Cubs sign 4 players to Minor League Deals

Rotoworld and Baseball America are reporting that the Cubs have signed Japanese pitcher Ken Kadokura, Matt Smith, Erick Almonte, and Joseph Colon to minor league contracts with invites to Spring Training. Kadokura is a right handed pitcher, Smith is a left handed pitcher, Almonte is a third baseman, and Colon is a short stop. Here's some stats:
Matt Smith
Ken Kadokura
Erick Almonte

Couldn't find anything for Colon. Here's what my google search showed. If you find his stats please post a link in my comments.

It looks like Almonte played in the big league with the Yankees in 2001 and 2003. He's been in the minors with the Rockies and Tigers organizations since 2004. In 2008 he hit .258 with a .349 OBP at AAA.

We know about Kadokura. He's pitched with Japan his whole career. He will be added to the bullpen mix that a talked about in my post earlier. He can be a buddy for Kosuke in spring training along with So Taguchi who the Cubs signed last week.

Smith has played with the Phillies organization. He last appeared in the big leagues in 2007. He also played with the Yankees in 2006, appearing in 12 big league games.

More info to come...

The Latest Cubs Rumors

• The Rockies remain interested in Jason Marquis. Tracy Ringolsby says that the Cubs are anxious to move him to ease their rotation overload.
• XM Radio says that the Cubs could receive pitcher Jason Hirsh for Marquis.
• Paul Sullivan says that the Cubs are considering inviting 2 Japanese left handed pitchers to compete for jobs in spring training; Ken Kadokura and Shigeki Noguchi.
• Bleacher seats for the Cub-Yanks exhibition games will cost only 25 cents and it will be 1.10 to sit in the grandstand. Yes you read that right. Click here for the full story from the Daily Herald.
• Bleed Cubbie blue likes the idea of Adam Dunn going, I agree with what they say.
• Tom Krasovic says that Jake Peavy will likely remain a Padre despite the many trade rumors this off season. He added that Kevin Towers will still listen to offers and said that a potential deal with the Cubs has fall through.
• The Len and Bob Bash is set, but Len and Bob won't be singing this year! Len talks about the Bash in his recent entry to his blog on the WGN website.

This week schedule for my blog:

Sunday- will be busy, might not get a chance for an update

Monday- Will return, update any new links, news, and rumors; will have a CD recommendation for Cubs Fans; and Will have Trivia answer from the question earlier today.

Tuesday/Wednesday- Get Set for the Launch of the MLB Network and the Hawks game at Wrigley.

Thursday/Friday- My thought on Winter Classic and MLB Network

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