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Cubs Sign Lieber

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UPDATE, 1-16-08 at 1:18pm: The deal is for $3.5MM plus incentives.  The signing looks solid to me; the Cubs needed a little depth at the back end of their rotation and the risk is very small.  Lieber had also spoken to the Reds, but the Cubs were his first choice.

UPDATE, 1-16-08 at 10:45am: Rosenthal confirms the signing; it’s a one-year deal.  He says Lieber won’t have to fight for a rotation spot.  That might mean Jason Marquis is headed out of town or Ryan Dempster back to the ’pen (I suppose Dempster could be dealt instead).  I guess Sean Marshall is the sixth man if he’s not traded.

FROM 1-16-08 at 10:14am:

According to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune, the Cubs "appear close to signing veteran right-hander Jon Lieber."  Sullivan says Lieber would compete for the team’s fifth starter job.  Bruce Levine called this rumor earlier this month.

Lieber had some solid years for the Cubs, winning 20 games in ’01.  He had surgery in July of ’07 for a ruptured tendon in his foot, missing the rest of the season.  He’ll be 38 in April.

Cubs Rumors: Fukudome, Ibanez, Dempster

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The Chicago Sun-Times’ Gordon Wittenmyer already has his Wednesday column up for review.

  • Wittenmyer still thinks Kosuke Fukudome is going to be much more expensive than anyone originally thought.  Could the bidding reach $40MM over three years?
  • If the Cubs can’t go Fukudome they will turn to Raul Ibanez.  They might offer Sean Marshall for him.  They’d only have to endure a year of Ibanez butchering right field.
  • Jim Hendry debunked a Jeff Blair report that the Cubs want to move Ryan Dempster.
  • The Cubs have no intention of trading Felix Pie or Sam Fuld, not that there had been any recent rumors.

Latest Cubs Rumors: Crawford, Crisp, Ibanez

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Cubs rumors abound today.  Some sensible, some not.  Let’s catch up. 

  • According to Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune, the Cubs want to re-sign Kerry Wood and possibly give him the closer job.  Ryan Dempster could be pushed down the reliever totem pole or traded (he makes $5.5MM in the last year of his deal).  Dempster has expressed a desire to start in the past, but the Cubs don’t seem keen on it.  UPDATE: The Cubs are keen on Dempster as a starter, as Bruce Levine of ESPN 1000 reported today that he will be switched to that role in ’08.  Carlos Marmol, Bob Howry, or Kerry Wood will close.
  • Rogers also notes that the Cubs will bring Mark Prior back on the condition that he’ll accept an option for the 2009 season.  That way they won’t get burned if he does have a useful 2008.
  • Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald says the Cubs have interest in trading for Carl Crawford.  Problem is, that would require a king’s ransom in young players.  Miles adds that the Cubs are serious about Kosuke Fukudome, and signing him would leave the team with plenty of outfielders.  Phil Rogers echoes the Fukudome interest, also mentioning that the Rangers and Giants like him.
  • Michael Silverman says the Cubs are among several teams interested in Coco Crisp.  Within this piece Silverman says the Rangers are in on Crisp and the Red Sox like expendable catcher Gerald Laird. 
  • Another name on the Cubs’ radar: Raul Ibanez.  He makes $5.5MM in the last year of his deal, though he’s a liability in left field.  And the Cubs have Alfonso Soriano there already.  Larry LaRue also says the Tigers and Indians like Ibanez; the Tribe could offer Aaron Laffey.
  • Not sure why, but the Cubs are also interested in free agent second baseman Kaz Matsui.  Would the plan be to use him at shortstop?  The Padres also have an eye on Matsui.

Cubs Trade Speculation

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What are those crazy Cubs up to now?  They’ve got some surprising plans regarding their pitching staff.  Here’s the rundown:

  • Ryan Dempster may switch back to starting, after he mentors the future closer.  Dempster made six starts for the Cubs to begin 2005, four of which were quality efforts.  Apparently the Cubs think his repertoire is better suited as a starter.  He’s due $10.5MM for 2007-08, and if he can emerge as a quality #4 type starter the contract won’t look so bad.  Dempster’s best season came in 2000 with the Marlins, when he made the All-Star team and won 14 games.  His success will depend on his control.  It doesn’t appear that the Cubs are shopping him, though Paul Sullivan speculated that the Yankees could be interested.
  • Angel Guzman will be groomed as the next Cubs closer.  This is an interesting and unexpected idea.  He’s looked sharp in relief this year, but it’s only been seven innings.  He does have good stuff and decent control.  Phil Rogers offers a little Chad Cordero speculation.  It seems the Cubs will try internal options first, with the knowledge that most great closers were once starters.
  • Rogers seems to think the Cubs should let the inconsistent Carlos Zambrano walk after this season, and focus that money towards a big name hitter.  He names Andruw Jones, Torii Hunter, and Kosuke Fukudome as options.  I like the Fukudome idea.  According to Mike Plugh, Fukudome is best served as a right fielder.  A Cubs outfield of Soriano, Pie, and Fukudome could be a nice core.  Not sure where that would leave Matt Murton, however.
  • Rogers also reminds us that the Cubs nearly signed Japanese ace starter Hiroki Kuroda last winter, and could try again after the season.  Kuroda has great command, and won’t require a posting fee.  Kuroda chose to re-sign with the Hiroshima Carps last winter.  He’ll turn 33 before the 2008 season.

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