Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full) 

28 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, and twelve players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 

Last updated 3-26-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 15
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

INFIELDERS: 7
* Michael Busch 
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
* Miles Mastrobuoni
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Cody Bellinger 
Alexander Canario
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, P 
Alexander Canario, OF 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

 



 

Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Glove Me Tender

Today is the deadline for MLB clubs to tender 2007 contracts or offer salary arbitration (where applicable) to players on the club's MLB Reserve List (40-man roster) who are not already signed for 2007. (The old deadline for tendering contracts or offering salary arbitration was December 20th). Any unsigned player who is not tendered a 2007 contract or offered salary arbitration today becomes a complete and total free-agent, known as a "non-tendered free-agent," or sometimes just a plain "non-tender." There are no Type "A" or Type "B" non-tendered FAs, the player does not have to file anything, and waivers are not required. Starting tomorrow, any player who is non-tendered can sign a major league or minor league contract with any MLB club (including the player's former club). For instance, a club can non-tender a player on its 40-man roster today, and then re-sign the same player to a minor league contract tomorrow. At present, there are 25 players on the Cubs 40-man roster who are not signed for 2007. Of the 25 players who are unsigned, four have at least three years of MLB service time and are eligible for salary arbitration, and the other 21 have less than three years of MLB service time, and thus can have their contracts automatically renewed by the club (these pre-arbitration guys are sometimes called "Auto-Renewal" players). If he doesn't like the club's offer, the only recourse an "Auto-Renewal" player has is to "hold out" and not play. In addition to the 25 unsigned players on the Cubs 40-man roster, there are 14 other players who are already signed at least through 2007, and there are another three who have contracts pending. Because there are currently 39 players on the Cubs 40-man roster, once the three players with pending contracts are added to the roster, two players presently on the 40-man roster will need to be removed either by trade, release, or outright assignment to the minors. It's entirely possible that the two players who will be removed from the 40-man roster to make room for the players with contracts pending will be removed today by way of being non-tendered for 2007. If that in fact does happen, the two players who are non-tendered for this purpose (perhaps Buck Coats and Jose Reyes?) could be subsequently re-signed by the Cubs to '07 minor league contracts as soon as tomorrow (probably for something like they would have gotten if they had remained on the 40-man roster, like maybe minor league "Split Contract" money--$60,000 minimum--plus an NRI to Spring Training). SIGNED FOR 2007 AND BEYOND (14): Michael Barrett (thru 2007) Wade Miller (thru 2007) Glendon Rusch (thru 2007) Kerry Wood (thru 2007) Scott Eyre (thru 2007 + 2008 player option) Cesar Izturis (thru 2007 + 2008 club option with buy-out) Ryan Dempster (thru 2008) Bob Howry (thru 2008) Jacque Jones (thru 2008) Henry Blanco (thru 2008 + 2009 club option with buy-out) Mark DeRosa (thru 2009) Derrek Lee (thru 2010) Aramis Ramirez (thru 2010 + 2011 player option & 2012 mutual option) Alfonso Soriano (thru 2014) CONTRACT PENDING (3): Daryle Ward (thru 2007 + club option for 2008) Jason Marquis (thru 2009) Ted Lilly (thru 2010) OTHERS UNDER CLUB CONTROL (APPROXIMATE MLB SERVICE TIME IN PARENTHESIS) NOTE: Although the MLB season is 182 days, 172 days constitutes one full year of MLB service time ELIGIBLE FOR SALARY ARBITRATION (4): Carlos Zambrano (5+42 ñ can be FA after 2007) Will Ohman (4+40 ñ can be FA after 2008) Mark Prior (4+131 ñ can be FA after 2008) Neal Cotts (3+27 ñ can be FA after 2009) AUTO-RENEWAL (PRE-ARBITRATION) FOR 2007 (21): Ronny Cedeno (1+108) Rocky Cherry (0) ñ see NOTE Buck Coats (0+35) Brian Dopirak (0) Angel Guzman (0+95) Adam Harben (0) Rich Hill (0+87) Sean Marshall (1+0) Carlos Marmol (0+121) Juan Mateo (0+62) Scott Moore (0+28) Matt Murton (1+87) Roberto Novoa (1+169) Angel Pagan (1+0) Felix Pie (0) Clay Rapada (0) ñ see NOTE Jose Reyes (0+27) Jae-kuk Ryu (0+38) Geovany Soto (0+60) Ryan Theriot (0+112) Michael Wuertz (2+4) NOTE: All AUTO-RENEWAL (PRE-ARBITRATION) players except Rocky Cherry and Clay Rapada will be eligible for the MINOR LEAGUE SPLIT-CONTRACT MINIMUM ($60,000) if the player is optioned to the minors in 2007. Because this is their first year on an MLB 40-man roster, Cherry and Rapada will only be eligible for the FIRST-YEAR MINOR LEAGUE SPLIT MINIMUM ($30,000) if they are optioned out in '07. ============================================== MINOR LEAGUE OPTION STATUS: * Can only be optioned to minors after clearing Major League Waivers NOTE: Players with minor league options left can refuse an optional assignment to the minors once they reach five years (5+0) of MLB service time. NO MINOR LEAGUE OPTIONS LEFT: Angel Guzman (see NOTE) NOTE: Because of time spent on the DL in 2004 and 2005, Angel Guzman PROBABLY is eligible to receive a 4th option year in 2007. A player receives a 4th option year if he has not played five ìfull seasonsî (minimum 60 days on major league or minor league active roster in each of five separate seasons) by the time his three minor league options have been exercised (4th OPTION YEAR FOR GUZMAN CANNOT BE CONFIRMED AT THIS TIME). ONE MINOR LEAGUE OPTION LEFT: Ronny Cedeno Rich Hill * Roberto Novoa * Will Ohman Geovany Soto * Michael Wuertz TWO MINOR LEAGUE OPTIONS LEFT: * Neal Cotts Brian Dopirak Adam Harben Carlos Marmol Angel Pagan Felix Pie * Mark Prior Jose Reyes Jae-Kuk Ryu Ryan Theriot THREE MINOR LEAGUE OPTIONS LEFT: Rocky Cherry Buck Coats Sean Marshall Juan Mateo Matt Murton Clay Rapada ================================================== POST-2007 MINOR LEAGUE FREE-AGENTS (if not added to 40-man roster by 10-15-07) Jason Anderson, RHP (0+115 - MLFA after 2007) Federico Baez, RHP (MLFA after 2007) Oscar Bernard, RHP (6Y MLFA after 2007) Ryan Bicondoa, RHP (MLFA after 2007) Nate Bland, LHP (0+56 - MLFA after 2007) Gary Cates, IF-OF (MLFA after 2007) Robinson Chirinos, 2B (6Y MLFA after 2007) Jorge Cortes, OF (MLFA after 2007) Koyie Hill, C (1+32 - MLFA after 2007) Jesse Hoorelbeke, 1B (MLFA after 2007) Ben Howard, RHP (0+118 - MLFA after 2007) Geoff Jones, LHP (MLFA after 2007) Albenis Machado, INF (MLFA after 2007) Isaac Pavlik, LHP (MLFA after 2007) Carmen Pignatiello, LHP (MLFA after 2007) Carlos Rojas, SS (6Y MLFA after 2007) Issmael Salas, INF (6Y MLFA after 2007) Les Walrond, LHP (0+45 - MLFA after 2007) John Webb, RHP (0+41 - MLFA after 2007) =================================================== ELIGIBLE FOR 2007 RULE 5 DRAFT (if not added to 40-man roster by 11-20-07) Alberto Alburquerque, RHP Thomas Atlee, RHP Chadd Blasko, RHP Jerry Blevins, LHP Bobby Brownlie, RHP Jose Caridad, RHP Matt Ciaramella, OF Matt Craig, 3B Darin Downs, LHP Mike Fontenot, 2B (0+19) Jake Fox, C Alfredo Francisco, RHP Sam Fuld, OF Alberto Garcia, 1B Carlos Guerrero, LHP Luke Hagerty, LHP Kevin Hart, RHP Ryan Harvey, OF Jim Henderson, RHP Micah Hoffpauir, 1B Jonathan Hunton, RHP Grant Johnson, RHP Scott Koerber, LHP Tim Layden, LHP Dary Maria, RHP J. R. Mathes, LHP Zach McCormack, LHP Casey McGehee, 3B Jose Mejia, RHP Adalberto Mendez, RHP Mario Mercedes, C Jonathan Mota, INF Ryan Norwood, 1B Eric Patterson, 2B Leonel Perez, RHP Billy Petrick, RHP Elvin Puello, 3B Robert Ransom, RHP Tony Richie, C Alan Rick, C Lisandro Rosario, INF Felin Santana, RHP Joel Santo, RHP Paul Schappert, LHP Chris Shaver, LHP Roberto Sotolongo, RHP Jemel Spearman, INF Nate Spears, 2B Edwin Valdez, OF Jesus Valdez, OF Chris Walker, OF Randy Wells, RHP Jesus Yepez, LHP

Comments

AZ Phil, thanks as always. It doesn't seem like there are any potential non-tenders on the roster as of this point. Is it safe to assume they will negotiate some sort of incentive-laden deal with Prior? I can't imagine Prior and the Cubs going in front of an arbitrator. By the way, perhaps this is old news, but Kerry Wood was on WGN-TV's "Instant Replay" Sunday, and while it was something of a puff piece, he looked like he had lost a lot of weight.

Thanks AZ Phil. BTW - anything new on Sam Fuld? I know that back/hip issues prematurely ended 2006 for him. Winter ball?

I could've sworn this was last year of Prior's team control. We have him through next year too?

#1 of 4: By Mitterwald (December 12, 2006 11:06 AM) It doesn't seem like there are any potential non-tenders on the roster as of this point. Is it safe to assume they will negotiate some sort of incentive-laden deal with Prior? I can't imagine Prior and the Cubs going in front of an arbitrator. ================================== MITT: If Prior had a torn labrum or rotator cuff, I could defintely see him as a non-tender. As long as there is no damage that requires surgery, I doubt that Hendry will let him go just yet. As for the Cubs actually going all the way to an arb hearing with Prior, I doubt very much that will happen. I am almost positive Hendry will sign Prior to a base around $4M with maybe another $2M-$3M-$4M worth of incentives based on GS and performance bonuses related to post-season MLB awards. Hendry does not go to arbitration with his arbitration-eligible players. So far, anyway. He seems to be able to find a middle-ground with his arbitration-eligible guys, and signs them before it goes all the way to a hearing. The one exception might be with Will Ohman. The Cubs might be inclined to go to the mat with him. Ohman was eligible for arbitration for the first time last off-season, and the ONLY reason he was eligible was because he accumulated two years worth of MLB service time while stashed on the Cubs 60-day DL for two full seasons while recovering from elbow and shoulder surgeries. But he approached negotiations with Hendry like he was a "true" three-year man, and really pissed Hendry off. Hendry had a real hassle getting him signed. That said, I still don't think Ohman is a candidate to get non-tendered. As a still-young power lefty reliever, he isn't the type of guy you just release (non-tender) and get nothing back in return. I think there are potential Cubs non-tenders today, probably the two guys who will be dropped from the 40-man roster to make room for Ward and Marquis. Whether those two will be Coats or Reyes (as I speculated), I can't say for sure, but I believe that's how the Cubs might deal with the impending roster cuts. And then they can maybe re-sign Coats and Reyes to minor league contracts with NRIs to ST.

#2 of 5: By Jobu (December 12, 2006 11:21 AM) Thanks AZ Phil. BTW - anything new on Sam Fuld? I know that back/hip issues prematurely ended 2006 for him. Winter ball? ================================= JOBU: Sam Fuld is not playing Winter Ball, which tells me he is not 100%. Hopefully his back problem did not require surgery, but I haven't heard one way or the other.

#3 of 6: By D (December 12, 2006 11:24 AM) I could've sworn this was last year of Prior's team control. We have him through next year too? ====================================== D: Mark Prior is defintely under Cubs control through 2008.

How about Jeff DaVanon of the D-Backs to fill our CF job this season? He is a switch-hitter, good speed, an older guy who can step aside when Pie is ready, and probably won't cost us an arm/leg in trade.

This is all very confusing. And I didn't see Sammy's name anywhere. Isn't he going to play in 2007?

Hmmm...Jeff DaVanon... .262/.352/.410...not horrible stats, but couldn't Pie approximate that?

Gosh, how much is a reasonable salary for Prior and how is the figure going to be determined? He had a great year in 2003 when he went 18-6. In the three seasons since then, he has gone 18-17. Is he even entitled to $4 million? I mean he is not the pitcher he was and there is no reason to believe he ever will be.

#8 of 8: By Seamhead (December 12, 2006 12:08 PM) How about Jeff DaVanon of the D-Backs to fill our CF job this season? He is a switch-hitter, good speed, an older guy who can step aside when Pie is ready, and probably won't cost us an arm/leg in trade. =============================== SEAMHEAD: Good call there, seamer. Jeff DaVanon would indeed seem to fit the profile of the type of player the Cubs are looking for as a "bridge" to Felix Pie in CF. DaVanon is signed just through 2007, and as you mentioned, he is a switch-hitter (with a high OBP) who hits best as a left-handed hitter versus RHP, can hit #2 in the batting order, has plus-speed, and is an excellent defender at all three OF positions. And then once Pie is ready, DaVanon can move seamlessly into the 4th OF slot. I don't know exactly what the D'backs would want back in a deal for DaVanon, but he will be making about $1M as their "4th OF" and will be a FA after '07, so I would think Angel Pagan (a $400K 4th OF who won't be a FA until after 2011 and who even has two minor league options left) might be enough. Hendry has made it pretty clear the Cubs are looking for a left-handed hitter to add to the lineup, and presuming Jacque Jones will be traded before Spring Training and isn't that guy, acquiring DaVanon would seem to fit the need (a switch-hitting #2 hitter with speed who can play CF and then step aside and be the "4th OF" once Pie is deemed ready).

#11 of 12: By arm (December 12, 2006 12:31 PM) Gosh, how much is a reasonable salary for Prior and how is the figure going to be determined? He had a great year in 2003 when he went 18-6. In the three seasons since then, he has gone 18-17. Is he even entitled to $4 million? I mean he is not the pitcher he was and there is no reason to believe he ever will be. ==================================== ARM: MLB clubs usually don't try to cut a player's salary if the player was injured. Prior made $3.65M last season, and a nominal raise to $4M with incentives based on GS and very significant performance bonuses related to finishing in the Top 5 or 10 in Cy Young balloting seems like something that would be agreeable to both Prior and to the Cubs. Hendry LOVES contracts with incentives and performance bonuses.

AZPhil - any idea what Carlos Zambrano will command for his next contract from the Cubs given the new pricing standard for mediocre pitching that we have seen with the signing of Ted Lilly, Giles Meche just to name a few???

Z should get a deal somewhere around Oswalt's deal (5 years/$73 million, $14.6 million per). Z at this point is not as good as Oswalt, but they are close enough and with the money the Cubs have thrown around this offseason, it would not surprise me if they went to a 6th year (and considering Z is younger than Oswalt).

Rangers sign Gagne for 1 year/$8 million... http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2695054 That is an awful a lot of money, even in this market, for a guy who has pitched 16 games & 15.1 innings the past 2 years. You'd think with that kind of money, the Rangers would of at least gotten a team option just in case he amazingly returns to form, he doesn't jump ship.

With Lilly getting $44M/4....Z should ask for $200M over 10 or something.

#14 of 14: By Rory (December 12, 2006 12:54 PM) AZPhil - any idea what Carlos Zambrano will command for his next contract from the Cubs given the new pricing standard for mediocre pitching that we have seen with the signing of Ted Lilly, Giles Meche just to name a few??? ====================================== RORY: Arbitration is kind of weird, because it's based purely on comparable numbers and service time, not "true value." In other words, if Zambrano was a FA, he could probably command an annual $15M salary (minimum), but he's not, so it won't be that much. An arbitrator would probably compare "Z" to Roy Oswalt and Roy Halladay, which means to an arbitrator, Zambrano would probably be "worth" somewhere around $11-$13M right now. (Halladay--who is two years ahead of Zambrano in MLB service time--made $12.7M in 2006 and will make $12.8M in 2007, and Oswalt--who is about even with Zambrano in MLB service time but has always been one year ahead of "Z" in salary-- made $11M last season and will make $13M in 2007). Depending on what he asks for (probably $15M) and what the Cubs offer (probably $11M), the club and "Z" might split the difference just to cover their bets. Because if it went all the way to a hearing and the arbitrator had to pick either the Cubs' figure OR Zambrano's figure (the arbitrator is not allowed to "split he difference, he must choose one or the other), there is no way to know which direction he would go, but the Cubs would very probably win. And then "Z" would be pissed off, and might not be inclined to sign an extension in Spring Training. Hendry probably realizes this, and so he will try real hard to find some middle ground so that it doesn't go to the arbitrator. By avoiding arbitration and signing Zambrano to a one-year $13M contract for 2007 in the next few weeks, Hendry would be laying the ground-work for a contract extension to be negotiated in ST, something like $60M for four years or maybe even $75M for five.

That is an awful a lot of money, even in this market, for a guy who has pitched 16 games & 15.1 innings the past 2 years. You'd think with that kind of money, the Rangers would of at least gotten a team option just in case he amazingly returns to form, he doesn't jump ship. it's an awful lot of money for a guy who won't even be throwing until January.... Rotoworld blurb says Wilkerson will be tendered btw...

another rotoworld blurb says MLB nor the Japanse baseball offices would let Boras buy Matsuzaka's free agency, in case you think he was going to pull that card out...

"With Lilly getting $44M/4....Z should ask for $200M over 10 or something." What about the first 20-year deal? He'll still only be 48.

We all like Z, and I like his fire, and blah blah blah blah blah... But is he really the guy we want as the ace of the staff? I think he is, but no one is asking the question. He is, after all, kind of a loose cannon and prone to inconsistency.

Ryno- You make an interesting point. What should the Cubs do as an alternative to inking Zambrano long-term, and making him the ace of the staff?

"What should the Cubs do as an alternative to inking Zambrano long-term, and making him the ace of the staff?" You mean like they did with Wood after 2003?

Slow news day- from todays Bright One- http://www.suntimes.com/sports/quickhits/168753,CST-SPT-1hit12.article Check out heading-"'SCUFFLES' WITH ECKSTEIN" I bet if you ask a professional wrestling fan who their favorite baseball team is they would say White Sox or Cardinals. And from the girl who couldn't get any in a prison with a handful of pardons- http://www.suntimes.com/sports/slezak/168747,CST-SPT-carol12.article Carol, please put your head back in the sand so we don't have to hear again the wrongful accusation of the Cubs "never trying to improve" when it was done so just a little over two years ago when they signed a 300 game winner to be their fifth starter and traded a minor leaguer for Derek Lee. And with you head in the sand you won't hear how your White Sox are having a fire sale this year trading a rare good starter for minor leaguers. Stick to the fluff reports on how there is always ample parking at the Cell and that you can bring your Great Dane/Life Partner to the games with you.

If I'm GM, hell yeah I want Big Z as my rock of the staff for years to come. He's already learned to control himself a bit more on the mound when necessary...and things will only get better for him, if he can stay healthy of course. Guys like Z make other players excited to be on the team...creates an exciting atmosphere.

Wood was a 24 year old power pitcher coming off a career high in K's with an ERA+ of 133. Describe Zambrano.

Zambrano is 25, averages 212 innings a year, has a career ERA of 3.29, and has posted win totals of 13,16,14,16 for a mostly mediocre club. Wood was 26, but the similiarity ends there. He won 14 games once, and 13 games once. He also has had a slew of arm injuries that Z has thankfully (knock on wood, pardon the pun) has avoided.

You can't really "describe" Wood without mentioning the minor details like the Tommy John surgery or the general lack of durability.

Zambrano also has pitched 200+ innings for 4 seasons in a row, something that Wood hasn't done. Woody had better "stuff," but Z has gotten better results.

and that you can bring your Great Dane/Life Partner to the games with you. -- she's hitched to her dog? Great Dane...did she bring Prince Hamlet?

Are we really debating whether or not Z is an ace? Are you all retarded? He is one of the best pitchers in all of baseball. If there was a draft and everybody was a free agent, he would probably be the second or third pitcher taken. The only pitcher I would take over him would be Santana. Get real.

The only pitcher I would take over him would be Santana. Ah Chad...you are such a homer. I love Z, and he is one of the best. But 2nd? Pitchers I would take over Z: For sure: Santana Halladay Oswalt Clemons Probably: Smoltz Carpenter Maybe: Jared Weaver Liriano

Jered Weaver is unproven a second time through the circuit; Liriano has a severe injury, he could be another Kerry Wood case. I will give you Halladay, Oswalt, probably Peavy, and of course, Santana, those four I'd definitely take over Zambrano. Karen Carpenter too, that makes five. So let's say Z is one of the top 10 starters in baseball, that's pretty conservative, and leave it at that.

Clemens (not Clemons) is 100 years old. No one would agree there. Halladay and Oswalt are not clear choices. They remain in the discussion and those choices would be respectable. Smoltz? You have got to be kidding. Carpenter? Hmmm.... possibly but he's much older and he's in his prime right now. Z still is on the upswing of his career. Weaver - 1 great year so far. Time will tell if hitter figure him out. Lirano - TOMMY JOHN SURGERY

So let's say Z is one of the top 10 starters in baseball, that's pretty conservative, and leave it at that. Yea...I agree with that. Weaver is unproven, but is still a stud. But his unprovenness (I know...not a word), along with Liriano's injury, place them both in the maybe category. And yea...I forgot about Peavy.

"along with Liriano's injury, place them both in the maybe category." How can you seriously say this? You cannot take a kid coming off MAJOR reconstructive surgery over Carlos Zambrano. That is insane. I will add Jake Peavy to the conversation but again, its not clear cut. Out of the following pitchers: Oswalt Carpenter Halladay Peavy None are clear choices about Z. They all remain in the conversation though. Perhaps Weaver. But no freaking way on Clemens, Smoltz or Liriano.

ClemOns (thanks for the typo correction, I can always count on you for that) is still a better pitcher than Z, even if he is "100 years old." Halladay and Oswalt are not clear choices. yea...they are. I don't have time to give full numbers, so I will give basics: Halliday: 16-5, 3.19 ERA, 1.10 WHIP Oswalt: 15-8, 2.98 ERA, 1.17 WHIP Z: 16-7, 3.41 ERA, 1.29 WHIP Smoltz? You have got to be kidding. No...not kidding. Here are the numbers: Smoltz: 16-9, 3.49 ERA, 1.19 WHIP Z: 16-7, 3.41 ERA, 1.29 WHIP Smoltz is at least as good of a pitcher right now. If you are talking about, it is a different conversation. But for next year, I would prob. not take Z in my top 5.

Not a bad selection of pitchers Dave. Of course: Clemens is 44 years old....Liriano just blew out his elbow, and Jared Weaver hasn't pitched a full season yet. Santana yep...He's the cream of the crop. Halladay He's really good, but 12-4, 16-5 in the last 2 years isn't mindblowing. Hard to argue against him though. Oswalt- Oswalt is better. Carpenter-32 in April, 15-8 with 3.09 ERA on the champs. Z won 16 games for a team that was much worse. Toss-up. Smoltz He's 40 in May, and Z put up similar #'s, with more walks of course, but similar #'s on a worse team each of the last 2 seasons. I'd take Z right now over all of those names except Santana, Oswalt, and maybe Halladay. He is right up there with that group.

Look...we are wasting our time - Z is a top ten starter in baseball. He is an ace, and is worthy of ace money. There is no question about it. I just think that there are a handful of pitchers that I would take over him if I had the chance.

Are you talking about a draft in which the players are on your team for years to come? Or in a short playoff series...your go-to Ace? Perhaps a team would select geezers like Smoltz or Clemens in a playoff or WS game, but no one would choose them over Zambrano as permanent members of the team. Well, no one 'worthy' enough to be a GM, that is.

Okay Dave, but if you are talking about locking up Z as the "ace" of the staff, wouldn't you have to consider the future? Santana Oswalt Halladay Peavy Carpenter Zambrano So I'd at least put Z in the top 10. Isn't that good enough to be considered the Cubs' ace? As one of the best?

BTW, Peavy had a 4.09 ERA last year, was 11-14, and gave up 23 HR's, so maybe Santana Oswalt Halladay Zambrano Carpenter Peavy

Baltimore Sun reports that the Orioles will non-tender David Newhan today. Newhan is kind of the poor man's DaVanon (talk about damning with faint praise)in that he bats left-handed, can play CF (as well as many others) and can be easily relocated when Pie arrives. He had a nice year in 2004, and has been iffy since. Our lefty-hitting CF options are really slim at this point, so Newhan might be a cheap, flexible option until Felix is deemed ready for prime time.

By the way Chad, no we are not discussing whether or not Z is an ace, the original question was, is he the ace we want on the Cub's. I can think of other pitchers besides Santana I'd like to have as ace: Carpenter Webb Oswalt

Okay Dave, but if you are talking about locking up Z as the "ace" of the staff, wouldn't you have to consider the future? Of course...but if we are talking one year - 2007? I take ClemOns or Smoltz. Again...Z is somewhere between 5 and 10, but probably closer to five. It probably isn't really worth arguing about individual players when it doesn't really matter to the original argument. As Chad said, and I agree, Z is an ace. We just slightly disagree on where Z would be slotted in a "best of" big league pitchers.

Seamhead: Our lefty-hitting CF options are really slim at this point, so Newhan might be a cheap, flexible option until Felix is deemed ready for prime time. I think I'd rather just throw Pie out there. If he sucks at least we'll know that Newhan probably wouldn't have done much better.

CF: Plug in Jacque. He can hit and catch, but can't throw -- still, in total, better than any "stop-gap" measure out there. Then, if/when Pie looks ready, trade Jacque at the deadline to someone looking for a LH bat. Or, get Devin Hester to play CF....

Ok Ryno, you'd rather have those guys. They are really good pitchers. Of course, none of them are available, so I'll take Z. Thanks.

Newhan?? .256/.315/.386...couldn't we just put Angel Pagan out there for those kind of #?'s Newhan.....cripes...

Stop being a putz. If you don't know how to spell the name of one of the greatest pitchers in the history of baseball, then your opinion doesn't count. OK? It wasn't a typo. A typo is when you hit the worng key wehn you meant to type a word that know hwo to spell. You don't know who to spell Clemens. BIG difference. (please see the actual typos in my sentence for an example.) I will bet you anything that Z will out pitch Clemens and Smoltz in almost every category this year and will finish higher in the Cy Young voting than Smoltz in the NL.

If you don't know how to spell the name of one of the greatest pitchers in the history of baseball, then your opinion doesn't count. OK? Chad...this says all we need to know about you. It is ridiculous to claim that I know nothing about baseball because I misspelled ClemOns name. I don't know about you, but I don't watch baseball in order to spell names right. I will bet you anything that Z will out pitch Clemens and Smoltz in almost every category this year and will finish higher in the Cy Young voting than Smoltz in the NL. Well...I am not a gambler, but considering that Smoltz was at worst even with Z this year and ClemOns was obviously better, I would at least get coin flip odds.

If Hendry knows he is trading JJ and wants a left-handed option to replace he needs to convince Loupa to put Soriano in CF and sign Floyd and Preston Wilson (to platoon with Ward for the 60-80 games he will miss) or Huff to play LF and move Murton to RF. Because honestly all of the LH options to replace him arent any better to replace him with then Pie is. As for a right handed canidate to replace him Jason Lane might not be a bad choice.

Chad...this says all we need to know about you. It is ridiculous to claim that I know nothing about baseball because I misspelled ClemOns name. Don't worry, we obviously knew who you meant. He seems to be a knee-jerk contrarian who thinks with his heart and cannot fathom statistical analysis beyond "chicks love the longball" and simple ERA. Guess no one's perfect.

Dave-you might be right on Smoltz, you might get equal production, but, since Smoltz is 12 years older, you might not.Also, remember this: You might only get Clemens for 20 starts, and he only went 7 innings 4 times. So would you rather have Zambrano for 32 starts, or Clemens for 19?

don't forget that I'm also the biggest Sosa apologist on God's blue earth. OBP sucks too.

So would you rather have Zambrano for 32 starts, or Clemens for 19? Depends on what my options were for the other 13! :) But I would take Z for 32 over ClemOns for 19, though some have said ClemOns may pitch the whole season.

"If Hendry knows he is trading JJ and wants a left-handed option to replace he needs to convince Loupa..." He is NOT trading Jacque Jones. Devin Hester canot play CF. HE has a "no baseball, other sports" clause in his contract.

Rob...did you read this part: As for the Chicago Cubs in the World Series, Cub fan Friedman remarks, ìI predict that one every year, and Iím going to keep predicting it until it happens.î Every year his prediction is wrong, so that doesn't give me much confidence in this year! :)

Oh bastard, I just read the headline on my RSS feed and grabbed the link. JERKOFF!!! Use your powers for good, man!!!!

astros also get former KC wonderboy-who-never-was miggy asencio. million dollar arm but 10 cents worth of makeup to put it all together.

I was yelling at the "prediction guy" friedman if that wasn't clear enough.... astros are dumb...

Well, the Cubs didn't dodge that bullet. Sucks that Jennings gets traded into the division.

Jennings says goodbye to Coors and hello to Minute Maid. Still a solid rotation for the Stros, especially if Clemens comes back.

for as hard as it is to keep the ball in the park *cough, humidor* in colorado...lefty pitchers in the juice box dealing with that LF wall got a challenge of their own. hope he enjoys soriano, dlee, and aram cranking up to pull vs. him at home. divisional rivalry, or whatever, aside...that LF to LF-CF is a f'n joke.

Wow..which is worse - paying 2/32 million for Pettit (ERA in the NL of 4.20, meaning closer to five in the AL East)? Or "paying" Hirsch, Taverez, and Buchholtz for Jennings? Crazy market, eh?

btw...Gagne got 6 million, not 8 million, along with 5 million in possible exceptions. what is an exception? we'll assume you mean incentives.

what is an exception? we'll assume you mean incentives. Oops...yes, I meant incentives. That is what happens when I try to do multiple things at once.

"Wow..which is worse - paying 2/32 million for Pettit (ERA in the NL of 4.20, meaning closer to five in the AL East)? Or "paying" Hirsch, Taverez, and Buchholtz for Jennings?" Well a lot of people wanted Schmidt (3.60 ERA in a pitchers park in '06) here for crazy money and Pettitte has essentially the same #'s as the top FA SP's in Zito and Schmidt over the last 3 years...with a much better ERA. Pettitte - 37 W, 3.38 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, .252 BAA Zito - 41 W, 4.05 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, .247 BAA Schmidt - 41 W, 3.67 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, .227 BAA I'm sure Schmidt had more K's, and yeah Pettitte is an injury risk but so is Schmidt and his velocity was way down into the low 90's by season's end. With only one year + club option the Pettitte contract is probably better than the contract Schmidt received.

wow, Marcus Giles non-tendered. Rsox will have a hell of an offense if they get him.

The Rox accept the same deal for Jennings that Kenny Williams turned down for Garland. Either Buckholz got healthy in a hurry, or the Rockies really needed to move Jennings.

"Either Buckholz got healthy in a hurry, or the Rockies really needed to move Jennings." Buchholz never took a physical. It was pure speculation on Kenny Williams's part.

Rox needed a CFer pretty badly, and Tavarez seems a great fit in that huge OF with his speed and arm. Providing the humidor is back in effect for 2007, Hirsch will likely be better than Jennings within a year or two anyway, and the Rox were going to lose him to FA for nothing. Very good deal for the Rockies.

I would still love to see Hendry make a run at Marcus Giles, even though we have DeRosa. I find it hard to believe that that the Braves couldn't get anyone back in a trade for Giles. Rob...If Boston signs Matsuzaka, they wont have the money to sign Giles, or maybe anyone else for that matter. Even a team like Boston has spending limits.

Can DeRosa play center? He has played outfield fairly well, and has decent speed. Get Giles, move DeRosa to CF, trade Jones for ... for ... anyone? money? prospects?

Mets ever land a real 2b? Be one hell of an offense too if they get him. Padres still might make a run now that they don't have to offer up anybody, platoon with Walker, has the arm to slide to 3b if that Indian prospect struggles.

Yanks are looking for a first baseban - i could see them making a run at Giles if he was willing to play first.

"Mets ever land a real 2b? Be one hell of an offense too if they get him." JosÈ ValentÌn, and for what they're paying him, he's gotta be their starting 2Bman.

"Yanks are looking for a first baseban - i could see them making a run at Giles if he was willing to play first." I think they have Josh Phelps as their 1Bman by default. I don't know if Giles could outhit him.

can anyone else figure out 2b in the majors the last 2 years? Kennedy and Derose get a 3 yr deals (and we weren't the only team after Derosa although Giants and Phils were looking at him for 3b), but Giles is non-tendered cause no one wants to trade for him. Durham gets no real offers. No one cares about Loretta, Belliard is jobless. And there were some oddities last year too if I recall, although the names escape me at the moment.

Why is Giles being non-tendered? Before last season, he hit better than .300 two out of three years and then fell to .262 last year. Why are the Braves just dropping him and why haven't they been able to get anything of value for him in a trade?

#90 of 96: By dave (December 12, 2006 06:19 PM) Can DeRosa play center? He has played outfield fairly well, and has decent speed. Get Giles, move DeRosa to CF, trade Jones for ... for ... anyone? money? prospects? ________________________________________ I was thinking along the lines of what Dave was thinking.

It is also hard for me to believe that the Braves couldn't get a decent return for him. He's a good hitter and he'll be 29 in May. Too bad he wasn't on the block earlier, Giles looks a lot better at second than DeRosa does.

aw jesus, the FACTS are that he had wrist and finger problems last year. I don't expect him to hit like 2003 ever again because well he'd be a HOF'er if he did, but his 2004 and 2005 are still way up there among 2b and his defense is average AT worst. And he's a scrapper. :)

Juiceless Marcus Giles (steroid tests/witch hunt began in 2004) hit .291/.365/.461 in 2005 and .311/.378/.443 in 2004.

Is there anyone who played in the first half of the decade who wasn't "Rumored" to be on the juice?

Carlos, if you think guys aren't on 'roids and HGH, among other things, just because MLB has a ridiculously incompetent drug testing policy then I have news for you.

Well, I checked out the brave.com site forum and the talk there was that Giles wanted more money than the Braves wanted to pay him. They apparently have a young guy they are comfortable with who they can plug into second base at a very low salary. I don't know that trading Giles was an option because his contract was up. He would have had to have agreed to a contract with a new team. And maybe Giles just prefers to pick his own team rather than being traded to Colorado or someplace like that. There also is talk over there that, now that he has been non-tendered, it still might be possible to sign Giles, but I am not sure if that is true, if that is permitted.

I'm quite certain Giles had one year of Arbitration left, so the Braves certainly could have traded him to another team. That team would then have him for at least one year - at a price set by an arbitrator if they couldn't reach a deal. I can understand the Braves looking to cut payroll and not wanting to pay what he'd get in arbitration, but I find it amazing that they couldn't get something of value for him. This whole thing is just very strange.

getting Giles for a team would have been the same as the Cubs getting Pierre or the Astros getting Jennings. You have him for one year and considering the down year he had last year, you probably wouldn't approach a contract extension until he showed something. But crap, he would have been worth Mike Wuertz imo and he probably could have been had for Novoa.... The Braves are serious though about their budget restraints, remember them trading Millwood to the Phils after Maddux accepted arbitration (I think that's how it played out) and I think they lost Glavine the first time because of budget issues.

Rumors are that both Giles brothers were on the juice, FWIW. Rumors where? Your own imagination? This is exactly the crap I am talking about. Roids is used to explain EVERYTHING and then passed around as FACT when it is nothing more that a fool on the internet who is making it up out of thin air.

Get Rocco - he's a perfect fit for the cubs. To get him, i'd be willing to part with Murton, who i like a lot, Sean Marshall, and Will Ohman. That's a lot, but a young CF with the potential to hit over .300 with 25+ HR's and steal 30 bags is hard to come by. Plus, aligning him with Soriano and Jacque make for a very solid outfield ....which eventually will have Pie fill in (possibly Lf), which produces the most atheletic outfield in the bigs, with about a 5-10 year run.

(steroid tests/witch hunt began in 2004) ___________________________________ Witch hunt? Because MLB was completely incompetent for years with regards to drug testing, that makes it a witch hunt when they do finally do it?

Clemons'es face keeps getting wider every year. MoonFace Clemons

Rumors where? Your own imagination? This is exactly the crap I am talking about. Roids is used to explain EVERYTHING and then passed around as FACT when it is nothing more that a fool on the internet who is making it up out of thin air. - You consistently roll out this useless argument MikeC. Bonds never tested positive for steroids either so he's not a user right? Ridiculous argument. I'm glad you're not in the legal profession, but I'm sure Selig or the Player Union would like to interview you for a Public Relations position. Maybe Sosa will put you on the payroll to speak English for him. You Chad and Carlos kill me.

Your right, we have about 17 mlb pitchers on our staff, we can afford to trade a starter and a left handed reliever, along with Murton. Some options would be: Novoa, Eyre, Ohman, Murton, Guzman, Marshall. I bet it would take 1) Marshall or Guzman, 2) Murton, and 3) ohman. Toss in Novoa or Cedeno if you'd like. Tampa could then spin Murton *(they already have a lot of outfielders).

RF Soriano 2B Giles 1B DLee 3B Ramirez LF Murton C Barrett CF Derosa SS Izturis Bench: Theriot, Ward, Floyd?, Blanco, Pagan Um, yes please. That's the deepest offense in the NL.

WPZ - where is your left handed stick? Giles is on the downslide and we already have 3 2b's. why do we need a 4th? Also, Derosa can't play CF on a daily basis. He's too slow. i like the idea of Rocco in Center! Jones and Soriano on the wings. Speed kills.

Anyone have any guesses about how much Giles will get on the open market? Then again, there are few teams looking for a second baseman at this point. Boston obviously has cash, and will have a LOT more cash if they don't sign Matsuzaka. Are there other teams looking for a 2b still? I have heard that SD may be interested, even with Todd Walker already there.

"Are there other teams looking for a 2b still? I have heard that SD may be interested, even with Todd Walker already there." The A's.

What's all this hype about Giles? he's lousy defensively and his declines are likely due to his relation to steroid testing. theriot is our guy! he is like David Eckstein, and does all the little things. I like that idea about Rocco!

Hey, I like the idea of Rocco in CF too. I also like the idea of 1995-era Ken Griffey Jr. in CF. You're right, it's a very 'right' lineup. But I ask: what available lefty is going to make the lineup better than Giles? Jacque? Maybe, but that's maybe more of a defensively liable lineup.

"Witch hunt? Because MLB was completely incompetent for years with regards to drug testing, that makes it a witch hunt when they do finally do it?" I wasn't referring to MLB's inept pre-2004 drug testing. I was referring to the early to mid 2000's media argument of "every player is a suspect."

Maybe, but that's maybe more of a defensively liable lineup. Not so sure. Jones would be a very serviceable CF, though it is difficult to like his weak arm. But he has good range and gets to a lot of balls. And Giles is not an upgrade over DeRosa at 2b. So I would argue that DeRosa would be an overall downgrade from Jones in CF, while Giles would be a downgrade from DeRosa at 2b.

Dave: "I find it hard to believe that that the Braves couldn't get anyone back in a trade for Giles." I am a bit surprised too, but if you look at his numbers he has seriously declined over the past few years.

sources close to TCR are reporting MikeC, Chad and Carlos were jurors during the Oj Simpson trial. Since no one actually saw OJ carve up Nicole and Goldman they couldn't convict.

$20 virtual bucks says Giles has a better year than Derosa next year, we can use either WARP or Win Shares to settle it!!! Jones doesn't have a a weak arm, he has an innaccurate arm....

trade murton + others for Baldelli - see this lineup work! Soriano (.280, 40HR, 40sb's) - fast defensively, may be better suited in RF due to a stronger throwing arm than Jacque Baldelli (.300, 25 HR, 25 SB's, .850obp) gold glove arm & great d Lee (.320, 40 HR, 25 sb's) Gold Glove) Ramirez (.285, 35 HR's) - does not strike out much Jones - ONLY LEFTY (need to break up righties). .275, 22 HR. May be better in Lf than right. Soriano has a better arm. Barrett (.275, 20 HR)- not known to be a heady or defensive C DeRosa (.285, 20 HR's) - may be a liability defensively at 2nd. is not entirely proven Izturis - .265. Gold Glove SS. a nice defensive fit for the team regardless of what he hits.

hey lump me in with Mike C, Chad and Carlos as well. Sorry if I ask for something more than rumor mongering to condemn someone. Bonds and Giambi are ADMITTED steroid users, Palmeiro was caught. Pretty much everyone else is heresay.

K: "DeRosa (.285, 20 HR's) - may be a liability defensively at 2nd. is not entirely proven" 20 HR's? What makes you think that? Hell, until last year, he hadn't batted .285 since 2002. I wouldn't geet your hope too high for DeRosa.

The Cubs right now, need Soriano in CF or trade for a CF, because Jacque AND derosa are not fast enough, nor are good enough outfielders to play the position. That being said, Marcus Giles? you guys are on drugs. How many 2b's do we really need? DeRosa and he are very similar players. What we need is Rocco Baldelli in CF. I did not realize he is only 25? i would trade Murton, Marshall, and Eyre to make that happen. I think that gets the deal. *

Rob G.: "Pretty much everyone else is heresay." That is why McGwire should be in HOF, with no questions asked.

It really doesn't do much good to keep repeating the same thing over and over ("We Need Rocco!!). Also...people really seem to have not watched the Cubs last year. Jones was good defensively when he was attempting to throw the ball. He is fast, and has good range. His range is actually fairly underrated.

Jones was good defensively when he was attempting to throw the ball. Oops...I am not having a good day with the keyboard, eh? That should say this: Jones was good defensively when he was NOT attempting to throw the ball.

make up all the fanciful trade ideas you guys want, but the Drays are looking to unload an OF'er because their crowded in that position. So please stop including Murton in those deals if you want to be taken seriously...

people want giles...no one wants to pay him 9-10m to play him, though. like it or not, cuz his bro has been dealing with his almost his entire career, short unathletic guys just arent sexy to a lotta teams. anyone can point at numbers all they want, but signing a guy is about projection. yeah, guys get contracts based on what they did, but they wouldnt get a penny if they projections didnt say it was gonna keep up or continue. they say he's 5'8"...yah, and the pope is jewish. since before he even had his big breakout season giles was pegged as a guy that's ready to disintegrate in a moment's notice. we're talking even in the late 90s when he was hitting 30 homers in the minors. if you dont believe there is a crux/hex/discrimination against short people in baseball, you dont know baseball. love it or hate it, its as much a part of the culture as rookie hazing or the belief any pitcher with a 90+mph fastball over 6'6" is worth protecting at all costs. the braves never respected marcus giles and a lotta teams will never give him the respect he's earned. ...meanwhile mark lorretta is still looking for a job and some ob% freaks will never understand why he never makes much money.

Non-tender casualties so far... Marcus Giles Joel Pineiro Victor Zambrano Aaron Guiel Chris Reitsma

Hendry was on WGN Radio with Kaplan & Waddle tonight for about 10 minutes. I'm going to break this up into 3 posts. 1- Hendry's health and this yr's baseball economics 2- Centerfield/Pie 3- Prior and Marquis - Apparently Jim Hendry said he is feeling well and is working half days for the past few days. He said he wasn't stressed over the acquisitions. He loves the action and his staff (mentions Paul Weaver and Randy Bush, Gary Hughes and Ken Kravec) has been working on free agent stuff and trading discussions way before normal because we were so bad. Waddle teased about Wood/Prior causing it....Hendry laughed and said, yes, that may have gotten his heart blockage started. Was he surprised about the economic landscape? They knew it was coming after the basic agreement 5 yr deal was done. We got the biggest name and the best player available. It was certainly a tremendous investment by the company, and I'm very grateful because he was the best guy. It was the consensus that he was the best player available. Some of the things are surprising. Everybody does what's best for themselves. As much money as we spent, I think we got the best 2 free agents in Soriano and Ramirez. I think Ted Lily is going to be a 15 game or plus winner. He's going to come into his own. He won 15 games in a terrible park to pitch in, Toronto's a tough place to pitch in and a great division (the AL East). When you get your self in a position where you need starting pitching, you're going to have to pay dearly.

WGN radio (2)... Kaplan Asking about the CF: Kaplan led in with, Piniella said Soriano probably could handle it but he's going to play him as a corner guy and not play him in CF. If Pie is not quite ready, you've got to have a veteran. You're still going to add to your bench, right? Hendry said it doesn't have to be a veteran. Pie is going to be a terrific player and Pagan's coming back too who can play defense and switch hit. We didn't get a real fair look at Pagan because of the (hamstring) injury after a pretty good start. We'll see where the kid is at (Pie), we wouldn't mind adding somebody that might be able to play CF but we're not going to add anybody that gets in the way of him (Pie). In other words, we not going to add anyone to a multi-year deal or someone who is locked in that has to play every day. We may get to the end of spring training and Lou, myself and the staff say, hey, lets give it a whirl. One thing the kid can do is play defense anywhere. So if we can find someone that's a nice piece, that can fit for awhile or until he is ready, or if he's not on opening day, but still contribute to the ballclub when he does come up, that would be ideal. We still would like to add one more person that can hit left handed and can play a couple of spots in the OF too. We've come a long way in a couple of months, we've got to keep tinkering with it. Finally, some discussion of Lou Piniella as a hitting coach and he wanted Piniella to watch Pie to sort this out. Pie needs to perform at a level that his play will tell us when he's ready.

WGN radio (3)... Kap/Waddle asking for an update on Mark Prior: Prior called the hospital and talked to Hendry in Fla, to wish him well. Also Hendry said he's in frequent contact with Mark O'Neill who is checking in on Prior apparently 5-6 days/week. Waddle asked if it was Prior who put Hendry in the hospital...apparently he's throwing now and somethime after Christmas Prior will start to "dial it up a little bit" to see where he really is at, and not wait till spring training. Prior is the wild card. If by chance he's not ready we'll still have 5 good starters out there one way or another. Discussion about Jason Marquis: Marquis had a very poor last few months. He's a 28 yr old guy who's won 42 games in 3 yrs. When you're a starting pitcher you need to do two things, you need to win games and you've got to pitch alot of innings. He's averaged nearly 200 IP over the last 3-4 yrs. He had a terrible September, there's no hiding from that. As bad as a yr as he had he still won 14 ballgames. Marquis will be an innings eater. As bad a year as he had he won 14 ballgames. If he could win 14-15 ballgames for us and go 200 innings, I think that's well worth the investment. The way our bullpen stacks up, we needed one more guy that would give us the innings, and he does that. Z will give us innings, Hopefully Rich Hill will grow into giving us some innngs, you don't know how many innings you're going to get out of Mark Prior or Wade Miller and we think Ted Lilly is going to give us 6 good innings per night. So we needed one more guy that could eat up innings.

the tcr server is acting oddly...I just read post #167...then posted stuff and it went to #142-144. Odd? Anyway...it was a post about the Hendry interview tonight by Kaplan/Waddle on WGN radio.

Casey McGeHee just looked silly getting picked off by Justin Lehr (!), so much for fundamentally sound.

you are crazy. jones can't play cf. Why is that? Most people think that CF is an easier position to play than the corner positions. Jones has speed and good range. His biggest weakness is his arm, which is less of a liability in CF than in RF. David Pinto would say that Jones has above average range among RF's in the major leagues.

jones used to be a CF and probally would still be a CF if it wasnt for some dude named tori who can jump really good.

"That is why McGwire should be in HOF, with no questions asked." Completely ridiculous not to question McGwire's circumstances. I do think he should be in the hall, but it's intentionally ignorant to not question some of the suspicious turns in his career.

it's intentionally ignorant to not question some of the suspicious turns in his career. Or the "suspicious" lack of answers in front of congress.

Rob G, Ever heard of a 3 way deal? murton doesn't fit the drays but he does fit a great deal of teams. a solid cf is needed, with 2 weaker defensive players on the corners, you need speed and a solid arm. we have SO much pitching its rediculous. Too many relievers and too many starters. Just not enough CF's!! --- Tampa needs pitching, and will be able to spin Murton off for another quality young arm. Rocco time

Rob G, Ever heard of a 3 way deal? murton doesn't fit the drays but he does fit a great deal of teams. a solid cf is needed, with 2 weaker defensive players on the corners, you need speed and a solid arm. we have SO much pitching its rediculous. Too many relievers and too many starters. Just not enough CF's!! --- Tampa needs pitching, and will be able to spin Murton off for another quality young arm. Rocco time

Baldelli (.300, 25 HR, 25 SB's, .850obp) gold glove arm & great d I don't know if the comments about his defense are true, but if he puts up an .850 OBP, I'll take him! Is his defense that good? Can we get an official ruling from someone who's actually watched him? What's all this hype about Giles? he's lousy defensively... This is total horse shit. A steaming pile of clueless camel shit. Giles is a very good defender.

Bonds and Giambi are ADMITTED steroid users, Palmeiro was caught. Bonds never admitted to using anything other than the "Creme & the Clear" and even that was "unknowingly". Giambi apologized for nothing concrete. If you're going to take a hard stance then you can only go by Palmeiro or the litany of Latin players who were busted for using the cheap Mexican anabolic steroids. Sosa, McGwire, Pudge Rodriguez, Pujols, Bonds, Giambi and everyone else under the cloud should be put along side your "heightened" standards if that is your stance.

thnx, I think there's some more besides Bulger, I was sticking to people I've heard before. :)

I don't know if the comments about his defense are true, but if he puts up an .850 OBP, I'll take him! Baldelli has three seasons, here are his numbers: OPS: 742 OPS: 762 OPS: 871 (half of a season) While I am a big fan of Baldelli, I don't think that you can assume an 850 OPS off of a half of a season. But I think 800 would/could be realistic. My guess would be .300/.330/.470-.500, with 20 HR and 20 RBI. But even that may be hopeful, at least with the power numbers. Is his defense that good? Can we get an official ruling from someone who's actually watched him? His defense if quite good. He is very fast and has a very good arm.

Ever heard of a 3 way deal? murton doesn't fit the drays but he does fit a great deal of teams. Fine, then suggest a 3-way deal because Drays aren't going to make the deal unless they have a willing partner to move him or Crawford or Dukes or Murton... Bonds never admitted to using anything other than the "Creme & the Clear" and even that was "unknowingly". Giambi apologized for nothing concrete and the BALCO folks admitted that the Creme & the clear was a topical steroid, hence admission, even if unknowignly. My apologies on Giambi, but did he not admit to the grand jury that he took stereoids? If not, then I'm wrong on him And yes a bunch of lesser guys, I was ignoring them...

"you are crazy. jones can't play cf" Yet there are those who would be Soriano in Center. I would prefer Jones over Soriano. What injuries did Baldeli have? Knees only? The DRays are only happy with deals where they make out like bandits.

I believe, knee, hamstring and Tommy John surgery on his elbow... a regular Cal Ripken he is...

While I am a big fan of Baldelli, I don't think that you can assume an 850 OPS off of a half of a season. But I think 800 would/could be realistic. ____________________________________________ I was talking an .850 OBP like the original poster stated. An .850 OPS is much less impressive. Matt Murton will probably do that in 2007.

What injuries did Baldeli have? Knees only? He blew out his knee (ACL), then his elbow (tommy john), then his hamstring.

I was talking an .850 OBP like the original poster stated. ha...didn't even realize that. But murton will not play as good of defense or steal 25+ bases either. Baldelli is Murton with better speed, better glove, better arm. They are about even in average and power, and Murton has a significant edge in OBP.

I'd trade half the team for someone who could put up an .850 OBP over a full season. Heck, that means the guy would hit .600 or so. :) Teddy Ballgame Who?

Baldelli is Murton with better speed, better glove, better arm. I wouldn't say that at all, Murton controls the strike zone, Baldellis a free swinger. Baldelli is more toolsy though. I'd take my chances with Murton to be honest going forward. He'll grow into his power, but that plate discipline is hard to come by...

He blew out his knee (ACL), then his elbow (tommy john), then his hamstring. Well then. Is hair healthy?

Rob...I too like Murton, and think I would also take him over Baldelli right now. But only because Murton is cheaper and we don't need to give up prospects. If I had too chose between the two at equal cost - I would take Baldelli (haven't we already talked about this? :) ) With that said, i would still be interested in getting Baldelli for CF, and the trading whichever player we wanted when Pie was ready. Having a productive Murton, Baldelli, and Pie would be a nice luxury - all could be very valuable commodities. We could deal with the problem when it comes along.

"Prior called the hospital and talked to Hendry in Fla, to wish him well" nice for prior to call hendry in the hospital since he's made that phone call to prior in the hospital a few dozen times. hahaha...the humor of failure. good stuff. thnx for the recap cubster...didnt even know he was being interviewed tonite.

I suspect Marcus Giles was non-tendered to preclude the possibility that he would win an arbitration award greater than his perceived value. The Braves apparently believe his value is declining. The problem with trading Giles may have been that free agent Ronnie Belliard posted similar batting numbers last year. Would another team rather trade for Giles and risk arbitration or just sign Belliard? Now that Giles is a free agent, I wonder if the Astros would be interested in signing him. Chris Burke is going to play centerfield now that Willy Tavares was traded for Jason Jennings. The Astros need someone besides Biggio at second base. I suspect the Cubs have been waiting to see if a centerfielder such as Wilkerson was non-tendered. Unfortunately, no suitable centerfield candidate was non-tendered, so the Cubs will need to pursue a trade. I wonder if Jones could be swapped. I suspect Felix Pie needs another year at Iowa to learn plate discipline. If Eric Patterson is switched from second base to centerfield, he might arrive at Wrigley Field sooner than Pie. I have heard rumors that Tony La Russa and Dave Duncan believed Jason Marquis was tipping his pitches the second half of last year. Maybe the Cubís scouts gave Hendry the same report and this is why his poor performance during the second half seems to be discounted by Hendry.

If I have to read this utter bullshit again that Jason Marquis was tipping pitches, I'm gonna puke! Like I said the other day, Tony LaRussa is an absolute obsessive compulsive PARANOID lunatic when it comes to worrying about the other side "reading" his team. He thinks all his pitchers are tipping. FOR FRICKING EXAMPLE: St.Louis Post Dispatch "10/21/2006 DETROIT ó A few innings into the first postseason start of his career, Cardinals pitcher Anthony Reyes had to make a shift because he may have been tipping his pitches. The Cardinals feel sure enough that the tick was fixed in a side session that Reyes will be a part of history tonight in only his second playoff appearance." Reyes, of course, is the pitcher LaRussa substituted for Marquis because Marquis supposedly wouldn't take Duncan's advice that he was tipping his pitches.

NICK: No, nothing new on Petrick. In fact, the Cubs were EXTREMELY discreet about releasing health info regarding their injured players prior to the Rule 5 Draft (and that makes sense). Now that the Rule Draft has passed, however, maybe we'll start to get some prognoses about some of the injured pitchers. BTW, if you were wondering about Miguel Negron, after he was released by the Cubs last month, he signed a minor league contract with the Cardinals and got himself an NRI to ST. With the way he is playing in the Puerto Rican Winter League, he might have a shot at winning a spot on the Cards 2007 Opening Day roster. And Ryan O'Malley also was released by the Cubs at the same time, but no word yet on his plans for '07.

Wilkerson fits our solution too. he stikes out a ton, but he's a fine cf, and left handed. keep in mind he had a wrist injury last year which destroyed his 2006 season.

Wilkerson fits our solution too. he stikes out a ton, but he's a fine cf, and left handed. keep in mind he had a wrist injury last year which destroyed his 2006 season.

Phil, I have always appreciated your posts - they are informational, insightful and lacking the ranting and raving of some other Cub bloggers. I have one question that you can answer if you have time. I've never really been able to comprehend the minor league option rules - have you (or could you) post(ed) a summation of just how the option system works? Thanks.

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    There are two clear "logjams" in the Cubs minor league pipeline at the present time, namely AA outfielders (K. Alcantara, C. Franklin, Roederer, Pagan, Pinango, Beesley, and Nwogu) and Hi-A infielders (J. Rojas, P. Ramirez, Howard, R. Morel, Pertuz, R. Garcia, and Spence, although Morel has been getting a lot of reps in the outfield in addition to infield). So it is possible that you might see a trade involving one of the extra outfielders at AA and/or one of the extra infielders at Hi-A in the next few days. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    18-year old SS Jefferson Rojas almost made the AA Tennessee Opening Day roster, and he is a legit shortstop, so I would expect him to be an MLB Top 100 prospect by mid-season. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Among the relievers in the system, I expect RHRP Hunter Bigge at AAA Iowa and RHRP Ty Johnson at South Bend to have breakout seasons on 2024, and among the starters I see LHP Drew Gray and RHP Will Sanders at South Bend and RHP Naz Mule at ACL Cubs as the guys who will make the biggest splash. Also, Jaxon Wiggins is throwing bullpen sides, so once he is ready for game action he could be making an impact at Myrtle Beach by June.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    I expect OF Christian Franklin to have a breakout season at AA Tennessee in 2024. In another organization that doesn't have PCA, Caissie, K. Alcantara, and Canario in their system, C. Franklin would be a Top 10 prospect. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    The Reds trading Joe Boyle for Sam Moll at last year's MLB Trade Deadline was like the Phillies trading Ben Brown to the Cubs for David Robertson at the MLB TD in 2022. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Javier Assad started the Lo-A game (Myrtle Beach versus Stockton) on the Cubs backfields on Wednesday as his final Spring Training tune-up. He was supposed to throw five innings / 75 pitches. However, I was at the minor league road games at Fitch so I didn't see Assad pitch. 

  • crunch (view)

    cards put j.young on waivers.

    they really tried to make it happen this spring, but he put up a crazy bad slash of .081/.244/.108 in 45PA.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Seconded!!!

  • crunch (view)

    another awesome spring of pitching reports.  thanks a lot, appreciated.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Here are the Cubs pitchers reports from Tuesday afternoon's Cardinals - Cubs game art Sloan Park in Mesa:

    SHOTA IMANAGA
    FB: 90-92 
    CUT: 87-89 
    SL: 82-83 
    SPLIT: 81-84
    CV: 73-74 
    COMMENT: Worked three innings plus two batters in the fourth... allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits (six singles and two doubles) walked one, and struck out six (four swinging), with a 1/2 GO/AO... he threw 73 pitches (52 strikes - 10 swing & miss - 19 foul balls)... surrendered one run in the top of the 1st on a one-out double off Cody Bellinger's glove in deep straight-away CF followed one out later by two consecutive two-out bloop singles, allowed two runs (one earned) in the 2nd after retiring the first two hitters (first batter had a nine-pitch AB with four consecutive two-strike foul balls before being retired 3 -U) on a two-out infield single (weak throw on the run by Nico Hoerner), a hard-contact line drive RBI double down the RF line, and an E-1 (missed catch) by Imanaga on what should been an inning-ending 3-1 GO, gave up another run in the 3rd on a two-out walk on a 3-2 pitch and an RBI double to LF, and two consecutive singles leading off the top of the 4th before being relieved (runners were ultimately left stranded)... threw 18 pitches in the 1st inning (14 strikes - two swing & miss, one on FB and the other on a SL - four foul balls), 24 pitches in the 2nd inning (17 strikes - three swing & miss, one on FB, two SPLIT - six foul balls), 19 pitches in the 3rd inning (13 strikes - seven swing & miss, three on SL, two on SPLIT, one on FB - three foul balls), and 12 pitches without retiring a batter in the top of the 4th (8 strikes - no swing & miss - four foul balls)... Imanaga throws a lot of pitches per inning, but it's not because he doesn't throw strikes...  if anything, he throws too many strikes (he threw 70% strikes on Tuesday)... while he gets a ton of swing & miss (and strikeouts), he also induces a lot of foul balls because he doesn't try to make hitters chase his pitches by throwing them out of the strike zone... rather, he uses his very diverse pitch mix to get swing & miss (and lots of foul balls as well)... he also is a fly ball pitcher who will give up more than his share of HR during the course of the season...   
     
    JOE NAHAS
    FB: 90-92 
    SL: 83-85 
    CV: 80-81 
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day... relieved Imanaga with runners at first and second and no outs in the top of the 4th, and after an E-2 catcher's interference committed by Miguel Amaya loaded he bases, Nahas struck out the side (one swinging & two looking)... threw 16 pitches (11 strikes - two swinging)...   

    YENCY ALMONTE
    FB: 89-92 
    CH: 86 
    SL: 79 
    COMMENT: Threw an eight-pitch 5th (five strikes - no swing & miss), with a 5-3 GO for the first out and an inning-ending 4-6-3 DP after a one-out single... command was a bit off but he worked through it...   

    FRANKIE SCALZO JR
    FB: 94-95
    CH: 88 
    SL: 83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 6th inning... got the first outs easily (a P-5 and a 4-3 GO) on just three pitches, before allowing three consecutive two-out hard-contact hits (a double and two singles), with the third hit on pitch # 9 resulting in a runner being thrown out at the plate by RF Christian Franklin for the third out of the inning... 

    MICHAEL ARIAS
    FB: 94-96
    CH: 87-89
    SL: 82-83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and allowed a hard-contact double on the third pitch of the 7th inning (a 96 MPH FB), and the runner came around to score on a 4-3 GO and a WP... gave up two other loud contact outs (an L-7 and an F-9)... threw 18 pitches (only 10 strikes - only one swing & miss)... stuff is electric but still very raw and he continues to have difficulty commanding it, and while he has the repertoire of a SP, he throws too many pitches-per-inning to be a SP and not enough strikes to be a closer... he is most definitely still a work-in-progress...   

    ZAC LEIGH: 
    FB: 93-94 
    CH: 89 
    SL: 81-83 
    CV: 78
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and tossed a 1-2-3 8th (4-3 GO, K-swinging on a sweeper, K-looking on another sweeper)... threw 14 pitches (11 strikes - one swing & miss - eight foul balls)... kept pumping pitches into the strike zone but had difficulty putting hitters away (ergo a ton of foul balls)... FB velo is nowhere near the 96-98 MPH it was a couple of years ago when he was a Top 30 prospect, but his secondaries are better...   

    JOSE ROMERO:  
    FB: 93-95
    SL: 82-84
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 9th (14 pitches - only six strikes- no swing & miss) and allowed a solo HR after two near-HR fly outs to the warning track, before getting a 3-1 GO to end the inning... it was like batting practice when he wasn't throwing pitches out of the strike zone...