Friday Afternoon Rumor Roundup

Let's Start with a few Radio Recaps

Rudy Jaramillo, the new Cubs hitting coach, was on Chicago Tribune Live with David Kaplan and company.

• Rudy says that the Cubs did the same thing as the Rangers this year as they went the other way after a great 2008 offensive season.
• He will be doing his homework this offseason about the players.
• When Sullivan said that Rudy is expected to turn this team around quickly, Rudy said, "That's my job."
• Jaramillo says this was the place he wanted to be, and he is blessed that it worked out.
• He came here to get it done, whatever it takes.
• Rudy says that Alfonso Soriano has always swung a big bat, and that is not the problem with him. He noticed that Alfonso's lower half needs some work.
• It depends on the situation whether the Cubs will be swinging at the first pitches a lot, or taking the ball.
• Texas led the league in seeing pitches last year.
• "I like to play the game... Moving the guys over, bunting, hit and run."

Next Todd Hollandsworth joined Kap, Sully, Casey Johnson, and Mark Carmen:

• Todd thinks Rudy is a great addition. Jaramillo is about bringing confidence, playing the mental game, and finding ways to build success. That's just what the Cubs need.
• Holly says Rudy is not a loud person, but he gets the job done.
• Paul asked if this guy could do something with Milton. Todd says that Rudy is fantastic at bringing confidence and changing swings. However, he doesn't think that Bradley is going to come back.
• Rudy is the best, but there is not a lot of attachment between him and Bradley.
• Jaramillo can't hit for these guys, but he can help.
• Todd thinks Alfonso Soriano will be helped the most by Rudy.
• Too many of the Cubs hitters fell into pot holes for a long period of time, and the hitting coach should have stepped in last year.

Ricketts Family's Wish List

David Kaplan noted last week on Chicago Tribune live that the Ricketts family will trade Bradley first, then possibly add another outfielder. Kap bets that the Cubs will be more family friendly once Tom takes over.

Second Base

When asked about the Cubs signing Mark DeRosa because he was such a popular player, Carrie Muskat of Cubs.com said, "If they signed players because they were popular, Mark Grace would still be starting at first. Never say never, but keep in mind, DeRosa will be 35, he'll be coming off wrist surgery and a .250 season in which he posted a .319 on-base percentage and struck out 121 times. DeRosa would love the chance to work again with new Cubs hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo again." Jeff Baker is the front runner to start at second next year according to Carrie.

Coaching Staff

The Cubs have signed Rudy Jaramillo to come in and help the Cubs hitting, and one other coach that is out that could really be a factor is pitching coach Dave Duncan. If any coach could really help this team, it would be Duncan. There has been lots of speculation on Duncan coming to the Cubs, but the team has already said that they will bring back to the rest of the coaching staff. Larry Rothschild is a good friend of Jim Hendry's and Lou's, so if the Cubs do part ways with him it will have to be ownership's decision.

Cubs Interested Chapman

Both the Cubs and White Sox are interested in Aroldis Chapman according to MLBTradeRumors.com. Chapman is a Cuban prospect who will arrive in New York to start a series of meetings with several GMs. He will likely demand a contract worth $40-$60MM.

Shocking Interest in Bradley

According to Ken Rosenthal, multiple teams are in contact with the Cubs about outfielder Milton Bradley. On source even said, "You would be shocked at the the level of interest." The Cubs are confident that they can pull of a trade for Milton. Jim Hendry says that the Rudy Jaramillo hiring has nothing to do with Milton Bradley.

Hawpe Not Being Shopped

Brad Hawpe may have been a fit for the Cubs, but the Rockies officials have denied that they are going to shop him.

Kelly Johnson a Fit?

Rob G. from the Cubs Reporter speculates that Kelly Johnson could be a Cub offseason target.

Rudy & Jim on Sports Central

Rudy Jaramillo and Jim Hendry joined David Kaplan on Sports Central last night for some Cubs talk. Rudy first:

• Jarmillo is still in town, enjoying himself.
• It was Rudy's choice to leave Texas.
• He has always been interested in the Cubs.
• Chicago is a great baseball town, the fans are great, and Rudy wanted to be a part of this organization.
• He is going to do everything he can to win these kids over quick.
• Jaramillo wants to get it done in a short amount of time.
• Rudy is happy to have this opportunity. Jim Hendry has been outstanding.

Then Jim Hendry:

• 30 different guys have called Rudy the best in the business according to Kaplan.
• Jim thinks that Jaramillo reputation is outstanding and speaks for itself.
• The players that have played under Rudy love him and respect him, as do his peers like coaches and managers.
• Other hitting coaches have called Jaramillo off the charts.
• The Cubs were having some meetings last week at Fitch Park to start the offseason plan, and during last Wednesdays' meeting it was announced that Jaramillo was not going back to Texas. The next morning, Jim got permission to talk to Rudy.
• This is Jim's life and job, so nobody gets more frustrated then him.
• The 2009 season never went how the Cubs expected it to.
• Last offseason, the Cubs felt they made the Cubs better. 95% of people picked the Cubs to win the division. However, the Cubs didn't factor in all the guys that wouldn't swing the bat well.
• August 7th the Cubs were tied for first place, but then things went south.
• Jim didn't feel gloom and doom until early September.
• It felt like the Cubs were 20 games out, even though it was just a few. Kap and Jim agree that the Cubs never really felt like they were going to the postseason this year.
• The expectations were so high in 2009, that when the Cubs weren't playing great the disappointment was great.
• Rudy and Jim didn't talk a lot of Milton Bradley on the telephone.
• Bradley seemed to be going on the upswing, but it just didn't work out last year.
• The Cubs knew there was some risk in signing Milton, but they took a calculated gamble. They thought the middle of the order was solid.
• The team is looking forward to having Tom Ricketts on board, and that is coming soon. It doesn't sound like they will start making moves until Ricketts takes over.
• Jim would like the Cubs to get a little better offensively. They would like to get a little faster, but they have a lot of in-house lead-off man candidates.
• Starlin Castro, "Is really good." Hendry is a big fan of the AFL and other instructional leagues.
• Castro is one of the premier guys in the industry, but the Cubs are not going to put a lot of pressure on the young man. Jim said, "Hopefully he'll be here sometime in 2010. Rudy will have a big hand in deciding when he's ready."
• Hendry thinks the Ricketts family wants to own the Cubs for a long time. Jim is looking forward to getting to know Tom.
• "I know we're going to be having a press conference here in the near future at Wrigley field. I think Tom is going to be a part of the organizational meetings in November," the Cubs GM said.

Scales to AAA

The Cubs have sent Bobby Scales to Iowa. The Cubs 40-man roster is now at 38. Is there a move on the way?

That's it for now, I'll keep you posted on Everything Cubs as always!