According to a report from Comcast SportsNet, the front office has not closed the door on re-signing Dexter Fowler and won’t until he signs with another team but it’s “highly unlikely” he will return to the Cubs.
David Kaplan reported Monday while it could still happen, stars would have to align in order for Fowler to re-sign with the Cubs.
Kaplan confirmed the White Sox interest in Fowler and the Rangers are one of the teams in play for Fowler.
Patrick Mooney explained the front office’s comments both publicly and privately have indicated “pretty much all of the heavy lifting for this team is done, not expecting another major move this winter.” Plus the Cubs “need to preserve some flexibility for in-season adjustments and trade deadline deals.”
The Cubs would like to add another starting pitcher to the roster. But with the player cost being “outrageous” for starting pitchers, it would be “difficult to flip Jorge Soler in a worthwhile trade that would clear a spot in right field” for Jason Heyward.
Another reason the Cubs will likely not re-sign Fowler is that the front office would “like to recoup a draft pick” after surrendering the first two picks in June’s draft to sign John Lackey and Jason Heyward.
Currently the Cubs first selection in the draft is not until the third round. Once Fowler signs with another team, the Cubs will in essence get their second round pick and the slot money back.
Dexter Fowler was looking to sign a four-year contract at the beginning of the off-season. At this late date, a two-year deal with a one-year opt-out is realistic.
- Report from Comcast SportsNet
- White Sox and Rangers In Play for Dexter Fowler, Cubs Reportedly a Tough Fit
Jonathan Mota
According to Baseball America, longtime Cubs’ farmhand Jonathan Mota has re-signed with the only organization he’s ever known. The Cubs re-upped the utility man on a minor league contract for the upcoming season.
Jonathan Mota has been in the Cubs’ organization since he was an 18-year old in 2005. And he spent time with Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa last season.
In 103 games, Mota batted a combined .252/.296/.340 with 11 doubles, two triples and four home runs.
During his 11 seasons in the system, Mota has played all nine positions and that includes seven appearances on a mound.
• Jonathan Mota’s Page on Baseball-Reference
Guillermo Heredia
According to a report from Ben Badler, the Cubs are among the teams that has held a private workout for Cuban outfielder Guillermo Heredia.
Badler posted an update on the Cuban free agents that are not subject to the International signing bonus restrictions. And Heredia was included in his report.
Badler indicated the Cubs and Astros are among the teams that he’s “been going through private workouts” in the United States. Heredia turned 25 last Sunday (Jan. 31) and is considered a plus-defender in center field.
Heredia is a “plus runner with a quick first step who gets good jumps off the bat and covers a lot of ground in center field.” Heredia is no longer a switch-hitter and only bats from the right side now. Teams are concerned if he will hit enough in the big leagues to be an everyday player. Heredia throws from the left-side and exclusively bats right-handed.
Heredia has been a free agent since last July and held an open showcase, according to Badler, last October.
• Full Report from Baseball America
News, Notes and Rumors
• Cubs’ reliever RHP Justin Grimm got married last weekend.
• One of the top five moves of the off-season, according to ESPN … the Cubs signing John Lackey to a two-year, $32 million contract.
• “Holy Cow! The Story of Harry Caray” premiers Tuesday (Feb. 2, 8:00pm CST) on MLB Network.
• According to Phil Rogers, the White Sox are exploring a trade with the Dodgers for OF Andre Ethier. Rogers is not sure if the two teams will match-up on a deal, but there is interest from the Southsiders.
• Jonathan Lucroy would like to be traded and several teams, including the Cubs, have reportedly shown interest in the Brewers’ catcher this off-season. According to Ken Rosenthal, the Nationals are interested in Lucroy. But the Nationals are one of eight teams on his no-trade list. Rosenthal explained Lucroy would waive his no-trade rights “perhaps in exchange for an extension that would start in 2017 and eliminate the current $5.25 million club option.”
• Brandon Phillips vetoed two trades according to a report from Hardball Talk … so the Reds stopped trying to trade him.
• The Orioles are interested in trading for RHP Andrew Cashner. While Baltimore has been mentioned as a possible destination for Yovani Gallardo, the Orioles “were in deep discussions with Gallardo’s agent, but they now seem much more reluctant to give up the 14th overall selection” according to Roch Kubatko.
• INF Ronald Torreyes is on the move again. Two weeks after being designated for assignment by the Yankees to clear a spot on the roster for Lane Adams, the Yankees claimed Torreyes off waivers and DFA’d Adams to make room for him on the roster. J.J. Cooper posted a reminder that Torreyes has gone from the Astros to the Blue Jays to the Dodgers to the Yankees to the Angels and back to the Yankees since June.
And last, but not least, if you win the World Series and named MVP, you get an incredibly awesome billboard … click here for the photo and report from Hardball Talk.
This Day in Cubstory
2012 – Cubs signed free agent Ryan Rowland-Smith
2012 – Cubs signed free agent Gerardo Concepcion
2009 – Cubs traded Michael Wuertz to the Athletics for Richie Robnett and Justin Sellers
2005 – Cubs traded Sammy Sosa and cash ($16.15 million of remaining $25 million on the four-year, $72 million contract Sosa signed in 2003) to the Orioles for David Crouthers, Mike Fontenot and Jerry Hairston Jr.
1998 – Cubs signed free agent Terry Mulholland
1985 – Scott Maine, born
1983 – Ronny Cedeno, born
1958 – Pat Tabler, born
1952 – Warren Brusstar, born
1950 – White Sox purchased Herman Reich from the Cubs
1931 – Ted Tappe, born
1922 – Sheldon Jones, born
1881 – Orval Overall, born
1876 – William A. Hulbert, the first owner of the Chicago National League franchise, organized the National League at New York’s Grand Central Hotel. Charter teams were Chicago, Boston, Cincinnati, Hartford, Louisville, New York, Philadelphia and St. Louis.