The final day of the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas was dominated by the news that the Cubs pulled out of the talks for Jake Peavy. Kevin Towers reportedly wanted a 'Herschel Walker' type deal with the Cubs parting with six or seven players in order to give the Padres what they feel Jake Peavy is worth. After thinking about the proposed package the Cubs would have parted with on Wednesday night, Jim Hendry told Kevin Towers that the Cubs were moving on and the Paddres; GM made the announcement … [Read more...]
The Sale, The Payroll and Trader Jim
As the Cubs' brass made their way to Las Vegas on Saturday, the most important news for the Chicago Cubs of the off-season hit the wire late on Friday night. According to multiple reports the sale of the Chicago Cubs is expected to be completed by Spring Training. It has been business as usual for Jim Hendry and his staff for nearly two years but the pending ownership change has begun to affect what the Cubs can and cannot do....both on the field and behind the scenes. Crane Kenney was quoted … [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...]
Moving Marquis and Other Rumblings
Did the trade of Javier Vazquez by the White Sox provide a market for Jason Marquis? Many feel Jim Hendry must move Jason Marquis and the $9.875 million he is owed for next season in order to clear space in the budget to add Jake Peavy and his contract to the Cubs rotation. Marquis would be a reliable fifth starter in any rotation, including the Cubs, but they apparently have their sights set on adding Jake Peavy....along with a left-handed bat. With only four shopping days before the Winter … [Read more...]
How will the Cubs ‘Shuffle the Deck’?
As the Winter Meetings approach most of baseball, with the exception of Will Carroll, is following the latest from the rumor mill. Some of the experts think next week in Las Vegas will be full of trades and signings while others feel the meetings could be an extension of what the off-season has already been to this point....a lot of talk with very little action. The Cubs figure to be front and center with the ongoing discussions with the Padres and Orioles that could net them Jake Peavy. But … [Read more...]
Strange Days Indeed….A Most Peculiar Start to the Off-Season
For the Faithful that are young enough to remember John Lennon's work after the Beatles, the title might make a little more sense. The final month of 2008 began with the unexpected announcement on Monday night that the Cubs did not offer arbitration to Kerry Wood. Reportedly Bobby Howry and Daryle Ward's days as Cubs have been over and the same could be said about Jim Edmonds but 'Jimmy Ballgame' has not made an official announcement if he will play next season or not. But with Kerry Wood the … [Read more...]
Arbitration, Ownership and Rumors
Monday marks the beginning of what could be a very busy two-week stretch for the Chicago Cubs. First up are two important deadlines. Monday is the last day teams can offer salary arbitration to their own free agents in order to be eligible for draft pick compensation. The Cubs are expected to offer Kerry Wood, a Type-A free agent, arbitration. Bobby Howry, the Cubs other Type-A free agent, is not expected to receive an arbitration offer....teams have until midnight eastern (11:00pm C.T.) to make … [Read more...]
All Quiet on the North Side…For Now
As the conclusion of the long Holiday weekend approaches, all of baseball has begun focusing their attention on Monday's arbitration deadline and the Winter Meetings that begin in nine days in Las Vegas. On the Cubs front, the next two weeks should be anything but slow and boring. From Kerry Wood to Bobby Howry to Ron Santo to Jake Peavy to Monday's deadline to submit bids to buy the club...and then there is the unknown that Jim Hendry is working on that will undoubtedly catch many by surprise. … [Read more...]
Shopping on Black Friday?
Baseball's off-season has been rather quiet to this point. A deal here and there but clearly more rumors on what could happen than actual activity. The report from Yahoo Sports by Tim Brown indicated the Cubs and Padres might have found the third team they have been looking for to help complete the deal for Jake Peavy. Other than Peavy, the Cubs are rumored to be interested in several players, but it is typically the trades or signings that are never mentioned that usually happen. So while you … [Read more...]
A Little Turkey and Peavy with a Side of Rumors
Happy Thanksgiving from the CCO.... The next twenty-four hours figure to be rather quiet throughout baseball but as the weekend comes to a close teams should start preparing for a busy start of the last month of the year. For the Cubs not only is Monday the deadline to offer arbitration to Kerry Wood and Bobby Howry but it is also the last day for prospective buyers to submit their bids to purchase the team. The Winter Meetings kick off a week from Monday on the same day Ron Santo will find out … [Read more...]