The baseball world has set up shop at the Manchester Grand Hotel in San Diego for the Winter Meetings. It is expected to be a busy week throughout the game as teams attempt to fill holes on their rosters. The annual gathering does not officially begin until Monday, but the Twitter Machine figures to heat up and begin firing one rumor after the other by Sunday afternoon … so stay tuned. On the Cubs front, Theo Epstein addressed the unresolved tampering charges and coaching changes before he … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Cubs Hitting Coach John Mallee to Work with Javier Baez in Winter Ball
Javier Baez has reported to his winter ball team in Puerto Rico and is expected to start playing in games next week (Dec. 11). Theo Epstein said Friday that Baez will play four-five times a week and see time at second base and shortstop. The Cubs new hitting coach, John Mallee is going to spend time in Puerto Rico working with Javier Baez. Epstein told the beat writers, “Javy’s had some time away from the game and decompressed a little bit, and I think it’s certainly a testament to his … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: The Return of Hank White and Other Cubs News and Rumors
The Cubs took the first step in announcing Joe Maddon’s coaching staff Saturday when the team confirmed reports Henry Blanco had left Arizona to return to the Cubs. Blanco was a clubhouse leader and fan favorite during his time with the Cubs (2005-2008) and was part of two division winning teams. Henry Blanco, nicknamed Hank White by the fan base and media, filled the only official opening on the coaching staff. Blanco replaces Jose Castro as the Cubs’ quality assurance coach. The … [Read more...]
Cubs Reported as a Possible Suitor for RHP Kenta Maeda
Reports have indicated the Hiroshima Carp could post RHP Kenta Maeda before the end of the month. Once he’s posted, Maeda will garner a lot of attention as teams across the league lineup to commit the $20 million fee for the right to negotiate a deal with him. Last year it was believed the clubs that lost out on Masahiro Tanaka would be in the mix for Maeda this winter. And the Cubs were among those that tried to convince Tanaka to forgo pitching in the Bronx. Jim Duquette listed the Cubs, … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Phillies Might Have to Alter Expectations to Trade Cole Hamels and Cubs News and Rumors
Cole Hamels would like to be traded this winter, but he won’t demand one according to a report from Bob Nightengale. There are not many teams that have both the prospect currency it would take to acquire him and the payroll flexibility to add the $96 million left on his contract over the next four years. And one of the teams, the Red Sox, was added to his no-trade list, which likely means he would ask for the $20 million option for the 2019 season to be picked up. So for a team, like the Red … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: A Russell Martin Update, Jake Arrieta Receives Cy Votes and Other Cubs News
Reports from the Sun-Times and ESPN Chicago pointed to a resolution, possibly by the end of the month, on whether or not Russell Martin will be signing with the Cubs. While the Sun-Times indicated the Cubs are inching closer to landing Russell Martin, there are at least four teams still in play for Martin, even with the Pirates acquiring a catcher from the Yankees late Wednesday. The Pirates pulled off a trade Wednesday night that appeared to signal Martin would not be returning to … [Read more...]
Cubs Happy with Hector Rondon Closing, Search for Bullpen Help Could Lead to Andrew Miller
Hector Rondon had a good season, and he was among the best in baseball in the second half. Plus the Cubs have options behind Rondon to close games which make the Cubs reported interest in David Robertson questionable at best. Signing a closer, or relievers, to a long-term contract seldom works out and is typically not the best use of a team’s financial resources. When asked Tuesday if the Cubs were looking for a closer this winter, Jed Hoyer said, “We feel really good about [Hector] … [Read more...]
Russell Martin, David Robertson, Max Scherzer, James Shields Among 12 Players Rejected Qualifying Offer
Monday afternoon (4:00pm CST) was the deadline for players to accept or decline the $15.3 million qualifying offer for the 2015 season and for the third straight off-season a qualifying offer was not accepted. All 12 players, including Russell Martin, David Robertson, Max Scherzer and James Shields, declined his previous team’s offer. Under the current CBA, all 34 players that have received qualifying offers have turned it down. The Rockies made Michael Cuddyer a qualifying offer and the Mets … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Russell Martin to Reject Pirates Qualifying Offer and Other Cubs News and Rumors
Monday is the deadline for the 12 players to accept or reject the $15.3 qualifying offer for next season. The Cubs have been linked heavily to four of the 12 players: Russell Martin, Max Scherzer, David Robertson and James Shields. According to a report from Jon Heyman, as expected Russell Martin will officially reject the Pirates qualifying offer prior to Monday’s deadline. The Cubs met with Martin last Thursday and according to Heyman, the meeting “is said to have gone very well.” Martin … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Cubs Centered on Catching and Starting Pitching Upgrades
The silly season kicks into full gear throughout the league Monday when the GM Meetings begin at the Arizona Biltmore, which is less than 30 minutes from Cubs Park in Mesa. The Tribune reported the Cubs are “aligned financially to land two marquee free agents” and the front office has another recruiting tool with Joe Maddon in the fold. According to Mark Gonzales, Russell Martin “sets the tone for the Cubs’ off-season plans. If acquired, he would bolster the Cubs’ defense, strengthen the … [Read more...]