Congratulations to the San Francisco Giants! Four former Cubs now have World Series rings … Mike Fontenot, Andres Torres, Mark DeRosa and Shawon Dunston.
Baseball’s off-season officially began when Brian Wilson retired Nelson Cruz to end the Fall Classic. Teams have five days to sign their potential free agents before losing their exclusive negotiating rights. The Cubs have only one free agent, Xavier Nady, and they are expected to let him walk. The free agent signing period begins Saturday night.
Tuesday is a big day for the Chicago National League Ball Club. Not only do the organizational meetings officially begin but the taxpayers in Mesa will also vote on Proposition 420.
The Cubs should make the hiring of Pat Listach official at some point on Tuesday … reportedly Listach is already in Arizona for the meetings. Along with Listach, Mike Quade’s entire staff for 2011 should be officially announced.
Here are a few tidbits as the Giants celebrate their first championship since 1954 … and the first baseball championship for the City of San Francisco. Organizational Meetings
According to a report from the Tribune, the Cubs will discuss a variety of topics for the next four days that include:
- What will the payroll be for 2011?
- Can the team afford a left-handed slugger, a starting pitcher and bench help?
- Carlos Zambrano’s future with the team
- Can the Cubs find another bad contract to swap and rid themselves of Kosuke Fukudome?
- Will Adam Dunn be wearing blue pinstripes in the near future?
- Is Andrew Cashner’s future in the pen or in the rotation?
- Could Brett Jackson and Chris Archer play roles on the 2011 team out of Spring Training?
- Will the Cubs try to bring back Kerry Wood?
Jim Hendry will receive input from everyone in the organization on the direction he should take to put together the roster for next season.
Chris Carpenter
The Cubs third round pick in the 2008 draft is turning heads in the Arizona Fall League. According to a report from Bruce Miles, the Cubs are getting “good reports” on Carpenter. The soon-to-be 25-year old right-hander is hitting triple digits pitching out of the pen in the Fall League.
Carpenter has dealt with injuries throughout his career but reportedly has good stuff. Could another power arm, the Cubs thought would be a starter, end up in the back end of their bullpen?
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Well, that’s the latest and I’m sticking to it!