Manager Rumors and more....

- Bruce Levine is reporting that the Cubs managerial search is in phase two. The Cubs only have three serious candidates that will speak to Tom Ricketts and they are Eric Wedge, Mike Quade, and Ryne Sandberg. I honestly cannot see why the Cubs are considering Eric Wedge for anything besides maybe a bench coach. He is not that good of a manager and if you go with anyone in that group you go with Quade or Sandberg because they have been apart of the Cubs for some time and deserve a shot.



- Here is one to file away in your rumor file! The Cubs are drawing out the interview process as long as they can and hope the Yankees fall out of contention early so they can try to interview Joe Girardi. The Cubs front office does not want to look like they are “waiting on Girardi” which is why they have been making the “interviews and phases” very public. This is also why it is taking the Cubs so long to make a decision and why the Cubs do not have a definite deadline for a manager to be named. So in all actuality Mike Quade, Ryne Sandberg, and Eric Wedge are all backup plans because if Girardi wants the job it is his.



- Sources say an unknown team has asked to interview Mike Quade, it is unsure whether the Cubs have granted that request or not.



- Doug Russell of WSSP tweeted that Bob Brenly is close to becoming the Brewers manager but the Brewers are denying that report stating they have not begun the interview process with anyone. Bob Brenly says he has nothing to say right now on the matter. Also sources say that if Brenly is announced the manager he would name Bob Melvin his bench coach. He was also interviewed for the Cubs manager position.



- Speaking of bench coaches, if the Cubs hire Mike Quade he may appoint Ken Macha as his bench coach. This would be a bad move by Quade because Macha has been under fire in Milwaukee for not relating to players, having no fire, and making constant baseball manager blunders. I think if Quade is hired he should name Pat Listach or Dave Martinez as his bench coach. Even though David Martinez stated he would interested in the Cubs manager position if he was asked.



- If Bob Brenly does go to Wrigley North then Dan Plesac would be the leading candidate to replace him. I say why not Mark Grace?!?!



- Jim Hendry also interviewed Don Wakamatsu but he was never a serious candidate but could find spot on the Cubs staff.



Until Next Time…

Cubs Rumors.....

- Bruce Levine says the biggest name coming to the Cubs will be Adam Dunn and the biggest name leaving will be Kosuke Fukudome.

- Quade looks to be the favorite to land the Cubs manager job according to many sources. One thing is for sure is that Ryne Sandberg will not be the bench coach if he is named manager.

- Levine expects Jim to announce the Cubs next manager toward the end of October.

- Adam LaRoche is one of the few first baseman the Cubs are looking at if they lose out on Adam Dunn and Carlos Pena.

- Scrap the Mark Reynolds chatter, Levine said there is no interest in the slugger.

- Bruce also said the Cubs may move Colvin to first base and go after a left-handed hitting RF but not Crawford because he may end up just like Soriano. If the Cubs did go that route they would likely go the trade route because of the lack of power hitters in the 2011 free agent class.

- The Cubs will not trade for Adrian Gonzales this coming season, but could sign him when he becomes a free agent.

- Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Zambrano will be with the Cubs in 2011 according to Jim Hendry.

Until Next Time...

3rd Base Swap Meet!

We heard earlier this week that the Red Sox are extremely interested in acquiring Aramis Ramirez. The Cubs are also at least listening to offers for Ramirez among other players. Aramis is expected to pick up his 14.6 million dollar player option for next season which included a 16 million dollar club option for 2012 and a 2 million dollar buyout. So he will come with a pretty high price tag, one the Cubs might have to pony some money on.

Also if the Cubs did trade Aramis Ramirez they would have a glaring hole at the hot corner with no one in house to replace. This brings up the latest rumors circling the web, the Cubs interest in Mark Reynolds. The D'backs are looking to get cheaper, younger, and more fundamentally sound in the field and at the plate. Kevin Towers wants to bring in small ball to Arizona, something he also preached in San Diego. The rumor is the club is looking to deal players like Stephen Drew and Mark Reynolds for young prospects.

Now, Jim Hendry and Kevin Towers have a good working relationship which is a bonus but the fact of the matter is they will have to get three teams involved which I have a feeling this is where this rumors spawned from. Here is what we are hearing.....

Cubs get Mark Reynolds
Dbacks get Jacoby Ellsbury
Red Sox get Aramis Ramirez

I can see why this would be a legit rumor. The Cubs will get a younger, more powerful, and better defensive 3rd baseman, the Red Sox will hope that Aramis Ramirez will have a bounce back year and player pepper with the Green Monster at Fenway, and the Dbacks would be getting a good defensive leadoff hitter that already joins one of the most exciting young outfielders in the game with Justin Upton. This would also possibly allow the Dbacks to trade Chris Young for some good pitching or exciting young infielders.

The hang up with have to be Aramis Ramirez no-trade clause but he would likely waive that to go to Boston where they would contend next season. Aramis could also enjoy some time in the DH role to keep him healthy the whole year. The only other hang up would be money. Jacoby is owed basically nothing and will receive his first year of Arbitration next season. But Reynolds is owed 13 million over the next two season and has a 11 million club option with a 500K buyout for 2013. Aramis is owed 14.6 million next season with a 16 million option or 2 million dollar buyout for 2012. So money will have to exchange hands. I could see the Cubs taking on the 7 million dollar owed to Mike Cameron for next season to balance out the money some but I have a feeling the teams will all have to pay a portion of the contracts that exchange hands.

It will be cool to see if this rumor gains steam because honestly I can say I like the deal for all teams involved.

I will keep you updated!

Here We Go.......

Sorry the updates have been few and far between but lets get caught up!

- Xavier Nady could be apart of the 2011 Cubs if he signs a similar deal to this year.

- Tom Ricketts has not made any decision regarding next year’s payroll but thinks it will be slightly lower than this season. Which means the Cubs could spend upwards to 40 million on next year alone.

- Mitch Atkins was DFA.

- The Cubs have really like how Mike Quade has handled the ball club but he would be a tough sell for fans if he is the Cubs next manager.

- There is not timetable on hiring a new manager according to Jim Hendry. But he would like to get something done shortly after the World Series if not sooner.

- Bob Brenly withdrew his name from the Cubs manager consideration stating it is not a fit for him personally or professionally at this time.

- The Cubs are scouting Victor Martinez, Adam Dunn, and Carlos Pena for their first base vacancy. They are also said Xavier Nady and Tyler Colvin could be in the mix. It is said that Dunn is the number one with Carlos Pena a close 2nd. The Nationals reportedly are NOT going to offer Dunn an extension but offer Pena that money instead.

- Bruce Levine stated once again that Orlando Hudson will be the Cubs starting 2nd baseman next season.

- Bruce also said the Cubs could trade Marmol, maybe to the Yankees for Chamberlain, Gardner, and Montero? I would do that in a second!

- Josh Vitters’ work ethic is being questioned by media and scouts around baseball.

- Brett Jackson will likely take the same route as Starlin Castro did to the big leagues next season.

- Levine says Hoffpauir days with the Cubs are likely over.

- The Cubs may hold onto Koyie Hill because they do not see Castillo as ML ready yet. That is so much BS!

- Carlos Zambrano seems to have found his pitching groove and will likely stay with the Cubs unless the team trading for him takes on at least half his contract and gives up players as well.

- The Mets may try to trade players like Reyes and Wright while there stock is high. The Cubs will have interest in both Wright and Reyes. The Cubs were interested years ago about trading for Reyes and having him play 2nd base so I am assuming there is still interest. The Cubs, just like any team, would prepare for a bidding war for David Wright. They would likely play him at his nature position of 3rd base and put the injury prone Aramis Ramirez at 1st. I would not be shocked to see the Cubs offer up Cashner, Marmol, Brett Jackson, Hak-Ju Lee, or Jay Jackson in a package for Wright.

- The manager position will likely be between three candidates; Joe Girardi, Ryne Sandberg, and Mike Quade.

- Regardless of what Ozzie says he is not a candidate for the Cubs job.

- Kerry Wood could find himself back in a Cubs uniform next season. The Cubs are looking for a veteran presence out of the bullpen. Not to mention insurance in case the Cubs trade Marmol over the winter.

- The Cubs may have some suitors for Fukudome next season but only if they pay most of his contract or take a bad one in return.

- CubbieCrib takes a look at the payroll situation for next season and I hope the Cubs follow what they laid out. I think adding Adam Dunn (14M), Orlando Hudson (5M), Kerry Wood (6M), and Brandon Webb, Justin Duchscherer, or Vicente Padilla (8M) would really round out and make this team very competitive next season. With these additions it would likely place the payroll around 133 million for next season before arbitration raises and other players non-tendered or traded.

Until Next Time…..

The Search.....

- The Cubs will interview Don Wakamatsu for their manager position.

- Adam Dunn will be the Cubs top priority and a lot of sources expect the Cubs to offer him a multi-year deal.

- Zambrano is up to his old song and dance. He says after this contract he expects to retire to spend more time with his family.

- Tha M's have interest in interviewing Ryne Sandberg for their Manager vacancy. If I were Sandberg I would not step anywhere near Seattle.

- Some really good quotes from Ricketts-

"We have to have a manager who really understands ... the scrutiny you get and (must) be able to handle those periods in June when you lose three games in a row and people start talking about Year 103 of the curse. We have to someone who understands what they're getting into."

Ricketts said the team will be younger going forward and the new manager must be able to teach fundamentals as well. The Cubs are looking for their next manager to be with the organization "for a long time."

"I think we're going to bring in someone who has in their mind that this is their job and their position forever."

To me that says it can really only be 4 candidates for the job; Ryne Sandberg, Mike Quade, Joe Girardi, and maybe even Bob Brenly. Brenly has been named a candidate recently and said to get an interview in the near future. Bob Brenly has been an announcer for the Cubs 2004 and has been very insightful and critical of the Cubs during that time which points out the passion he has to manage again. I look at him as a viable canidate.

- Levine says the Cubs starting 2nd baseman this coming season will be Orlando Hudson. I would love to see O-dawg in Cubbie blue. His defense at 2nd is among the best in baseball and he is a switch hitter that can handle the bat. Ideal #2 hitter in the lineup but also could see him hitting leadoff or 7th. This move would place DeWitt as a super utility player and to back up Aram at 3rd which is his natural position. It would also likely place Baker in another uniform considering how inexpensive and good Darwin Barney is doing. Not to mention the Cubs could get Hudson for a one year deal worth 5 million or so.

- Bruce also thinks every player will be made available this winter except Starlin Castro. He says even Carlos Marmol and Tyler Colvin. Trading our young talent is not the way to build this ball club. The Cubs have done this in the past and it has not worked. I expect if Marmol and Colvin are available they should have a HUGE price tag to essentially make them unavailable.

- Levine also thinks Jay Jackson will break camp with the Cubs as their 5th starter. I can see that.

Until Next Time.....

Look for more frequent updates as we get closer to the World Series and into the off-season. It should be another fun one for the Cubs and here at Hot Stove Cubbies!!!

Quick Hits....

- Aramis Ramirez will be with the Cubs next season. Aram has said he will in fact exercise his option for next season.



- The Cubs will interview former D'backs manager Bob Melvin for the Manager opening. Fredi Gonzalez turned down an opportunity to interview with the Cubs. Fredi was rumored to be the top choice of Jim but not it seems he will be the next manager of the Braves.



- Quade will start many rookies against non-contending teams so management can take a look at players that could contribute next season.



- The Cubs may choose to hold onto Carlos Zambrano considering how he has pitched. In my opinion if they can get someone to take on most of his salary I say trade him.



- The Cubs may look at Padilla and Webb to add to the rotation next season.



- Darwin Barney looks like he will be on the big club next season. As does Welington Castillo as Geo's backup catcher.



Until Next Time.....

Finally an Update!

I want to apologize for the long delay in between updates but here is the latest-

- The Cubs will do all they can to lock up Adam Dunn this off-season to play first for the Cubs. Jim Hendry is said to have made Dunn his number 1 target.

- Don't think the impressive play of Blake DeWitt will hinder the Cubs upgrading at 2nd base for next season. The Cubs are deciding internally whether to keep DeWitt at 2nd base or have him a a super utility role and as the primary backups to 2nd and 3rd. Rumors are going around that they Cubs may try to trade for Brian Roberts, Brandon Phillips, Dan Uggla, or Ben Zobrist. There are also whispers that they could take another run at free agent Orlando Hudson or Omar Infante (who has a 2.5 million option for 2011).

- To make this an even better off-season it looks like management will take the approach I and so many others feel is the right way to go. The Cubs will keep there young core that includes Randy Wells, Carlos Marmol, Starlin Castro, Tyler Colvin, etc... and surround them with impact players like an Adam Dunn. They also will be looking to trade or out right release players who do not want to be in Chicago or do not fit the guidelines they are looking for. Which means players like Soriano, Grabow, Fukudome, Baker, and maybe even Zambrano will not be in Chicago Cubs blue next season in one way or another.

- Gordon Wittenmyer says that Fredi Gonzales has become the Cubs top candidate to fill the management job. He has some past with Hendry and could be a viable replacement but I do not see him as a top candidate by any means. I think regardless if the Cubs offer him the job he will be the next to manage the Braves. It has been speculated for some time now and there is no way he picks the Cubs over the Braves. I think it is Joe Girardi's job if he wants it, otherwise look at Ryne Sandberg to be the Cubs next manager.

- Jim has or is about to interview Pat Listach, Ryne Sandberg, Eric Wedge, Bob Brenly, Fredi Gonzales, Mike Quade, and rumored Joe Girardi. Jim would like to have his new manager hired before the organizational meetings which are after the World Series.

Until Next Time...

Quick Hits.....

- Jim Hendry has already interviewed one candidate for the manager position. Former big league manager Eric Wedge received a face to face interview with Jim Hendry over Weds. and spent all day Thursday together. Although I think Wedge is a decent manager, he does not fit what the Cubs need. The Cubs need a guy who is connected to Chicago in some way. I still think there should only be three candidates; Bob Brenly, Ryne Sandberg, and Bob Brenly.

- Joe Girardi does his best politician impression and side steps the Cubs manager vacancy and his interest in the job.

- Anyone who says Joe will not entertain the idea of becoming the Cubs next manager is crazy. He has a special place in his heart for the Chicago Cubs and that is something the Yankees can't offer.

Until Next Time...

Lou Pinella to Step Down...

Lou Pinella will step down as Cubs manager after today's game. Lou is stepping down because of his mother's failing health. Jim Hendry told Wittenmyer today that Mike Quade will take over for interm manager not Alan Trammel. He also said Quade will be interview for the full time job this off season but Alan Trammel will not get a chance to interview.

This tells me a couple of things. Jim Hendry has a short list of candidates and he is not willing to just hand over the job to someone in the organization. This also tells me that Ryne Sandberg is not his #1 choice because if he was then he would be managing the team after today.

To me there should be only 3 candidates the Cubs and Jim should consider. Bob Brenly, Ryne Sandberg, and Joe Girardi.

Until Next Time...

Cubs Chatter....

- Tyler Colvin has been taking grounders at first base. He played there in High School along with some in College so it is not totally new to him. He is expected to play some games there starting next week. The Cubs are seeing if he can handle the position because if he cannot then they will likely target a left-handed hitting 1st baseman this off season.

- Rosenthal says the Cubs will bring in at least one new starting pitcher regardless of what they do with Zambrano. Chatter says the Cubs still really like Ted Lilly (as do I). I also think they should look at Brandon Webb, Jake Westbrook, Carl Pavano, or Javier Vazquez. I am not going to even mention Cliff Lee because the Cubs cannot afford him.

- Rosenthal also said the Cubs number one need is a power bat for RF or 1st depending on where Tyler Colvin plays full time. At first base we have heard the Cubs have interest in Carlos Pena and Adam Dunn but they could also check out Lance Berkman, Aubrey Huff, or Lyle Overbay. None of the latter three impress me at all. As far as players for RF the Cubs #1 target should be Carl Crawford but he will cost a ton of money. Others the Cubs could take a run at is Johnny Damon, Adam Dunn (defense in RF would be scary), Rick Ankiel (not bad), or Brad Hawpe. Even though he is not left-handed, Jayson Werth would be a nice addition.

The Cubs could also trade for an outfielder or first baseman. They should call about Carlos Beltran, Jacoby Ellsbury, Luke Scott, Nick Swisher, Kila Ka'aihue, or Adam LaRoche. Those players maybe available via trade this winter. Two other players that will likely not move but the Cubs should check in on is James Loney and Justin Morneau. Dodger fan and management are growing tired of the lack of power from the hot corners and the Twins could look to cut some cost by getting rid of Morneau. The Twins are also worried about Justin's health so they could deal him while his stock is still high.

Until Next Time....