The last weekend update of the year and the baseball world is still debating the Yankees agreeing to terms with Mark Teixeira before Christmas. The Yankees have committed over $400 million on three players so far this winter and there has not been a word from Bud Selig and his office....a different stance than he had when Jim Hendry opened the checkbook after the 2006 season. It will be interesting to see if the Commissioner of Baseball issues a statement on the Yankees spending spree. On the … [Read more...]
A Quarter’s Worth of Cubs Rumors
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from everyone at the CCO... While the Cubs reportedly were not interested in Mark Teixeira, the surprising signing by the New York Yankees on Tuesday could have an impact on the Cubs off-season. Scott Boras came through for another one of his clients on Tuesday when Teixeira agreed to terms with the Yankees on an 8-year, $180 million dollar deal. But what kind of ripple effect will the Teixeira signing have throughout the league? Will the Angels step up their … [Read more...]
Term Sheets, Southpaw Sluggers and Other Rumors
At least Jim Hendry now has a new member in the 'Furcaled Club'. Three years after being very close to signing with the Cubs, and some reports then suggested the Cubs had an agreement in place, Rafael Furcal and his agents did it again. The former Brave along with his agents Paul Kinzer and Arn Tellem reportedly received a term sheet from the Braves on Tuesday morning on a new 3-year contract.....and in the baseball world; a term sheet is viewed as a handshake agreement that a deal is done. To … [Read more...]
Back to Work after the Winter Meetings
There are only 15 days remaining in the year and Jim Hendry has quite a bit of work to do. The Cubs GM is still looking for a left-handed bat for the middle of the lineup, maybe a little speed at the top of the lineup....but a comment from Sandy Alderson late Monday could have spelled the end of the Cubs' quest for Jake Peavy. A report also surfaced on Monday night the Cubs were close to signing Joey Gathright, who was recently non-tendered by the Kansas City Royals. According to Cubs.com, … [Read more...]
Winter Meetings 2008: Day Three….Will DeRo Stay, or Will DeRo Go?
Are the Cubs about to make a deal for either an outfielder or for Jake Peavy? Reports continued to surface throughout the day that the Cubs were close to landing Jake Peavy. Then one minute Mark DeRosa was in the possible "mega-trade" then the next he is not...by the way, one definition of the word 'close' according to Merriam-Webster online is "to draw near or to enter into or complete an agreement." Does either fit the ongoing rumors surrounding the Cubs, Jake Peavy or an outfielder than can … [Read more...]
Winter Meetings 2008: Cubs Waiting to Pull the Trigger?
Are there any truths buried in all of the rumors coming from the Bellagio in Las Vegas? The second day of the Winter Meetings were filled with more of the same for the Chicago Cubs....a lot of talk and speculation. According to the Tribune, Jim Hendry spoke with "representatives of three of four free agents" and according to multiple reports the Cubs appear to be the holdup in the trade that would net them Jake Peavy. Mark DeRosa is "considered expendable because he's in the final year of his … [Read more...]
Winter Meetings 2008: Day Two….More Wheelin’ with No Dealin’
Day two in Las Vegas saw the first of the big name free agents sign a new deal. Francisco Rodriguez agreed to a 3-year deal worth $37 million dollars with the Mets that includes a vesting option for a fourth year. K-Rod appears to have set the market and with him accepting a deal much lower than the 5-year, $75 million dollar deal he was reportedly looking for this winter, his deal with the Mets is also an indication of how much the economic crisis is affecting the game of baseball. Reports … [Read more...]
Open for Business….By Appointment Only
A left-handed bat, Jake Peavy, moving Jason Marquis and a lot creative thinking appear to be atop Jim Hendry's list as the Winter Meetings officially begins on Monday morning. But could there be more? Typically when all of the decision makers get together under one roof, the only predictable move is one that catches everyone by surprise. Jim Hendry from Cubs.com: "The trade market is going to be a possibility, the free agent market is still a possibility. There are certainly a lot of potential … [Read more...]
Tumbling Dice: Hendry Heading West for a Lefty and Jake Peavy?
Over the next few days the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas will become the Center of the Baseball Universe. The lobby, bars and restaurants of the luxury hotel will be turned into meeting rooms as clubs attempt to make improvements for next season....and in many cases, beyond. Jim Hendry reportedly has several areas he would like to address this off-season. His manager wants a left-handed bat for the middle of the lineup, possibly a leadoff hitter and a veteran arm for the pen. Hendry appears … [Read more...]
Questions and Rumors Surrounding the Cubs
As the Winter Meetings approach, the Cubs appear focused on acquiring a left-handed bat for right field before trading for Jake Peavy. All indications are that the Cubs and Padres continue to discuss Peavy but until the new ownership is in place there is simply not enough remaining in the budget to add the former Cy Young Award winner to the rotation. For the second day in a row Milton Bradley was linked to the Cubs by the mainstream media. Ken Rosenthal reported the possibility early on Friday … [Read more...]