Go nuts, folks
Alfonso Soriano. Eight years. $135 million. Chicago Cubs. Rosenthal has the scoop, though he doesn’t explicitly say that the Cubs are going to give him that money, just that that’s what he’s after.
As a Brewers fan, I’m thrilled that Hendry is blowing his wad on Sori. Could be a great Cubs offense for a couple of years, but that can’t leave a whole lot to patch other holes.
UPDATE: It’s a little more official, and a little more expensive.
By Jeff Sackmann
Kei Igawa Has Been Posted
Rotoworld lists the potential suitors for Kei Igawa as the "Padres, Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Yankees, Braves, Mets, Cubs and Indians." They rule out the Red Sox and Mariners, though this Tacoma News-Tribune article says the M’s are "likely" to bid. That same article predicts that the posting fee will be about "two-thirds less" than Daisuke Matsuzaka‘s $51.1M: $17M.
That seems high for a guy who David Wright isn’t convinced has MLB-quality stuff. Personally, I wouldn’t want my team spending more than $10M for his rights, but with all those teams involved, $17M seems plausible.
UPDATE: An alert e-mailer points out this article on the Braves official site. According to club officials, Atlanta won’t be involved in this one.
By Jeff Sackmann
Michael Barrett On The Block?
Here’s an interesting tidbit buried in a Giants notes column: the Cubs "reportedly are open to the idea of trading catcher Michael Barrett for pitching help." I can’t imagine they’ll part with Barrett cheaply, but does that mean they are willing to go with Henry Blanco and, say, Geovany Soto behind the plate?
One thing is for sure: there isn’t much available on the free-agent market. I suppose that if Barrett brought a decent return, a Mike Piazza-Blanco offense-defense platoon might make some sense for the Cubs; beyond that, the options are a bunch of guys who will cost more than Barrett (last year of a $12M/3y deal) and produce less.
By Jeff Sackmann
Chicago Crosstown Deal
First the first time since the infamous Garland/Karchner deal, the Chicago teams got together on a trade. The Cubs sent relievers David Aardsma and Carlos Vasquez to the White Sox for Neal Cotts.
Cotts, 27 next season, has had one good season out of three. In 2005 he upped his groundball percentage a bit and displayed fantastic hit and home run prevention.
Here is a downright frightening picture of Aardsma.
Cubs Looking At Meche
According to Bruce Levine of ESPN Radio 1000, the Cubs have inked backup catcher Henry Blanco to a two-year, $5MM deal. Gil Meche could be the next player the team signs.
I like Jim Hendry’s aggression…but is Larry Rothschild really the guy who’s going to fix Meche?
While I have you – Cubs fans may want to check out my Mark DeRosa projection over at AllCubs.com.
Lugo A Center Field Option?
For teams looking for a player via free agency who can serve as both a center fielder and leadoff man, there are four options. You can sign Kenny Lofton, Gary Matthews Jr., Juan Pierre, or Dave Roberts.
But if you’re not into aging speedsters, the OBP/defense-challenged, or the guy coming off a career year, you can get a little creative. Aside from a huge commitment to J.D. Drew, who might or might not hold up in center field, you could ask Julio Lugo to be your center fielder.
That’s an option the Cubs are considering if they fail to sign Alfonso Soriano. Lugo’s agent, Jeff Borris, knows that his client is much more valuable if he’s seen as an option at SS, CF, or 2B. Lugo was headed towards a career year of his own until he was dealt to the Dodgers, where his role was unclear.
Cubs Close On DeRosa?
According to Bruce Levine of ESPN Radio 1000, the Cubs are about to finalize a three-year contract with 2B/3B/RF Mark DeRosa.
DeRosa could start at second base and also play right field when the Cubs face a southpaw.
UPDATE: ESPN says the contract is for $13MM. Jim Hendry has a tendency to buy high on guys…but I don’t mind this move.
Cubs Info From Bruce Levine
Bruce Levine of ESPN 1000 has some new Cubs info for us. He reports that the Cubs have asked the Indians about a possible deal involving Cliff Lee or Jake Westbrook in exchange for relief pitching.
In addition, the Cubs may consider Ray Durham as a source of power for second base.
Another Cubs Post
Now we hear that the Cubs are targeting Alfonso Soriano for center field to complement Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee.
Is this feasible? Here’s one possible scenario:
2B – Optional – $4MM
SP – Guy with #2 potential – $11MM
SP – #4 guy – $7MM
CF – Alfonso Soriano – $17MM
Total: $39MM with a 2B, $35MM without
The Cubs have maybe $81-85MM committed depending on the incentives reached by Wade Miller and Kerry Wood. If they are reached the Cubs would probably view that as a positive.
Interestingly, if you take my current $85MM estimate and add the above free agents (but use an in-house 2B option) it puts you right at $120MM. It would not be ridiculous for the Cubs to take payroll to that level.
Go with Ryan Theriot at second base, as many here have suggested. You’ve got Eric Patterson and Ronny Cedeno floating around as well. It’s only second base, after all.
If willing to go to $120MM, the Cubs could add Vicente Padilla, Miguel Batista, and Soriano. You can substitute many different similar options. The #2 potential guy could be Gil Meche, Randy Wolf, or Ted Lilly instead of Padilla. The #4 could be Kei Igawa, Mark Redman, Tomo Ohka, Chan Ho Park, Jason Marquis, or even Ryan Dempster.
Here’s the lineup:
1. Matt Murton
2. Michael Barrett
3. Derrek Lee
4. Aramis Ramirez
5. Alfonso Soriano
6. Jacque Jones/Jose Cruz Jr.
7. Ryan Theriot
8. Cesar Izturis
It’s easy to forget that Lee has a decent chance at 40 HR and Murton is blossoming nicely. 1-6, the lineup could be tough. I’m sure Lou would find a less optimal way to order them and he’d bat Jacque against lefties, but let’s not nitpick.
And the rotation:
1. Carlos Zambrano
2. Vicente Padilla
3. Rich Hill
4. Kei Igawa
5. Wade Miller/Mark Prior
Zambrano and Padilla could be the new bad boy tandem, terrorizing the NL with beanballs. I’m sure Lou would put someone between Hill and Igawa to avoid two consecutive southpaws. Igawa could baffle the NL for half a season. And between Prior and Miller there’s got to be 180 innings of 4.50 ball, right?
Bullpen:
1. Kerry Wood
2. Bob Howry
3. Scott Eyre
4. Mike Wuertz
5. Ryan Dempster
6. Sean Marshall
7. Will Ohman
Like the lineup and rotation, this pen would be solid if not spectacular. Of course, it could be ugly if Wood gives the Cubs nothing.
See, this is how Cubs fans think. Forgive me for playing fantasy baseball with this roster just this once. I love the hot stove.
Cubs Retain Aramis Ramirez
Wow – an about face on everything we’ve heard lately about Aramis Ramirez. I was just reading about this complete failure and nodding. Ken Rosenthal reports that the Cubs have re-signed Ramirez. The deal is for five years and $73MM, a significant hometown discount. There’s also a mutual option for 2012, his age 34 season.
Did you know 34.6% of Ramirez’s batted balls were flyballs in both 2005 and 2006? You learn something every day. Talk about consistency.
The Cubs re-signed Kerry Wood as well. He got a deal that could reach $6MM if he meets various bullpen and health related incentives.