Cubs Rumors

Odds & Ends: Strasburg, Cabrera, Waivers

By Tim Dierkes | March 27, 2009 at 11:46am CDT

Links for Friday…

RotoAuthority asks: who is the next Carlos Quentin?
The Cubs may trade or lose whoever doesn't win their backup catcher job, Paul Bako or Koyie Hill (according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times). By the way, Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker says the Cubs signed a Korean high school outfielder named Don-Yeop Kim.
Hanley Ramirez was upset about the Marlins' new hair and jewelry policies, but cooled down after meeting with the team's brass.
Excellent Stephen Strasburg profile by Lee Jenkins of Sports Illustrated (hat tip to Rob Neyer).
Rays Index talked to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.
Murray Chass believes suggestions of hostility between the players union and owners are misguided.
A's shortstop Orlando Cabrera talked to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle about how his reputation unfairly took a hit last year.
Bart Given explains the four types of waivers.

Corey Koskie Retires

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | March 21, 2009 at 12:44pm CDT

According to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star Tribune Corey Koskie is retiring. Koskie has struggled with concussion-related problems over the last few years and he felt light-headed this week after diving for a ball at third base.

Koskie says he's reitiring because he no longer wants to worry about getting another concussion. He still sounds confident in his abilities.

Odds And Ends: Gonzalez, Hill, Koskie

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | March 21, 2009 at 11:31am CDT

Links for Saturday…

According to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch, the Yankees demoted righty Phil Hughes. He had a nice spring and figures to be the first in line when the team needs another starter.
Tracy Ringolsby of Inside the Rockies reports that Diamondbacks CEO Derrick Hall spoke with Luis Gonzalez about re-joining the D'Backs once he retires as a player.
Dave Perkin of Baseball America highlights some amateur players worth keeping an eye on.
Check out Tim's Interview over at 6 Pound 8 Ounce Baby Joba.
Cameron Smith of the Washington Post thinks Shawn Hill and the Blue Jays should work out a deal because it would benefit both sides.
Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports that Corey Koskie's baseball future could be in jeopardy. Koskie felt light-headed after diving for a ball yesterday in Spring Training.
ESPN.com's Peter Gammons spoke with Matt Holliday about his home-road splits and his new Oakland teammates. Like Buster Olney, Gammons suggests the Red Sox, Yankees and Angels are possible fits for Holliday after the season.

Possible Bidders For Holliday

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | March 21, 2009 at 10:35am CDT

ESPN.com's Buster Olney previews the Matt Holliday derby that's likely to take place once the left fielder becomes a free agent at the end of the season. He's poised to become the biggest name available and has Scott Boras representing him:

Olney starts off by saying "Oakland will not re-sign him," bringing up Mark Mulder, Barry Zito,Tim Hudson and Miguel Tejada to make his point.
The Cardinals may not have the money to become involved and the Mets aren't spending quite as freely these days. The Cubs have already made commitments to Milton Bradley and Alfonso Soriano and the Dodgers won't have much flexibility if Manny Ramirez is still around.
The Angels could pursue Holliday as a replacement for Vladimir Guerrero, whose contract also expires this year.
The Red Sox have some aging offensive players, but Olney writes that their front office was "livid" with Boras over the Mark Teixeira negotiations.
The Yankees could pursue Holliday to replace Johnny Damon or Hideki Matsui. At least one scout thinks Holliday's swing is perfect for (the new) Yankee Stadium.
Olney writes that Holliday could work for the White Sox, but says it's no accident they don't sign many Boras clients.

Odds & Ends: Wade, Baker, Catalanotto

By Tim Dierkes | March 20, 2009 at 12:03pm CDT

Links for Friday…

RotoAuthority advises how to manage information during your fantasy draft.
Something's not right with Corey Koskie, and the Chicago Tribune's Paul Sullivan says he'll decide about his future by Saturday.
Former Blue Jays assistant GM Bart Given has a blog, and it's pretty good from what I've read (hat tip: Drunk Jays Fans).
Sidearmer Mark Worrell, acquired by the Padres for Khalil Greene, needs Tommy John surgery according to Bill Center of the San Diego Union Tribune.
Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune says the White Sox "traded infielder Sergio Santos to San Francisco for future considerations." Santos was picked 27th overall by the D'Backs in the 2002 draft.
Chico Harlan of the Washington Post wonders whether $5MM first baseman Dmitri Young will be willing to accept an assignment to Triple A.
MLB.com's Alyson Footer says Astros GM Ed Wade never lied to her and doesn't owe her an apology about Ivan Rodriguez. Wade just changed his mind after talking to Footer.
Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune doesn't see the Cubs releasing $4MM reliever Luis Vizcaino.
Tracy Ringolsby of Inside The Rockies believes Jeff Baker is the team's most likely infielder to be dealt. ESPN's Jayson Stark mentioned Baker yesterday as a trade candidate, and the Denver Post's Troy E. Renck has wondered if he'd fit for the Yankees or Astros.
MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan says the Rangers have discussed Frank Catalanotto with other clubs but found no takers. Catalanotto has $6MM coming to him.
Rany Jazayerli discusses the Royals' signing of Sidney Ponson and release of Jimmy Gobble.

Cubs Can Add Payroll Midseason

By Tim Dierkes | March 19, 2009 at 8:50am CDT

Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times talked to Cubs chairman Crane Kenney, who anticipates payroll room to make moves around the July trading deadline. The team's revenue sources have remained strong for the most part.

It sounds like the Cubs' new ownership will be in place before the deadline. In another article, Wittenmyer quotes Kenney as saying the Tribune and the Ricketts family are "very close to the terms of their deal," which could be wrapped up in May.

Odds & Ends: Suzuki, Zambrano, Nationals

By Tim Dierkes | March 17, 2009 at 4:12pm CDT

Links for Tuesday…

Remember Mac Suzuki? According to MLB.com’s Dick Kaegel, the Royals’ first Japanese pitcher worked out for Kansas City and Cleveland and will audition for the Dodgers as well. He’s spent the last three years in the Mexican League.
Carlos Zambrano’s second-favorite team is the White Sox, according to Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times. Big Z’s contract with the Cubs runs through 2012 or 2013.
Nationals acting GM Mike Rizzo told Chico Harlan of the Washington Post he’s received a lot of phone calls about his outfield/first base logjam.
RotoAuthority runs through all 30 closer situations. Print it out and bring it to your draft.
Cole Hamels update: no structural damage to his elbow. ESPN’s Buster Olney says it’s inflammation.
Hal McCoy heard from a scout that the Reds might be shopping pitcher Nick Masset, who is out of options.
Baseball America’s Jim Callis says about 42-44% of first-round draft picks have significant big league careers.
"Only a physical and minor details" remain on Ivan Rodriguez’s one-year, $1.5MM deal with the Astros, according to Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle.
Free agent outfielder Luis Gonzalez still hopes to play in 2009. Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic says the D’Backs’ interest only lies in post-retirement employment.
According to Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News, the Mets have begun the process of returning Rule 5 pick Rocky Cherry to the Orioles. UPDATE: Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post says the O’s rejected Cherry and the Mets released him.
This week’s chat has been moved to Thursday at 2pm CST.

Angel Guzman Out Of Options

By Nat Boyle | March 15, 2009 at 10:47am CDT

The Cubs have a decision to make with one-time prospect Angel Guzman who is out of minor league options, according to Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald. Miles writes,

He’s unlikely at this point to make the team, and the Cubs risk losing him on waivers if they try to send him to the minor leagues at the end of camp. "Guzman’s had a tough spring, a tough spring," Lou [Pineilla] said. "No consistency."

Guzman has a 14.40 ERA this spring in the Cactus League.

Odds and Ends: Selig, Wrigley, Ordonez, Wade, Macha

By Brian Shephard | March 14, 2009 at 9:05pm CDT

A few links for your Saturday night enjoyment:

Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times details Bud Selig’s concern about how the state of the economy will effect baseball. Selig says that he "used to think we were recession-proof" but that "this is different."
The economy might also effect the business of selling rooftop seats near Wrigley Field, writes Nancy Armour of the Associated Press.
Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated writes about the political stance that has Magglio Ordonez getting booed at the WBC.
Scott Lauber of the Wilmington News Journal has excerpts from a press conference with Astros GM Ed Wade. Wade, the former Phillies GM, talks about last year’s World Series and discusses the Brad Lidge trade.
John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle writes that Ken Macha’s challenge with the Brewers is reminiscent of one he faced with the A’s in 2005.

Cubs Sign Esteban German

By Tim Dierkes | March 13, 2009 at 12:03pm CDT

According to a press release from the team, the Cubs signed infielder Esteban German to a minor league deal. He was released by the Royals last week after clearing waivers.

German, 31, hit .245/.303/.338 in 242 plate appearances last year while playing in left field as well as all around the infield. Presumably the Cubs consider German a possible third base backup; he played 281 innings at the hot corner in ’07 and 43 in ’08. The Cubs will have the option of keeping German for 2010, as he’ll be arbitration-eligible after ’09.

« Previous Page

Load More Posts

Show all

Headlines

Cubs Rumors

Navigation

MLBTR INFO

Connect