Cubs Rumors Weekend Update
December 14th, 2009 | by Mark |After an uneventful winter meetings, the Cubs’ Jim Hendry also had an uneventful weekend, as the Milton Bradley situation continues to handcuff the Cubs.
So, Jim Hendry could only sit and watch as another of his potential centerfield targets, Mike Cameron, signed with the Boston Red Sox. So, where there was once 5 potential outfield bats that the Cubs were interested in (Curtis Granderson, Mike Cameron, Marlon Byrd, Rick Ankiel and Scott Podsednik), now there are only 3 (and the 3 remaining aren’t all that great).
So the pressure is mounting for Hendry and every other GM know this. Chances are he has let the best offers pass him by and teams are either reducing the offers or withdrawing them. I would hazard a guess that if Bradley is not traded by the end of December, he is likely with the Cubs for the 2010 season. Considering the alternatives that are left for the Cubs outfield, the Cubs may be better off with Bradley for 2010, baggage and all.
In other rumors, the Cubs are one of several teams that are interested in former Pirate Matt Capps. Capps was non-tendered by the Pirates on Saturday. He had been the Pirates closer for the last few years, but had a rough 2009 season with a 5.80 ERA and 1.66 whip. However, he has a career 3.61 ERA and 1.18 whip, leading many teams to feel he can bounce back.
So the Cubs continue their search for a setup man for closer Carlos Marmol (or is it a closer for setup man Marmol?). Either way, they’re scraping the bottom of the barrel now in going after another team’s castaways, but the Cubs definitely could use another experienced arm in the pen.
So, that is all there is to report today. I will continue to keep you up-to-date on any offseason developments in what is quickly becoming a pretty uneventful offseason for the Cubs. Stay tuned.
Tags: Curtis Granderson, Jim Hendry, Marlon Byrd, Matt Capps, Mike Cameron, Milton Bradley, Rick Ankiel, Scott Podsednik
By RONNIE on Dec 17, 2009
Marmol is no closer! Get Capps,
trade bradley,lee and fontenot to boston for ellsbury and jason bay. Boston can platoon Bradley in Right or DH, and they need somebody @ first.(Lee is due for another sub par yr)
Pick up kelly johnson,hank blalock from F/A mrkt
Theriot @ ss with the kid castro as a backup.
Starters – lily,zambrano,demspster and wells.
Plenty of #4-5 starters in F/A mrkt – Bedard,Myers,Padilla,et al…
Bay in Lft, Ellsbury in center and fukedome in right.
Trade soriano…. or just dump him
Or… Sign randy Johnson, Tom Glavine,Mike Hampton and Cliff Floyd and see who explodes first!!
By Mark on Dec 17, 2009
First of all, Bay is a free agent and it appears that Boston is not interested in resigning him.
Second, I don’t think Boston would do that trade even if they had Bay.
Third, Kelly Johnson is not much of an improvement (if any) over Baker/Fontenot and we don’t need another middle infielder with Castro on the way.
Fourth, the Cubs have expressed interest in some starting pitchers, but they seem to be looking at more inexpensive types (possibly minor league deals) to serve as additional depth.
Finally, the Cubs are certainly interested in Capps as more of a backup to Marmol, but what did Capps do this year to prove he’s a better option than Marmol at closer?