Saturday, June 06, 2009

Z to Retire After Contract? Other Notes...

Here is a good tidbit from MLBTR-

According to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat, Cubs' righthander Carlos Zambrano says he will retire at the end of his current contract. Zambrano is currently in the second year of a five year, $91.5MM million dollar contract that he signed before the 2008 season.
"After this contract, I'm done," said Zambrano, who is signed through 2012 with a vesting option for 2013. "I'm serious. I don't want to play. I want to help this team, I want to do everything possible to win with this team, but after five years or four years, or whatever I have left on my contract, I just don't want to play.
"I want to stay home and see my daughters grow up and hang out with my family more," he said. "Do you know how many Mother's Days I spend with my mother? Do you know how many things I've lost in my life?
"It's good to be here, it's good to play baseball -- don't get me wrong," Zambrano said. "But five years, four years, whatever I have left in my contract, I will retire. That's it."
Zambrano turned 28 just this past week and just won his 100th career game last night. Like the quote says, his contract doesn't expire until after the 2013 season and has a vesting option for 2014 based on health and Cy Young voting, but it seems a bit odd that he would announce his intentions to retire so early. Perhaps he's just frustrated by some of the recent issues he's deal with. What do you guys think?


If Z is healthy in 5 years there is no way he retires!

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- The Cubs are linked to Ryan Spilborghs once again. I am fine with Reed Johnson and Fukudome in CF for now.

- The Cubs will not put Bradley on the DL once again. He will be back in the starting lineup on Tuesday. I am really getting sick of this BS.

- Did you know that the Cubs payroll this season is just over 137 million and next year without any renewing contracts or free agent signings the Cubs will still have a payroll of 119 million.

- The Cubs will check around the deadline on Derrek Lee's trade value according to some Cub officials.

Thursday, June 04, 2009

Bradley to DL? Cubs Looking for Power Hitting Outfielder??

With Bradley out with a strained calf muscle on his right leg the Cubs may be finally forced to place Bradley on the 15 day DL. This has been a complete wasted season for Bradley and one Jim will try to make up for by getting a power bat for right field to take his place.

Lou stated yesterday that the Cubs will be forced to put Milton on the DL if he is not ready to go by the weekend. Lou also said that he does not have anyone else the would be a good option to call up at this point. The Cubs did have Brad Snyder but he was placed on the DL a little while ago. He would have been an ideal option considering he is hitting .319 with 12 homers and 35 RBI. The only other decent option is Jason Dubois, and we have already saw him in a Cubs uniform in the past.

The Cubs are going to have to make a move to get a power hitting right fielder. Jim knows it, Lou knows it, everyone does! Here is a list of potential targets for the Cubs RF vacancy-

Adam Dunn- Should have signed him instead of Bradley. He can be dealt by June 15th according to ML rules since he signed a contract this season I believe. Would be the power hitter the Cubs need and my number one on the list!

Brad Hawpe- The last place Rockies may be looking to get rid of their expensive players and start over. Hawpe would cost plenty and is right up there with Dunn in my book. Hawpe is owed 23 million over the next three seasons.

Jeremey Hermida- Everyone likes him in the Cubs front office and almost acquired him this winter. He could be a cheap option for RF.

Josh Willingham- Could be another cheap option for the Cubs. He has a low avg. but high OBP and 9 homers!

Mark Teahen- This is the guy the Cubs need... He can play everywhere and well. He his a good hitter, young, and a lefty. After Dunn and Hawpe, he is the man!

If the Cubs could somehow get Teahen and Dunn or Hawpe that would be amazing but this is not a video game and I do not see that happening.

Either way the Cubs should make a move in the next couple of weeks or else they will find themselves at the bottom of the central division.

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

Cubs Favorite to Land Peavy and others....

- Jon Heyman says the Cubs are still the favorite to land Jake Peavy.

- Execs around baseball are keeping an eye on Jake Fox as a possiable cheap DH option for them.

- In a related rumor the Cubs are looking at other pitchers and some hot off the stove are Erik Bedard and Cliff Lee. The Cubs are in need of a dominate lefty in the rotation if the cannot acquire a right handed ace like Peavy. The Cubs once turned down a trade that had Mark Prior and another player going to the O's for Tejeda and Bedard. Wow! What a mistake that was! This is only the 2nd time I have heard Cliff Lee's name related to the Cubs in 2 years. He would be a great top of the rotation pitcher for the Cubs and would not cost as much as Peavy, prospect or money wise. Both the Mariners and Indians like Jake Fox and some of the Cubs young pitching.

Guys like Sean Marshall, Randy Wells, Kevin Hart, and Angel Guzman could really intrigue both teams that are looking to get younger and less expensive. Jake Fox would benefit from a DH role for either team and provide each team with stability where players like Hafner and Beltre have not been stable.

Keep an eye on this one, I will update you with the latest as the Hot Stove gets hotter!

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Aram May Need Surgery After Season, more notes...

- Aramis Ramirez may need surgery at the end of the season if his shoulder continues to bother him. He told the paper he rehabs well so he should not need anything done during this season and expects to be in the starting lineup by the 2nd week in July.

- The Cubs are not really worried about Sean Marshall but may chose to throw him in the pen once Rich Harden gets well. The Cubs love how Randy Wells has pitched for them and think he has won a spot in the rotation in Chicago. The move would not likely take effect for a while because Rich Harden is still not throwing a baseball.

- The Cubs are starting to shop for a power bat for the their weak lineup and a top of the rotation pitcher if one become available according to Cub officials. The Cubs are very optimistic about the sale that they are starting the wish list now. There is no word that what players are on that list but why don't you make some guesses?

- Jim Hendry picked the wrong guy. Milton Bradley has been hurt more than he has played this season and just has not preformed while Adam Dunn, Raul Ibanez, and even Bobby Abreu put together another solid season with Dunn and Ibanez tearing the cover off the ball. Milton Bradley could turn it around but right now Hendry plan and simple made the wrong choice.

That is it for now Cub Fans!

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Roster Update...

The Cubs place Ryan Freel on the 15 day DL with a pulled left hamstring and called up Bobby Scales to take his place on the roster. The Cubs also expect Harden to be out for three weeks or more so the Cubs may need to make a move for a pitcher unless they feel comfortable with Wells in the rotation until Harden get better ( which I am).

Nationals Fire Sale Could Benefit Cubs.

Newsday's Ken Davidoff had this to say today on the trade front-

Nick Johnson, or (Josh) Willingham, or (Austin) Kearns, anyone on our roster, if we can make a good baseball trade and improve ourselves, not only for our present but also for our future -- a player that can impact us -- we have to make those kinds of trades."

He also stats that the Nationals are seeking young, athletic players with high ceilings in trades. So what this means for the Cubs is that with Milton Bradley's chances of getting injured, lack of offense until recently, and Aramis being out, the Cubs use another bat in the lineup. This also could effect positions if they acquire an outfielder. Lou talked earlier this week that the unlikely possibility of moving Soriano back to 2nd base (Wow!).

The players listed above do not really help the Cubs anymore than what we really have besides the veteran bat of Nick Johnson. But Ken does say "anyone on our roster" which means guys like Willie Harris, Christian Guzman, and even Adam Dunn could be available and all could interest the Cubs in some way or another.

I am personally in favor of acquiring Adam Dunn just like I was before we landed Milton Bradley this offseason. There are a lot of options for Lou if he gets Dunn and here they are-

1. Trade Lee put Dunn at 1st.
2. Move Soriano to 2b, put Dunn in LF.
3. Put Bradley in CF, put Dunn in RF.

I personally think the Cubs should sacrifice defense for offense for this. What a lineup with Dunn this would be!

1. Soriano LF
2. Theriot SS
3. Bradley CF
4. Dunn RF
5. Lee 1st
6. Soto C
7. Freel 3b
8. Fonty 2b

with Ram back-

1. Soriano LF
2. Theriot SS
3. Dunn RF
4. Aram 3b
5. Bradley CF
6. Lee 1st
7. Soto C
8. Fonty 2b

Wow! What a lineup that would be!

Keep an eye on the Nationals situation, because it could benefit the Cubs!

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Cubs Make Some Much Needed Roster Moves...

The Cubs are finally shaking things up! They have made some good roster moves today. They put the struggling Aaron Miles on the DL with a "sore right shoulder" and called up backup infielder Andres Blanco who has been doing well in Iowa. The Cubs also called up the power hitting Jake Fox and lefty Jason Waddell. With that move they optioned Neal Cotts and Bobby Scales to AAA. Cotts has been struggling in Chicago while Scales has been doing well but the Cubs needed a backup at SS with Miles going on the DL.

These moves could also be a showcase of talent that the Cubs have. The Cubs have been linked to several infielders and showcasing guys like Waddell and Fox could peak other teams interest looking to build for the future.

Any way you look at these moves you have to agree the Cubs front office made some good decisions.

In case you missed it..............................

- Rich Harden was placed on the 15 day DL and has not pitched since being put there.

- Carlos Zambrano was ejected from todays game for bumping the umpire. He will not serve any time because after MLB looks at the replay they will see the ump actually bumped him.

- The Cubs will not rush around to get a Peavy deal done right now. They will wait to see if the asking price decreases and wait until the ownership situation is resolved.

- Cubs officials are drooling at the idea of the Cubs getting Adrian Gonzalez and Jake Peavy in the same deal. A third team would more than likely have to get involved with the Cubs trading some players like Derrek Lee, Jake Fox, Sean Marshall, Micah Hoffpauir, Vitters, etc in a three team deal to get a deal done.

That is it for now, Go Cubs!

Monday, May 25, 2009

Cubs Like Cantu?? Uggla?? Kouzmanoff??

The Cubs rumors are really flying in lately and three new names on the radar are Jorge Cantu, Dan Uggla and Kevin Kouzmanoff. According to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times the Padres are dangling KK and the Cubs realize the potential for a fit even though they think Mike Fontenot is doing a good job. Kevin has not been good at home and only average on the road which makes me wonder if maybe Aramis will be out longer than the 4-6 week time frame. Maybe a change of scenery will help Kevin because he is just not hitting well this year and is just OK over his career as a Padre.

Some other players the Cubs are keeping tabs on are Jorge Cantu and Dan Uggla. The Marlins are said to be fielding offers on the two players. Both players would really interest the Cubs especially with the hitting slump they are in. Jorge Cantu would benefit the Cubs more because he can play 2b, 3rd, and 1st. Plus he is hitting .276 with 8 homers and 35 RBI and that is in a pitcher friendly park. Jorge is also owed only 3.5 million this season. Dan Uggla also caught the Cubs eye but has only played 2nd base in his short career. Not only would he provide the power the Cubs are looking for but he would do it from 2nd base. Uggla has not hit for average this season but the power numbers are still there. He is hitting at a .205 avg with 8 homers and 30 RBI. He is owed 5 million this season.

One thing the Marlins players have going for them is there hitting with RISP. Uggla is posting a .263 avg with a .420 OBP, 2 homers, and 22 RBI with RISP. He also post a robust .273 avg with a .448 OBP, a homer, and 13 RBI with RISP with 2 outs! Jorge Cantu is hitting .294 with 5 homers and a .327 OBP with RISP.

With Kouzmanoff it is a different story. He is hitting a .231 avg. with 2 homers, .333 OBP, which is not very good with RISP.

It is not known what the Padres and Marlins would seek for a bounty on these players but the asking price for the Marlins studs will be a lot more than the price for Kevin Kouzmanoff.

That is it for now, more to come!

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Cubs Could be Set to Land Peavy?? DeRosa? Figgins?

All was quite until Peavy to the White Sox came up. More Peavy talk today-


- Peavy is not going to close the door on the Sox saying right now the White Sox do not appeal to him. The White Sox will leave the deal on the table in case Peavy changes his mind.


- Peavy prefers to stay in the NL and if traded he would prefer the midwest. Brewers and Cubs will fight for him with the Cards not having the assets to land him.


- Buster Olney reports the Cubs still have interest in Peavy.


- Paul Sullivan says the Cubs could pursue Peavy once the ownership transition progresses before the last part of July.


- An interesting note is that Peavy praises the Cubs fans and the organization (You know he wants to be a Cub!)


More Cubs Chatter-


- The Cubs and Lou are getting really frustrated at the lack of offense and could make a move for more speed or power. The Cubs are currently eyeing Mark DeRosa, Chone Figgins, Cristian Guzman, and Felipe Lopez according to some scouts. The Cubs are growing tired of Mike Fontenot and Aaron Miles everyday so they are currently looking for guys who can play all around the infield and all four guys listed can with 3 of them being switch hitters. I would not be surprised for the Cubs to make a move on a middle infielder in the next 3 weeks if they do not start getting production from 2nd base.

That is it, for now!

Friday, May 22, 2009

Cubs Will Restart Talks for Peavy.... Lee's Comments

A lot of Peavy news has been circling around baseball. First Jake was going to be traded to the southside but he exercised his no trade clause. It was a wise idea for Jake considering if he waits a bit longer he can determine what team is in contention, if the location would then appeal to him, and if they are built to win in the years to come as well.

Some clubs that have come out and rumored to be interested since this and they are the Red Sox, Angels, and Brewers. The Red Sox already said they have enough pitching depth and may concentrate on offense at the deadline. The Angels are also considering offense and maybe a first baseman and the Brewers, well, are the Cubs biggest concern right now. The Brewers have money to spend right now and at the deadline so I see them as their only competition.

When Jim Hendry was asked about restarting talks about Peavy there was no comment. But it is said that once the Ricketts family finalizes the purchase of the Cubs they will pursue Peavy to add strength to their rotation. Some player that now could be involved are Bobby Scales, Jake Fox, Jeff Stevens, and numerous other young pitchers.

A good thing is that Ryan Theriot and Reed Johnson like the idea!

One thing is for sure, the Cubs will be players for Peavy again!

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Something stuck me the other day hearing Derrek Lee's comments on Cubs pre-game. He stated that the Cubs have been "playing good baseball" and that he is "not worried." I am sorry but Derrek you are wrong! I am really getting sick of this attitude that everything is just fine and the Cubs ignore the giant elephant in the room. The Cubs are not "playing good baseball." They are making baserunning and fielding mistakes, lack of hustle, and motivation. A lot of that comes from our Captain Derrek Lee who is hitting a poor .239 with 4 homers, and a .305 OBP. It is not early anymore and a corner man hitting like that would not even be on the 25 man roster let alone starting.

It is time Derrek starts hitting and shut his mouth because he does not have any idea what "playing good baseball" is right now. Considering he is "not worried" scares me because the Cubs are currently in 3rd place and 4 games out of first.

This whole situation bothers me and if Derrek does not pick it up then the Cubs need to start Hoffpauir at first because he is "playing good baseball!"