Buehrle a cub? Veal next in line?

Thanks to MLB trade rumors-

Every year, writers try to help ignite the Cubs-White Sox rivalry prior to the interleague series. Back in '05, Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle was asked if he'd ever sign with the Cubs:
"It depends. It's one of those things that if no team in baseball wants me and they do, I'll go over there and sign. But I have my places that in the back of my mind -- I'm not saying Wrigley -- there are a couple of cities that if I was a free agent and they offered me, I wouldn't go there. Even if it came down to however much money, I just wouldn't feel comfortable going to those places to play."
He didn't exactly seem open to donning a Cub uniform at that point. It's interesting to note that the article indicates that Buehrle might avoid New York, regardless of money.
Has anything changed, two years later? Not really, but it seems that Buehrle leaves the door open an extra crack now that he may actually depart the White Sox:
"Anything's possible. Put it that way. I never say never because I said I'd never throw a no-hitter and that happened. Anything's possible. I'm not a big fan of going over to that place. It would be different. Just with the whole Cubs-Sox rivalry, it's just so hectic getting over there, tickets and all that stuff."
Still looks like a long shot for Buehrle to become the Cubs' third southpaw in '08. Interestingly, it could become four if Donald Veal comes along. Realistically, his hometown Cardinals remain the favorite for Buehrle. If he wants to stay in the midwest, maybe the Reds would become an option.

Honestly I don't think Mark would go to the Cubs unless they throw alot of money at them. And to be honest I doubt the Cubs would spend the money to get him. While he is a good pitcher and the ace of the White Sox staff, why would the cubs throw money at him that they should throw at Z. But stranger things have happened. I also like the chances of Veal making an appearance and possibly being in the rotation next year. He is a young lefty which alot of people compare to Willis. He has a way to go tho considering his 2 and 4 5.85 era. He is a very good pitcher and could help the cubs alot next year.

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Other Cubs notes-

- Pagan is making a case for being the starting CF for the Cubs the rest of the season. Pagan is batting .455 with 2 HR and 5 RBI in just 8 games played. He has also played good CF and look for him to stay in CF until he starts to cool off.

- Guzman was told to drink alot of water and eat bananas to prevent him from getting cramps. He should be OK.

- Lee( who has been sidelined with neck spasms) will be available to pinch hit Saturday. When Lou asked if he could start he said "I'm not going to say it's impossible, but I'm going to say 'improbable,'" Cubs manager Lou Piniella said.

- Marmol was called up yesterday and this gives the cubs the burner in the pen I think the cubs need. Marmol did well in AAA. The right-hander was 4-1 with a 3.95 ERA in eight games (seven starts) for Iowa, and walked 12 while striking out 48 in 41 innings. He threw 15 pitches in a relief appearance Thursday to tune up.

- Sean Marshall is tearing it up in the minors. Sean Marshall gave up one run on two hits over eight innings in Iowa's 9-2 win over Oklahoma on Thursday. It was Marshall's longest outing of the season. He is now 2-0 with a 1.86 era in 4 games started. He has had 8 bb on 15 so.

-Wade Miller will likely make another injury rehab assignment. He rejoined the Cubs on Tuesday.

-Lou Piniella sent shock waves through the city with his proclamation that big changes were coming in his pitching staff.
OK, maybe not shock waves, but it caused a bit of a ripple on the North Side.
Thing is, it seems more likely that Piniella is trying to shake up GM Jim Hendry and force him into making a trade to bolster the bullpen, or maybe Piniella was just trying to scare the relievers into performing better.
In any case, there isn’t much the Cubs can do with this staff aside from the odd tinkering here or there, so Piniella’s idea of a major shake-up might not be all that major.

Arod to Chicago? Other cubs notes

Thanks to MLBTRADERUMORS.COM-


A-Rod Chicago Speculation
The Chicago Tribune's Phil Rogers breaks down the factors involved that might result in Alex Rodriguez playing in Chicago in 2008. Let's break it down in a nifty bullet-point format.

The Cubs

Rodriguez played under Lou Piniella in Chicago, and the two are said to have a strong relationship. That's where a lot of this speculation begins. But won't it just come down to money in the end?
Third base is fully blocked by Aramis Ramirez, where shortstop is fairly open. The Cubs won't exercise Cesar Izturis's option, but will have Ryan Theriot around. No matter how much A-Rod's shortstop defense is lacking, I can't picture it beyond worse than Theriot's. Piniella might prefer to use Theriot in a superutility role with a focus on second base.
The Cubs don't seem to despise Scott Boras, dealing smoothly with him for recent signees Greg Maddux and Jeff Samardzija.
While the Cubs showed a willingness to sign a player to a ridiculous contract with the Alfonso Soriano deal, the team will be sold after the season. That seems quite likely to interfere with an A-Rod megadeal, even if Jim Hendry says it's business as usual.

The White Sox

It's well-known that the team's brass likes A-Rod. They flirted with him in 2000 when he first reached free agency.
The Sox could make room at short or third for Rodriguez, as Joe Crede has been mentioned in trade rumors for some time and Josh Fields is no sure thing. The team seems likely to decline its club option on Juan Uribe.
Recent White Sox clubs have not gone crazy bidding on free agents. However, the Sox have shown the ability to pony up major cash. In particular I'm thinking of the five year, $55MM deal given to Albert Belle before the 1997 season. That one made Belle the highest paid player in baseball. Like A-Rod, Belle had a clause to opt out if he wasn't the highest paid player in baseball.
Unlike the Cubs, the White Sox have had beef with Scott Boras in the past. However, Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said that despite their differences, he would sign a reasonably priced Boras client. Not sure A-Rod would qualify, but if you're going to spend big bucks you might as well do it on a superstar.
If the Sox are able to replace Mark Buehrle internally, they'll have some free cash to account for the difference between Jermaine Dye's and Rodriguez's salaries. I would view A-Rod as Dye's replacement in the lineup.
I have to give the edge to the White Sox here, as the Cubs will likely be in a state of flux next winter. The Sox seem to be leaning toward rebuilding, though, and I don't think a $100MM+ contract fits the plan. There should be plenty more speculation over the next several months but I don't expect Rodriguez to land in Chicago.

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- Cubs keeping eye on Marmol and Marshall, could move into MLB pen.

-When Lee returns, he'll be inserted back into the No. 3 spot in the Cubs' lineup. However, Theriot may replace Soriano at the leadoff spot. Theriot got on base four times with a single and three walks

- Spasms still bothering Lee, might be out until Friday.

-Fontenot was called up and Cherry was sent down yesterday. Fontenot, 26, was batting .364 with 10 doubles, three triples, six home runs and 27 RBIs for Iowa. He was named Pacific Coast League's Batter of the Week after collecting 18 hits in seven games and posting a 1.129 slugging percentage. Fontenot had six multihit games, highlighted by a 3-for-4 game May 10 when he hit two triples and drove in five runs against Fresno.

Lee day to day with neck spasms

Thanks to cubs.com-

PHILADELPHIA -- Give Derrek Lee points for the power of persuasion. A little kink in the left side of his neck, caused by sliding into second base on Saturday, and a National League-leading .393 average (55-for-141, with two homers and 21 RBIs) weren't about to keep him out of the lineup.
Lee wasn't supposed to start for the Mother's Day Sunday afternoon game against the Phillies, replaced by Daryle Ward on Cubs manager Lou Piniella's lineup card.
Lee did start, taking one at-bat, grounding into an inning-ending double play in the first, but he did not come out for second inning because of neck spasms and is listed as day-to-day.
Lee actually poked his head into Piniella's office before the game to plead his case once he saw the original lineup card posted without his name for the first time this season.
"Mr. Lee wants to play, but he has a kink in his neck from sliding into second base [on Saturday], and the trainer suggested it might be a good idea he take a day off," Piniella said. "I appreciate the fact that Derrek wants to play. We'd like to get Daryle some opportunities to play; it's just that our first baseman is an every, everyday guy."
Lee felt he was OK to play. But he also understood Piniella's original intention.
"I just have a kink in my neck," Lee explained, pointing to the left side of his neck. "I slid into second [Saturday] and got this weird feeling like it went through my whole body. It's a little tough to turn my head. But I don't think I need any days off. I need to play. It's not like I hurt myself [that seriously]. I understand [what Piniella] is doing. He's trying to protect me."
Once Lee took batting practice, Piniella opted to change his mind 70 minutes before game time, replacing Ward with Lee, who is hitting .436 with runners in scoring position (17-for-39, with one homer and 18 RBIs).
Ward had the impression he would start and spoke to Lee about it before Sunday's game.
"I do want an opportunity to play," said Ward, who entered the game hitting .333 (5-for-15). "I'm not perfect. I do have some complaints here and there about getting more playing time. I'm just looking for an opportunity to play. It's why I practice as hard as I can. You never know what's going to happen."

Dont be suprised to see the batting leader in the lineup for tommarrow nights game on ESPN against Glavine and the Mets. If he is not in the lineup I will be suprised becuase lee is such a competor. Lets hope he is in there!

You be the GM, would you do this trade?

Cubs get Igawa and Arod
Drays get Veal, Hughes, and Gallager
Yanks get Zambrano, Iwamura, and Marshall

They cubs get a decent pitcher who does have a high walk total and high era. But was giving hardly a chance to get adjusted to the ML. He does have good stuff and the Yanks would be willing to give him up since he is now in the minors. The cubs also get a HOF player in Arod. It is hard to think the Yanks would give him up after the MVP April Arod had but the Yanks have always been a " what have you done for me lately team" so that could change quickly if he cools off and doesn't come up with big hits. It would be a dream to see Arod in a cubs uniform and reunited with sweet lou. By getting Arod you add 40 Hrs, 20 sb, and he was a gold glove at SS( which where he would be playing). The cubs would of course release Izzy or trade him. Igawa would take the place of Z in the rotation( he cant pitch any worst than Z did so far). Yes the cubs wouldn't have a solid #1 starter but they haven't had one all year so what is the difference. You would have a solid starting 5 for the first time this year. I honestly think this trade for the cubs would put them in the playoffs.

The Drays get more young pitching talent in which they need desperately. Veal is a year away and is very good prospect with tons of upside. Hughes (who is recovering from a hamstring injury) showed why he is the Yanks top pitching prospect by taking a NO-No into the 7th before being taken out. He would fit in right away with the Rays young starting rotation. Another player that could fit in the rotation this year or the next is Sean Gallager. He is another top prospect in the Cubs organization and could really help the rays. The rays do give up there steal of the off season by getting Iwamura for really cheap. Paid a 4.5 Mil posting fee and are paying him 3 years 7.7 million with an option for the 4th. This wouldn't hurt the rays that bad considering how Upton, Cantu and Wigginton are playing.

The Yanks would have a really dominate rotation that would send them to the WS. Have Mussina, Clemens, Wang, Zambrano, and Pettite for there rotation would be a dream for Yankee fans. Zambrano doesn't come cheap tho but nothing does for the Yankees. They give up there disappointing LHP Igawa which isnt that bad. They also give up there top prospect Hughes and the HOFer Arod. But the thing that eases that pain is having the 5 big horses in the rotation and acquiring a decent left-hander in Marshall who showed promise last year fo the cubs and a really good 3b in Iwamura that takes Arods place and is a sixtenth of the Salary so maybe they can throw more money at Zambano next season to make him stay while still have a really good defensive and hitting 3rd baseman.

To me this is a win for all the teams above. Drays get young pitching, Cubs get a HOFer and a decent pticher, and the Yankees get the best rotation in baseball and a young talented 3b to replace AROD and dump his salary and risk losing him for nothing in the off season when he opts out.

What do you guys think?

Z to be free agent next year or traded this year?

Thanks to mlb trade rumors-

Ken Rosenthal says of Carlos Zambrano:
"Imagine him wearing another uniform next season. Barring a sudden, unexpected twist, that's where this is going."
He goes on to run through various Zambrano suitors for the upcoming offseason: the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Astros, Angels, Dodgers, and Tigers. Rosenthal throws the Rangers, Orioles, Mariners, and Phillies into the mix as well. Might as well include the Blue Jays on that list as well.
As a lifelong Cubs fan, obviously it would be hard for me to see Zambrano depart. The biggest blunder in Cubs history was letting a 27 year-old Greg Maddux become a Brave.
Still, I do wonder whether unlike Mad Dog at the time, Z's best years are behind him. His climbing walk rate is scary, and you can't help but question the long-term health prospects for a power pitcher with his mileage. What can we expect from Zambrano's age 27-31 seasons? I really like the Mark Gubicza comparison. Both are big righties who logged roughly 1,000 Major League innings before their 26th birthdays. Gubicza was a horse up until his age 28 season, when the wear and tear started to catch up with him.
If Zambrano straightens himself out and wins 15 games and the Cubs make the playoffs, fans will be clamoring for his retention. However, the big picture outlook says to let him walk and take the draft picks, or even trade him in July. The contract will be for a minimum five years, and perhaps as many as seven if he hits the open market. $17MM annually might be below market value, but that doesn't mean it's a good idea.

While I still believe its too early to trade Z, its not out of the realm if we trade him this year. If he indeed is going to test the market, you have to trade him to get a ML ready starter and a decent MI. While his trade value is down because of his slow start, I think things will start heating up at the deadline. Expect those Arod for Zambrano rumors to start flaying around. Also a Three way deals that could involve a lower market team with young talent. It is said that Crawford could be available and that could be an interesting situation, but another team would have to be involved because the Drays wouldn't want or need Z or his contract for the last months of the season.

Wouldn't be interesting to get a deal working with the Rays, Yanks, and Cubs?? Throwing around big name players like Igawa, Iwamura, Arod, Zambrano, Jones, Crawford, and hot prospects in a 3 way deal. Its just a thought, nothing set in stone.

There looks to be many teams who would want Zambrano's services so if the Cubs do want to trade him they shouldn't have a problem doing so. Lets just hope these teams get in a trading war and the cubs get some good young players for Big Z.

Cubs Notes

-Right-hander Wade Miller, who has been on the disabled list since April 23 because of back spasms, has been throwing from a mound and is expected to make a rehab start for Class AA Tennessee on Tuesday in Knoxville. He'll have 30 days to earn back his roster spot or the Cubs will have to make another move with him.

- Pagan got the call and Pie got sent down yesterday. Pagan hit a homer in that game.

- Zambrano trade talk starting on message boards. Mets, Yankees, Rangers, and Red Sox are just a few of the teams that are interested if the Cubs deal him.

Kei Igawa sent to AAA, could the cubs make a trade?

Thanks to MLB-rumors-

The Yankees called up Matt DeSalvo and in order to make room for him, sent down struggling rookie Kei Igawa. The Yankees originally planned to send down Darrell Rasner but after his impressive start, have decided to keep him. Rasner is 1-1 with a 2.75 ERA in four starts. After spending 46 million to bring over the Japanese sensation, Igawa, has been a bust, going 2-1 with a 7.63 ERA in six games, including five starts. Igawa was optioned to Class-A Tampa.

This is pure speculation on my part but interesting points I believe. If you haven't heard Clemens is now a Yankee, again. With this addition it makes the rotation Mussina, Hughes, Clemens, Petitie, and Wang. Pushing and leaving Igawa in AAA. Of course since Roger might not be ready by June he could come up again. The Yanks are very frustrated with there 46 million dollar man. I guy worth that much shouldn't have a 7.63 era but how would he do somewhere else? and would the Yanks trade him?

I honestly believe the Yanks would love to dump his salary on someone else and not worried about having the highest paid player in there minors that is in there system. Don't get me wrong Guzman has shown he could handle the 5th spot but for how long? So I say why not ship some prospects to the Yanks for Kei? How about Marshall? Mateo? Marmol? the list goes on. I think he would do well as the 5th starter in the Cubs organization and Larry has proven he can take a 6+ pitcher to a 4-1 2.50 pitcher. Its just speculation but interesting.

Cubs news and rumors

- The cubs have sent Cedeno to Iowa and called up Guzman for today's start. Ronny who was hitting .097 and 2hr will get more playing time in Iowa and should benefit the Cubs and him. Guzman pitched very well today and got a no decision. He had alot of movement on his fastball and hit 97mph today. He looks good as a 5th starter.

- More trade rumors about Jones are swirling. His stock should be allot higher since the beginning of the year. He showed he can play great CF and decent RF. He also has shown he can still hit the ball with the trade rumors going around. He is hitting .297 with 1 hr and 10 rbi and a stellar OBP of .366. Now the cubs have to think, do we really want to trade him now? and if you do what is he worth and want does the team need? The Angels remain interested.

- Here is an interesting tidbit from MLBtraderumors.com-

According to John Perrotto of Baseball Prospectus:
"Speculation is mounting that Seattle is ready to swallow hard and release right-hander Jeff Weaver after his going 0-5 with a 15.35 ERA after five starts."
The handiwork of Scott Boras, an inflated pitching market, and playoff heroics earned Weaver the same one-year, $8.325MM deal he got from the Angels the previous offseason. At when the Angels signed him, he was coming off a solid 14 win season. The Ms signed him after he posted a 5.76 ERA in 31 starts.
I'd be surprised to see the Ms release Weaver. Couldn't they pay $6MM of his salary and virtually give him away to some NL team? Even that would be better than releasing him. Maybe the Padres would take a chance on him if the salary risk was minimal.

Don't be surprised to see if the cubs want to make him there 5th starter. Especially if he is released. Could he do for the Cubs what he did for the Cards last year? For around 6 mil it wouldn't be bad to take a chance on him.

- The Yanks and Mets are a list of several teams who would want Z for the big push this year. They are watching the situation closely. Unless they want to give us a young solid mlb ready starter and a good MI that can hit. If the come with any less than that I say no way. We would certainly take a Arod and Hughes fro Zambrano and Izzy lol

Send your Thoughts and Prayers to the Friends and Family of Josh Hancock.

From Espn-

ST. LOUIS -- Josh Hancock, a key member of the bullpen that helped the St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series last season, was killed in a car crash early Sunday.
The Cardinals postponed their home game Sunday night against the Chicago Cubs.
Police said the 29-year-old Hancock was alone in his 2007 Ford Explorer when he struck the rear of a tow truck at 12:35 a.m. The truck was in the left lane assisting another vehicle that was involved in a prior accident, officer Pete Mutter said.
Hancock was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the tow truck, whose name was not released by police, was in the truck at the time of the crash but was not injured.
The medical examiner's office said Sunday morning that an autopsy had been scheduled. The Cardinals and police were expected to make a statement later in the day at Busch Stadium.
Hancock's death is the second of a Cardinals player in less than five years. Pitcher Darryl Kile was found dead in a Chicago hotel room in June 2002. The 33-year-old Kile died of a coronary artery blockage.
Hancock, who pitched three innings of relief in Saturday's 8-1 loss to the Cubs, played for four major league clubs. He went 3-3 with a 4.09 ERA in 62 regular-season appearances for the Cardinals last season and pitched in three postseason games. He was 0-1 with a 3.55 ERA in eight games this season.
Three days before his death, the Cardinals got a scare that some teammates said reminded them of Kile's death -- Hancock overslept and showed up late for a day game in St. Louis. Hancock told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch he thought the starting time was later and didn't get up until the "20th call" from anxious teammates.
"We were all a little nervous," closer Jason Isringhausen said earlier this week. "We don't care if you're late. That happens. We want to know that you're OK."
Hancock made his offseason home in St. Louis. He was the only player to attend the premiere of a DVD documenting the Cardinals' unlikely run to their 10th World Series championship after winning only 83 regular-season games.
Hancock joined the Cardinals in spring training last season after the Cincinnati Reds released him for violating a weight clause in his contract. He had been a starter the previous year with Cincinnati, but missed 133 games because of groin and elbow injuries. He also pitched for Boston and Philadelphia.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

No make up day has been announced.

Please send your thoughts and prayers to friends and family of Josh. The baseball family lost another good player and an even better person.

Josh Hancock 1978-2007

Post Dispatch Creates Fire for Cubs and Could Z be Delt?

According to MLB-Rumors-

The St. Louis Post Dispatch had an article on the cover of their newspaper earlier this week discussing, more like poking fun at the Cubs and how they haven't been to a World Series in nearly a century. It even went to say that after spending 300 million dollars, the Cubs are still chasing the Cardinals. Later that day, the Cardinals were beat by former Cardinal Jason Marquis and the Cubs 5-3, and after the game, manager Tony LaRussa expressed his apologies to the Cubs, and said he had nothing to do with it. He also refused to answer any questions from Dispatch reporters. And today, Carlos Zambrano, Jacque Jones, and company went on to beat the Cardinals 8-1. Zambrano pitched seven innings, giving up one earned run, and struck out two. Jacque Jones was a homerun away from the cycle, going 3-4 with 4 RBI. On the Cardinals side, Adam Wainwright struggled, going 4.1 innings giving up six earned runs. The Cubs improve to 10-13 and push the Cardinals to 10-13. The Cubs go for the sweep tomorrow on ESPN at 6:55 p.m. CT, Rich Hill for the Cubs and Kip Wells for the Cardinals.

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This according to the Star Ledger-

That teams have been calling the Cubs about star right-hander Carlos Zambrano since word got out that the pending free agent's contract-extension negotiations broke down. But with the Tribune Co. ownership situation in flux, the Cubs are telling interested teams they don't yet know what they're doing to do with Zambrano -- sign him, trade him or ride out the season and see what happens.

Where they get this info from I don't know. The cubs were nearly done with a deal until the Tribune was sold to Sam Zell. Now is trading him out of the question, absolutely not. But he should have a heavy price tag. He would cost an Arod or Vlad or like a Jose Reyes and John Maine package. Now are teams willing to do that, I honestly don't think so but he is honestly worth that much and the cubs shouldn't sell for anything less.