Masahiro Tanaka wants to pitch in the majors next season and would like for his team to post him this winter. But the Rakuten Golden Eagles do not want to see their star pitcher leave and are reportedly offering him a significant pay increase to stay in Japan. A report from Japan on Wednesday night indicated Rakuten has offered to double Tanaka’s salary to $8 million to entice him to stay in Japan and forego his dreams to pitch in the states. Rakuten is not happy with the new posting system … [Read more...]
Winter Meetings Day Three: The Cubs Are Not Just Hanging Out in Orlando
2013 Winter Meetings – Day Three The Cubs continued laying the groundwork for future trades and possible free agent signings on Wednesday. Theo Epstein indicated the team has offers out to free agent starters and relievers plus a trade on the table for a position player. Theo Epstein addressed the Cubs lack of activity at the Winter Meetings. Epstein said the club is working on improving the team and added, "We’re just not hanging out at the old Dolphin." The Cubs continued talking trades … [Read more...]
The Rumors Continue and Other Cubs News and Notes
Now that the Cubs have hired a majority of Rick Renteria’s coaching staff, the front office’s attention should turn to the big league roster. With the Winter Meetings in Orlando just over two weeks away, the rumors surrounding the Cubs will increase. The Cubs are believed to be listening to offers for Jeff Samardzija while also trying to sign him to a long-term extension. Nate Schierholtz could also be available in the right deal. The Cubs are looking to add pitching to the roster. The … [Read more...]
Cubs Looking for a Southpaw and Other News, Notes and Rumors
Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer have been upfront about their desire to add pitching to the roster this winter. The Cubs are thought to be looking at starters Scott Baker, Josh Johnson and Phil Hughes while trying to improve the bullpen in the process. The Cubs are reportedly in the market to add a lefty reliever to the mix. James Russell has been overworked the past two seasons and Zac Rosscup has a bright future, but very little experience. The Cubs could take a long look at Brooks Raley in the … [Read more...]
Kris Bryant Wins AFL MVP and Cubs Continue to Explore Options
Weekend Update The Arizona Fall League wrapped up the 2013 season on Saturday with Mesa losing 2-0 to Surprise in the Championship game. But before the contest, Kris Bryant received the Joe Black Award for the Most Valuable Player in the Arizona Fall League. Bryant was impressive during the fall league and created quite the buzz. Bryant edged out Solar Sox teammate, C.J. Cron for the honor. Kris Bryant hit .364/.457/.727 with eight doubles and one triple. Bryant led the AFL in home runs with … [Read more...]
Samardzija Rumors Heating Up and Other Cubs News and Notes
The Cubs’ front office spent a majority of the week in Orlando laying groundwork on possible trades and free agent signings. With the GM Meetings in the rearview mirror, the front office has roster decisions to make in the very near future. Wednesday (Nov. 20) is the deadline for teams to file their reserve lists for all Major and Minor League levels. Players not on the 40-man big league roster after Wednesday are eligible for the Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 12. The Cubs currently have 37 players on … [Read more...]
Rambling about the Cubs While Having No Idea …
This headline comes as no surprise to the regular “Ramblings” readers, but it fits in with what I know about the Cubs right now, and most likely what everyone really knows … or doesn’t. The General Managers meetings took place this week in Orlando, the Cubs held their “Season-Ticket Holder” presentations last week, and the hot stove is right around the corner, and yet, I have absolutely no idea what to expect over the next 12 months when it comes to Cubs baseball. The Internet geniuses … [Read more...]
Are the Cubs Interested in Jacoby Ellsbury? And Other News and Rumors
The biggest Cubs’ rumor to come out of Orlando on the final day of the GM Meetings on Wednesday was courtesy of Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News. Feinsand reported the market on Jacoby Ellsbury looks thin and his source indicated "the Cubs are stealthily waiting in the wings." While Feinsand is hearing there is a thin market for Ellsbury, Scott Boras told Jon Paul Morosi that the interest in Ellsbury is far more than normal for elite players The Cubs front office is obviously familiar … [Read more...]
Kurt Suzuki Reportedly on the Cubs Radar
As expected, Kurt Suzuki is on the Cubs’ radar as a possible backup to Welington Castillo according to a report from Comcast SportsNet. The Cubs are looking to add a catcher or two this off-season and while they have been connected to Brian McCann and Jarrod Saltalamacchia, neither big money free agents fit into the backup catcher’s role the Cubs are looking to fill. Kurt Suzuki spent last season with the Nationals and A’s and posted a .232/.290/.337 line in 94 games with 13 doubles, one … [Read more...]