Jim Hendry, Lou Piniella and company have been very quiet over the past week, especially over the long Thanksgiving weekend. Are they gearing up for a big final month of the year, or just being more precise in planning their next move? There is a full week left before Baseball’s Winter Meetings kick off in Nashville on December 3rd. The next two weeks should see more activity from 1060 West Addison.
The only ‘real news’ in the world of baseball is Alex Rodriguez looks to be nearing his $300 million dollar contract after all. It appears that A-Rod will not only sign a 10-year, $275 million dollar contract but thanks to a “Marketing Package”, Mr. Rodriguez could earn an additional $30 million over the next 10 years. The “Marketing Package” is bonuses based on home run achievements. A-Rod could receive an additional $6 million dollars each time he reaches an historical home run plateau…. Willie Mays’ 660, Babe Ruth’s 714, Hank Aaron’s 755, Barry Bonds’ 762 and the final bonus would be if he breaks the all-time home run record.
Here is an updated off-season calendar….81 days until pitchers and catchers report. December
- 1 – Last day for teams to offer salary arbitration to ranked free agents in order to be eligible for compensation
- 3-6 – Baseball’s Winter Meetings in Nashville, Tennessee
- 6 – Major League Rule 5 Draft
- 7 – Player deadline to accept salary arbitration
- 12 – Last day for teams to offer/tender 2008 contracts to unsigned players
January 2008
- 5-15 – Salary Arbitration Filing period
- 8 – Cubs 2008 Spring Training go on Sale
- 8 – Hall of Fame BBWAA voting announced
- 18-20 – 23rd Annual Cubs Convention
- 18 – Exchange of salary arbitration figures between MLB Labor Relations Committee and MLB Players Association
February 2008
- 1-21 – Salary Arbitration Hearings
- 14 – Voluntary reporting dates for pitchers and catchers to Spring Training Camps
- 19 – Voluntary reporting date for other players to Spring Training Camps
- 26 – Mandatory reporting date to Spring Training Camps
- 28 – Cubs Open 2008 Cactus League Schedule in Scottsdale against the San Francisco Giants
- 29 – Cubs First Home Game of the 2008 Cactus League Schedule against the San Francisco Giants
March 2008
- 2-11 – Teams may renew contracts of unsigned players
- 12 – Last day to place a player on unconditional release waivers and pay 30 days termination instead of 45 days
- 25 – 26 – The Boston Red Sox and the Oakland A’s kickoff the 2008 Regular Season with two games in Japan at the Tokyo Dome
- 26 – Last Day to request unconditional release waivers on a player without having to pay his full 2008 salary
- 30 – MLB Opening Day – Teams must finalize their 25-man roster by this date
- 31 – Cubs Open the 2008 Season against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field