The first two days of the off-season have seen quite a bit of movement across the league ... except for on the North Side of Chicago. The Cubs completed their organizational meetings on Friday in Arizona and other than Reed Johnson and Rich Harden declaring free agency, not much out of the Cubs' camp. Which is not necessarily a bad thing.
Jim Hendry has little payroll flexibility and will likely rely on making trades to improve (or fix) the big league team for next season. It is only the first Saturday in November and the Cubs have a lot of big contracts with no-trade clauses attached to them. Hendry has a lot of work to do ... and Ted Lilly having his shoulder scoped last Tuesday should have changed the direction and/or plans the Cubs had for the winter at the beginning of the week.
With the GM meetings getting underway on Monday in Chicago, here is the latest from the mill ... and a little news too.
Mike Cameron
Bruce Levine spoke briefly about the former Brewers' centerfielder on Saturday morning. A caller mentioned radio stations in Milwaukee reporting Mike Cameron would sign with the Cubs after the Brewers acquired Carlos Gomez for J.J. Hardy on Friday.
Granted the connection is there with Lou Piniella but Levine stuck to his report from earlier in the week that Cameron would be a back-up plan for the Cubs. Levine explained if Cameron does sign with the Cubs he thinks it would not be until January or February. Apparently the Cubs are looking for a younger, left-handed centerfielder that would allow them to move Kosuke Fukudome back to right field.
Milton Bradley
Where will Milton Bradley be traded? At this point it is anyone's guess. There is a lot of banter between the 'Talking Heads' but it is all speculation at this point. Bruce Levine thinks Bradley will be moved in the next 30-45 days.
Derek Lowe-for-Milton Bradley garnered a little more air time earlier in the week, but the notion was 'shot down' several times stating the fact Bobby Cox likely would not deal with Milton Bradley in his clubhouse. As for the Lowe for Bradley angle, the Braves have pitching and need offense while the Cubs need pitching after Ted Lilly going under the knife. There might be a match there, but a long shot at best.
Lowe is owed $15 million in 2010 and has three years and $45 million left on the contract he signed last winter ($15 million annually over the final three years).
Even Blue Jays.com thinks the Vernon Wells-for-Milton Bradley rumors make little-to-no-sense.
Chone Figgins
Bruce Levine said to not count the White Sox out of the mix for Chone Figgins. Levine added if the Sox are able to clear the payroll (likely dealing Bobby Jenks) they could sign Figgins, put him at third and make Mark Teahen a 'super-sub.'
Jim Bowden mentioned during his show with Joe Castellano (XM Radio) Thursday night that he feels Chone Figgins will sign with the Cubs ... and play second base.
Reed Johnson
While the Cubs may want Reed Johnson back in the fold, he could be pricing himself out of a Cubs' uniform. Bruce Levine is hearing Johnson is looking for a two-year, $6 million contract ... and that might be out of the Cubs' price range.
Too bad Jim Hendry signed Aaron Miles for roughly the same amount last winter (two years, $4.9 million ... $2.7 million in 2010). Johnson is a fourth outfielder but for the same money, which player would help the Cubs win more games in 2010?
Starlin Castro and John Gaub
Bruce Levine was very impressed with Starlin Castro when he saw Castro play in the AFL last week. Castro will be one of two Cubs' prospects (Blake Parker) in the Rising Stars Game on Saturday night (MLB Network, 7:00 pm CST).
Levine thinks Castro will be the Cubs' shortstop as early as the second half of 2010 ... but not much later than 2011. Castro is still too "green" according to Levine and needs a couple of more months in the minors. Levine mentioned the age comparison of Castro (19 years old) to Alcides Escobar of the Brewers (22 years old) and Elvis Andrus of the Rangers (21 years old). Castro would give the Cubs a big upgrade defensively up the middle and allow Ryan Theriot to move to second, which would be a better fit for Theriot and the Cubs.
Levine thinks the Cubs should look at Orlando Cabrera as a one-year option at short in order to improve the Cubs' defense next season.
John Gaub could be a factor in the Cubs' pen in 2010 and should be added to the 40-man roster in the next two weeks (November 20). Gaub is 1-1 in seven games in the AFL with a 10.29 ERA with a blown save ... but four of those runs came in a single game on October 22. Gaub has struck out 11 batters and walked just one in seven innings of work.
Gaub's fastball has been clocked in the low to mid 90's in the AFL with a very good breaking ball according to Levine.
Andrew Cashner
The Cubs' top pitching prospect has continued to impress in the AFL. Andrew Cashner was named to the Rising Stars Game but will not participate. From Baseball Prospectus ...
"After giving up three runs over two innings in his first start for the Solar Sox, Cashner has given up just one in his last three--a span of 11 2/3 innings. The 2008 first-round pick has been sitting at 93-97 mph with his fastball, to go with his plus to plus-plus slider and, arguably more importantly, he's been throwing a ton of strikes, including 35 of 49 pitches on Thursday. The debates as to his future being a reliever or starter still goes on, but more and more are ending up on the side of the latter."
Some are thinking Cashner could contribute to the Cubs at some point in 2010. He received a non-roster invitation to Spring Training last year and should be with the big league club once again in February.
Mark DeRosa
Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch continued to stick with the notion on Friday that the Cubs will offer Mark DeRosa a contract this winter.
Austin Kearns
While the former Cincinnati Red has not been connected to the Cubs by the mainstream media, anyone that has followed the Cubs for the last several years knows of Jim Hendry's infatuation with Austin Kearns.
The Nationals declined Kearns' option for 2010 on Friday.
Weekend News
- The Cubs are expected to announce their new marketing director by the end of next week. According to Bruce Levine, it will be a "well-known" Chicagoan. The Cubs have not had a marketing director since John McDonough and Jay Blunk left for the Blackhawks a couple of years ago.
- Wrigley Field Improvements - The Ricketts Family will expand the women's restrooms on the first base side and upgrade the lighting and fixtures in the men's restrooms. The umpire's room will also be moved from the third base side to the first base side of Wrigley in 2010. The current umpire's room will be turned into the Cubs' new weight room ... which will be a big upgrade and improvement for the players.
- The Ricketts Family will hire a chief hospitality officer for Wrigley Field.
Finally ... 15-1, that is the odds the Cubs are getting in Las Vegas to win the 2010 World Series.
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Well, that's the latest ... and I'm sticking to it!
I've been thinking about a way for the Cubs to add speed to their lineup, ditch Bradley, and loosen up some payroll and I thought of this trade.
Cubs-Juan Pierre
Dodgers- A couple low level prospects
Rays, Blue Jays, Sad Diego or whoever will take him- Milton Bradley and a few million from the Dodgers to help pay his contact.
Thoughts?
Patrick, are you thinking Juan Pierre in center again? If so, think back to 2006 and all of the runners that went from first to third on singles to center. Pierre could not throw then.
While his offense might help, lots and lots of singles, his defense would not.
Well essentially we'd be replacing Bradley with Pierre. I'd take Pierre's D any day and if there's issues about his D, move him to right and put Fukudome back in center.
Patrick, with all due respect. The Cubs need to move Kosuke back to right. He is an above average right fielder and an above average centerfielder. Think back on how many times you heard Brenly mention how deep Kosuke was in center ... besides Pierre's arm would be worse in right.
I was very excited to see Pierre in a Cubs' uniform before I saw him play on a daily basis. By all reports he is a great guy and a hard worker, he is not what the Cubs need right now.
I know it would be a bad contract for bad contract but Pierre back with the Cubs, in center, would not be a good fit.
Neil,
I am looking at the Cubs payroll. $135 million. Now the Yankees have a $208 million. What makes the city of Chicago fans any different than New York fans? Why can't we afford this payroll? We have the same size market. I feel we honestly have the same quality and quanity of fans as them. How can the Yankess afford this and not the Cubs? Wouldn't Ricketts make a profit still? If Ricketts is a "true blue" Cubs fan, then he would hire a college graduate and pay him/her to research the numbers on this. Please explain to me why we could not add $70 million to our payroll this year.
I am putting together a team I would like to see. Guys, help me out in finding scenarios in bringing these peeps here to the Cubs. I am going to BUY my World Series.
C- Justin Morneau
1B- Adrian Gonzalez
2B- Robinson Cano
SS- Yunel Escobar
3B- Garrett Atkins
RF- Andre Either
LF- Grady Sizemore
CF- Shane Victorino
Im loving it. Lots of runs. We can play small ball with Victorino, Sizemore and Escobar or we can go deep with Either, Gonzalez or Atkins. All these guys play to win. My batting lineup would look like this:
Escobar
Victorino
Gonzalez
Either
Morneau
Atkins
Sizemore
Cano
The bench can be whatever we can afford afterwards. I say the bench should be our 1st or 2nd year players we are trying to develop. We will win the division easily. Give these vets rest.
My rotation would look like this. Gots to save money for the hitters, so we will need to be young here.
1- Doc Halladay
2- Jake Peavy
3- Ted Lilly
4- Randy Wells
5- Tom Gorzelanny
SU- Johnathon Broxton
Bullpen can be whatever we got. Same as hitting, lets get our youngsters some MLB experience.
I know this is a dream, but hey, good conversational piece. Aaron, I know you are the contract, money guru on this site. How can we make this work with the pieces we have and a payroll of $165 million a year? Can it happen? Also, can we build our youngsters in the minors with trading some vets away? I am hoping I have given you something to think about, but yet a challenge that you are willing to take on.
btw, my name is Steve and I have been posting on here on and off for about 4 months. I am in Colorado. I have been a lifelong Cubs fan. I grew up in Highland IN. The kid in the picture is my 11 year old son. Lefty, throws 65-70 mph and plays competitive ball. He has a dream of playing for Boston but, I am trying to get him converted to play for the Cubs. Thank you for being my extended family. I read this website non stop all day. Neil, you are doing a great job. SuzyS and Aaron, love your posts. Keeps me entertained but yet I have to put my thinking cap on.
Thanks Steve ... and sorry I meant to hit reply to your post about the Yankees.
Steve, split the difference with your son.
Half Career in Boston (great chowda and lobsta) Half his career in pizza town
at Clark and Addison.
Fisk did BoSox/White Sox...no reason your
son can't do Cubs/Bosox...:}
You do have a fun worls class line-up
there...the scenario to make it happen
will take some time to think about.
Highland is a nice town...but Colorado is beautiful.
woah woah woah...
Why is Jim Bowden saying that Chone Figgins will sign with the Cubs???
What basis if any does he have for that statement?????
Joel...Bowden made a bold statement that took me back a little. He thinks the speed at the top of the lineup is what the Cubs need. Remember rumors are just that rumors and just because a former GM says something it does not mean it is gospel.
The Yankees have more revenue streams from sources outside of just ticket sales ... think of the 'Bud Light Bleachers' and the Under Armour logos and then multiply by 100.
The power and money the YES Network generates alone is unbelievable. While Mr. Ricketts down played an all-Cubs network when asked about it last week, look for it when the current TV contracts expire in a few years.
Also, don't be suprised to see a jumbotron on a rooftop in the near future. The Red Sox generated $25 million off of theirs a couple of years back ... $25 million just off the jumbotron.
While many do not want to hear this, improvements to Wrigley will also help generate revenue. Extra signage, new sponsors, luxury boxes, restaurants in the park and the Triangle Building will all add money the Cubs can spend on players and player development.
I think the Ricketts family will step outside of the box, like the Red Sox did, it just takes a little time.
I understand. When does the voice of the Cubs fans actually count? We pay the ticket price that the ownership sets. I (we) want a winner. How can we as the fan base make our voices heard? Does Ricketts or anyone that you know of actually take the time to read your blogs? There are some great feasable ideas.
In an interview last week, Ricketts said that he typically does not read our type of site...but hopes to do so eventually.
I believe he will become aware of Neil's site...Both Joe S. and myself have tried to bring JimK's story directly to the Cubs...in hopes of some acknowledgement
of him by the Cubs.
Suzy, that is wierd. I thought I heard the exact opposite. I want to say it was on WGN Radio ... but there was so much info at the end of last week, I could have gotten mixed up.
Based on the interviews I listened to and read last week, I think the Ricketts family pays attention to blogs. If I remember correctly Tom said he pays attention, just not as much as he could and will in the future.
We probably heard differently Neil...he was all over the place doing interviews everywhere...either way...he did say he would in the future.
Suzy. You are right. I will have to split the time. His whole bedroom is all Boston. The funny thing about all of this is that his baseball coach is Joe Girardi's brother. Imagine that. A tie to the Yankees someway/somehow. Also, in June, my son will be playing in Cooperstown. We are excited.
Steve, that's awesome...you'll have to keep us posted.
Yes, Steve that is great. As Suzy mentioned, please keep us posted on his progress.
You reminded me about Theo's evaluation (and some big talk, descriptive defense, advanced stats) about JD Drew.
Here's an excerpt:
http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/10/03/theo/
Here's the whole listen:
http://audio.weei.com/m/27013017/theo-epstein-red-sox-gm.htm
The show's about half away later into the audio. Enjoy.
Dorasaga, I really enjoyed listening to the Epstein interview...He operates at a totally different level than JH does.
I hope the Cubs/Ricketts can upgrade
the management philosophy...and talent
evaluation/development throughout the Cubs organization...to emulate Boston's more.
Ind33d, Theo has a clear and strong philosophy about how to operate baseball and construct a winning team. It's something he brought into Boston akin to his hire, and his superior Lucchino and John Henry expected him to execute under this philosophy. He didn't learn it on the way like maybe JHendry has been doing. And I've read some BoSox fans didn't like Drew or even other parts of Theo's execution of his philosophy, but Theo is not afraid of telling all fans what he thinks is right.
On the other hand, on the WGN Radio, Tom Rickett told us he thought the BoSox is one of the successful teams amongst Phillies and Braves. It's interesting. I wonder if he's up to something.
But maybe not much CAN change until the next offseason, we'll need to wait for now...
Neil, Did you go to J-school? I heard Levine speak this am also...and just admired how you put it in the written word.???
Nope ... If I would have known then. Went to art school, for graphic design.
Don't look now, but the Sox across town are quietly putting together a solid squad.
I know Teahen doesn't make them a great squad or anything, but they are building a younger team, but have the veterans to win their division next year.
Kenny Williams is begging for the money to sign Figgins - but I heard yesterday that they are talking about trading Jenks and Jordan Danks(Johns brother) for Crawford, which will free up the money to sign Figgins.
If they could pull either of those deals off they look pretty decent.
C AJ
1b Konerko
2b Beckham
3b Figgins
SS Ramirez
LF Quentin
Cf Crawford
Rf Teahen
DH Rios
Rotation
Peavy
Buerhle
Danks
Floyd
Garcia
What makes this interesting is 4 of these guys are players who the Cubs covet.
If we had a creative GM at the helm here is what we could look like:
C Soto
1b Lee
2b Figgins/Baker/Teahen
3b Ramirez
SS Theriot
LF Soriano
CF Crawford
RF Fukudome/Figgins/Teahen
Rotation
Peavy
Z
Lilly
Dempster
Wells
Our pen would probably have taken a hit with trade creativity. Probably losing Guzman or Caridad for instance.
Just more proof which GM is better in this city. Any thoughts?
I agree that Hendry and Williams seem to target the same players ... Peavy and Teahen are the most recent examples. The Sox were rumored to be in on Fukudome as well and according to Levine, the Cubs would have traded for Nick Swisher if they had not signed Fukudome. Both are interested in Figgins.
It will be intersing to see if Williams goes after Crawford. I will admit when I heard a younger, left-handed bat for center my thoughts went directly to Carl Crawford.
What do you think it would take to get Crawford?
I'm no expert in Ray's farm condition, but they are not confident with Price leading a role in their rotation. Shields has shown some decline (or probably just a down/spike year?), not able to pitch late-quality innings. Sonnanstine doesn't look like he's consistent year in year out.
And they traded Edwin Jackson last offseason, let go of Percival and Bradford now. They will want more pitching to start the game, eat innings, instead of relying on their already thin bullpen. Someone like Jon Garland.
The White Sox seems to be loaded with infield talents. But who's worth to part and what's the worth of Crawford's one service year? Crawford, by all advanced stats, is the best leftfield out there, combined baserunning, offensively and defensively.
But with Rios and Quentin locked up, and a talented the-Black-jolly-who-saved-a-Buerhle-perfect, I don't see the "good guys" trade for the like of Crawford.
Unless it's Quentin to Crawford, now that can happen, since we are talking about Kenny... the bold venturous Kenny...
Dorsaga, you just have to love Kenny...his moves might not pan out
but if they don't another one will
and quickly...out of the blue.
I wish he were our GM...He has creativity
coming out of his pores.
But I don't see Kenny going after Crawford just now...He has to a odder the right players and B offer the Rays salary relief.
Jenks offers no salary relief...and the Sox don't have the payroll we do.
Where is Andy McPhail when you need him
I think McPhail was a good GM. I only wish we acquire a GM via trade. Maybe we call up Theo and offer a trade of Hendry and Zambrano for Theo and Papelbon.
I honestly do not know. Crawford is owed $10 million fo 2010 and will be a free agent after the year. I do not see the Rays re-signing him.
If the Sox offered Jordan Danks and Bobby Jenks, the Cubs do not have enough.
The only positive for the Cubs could be taking on Burrell in the deal. The Rays have $19 million locked up in those two players for next year ... at least Bradley would cost that over a two-year period.
By no means am I suggesting that deal could happen without good, young talent from the Cubs. Maybe a Welington Castillo/Steve Clevenger, Darwin Barney type player ... or players.
The Rays are looking for salary relief, we all know that and based on the fact they traded Scott Kazmir, anything is possible.
The Cubs are on business, and we fans will talk and debate about whom to get and whom to leave, under a budget.
If anyone's concerned about overall team contracts and commitment, here's a helpful spreadsheet to start working with:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=p4ew-fwu2XT3cpPRtt9qIGw
From Cot's...
The Cubs is the most expensive team backloaded with contract commitments for the next three years, into 2012, right below the Yankees.
I think if GM Hendry really wants to stay with us, he needs to stay patient and let more Castro or Colvin work in the Big. There's no better else he can do but evaluate better prospects and balance out this budget problem.
Thank you for posting the link ...
Hendry is just going to wait, and wait, and wait somemore until he can unload Bradley.
Can you imaging what Kenny Williams could do with the Cubs budget?
For your consideration...The Uncle Milty
to the Rays deal:
We get Burrell (9 mill/one year) Zobrist 2nd/ss/of (miminmum plus arb.) and Crawford !0 mill/1year)
Rays get: Milton (2yrs 20 mil)/Theriot (min plus arb)
Their Choice of one: Colvin/Deeds//Hoffpauir/Fox
And one pitcher or prospect...Gorzelanny/
Pabelbon/Atkins or similar...
and the Cubs pick up 5 mil of Miltons salary. ( we might have to upgrade the pitching prospect to someone like Cashner/Coleman etc.
Zobrist can play second or short with more powe and better defense.
Crawford settles the outfield.
Burrell is flipped for pitching (with others)
The Rays lose 19 million for one season
to 5 for Milton this season and 10 next.
Theriot takes over 2nd for them...(they still have Bartlett at ss.
Milton can DH or platoon with their
2nd outfield choice.
And they get either a close toready pitching prospect or ready...depending on choice...Actually it might take 2 pitching prospects.
Thoughts?
SuzyS,
Excellent thinking...but I'm not sure you're aware of the fact that the Rays consider Zobrist about as untouchable as they get. Zobrist is a tremendous talent, and was basically like DeRosa for us. He can play all IF positions, LF and RF. He's got plus power, plus avg, plus OBP. I played against him in college, and he's a great talent. I believe the Rays consider him more untouchable than even Crawford.
I think the best we could do is swap Bradley for Burrell straight up and eat ALL of Bradley's 2011 salary...sadly. Then, it'd be best to flip Burrell, but again, it'd be a deal that'd back Hendry into a corner, and we all know how badly he sucks at thinking when he's backed into a corner (like he always seems to be). The reason I say that, is he'll get multiple veterans for one position, then try to trade one of them to get value in return, and there's simply no possible way you can do that. It's because the other GM's know that you're backed into a corner, and they won't offer you squat for your retreads/extra depth. I mean, it's like the Gregg trade, the Marlins knew that Hendry got rid of Wood, so they could pretty much ask for a lot in return for Gregg, even though they were planning on non-tendering him to begin with. They knew there weren't a lot of closers or former closers on the market.
In this case, Hendry essentially has 3 left fielders on the current roster. Hoffpauir is no right fielder...he's a left fielder. Then he has Soriano, and he'd have Burrell too. He probably couldn't even get a Kevin Gregg type in return for him if he flipped him. You could even make the argument that he has 4 LF with Fox on the roster.
Aaron didn't you play against Zobrist in College. Oh, and were you a good hitting Pitcher?
Aaron, Id we have to eat all of Bradley's salary for Burrell...I'd just rather release him and noit deal with Burrell at all.
Then...since we got no payrole relief or anything of value...Let Snyder/Deeds/Colvin Duke it out for a spot.
It is what it is.
Um...my quick spelling was pretty bad above...sorry. :)
crawford and burell for bradley,smarjdza, colvin, and 6.25m in cash. this is a trade that we are prepared to make. colvin is going to be a bust, smarjdza is not mlb pitching. he is a tight end. I honestly think Bradley will be a great DH. Lastly, the 6.25m speaks for itself. After we get burell, we turn around and ship burell and fotentot to the Mariners for cash considerations. We take the cash and use that to get Figgins over here.
2010 Lineup
Figgins - 2B
Crawford - CF
Lee - 1B
Rameriez - 3B
Fukodome - RF
Soriano- LF
Soto- C
Theriot- SS
i would abolutely love that lineup...unfortunately i feel like your livin in a fantay world brotha...
just for kicks though think about the speed at the top and bottom and the pop throughout...assuming comeback years from soto and soriano and that would do some serious damage