Are the Cubs Interested in Aaron Heilman?

Bruce Levine reported in his blog that the Cubs have expressed interest in Aaron Heilman. The former Notre Dame pitcher was traded from the Mets to the Mariners earlier during the Winter Meetings in a three-team deal that included the Cleveland Indians.

Heilman was 3-8 with a 5.21 ERA with a 1.59 WHIP in 78 games out of the Mets' pen last season. Heilman has stated this off-season that he wants to be a starting pitcher again.

Levine reported "the former Met is considered by the Cubs a possible missing link to their bullpen for next year." Levine indicated the Mariners are looking for a middle infielder and with the signing of Aaron Miles, Ronny Cedeno "might be available in a deal for Heilman."

Ronny Cedeno is out of options and would not make it through waivers if the Cubs released him. Cedeno began 2008 on a positive note and appeared to be on the way to turning the corner on his big league career. Cedeno finished with a .269/.328/.352/.680 line with 2 home runs and 12 doubles in 99 games.

Heilman was booed out of New York after posting solid seasons from 2005-2007. He was 7-7 in 2007 with a 3.03 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP and held opponents to a .224 batting average. He has pitched in five games, with one start, in his career at Wrigley. In 8 1/3 innings he has allowed 8 runs, 4 earned, on 9 hits with a home run, walked three and struck out six....a 4.32 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP.

roguesqr09

Gotta agree. I could see Heilman as a pen guy, but he stated he wants to start again. Maybe if Marshall ends up the 5th starter, then bring in this guy for long relief. But his numbers aren't that impressive.

J-Train

Aaron Heilman is, despite his numbers last season, a solid reliever and has been a nice set up man throughout his career. From 2005-2007, he posted E.R.A.'s in the lower to mid 3.00's. He seems to be an insurance plan for Kevin Gregg in the 7th and 8th innings. Although his 2008 season was less that stellar, the status of the Mets bullpen put the weight of the world on his shoulders, and we all know that when something goes wrong in New York, there has to be a guy to take the fall. Although getting a lefty would make more sense in this case, we would only be losing Ronny Cedeno who is out of options and out of favor with Lou. And i can assure you that if he was the final cog in any other pending deals, he wouldn't be involved in this deal. This is a minimally risky deal.

Mike S.

Why would they be interested in a guy that was 3-8 with a 5.21 ERA with a 1.59 WHIP in 78 games last season? He has expressed interest in becoming a starting pitcher. I winder if he thinks he can turn it around like Dempster did. Don't like this at all. I would rather the team just give the fifth spot to Marshall or if Ricketts gets the team, go after Peavy. I can only hope this isn't a rumor BryceH.

Bryce H.

I would rather use the Cubs money and prospects to get Peavy. Hopefully the Cubs wouldn't have to give up Josh Vitters to get Peavy.

roguesqr09

Found a good article linked from mlbrumors that stated the Ricketts group is in the lead to get the Cubs and that Tom Ricketts may call Hendry once it's confirmed and tell him to go get Peavy. I'm not sure of the vaildity of the author but he has good info on the 3 possible owners. Worth the read: http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=262867

Rich

Sounds like the kind of owner we want. A huge Cubs fan. Better than Cuban other than Cuban has more money. As a Cubs fan i am thankful Cuban didn't get the Cubs.

JimK

I'm not keen on Heilman--even though he hails from Indiana and played at Notre Dame like Samardzija. He's 30, lefties kill him (ERA over 8 last season) and his career stats suggest he's more limited than several of our 4-5 guys.

I like some of the Mariners prospects in a farm system upgrade deal, and I think the M's, young lefty reliever, Cesar Jiminez should be a target for our 2009 pen. I've mentioned the M's need for any kind of power bats before, and they would likely be interested in Fox and Hoffpauir, in addition to Cedeno.

I think prospects like Michael Saunders (OF), Mario Martinez (3B) and Adam Moore (C) would be good additions on the farm. I would prefer keeping Hoffpauir. Fox would likely DH and play OF for the Mariners--who have two better roster-certain catchers.