It figures to be another big week for the Chicago Cubs. Jed Hoyer is expected to be introduced as the Cubs new general manager no later than Tuesday. Once the Hoyer announcement is out of the way, the Cubs should turn their attention to Mike Quade and the coaching staff … while dealing with the personnel on the field.
Ryan Dempster picked up his 2012 option Saturday and next on the options list … Aramis Ramirez and Jeff Samardzija. The Cubs will reportedly pick up their part of the mutual option on Ramirez but the third baseman is expected to opt out and become a free agent. Ramirez must make a decision by Monday night at 10:59pm CDT (11:59pm ET). As for Samardzija, the Cubs are expected to pick up the $3 million club option on Samardzija for next season.
Six players that finished the season in a Cubs’ uniform were among the 148 players to file for free agency on Sunday. Kerry Wood and Carlos Pena were the most notable and both could return for 2012. Free Agency
The Cubs had four other players file for free agency along with Kerry Wood and Carlos Pena on Sunday … Reed Johnson, John Grabow, Ramon Ortiz and Rodrigo Lopez. Jed Hoyer could end up re-signing as many as half of the six players to contracts for 2012 and possibly beyond. John Grabow, Rodrigo Lopez and Ramon Ortiz are not expected to be re-signed by the Cubs … not even to minor league contracts.
Team Epstein
Theo Epstein could be adding another piece to his team in the coming days. According to a report from the Tribune, the Cubs are close to adding Joe Bohringer as pro scouting coordinator. Bohringer is currently a scout for the Arizona Diamondbacks and has been with the organization since 2006. Bohringer has a degree from MIT Sloan School of Management and prior to joining the D’Backs was an Area Scouting Supervisor for the Mariners and Senior Manager of Player Development for the Dodgers. Last season was Bohringer’s 22nd in professional baseball.
From the Rumor Mill
The rumor will kick into gear this week but Jon Heyman tweeted out the first big one in relation to the Cubs on Sunday afternoon.
According to Jon Heyman, CC Sabathia will opt out of his contract and is planning to look around before re-signing with the Yankees … who made an offer for Sabathia this weekend. Heyman said the Cubs are one of five teams that could challenge the Yankees for Sabathia’s services.
Stay Tuned … this is only the beginning.
Well, there’s the update and I’m sticking to it.
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