UPDATE-
- Jim Hendry plans or already has talked to Ted Lilly about his future with the Cubs. I expect him to do the same with other veterans on the team.
- Bruce Levine and George Ofman said the Rockies and Tigers have interest in Ryan Theriot.
- Rumors are circulating that Lee would waive his no trade clause to play for the Giants but Lee quickly shot that rumor down and said that was not true.
- Ofman on WGN radio said Mike Fontenot is drawing interest from the Yankees while the Padres and Rangers really like Xavier Nady.
- George also said Hendry is working on package deals with teams so they can move Kosuke Fukudome.
- People close to Lou Pinella expect him to retire at the end of the season. Some rumored candidates to replace him are Joe Girardi, Bobby Valentine, Ryne Sandberg, Alan Trammel, and Bob Brenly. Not bad company, I like Sandberg, Girardi, then Brenly.
- MLBTR takes a look at Ted Lilly's trade value. They think the Cubs could get a Jarrod Washburn type package which is very fair. They also said the Twins could offer up Wilson Ramos. I would take that deal in a second!
- According to CCO.com the Mets have got back in the picture to trade for Ted Lilly. They even profile 3 prospects the Cubs are interested in. Here is the link
- According to the Sun-Times the White Sox have some interest in Ted Lilly. Could the Cubs and Sox do a cross town deal?
- Just when you thought he was gone, Carlos Zambrano reappears with a smile. Zambrano returned to baseball activities in Arizona after being released for completion from his anger management treatment. Hendry and Lou will meet with Big Z and discuss his rehab and possible road back to Wrigley.
- Joey Votto is a idiot!
- CubbieCrib gives us reasons why Carlos Silva should be traded and why his value will never be higher.
Until Next Time…
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Hot Stove Talk......
- The Chicago Cubs do not know where Zambrano is or what timetable he is on. All the Cubs know is that he is receiving professional “treatment” issued by the team and the doctor that is overseeing the “treatment” has not giving Zambrano the OK to resume baseball activities. You file this away in the weird category.
- On a related note if the Cubs do get Zambrano back this season the White Sox may be interested in trading for him. The Sox lost Jake Peavy to season ending surgery and are looking for added insurance and another veteran presence in the rotation just incase their young minor leaguers cannot fill the hole left by Peavy. Zambrano and Oz have a good relationship and Zambrano has said before he would waive his no-trade clause to go to NY or to the Southside of Chicago. Another stipulation is the Cubs would have to pick up “over half” of the amount left on Big Z’s contract.
- While the Mets are cooling on the idea of trading for Ted Lilly the Twins are gaining interest in the lefty. The Twins are reportedly looking for an upgrade to the back of there rotation which has been very weak for them. Ted Lilly is an obvious upgrade over Nick Blackburn and a Ted Lilly trade could happen sooner rather than later. It should be noted that the Twins do not have enough salary room next season to acquire a guy like Roy Oswalt or Dan Haren so landing Lilly might be a priority for the Twins.
- Derrek Lee to the Angels has came up again but now according to “close friends” of Mr. Lee he is saying that he would in fact waive his no-trade clause to go to the “right fit.” Lee makes his off season home in California so the Angels make perfect sense considering they would not have to over pay for him in money or prospects and he is a free agent at the end of the year. The Angels reportedly want a “rental player” because Morales is due back next season barring any set backs. With how many rumors surround Lee and the Angels and how much sense it actually makes it is hard to see how this deal does not get done.
- I am told by one of my sources that the Rangers will acquire Xavier Nady for a mid-level prospect in single or double A within the next week.
- Want the Cubs to completely rebuild? Forget about it. The Cubs are committed to winning and will strive to do so by spending money wisely next season to make this team better. Ricketts did say that the market has changed as far as big contracts which would help the Cubs since there payroll is 3rd highest among baseball. The Cubs will continue to make this team better by signing impact players while developing there minor league system. So another words no fire sale.
Until Next Time….
- On a related note if the Cubs do get Zambrano back this season the White Sox may be interested in trading for him. The Sox lost Jake Peavy to season ending surgery and are looking for added insurance and another veteran presence in the rotation just incase their young minor leaguers cannot fill the hole left by Peavy. Zambrano and Oz have a good relationship and Zambrano has said before he would waive his no-trade clause to go to NY or to the Southside of Chicago. Another stipulation is the Cubs would have to pick up “over half” of the amount left on Big Z’s contract.
- While the Mets are cooling on the idea of trading for Ted Lilly the Twins are gaining interest in the lefty. The Twins are reportedly looking for an upgrade to the back of there rotation which has been very weak for them. Ted Lilly is an obvious upgrade over Nick Blackburn and a Ted Lilly trade could happen sooner rather than later. It should be noted that the Twins do not have enough salary room next season to acquire a guy like Roy Oswalt or Dan Haren so landing Lilly might be a priority for the Twins.
- Derrek Lee to the Angels has came up again but now according to “close friends” of Mr. Lee he is saying that he would in fact waive his no-trade clause to go to the “right fit.” Lee makes his off season home in California so the Angels make perfect sense considering they would not have to over pay for him in money or prospects and he is a free agent at the end of the year. The Angels reportedly want a “rental player” because Morales is due back next season barring any set backs. With how many rumors surround Lee and the Angels and how much sense it actually makes it is hard to see how this deal does not get done.
- I am told by one of my sources that the Rangers will acquire Xavier Nady for a mid-level prospect in single or double A within the next week.
- Want the Cubs to completely rebuild? Forget about it. The Cubs are committed to winning and will strive to do so by spending money wisely next season to make this team better. Ricketts did say that the market has changed as far as big contracts which would help the Cubs since there payroll is 3rd highest among baseball. The Cubs will continue to make this team better by signing impact players while developing there minor league system. So another words no fire sale.
Until Next Time….
Monday, July 12, 2010
To Rent or Not To... Former Cub To Manage?
- The Giants and Padres are not interested in rental players but like the idea of acquiring a good bat for beyond this year. With both willing to take on salary as well; players like Fukudome and Nady could appeal to both teams. Fukudome almost signed with the Padres before he signed with the Cubs when he was an international free agent. Nady is also getting a ton of interest from both AL and NL squads. If teams are truly looking for an impact bat Alfonso Soriano could be had for next to nothing if a club is willing to absorb a portion of the 75 million over four years he is owed. He is hitting .269 with a .344 OBP and 15 homers.
- Unlike the Giants and Padres the Angels are looking for a rental player for either corner infield positions especially with Kendry Morales coming back next season. The Angels are reportedly interested in Nady, Lee, and Aramis Ramirez. Nady and Lee are free agents after the season and Aram has a player option for next season which he will likely opt out of if his bat continues to be hot.
- Ricketts gave Hendry a vote of confidence… for now. Here is what Ricketts said-
"The fact is right now Jim is our general manager," he said. "I support him. I think he does a great job, and we'll just take it one day at a time."
This may be the last year you see Lou or Hendry in a Cubs uniform.
- David Kaplan said something very interesting Friday on 1460 KXNO in Des Moines. He said that the Cubs manager for 2011 will be Joe Girardi. He says before he became the Yankees manager, Joe’s dream is to be the manager of the Chicago Cubs. As of right now it seems Joe has a pretty sweet deal in NY but a lot of thing could change between now and next season. I would love to see a Girardi/Sandberg ticket!
Until Next Time…..
- Unlike the Giants and Padres the Angels are looking for a rental player for either corner infield positions especially with Kendry Morales coming back next season. The Angels are reportedly interested in Nady, Lee, and Aramis Ramirez. Nady and Lee are free agents after the season and Aram has a player option for next season which he will likely opt out of if his bat continues to be hot.
- Ricketts gave Hendry a vote of confidence… for now. Here is what Ricketts said-
"The fact is right now Jim is our general manager," he said. "I support him. I think he does a great job, and we'll just take it one day at a time."
This may be the last year you see Lou or Hendry in a Cubs uniform.
- David Kaplan said something very interesting Friday on 1460 KXNO in Des Moines. He said that the Cubs manager for 2011 will be Joe Girardi. He says before he became the Yankees manager, Joe’s dream is to be the manager of the Chicago Cubs. As of right now it seems Joe has a pretty sweet deal in NY but a lot of thing could change between now and next season. I would love to see a Girardi/Sandberg ticket!
Until Next Time…..
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Cubs Rumors Heating Up!
- Despite two really bad outings by Ted Lilly teams are still interested. Bruce Levine says Jim Hendry and Ned Colletti are exchanging ideas because the Dodgers could use a starting pitcher. George Offerman chimed in and said the Cubs really like the Mets prospect Josh Thole, who is a catcher and rated the Mets 8th best prospect.
- Xavier Nady, not Derrek Lee is getting a ton of attention recently. Nady is being targeted by the Angels, Padres, and especially the Rangers. In fact Bruce Levine says he would be shock to not see Nady traded to the Rangers soon. Levine says the Cubs can get a A or AA prospect for Nady!
- The Cubs are shopping middle infielders Baker, Theriot, and Mike Fontenot. Paul Sullivan said the Cubs will trade two of the three middle infielders before the deadline and call up Darwin Barney to Chicago. Levine said the talks between Theriot and Tigers have cooled but the Rockies are "very interested" in the scrappy infielder.
- According to sources and confirmed by my readers now, Sean Marshall has been labeled "untouchable" by the Cubs. He joins that list headed by Castro, Marmol, Soto, and Colvin.
- Oddly enough no rumors surrounding Carlos Silva but that could pick up after the All-Star break.
Until Next Time....
- Xavier Nady, not Derrek Lee is getting a ton of attention recently. Nady is being targeted by the Angels, Padres, and especially the Rangers. In fact Bruce Levine says he would be shock to not see Nady traded to the Rangers soon. Levine says the Cubs can get a A or AA prospect for Nady!
- The Cubs are shopping middle infielders Baker, Theriot, and Mike Fontenot. Paul Sullivan said the Cubs will trade two of the three middle infielders before the deadline and call up Darwin Barney to Chicago. Levine said the talks between Theriot and Tigers have cooled but the Rockies are "very interested" in the scrappy infielder.
- According to sources and confirmed by my readers now, Sean Marshall has been labeled "untouchable" by the Cubs. He joins that list headed by Castro, Marmol, Soto, and Colvin.
- Oddly enough no rumors surrounding Carlos Silva but that could pick up after the All-Star break.
Until Next Time....
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