A Little Game of Catch(up)

By Neil on October 13, 2009 23 Vote 0 Votes

The sale of the Chicago Cubs to the Ricketts Family has taken two steps forward in a short time and could be finalized before the end of the month ... that by far is the most important bits of information to come out of the offices at Clark and Addison over the past week. And the off-season is about to kick into high gear ...

Jim Hendry is set to meet with "some of the top scouts" in the organization this week in Arizona to prepare for the off-season. The team's organizational meetings are not until the first week in November and by that time the Ricketts Family is expected to have full control of the organization. At that time Jim Hendry will know what his budget will be for the 2010 season ... some think the Cubs' payroll will increase slightly from the near $140 million spent on the second place club in 2009. Tom Ricketts is expected to attend the organizational meetings in Mesa.

A report in the Daily Herald after the final day of the season indicated it could be a long winter for Jim Hendry "with the 2010 Chicago Cubs not being fully set until Spring Training."

With the ALCS and the NLCS ready to begin at the end of the week, it's time to catch up from the last week with some old news, some old rumors ... but some new ones as well.

Adding a Bat?

According to multiple reports, Jim Hendry will have enough room in his budget to add at least one hitter via the free agent route. Chone Figgins' name continues to pop-up. The Sun-Times mentioned his name once again on October 5 ... then on October 8; the Sun-Times reported trading Milton Bradley is the key to adding a bat like Chone Figgins to the mix next season.

Chone Figgins

Continuing the discussion (rumors) of the Angels' leadoff hitter ... Baseball Prospectus reported with the White Sox looking to re-sign Scott Podsednik, that leaves "the Cubs and Yankees as the likely favorites to sign" Chone Figgins.

Is Chone Figgins worth 4 years and $40 million? Bruce Levine thinks that's what Figgins could be looking for this off-season.

John Lackey

Phil Rogers is at it again. Rogers mentioned John Lackey would "be a perfect addition to the Cubs, but there may be too many bad contracts on the books for them to bid for him."

Remember this is a report from Phil Rogers ... take it for what it's worth.

Reed Johnson

The Cubs apparently would like Reed Johnson back next season ... and it has noting to do with the t-shirt worn by Ted Lilly following his last outing of the season. The Sun-Times reported Johnson would like to return and could do so "unless he prices himself out of the Cubs' range."

According to a report from the Tribune, Johnson's "return is up in the air because of his back issues."

From the Sun-Times:

''I'm sure they've got some things to take care of before me, and if it's something that happens in the 15-day [exclusive negotiating] window we have, great. If not, I'm sure talks will continue beyond that.''

Kevin Gregg

While many feel Kevin Gregg's days as a Cub are over ... according to a report from the Sun-Times, Kevin Gregg sees himself as a closer and as a Cub.

Milton Bradley

The Milton Bradley rumors have more than flown since his suspension ... they have soared. Just about everyday there is something new on Bradley. From all indications trading Milton Bradley is the Cubs' first priority this winter ... and some have even deemed 'Trading Bradley' the key to the Cubs off-season.

In no particular order, here is what's been up with 'Dealing Milton':

According to a report from the Star-Telegram, Bradley rubbed his former teammates the wrong way with his comments last March, which in turn could have put the kibosh on Bradley returning to Texas, no mater how much Ron Washington would like him back.

"Bradley got along well with his teammates, and Washington still wishes he had a hitter with the plate discipline Bradley showed last year. But opinions cooled some in March, when he told Gil LeBreton that he could have played at times last year but opted to sit out to make his stats look better for potential suitors. That didn't sit well some players and management, especially when Young was playing with broken fingers on each hand. Bradley pushed himself way down the wish list with those comments, and probably pushed himself off it completely."

According to a report from TR Sullivan, "The Rangers are not interested in Milton Bradley. Sources have made that clear. He is not coming back. So stop it."

According to a report from the Sun Times, "the team has attracted enough interest in Bradley" even with Kevin Towers no longer in the picture in San Diego, "to feel optimistic he can be traded without eating the often-speculated 80 percent of the more than $21 million left on his contract."

Pat Burrell for Milton Bradley ... those rumors will not go away. An outfield of Alfonso Soriano, Kosuke Fukudome and Pat Burrell? WOW, they better handout two-page scorecards to those games. Extra base hit after error after extra base hit ... As Rob Neyer put it, Jim Hendry must learn the NL does not play by AL rules.

Bruce Levine reported during Talkin' Baseball last Saturday that Tampa is the likely destination for Bradley in exchange for Pat Burrell. Levine said it depends how much the Cubs are willing to eat. According to Levine it would take the Cubs paying the third year of Bradley's contract (which the Cubs allowed to vest) in order to acquire Burrell for Bradley.

Rob Neyer brought up a scenario that would send Milton Bradley to the Tigers for Jeremy Bonderman. Bonderman has one-year remaining on the 4-year, $38 million deal he signed in December of 2006 ... he will earn $12.5 million in 2010.

Bonderman was 3-4 in 12 games in 2008 with a 4.29 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP before being shutdown due to a blood clot of the axillary's vein on June 7. Bonderman had surgery at the end of June to correct thoracic outlet compression syndrome. Thoracic outlet syndrome is a pinching of the vein responsible for returning blood from the arm to the heart.

Jeremy Bonderman was activated from the DL a year later on June 7, 2009. He started and lost to the White Sox on June 8 then was placed back on the DL on June 12 with the same injury (thoracic outlet syndrome). Bonderman was activated from the DL on September 1 ... he had no record in seven appearances out of the Tigers' pen with a 5.68 ERA and a 2.05 WHIP.

For the record, according to Cot's Contracts (the most reliable source on the web for baseball contracts), Milton Bradley is owed $9 million in 2010 and $12 million in 2011.

Ramon Castro

According to a report from the Sun-Times, the White Sox back-up catcher could end up on the North Side in 2010. The Cubs are looking to "bolster their catching depth." Castro was horrible in 31 games for the Sox. He hit just .184 with a .308 OBP in 31 games after posting a .253/.322/.430 line for the New York Mets in 26 games. Castro was a part of history while on the South Side. Castro caught Mark Buehrle's perfect game.

Hitting Coaches

Jim Hendry announced soon after the final out of the 2009 season that Lou Piniella's coaching staff would return in 2010 with the exception of Von Joshua.

Dave Keller, the Cubs minor league hitting instructor, is the only "in house candidate" according to the Sun-Times.

According to the Sun-Times, Rudy Jaramillo (of the Texas Rangers) could be available ... and the Tampa Bay Rays recently dismissed Steve Henderson despite a great year with a very young team.

Draft Pick Compensation

With the off-season approaching the initial draft order for next year was released last week by Baseball America. The Cubs will have the 16th pick in the 2010 draft, which is extremely important.

The first 16 picks in the MLB draft are protected from free-agent compensation. So if the Cubs sign a Type-A free agent they will lose their second round pick ... not their first, as long as the draft order remains the same.

John Grabow

John Grabow wants to stay in Chicago and the two-sides are discussing a deal. The reports have indicated Grabow could sign either a two or three year contract to stay on the North Side. The Tribune reported Grabow has bone-chips in his elbow ... if that is the case anything more than a two-year deal would be another bad contract handed out by Jim Hendry over the past three off-seasons.

Bruce Levine reported the Cubs have discussed a new deal with Grabow ... and the Cubs are looking to sign the lefty reliever to a two-year contract.

Ryne Sandberg

According to a report from the Daily Herald, Ryne Sandberg will manage in the Cubs' system next season, and not be a part of Lou Piniella's staff. Bruce Miles thinks Sandberg will be back at his post in Tennessee with the Smokies.

Marlon Byrd

Marlon Byrd's name was thrown out by Bruce Levine last Saturday. Levine did not indicate the Cubs have renewed interest in Byrd; he just reminded everyone that Jim Hendry tried to trade for Byrd two winters ago ... before Reed Johnson fell into their laps.

Marlon Byrd is a free agent and hit .283 with a .329 OBP and a .479 SLG in 146 games for the Rangers with 20 home runs and 43 doubles ... on the road, .285/.322/.419 with 18 doubles and six home runs.

Dis 'N Dat

We're Not Saying ... Just Saying

Brad Hawpe "might be the odd man out" of the Rockies lineup according to a report in the Denver Post. The Cubs and Hawpe have not been linked together by the mainstream media ... and he struggled in the second half for Colorado. Could he be a fit on the North Side of Chicago?

Brad Hawpe's Player Page from Yahoo Sports

Stay Tuned ...

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  • Neil

    Drew Rundle is the Cubs' latest conversion from position player to pitcher. He made his pitching debut today ...



    http://muskat.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/10/1013_afl_instructs_update.html



    This was the player I could not remember a couple of weeks back.

  • John_CC

    I don't think we'll ever really know why Fox was so underutilized. When he was just up and truly mashing everything it was his defense. Then he seemed to OK, as ccoo2600 has pointed out, and Lou even said he was pleasantly surprised. Then he just never played regularly. Opposing pitchers figured him out pretty quick, but he was still a threat, but still didn't play enough. The big mystery, and most telling (or not-telling) was after Soriano was shutdown and Bobby Scales started every damn game down the stretch. There were certainly reasons none of us are privy to why Fox wore his ass out on the bench.



    And I have to take issue with the Pie comment, Joel. In my opinion, the kid was never given a daily chance. He was constantly in fear for position on the team. He was 21 years old and should have either been left in Peoria to play every day or given a real chance. He was never "over-exposed". I still think, as he was beginning to show at the end of this season - with little pressure and an everyday gig - that he will live up to his prospect billing. And it's a shame.

  • SuzyS

    jc3-6-3...I have to agree with you re Pie. Baltimore is happy with him and counting on him to be a starter next year.

    But he was not ready to give us instant production...with the way the rest of the offense produced this season...it would not have been a happy ending anyway. Either way it's a lost opportunity for the organization....

    Could have traded him when everyone wanted him...or given him the time to really develop.

  • CC002600

    Joel,

    I don't disagree with you about why the cubs may have benched huim in Sept. (the idiots :-)).



    But let me ask you (and other cub fans). I know Fox is not a gold glover, but when he was inserted at 3B or LF, did he seem THAT bad to you, defensively ? When he was brought up, I was expecting a guy who couldn't catch a cold based on what they were saying about him. But I thought he made almost every routine play, and was not that bad at all, much better than I expected. Put it this way, I've see a LOT worse. And now it seems we're just going to dump him, for probably nothing. (knowing Hendry). I just don't get it. I think he could be a very valuable guy on the bench. but noooooo !!!



    It just drives me NUTS.

  • SuzyS

    cc002600 and everyone else re Fox:

    There is more to this then we will ever know...I read just a blurb once...that he wasn't listening to the coaches...He hit Lou's doghouse for whatever reason...and couldn't get out. The whole thing does not make sense...but I heard "The showcase" reason (he did all he could and we didn't want him to expose himself defensively). That's

    a crock...Lou and Hendry aren't that shrewd when they are trying to win.



    No...he crossed Lou somehow...like Wuertz the year before...and we will never know why....We already have Lou's "RBI bat" in house...if they would just play him.

  • joel

    Brian,



    I think (hope) the reason that Lou and Hendry effectively benched Jake Fox down the stretch is cuz he had already done all that he could to improve his stock and the more he played, he seemed to become more exposed little by little. He could have only hurt himself by staying in the lineup with poor defense and the likely continued decline in his BA...hopefully we sell high on him instead of letting him get overexposed like Fontenot, Pie,.

  • Bryan

    We've never gotten any sane explanation on why Fox was MIA for most of September. The guy was only tracking for 20+ HR's and 90+ RBI's if projected out a full season. But "no", let's put suck-ass Soriano back out there next year so he can dust off the plate with his daily whiffs and embarrass the entire team with his pathetic defense. The team can use the "bum knee" as an excuse all they want. It's just typical Cub spin. The guy is done!

  • Bryan

    "No room for Fox"? Here's room...say goodbye to both Bradley and Soriano, and just chomp away in eating those dreadful mistakes. We had no room for Casey McGhee, no room for Pie, now no room for Fox. What are we, a potential development system for every other team. Fox bats over .400, and based on the buffons in our outfield Lou can't find room for him. This is why this organizational management is so woeful.



    In regards to D. Lee, PLEASE no extension. Allow Derrick to leave gracefully after next season at age 35, move Aramis to 1B the year after, and hope Vitters is then ready at 3B.

  • John_CC

    There is never room for young potentials...they always seem blocked by a an under-performing prima donna superstar with millions and years left on a contract that was handed to them.



    What are we gonna with 20 year old Felix Pie? He's blocked for the next 3 years by Fukudome's 10 mil$ per. He'll be 24 by the time that POS contract is up! Erin Patterson, Jake Fox, Hoffpauir...all "blocked" by one thing or another.

  • CC002600

    and someone help me with this usual stupid "cubbie" logic.



    The cubs are "likely to trade Fox over winter, because he has no future with cubs". Which means they feel his defense is weak, as we all know.



    And yet, they had no problem whatsover trotting Soriano out to LF everyday on a bum knee, which produced the worst outfield defense we have ever seen from a left fielder.



    grrrrrr.



    Soriano made Fox look like a gold glover out there.



    So we will dump Fox to an AL team and watch him hit 25-30 HR's next year and drive in 90. JUST SHOOT ME NOW.



    Ok, I get it there's no place to start him, but wouldn't it make sense to keep him as supersub to fill in at 3B, 1B, C, LF, RF ? Not too mention, an excellent pinch hitter off the bench ????



    WTF



    God, I just don't understand these guys sometimes.

  • John_CC

    I'm with you man! It is complete bullshit when Hendry or Lou talk about how they value defense. Just look at the team they started all year. And then they just say Figgins can be an everyday 2Bman because he's athletic? No. And Pat Burrell? NO. If he wants defense and athleticism, go get Granderson! that would be start. Get Blanco a lot of ABs this winter and put in the SS mix. I don't know. The Figgins thing kills me. So so typical if indeed Jim start pursuing him.



    Can you imagine how easy it would be if you were the agent of one of Hendry's "targets"?

  • CC002600

    Figgins...help me with this one.



    Yes, he's a good player, and would love to add the speed.



    But, a few things I don't like. He did strike out over 100 times last year. He will be 32. He has played mostly 3rd base recently, where does he play for Cubs ? 2B ? CF ?



    To me, to spend 40M over 4 years for this guy is another contract where we are going to overpay. I would be leery.



    I would much rather see a guy like Hawpe, but that assumes we can get rid of other gargage.

  • JimK

    I tried to find the Cubs playing in Latin America this winter last night, but my "affliction" still saps my energy pretty quickly. I did see that Samardzija is joined at Mexicali by Brian (the Splitter) Schlitter and the outfielders Matt Camp and Brad Snyder.



    Snyder has been a AAAA type solid fielder with power from the left side. He was hitting for average too at Iowa this past season when he broke a wrist. If the wrist injury was not serious, he could be our next Hoffpauir in spring training.

  • JimK

    Kaplan probably had it right when he reported that T. Ricketts said there could be room for one "name" player add. My take is that the player is paid for with Harden's money after the Cubs eat nearly all of Bradley's $10 mil.



    The new player is probably an $8 to $10 mil add--maybe a lefty bat like Hawpe's. He is 30 and has two years left. I sure would like a middle infielder like Bartlett or Zobrist.



    With one add, that makes 6 of the 7 names above outside the realm of possibiity--maybe all of them. One of the hitting instructors named could be a sizeable plus.



    The DLee possible extension could have an interesting twist. ARAM can opt out of his contract at the end of 2010--and he might if DLee and/or Lilly leave after 2010. That would indicate that the team could be largely intact again in 2011, and that's problematical in my view.

  • Ronald

    Lets trade for Carl Crawford. We need to reisgn Rich Harden. Carlos Zambrano is is inconsistent. Tom Gorzelanny is not really very good. Randy Well s is very hitable. So suppose Ted Lily or Ryan Dempster get a serious injury what are we going to do.

  • John_CC

    Wow is right, Suzy, that is a lot of "stuff". And woody34, I do have a sick a feeling after reading all those rumors. I am trying to take stock in the fact that it is mid-October and these rumors are a combo of infancy and just plain made-up. At least that is what I'm telling myself because otherwise I want to puke:



    Figgins: aging star that will be expected to be starting 2B-man, even though he hasn't played there in years and NEVER played an entire season there. Plus Hendry will give over bid him up to 4 and 40 because he is a "premiere leadoff guy" and Hendry has some crazy ideas about things and that is one of them. Remeber Juan Pierre!



    Gregg considers himself the closer...I love that! That just makes me laugh!



    Pat Burrell is not even worth Bradley! Just dump Bradley and shut-up! We do not want Burrell. He is BAD.



    Marlon Byrd: Hendry is OCD. What in hell does this team need another OF for? For years, JH has obessed over OFs while not having a backup for 3B. This is idiotic. If you want a different OF, Great! So do we, but, Jim, that means you have to get over and rid of your previous obessions - Soriano and Fukudome, before you add more. Go get Hawpe and Crawford AND Granderson!!! But you have to get rid of the rest...o...that might be hard, huh? I wonder why?



    Grabow for 2 years only! But since they now know he has bone chips, you better give him 3 Jimbo, before he slips away!





  • SuzyS

    Reply to Woody and Matt:

    Re arbitration to Harden...10 mill

    on a tight budget to a pitcher with arm troubles...is not realistic..

    I think in Woods case...Hendry was trying to thank Wood for his service and make it easier for another team to sign him last year.



    Woody...nice thought. I had a ringside seat to Al McQuire's final act in the 70's...(he announced his retirement at the start of the season...then won a National Championship with the least talented team during my tenure there.)

    -Still awecome after all these years.



    While that might be Lou and Hendry's intent...I do not have "that eerie

    feeling" yet. It's too early to tell.

  • Jim C (Tinley Park, IL)

    Neil:



    I have to admit, I was dying for a new article. Thanks.

  • agustin rexach

    Me too Jim! Neil that's enough of vacation! Just kidding, you

    are a robot!

  • Abby

    I have to agree with you both, it was time. You guys keep him out of my hair :)

  • woody34

    Does anyone else have an eerie feeling about what direction the Cubs are going to go this next year?

    I am starting to think that Lou has one last hoorah, as does Hendry. They are not going to get younger this year. We are going to see the likes of a Figgins, Estrada, DeRosa, or maybe even a Jermaine Dye. All 30 somethings and up. Lou will want proven vets this year for his run.

    If this happens and everything clicks they go out on top. More than likely if not, and this team is out of it, they blow it all up at the deadline next year and trade away everything worth a dime since they all leave the next season anyhow. Lee will be a free agent, as is Lilly. The rest will only have another year like Fukudome and Dempster. Giving them a higher trade level.

    You will have Vitters, Flaherty, etc to start getting some experience and in comes Sandberg with the guys he taught in the minors to create an unbelieveable story for Ricketts to begin his tenure.

  • Matt Haggard

    Can someone mind telling me why a team (the Cubs) would not at least offer arbitration to a player?



    So what if Harden accepts it? Worst case scenario is that you get a very talented righty than at worst you can stick in your bullpen for one season.



    They did this Kerry Wood last season and lost a draft pick for it. How come?

  • SuzyS

    Wow, that was a lot of stuff...you must have been takingnotes for weeks.

    It's evident theat gregg is dillusional...he wants to close and sees himself as a Cub???...that's outrageous

    to any human being except maybe Gregg.



    While Chone Figgens is a good player...I don't see him as a good fit for us. Noy for another 4 year contract. His natural position is 3rd...Um WHO do we have there?

    I'm already sick of Bradley Talk...and really don't want any of the players

    linked to trades for him.

    Jim you did it...go to Ricketts and say you have to release him...regardless of your ego and the teams pockets....crap for crap is still crap.



    ...Watch Hendry sign Grabow to a 4 year deal with a no trade clause...So what if he has bone chips in his arm that can dloat and DL hin for the ages.



    I felt there was something wrong with Ascanio...he went from a great reliver to someone that couldn't get snyone out....all under the watchful eye of pitching guru Larry Rothschild....

    It's late...and that's it for me.

    Thanks for the great post Neil...lots to chew on.

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