Cubs Talk: Liriano, Ryu, DBacks, Indians, and more....

Ø A report by Jim Bowden and back up by sources and several other media outlets saying the Cubs have made an offer to lefty Francisco Liriano. This is a move I have been wanting and anticipating going back to last season. Liriano is the definition on a buy low sell high guy. He has the stuff to be a great #2 pitcher if he bounces back. Money or years have not been released but assuming nothing crazy happens this is a solid pick up for the Cubs.

Ø Another lefty making guidelines is Korean lefty Hyun-jin Ryu. Bid were due at 4 pm CST yesterday and it is confirmed that the Cubs did bid along with at least the Dodgers, Red Sox, and Rangers. Ryu must go though the posting process and his current team the Hanwha Eagles have until the 15^th to accept the posting fee. After that the team who won the bid will have window negotiate a contract which usually takes a few days.

Ø The most recent report is the Hanwha Eagles have been informed of the high bidder but have not accepted yet and no word on what team won the bid. We should find out by sometime tonight who won the bid.

Ø The Cubs could have interest in Justin Upton but it would likely cost them Starlin Castro so that won’t happen.

Ø The Dbacks are also dangling 21 year old righty Trevor Bauer. Although the Cubs are not likely to have the available pieces to make a move for him he is still an interesting target.

Ø A new name to the Cubs trade talk is 26 year old Carlos Santana who just signed a 5 year $21M deal with the Indians in 2012. The Indians are looking for young controllable players. They could have interest in Brett Jackson, Dan Vogelbach, Junior Lake, Josh Vitters, and others. Once again the Indians and Cubs match up well in just about any trade.

Ø The Cubs are pushing to re-sign their only free agent Shawn Camp.

Ø The Blue Jays signed former Cubs Justin Germano to a minor league contract.

Ø Patrick Mooney said the Cubs are interested in Kevin Youkilis but expect him to go beyond their price range and he would like to sign with a contender. The White Sox, Phillies, and Indians have all shown interest.

Ø John Lannan name has come up in trade talk although he is also a non-tender candidate.

Ø The Cubs are not a fit for Mark Reynolds for their 3^rd base vacancy.

Ø Darwin Barney is getting a ton of trade interest from teams looking for both a SS and 2^nd baseman. The Tigers have shown the most interest.

Ø The Cubs are looking to lock up Shark to a multi-year deal to be one of their core players going forward.

Ø John Arguello from CubsDen says the Padres and Cubs could meet up in a trade. He names Clayton Richard (meh) and Casey Kelly (oh yeah) as targets. He also mentions Barney as a player that could interest San Diego.

Until Next Time…

Len's Partner, Free Agency, and Trade Talk...

Ø The finalist for the Cubs color job are Dan Plesac, Eric Karros, Rick Sutcliffe, Todd Hollandsworth, and Gary Matthews. Immediately I notice no Steve Stone, John Kruk, or Doug Glanville which is unfortunate because I believe all three would have been solid guys in the booth with Len. The person I would pick is Rick Sutcliffe.

Ø The Cubs have strong interest in Korean lefty Hyn-jin Ryu and have even paid for data on him from the Korean baseball organization. Ryu is 25 and has been extremely effective in Korea with a fastball in the low 90s. He will be part of the posting process and it is unclear what price he will cost.

Ø The Cubs are not afraid to spend money but doing so effectively. Buying on low number of year contracts in which they can possibly flip at the deadline, buying and trading for young players that are or before arbitration eligible, and various things like that. In other words no Grienke or Hamilton but the Cubs will be active in the Marcum/Hunter/Larine etc… class.

Ø The Cubs could lose and gain prospect in the Rule 5 draft looking for diamonds in the rough once again.

Ø The Cubs and Red Sox have talked about a Alfredo Aceves trade which is interesting since they may be looking at him as a starter.

Ø Jon Heyman projects possible contracts for some free agent players and Bleacher Nation runs them down here. The players and their contracts Brett listed don’t seem to be deals the Cubs would hand out besides maybe McCarthy, Marcum, and Baker. Brett and I disagree on Sanchez because I do not think the Cubs should commit what they have projected for him in pay. Too expensive and too many years in my opinion at age 29.

Ø A source told me the Cubs and Indians have had the most dialogue regarding trades. The Cubs have interest in several of their players including Lonnie Chisenhall, Justin Masterson, Shin-Soo Choo, Michael Brantley, Zach McAllister, and David Huff. If the Cubs can get Chisenhall, McAllister, and Brantley I would be pretty stoked given their age and upside. Of course the Cubs would have to give up some valuable pieces of their own including a Brett Jackson, Josh Vitters, and other young talent like that. No word on who the Indians have interest in.

 

 

Until Next Time…

Talk Happens when the GMs Meet

· Jon Heyman is reporting the Rays Jeremy Hellickson is drawing more trade interest than any other member of the Tampa Bay rotation. One of those teams is the Cubs as I reported back on October 31^st (see here). As I stated before the Rays and Cubs match up well as trading partners.

· So already two free agents signings (David Ortiz and Joel Peralta) and I have nailed them both in my “HSC Top 75 Free Agents with Team Predictions” found here.

· Torii Hunter is just looking for a 2-3 year deal and is willing to consider non-contenders in order to start every day. Again a really good match for the Cubs.

· The GM meetings are happening Tuesday so expect a lot of trade and free agent chatter to start. It is usually a lot of talk with not too much action but it is a good place to lay the foundation for trades during the winter meetings.

· Jed Hoyer says the Cubs would like to add a good defender to the outfield, can play all three spots.

· I am hearing rumblings that the Cubs maybe willing to sign a big money outfielder as long as it does not interfere with their vision for the future. Maybe Bourn, Upton, Swisher, Victorino, and Pagan are all possible targets for the Cubs after all.

· The Cubs could still bring in Haren but won’t likely bring him in on a multi-year deal.

· There is numerous teams interested in Marmol including the Yankees and given what happened with the Angels he will be gone by opening day. They will not have him pitch for a team that does not want him.

· Levine talks about Casey McGehee as a possible fit for 3^rd???? What? No way Bruce… No way!

· Do not think the Cubs are just looking to trade Soriano. They are also getting feelers on DeJesus as well.

· The Cubs may actively push Darwin Barney into a trade package for a legit young third baseman sources tells me. The Tigers have had the most interest in Barney and they have young stud Castellanos available so there could be a match there.

· If you were the Cubs/Red Sox GM would you trade Garza and Brett Jackson for Jacoby Ellsbury and Daniel Bard? I would if I could work out an extension for Ellsbury first. Discuss among yourselves.

· Want to refresh yourself on the what HSC picked for the Cubs off-season targets. You can here. Now Ervin Santana is off the board; I now think the Cubs should sign Shaun Marcum or Scott Feldman to add with Francisco Liriano.

Until Next Time…