a rough spring, and Tony Cingrani is the bullpen’s only (other) lefty. If they found room for Ross Ohlendorf they can probably find another spot for Parra.
As a Pirate fan, I hope he leaves the division, since I doubt he is a fit for the Bucs. His issues have usually belonged to injuries, not talent. He won’t be unemployed very long.
I want Munenori Kawasaki on my team just for the postgame interviews.
That man probably has a job somewhere in baseball, as a player or otherwise, for as long as he wants one. He might be the most entertaining ambassador that baseball has ever had.
Sayonara.
Tough fall for Victorino–only two full seasons after a career year, he’s done.
Oh man!!!!!!! Kawasaki led the Cubs spring training corps in:
* Personality
* Batting average
* Hits
* Karaoke
* flips
* total bases
* interviews
* likability
How did he not make the team?
Oh well… I hope he resigns a minor lg contract and sticks around….. LaStella always seems to find his way onto the dl…..
Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Cubs keep the most interesting man in baseball! As well as Victorino and Parra!
Mariners need Kawasaki on their club for personality
One of the best off-season rituals is having a cup of coffee and running a YouTube marathon of Kawasaki interviews. The guy is awesome.
I could not agree more!!!!!!
kawasaki hit a home run today versus the A’s to celebrate lol.
I was at that game today. Kawasaki – what a talent and what a real crowd pleaser! Maybe the Cubs should “un-bury” a spot for him . Well, only if they want to put fans in the seats and have an entertaining team. Actually, I am a Giants Fan, so maybe they should release him. hahahaha. We’d love him. Your a great guy, Kawasaki.
I think Parra will eventually make his way to the roster. I believe he still has some value and could be an asset to the MLB club.