Cubs Show Interest In Santana?

The New York Times has named the Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Red Sox, and Angels as the front-runners for 2-time Cy Young Award winner, Johan Santana. The Times also informed us that an NL executive, who was not named, told them not to sleep on the Cubs, who have some young talent to offer in exchange for Santana, particularly by the name of Felix Pie. The Twins would love to aquire Pie, mainly because they are now in dire need of a centerfielder, with the absence of Torii Hunter.
It would take a little more than just Pie to pry Johan away from the Twins though. It would likely take Pie and 3 other mid to high level prospects, possibly Hill, Gallagher, Veal, or all three. Whether Hendry would be able to pull this trade off or not is unknown, but I would imagine if this trade were to happen, Hendry's first priority would be a long term extension, which could command close to $130 million over 5 or 6 years.

Cubs Interested In Joe Nathan?

According to Ken Rothensal, the Cubs would be a good fit for Joe Nathan.
Rothensal also suggests Rosenthal suggests the Brewers, Indians, Tigers, and Red Sox .The right hander went 4-2 with an ERA of 1.88 and 37 saves. I wouldn`t mind having Nathan on the Cubs. There is only two downsides to this. First we would have to give up a lot of talent to get him, and second we would only have him for one year. Otherwise i would love to have him.

Kaz Not Officially A Cub

Sorry about my post before. I heard the news on Prosportsdaily forums and the source sounded reliable. Now a report in Denver is saying that the report is false. Its my fault, sorry for misleading you.

BREAKING NEWS: Matsui Signs With Cubs

According to ESPN Radio in Denver, the Cubs have signed Kaz Matsui to a 3 year $14M deal. Matsui batted .288 with 4 homers and an OBP of .342. This is a good signing if he is only a bench player, but if he turns into an everyday player then it is a very bad signing. It is rumored that the Cubs wanted to sign Matsui in order to lure Kosuke Fukudome to Chicago. Hopefully this deal will lure him and we get Fukudome. More details later.

Kerry Wood Re-Signs With Cubs

According to ESPN1000,the Cubs have re-signed Kerry Wood to a 1 year deal at $4.2 MM with neither a player nor club option. Wood, the 1998 NL Rookie of the Year, can make an additional $3.45 million in performance bonuses based largely on games finished. He had a $1.75 million salary this year.

Wood,30,came back halfway through the season last year, and pitched great going, 1-1 with an ERA of 3.33 andd a WHIP of 1.27. Wood has a 72-57 career record with 3.67 ERA in part of nine seasons with the Cubs. He made an immediate impression when he struck out 20 Houston Astros in just his fifth major league start in 1998 and went 13-6 in that first season, helping the Cubs win the NL wild card.
"He threw tremendously well the last couple weeks of the season and certainly should go to camp with a great opportunity to pitch late in the game," Hendry said."He passed the test of holding up health-wise the last two months of the season, and our medical people feel that he's certainly still got something left in the tank," Hendry added.

This is great news for Cubs fans everywhere. Not only because the Cubs finally made a move, but they got "Kid K" back, an idol to Chicago Cubs fans. This is also a great move because now we have depth at the closer postion, Howry, Wood, and Marmol.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope everyone is having a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Cubs Sign 6 Minor Leaguers

Baseball America has reported that the Cubs have signed 6 minor league players. The list includes RHP Cory Bailey, RHP Mike Smith, C J.D. Closser, C Danny Fatheree, SS Andres Blanco, OF Andres Torres. The most exciting out of the group may be Andres Torres. Torres, who was once considered one of the Tigers best prospects, batted .292 with an OBP of .363 last year within the Tigers organization. Torres is currently playing in Venezuela and could make a case to earn a roster spot during spring training next season.

Cubs Fans Rejoice!

Kaz Matsui appears to be nearing a deal with the Astros! This is great news for Cubs fans. If Matsui signs with Houston, the Cubs will be spared of having yet another middle infielder, and a mediocre one at that. Lets wait to see what the Cubs do now with Matsui, most likely, out of the picture.

McDonough Resigns

ESPN 1000 is reporting that Cubs president John McDonough has resigned to become the president of the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL. McDonough joined the Cubs last October, after former president Andy MacPhail resigned to become the president of the Orioles. I dont know if this will affect the offseason or not, but Jim Hendry is expected to take over as GM/president. This most likely means the sale of the Cubs, which is expected to reach $1 billion, is moving along faster than expected.

Cubs After Luis Castillo?

According to Ken Rothensal, the Cubs are pursuing 2nd baseman Luis Castillo, in addition to Kaz Matsui. Castillo, who batted .301 last season with the Mets, is a switch-hitting, top of the order guy, which is what the Cubs are trying to find this offseason. He may be considered plan-B for the Cubs, if they happen to miss out on Matsui. Castillo would be a much better pickup than Matsui. Castillo has put up much better numbers over a longer period of time than Matsui has. Castillo has a career average of .294 and an OBP of .368, compared to Matsui's .272 career batting average and a .325 OBP. It seems like an obvious choice to me. Castillo would be a much better pickup than Matsui. Castillo has proven he can be an above average baseball player, which is something Kaz has not yet shown. I say dont take a chance on a player coming off his only good year, and sign a player that has had about 10 solid seasons. This, to me, should be a no-brainer. Lets see what Hendry decides to do.

Cubs Interested In Aaron Rowand?

Several reports have indicated that the Cubs are among the 10 teams interested in centerfielder Aaron Rowand. The Dodgers, White Sox, Rangers, Cubs, and Astros have all made contact with Rowand, but it appears the Dodgers are leading the pack. Rowand is reportedly seeking a contract that could reach up to $90 million over 6 years. Rowand had a breakout year last year with the Phillies, batting .309 with 27 hrs and an OBP of .374. Despite poor numbers in previous years, with batting averages hovering around .265, Rowand could be a good pickup for the Cubs, if they happen to miss out on Fukudome.

Cubs Nearing Deal With Kaz Matsui

According to David Kaplan of WGN Radio, the Cubs are nearing a deal with Kaz Matsui. Matsui batted .288 with 4 hrs last year with the Rockies. The deal could happen as soon as this weekend.

Cubs Involved In Possible Blockbuster Trade?

There is a possible 3-team trade brewing between the Cubs, Nationals, and the Red Sox. Here is the list of players involved and their potential teams.

Cubs get Ryan Church and JD Drew
Nats get CoCo Crisp, Matt Murton, and Ryan Dempster
Red Sox get Sean Marshall, Austin Kearns, Ronny Cedeno, and Will Ohman

More on this as it develops!

Update:Monroe Traded To Twins

Its official! Craig Monroe has been traded to the Twins for a player to be named later.
On another, unrelated note, Mark Prior and Angel Guzman has been taken off the 60-day disabled list.

Deal For Crawford Drawing Closer?

According to sources, the Cubs are putting a package of players together to send to the Rays, in exchange for Carl Crawford. More on this as it develops. Keep your fingers crossed Cubs fans!

Monroe To Twins?

A new trade rumor has surfaced that would send Craig Monroe to the Twins for a player to be named later. Monroe made $4.8 million last year while batting .219 with 12 hrs. with Detroit and Chicago, and is eligible for arbitration this offseason. This trade could be announced today. More on this rumor as it develops.

Jones Traded To Tigers For Omar Infante

The deal is now complete. The Cubs have traded Jacque Jones and "cash considerations" to the Tigers for infielder Omar Infante. The Cubs have expressed their desire for a more athletic outfield and for more versitility off their bench, and felt Infante fit the bill.

Jones For Infante Deal Nearing

According to a report from the Detroit Free Press, a deal is being finalized that would send Jacque Jones to the Tigers for 2nd baseman Omar Infante. The deal could be completed as early as tonight. Infante batted .271 in 66 games last year for the Tigers. The Cubs are looking to shed Jones $5.5 million option for '08, which is most likely the reason for the move. Infante is eligible for arbitration this offseason.

Cubs Closing In On Crawford?

A deal could be coming in the next few days that would send Carl Crawford to the Cubs in exchange for Ronny Cedeno, Rich Hill, and a prospect. The Rays are very interested in Cedeno and are looking for a young, MLB ready pitcher. This could mean Hill, Gallagher, or maybe even Marshall. Crawford batted .315 with 11 homeruns in 2007 with the newly named Rays, and .351 while batting in the 2 spot, which is where he would bat with the Cubs most likely. This trade needs to happen. Think of the possibilities!

Cubs Interested in Cuban Superstar?

Alexei Ramirez has officially signed with an agent and is planning to make the leap to the MLB. Ramirez batted .335 with 20 homeruns last year while playing in Cuba. He is primarily a shortstop, but can also play 2nd base, and most of the outfield. I think he could be a cheap, low risk signing for the Cubs as a super-utility player, either starting at one of those positions or off the bench. Even though Cuban ball has been compared to single-A ball, Ramirez could be worth the risk. I say we take a chance on him.

Jose Guillen to Cubs?

Despite the allegations of purchasing performance-enhancing drugs surrounding Guillen, he is still expected to get a large free agent contract, which could reach about 3 yr./40 mil. Teams that have shown interest include the Royals, Mets, and Orioles. If the Cubs happen to miss out on Fukudome, they are expected to aggressively pursue Guillen. Guillen batted .290 with 23 HR and 99 RBI last season with Seattle. Guillen would be an instant upgrade over the current outfield options for the Cubs, on both defence and offence, with an OBP of .353.

Wood To Be Resigned This Weekend?

Kerry Wood, who will turn 31 next June, can exclusively negotiate with the Cubs until Monday at midnight. If no deal is reached by then, he would also be free to talk to the other teams in the league. The Rangers have shown alot of interest in the right hander, as well as Dusty Baker and the Reds. The Cubs have made it known they would like to have Wood audition for the closer role along with Howry and Marmol.