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Cubs Rumors: Wood, Schilling

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Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times has a Cubs update for us this morning.

Let’s start with Kerry Wood, who would garner plenty of interest on the open market.  Despite rumors that Wood might look elsewhere for a chance to start, he’s likely to stay with the Cubs as a starter.

The Cubs are on Curt Schilling’s list, and they’ll be in the mix for him if his price is reasonable.  I take that to mean not much more than $12-13MM.  A cheaper option might be Hiroki Kuroda, though that could take a three-year commitment.  So, perhaps a larger cash outlay. 

The Cubs will probably pass on Alex Rodriguez, though he would’ve been a nice fit at shortstop in my opinion. 

Options: the Cubs exercised Daryle Ward’s for $1.2MM.  They passed on Steve Trachsel’s $4.75MM option, which is a relief since there had been rumors of exercising it.  Cliff Floyd is probably gone as well.

Marlins High On Floyd’s List

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We were a little late to the party a few days ago, linking to a September 30th article indicating that Cliff Floyd would like to end his career back in Florida.  As we mentioned at the time, Shannon Stewart seems to make more sense for the Fish.

Regardless, Floyd has now gone public with his desire to play for the Marlins.  He said he’d love to "come, chill out, and help Fredi win some ballgames."  Joe Capozzi notes that Floyd’s agents will reach out to every team this winter, and he’s hunting for a salary similar to the $3MM he earned in 2007.  It sounds like he’d prefer to jump to the AL if the Marlins or Cubs won’t have him.

Floyd Could Return To Marlins

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Here’s a note I missed from a September 30th Palm Beach Post column:

Cubs outfielder Cliff Floyd, a Marlin from 1997-2002, has told people close to him that he’d like to end his career in Florida. Floyd, a free agent, lives in the Fort Lauderdale area.

Larry Beinfest admitted at that time that he may have underestimated the need for veteran players to round out the roster.  However, Floyd has said that he’s looking for regular playing time and it’s hard to see how the Marlins can offer that.  Shifting Josh Willingham to first base wouldn’t be a bad idea, but that would only fit if Mike Jacobs is traded.  Then you have to ask yourself if you really gain anything by signing Floyd.

A more realistic veteran option for Florida might be Shannon Stewart.  They were considering him last January but backed off due to health concerns.  Stewart proved himself healthy in ’07, playing in 146 games (his highest total since 2001).  Also, he went to high school in Florida.

Cubs a Good Fit for Barry’s Bat

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Tim mentioned in this post that fielding know-it-all John Dewan thinks Barry Bonds can still play a tolerable outfield.  Well, Bob Nightengale has broken the rumor-ice and brought two NL teams into the "Where Will Bonds Play Next" game:

Chicago and Florida.

The Cubbies, heavy in right handed hitters, would love a bat like Bonds’ in the lineup.  They probably have the money, though they’ll add $10MM in payroll for ’08 just to maintain the current group. With Bonds’ regular need for time off, there’d still be plenty of playing time for Matt Murton.

Bonds, meanwhile, just may be the apple of Jeffrey Loria’s eye.  The Florida Marlins owner was fined by the commissioners office last year for flying Bonds to New York in his personal jet.  But if the Fish deal Dontrelle Willis in the offseason, it’d be hard to convince Bonds that they’re a serious contender.

Cubs Finally Sign Floyd

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After weeks of being close, the Cubs have signed outfielder Cliff Floyd to a one-year deal with a mutual option for ’08.  The AP has the terms.  It’s $3MM guaranteed, with bonuses that can bring it to a maximum of $17.5MM over the next two seasons.   

The homecoming was a long time coming as Jim Hendry has had various ties to Floyd for many years. He hoped to acquire him for Sammy Sosa in ’04.

Floyd will make a solid fourth outfielder for the Cubs.  His signing doesn’t leave much room for uber-prospect Felix Pie, but Jacque Jones could still be traded.

Cubs Still Close On Floyd

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The Cubs are still close to an agreement with Cliff Floyd, though you have to question the word "close" when it’s been that way for more than a month.  The Daily Southtown has some new info on the situation today, though.

Jeff Vorva reports that the deal may include a player option for 2008.  Additionally, the Pirates and several AL West teams have shown interest in Floyd.  I think the A’s have been connected to him before.

Cubs Close On Floyd

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I know I’ve used that headline at least twice before.  But the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that a Cliff Floyd deal might be completed this week.

The catch was getting Alfonso Soriano to sign off on trying center field.  It appears that he’s willing to try it – it was revealed to the crowd at the Cubs Convention yesterday.  Soriano could shift to right field in 2008 when Felix Pie is ready. 

Floyd will be the fourth outfielder for the Cubs.  He’d make a solid bat off the bench.  Lou Piniella seems to like Matt Murton and he’ll hopefully get 500 ABs.

Meanwhile, the Daily Southtown reports that Jacque Jones could still be traded if the Cubs think Pie is ready to debut in right.

Cubs Still Looking To Trade Jacque Jones?

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The Cubs have certainly been looking to trade right fielder Jacque Jones all offseason.  It’s not a matter of performance or salary – Jones played a respectable right field last year for a mere $3MM.  He’s due $9MM for 2007-08.

But as Chris De Luca reports, Jones hasn’t been comfortable in Chicago since the beginning of last season.  His source indicated that both parties feel a trade would be best.  However, De Luca makes a good point in that the Cubs need Jones right now.  Why trade him and then sign Steve Finley or someone to bridge the gap until Felix Pie is ready?  The Cubs should just keep Jones and use him in center.  He hasn’t played more than 10 games in CF since 2000, but it’s worth a shot.

De Luca also says the Cubs are reluctant to sign Cliff Floyd until Jones is dealt.  The Cubs have been aggressively trying to swing a Jones to anywhere trade all offseason.

Meanwhile at the Tribune, which owns the Cubs, Paul Sullivan mentions that "Floyd has told friends he intends to be a Cub, while Jones isn’t expected at the weekend fan convention, indicating he’s likely on his way out of town."

Cubs Close On Cliff Floyd

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I swear I used that headline last week, but here are.  Paul Sullivan reports that the Cubs are "on the verge" of acquiring Cliff Floyd. 

He’d platoon with Matt Murton, which begs the question: why does Murton need a platoon partner?  As I said five days ago:

"It seems like a great way to stunt Matt Murton’s growth and waste a year of cheap service time.  Floyd hit .266/.342/.423 against righties in ’06.  Murton managed a .295/.356/.426 line against them in his first full season.  The Big Murt also hit .319/.390/.522 after the break.  And he has red hair."

There better be a brilliant Jacque Jones trade in the offing.  Still, while nonsensical, this move won’t rival the Jose Vidro trade for the offseason’s worst.

Cliff Floyd To Cubs Soon?

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According to Jerry Crasnick in today’s chat for ESPN, he remarked on the status of the Cubs’ negotations with free agent outfielder Cliff Floyd:

"I’m hearing that the Cliff Floyd signing will come soon. He has some health issues, but he’s a good on base percentage guy and a great clubhouse guy. He should be a nice fit for the Cubs."

Floyd’s power plummetted in 2006, another injury-plagued year.  Cornelius Clifford Floyd, born in Chicago, recently turned 34.  He’s been connected to the Cubs and Jim Hendry for years. 

I’m guessing he’d be the part of a left field platoon that faces righties.  I don’t like the idea.  It seems like a great way to stunt Matt Murton’s growth and waste a year of cheap service time.  Floyd hit .266/.342/.423 against righties in ’06.  Murton managed a .295/.356/.426 line against them in his first full season.  The Big Murt also hit .319/.390/.522 after the break.  And he has red hair.

If a Floyd signing precedes a Jacque Jones trade, who plays right?  Floyd hasn’t done it since ’02.  And when Floyd gets hurt, the Cubs will miss the reliably mediocre Jones.  If Soriano goes to right, the Cubs are forced to rush Felix Pie.

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