Soler has (NOT) Signed, Theo, Ricketts, and More..

UPDATE! @ 5:20 PM- The Giants signed Ramon Ortiz to a minor league deal! That was close!

- It has been a whirl wind of reports about Jorge Soler. First it was reported by several websites, newspapers, twitter accounts, and blogs that Jorge Soler has reached an agreement with the Cubs on a 4 year deal worth $27M. Then reports started coming out that Soler is not a free agent because he has yet to establish residency and if the Cubs did “sign” him they could be fined by the MLB and be in trouble with the Federal Government. So as of right now the Cubs remain in the mix for Soler along with the Marlins, White Sox, Phillies, Jays, and Yankees.

- I have heard from my sources that the Cubs and Soler have the parameters of a deal in place but not official deal. The source stated Soler and the Cubs have a handshake agreement but cannot come out with the deal because of many reasons including Soler not officially a free agent and how the signing could affect the Theo compensation issue.

- Want the most information on Soler down to the last detail please check out BleacherNation.

- Speaking of the Theo compensation; both the Red Sox and Cubs submitted arguments to the commissioner’s office and a decision could finally be announced this week.

- Theo Epstein and Tom Ricketts made the top 100 most Powerful People in Chicago. Epstein landed in 48th place with Ricketts taking the 30thspot.

- The White Sox finally go their man! Former Cubs Fukudome signed with the Southsiders on a one year deal.

- Marlon Byrd, Steve Clevenger, Jason Jaramillo, Trey McNutt, Casey Weather, Chris Carpenter, Joe Mather, and Dave Sappelt have all reported to camp early.

- The Cubs may sign Ramon Ortiz to a minor league deal. There are so many other pitchers looking for work like Scott Kazmir, Sergio Mitre, Ross Ohlendorf, Tim Wakefield, Brandon Webb, and Chris Young which is why the Ramon Ortiz possible minor league signing confuses me.

- Still cannot believe the A’s signed Cespedes! But good news is he has a no-trade clause and will be a free agent by the time he is 30 so the Cubs could in fact still get there man (if he does well).

- The Cubs maybe working a long term deal with Matt Garza but it will not include a no-trade which means even if he does sign a long term deal he could still be traded this season.

- The Cubs are holding off on trading Marlon Byrd until Spring Training to first see how Brett Jackson does. The only way the Cubs trade Byrd soon is if their blown away by an offer.

Until Next Time…