According to Jon Paul Morosi, the question of where James Shields will be pitching for the foreseeable future could soon be answered.
Morosi reported Tuesday night Shields “has multiple offers in hand and is expected to sign by the end of this week.” Morosi said it’s unknown as to which teams have an offer on the table for Shields. But the Yankees and Padres are believed to have recently contacted his agent.
Morosi pointed out while Shields was seeking a contract for five years and at least $110 million earlier in the off-season, there has not been a free agent pitcher sign a contract for more than $50 million after Feb. 1.
The Cardinals have shown interest in Shields according to Bob Nightengale.
Before posting the update that Shields has multiple offers in hand and is expected to sign this week, Morosi reported the Yankees were believed to be “actively pursuing” him. And less than 15 minutes after Morosi’s report, Joel Sherman said the Yankees are not in the mix for Shields according to his sources.
James Shields has draft pick compensation tied to him. The team that signs Shields will surrender its highest available pick and the allotted slot money.
Yoan Moncada
Major League Baseball changed its policy for Cuban players and Yoan Moncada became eligible Tuesday to sign a contract with a big league club.
The Yankees are considered the frontrunner to sign Moncada and teams Buster Olney spoke to about the 19-year old switch-hitting infielder view the Dodgers as a strong favorite in the Moncada sweepstakes … which is expected to get wild and rather expensive.
Jesse Sanchez thinks the five teams most likely to sign Yoan Moncada: 1) Yankees 2) Dodgers 3) Red Sox 4) Padres 5) Tigers
Despite the interest in him, the Cubs appear to be a longshot in the Yoan Moncada derby.
Uniform Numbers
Dexter Fowler will go back to No. 24 with the Cubs. It was announced Tuesday that Fowler, who wore No. 24 from 2009-13 with the Rockies, will wear his familiar number with his new team.
As for the other new players and their numbers … here’s what is known before the Spring Training roster is released: Joe Maddon (70), Jon Lester (34), Jason Hammel (39), Miguel Montero (47), Jason Motte (30), Chris Denorfia (15), David Ross (3) and Fowler (24). Mike Olt switched to No. 20 as the number he wore last season with the Cubs went to Jason Motte.
News, Notes and Rumors
According to Tim Brown, pace of game could use some work, but let’s not get drastic.
The Year After Effect, Tom Verducci’s annual look at the innings increase for young pitchers across the league and pitchers that might be at risk for injury this year.
Jesse Rogers spoke to Bob Gale, the co-writer and producer of the Back to the Future Trilogy, about the “prediction” that was made in the sequel to the 30-year old original that the Cubs beat Miami to win the World Series in the year 2015 … October 21, 2015 to be exact. Gale grew up a Cardinals fan and Bob Zemeckis, the co-writer and director of the triology, was a White Sox fan growing up on the South Side of Chicago. Rogers asked Gale about the famous scene that he wrote and why it was the Cubs winning the World Series that led Marty McFly to buy the Gray’s Sports Almanac. This is a fun interview and worth the read. Plus, Gale is working on a Back to the Future, the Musical.
USA Today graded each National League team’s off-season … and the Cubs were one of two teams (Nationals) that received an ‘A’ while the Padres received an ‘A+’.
High Heat Stats posted this: Most career home runs with a career OPS under .830 … Ernie Banks (512), Dave Winfield (465), Dave Kingman (442), Andre Dawson (438), Andruw Jones (434) and Cal Ripken Jr. (431).
The 10 most overrated players from last season according to the Sporting News.
If you missed any of the moves this winter, Mike Ferrin recapped baseball’s off-season in just over two minutes … click here for the audio.
And last, but one of the biggest stories from Tuesday, the first beams arrived at Wrigley Field for the left field bleachers.
Photo – @WrigleyRenovate
This Day In Cubstory
2005 – Cubs and 3B Aramis Ramirez avoided arbitration with a one-year, $8.95 million contract. Ramirez batted .302/.358/.568 with 30 doubles, 31 home runs and a .926 OPS for the season and was selected to the NL All-Star team.
1962 – Dan Plesac, born
1959 – Pat Perry, born
1941 – Cubs purchased Tot Pressnell from the Reds
1938 – Reds purchased Lonny Frey from the Cubs
1883 – Don Miller, born
1876 – Germany Schaefer, born