Cubs Rumors

Odds & Ends: Cubs, Nationals, Myers, Hudson

By Luke Adams 2 | October 15, 2009 at 9:01pm CDT

A slew of Thursday night links from around the majors….

Jon Heyman of SI.com reports (via Twitter) that coveted hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo appears likely to join the Chicago Cubs.
Byron Kerr of MASN.com doesn't expect Washington Nationals GM Mike Rizzo to name a new manager until at least November. According to MLB.com's Bill Ladson, the team will consider Chip Hale, Bobby Valentine, Bob Melvin, and perhaps Dave Duncan (if he's available), in addition to interim skipper Jim Riggleman.
Meanwhile, another managerial search continues in Houston. Adam McCalvy of MLB.com writes that candidate Ned Yost thinks he benefited from a year away from a baseball job.
Todd Zolecki of MLB.com wonders if Brett Myers is done in Philadelphia. Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. says that even though Myers didn't make the team's NLCS roster, that doesn't necessarily mean the righty won't be back in 2010.
Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that it doesn't sound like Will Clark will be a candidate for the San Francisco Giants' open hitting coach position.
David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution follows up on the recent Tim Hudson speculation. O'Brien thinks the Braves and Hudson might be able to agree on a three-year deal worth about $27-30MM.
Eric Byrnes met with Diamondbacks GM Josh Byrnes and manager A.J. Hinch to discuss his future in Arizona, according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert.

Odds & Ends: Lansford, Rangers, Jaramillo

By | October 14, 2009 at 9:09pm CDT

A few more links, including big news out of L.A. and San Francisco…

According to the Los Angeles Times' official Twitter account, Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and his wife, CEO Jamie McCourt, have separated in "a move that could place the future ownership of the team in doubt." Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports notes that a similar situation in the Moores family resulted in the sale of the Padres last spring.
Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News reports the Giants have fired Carney Lansford as hitting coach. Giants manager Bruce Bochy informed him of the news with a phone call Wednesday night.
According to Tim Cowlishaw of the Dallas Morning News, Rangers fans who bought playoff tickets this season were told they won't see a refund until November because it's "tied up with MLB." Clearly the club is having serious financial issues and it'd be a surprise to see them chase any major free agents this offseason.
As Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post points out, highly touted hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo has been represented by agent Scott Boras in the past and Jaramillo is likely to use Boras again this winter. The Cubs, Mets and Astros are thought to have interest in adding him to their coaching staff.

Odds & Ends: Jaramillo, Varitek, D’Backs

By Tim Dierkes | October 14, 2009 at 12:49pm CDT

Links for Wednesday…

Longtime Rangers hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo turned down a one-year offer from the team and will explore free agency, according to Evan Grant. Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune thinks Jaramillo would be a perfect addition to the Cubs.
According to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star, the Royals re-signed three players eligible for minor league free agency: Scott Thorman, Kelvin Villa, and Carlos Rivas.
Dave Cameron of FanGraphs says this year's free agent class is pretty darn interesting, even if it lacks top-level talent.
Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald considers free agent alternatives should the Red Sox fail to sign Jason Bay.
McAdam's colleague Michael Silverman talked to agent Scott Boras, who had this to say about Jason Varitek's future: "Theo and I will be talking about Tek whenever he deems the time appropriate."
The Giants don't have much money to spend this winter unless they raise payroll, says Ray Ratto of the San Francisco Chronicle.
Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic says the Diamondbacks aren't likely to change their core, but the clubhouse could use a dose of veteran leadership.
The Rays ought to target free agent reliever Kiko Calero, in the opinion of Tommy Rancel of DRays Bay.
Padres third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff has no control over his future, but wants to stay in San Diego according to Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Dodgers manager Joe Torre doesn't anticipate working past his current contract, which runs through 2010 (according to the AP).
Jose Cruz was shocked to be dismissed from his coaching job with the Astros, according to Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle.

Giants Rumors: Sabean, Bochy, Bradley, Kikuchi

By Tim Dierkes | October 13, 2009 at 8:21am CDT

A few notes on the Giants from Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News…

As Luke mentioned last night, Baggarly expects manager Bruce Bochy and GM Brian Sabean to sign new contracts shortly.
Baggarly asked a Giants executive with veto power whether he'd approve an Aaron Rowand for Milton Bradley trade. The exec said yes, which makes sense with Bradley owed $21MM and Rowand owed $36MM. Nonetheless Baggarly does not expect the Giants to get involved on Bradley due to potential team chemistry issues.
Giants scouting director John Barr recently returned from Japan, where he observed hard-throwing high school southpaw Yusei Kikuchi. Baggarly expects the Giants to "make a legitimate run" at Kikuchi if he chooses MLB. The Giants are at least one of ten teams in on the pitcher.

Odds & Ends: Henry, Kikuchi, Accardo

By Tim Dierkes | October 9, 2009 at 1:55pm CDT

Links for Friday…

MLB.com's Brian McTaggart tells us via Twitter that the Astros released pitchers Chad Paronto and Billy Sadler.
The Nationals interviewed longtime Braves scouting director Roy Clark, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
The Blue Jays fired J.P. Ricciardi advisor Dick Scott, according to Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun.
Interesting note from WEEI's Alex Speier. Back in 2002, upon purchasing the Red Sox and selling the Marlins, John Henry attempted to have Josh Beckett and A.J. Burnett transferred to the Sox.
NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman says NPB is lobbying Japan's High School Baseball Federation to have Yusei Kikuchi appear in person for meetings with NPB teams but not MLB clubs. Newman still likes the Rangers as Kikuchi's top suitor, based on reports.
Newman also tells us that pitcher Koji Mitsui, who was posted twice last winter but received no bids, has been released and will attempt to sign with an MLB team.
Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times has a plan for the Cubs that includes signing Chone Figgins and avoiding long-term free agent deals.
Padres exec Paul DePodesta explains the team's recent roster moves.
Via Twitter, ESPN's Jorge Arangure Jr. passes along info from Miguel Angel Sano's agent Rob Plummer.
In an MLB.com chat, Blue Jays reliever Jeremy Accardo says that his first choice is to stay with Toronto for his entire career, but his second choice is to pitch on the West Coast.

Odds & Ends: Henry, Kikuchi, Accardo

By Cork Gaines | October 9, 2009 at 1:55pm CDT

Links for Friday…

MLB.com's Brian McTaggart tells us via Twitter that the Astros released pitchers Chad Paronto and Billy Sadler.
The Nationals interviewed longtime Braves scouting director Roy Clark, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
The Blue Jays fired J.P. Ricciardi advisor Dick Scott, according to Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun.
Interesting note from WEEI's Alex Speier. Back in 2002, upon purchasing the Red Sox and selling the Marlins, John Henry attempted to have Josh Beckett and A.J. Burnett transferred to the Sox.
NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman says NPB is lobbying Japan's High School Baseball Federation to have Yusei Kikuchi appear in person for meetings with NPB teams but not MLB clubs. Newman still likes the Rangers as Kikuchi's top suitor, based on reports.
Newman also tells us that pitcher Koji Mitsui, who was posted twice last winter but received no bids, has been released and will attempt to sign with an MLB team.
Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times has a plan for the Cubs that includes signing Chone Figgins and avoiding long-term free agent deals.
Padres exec Paul DePodesta explains the team's recent roster moves.
Via Twitter, ESPN's Jorge Arangure Jr. passes along info from Miguel Angel Sano's agent Rob Plummer.
In an MLB.com chat, Blue Jays reliever Jeremy Accardo says that his first choice is to stay with Toronto for his entire career, but his second choice is to pitch on the West Coast.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Bradley, Burrell, M’s, Jays

By Cork Gaines | October 9, 2009 at 10:50am CDT

On this date 43 years ago, Frank Robinson accounted for the only run in game four of the World Series with a home run, completing a four game sweep. It was Robinson's first season with the Orioles, having been traded to Baltimore the previous winter for Jack Baldschun, Milt Pappas and Dick Simpson. With the regular season over, rumors of trades that could impact next season's World Series have already begun. Let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…

Jorge Says No! sees the Mariners as a nice fit for Milton Bradley.
Blue Jay Hunter looks at what it might take for the Blue Jays to land Bradley.
Trop Talk breaks down the arguments for Bradley, and yet still wants the Rays to stay away.
Dock of the Rays explains why the Rays are so eager to rid themselves of Pat Burrell.
Rays Index notes that the Burrell-for-Bradley rumor still has a number of unanswered questions, even if the deal comes down to just money.
The Rays Party is not thrilled with the idea of the Cubs dumping a player on the Rays because of personality issues.
Cubs Locker wants Bradley out of town, even if it takes cash and a relief pitcher.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here, and followed on Twitter here.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Bradley, Burrell, M’s, Jays

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | October 9, 2009 at 10:50am CDT

Jorge Says No! sees the Mariners as a nice fit for Milton Bradley.
Blue Jay Hunter looks at what it might take for the Blue Jays to land Bradley.
Trop Talk breaks down the arguments for Bradley, and yet still wants the Rays to stay away.
Dock of the Rays explains why the Rays are so eager to rid themselves of Pat Burrell.
Rays Index notes that the Burrell-for-Bradley rumor still has a number of unanswered questions, even if the deal comes down to just money.
The Rays Party is not thrilled with the idea of the Cubs dumping a player on the Rays because of personality issues.
Cubs Locker wants Bradley out of town, even if it takes cash and a relief pitcher.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here, and followed on Twitter here.

Cubs, Rays Talking Milton Bradley

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | October 9, 2009 at 8:57am CDT

FRIDAY: ESPN's Buster Olney says "it's very much a longshot that this deal gets worked out."

THURSDAY: The Cubs are focused on one particular trading partner, as they look to move Milton Bradley. Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times hears that the Cubs are pushing the Rays to make a quick deal.

De Luca suggests the Rays could send Pat Burrell to the Cubs for Bradley. Burrell has $7MM remaining on his contract and Bradley has $21MM remaining on his, so the Rays would likely want the Cubs to cover a considerable amount of Bradley's contract in any deal.

The Blue Jays and Padres are possible destinations for Bradley, but the Blue Jays have a new GM (Alex Anthopoulos) and the Padres haven't yet named a permanent GM. As De Luca points out, it's doubtful that either club would want to acquire Bradley to kick off a new regime given the outfielder's volatility.

Odds & Ends: Cubs, Giambi, Kikuchi

By Zachary Links | October 6, 2009 at 7:15pm CDT

Some links to check out as we await the crowning of the 2009 AL Central Champions:

Major League Baseball announced today that the transfer of the Chicago Cubs to Tom Ricketts was unanimously approved. Ricketts will assume day-to-day control of the club when the deal is finalized, which should take place before the end of the month.
Jack Curry of the New York Times reports via Twitter that Jason Giambi "raved about the Rockies and said he wants to play in 2010."
Decision time is drawing near for Japanese high school pitcher Yusei Kikuchi and NPB Tracker took a glance at what lies ahead for the hard-throwing lefty. The 18-year-old is deciding between MLB and Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) and is believed to have more than 20 clubs interested in his services. Kikuchi originally planned to speak with only a select few MLB teams, but has now resolved that he will talk to all interested suitors.
More from NPB Tracker as Ryota Igarashi – reliever for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows – eyes a move to MLB. Igarashi is keeping mum on the subject for now as his team is in the playoff hunt.
ESPN's Keith Law chatted about new Toronto GM Alex Anthopoulos on the radio today and Drunk Jays Fans has a transcript of the interview as well as a link to the audio.
Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times offered up his take on how the internet has changed the way baseball is covered.
From the Fish Bytes blog comes the news that the Marlins did not extend contract offers to pitching coach Mark Wiley and first-base coach Andy Fox. Both men were offered positions elsewhere in the organization. The rest of the coaching staff will be retained.
Dick Kaegel of MLB.com brings us similar news out of Kansas City. Everyone on the Royals staff will return to their current roles, except for bullpen coach John Mizerock and first-base coach Rusty Kuntz. Mizerock has been let go whereas Kuntz will become a special assistant to GM Dayton Moore.

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