Former Cubs in the Championship Series

Tonight the American League Championship Series begins with Game 1 between the Rangers and Tigers. The National League Championship Series, which begins tomorrow, is a matchup of two NL Central clubs with the Brewers taking the Cardinals. Cubs fans will be forced to decide which is the lesser of the two evils (most will pick the Brewers) to root for.

The Major League Baseball playoff run has been fun to watch thusfar, starting with that compelling final day of the regular season. Three of the four Division Series took five games to complete and one went to extra innings in game five. To make it even more fun for Cubs fans to watch the rest of the way, here is a list of guys with Cubs connections competing in the LCS.

• Al Aburrquerque, Tigers: never played in the big leagues for the Cubs but was the farmhand traded to Colorado for Jeff Baker.


• Josh Hamilton, Rangers: drafted by the Cubs in the Rule Five draft but was quickly shipped to the Reds.


• Ryan Theriot, Cardinals: Played for the Cubs from 2006-2010


• Corey Patterson, Cardinals: Has landed on his feet with St. Lou after bouncing around for a few years. Roamed the outfield at Wrigley during the early part of the 2000s.


• Kyle Lohse, Cardinals: Cubs farmhand who was traded to the Twins


• LaTroy Hawkins, Brewers: Was always better as a set-up man than a closer during his time in the Cubs bullpen


• Casey McGehee, Brewers: Briefly played with the Cubs during the 2008 season before he was shipped to Milwaukee. The Cubs regret letting the talented third baseman go.

That's it for now, but I'll keep you posted!

Former Cub Updates: May 29

For the first time this year, it's time to check in on all the ex-Cubbies from recent years and see how they are doing. It is also interesting to follow up on the guys who have departed in the past two years and to go way back and bring up some names that have not been talked about for awhile. For this former Cub update, let's check in on members of the '09 and '10 teams that are no longer with the squad.

• Derrek Lee (Baltimore): .231 AVG, 40 games, 4 HR, 14 RBI


• Ted Lilly (LAD): 3-4, 4.41 ERA


• Mike Fontenot (SF): .207 AVG, 2 HR, 9 RBI


• Tom Gorzelanny (Washington): 2-4, 4.25 ERA


• Carlos Silva (NYY): Has appeared in five minor league games, has not been called up yet


• Milton Bradley (Seattle): .218 AVG, 28 games, 2 HR


• Sam Fuld (TB): .227 AVG, 3 HR, 20 RBI, 47 games


• Micah Hoffpauir: Playing in Japan for Nippon Ham Fighters, no stats available


• Aaron Miles (LAD): .275 AVG, 44 games


• Xavier Nady (Arizona): .275 AVG, 34 games


• Ryan Theriot (STL): .303 AVG, 45 games


• Jeff Gray: 2.70 ERA in 6 games with CWS, 0.2 IP with Seattle


• Kevin Gregg (Baltimore): 3.72 ERA, 20 games, 8 saves


• Aaron Heilman (Arizona): 8.62 ERA in 14 games


• Bobby Howry: Now retired


• Rich Harden (Texas): On the 60 day DL with a right shoulder injury


• Kevin Hart (Pit): 60 day DL after right shoulder surgery

That's it for now, we'll keep you posted on the ex-Cubbies.

Former Cub Updates: Where are they landing?

It is a slow day for Cubs news, so let us catch you up on where some former Cubs have landed this offseason. The following ex-Cubs will have new homes in Spring Training. Some of the names are from seasons as recent as 2010, while others will test your memory.

• Xavier Nady, Arizona Diamond Backs
• Jeff Gray, Chicago White Sox
• Will Ohman, Chicago White Sox
• Kyle Farnsworth, Tampa Bay Rays
• Jerry Hairston Jr., Washington Nationals
• Reed Johnson, Welcome Back to Chicago!
• Kerry Wood, Welcome Back to Chicago!
• Derrek Lee, Baltimore Orioles
• Corey Paterson, Toronto Blue Jays
• Matt Stairs, Washington Nationals
• Tom Gorzelanny, Washington Nationals
• Kevin Gregg, Baltimore Orioles
• Mark Prior, New York Yankees
• Henry Blanco, Arizona Diamond Backs
• Chad Gaudin, Washington Nationals
• Eric Patterson, San Diego Padres
• Rich Hill, Boston Red Sox
• Neal Cotts, New York Yankees
• Brendan Harris, Baltimore Orioles
• Sergio Mitre, New York Yankees
• Russ Canzler, Tampa Bay Rays
• Ryan Theriot, St. Louis Cardinals

It will be interesting to see some of these ex-Cubs, especially Prior and Theriot, play for their new teams in 2011.

Former Cub Updates: 10-5-10

Let's check out recently departed Cubs finished the season!

• Ryan Theriot: .242 AVG, 1 HR, 8 RBIs, 54 games with the Dodgers
• Ted Lilly: 7-4, 3.52 ERA, 77 Ks, 12 starts with the Dodgers
• Derrek Lee: .287 AVG, 3 HR, 24 RBIs in 39 games with the Braves
• Mike Fontenot: .282 AVG, 28 games with the Giants
• Chad Tracy: .245 AVG, 1 HR, 10 RBIs, 41 games with the Marlins
• Milton Bradley: .205 AVG, 73 games with the Mariners
• Kevin Gregg: 2-6, 3.51 ERA, 37 SV, 63 games with the Blue Jays
• Aaron Heilman: 5-8, 4.50 ERA, 70 games with the D'backs
• Aaron Miles: .281 AVG, 79 games with the Cardinals
• Reed Johnson: .262 AVG, 2 HR, 15 RBIs, 102 games with the Dodgers

Let's take a look at all of the ex-Cubbies to watch for in each postseason series!

Giants (2) VS Braves (1)

• Derrek Lee, Braves
• Mike Fontenot, Giants
• Andres Torres, Giants

Reds (2) VS Phillies(1)

• Jim Edmonds, Reds
• Dusty Baker & Staff, Reds
• Ross Gload, Phillies

Rays (0) VS Twins (0)

Yankees (3) VS Rangers (2)

• Kerry Wood, Yankees
• Sergio Mitre, Yankees
• Chad Gaudin, Yankees
• Rich Harden, Rangers
• Andres Blanco, Rangers

That's it for now, I'll keep you posted on the former Cubs playing in the playoffs!

The Cubs 2006 Rookies

A few weeks ago, we profiled all of the rookies that have seen playing time for the Cubs this season. Since that time, Darwin Barney has become the 15th rookie to play for the Cubbies this year. In 2006, Dusty Baker held a similar tryout with tons of rookies getting playing time. A year later, the Cubs were in the postseason. Did the rookies that debuted in '06 play a factor and go on to have solid big league careers?

Buck Coates
MLB Debut: August 22
Position: Outfield
Age: 24
2006 stats: 18 games, .167 AVG, 1 HR
Career Stats: 3 seasons, 46 games, .193 AVG
Where is he now?: Playing at Double-A in the White Sox organization, last appeared in MLB in '08 for the Blue Jays

Angel Guzman
MLB Debut: April 26
Position: Pitcher
Age: 24
2006 Stats: 15 games, 7.39 ERA
Career Stats: 88 games, 4.82 ERA
Where is he now?: still in the Cubs organization, suffered season ending injury in Spring Training, was expected to be a big part of the Cubs bullpen

Carlos Marmol
MLB Debut: June 4
Position: Pitcher
Age: 23
2006 Stats: 19 games, 13 starts, 5-7 record, 6.08 ERA
Career Stats: 239 games, 23 saves, 3.42 ERA
Where is he now?: The Cubs closer!

Sean Marshall
MLB Debut: April 9, 2006
Position: Pitcher
Age: 23
2006 Stats: 24 starts, 6-9, 5.59 ERA
Career Stats: 134 games, 4.55 ERA
Where is he now?: A key part of the Cubs bullpen, serving as a set-up man used in the late innings

Juan Mateo
MLB Debut: August 3, 2006
Position: Pitcher
Age: 23
2006 Stats: 11 games, 10 starts, 1-3, 5.52 ERA
Career Stats: 11 games, all in '06
Where is he now?: Signed a minor league deal with the LA Angels before the 2010 season but was let go in Spring Training

Scott Moore
MLB Debut: September 4
Position: Third base
Age: 22
2006 Stats: .263 AVG, 5 RBIs, 16 games
Career Stats: 80 games, .223 AVG
Where is he now?: Moore has been in the Orioles organization since 2007

Ryan O'Malley
MLB Debut: August 16, 2006
Position: Pitcher
Age: 26
2006 Stats: 2 games, 2 starts, 1-1, 2.13 ERA
Career Stats: 2 games
Where is he now?: Pitching coach for the AZL Rangers

Angel Pagan
MLB Debut: April 3, 2006
Position: Outfield
Age: 24
2006 Stats: 77 games, .247 AVG
Career Stats: .285 AVG
Where is he now?: Having a great year for the Mets

Jose Reyes
MLB Debut: September 13, 2006
Position: Catcher
Age: 23
2006 stats: 4 games, 1-for-5
Career Stats: 4 games
Where is he now?: Played in the Mets system in 2007, hasn't played since

Jae Kuk Ryu
MLB Debut: May 14
Position: Pitcher
Age: 22
2006 Stats: 10 games, 1 start, 0-1, 8.40 ERA
Where is he now?: Signed with the Rangers last January

Most likely, of the current load of rookies, a few will latch on as big time big leaguers. Even though their stats are not all good, just look at the number of Marmol and Marshall in '06. You never know who will develop into a great player and who will not!

Former Cub Updates: 8-10-10

Many former Cubs have been on the move lately, so let's take a look at the ex-Cubs that have found new homes over the past few weeks.

• Ryan Theriot: traded from the Cubs to the Dodgers on July 31. Stats with new team: 8 games, .258 AVG, 2 RBIs
• Ted Lilly: traded from the Cubs to the Dodgers on July 31. Stats with new team: 2-0, 2.77 ERA, 13 IP.
• Jim Edmonds: came to the Reds in a waiver deal with the Brewers yesterday. He's not in the starting lineup for the Reds game against the Cardinals tonight. Jim has now played with four different NL Central teams.
• Will Ohman: traded on July 31 from the Orioles to the Marlins for Rick VandenHurk. Stats with new team: 0-1, 3 games, 3 IP, 3.00 ERA
• Kerry Wood: traded from the Indians to the Yankees for a PTBNL at the deadline. Stats with new team: 4 games, 4.1 IP, 2.08 ERA
• Kyle Farsworth: traded from the Royals to the Braves along with Rick Ankiel for Gregor Blanco and Jesse Chavez. Stats with new team: 4 games, 2.2 IP, 16.88 ERA
• Chad Tracy: Signed with the Marlins on August 5. Stats with new team: 1-for-4, 3 games
• Mark Prior: Signed with the Orange County Flyers of the Independent Golden Baseball League on August 3. Stats with new team: 1 IP, 0 R
• Randall Simon: Signed with the Gary Railcats of the Independent Northern League on July 29. Stats with new team: 11 games, .286 AVG, 5 RBIs
• Francis Beltran: Drafted by the Cubs and spent two seasons in the bullpen. He was part of the trade that netted the Cubs Nomar Garciaparra. Signed with the Kansas City T-bones of the Independent Northern League on August 4.

That's it for now, but I'll keep you posted on these ex-Cubbies.

Numbers Breakdown: A Look at the 2009-2010 Offseason Now

Half way through the year, we always like to take a look at back at what Jim Hendry did in his offseason transactions. It's fun to grade the moves when they happen, but at that point we are just speculating. Now that we have seen the Cubs play, we know if how the moves are turning out so far.

Based on the Cubs record, one would think that the Hendry's offseason moves have not panned out. However, that is not necessarily the case!

Date: 11/19/09
Move: Traded Aaron Heilman to Arizona for Ryne White and Scott Maine
Heilman's Numbers (this season): 2-3, 3.83 ERA
Maine's Numbers: 2.20 ERA in 12 games at AA, 3.81 ERA in 20 games at AAA
White's Numbers: .228 AVG 11 games at Daytona
Move Grade: B-

Date: 11/20/09
Move: Resigned John Grabow
Grabow's Stats: 1-3, 7.36 ERA in 28 games this season
Move Grade: F

Date: 12/4/09
Move: Jake Fox and Aaron Miles traded to Oakland for Jeff Gray, Ronny Morla, & Matt Spencer
Fox's stats: .222 AVG, 51 games between Baltimore and Oakland
Miles' Stats: Only played in minor with A's before being released, picked up by St. Louis
Gray's Stats: Brief stint w/ Cubs, 5.00 ERA in 7 game at AAA, currently injured
Morla's Stats: 2-2, 3.58 ERA, 28 games at Peoria
Spencer's Stats: .286 AVG at Daytona; .264 AVG, 9 HR, 33 RBIs at AA
Move Grade: A-

Date: 12/18/09
Move: Traded Milton Bradley to Seattle for Carlos Silva & cash
Bradley's Stats: .210 AVG in 62 games
Silva's Stats: 9-3, 3.45 ERA, 17 starts
Move Grade: A

Date: 1/2/10
Move: Signed Marlon Byrd to a 3-year contract
Byrd's stats: .317 AVG, 18 games
Move Grade: A

Date: 1/27/10
Move: Signed Chad Tracy to a minor league deal w/ Spring Training invite
Tracy's stats: .250 AVG, 28 games before being DFA'd
Move Grade: C+

Date: 1/29/10
Move: Signed Xavier Nady to a one year contract
Nady's Stats: .225 AVG, 62 Games
Move Grade: C-


Move (Grade): Allowing Kevin Gregg (B-), Neal Cotts (A), Reed Johnson (C), Rich Harden (B+), and Chad Fox (A) to leave via free agency.

With the additions of Byrd, Silva, and some prospects and the subtractions of Jake Fox, Miles, Bradley, Heilman, and other Hendry had a very good offeason. The only moves that didn't turn out well were resigning Grabow and signing Nady.

Overall Offseason Grade Now: B

And remember... the numbers don't lie!

Former Cubs Updates: A Look at the '08 Cubbies

Several times this year, we've updated you on the stats of the Cubs team from last year, but this time we will look at that last Cubs playoff team from 2008. The club that won 97 games will always have a special place in Cubs fans hearts. Here is a breakdown of the entire roster of guys that spent time with the team!

Still with the Cubs (15):

• Geovany Soto
• Derrek Lee
• Ryan Theriot
• Aramis Ramirez
• Alfonso Soriano
• Kosuke Fukudome
• Mike Fontenot
• Koyie Hill
• Carlos Zambrano
• Ryan Dempster
• Ted Lilly
• Sean Marshall
• Carlos Marmol
• Bobby Howry (left the Cubs for '09 and start of '10, then returned)
• Randy Wells

In the Cubs System, not on active roster (3):

• Micah Hoffpauir (AAA-Iowa)
• Jeff Samardzija (AAA-Iowa)
• Angel Guzman (60-day DL)

Retired (3):

• Jon Lieber: Retired after the '08 season
• Chad Fox: Played in only three games with the Cubs in '08 and two in '09. During the second game of the '09 season, he left with a career ending injury.
• Scott Eyre: Spent part of '08 and all of '09 with the Phillies before retiring this winter.

With Other Big League Teams (13:

• Mark DeRosa (Giants): Announced last month that he will miss the rest of the season with a wrist injury. He hit .194 in just 26 games before going down with the injury this year.
• Jim Edmonds (Brewers): After sitting out the 2009 season, Jim returned to the NL Central this year. He's hitting .269 in 51 games with the Brewers.
• Reed Johnson (Dodgers): Left via free agency after the '09 season. Reed is hitting .291 in 64 games for LA this season.
• Ronny Cedeno (Pirates): Was traded to Seattle before the '09 season. He ended up moving on to Pittsburgh by the end of the year. He's hitting just .219 in 69 games with the last place Bucs.
• Henry Blanco (Mets): Left via free agency after the '08 season. Henry spent '09 with the Padres and is hitting .284 in 27 games for the Mets this season.
• Felix Pie (Orioles): Activated from the DL today. He was 8-22 with 1 HR before being sidelined. This is his second year with the O's.
• Eric Patterson (Red Sox): Recently traded from Oakland to Boston. He hit .204 in 45 games with the A's this season, but is off to a good start (5-15) with the Bo-Sox.
• Casey McGehee (Brewers): Letting Casey go was a mistake. He's hitting .274 with 13 HRs and 52 RBIs in 78 games with the Crew this year.
• Michael Wuertz (A's): Was traded to the Bay Area for two prospects before the '09 season. 2-1 with a 5.51 ERA in 22 games this year after a great '09 where his ERA was 2.63.
• Chad Gaudin (Yankees): Has bounced around since being let go after Spring Training 2009. Gaudin has a 4.96 ERA in 9 relief appearances with New York so far since being pick up in May.
• Kerry Wood (Indians): Signed with Cleveland after the '08 season. He has a 6.27 ERA, 8 saves, and a 1-3 record this year in 21 games.
• Rich Harden (Rangers): 3-3, 5.68 ERA, 13 starts for Texas after signing there last offseason.
• Jason Marquis (Nationals): Currently on the DL with the Nats. Marquis only pitcheed in three games in DC this season. He was great with the Rockies last year after the Cubs traded him before the '09 season.

Currently with Minor League teams (6)

• Matt Murton: Currently with the Hashin Tigers in Japan. He made the NPB All-Star team. Matt had played with the A's and Rockies since he left the Cubs in the Rich Harden trade.
• Daryle Ward: Playing with the Newark Bears of the Atlantic League. He's hitting .293 with 9 homers and 44 RBIs in 63 games there. He spent part of last season with Newark and in the chains of the Nationals, White Sox, and Reds.
• Jose Ascaino: On the DL in the Pirates organization. He was a part of the Gorzo/Grabow deal last season.
• Kevin Hart: After coming over along with Ascaino in a trade last year, Kevin pitcher horribly for the Pirates. This year, he's 1-0 with a 6.75 ERA in 5 games (4 starts) at AAA-Indianapolis.
• Neal Cotts: Signed a minor league deal with the Pirates before this season but has not played at any level yet this year.
• Rich Hill: Started the year in the Cardinals organization (4-3, 4.30 ERA at Triple-A) before opting out of his contract to sign a minor league deal with the on June 30. He has a 1.93 ERA in 2 games at AAA-Pawtucket so far.

Free Agents (2):

• Sean Gallagher: Recently DFA'd by the Padres. He had a 5.40 ERA in 15 games before being let go.
• Carmen Pignatiello: Played in the Northern Leauge last season but has not played yet this year.

I'll keep you posted on our former Cubbies!

Former Cub Updates: June 14, 2010

Let's check out how guys that were with the Cubs in 2009 that have left the club are fairing!

• Kevin Gregg, Blue Jays: 0-2, 4.50 ERA, 26 Games
• Reed Johnson, Dodgers: .287 AVG, 6 RBIs, 49 Games
• Rich Harden, Rangers: 3-3, 5.68 ERA, 13 starts
• Milton Bradley, Mariners: .224 AVG, 5 HR, 24 RBIs
• Jake Fox, Oakland: .214 AVG, 2 HR, 12 RBIs, 39 Games
• Aaron Heilman, D'backs: 2-1, 2.83 ERA, 29 Games
• Andres Blanco, Rangers: .200 AVG, 1 RBI, 26 Games
• Aaron Miles, Cardinals: .231 AVG, 7 Games

The Cubs will see many familiar faces in interleague play this month. Here is the schedule for game against Seattle (Bradley), Oakland (Fox & several other former Cubs).

• Tomorrow VS Oakland 7:05
• Wednesday VS Oakland 7:05
• Thursday VS Oakland 1:20
• June 22 @Seattle 9:10
• June 23 @Seattle 9:10
• June 24 @Seattle 2:40

Too bad Bradley and the M's are coming to Wrigley for the series!

Former Cub Updates: May 30, 2010

Let's get an update on how are 2009 Cubbies are fairing in their new towns!

• Kevin Gregg, Blue Jays: 0-1, 3.22 ERA, 22 Games, 13 Saves
• Reed Johnson, Dodgers: .304 AVG, 41 Games, 6 RBIs
• Rich Harden, Rangers: 2-1, 5.14 ERA, 10 starts
• Milton Bradley, Mariners: .229 AVG, 3 HR, 18 RBIs, 30 Games
• Jake Fox, Oakland: .229 AVG, HR, 11 RBIs, 32 Games
• Aaron Heilman, Arizona: 1-1, 3.26 ERA, 21 Games
• Andres Blanco, Rangers: .211 AVG, 20 Games
• Aaron Miles, AA-Springfield (Cardinals): .281 AVG, 13 RBIs, 15 Games

We'll keep you posted on these guys about once a month throughout the year. However, for now let's see if the current Cubs can go get a series win!

Former Cubs in Independent Leagues

Most Independent Leagues are getting their seasons underway sometime in the next week or so. In honor of the start of the Indy ball season, we take a look at this list of former Cubs who are on Independent League rosters to start 2010:

• Kevin Millar, 1B: Well there's a name from the not so distant past. Millar, who was with the Cubs in Spring Training this year and lost the final roster battle to Chad Tracy, signed with the St. Paul Saints of the American Association last week. Kevin was going to serve as an MLB Network analyst, but he decided that he still wants to play some baseball.
• Antonio Alfonseca, RHP: Most known for having six-fingers on one hand, Alfonseca pitched out of the Cubs bullpen in 2002 and 2003. Now he is in the Atlantic Leauge, hurling for the Bridgeport Bluefish.
• Adam Greenberg, OF: Greenberg is now a teammate of Alfonseca's with the Bluefish. His sadly on had one Major League Baseball at bat. In a 2005 game against the Marlins, he pinch hit and was beaned in the head with a fastball. He suffered a minor concussion and has never seen the MLB field again to date. It's good to see that Adam is playing baseball once again.
• Ryan Freel, INF: Another name from the recent past, Freel played in 14 games for the Cubs last season. He came over in the trade that sent Joey Gathright to Baltimore, but then was dumped by the Cubs and finished the year with Kansas City. Freel is now playing for the Somerset Patriots.
• Bobby Hill, 2B: This is the guy you can thank for Aramis Ramirez. Hill was the main guy sent to Pittsburgh in the deal that brought Ramirez and Kenny Lofton to Chicago in 2003. A top prospect that never panned out, Bobby hit .262 in 4 seasons of big league ball split between the Cubs and Pirates. He is now playing for the Newark Bears, another Atlantic League club.
• Daryle Ward, 1B: Ward was a key part of the Cubs' bench in 2008, but he joined the Newark Bears last year after he finished a short stint in the White Sox organization. Ward is an 11 year big league vet.
• John Ford-Griffin, OF: Griffin is not a former Chicago Cub, but an interesting name to included non the less. He hit .265 for AAA-Iowa last year in 104 games with the club. He spent just one year in the Cubs' organization and signed with Newark when they did not bring him back this offseason.
• Jeff Kennard, P: Kennard signed with the Cubs as a minor league free agent this offseason with an invite to big league camp. When he was released from the Cubs after Spring Training didn't pan out too well for him, he was picked up by the Somerset Patriots.
• Matt Craig, 1B: Played 8 years in the Cubs' system but never made it up to the big league club. Now he's with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.
• Francis Beltran, P: Beltran pitched 11 games for the Cubs in 2002 then 34 more in '04. He posted a 5.36 ERA in his Cub career. He was apart of the 4-team trade that helped the Cubs net Nomar Garciapara and Matt Murton. Beltran went to Montreal in that deal. Now he's with the York Revolution.
• Randall Simon, 1B: Simon hit .282 for the Cubs in 2003 then played with the Pirates in 2004 before dissappearing from the big league seen for awhile. In 2006 he resurfaced with the Phillies. He started playing Indy ball in 2008. He is signed with the Rockford Riverhawks of the Northern League for this coming season.
• Billy Petrick, P: Petrick pitched in 8 games for the Cubs in 2007. His ERA was well over seven. Petrick pitched for Windy City last year and was traded to the Joliet Jackhammers of the Northern League last month.

Best of luck to the former Cubs this season!

Former Cub Updates: May 1, 2010

For the first time in 2010, let's take a look at how our ex-Cubbies are fairing! For this post, we will focus only on players that were members of the Cubs in 2009.

• Kevin Gregg, Blue Jays: 0.82 ERA, 6 SV, 11 IP
• Reed Johnson, Dodgers: .282 AVG, 3 RBIs, 19 games
• Rich Harden, Rangers: 1-1, 4.56 ERA, 23.2 IP
• Milton Bradley, Seattle: .211 AVG, 2 HR, 11 RBIs, 18 Games
• Jake Fox, Oakland: .182 AVG, 1 HR, 8 RBIs, 16 Games
• Aaron Heilman, Arizona: 0-1, 5.59 ERA, 9.2 IP
• Kevin Hart, Pirates: Has torn labrum, could have season ending surgery.
• Aaron Miles, Cardinals: The Cubs traded Miles to Oakland, then they shipped him to Cincinnati. Then, he was released on April 14 after being DFA out of Spring Training. This week, he signed a minor league deal to return to St. Louis.
• Neal Cotts, Pirates: Has not pitched yet this season after signing with Pittsburgh on January 4. He is not listed on the Pirates 40-man roster.
• Luis Vizcaino: Free agent
• Chad Fox: Free Agent
• So Taguchi: Playing for Orix BlueWaves in Japan
• Ryan Freel: Signed with Somerset Patriots, an independent club
• Andres Blanco, Texas: .214 AVG, 1 RBI, 14 Games
• Jason Waddell: Pitching in the Tigers' system

That covers them all!

Former Cub Offseason Updates

Let's check in with where some former Cubs are landing this winter! I will not include the players that were Cubs in 2009, because most of you know where Heilman, Fox, Miles, Bradley, and Harden will be playing next year:

• Former Cubs outfielder Jim Edmonds has continued his trip around the NL Central. After sitting out the 2009 season, the left handed hitting centerfielder has agreed to a minor league deal with the Brewers. He is also invited to big leauge Spring Training. The Brewers will play the Cubs are March 9 & 12 in Cactus League action.
• Rich Hill, who spent a solid year in the Cubs' rotation in 2007 before falling off the map in '08, has signed a minor league deal with the Cardinals. The contract includes an invite to Spring Training in Florida.
• Lefty Neal Cotts has signed a minor league deal with the Pirates.
• Michael Wuertz, who was traded to Oakland last March for two nobodies that have already left the organization, pitched great last year and has avoided arbitration with the A's.
• Cubs' Fan favorite of 2008 Henry Blanco, who played with the Padres last year, has signed a one year deal with the Mets.
• On December 29, another name you might remember found a new home on a two year deal. DeRosa.
• Joey Gathright inked a minor league deal with Toronto in December. The speedster played with the Cubs, Orioles, and Red Sox last year.
• Mark Grudzielanek, who manned second base for the Cubs in 2003, signed a minor league deal with Cleveland earlier this month. He finished last year with the Twins.
• Jerry Hairston Jr. is the newest member of the large group of former Cubs to go on to play for the Padres. (He signed a one year deal on January 18.)
• LaTroy Hawkins will return to Wrigley Field this year as a member of the Brewers. Another guy who's bounced around a lot. Hawkins, by the way, was not a fan favorite.
• Bob Howry will join Aaron Heilman as former Cubs in the Arizona bullpen. Howry was given a one year deal with a club option.
• Jason Kendall, who played briefly with the Cubs in 2007, is now a Royal. He was lucky enough to get a two year deal even in this economy.
• Jason Marquis has signed a two year deal with the Washington Nationals. Many people expected him to go the New York Mets, but instead he signed with the younger Nats club.
• Gary Matthews Jr., who played a forgettable two seasons on the North Side, was shipped to New York for Brian Stokes last week.
• As most of you know, Juan Pierre will return to Chicago, this time sporting a White Sox uni. Maybe this time he'll get cheered at Wrigley.
• Paul Bako, Michael Barrett, Nomar Garciaparra, Daryle Ward, Cliff Floyd, Reed Johnson, Shawn Estes, Mark Prior, Todd Wellemyer, Kevin Gregg, Tom Gordon, Luis Vizcaino, David Weathers, Will Ohman, and Glendon Rusch are all still listed as free agents. Out of this list, who would you most and least like to see return to the Cubs??
• Last but not least, (okay maybe least), Randall Simon has signed with the Rockford Riverhawks of the Northern League.