Pena, Gorzelanny, Webb, Davis, and more....

Here are some notes from Day 3 at the Winter Meetings-

- The Cubs have officially sign Carlos Pena to a one-year deal worth 10 million dollars. Some of the money will be deferred. I must be going against the grain here but I think it is a good deal for the Cubs. The money maybe a little steep but I think the move from the AL East to the NL Central along with going to a hitter friendly ballpark will increase his numbers. Not to mention Rudy Jaramillo might be able to really help his swing. I expect Pena to hit around a .250 avg with 35 homers and 100 RBI next season. Looking at the market, if he puts up those numbers next season then he will be worth over 10 million a year for his next contract.

- Bruce Levine says the Cubs are interested in Ray’s pitcher Matt Garza. The Rays are indeed shopping to reduce payroll and gain prospects in the process. He is owed a pay raise from the 3.35 million he made last season. Levine does not say what the Rays are asking for but the rumor is the price is somewhat high at the moment. If the Cubs traded for Matt Garza he would be under team control through the 2013 season.

- The Cubs are aggressively shopping Gorzelanny and the Tigers are dangling Armando Galarraga in a trade for him.

- The Cubs called on Greinke but they are looking for a mid-level rotation type guy according to Jon Heyman.

- The Cubs may still try to swing a deal for Chris Davis and Darren O’Day. Rangers are still awaiting word from the Cubs.

- A source of mine says don’t rule out the Cubs getting a third team involved to acquire Matt Garza. The source said a deal that would send Garza to Chicago could send Gorzelanny to Detroit and prospects from both to Tampa.

- The Giants are looking for a “6th pitcher” in their rotation, basically a swing guy. Another Source says the Cubs could send Jeff Baker and Tom Gorzelanny to the Giants for Mark DeRosa and a midlevel prospect. DeRosa would assume the usual utility role for the Cubs. Money is close to being even in the deal. He did say a trade like this would mean the trade with Texas would not take place.

- If the Cubs trade Gorzelanny and do not receive a pitcher in return; look for them to acquire at least two pitchers, either via trade, free agency, or both.

- The Cubs might be close to acquiring Brandon Webb on a one-year incentive laden deal with a mutual option for the following year according to my source.

- It is very possible the Cubs could make a deal for Garza, then trade away Gorzelanny, and then sign Brandon Webb. Not necessarily in that order. That would be a nice rotation! Zambrano, Dempster, Garza, Webb, and a battle for the 5th spot.

- Now that Cubs have acquired their power hitting lefty they will push hard to trade Fukudome so they can give the full time gig to Tyler Colvin in RF.

- The Cubs could attach Fukudome to Gorzelanny in a trade to get him out of Chicago. We saw a similar thing happen when the Cubs traded Aaron Miles and Jake Fox to the A’s.

Until Next Time…

Pena A Cub?

First reported by Bruce Levine and confirmed by many others the Cubs and Carlos Pena have agreed on a 2 to 3 year deal loaded with incentives. No word on how this will affect the potential Rangers/Cubs trade but we should hear something officially announced by tomorrow.

Rumors Running Wild!

Day 2 of the Winter Meetings were anything but boring-

- The Cubs are actively shopping Tom Gorzelanny. They are looking to shed salary and gain prospects in the process. Gorzelanny is gaining interest from the Tigers.

- The Cubs appeared close to making a deal with Adam LaRoche when Carlos Pena stepped back into the picture. There was talk Adam was close to signing with the Cubs but those talks were silent, while Scott Boras and Jim had their 2nd meeting regarding the powerful Mr. Pena.

- The Cubs and Rangers appear to have a trade in place that would send Chris Davis and Darren O'Day to Chicago for Robinson Chirinos and pitching prospect Rafael Dolis. The word is the Rangers are just waiting for the Cubs to approve the trade.

Until Next Time...

Winter Meeting Day 1.

Winter Meetings day one is like a first date, a lot of talk but no action.

- Rumors sparked that the Cubs talked to the Dodgers about a potential James Loney deal but that was quickly shot down by a source close to the Dodgers saying he is not available.

- Mark Riggins was named the Cubs pitching coach today as expected.

- The Cubs are looking to trade Fukudome but only if they can get the acquiring team to take on half his salary.

- Sources say the Cubs offered Cashner and Colvin in a deal for Adrian Gonzalez but not Castro.

- The Cubs are still waiting for Carlos Pena's asking price to come down but that won't stop Hendry from meeting with Boras about Pena soon according to Carrie Muskat

- The Cubs offered Lance Berkman a one year deal worth 8 million in deffered payments but he chose to sign with the Cards for the same amount to play LF.

- The Cubs are very much in on Brandon Webb but are getting good competition from the Nationals. He could sign this week with one or the other.

- The Cubs like Yonder Alonso from the Reds but he is unlikely to get moved within the division.

- The Red Sox are now looking to add a complementary outfielder rather than a guy like Carl Crawford. Sources say the Cubs and Red Sox have had talks regarding a possiable Mike Cameron/Fukuodme swap or a Scutaro/Fukudome trade. Both Sox players make half the salary of Fukudome so a straight swap could happen. Cameron would be a good 4th outfielder and platoon guy with Colvin while Scutaro would be the Cubs starting 2nd baseman.

- Jim Hendry has had talks with the Royals about both Billy Butler and Kila Ka'aihue. He has also spoken with the Astros about Carlos Lee and the Yankees Nick Swisher. With Swisher and Lee it is likely contract like Fukudome, Zambrano, Ramirez, or Silva would have to go the other way unless the Yanks or Stros kicked in some cash.

Until Next Time..