Hendry says Lilly won't be rushed

From ESPNChicago.com -

Chicago Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said there is not a clear-cut date for the return for pitcher Ted Lilly, who is coming back from left shoulder surgery cleanup.


Media reports have circulated that Lilly won't return until late April or early May.


"I talked to Mark O'Neil [trainer] last week, and he said he is coming along fine," Hendry said. "If he starts April 15 that will be fine. I don't see it being anything unless there is some kind of setback that happens in camp. It was a real minor procedure. In fairness to Ted, we're not going to rush him either. If he's 95 percent on Opening Day then we will wait until he is 100 percent."

Lilly, entering the fourth and final season on his contract with the Cubs, tied Randy Wells for the team lead in wins last season with 12. He is 44-26 in three seasons with the Cubs.

Is the Cubs' Offseason Over?

Are the Cubs done making moves?  Or are there deals in the works?  Here's what Hendry says:

"Obviously, we're always on the lookout," Hendry said. "Maybe it's something we will do in camp. We do like our club. We have a pretty good roster, body-wise, and we also have more people coming to camp internally (minor-leaguers invited to big-league camp) than we ever had. There will be opportunities for some of our young players to make the club."

Asked if additions are forthcoming outside of the organization, Hendry said: "We'll keep our eyes open. We have some ideas of people we want to scout in camp. But if something got going before we started camp, in the next week or two, we'd certainly look into that."

The Cubs are reportedly looking for help in the area of middle relief and/or setup pitchers.  One name being batted around (no pun intended) is Toronto's Jason Frasor.  The Blue Jays' signing of former Cubs closer Kevin Gregg may free up Jason Frasor for a trade to the Cubbies.  Frasor could be a dominant set up guy for the Cubs.

Another name being mentioned as a possible addition to the Cubs' roster is San Diego's Luke Gregerson, who is also a set up man.  His numbers are similar to Angel Guzman's but with a lower price tag.  I would not be surprised to see Guzman traded for Gregerson.

In any event, it looks like the Cubs may still have an offseason move or two left to do.

What do you think of the Cubs' offseason?

Jim Hendry seems proud of the moves he made for the Cubs during the offseason.  And he may have reason to be proud.  What do you think of the moves Hendry made?

Here's a breakdown of all the moves made during this offseason:

October


21 - Hired Hitting Coach Rudy Jaramillo

23 - Outrighted Bobby Scales to Triple-A Iowa

27 - The Ricketts family took over control of the Chicago Cubs

28 - The Ricketts family first day as the owners of the Chicago Cubs

30 - The Ricketts family introduced as the owners of the Chicago Cubs

November

5 - Reed Johnson and Rich Harden filed for free agency

9 - Kevin Gregg filed for free agency

16 - John Grabow filed for free agency

19 - Traded Aaron Heilman to Arizona Diamondbacks for minor leaguers Ryne White (1B) and Scott Maine (LHP)

20 - Added Blake Parker, James Adduci, Welington Castillo, John Gaub and Rafael Dolis to 40-man roster

20 - Re-signed John Grabow
December
3 - Signed Bobby Scales to a minor league contract

3 - Traded Jake Fox, Aaron Miles and cash to the Oakland A's for Jeff Gray (RHP), Matt Spencer (LF) and Ronny Morla (RHP)

10 - Selected Mike Parisi (RHP) in the Rule 5 Draft

12 - Non-Tendered Neal Cotts (LHP)

18 - Traded Milton Bradley to the Seattle Mariners for Carlos Silva and cash

31 - Agreed to Terms with Marlon Byrd
January
1 - Signed Marlon Byrd

19 - Signed Jeff Baker, Mike Fontenot, Angel Guzman, Tom Gorzelanny and Koyie Hill to one-year contracts - avoided arbitration with all five players

27 - Signed Chad Tracy to a minor league contract (includes invite to spring training)

27 - Signed Sean Marshall to one-year contract - avoided arbitration

29 - Signed Xavier Nady
February
4 - Signed Kevin Millar to a minor league contract (includes invite to spring training)

4 - Signed Carlos Marmol to one-year contract - avoided arbitration

So, tell me what you think about the Cubs' offseason!  Lets hear from you!