Trucks loaded with the Cubs equipment depart on Tuesday from Wrigley Field for Fitch Park in Mesa … pitchers and catchers report in eight days.
According to a report in the Tribune, Jim Hendry feels “the club significantly improved” from a disappointing season a year ago. Hendry admitted, “We knew a couple of years ago this would be a year a lot of the contracts we did would restrict us.”
Hendry explained he “feels good” about the players he brought in and conceded the fact the Cubs need players to perform better than they did a year ago.
The Cubs GM took responsibility, once again, for the decisions he made last winter. From the Tribune:
“It’s not like we had a lot of room for new bodies. We just needed to get a couple of pieces, and we really think Byrd and Nady are going to help us in a lot of areas, especially offensively. And I’m optimistic some of the people that didn’t hit last year will. Rudy is going to help us. I think we’re quite a bit better.”
Here are the moves the Cubs have made this off-season:
October
21 – Hired Hitting Coach Rudy Jaramillo
23 – Outrighted Bobby Scales to Triple-A Iowa
27 – The Ricketts family took over control of the Chicago Cubs
28 – The Ricketts family first day as the owners of the Chicago Cubs
30 – The Ricketts family introduced as the owners of the Chicago Cubs
November
5 – Reed Johnson and Rich Harden filed for free agency
9 – Kevin Gregg filed for free agency
16 – John Grabow filed for free agency
19 – Traded Aaron Heilman to Arizona Diamondbacks for minor leaguers Ryne White (1B) and Scott Maine (LHP)
20 – Added Blake Parker, James Adduci, Welington Castillo, John Gaub and Rafael Dolis to 40-man roster
20 – Re-signed John Grabow
December
3 – Signed Bobby Scales to a minor league contract
3 – Traded Jake Fox, Aaron Miles and cash to the Oakland A’s for Jeff Gray (RHP), Matt Spencer (LF) and Ronny Morla (RHP)
10 – Selected Mike Parisi (RHP) in the Rule 5 Draft
12 – Non-Tendered Neal Cotts (LHP)
18 – Traded Milton Bradley to the Seattle Mariners for Carlos Silva and cash
31 – Agreed to Terms with Marlon Byrd
January
1 – Signed Marlon Byrd
19 – Signed Jeff Baker, Mike Fontenot, Angel Guzman, Tom Gorzelanny and Koyie Hill to one-year contracts – avoided arbitration with all five players
27 – Signed Chad Tracy to a minor league contract (includes invite to spring training)
27 – Signed Sean Marshall to one-year contract – avoided arbitration
29 – Signed Xavier Nady
February
4 – Signed Kevin Millar to a minor league contract (includes invite to spring training)
4 – Signed Carlos Marmol to one-year contract – avoided arbitration
From the Rumor Mill
Does Hendry have one more trick up his sleeve?
With eight days before pitchers and catchers report to Fitch Park, Jim Hendry told the Tribune he might “do one more thing before camp or during.” Hendry is rumored to be interested in adding a right-handed arm to the backend of the bullpen.
The Cubs are said to have serious interest in Jason Frasor (Toronto Blue Jays) and Luke Gregerson (San Diego Padres). If Hendry makes a deal it could cost the Cubs one of a trio of pitchers … Sean Marshall, Tom Gorzelanny or Angel Guzman.
Well, that’s the latest … and I am sticking to it!
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