November 2007 Archives

Since the midpoint of 2002 the Chicago Cubs organization has been defined by their two powerful young pitchers. In 2003 the organization and the fans were privy to a great one-two punch and began dreaming of the future years with a hunch. One came close to the Cy Young and the other was almost done. We were all slugging Cubbie Kool-Aid faster than you can say Dr. James Andrews. Unfortunately for these two men the good Doctor became much more important than a baseball mitt or a bunch of brews.

For the second time this off-season, reports have surfaced stating Kaz Masui has agreed to a contract with the Houston Astros. Reports began surfacing out of Chicago late on Thursday night that Matsui and the Astros have agreed to a 3-year, $15 million dollar contract. Reports earlier in the week stated Matsui would make his decision this week between the Rockies, Astros and Cubs.

According to a report in the Denver Post, the Rockies raised their offer from a 2-year, $7 million dollar deal to 2 years for $10 million dollars. Bruce Miles first reported the deal between Houston and Matsui. The Houston Chronicle is also reporting the same deal but is citing Miles as their source.

Jim Hendry and company are preparing for the Winter Meetings next week in Nashville. Hendry reiterated he is "looking to add a left-handed power-hitting outfielder that can play right field and a left-handed bench player with versatility." Hendry said the Cubs could acquire either via free agency or trade.

A report on Cubs.com confirmed the Cubs interest in Kosuke Fukudome. The Japanese outfielder is scheduled to meet with his U.S. agents at Octagon today. Another report confirmed Jim Hendry met with Kaz Matsui early last week and confirmed the Cubs interest in the switch-hitting middle infielder.

Before Wednesday there had not been an official announcement that Scott Eyre had exercised his option for the 2008 season. According to a report on Cubs.com, Eyre has officially decided to return to the Cubs next year.

Here is the rest from the mill, with a couple of additions, and news from around the league, plus....are the Cubs listening to trade offers for Jason Marquis?

A day after resigning Kerry Wood, rumors began to surface the Cubs are willing to trade Mark Prior. The two pitchers that are constantly linked to one another, continue to make headlines together over four seasons since they were both dominating pitchers for the Cubs.

The Cubs reportedly would like to sign Prior to a 2-year contract with incentives instead of allowing him to possibly walk away after 2008 and sign with another team for 2009 and beyond. Another report mentioned the Cubs would like to sign Prior to a 1-year contract with a club option for 2009. Prior being on the trading block was a topic of conversation by several talking heads on Tuesday.

A lackluster performance in Spring Training led to him being sent down to Triple-A Iowa to start the 2007 season. Prior made several comments after his demotion, most notably calling himself an "employee". Prior's stint with the I-Cubs did not last long, he had season ending shoulder surgery on April 27th.

Prior is arbitration eligible once again this season after making $3.575 millon last year and the Cubs have until December 12th to tender him a new contract. Prior took a pay cut last year, and if the Cubs cut his salary the maximum 20 percent, Prior would be paid $2.86 million in 2008.

Here is the rest from the mill, more on Mark Prior and other news from around the league....

After the long weekend it was back to business for baseball on Monday. Jim Hendry completed one of his off-season goals by resigning Kerry Wood to a 1-year contract. The Cubs still have several more questions to answer this winter. With the Winter Meetings six days away, Jim Hendry was on WGN Radio Monday night with Dave Kaplan and discussed several of his team's needs and what they are looking to add this off-season.

Here is Part Two....

According to reports out of Chicago and on XM Radio, Kerry Wood has agreed to a 1-year deal to remain with the Chicago Cubs. Ken Rosenthal is reporting the deal is worth $4.2 million. The deal appears to be without an option for a second year.

Updated 5:39pm C.T. with Additional Information on Wood's contract

As the Winter Meetings approach Jim Hendry has a few questions surrounding his team. The Cubs have been relatively quiet so far this off-season with the only major move being the trade of Jacque Jones. Several reports out of Chicago have mentioned what the Cubs could be up to, but what does Jim Hendry have up his sleeve? How can he make Lou Piniella's crew better than the team that last took the field almost two months ago?

This week, in a two-part article, the CCO will take a look at several players the Cubs have been rumored to be interested in this off-season, as well as a few players on the 40-man roster. Here is part one....

Jim Hendry, Lou Piniella and company have been very quiet over the past week, especially over the long Thanksgiving weekend. Are they gearing up for a big final month of the year, or just being more precise in planning their next move? There is a full week left before Baseball's Winter Meetings kick off in Nashville on December 3rd. The next two weeks should see more activity from 1060 West Addison.

The only 'real news' in the world of baseball is Alex Rodriguez looks to be nearing his $300 million dollar contract after all. It appears that A-Rod will not only sign a 10-year, $275 million dollar contract but thanks to a "Marketing Package", Mr. Rodriguez could earn an additional $30 million over the next 10 years. The "Marketing Package" is bonuses based on home run achievements. A-Rod could receive an additional $6 million dollars each time he reaches an historical home run plateau.... Willie Mays' 660, Babe Ruth's 714, Hank Aaron's 755, Barry Bonds' 762 and the final bonus would be if he breaks the all-time home run record.

Here is an updated off-season calendar....81 days until pitchers and catchers report.

The Reds made the first big splash in the NL Central this off-season on Friday with the unprecedented signing of Francisco Cordero. Dusty Baker's new team reached a preliminary agreement on a 4-year, $46 million dollar deal with Cordero that includes a club option for the 5th year that could bring the contract's total value to $57 million dollars. It is the largest 4-year contract for a closer in the history of the game.

With the deals reached in the last three days with Torii Hunter, Scott Linebrink and Cordero, the remaining free agents will also benefit. Look for the price of players such as Kerry Wood, Andruw Jones and Aaron Rowand to increase.

It is the last weekend in November....just 9 days until the Winter Meetings.

Major League Baseball is flush with cash; every team is making a profit regardless of what their P&L's might be showing. The unexpected signing of Torii Hunter to a 5-year, $90 million dollar contract by the Angels and Scott Linebrink agreeing to terms on a 4-year, $19 million dollar deal with the White Sox further proves the point that teams are making money hand over fist. But will either one of those deals push their new teams to the top? Only time will tell. Over the next few weeks teams will spend and spend and spend in attempt to improve on their team for next season, and beyond. But finding the missing piece is more important than just signing a contract to fill a need or satisfy a fan base. The Winter Meetings are a little more than a week away....

The Cubs signed six Minor League free agents on Wednesday. Cory Bailey (RHP), Mike Smith (RHP), J.D. Closser (C/1B), Danny Fatheree (C), Andres Blanco (SS) and Andres Torres (CF). Closser's Minor League contract includes an invitation to Spring Training.