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!

Kevin Millar will bring more to the Cubs than an extra bat off the bench

Sounds like Kevin Millar will add a lot to the Cubs' clubhouse.  Read on - from espnchicago.com:

Kevin Millar will try to prove that he can win a spot on the Chicago Cubs roster as a right-handed hitter off the bench who can play the corner infield positions and the outfield.


But the character who helped the Boston Red Sox end their World Series drought in 2004 said he will bring more to the Cubs than just his performance on the field.

"Everybody is looking at stats ... I get it," Millar, who signed a minor-league contract with the Cubs, said Friday on "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000. "But my point is when you're making a team and trying to bring in a bunch of different personalities I think everybody's got a certain amount of intangibles that they bring.

"Obviously, I'll bring some leadership qualities. I've won a World Series. Having a chance to play with guys like Ryan Dempster and Derrek Lee, we came up together in Florida. It's trying to make a family atmosphere and trying to get everybody to pull on the same rope and trying to get everybody to believe that we can do this."

The Cubs have to hope Millar can bring some of the magic that surrounded another supposed cursed franchise, the Red Sox, when they won their first World Series since 1918 in 2004. Millar became an iconic hero during his time in Boston, coining the phrase "Cowboy up" during their 2004 World Series season.

Millar sees no reason the Cubs can't be like that Red Sox team.

"You've always heard that the Cubs are the lovable losers. You go out to the bleachers, you have some beer, you root for the Cubs and they get blown out 11-2 and we scream Harry Caray," Millar said. "That's not what it is about. When I signed with Boston in '03 they had the same negative [atmosphere]. The media beat you up. The one thing that I think our group brought is that we didn't care about everything that was said. All we had to do was believe we could play and win the game that night.

"This whole curse stuff, it isn't funny. It's not the lovable loser anymore. You're got to go into camp focusing on the big picture and get prepared and get a chance to know the guys. Something has got to be different here because it hasn't worked so you've got to get that winning attitude. You've got to get these guys believing they can do it, that Derrek Lee is going to win the MVP, that Ryan Dempster can win 20 games. That's what it's about."

After losing out on the Milton Bradley gamble last season, the Cubs have added several players regarded as high-character guys such as outfielders Marlon Byrd and Xavier Nady and pitcher Carlos Silva. Add Millar to the list -- if he makes the team. He will compete with another free-agent addition, left-handed hitting Chad Tracy, and holdover Micah Hoffpauir for a spot on the bench.

"[Cubs general manager] Jim [Hendry] knows what I can bring to a clubhouse, what I can bring to a team other than being a right-handed guy off the bench or whatever he needs me to be," said Millar, 38, who spent last season with the Toronto Blue Jays, batting .223 with seven home runs and 29 runs batted in. "I think that's the biggest problem that the Cubs have had to be honest with you. People ask me all the time, 'Is team chemistry overrated?' Well, you tell me. You're with 25 guys more than your family from basically end of February to October. That's not overrated.

"When you go out to eat you want to have 12, 15 guys there. When you barbecue you want everyone included. ....You try to bring a team and a group together. When you get everyone pulling on the same rope, it's exciting. When you win it's a lot of fun."

Millar likely will have to prove he can play some third base if he is going to make the Cubs. Despite playing third base in the minor leagues, Millar has only played 32 games there during his 12-year major league career.

"We're so in tune with stats and numbers and we forget that teams win championships, not players," Millar said. "My job is to go out there and only do what I can control and that's have a good spring training and hopefully have a good shot at making this club."

Chicago Cubs All Time Starting Rotation

An interesting article about the greatest Cubs pitchers of all time.  Goes all the way back before the Cubs were even called the Cubs.  Here's the link - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/340861-the-chicago-cubs-all-time-starting-rotation

Cubs Spring Training Schedule

Cubs Spring Training schedule -

March 4 A's vs Cubs - Mesa 1:05 pm


March 5 Dbacks vs Cubs - Mesa 1:05 pm

March 6 Cubs vs Sox(ss) - Glendale 1:05 pm

March 7 Dodgers vs Cubs(ss) - Mesa 1:05 pm

March 7 Cubs(ss) vs Sox - Glendale 1:05 pm

March 8 Cubs vs A's - Phoenix 1:05 pm

March 9 Brewers vs Cubs - Mesa 1:05 pm

March 10 Giants vs Cubs - Mesa 1:05 pm

March 11 Cubs vs Padres - Peoria 1:05 pm

March 12 Cubs(ss) vs Brewers - Maryvale

March 12 Sox(ss) vs Cubs - Las Vegas 1:05 pm

March 13 Reds vs Cubs(ss) - Mesa 7:05 pm

March 13 Sox(ss) vs Cubs(ss) - Las Vegas 1:05 pm

March 14 Cubs vs Angels - Tempe 1:05 pm

March 15 Cubs vs Rockies - HCT 1:05 pm

March 16 Rangers vs Cubs - Mesa 1:05 pm

March 17 Day Off

March 18 Cubs vs Dodgers - Glendale 1:05 pm

March 19 Cubs vs Sox - Glendale 1:05 pm

March 20 Cubs(ss) vs A's(ss) - Phoenix 1:05 pm

March 20 Royals(ss) vs Cubs(ss) - Mesa 1:05 pm

March 21 Cubs vs Reds(ss) - Goodyear 1:05 pm

March 22 Indians vs Cubs - Mesa 1:05 pm

March 23 Cubs vs Royals - Surprise 1:05 pm

March 24 Cubs vs Rangers - Surprise 1:05 pm

March 25 Cubs vs Dbacks - TEP 1:05 pm

March 26 A's(ss) vs Cubs - Mesa 1:05 pm

March 27 Padres(ss) vs Cubs - Mesa 1:05 pm

March 28 Cubs vs Mariners - Peoria 1:05 pm

March 29 Cubs vs Reds - Goodyear 1:05 pm

March 30 Cubs vs Giants - Scottsdale 1:05 pm

March 31 Cubs(ss) vs Brewers - Maryvale1:05 pm
March 31 Angels vs Cubs(ss) - Mesa 1:05 pm
April 1 Rockies vs Cubs - Mesa 1:05 pm

April 2 Cubs vs Dbacks - Chase Field 6:40 pm

April 3 Cubs vs Dbacks - Chase Field 1:10 pm

The Latest on the Gunfight at the Cactus League Corral

From Paul Sullivan from Chicago Breaking Sports News -

The battle between the Cubs and their fellow Cactus League owners over a proposed ticket surcharge to help fund a new spring training facility in Mesa, Ariz., is expected to heat up this week.

The White Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks are leading the opposition to the "Cubs tax," a surcharge on all Cactus League tickets.

The Cubs have declined to comment on the brewing brouhaha, although Mesa mayor Scott Smith, who has been outspoken in his remarks about Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf's opposition to the surcharge, released a statement Sunday saying the project would benefit the entire Cactus League.

"The Chicago Cubs are far and away the leader in spring-training attendance," Smith said. "They bring in thousands more tourists than any other team in the Cactus League, which creates an economic impact for all of Arizona in excess of $100 million each year. And, the Cubs spread these benefits around. Scottsdale and Phoenix/Tempe get more Cubs tourists in their hotels than Mesa! This is about jobs and tourism dollars that positively benefit this state every year. "

Smith also said he hopes Cactus League teams would meet with him and Arizona House Majority Leader John Comish, who will introduce the legislation on Monday, before opposing the surcharge.
"This is not just a Mesa or Cubs problem," he said. "All teams and cities will reach a point in the future when they too will be faced with the challenge of upgrading facilities that have aged or are obsolete.

"Hopefully, the teams will keep an open mind and discuss honestly how this problem can be resolved so the Cactus League can remain strong and successful. To do otherwise is shortsighted, selfish and foolish. I welcome the opportunity to explain the bill and other proposals to the leaders of any other Cactus League team."

HoHoKam Park, where the Cubs play, is by no means an obsolete ballpark. But it is one of the older facilities remaining in the Cactus League. In December, Cubs president Crane Kenney said the team needed a new facility because Cubs fans may decide to attend their road games at more modern Cactus League ballparks in the future, bypassing HoHoKam.

"You now have 15 teams within 45 minutes of each other, roughly," Kenney told Cubs beat writers. "And facilities like Camelback Ranch (shared by the White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers) and Goodyear (shared by Cleveland and Cincinnati) are truly state-of-the-art.

"If I go to Arizona and I'm a Cubs fan and I want to see my team, I can choose to either go to Goodyear, Glendale or one of these really neat facilities to see the Cubs play the Reds, or the Indians or the Dodgers or the White Sox. Or I can go to HoHoKam, which is less of a facility.

"So what I worry about in some ways is that people coming to Arizona, (because) it's so easy to get to the Cubs games anywhere they play, that they start attending the away games, because our facility has fallen behind some of the newer stadiums. Part of this is defensive. Yes, we do draw well. But I do worry (that) down the road, will fans say, 'I absolutely want to see the Cubs, I absolutely want to see them in Arizona, but I don't necessarily need to see them in HoHoKam?' So that's part of the reason why (the Cubs need a new facility)."

Because of the controversy surrounding the surcharge, the Arizona legislature is now expected to ask for a special audit by the auditor general of all contracts entered into by the Arizona Tourism and Sports authority during the calendar years of 2008 and '09 to acquire land or construct, finance, furnish, improve, market or promote the use of existing or proposed spring training facilities.

That audit would include the deals that brought the White Sox and Dodgers to Glendale, the Indians and Reds to Goodyear, and the plan to bring the D-backs and Colorado Rockies to a new facility in Scottsdale. The sports authority was created in 2000 to help raise money for the Arizona Cardinals stadium in Glendale, and for Cactus League facilities.

Q&A with Len Kasper

Here's a link to a question and answer session with the Cubs play by play announcer Len Kasper - http://chicagocubsonline.com/archives/2010/02/cubslenkasper.php - interesting.

Mesa Mayor blasting White Sox for opposing tax to build new Cubs park

From http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/ - 

The battle over whether Cactus League teams should be forced to charge extra for tickets to help fund a new spring training facility for the Cubs is starting to get ugly.

In an interview with the Arizona Republic, Mesa Mayor Scott Smith criticized White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf for his opposition to the proposed surcharge, which is expected to be introduced into legislation Monday.

Smith said the proposed surcharge -- the "Cubs tax" -- would not affect "current revenue streams" for the other 13 teams that train in the Cactus League. He then noted that Reinsdorf's Sox left Tucson for a publicly funded spring training complex in Glendale, Ariz.

"Is this the same Jerry Reinsdorf that skipped out on Pima County taxpayers who had spent tens of millions of dollars to provide him with a taxpayer-funded stadium, to come to Glendale, where Maricopa County taxpayers provided him a Taj Mahal spring-training facility?" Smith said.

Smith also said Reinsdorf's White Sox play in a publicly funded ballpark in Chicago, and that Reinsdorf looked into buying the Phoenix Coyotoes, who play in a publicly funded facility in Glendale.
"The irony is delicious," Smith said.

Arizona president Derrick Hall told the Republic that the other 13 teams in the Cactus League "feel the same way" about helping to subsidize the Cubs' ballpark in Mesa.

Book Review - When the Cubs Won It All

A new book is out about the 1908 season when the Cubs last won the World Series.  Its entitled "When the Cubs Won It All".  A review of the new book can be found here - http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/majors/book-guide/2010/269460.html

The latest on "Big Z"

Here's the latest about Carlos Zambrano - from the Chicago Tribune:

After spending the offseason in Chicago for the first time in his career, Carlos Zambrano flew down to Arizona last week to get a head start on spring training.


Pitchers and catchers don't have to report to Fitch Park in Mesa until Feb. 17, but Zambrano already is working out, promising to atone for his nine-victory season.

"We did it quietly," general manager Jim Hendry said. "I don't think he wanted any publicity for that. He's going about his business well. I think you're going to get a very well-focused guy who's determined to rectify last year's season."

With Ted Lilly out until May, the onus will be on Zambrano and Ryan Dempster to get off to good starts and stay healthy, keeping the front end of the rotation afloat until Lilly returns. Zambrano stuck to his offseason workout routines, and the Cubs believe he's committed to staying in shape.

"Carlos was a little heavy last year, there's no question," manager Lou Piniella told fans at the Cubs Convention. "He's another player (besides Geovany Soto) we had a nice conversation with toward the end of the year.

"We said, 'Look, we need for you to step up and give us 200-plus innings. We need for you to win 18-20 ballgames, the way you're fully capable of. But to do that, you have to get yourself in better shape, where we don't have to worry about pitch counts with you.' "

Piniella said Zambrano "promised" he would be in better shape and more focused.

"He looks absolutely wonderful, and I think you'll see a heck of a better performance from him just because of that," Piniella said. "The mental part of it? He's mentally strong. He fights himself at times. He needs to harness that a little bit. But you want competitors on the mound, and Carlos certainly competes."

Bleacher Report predicts decline in Dempster's performance

The Bleacher Report predicts a slight decline in Ryan Dempster's performance this year, although the numbers they predict still look pretty good.  The primary reason Bleacher Report predicts a decline is simply because Dempster will turn 33 this year and a decline is to be expected.

Bleacher Report predicts the following numbers for Demp - 32 starts, 197 innings pitched, 3.93 ERA, 166 K's, 66 walks, 1.34 WHIP.

The full article is here - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/340599-2010-chicago-cubs-profile-ryan-dempster#

Methinks Dempster will do just fine this year.

CUBS: "Tax is not our issue"

The following is from Bruce Levine at ESPN -

The Chicago Cubs' response to critical comments made by White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf about a possible Cactus League tax on all baseball tickets sold is no response at all.
"This is not our issue," Cubs president Crane Kenney said. "This is an issue for the state of Arizona to represent."
Arizona at this point has committed to a ticket amusement charge, however they are considering that as part of the way to fund the $85 million needed to build a new Cubs compex in east Mesa. The state is looking at many ways to try to raise funds, including adding a rental car tax. The Cubs as well as the other 14 teams training in Arizona would be subject to a ticket tariff if that is the direction the state decides to go.
Reinsdorf told the Phoenix Business Journal that the White Sox are opposed to a tariff on Cactus League games.
The Cubs and Arizona hope the new site will be ready by 2013. The Cubs will continue to spend spring training at HoHoKam Park and Fitch Field, their minor-league complex until the project is completed.

White Sox and Diamondbacks trying to block Cubs deal with Mesa

From the Phoenix Business Journal -

The Chicago White Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks oppose a plan to have the entire Cactus League bankroll the $84 million stadium being built in Mesa for the Chicago Cubs.
Arizona lawmakers are crafting plans that could impose new ticket charges on all Cactus League games and raise rental car taxes Valleywide to help pay for the Cubs’ new spring training complex.
Cactus League President Robert Brinton said ticket surcharges previously have been used by specific cities to fund baseball stadiums within their jurisdictions, but this is the first time a leaguewide fee could be imposed for one project. In a nutshell, the D-backs, Sox and spring training fans Valleywide would help foot the bill for Mesa to build a 15,000-seat stadium for the Cubs.
“We’re opposed,” said White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf.
He said other teams and their fans did not finance development of the new White Sox stadium in Glendale, and he thinks it’s unfair to have other teams pay for the Cubs complex in Mesa. The Sox share the new Camelback Ranch stadium with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
D-backs President Derrick Hall also doesn’t like the idea of leaguewide ticket surcharges to benefit the Cubs.
“We want the Cubs to stay here badly, but not at the expense of our fans,” Hall said. “I’ve heard the argument that the other teams should be willing to because of the visiting crowds that the Cubs bring to their games. They do draw well, as do we, yet we were creative in our search for a new site to identify a partner willing to finance the entire project without public dollars.”
The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community is building a new spring training stadium east of Scottsdale for the D-backs and the Colorado Rockies. The tribe is taking a $23 million loan backed by federal stimulus money to help fund that $100 million project. The tribe, which operates two casinos, is paying for the remainder of the new complex.
Cactus League tickets this year range between $4 and $45 per game.
TO THEIR BENEFIT

Brinton said the Cubs are a linchpin of the Cactus League, and he supports the ticket surcharge idea as well as raising car rental rates. The Cubs are the biggest draw in the Cactus League, with more than 203,000 fans attending its spring training games in 2009. The team’s owners, the Ricketts family, threatened to move to Naples, Fla., to play in the Grapefruit League unless Mesa built a new ballpark to replace the aging Hohokam Stadium.
Arizona House Majority Leader John McComish, R-Ahwatukee, is formulating a financing bill for the Cubs. McComish said he is looking at options to pay for the new stadium, including ticket surcharges and increased taxes on hotels and car rentals. He hasn’t finalized the bill, but said it could be introduced soon. It has not been determined how much the surcharge would be.
The Phoenix area already has high car rental taxes, with current rates totaling 18.53 percent.
McComish understands the skepticism from other teams, but he pointed out that the Cubs have a substantial regional economic impact and draw fans to other Cactus League parks.
“When the other teams play the Cubs, they sell out. It’s to their benefit,” he said.
McComish said he’s looking at long-term revenue streams to help the entire league, not just the Cubs.
Keeping the Cubs in Mesa has the backing of key lawmakers, including House Speaker Kirk Adams, R-Mesa. Adams confirmed that ticket surcharges and car rental tax increases could be part of the Cubs package.
“The Cubs are a $138 million impact on the economy annually,” Adams said.
BAD TIMING

Legislators also may face criticism if they fast-track taxes for the Cubs as they cut education and social welfare programs in the face of a multibillion-dollar deficit.
“It’s a tough climate to be making those kind of promises,” said Gretchen Jacobs, president of Arizona Governmental Affairs, a lobbying firm in Phoenix.
Mesa City Manager Chris Brady said in addition to ticket surcharges and higher car rental taxes, Mesa voters will be asked to approve bond money as well as infrastructure and services spending for the new complex. Brady said tentative plans call for two-thirds of the $84 million to come from regional sources and one-third from the city. That translates into a split of $56 million to $28 million. McComish said the split could be more even.

Four vie for two openings in Cubs rotation

From the Chicago Tribune -

With Ted Lilly out through at least April, the Cubs will be searching for two new members of the rotation, one to replace him and one to replace the departed Rich Harden.

So Cubs camp will turn into a tryout camp.

"An opportunity really," said pitching coach Larry Rothschild, preferring not to use the word tryout. "Somebody's going to get a real nice opportunity."

Four veterans — Sean Marshall, Tom Gorzelanny, Jeff Samardzija and newcomer Carlos Silva — will join several youngsters with the knowledge that one of them could stick all season. And all four look at themselves as starters.

"Absolutely," Gorzelanny said. "That's the way I have to go in. I'm not going in trying to make the bullpen, I'm going in trying to be a starter."

Said Marshall: "I'm training my body to start and pitch every five days and I can always back off and adjust. I like starting, and I like knowing when I'm going to pitch.

"But I also like the relief role when I don't know when I'm going to pitch. You have to get amped up for it. I prefer starting but know that I'm an asset in the bullpen."

Marshall and Gorzelanny are left-handed, as is Lilly. Other than those three, the Cubs' rotation would be all right-handed with Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster and Randy Wells.

"I just want people who can get people out, I don't care who they are," Rothschild said.

While Lilly was 12-9 in 27 starts last season, the other four veterans were a combined 7-12 in 24 starts.

Those four, to varying degrees, were mostly relievers, with Marshall making 46 bullpen appearances and Samardzija 18. At least two likely will end up in the pen, although all will be given several spring starts.

Silva is the most experienced starter, going 13-14 in 33 starts in 2007 with the Twins before encountering arm problems last season in Seattle that made him readily available in exchange for Milton Bradley.

Gorzelanny was 20-19 in 53 starts for the 2007-08 Pirates, while Marshall was 13-17 in 43 starts for the Cubs in 2006-07.

Obviously, none can replace Lilly, who had shoulder surgery.

"We've got a lot of games in spring," Rothschild said. "It's a lot easier to put them in the bullpen after starting than it is the other way. And I want guys to have consistent starts when possible."

Infielder Chad Tracy signs minor league deal with Cubs

Chicago Cubs have signed utility infielder Chad Tracy to a Minor League contract with an invitation to spring training.

A career .280 hitter, Tracy has 78 career home runs, 318 RBI, a .339 on-base percentage and a .453 slugging percentage over 704 Major League games. He played all or part of six seasons with Arizona from 2004 to 2009 after Arizona drafted him in the seventh round of the 2001 draft.  Tracy has appeared defensively at third base (340 games), first base (246 games) and the outfield (52 games).

Tracy bats left handed and has a career .297 batting average (544-for-1829) vs. right-handed pitching with an .840 OPS (.358 on-base percentage, .482 slugging percentage).

Tracy had his best season in 2005 when he hit a career high .308 batting average, career high 41 doubles and 27 home runs and a career high .553 slugging percentage.  He also had a career high 80 RBIs.

Tracy spent less than three full seasons in the minors before making his Major League debut with Arizona in 2004. He was named to the Topps All-Rookie team in 2004.

Top Cubs prospects

Here's a list of the Cubs top prospects according to http://milbprospects.blogspot.com/2010/02/chicago-cubs-top-40-prospects.html -

1 Josh Vitters , 3B , CHC


2 Starlin Castro , SS , CHC

3 Hak Ju Lee , SS , CHC

4 Brett Jackson , OF , CHC

5 Jay Jackson , P , CHC

6 Andrew Cashner , P , CHC

7 Kyler Burke , OF , CHC

8 Logan Watkins , 2B , CHC

9 Chris Carpenter , P , CHC

10 D.J. Lemahieu , 2B , CHC

11 Chris Archer , P , CHC

12 Casey Coleman , P , CHC

13 Ryan Flaherty , SS , CHC

14 Chris Huseby , P , CHC

15 Jake Opitz , SS , CHC

16 Brandon Guyer , OF , CHC

17 Francisco Guzman CHC

18 Smaily Borges , 1B , CHC

19 Larry Suarez , P , CHC

20 James Leverton , P , CHC

21 Sergio Burruel , C , CHC

22 Brooks Raley , P , CHC

23 Wellington Castillo , C , CHC

24 Thomas Diamond , P , CHC

25 Jeff Stevens , P , CHC

26 Darwin Barney , SS , CHC

27 Junior Lake , SS , CHC

28 Jeff Beliveau , P , CHC

29 Dan McDaniel P CHC

30 Matt Cerda , SS , CHC

31 Tyler Colvin , OF , CHC

32 Hung Wen Chen , P , CHC

33 Kevin Hart , P , CHC

34 Ryan Searle , P , CHC

35 Jae-Hoon Ha CHC

36 Ty Wright , OF , CHC

37 Ryan Buchter , P , CHC

38 David Cales , P , CHC

39 Esmailin Caridad , P , CHC

40 Craig Muschko , P , CHC

Quote from La Russa

Not that we want him - but here's what La Russa was quoted as saying about whether he would ever manage the Cubs:
"You've got a double-headed whammy there. I have a lot of friends and fans that I'm close to with the White Sox. And you know White Sox and Cubs, they don't mix. I've got friends and fans that I'm close to in St. Louis, and the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cubs don't mix. So I think if there is one place that I don't fit, just because of my past, it would be the Chicago Cubs."

Of course, this is the same bone head that thinks Mark McGwire will make a good hitting coach.  Did I miss something or did Mark McGwire never have a good batting average?  McGwire was simply a power hitter and an artificially induced one at that.  Power hitters are not good hitting coaches since you can't teach power.  Hitting is what you can teach.  But you need a hitter to do it.  Or someone who understands contact hitting, something Mark McGwire apparently doesn't.

iPhone App for Cubs fans

Here's a blurb about a new iPhone app for us Cubs fans:

The Cubs FanMisery.com Index App chronicles the day-to-day exploits of the Cubs - a team that has a fanatical fan base of historic proportions. A unique set of statistics, opinions, and news provides you with insight into what is going on with the Cubs - on and off the field - and your level of misery or bliss - as a Cubs fan.

Here's the a link - www.fanmisery.com/apps/baseball/cubs

Cubs avoid arbitration with Marmol

The Cubs and Carlos Marmol have avoided arbitration.  In his first arbitration eligible year, Marmol was seeking $2.5 million while the Cubs were offering $1.75 million.  The two sides reached an agreement Thursday morning at $2.125 million.

Marmol ended the year as the Cubs' closer and will resume that role this season.  Carlos was 2 and 4 last year, with a 3.41 ERA and 15 saves out of 19 save opportunities.  Marmol logged 74.0 innings last year in 79 games. 

Marmol's signing leaves Ryan Theriot as the only arbitration eligible Cub who has not yet signed.  By all accounts, it looks like the Cubs will not be able to reach a deal with Theriot, which will prompt an arbitration hearing later this month.

Trade rumor - Luke Gregerson for Angel Guzman?

The Cubs are strapped for cash.  So the likely moves left will likely involve trades rather than free agent signings.  One such trade that may make sense money wise is trading Angel Guzman to the Padres for Luke Gregerson.  Word is that the Padres really like Guzman, seeing him as their possible closer of the future.  The Cubs reportedly like Luke Gregerson, who had similar numbers as Guzman but would be cheaper, at least in the short term.

Last year, Gregerson was 2 and 4 with a 3.24 ERA in 72 games.  He struck out 93 in 75.0 innings, while walking 31.  Last year, on the other hand, Guzman went 3 and 3 with a .295 ERA in 55 games.  He threw 61.0 innings, striking out 47 and walking 23.  Sounds like that trade could make sense financially as well as on the field.  Your thoughts?

Second Base

Second base for the Cubs this year will be manned by two different players - Mike Fontenot and Jeff Baker.  Fontenot will be one of the left handed threats in the Cubs lineup.

Fontenot, who played college ball at LSU with Ryan Theriot, is potentially an impact player in the Cubs lineup.  While he had an off year last year (batting .236 with 22 doubles, 2 triples, 9 homers, 43 RBIs, 35 walks and 83 strikeouts), Fontenot has provided a pretty good bat in the past.  In 2008, he batted .305 in 243 at bats, hitting nine dingers and driving in 40. 

Fontenot is one of the key players that the Cubbies need to return to form.  If Fontenot can have a full season with numbers like what he did in 2008, he would easily hit 15 - 18 homers and drive in 80 or more.  Such production from second would go a long way toward the Cubs making it to the postseason and beyond. 

The hiring of Rudy Jaramillo as hitting coach should help a lot of the Cubs' batters, including Fontenot.  In fact, Jaramillo may have been the Cubs' key acquisition during the offseason as he could potentially affect multiple Cubs' starters.

Fontenot is a quality player with a potentially potent bat.  If the Cubs can tap into some of that potential in 2010, they should fare far better in 2010 than last season.

Former Cub Kevin Gregg a Blue Jay?

Reports are that Kevin Gregg has signed a one year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays.  Gregg started off last year as the Cubs' closer, only to lose the job to Carlos Marmol before season end.  Gregg was 5-6 with a 4.72 ERA and 23 saves in 72 appearances with the Cubs last season

Gregg is reportedly receiving a guaranteed salary of $2.75 million but could net more than $8 million over 2 years or $12 million over 3 years. 

If Gregg can command money like that, Carlos Marmol's chances of getting more via arbitration had of just went up. 

Backup Firstbaseman - Micah Hoffpauir

The Cubs' backup firstbaseman looks to be Micah Hoffpauir once again. The lefty will be turning thirty this year but has apparently topped out as a bench player. 

Hoffpauir's bat was not too impressive last year, batting only .239 with 12 doubles, 1 triple, 10 homeruns and 35 RBIs.  He also had 20 walks and 46 Ks. 

Hoffpauir has shown pop in the past.  In a limited run in 2008, Hoffpauir batted .342 in 73 at bats, hitting 2 homers and driving in 8.  He also had some pretty good numbers in the minor leagues.

Hopefully, Derrek Lee will stay healthy and Hoffpauir won't be needed for any significant offensive help.

Cubs' statistical projections for 2010

Here's a neat site that gives statistical projections for each of the Cubs for 2010.  http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/oracle/discussion/2010_zips_projections_chicago_cubs/

Cubs in World War II

Here's the link to an interesting blog about the Major League players who served during World War II.  This is the post regarding the Cubs players in World War II.

http://baseballinwartime.blogspot.com/2010/01/chicago-cubs-players-in-service-during.html

Pretty interesting.

Former Cub Aaron Miles headed back to the NL Central

Former Cub Aaron Miles is heading to Cincinnati along with a player to be named later.  In exchange, the Oakland A's are receiving outfielder Willy Taveras and utility man Adam Rosales.

Miles played in just 74 games for the Cubs last year, who traded him to the A's at the end of the season.  Miles' limited appearances were primarily to due to injuries to his throwing shoulder and elbow.

Miles is a career .282 hitter, having played for the Chicago White Sox, Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Cardinals and Cubs. In 2008, he hit a career-high .317 in 134 games.

Miles was a member of the Cardinals' 2006 World Series championship club.  A true utility man, Miles has played every defensive position except first base and catcher.  Miles has even made three appearances as a pitcher.

Reed Johnson ...

is officially a Dodger now.  Good luck, Reed.  And thanks for your time as part of the Cubs.

Millar signs minor league deal with Cubs

Kevin Millar has signed a minor league contract with the Cubs and has been invited to spring training.  Millar is hoping to compete for a spot on the Cubs' bench. 

Millar batted .223 in 78 games with the Blue Jays last season but is a .274 career hitter with 170 home runs in 12 seasons with Florida, Boston, Baltimore and Toronto.

If Millar can snap back to form, he will make a nice addition to the Cubs' bench.

Update on Reed Johnson

The word is that the Dodgers are offering Reed Johnson $800,000. 

Theriot may be first to go through with arbitration with Cubs in 17 years

Seventeen years ago, Mark Grace and the Cubs were not able to reach an agreement on Grace's contract, which led to an arbitration hearing that the Cubs won.  Since then, no Cubs player has had to go to arbitration.

At least until now.  It looks like Theriot may break the 17 year streak as, to date, he and the Cubs have not been able to reach an agreement.

The Cubs shortstop has asked for $3.4 million while the Cubs have offered $2.6 million.  The rumor is that the Cubs have offered more unofficially while Theriot is still stuck on $3.4 million.

Major League Baseball will assign hearing dates for teams and players who have not resolved their arbitration disputes before February 20. In these cases, an independent arbitrator presides over a hearing where both sides present their cases and explain why the arbitrator should side with them. The arbitrator must choose either the team's number or the player's figure. He's not allowed to award anything in between the two numbers.


Last season, Theriot batted .284 with 7 homers, 54 RBIs, 20 doubles, 5 triples and 21 stolen bases.  He has walked 51 times and stuck out 93 times.

Dodgers close to deal with Reed Johnson

Reed Johnson's blog, which I enjoyed last season, may not be coming back since it appears that Johnson's not going to a Cubbie next year.  This is not unexpected with the signing of Xavier Nady as the Cubs fourth outfielder.

Now it is being reported that the Dodgers are close to reaching a deal to bring Reed Johnson to L.A. to be their fourth outfielder.  No word as to how much the deal may be worth to Johnson.

Johnson batted .255 with four home runs and 22 runs batted in last year in a season in which he sat out nearly two months because of a broken foot.  Part of Johnson's value is that he can play all three outfield positions.



The opening for Johnson to potentially be the Dodger's fourth outfielder came when the Dodgers traded another former Cub Juan Pierre to the White Sox.