The Winter Meetings get underway today at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and most of the mainstream media feels this year’s gathering will be filled with more trades than in previous years. The weak free agent class and the escalating cost of signing those players will force most teams to deal with one another instead of the agents of those players searching for a new job.
Jim Hendry, Lou Piniella, Randy Bush and company have stated they have laid the groundwork on possible trades and have targeted 4-5 players they could add to the roster while at the meetings this week. Hendry told the Sun-Times on Sunday night, “I can’t promise you we’re going to leave here with a new right fielder. But I’m sure we’ll make a few things happen. I don’t know how significant they’ll be.”
The Chicago Media has mentioned a handful of players that could fit the Cubs needs and possible trading chips they have to offer in return. Here is a look at those players that could be heading to Chicago and the rest from the mill…. Possible Trading Chips….
The Chicago media speculated on Sunday on which players Jim Hendry could move this week, in the right deal. Here is a breakdown by source:
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune
Available:
- Sean Marshall
- Eric Patterson
- Felix Pie (perhaps)
- Mark Prior
Unlikely to Part with:
- Rich Hill
- Sean Gallagher
- Carlos Marmol
- Tyler Colvin
Available:
- Jason Marquis
- Mark Prior
- Sean Marshall
- Sean Gallagher
- Donald Veal
Available:
- Matt Murton
- Mark Prior
Unlikely to Part with:
- Kevin Hart
- Jeff Samardzija
- Tyler Colvin
The National Media – From the Boston Globe
Available:
- Ryan Dempster
- Matt Murton
- Will Ohman
- Ronny Cedeno
- Jason Marquis
- Sean Marshall
- Mark Prior
Mark Prior
Mark Prior’s days with the Cubs could be numbered. The Padres are very interested and Kevin Towers could make a trade for Prior this week. Paul Sullivan thinks the Cubs could receive “two or three prospects” from San Diego for Prior.
Matt Murton
Jim Hendry told the Sun-Times the Cubs still like Matt Murton but it would be better if Murton was left-handed. Murton’s days could be numbered if the Cubs add what they feel is the right piece to the outfield puzzle.
On the Cubs radar….
Kosuke Fukudome
Fukudome is at the top of the Cubs list but he has yet to decide whether he will remain in Japan or play in the Major Leagues. Lou Piniella stated Fukudome could fill the Cubs need for a left-handed bat in right field. Piniella mentioned Fukudome could hit 4th or 5th in the Cubs lineup in a report from Bruce Miles.
Scouts have stated Fukudome would be a good fit in the Majors hitting 2nd in most lineups. Piniella said the Cubs scouts think Fukudome could hit in the middle of the lineup. Bruce Miles mentioned in his report, “The Cubs expect Fukudome to declare any time now whether he’s coming to America.”
The Cubs could end up overpaying Fukudome in order to keep him from signing with the Padres, Rangers, Giants, Dodgers or the crosstown Southsiders. Chris De Luca thinks there will be a bidding war between the Cubs and White Sox over Fukudome.
According to a report in the Sun-Times on Sunday night, Jim Hendry talked with Fukudome’s agent, Joe Urbon of Octagon, recently and the Cubs expect him to make a decision soon. A report from Cubs.com indicated the Cubs will not wait for Fukudome to make up his mind.
Chone Figgins
Paul Sullivan mentioned the Cubs could go after Figgins if the Angels are able to land Miguel Cabrera. The switch-hitting utility player will turn 30 next month (January 22, 1978). Figgins played 99 of his 115 games last season at 3rd base but did play 2nd base and right field. Figgins has played shortstop, centerfield and left field at the Major League level as well. Figgins would give Lou Piniella the flexibility he is looking for, along with speed….Figgins stole 41 bases last season and was caught 12 times.
- 2006 Stats: .267/.336/.376/.712/9/62/23 doubles/8 triples/52 stolen bases/65 walks and 100 k’s in 155 games
- 2007 Stats: .330/.393/.432/.825/3/58/24 doubles/6 triples/41 stolen bases/51 walks and 81 k’s in 115 games
- Career Stats from Yahoo.com
- Contract Status: Signed through 2008 – $4.75 million
Carl Crawford
Gordon Wittenmyer said Crawford would be “an ideal target” but he questioned Crawford’s availability after the Rays traded Delmon Young to the Twins last week. Bruce Levine said on Saturday that Crawford is “off the market” but a report on ESPN stated the Rays are still listening to offers.
A late report in the Tribune on Sunday night stated Carl Crawford has been taken off the market.
Nick Markakis
The Orioles very talented, young outfielder is probably not available according to Wittenmyer but Markakis would give the Cubs the type of player they need. Andy MacPhail knows the Cubs’ farm system and Hendry has made deals with the Orioles before but it took three prospects for Steve Trachsel….how many would it take for an up and coming player like Markakis? The Boston Globe thinks Markakis will be one of the players the Orioles keep on their roster and rebuild around. The left-handed outfielder was the 1st round pick of the Orioles in the 2003 draft….7th overall. Markakis played all three outfield positions in his rookie season of 2006 and played 161 games in right field in 2007.
- 2006 Stats: .291/.351/.448/.799/16/62/25 doubles/2 triples/43 walks and 72 k’s in 147 games
- 2007 Stats: .300/.362/.485/.826/23/112/43 doubles/3 triples/61 walks and 112 k’s in 161 games
- Career Stats from Yahoo.com
- Contract Status: 0-3 Auto Renewal Contract, only 2 years of Major League service time
Brian Roberts
Brian Roberts is a fan favorite, as well as a favorite of Peter Angelos. The Orioles were trying to trade Roberts a few years back but Angelos but a stop to the trade talk surrounding Roberts. Roberts is a switch hitter and made only 7 errors in 457 attempts at 2nd base last season. Roberts last played shortstop in 2003 (2 games) and played 51 games at short in 2001. A report in the Boston Globe mentions Roberts will be used to rebuild around as well in Baltimore.
- 2006 Stats: .286/.347/.410/.757/10/55/34 doubles/3 triples/36 stolen bases/55 walks and 66 k’s in 138 games
- 2007 Stats: .290/.377/.432/.808/12/57/42 doubles/5 triples/50 stolen bases/89 walks and 99 k’s in 156 games
- Career Stats from Yahoo.com
- Contract Status: Signed through 2009. Roberts will earn $6.3 million in 2008 and $8 million in 2009. Has a limited no trade clause that he can block trades to a certain number of teams a year.
Raul Ibanez
Raul Ibanez is high on the Cubs’ list according to a report in the Sun-Times. Ibanez is a left-handed bat with pop and Kosuke Fukudome has been compared to him offensively, but not defensively, and will turn 36 on June 2nd. While Ibanez could help the Cubs at the plate, his defense has been questionable in left field….how would he handle right field at Wrigley? Ibanez has not played double digit games in right field since 2002.
A report on Sunday night in the Sun-Times mentioned the Cubs interest in Ibanez once again.
- 2006 Stats: .289/.353/.516/.869/33/123/33 doubles/5 triples/65 walks and 115 k’s in 159 games
- 2007 Stats: .291/.351/.480/.831/21/105/35 doubles/5 triples/53 walks and 97 k’s in 149 games
- Career Stats from Yahoo.com
- Contract Status: Signed through 2008, $5.5 million
From Around the League….
The Padres are nearing a 3-year extension with Jake Peavy according to Ken Rosenthal. The deal would average between $17 million and $17.5 million a year.
The Astros are not done dealing according to Jon Heyman. The Giants and Astros are interested in trading for Miguel Tejada. The Orioles are interested in new acquired Michael Bourn (the Brad Lidge trade with the Phillies), Adam Everett and other propects.
Finally…. As it turns out the Astros paid $2.5 million more for Kaz Matsui than the Cubs rumored $14 million dollar offer. The free agent infielder signed a 3-year, $16.5 million dollar contract with Houston on Sunday….not the $15 million that had been reported.