Lets get caught up on the Bradley sags again:
The Toronto Sun reported today that the Cubs are talking to the Blue Jays about a Bradley for Wells trade.
"It's early on, but we think this one has some legs," said one Cubs official. "But they aren't the only team we are talking with."
But shortly after that was published the Sun-Times reported that this has no legs and the Cubs have not discussed bringing Wells to the North side according to a Cubs official.
Wells who is owe 5 years and 107 million on his contract and Bradley is owe 2 years and 21 million.
I would only do that if the Cubs can trade Bradley and Soriano for Wells and Overbay.
With that being said the Cubs will only have to pay a million more, with the Blue Jays taking on 111 million in the deal and the Cubs taking on 112 million but that won't happen.
Buster Olney reported that the Cubs could bring a bad contract back in return for Bradley which we already knew and he said if Wells does get trade for Bradley it will be a shocker and he also names other players that have bad contracts, that could be traded and they are Carlos Silva, Derek Lowe, Gary Matthews Jr., Barry Zito, Aaron Rowand, Oliver Perez, and Dontrelle Willis.
On that list, I like Lowe, Zito, Rowand and Willis but not any of the others.
I will keep you posted.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
MLB.com Chat with Tom Ricketts...
This is from Cubs.com:
I will point out the main points that I thought:
1) Tom Ricketts heading will be the chairman of the team.
2) He will try and be at almost every game in the stands.
3) He said the payroll will be about the same in 2010.
4) He will keep the same coaching staff and front office.
5) He said the Cubs will win the world series.
6) He will not purchase any other team, so just the Cubs. (good thing)
I will have another post later.
I will point out the main points that I thought:
1) Tom Ricketts heading will be the chairman of the team.
2) He will try and be at almost every game in the stands.
3) He said the payroll will be about the same in 2010.
4) He will keep the same coaching staff and front office.
5) He said the Cubs will win the world series.
6) He will not purchase any other team, so just the Cubs. (good thing)
I will have another post later.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The Latest Bruce Levine Rumors...
Here is the latest from his blog on ESPNChicago.com:
1) The ticket prices are expected to rise a little bit from last year.
1) My take: I am not really surprise because it raises every year and the new owner wants to change it how he will like it.
2) Hendry has been working on trades with Tampa, Toronto and "three to four other clubs with players with big contracts they would like to move."
2) My take: I think Bradley will be traded to the Rays or Toronto more than any other team but depending on who the other teams are.
3) The Blue Jays have been talking to teams about Vernon Wells and his big contract.
3) My take: The Cubs will be in on trading for Vernon Wells at some point.
4) The Blue Jays will look to trade ace Roy Halladay at some point this offseason and it is unknown if the Cubs will be interested.
4) My take: I don't think the Cubs will be interested because Tom Ricketts wants the minor league to be there #1 priority and he will cosy a lot of prospects.
Bruce Miles says he does not want the Cubs to go after Angels OF Gary Matthews Jr. who wants out of Los Angeles.
My take: Well is the Cubs have a offer on the table for Burrell, they should put a offer on the table for Matthews who I would like better.
I will keep you posted.
1) The ticket prices are expected to rise a little bit from last year.
1) My take: I am not really surprise because it raises every year and the new owner wants to change it how he will like it.
2) Hendry has been working on trades with Tampa, Toronto and "three to four other clubs with players with big contracts they would like to move."
2) My take: I think Bradley will be traded to the Rays or Toronto more than any other team but depending on who the other teams are.
3) The Blue Jays have been talking to teams about Vernon Wells and his big contract.
3) My take: The Cubs will be in on trading for Vernon Wells at some point.
4) The Blue Jays will look to trade ace Roy Halladay at some point this offseason and it is unknown if the Cubs will be interested.
4) My take: I don't think the Cubs will be interested because Tom Ricketts wants the minor league to be there #1 priority and he will cosy a lot of prospects.
Bruce Miles says he does not want the Cubs to go after Angels OF Gary Matthews Jr. who wants out of Los Angeles.
My take: Well is the Cubs have a offer on the table for Burrell, they should put a offer on the table for Matthews who I would like better.
I will keep you posted.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Notes from Bruce Levine Chat Yesterday...
Bruce had his chat yesterday that he has on every Tuesday and here are some interesting notes from him:
1) Tom Ricketts is planning on the minor league system to be there number 1 priority.
2) He also mention that his sources say the budget will be right around 140 million like last year.
3) He again mention Bradley will be gone, with the Rays still being a good landing spot. Also Toronto is still a good spot who are trying to trade Vernon Wells who still have 5 years and 107 million left on his contract.
4) The Cubs could pursue 2B Olando Hudson or SS Olando Cabrera on a 1 year deal.
My thought on what he said:
1) Mr. Ricketts did fly to Boston and will like to build a farm system like them. I would love the Cubs to finally have a good farm system.
2) There have been 2 budgets thrown around, De Luca said it will be around 143 million, XM radio said 150 million and what Levine said. I think the Cubs will add 1 player for around 8 million on a 1 year deal or 2 players for 4 million on 1 year deal.
3) I would love the Cubs to trade Bradley and Soriano for Wells because Wells is younger, better defender and I think he has a better chance for better year than Soriano.
4) I would love the Cubs to sign SS Olando Cabrera on a 1 year 4-6 million and move Theriot to SS and that should give Starlin Castro another year in the minors.
I will update next week on Levine's chat.
1) Tom Ricketts is planning on the minor league system to be there number 1 priority.
2) He also mention that his sources say the budget will be right around 140 million like last year.
3) He again mention Bradley will be gone, with the Rays still being a good landing spot. Also Toronto is still a good spot who are trying to trade Vernon Wells who still have 5 years and 107 million left on his contract.
4) The Cubs could pursue 2B Olando Hudson or SS Olando Cabrera on a 1 year deal.
My thought on what he said:
1) Mr. Ricketts did fly to Boston and will like to build a farm system like them. I would love the Cubs to finally have a good farm system.
2) There have been 2 budgets thrown around, De Luca said it will be around 143 million, XM radio said 150 million and what Levine said. I think the Cubs will add 1 player for around 8 million on a 1 year deal or 2 players for 4 million on 1 year deal.
3) I would love the Cubs to trade Bradley and Soriano for Wells because Wells is younger, better defender and I think he has a better chance for better year than Soriano.
4) I would love the Cubs to sign SS Olando Cabrera on a 1 year 4-6 million and move Theriot to SS and that should give Starlin Castro another year in the minors.
I will update next week on Levine's chat.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Cubs Could Move to Florida for Spring Training but it's Unlikely...
Within a week ago we have heard that people in Florida wanted the Cubs to move down there to play there spring training. As of right now it looks like the Cubs will stay in Mesa.
While a Collier County, Fla., group may well be serious in its effort to lure the Cubs away from Mesa, Ariz., the chances of the Cubs leaving the greater Phoenix area in the foreseeable future appear to be slim to none, based on the logistical headaches already driving major league teams away from Florida, the Cubs’ centerpiece position in Arizona’s Cactus League and common sense.
The Cubs are using a looming deadline for opting out of their contract with Mesa to court other offers while seeking upgrades to their existing HoHoKam Stadium and Fitch Park facilities to bring them more in line with newer, grander facilities in the Phoenix area such as the one shared by the White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers in Glendale.
Cubs officials have met with groups proposing relocations to both Collier County and Gila River Indian Community in Arizona, but Mesa mayor Scott Smith is betting a 50-year relationship with the Cubs and statewide support that the Cubs aren’t going anywhere.
”We view this as a regional issue, not simply Mesa,” Smith said. ”We’ve got support across the board, from city officials, regional officials and state officials. Obviously, we have to make sure we do what we need to do to successfully keep the Cubs.
”I’m confident we’ll be able to come up with a package that will be very difficult for them to turn down. It’s all here. They have the best chance to succeed here, and Arizona will give its best to provide them with that opportunity.” Chicago Sun-Times!
Well that is good because a lot and I mean a lot of people will be sad if the Cubs move to Florida because they love when the Cubs play in Mesa for Spring Training. Mesa in expected to give the Cubs a new facility for them to stay and that is only what the Cubs want.
I will keep you posted.
While a Collier County, Fla., group may well be serious in its effort to lure the Cubs away from Mesa, Ariz., the chances of the Cubs leaving the greater Phoenix area in the foreseeable future appear to be slim to none, based on the logistical headaches already driving major league teams away from Florida, the Cubs’ centerpiece position in Arizona’s Cactus League and common sense.
The Cubs are using a looming deadline for opting out of their contract with Mesa to court other offers while seeking upgrades to their existing HoHoKam Stadium and Fitch Park facilities to bring them more in line with newer, grander facilities in the Phoenix area such as the one shared by the White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers in Glendale.
Cubs officials have met with groups proposing relocations to both Collier County and Gila River Indian Community in Arizona, but Mesa mayor Scott Smith is betting a 50-year relationship with the Cubs and statewide support that the Cubs aren’t going anywhere.
”We view this as a regional issue, not simply Mesa,” Smith said. ”We’ve got support across the board, from city officials, regional officials and state officials. Obviously, we have to make sure we do what we need to do to successfully keep the Cubs.
”I’m confident we’ll be able to come up with a package that will be very difficult for them to turn down. It’s all here. They have the best chance to succeed here, and Arizona will give its best to provide them with that opportunity.” Chicago Sun-Times!
Well that is good because a lot and I mean a lot of people will be sad if the Cubs move to Florida because they love when the Cubs play in Mesa for Spring Training. Mesa in expected to give the Cubs a new facility for them to stay and that is only what the Cubs want.
I will keep you posted.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Milton Bradley Update...
Since the disappointing Cubs season came to a end we have heard all about Milton Bradley be a goner. Since that time teams have been added and subtracted from being interested in Bradley.
So lets get caught up on the Bradley Saga:
Teams that have said to be interested are the Mets, Blue Jays, Padres, Red Sox, Seattle, Rangers, Royals, Giants, Rays and Tigers.
Mets: Appear to not be interested according to Jon Heyman.
Blue Jays: May still be interested but we don't know because they were interested when GM JP Ricciardi was still in but now he is out.
Padres: Another one that still could be in but we don't know because that was when GM Towers was in but he is now out too. The Sun-Times said there is still interest in Bradley with Towers out as GM.
Red Sox: I have an unofficial source that is usually correct which is Hot Stove Cubbies but can't say it is a reliable source. There was another baseball analyst that said the Red Sox could be interested but I can't find it.
Seattle: They are expected to be interested by offsetting a bad contract according to Hot Stove Cubbies, remember not an official source. This is another one that had a reliable source but I can't find it.
Rangers: They are appear to be out according to TR Sullivan.
Royals: They also appear to be out according to the Kansas City Post.
Giants: They appear to still be in according to an executive of the Giants organization. They will accept a trade of Bradley for Rowand but do not want his clubhouse presence.
Rays: They appear to be in but the Rays want the Cubs to pay most of his contract that offsets Pat Burrell's contract. Bruce Levine says this is the logical place for Bradley to end up.
Tigers: No one knows if they will be interested because during the season there GM says there is no interest but Rob Neyer said they could work out a trade Bradley for Bonderman.
Lets see whats left:
Teams still interested for sure: The Rays, Giants and Padres.
Teams that might still be interested: The Red Sox, Mariners (Both unofficial sources but appear to be interested), Tigers, and the Blue Jays.
Teams that do not appear to be interested: The Mets, Rangers and Royals.
So where will Bradley end up? I will keep you posted.
So lets get caught up on the Bradley Saga:
Teams that have said to be interested are the Mets, Blue Jays, Padres, Red Sox, Seattle, Rangers, Royals, Giants, Rays and Tigers.
Mets: Appear to not be interested according to Jon Heyman.
Blue Jays: May still be interested but we don't know because they were interested when GM JP Ricciardi was still in but now he is out.
Padres: Another one that still could be in but we don't know because that was when GM Towers was in but he is now out too. The Sun-Times said there is still interest in Bradley with Towers out as GM.
Red Sox: I have an unofficial source that is usually correct which is Hot Stove Cubbies but can't say it is a reliable source. There was another baseball analyst that said the Red Sox could be interested but I can't find it.
Seattle: They are expected to be interested by offsetting a bad contract according to Hot Stove Cubbies, remember not an official source. This is another one that had a reliable source but I can't find it.
Rangers: They are appear to be out according to TR Sullivan.
Royals: They also appear to be out according to the Kansas City Post.
Giants: They appear to still be in according to an executive of the Giants organization. They will accept a trade of Bradley for Rowand but do not want his clubhouse presence.
Rays: They appear to be in but the Rays want the Cubs to pay most of his contract that offsets Pat Burrell's contract. Bruce Levine says this is the logical place for Bradley to end up.
Tigers: No one knows if they will be interested because during the season there GM says there is no interest but Rob Neyer said they could work out a trade Bradley for Bonderman.
Lets see whats left:
Teams still interested for sure: The Rays, Giants and Padres.
Teams that might still be interested: The Red Sox, Mariners (Both unofficial sources but appear to be interested), Tigers, and the Blue Jays.
Teams that do not appear to be interested: The Mets, Rangers and Royals.
So where will Bradley end up? I will keep you posted.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Winter Leagues Update...
If you want complete coverage of all players in the winter leagues, click here!
What I take out from the stats:
Best player: 19 year old Starlin Castro who has a batting average of .433 in 30 at-bats. There have been reports that you may see this youngster in the 2010 roster.
Worse player: John Gaub who is 1-0 with a era of 18.00 in 3 games. He was having a good year for Triple A Iowa after coming over in the Mark Derosa trade.
Most surprise player: Jeff Samardzija who is 1-0 with a era of 1.38. I think he is the surprise player because he was not really doing anything for the major league Cubs.
Most Disappointed: Andres Blanco has a batting average of .277 in 47 at-bats. He is not the best hitter but I would of thought he would still hit better than he is.
I will keep you posted on the Winter Leagues.
What I take out from the stats:
Best player: 19 year old Starlin Castro who has a batting average of .433 in 30 at-bats. There have been reports that you may see this youngster in the 2010 roster.
Worse player: John Gaub who is 1-0 with a era of 18.00 in 3 games. He was having a good year for Triple A Iowa after coming over in the Mark Derosa trade.
Most surprise player: Jeff Samardzija who is 1-0 with a era of 1.38. I think he is the surprise player because he was not really doing anything for the major league Cubs.
Most Disappointed: Andres Blanco has a batting average of .277 in 47 at-bats. He is not the best hitter but I would of thought he would still hit better than he is.
I will keep you posted on the Winter Leagues.
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