With the Cubs Convention around the corner, the sale of the team should be completed in the near future. A report on Sports Central Monday night indicated the announcement could be made within 48 hours. Most feel the leading candidate to purchase the Chicago Cubs is Tom Ricketts.
There were several former Cubs in the news on Tuesday including Josh Kroeger and Mark Prior plus speculation from the mainstream media involving Alfonso Soriano, Michael Young, Rich Hill, Josh Vitters and the Texas Rangers.
Pitchers and catchers report to Mesa in 31 days….. Alfonso Soriano for Michael Young?
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram posted a list of possible trade destinations for Michael Young on Tuesday morning. With Young’s monster contract (five years and $80 million, $16 million per year through 2013) there are only a few teams that could take on Young and the extension he signed in March of 2007.
The Cubs were mentioned along with the Dodgers, Red Sox, White Sox and Cardinals. The Star-Telegram speculated, “the NL Central champs have traded Mark DeRosa, and Young would give manager Lou Piniella the flexibility to put Young in a middle-infield rotation with Ryan Theriot and Aaron Miles.”
And for Young to be in the mix for the Cubs, the Rangers “could seek Rich Hill and third-base prospect Josh Vitters.”
Before Joel Sherman wrote in his blog that the Cubs could trade Alfonso Soriano to the Rangers for Michael Young, Sherman discussed the possible swap with Jeff Joyce on XM Radio.
Sherman called his speculation “guess work” but stated if the Cubs could deal Alfonso Soriano and his contract (six years and $106 million) to the Rangers they could afford to make the trade for Jake Peavy and his contract.
Michael Young could provide the Cubs an option at the top of the order while Alfonso Soriano could give the Rangers a left fielder for a couple of years, then a designated hitter.
Preston Gomez
Former Cub manager Preston Gomez died on Tuesday at the age of 85. Gomez was the first manager of the San Diego Padres and led the Cubs for 90 games during the 1980 season.
Gomez never fully recovered from head injuries he sustained last March when he was hit by a pick-up truck while walking to his car.
Former Cubs in the News
- Josh Kroeger received a non-roster invitation to Spring Training with the White Sox on Monday. Kroeger put together a solid season for the I-Cubs in 2008 and hit .307 with 15 home runs.
- Jae-Kuk Ryu was DFA’d by the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday. Ryu pitched only 1 1/3 innings for the Rays in 2008. His season was ended early in the year with elbow surgery.
- Mark Prior signed a minor league deal that includes an invitation to Spring Training with the Padres on Tuesday. If Prior makes the big league team he will earn $1 million in 2009.
- Craig Monroe signed a one-year minor league contract with the Pirates on Tuesday that includes an invitation to Spring Training.
Well, that’s the latest….and I’m sticking to it!