Congratulations to the New York Yankees on their 27th World Series Championship. The 2009 season ended exactly one month after the Cubs campaign came to an end ... Warm up the oven, it's time for the Hot Stove Season.
The 15-day free-agent filing period begins on Thursday ... teams have exclusive negotiating rights for the next 15 days in order to try and re-sign their would-be free agents. The Cubs are expected to re-sign John Grabow to a contract at some point over the next two weeks and a day ... but Rich Harden, Kevin Gregg, Reed Johnson and Chad Fox are expected to reach the open market. Johnson might return while Harden, Gregg and Fox will likely have another team in 2010 ... and beyond.
Will the surgery on Ted Lilly's shoulder change Jim Hendry's approach this winter? Will the Cubs offer arbitration to Rich Harden and/or try to re-sign him? Or will they begin the season with a rotation full of question marks?
For many, the announcement Ted Lilly underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder Tuesday came as a surprise. Lilly spent time on the DL in July and August with left shoulder inflammation and had his knee scoped at the same time. Lilly appeared to finish the season relatively healthy despite not pitching between September 18 - 30. The discomfort Lilly was feeling did not subside so he decided to go ahead with the procedure Tuesday.
Ted Lilly was the Cubs most consistent pitcher since the second half of the 2008 campaign. Lilly was 8-3 in 14 starts after the break in 2008 with a 3.32 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP and posted one of the quietest 17-win campaigns in recent memory (17-9 with a 4.09 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP).
'The Bulldog' was 12-9 in 27 starts last year with a 3.10 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP ... that included ridiculous numbers at Wrigley. Lilly posted an 8-2 mark in 13 starts with a 1.87 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP ... just 12 walks in 91 1/3 innings with 79 strikeouts and a .265 BABIP. Lilly quietly became the Cubs' number one pitcher.
Lilly should return sometime in April of 2010. According to multiple reports, Lilly will begin throwing again four months from Wednesday ... which would be March 4. Lilly figures to be behind the rest of the pitchers and should start the season on the disabled list.
The Cubs begin the 2010 regular season in Atlanta on Monday, April 5. They have scheduled off days on April 6 (after opening day) and April 13 (following the home opener against the Brewers) and without rain will not need a fifth starter until April 19.
Ted Lilly reportedly has a very good work ethic and without setbacks should return as expected at some point in the first month of the season.
According to a report from Bruce Miles, Jim Hendry said the Cubs "have not made any decisions yet on who's coming back or not from the club we ended the season with." Hendry explained that Lilly's surgery "wouldn't alter our plans about adding another starter because Lew Yocum is one of the best in the world." Hendry said, "If he felt ... if the rehab went according to plan, the way Ted goes about his business, there's a good possibility Ted will be pitching in April. We certainly don't want to take that spot away from Ted if he's ready."
According to Miles, Hendry "did not want a whole lot to do with the question" when asked if the Cubs would try to keep Rich Harden now. Hendry did say he has spoken with the agents for both Rich Harden and John Grabow.
If anything, Jim Hendry should have learned last season that things do not goes as planned. Injuries to players happen during a baseball season and backups must be in place when those injuries occur.
Hendry ignored that fact a year ago and did not have a true backup for Aramis Ramirez. No one could have predicted Ramirez would miss as much time as he did but Ramirez misses games every season due to injury.
For the Cubs to not have a back-up plan for Ted Lilly going into Spring Training would be a mistake. The Cubs need another frontline pitcher to begin with, more now than before Ted Lilly went under the knife.
Carlos Zambrano has all of the potential to be an elite pitcher in the league. Zambrano has the stuff and has shown signs, but has yet to 'put it all together' for a full season. But after Ryan Dempster, the Cubs have more questions than answers.
Tom Gorzelanny? Randy Wells? Sean Marshall? Jeff Samardzija? Mitch Atkins?
Even with a fully healthy Ted Lilly, the Cubs' rotation entering next season had question marks ... now there is a gapping hole.
It's time to get to work Mr. Hendry.
Chicago Tribune says Lilly will miss the start of the season. I love Wells and enjoyed his success story all season but I am still understandably wary of his success continuing based on the fact that hes a contact pitcher and doesnt necessarily dominate
THE CUBS CANNOT COMPETE WITH A ROTATION INCLUDING RANDY WELLS, TOM GORZELANNY, AND JEFF SAMARDZIJA
You know Big Z will have his string of 4-5 straight horrible starts and Dempster will be decent but with those 3 taking the mound almost everyday we will be lucky to finish above .500
Hendry better find a way to bring in Derek Lowe for Bradley or pull some sort of rabbit outta the hat cuz i need to watch Cubbie baseball in october...im having withdrawals already!
Maybe he could sign Prior? LOL
Joel, i totally agree with you, that starting 5 is horrible!! Hendry needs to put together a package starting with Samardzija and Jake Fox, and anybody else toronto might be interested in, for Halladay...Ricketts needs to make a blockbuster move to get the fans excited again, and Halladay at the top of the rotation would do that...And Hendry needs to start trading players when their value is high instead of holding on to them.. i.e. prior, pie,patterson
OK Boys...Welcome to the 2009 version
of the Hot Stove League Offseason!!!
Surgeon Lew Yokum "THINKS THERE'S A GOOD
POSSIBILITY THAT LILLY COULD BE PITCHING AGAIN IN APRIL IF ALL GOES WELL."
-Chicago Tribune
That's the direct quote...NOT " Lilly will be back in April."
Big Difference.
1) Aaron, as a former pitcher what's your take on Lilly's surgery...The surgeon and Cubs make it sound like a minor clean-up...and yet it will be at least four month's before Lilly can
throw a ball. Can you shed any light on this?
Also...NICE CALL...you said several weeks ago Lilly would spend significant time on the DL in 2010.
2)Last week, when Ricketts was introduced, I caught a little tidbit in one of Rickett's talks..."Lou's a good manager, I hope he comes back." ???
Evidently, and I might be mistaken, Lou
has not formally exercised his option
yet....If so...what is he waiting for?
The team to look better? What if it doesn;t...Does he announce his retirement and send the Cubs scrambling?
How does Lilly impact this?
3) Budget or not, the Cubs now need another pitcher for the rotation. Even
if Lilly comes back...we are too thin.
(Assuming Harden isn't back)
Hendry's been down this injury mode before...(Woods/Prior)...be proactive this time Jim.
By the way, A few days ago, I had one of my friends email the Cubs re JimK.
Considering his role as banker to the Wrigley's, Love of the Cubs, and positive impact on Cubs fans...I thought it would be nice if the Cubs, as an
organization...would acknowledge Jim
to his family.
My hope was that Kaplan had a contact with the Cubs...that might bring it to the attention of Ricketts/or whomever in the Cubs to send something before the Memorial Ceremony Nov.16th.
To Date...no word back.
If anyone else on the site has a contact
or knows of a better way...please do whatever you can...JimK gave a lot of himself to the Cubs...It would be a nice gesture by the Cubs to acknowledge such
a prominent fan.
Just a reminder...if you go to the
Community section...JoeS in his
comment under "JimK's Obit" ledt a direct
link to the duneral home holding the service Nov.16th...You can still leave a comment directly to his family as several
on this site already have.
Suzy.....great minds think alike...I have been working on this for the last several days. I'm in contact with folks in the Cubs PR department. They are hopeful that something can be done...the delay is because of the meetings that took place in Arizona.
Aside from a letter from the team I am hopeful of a JK armband for a spring training game. As the rules are more lax during spring training they might be able to get it done.
I've also contacted several folks with the Trib and Times about an article.
The least I can do for what he did for me.
Joe...I'm glad to hear what you are doing. Please keep me/us apprised of
any progress...If I can do anything
let me know...my direct email is on the memorial site.
Although I don't have the direct story
you have with JimK...it has been really difficult for me re my brother...so the many smiles that he brought me were deeply and greatly appreciated.
Good morning offseason...
Up until yesterday I was 100% focused on the offense...now I guess you all have opened my eyes to the pitching staff. Just goes to show the mess Hendry has gotten us into. With payroll flexibility the Cubs could entertain the thought of fixing a need. Possibly resigning Harden, 1-2 years incentive laden contract. A Marquis, 1-2 years incentive laden contract. Halladay is never going to happen, and we will not be able to out bid Philly for Lee, again flexibility. Chapman, sorry can't do it. Hell, even if we were able to draft Strassburg we would not have been able to sign him thanks to Hendry. The point is there are no quick fixes to his mess and this team really is hanging on the edge.
-You can't count on Z
-Dempster is another year older and like someone said earlier, a gritty gutty #3, and a vocal team leader. But a #3.
-Lilly, This is scary. He is our ace. And injuries are starting to add up. I agree though that he is not a hard throwing lefty, and that they can last longer. SO... let's see if he will bounce back, and then re-up on the contract. I am not against re-signing Thoedore, just against doing it right now. Mr. Ricketts should know, you invest in a known commodity, not one that suddenly has question marks.
-Wells, Please Please PLEASE don't be Rich Hill, Mark Prior, Kevin Foster (How's that for the Random Cub of the day). But again a ????
-Shark will never be a starter in the Bigs. 2 pitches. 2. Closer!!!!!!!!!! See Mariano....not that I am anywhere close to comparing the 2 but he only has 1 pitch. You can fool guys for an inning, you cannot fool em for 5 or 6, let alone 7 or 8. Go to the minors, give up the starting dream, make that "splitty" dominant, throw a 95 MPH heater, maybe even drop the arm angle and become the next ECK. I don't care you are not a starter.
Gorzo, Marshall, Atkins, Cashner, all ??????. I say the following based on the current situation...
Z
Demp
Lilly
Wells
Cashner/Atkins (Give em a shot)
Whew.... looks like JH has some work to do. On the offensive side... why are people enamoured with Mike Cameron???????????
White Sox just got Teahan for Getz and
Josh Fields...so scratch Fields off our list of speed guys.
We are in trouble, because our pitching depth was already thin.Yes Lily might be back in April but suppose one of our starters get injured in spring training. Halladay will cost to much prospects which we do not have. Lacky will cost to much money. My solution re-sign Harden to a one year deal and a option for a second year. After that we will have to hope to piece everything together. We need fixes, we thought the offense would of been fixed but a stayed like that the whole year. Jim Hendry have the chance to prove himself now.
Yankees win WS.
Who ever said you can't buy a championship ?
:-)
Long time reader...not much of a poster.
The Cubs starting rotation is a huge concern for 2010. Hendry must bring stability to the rotation. Jason Marquis was a royal headache, but he took the ball every 5th day and gave the Cubs 10-12 wins and 200 innings. What would it take to sign a guy like Lackey or trade for Derek Lowe?
If the Cubs are going anywhere next year the starting 5 has to be better. JH this is why we pay you the big bucks...make it happen!
BD ... good to hear from you. I am hearing huge money and a lot of years on Lackey. As for Lowe, there have been rumblings that the Cubs could trade Bradley to Atlanta for Lowe ... remember, these are just rumblings.
Everyone has forgotten, we have one of the best swing men in the league in Sean Marshall. I believe this now makes him untradeable. Unless he is dealt to bring in a Halladay.
Jon Garland's option I just read is not going to be picked up, that would be a cheap option - that we could turn into a 5th starter when Lilly is ready.
Unless we get a Peavy or Halladay type, the bonafide ace, no need going to spend big money on a pitcher. There just are not any of those available as free agents this year. Is Josh Johnson a possibility via trade? Zito we could get for Bradley, but is that someone we want to chance? I think the best options would be Washburn, Garland, or Wolf. Washburn has alot of upside. Any thoughts?
Woody, I could only imagine the asking price for Josh Johnson ... if he was available. It would cost the Cubs the entire Tennessee Smokies roster, remember dealing with the Marlins always costs more.
It's not based on any information, but I expect JH to make a run at Bedard.
Josh Johnson would be great, but I doubt we have the trade bait to make that happen unless we package Castro and Vitters and others (not gonna happen). Zito's contract is too high and I think Washburn, Garland, and Wolf will be too expensive.
David, Funny you mentioned Bedard...I was thinking of him last night and was going to do research...but then it got too late....What's his status with Seattle?
Don't they want him back?
David, It doesn't sound promising for Bedard, he might be done.
http://www.seattlepi.com/baseball/379752_bedard19,html
What are all your thoughts on Zito...
ya he hasnt played up to his contract but he really seemed like he was pitching better last year and really got screwed out of wins by a subpar offense. If we take him for what he is, a really good #3 with potential to be a steady #2 I think he would be a great catch for Bradley.
Zambrano
Lilly
Dempster
Zito
Wells
????
Zito's contract is comparable to Soriano's...not Bradley's.
If they take on Soriano for Zito...fine.
Bradley for Zito adds an additional 70 plus million in backloaded contracts.
J.J. Putz is available I think we should try to sign him.
I hate links...comma instead of a dot...
lates try it again re Bedard:
http//www.seattlepi.com/baseball/379752_bedard19.html
Buy low on JJ Putz and Billy Wagner...
CL-Carlos Marmol
SU-J.J. Putz
SU-Billy Wagner
MR-Angel Guzman
MR-John Grabow
LR- Esmailin Caridad
That would be a well above average, if not GREAT bullpen with plenty of backup options if Marmol flakes as closer (Putz, Wagner, Guzman) Not too mention the LH options in Grabow and Wagner
You guys think its feasible or no chance that we resign Grabow and sign at least one of the two, Wagner and Putz
SuzyS... I'd trade sorry-iano for Zito in a heartbeat!!!
I do not understand everyone all of a sudden freaking out about the Cubs pitching staff. This was the team with the 5th best ERA in the entire league. The only major pieces not coming back is Harden and Gregg and both of their ERAs last year were over 4.00.
Everyone seems to be thinking doom here. Lilly, Zambrano, Wells, and Dempster all had ERAs under 4.00 with Wells and Lilly right around 3.00. I am not sure what else you people want out of a starting rotation.
The first day of the offseason has been interesting. Here is a quick couple points for a few options that could be Cubs options.
Bobby Crosby
Alex Gonzalez
both could be decent short term options for shortstop
Chad Tracy (possible corner infielder backup)
Miguel Batista (5th starter candidate/long reliever)
JJ Putz (possible 7th/8th inning setup guy)
Any thoughts on any of these guys?
Alex Gonzalez can still field ... but can't hit and there is an injury risk. Gotta get younger.
It will be interesting to see the list of players that are non-tendered. There could be several very good players and if the 'experts' are right, the non-tenders will have a huge impact on free agency this winter.
Are we that desperate that we are considering Miguel Batista. Bobby Crosby is always injured. Ed are you for real is Barry Zito are you the same guy that we are watching, our ball park is much smaller you could only imagine his era.
These are just day one of offseason options, thats all Ronald. Just getting thoughts. Bobby Crosby could be a different guy switching to the NL - some guys have that NL feel about them, and I think he could be one of those types of players.
I also happened to remember about 8 years ago, Batista who pitched for Mr. Brenly's World Series winning DBacks. He was a rookie then I believe, and they relied on him to pitch the days Randy and Curt weren't pitching. Another playoff proven player.
I would love to have a few extra guys who are playoff proven on this team that can't win in the playoffs. And this is a guy all we have to do is ask Bob whether or not he would be a good fit on this team. RIght?????
8 years ago.
No. Please leave Bautista out of the conversation. Even on day one. I listen to a fair amount of M's games. He is a bum.
Woody...those guys are periphial...except
for Batista and JJ Putz.,,,and it's too early to tell which direction JH might want to go...until Bradley is resolved...We don't know what the Bradley deal will look like yet...is it Bradley for x player or Bradley and xyz
players/prospects for pitching or position player(s).
IMO any discussion of the bullpen should pencil Gaub (LHP) in towards the backend of the pen...he was exceptional in both
AA and AAA.
But the big deal comes 1rst...we may have to include players we like on the current roster in order to get a decent
return for needs.
- Another player to watch re pitching for us is Thomas Diamond...that we picked up off wavers (late season) from Texas. (see Cubs.com article).
He might be someone to get excited about...see how he does in the Mexican league...starting this week.
-Johnson, Harden have declared free agency already (Cubs.com) Harden is a type B...Gregg hasn't declared yet...but low and behold...He's a type A free agent. Good luck to him getting signed if someone has to pay us 2 picks for him.
(But I don't think we'd risk offering him anything.)
Suzy, I have to think that if we offered the arbitration to Gregg, in order to get those picks - he would accept it then we would be stuck with him. So we are losing Gregg and the picks.
I know we have plenty of talented arms in the minors, but don't you think we need some kind of veteran presence in the pen? We didn't have that this year and I think the pen suffered overall. The previous two years we had Woody and Howry plus Eyre for a year and a half.
I would love a young talented pen that we could depend on - but its sort of the Maddux effect having a veteran. The pitchers around Maddux were better just because he was there.
Woody34...I agree with your thinking...but don't forget Grabow is no spring chicken...if the Cubs must sign him...they should hold off...and offer him arbitration...and fet him cheaper
later for a year.
If we added one veteran to the mix...my choice would be Billy Wagner...in case Marmol gets a case of "the wilds" again.
BJ Ryan might be better now...with more time to heal also.
Wagner would definitely cost more...but would be totally worth it...if JH can fit it in the budget.
Both Guzman and Marmol are moving into their prime now...so that's a plus.
Suzy,
You are right it all starts with the Bradley situation. I hope this doesn't drag out like the Sosa one. The entire roster will start to take shape after we find out who is going to replace him, and what money we will have to spend after that.
Not trying to bring bad news, but don't look for Bradley to be traded soon. This might end up like Sosa.
Jim Bowden was very confident in his statements tonight on XM that it will be hard to trade Bradley. He said he would not be surprised if Bradley was still on the team come Spring Training. Then the Cubs would just have to release him.
Hendry has to build a market for him and should start laying the ground work at the GM meetings beginning on Monday.
WOW...was shocked to just read that Kevin Gregg is a Type A free agent....so we get two picks from the next schmuck who take him!!! How in the world he is a Type A while Rich Hrden is a Type B is very strange.
Yes he is a type A, but we have to offer arbitration in order to receive any picks back. Hendry will be shot in the streets if he offers arbitration.
I agree with you guys, no way Gregg is offered arbitration. From everything I have heard/read they do not want him back.
Offering Gregg arbitration would be similar to the Juan Cruz situation last year.
Neil, anything new on the Bradley front?
We could have a lot of problems if our potential trading partners on Bradley drag their heels
Neil you answered my question while I was typing...If that's the case re Bradley...we can't let it hold the rest of the team hostage all off season.
I more than agree, Hendry will have to 'muti-task' this winter if he truly wants to move Milton.
As for 'new' info, not much ... a little more banter on the possibility of Derek Lowe but Bobby Cox and Milton do not seem to fit. I have not heard this but would think trading Bradley would have to involve a starting pitcher with a 'bad contract' after Lilly's surgery.
They cannot depend on him being back by "sometime in April" ... maybe May or June.
You never know with shoulders.
Neil,
What about the Giants as trade partners? Whether it being Rowand or Zito. Seems like they have the pitching there in San Fran and could use some bats. Man what I wouldn't give to have Lincecum and Cain as our 1-2 starters.
Bad joke alert ... with Lincecum, at least Soto would have company. Remember I warned you guys.
Barry Zito ... man that is a lot of dough. He pitched better last season and the splits are not bad.
I like the idea of Aaron Rowand and think he would be better in the smaller parks in the central.
Rowand's line on the road was decent last year - .276/.320/.434/.754 with 13 doubles (30 total), 10 homers (15 total) and no triples (two total).
Of those two, Rowand and stay away from Zito. Long term contracts for pitchers are always a mistake and the Cubs would not be able to get rid of him.
JHendry has this club in such a bind, if they fired him today and hired a REAL GM, it'll take at least 5 years to get past the damage he has done.
Lilly will be fine. Relax. You really need to worry about Dumpster and Zambrano. Wells is probably what he gave you last year: 10-12 wins. He's Frank Castillo without a bottle and sober. He's a competitor.
You still haven't addressed the Miles problem! Bradley: he's coming ba-a-a-a--ac-c-c-cc-c-kk-k-kk-k-k-kk! lol If the fans got off his case, I'm sure he could hit .250 with 9 hr and 43 RBI. Hey, don't laugh: that's about Funko's level.
Gotta love than Funko speed: 10 CS with 6 SBs. 54 RBI in 592 plate appearances. Impressive!
Face it fans: you are not winning a thing with an outfield of Sorry-oh-no, Funko and Bradley. And that ain't gonna change with the dough these losers are owed.