Cubs Rumor Bag: Ups and Downs, Youth, Trades, and Levine

Adrian Cardenas was sent to AAA Iowa to make room for Anthony Rizzo.

Darwin Barney does not worry about rumors because it is a part of the game.

Jeff Baker trade to the Nationals was not as close as I thought. The Nats are still exploring other options to fill Mark DeRosa’s role.

Randy Wells has been DFA and the Cubs have 10 days to trade, waive, or outright the struggling righty.

Obsessive Wrigley Field Renovations can be found on Bleacher Nation found here.

Rafael Dolis has been recalled from Iowa to take Randy Wells spot on the 25 man roster.

The Cubs could go with a 4 man rotation until Dempster gets back because of the off day.

Ian Stewart is not progressing well and has not even started rehab on his wrist.

Castro is happy to see another cornerstone for the future with the team in Rizzo.

Yasiel Puig is officially a free agent and the Cubs remain to have some interest but many teams have cooled on him. Puig has yet to have a full workout but with what scouts have seen the reports are not glowing like first thought. This could work in the Cubs favor as demand decreases then so does price not to mention Puig and his agent are up against the July 2^nd deadline in which the new collective bargaining agreement starts.

Dempster DL time could run past 15 days according to reports.

The Latest from Levine-

• Rizzo will play everyday even against lefties.
• Campana will be a late-inning base running and defensive replacement for Sveum’s Cubs.
• No way Lake gets called up to Chicago this year and BJax will likely not see the Cubs until September.
• Sounds like Levine does not think Soriano should or will get traded.
• Lake is likely a third baseman or left fielder in the big leagues.
• Soler still not in the US.
• Garza should be moved for the best available package.
• Several teams are looking for an everyday catcher but injuries and lack of production are hurting him.
• Vitters still needs more work.
• The Cubs front office is not in a hurry to call up prospects.
• DeJesus will get most of the time in CF but the others could see more time in late innings and spot starts.
• Dempster trade value will not be affected by injury.
• Almora will sign with the Cubs for $3.25M on the deadline which is July 12^th at midnight.
• The Mets are interested in Marmol.
• The Cubs will not trade Garza straight up for anyone. Cubs looking to get three outstanding prospects for Garza.
• The Cubs have signed 10 Cuban players.

Until Next Time...

Cubs Rumor Bag: Not a Lot Going On

• The Braves have emerged as the most serious suitors for Ryan Dempster and could be dangling top talent to get him in Atlanta.
• The Jays are the team that is pursuing Matt Garza the most aggressive.
• The Orioles, Dodgers, Red Sox, Yankees, Nationals, and Tigers are also very interested in Dempster and/or Garza.
• According to a baseball official whoever lands Garza and Dempster will likely have to "greatly overpay" because the lack of top line pitchers available and the number of buyers in market. He said players like Jacob Turner, Julio Teheran, Jose Iglesias, Nathan Eovaldi or Rubby De La Rosa,  Manny Machado or Dylan Bundy, and  Noah Syndergaard or Justin Nicolino or Aaron Sanchez or even Travis D'Arnaud could be headed to Chicago in a deal.
• The Cubs signed 21 year old lefty starter Kyle Shepard as an undrafted free agent.
• It sounds like Anthony Rizzo will be making his ML debut with the Cubs on Tuesday against the Mets.  I, like all of you, are really excited to see how this kid does.
• The Cubs have had "more calls" on Darwin Barney and Bryan LaHair than all the other players on the team combined according to a Cub official.

Until Next Time...