Good little tibit on MLB RUMORS

Former Cubs General Manager and President took the job of President of Baseball Operations with the Orioles and since then, has acquired three Cubs in Scott Moore, Rocky Cherry, and Roberto Novoa. There are also many former Cubs on the team which will probably be retained, especially Corey Patterson. There is a good side of this and definitely a bad side at the moment. The good side is that the Cubs could look to acquire someone like Miguel Tejada for several minor leaguers and major league ready players. I could see a trade looking like this: Miguel Tejada and cash to the Cubs for Sean Gallagher, Jim Henderson, Eric Patterson, and, Ronny Cedeno. That is a rough trade for now because I do not know how the Cubs rate some of their players, but they do not think much of Eric Patterson right now after he was late to several games and practices, and was not very effective at the major league level. But trading for Tejada would move Theriot to second base, DeRosa to right field, and Jones platooning with Pie in center field. I think it helps both teams but who knows if the Cubs want to unload some of their system to acquire Tejada, who has just two more years on his contract. But, he is aging and may be forced to switch positions, so the Cubs might be hesitant. The bad side, if the Cubs cannot reach a deal with Kerry Wood, he might walk and go to Baltimore and be with McPhail, who drafted and signed him. I think the Cubs and Wood feel the same way about returning next season, but who knows? Also, if the Cubs non-tender Prior, McPhail could look to add him too. They plan to sign former Iowa Cub pitching coach Rich Kranitz, so this all seems relatively possible because both Prior and Wood worked with Kranitz and one point in the past couple seasons. McPhail will look to upgrade anyway he can, and he might start with unloading the disgruntled Tejada, who was almost traded to the Cubs in 2005.

Tejada would be a good upgrade at short and his asking price is lower than the Prior for Tejada rumor we heard last year. Here is his stats-

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/stats?playerId=3727

Good OBP, good average and low strike outs. This guy would look great a short for the Cubs and a cheaper option than Arod. Not to mention he is owed 13 million for 08 and 13 for 09 and the O's would pry eat 5 million of his contract for some young talent.

Cubs Notes

Slow news and rumor day but here is some info-

- The O's claimed Navoa off of waivers. Surprised that Dusty and the Reds didn't get him. Dusty loves Navoa

- Lou will not be in NY next season. He has repeatedly said Chicago is his last stop.

- The Mariners were once close to an extension for Jose Guillen, but currently it's on the backburner. Even if the team exercises his $9MM option, Guillen can and probably will void it. He's going to want at least three years, $30MM. The Cubs will have interest in the lefty smasher. He is only 31 years old and at 9-11 million a season he would be a bargain. Here is a link to his stats-

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/stats?playerId=3592

Kuroda intrest Cubs! Cubs should sign Lofton.

Thanks to MLBTR-

Cubs, Mariners Interested In Hiroki Kuroda

The Chicago Tribune's Paul Sullivan had some information regarding Japanese starter Hiroki Kuroda in his column yesterday. Apparently the Cubs and Mariners are leading the pack for his services, should he choose to opt out of his contract. According to Sullivan, Kuroda signed a four-year, $10.4MM deal with the Hiroshima Carps last winter. He would have no problems getting three years, $12MM over here.

Kuroda, a 32 year-old righty, won the Central League ERA title in '06 with a 1.85 mark. That ballooned to 3.56 this year as the command master saw his home run and hit rates rise. Kuroda could be very successful in the NL Central. If my guess on his price tag is correct, he could be one of few free agent bargains this winter.

This would be a good move for the Cubs considering they don't have a very strong rotation which showed up in the playoffs. Lou has said he wants another starting pitcher and this guy would really help the rotation. He would be a solid #5 starter and decent #4. Adding him to the rotation of Z, Lilly, and Hill and let Marquis, Marshall, Prior, Hart, and Gallagher fight for the 5th spot in the rotation would be ideal. Here is a link to his stats-

http://www.japaneseballplayers.com/en/player.php?id=hkuroda

and here is some video of him-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cekkzbHot_I

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Regardless what the Cubs do this off season in my opinion they need Kenny Lofton. With Pie not being ready to hit ML pitching and Jones good defense but ok hitting and no RF why not sign Lofton. This guy is clutch in the playoffs and with RISP. He is familiar with Wrigley, good clubhouse guy, and adds some speed to your lineup. Lou said he wants get some players in the club who can manufacture runs and do things the right way. Lofton would be one of those guys. Here a link to his stats-

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/playerStats?categoryId=85057

Career .299 hitter, 10 homers a year, .372 OBP, low SO and good BB. Why not get this guy???? Its a no brainer at 6 million a year.