Cubs Hits: Soriano, Garza, Trades, and More...

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So there are reports the Cubs are opting out of the MLB’s deal with StubHub while the Cubs said they are not opting out but looking at all options.

The Phillies really like the idea of adding Soriano but will look at other players on the market as well like Cody Ross, Nick Swisher, and Josh Hamilton.

The Cubs have announced their minor league coaching staff found here here.

The Indians are interested in Alfonso Soriano according to a source. The Indians are looking for a corner outfielder and DH so he is a fit.

You can add the Tigers to the list of teams who like Soriano. Here is a quote from Dombrowski say his top priority is to find ““the correct right handed bat for the outfield”

The Tigers could also be interested in Matt Garza once he is proved healthy since they were in on James Shields and still very much want Anibal Sanchez. They were dangling Avisail Garcia plus other prospects for Shields. Garcia is a good piece but he is no Wil Myers. Find Garcia’s stats here.

I still have not been able to confirm or deny the Delmon Young contract offer.

The Cubs front office has big hopes (AND I MEAN BIG) that a player like Cody Ross, Nick Swisher, Michael Bourn, or even Josh Hamilton falls in their lap for a cheap price. Which is why you see them in a kind of wait and see pattern currently regarding position player (minus the Nate Schierholtz signing).

Jason Grilli ended up signing with the Bucs.

The Cubs have been more active in the trade talks than talks with free agents a source tells me. He also says the Cubs are in a holding pattern to see how the market for outfielders and relievers pan out after bigger names come off the board.

A report originated from Jon Heyman says the Cubs discussed a deal that would have sent Soriano and a lot of cash to the Phillies for Domonic Brown. Later Jayson Stark said the Phillies were initially uninterested when the Cubs approached them about Soriano but now they are kicking the tires on him. A trade remains possible but unlikely.

The Dbacks, Reds, and Indians pulled off a monster trade last night netting the Reds OF Shin-Soo Choo and IF Jason Donald, the Diamondbacks got SS Didi Gregoruis, P Tony Sipp, and 1^stbaseman Lars Anderson, and the Indians got CF Drew Stubbs, P Trevor Bauer, P Bryan Shaw, and Matt Albers.

A trade like this does make me ill because the Cubs could have sent a similar package to the Dbacks for Trevor Bauer without giving up much in the way of the future.

The deal could spark the Dbacks trading Gerardo Parra since they landed Lars Anderson in which Parra would interest the Cubs a lot.

Did you know that pitchers and catchers are going to report to Spring Training on February 10^th? I mere 2 months away. HOORAY!

The Cubs have called the Tigers on Porcello which is no surprise.

Bruce Levine chimes in to say the Cubs and Phillies did discuss a deal with Philly for Soriano but it involved pitching not former prospect Brown.

The Red signed Jack Hannanhan to a one year 2M deal. The Cubs had interest until they signed Ian Stewart to a similar deal.

The Red Sox could wait until Pitchers and Catchers report before acquiring a starter to help their rotation. They could be a match for Travis Wood or Matt Garza.

David DeJesus is gaining a lot of trade interest from both leagues.

Here is another round of Bruce Levine’s chat from yesterday. (Some of my twitter followers “love” Levine :sarcasm: )

• Marmol’s value will just increase as the relievers come off the free agency board.
• The Cubs will be hitting the trade market soon.
• The Cubs will likely platoon Schierholtz and Sapplet.
• If Garza proves healthy this spring he will likely be traded.
• The Rangers have always been interested in Garza and was very interested before the deadline. So a deal with them is not out of the question if proved healthy. Olt could be a part of it.
• The front office has said that players must have 500 Abs in AAA before making it to the ML.
• The Cubs and Dempster had talks about a 1 year $10M deal but nothing official came of it.
• Baez will likely move back to SS after he played 3B in fall league.
• Delmon Young does not makes sense to him.
• The Cubs are not interested in trading Baez but they will listen to every player in the organization.
• The Cubs want to add a quality arm or two before ST.

Until Next Time…