The Chicago Cubs added five players to their 40-man roster on Friday afternoon: John Gaub, Blake Parker, Rafael Dolis, Welington Castillo and James Adduci. The Cubs had until 11:00pm C.S.T. on Friday night to add players in order to protect them from being exposed in the upcoming Rule 5 Draft on December 10. The Cubs 40-man roster now stands at 38 players.
The Cubs did not announce any other changes to their major league roster. Marcos Mateo was expected to be released and there has been speculation that the Cubs could non-tender Neal Cotts.
Blake Parker (RHP) - Picked by the Cubs in the 16th round of the 2006 draft. Parker posted a 2-3 record in 44 games with 22 saves with the I-Cubs ... a 3.06 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP
Blake Parker's Page on The Baseball Cube
John Gaub (LHP) - Gaub was one of the three pitchers acquired in the Mark DeRosa trade last December with the Cleveland Indians. Gaub was a combined 4-2 in 52 games (26 with the Smokies, 26 with the I-Cubs) with a 2.25 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. Gaub walked 33 and gave up 36 hits in 60 innings with 80 strikeouts.
John Gaub's Page on the Bsaeball Cube
Rafael Dolis (RHP) - Dolis was signed as an undrafted free agent out of the Dominican Republic by Jose Serra (Starlin Castro). Dolis posted a 3-9 record in 27 games, 25 starts, for the Daytona Cubs last year. Dolis struck out 75 and walked 53 in 99 2/3 innings (3.79 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP).
Rafael Dolis' Page on the Baseball Cube
Welington Castillo (C) - Castillo was signed as an undrafted free agent out of the Dominican Republic. Castillo has made a name for himself in the Cubs' systems over the past two seasons. Castillo played in XM Radio's Futures Game in 2008 and earned a non-roster invitation to spring training in 2009.
While Castillo's offense took a step back in 2009 (.232/.275/.386 in 95 games with 16 doubles and 11 home runs in Triple-A), his defense showed a lot of improvement in 2009. Castillo has drawn comparisons to Yadier Molina.
Welington Castillo's Page on the Baseball Cube
James Adduci (OF) - Adduci was the 42nd round pick of the Florida Marlins in the 2003 draft. The lefty outfielder put together a solid season for Ryne Sandberg in 2009. Adduci posted a .300/.377/.388/.765 line in 131 games wit 21 doubles, four triples and four home runs. Adduci stole 35 bases and was caught twelve times.
Still two mor spots, I say Diamond as one but the other one is unclear.
Unlikely anyone else gets protected....teams usally keep a spot or two open in case they want to draft anyone from Rule V. They can't draft if they have no room on the 40-man.
Where did you see this Waldo?
That is what I think, never saw it anywhere. Tiamong playes good in Winter ball.
Neil, what's the scoop on Dolis...I see he had Tommy John surgery.
No word on Snyder?
Good arm, they were high on him before the surgery. I will try to find an updated scouting report on him later tonight.
I have not seen anything on Snyder. Would imagine he will weigh his options.
Here's more Dolis:
"The other is right-hander Rafael Dolis, a former infielder. [Dolis] was a shortstop that we converted to pitcher in January of this year. He throws up to 94, 95 miles per hour. He's got a great arm with a good feel and is a guy that can throw real hard."
From Scout.com
Dolis is hard throwing right hander has had control problems as a starter ... but projects as a power arm out of the bullpen.
Dolis has an upper 90s fastball and can reach 100 mph with a solid slider and changeup.
Jim Callis of Baseball America thought Dolis would be the top pick in the Rule 5 draft if the Cubs did not add him to the 40-man roster.
Let Cotts go--that's fine. It still burns me that they traded Aardsma for him. Aardsma was throwing just fine and they dealt him away for this guy. I hope he signs with the Brewers or Arizona. He can either keep Heilman company or else help the Cubs finish ahead of the Brew-Crew.
oh please rip...ardasma sucked as a cub and wherever he has been after wards except with the Mariners a little.
What is the draft order? Do the Cubs get a pick?
Cubbiefan07...Neil or anyone can
correct me if I'm wrong...
I believe the order of picking
is just like the regular draft.
Yes the Cubs can pick if they choose to.
Remember though, if the Cubs pick a minor
leaguer from someone else...they have to keep that pick on their active roster
(25 man) through the bulk of the season -
...like they did David Patton last season.
It's a valuable spot...so teams do not always may a selection.
The Rule 5 draft order is the same as the Rule 4 draft order (first year player draft in June). The Cubs have the 15th pick.
http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=mlb_draft
Blue Jays called the Cubs about Hallady. Do you realize if we did not sign Dempster last offseason, we could actually have a bonafide ace on this team? Dempster next year is going to cost us 12+ million. I know Dempster is a great clubhouse guy - but a 20 game winner on any team is a great clubhouse guy. When was the last time we had a 20 game winner on this team? Lieber if I am not mistaken?
I would love Halladay in Cubby pinstripes, as long as it doesn't cost us one of our "untouchable" prospects. Vitters and Soto have at them. A 2.79 ERA in the AL equates to under a 2.00 in the NL.
He won't cost as much this offseason as he would of at the deadline. Deadline deal team would of had him for a year and a half, now its just a year. I also heard the Blue Jays are going to allow any team who will trade for him to give a negotiating window for an extension as well.
On another note, Josh Johnson is not going to sign an extension with the Marlins. They have him under arbritration for the next two years before he hits free agency. The kid is only 25 and a superstar in the making. I would love him at the top of our rotation.
I wish Zambrano would either grow up and be the pitcher he is paid to be, or waive his no trade clause. What a waste for this team right now.
Nice fantasy... getting Halladay...But Demp isn;t the hold back...it's all of Hendry's decisions together.
We're going to have to grow our own 20 game winner...and that won't happen until JH is gone.
Don't look for tose type if moves unless it looks like it m9ight put us over the top...as it is now...Halladay would be wasted on us...until we have a true outfield...and middle infield put together.
I agree Suzy
Alright, don't laugh but I figured out Hendry's offseason in one mega deal three team trade. I know it would never happen because JH is not that creative, but look how it would benefit each team.
The Mets seriously need a #2 pitcher behind Santana, a first baseman, outfield help and some high OBP guys.
The Blue Jays are looking to dump salary and get some talent.
The Cubs we all know what we need.
I propose:
Mets get:
Zambrano
Overbay
Theriot
Lind
Blue Jays get:
Castillo
Bradley
Soto
Vitters
Dan Murphy
Chris Carpenter
and $4 million cash from Cubs for Bradley
Cubs get:
Halladay
Aaron Hill
Jose Reyes
I know it looks like a steal for the Cubs. But look at this, the Blue Jays save about 8 million next year. Plus they have a solid starting catcher, a future corner infielder, a utility guy in Murphy and a pitching prospect.
The Mets instantly get better in their rotation with Zambrano, and he will love the spotlight that New York provides. Overbay is one of the best OBP guys in the league filling the void that Delgado's departure left. Theriot as we know is a steady infielder, decent OBP guy and they can go after Hudson to play second which they covet. Adam Lind brings them a young outfielder to play alongside Beltran. The Mets as we know can afford a little bump in the salary exchange.
The Cubs save about 4 million on this trade, Solidify the middle infield giving Castro a year plus to progress in the minors (not rushing him).. We can shift Ramirez to first when Lee departs, and shift Hill to third then play Reyes and Castro combo up the middle. Halladay gives us a 20 game winner and the bonafide ace we need.
Call me crazy, but any thoughts?
Woody, I have to second the rifleman here.
In addition to his comments this trade would have to be Mets driven. As you
pointed out JH doesn't think that way.
Crazy!!!!!!
Woody, will comment tomorrow...too tired tonight.
I love the idea-too bad I find it unworkable. I just dont see the mets doing it. I cant see the Jays giving up Lind and Hill just after there breakout seasons. The Jays would really love to get rid of Vernon Wells. Sub Wells for Lind and maybe they might consider it. Again, Id like to see it, but consider such a trade unlikely.
My original thinking was Beltran instead of Reyes to the Cubs and the Mets getting Wells. But the Blue Jays are stuck with Wells like we are Soriano. No team in their right mind will take either of those contracts unless the deals are reworked.
I love the idea of adding Halladay of course. As far as what to give up I would say put 1-3 prospects off limits and give them anyone else. Likely a couple of high end low level prospects and a couple of major league ready players, ie jake fox, sean marshall, Samardzija etc. I don't feel that that is too much by any means to acquire a recent Cy Young winner in his prime. While money would be the hold up on the Cubs end of a deal moving some money in Bradley's contract likely needs to be used in addressing other needs such as CF or 2B. Cubs new ownership would likely have to sign off and take the hit on this one to get it done. Could be the bold move that signals to everyone that new ownership wants a championship. I realize from a business sense the current payroll is too high but we can only hope to somehow add an ace like Hallady. With Halladay,Big Z, Demp, Lilly, Wells as our starters we could get by with minor tweaks to 2B, CF instead of going with the big splash like granderson we somehow get an "Abreu" like player deal 5mil or so. and then let the other spot go to an in house player or 2 such as Castro/Colvin/Fox getting an everyday chance we wouldn't be adding nearly as much to the payroll while improving the team drastically. Maybe Hendry gets Rickets to give him one last shot as GM and sign off on a temporary payroll increase that if it doen't work this year the next GM will have to fix. I think this is likely anyway so we should go for the homerun this year.
Beltran could be a great addition. if we could get him instead of castillo in the talked about 3 way trade with bradley and millwood. I'm sure the Mets would also need a prospect as well which would still be worth it. woody your deal seems great but highly unlikely since I believe it would be the largest trade in history. I also like Josh Johnson as a trade option. He is a young under the radar ace. He would likely command the same prospects as Halladay but for a lot less pay. While Halladay is close to a sure thing Johnson is a bit more of a risk to do what Halladay has proven he will do year in and year out. They are both workhorses when they do start often going 8 or 9 innings something we could certainly use.