From the Wire...Cubs Sign Kadokura and Three Others to Minor League Deals

By Neil on January 19, 2009 16 Vote 0 Votes

According to a report on Rotoworld, the Cubs signed Japanese pitcher Ken Kadokura to a minor league contract on Monday that includes an invitation to Spring Training. Rotoworld did not link to a source for the signing and they are the only outlet reporting the deal at this time.

The Tribune reported the Cubs interest in the 35-year old Japanese right hander toward the end of December.

Updated - 4:46pm C.T. - With information and three additional signings

Update - According to a report from Baseball America, the Cubs signed Ken Kadokura, Matt Smith, Erick Almonte and Joseph Colon to minor league contracts on Monday that includes invitations to Spring Training. Almonte last played with the Nippon Ham Fighters after Cleveland sold his contract to the Japanese team in 2005.

Information and career stats:

Will update if more information becomes available....

bobby

Rich- no way does it happen thios week if ever. The Winning Bidder will not be posted until this week, and then they have to work out a deal with Sam Zell. That could take a couple days to a couple of weeks. If they can't reach adeal they bring the other two bidders back. Then you have to reopen talks with San Diego, which could take a week or so to complete. If a deal happens I would predict it would happen around opening day.

Rich

i think all the pieces are in place for the deal except an owner. Peavy may be a Cub by the end of this week or next week.

I am not worried about us trading away talent. We have been trading away talent at least since '03. We have a $140 million payroll. We won over 90 games last year. This isn't the same team we grew up with. We are not a small market team. Desirable players are beating down the door to play at Wrigley.

The only thing that bothers me is all the backloaded contracts.

CC002600

Do you think we could get Peavy without giving up Vitters ? Probably wishful thinking, but I just wish we could hold onto him. He's supposed to be best pure hitter in the system, by far. That according to Fleita. And if cubs agree to pick up Peavy's 22M option in last year of deal, they are nuts.

I would just hope that JH was able to drive the price down a little bit, given that the cubs have the leverage, being the only player in town for the Peavster.

Neil

To answer your questions.... Yes, no and I agree.

The rumors are now "pitching-heavy" for Peavy.

Larry Boodry

I'd to see Peavy here, but not at the expense of all the young talent we'd be giving up. I know I've posted on this before, but these are the guys I would not give up, even for Peavy:

Josh Vitters

Mitch Adkins

Jeff Stevens

Tyler Colvin

Jeff Samardzija

Jay Jackson

And if we ultimately don't get Peavy, fine...Either Marshall or Garrett Olsen would make a great 5th. starter.

AaronB

Off topic, but a theory on Peavy. I wonder if Hendry has contacted the prospective buyers of the team about getting Peavy, and a couple of them want Peavy and one of them doesn't. So now we have to wait for the sale to find out if he is coming our way.

There is also the sale of the Padres in the mix, but it I have a feeling Peavy will be in Cuby blue this year.

Larry Boodry

Can I go back to sleep now?

agustin rexach

Derek, Bruce and Jet Lee? lol

Jim (Tinley Park)

Fukudome, Taguchi and Kadokura. Will Ichiro be next? lol

Gregg

Irabu? Nomo?

cubbie12

neil are there any updates on peavy?

Neil

Just speculation at this point from the mainstream media. I think they are going to try again and with the report from the Wall Street Journal that indicated the new owner could be announced by mid-week, it could happen.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reported on Sunday that the Padres moved back their deadline on Peavy being with the team on Opening Day from mid-January to February 1st.

I would imagine tomorrow's article will focus on Jake Peavy.

Austin

Just read on mlbtraderumors that somebody thinks Dunn will max out around $5M/yr...Is there anyway we could have this guy? I know its not possible and I'm not about to say, oh..just trade Lee or Soriano...but $5M/yr for 40-45 HR's sounds soooo good. Apparently he won't move to first base, but thats the only place I see him (obviously)...stupid no trade clauses. Ok...theres my rant.

JimK

I think the Kadokura deal falls into the category of Very Little People signings. Baseball America confirms the signing, and says the 35 year-old right handed relief pitcher pitched 13 innings in 2008 and had a 3.55 ERA.

B.A. also says other minor league Cubs' signings include: LHP Matt Smith, 3B Erick Almonte, SS Joseph Colon and the previously noted OF So Taguchi.

Our Kevin Gregg gets $4.2 mil in a 1 year deal. The O's did something right. They signed their young RF, Markakis to a 6 year, $66 mil deal. He and McLouth were mentioned a few times on CCO, and now we know why Markakis wasn't on JH's radar screen.