The Peavy Has Spoken!

Thanks to MLBTR-

MLB.com's Corey Brock passes along comments Jake Peavy made on XX Sports Radio in San Diego. Peavy said he's "dang glad" to be a Padre after an offseason of trade talks. Peavy said he understands that business decisions led to a "crazy winter."

Brock adds that GM Kevin Towers "has not had active discussions with any team regarding Peavy" since the Winter Meetings.

I have a feeling that Towers asked Peavy to make a statement and break his silence. In return Peavy will be dealt as soon as the Cubs ownership situation is settled. That is just my feeling on it. Why else would he say that out of the blue? And why now? Then KT's comment about Peavy discussions, which I felt was not necessary, are bogus. He even said if a deal is talked about or being worked on no one will know about it because he will not make it public.

Too many strange things here!

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Cubs Projections and Stoney on the Cubs

- PECOTA has updated their projections for the 2009 season. The Cubs are going to go 96-66 with a 13 game lead over the Brewers in the Central according to Baseball Prospects. Another interesting note is the Cubs leading the NL in runs scored (871), team average (.270), and team OBP of .350 in 2009. I would personally pick the Cubs to go 93-69 next season and win the Central.

- Stoney talked Cubs baseball with Kaplan Monday night, here is what he had to say-

**** He thinks the Cubs have a solid team and Jim did a good job this winter.

**** Stone thinks the Cubs should run away with the division if they just take care of business and avoid 3 major player injuries.

**** Stone likes the idea of the Cubs getting Peavy but the Cubs do not need him to win the division.

**** He thinks Peavy would have been added already if the Cubs did not think they could win the division how they are now. He also thinks the Cubs would have made the trade now if they had more concerns with Harden.

**** Stoney feels if a big outfielder goes down for the Cubs then Matt Holliday would be available during the season if the A's have fallen out of contention. He mentioned this because of Soriano's leg issues. He also thinks that if the Cubs do not land Peavy before Opening Day they would use the players rumored to go to the Padres during the deadline period to add a player. But this would be only if a major star like Soriano, Lee, Aram, Z, etc goes down.

**** Stone thinks Miles would be better out of the lead off spot than Soriano and said no team has ever won a WS with Soriano on the roster (WOW). He went onto saying Soriano is not a lead off hitter and I agree. I think Fukudome, Johnson, Theriot, Mile, and Fonty could do a better job in the 1 hole.

More to Come!

Sale of Cubs Nearing Completion Link

A lot of my comment posters are asking me for the link on the completion of the Cubs sale and it is located here. It is under the Jake Peavy section of the article by Gordon Wittenmyer. Here is what the section says according to the Suntimes-

The Cubs are a veteran starter short of their preferred roster, and with the sale of the team to the Ricketts family nearing completion, the 2007 Cy Young Award winner for the San Diego Padres becomes the sequel to the Brian Roberts Trade Watch of last spring training.

Hopefully this clears up any confusion and we hear more on this the coming days.

I will keep you posted.

Players off the Markett and Other Cubs Notes

- Rich Aurilia is going to sign a minor league contract with the Giants. The Cubs and Phillies also offered him a minor league deal. It looks like Nomar is the only one left.

- The Astros are not trying to get Abreu or Dunn, thank goodness for that!

- The Brewers are getting ready to sign Braden Looper to a deal. The Cubs were interested in him at one point in the season but decided Marshall is a better fit and I agree.

- The Suntimes had a good article today from Gordon Wittenmyer saying the Cubs will go into camp looking for another veteran starter or Jake Peavy and a lead off man like Brian Roberts or Chone Figgins. Here is a good quote from Jim Hendry: "Lots of good players are left who haven't signed yet, and we'll continue to keep an eye on that, too.''

-Wittenmyer also says that the sell to Ricketts for the Cubs is nearly complete. This is the first we have heard of this since he was named top bid.

- There is a great interview with Holden Kushner on CCO. I suggest you check it out!

- Check out GROTA for the history on the Cubs jersey. My favorite jersey is the 1982 road blue uniforms. They were so cool!

- Came across this video. I know he did roids but man can he smack the ball!

That is it for now Cub Fans!

Cubs in on Hudson, Rich Hill remarks, and other notes

- Nick Cafardo threw some good stuff out there today saying that a few of the Cubs organizational people want to sign Hudson but with impending transfer with the Cubs making it difficult. Hudson has been on and off the Cubs radar all this off season but with veteran players and all stars having to settle for one year deals he could be had for a 1 year 3-6 million bucks or maybe a 2 year deal worth 10 million would work. This would give the Cubs a legitimate leadoff guy with great patients (.346 career OBP), decent power (8-12 homers a year), and a career .282 average to boast, he would be a great addition to any team. He does not have the stolen bases but did Soriano really either?!? The best thing about Hudson is he is a good defensive 2nd baseman (which we have been missing for a while) and he is a switch hitter. The one thing it does by signing him is puts fonty back on the bench or to platoon with Theriot at SS. It also makes Miles come off the bench more and move Hoffpauir to Iowa. But I would do all that to sign Hudson.

- Rich Hill had some nice things to say about Hendry-

"[Cubs general manager] Jim Hendry really took care of me. He wanted to create an opportunity for me that he told me probably didn't exist in Chicago, so I'm grateful. I know Baltimore tried to deal for me last year and it didn't work out, but this time they made it work."

I am glad he is not taking it personal.

- The Giant have offered Rich Aurilia a minor league contract worth a million bucks. Rich would like to stay with the Giants and thinks they can work something out.

- Lou has said he would prefer to have another lefty in the rotation with Lilly, giving an edge to Sean Marshall for the last spot in the rotation.

- Jim Hendry might add a veteran during camp that can backup third base if he does not have a young star emerge as the 25th man. Guys like Nomar and Aurilia are still out there but Hendry could take the route he did with Reed Johnson last season rather than sign one now.

- With pitchers and catchers reporting in less than 5 days here are my top 3 guys to watch in Spring Training-

1. Esmailin Caridad- This guy will not likely make the team but this 25 year old righty will get a lot of Cub fans excited. He went 13-7 record with a 3.73 ERA between single and double A. The guy has a 92 MPH fastball but uses as a set up pitch for his dynamic curve and change up. Watch this guy, he could be in the rotation by next season or at least in the pen.

2. Welington Castillo- A guy linked to Peavy trade talk and it is no wonder the Padres would want him. He is a dynamic defensive player but has shown he can hit as well. He has a long stroke but very quick hands making him a good pull hitter. Watch this guy, he could make Soto expendable if he continues to hit and play good defense over the next couple years. He is compared to Geovany Soto/Ivan Rodriguez.

3. Bobby Scales- Not exactly a prospect at 31 years old but a good hitter and good defender that can play multiple positions. A switch hitter with decent power and setting career numbers last year of .320 avg., 94 runs, and a .415 OBP makes him may wild card to make the team and put Hoffpauir in AAA.

That is it for today, I will keep you updated with the latest Cubs info so stay tuned!

Slow Day For Rumors, My Three Starting Lineups...

Slow day today so lets take a look at my two starting lineups for the 2009 Cubs-

Against RHP-

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

Against LHP-

1. Johnson CF
2. Miles 2b
3. Bradley RF
4. Aram 3b
5. Soriano LF
6. Lee 1st
7. Soto C
8. Theriot SS
9. Pitcher

Wild Card Lineup-

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

This is my wild card because you would have a true leadoff guy in Gathright then go through a tough 2-6! It has good speed and power mixed, I really like this a lot!

Some Tidbits from Friday

Just have a few things today-

- The Cubs look like they may end up with Nomar if they offer him a Major League deal. The Phillies have recently talked to Nomar and are willing only to give him a Minor League contract with an invite to Spring Training. With Aurilia looking like he will go to the Giants or Phillies and Millar signing with the Jays, the Cubs may end up with my pick in Nomar. He makes the most sense besides Aurilia. Nomar can play all infield positions and pretty well, not to mention he can still hit. Come on Jim, get NOMAH!

- Cory Provus of WGN Radio could leave the Cubs radio booth for the Brewers. He is the leading candidate to take Jim Powells position.

- 7 days until pitchers and catchers report!

Cubs Could Target Other Backup Infielders.

The Cubs are currently looking for a backup infielder that would preferably be right handed and play some if not all infield positions. With limited utility guys like Nomar, Aurilia, and Millar getting a lot of attention from other clubs, the Cubs may lose out on them and go with Hoffpauir to backup first while Miles, Theriot, and Fonty help backup third base.

The Cubs also could look at guys they just invite to Spring Training that could blossom into their ideal utility guy. Here is 3 guys I came up with that they should look at-

Morgan Ensberg- A guy that just smashed a few years ago. He could still be a valuable option. He can play 1st and 3rd base and would benefit from being in a hitter friendly park. Not to mention back in the NL Central.

Ruben Gotay - This guys is young and a switch hitter that could come off the bench. He is only 26 years old and put up OK numbers. He can play 2b, SS, and 3rd but 1st maybe hard to handle.

Scott Spiezio- This guy fell off the planet when he had problems outside of baseball. The Cubs should still give him a call. He is a switch hitter who can play everywhere and well.

I also want to throw out Bobby Scales. He could make the team if he proves he can play 3rd base, which I think he can. He is young, has good speed, great defense, and some good pop. He could turn some heads. Not to mention he is a switch hitter.

Some Rumblings Today, UPDATED!

Here is some updates from today-

- DURHAM, NC - The Lincoln Saltdogs have sold the contract of C Shawn McGill to the Chicago Cubs as announced by the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball today. He will report to the Cubs' spring training facilities in Mesa, Arizona later this month.

McGill batted .299 with nine home runs, 43 RBI and 82 hits for the Saltdogs in 2008. The resident of Wakefield, RI finished tied for fourth in the American Association in triples (6) and fifth in on-base percentage (.424). McGill was a Player of the Week recipient for the week of July 14-20.

The 24-year-old was drafted in the 23rd round of the 2006 draft by the Philadelphia Phillies. He played in 2006 with Batavia of the NY-Penn League and 2007 with the Phillies GCL. Link

- The Padres' sale to a group led by Jeff Moorad does not change the team's position on trading right-hander Jake Peavy, according to a source with knowledge of the club's thinking.

The odds are the same," the source said.

The Padres maintain that they only will trade Peavy if the deal makes baseball sense. However, their season ticket sales have dropped from about 15,000 in 2008 to "well below" 10,000, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

The increasing financial pressure might compel the Padres to move Peavy, particularly if they could land a package from the Cubs headed by minor-league third baseman Josh Vitters, a top hitting prospect. Peavy

The teams have had no recent conversations; the Cubs are in the middle of their own ownership transition, and remain unsure whether their prospective new owners, the Ricketts family, will be willing to add payroll.

Peavy, 27, is owed $59 million over the next four seasons, and his contract includes a $22 million club option or $4 million buyout for 2013. He could require the Cubs to exercise his option in exchange for waiving his no-trade clause.

- Ricketts family could move the Iowa Cubs because of his ties in Omaha. Nothing is for certain but keep an eye on this. I would not support this decision.

Here is the latest from the Hot Stove-

- The Cubs have kept tabs on Braden Looper, who recently said he would like to stay in the NL.

- The Cubs and Padres have not had any recent Peavy talks.

- The Cubs have competition for Rich Aurilia. The Giants and Phillies like him as well. I honestly think the Cubs could wind up signing Nomar.