Midweek Roundup: Theriot to St. Lou, Marmol Wants an Extension & More

Theriot to St. Louis
Former Cubs shortstop Ryan Theriot has been traded from the Dodgers to the Cardinals. The Riot returns to the NL Central after spending six seasons in the Windy City before being traded at the deadline this past July. Ken Rosenthal tweets that the Cardinals view Theriot as more of a shortstop. Right handed pitcher Blake Hawksworth was shipped to LA in the deal.

Cubs Pitching Coach Decision May Not Come Tomorrow
As a mentioned in yesterday's post, Carrie Muskat has reported that the Cubs will be naming their new pitching coach on Wednesday. Bruce Miles reports that the Cubs say that that is not true and an announcement at the winter meetings next week is more likely.

Marmol Want an Extension
Bruce Miles also tells us that Carlos Marmol has said he wants a long term extension. Barry Praver, Marmol's agent, has been contacted and says he did have talks with Jim Hendry at the GM Meetings. However, these talks do not seem to be far down the line.

Looking at Arms?
According to MLBTR, the Cubs are looking to add an insurance arm even though they have five (actually 6-7) starters. Jeremy Bonderman, Aaron Harang, Kevin Milwood and Vincente Padilla are all in the mix.

Coming Soon: Cubs Spring Training Schedule
Usually the Cubs Spring Training schedule have been released by this time in the offseason. Al Yellon from Bleed Cubbie Blue tells us that the Diamondbacks and Giants were being considered to open to regular season in Taiiwan, so this delayed the process. Another detail that the Cubs are hammering out is whether or not they will return to Las Vegas for a split squad weekend. They have played the White Sox in Vegas each of the last two springs. The schedule should be released later this week.

Jesse Crain a Hot Name
Peter Gammons tweets that Jesse Crain may be one of the hottest relievers on the market. The Cubs are one of nine teams who may be interested in the former Twin.

Deadline to Tender Contracts on the Way
Thursday is the deadline for teams to offer contracts to unsigned players that are arbitration eligible. Carlos Marmol, Sean Marshall, Tom Gorzelanny, Geovany Soto, Jeff Baker and Koyie Hill are all arbitration elgible guys this winter. Marmol, Marshall, Gorzelanny and Soto are givens to be brought back, but there is some question when it comes to Baker and Hill. Jim Hendry would like to lock up all six players by Thursday so that arbitration is out of the question.

Former Cub Notes
Thanks to the CCO for this one, ex-Cubs lefty Neal Cotts inked a minor league deal with the New York Yankees. Josh Kroeger has landed with the Marlins organization while Doug Deeds has a minor league contract with the Rangers. Russ Canzler, who played for the Tennessee Smokies in 2010, has left the organization and singed with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Cubs Poll
Thanks to everyone who voted on our last poll on the right sidebar! There is a new one up that asks you to grade Larry Rothschild's time with the Cubs. Don't forget to vote!

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

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!

Monday Roundup: Sheets, Garland, Cotts, and More

Ben Sheets to the Cubs?
The big rumor going around the Cubs blogging world today is that rehabbing pitcher Ben Sheets could be on his way to the Windy City. All of the speculation started with Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports predicting that Sheets will end up with the Cubs. Rosenthal says the former Brewers hurler makes sense for a high revenue club that can absorb the injury risk. Bruce Miles, of the Daily Herald, says not so fast. Miles points out that the Cubs are hoping to have enough money to sign a reliever and outfielder first. If been doesn't sign by around the time pitchers and catchers report, Bruce thinks the Cubs could offer some sort of deal with a low base pluse incentives.

Cotts Signs with Pirates
Speaking of rehabbing pitchers, the Cubs let Neal Cotts go when he was non-tendered last month. Today, the lefty signed a minor league deal with the Pirates. Cotts was shut down for the year last July when he underwent Tommy John surgery. Neal has spent his hole big league career in the city of Chicago, 4 years with the White Sox before his 3 years on the North Side. He went 0-2 with a 7.36 ERA last year in just 19 games, and had a 4.29 ERA in 50 games in '08.

How about Garland?
According to Bruce Levine of ESPN 1000 the Cubs could have some interest in Jon Garland. Bruce feels that Garland still has a lot to offer and would be a fit for the Cubs. The former White Sox hurler went 11-13 in 2009 with a 4.01 ERA. Jim Hendry is looking to add to the bullpen via trades this offseason.

Muskat's Tidbits
Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports via her inbox that player like Tyler Colvin will "let the Cubs know when they are ready". Carrie thinks the fact that Carlos Silva is a sinker ball pitcher should help him at Wrigley Field. There have been 37 different Cub second baseman since Ryne Sandberg retired and 118 different third baseman since Ron Santo retired. Muskat expects the Cubs list of non-roster invitees for Spring Training to be released soon.

All Decade Cubs
As we enter the new decade, we continue forming the All-Decade Cubs from the last ten years. This week, be sure to vote on the Cubs starting pitcher of the decade on the right sidebar! Lots of choices, but please vote for only one. Feel free to comment on this post with your thoughts. Thanks so much to all of your who voted on our last poll.

Cubs Convention Updates
Check out today's Countdown to the Cubs Convention post. As expected, David Kaplan of WGN Radio will host his annual "Sports Central Live" on Friday, January 15 at the Cubs Convention.

Also, Cubs Spring Training Tickets go on sale tomorrow!

Hall of Fame Announcement
Wednesday at 12:30 on the MLB Network and live on MLB.com the MLB Hall of Fame Announcement will be made. Cubs legend Andre Dawson should finally get the call. Lee Smith is also up for the Hall. I'll have a number breakdown on "The Hawk" up sometime tomorrow.

I'll update this post if I hear anything else tonight!

Cotts Non-Tendered, Cubs on MLB Network, and Former Cubs returns

Update 10pm CT: There will be a Cubs special program tomorrow at 4:30 on CSN Chicago called "Island Dreaming With the Cubs". The special will be on the Cubs in the Dominican Republic including Carlos Marmol and Aramis Ramirez.

As expected, the Cubs have offered contacts to Carlos Marmol, Ryan Theriot, Jeff Baker, Angel Guzman, Sean Marshall, Koyie Hill, Tom Gorzelanny, and Mike Fontenot. The only player that they did not make an offer to is lefty Neal Cotts. Paul Sullivan points out that with John Grabow signed with the Cubs, it makes more sense for Cotts to go elsewhere. Cotts could still return to the Cubs, but he is a free agent.

The Marlins have non-tender pitcher Alfredo Amezaga, and the Cubs could be interested in adding him.

The A's non tendered Jack Cust, and his bat could be a fit for the Cubs.

On MLB Network's Hot Stove yesterday, the Cubs were listed as a "seller" this winter. Tom Verducci says "it's all about Milton Bradley". Mitch Williams said that "they've got to get that guy moved!"

Also on Hot Stove, the Cubs season was recapped in their "30 Clubs, 30 Recaps". Derrrek Lee says that the Cubs have a good team, and he expects the Cubs to make some good moves this winter.

The Cubs Shopping List from MLB Network:
1. Move Milton
2. Center Fielder
3. Bullpen Arm

Herold Reynolds says the Cubs have a long way to go still. He also describe them as "in trouble" pointing out that they are in a worse situation than they were last year at this time. Reynolds doesn't think the Cubs would have been good in 2009 even if they were healthy. Tom says that missing a center fielder is a pretty big thing for a team that hopes to contend. Verducci called the Cubs too right handed. Mitch said that when the main thing on your shopping list is a return (trading Bradley) there's something wrong. Williams says that the Cubs have two terrific set up guys in Marmol and Gregg, but neither one of them is a closer. Tom disagrees letting Mitch know that the Cubs are committed to Marmol. Mitch was critical of Carlos' mechanics and inconsistency, but The Wild Thing did admit that he was throwing stones from a glass house.

By the way, the Cubs will see some former Cubs in Spring Training and during the regular season-

• March 4 VS Oakland in Mesa, first game of Spring Training, Jake Fox and Aaron Miles
• March 5 VS Arizona in Mesa, Aaron Heilman
• March 8 @Oakland in Phoenix
• March 16 VS Texas in Mesa (Rich Harden)
• March 20 @Oakland in Phoenix
• March 24 @Texas in Surprise
• March 25 @Arizona in Tuscan
• March 26 VS Oakland in Mesa
• April 2 @Arizona Spring Training @Chase Field
• April 3 @ Arizona Spring Training @Chase Field

Regular season:

• VS Arizona (Aaron Heilman): April 29-May 2, @Arizona June 5-7
• VS Oakland, Interleague play (Jake Fox and Aaron Miles) June 15-17
• @Texas, Interleague play, (Rich Harden) May 21-23

We'll look forward to seeing the guys that we dumped so far this offseason when they play the Cubs next year!

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

Post Meetings Notes: Non Tenders, Mota, Bradley, and More

Yesterday, Baseball's Winter Meetings came to a close, and Milton Bradley is still on the Chicago Cubs roster. According to all sources, Bradley will be gone by Opening Day no matter what.

Tomorrow is the non-tender deadline for Major League Baseball. Teams must chose whether or not to offer contracts to arbitration eligible players. If they don't offer a contract, the player become a free agent. Here's some notes about the Non-Tender deadline and more:

• The White Sox beat the Cubs to J.J. Putz.
• Bruce Miles, Carrie Muskat and other sources expect the Cubs to offer contracts to all eligible players (Koyie Hill, Sean Marshall, Jeff Baker, Mike Fontenot, and Angel Guzman) with the exeption of Neal Cotts. Cotts is coming off Tommy John and could sign a minor league deal with the club.
• The Cubs have acquired minor league pitcher Arismendy Mota from the Washington Nationals for cash. More notes on Mota at the bottom of the post.
• White Sox writer Mark Gonzales speculates that the South Siders could have interest in bringing Neal Cotts back to their organization.
• Great You Tube video on the Cubs in the Dominican thanks to Muskat.
• Gordon Wittenmyer wrote about a brand new topic... Milton Bradley!
• Wittenmyer also notes that the Cubs the Cubs have their sights on 4 center fielders: Byrd, Cameron, Podsednik, and Ankiel.
• Michael Parisi, drafted in the Rule 5 Draft Thursday, has a chance to make the rotation.
• The Tampa Bay Rays are staying focused on next season, not a trade for Bradley.
• Check out "The Untouchables" thanks to TCR.
• BCB spent their Friday writing poetry.
• Hot Stove Cubbies says Alfredo Amezaga and Chris Young are on the Cubs' radar. The Young rumor has not been reported by a big league source.
• The Cubs and Dodgers are interested in Amezaga. The Marlins are trying to work a trade instead of Non-Tendering him tomorrow according to Juan C. Rodrigez.
• Jon Heyman says the Cubs are one team interested in Joel Piniero.
• Phil Rodgers' latest on the Cubs Spring Training home: Nothing's official, and Mesa, Ariz., did agree Wednesday to spend $750,000 to improve the existing facilities, but all signs point to the Cubs soon announcing they have turned down the proposed new complex there to jump to one in Naples, Fla.
• The CCO recapped Jim Hendry on XM Radio. He mentioned that Bradley was not the only Cubs to have a disappointing 2009.

Info on Arismendy Mota:

• Right Handed Pitcher
• Spent 2006-2009 with White Sox organization
• Drafted by Washington in the Rule 5 Draft Thursday, traded to the Cubs Friday
• Went 7-2 with a 1.81 ERA in the Dominican Rookie League this season over 16 games.
• 12-14 with 3.73 ERA in 61 career minor league games over 4 seasons.
• Will be 23 in February
• Baseball Reference Page

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

Sullivan & Theriot with Kaplan

Updated at 8:47 with info from MLB Network

David Kaplan and Paul Sullivan talked Cubs on Chicago Tribune Live today:

• Cubs GM Jim Hendry was surprised by the lack of moves at the meetings.
• Hendry talked to a lot of teams, but those teams felt like they were close to making deals with other teams.
• Jim thinks the Cubs will "make a deal or two" before the holidays. (There's 15 days 'till Christmas)
• Sully says that Milton will be gone by Christmas.
• In the end, Paul says, he'll end up with Tampa Bay because it's the best fit.
• If the Cubs can, they will try to flip Burrell to some other team. However, Sully says the Cubs should make the deal, then worry about Burrell later.
• Kap says that one of the teams Roy Halladay would go to would be the Cubs. However, Sullivan says that there's a 99% chance that Roy will not become a Cub because they lack the flexibility payroll wise.
• If it comes to that, they'll eat all Bradley's money.
• Paul says that the Cubs are still leaning towards Arizona for Spring Training. Florida is going all out for the Cubs, and in the end the ball club will have to good choices.

Kap was joined by Ryan Theriot on Sports Central tonight for their weekly segment:

• David Kaplan told Cubs fans to "relax" on Sports Central. There's still plenty of time left to improve their roster before Opening Day.
• He reiterated that there's no chance Bradley will still be on the Cubs next season.
• Kap got about 30 emails today with people upset that Bradley's not gone yet. Cubs fans should relax, Bradley will be gone.
• Theriot thinks Jim knows what he's doing. Hendry has everything under control, and he's going to do what's right with the team.
• Ryan thinks that this offseason should not be evaluated until the All Star Break.
• He predicted that everyone on the team will have a better season next year.
• Dave and Ryan agree that the Cubs need another starter.
• Theriot says Lilly is not the type of guy who will take his time to get back. Ted played through injuries that nobody even knew about last year.
• Theriot's started his Christmas shopping for his children. This year, he is getting tons of cool pirate stuff for his son. Ryan is trying to get more presents that cost less. His middle child likes the princess stuff.
• He gave his dog, Little Girl, back.

Yesterday on MLB Network's Hot Stove, Matt Yallof talked with Andre Dawson, then the guys discussed whether The Hawk should be in the The Hall.

• The Hawk's nick name stared when he was 8 or 9 years old. It was give to him by an uncle.
• Dawson doesn't really get nervous or excited about the Hall of Fame voting anymore. He doesn't want to set himself up for disappointment, and it's something he can't control.
• He likes to "sit back and roll with the punches".
• The Hawk was told he was lucky if he played 4 years, so he had pride in his longevity.
• After the interview, Ken Rosenthal says he has voted for Dawson and will continue to do so.
• The rap against Andre is that he had a low on base percentage.
• Dawson's job was to swing the bat, and that's what he did.
• Ken says, "The man is a Hall of Famer."
• Dan Plesac says that when you go back to the 70s and 80s, the two most feared hitters in all of baseball were Dave Winfield and Andre Dawson.

Other Updates

• Rosenthal said that the question about the Bradley trade is when? not if? The main possibilty is still Tampa, but once this trade happens the Cubs offseason can begin.
• When Bradley took a shot at the Cubs' fans, that was the final nail in his coffin. Dan would be shocked if he's still a member of the Cubs in Spring Training.
• No matter what, his salary has to be off the books for the Cubs to move on with their winter.
• Gordon Wittenmyer tweeted tonight that a Cubs source told him that the Bradley deal could get done in the next day or two. He notes that he was told the same thing 2 days ago.
• Jayson Stark says Bradley could still end up in Tampa, with Texas, Seattle, and Boston all out.
• Bruce Levine notes that the Cubs bench is vacant after trading Aaron Miles and Jake Fox to Oakland. The bench currently consists of Andres Blanco, Micah Hoffpauir, Mike Fontenot, Jeff Baker, and Koyie Hill. Of that group, only Baker and Hill are "locks" to make the Cubs Opening Day roster.
• The Cubs will offer contracts to all of their players before Saturday's roster deadline, except Neal Cotts, who will be offered a minor league contract.

If I hear anything else, I'll update this post. There will still be two more posts tonight, so stay tuned.

Raul Ibanez signs with Phillies

Today Raul Ibanez signed a 3 year deal with the Phillies. Milton Bradley is now clearly at the top of the Cubs list for left field, even with his bad temper. Also, today the Cubs resigned pitchers Neal Cotts and Chad Gaudin to one year contracts avoiding salary arbitration. The team also announced that it would tender the contracts of a group of players including Ronny Cedeno, Reed Johnson, Michael Wuertz and Kevin Greg.

Len Kasper and Bob Brenly will hold the 3rd annual Len and Bob Bash on January 15 at the House of Blues. They will raise money for charity.

Here's the Cubs rumors for today:

• The Cubs join the Rays, Dodgers, and Angels as the 4 teams interested in Abreu.


• Paul Sullivan says that Lou was upset at the thought of losing Mark DeRosa.


• Chris De Luca says that Kevin Towers kept putting Sean Marshall on the table, but the Cubs never agreed to it. He says that the 2010 Cubs payroll was the real sticking point.
  

That's it for Peavy, so the Cubs the Cubs will focus on acquiring a left handed bat. Feel free to vote at the bottom of the blog page on who you would like to see the Cubs aquire for right field. Let's hope they end up with a bat that can balance out the line up a little and has some power. Sources say the Cubs are still trying to trade Jason Marquis. I'd say if they do they'll end up with Randy Johnson. Who would you prefer Johnson or Marquis. I'd say the former. Anyway that's it for now, I'll keep you posted.