Cubs Rumors

Olney’s Latest: Lee, Zambrano, Dodgers, Fielder

By Mike Axisa | July 3, 2010 at 9:27am CDT

In today's blog post at ESPN (Insider req'd), Buster Olney says that even though the Yankees already have five good starters, the tight race in the AL East is enough to keep them engaged with the Mariners about Cliff Lee. They will probably make an offer at some point, but they're unlikely to land him because they've been philosophically opposed to trading prospects for a player they could just sign as a free agent after the season.

Here are the rest of Olney's rumors…

Olney's message to any team looking for bullpen help: Good luck with that. There are no difference-making relievers on the market, and guys like Kerry Wood, David Aardsma, and Jason Frasor are no sure things.
Carlos Zambrano has some value as an innings eater, and the Cubs could probably get a team to absorb $10-15MM of the $45MM left on his deal. If he does get traded, Olney says it would likely be in the offseason.
People in the Dodgers' organization say there is "little or no hope" that money will be available for the team to make moves.
Olney doesn't see the Giants and Brewers matching up in a Prince Fielder trade. Matt Cain is a deal breaker given Tim Lincecum's recent struggles, and Jonathan Sanchez or Madison Bumgarner won't be enough.

July 2 Rumors: Phillies, Twins, Cubs, Blue Jays

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 2, 2010 at 3:59pm CDT

The international signing period opens today and we'll keep track of the rumors and news right here:

The Phillies signed Venezuelan shortstop Francisco Silva for about $200K and the Twins agreed to sign Reyson Zoquier, a Dominican lefty, according to Ben Badler of Baseball America.
The Cubs agreed to sign Dominican shortstop Daniel Sanchez for a mid six-figure bonus, according to Ben Badler of Baseball America.
ESPN.com’s Keith Law hears that the Blue Jays are expected to spend aggressively on international prospects this summer.
The Blue Jays have been tied to Gabriel Cenas, a Venezuelan third baseman and Pedro Perez, a Colombian third baseman, according to Law.
They are also in on Eskarlin Vazquez, a Dominican outfielder who has captured the Giants’ attention. Law predicts Vazquez will get one of the summer’s top bonuses.
The Mariners are expected to sign Philips Castillo, another Dominican outfielder who should command a top bonus, according to Law. The Mariners have also been linked to Jose Torres, a Colombian right-hander.
Law has heard that the Royals are in on Jeffrey Baez, a speedy Venezuelan outfielder.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Dawson, Ahrens, Rays, Lee

By Mike Axisa | July 2, 2010 at 1:11pm CDT

On this date in 1995, Dodgers right-hander Hideo Nomo became the first Japanese-born player in Major League history to be selected for the All Star Game. Nomo, then a 26-year-old rookie, took the big leagues by storm with his tornado windup and by posting a 1.99 ERA and 11.9 K/9 in 13 first half starts. The All-Star Game was just the tip of the iceberg for Nomo, who went on to win the Rookie of the Year award and finish fourth in the NL Cy Young voting.

Nomo's big league career spanned a dozen seasons with seven teams, and he retired with a 4.24 ERA and two no-hitters to his credit. He's credited with paving the way for Japanese players to permanently relocate to MLB.

Here are a few links from around the baseball blogosphere…

Phoul Ballz interviewed Hall of Famer Andre Dawson.
1 Blue Jays Way interviewed Toronto prospect Kevin Ahrens.
Bullpen Banter offers up a mid-season review of players who showed up to camp in the best shape of their lives.
DRaysBay puts together a wish list of players they really want the Rays to acquire.
Prospect Insider runs down the top prospects of the contenders in the Cliff Lee sweepstakes.
Feeling Dodger Blue says the time has come for Los Angeles to trade Matt Kemp and Russell Martin.
Mets Paradise wonders if the Mets would be interested in acquiring Carlos Zambrano.
Double Bobby Jones doesn't think Jerry Manuel should feel too comfortable despite the Mets' winning ways.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here.

Odds & Ends: Lee, Miller, Branyan, Phillies

By Mark Polishuk | July 1, 2010 at 10:52pm CDT

There may be a lot of NBA and NHL rumors and signings floating around today, but the MLB hot stove will only get hotter as we approach the trade deadline. Here are some items from around the majors…

Scott Miller of CBSSports.com speculates that the Angels and Reds could join the Cliff Lee sweepstakes. Perhaps one of them could be the mystery team?
Speaking of that mystery team and the possibility that it could be the Cardinals, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch thinks it would be a bad move for the Cards to deal prospect Shelby Miller.
Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com reports that the Russell Branyan trade was "a very popular move in the Indians' clubhouse. Branyan was great with reporters, but he was not exactly up for team captain consideration by his teammates."
Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com says trying to replace Chase Utley is Ruben Amaro Jr.'s "next big test" as Philadelphia's GM.
Commenting on Tom Krasovic's item about Jayson Werth possibly being on the trade market, ESPN.com's Rob Neyer uses the "pretty far-fetched" rumor as further evidence that the Phillies erred with the Raul Ibanez signing.
Washington manager Jim Riggleman is using the trade deadline as motivation for his team to play well enough that it doesn't get broken up, reports MASNSports.com's Ben Goessling.
With the international signing period beginning tomorrow, Baseball America's Ben Badler ranks players by their projected signing bonuses. The story also provides links to other pieces breaking down what each team is looking for and scouting reports on various international players, though these stories are only available to Baseball America subscribers.
Dan McNeil of the Chicago Tribune thinks Carlos Zambrano is a lost cause with the Cubs and can't believe that Jim Hendry defended Zambrano's contract extension.
With Manny Delcarmen headed to the disabled list today, Joe McDonald of ESPNBoston.com thinks this will force Boston's hand in acquiring a reliever. If the Sox do get some bullpen help, don't expect them to give up any good prospects in return.
Speaking of bullpen deals, Jon Weisman of ESPNLosAngeles.com cites the Josh Bell-for-George Sherrill deal as proof that the Dodgers should be very wary about another trade for a reliever.

Chad Tracy Opts For Release From Cubs

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 1, 2010 at 8:31pm CDT

JULY 1: According to Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com, Tracy has cleared waivers and opted to be released rather than go to the minors.

JUNE 25: The Cubs designated Chad Tracy for assignment, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times (via Twitter). The Cubs had to create roster space for Aramis Ramirez, who is coming off the DL.

Tracy, 30, hit .250/.327/.295 for the Cubs in 49 plate appearances this year. He did not come close to matching the success he had with the D'Backs earlier in his career. From 2005-06, Tracy posted an .848 OPS and averaged 24 homers and 38 doubles as a corner infielder and outfielder. He signed a minor league deal worth $900K with the Cubs over the winter.

Odds & Ends: Prior, Votto, Gaudin, Hendry, Rangers

By Mike Axisa | July 1, 2010 at 4:51pm CDT

Links for Thursday, as we wait to see how much more damage Vladimir Guerrero will inflict upon the Angels tonight…

Mark Prior's agent says that one club wants to sign the right-hander after his workout this week, tweets Tom Krasovic of AOL Fanhouse. Prior reportedly hit the magic number of 90 mph during his workout.
John Fay of The Cincinnati Enquirer indicates (via Twitter) that extension talks for Joey Votto will wait until after the season.
Joel Sherman of The New York Post tweets that the Yankees will not designate Chad Gaudin for assignment when they call up Dustin Moseley. The team has an empty spot on its 40-man roster, and is likely to place someone on the DL or option another reliever to Triple-A instead.
Jim Hendry of the Cubs is the easiest general manager to make a deal with, according to a poll of GMs from around the league conducted by ESPN's Buster Olney.
The sale of the Rangers is heading to a one-day auction that will be held on July 16th, reports Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News.

Padres Looking To Add Offense

By Mike Axisa | July 1, 2010 at 2:04pm CDT

We already know that rookie GM Jed Hoyer is looking to add some starting pitching to his Padres' team, and now MLB.com's Corey Brock passes along a quote indicating that he's ready to add offense as well.

"I don't feel like you're ever all set," Hoyer said. "I think we're looking on both sides [pitching and offense]."

Brock says the team is reluctant to part with prospects just like everyone else, but the Padres could realistically shop closer Heath Bell for a package that includes a big league piece and prospects. Bell will be arbitration eligible next season after earning $4MM this year, and might get a little too rich for San Diego's tastes. Mike Adams and Luke Gregerson would then move up a peg in the bullpen pecking order, and the team likely wouldn't miss a beat.

The Padres survive with stellar pitching (MLB best 3.10 ERA) and defense (MLB best 31.5 UZR), though they have obvious offensive shortcomings. Their shortstops have hit just .234/.295/.338, their left fielders .196/.294/.288, and their center fielders .234/.328/.360, so they could have interest in someone like David DeJesus or Xavier Nady. Brock mentions that owner Jeff Moorad will consider adding payroll in order to make a move happen.

Red Sox, Cubs Discussed Fontenot Trade

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 29, 2010 at 5:30pm CDT

Before the Eric Patterson trade, the Red Sox and Cubs discussed a possible deal that would have sent Mike Fontenot to Boston, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter). The Red Sox are down an infielder now that Dustin Pedroia's fractured foot has sent him to the DL. The Cubs could deal Fontenot, who doesn't play every day, and keep their starting lineup together.

Fontenot, 30, makes $1MM this year and won't be eligible for free agency until after the 2013 season. He is hitting .286/.331/.414 in 145 plate appearances and has been an average defender in recent years according to UZR/150. So far in 2010, he has played second, third and short, so his versatility no doubt appeals to the Red Sox.

The Cubs' recent trade talks don't mean they are willing to start selling. Two sources told Morosi that the 33-43 Cubs are "halfway" to sell mode (Twitter link). If Fontenot is available, the Phillies and Angels could also have interest given injuries to their infielders.

Cubs To Place Zambrano On Restricted List

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 28, 2010 at 5:48pm CDT

The Cubs will place Carlos Zambrano on the restricted list tomorrow, according to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat (via Twitter). Players on the restricted list do not count towards a team's 25-man or 40-man roster, so the Cubs will be able to add a player to replace Zambrano. It's not the first time a prominent player has been placed on the restricted list this year; former Cub Milton Bradley spent time on the restricted list earlier in the year, and so did Yorvit Torrealba.

By placing Zambrano on the restricted list, the Cubs free up a roster spot and provide themselves with time to determine their next move. The Mariners paid Bradley while he was on the restricted list, but teams do not always pay players on the restricted list. The Cubs will pay Zambrano, according to Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com.

Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports that Zambrano will not return before the All-Star break as he undergoes treatment for anger issues. Cubs GM Jim Hendry contacted MLB, the MLBPA, Zambrano and agent Barry Praver about the team's decision.

The Cubs may want to move Zambrano and (part of) the $45.4MM remaining on his contract, but trading the big right-hander won't be easy, as MLBTR's Tim Dierkes showed earlier today. Teams are presumably uneasy about acquiring Zambrano given his salary, his recent tirade, and his 2010 numbers (5.66 ERA, 8.6 K/9 and 4.0 BB/9).

Trading Carlos Zambrano

By Tim Dierkes | June 28, 2010 at 1:42pm CDT

Carlos Zambrano signed a five-year, $91.5MM extension with the Cubs in August of 2007. At the time, I had mixed feelings – the Cubs received a discount in the number of years, but still committed a big salary to a pitcher whose best years were behind him. Talking to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs GM Jim Hendry defended the contract yesterday:

"There was nothing wrong with the investment. This guy was an outstanding pitcher in the National League, in the game, for the four or five years before that. And there's no question that the deal was a solid one in the industry. He certainly would have been one of the hotter tickets on the street if that thing went to the end of the season."

Wittenmyer says the Cubs now have an "obvious desire" to unload Zambrano and his remaining $45.4MM. You may recall that the Cubs had a similar obvious desire with Milton Bradley last winter, and they eventually found a match. Hendry may find trading Zambrano a bigger challenge. For the moment, we'll toss aside Z's full no-trade clause.

Carlos Lee is owed $46.85MM through 2012, his contract matches up quite well with Zambrano's. However, the Cubs don't need an outfielder and Lee has a full no-trade clause this year. It's impossible to imagine Lee and Alfonso Soriano in the same outfield, even though the Cubs liked Lee in the past.
Aaron Rowand and Edgar Renteria are owed a total of $35.7MM. The Giants would be adding $9.7MM in salary, though that's not a bad price for Zambrano over the next few years. But as far as team needs, this makes little sense for either side.
Oliver Perez and Luis Castillo are owed a total of $27.6MM. The Mets would be taking on nearly $18MM to own Zambrano through '12 and finally ditch this pair of bad contracts.
Any deal with the Braves would have to involve Derek Lowe, who is owed $38MM through 2012. I don't see why the Braves would want to make the switch.
The Indians could match the Cubs' Zambrano commitment almost perfectly with Travis Hafner, Kerry Wood, and Jake Westbrook. It seems pointless, though, and Hafner isn't able to play first base.
The Royals' three bad contracts – Gil Meche, Jose Guillen, and Kyle Farnsworth - have $27.7MM remaining. It's a poor match, though ESPN's Buster Olney tweets that the Royals are pushing to move Guillen and will eat a lot of dollars.
One last idea, perhaps the craziest yet. The Yankees owe A.J. Burnett $58.3MM through 2013. Burnett isn't faring well in the second year of his deal, and the Cubs would be taking on almost $13MM to make the swap. The Cubs would assume less than $6MM if they included Derrek Lee, though.
As you can see, I failed to find a reasonable Zambrano trade scenario involving other overpaid players. Feel free to speculate in the comments.

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