Will the Cubs end the first month of Twenty-Ten quietly or with some activity?
There are two holes Jim Hendry would like to fill … an outfielder and a relief pitcher. The names are out there. But could Hendry be working on a deal that has not been leaked to the media? The Cubs also have three players that are unsigned and one could be headed for arbitration.
After reports late last week suggested the Cubs had chosen Mesa over Naples, the official announcement from the Ricketts family is expected this week.
It is 23 days until pitchers and catchers report to Fitch Park. 38 days until the Cubs Cactus League opener against the Oakland A’s and 70 days before Opening Day in Atlanta … Fourth Outfielder
Jim Hendry is looking for a right-handed outfielder … and Jonny Gomes appears to be their first choice. Fernando Tatis entered the rumor mill last Friday (courtesy of Jayson Stark).
For those that have not looked at the numbers, each name is linked to their page on Baseball Reference.com. After looking at the splits, which player would be the best fit for the Cubs?
Backend of the Pen
Chan Ho Park entered the Cubs picture on Friday (along with Fernando Tatis). Park had a decent year with the Phillies (3-3 with a 4.43 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP in 45 games, seven starts) but will not return to the defending NL Champions.
Park could give the Cubs a valuable swingman but they already have two pitchers that could fill that role.
As with the fourth outfielder options, click on the names and take a look at the numbers. Which of the rumored relievers would be the best fit for the Cubs?
Marmol, Theriot and Marshall
The Cubs have three players that remained unsigned for the upcoming season … Carlos Marmol, Ryan Theriot and Sean Marshall. The other five arbitration eligible players (Tom Gorzelanny, Jeff Baker, Mike Fontenot, Angel Guzman and Koyie Hill) signed one-year deals last week.
Carlos Marmol submitted $2.5 million figure and the Cubs offered $1.75 million … not much of a difference and should be settled before reaching the hearing. The same can be said about Sean Marshall. The Cubs offered Marshall $800,000 while Marshall submitted a $1.175 million figure.
Ryan Theriot could end up being the Cub since Mark Grace in 1993 to go to arbitration. Theriot is seeking $3.4 million in 2010 and the Cubs offered $2.6 million,
Once these three players are signed Jim Hendry will have a clear picture of what he has left to spend on his roster for the upcoming season.
Stay Tuned …
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