Cubs Rumors

Rosenthal’s Latest: Peavy Suitors, Lowe, Cardinals, Marlins

By Steve Adams | October 19, 2008 at 2:33pm CDT

Ken Rosenthal has a new column up, focusing largely on suitors for Jake Peavy, but also touching on some other news at the end… so let’s take a look!

Rosenthal states that the following teams have been speculated to be suitors for the Padres’ ace: Braves, Angels, Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Cubs, Astros, Dodgers, Cardinals, Brewers, Rays, Rangers. While all of these are not serious possibilities, he elaborates on each team. He mentions Yunel Escobar as a likely centerpiece from Atlanta, and states that the Angels would love to acquire a frontline starter to allow them to send Ervin Santana and/or Joe Saunders to Colorado in a deal for Matt Holliday and/or Garrett Atkins. Rosenthal states that Howie Kendrick could be a big part of any trade, but his health seems like too serious of a concern to me. Rosenthal speculates on the possibility of a dominant rotation for the Yankees if they traded for Peavy and signed C.C. Sabathia. One rival executive’s speculative package for Boston included Jacoby Ellsbury, Jed Lowrie, and Justin Masterson. The Padres will likely charge the Dodgers considerably more for Peavy’s service, as they are division rivals. He lists Rickie Weeks and J.J. Hardy as a possible centerpiece for a Milwaukee blockbuster, but also points out that Ben Sheets has made the Brewers wary of injury concerns. The other teams don’t seem to match up well, in Rosenthal’s opinion.
Rosenthal says that he was wrong in stating that Derek Lowe would prefer to remain on the West Coast. Lowe has now told him that he’d prefer to go East, with Boston being his top choice. He reiterated this desire to the Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo.
The Cardinals prefer a short-term solution for their closer situation, and will likely give Chris Perez the ninth inning job, or seek a lower-budget option through the trade market. They may also trade a young outfielder for an established bat at a corner OF position.
Kevin Gregg is still likely to be traded (perhaps an option for St. Louis), and four teams have asked Florida about Jeremy Hermida. Rosenthal speculates that the Marlins will begin 2009 with Cameron Maybin in center field and Cody Ross in right.

Cubs Considering Manny?

By Nat Boyle | October 19, 2008 at 9:37am CDT

From the speculative rumor mill, Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune suggests Manny Ramirez could be what the Cubs are missing, and the opportunity to bring him to Chicago could be there this offseason. Says Rogers,

"With the aggressive nature of general manager Jim Hendry and the anything-to-win approach in the Lou Piniella era, don’t rule this out—not if the Dodgers would take on a big contract or two from the Cubs…

There’s no way the Cubs can play two left fielders, so [Alfonso] Soriano would have to go for Ramirez to come. Soriano seems to be essentially an immovable object with six years and $106 million left on his contract, but the Dodgers will need two things if they don’t re-sign Ramirez—power hitting and another buzz guy."

Rogers cites bad contracts on both teams that could facilitate a deal, but I think this is a reach. The Cubs would need to deal Soriano or Aramis Ramirez, both with no-trade clauses, specifically to the Dodgers to free up enough cash to sign Manny who’s seeking a 6 year contract with "iconic money". This would also hinge on the contingency that the Dodgers would pass on Manny to acquire Soriano or Aramis Ramirez, both of whom paled in comparison this offseason.

Odds and Ends: Springer, Sheffield, Bonds

By Tim Dierkes | October 18, 2008 at 9:54pm CDT

How about some weekend odds and ends?

Free agent reliever Russ Springer intends to pitch next year, and he prefers the Cardinals. The Cards haven’t discussed a contract with him, though, and they might prefer their younger (and cheaper) righthanded relievers.
Dave Cameron thinks Nate Robertson might be a sleeper, based on his peripheral stats. Boof Bonser is another pitcher whose ERA didn’t match up with his other numbers this year.
Peter Woodfork apparently bowed out of the Mariners GM job competition after his interview. The Ms could decide between Tony LaCava, Jerry DiPoto, Kim Ng, and Jack Zduriencik by Tuesday.
Scott Boras won a $550K decision against former client Gary Sheffield. Will Sheff make good on his February promise to say "ugly things" about Boras now?
Phil Rogers speculates on Manny Ramirez in a Cubs uniform, but admits they’d have to somehow move Alfonso Soriano first. Small obstacle: $106MM owed to Soriano over the next six years, plus his full no-trade clause.
Yahoo’s Tim Brown says Barry Bonds could be awarded $100MM or more if the players union wins its collusion case. Bonds would like to play in 2009, but no one expects it.

Hendry Extension Close

By Tim Dierkes | October 17, 2008 at 2:17pm CDT

FRIDAY: Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald and Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times say a Hendry extension is close.

THURSDAY: According to Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune, the Cubs declined to give the Mariners permission to interview GM Jim Hendry. Hendry holds an option with the Cubs for 2009.

The sale of the Cubs is not likely to be completed before the 2009 season begins, so the current regime is going to have to figure out the Hendry situation. Rogers talked to one source who believes a three-year extension is in the works.

Offseason Outlook: Chicago Cubs

By Tim Dierkes | October 17, 2008 at 2:09pm CDT

Next up in our Offseason Outlook series, the Cubs. Their likely 2009 commitments:

C – Geovany Soto – $401K
C – Henry Blanco – $3MM (club option)
1B – Derrek Lee – $13MM
2B – Mark DeRosa – $5.5MM
SS – Ryan Theriot – $428K
3B – Aramis Ramirez – $15.65MM
IF – Ronny Cedeno – $407K+
IF – Mike Fontenot – $405K
LF – Alfonso Soriano – $16MM
CF – Reed Johnson – $1.3MM+
RF – Kosuke Fukudome – $11.5MM
OF – Felix Pie – $402K
OF – Micah Hoffpauir – $400K

SP – Carlos Zambrano – $17.75MM
SP – Rich Harden – $7MM
SP – Ted Lilly – $12MM
SP – Sean Marshall – $400K
SP – Jason Marquis – $9.875MM

RP – Carlos Marmol – $430K
RP – Chad Gaudin – $1.775MM+
RP – Jeff Samardzija – $1.8MM
RP – Neal Cotts – $800K+
RP – Michael Wuertz – $860K+
RP – Angel Guzman – $401K
RP – Kevin Hart – $400K

That’s about $122MM committed, plus arbitration raises to Cedeno, Johnson, Gaudin, Cotts, and Wuertz. They will still be under $130MM after that. A bump in payroll is expected – $140MM? $150MM?

If the Cubs are able to retain GM Jim Hendry, his first order of business will probably be to re-sign Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood before they hit the open market. Dempster could cost $14MM a year for four years, while Wood could require a salary in the $10MM range. Not sure about the term.

Even if Dempster’s deal is backloaded, signing both could put the Cubs at $150MM. It figures that they will still look to add a left-handed hitting outfielder to play right or center field. That’d be easier to fit in if some of Marquis’ $9.875MM can be moved. The Cubs can probably spare him despite Harden’s fragility, since Gaudin and Samardzija are also starting candidates.

The free agent market offers Jim Edmonds, Mark Kotsay, Eric Hinske, Ken Griffey Jr., and Bobby Abreu. Players such as Adam Dunn, Milton Bradley, and Raul Ibanez could enter the picture if the Cubs convince themselves they can handle right field full-time. Brian Giles would be an ideal fit, if he will waive his no-trade rights. Jody Gerut, Jeremy Hermida, Coco Crisp, and Randy Winn could also be trade targets.

The Cubs could also look to add that lefty bat to the infield, pushing DeRosa to right. Maybe Fontenot is that bat. External options include Rafael Furcal, Brian Roberts, and Orlando Hudson.

I expect the Cubs to re-sign Dempster and Wood and then bring in one lefthanded hitter from the group mentioned above. This team had it all in 2008: offense, defense, pitching. The playoff performance was disappointing, but it makes sense to tweak the roster and just try to get back there.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Bradley, Peavy, Young

By Cork Gaines | October 17, 2008 at 2:08pm CDT

A look at what is being written around the Blogosphere…

Goat Riders of the Apocalypse looks at Milton Bradley and sees a clubhouse cancer, but can’t ignore his .999 OPS and wonders if he is the answer in right field for the Cubs.
Pinstripes Published takes a look at the crop of free agent starting pitchers and speculates on who will sign with the Yankees, with the most likely being C.C. Sabathia, Jon Garland and Ryan Dempster.
Chop-n-Change takes a look at which prospects it might take to land Jake Peavy, and wonders if a package built around RHP Tommy Hanson and OF Jordan Schafer could get it done.
Talking Chop does not want to the Braves giving up prospects for Peavy and would rather see the Braves acquire pitching through free agency.
First And Goal From Second Base warns that it will be a mistake for the Twins to trade Delmon Young.
Twinkie Town takes a look at which Twins free agents could return (Nick Punto, Dennys Reyes) and the rest of the Twins offseason.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.

Latest Peavy Chatter

By Tim Dierkes | October 15, 2008 at 10:39am CDT

10:39am: More from Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Peavy has a strong preference for the NL, and wants to play for a winner. Axelrod mentioned Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and St. Louis as cities that fit for Peavy and his family. Because of Peavy’s willingness to pitch in L.A., the Angels were named as a possibility by Axelrod.

8:27am: Let’s catch up on recent Jake Peavy articles. Dan Hayes of the North County Times wrote about Peavy Monday, quoting Padres GM Kevin Towers saying nothing is imminent. Hayes talked to several sources who say Peavy prefers to stay in the National League. The Padres have already approached him with hypothetical trade scenarios (Peavy has to approve any trade).

Regarding that no-trade clause – Peavy’s agent Barry Axelrod is on record saying three AL teams could entice his client. But at the end of the season, Peavy said he wouldn’t accept a deal to the AL. David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution spoke to someone claiming to be an old friend of Peavy’s. The friend agrees that Peavy wouldn’t waive his no-trade clause for an AL team, despite his agent’s statement.

The friend gave O’Brien all kinds of info, making the Braves sound like Peavy’s top choice. O’Brien adds that the Braves let Towers know they’re interested. Even if Peavy is picky about his destination, though, there is no reason for Towers to accept a package that does not begin with Jason Heyward or Tommy Hanson. He has plenty of time to explore possible Peavy trades.

The Cardinals may also be in the mix, according to Buster Olney. Olney says that one team, "perhaps the Cardinals," is discussing the idea of adding Khalil Greene to a Peavy deal.

Odds and Ends: Hoyer, Denker, Manny

By Tim Dierkes | October 13, 2008 at 11:55am CDT

Links for Monday…

Baseball America ranks the teams by their total draft expenditures. The Royals spent over $11MM, leading the pack.
SI’s Tom Verducci talked to one "club pitching expert" who considers free agent Chan Ho Park a sleeper starter for next year.
MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan figures a long-term extension for Josh Hamilton will be a top priority for the Rangers this winter. Sullivan also has a note about Jake Peavy only wanting to go to an NL team, despite the recent article about Peavy being open to three AL clubs.
Red Sox assistant GM Jed Hoyer turned down a chance to interview for the Mariners job, according to Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald.
McCovey Chronicles is baffled by the Giants’ decision to let second baseman Travis Denker go.
Chad Durbin suggests Manny Ramirez charged in aggressively from left field yesterday for show.
We took a look at Ryan Dempster from a fantasy baseball perspective a few days ago.

Week in Review: 10/5 – 10/11

By Steve Adams | October 12, 2008 at 1:45pm CDT

Let’s kick things off this afternoon with the week in review…

Rich Harden doesn’t need surgery, and he also doesn’t need to worry about where he’s pitching next year. The Cubs exercised his $7MM option this week. That one was a no-brainer, good news for Cubs fans.
Elsewhere in the Midwest, the Twins exercised backup catcher Mike Redmond’s option for $950K. While that’s great news for Twins fans, the bigger story for them is that Delmon Young could be available this offseason. Personally, I think trading a 23-year-old outfielder with that kind of upside would be a colossal mistake. I realize the Twins feel the need to acquire some infield help, but trading a former #1 overall pick after one disappointing season when he’s just 23 holds zero logic in my mind. I still like the Young/Matt Garza trade for Minnesota in the long run.
Couple of notes on the Brewers’ 1-2 punch, as C.C. Sabathia told reporters he’s open to playing anywhere, and wants to get his free agency over with quickly, and early in the offseason. As for Ben Sheets, despite his elbow injury, he is likely to be wearing a new uniform when 2009 comes around. His injury is apparently not too serious anyway.
We saw a few different rumblings about a possible Jake Peavy trade. Peavy doesn’t like the idea of a full-scale rebuilding project in San Diego, and an interview with his agent hints that he may be willing to play for the Yankees. If he’d prefer to be somewhere closer to home (Alabama), the Braves could be an interesting suitor.
Ryan Howard’s name has been tossed around as a potential trade candidate, but he’s likely to remain in place. One slugging first baseman from the NL will be available though, it seems: Tim takes a look at several potential landing sites for Prince Fielder. Trading Fielder is only a good idea if they can get a cheap, young, potential ace in my mind. With Sabathia and Sheets on their way out the door, the Brewers are going to need that offense working on all cylinders.
For those teams that need power, but lose out on the Fielder sweepstakes (assuming he’s moved that is), there’s still power to be had. Here’s a list of this year’s free agent home run leaders.
Tim covered his Offseason Outlook for the Twins, White Sox, Cardinals, and Astros.
Curt Schilling will either pitch for a contender in the second half of 2009 or retire.

Odds and Ends: Steinbrenner, Burnett, Sabathia

By Tim Dierkes | October 12, 2008 at 12:48pm CDT

Links for Sunday, before I head out to Chipotle…

Hank Steinbrenner talked to George King of the New York Post. He made it clear that he has not taken a step back in running the Yankees. Hank also mentions Mark Teixeira by name, calling him a "quality player."
Ken Davidoff tries to determine if A.J. Burnett’s injury-prone days are behind him, as his agent would like us to believe.
Henry Schulman chatted with Dodgers GM Ned Colletti.
John Shea lays odds for the C.C. Sabathia bidding.
Phil Rogers campaigns for an extension for Cubs GM Jim Hendry. He wonders if Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood would follow if Hendry joined a different team.
A’s GM Billy Beane talked to Matthew Lutovsky of the Sporting News about fantasy baseball as well as a new video game.

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