Trade Talk, Draft Talk, and More....

So the Yankees really want Matt Garza and are willing to outbid the Red Sox for him according to numerous sources. The Yankees are not the best match farm wise with the Cubs but they do have some good prospects such as Dellin Betances (struggling), Manny Banuelos (struggling), Gary Sanchez (mashing), and Mason Williams. But they also have some ML ready talent to offer such as Phil Hughes and Ivan Nova.

The Yankees like Ryan Dempster but prefer Garza because he is AL East battle tested.

I have talked to 3 MLB execs that say if the Red Sox want Dempster or Garza; Will Middlebrooks has to be involved.

The Cubs signed lefty reliever Hong-Chih Kuo to a minor league deal and will report to extended Spring Training. Kuo was an all-star reliever for the Dodgers in 2010.

Soriano sounded like he would waive his NTC according to his quote in the Sun-Times-

I’m 36 years old, so, yeah, I would like to have the opportunity to … if they want to trade me, I hope it is to a team that’s a contender because it’s about trying to go for that ring,” Soriano said before the Cubs’ third consecutive loss. “You want to feel good, feel like maybe you got a chance for that if we don’t have a chance here. But like I said, it depends on them. I don’t control the situation.”

• Javier Baez looks like the real deal. If you don’t believe me then read what CubsDen wrote.
• Ryan Dempster is gaining interest from the Braves according to sources.
• The Phillies have been scouting Bryan LaHair as a possible backup plan for Ryan Howard.
• It is widely expected for the Cubs to take either Albert Almora or Carlos Correa with the 6^th overall pick in the draft. I still think there is an outside chance that Kevin Gausman falls to them at 6^th.
• The Cubs have two picks in the sandwich round and here are 6 players to watch for those picks at 43 and 56.

=Ty Buttrey RHP from Providence High School

=Mitch Gueller RHP from WF West High School

=Shane Watson RHP from Lakewood High School – If the Cubs somehow get him along with Almora, Correa, or Gausman then mark this as a win for the Cubs draft.

=Lance McCullers RHP from Jesuit High School

=Nolan Sanburn RHP from Arkansas

=Freddy Avis RHP from Menlo High School

Until Next Time….

Time to Catch Up

• Jorge Soler is officially a free agent and his agent Barry Praver is requesting all offers to be submitted by Thursday.  The Cubs are the favorite to land the young outfielder.
• The Cubs also have a lot of interest in 23 year old righty Armando Rivero who is also an International Free Agent.
• The Cubs DFA Michael Bowden to make room for newly required Jairo Asencio from the Indians.
• Matt Garza is available for the right offer but the Cubs are more interested in signing him to an extension.
• Starlin Castro is not available or being discussed in any trade talks according to everyone.
• The Yankees, Blue Jays, Phillies, O's, Angels, and Red Sox all have interest in Matt Garza.  It also should be noted those same teams also have interest in Ryan Dempster.
• My source is getting the feeling that not only will Dempster and Garza get traded but so will Bryan LaHair, David DeJesus, and Carlos Marmol.
• Alfonso Soriano's interest in gaining among a National League team and 3 American League teams according to sources.
• The Dodgers have joined the Ryan Dempster race according to Danny Knobler.
• The Tigers have more interest in Jeff Baker than Darwin Barney because of the asking compared asking price.
• If the Red Sox want in on Garza then Will Middlebrooks will have to be involved unless the Cubs can get Ellsbury.  The Red Sox maybe willing to deal Middlebrooks if they can get a near ready young 3rd baseman in return.  The Red Sox also maybe willing to deal Middlebrooks and overpay for Garza to keep him out of NY.
• The Phillies have emerged in the starting pitching market and have Garza and Dempster on their list.
• Theo and Co. want a stable defensive, young third baseman with power and they could move for one at the trade deadline.
• Vitters could be in a deal that nets them a young third baseman because the Cubs are not too thrilled at his progress (until recently).
• The Indians could be one of the AL teams that like Soriano but will have a tough time paying any of his contract.
• Junior Lake keeps hitting and could be called up to Iowa when Rizzo gets called up to Chicago.  Lake actually could win the 3rd base job out of spring next year if he continues his success and the Cubs don't land a more ready player for 3rd.
• Despite injury, Ian Stewart is gaining interest from many clubs with the White Sox being the most notable.
• Jon Morosi say Soriano will be playing elsewhere by July.
• 3 mock drafts have the Cubs taking outfielder Albert Almora with the 6th overall pick.  This would be a good pick for the Cubs but I think a shake up will take place and the Cubs will end up with Kevin Gausman.

Until Next Time....

Rumors and Notes: Vacation Edition

So I am heading on my family vacation tomorrow so this will be my last post until maybe Sunday at the earliest. Make sure to follow me on twitter @HotStoveCubbies because I will be updating you with breaking rumors and news from there. Here is the latest from Cubland-

• The new collective bargaining agreement his here for you baseball nuts.
• Marmol was activated off the DL and Dolis was sent to AAA.
• BleacherNation has all the talk from Theo and Jed so make sure to check that out.
• Steve Clevenger was activated today and Blake Lalli was sent to Iowa. Nice to have Clevenger back and I hope to GOD that we don’t see very much Koyie Hill now.
• Theo and Co. are open to signing Dempster to an extension but it has to fit the clubs needs.
• Dempster has not committed on what he would do if they Cubs presented a trade to him. But he has expressed interest in staying in Chicago.
• Pitching is the target for the Cubs in the draft coming up June 4^th.
• The impact of Roy Halladay may reach the Cubs. If Halladay is down for a while expect the Phillies to look to the Cubs for pitching. Garza or Dempster could really help soften the Halladay injury blow.
• Javier Baez made his Peoria debut going 2 for 4.

Until Next Time…

Cubs Not Doing Well but the Rumors are Fine...

• Alex Gordon maybe availiable via trade but only if the Royals are blown away in a deal.  The Cubs could have some interest in Gordon but only to play 3rd.
• If the Cubs are willing to do bad a contract swap for Soriano the Mariners and Chone Figgins seem like a match.
• Once again the Cubs are willing to eat most of Soriano's contract if he is traded.  Theo Epstein talked with the Red Sox about Soriano before the season but have had no talks since.
• The Giants and Cubs have been keeping an open dialogue about a Soriano trade.  The Giants are one of the few teams actually interested in the aging slugger.
• The recent contract with Adam Jones has just made players like Michael Bourn, BJ Upton, and Shane Victorino very happy.  All three have likely priced themselves out of the Cubs market.
• The Cubs are willing to sign big free agents next season but not just to sign one.  They have to fit with what Theo and Co. are doing.
• Sveum and Dempster have been speaking out about potential moves.  Dempster is gaining interest from the Yankees and Red Sox mostly.
• The O's have been scouting the Cubs recently which is bad because the Cubs have not been playing well.  The O's could also be looking for pitching.
• Tom Loxas of Cubs Den has a good piece of two haters. 
• Cubs did some minor league shuffling where Javier Baez is coming to Peoria.  BleacherNation has the minor league run down.

Until Next Time...

Bleacher Nation Knows All & Other Cub Stuff

Bleacher Nation has a nice little tidbit on Jorge Soler.

Bleacher Nation also has their daily minor league round-up where Luke discusses the Rizzo effect on Lake found here. I have to say I think Luke is right on and I even think Lake could see some time this year in Chicago as a September call-up. I also think there is a strong possibility that Lake is the starting 3^rd baseman next season if he continues to perform well.

Another think BN notes is the Lake effect on Vitters. I think Vitters is going to be dealt much like Luke does if Lake performs well when he arrives in AAA. This is a make or break year for Josh Vitters as a Cub.

Gordon Wittenmyer says that Dempster is unlikely to stand in the way if the Cubs want to trade him. So does anyone think the Red Sox would trade us Will Middlebrooks and Brandon Jacobs for Ryan Dempster, Ian Stewart, and Josh Vitters?

The Cubs maybe interested in signing an outfielder next season to bring balance to their potentially heavy lefty lineup. But the only way they would consider signing an outfielder is if they feel Campana is not an everyday player and they deal DeJesus as well as get rid of Soriano. So a lot has to happen between now and then. There are two free agents the Cubs have already “targeted” according to this source and they are Melky Cabrera and B.J. Upton.

BN does it again with their 2012 Draft Primer so check that out. FYI; I have the Cubs taking Kevin Gausman with the 6^th pick.

Brian McCabe of CCO.com has his Rambling for the Abyss. If you have not checked one of the ramblings before it is good old fashion American fun.

A minor league signing came today when the Cubs signed Diory Hernandez to a minor league contract. He was released by the Astro’s Weds.

Would Seattle do and Chone Figgins for Alfonso Soriano trade? Figgins owes about half of what Soriano is owed but Sori brings more to the table for Seattle than Figgins does. So I guess maybe, yeah… sure. WHY NOT?

Until Next Time…

Cubs Sites Rocking Some Info...

Doug Padilla did a chat today so check out the highlights-

• Epstein will not change his plans by speeding up rebuilding because of the fan base or attendance.
• The Cubs do plan on calling up Rizzo and BJax to get those early MLB jitters out of the way. They will likely not call them up until the service time is in their favor.
• Pitching will be a target in June’s draft. (I feel the first overall pick for the Cubs will be an infielder though)
• He does not have an answer on what the Cubs will do when they call up Rizzo.
• The likely scenario with Dempster in term of a trade would be to work a deal with a contender for prospects and then present it to Dempster. (Much like what they did with Maddux, but the outcome should be better).
• He says everyone but Castro, Shark, and Rizzo is available at the trade deadline but it would take a big trade to take away LaHair. The Cubs like the idea of LaHair and Rizzo both in the lineup.
• The only way the Cubs can deal Soriano is if they eat $40M of his contract which Theo wants to save money by trading him.
• Vitters is two years away and the Cubs are likely to have Stewart for the rest of this year and the following.
• Scary thought is Koyie Hill may stay around until Soto comes back. That means when Clevenger is brought back; Lalli will be sent down and when Castillo is activated he may end up back at Iowa to get everyday work. So 6-7 more weeks of Koyie Hill, YIKES!
• Travis Wood has secured his spot in the rotation for at least the next few starts; the rest is up to him.
• Sounds like LaHair or Castro is in the lead for the Cubs lone representive in the All-Star game.
• The only other position on the field besides 1st for LaHair is outfield. 3^rd is not possible.
• Kerry Wood will be around the Cubs organization but he is on mandated family time. He will be back in a month or two to help the bullpen as an extra coach.
• Campana is a starting CF for years to come says Padilla but he needs quality RBI talent to hit after him to be successful.

Now onto other news and rumors-

• Bleacher Nation has a good piece on Soriano found here and has his new Wrigley Field renovation watch found here.
• Cubs Den has a must read on the Cubs youth and other things to get excited about found here. Cub fans get really excited about Robert Whitenack.
• With news that the Cubs may go two year with Stewart and hope Vitters proves he is ready in that time has many of my readers asking what if he is not. Well if the Cubs plan on competing in 2014 then they would have to go the trade route or free agency. So notable 2014 3^rd base free agents are Michael Young, Martin Prado, Alberto Callaspo, and Chone Figgins. So yeah, hope Vitters is ready by then.

Until Next Time…

Rumor Round-Up

*   The Cubs will call up Travis Wood today and will need to make another move to make room for him.  Sending down a position player like Cardenas makes sense but so does putting Blake Parker or Welington Castillo on the DL.  I guess we will have to wait and see.
*   LaHair will get a day off today for mental rest according to Sveum.  LaHair is just 1 for his last 19 and his bat has slowed down.  I think scouting reports are catching up to him and he needs to make an adjustment.
*   Jed Hoyer would not commit on when they will call up Rizzo but he did say he will not jeopardize what they see in the future for what is happening now.  Makes sense.
*   June 21st is the earliest day the Cubs can call up Rizzo and still have an extra year of control.  After the All-Star break they would get an extra year and avoid super two status.
*   The Cubs and Nationals were very close to making a trade that would have sent Marlon Byrd, Darwin Barney, and PTBNL for Danny Espinosa and John Lannan.  A few days later Byrd was traded to Boston.
*   Sveum did not change around the lineup and is going to wait a week to see what develops.  I think a lot of it will hinge on Castillo and Clevenger coming back from their injuries.
*   The Giants remain the most interested in Soriano.
*   I had one source tell me that if the Cubs are unable to trade Soriano when ready to call up Rizzo they will likely put LaHair in RF, DeJesus in CF, Rizzo at 1st, and designated Reed Johnson for assignment.  Campana would see time in place of all three.
*   If Chase Headly does not sign an extension with the Padres before next off-season expect the Cubs to pursue him once again.

*   Now the latest from Levine-
- Levine says Hoyer and Epstein will find the right time to trade veterans and get a good return for them.
- Levine says that the lineup change could come this week with Castro batting 1 or 2 in the lineup.
- Levine says the Soler issue is taking longer because MLB is making sure he is Jorge Soler.
- Bruce says he sees the Cubs trading Dempster if he cooperates with the Cubs brass.  He seems like a long shot to be re-signed though.
- With lack of commitment to Stewart the Cubs might have Josh Vitters, Junior Lake, or Starlin Castro move to 3rd next season.
-  Levine thinks the Cubs and Castro are getting close on a long-term deal.
-  Levine does see DeJesus as trade bait.
-  LaHair may mean more to the Cubs than he is worth to other teams.
-  Bruce likes Junior Lake's chances for being called up to the big leagues before Vitters and Szczur.  I think he could get moved up to AAA when Rizzo is called up to Chicago.
-  Levine says the Cubs see Castillo's struggles at calling games but love his power and cannon for a throwing arm.
-  Bruce says no way Soriano follows Kerry Wood and ends up retiring.
-  BJax is struggling because he is pressing a bit with anticipation he gets called up this season.
-  He could see the Cubs letting Dale go after the development period is done but thinks Dale and his coaching staff is impressive.

Until Next Time....

Lots of Stuff Has Happened!

So I take a day off of pretty much everything for my son's 1st Birthday Party and a lot of stuff happened.  Still worth it though!  Here is what we missed-

• If you want a good Kerry Wood run down; your searching has ended at Bleacher Nation/.
• Randy Wells has been named Kerry Wood's replacement in the pen and it is likely he will be a early inning/long reliever type.  I really hope he can succeed.
• Clevenger is expected to be activated next weeks sometime but Castillo's sprained knee forced the Cubs hand on making yet another roster move.  The Cubs traded for Koyie Hill.  So yeah... HE'S BAAACCCKKK!
• Want a run down of the roster moves? The guys up with the big boy club are Blake Lalli, Randy Wells, Koyie Hill, and Blake Parker.  Guy sent down are Chris Volstad and Scott Maine.  Kerry Wood retired and Soto to the DL.
• Blake Parker could be sent to the DL with a hamstring issue so more moves could be on their way.
• Travis Wood will be called up on Tuesday to take Volstad's spot in the rotation and a position player will likely be sent down.  It will likely be Cardenas.

Until Next Time...

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.