Wednesday will not go down as a banner day in the history of the Chicago Cubs. While many felt the Yankees would end up with Masahiro Tanaka when the process began, there was a feeling of disappointment among the faithful that the Cubs were not able to keep him from signing with the Evil Empire. The last three seasons has been the worst stretch at the big league level in team history and even the most-patient fans that are behind the Cubs’ plan to build an organization with sustained success … [Read more...]
Don’t Count the Cubs Out of the Masahiro Tanaka Sweepstakes
The Dodgers broke out their checkbook in a big way Wednesday and they may not be done. Clayton Kershaw agreed to a contract extension that will pay the 25-year old southpaw $215 million over the next seven years. And Kershaw can opt out of the contract after five years if he wants to pass on the last two years of the deal. According to Jon Heyman, Kershaw received an $18 million signing bonus and will be paid $22 million in 2014 ($18 million signing bonus, $4 million salary for the season), $30 … [Read more...]
Paul Maholm is Reportedly on the Cubs Radar
The Cubs could reunite with a former starter after all this winter. According to a report from Mark Gonzalez, Paul Maholm is likely on the Cubs’ radar and could be an option if they are unable to sign Masahiro Tanaka. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer have said they planned to add at least one starting pitcher to the roster this winter. Scott Baker and Jason Hammel could be options as well and Gonzalez added Joe Saunders to the list of possibilities. According to the report, Carlos Villanueva will … [Read more...]
Shopping Soriano and Other Cubs Rumors
As Jed Hoyer pointed out in two different interviews last week, the Cubs are not done putting the roster together for next season. David Kaplan provided more information on what Jed Hoyer and Theo Epstein may be working on shortly after multiple reports surfaced that the Cubs are talking to teams about Alfonso Soriano. The Cubs discussed a deal with the Phillies that would have sent Alfonso Soriano to Philly for outfielder Domonic Brown. The Phillies like Soriano's bat but his defense concerns … [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...]
Cubs Focused on Pitching … and Other News, Notes and Rumors
The GM Meetings have come and gone and while the Cubs did not make any moves or signings this week, they reportedly had multiple conversations with teams and agents and tried to lay the groundwork for the rest of the off-season. The Cubs are looking to add pitching, pitching and more pitching this winter. One of the Cubs' off-season targets appears to be off the table. The Cubs were among several teams to submit a bid for the negotiating rights to Hyun-jin Ryu prior to Thursday's deadline. The … [Read more...]
Cubs Rumors Heating Up as GM Meetings Begin
The Cubs' brass will continue laying the groundwork for the off-season this week at the GM Meetings in Palm Springs. Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer, Jason McLeod and assistant GMs Randy Bush and Shiraz Rehman will represent the Cubs at the general manager meetings that officially begin Wednesday and run through Friday. Jed Hoyer said last week they've had dialogue with other teams about possible trades and they have also checked in with agents of free agent players they are interested in signing. The … [Read more...]
The High Cost of Matt Garza … and Other Cubs News, Notes and Rumors
The Cubs finally announced the one-year contract with Reed Johnson on Tuesday. The agreement between the Cubs and Johnson surfaced on December 21 and Johnson spoke about re-signing with the Cubs during an interview on MLB Network Radio/XM Radio shortly after the agreement was leaked. Johnson made $900,000 last year and will be paid $1.15 million for the upcoming season. Matt Garza and Prince Fielder continue to be main topics of conversation surrounding the Chicago Cubs. Theo Epstein and Jed … [Read more...]
What’s Next for the Cubs?
The week between Christmas and New Year's Day was quite busy in recent years under the previous regime. Due to the fact that Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer have been playing catch-up since they took over, the final five days of 2011 could be busy for the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs announced a pair of minor signings on Monday and more figure to be on the horizon. The Cubs agreed to terms on a non-guaranteed split contract with right-hander Andy Sonnanstine. The former Ray figures to compete for a spot … [Read more...]
More Noise and Rumors than Action for the Cubs
Another one of baseball's big ticket players came off the board late Monday night. The Texas Rangers won the Yu Darvish sweepstakes by bidding a record $51.7 million for the rights to negotiate a contract with the right-hander. The Cubs reportedly submitted a bid and if they were interested ... they can forget Yu. The speculation and rumors figure to increase over the next 24-48 hours in the wake of the Rangers posting the winning bid on Yu Darvish. Texas was one of the teams rumored to be … [Read more...]