Goodbye 34 and Other Rumors and Notes...

------UPDATE!-  The Cubs have sent Chris Volstad to Iowa and called up Blake Lalli.  Travis Wood will take Volstad's start on Tuesday when he is called up from Iowa.

3 straight days with blog updates… Signs of the Apocalypse!

• A hard day for Cub fans when Kerry Wood announced he would retire (likely after today’s game) but will be made official tomorrow. Kerry still hopes to pitch one more time out of the pen and go out on good terms. Some reports say he will pitch today while others say he will pitch sometime during this cross-town series. One thing is for sure Kerry Wood will be missed and it is going to be hard to say goodbye to one of my favorite Cubs of all time.
• Chris Volstad is likely out of the rotation after his consecutive bad outings streak. Guys that could replace him are Casey Coleman, Chris Rusin, Randy Wells, and the favorite Travis Wood.
• Geovany Soto will under go arthroscopic surgery and will likely be out 3-4 weeks. He as a torn meniscus which is hard on a catcher but recover time is usually pretty good.
• Welington Castillo will likely get the bulk of the starts until Clevenger is healthy. The Cubs could and will likely call up Blake Lalli to replace Soto who is headed for the DL.
• When Clevenger proves he is healthy he will likely get the bulk of the playing time unless Castillo can prove something within the week.
• One great thing that comes from a Soto injury is we get to see the future together behind the plate. If both Castillo and Clevenger prove they can handle the duties then Soto instantly becomes trade bait (if he is not already) if back by the trade deadline. If not then you can expect the Cubs to non-tender Soto who will likely make $6.5M next season.

Until Next Time…

Coming Up, Coming Back, and Could Be Moving On..

- Scott Maine was called up yesterday to replace Lendy Castillo who is on the DL with a sore groin.

- Blake DeWitt cleared waivers and was outrighted to AAA.  He decided to take the money and report to Iowa.

- Clevenger fans like me can rejoice! He is swinging the bat pain free and is hoping to return to the Cubs by May 25^th. Better news is he will go on a minor league rehab stint next week.

- BleacherNation has the BIG story today about Joe Ricketts which you should read.

- Pauly Sullivan says the Cubs and Matt Garza are not close on an extension and said they have not even talked dollars.

- Sullivan thinks the Cubs would like to trade Soto. But would like to keep Dempster for a year or two.

- The Cubs called up Blake Parker and have sent Scott Maine back to Iowa.

- Doug Padilla has some great tidbits today-

· Doug says if Dempster is dealt he will bring back a prospect or two. Depending on how much money the Cubs chip in will determine how good that prospect is.

· Brett Jackson may have fallen back to a September call up with this play but lucky for Jackson numbers don’t mean everything.

· Dolis is the closer right now.

· Rizzo will likely be called up around the All-Star break in Doug’s opinion.

· Right now Soto is a likely salary dump at the deadline.

· No news on Soler.

· The Cubs could package Wells in a deal in July stated Padilla.

· Padilla says what I have been saying for a while. If you have the chance to have Rizzo and LaHair together you take chances in other areas to make that happen.

- This rumor just strolled in… The Cubs and Angels have been discussing a possible Geovany Soto trade the past few days. But it is currently in a holding pattern until the Cubs see the progression of Steve Clevenger. The Cubs are likely to receive a decent prospect for Soto but will likely have to pay a bigger some of his salary to do so. The Rays and Nationals have also been linked to Soto as well.

Some Small Cub Notes...

- The Cubs and Red Sox completed the Marlon Byrd trade by acquiring Hunter Cervenka. Hunter is a 22 year old left-handed pitcher who can strike out guys but also gives up a ton of runs. This year he is sporting an 8.04 ERA with 13.8 K/9 and a 6.9 BB/9 in 15 innings.

- Rosenthal says the Cubs are more likely to trade Dempster if the extend Matt Garza. But of course Dempster has the right to veto any trade but he is still unlikely to stay in Chicago at a discount.

- Rosenthal also says the Cubs have no immediate plans to call up Rizzo who figures to stay in Iowa until a spot opens.

- Ken also stats releasing Soriano does not appear to be an option. I think right now it does but by July? That is a different story.

- Marmol is not expected to be off the DL in the minimum 15 days. He will rest for several days and start building up the hamstring again then move to rehab.

Until Next Time…

Extensions, Trades, and Signings... OH MY!

Please excuse the lack of updates via my blog; I have had a busy two months. But here is some updates as rumors heat up-

• The Cubs and Matt Garza extension talks are going well and it seems like they will eventually ink a deal. A 5 year deal around $85M has been tossed around but a hang up seems to be the no-trade clause. Which that could be significant considering Theo and Co. do not hand those out.
• Dale Sveum said he had Castro bunt yesterday so they would stay out of the double play even though he knew they would walk LaHair if Castro was successful. The he comes out with the other reason ”Some poor bunting, but it wasn’t as much the bunting as you have to pull back and slash in those situations when they’re charging. It’s hard to get guys to understand that. It’s something you work on and work on, but it kind of speeds up a little during the game. That’s something we have to work on as much as anything because it’s such a prevalent part of the game.”
• The Washington Nationals have loss 2 catchers in 3 days so insert the Soto rumors. Now while the fit seems obvious there are complications. First; Steve Clevenger has not started swinging a bat yet and it seems Castillo is not going to be an everyday catcher right now. Second; Geovany Soto has been struggling and why would the Nationals want him when they have Jesus Flores along with a lot of “other” catchers in the minors hitting better and fielding better than him. Third; Soto is making $4.3M this season and could make about $6.5M next season which is not good for a fill in spot for the Nationals. They would likely want the Cubs to pay some of his salary which I see the Cubs saying no way. But after saying all that a deal does seem possible if not likely. The Cubs could be planning to cut Soto after this season rather than pay him 6+ million dollars and if they can save some cash this season along with getting a player back they may just do it. Only time will tell.
• Rumors are circling that Dempster could be drawing interest from several teams but mostly the Red Sox. While it does seem like a fit for the Sox; the Cubs seem unlikely to pull a trigger with the Red Sox weak farm system. But I have been surprised before. Two other teams that have some rumored interest in Dempster are the Atlanta Braves and Toronto Blue Jays.
• The Cubs have signed Mike MacDougal to a minor league deal to add depth in Iowa. He was released by the Dodgers Sunday.
• It is likely that Chris Volstad could be on his way out of the rotation but he would have to pass through revocable waivers to be optioned. So it is more likely him landing on the DL or maybe traded if the Cubs grow tired of him. The Cubs have Travis Wood, Casey Coleman, and Chris Rusin who could fill the void if Volstad gets bounced from the rotation.
• Junior Lake could make his way to Iowa this season if and when Rizzo and/or Jackson get called up. Lake is currently hitting .296 with a .457 OBP a homer, 2 doubles, and 4 runs in 36 plate appearances. Most of his work after the DL stint. Lake is an unusual guy because he has yet to develop defensively or grow into his body at the age of 22. Lake is currently playing SS and 3^rd because of his plus-plus arm. If Lake continues to hit, makes it to Iowa this season, and improves defensively at 3^rd while seeing some time at 2^nd and OF you could see him up in Chicago sometime in 2013.
• Another side not on Lake (and even Vitters) is the Cubs are going to look really left-handed if they decide to call up BJax, Rizzo, rid them of Soriano, and put LaHair in the outfield. So if you are a young, right handed good hitter that can play 3^rd, 2^nd, and/or OF then you may find yourself in Chicago a lot sooner.

Until Next Time…

Steps to Contending Next Year

Bleacher Nation recently had a post on the Cubs possibly contending next season which got me thinking if the Cubs were serious about contending in 2013 what are some moves that have to be made to do so?

First some background information for everyone.  The Cubs next season will have a payroll of $34.75M before trades, extensions, arbitration, and free agent signings thanks to Cot Baseball Contracts.  You have 8 arbitration eligible players but I believe Geovany Soto and Randy Wells will not be the with the Cubs next season so that takes the Cubs down to 6 arbitration eligible players.  Arbitration is hard to determine plus I think the Cubs will extend some arbitration eligible players beyond the one year so I will hold off on predicting that right now.

Between now and next season I believe the Cubs will trade or release Alfonso Soriano.  I also believe Randy Wells and Geovany Soto will not be apart of the team in 2013.  I think Paul Maholm will be good trade bait and Ryan Dempster will also be traded before the 2012 season is up.

As far as looking at the Chicago Cubs needs I think the bench, bullpen, rotation, and an impact bat is needed to compete next season. So lets break them down.

Bench-  The Cubs have good versatility on the bench and I think they keep Joe Mather.  But I think Jeff Baker and Reed Johnson are gone. Also maybe some starters will become bench players like Tony Campana.  I think DeJesus gets traded at the deadline to a contender. So that leaves one righty free agent bench player.  Three guys I would target are Tori Hunter, Nick Swisher, or Cody Ross. Cody Ross seems the best fit coming off the bench but I would love to have Hunter or Swisher.  They both are likely to get starter roles somewhere.  So Cody Ross it is.

Bullpen- The Cubs weakest spot is their bullpen right now but I think some young arms could be ready by next season like Blake Parker, Frank Batista, and even Robert Whitenack.  I also think the Cubs could end up trading Marmol and even Wood this season to save some cash.  I think Shawn Camp is likely gone as well.  Looking at the free agent list I think Jonathan Broxton or Brandon League look like good fits for the closer role.  I think we will go with Brandon League.

Rotation- Looking at the rotation I am going to say the Cubs sign Matt Garza to an extension and build the rotation around him.  You also have Jeff Samardzija under contract which then leaves 3 spots to be filled.  I think one of them will be filled by Travis Wood or another guy not currently with Iowa.  I think Chris Volstad will be in Iowa working on things next season, Randy Wells will not be with the team, and Paul Maholm will be traded at the deadline for prospects if he continues to pitch the way he does.  That leaves two spots in the rotation to be filled by free agents or trades.  I think the Cubs will sign one of the top free agent pitchers.  Either Zack Greinke, Shaun Marcum, Colby Lewis, Cole Hamels, Dan Haren, or James Shields are good fits.  I think Cole Hamels fits the bill for the Cubs.  I think for the other starting spot the Cubs should then make the trade that has been rumored more than once.  Trade Geovany Soto and a minor leaguer for 26 year old Wade Davis.  Two spots filled.

Impact bat- There are really only 3 areas that the Cubs could add a impact bat via free agency or trade and that is 3rd, 2nd, and outfield.  The best free agent 3rd baseman are Mark Reynolds, David Wright, and Kevin Youkilis so it is a pretty weak class. For 2nd base the Cubs have even less options with Kelly Johnson as the headline free agent (assuming the Yanks exercise Cano's option, otherwise he shoots to the top of my list). So that leaves the outfield which I feel will already have two spot taken with Bryan LaHair in LF and Brett Jackson in either CF or RF.  This is one area the Cubs could find an impact bat.  Three names that jump off the free agent list are BJ Upton, Josh Hamilton, and Curtis Granderson.  There has been talk about the Yankees declining Granderson option but I do not see that happening so you have BJ Upton or Josh Hamilton. Both have pros and cons but I think a 4 year deal with Hamilton makes all the since in the world especially since baseball execs think it will be a stretch to get a 5 year deal.  You get a good 4 years of Hamilton and not tied down to any more than that 4 years,

Now looking at this above you have to say the Cubs really only made one trade and signed 4 players.  But because of the youth that is ready like Anthony Rizzo, Brett Jackson, Steve Clevenger, and the staying power of Bryan LaHair all you have to do is add some peices to contend.  After all the moves this is what I see for a 25 man roster (Lots of Lefties)-

1. Brett Jackson CF
2. Starlin Castro SS
3. Anthony Rizzo 1st
4. Josh Hamilton RF
5. Bryan LaHair LF
6. Wellington Castillo C
7. Ian Stewart 3rd
8. Darwin Barney 2b

Bench-
Joe Mather OF/IF
Adrian Cardenas OF/IF
Tony Campana OF
Cody Ross OF
Steve Clevenger C/1st

Rotation-
1. Matt Garza
2. Cole Hamels
3. Jeff Samardzija
4. Travis Wood
5. Wade Davis

Bullpen-
Bradon League CL
Rafael Dolis
James Russell
Frank Batista
Jeff Beliveau
Michael Bowden
Blake Parker

Just at a glance you can see the Cubs are extremely left-handed which is why it is hard to decide between a younger, less polished righty in BJ Upton and an older power lefty, dynamic hitter with a sketchy past.  You can also see the Cubs have a nice balanced bench with speed, defense, and power.  The Cubs rotation would rival many in the National League especially since it is a fairly young rotation. The bullpen has a great mix up of power and guys who can go multiple innings.  Adding League provides them with a legit steady closer.

I think another important thing for the Cubs is to lock up some of their players like Starlin Castro, Jeff Samardzija, and Matt Garza. This is important for the future of the Cubs.

If the Cubs are serious about contending next season and not jeopardizing the future doing so this is the best of both worlds.  They add two new big contracts in Hamels and Hamilton and a decent contract in Brandon League.  Other than that is is arbitration and extending the youth you already have.  With this roster you not only built for the present but for the future.

Until Next Time...

A Look Ahead: 2014 Cubs 25 Man Roster

A look ahead at the possible 2014 Cubs 25 man roster just using what they have right now-

Lineup

1. Matt Szczur RF
2. Brett Jackson CF
3. Starlin Castro SS
4. Anthony Rizzo lst
5. Josh Vitters 3^rd
6. Bryan LaHair LF
7. Junior Lake 2b
8. Welington Castillo C

Bench

9. Steve Clevenger C/1^st/3^rd
10. Adrian Cardenas IF
11. Tony Campana OF
12. Darwin Barney IF
13. David Sappelt OF

Rotation

14. Matt Garza
15. Jeff Samardzija
16. Trey McNutt
17. Travis Wood
18. Dallas Beeler

Bullpen

19. Rafael Dolis
20. James Russell
21. Blake Parker
22. Robert Whitenack
23. Frank Batista
24. Kevin Rhoderick
25. Ryan Searle

That would be my system 25 man roster for the 2014 season. I do realize the Cubs will pick up veteran pieces, trade players, release players, extend players and sign high profiled free agents between now and then. But this shows you the Cubs strengths and weakness as a club both currently on the 25 man roster and in the farm system. Their everyday lineup I really like with some current weakness in the farm at 3^rd base and 2^nd. Junior Lake my grow too big for infield all together so 2^nd base seems like a concern to me. The Cubs also have to hope Castillo can put it together in the ML or else we will see Clevenger take that starting job from him. The Cubs are also pretty weak off the bench. Their only legit power hitter would be Clevenger so you know they are likely to pull in a strong power hitter for the bench. The Cubs weakest area is starting pitching in my opinion. Unless some of the young guys starts carving up batters in the minors the Cubs are going to have to address the starting rotation from now and until then. Oddly enough the Cubs biggest strength is solid bullpen arms likely to be ready in the next year or so. Dolis and Russell have shown they can handle the majors and players like Blake Parker and Frank Batista are showing they maybe ready sometime this year. The Cubs have a lot of other good arms left off this list like Chris Rusin, Alberto Cabrera, and even Dae-Eun Rhee. So the relief pitching is strong.

One thing for sure the Cubs minor league youth and talent is incredibly encouraging. Seeing stuff like this on paper gets you really excited for the direction under Theo and Co.

Until Next Time..

Chicago Bound, Anthony and Bryan Together, and other Cubs Stuff

Here are some Cubs rumors, news, and notes the day before I head to Chicago for 3 days to watch the Cubs play the LA Fighting Matt Kemps. For those of you interested I will be in the bleachers on Friday and the upper deck on Saturday. I will also be doing live updates at the game via twitter and the entire time I am in Chicago. So make sure to follow me!

- What a difference a couple of days make! The Chicago cubs are talking internally on what to do to get Anthony Rizzo and Bryan LaHair in the same lineup when Rizzo gets called up. Sveum said “you’ve got to figure out some kind of way to get two power-hitting left-handed bats in the lineup.” LaHair sure does not mind the idea; ‘‘I wouldn’t even look at it as a position change for me,’’ said LaHair. ‘‘I’ve been playing the outfield my whole life. I’m very comfortable in the outfield. I mean, I want to be the first baseman, but if it helps for him to be at first, it is what it is.’’

- Don’t expect this change to happen overnight though. The management still wants to see Rizzo get about 100 more ABs before being even considered coming up to the majors. The same goes with Jackson. But if you start seeing LaHair taking practice in LF or RF then you know something is up.

- So no one seemed to notice that Brett Jackson has been playing some RF recently and that will increase the chatter of David DeJesus being on the trading block.

- The Cubs would love to deal Soriano to anyone right now because of young talent producing at the lower levels but talks are going nowhere.

- CubsDensays the Cubs next call up could be Adrian Cardenas and I totally agree. In fact I don’t know why Cardenas and Valbeuna have not been called up to replace Baker and DeWitt. Both are more valuable, younger, and producing better than DeWitt and Baker so why not bring them up.

- The Yankees have contacted Jed Hoyer about Garza but the two teams have just talked. There is a still a strong chance he signs and extension but the Yanks have some really intriguing prospects.

- The Angels do have mild interest in Marmol but the Cubs don’t want to trade him off with his value so low.

- Travis Wood or Randy Wells could be landing in the 5^th spot in the rotation if Volstad continues to struggle.

Until Next Time…

Concepcion, Rizzo, LaHair, and More...

Gerardo Concepcion was called up to Peoria in the past couple days and they did not waste time to see how he will fair. Concepcion was roughed up in this first start giving up 5 runs in the first inning but then calmed down to pitch another 4 innings. He gave up 8 hits, 5 ER, 1 homerun, 1 BB, and 2 K’s. I talked to a person at the game and he says he has a nice fastball and all his pitches have good movement but control will be an issue right now.

The Cubs front office is coming around to the idea of having both Rizzo and LaHair here in by summer time. One source said LaHair actually could see more time in the OF in the next couple of months to see how he does defensively. The Cubs are hoping he can handle one of the two corner spots and continue to hit because that will determine their moves by the deadline.

If and when the Cubs do bring up Rizzo and BJax they may have a lefty problem if they decide to have LaHair starting in LF (Soriano trade, released, or benched). 6 potential lefties in the lineup! Check it out-

1. Brett Jackson CF
2. David DeJesus RF
3. Starlin Castro SS
4. Anthony Rizzo 1^st
5. Bryan LaHair LF
6. Ian Stewart 3^rd
7. Steve Clevenger/Welington Castillo/Geovany Soto C
8. Darwin Barney 2b

• Wood will not be back this weekend when he is eligible to return from the DL.
• One source told me today that the Dodgers have been scouting Soriano for the past week (unfortunately he has not been on one of his famous hot streaks). MLBTR reported recently that Colletti could be looking to add another bat before July 31^st. The only way Soriano makes sense for the Dodgers is if the Cubs pick up a ton of money left on his contract and they are not sold on Juan Rivera starting in LF for them anymore.
• Carlos Marmol’s role as closer is secure for now.
• The Cubs may have an in house alternative to Marmol named James Russell who looked like he has the makings of a great reliever.
• The Cubs DFA Rodrigo Lopez and he cleared waivers and was sent to AAA Iowa for added depth.

Bowden the New Cub, Byrd and Lopez Gone, and More Notes..

The Cubs did trade Marlon Byrd to the Red Sox for Michael Bowden and a PTBNL.

The PTBNL will not be significant according to sources and will be determined in middle May. The Cubs have a list of 10 players to choose from and will likely select a pitcher from that list.

Michael Bowden will join the Chicago Cubs rotation today and Rodrigo Lopez was DFA to make room for Bowden.

Want to know more about Bowden? Check Bleacher Nation.

Bleacher Nation also has the info on the Tampa Bay Rays once again looking at Geovany Soto as a possible trade target. The Nation says Soto does have good trade value regardless of his start and I agree. If talks do progress I can see the Cubs targeting several players like Wade Davis (whom has been rumored before), EnnyRomero,Tim Beckahm, Felipe Rivero, and/or Drew Vettleson.

Starlin Castro is fine after getting hit in his elbow but he felt like his arm was broken at the time.

Cubs Den says the Cubs could target June for phase 2 of rebuilding and boy do I hope we see some drastic changes by then if we continue down the road we are on.

Sources tell me that Theo and Jed are both working hard to trade some pieces to open up opportunities for other players. One source says Soriano and Soto are two players they are discussing the most with other teams. But the moves don’t mean that the Cubs are giving up or they are ready to call up Rizzo or Jackson or even Castillo for that matter. It means player like Luis Valbuena, Adrian Cardenas, and/or David Sappelt could be brought up to Chicago given how they have played in Iowa. It also means (in the case of Soto) they could move for a veteran backstop for the remainder of this year and give the starting nod to Steve Clevenger to finish the season. This would leave Castillo in AAA to get regular at bats and see if Clevenger is the real deal. Some veterans that could be available via trade or free agency are Henry Blanco, Ramon Castro, Josh Bard, or Francisco Cervelli.

Until Next Time..

Cubs Making Moves...

The Chicago Cubs have made some moves and are about to make some more. Here is the latest-

• The Cubs have placed Ryan Dempster on the 15 day DL with a quad strain.  He is expected to miss his next two starts.
• In a corresponding move the Cubs have called up Tony Campana; not Randy Wells.
• According to CubsDen and BleacherNation the Cubs are close to dealing Marlon Byrd.
• Cubs Den was the first (at least I know of) to suggest the Cubs talking to the Red Sox about a Byrd trade.  They were the first to mention DFA man Michael Bowden as a possiable return.
• @ChiTribRogers says the Cubs will indeed get Michael Bowden and he will have a shot to stick in the Cubs pen.
• @sahadevsharma from Bruce Levine is saying the Cubs will get LH reliever and a minor league player. Which contradicts Rogers
• Phil Rogers say he thinks the Cubs will pay most of Byrd's salary.  I honestly do not see that happening but I have been surprised in the past.  Depending on the "other" minor league player will probably determine how much the Cubs will pay.
• Many sites including Bleacher Nation are saying the Cubs will not rush BJax to the big leagues and I do not blame them.  All I wanted to see is to see some movement of the Cubs part.  Now that is done I really don't mind seeing a combination of Campana, Mather, and Johnson in CF.
• No word on the other player coming to the Cubs or money sent to Boston.  Follow me on twitter @HotStoveCubbies for the latest news.

Until Next Time..