Cubs Rumors

Odds & Ends: Theriot, Delgado, Damon, Yankees

By Tim Dierkes | February 9, 2010 at 2:45pm CDT

Links for Tuesday…

2011 free agent Brandon Webb threw for the first time since his August shoulder surgery today and told MLB.com's Steve Gilbert that he feels good.
Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports says (via Twitter) that he's not under the impression that the Reds are in on Johnny Damon.
The Cubs haven't spoken with Ryan Theriot's representatives recently and expect to go to an arbitration hearing with the infielder, writes Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune.
Jim Reeves of ESPNDallas.com explains how Rangers GM Jon Daniels now reports to Nolan Ryan. Within the piece, Daniels says the Rangers obtained virtually every player they targeted this offseason.
Carlos Delgado's agent tells Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that his client's conditioning is progressing well (Twitter link).
Morosi tweets that the Brewers signed Chase Wright to a minor league deal.
Corey Hart's arbitration hearing is scheduled for Thursday, reports Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. If the hearing does occur, Hart will either be paid $4.8MM or $4.15MM in 2010. It'll be Doug Melvin's first hearing as Brewers GM.
Johnny Damon is a big fan of Steve Yzerman and the Detroit Red Wings, agent Scott Boras told John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press. Boras says Damon received "four or five offers right away" after it became clear the Yankees wouldn't re-sign him.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman explained to George King of the New York Post that he groups Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, and Joe Girardi together in terms of not negotiating extensions.
WEEI's Rob Bradford explains why Josh Beckett's shoulder will be a critical factor in whether the Red Sox re-sign the righty.
Comparing 2008 to 2009, FanGraphs' Matthew Carruth lists the pitchers with the biggest gains and losses on their fastballs.
The Brewers agreed to sign Dominican righties Eduard Reyes, Carlos Sosa, and Elvis Mora, reports MLB.com's Adam McCalvy.
McCalvy points us to this entertaining interview the blog Right Field Bleachers did with Marlins reliever Seth McClung.
The blog Monozygotic compiled a list of non-roster Spring Training invitees for all 30 teams.

Odds & Ends: Brewers, Cubs, Looper, Baer, Wigginton

By Tim Dierkes | February 8, 2010 at 5:23pm CDT

Links for Monday…

MLB.com's Adam McCalvy posts an unofficial list of Brewers' players who are out of options. Joe Inglett and George Kottaras appear to be the players most on the bubble.
In a mailbag, MLB.com's Carrie Muskat says that the Cubs are still looking for righthanded relief help.
MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince explains that Grady Sizemore's 2012 club option becomes a player option if traded. He also notes that the Indians are not in on Felipe Lopez.
Braden Looper will not settle for a low base salary or a minor league deal, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
The Biz of Baseball now has Opening Day and year-end payroll data by team.
Giants president Larry Baer mentioned MLBTR in a recent KNBR interview with Ralph Barbieri and Tom Tolbert.
Roch Kubatko of MASN believes it's possible the Orioles will trade Ty Wigginton. Wiggy has $3.5MM coming in 2010.
Benjamin Kabak of River Ave. Blues ponders the benefits of the Yankees bringing Gary Sheffield back on a minor league deal.
Dave Cameron of FanGraphs would like the Mariners to spend a few million on Jarrod Washburn, provided he'd be willing to pitch out of the bullpen when Erik Bedard is ready.
ESPN's Tim Kurkjian explains why the Reds should sign Johnny Damon.

Cafardo’s Latest: Beckett, Red Sox, Twins, Lowry

By Mike Axisa | February 7, 2010 at 9:49am CDT

The Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo has plenty of rumors from around the league for us this morning, so let's round them all up…

The Red Sox are likely to use Roy Halladay's three-year, $60MM deal "minus $6 million-$8 million" as a guideline for a potential Josh Beckett extension rather than John Lackey's five-year, $82.5MM deal. The reason being that they have some concern about the long-term health of his shoulder.
If another team comes offering Beckett big money after the season, the Sox will move on just as they did with Jason Bay. They could then look into free agents like Cliff Lee, who they pursued at the trade deadline, or even Ben Sheets and Brandon Webb if they bounce back from injury problems of their own.
With all of their additions this offseason, the Twins' payroll will jump from $65M to about $96M as they move into Target Field this year. GM Bill Smith said it will be up to manager Ron Gardenhire to determine how they use Jim Thome, and that they did their homework on Orlando Hudson's left wrist, which has given him trouble the last few seasons.
Minnesota's payroll will be larger than the Dodgers' this year.
The Red Sox watched Noah Lowry's recent workout, but "don't appear interested in signing him."
Dodgers' third base coach Larry Bowa said he knows that Manny Ramirez still wants to play another three or four years.
Two big league executives feel that the Giants and Tim Lincecum will settle on a contract before an arbitration hearing.
One reason the Cubs signed Kevin Millar was to loosen up the clubhouse after the Milton Bradley fiasco last season.
Drayton McLane is reportedly seeking $700MM to part with the Astros, but it's tough to see someone coming up with that when the Rangers sold for approximately $575MM.

Cubs Sign Kevin Millar

By Tim Dierkes | February 4, 2010 at 10:40am CDT

The Cubs officially signed first baseman Kevin Millar to a minor league deal today. ESPN's Jerry Crasnick first reported the agreement on Monday. The Cubs signed Chad Tracy last week, so Millar will compete with him for a backup job.

Millar, 38, hit .223/.311/.363 in 283 plate appearances for the Blue Jays last year.

Players Avoiding Arbitration: Thursday

By Tim Dierkes | February 4, 2010 at 10:36am CDT

Here's a list of players avoiding arbitration hearings…

The Cubs reached an agreement with closer Carlos Marmol, according to a team press release. MLB.com's Carrie Muskat tweets that they settled at the midpoint, $2.125MM. Ryan Theriot ($800K gap) represents the Cubs' lone remaining arbitration case. Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald wrote yesterday that he feels the Cubs are headed toward their first hearing since '93, given a difference of opinion with their shortstop.

Odds & Ends: Mauer, Hairston, Buck, Benson

By Tim Dierkes | February 2, 2010 at 5:10pm CDT

Links for Tuesday…

We shouldn't expect a Joe Mauer extension soon, according to this tweet from USA Today's Bob Nightengale.
The Padres avoided arbitration with Scott Hairston, signing the outfielder to a one-year deal worth $2.45MM, according to MLB.com's Corey Brock.
Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports believes that the Tigers have moved into the non-denial stage regarding Johnny Damon (via Twitter).
A's outfielder Travis Buck has a chip on his shoulder after watching the A's acquire multiple outfielders, reports CSNBayArea's Mychael Urban. But as ESPN's Rob Neyer points out, Buck hasn't done much recently with the bat.
Free agent outfielder Darin Erstad told ESPN's Jerry Crasnick he'd love to play in 2010, but "there is nowhere to find at-bats."
Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times tweets that the Dodgers "remain interested in Jeff Weaver, but their roster situation could prevent them from offering him a major-league deal."
Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports names the D'Backs, Cubs, Reds, and Nationals as teams monitoring free agent starter Kris Benson. Benson didn't pitch much in the last three seasons due to rotator cuff surgery.
Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. further explained his rationale behind the Cliff Lee trade, reports Scott Lauber of The News Journal. Amaro's reasoning didn't sway my opinion; none of the three prospects he received are in Keith Law's top 100 (though Ramirez is #101). The long-term value of Phillippe Aumont, J.C. Ramirez, and Tyson Gillies should not outweigh the extra 4-5 wins Lee would've provided in 2010. And did Amaro even shop Lee around for the best package?
Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star is pessimistic on the Royals, who he says don't offer much beyond Zack Greinke, Billy Butler, and Joakim Soria.
RotoAuthority looks at Boston's closer situation from a fantasy baseball point of view.

Lowry Audition Pushed Back

By Tim Dierkes | February 1, 2010 at 4:13pm CDT

MONDAY, 4:13pm: Lowry's scheduled throwing session has been pushed back, according to the AP. His agent says the lefty has not had a setback; he just wants to throw a few more bullpen sessions before auditioning.

THURSDAY, 1:35pm: Scott Lauber of the News Journal tweets that the Phillies will be there.

WEDNESDAY, 4:29pm: The Rangers will watch Lowry throw, reports MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan.

8:27am: Lefty Noah Lowry is set to throw for teams Tuesday, reports ESPN's Jerry Crasnick. The 29-year-old seeks a one-year contract after battling thoracic outlet syndrome the last few years. His last truly effective season was 2005.

Crasnick expects about 15 teams to attend the session, including the Reds, Red Sox, Cardinals, Braves, Astros, Dodgers, Mariners, Cubs, Nationals and Mets. Back in December, a Crasnick report linked the Padres, A's, Rockies, and Pirates to Lowry as well.

Kris Benson Is “100 Percent,” Has Thrown For Two Teams

By Mark Polishuk | January 30, 2010 at 5:48pm CDT

Gregg Clifton, the agent for right-hander Kris Benson, tells Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that Benson is recovered from the arm injuries that has plagued him for the last three years and should be signed "within the next few weeks." Benson has had throwing sessions for two clubs, though Clifton didn't identify who the two interested teams were.

Benson spent the 2007 season recovering from rotator cuff surgery on his throwing arm. He spent 2008 pitching in the Phillies' minor league system (making it as high as Triple-A) and then joined the Rangers in 2009. The veteran righty battled elbow tendinitis and pitched in just eight games for Texas last season, posting an 8.46 ERA.

Even at full strength, don't expect a whole lot from Benson; his career ERA+ is exactly 100 and his last standout season came all the way back in 2000 (3.85 ERA, 2.14 K/BB ratio). Morosi speculates that Benson could be a target for teams who missed out on Ben Sheets, naming the Cubs, Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Mariners, Nationals and Reds as possible suitors. Wherever Benson goes, look for him to sign a minor-league contract that would top out at around $1MM including incentives.

Odds & Ends: Anderson, Smoltz, Red Sox, Dye

By Tim Dierkes | January 29, 2010 at 4:36pm CDT

Links for Friday…

Heyman tweets that the Angels and Dodgers could pursue Garret Anderson.
Jon Heyman of SI.com tweets that the Mets are falling behind in their attempts to sign John Smoltz.
As Rob Bradford of WEEI.com notes, Theo Epstein says the Red Sox do not have a policy against negotiating extensions during the season.
The Red Sox, Phillies, Diamondbacks and Rockies watched Oscar Villarreal throw today, tweets Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse.
An MLB executive tells ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick that Jermaine Dye turned down $3.3MM from the Cubs before they signed Xavier Nady for the same price (Twitter link).
MLB.com's Bill Ladson tweets that money may prevent the Nationals from signing Orlando Hudson. Adam Dunn believes Washington is Hudson's first choice.
The club could go after Adam Kennedy if Hudson signs elsewhere, tweets Ladson.
The Blue Jays have money, but aren't going to spend for the sake of spending, according to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian.
In case you'd like more on the Johnny Damon-Yankees drama, SI's Jon Heyman talked to the player and GM.
Alex Rodriguez was "staring at retirement right in the face" last March when diagnosed with a torn labrum in his hip, he told Kim Jones of the YES Network Wednesday night.
Dave Cameron of FanGraphs wonders if aging players are the new market inefficiency.
Cameron compares Jason Bay to Josh Willingham and concludes that the two outfielders are pretty similar.
In an interview with SNY's Kevin Burkhardt last night, Mets GM Omar Minaya insisted he has full autonomy. Joel Sherman of the New York Post doesn't buy it.
U.S.S. Mariner's Dave Cameron tweets of rumblings that the Royals and Mariners have discussed Alberto Callaspo.
The Red Sox signed catcher Gustavo Molina to a minor league deal, reports WEEI's Rob Bradford. Molina, 28 in February, hit .209/.233/.308 for the Nationals' Triple A club last year.
Larry Granillo of Wezen-Ball digs up the true story behind Andre Dawson, the Cubs, and the blank check in '87.
Twins lefty Glen Perkins explained his grievance to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

Stark On Damon, Bedard, Phillies, Smoltz, Gregg

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 29, 2010 at 2:34pm CDT

Jayson Stark of ESPN.com points out that teams aren't handing out long-term contracts as liberally as they were a few years ago. We've seen just eight contracts of three-plus years this offseason, after seeing 13 such contracts in each of the previous two winters. The offseason before that? Players signed 29 contracts of three years or more. Here are Stark's rumors:

Detroit doesn't seem that interested in Johnny Damon and the Braves haven't spoken with Damon's agent, Scott Boras, in a month and a half. The Rays have checked in, but they have little to spend.
Erik Bedard and the Orioles have mutual interest in a reunion, Stark hears.
The Phillies would like to add a veteran left-handed reliever on a minor league deal, but Alan Embree and Ron Mahay are holding out for big league deals at this point, despite the Phillies' interest.
Kevin Gregg is high on the Rockies' shopping list. They're looking at infield options and hoping to save enough money to shore up their bullpen, too.
The Blue Jays have told clubs that Scott Downs and Jason Frasor are available. The Cubs have checked in on the pair of relievers.
The Royals have told teams they're "open minded" about moving Gil Meche or Brian Bannister.
John Smoltz is in no rush to sign. He's open to waiting for a few months, since he'd like a starting job and some execs question his ability to start for an entire season.
Ben Sheets will be the first A's pitcher to make $10MM (though some believe Sheets will be traded before the end of the year).
Mark Prior is throwing off a mound and would like to make a comeback.

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