Cubs sign Fujikawa, Soriano Trade Talk, & More Trade Chatter!!!!

• The Cubs have signed Kyuji Fujikawa to a 2 year deal with an option for the 3rd.  Ken Rosenthal broke the story and said the Cubs are expected to make Fujikawa their closer. The Cubs committed $9.5M over 2 years for Fujikawa with a $5.5M team option for a 3rd year.  Interesting move for the Cubs and they needed good bullpen help.  This deal looks really good on the surface.
• Jon Morosi says the Cubs will meet with teams over the winter meetings to trade Soriano.  Soriano is looking more attractive of late after the deals that have been handed to outfielders this season. 
• The Cubs are expecting to pay more money toward Soriano's contract to get a better prospect in return.  The Phillies, Rays, and Braves have shown the most interest in Soriano.
• The Jays are looking for a starting pitcher and are shopping one of their catchers.  So I say what about a Garza package for a d'Arnaud package?
• Sources tell me the Cubs are expected to make a lot of changes over the winter meetings.  The names Soriano, Barney, and Marmol have all surface recently.
• The signing of Fujikawa allows the Cubs to move Marmol to the set up role or trade him.
• Could the Cubs be trading Soriano to make room for Bourn and another OF trade target?  That is the talk that is heating up right now.
• Two players the Cubs have been the most aggressive in trade talks are Wil Myers and Nick Castellanos a source tells me.  The front office views them as "game changers."

Until Next Time...

Some GOOD Late Night Cubs Notes...

• Matt Garza, James Russell, Luis Valbuena, and Jeff Samardzija have all been tendered contracts.  While Ian Stewart, Jaye Chapman, and Zach Putnam have been non-tendered. I am not surprised on any of these moves and it should be noted the Cubs are expected to try to negotiate a contract with Stewart even though they let him go today.  The Cubs just did not want to pay him the $2.5M next year given his production and health concerns.  There others maybe brought back on minor league contracts but not on the 40 man roster.
• Bruce Levine from ESPN is reporting a source told him that the Chicago Cubs have spoken to Michael Bourn's agent.  Couple of things to remember is Bourn's agent is Boras and he is known to leak stuff like this.  Also the Cubs make contact with a lot of free agents.  Also Boras represents more than just Bourn which means the Cubs could have contacted Boras about another player or coach.  Not Bourn.  Having said all that if you still need convincing that Bourn is not an "ideal" or "smart" target is he is wanting a $100M+ contract which the Cubs will not do.  He does not fit the age "requirements" of the front office.  Not to mention I do not see Theo making another Crawford type mistake.  Bourn does not seem likely.
• One more tidbit on Bourn.  If the market for CF has dropped as much as the media said it has that could work in the Cubs favor if they are legitimately interesting in him. If the Cubs can get a 3 year deal worth $50M I say pull the trigger but that is not going to happen.
• There is a rumor out there stating the Cubs have some interest in Josh Hamilton as well which I say is pretty bogus.  The only way he ends up in a Cubs uniform is if he signs a 3-4 year deal which is not likely since the Rangers offering a similar deal that Hamilton turned down and the Orioles ready to pony up big cash and years to get him.
• I am already hearing reports of the Cubs having some level of interest in outfielder Ryan Sweeney, pitcher Anthony Carter, outfielder Derrick Robinson, reliever Peter Moylan, and starting pitcher Jair Jurrjens.  All have been non-tendered before today's deadline.
• If the reports of Brian Wilson looking for an incentive laden one year deal to prove himself is true.  The Cubs need to jump all over that.  No word if there is interest in him yet but I expect chatter to start with him and the Cubs very soon.
• Another pitcher the Cubs could look at is John Lannan.
• I am hearing from a source the Cubs have minimal to no interest in Mark Reynolds.
• Casey Coleman cleared waivers and will report to AAA Iowa.
• Fujikawa is nearing a decision and it seems he is leaning toward the Angels.  The Cubs were considered a front runner as well but recent talk indicates the Angels have an edge over the Cubs.
• The Cubs have some interest in bringing in Grady Sizemore on a minor league deal.

Until Next Time....

Cubs Sign Scott Feldman, Levine Speaks, & Other Tidbits

• The Chicago Cubs have reached an agreement with right-handed pitcher Scott Feldman on a one year deal worth 6 million dollars.  The soon to be 30 year old Feldman holds a 4.81 career ERA over 8 major league seasons all with Texas.  So the signing on the surface does not look like a good move but lets dig deeper.  His average K's is 7 per 9 innings while his base on balls are only 2 which says he is a solid pitcher.  He also has played in the better league in a tough division his entire career.  He also was moved to the pen and rotation and back several times which is not good for a pitchers confidence.  Feldman is also traditionally a ground ball pitcher which will be great at Wrigley.  All in all this is a good move and I would not be surprised if truly breaks out this year with the Cubs.
• So the Cubs rotation looks set for next season. Or does it?  A source tells me the Cubs are still looking at all pitchers available on the free agent and trade markets.  The Cubs are still very much interested in Brandon McCarthy, Francisco Liriano, and Shaun Marcum. 
• The Royals are looking to deal Wil Myers for a veteran top of the rotation pitcher and have looked at James Shields and Jon Lester.  I hope Theo is seeing this because the Cubs have a pitcher named Matt Garza who is as good as they both are and I am sure the Cubs would even include more than him for Myers.  Myers is a can't miss prospect and one the Cubs could go all out for if the Royals are dangling him.
• The Reds are ready to move Chapman to the rotation since they are close to signing Broxton to a deal.  This will likely force the Reds to trade one of their starters.  26 year old Homer Bailey, 25 year old Mike Leake, 24 year old Mat Latos, 26 year old Johny Cueto, or 35 year old Bronson Arroyo could be on their way out.  All could interest the Cubs in one way or another.
• So Olney said the Cubs, Rays, and Dbacks were the most interested in Keppinger before he broke his fibula.  Regardless on the injury Keppinger should still interest the Cubs and he could now be a much cheaper option for them.  I should also state that if they signed Jeff he would likely be a bench player or be in the mix for 3rd base next season.
• Cubs name Rob Deer assistant pitching coach for next season. 

Bruce Levine Speaks-

• The Cubs are not done adding pitching according to Levine. 
• The Cubs are not afraid to add more payroll through the winter.
• Levine does not understand trading Castro for Stanton and neither do I.
• WGN, Comcast, and Crane Kenney will make the decision on the TV color guy but nothing is imminent.
• Levine chiming in on Myers!  Garza is perfect for the Royals and Wil Myers might be of interest to the Cubs.
• 2012 is when the Cubs may start signing big free agents.
• Feldman should benefit for the move to the NL.
• Bruce not sure if Marcum is still on the Cubs radar.
• You can always find spot for young impact players.
• The Cubs have to make a decision on non-tenders Friday and Stewart maybe one of them not tendered.
• The Cubs will part with Marmol for other pitching talent.
•  Lake needs 500 ABs in AAA before he makes the jump to the majors.
• The Cubs would have to trade young talent to get Chisenhall.
• Chone Figgins does not fit with the Cubs.
• Soriano will be in LF with DeJesus in right.
• The Cubs maybe willing to deal their young catcher if the price is right.

Until Next Time...