Here is a good tidbit from MLBTR-
According to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat, Cubs' righthander Carlos Zambrano says he will retire at the end of his current contract. Zambrano is currently in the second year of a five year, $91.5MM million dollar contract that he signed before the 2008 season.
"After this contract, I'm done," said Zambrano, who is signed through 2012 with a vesting option for 2013. "I'm serious. I don't want to play. I want to help this team, I want to do everything possible to win with this team, but after five years or four years, or whatever I have left on my contract, I just don't want to play.
"I want to stay home and see my daughters grow up and hang out with my family more," he said. "Do you know how many Mother's Days I spend with my mother? Do you know how many things I've lost in my life?
"It's good to be here, it's good to play baseball -- don't get me wrong," Zambrano said. "But five years, four years, whatever I have left in my contract, I will retire. That's it."
Zambrano turned 28 just this past week and just won his 100th career game last night. Like the quote says, his contract doesn't expire until after the 2013 season and has a vesting option for 2014 based on health and Cy Young voting, but it seems a bit odd that he would announce his intentions to retire so early. Perhaps he's just frustrated by some of the recent issues he's deal with. What do you guys think?
If Z is healthy in 5 years there is no way he retires!
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- The Cubs are linked to Ryan Spilborghs once again. I am fine with Reed Johnson and Fukudome in CF for now.
- The Cubs will not put Bradley on the DL once again. He will be back in the starting lineup on Tuesday. I am really getting sick of this BS.
- Did you know that the Cubs payroll this season is just over 137 million and next year without any renewing contracts or free agent signings the Cubs will still have a payroll of 119 million.
- The Cubs will check around the deadline on Derrek Lee's trade value according to some Cub officials.
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Bradley to DL? Cubs Looking for Power Hitting Outfielder??
With Bradley out with a strained calf muscle on his right leg the Cubs may be finally forced to place Bradley on the 15 day DL. This has been a complete wasted season for Bradley and one Jim will try to make up for by getting a power bat for right field to take his place.
Lou stated yesterday that the Cubs will be forced to put Milton on the DL if he is not ready to go by the weekend. Lou also said that he does not have anyone else the would be a good option to call up at this point. The Cubs did have Brad Snyder but he was placed on the DL a little while ago. He would have been an ideal option considering he is hitting .319 with 12 homers and 35 RBI. The only other decent option is Jason Dubois, and we have already saw him in a Cubs uniform in the past.
The Cubs are going to have to make a move to get a power hitting right fielder. Jim knows it, Lou knows it, everyone does! Here is a list of potential targets for the Cubs RF vacancy-
Adam Dunn- Should have signed him instead of Bradley. He can be dealt by June 15th according to ML rules since he signed a contract this season I believe. Would be the power hitter the Cubs need and my number one on the list!
Brad Hawpe- The last place Rockies may be looking to get rid of their expensive players and start over. Hawpe would cost plenty and is right up there with Dunn in my book. Hawpe is owed 23 million over the next three seasons.
Jeremey Hermida- Everyone likes him in the Cubs front office and almost acquired him this winter. He could be a cheap option for RF.
Josh Willingham- Could be another cheap option for the Cubs. He has a low avg. but high OBP and 9 homers!
Mark Teahen- This is the guy the Cubs need... He can play everywhere and well. He his a good hitter, young, and a lefty. After Dunn and Hawpe, he is the man!
If the Cubs could somehow get Teahen and Dunn or Hawpe that would be amazing but this is not a video game and I do not see that happening.
Either way the Cubs should make a move in the next couple of weeks or else they will find themselves at the bottom of the central division.
Lou stated yesterday that the Cubs will be forced to put Milton on the DL if he is not ready to go by the weekend. Lou also said that he does not have anyone else the would be a good option to call up at this point. The Cubs did have Brad Snyder but he was placed on the DL a little while ago. He would have been an ideal option considering he is hitting .319 with 12 homers and 35 RBI. The only other decent option is Jason Dubois, and we have already saw him in a Cubs uniform in the past.
The Cubs are going to have to make a move to get a power hitting right fielder. Jim knows it, Lou knows it, everyone does! Here is a list of potential targets for the Cubs RF vacancy-
Adam Dunn- Should have signed him instead of Bradley. He can be dealt by June 15th according to ML rules since he signed a contract this season I believe. Would be the power hitter the Cubs need and my number one on the list!
Brad Hawpe- The last place Rockies may be looking to get rid of their expensive players and start over. Hawpe would cost plenty and is right up there with Dunn in my book. Hawpe is owed 23 million over the next three seasons.
Jeremey Hermida- Everyone likes him in the Cubs front office and almost acquired him this winter. He could be a cheap option for RF.
Josh Willingham- Could be another cheap option for the Cubs. He has a low avg. but high OBP and 9 homers!
Mark Teahen- This is the guy the Cubs need... He can play everywhere and well. He his a good hitter, young, and a lefty. After Dunn and Hawpe, he is the man!
If the Cubs could somehow get Teahen and Dunn or Hawpe that would be amazing but this is not a video game and I do not see that happening.
Either way the Cubs should make a move in the next couple of weeks or else they will find themselves at the bottom of the central division.
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Cubs Favorite to Land Peavy and others....
- Jon Heyman says the Cubs are still the favorite to land Jake Peavy.
- Execs around baseball are keeping an eye on Jake Fox as a possiable cheap DH option for them.
- In a related rumor the Cubs are looking at other pitchers and some hot off the stove are Erik Bedard and Cliff Lee. The Cubs are in need of a dominate lefty in the rotation if the cannot acquire a right handed ace like Peavy. The Cubs once turned down a trade that had Mark Prior and another player going to the O's for Tejeda and Bedard. Wow! What a mistake that was! This is only the 2nd time I have heard Cliff Lee's name related to the Cubs in 2 years. He would be a great top of the rotation pitcher for the Cubs and would not cost as much as Peavy, prospect or money wise. Both the Mariners and Indians like Jake Fox and some of the Cubs young pitching.
Guys like Sean Marshall, Randy Wells, Kevin Hart, and Angel Guzman could really intrigue both teams that are looking to get younger and less expensive. Jake Fox would benefit from a DH role for either team and provide each team with stability where players like Hafner and Beltre have not been stable.
Keep an eye on this one, I will update you with the latest as the Hot Stove gets hotter!
- Execs around baseball are keeping an eye on Jake Fox as a possiable cheap DH option for them.
- In a related rumor the Cubs are looking at other pitchers and some hot off the stove are Erik Bedard and Cliff Lee. The Cubs are in need of a dominate lefty in the rotation if the cannot acquire a right handed ace like Peavy. The Cubs once turned down a trade that had Mark Prior and another player going to the O's for Tejeda and Bedard. Wow! What a mistake that was! This is only the 2nd time I have heard Cliff Lee's name related to the Cubs in 2 years. He would be a great top of the rotation pitcher for the Cubs and would not cost as much as Peavy, prospect or money wise. Both the Mariners and Indians like Jake Fox and some of the Cubs young pitching.
Guys like Sean Marshall, Randy Wells, Kevin Hart, and Angel Guzman could really intrigue both teams that are looking to get younger and less expensive. Jake Fox would benefit from a DH role for either team and provide each team with stability where players like Hafner and Beltre have not been stable.
Keep an eye on this one, I will update you with the latest as the Hot Stove gets hotter!
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Aram May Need Surgery After Season, more notes...
- Aramis Ramirez may need surgery at the end of the season if his shoulder continues to bother him. He told the paper he rehabs well so he should not need anything done during this season and expects to be in the starting lineup by the 2nd week in July.
- The Cubs are not really worried about Sean Marshall but may chose to throw him in the pen once Rich Harden gets well. The Cubs love how Randy Wells has pitched for them and think he has won a spot in the rotation in Chicago. The move would not likely take effect for a while because Rich Harden is still not throwing a baseball.
- The Cubs are starting to shop for a power bat for the their weak lineup and a top of the rotation pitcher if one become available according to Cub officials. The Cubs are very optimistic about the sale that they are starting the wish list now. There is no word that what players are on that list but why don't you make some guesses?
- Jim Hendry picked the wrong guy. Milton Bradley has been hurt more than he has played this season and just has not preformed while Adam Dunn, Raul Ibanez, and even Bobby Abreu put together another solid season with Dunn and Ibanez tearing the cover off the ball. Milton Bradley could turn it around but right now Hendry plan and simple made the wrong choice.
That is it for now Cub Fans!
- The Cubs are not really worried about Sean Marshall but may chose to throw him in the pen once Rich Harden gets well. The Cubs love how Randy Wells has pitched for them and think he has won a spot in the rotation in Chicago. The move would not likely take effect for a while because Rich Harden is still not throwing a baseball.
- The Cubs are starting to shop for a power bat for the their weak lineup and a top of the rotation pitcher if one become available according to Cub officials. The Cubs are very optimistic about the sale that they are starting the wish list now. There is no word that what players are on that list but why don't you make some guesses?
- Jim Hendry picked the wrong guy. Milton Bradley has been hurt more than he has played this season and just has not preformed while Adam Dunn, Raul Ibanez, and even Bobby Abreu put together another solid season with Dunn and Ibanez tearing the cover off the ball. Milton Bradley could turn it around but right now Hendry plan and simple made the wrong choice.
That is it for now Cub Fans!
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