New Year Rumors.

Happy New Year To Everyone! Lets hope 2009 brings the Cubs a World Series!

- According to the Chicago Tribune, Paul Bako is expected to sign a contract with the Cubs for 500,000 dollars. He will be the 2nd catcher on the team.

- It appears the Cubs recent trades have no bearing on a potential Peavy deal. It was rumored that the deal was impending on a potential Jake Peavy trade. Towers also said a trade for Peavy to Chicago is "Doubtful." Honestly I think this is posturing, remember Towers said that the next time they talk about Peavy it will be under the radar and no one will know until it happens.

- Hendry talked on the radio yesterday so lets recap-

***** Trading Mark DeRosa was one of the most difficult decisions he has had to make as a GM.

***** The Cubs were too right handed and that is why he made the trade. ( more posturing, Jim would not have traded DeRosa and his production if he did not have another thing working)

***** Hendry is going to add a switch hitter or left-handed bat in the next 7-10 days.

***** Hendry want more speed along with a switch hitting or left-handed bat.

***** Hendry has had no talks with the O's all offseason and thinks MacPhail is content with keeping the player.

***** The Cubs will go to Mike Fontenot and Aaron Miles at 2nd when the season starts. I like Fonty starting at 2b, another left-handed bat with decent pop!

***** Hendry likes his pen and it seems like that part is set.

***** The ownership deal has gone on longer than expected and Hendry has a payroll number he can work with until the situation is resolved within the next month.

***** Hendry said if he can make one or two more significant additions he considers this a good offseason. If they are Peavy and Bradley, it is a great off season!

Cubs ink Aaron Miles, DeRosa to the Indians?? UPDATES!

UPDATE-3:30pm- There is some speculation and talk around baseball that the 3 players acquired from the Indians maybe used to get Brian Roberts and not Jake Peavy. This is just talk and speculation but still something I wanted to let you guys in on. I find it curious that the Cubs would sign Miles if they planned on getting Roberts so that seems fishy, unless they include Cedeno, Theriot, or Fontenot in a deal for Roberts. That is the only way it makes somewhat sense to me.

UPDATE- 2:10pm- According to Bruce Miles and Bruce Levine, the Cubs ownership situation will have to resolved before a deal for Peavy is completed. It also should be noted that the Cubs have saved about 9 million dollars by making deals for Miles and Vizcaino, that 9 million will likely go to the first year of Milton Bradley's multi-year contract.

UPDATE!!!!!!! 12:30pm- Levine and Onley are saying it is a done deal for Mark DeRosa to the Tribe for three minor league pitchers; Jeff Stevens, Chris Archer and John Caub.

Here is stats on each-

Jeff Stevens
Chris Archer
John Caub

It is rumored that these 3 pitchers will be sent along with others( maybe Pie, Cedeno, and/or Guzman) to the Padres for Jake Peavy. It is just a rumor right now but so far Levine has been right on with everything he has said that past 24 hours. Will Peavy be a New Year surprise??? Only time will tell!



-According to Bruce Levine and Chicago Sun-Times the Cubs have signed Aaron Miles to a two year deal worth 4.9 million dollars. This will allow the Cubs now to trade Mark DeRosa and give a full time starting job to Mike Fontenot at 2b(which I think he will do great at).

Miles by the way is a switch hitter and did very well in a Cardinal uniform. He hit .317 with a .355 OBP with 4 homers and 31 RBI last season. It will definitely lessen the blow of losing DeRosa while Miles can play every position on the infield, he too has played some outfield.

- Bruce Levine has been working some overtime today saying that a deal is close that would send Mark DeRosa to the Indians for two or three young pitchers. Levine has scooped the Aaron Miles, the Marquis to Rox, Milton Bradley "done deal" signing, and that the Cubs are "back in the mix" for Peavy. He has really poured in the news and rumors over the last 24 hours. So far he has been right on all!

Bruce Levine Update!

UPDATE-10:45pm- According to David Kaplan on Comcast Sportsnet Chicago, the Cubs are on the verge of signing Milton Bradley to a multi-year deal. A deal is expected to be announced next week after the new year.

UPDATE-7:25pm- The Marquis/Vizcaino deal is done and will be announced next 3 to 4 days.

Bruce was just on ESPN 1000 and has some good Cubs updates. Lets have a look-

- He said the Cubs ownership situation should be resolved "sometime in January."

- The Marquis trade will be completed the next 3-4 days and the Cubs will save 5.5 million or so.

- They are planning to use that money to sign Bradley, which he said the deal is done and will happen by next week.

- He also said there is about 2 to 3 teams that are talking to the Cubs about DeRosa and he could be traded within the next 3-5 days. WOW! That is a surprising comment from Levine!

- The prospects gained from trading DeRosa would be added to a deal for Peavy.

- Hendry is moving money around so these deals will happen.

- Vizcaino maybe traded before he puts on a Cubs uniform.


I would hate to lose DeRosa but if it nets us Bradley and Peavy, I am all for it!

Finally Marquis Traded???

Thanks to a poster for this!

ESPN's Steve Phillips is reporting that the Rockies and Cubs are close to trading Jason Marquis for Luis Vizcanio. Vizcaino is owed 3.5 million for next season with a 4 million dollar option for 2010 and 500K buyout.

Vizcanio is a 34 year old righty with some issues off the field but is a decent RP. He did well in 2006 with the Dbacks but watched his ERA go up each year after that. He would be a nice guy to add to the pen especially if the Cubs decide to let Jeff Samarjiza start next season. It could also open the door for Sean Marshall or Angel Guzman to join the rotation.

I am wondering if the deal would involve the Cubs sending money to the Rockies or if it is just a straight trade with each team swapping contracts.

I will let you know when more details come out.

Cubs News and Notes.....

- Buster Olney said something on Sunday that got a lot of people stressing. He said that the Cubs "have maxed out their spending for the winter." With the talks about Abreu, Bradley, Dunn, Lowe, and Peavy throughout the winter how can Olney say something like that. This is his thoughts in my opinion. He does not site a source on this information and I think it is just so he can have people read his column. Honestly not a lot to worry about.

- I do think the Cubs would prefer to wait until the ownership situation is somewhat resolved before they make deals. They said that the new owner could complete a deal by ST but it is likely the Cubs will know the owner sometime in January, which them would give the Cubs the go ahead to spend money on a left hand hitting RF. I also think the Cubs are waiting for Tim Redding to sign so they can trade Marquis and about half his contract. The Rockies have been saying they can only absorb about 3 million( which will not work for the Cubs).

I suggest the Cubs call the Mets and purpose a Brian Schneider for Marquis trade. Brian is owed 5.4 million for this season(earned extra .5 million for being traded) and 4.9 for 2010. Marquis is owed 9.875 million for this season. The Cubs would get a good defending left-handed hitting catcher to back up Soto. The Mets get an inning eater to fill out the 5th spot in the rotation that will only cost them 4.475 million for one year( which is a steal). The Mets then could sign Hendry Blanco for less money than Schneider and have a veteran presence and better defensive backstop to mentor Castro. This trade makes sense for both teams.

- Rumors are very slow, I will try to update this site as much as possible during this slow period. If you hear any rumors or Cubs talk feel free to post!

Randy off the Market, Marquis headed to Coors, and Cubs to get bullpen help?

- Randy Johnson will not be a Cub next season but Andy Pettite could be. The Cubs want to add some kind of veteran lefty to the rotation but first have to trade Marquis and about half his contract. The Cubs have discussed Andy internally according to a source close to the Cubs.

- The Rockies have shifted their focus from Tim Redding to Jason Marquis according to Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News. Some names rumored in a deal for Marquis are Jason Hirsh or Franklin Morales. The Rockies do not want to get in a bidding battle with teams like the Mets and Orioles for Redding. The Mets are using Marquis as a backup plan if they can't sign Redding. An ideal situation is some team besides the Mets and Rockies sign Redding that way the Cubs can play both the Mets and Rockies against each other so they can get the best players and pay not as much for Marquis' contract.

- The Cubs are looking at Japanese pitchers Ken Kadokura and Shingeki Noguchi according to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. Both were let go by the Yomiuri Giants and maybe signed but more than likely invited to Spring Training. It is also said that the players could be used to make Fukudome feel more comfortable.

- Here is a good read why the Cubs should sign Adam Dunn. We agree on a lot except moving Soriano to RF and putting Dunn in LF.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays To Everyone!

Thanks For Reading and Posting on Hot Stove Cubbies!

Radio Rumors and More....

Here is some Christmas Eve rumors for everyone.

- Ed Randall reported during his show on XM Radio Tuesday night that he heard Milton Bradley was heading to the Angels. We have not heard anything about him becoming an Angel today's so it seems it is just a rumor and nothing more.

- Dan Haynes and David Kaplan discusses Jake Peavy on Monday. He said talks between the Cubs and Padres are not totally dead. This supports Rosenthal's comments Monday somewhat and Towers quotes recently.

- The play by play of the Nationals said the Nats are interested in Adam Dunn but also heard the Cubs had some talks with the power hitting lefty.

- It has been rumored that the market for slugger Alfonso Soriano has taken shape. We heard earlier this winter that the Cubs have made and taken calls about Soriano but there was only some interest. Now that the bats of Ibanez and Teixeira have found new homes more teams are contacting the Cubs about Soriano. Soriano has 106 million over 6 years which looks like a steal to some teams compared to the deal Tex got. Plus the Cubs would pay a portion of this contract which is also a plus. Teams that are rumored already to be interested in Soriano are the Angels, Nationals( yet again), Dodgers, and yes even the Yankees(only if they unload 2 of their outfielders though). Keep an eye on this situation because each of these teams have good pieces that I would love to see in Cubbie blue! I will keep you updated on this situation as it progresses.

- Here is an "Unfound Rumor" for you guys. I am getting some emails regarding the Angels calling the Cubs about the availability of Derrek Lee. Lee has 2 years 26 million left on his contract which is a steal at rate this free agent market is going. I did not hear any names that we would get in return but I would love to get guys like Figgins, Willits, Aybar, Nick Adenhart, or Kenny Morales. I will let you know if I hear anything more on this situation as well.

Happy Holidays To Everyone!

New Outfield Guys on the Radar and Other Notes..

- Since the signing of Mark Teixeira by the Yankees they are going to look to trade one or two of Melky Cabrera, Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, Xavier Nady, or Nick Swisher. The Cubs were interested in trading for Swisher before they signed Fukudome last season, so there might be interest there. Nady does not appeal to the Cubs because he is right handed, nor does Cabrera because he is an unapproved hitter. But Matsui, Damon, and Swisher are all guys that could interest the Cubs.

- Ken Rosenthal says the Cubs are confident about signing Milton Bradley. He also says do not be surprised if the talks for Peavy heat up and get centered around the Angels and Cubs. Here is some quotes from Towers-

"If it heats up, nobody is going to know it," Padres GM Kevin Towers said. "As of right now, we're not talking to anybody. And we don't plan on calling anybody.

"We've got a pretty good idea which teams that Jake would maybe consider. If they call, we'll listen to what they have to say. If it's enticing enough, we'll approach Barry and Jake."

I would still prefer if the Cubs got him but the price would have to come down for sure!

Marquis WIll Be Traded?? Adam Dunn... Hendry talk....

- It seems like the Cubs will trade Jason Marquis before opening day or even before the new year. The O's, Rockies, Mets, and Brewers are all looking for back of the of the rotation inning eaters. Those teams are looking at guys like Redding, Looper, and Marquis. The Brewers seem close to signing Looper, leaving three teams fighting for 2 players. My bet is Marquis to the Mets.

- The Adam Dunn situation is picking up some steam. Reported on Friday, I dropped the idea of Adam Dunn signing a discounted deal to play for the Cubs. It is reported that he is not looking for not a huge deal but a fair one. A source with MLBTR says the Cubs have"expressed pleasantries" with Dunn's agent, nothing more. Bradley is still the Cubs first choice, but would you take Adam Dunn for less money and/or years??? I would!

Bradley is reportedly wanting 3 year contract around 10-12 million a year. He has some injury concerns and whether he can play 140+ games. He is a good bat, switch hitter, and can play CF, so that is a plus.

Adam Dunn made 13 million last year but is unlikely to make that this year due to Ibanez's 3 years 31 million dollar contract labeled as a "ceiling" for an outfielder. Dunn has some defensive liabilities but can rake. It is likely he would take a 2-3 year contract worth about 7-9 million a year.

Which would you prefer-

Dunn- 3 years 26 million- Good Guy- Cubs are first choice-healthy- can play RF/LF/1b- less of a complete hitter.

Bradley- 3 years 32 million- Hot Head- Still talking to other teams- health issues- switch hitter- can play all three outfield spots decently- a complete hitter.

I pick Dunn!

- Hendry was on with Kaplan Friday, so lets check out the points-

****** Hendry would like to add a left-handed or switch hitting bat to the lineup.

****** Hendry said the Cubs would love to add a starter, but the new owner would have to sign off on it.

****** The Cubs do not know who their new owner is yet.

****** Hendry said the Cubs always have the door open if Maddux wants to return as a coach, player, etc.

****** Hendry was asked about Adam Dunn and he said he likes his power numbers and how he is an on-base guy.

****** He said the Cubs have not counted out adding anyone.


I am sure more is to come!