The GM Meetings officially began Tuesday … and the first big trade of the off-season was announced shortly after Roy Halladay was named the NL Cy Young award winner. Outside of Dan Uggla being dealt to the Braves for Mike Dunn and Cub-for-a-minute, Omar Infante, the GMs discussed possible changes to the current Wild Card format.
The Cubs made a minor signing Tuesday. According to a report from Cubs.com, the Cubs inked former Cub Scott Moore to a minor league deal. Moore played for the Cubs back in 2006 after he was acquired from the Tigers, along with Roberto Novoa and Bo Flowers, for Kyle Farnsworth in February of 2005. The Cubs shipped Moore, along with Rocky Cherry and Jacob Renshaw, to the Orioles for Steve Trachsel on August 31, 2007.
One possible free agent option for the Cubs re-signed with his former team and here are updates on Kerry Wood, Chris Archer, Randy Wells, Andrew Cashner and Adam Dunn … The Latest from Bruce Levine
Mr. Talkin’ Baseball held his weekly chat on ESPNChicago.com Tuesday afternoon. Here are the highlights:
- The relationship between Jim Hendry and Kerry Wood is solid and neither side would have “any problems having Wood return.”
- If the Cubs were to re-sign Wood, they will not trade Carlos Marmol.
- The Padres have not decided if they are going to trade Adrian Gonzalez. The Red Sox will be “the lead team in obtaining Gonzalez when he becomes available.”
- The Cubs have $5-$7 million left in the payroll “to play with” this off-season.
- Randy Wells will have “to pitch his butt off from spring training on” to keep his spot in the rotation. Andrew Cashner and Chris Archer could challenge Wells for a spot in the rotation.
- The Cubs are “thinking about” switching Andrew Cashner from the pen to the rotation.
- Darwin Barney is viewed as a utility player … like Ryan Theriot was in 2007.
- Levine thinks the Cubs would be “happy to get two average to above-average years” out of Alfonso Soriano. Levine doubts Soriano will be patrolling left field for the Cubs in four years. (note: Soriano’s contract will have expired four years from now)
- The Cubs feel Chris Archer is a front-end of the rotation starter. Levine noted that Archer probably needs “a good solid year of Double-A and/or Triple-A.”
- The Cubs probably will not have enough money this winter to sign Orlando Hudson.
- Hak-Ju Lee is on the fast track to the majors.
- Levine does not believe “anyone in the organization is really counting on Carlos Silva.” Levine said if he reports “to camp in shape he will have a great opportunity to win a spot in a very average-looking rotation.”
Adam Dunn
The White Sox continue to look at Adam Dunn as a replacement for Paul Konerko. According to multiple sources, Paulie is on his way out of town and Adam Dunn could be calling the South Side of Chicago home for the next four seasons.
Dunn is being “shopped right now” and the Washington Nationals “want him back badly” according to Bruce Levine, but the White Sox GM met with Adam Dunn’s representatives on Tuesday.
According to a report from Bruce Levine, Kenny Williams met with Dunn’s agent in preliminary discussions on what Dunn is expecting this winter.
Levine was told “the starting point for Adam Dunn will be a three-year, $40 million deal.”
Jake Westbrook
Scratch one of Jim Hendry’s off-season options off the list.
The Cubs were rumored to have interest in Jake Westbrook but the Cardinals re-signed the veteran right-hander on Tuesday to a two-year, $16.5 million contact. The deal includes a full-no trade clause and a $8.5 million mutual option for the 2013 season that has a $1 million buyout attached to it.
Westbrook’s contract will impact what the likes of Jon Garland, Kevin Millwood and Javier Vazquez get the off-season. The Cubs have been linked to all three of the free-agent starters.
For those counting … it is only 15 weeks to Spring Training.
Well, there’s the update … and I’m sticking to it.