2008-2009 Cubs Offseason Thread

[ChronicKerr]

We keep talking about a RF being our most pressing need yet I haven't heard what anyone plans to do with our current RF who we promised that RF spot last year before we signed him. I'm assuming we'd move him to CF (which we don't know if he can play) and split time with Reed there. I'm for the Bradley signing as we can use another power bat even though he isn't a good defender and hasn't really proven he cna play the OF for a full season at a high level. I also would like to have a real leadoff hitter as I will not be happy seeing Alfonso leading off again next year and I don't know if Theriot can be the leadoff hitter we really need.

While I like Harden the dude can't pitch more than 5 innings an outting it seems like so while his stuff might be better than Peavy I don't think he's more valuable. If he has a good year he may get big money next year that would be far more than the deal Peavy is on as well. Especially after seeing the $$ that was just spent on CC (I'm not saying he'll get anywhere n ear what CC got but Peavy's deal isn't horrible for a CY Young winner).

[SportsWorld]

Cubs sign Gaudin to one-year deal
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball ... 08.article

The Cubs signed arbitration-eligible reliever Chad Gaudin to a one-year deal for 2009, avoiding arbitration. The deal is believed to be worth $2 million.

The Cubs also tendered contracts to their four other arbitration-eligible players: outfielder Reed Johnson, infielder Ronny Cedeno and pitchers Neal Cotts and Michael Wuertz. Salary arbitration figures are filed Jan. 5-15 if players haven’t agreed to terms by then.

Gaudin, who was acquired from Oakland in July along with Rich Harden, went 4-2 with a 6.26 ERA in 24 appearances for the Cubs. He was 4-1 with a 4.63 ERA before injuring his back when he fell against a dumpster while out after a game in late August.

NOTE: With Raul Ibanez agreeing to a three-year, $30 million deal with the Phillies, the Cubs’ negotiations with outfielder Milton Bradley could accelerate quickly. The Cubs have made it clear their top target is Bradley, whose representatives said early Friday that the Cubs top Bradley’s list among interested teams.

[hermes]

We keep talking about a RF being our most pressing need yet I haven't heard what anyone plans to do with our current RF who we promised that RF spot last year before we signed him. I'm assuming we'd move him to CF (which we don't know if he can play) and split time with Reed there. I'm for the Bradley signing as we can use another power bat even though he isn't a good defender and hasn't really proven he cna play the OF for a full season at a high level. I also would like to have a real leadoff hitter as I will not be happy seeing Alfonso leading off again next year and I don't know if Theriot can be the leadoff hitter we really need.

While I like Harden the dude can't pitch more than 5 innings an outting it seems like so while his stuff might be better than Peavy I don't think he's more valuable. If he has a good year he may get big money next year that would be far more than the deal Peavy is on as well. Especially after seeing the $$ that was just spent on CC (I'm not saying he'll get anywhere n ear what CC got but Peavy's deal isn't horrible for a CY Young winner).

oh theres plans, most are illegal, and you'd spend a lot of time in prison for

[The Sheik]

Donnie Veal selected by Pirates in Rule 5 draft.

Cubs acquire David Patton (not the WR) from Cincy for cash consideration.

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/minorleagues/rule_5.jsp

Another prospect bites the dust.

[Posey H8er]

Cubs sign Gaudin to one-year deal
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball ... 08.article

The Cubs signed arbitration-eligible reliever Chad Gaudin to a one-year deal for 2009, avoiding arbitration. The deal is believed to be worth $2 million.

The Cubs also tendered contracts to their four other arbitration-eligible players: outfielder Reed Johnson, infielder Ronny Cedeno and pitchers Neal Cotts and Michael Wuertz. Salary arbitration figures are filed Jan. 5-15 if players haven’t agreed to terms by then.

Gaudin, who was acquired from Oakland in July along with Rich Harden, went 4-2 with a 6.26 ERA in 24 appearances for the Cubs. He was 4-1 with a 4.63 ERA before injuring his back when he fell against a dumpster while out after a game in late August.

NOTE: With Raul Ibanez agreeing to a three-year, $30 million deal with the Phillies, the Cubs’ negotiations with outfielder Milton Bradley could accelerate quickly. The Cubs have made it clear their top target is Bradley, whose representatives said early Friday that the Cubs top Bradley’s list among interested teams.

That's good news. I think Gaudin will have a better year with the Cubs. He had some nasty good stuff for a short period.

[SportsWorld]

Jake Peavy's agent confident trade talks will heat up
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/ba ... 2560.story

A proposed trade with the Cubs for Padres pitcher Jake Peavy fell through this week during baseball's winter meetings in Las Vegas. Peavy's agent, however, is confident trade talks could heat up again this season.

"The word on the street here is the Padres are in pretty dire financial straits, partly because of the economy and partly because of a 99-loss season and partly because the owner and his wife are going through a pretty difficult divorce," Barry Axelrod said Thursday.

"And the word is they cannot infuse more money into the team right now. Without that, they are looking at a team in the $40 million [salary] range. If that's the case, then it is hard to win. And I am not sure that they can go with a $40 million payroll and pay one guy (Peavy) $11 million. It is likely between now and the middle of next year, Jake won't be with the Padres."

Axelrod described Peavy as being "frustrated and disappointed" after the trade talks with the Cubs came to a halt, at least temporarily.

[SportsWorld]

Cubs signed Reed Johnson to a 1 year deal worth $3,000,000 according to Bruce Miles. He also said the Cubs are very confident they can land Bradley.

[IlliniBond]

I am pipe-dreaming - but I would like to see
1. the cubs sign BOTH Bradley and Abreu
2. the cubs trade D.Lee to the Orioles for Brian Roberts
Bradley and Abreu offsets losing D.Lee whose power numbers are dropping each year
and Roberts is a legit lead-off man that will help set the table for Bradley, Ramirez, and Abreu
3. the cubs unload Fukudome for prospects - just to unload his salary and get more future trading pieces
4. the cubs trade Harden, Guzman, Vitters, and 1 other for Peavy
(I would rather have Peavy than Harden, and Harden is cheaper for the Padres to keep)

the starting lineup
Roberts 2b
Theriot ss
Bradley cf
Ramirez 3b
Abreu rf
Soriano lf
DeRosa 1b
Soto C

starting 5
Zambrano
Dempster
Peavy
Lilly
Marquis/Marshall

[Posey H8er]

1. With the Cubs budget restrictions, it's highly unlikely they would try two big name outfielders. I don't really like Abreu because of his overhyped ESPN/Yankees status.

2. Derrek has a no trade clause that he would likely use, and his contract is much bigger than Roberts. Andy Macphail would also never do that deal because he would want prospects in return for Roberts like Pie or Vitters.

3. I doubt any team wants Fukudome. What team is going to take his contract and .250 batting average for some minor leaguers?

4. Peavy is a minimal upgrade vs Harden because of his durability, but you are also giving up the best products the Cubs have in Vitters. No way.



My two immediate moves-

1. Sign Bradley to a 2 year deal.
2. Trade Marquis (for a left handed reliever if possible)

[GYBE]

I think we'll have to go to a 3 year deal to nab Milton, though obviously I'd love a two year contract. IlliniBond, I like your passion, but nothing there was realistic. Moves 1-3 are way too good for us and I would never do that Peavy deal.

[hermes]

lol at anyone wanting fukudome

and there isn't enough money for abreu and bradley

[Fukudome1]

My two immediate moves-

1. Sign Bradley to a 2 year deal.
2. Trade Marquis (for a left handed reliever if possible)

that would be a succesful offseason imo, if the peavy talks heat up again....fantastic

[Posey H8er]

I think they will definitely heat up close the trade deadline. The Padres are desperate to dump him and the Cubs do not necessarily need him, so the Cubs have the upper hand in the bargaining process. I also think Vitters had a large part to do with the deal going dead, which is a good thing.

[Fukudome1]

i think we might just need him. theres how many years left on peavys contract? 3 or 4? at 11m a yr (not bad) hardens a free agent after this year and if he has a good year for us then there is no way hes getting anything less then 11 million, hes less durable but more talented then peavy and i dont think we would resign him.

[hermes]

from what i heard on tv, marshall (and the cubs reluctance to include him) was the reason the talks stalled

[ChronicKerr]

Peavy is making 11 mil this year but he signed a 3 year contract extension in which his contract will go up considerably over the next 3 years which is most likely why SD wants to trade him..So while he's on a "cheap" deal for this year IMO he gets considerably more expensive.

2009 salary: $11 million
2010 salary: $15 million
2011 salary: $16 million
2012 salary: $17 million
2013 salary: TEAM OPTION for $22 million

SD can afford to pay him this year but he'll be traded probably by the trade deadline this year. Some team in the playoff hunt will make a push for him.

Edit: my prior posts were off the knowledge that he was making 11 per for the next 3 or 4 so after seeing this I don't think Harden will be more expensive after this year bc i don't think any team will offer Harden a long term deal with his injury history, nevertheless, I would still rather have Peavy on this deal than the 5 year $91.5 million extenstion we gave big Z so I don't find it unreasonable especially since its just for an extra 3 years after this year.

[DanTown8587]

Lets say the Cubs get Bradley or Abreu (I think they are similar enough)...and the Cubs don't add
anyone to the immediate roster...what is your opening day lineup? Mine is:

Theriot SS
Soriano LF
Ramirez 3B
Bradley/Abreu RF
Lee 1B
Soto C
DeRosa 2B
Fukudome/Johnson CF
Zambrano P

[karch34]

Lets say the Cubs get Bradley or Abreu (I think they are similar enough)...and the Cubs don't add
anyone to the immediate roster...what is your opening day lineup? Mine is:

Theriot SS
Soriano LF
Ramirez 3B
Bradley/Abreu RF
Lee 1B
Soto C
DeRosa 2B
Fukudome/Johnson CF
Zambrano P

I'd like to have Soriano at the 5th or 6th spot (probably 6th as he's had problems hitting in the 3-5). Not sure who I would put in at the #2 but might look at Fontenot (when playing 2B), Johnson, or Lee.

So maybe:

Theriot SS
Fuku/Johnson CF
Lee 1B
Ramirez 3B
Bradley/Abreau RF
Soriano LF
Soto C
De Rosa 2B

Left handed options are in bold and I'd like to have them spread out a bit in the order to break things up.

[Fukudome1]

if we dont get a bonafide leadoff guy its going to be soriano leading off. so get ready for that

soriano
derosa
ramirez
bradley
lee
soto
theriot
fukudome

hows this bullpen gonna shape up tho???

9 marmol
8 shark
7 gregg

[ChronicKerr]

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/ ... vy/?padres

Alderson expects Padres ace to start 2009 season with organization
Tom Krasovic (Contact)
Monday, December 15, 2008
Asked about Jake Peavy Monday, Padres CEO Sandy Alderson said, “It's likely Jake will be with us Opening Day.”
The Padres have shopped Peavy since October. Talks with two of his preferred teams – the Braves and the Cubs – fell short.
“We said from the very beginning in connection with both of those possibilities that we would not make a trade unless it made baseball sense,” Alderson said. “We are no longer actively pursuing any trade for Jake, which is not to say someone won't approach us.”
Peavy's consent is needed for a trade. The 27-year-old, who won the Cy Young award in 2007, is guaranteed $11 million in 2009 as part of a four-year, $63 million guarantee through 2012. The Padres have discussed lowering their payroll to $40 million next year and have guaranteed $27.5 million to four players for 2009: Peavy, right fielder Brian Giles ($9 million), pitcher Chris Young ($4.5 million) and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez ($3 million).
The Angels reportedly are interested in Peavy, though Peavy said at season's end he would not OK a move to the American League. Padres General Manager Kevin Towers has said the Angels expressed interest in trading for both Peavy and Gonzalez.
Thursday, the final day of the winter meetings, Towers and Cubs GM Jim Hendry said they have not ruled out resuming trade talks. The Braves, meantime, still are looking for a frontline pitcher.


So it doesn't look like anything's going to get done prior to the season starting.. Way to go!!!!