December 2005 Archives

More Cubs Rumors and Hot Stove

Friday was supposed to be a slow day; this has been the wildest off-season I can remember. For the Cubs Faithful....Is it because the 'Wrongsiders' just won the World Series or is it just because we are all fascinated by baseball? I know baseball is at the height of its popularity. ABC Family is showing baseball movies tonight....on New Year's Eve, the day before the last day of the NFL regular season....UNBELIEVABLE. Most people are on vacation, but the Hot Stove is not cooling off....

Contrary to most reports, Miguel Tejada is still on the trading block. Newspapers all over the country are running the latest on the Tejada Saga. Tejada has become Rafael Furcal, until the dust settles on where Miggy will be playing in 2006; players such as Julio Lugo and Alex Gonzalez are left guessing as to where they will be. The Marlins signed Wes Helms, a name I threw out a few weeks back....I think the Cubs missed on that one and the Fish are getting better....look out. There were several names that got added to the Cubs Rumor Mill on Friday including Barry Zito and Marquis Grissom.

What grade would you give the Cubs?

The Major League Hot Stove took a break on Thursday and the only news was the Florida Marlins signing former Cub Joe Borowski to a one-year deal. There were reports on XM Radio about the Red Sox interest in Julio Lugo, but other than that a VERY quiet day. As I was doing my 'homework' on Thursday I ran across an article on FoxSports.com that really CAUGHT MY EYE.

On December 20th I posted an article about the 'Inactivity of the Cubs' this off-season. I discussed what the Cubs have done since their last game in Houston. There has been a lot of concern from the Cubs Faithful about the decisions Jim Hendry and company have made and not made so far this winter. While I do not agree with some of the moves (Perez & Rusch), I do agree with other moves they have made (Pierre, Howry & Eyre).

There was a pair of articles by Dayn Perry posted on FoxSports.com grading the teams in the National League and American League on their off-season moves. The articles were posted on December 27th and to this point Perry gives the Cubs a 'D-', the worst grade given to any team in either league.

More Cubs Rumors

The Major League Hot Stove made a lot of noise on Wednesday. Teams are not taking a break during the Holiday Season. The White Sox made a BIG signing on Wednesday by extending the contract of Jon Garland. The contract has been reported to be worth 3 years, $29 million. The Rangers inked Kevin Millwood and former Cub Jeromy Burnitz found a home in Baltimore. The White Sox continued to kick the Cubs and the rumors continued to fly around concerning the Prior/Tejada trade. Plus those pesky Bucs got even better.

There was more speculation on Corey Patterson and I have questions about a name that is being kicked around the CCO: Wade Miller.

More Cubs Rumors....More Tejada and Prior

While Mark Prior and Miguel Tejada were on the minds of most of the Cubs Faithful during the Holidays, the Major League Hot Stove had several moves on Monday and Tuesday. Kevin Millwood signed with the Texas Rangers and the details of the contract varied, but the most reported was a 4-year, $48 million dollar contract with a club option for the 5th year that could make the contract worth $60 million dollars. On Tuesday the Blue Jays and Diamondbacks completed a trade that sent Miguel Batista, a former Cub (1997), and Orlando Hudson to Arizona for Troy Glaus and a minor league prospect.

I also have news on Miguel Tejada, Mark Prior, Corey Patterson, Jeromy Burnitz, Sammy Sosa and news of a $35 million dollar lawsuit that includes Julio Lugo and Miguel Tejada.

Cubs Offer Mark Prior, Rich Hill and Corey Patterson to the Orioles for Miguel Tejada and Erik Bedard

According to reports on ESPN 1000 in Chicago, Bruce Levine is reporting the trade that would send Mark Prior, Corey Patterson and Rich Hill to the Orioles for Miguel Tejada is on the table and the Cubs are waiting for a reply from the Orioles.

Bruce Levine is supposed to be on ESPN 1000 this afternoon with further details.

I will update if there is any news to report.

Update: 4:53 pm C.D.T. - 12/27/05

It's time again for Fantasy Baseball CCO style. Hope everyone had a great holiday and long weekend....don't forget to catch up on all the news from the weekend, including notes from an interview on Christmas Eve with Jim Hendry (scroll down). The Tejada and Prior rumors are still flying....remember to check back for updates....if anything happens....you will be able to read the news here!!

This week's topic: My main man, Aramis Ramirez!

I am not sure why, but I immediately liked Aramis Ramirez after the big Pittsburgh trade of 2003.

Kevin Millwood Agrees to Terms with the Texas Rangers

According to reports on ESPN and ESPN.com the Texas Rangers have agreed to a 5-year, $60 million dollar contract with free-agent pitcher Kevin Millwood. According to ESPN.com, the Rangers can void the final year of the contract if Millwood does not pitch enough innings in the first 4 years of the deal.

Here is the article on ESPN.com.

There were not any new developments on Monday to report from the Cubs. If anything breaks, you will be able to read about it here!!!

Another View of A Kerry Wood Sighting

Congratulations to the Chicago Bears on beating the Green Bay Packers on Christmas Day and winning the season series for the first time since 1991. The Chicago Bears - 2005 NFC North Division Champions

On December 15th I ran a post entitled 'A Kerry Wood Sighting'. I was at one of Woody's rehab assignments last summer in Nashville. It was fun to see Kerry Wood at a minor league facility. To my surprise a reader of the CCO and another one of the many Cubs Faithful was in attendance. Chad Cannon attended the same game and he was gracious enough to share his experience and some great pictures with me....I thought I would pass them along....

For as long as I can remember there has been one Christmas present I have asked for. When I started following the Cubs my Christmas list included an Atari 2600 or the newest Van Halen Album (not CD, but album) or the Sony Walkman that made riding my bike a little bit cooler and as I have gotten older, all but one item on the list has changed. Over the years the presents I have been fortunate enough to unwrap have varied from baseball cards to guitars, the inevitable articles of clothing and various types of electronic equipment and music....but it is that one illusive present that I have yet to unwrap.

Notes from an Interview with Jim Hendry on Baseball 365 - ESPN 1000

Jim Hendry was on Baseball 365 (ESPN - 1000 / Chicago) Christmas Eve morning with Bruce Levine and Bryan Dolgin. They started the interview by saying they cannot talk about other teams players because of tampering. Hendry started by saying the Cubs never feel like they are finished trying to improve the Cubs and they will continue to make improvements before Opening Day.