With the Thanksgiving holiday in the rearview mirror, the Cubs should announce Larry Rothschild's replacement over the next week. Mark Riggins, the Cubs minor league pitching coordinator, is the favorite to land the gig. Lester Strode (Cubs Bullpen Coach), Mike Mason (I-Cubs Pitching Coach) and Dennis Lewellyn (Smokies Pitching Coach) are the other known candidates and were expected to receive an interview. It should be an interesting week full of rumors and news leading up to Baseball's Winter … [Read more...]
Jim Hendry’s Shopping List?
It is Black Friday ... will the Cubs brave the crowds and try to find a free agent bargain? According to Bruce Miles, it appears the Cubs are going to wait a while to make any additions or subtractions. Miles has been keeping his eye on Carlos Pena to fill the Cubs void at first base ... and so have the Nationals. Jim Riggleman's team is "enthusiastic about their chances" of signing Pena according to Buster Olney. While several teams are interested in the former Tampa Bay Ray, the thought is it … [Read more...]
The Cubs Call Berkman … and Other Rumors
Less than 36 hours prior to Turkey Day (insert Cubs jokes here), the rumors surrounding the Chicago Cubs picked up when Lance Berkman told Ken Rosenthal that the Cubs have called his agent. Berkman said the A's have been the most aggressive but the "Cubs have checked in, informing him of their opening at first base." Berkman said the arthroscopic surgery to clean out loose cartilage in his left knee last March 12 limited him all season. Berkman feels he can play either left or right field, as … [Read more...]
Moore from the Cubs Rumor Mill
The GM Meetings officially began Tuesday ... and the first big trade of the off-season was announced shortly after Roy Halladay was named the NL Cy Young award winner. Outside of Dan Uggla being dealt to the Braves for Mike Dunn and Cub-for-a-minute, Omar Infante, the GMs discussed possible changes to the current Wild Card format. The Cubs made a minor signing Tuesday. According to a report from Cubs.com, the Cubs inked former Cub Scott Moore to a minor league deal. Moore played for the Cubs … [Read more...]
Weekend Update … Time for the GMs and the Owners to Meet
The upcoming week should be anything but boring ... both for the Chicago National League Ball Club and for all of baseball. MLB's award season will continue, with a majority of the big honors being handed out. The NL and AL Rookie of the Year awards will be announced on Monday. It will be interesting to see how far behind Buster Posey that Starlin Castro finishes. The NL Cy Young award (November 16), NL and AL Manager of the Year awards (November 17) and the AL Cy Young award (November 18) … [Read more...]
From the Wire … Harden Agrees to Terms with Texas
According to multiple reports, the Texas Rangers agreed to terms on a one-year, $6.5 million contract (that includes $3.5 million in incentives) with Rich Harden on Wednesday. The one-year contract includes a club option for 2011 worth $11 million with a $1 million buyout. The Rangers also traded Kevin Millwood to the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday. Trading Millwood ended all speculation the Cubs could have landed Millwood in a deal that included Milton Bradley. … [Read more...]
Hendry Travels Down I-65 to Unload Milton Bradley
The Winter Meetings officially begin on Monday ... but the GMs and all of the decision makers throughout the league are in Indianapolis. The next four to five days figure to be full of rumors ... and hopefully moves for the Chicago Cubs. Reportedly the Cubs remain focused on moving Milton Bradley during the meetings ... and despite Internet rumors on Saturday night, Bradley is still on the Cubs roster. Here are a few updates on the eve of the annual gathering in Major League Baseball. … [Read more...]
No Frenzy … Just Trades for the Cubs
Tim Lincecum picked up his second consecutive NL Cy Young award on Thursday. The BBWAA awards will take a break on Friday and pickup next week with the announcements of the NL and AL MVPs. One note on the NL Cy Young award, Keith Law and Will Carroll might steer clear of St. Louis for a few months. Let the free agent frenzy begin ... just not on the North Side of Chicago. The majority of changes the Cubs are looking to make this winter will reportedly come via the trade route and not opening up … [Read more...]
Millwood or Burrell for Bradley … or None of the Above for the Cubs
Zack Grienke became the first Kansas City Royal since Brett Saberhagen in 1985 to win the AL Cy Young award on Tuesday. The NL and AL Managers of the Year will be announced on Wednesday. In between the debate and the rumors surrounding Curtis Granderson there is Milton Bradley. By all accounts Milton Bradley's time with the Cubs is over but Jim Hendry must find a way out of the more than $21 million owed to Bradley over the next two years. Most feel Bradley will be dealt to either the Rangers … [Read more...]