2008-2009 Cubs Offseason Thread

hermes · Post #401 » by **hermes** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 2:45 pm

looks like the dodgers are thinking about Dunn and Abreu (wiretaps)

Post #402 » by **el loco** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 4:10 pm

hermes wrote:looks like the dodgers are thinking about Dunn and Abreu (wiretaps)

I think the Dodgers are just using Dunn as a ploy to try and force Manny's hand. I imagine he will still be available for a few more weeks.

DanTown8587 · Post #403 » by **DanTown8587** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 12:58 am

As reported on ESPN1000 (Chicago) today

Steve Phillips reported, Bruce Levine confirmed:

Rockies/Cubs close to a deal that will send Jason Marquis to the Rockies and the Cubs will receive Luis Vizcaino. Vizciano was last in Chicago as a member of the 2005 WS champion team and last year was his first truly bad year. Before that, he had five of six years of a sub 4.5 ERA and four of those years he was sub 4.00. He gives the Cubs great depth in case the bullpen battle ends well.

Also reported by Levine: the Cubs and Peavy talks are not dead.

ChronicKerr · Post #404 » by **ChronicKerr** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 2:09 am

[quote="DanTown8587"]As reported on ESPN1000 (Chicago) today

Steve Phillips reported, Bruce Levine confirmed:

Rockies/Cubs close to a deal that will send Jason Marquis to the Rockies and the Cubs will receive Luis Vizcaino. Vizciano was last in Chicago as a member of the 2005 WS champion team and last year was his first truly bad year. Before that, he had five of six years of a sub 4.5 ERA and four of those years he was sub 4.00. He gives the Cubs great depth in case the bullpen battle ends well.

Also reported by Levine: the Cubs and Peavy talks are not dead.[/quote]

Giddyup!!! I was hoping that once we could get a taker for Marquis this would heat up again. Git er done!!!!

SportsWorld · Post #405 » by **SportsWorld** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 2:19 am

Please be true. :pray:

ChronicKerr · Post #406 » by **ChronicKerr** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 2:37 am

Bruce also said that the Milton Bradley deal has been basically done for weeks and it should be finalized and announced within the next week.

Fukudome will be moving to CF with Reed.

SportsWorld · Post #407 » by **SportsWorld** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 2:43 am

That doesn't make much sense. If the deal is done why won't they announce it until next week?

Posey H8er · Post #408 » by **Posey H8er** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 2:50 am

This would clear some salary and allow Jimbo to sign a Bradley or Dunn. Marquis is not needed when we have a few number 5 candidates for the rotation. Get it done Hendry.

ChronicKerr · Post #409 » by **ChronicKerr** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 3:00 am

No idea. It was in the same report that announced the Marquis trade, not sure why DanTown didn't mention that in his initial post. Might have been riding on the Marquis trade as well. No idea really just what he said.

SportsWorld · Post #410 » by **SportsWorld** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 3:01 am

No you're right he did mention that because they are talking about this on NSBB but it makes no sense. I don't trust Bruce Levine anyways.

Posey H8er · Post #411 » by **Posey H8er** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 3:03 am

Posted by Briggurlacher on PSD-

Well you are right- Peavy is BACK ON. If you would like, I posted basically a word-for-word summary of what Levine said (which has also been said by Buster Olney). Here's what Levine's 6:00 interview contained:

"Here's what Levine said:

-Cubs deal with Rockies will happen in next 3-4 days

-Cubs will save 5.5 mil or so

-Peavy deal IS BACK ON

-2 or 3 teams are talking to Cubs about DeRosa

-Could use the money from that to sign milton bradley, which he said is a DONE DEAL and will happen next week

-Next 3-5 days could be the move of DeRosa

-Prospect from that could be added to a deal for Peavy

-Vizcaino may NOT stay with the Cubs: He could be moved again

-Derosa WILL leave

-Hendry is moving money around so we can make these deals happen

-BRADLEY DEAL IS DONE."

The DeRosa bit is very interesting. I think the Cubs may be trying to unload him in order to make other moves (like Peavy) because Fontenot has shown he can handle second base well.

So the Vizcaino deal was just to get rid of marquis, clear salary. No surprise there.

Hopefully Peavy =/= Roberts.

ChronicKerr · Post #412 » by **ChronicKerr** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 3:09 am

That was exactly everything I heard. I was driving home and heard Bruce on his 6PM interview on ESPN 1000. With the sale of the team Hendry has been having to shift money around and saving money on the Marquis deal had to happen first before we could do anything else.

Post #413 » by **GYBE** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 4:36 am

I hope Levine is right. I agree with all those moves. Keep pursuing Peavy, sign Bradley, trade DeRosa and Marquis.

Posey H8er · Post #414 » by **Posey H8er** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 5:21 am

I think Fukudome is going to have a solid year next season. If he plays center he will bat mostly against righties (Reed vs lefties) which will benefit his offensive numbers. Kosuke was too good of a hitter in Japan to be a complete bust here. He will adjust to the pitching somehow.

He is also doing an "American" winter workout plan according to Lou.

hermes · Post #415 » by **hermes** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 5:28 pm

ah good news, bradley in, marquis out, peavy talks heating up

hermes · Post #416 » by **hermes** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 5:38 pm

it appears the Marquis deal is done
link

Rocky Mountain News - The Colorado Rockies will acquire Jason Marquis from the Chicago Cubs for reliever Luis Vizcaino, according to a baseball source with knowledge of the clubs’ discussions.

With Marquis, 30, due to make $9.875 million next season in the final year of his contract, the Cubs felt they had to move him to gain payroll flexibility necessary to accomplish other roster needs. If Vizcaino rebounds and helps the Cubs, fine, but the Cubs will accomplish their objective of moving Marquis and freeing up about $5 million.

DanTown8587 · Post #417 » by **DanTown8587** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 5:56 pm

So not a stretch to see this be the opening day lineup @ Houston
Starters
P Zambrano
C Soto
1B Lee
2B Fontenot
3B Ramirez
SS Theriot
LF Soriano
CF Fukudome
RF Bradley

C Bako
IF Cedeno
IF Hoffpauir
OF Johnson
OF Pie/Gathright

SP Peavy
SP Dempster
SP Harden
SP Lilly

CL Marmol
RP Gregg
RP Cotts
RP Samardzija
RP Guzman
RP Gaudin
RP Marshall

Anyone have any major complaints?

Posey H8er · Post #418 » by **Posey H8er** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 6:11 pm

More breaking news after the break on ESPN 1000 if anyone is listening.

ChronicKerr · Post #419 » by **ChronicKerr** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 6:54 pm

DRo traded.. I hope this means we can get Peavy now for sure

DanTown8587 · Post #420 » by **DanTown8587** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 7:04 pm

Derosa traded to Cleveland

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3802342

DeRosa has been traded to the Cleveland Indians for three players.

The Indians sent minor league pitchers Jeff Stevens, Chris Archer and John Caub to Chicago in the trade.

Cubs also sign Aaron Miles

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3802231

The Chicago Cubs and infielder Aaron Miles have agreed to a two-year contract.

The switch-hitting Miles batted .317 with four homers and 31 RBIs in 134 games for the St. Louis Cardinals last season.

Jeff Stevens Profile: http://baseball.teamusa.org/athlete/athlete/2151
Chris Archer: http://www.theclevelandfan.com/article_detail.php?blgId=3155

Indians on all three:

As for what the Indians are giving up to get DeRosa, Stevens is the closest to being a big-league commodity, as he could factor into bullpen consideration in '09. Stevens went a combined 5-4 while racking up six saves with a 3.24 ERA in 36 games between Triple-A Buffalo and Double-A Akron in '08. He missed some time while participating for Team USA in the Beijing Olympic Games.

The 25-year-old Stevens was the player to be named in the 2006 trade that sent Brandon Phillips to the Reds.

Archer, a 20-year-old who was a fifth round selection in the 2006 amateur Draft, spent the '08 season in low-A ball at Lake County, where he went 4-8 with a 4.29 ERA in 27 starts. He struck out 106 and walked 84 in 115 1/3 innings.

Gaub, 23, is a lefty reliever who was taken by the Tribe in the 21st round of the '06 Draft. He also spent '08 at Lake County, going 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA in 34 appearances, notching a pair of saves. Gaub struck out 100 and walked 32 in 64 innings.