The Cubs’ offense has not performed to expectations this season. And the front office could be looking for a spark at the top of the lineup. With the Kyle Schwarber leadoff experiment not producing results and the young slugger in Triple-A attempting to get back on track, the Cubs have not found a way to put runs on the board on a consistent basis. Joe Maddon has inserted the likes of Anthony Rizzo, the ‘greatest leadoff hitter of all-time,’ and Willson Contreras at the top of his lineup, but … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Fowler’s Market Takes Another Hit and Other Cubs News and Notes
Dexter Fowler’s market appears to have gotten a little smaller than it already was. The Giants were one of the teams believed to have interest in Fowler and San Francisco went another direction Thursday. The Giants signed Denard Span to a three-year, $31 million contract that includes a mutual option for a fourth year and a $5 million incentives package. With Span on board, the Giants are not expected to make any more additions to their outfield. The Mets were reportedly interested in … [Read more...]
Denard Span Agrees to Terms on Three-Year Contract with Giants
Denard Span is off the market. And Dexter Fowler’s market got even smaller Thursday afternoon. The Giants agreed to terms on a three-year contract with OF Denard Span for $31 million, $10.33 million per season. The Giants said in the announcement that the deal with Span is pending a physical. According to Ken Rosenthal, Span’s contract includes an incentives package. And Jon Heyman reported the performance bonuses could pay Span an additional $5 million. Updated 10:45pm CST – The Giants … [Read more...]
Gordon Returns to Kansas City, Outfield Market Heats Up
The free agent outfielder market should start moving now that Alex Gordon is no longer available. Alex Gordon returned to Kansas City on Wednesday. Gordon officially signed a four-year, $72 million contract with a mutual option for a fifth year. Gordon met with the Kansas City media Wednesday to announce he re-signed with the only organization he’s known. According to Jon Heyman, Gordon will receive $12 million in 2016, $16 million in 2017 and $20 million in 2018 and 2019. The mutual … [Read more...]
Recapping the Cubs Options for Center Field
As the calendar year came to an end, rumors continued to point to the Cubs talking to several teams as the front office explored ways to acquire pitching, both for the rotation and bullpen. The Cubs have added depth to the roster this winter but many within the game do not think Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer are done making changes to the team. Whether the Cubs are able to acquire a starting pitcher or arms for the bullpen or before Spring Training begins is obviously dependent on a lot of … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Bryant Gets Engaged, Baez Plays Center and Other Cubs News and Rumors
Kris Bryant made headlines Tuesday night when he announced on Twitter he asked his longtime girlfriend Jessica Delp to marry him. Bryant tweeted along with a photo, “Only took me eight years, but I can’t wait to marry my best friend! Perfect way to end an unforgettable year.” One of his teammates was not very happy about the announcement. Anthony Rizzo tweeted, “It’s a night of crying and pouring my feelings into ice cream now that Bryzzo is over.” Obviously Rizzo was just giving his … [Read more...]
Nationals Reportedly Working to Add an Outfielder, Dexter Fowler Could Be in the Mix
Dexter Fowler is on a long list of free agent outfielders that remain unsigned as the New Year approaches. A rather impressive outfield, at least on paper, could be formed with the players such as Alex Gordon, Yoenis Cespedes, Justin Upton, Denard Span, Austin Jackson and Fowler still unemployed and backup fly catchers like Gerardo Parra, Will Venable and Chris Denorfia also looking for jobs. Jon Paul Morosi reported Monday on MLB Network Radio that the Nationals were very involved in talks … [Read more...]
Report: Dexter Fowler Still Viewed as Possibility for Cubs
The Cubs may be set in the outfield as the calendar inches toward 2016 but with the front office continuing to field calls on Jorge Soler, Dexter Fowler could be an option in center field on a shorter term contract. Dexter Fowler was believed to be looking for a four-year contract in the $60 million range, or a $15 million AAV (average annual value). The Giants, Nationals, Marlins, Padres and Mets have been reported as possibilities for Fowler. The Mets did not want to surrender the draft … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Cubs-Cardinals Front and Center in December and Other News and Rumors
The Cubs and Cardinals continued taking jabs at one another Tuesday. And if the sparring the two long-time rivals have done this off-season is any indication, it’s going to be very interesting when the two teams square off next season. Theo Epstein said last week, “The Cardinals are going to be a formidable opponent next year and for years to come. They are going to take the resources they didn't commit to Jason Heyward and John Lackey and reallocate them to other players.” “The approach I … [Read more...]
Cubs Reportedly Still Taking Offers on Jorge Soler
According to Jon Heyman, the Cubs are “still taking offers” on Jorge Soler. The Cubs would reportedly include Soler in a trade for a controllable starting pitcher. And Heyman thinks there is a decent match-up with the Indians for either Carlos Carrasco or Danny Salazar. The Cubs are consistently linked to three teams (Indians, Padres and Rays) at this point of the off-season as the front office’s search for a starting pitcher continues. The Indians covet Soler and both the Indians and Rays … [Read more...]