Could Jim Hendry and the Tribsters really be serious about winning this year..This could be unreal!! ^.^

I would have prefered Carlos Beltran a few years ago but this is good, real good news. If this come to frutiton I would expect Hendry to start dealing.

I agree too, but better late than never with a huge signing, I think they finally realize that we are 2 years away from the century mark..Not good, This is huge if it is finalized. Soriano is still yound and is very capable.

Finally they open the pocketbook for a player in his prime. Go Cubs, Go Bears

Great signing if this indeed happens. Usually Rosenthal is right on with his reporting, so that'd be huge. However, 8 years? That's a lot of money for someone who has an average OBP and strikes out a lot, but if we paid Sammy a lot, we should dish out for this freak of an athlete in the mold of an AROD. Soriano hits about 35-40 hrs a year, and steals 30-45 bases...what's not to like about that? Being protected by Lee and ARAM I think will only increase his productivity. If this happens, I think you have to trade Jones for young pitching, move Soriano to right, and use a platoon of Pagan and Pie in center...Wow, that'd be an electric lineup, huh?

ESPN is calling it a done deal. I am not sure if I am more surprised by the fact that we actually signed him, or that he signed so soon. I thought for sure this would go into the Winter Meetings.

Do you think that this means that we have all the bats that we are going to get, or will JH bring in Matthews or Roberts for center?

This would be huge. I live Brewer country and it was devastating last year with the Cubs finishing behind the Crew. If this goes through I could also see the Cubbies trading Pie and maybe Ohman for a good starter. I also feel we should lock up Big Z for the future.

What a lineup this could be
Soriano
Murton
Lee
Ramirez
Jones
Barrett
Derosa
Cezar

we do need more, because I'm not convinced Izturis and DeRosa are the answers in the middle infield, so it'd be prudent to trade Izturis, sign Lugo, and then go after pitching like Meche, who I hear would be an outstanding pick up.
But if they sign Soriano for that much, what about an extension for Zambrano? We'd have a lot committed to Lee, ARAM, and Soriano, so I don't know where you'd fit in too many others. But if the team is sold, who knows?

WOW. Jim Hendry and the Trib deserve some major kudos here. They have been more aggressive than any other team in recent memory. What pitcher wouldn't want to come to the Cubs now after the lineup the Cubs are trotting out?

Welcome Soriano!!!

Aaron:

This line up could survive with De Rosa and Izturis if the other 6 can produce big, so far:

Lee, Ramirez,Barrett and now hopefully, Soriano.
I would really like Hendry to go after Jose Guillen
for RF and then let Murton/Jones (If not traded) play LF.

Even though this is a huge signing I really believe the best is yet to come. I believe we will see a big trade in the near future and hopefully a pitcher signing or two. Or at least i hope so. Keep up the good work Hendry!

The Tribune is calling it a done deal.
Great move, Jim Hendry!!!!!

Jim,
good thoughts....I agree with you on Guillen---very powerful arm, 30hr 100rbi potential....wholeheartedly agree with that idea. If you do that, then yeah, you could survive with a DeRosa if he returns to his past numbers and Izturis....
I'm just so ecstatic...I've been Hendry's biggest critic on here...I just can't believe they got this done, and I really hope it pays off. I think it'd really be a mistake though, Ryan to trade Pie. I think he has about 20-25 hr, 80-100 rbi potential and 40 stolen bases a year are definitely within reach for him. His first year he might struggle, but I think if he has a good spring, you bring him up, or you try what they did with Murton when he first came up, and bring him in late Julyjust to get his feet wet, so to speak. The Cubs have a lot of other chips to trade with their stocked minor league pitching, Jones, Izturis, and even Murton, but I'd never tade a five-tool guy like Pie, and make the same mistake of getting rid of a guy like that like they did with Patterson when they got nothing in return.

I love this signing, but I worry that this move especially if Soriano is going to play centerfield as the Chicago Tribune is reporting, almost guarentees that the Cubs will package Pie in a deal to get some pitching. If we are going to give up Pie for pitching, I want someone better than Westbrook or Lee in return. I am looking for Willis.

The only way I would trade Pie is if it brought Dontrelle Willis in return.

I can't explain how excited i am... unbelievable.

This guy is a difference maker unlike the Rondell White's, Jeromy Burnitz's, Jacque Jones', etc.

Again... like i say in every post... this is so huge that it was done early. I am not sure what players JH is still targeting through free agency but what player would not want to be part of this team now?

Does anybody else think we have a chance at Carlos Lee still like I do? We all know how he has said he would prefer to play for the Cubs and now his acquisition makes us instantly one of the most high powered lineups in the majors. Plus I don't think we have a shot at Zito or Schmidt and I would actually prefer if we traded for guys like Duke, Lee, Westbrook, and Olsen instead of signing 2nd tier guys to 1st tier contracts.

unbelievable. i am off to wrigleyville to purchase my annual cubs cap. this time only about 4-5 months earlier than normal.

This is awesome...what a lineup we could have. I'm a little worried about 8 years, but I won't think about that for a few years. I would love it if we could trade for Duke. He's going to be a stud. I think Hendry is owed some apologies. If they don't do better this year, I don't think we can blame him.

I thought it would be many more months before I jumped on the CCO to talk with other ecstatic Cubs fans. This is a great day and the men we have been ripping deserve their due propers today.

As for Pie, no way you trade him. Let him play one more year in the minors. By then, you will have a much better idea. I like the idea of playing out the year as is, Murton, Soriano and JJ. After this season, given that JJ will have a huge year with the protection, you can trade him above market value. Murton will have had another year of experience and we will all have a better perspective on his potential. We will have had another year of Pagan as well, tripled with the aforementioned Pie and you have three guys for two spots, after you trade JJ. But I would not trade Pie and not for Westbrook or Lee, just as you said Larry.

I am full of emotion right now, but we need one more starter, at least, and something more than Gil Meche or Batista, they can fill the four hole. We need a Jason Jennings or Westbrook but we must not overpay for them with our own players. After today, I now have much more confidnece in the uber-savvy Jim Spendry.

Happy Spending Cubs fans and now we all have something to be thankful for this week.

With all of the hype around Soriano and what his offense will do to help this team next year, I would like to point out how incredible his arm is as well. With 22 outfield assists last year, Soriano led the majors, this is nearly as important as his 40+ doubles, steals, and home runs. Especially in an outfield with no arm strength whatsoever. Huge signing! Oh yeah, Bears win too!!!

WOW!! UNBELIAVABLE!!!!
Now that the cubs have secured the bat they were looking for, I think they should now focus on their starting piching. As we seen with the yankees a loaded lineup doesnt mean an instant world series. They should sign Zito, and then try to trade for Willis or Duke, and if possible trade for both.
GO Cubs!! GO Bears!! Go Bulls
Can u say PLAYOFFS YEARROUND!!

Great signing, Jim Hendry!!! Nothing more to add, but to concur with some of the other posts here in noting that the Cubs have FINALLY stepped up and paid for a premier free agent in his prime. Granted, they overpaid...just as the Bulls overpaid for Ben Wallace...but it will be worth it. Maybe we get 4-5 good years out of Soriano, and then he is a fiscal nightmare, but no one in New York complained about Bernie Williams the last few years, even though he had a big contract, because Bernie brought NY some championships! So hopefully, Soriano helps the Cubs do the same.

The other big theme everyone seems concerned about is the liklihood that starting pitching will now be addressed by trade. I agree that is the likely course of action, as we can't expect that the Cubs will continue to dish out free agent dollars for a Zito or Schmidt. Then again, I didn't really truly believe Soriano was coming to Chicago. I felt that once the Angels (or some other team) started raising the stakes, the Cubs would bow out...just as they did with Furcal last year.

So a trade is likely, and the best trading chips are: Barrett, Murton, Cedeno/Izturis, Jones, and then prospects. The best prospects are: Marshall, Marmol, Mateo, Guzman, and Pie.

As far as I am concerned, you can trade Cedeno, Jones, and every single prospect I just listed, if you can get good pitching in return.

Pie, right now, is Corey Patterson...he is Bobby Hill...he is Mike Harkey...he is David Kelton...he is every Cubs prospect that had unfulfilled potential. Pie has done NOTHING on the big league level, and there is no reason to think he will be any more productive at the big leagues than Ryan Theriot will be. We just don't know. For every play scouts label as can't miss, there is a player that ascends to greatness that no one knew about. For every Mark Prior that has the world expected of him, there is a Dontrelle Willis that slips through the cracks. It is all a CRAPSHOOT. So don't sweat Pie. Maybe he is great someday. Maybe he is never any good at all. Either way, he is a commodity to be used to better our team. If there is no place for him to play for the foreseeable future, then by all means, trade him and make your BIG LEAGUE team better. Waiting around on Guzman and Farnsworth and Choi and Bobby Hill never got the Cubs anywhere. But trading Choi and Hill got us two of our best players (Lee and Ramirez). So why not trade Guzman and Pie, for players that may become our best pitchers down the road?

Great day to be a Cubs fan, CCO Readers...no matter what happens next!!!

You see, everyone is always "DOGGING" Jim Hendry. He's always come through over the years. It's not his fault we keep "sucking" year after year. We wanted Graciapara, he got him, we needed a decent middle relief bullpen, he got us Eyre, Howry and now Cotts. We needed a lead off guy, he got us Peirre. We needed a left feilder, and he got us Burnitz and now Jiones. We needed to invest in big time players and we kept Lee and Ramirez. HE, by himself, after 2003 didn't choose to rely on our two "WOMEN" Wood and Prior...WE DID ..EVERYONE! You've got to remember NOBODY wants to come here BECAUSE WE HAVEN"T BEEN IN THE WORLD SERIES IN 60 YEARS! Let me say that a gain....60 YEARS! He's doing his job fine. You've got to realize how difficult it's gotta be to sign decent players when you loose every year, ask Ryne Sandberg!

Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled that the Cubs signed Soriano (most likely). He is awesome, no question. But is anyone else a little bit concerned that our lineup may be leaning a little bit too heavily to the right? Everyone talks about trading Jones or Izturis and, granted, they have their faults, but to me there is no way Hendry trades them due to their ability to hit from the left side.

izturis is an injury risk I wouldn't mind seeing him traded but I doubt it will happen. At best, maybe we'll see DeRosa at short and Theriot at 2b vs lefties if he continues to play well. JJ sucks in the outfield but I agree with a post I saw on here awhile ago that we'll all be happy he's still around in July.

No way Pie should traded, of course. He should be on the roster next year possibly playing CF and leaving Sori at LF. In addition to everything else he provides, he gives the Cubs a much needed left-handed bat and they can't afford to trade him.

As much as I like Matt Murton, he looks like prime trade bait. I think he'll be successful with whatever team he ends up with but if he can get us some starting pitching (Duke) then I think it'd be worth giving him up. You can't get something for nothing.

Now, let's go get some some starters!! I like Meche, Jennings, or Duke. Preferably at least two of those three.

Go Cubs! I love th Soriano signing, why because he's the best hitter on the market (not anymore)! Also getting it done early will only help Hendry bring in more talent.

Side note: A buddy of mine heard on the score that the next target of Hendry is: Schmidt!

Look out, here come the Cubs!

2007 NL Central Champs!!!

I just read ths following ar Hot Stove Cubbies, "The Cubs have reported that they have offered a 3 year 45 million dollar contract to Drew which sources close to Scott Boras says he will accept.

"A side note Barry Zito contacted Jim Hendry Personally to let him know that he would enjoy pitching at Wrigley field and for the Chicago Cubs."

I know that we need to take this with a grain of salt, but how huge would it be to get both of these guys?

I think that Hendry should go out and resign Juan Pierre we gave up alot for him.. He would be a perfect fit in this line up..
1.Pierre
2.Soriano
3.Lee
4.Ramirez
5.Jones
6.Barrett
7.Izturis
8.Derosa

The top of the line up would be stacked with power and speed. Having two guys who can steal more than 40 bags as your 1,2. Pierre is a real ball player plays hard, played in every game. I think he should be the Cubs center fielder for awhile..

I've beet at my computer typing and erasing for about 10 minutes now. I'm actually speechless. While local newspapers had the Cubs in the running for Soriano, many so called experts had Soriano going to Philly or Anaheim.

I haven't been this excited about a signing since Nomar, and he was coming off an injury. This is by far the largest FA signing in the Cubs history.

What's greater still is that Hendry is NOT DONE.

Go Cubs !!!

jason -

I agree, the Cubs should resign Pierre. With Sori and Pierre at the top of the lineup I think we're looking damn good. I've heard a lot about Pierre being upset that Baker got canned (Please! that move was probably STILL the best one the Cubs have made so far) and him not wanting to come back but how could he not want to play for this team?

I am so jacked right now i can't belive it. Cubs a favorite to win the NL central as of right now. Why is no one mentioning Jeff Suppan as a possible addition to the rotation. He was clutch in the post season. Or why not go get a discounted Greg Maddux or Tom Glavine with short term deals.Go with an 07 Braves look. Big Z at the top the Prior if healthy then Glavine, Maddux, and Marshall or one of the others.

Pierre led the National league in hits with 204. He had 58 steals. Just think how many times he got on base when we didnt have a great 2 hole hitter. There was a lot of lost chances.. Pierre covers more ground out in center than anybody.. His only downside is his arm.. Im really hoping for this to happen.. speed speed is the key at the top of the lineup... Hendry make this happen..

Larry- I was just wondering where you read that about Drew and Zito. I am interesting in reading the article.

I hope that is true!

I found the article at: http://cubsrumorsandnews.blogspot.com/

I have some serious doubts as to its reliability, but it is fun to think about.

Thanks Larry,

I actually think their might be truth to the Drew report because I read somewhere else that the Red Sox offered Drew 15M dollars a year and the Cubs matched. It stated that the Cubs would then probably trade JJ or Murton with some relievers to the Indians for Westbrook or Lee

This is a great weekend for sports. The Buckeyes won last night and Now this, wow, great job Hendry.

I have read that report you mention, too. I would like to see Drew's bat in the middle of the line-up, but with everything that Hendry has spent so far, I am not holding my breath for him to deliver Drew as well.

Larry, do you have the link for that Zito, Drew rumor? Does anyone else know about this?

If Hendry opts to sign Schmidt, I think it'd be a huge mistake...the guy's velocity has gone down, and he's an injury concern...same for Zito---velocity-wise, but Hill is a young Zito, so we don't need two of them. I say you go after Meche, then have a rotation of Zambrano, Hill, Meche, Cotts, Miller/Prior/Marshall/Marmol/Guzman/Mateo. If the Cubs are to make any trades for pitching, I believe you MUST wait until after spring training, or in the middle of it to do so. First, you want to see who's healthy out there to begin with, and second, you want to see who steps up for the 5th spot in the rotation, which makes all the others trade bait. That would be the wise thing to do, but I guess if you get blown away by an offer, I'd say take it----like not giving much up for Westbrook, or Olsen, etc. Plus, I say the Marlins owe us big time for the prospects we've sent them...maybe Hendry's good relationship with them can get us a "discount" on Olsen.

I definitely believe Izturis needs to go before he breaks down again. Boston needs a shortstop, so I think we have to act quickly on that...What about Murton/Jones, Izturis, and a pitching prospect for Manny? I don't think that's too far fetched either.
If we get him, you'd have: Manny, Soriano, Drew/Pie/whoever doesn't get traded between Murton and Jones, ARAM, Shortstop (perhaps Lugo or DeRosa), Theriot, Lee, and Barrett.

But trading at this point for a starting pitcher might not be wise when you currently have 10 guys vying for 5 spots, and if you want to add Veal and Gallagher---you have 12. Overpaying for free agent starting pitchers has not worked out well for 90% of the teams (ie.-Park, Dreifort, Brown, Wright, Milton,Pavano, Neagle, Hampton, Mulder, Hudson, Beckett, Burnett, Percival, and the list goes on, unfortunately) I mean, does anyone else notice this trend of pitchers signing massive contracts, then getting hurt, and never returning to the form they once had? Sure, you can make a case for Glavine, and a few others---but even he struggled at first in NY. I'd rather give young guys a chance like the Oakland A's have done with Blanton, Harden, and Haren, just like they did with Zito, Mulder, Hudson, Lilly, and Lidle. I just makes more fiscal sense to do that than overpay for mediocre talent, and give up too much like Atlanta and St. Louis did for Mulder and Hudson respectively.

Guys, I truly think Marshall, Mateo, and Guzman can hold their own in the rotation with a year of experience under their belts and a much improved lineup...they all have excellent stuff, and Guzman, when he doesn't walk people, is very effective at striking guys out, and we all saw how effective Mateo was at keeping runs off the board.

But I get the feeling I'm the only person on here that actually believes in our young pitching.

Where's Barry? I really hope his chest pains didn't get the best of him this afternoon......

What a great day to be a Cubs fan!

i just heard on another rumors that the cubs offered j.d. drew to a 45mil.for 3 years and that he will take the deal cubs are unstopable

Because I said have faith, I was called a Zombie. I'll take my apologies and a new Soriano Jersey. Thanks. G Cubs!

Jason you are on the right track, trade off Cedeno/Bynum and Novoa or Isturis/Derosa for starting pitching. Let Soriano have 2nd base he would be the most productive 2nd baseman we've had since Sandburg. With Piere in center he could have less pressure on him to get something started and if he slumps let him drop to the No.2 hole and let Soriano lead off. Besides Piere could be signed cheaper than some alternatives. I think we could still pull off a trade with Boston for Manny or maybe sign Drew Or C-Lee, man what a line up to have to face.

I've seen the few things people have said about Manny, but has that been rumored anywhere other than this site. Another name somebody mentioned on here that i would be interested in seeing in cubby stripes is Ted Lilly. He's a good fairly young lefty who chews up innings and can give you a gem a few times a year. Another thing has anybody heard anything else about Matthew's jr.

Jason, this is not one of those sites that just makes up whatever. The reason people here are talking about Manny Ramirez is because I ran an article earlier today, before Soriano, about an article that was on FoxSports.com by Ken Rosenthal yesterday (Saturday). Matthews, Jr. is still on the Cubs radar from what I have read from reliable articles/sites but keep in mind he just turned down a 3-year, $30 million dollar offer from the Giants. He will be expensive and is coming off a career year at 32 years old.

Welome to the CCO....

Hendry has done a fantastic job so far this offseason, but not even Jim can get decent starting pitching for Cedeno/Bynum and Novoa? No one is going to want our castoffs. Cedeno is a .250 hitter and Bynum is a utlity/bench player.

Jeff,
My apologies...I honestly did not believe Hendry had what it took to get the job done...I'll be the first to admit when I'm wrong.

Larry B.-are you nuts!?! Soriano at second? There's a reason he was placed in the OF---it's because he was a defensive liability at 2b, and he moved to the outfield and had 22 assists---we need that arm in our OF, so why would you move him back in when you just signed DeRosa.

I think next move---sign Drew and his .400 OBP and left-handed bat to boot...don't sign Matthews, and give Pie/Pagan a chance in center, with Pagan getting first crack...ideally easing Pie into the mix. I really don't want Jones in the lineup though---he has a bad loop in his swing, and struck out nearly 120 times, so I think it's reasonable to dream of an outfield with Murton in LF, Soriano in CF, and Drew in RF...only if they get Drew would I do this. If they don't...as I mentioned before, Soriano in LF, Pagan/Pie in CF, and Jones, unfortunately would remain in RF.

I'm really interested by these rumors with Drew signing. I think if that happens, Hendry has to have something up his sleeve with a Jones deal, because no way would you put Drew in CF, and Soriano seems a much better fit at a corner OF position. I guess we'll see what happens this week, when the Soriano deal is expected to be finalized.

This is such sweet news and it makes me wish for Spring Training already and we are only in November. Crazy. I hope we go out and get Lily and add Duke/Jennings. I wonder how soon JH keeps spending the money or if he'll stop to take a breath.

Wuhuuuuuu! Unbelievable, I have to admit that I expected Hendry to fail, starting with Aramis Ramirez...I thought he was a goner.
Soriano, not really overpaid if you consider his numbers are Beltran/ARod neighborhood and somebody was going to pay for his services. Hell, Boston will pay 51.1 millions to talk to a guy that hasn't thrown a pitch in the mayors. Go JH. It's a lot of money but I was waiting for a signing like this since we got rid of Sosa.

I trully believe now with Cotts that we don't need 2 starters we need just one and I'd prefer to save some money cause Big Z's contract is up next season and shall demand a lot of money.
This is my rotation ZAMBRANO, Hill, PRIOR, Cotts, MILLER/MARSHALL. Prior, will be there, it's just that somebody has to meke him realize that ball players play with naggig injuries all year round. Ask John Schmoltz.
If we get Willis or Zito, I would give Pie and my dad away to the Marlins.

I bet that Lugo becomes a Cub and JD Drew a Red Sox