The Cubs reportedly agreed to terms on a one-year contract with outfielder Nate Schierholtz on day three of Baseball's Winter Meetings. The Cubs did see several of their off-season targets come off the board but reportedly have offers out to free agents and are working on several options to improve the roster. The Cubs one-year contract with Nate Schierholtz is reportedly worth $2.25 million and includes an incentive package worth another $500,000. The Cubs have not confirmed the signing and … [Read more...]
Winter Meetings Day Two: Cubs Exploring Third Base and Outfield Options
Day two of Baseball's Winter Meetings was filled with more noise and rumors surrounding the Chicago Cubs ... but no moves. The Cubs appear to be exploring all options to fill their needs at third base and in the outfield. The mainstream media linked the Cubs to numerous players on Tuesday including Yunel Escobar, Yuniesky Betancourt, Mark Reynolds and Shane Victorino, before Victorino agreed to a surprising three-year, $39 million contract with the Red Sox. Jed Hoyer said that the team has had … [Read more...]
Winter Meetings Day One: Cubs Listening on Marmol and Soriano, Talking to Other Options
According to multiple reports, Carlos Marmol and Alfonso Soriano are on the block. The Cubs have told Carlos Marmol that he is a trade candidate but they will not give him away. The Cubs view Marmol as a short-term asset that could be turned into long-term pieces. Theo Epstein addressed the Alfonso Soriano rumors on Monday and said he would work with Soriano in a "respectful way to help determine if a move elsewhere would benefit the team" and Soriano according to a report from ESPN Chicago. … [Read more...]
Cubs Searching for Solution at Third Base, Not Done Adding Pitching
The Cubs are not done with the roster and will reportedly keep looking for ways to add more talent to the mix. The Cubs added another arm to the pitching staff Tuesday with the signing of Scott Feldman ... the Cubs' fourth signing (plus a handfull of minor league deals) of the off-season. But Jed Hoyer and Theo Epstein still have holes they would like to fill. The Cubs will have to make one roster move in the near future in order to officially add Scott Feldman to the 40-man roster. The Cubs … [Read more...]
Pitching Remains Cubs Priority … and Other News and Notes
With the tender deadline and the Winter Meetings just around the corner, the next 10 days figure to be very busy throughout baseball ... and for the Cubs. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer have decisions to make over the next four days as they continue exploring ways to add pitching to the roster. Carrie Muskat confirmed the Cubs are still looking to add at least one starting pitcher and they are pursuing pitchers across the spectrum. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer are looking at "some guys who might be … [Read more...]
Cubs Ink Four Players to Minor League Deals … and Other News and Notes
The Cubs did not announce they found any deals on Black Friday but four minor league signings were announced prior to Thanksgiving. The Cubs signed outfielders Brian Bogusevic and Johermyn Chavez plus infielder Alberto Gonzalez and catcher J.C. Boscan. Bogusevic, Gonzalez and Boscan should have received non-roster invites to Spring Training. The signing of J.C. Boscan leaked last week and while the former Braves' farmhand does not figure into the Cubs plans at the big league level, Boscan has a … [Read more...]
Cubs Comfortable Betting on Baker, Still Pursuing Pitching
The Cubs added a starting pitcher to the mix when they announced that Scott Baker signed a one-year, $5.5 million deal on Tuesday that includes a $1.5 million incentives package. Theo Epstein did a little rhyming when he discussed the signing with the mainstream media. Epstein said that "Scott Baker is a pitch maker" and the Cubs are betting on him being ready to pitch when Spring Training begins in early February. Baker said he is ahead of schedule despite not being able to throw off a mound … [Read more...]