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Kerry Wood May Be A Hot Commodity

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I’ve followed Kerry Wood throughout his career, and I’ve always been a fan.  He seems to get a special admiration from Cubs fans despite his injury-plagued career.  Mark Prior doesn’t get the same reception.

The Cubs are at a crossroads with both of their former aces.  Wood made his "miracle" return to a big league mound on August 5th as a reliever, and looked sharp for the most part.  Now there are rumblings that he might want to try starting again.  I would be truly surprised if he made 25 starts, but I’m rooting for him.

Wood is going to be tantalizing to teams in the same way A.J. Burnett was.  That could mean maybe $12-14MM guaranteed over two years plus incentives.  I could really see such a contract in this market.  In the above-linked article, Paul Sullivan cites a Joe Girardi connection as a reason Wood could sign with the Yankees.  He also names other teams that "figure to be interested": both Texas teams, the Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Red Sox, and Reds.  Interest could be widespread as teams might see Wood as a possible bargain with swingman potential.  However I can’t see Wood making switching between starting and relieving midseason without health issues.   

Schilling Names Targets

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UPDATE, 10-31-07: Gordon Edes and Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe spoke to a Red Sox source who does not expect Schilling to return to the team.  The Red Sox will offer an incentive-based contract.  The source added that Tim Wakefield’s option is likely to be exercised.

FROM 10/30/07:

Interesting.  After Boston, Curt Schilling has 12 teams he’d consider pitching for in 2008.  Here they are:

Indians
Tigers
Angels
Mets
Phillies
Braves
Dodgers
Padres
Diamondbacks
Cubs
Cardinals
Brewers

Schilling had talked about the idea of going somewhere he could tutor young pitchers, like Tampa Bay.  But it sounds like that idea is out and he wants to play for a contender.  Not that the Rays can’t contend in ’08.  I’m curious as to why the White Sox and Rockies were excluded, but who knows.

That’s a nice extensive list, so it should be fun if Boston passes.  At a reasonable one-year commitment, any of the dozen should have interest no matter what their rotation looks like.

Cubs Targeting A Right Fielder

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According to Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald, the Cubs have a lefthanded-hitting right fielder with power atop their offseason wish list.  The name that comes to mind: Kosuke Fukudome.

Is it possible that Fukudome gets lost in the winter shuffle a bit and becomes a mild bargain?  Something like three years, $30MM?  Problem is that if he’s only going to be a 15 HR guy, he needs to compensate for that by playing strong defense and posting a .380 OBP.

In terms of left-handed hitting right fielders with power, the Cubs could also consider Luke Scott, Ken Griffey Jr., and maybe Bobby Abreu if the Yanks cut him loose.  The first two would involve intra-division trades though.  Hopefully the Cubs don’t go for Shawn Green.

The Cubs could double-dip in the Japanese market, as Miles says they’ll look to add starting pitching depth.  Hiroki Kuroda has been the starter connected to the Cubs thus far this offseason.

Miles adds that Jim Hendry is satisfied with Ryan Theriot as a starter.  I liked the idea of Edgar Renteria, but failing that I’d consider giving Ronny Cedeno another shot.

The Cubs also seem to have some notion that they need to add speed, which seems like it could result in a bad decision similar to the Juan Pierre trade (ie, a Kaz Matsui signing or something).

Twins Rumors: Hunter, Silva, Slowey

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A couple of Minnesota writers offered speculation today on the Twins’ plans.  Let’s discuss.

  • La Velle E. Neal III expects Torii Hunter to file for free agency today.  Meanwhile Ed Thoma sees the White Sox, Rangers, and Cubs as the top contenders.
  • Neal likes the idea of trading for Coco Crisp to play center for the Twins.  Personally I would search for a more offensive-minded guy, but as Neal says Crisp could work if big improvements are made at 3B and DH.  Thoma expects the Twins to fill this void by trading Boof Bonser or Kevin Slowey, with the Mets, Rays, Reds, and D’Backs as possibilities.  That seems to imply a deal for Lastings Milledge, Carlos Gomez, Rocco Baldelli, Ken Griffey Jr., or Carlos Gonzalez.  Actually Griffey seems unlikely…Ryan Freel maybe?  You tell me.
  • Thoma also predicts that the Twins extend Johan Santana for 5/100.

Boston Globe Notes: Schilling, Kuroda

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A few notes from recent Boston Globe articles…

  • Curt Schilling recently posted at Sons of Sam Horn regarding his future.  Nothing has changed – he’d still like a one-year deal from the Red Sox but failing that he wants to join a winner or play for a team with young pitchers to tutor.  He mentions that "dollars will be a significant factor" if he leaves Boston.  The SOSH threads can be found here and here.
  • Sounds like the Cubs were more than just interested in Hiroki Kuroda last winter – they may have made an offer.  He considered a deal with the Cubs but stayed in Japan for personal reasons.  The Cubs and Mariners are considered the top contenders for him this winter.

A-Rod Aftermath

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Lost in the shuffle of Alex Rodriguez’s opt-out media frenzy – the Yankees should be able to snag some nice draft picks for him.  They’ll undoubtedly offer him arbitration, and he’ll decline that offer.  If that does happen and he’s signed by the Cubs, Tigers, Mets, Angels, or Red Sox, the Yankees will get that team’s first-round pick.  The Giants and Dodgers’ first round picks are protected however.

Joel Sherman names the Angels, Dodgers, Cubs, Mets, Red Sox, and Tigers as teams to watch in this bidding war.  Kat O’Brien adds the White Sox to the mix, while Peter Abraham adds the Giants.  My best guess is the Halos.  Another thought – does it have to be Lowell or A-Rod for Boston?  Couldn’t it be both if they believe Rodriguez can play a capable shortstop?

Could Reds Pursue Prior, Wood?

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Dusty, Prior, and Wood back together again?  Chris De Luca’s article today discusses the possibility, though it should be classified as speculation.

New Reds manager Dusty Baker apparently keeps in touch with his former 1-2 punch, Mark Prior and Kerry Wood.  Baker would like to know exactly what was wrong with Prior’s shoulder, if he is going to be blamed for it.  As a 22 year-old in 2003, Prior ranked third in the game in Pitcher Abuse Points per start.  Wood ranked first (and rankings don’t take the postseason into account).

De Luca notes that the Cubs are likely to non-tender Prior, who would have to be paid at least $2.86MM otherwise.  I’ve contended that Prior remains worth that small investment for 2008, but De Luca’s sources speculate that he might not be ready until June.  That would change things.  There’s been some speculation that Prior could sign with his hometown Padres if the Cubs cut him loose.

As for Wood, he looked solid in 24 innings after experiencing a miracle recovery.  De Luca suggests that Wood, who is a free agent, would have to go to another team if he desires a chance to start again.  A lot of folks are advocating Wood as some kind of swingman bargain this winter.  I’ve always been a fan of the guy, but counting on/paying him for even 50 innings from him is very risky.

Orioles Claim Novoa; More Ex-Cubs To Come?

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As far as historians can tell, the Ex-Cub Factor curse was broken in 2001 by the Diamondbacks.  If you’re not familiar, the Ex-Cub Factor says that a team with three or more ex-Cubs cannot win the World Series.  Regardless, the Indians are in decent shape as they have only two (Joe Borowski and Kenny Lofton).  I think the Rockies only have LaTroy Hawkins.

The Chicago Tribune’s Paul Sullivan recently noted that the Orioles are stocking up on ex-Cubs, the latest being nondescript reliever Roberto Novoa.  Former Cubs president and GM Andy MacPhail has already added three to the four that were previously on the roster.

I mention all of this because of Sullivan’s last line, that MacPhail might take a look at free agents Kerry Wood and Michael Barrett this winter.  Wood I can see – he fits in with most teams at the right price as an intriguing yet high-risk swingman.  As for Barrett – perhaps the O’s would pursue him on a bargain one-year deal if they manage to trade Ramon Hernandez.  Hernandez makes $7.5MM in ’08, $8MM in ’09, and probably a $1MM buyout in ’10.  So, $16.5MM over the next two years.  If the O’s pay $5MM or so, teams like the Mets, Yankees, Rockies, or Marlins could be interested.    

Cubs, Mariners Interested In Hiroki Kuroda

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The Chicago Tribune’s Paul Sullivan had some information regarding Japanese starter Hiroki Kuroda in his column yesterday.  Apparently the Cubs and Mariners are leading the pack for his services, should he choose to opt out of his contract.  According to Sullivan, Kuroda signed a four-year, $10.4MM deal with the Hiroshima Carps last winter.  He would have no problems getting three years, $12MM over here.

Kuroda, a 32 year-old righty, won the Central League ERA title in ’06 with a 1.85 mark.  That ballooned to 3.56 this year as the command master saw his home run and hit rates rise.  Kuroda could be very successful in the NL Central.  If my guess on his price tag is correct, he could be one of few free agent bargains this winter.

Random Rumors

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Some random rumors to help you get through your Thursday morning…

  • As you might imagine, the Rangers are keenly watching and hoping Alex Rodriguez opts out of his contract.  That would free up $7MM for them in each of the next three years.  Rangers’ manager Ron Washington’s wish list includes a center fielder, corner outfielder, and first baseman.  The Rangers have been connected to Torii Hunter quite a bit, but they’ll have plenty of competition.
  • Will the exchange rate free up a bunch of money for the Blue Jays?  Perhaps even enough to make a pass at A-Rod?  Hey, fans can dream.  Mine!
  • Something I didn’t mention yesterday – Elijah Dukes is playing winter ball.  The Rays still don’t seem to have any room for him in the outfield or at DH.  Maybe the Marlins will get involved again?  Would Kevin Gregg work?    
  • Gordon Wittenmyer thinks the Cubs should keep Jacque Jones for 2008, which makes sense.  Wittenmyer also believes 22 year-old Felix Pie with 194 big league plate appearances, has proven conclusively that he can’t hit Major League pitching.  His suggestion is to trade Pie now.
  • Larry Borowsky wants the Cardinals to sign Milton Bradley.   
  • Jeff Sackmann recommends against Geoff Jenkins’ $9MM option for ’08, but the decision was tougher than you think.
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