The Detroit Tigers have signed Jose Valverde. Ron Santo will be so disappointed to see him go to the AL.

Lou says were gonna be getting some QUALITY players soon:

“We’re going to add a couple more players before spring training starts,” Piniella said Saturday between sessions at the Cubs convention. “And I would think - how can I say this - there will be significant, nice players. We’re going to add some nice players here. We’re not talking just adding players.

That is exciting stuff to know that Lou has gone outta his way to tell us that quality not just quantity coming that leads me to believe that either Dye or Nady will be here for sure which instantly makes us much better. I personally like seeing Hendry remain patient and making the right deals for the right cost (think Abreu/Angels, Hudson/Dodgers, Reed/Cubs).

Joel,

When Lou said the Cubs were going to sign "some nice players," what he meant was that the Cubs are going to sign some players that have a nice personality, as opposed to Milton Bradley.

I have quick question: When do the arb elgible players have to be signed before they go to arbitration hearing. I know the arb hearing starts in Feb 1st. Because i see every team signing players that are elgible besides the Cubs.

This question is open to everybody. Thanks.

Waldo, arbitration hearings are scheduled from Feb 1 - Feb 21. Players can negotiate and sign anytime before their hearing date.

Those numbers for our BP do not look promising...as far as the projections, I dont hold alot of stock into what preseason predictions hold, I would just rather wait and see, but how close are the CHONE and Bill James numbers in the past?

ST is going to be interesting to watch--who makes it, who doesn't make it, and who we might pick up off someone else's trash pile.

Looking at CHONE vs. Bill James, CHONE is almost always quite a bit more pessimistic than James about Cubs' players production. Of course both are just educated guesses, but their systems do differ by about 10+% it seems.

Samardzija, unless he changes my mind in ST, probably isn't ready. Steve Stone says the Mexican league is equivalent to Class A ball in the USA.

I figure that Marmol, Grabow, Guzman, and Marshall are "locks" to make the team. I also figure Silva is a lock to make the team simply due to his contract. That really leaves only two bullpen spots open. If I am right about Samardzija, then there are three spots open on the staff: one starter, two 'pen spots.

If Parisi pitches well in ST, he sticks because he's a rule V draft pickup. Now we are down to one in the bullpen and one starter. Caridad would seem to have the edge in the pen.

But a lot can happen in ST. Patton came out of nowhere last year. And what will happen with Mateo? Will he pitch his way on the team this year?

ST is going to be fun to watch.

Responding to Aaron from Gregerson post.

I like that potential lineup with Snyder in right. Now wouldn't that have looked a lot better with Ankiel in place of Byrd. Our lineup is so right handed that inserting Ankiel between Ramirez and Soriano would of been ideal.

Now by signing Byrd, Hendry has no need for another right handed hitting outfielder. Spend the money on Sheets and call it a day. Give some youth some competition at spring training to fill the last couple spots on the roster, thus giving them the experience for the changing of the guard in 2011.

I agree Hoffpauir and Fuld would be expendable with the additions of Snyder and LaHair to the 25 man roster. We also should turn somebody, who is close with Samardzija, against him and start having him whisper things like "you know the Bears could really use you on their team". He is getting to be a hinderance with his salary and no trade clause. The Cubs save on his baseball over football bonus - bam there's another 10 million saved. Or just tell him the team is going to put him through waivers if he doesn't waive that trade clause.

If the Cubs really know about Guzman's arm, and are willing to deal him because of it - then do it for a power hitting utility guy not another right handed pen guy. Give Cashner an opportunity! There is always that one surprise rookie that carries teams into the postseason (ala David Price for the Rays/Dustin Pedroia for the Red Sox). Cashner could be that guy.

I agree with you Aaron that the lineup should include Vitters if the Cubs are out of it. Lee should be traded as well as Lilly and others at the deadline if that is the case. However, Vitters should be at first base, getting the experience for 2011 season.

Also, if they are out at the deadline, the Cubs better get a top of the line third base prospect or someone to replace Ramirez, in the trading of Lee, Lilly, etc. - because he will opt of his contract at the end of the year. I sure hope we get something in return for him if that is the case.

Aaron I am glad someone else can see that giving Brett Jackson a chance to play, like the Sox did Gordon, is a good idea. The only problem is - as soon as he starts to struggle, like Pie and others, Lou will put him in his doghouse - and he will be ruined forever also. So holding Jackson back to stay under Sandberg's tutelage for a year would be beneficial for his career.

I disagree on Jackson. I don't want him on the field in Wrigley any time in 2009 (other than as a bench guy for September after rosters expand). Beckham is a bad comparison for Jackson. Beckham showed significantly better plate discipline (see his K rates and K/BB ratios) at AA ball than Jackson did at A ball. Beckham's statistical profile was one of a player that might be ready for the majors. Jackson's statistical profile is one of a player with great raw skills that is not nearly ready for the majors. Now all that may change in 2009 if Jackson develops his skills at a rapid pace, but right now, there is nothing to indicate Jackson would succeed in the majors. If the Cubs bring Jackson up too soon and he bombs, Cub fans will turn around and blame the Cubs for rushing him ...

boy are we in trouble