December 2009 Archives

According to reports from Bruce Levine at ESPN Chicago.com and Ken Rosenthal, the Cubs agreed to terms with free agent centerfielder Marlon Byrd on a three-year, $15 million contract.

The Cubs are expected to make an official announcement on Thursday afternoon.

Updated 12:20pm C.S.T. with Details on the signing of Marlon Byrd and other rumors

Updated 1:05pm C.S.T. - According to the Sun-Times, Marlon Byrd's contract is backloaded. Byrd will earn $3 million in 2010 ... $5.5 in 2011 and $6.5 million in 2012. Byrd will hit from fifth to seventh in the Cubs lineup next season.

John Sickels released his list of the top prospects in the Cubs' organization on Tuesday. Sickels provides grades for each of the prospects he ranks ... and his annual Baseball Prospect Book is a must read to help keep track of the better prospects in the game.

Sickels made some positive points about the Cubs' system, which showed a lot of improvement in 2009. While a majority of the talent remains in the lower levels there appears to be better days ahead for an organization that has struggled mightily with developing talent ... especially position players.

Baseball America recently ranked the Cubs' system in the middle of the pack. After finishing near the bottom prior to the 2009 season being average is an improvement.

Here's another look at the Cubs' farm system ...

Seth Everett recently put baseball's off-season into perspective. During his show on XM Radio with Jim Bowden, the vocal Mr. Everett said, "Pennants are not won in December but there is pressure to win in December."

The Cubs still have holes to fill this winter. From the bullpen to a centerfielder to possibly a fourth outfielder and a middle infielder, Jim Hendry reportedly has several moves he would still like to make before pitchers and catchers report on February 15.

Here's the latest from the mill ... including updates on Jacoby Ellsbury and Jose Contreras plus notes from an interview with Fernando Perez.

Paging Mr. Fogerty ... Mr. John Fogerty, the Cubs are looking for a centerfielder once again. Rumors suggested the Cubs were close to signing Marlon Byrd after trading Milton Bradley to the Mariners ten days ago. Byrd is still on the market and Jim Hendry's top priority is signing a centerfielder according to Bruce Levine.

Here is the update from the mill ... including a new name in Ryan Spilborghs, more on Jose Contreras and could Melky Cabrera still end up on the North Side?

One year ago this week Jim Hendry made two moves that had a big impact on the 2009 season. Hendry signed Aaron Miles to a two-year contract for $4.9 million then dealt Mark DeRosa to the Indians for Jeff Stevens, Chris Archer and John Gaub on December 31, 2008.

Aaron Miles put together one of the worst seasons in big league history and was traded to the A's, along with Jake Fox and $1 million on December 3 for Ronny Morla and Matt Spencer. Mark DeRosa ended up in St. Louis in mid-season and is trying to find a job this winter ... rumors have DeRosa landing in San Francisco or with the Yankees.

All of the additions Jim Hendry made last winter are no longer on the Cubs' roster ... Aaron Miles, Aaron Heilman, Joey Gathright, Milton Bradley and Kevin Gregg. While John Gaub and Jeff Stevens are expected to contribute in the pen in 2010, the Cubs are looking to fill three holes according to Bruce Levine.

Jim Hendry is reportedly looking for a centerfielder, a right-handed reliever and possibly a middle infielder this off-season. Names that have been bantered around for weeks to fill the Cubs needs include Marlon Byrd, Scott Podsednik, Rick Ankiel, Kiko Calero, Orlando Hudson and Reed Johnson.

With 18 days remaining before the 25th Annual Cubs Convention and 52 days until pitchers and catchers report to Fitch Park, here's the latest from the mill, a few notes and a definition of sophomore slump ...

With the Christmas holiday in the rearview mirror, will Jim Hendry finish the year on a positive note? The rumor mill remained slow on Saturday with the exceptions of Bruce Levine and Jonathan Hood on ESPN 1000 ... and XM Radio.

The Cubs rumored interest in Johnny Damon garnered another mention from the mainstream media. Saturday afternoon Lee Hamilton (XM Radio) listed the Cubs along with the Rays as possible destinations for "Johnny Rocket".

Here's the latest from the mill ...

Jim Hendry still has several holes to fill this off-season. Reportedly Hendry is looking for a veteran reliever for the backend of the pen and a centerfielder. Could Johnny Damon be an option for the Cubs?

According to Jim Duquette (XM Radio), the Cubs are interested in signing Johnny Damon to play centerfield. Here is the latest ...

Merry Christmas to all of the Faithful from everyone here at the CCO!

In what has become a Christmas tradition at the CCO, here is a familiar carol with a new twist ...

According to a report from Bill Ladson, Matt Capps agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Washington Nationals shortly after midnight Thursday.

Bill Ladson tweeted the news passed on by Capps' agent Paul Kinzer.

Updated 9:38am C.S.T. - Matt Capps' deal has a $3.5 million base with a chance to earn $425,000 more based on games finished.

According to a report from ESPN.com, the Washington Nationals are close to signing Matt Capps to a one-year deal. Capps would go into the 2010 season as the closer for the Nationals.

Capps' agent denied the report and official word is expected from the Capps camp by midnight on Wednesday.