According to a report in the Seattle Times, Erik Bedard will be traded to the Seattle Mariners for several prospects, including the Mariners' top prospect Adam Jones. The report by Geoff Baker stated Jones was told by Bill Bavasi he could not play in the fourth game of the finals in the Venezuelan Winter League. Jones told a local reporter that he will be flying to Baltimore on Monday to take a physical. Several reports have indicated Andy MacPhail was looking to trade Bedard before Brian … [Read more...]
Weekend Update – 01/26/08
The last weekend in January....only 18 days until pitchers and catchers report. The next couple of weeks could be very interesting around baseball. There are still a lot of big name free agents on the market and trades that could still happen. This off-season has been centered around Johan Santana and some of the experts still feel once he is dealt and sets the market, other teams will be able to fill their holes on their roster. Speculation continued on Friday about the future of Matt Murton. … [Read more...]
If You Were the Cubs GM….Version 20.08
O.K. it's that time again here at the CCO. Grab your GM hat, make sure it still fits and get ready to make a few moves that will improve the Cubs chances at making it to the promise land this season. You know the drill by now, or do you? The CCO asked the very same question, not once but twice two years ago and again last year. We even discussed Lou Piniella's options before the season and again at the trading deadline. But with only 19 days left before pitchers and catchers report to Fitch … [Read more...]
Still Working
With a little less than three weeks before pitchers and catchers report on February 13th, Jim Hendry told the Tribune he is not done with his roster. There are additions the Cubs would like to make before Spring Training according to statements made by Hendry over the last week. The same names continue to be mentioned on a daily basis without any movement. Could Hendry be on the verge of adding a couple of players to the mix or will the Cubs start Spring Training with their current 40-man … [Read more...]
On Again or Off Again?
Is Jim Hendry still interested in trading for Brian Roberts? Has he stepped up his pursuit and has also targeted Erik Bedard? Is Matt Murton heading to Texas or San Diego? Could Jason Marquis be involved in a deal with the Orioles? What about Marlon Byrd? So many questions and so many rumors. A day after the conclusion of the Convention the rumor mill kicked into high gear, fueled mostly by a report from Phil Rogers, but Ken Rosenthal had a hand in it as well. Jim Hendry shot down rumors on … [Read more...]
Insert Cliche Here
Only one day until the Cubs Convention.... Jim Hendry made news on Wednesday with the signing of Jon Lieber and at the same time increased the speculation on what else he may or may not have up his sleeve. Most reported the Cubs signing of Lieber as "you can never have enough pitching" and thought it was "a low-risk signing." Lieber's deal is worth $3.5 million dollars with incentives based on starts and innings pitched that could bring the total value to around $7 million dollars. Ryan … [Read more...]
Nothing but the News….and Maybe a Rumor
Only two more days before The Convention.... The Cubs announced their non-roster invitees to Spring Training on Tuesday. All in all the Cubs invited 19 players. Tyler Colvin and Jose Ceda headline the list of players. Along with Ceda, the Cubs invited 6 other pitchers: Chad Fox, Ed Campusano, Geoff Jones, Les Walrond, Mike Smith and Esmailin Caridad. The Cubs signed Caridad in December. He was 1-2 with a 4.02 ERA in 25 games with the Hiroshima Carp last season. The Cubs invited four catchers: … [Read more...]
Dead or Alive?
For every report that says Brian Roberts will not be traded to the Cubs....there is one that claims there is still a possibility. So which is it? Lou Piniella apparently wants Roberts to be his second baseman or the Cubs were not be pursuing him. Piniella saw first hand, at least fifteen times a year, what kind of player Brian Roberts is and what he could give his team. If Jim Hendry and Andy MacPhail have "discussed" a deal, what, or better yet, who is the holdup? Bruce Levine indicated over … [Read more...]
A Big Week Ahead?
The Hot Stove Season is beginning to come to an end, the first workouts for pitchers and catchers at Fitch Park is exactly one month from today. The first sign of the new baseball season being just around the corner starts on Friday. The Cubs still have holes to fill and are rumored to be looking at adding a couple of pieces to Lou Piniella's puzzle. Will Jim Hendry make any moves before the Opening Ceremonies at the Cubs Convention? The mainstream media is still discussing the possibility of … [Read more...]
Spreading Rumors….and a Little News, Too
Is Brian Roberts coming to the Cubs? Could Jon Lieber be making a second appearance on the North Side? Are the Cubs interested in trading for Marlon Byrd? Bruce Levine discussed each of those topics with Chet Coppock on ESPN 1000 Saturday morning. Levine stated Peter Angelos is "laying down the law and will not trade Brian Roberts." Levine cited Buck Martinez from XM Radio as his source. Levine said the Indians offered a better package to the Orioles than the Cubs. The package from Cleveland … [Read more...]