Saturday, March 31, 2007

Box Score 3-30-07, Z deal close?? amd other notes

Here is the link to the box score yesterday-

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2007_03_30_chnmlb_seamlb_1

-It was a hit parade as Barrett and Aram had homers

- The cubs had 6 doubles, one triple, and 14 hits in the game

- The contact off the bats was great even the outs were loud line drives

-Barrett, Aram, and Lee all had 2 rbi

- Lilly pitched ok, he pitched 4 innings, gave up 5 hits, 3 runs

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According to Chicago Tribune-
http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-070330cubsbits,1,2905724.story?coll=cs-cubs-headlines

LAS VEGAS -- Negotiations over Carlos Zambrano's contract extension heated up Friday with a face-to-face meeting between general manager Jim Hendry and the pitcher's agent, Barry Praver.The two sides now appear close to consummating a deal by Zambrano's Opening Day deadline.

We had a nice conversation, and everything's positive and on the upbeat," Hendry said. "Hopefully we'll be able to come together."The parameters of the deal have been discussed, with both sides agreeing to five years. How far apart they are on the total package is unknown, though the Cubs' offer is expected to be under Barry Zito's $18 million-per-season range.Hendry's close relationship with Zambrano may be the key to getting the deal getting done. Zambrano apparently is willing to play for less money for the Cubs than he would receive on the open market, and his compromise during last month's arbitration proceedings proved the two sides aren't far apart."We went a little further down the line at the arbitration than we normally would have," Hendry said. "But I think a lot of good came out of that too. At the end of the day, there wasn't going to be any bad-mouthing in the courtroom, and he reiterated again how badly he wanted to be here."

The deal sounds all but done. I bet it is 5 years 85 million with incentives and a option for a 6th. The contract will be back loaded like the rest of them are this year.

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OTHER NEWS-

- Rusch visited his former teammates yesterday

- The cubs players and staff have high expectations this year

- The cubs are a high offensive team this year between Sori, Jones, Barrett, Lee, Aram, and Floyd/Murton the could have a combined 160 to 180 homeruns this year. That's not included the Derosa, Z, and Ward as the other guys who can hit dingers.

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Lots of cubs news and boxscore for today

First the news-

- Cubs have been scouting Barmes. I don't know why they have unless they feel we need another middle infielder in AAA. Making a move for him as a minor leaguer would be wise but don't trade for him to put him on the ML roster. Cedeno can do a better job than him.

- Prior was sent down to AAA Iowa today. Not a big shocker, but don't be surprised if he is called up in a few weeks if Miller isn't cutting it or if Prior starts domination watch out!

- Cherry and Pagan were optioned down to Iowa also today. Wood will likely start the season on the DL. Cedeno of course got the 25th spot on the team along with Guzman.

- Media feels deal done for Z by the weekend.

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Here is the link to the final ST game-

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070329&content_id=1865079&vkey=spt2007gamer&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

-Micah Hoffpauir hit a three-run, tie-breaking homer with two outs in the seventh. In the second

-Wade Miller gave up three runs on three hits and one walk over three innings while striking out two.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Latest on the Z saga. Pagan to Marlins?

According to Mlbtraderumors.com-

Cubs, Zambrano Still Talking
Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times says the Cubs spoke with Carlos Zambrano's agent yesterday, and they'll talk more this week regarding a contract extension. Wittenmyer expects the five-year deal to include the $12.4MM he's making this year and come in around $75-85MM total.
Pure speculation, but
Buster Olney believes the Cubs could announce a Zambrano extension on Opening Day (Monday) to create some positive vibes to start the season. Olney is thinking five years, $85MM - the top end of Wittenmyer's range.
At this point, it seems highly unlikely that no agreement is reached by Opening Day. Sorry, Mets fans.

I actually think that Buster Olney is on the right track! That would be a huge signing and would create huge buzz to start off the year. As long as a deal is done by opening day I will be a happy camper!

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This according to the Miami herald-

But if the starter struggles early, don't be surprised if Florida makes a trade. A high-ranking executive with another team said the Marlins are intrigued by the Cubs' Angel Pagan, among others.

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Here is the box score to today's game-

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2007_03_28_colmlb_chnmlb_1

- Lee, Aram, and Sori all had homeruns

-Sori had an error, Floyd had two, and Theriot had one. Not a good defensive game for the cubbies.

- Prior gave up 3 hits, 2 runs, 0 earned in 3 innings of work.

- Wood determined to get back to pitching as soon as possible

- Hill has slight blister on his finger, could be the reason for his bad outing


Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Miller named 5th starter!

From cubs.com-


MESA, Ariz. -- Wade Miller has won the fifth starter spot in the Cubs rotation, beating out Mark Prior, whose status is uncertain.
Miller was 2-0 with a 3.63 ERA in five spring starts, giving up seven earned runs on 22 hits and four walks over 17 1/3 innings. Prior will make his third start and fourth appearance of Spring Training on Wednesday. So far, Prior has a 9.82 ERA, giving up eight runs on 12 hits and seven walks over 7 1/3 innings.
Cubs manager Lou Piniella confirmed Miller won the job before Tuesday's game.
"He's going to be our fifth starter," Piniella said of Miller, who spent last season rehabbing his right shoulder. The right-hander did make five starts in September. "He's pitched well in camp and has earned a spot.
"Remember our posture here with both Prior and [Kerry] Wood has been the same," Piniella said. "It hasn't changed since we got here. Whenever they're ready, they're ready. I've seen some nice improvements from Mark. He's worked hard. The other kid [Miller] has pitched well. In fairness, what do you do?"
Prior will make one more Cactus League start on Wednesday against the Colorado Rockies. What the Cubs do with him remains unclear. He could open on the disabled list for the fourth straight year and stay in Arizona for extended Spring Training, or he could be assigned to Triple-A Iowa.
Piniella didn't know what will become of Prior, an 18-game winner in 2003 who has been on the disabled list at least once every season of his big-league career. Prior was to be paid $3.575 million this year, and his contract included additional money linked to performance bonuses.
"We'll figure that out in the next couple days," Piniella said. "Obviously, he needs to continue pitching. I don't have an answer for that."
This will be the first time Miller opens the season on the big-league roster since 2004. The 29-year-old has a 62-45 record and a 4.00 ERA in his career.


He deserved the job! Good for Miller!

Z a met, Z to sign with cubs by Sunday, ZZZZZZ

It seems there is alot of news about Zambrano and he didn't help things by saying these comments-

Asked by SI.com if he'd consider the New York Yankees, Zambrano said: "I like the Yankees, but I don't see myself pitching at Yankee Stadium. Too many rules. If I play in New York, it's going to be with the Mets. First of all, because I get to hit. And I love hitting. I can't say … that I would never play for the Yankees. Hopefully no, but you never know."

I don't think this is that big of deal its a "what if" questions.

Here are some other speculation-

Though the Cubs are his first choice, don't be surprised if the White Sox enter the picture if Zambrano hits the free-agent market. Sources said Zambrano would be interested in playing for Sox manager Ozzie Guillen if it doesn't work out with the Cubs.

The Sox don't have enough cash for Z. There already going to lose Dye, Burhele, and Iguchi after this year so why would they load up on a huge contract for Z and not spend the money and keep those players???

Great quote by MARIOTTI-

They have six days to realize it makes no sense to spend $300 million in an offseason spree, including $40 million for Ted (59-58) Lilly and $21 million for Jason (6.02 ERA) Marquis, if they don't lock down a brash, durable and sometimes unhittable ace whose greatest seasons are forthcoming.

I like this speculation the best and I also think they will get a deal around this range by Sunday-

Donovan writes that the Cubs and Zambrano are making progress on a deal for five years worth around $75-78MM. And last Sunday, BP's John Perrotto said to look for Z to sign a deal in the $80-90MM range this week.

Monday, March 26, 2007

Box Score and notes from today

Here is some info from the SunTimes-

Wood burning? Kerry Wood is scheduled to see the team doctor today, after which a decision is expected to be made on whether he'll open the season on the DL.

Bench warming? The final roster spot goes down to the final few days of camp, with infielder
Ronny Cedeno taking a strong lead over infielder Tomas Perez into the week. Manager Lou
Piniella said he plans to have all roster decisions done by the time the team breaks camp Thursday.

Talks heating? The deadline for completing talks on a possible five-year contract extension for ace Carlos Zambrano looms a week away, with perhaps a $10 million to $12 million gap to close. Zambrano said if a deal isn't made by Opening Day, he'll cut off talks until he becomes a free agent after the season.

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-Cubs optioned OF Felix Pie to Triple-A Iowa; reassigned C Koyie Hill and INF Tomas Perez and LHP Les Walrond to minor league camp.

Here is a link to the box score-

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070326&content_id=1860371&vkey=spt2007gamer&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

-Lee and Aram together went 3 for 5 with 2 RBI

-Ryan Theriot, Matt Murton and Cliff Floyd had RBI singles.

-Jason Marquis worked 4 1/3 innings, surrendering four earned runs on seven hits, including a pair of homers, striking out two and walking two.

-Cherry did well again pitching 1.1 inning giving up a run, 3 hits and stuck out 3.

- Looks like Wood will start the season on the DL with shoulder stiffness.

Sunday, March 25, 2007

Box Score for today and other notes

Here is the link to the box score today-

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070325&content_id=1858827&vkey=spt2007gamer&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

- Lilly looked like a number one starter today! He pitched 6 innings only giving up 4 hits, walking one and striking out 4. The SO he had were impressive and had the opposing batters off balance and looking ridiculous!

- Floyd had a monstrous shot today. He picked up 2 rbi and one of them was a bases loaded walk.

- Derosa made some spectacular plays today at 3b. He made diving stops and let me tell you he has one of the strongest arms I have ever seen!

- Wood had a bad outing picking up the L. He gave up 3 hits 3 earned runs.

-There waiting to see how Wood will respond on Monday before they determine his next outing. He needs to get more innings before opening day or he wont be starting in the ML level.

- Lou will make more cuts the next few days.