If the past three Decembers are any indication, the next two weeks could be very interesting for the Chicago Cubs. As Bruce Miles pointed out, Jim Hendry has made several moves in late December over the last three years. The Cubs signed Kosuke Fukudome (2007), traded Milton Bradley and acquired Carlos Silva (2009), signed Joey Gathright (2008), traded Jason Marquis (2008), traded Mark DeRosa (2008), signed Aaron Miles (2008) and signed Marlon Byrd (2009). Will Jim Hendry end 2010 with a few … [Read more...]
Derrek Lee on Talkin’ Baseball
The Cubs' first baseman and clubhouse leader joined Bruce Levine and Jonathan Hood on Talkin' Baseball (ESPN 1000) Saturday morning. The interview began with a typical Spring Training question from Bruce Levine about what Derrek Lee thought about his team after a week of practice. Levine's second question sparked an honest answer from Derrek Lee, one that he did not mince words. Lee was asked about the media recently trying to compare Marlon Byrd to Milton Bradley and the possible racial … [Read more...]
On the Air: Jim Hendry
After meeting with the media on Tuesday, Jim Hendry spent time at the end of the week on the radio. Thursday it was Waddle and Silvy (ESPN 1000), Friday morning Mully and Hanley (The Score) and Friday night, Hendry finished up with Sports Central (WGN Radio). The three interviews on Hendry's radio tour were very similar but each time Hendry dropped a couple of interesting tidbits. For instance, Hendry told Waddle and Silvy, "We are not going to sign anymore position guys." On The Score, Hendry … [Read more...]
Hendry Feels Good About Cubs Off-Season
Trucks loaded with the Cubs equipment depart on Tuesday from Wrigley Field for Fitch Park in Mesa ... pitchers and catchers report in eight days. According to a report in the Tribune, Jim Hendry feels "the club significantly improved" from a disappointing season a year ago. Hendry admitted, "We knew a couple of years ago this would be a year a lot of the contracts we did would restrict us." Hendry explained he "feels good" about the players he brought in and conceded the fact the Cubs need … [Read more...]
Cubs Convention Day Two: Meet Cubs Baseball Management
Lou Piniella, Jim Hendry and Randy Bush followed the Ricketts family on Saturday morning. Bob Sirott and Dave Eanet hosted the Meet Cubs Baseball Management session. The Cubs are not done adding players from what Jim Hendry indicated on Saturday morning. Hendry said the Cubs are not looking to add a free agent starter but a right-handed reliever to setup Carlos Marmol. From Greg Maddux to Marlon Byrd to Geovany Soto's weight loss to Rich Harden and Piniella's starting seven plus the Cubs … [Read more...]
Weekend Update … New Rumors to Fill the Same Holes in the Cubs Roster
Jim Hendry still has work to do this winter ... and will turn his attention to smaller additions to round out his roster for Twenty-Ten. The Cubs have several holes, a weak bench and a projected everyday lineup that should produce, as long as several key players have 'bounce back' years. As predicted, the Cubs are "banking on bounce back years" from several players as pointed out by a report on Cubs.com. But Hendry is looking at a couple of players to add to the mix. Here's the latest from the … [Read more...]
Cubs Rumors from A to Big Z
The Cubs rumor mill received a jolt on Monday morning. The report in the New York Post that indicated Brian Cashman inquired about the availability of Carlos Zambrano sent the Cubs and Zambrano's agent into denial mode. Both sides said there was nothing to the rumors ... and Barry Praver, Carlos Zambrano's agent, said the Cubs have not approached Zambrano about waiving his no-trade clause. Barry Praver told multiple outlets that Carlos Zambrano is not interested in waiving his no-trade clause … [Read more...]
Weekend Update … Cubs Gearing Up for Quick Moves?
The days leading up to Christmas could be filled with at least two more additions to the Cubs roster for 2010. With the Cubs top priority of the off-season out of their way, the Cubs appear close to signing a centerfielder and a veteran arm for the bullpen ... Marlon Byrd and Matt Capps. Here is the latest from the mill ... including Matt Capps on ESPN 1000. … [Read more...]
Who’s Next for the Cubs?
Jim Hendry accomplished his goal of moving Milton Bradley on Friday. Hendry sent Bradley to Seattle in favor of Carlos Silva and received a little payroll relief. The Cubs will now turn their attention to adding a centerfielder and a veteran arm to the bullpen. According to a report from Bruce Levine, Marlon Byrd and Matt Capps are in the Cubs' sights ... with Matt Capps tops on the Cubs priority list. Here's the latest ... … [Read more...]
Cubs Close to Signing Marlon Byrd?
According to a report from Evan Grant in the Dallas Morning News, the Cubs are close to signing Marlon Byrd. Mike Cameron was high on the Cubs' list according to multiple reports with Byrd not far behind. … [Read more...]