Cubs Off-Season Rumors - Chapter Five

More Cubs Rumors

As the owner's meetings got underway in Milwaukee on Wednesday, there was movement from the Cubs and names added to the Cubs Rumor Mill. The Cubs traded right-hander Jon Leicester to the Texas Rangers and Ichiro Suzuki has entered the rumor mill. I also have updates on Alex Gonzalez, Rafael Furcal, Juan Pierre, Jarrod Washburn, Brian Giles, A.J. Burnett and Jacque Jones.

There was a very interesting article in the Chicago Sun Times on Wednesday that made predictions of where the top 10 free agents would land in the off-season. Among those named in the article were Rafael Furcal, Jarrod Washburn, Brian Giles, Juan Pierre and Ichiro Suzuki.

The article predicts Rafael Furcal with remain with the Braves. Jarrod Washburn will sign will the Rangers. Brian Giles will sign with the Cubs. Juan Pierre will remain a Marlin. A.J. Burnett will sign with the Blue Jays. Jacque Jones will sign with the Mariners and the Cubs will court Ichiro Suzuki, but he will stay with the Mariners. I have not heard Ichiro's name before today. If Ichiro lands in Cubbie blue, so will his 4 year, $44 million dollar contract that he signed right before the 2004 season....

There was a very interesting article in the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel on Wednesday. Apparently the Cubs and Braves have pinpointed Alex Gonzalez as a backup plan if they cannot sign Rafael Furcal. What happened to Ronny Cedeno? Like I said yesterday, I hope this is a BAD rumor.

Here is the interesting part of the article from the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, "The Cubs have inquired about Marlins center fielder Juan Pierre, but a source familiar with those talks said the teams were 'not very far down the road' on a possible deal. While a Chicago radio report suggested the Cubs could land Pierre for a pair of prospects, others aren't sure if the Marlins need a center fielder back in the deal or not. Perennial disappointment Corey Patterson could be a match, but the free-swinging outfielder stands to make $3.5 million or more next year through arbitration. Pierre could earn a raise to $5.5 million through arbitration and can become a free agent after 2006...."

While I was listening to XM Radio on Wednesday night, Steve Lenox received a call from a Yankees fan complaining about the Yankees centerfield problems. The caller brought up Corey Patterson and Juan Pierre. Steve said Pierre's stock had dropped and he had expected Juan to draw a lot of attention at the trade deadline last year. Lenox does not understand why Pierre's stock had dropped....but there is something going on. The caller also mentioned Corey Patterson and Lenox said there is not much there and the Yankees should pass....WOW!!!

The details on the Jon Leicester trade are very interesting. He was traded for a player to be named later. Is this a 40-man roster move? Or could this be the first Cub to go to Texas for Kevin Mench?

Well, that's the news (Cubs rumors) and I'm sticking to it!!

Neil

Thank you for the compliment. I agree that Hendry has a lot of pressure on him for the Cubs to perform in 2006. They have no more excuses left. They must stay healthy and invest in the right players. If the Cubs would have had a better one two punch last year, then you are right DLee could have possibly won the Tripe Crown. I agree that Nomar will leave and that is unfortunate. Why will the Cubs not talk to him about second base? Trade for Pierre, have Cedeno play short, Nomar at second and let someone else over pay for Furcal...I just do not understand. I like Walker, but I agree and think his time in Chicago is up. Walker wants to start somewhere, he is a good player and is reasonably priced...I have actually heard the Mets are interested in him, but the source is questionable so I have not reported that (until now).

I agree with you about starting pitching. I do not think Rich Hill is ready, they did not even put Guzman on the 40 man roster...so what does that tell you? I am not much of a fan of Glendon Rusch...I think they are going to use him in a trade somewhere. I do like Jerome Williams, is he John Smoltz, no...but I think he can be a reliable 4th or 5th starter for the Cubs. Williams got better as the year went along and he is very young. I do not know about Rich Hill and Todd Walker for Barry Zito, but I do like the idea of Glendon Rusch, Todd Walker and (insert prospect here) for Barry Zito...GREAT IDEA. Zito would look great in Cubbie Blue.

I am in 100% agreement with you on the Cubs lack of patience at the plate. If I had a dime for everytime over the last 2 seasons a Cub swong at the first pitch, my last name would be Trump. The Cubs have to learn to make the opposing team's pitchers work. The word for the 2006 Cubs should be patience. I love to hear Santo scream at the guys to be patient...I do the same, but they cannot hear me and I will never be in the Hall of Fame. Santo is AWESOME.

Do not lose your optimism...believe and remember 'Now It's Our Turn!!'

"Uncle Gerry"

First off, congrats on the great site! It compels me to throw my 2 cents into the discussion.

I still have faith in Jim Hendry. Between last year's failures, the South Side's success, and increased parity in their division, he knows that he has to make something happen in 2006. Plus now he got $30MM+ to work with.

No. 1 priority is OB% and speed threats at the top of the order. I know everyone is on that bandwagon, but it's true. Just look at what Posednik gave the Sox and compare that to the lack of baserunners causing D Lee's 2nd half RBIs to plummet. Fortunately Furcal and Pierre play positions that the Cubs need to fill, so I look for Hendry to go hard after one of them. I haven't given up on Nomar (at a reasonable price), but he's likely to get strung out while the Cubs negotiate for Furcal and meanwhile LA will give Nomar an offer he can't refuse. Cedeno should be adequate at SS/2B, but I don't see him as a leadoff guy. Walker's option was picked up for trade bait. A decent left handed bat, but he's gone if Furcal or Nomar are on hand.

No. 2 priority is a quality starting pitcher. Why? Because the odds favor one of the top four missing starts due to injuries and the fifth may be ineffective. I don't trust Hill, Guzman, Williams and Rusch as starters, although the latter two can stay and work out of the bullpen. Billy Beane may happily give up Zito for Hill & Walker and some cash.

I'm going to miss an old pro like Burnitz. I believe that he lead the team in at-bats, and despite his K reputation, struck out at the same frequency as D Lee. I guess Murton deserves an opening day start and I'll trust Hendry to come up with at least one pleasant surprise in the OF. Say goodbye to Patterson. Will someone please tell that kid that picking your front foot straight up and down does not constitute a stride into the pitch? Which reminds me that the rotating hitting coaches of the last 2 years are a joke. I cringed every time a Cubs hitter swung at the first pitch with runners on base. Even Santo and Brenley were ragging on air about the "lack of patience" of the Cubs hitters.

I'll close this before I lose my eternal Cubs optimism. Thanks for the wonderful web site.