According to a report from Cubs.com, if the season started today Tyler Colvin would most likely be the Cubs starting first baseman. With Micah Hoffpauir headed for Japan, the Cubs no longer have a first baseman on their roster … or one in the system close to big league ready.
Jim Hendry is looking and there are several free agent first basemen on the market … Carlos Pena, Lyle Overbay, Adam LaRoche, Lance Berkman, Nick Johnson and Adam Dunn. Hendry said, “I didn’t assume coming here that I would be coming out of the Meetings with a free agent signed. I’m just trying to set the tone for the next couple of months.”
The Cubs are reportedly looking for “an above-average defender at first”.
As the deadline approaches for the Cubs to file their reserve list (40-man roster), here are the updates on Carlos Zambrano, second base, Adam Dunn and more on Micah Hoffpauir to Japan … Carlos Zambrano
No matter what rumors pop up, Carlos Zambrano is staying with the Cubs.
The Cubs have not asked Zambrano to waive his no trade clause … and Big Z has not asked the Cubs to be traded according to Barry Praver, Zambrano’s agent.
40-man Roster
Friday is the deadline for all teams to set their reserve lists at the major and minor league levels to protect players from the Rule 5 Draft.
Now that Micah Hoffpauir is no longer on the roster, the Cubs have only five spots on their 40-man roster.
Chris Archer and Brandon Guyer will be added before the deadline and rumors have suggested Kyle Smit, Marquez Smith and Alberto Cabrera will be added to the big league roster as well.
If all five players are added, the Cubs will have a full 40-man roster.
More roster moves should be made in the next 48 hours.
Adam Dunn
For a little while on Wednesday, it appeared Adam Dunn was close to becoming the left fielder and designated hitter for the Detroit Tigers. Several reports indicated a deal was close but those were quickly shot down.
Where Dunn ends up at this point is unclear, but it does not look like the Cubs will give Dunn his four-year and more than $40 million contract.
According to a report from Jayson Stark, Adam Dunn to the Cubs keeps getting shot down. “One NL exec who spoke with the Cubs’ brass reports they’re finding it hard to get exited about Dunn, as much as they like his bat.”
The Cubs “have told people they want an above-average defender at first” … which does not apply to Adam Dunn.
Second Base
It has been a forgone conclusion that Blake DeWitt would begin 2011 as the Cubs starting second baseman … but not so fast. According to Jayson Stark, the Cubs have Starlin Castro at short and “uncertainty at second next year.”
Micah Hoffpauir
An official announcement is expected by Friday that Micah Hoffpauir has inked a one-year deal with the Nippon Ham Fighters … just in time for the deadline for teams to set their reserve lists.
The Cubs appear in line for “an economic reward” for Hoffpauir going to Japan. Once Hoffpauir clears waivers, the deal is expected to become official.
Joe Ricketts Talks About Buying the Cubs
Well, there’s the update … and I’m sticking to it.