January 2006 Archives

Derrek Lee on Baseball 365 - ESPN 1000 - 01/28/06

Derrek Lee was on at the end of Baseball 365 with Bruce Levine on Saturday, January 28th. Lee and Levine spoke about a number of Cub related subjects, mainly his desire to win, Juan Pierre, the pressures of being a Cub and playing at Wrigley Field.

Derrek Lee is quickly becoming the face of the Cubs. The injuries and inconsistent play from Kerry Wood and Mark Prior have demoted them from that status. With the departure of Nomar and Sammy, combined with the turnover on the Northside another successful season could push Derrek Lee into the forefront of the Cubs Organization. To me, Derrek Lee represents what is good about the game: a hard worker, a team player and what seems to be an all around good guy. Here is some of what he had to say....

Jerry Hariston, Jr. Agrees to Terms With Cubs

According to several reports out of Chicago, the Cubs have agreed to a 1-year, $2.3 million dollar contract with Jerry Hariston, Jr. avoiding arbitration. Hariston made $1.85 million in 2005 and was asking for $2.6 million for 2006. The Cubs offered $1.95 million.

This is the same week that Hariston was traded to the Cubs last year (see This Week in Cubs History).

There has not been any word on Carlos Zambrano, Juan Pierre or Will Ohman. Check back for updates.

It is Monday morning again....and time for Fantasy Baseball, this time with a twist that only Jason can provide. I had forgotten about Marla Collins....so this one is pretty good. Don't forget to check out 'Coffee with Jim Hendry' from Saturday. 16 days until pitchers and catchers report and everyone here at the CCO cannot wait....

Greg Maddux and Marla Collins!

This week I have my All-time Cubs Fantasy Pitching staff, and I also have a stroll down memory lane with the Cubs former ballgirl, Marla Collins!

January 29th - February 4th

Another week as come and gone so it is time for another installment of 'This Week in Cubs History'. Last week the Cubs did add to the timeline with the signing of Wade Miller and the acquisition of Angel Pagan.

I cannot believe it, but this week is the one-year anniversary of the Cubs trading Sammy Sosa to the Orioles. With all that has happened over the last year, it seems to me he has been gone a lot longer than that. Sammy has really fallen from grace in a very short time. For someone who is only one season removed from hitting 35 home runs to a player most believe is through and cannot find a job.

Here is the rest of the week....

Cubs General Manager on Baseball 365 with Bruce Levine

With 18 days until pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training, Jim Hendry was on ESPN 1000 on Saturday Morning. Hendry spent an hour with Bruce Levine and even took phone calls. For the past week or so, the Cubs front office has been quiet, except for the signing of Wade Miller and the acquisition of Angel Pagan, so it was good to hear him on the radio....especially during Sox Fest.

Hendry and Levine talked about a variety of topics from the recent signing of Mark Prior, to the health of the team, Juan Pierre, Jacque Jones, Aramis Ramirez and playing time for Matt Murton and Ronny Cedeno.

Barry Bonds is not playing, should Derrek Lee and Company join suit?

As we all know Barry Bonds announced on Monday that he has decided not to play in the World Baseball Classic in March. Is he being selfish or realistic? The radio waves have been burning with the talk of Bonds dropping out....how many others will follow his lead? Bonds cited his concern for the success of the Giants upcoming season as the reason for his departure from Team USA. We already know Ryan Dempster has done the same, turning down his spot on Team Canada.

Jayson Stark ran a good article on ESPN.com about this subject on Tuesday and he hits home on several accounts. Between all of the Hot Stove talk on XM Radio, the talk of the WBC has filled their air space this off-season....but is XM just plugging the investment it has already made?

Cubs Sign Prior - Avoid Arbitration

According to a report in the Chicago Tribune, the Cubs signed Mark Prior to a one-year, $3.65 million dollar contract avoiding arbitration. Prior was asking for $4 million this year and the Cubs offered $3.3 million...I guess they found the middle.

The Cubs are continuing to negotiate with Carlos Zambrano, Jerry Hariston, Jr., Juan Pierre and Will Ohman.

It's Friday....let's have some fun, the CCO's version of casual Friday, if you will. The Cubs Faithful has a tendency to take things very seriously, so let's loosen up a little and spend some Monopoly money.

With the recent sale of the Cincinnati Reds, and both the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves being on the market....I thought I would ask what you would do if you owned the Cubs. XM Radio posed a similar question to its listeners the other night, but they asked what team would you buy? Well....since I figure this is a captive audience; I thought we could try it with a twist. I know I have already asked twice what you would do if you were the Cubs GM, but I figure this one is a little different....and I hope I am not wrong.

This is the big one, you make all of the decisions....you are now self-employed and the owner of a major corporation with one huge asset....the Chicago Cubs, but like before there are several catches.

Julio Lugo Updates and will Gary Hughes be the next GM for the Reds?

According to a report in the Dayton Daily News on Tuesday, the new Cincinnati Reds Owner and CEO Bob Castellini is interested in Gary Hughes to fill the recently vacated GM position with the Reds after Castellini fired Dan O'Brien on Monday. Hughes is currently an Assistant General Manager for the Cubs and a close confidante to Jim Hendry.

The name Julio Lugo keeps popping up this off-season and I have tried to ignore it for the last few days but I thought with the recent contract purchase of Angel Pagan (scroll down)....now is the time to provide some 'new' info.

Angel Pagan is now a member of the Chicago Cubs

According to a report on AP out of Chicago, the Cubs purchased the contract of Angel Pagan of the New York Mets on Wednesday. The switch hitting outfielder is 24 years old and hit .271 with 20 doubles, 10 triples and 40 RBI's in 2005 with AAA Norfolk.

Angel Pagan's Stats from Baseball Cube