Cubs Like Chapman... Other Clubs Like Bradley?

- The Cubs are very interested in free agent lefty Aroldis Chapman. The Cubs do have competition for the 21 year old lefty though. The Yankees, Red Sox, White Sox, and Cardinals all have interest. Many say that Chapman will want a contract in the 40-60 million dollar range. I do not see the Cubs going that high.

- Bradley may have more suitors than we all thought. According to Ken Rosenthal at FoxSports.com "You would be shocked at the level of interest." The Cubs remain confident that they can trade Bradley without assuming the vast majority of the 21 million remaining on this contract in the next two years. In fact Tom Ricketts has set a limit on how much money the Cubs will include in a deal, one source said to Ken. The Cubs can take back a contract but pay only a fixed amount of cash. Tom has got this one right! No need to trade him for a bag of balls or release him especially since Jaramillo is on the north side. He could in fact fix Bradley's swing, but probably not his attitude. I am still in favor of Bradley being traded.

- MLBTR.COM has their annual "Offseason Outlook" for the Cubs so go check it out. He has the Cubs committed to 124.2 million before raises to Hill, Baker, Theriot, etc... Cotts, Heilman, and Fontenot are non-tender candidates. I only consider Cotts a non-tender, the rest can be trade bait.

I really disagree with Tim on the Bradley situation. There are clubhouse issues along with chemistry issues that are beyond repair. That ship has sailed. I like his idea of signing Billy Wagner and think it is wise to sign Grabow but think he is under estimating the payroll flexibility this offseason. The Cubs will have money to spend.

- Good article by Bruce Levine on Jaramillo. I really like this guy!

Til Next Time.....

Jaramillo The Cubs New Hitting Coach...

According to David Kaplan and Bruce Levine the Cubs have signed Rudy Jaramillo to a 3 year deal worth 2.42 million. This will make him one of the highest paid hitting coaches in baseball. Rudy has had success with players such as A-Rod, Milton Bradley, Soriano, DeRosa, and many others. The Cubs are expected to make an announcement today.

All players interviewed has said he is the best in the game. This is a good start for the Cubs off season!

Hawpe Off Block and Other Notes....

- Dan O'Dowd says the understands the value of Brad Hawpe on and off the field so they will not trade him unless they get a return like they did for Matt Holliday. So seeing Brad Hawpe in a Cubs uniform is not likely.

- Jon Heyman of SI is reporting that the Cubs will likely reach an agreement with Rudy Jaramillo for their hitting coach. Heyman speculates that the Cubs will sign him 800K a year for multiple years. He would be one of the highest paid hitting coaches in baseball. The Cubs hope he can help out with Soriano and Bradley (if he is not traded).

- The Yankees are contemplating on whether to bring back Damon or Matsui. but not both. While Bobby Abreu has turned down a 2 year 16 million dollar deal from the Angels. Both Abreu and Damon are targets for the Cubs.

- The Cubs want to extend Derrek Lee this offseason. It is rumored they would like to offer him a one or two year extension worth 10-13 million a season. I am for that. If the Cubs signed Lee to a one year deal worth 13 million he would be signed though the 2011 season then becoming a free agent. It just so happens Albert Pujols is a free agent after the 2011 season. Probably just coincidence but Pujols has said he does not want to discuss an extension yet and the Cubs payroll with no new contracts at the end of 2011 would be about 54 million. Without any big deals the Cubs could in fact make a run at Pujols considering they would have the money. I may be dreaming here.

That is it for today Cub fans...