Cubs 2007-08 Offseason Thread

[The Sheik]

ESPN Insider Blog:

10:52 p.m., from Enrique Rojas

[SportsWorld]

Hopefully Valverde doesn't end up with the Brewers. I do not want him in our division at all.

[Howling Mad]

Valverde doesn't scare me. Hes another case of a player who over achieved on a team of over achievers.

i.e. 2005 White Sox. Look where they are at now.

[Posey H8er]

Accoridng to this site and this board, Fukudome will sign to some team by today.
Note sure of the validity of the sources.

[Posey H8er]

Piniella today-
Link

--He preached patience to fans who may be unsatisfied with the Cubs' lack of deals during the meetings, pledging that patience will be rewarded -- a thinly veiled reference to the Cubs' front-runner status for Japanese free agent Kosuke Fukudome. ``[GM Jim Hendry] [promised me by Christmas, I'll be pretty happy,'' Piniella said.

--Piniella said he expects the Cubs to add left-handed hitting via both free agency (Fukudome) and a trade, which suggests the Cubs might have a middle infielder in their sights. Boston's Alex Cora would be a good fit, but tough to land.

--Those who watched Ryan Theriot's productivity tail off at the end of the season and wondered if that loosened up the shortstop job going into spring training, Piniella said flatly Theriot's his shortstop in 2008. ``He earned it,'' said Piniella, who said Theriot's spot in the order (second or eighth) is likely to be determined by which players the Cubs are able to add to the lineup.

[SportsWorld]

It says on that link above that someone made a big offer. That had to be Hendry. Or it could be the White Sox who lost out on Hunter.

[Posey H8er]

Dave Kaplan of WGN said that he has confirmed with his sources today that the Cubs wish list includes Fukudome, Roberts and Figgins. The Angles are trying to get Inge from Detroit which could make our path to Figgens easier.

[The Sheik]

ESPN INSIDER BLOG:

5:50 p.m., from Jerry Crasnick

[WEFFPIM]

Hopefully Valverde doesn't end up with the Brewers. I do not want him in our division at all.

The Brewers and DBacks have talked (they love trading with each other) but I doubt anything happens. I think Melvin is happy with his bullpen situation right now with the addition of Mota and Riske. Throw in Turnbow and there's your battle for the closer's role.

In other words, this bullpen goes from bad to explosively bad, and yet the powers that be don't seem to mind.

However, either Tadahito Iguchi or Joe Crede will more than likely become a Brewer here shortly, all signs pointing to Iguchi. He'd move to third, Braun to left.

[Ruben Douglas]

1250am reported that the Brewers talked to Arizona but negotiations were short and ended because they couldn't agree.

Iguchi will become a Brewer. He has not played 3B in how long? Good luck.

[GYBE]

Well, both Iguichi and Crede arety bad so I'm happy with that. Don't see why they wouldn't move Hall to 3rd and get another OF through trade. Much easier to get good a good bat in the OF than in the infield.

[The Sheik]

ESPN:

[SportsWorld]

Someone on NSBB said that Bruce Levine reported that Fukudome expected to make a decision tonight or in the early morning.

[Posey H8er]

ESPN:

[Posey H8er]

Someone on NSBB said that Bruce Levine reported that Fukudome expected to make a decision tonight or in the early morning.

Japan time or our local time? Right now it's about what, 12PM there?

[SportsWorld]

-= original quote snipped =-


Japan time or our local time? Right now it's about what, 12PM there?

It is 1:37 PM in Japan right now so I think when we wake up in the morning we should know.

[Posey H8er]

Unless that report is false. I hate all these "sources" I am hearing. One source said the Cubs and Royals were the only ones that might get Fukudome now. I do not know where the Royals are getting all this money, last year Meche, this year Guillen, etc. If Cubs do not get Fukudome it should be blamed all on Hendry. A big Fuk-U to you Jimbo.

[Posey H8er]

Supposedly talks with Fukudome are supposed to heat up at midnight CST.

[The Sheik]

All-Star center fielder Andruw Jones and the Los Angeles Dodgers reached a preliminary agreement Wednesday night on a $36.2 million, two-year contract.

Jones will receive a $12.2 million signing bonus, of which $5.1 million is payable next year, $2.1 million in 2009 and $5 million in 2010. He well get salaries of $9 million next year and $15 million in 2009, and also will receive a no-trade clause.

Juan Pierre, who had been in center field, will switch to one of the corners, displacing Andre Ethier or Matt Kemp.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3143653

[The Sheik]

ESPN BLOG:

1:33 a.m., from Jerry Crasnick