According to multiple reports it appears Jim Hendry's first off-season free agent target is former Rangers' hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo. Jaramillo is regarded throughout the game as the best in the business and he could become the next hitting coach of the Chicago Cubs within the next two weeks.
Rudy Jaramillo is under contract until October 31 but the Cubs have been given permission to talk to him. Bruce Levine, during his Saturday morning show on ESPN 1000, indicated he "would be shocked if the Cubs do not sign Rudy Jaramillo to a multi-year deal in the next few weeks."
Here's the rest on Rudy Jaramillo ... and a couple of other news, notes and rumors.
Rudy Jaramillo
Rudy Jaramillo joined Bill and Cal during Ripken Baseball (XM Radio) last Thursday (10/15). Jaramillo discussed why he decided to leave Texas with the Ripken Brothers. The Rangers offered only a one-year contract and Jaramillo would like a longer deal. He said there are a lot of things going on in Texas with the pending ownership change and everything in the organization could change after 2010.
Jaramillo feels this is the best time for him to make a move due to all of the openings throughout the league. He added that he would not want to take someone else's job down the road if his time ended in Texas after next season. Jaramillo went on to say he is not tied to a coach or a manager.
Bill Ripken asked about possible destinations. Jaramillo said he was not really sure what was out there and reminded Ripken he is still under contract until the end of the month. He said organizations would have to get permission from the Rangers to talk to him for the next two and a half weeks.
During Talkin' Baseball Saturday morning, Bruce Levine reported the Cubs are expected to interview Rudy Jaramillo early next week. Levine said Jaramillo made somewhere between $600,000 - $650,000 last season with the Rangers (highest paid hitting coach in the game, for the record Dave Duncan is the highest paid pitching coach) and speculation has been Jaramillo could be paid as much as $750,000 per season on a two-three year deal.
Levine explained it is not a "slam dunk" that Jaramillo will end up with the Cubs ... there are other teams interested (Giants, Astros, Mets, Indians). Levine is positive Tom Ricketts and Crane Kenney will be involved in the decision to hire Jaramillo ... and with Lou Piniella going into the final year of his contract, Jaramillo would carry over to the next manager like Larry Rothschild has done during his time with the Cubs.
Other moves will likely wait until after Tom Ricketts is officially the new owner of the Chicago Cubs. Levine said hiring Jaramillo could not wait due to the demand for his services.
Bruce Levine added Dave Keller would receive an interview.
Milton Bradley
Rampant speculation continued throughout the week on where Milton Bradley could end up this winter. Bruce Miles reported the Cubs have received interest from two or three different teams. Bruce Levine thinks Tampa and Toronto would be good fits for Bradley ... smaller markets with a designated hitter. Levine believes the Cubs will have to take on a bad veteran contract for a bad veteran contract. For the record, he did not mention Pat Burrell.
Geovany Soto
During Ryan Theriot's time with Dave Kaplan on Sports Central last Tuesday (10/13), Kaplan mentioned that Geovany Soto would be working out with Ryan Dempster beginning in January in Chicago. Soto is looking to come into 2010 in shape and ready to go ... apparently one of his pitcher's wants to help.
The 40-man Roster and So Taguchi
The Cubs' 40-man roster was trimmed to 39 on Friday after So Taguchi was released. The Cubs also activated Chad Fox and Alfonso Soriano from the 15-day DL ... normal procedural moves. Teams must finalize their 40-man roster by November 20.
The AFL
After winning on Opening Day in the Arizona Fall League, the Mesa Solar Sox have lost their last three games ... Andrew Cashner took the loss on Friday. Here's how the Cubs' prospects have done:
- John Gaub - 1 inning, allowed one run on three hits with no walks and two strikeouts
- Andrew Cashner - (0-1) 2 innings, allowed three runs on three hits (one home run surrendered) with a walk and two strikeouts
- Blake Parker - 1 inning, no runs, two hits allowed with no walks and two strikeouts
- James Russell - (0-1), 2 innings in relief, three runs, two earned, on four hits (one home run surrendered) with no walks and two strikeouts
- Welington Castillo - 1-for-4 (one game) with two strikeouts
- Starlin Castro - 7-for-14 (four games) with a double, a walk, two runs scored, three RBI and a stolen base
- Josh Vitters - 5-for-11 (three games) with a double, a walk and no strikeouts ... caught stealing two times and one error (throwing) in the field.
An Interesting Blurb ... Jon Heyman listed the Cubs as one of the possible destinations for Billy Wagner this off-season on the MLB Network earlier in the week ...
Well ... that's the latest and I'm sticking to it!
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Some Jon Heyman predictions
* He had Pedro Martinez signing with the Cubs last July. That was the rumor that wouldn't die.
* In that past, Brian Roberts being traded to the Cubs.
* In the past, Jake peavy being traded to the Cubs.
* This past week, he has Rudy Jarmillo going to the cubs, and now Billy Wagner.
Has he ever been right?
Jarmillo has been so widely reported that he can't be the guy to take full credit for it. Other than that one, no, no he hasn't.
what we know is that the "widely reported" tag is like the death card to Cubdom. If you'll recall in the offseason prior to the 2007 season, it was "widely reported" that Carlos Lee was going to sign with the Cubs, with the player even commenting himself of his affinity for Wrigley. If you'll recall in the 2006 offseason, it was "widely reported" that Furcal would sign with us, and in the 2007 offseason again, it was "widely reported" that Joe Girardi was going to be hired. And of course, this past offseason, it was reported that an Adam Dunn signing was imminent due to comments he made about wanting to play for the Cubs.
In fact, the only widely reported signing that I can think of that actually came true was the Fukudome one.
It just seems like Hendry doesn't make the correct call, because he wants to keep people guessing. I won't say that Soriano, or Piniella, or Bradley came out of nowhere, but the others were "widely reported" early on, then their signings came awhile later.
I would guess that 99% of what you hear we'll do this offseason won't come true. Why? Because it seems the general public...and media alike, are smarter than Jim Hendry, and know the moves that need to be made, but we all know that Hendry will go after cheap veteran, fill-in type of signings, and it will be one of the ugliest seasons you will ever witness. GUARANTEED...If it isn't...I'll have me some crow...but what about Hendry makes you think he'll make the right moves?!?
Hendry is definitely a hit or miss GM.
At least this years FA crop isn't anything to get too excited about.
(I would stay away from Figgins and Lackey).
Hopefully, he can obtain usefull non tenders. That seems to be Hendry's strength. (To prey on financially challenged teams). He does have some trading chips in Theriot (Maybe to Boston), Soto (Kansas City, Florida), and Maybe Fukudome who even though he has a no trade clause, his pride may take over if the team wants to deal him.
Grrrr,,,Grrrrr....Grrrrr....and another unladylike Grrrrrr....the Yankees again....the dreaded, the hated...once again in an unlucky 13th. Grrrrrrrr!!!
(I don't like LA either...But I reserve hatred for only one team. From start to finish...this season has been the lost season.
Good game in bad conditions though...I'm kind of surprised they didn't call it with all the high priced talent on the field.
Mariano Rivera is an anomaly...how many teams have had the same closer for as many years as he's been with the Yanks?
Suzy:
After the Cubs, my wife's favorite team is the Yankees. She loves Jeter. I think her wish list is Bon Jovi, Jeter then Me.
Hang in there. Anaheim should play better at home.
I guess the Yankees are "A Social Disease" and Jeter looks like "A Little Runaway". It's just a matter of time before they get "Wild in the Streets" of New York. "Raise your Hands" SuzyS because the Angels are now just "Living on a Prayer". Socia is a good one and he wants it "Dead or Alive" but he knows there's "Nothing Without Love" he just has to "Let it Rock" and see.
PS JimC-I agree with SuzyS...at least you made the top 3 list! LOL!!!
Just 'Keep the Faith'...
exactly...lol!
JimC...I'm glad you rank in there somewhere...Jeter IS cute and wealthy.
BUT he works for the nemesis of all Boston fans...the author of many
broken hearts in New England.
Methinks she puts you first Jim...since she roots for the Cubs above all.
Of course I loathe the Yankees too, as probably most baseball fans not from NY do. You either love them or hate them. But how can anyone - even a Red Sox fan - hate Derek Jeter? I have always been a fan. He does everything, on and off the field. Plus he played against my hometown HS at the same time I lived there. Pretty cool. And those eyes...come on!
But really, for some reason, I do loathe this Yankee team as much as the past. I think Giardi has taken control nicely. Too bad someone else didn't take the chance on younger potential over the aged veteran a couple years ago...
Yankees in 4.
Phils in 5.
Then I have no idea. I'm afraid the Yanks will be tough to beat at all, here on out.
editor's correction: I do NOT loathe this Yankee team as much as the past.
http://www.prosportsdaily.com/comments/albert-pujols-comments-surprise-st-louis-cardinals-285315.html
Pujols' upcoming decision will create the most rumored trade talk season since the Soriano-ARod rumor debacle that led to the Yanks handing over the largest contract in the world for an athlete.
It is hard to imagine what the offers and talks will be like. What it would take to lure Albert in, clearly the best baseball player on the planet right now. Does he want to stay with LaRussa? If it isn't money, what is it? The big stage (NY, Boston, Chicago[?])? I don't think he fears it, but does he desire it?
As good and consistent as he is, how long of a contract would you be willing to offer him? I know many here have called for nothing over 3 maybe 4 years. Is the best player in the game, at 30 years old, worth 6 years and $170 million? Is that even enough to bring him? You know the Yankees will offer 10 and 250.
It is no doubt going to be a circus.
jc 3-6-3...Nope, I don't hate Jeter...like DLee...he is a pro's pro.
Sweet Lou should be with the Yanks and Girardi with the Cubs...but it didn't work out that way.
Puhols will indeed be a circus...one we need not worry about because we have Soriano to pay off....
As far as money goes...From what I've read...Puhols is concerned that the Cards
would not be able to ...pay him market value (or just a little under....AND field a competitive team...a valid point
unless you are the Yanks/Red Sox/Angels.
After watching the Soriano thing unfold...I personally would not like to see any long term contracts beyond the age of 34...on the outside.
We'll miss out with a few...but never get saddled too badly either....I hope Ricketts can adopt that mentality.
Interesting tweet from Jim Bowden
http://twitter.com/JimBowdenIV
Bryan Price new pitching coach for Reds, Rick Peterson new pitching coach for the Brewers and Rudy Jaramillo new hitting coach with CHC ... those teams just got better.
First I've read ... will post a full report if Jaramillo has been hired as the Cubs' new hitting coach.
I take it that you stoped watching football today?
i watched a lot of rick peterson here in NY with the mets. he's not great. most times he looked thoroughly confused, and/though he had few system born talents. mostly free agents from other teams.
Anyone else think that if we sign Jaramillo, then Bradley will be sticking around for another year? I can see JH saying that Jaramillo had big success with Bradley in Texas so the Cubs want to give Jaramillo a chance to turn Bradley around here.
I've never seen a clubhouse turn on a teammate the way the Cubs did with Bradley once he was suspended. No one defended him. They all seemed pretty relieved he was gone. That's very unlike baseball players, who almost never say what they really feel. Milton must have really got under everybody's skin. The fact that they're openly talking about eating huge chunks of his 3-year deal means he's gone. I think most fans could tell something was weird this year, and our suspicions were confirmed when JH sent a 10mil player home for the last 2 weeks of the season. His signing was a big mistake and ruined the clubhouse chemistry.
No way, they will get rid of that cancer by Spring training.
Guess we can all breath a sigh of relief now that our second base problems are over. Cubs.com just predicted Starlin Castro will be playing short on the big league team in 2010, so we just shuttle Theriot over to second. Thanks to Muskat for feeding our unrealistic hopes and dreams.
Re Bradley...I don't see anything good, one way or the other...either we get another bad contract back...or the Cubs release him...(a huge financial pill to swallow)...or he comes back...(unlikely...and at this point...he knows no one wants him...
players/fans/management.) It would be the absolute worse case scenario.
There are no easy fixes to JH's bad decision.
Re: Castro...it's not unrealistic that he is worked in mid-season next year...
But we can't count on him to begin with.
I remember watching Sosa with the White Sox when he was 18...skinny as a stick
but fast as lightening.
The best quote out of the muskat article:
"I want to be the best shortstop in the major leagues." -Castro.
Wouldn't that be something?
Hitting at the bigs is just so hard to do, but hey, I'm on board if they think he can do it at 19/20. About time the Cubs had a true multi-tooled prospect that ACTUALLY moved through the system with authority, and early. Seems like there's so many on the farm in their mid to late 20s.
It won't be his his hitting that holds him back...he had 39 errors in 388 attempts for a .937 fielding average split this year between high A and AA.
However Castro's quickness and range...
combined with a capacity for hard work might get him up here.
Lou will find a reason not to want Castro next year.
Bryan, if the Cubs don't get off to a good start...Lou will be gone.
Well, I think you forget about those trade scenarios involving Brad Hawpe.
He ain't going nowhere per their GM
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/10240418/GM:-No-desire-to-move-slugger-Hawpe