According to ESPNDeportes.com, the Cubs are interested in recently released former Mets second baseman Luis Castillo. But while the potential acquisition of Castillo may not solve all of the Cubs' woes, it may be worth a flier. On the surface, it's easy to see why the Cubs would show interest in Castillo. He will come cheaply, with the Mets paying the majority of his remaining contract. Any team that signs him would be required to pay just the league minimum. Meanwhile, both of the Cubs' current options at second base do not thrill anyone. Jeff Baker and Blake DeWitt may make nice utility players, but even ...
As a former boss of mine once said when I told him that I wanted a raise, "How does it feel to want?" Well, Aramis Ramirez apparently wants something, and that something is to swipe a few bags. While I probably have a better chance of dating Keeley Hazell than Ramirez does of becoming a base stealer, it just goes to show you what passes for news in the spring. These spring training games are so riveting, so intense, that we find ourselves reading about a very injury-prone and slow third baseman wanting to become the next Rickey Henderson. Hey, ...
Ryan Dempster, who is no more than a number two or three on most contending teams, will be the Cubs opening day starter on April 1st at home against the Pittsburgh Pirates. No, this is not an April Fool's joke. In truth, this decision by Mike Quade is less of an endorsement for Dempster as a true number one than it is recognition of the fact that the starter with the most talent is a head case. Still, it is fitting that the manager the Cubs decided to hire, Quade, would tab another good guy and consistent performer in Dempster. They both may ...
According to Bruce Levine, the Cubs have agreed to a three-year contract with closer Carlos Marmol, thus avoiding arbitration with the righthander.
The deal is worth $20 million over three years, which averages to just under $6.7 million per season. That's a hefty increase over his 2010 salary of $2.25 million, though the actual payouts are as follows: $3.2 million in 2011; $7 million in 2012; and $9.8 million in 2013.
Marmol followed up a shaky 2009 campaign, which featured a 7.9 walks-per-nine ratio, to post a solid season for the Cubs last year, though he still averaged 6.03 walks-per-nine.
In his first full season of closing, Marmol ...
I would love for nothing more than to be able to tell you that the Cubs are going to win the NL Central this season, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. But that just isn't the case, of course. Forget about the way the team finished last season for none of that matters, nor does it carry over into this season. Still, there is something gnawing at me that tells me this division is very winnable, despite the miserable 2010 season. For one thing, Sweet Lou is no longer asleep at the wheel, and we have a manager who ...
With the acquisition of Matt "oh no, we gave up way too much for him" Garza, the Cubs would appear to have the makings of a pretty good starting rotation for 2011, barring injuries and/or trades. But just who will bat leadoff in this lineup?
Let's take a look at the candidates and see if anyone exists on the current roster. Hey, it had better, because the Cubs seem set at every position.
Kosuke Fukudome
Well, at least early in the season, this could work, as the overpaid Japanese import should have his usual hot start before falling off the map. He has ...
The Cubs acquired Matt Garza and two non-factor minor leaguers from the Rays, in case you've been living under a rock. While there has been much gnashing of teeth about whether the Cubs gave up too much in return for Garza, the real question is what will be the next move for Jim Hendry and the Cubs?
Thus far this winter, Hendry has acted in direct opposite to what owner Tom Ricketts said the direction of the team would be. Instead of player development, the Cubs have been acquiring veterans and trading away prospects.
Now, this doesn't mean that acquiring Garza is a bad ...
The Cubs have agreed to acquire right-handed pitcher Matt Garza from the Tampa Bay Rays for a package of prospects on Friday. The Cubs will send Chris Archer, Brandon Guyer, Robinson Chirinos, Hak Ju-Lee and Sam Fuld to the Rays for Garza and a minor-league pitcher and a minor-league outfielder, according to Bruce Levine. Garza is only 27, so he is a young pitcher who will be under club control for three years. So why would the Rays trade him? For one, they are trading from a position of strength. They already have a solid rotation penciled in for 2011. Further, the Rays ...
It's not official, but David Kaplan of Chicago Now reported late Wednesday evening that Kerry Wood may soon no longer be a former Cub. Sources have since speculated that the deal will be for more than one year, and that Woody will be the setup man for closer Carlos Marmol.
While I am surprised that Jim Hendry didn't acquire another player named "Carlos" (I mean, really, is four enough? I don't think so), this move means that Wood will choose Chicago as the place where he will spend his next stint on the disabled list.
Look, I love Kerry and recall his days with ...
The Cubs organization will never use the term in front of Cubs fans for fear of backlash, but the Cubs are in a rebuilding process.
Sure, if they can win while they do it all the better, which is why we saw Jim Hendry take a flier on a veteran like Carlos Pena instead of moving Tyler Colvin to first base. But since contending in 2011 seems unlikely, I have a suggestion for Hendry:
If you can move big contracts like Carlos Zambrano without having to eat more than half of the money, what are you waiting for?
There has been some speculation ...
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