Cubs News

Cubs trade Heilman, add 2 years to Grabow's deal
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November 20
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Cubs took two key steps in shaping their 2010 bullpen Thursday, even as they continue to work and wait on their bigger offseason tasks of trading Milton Bradley and acquiring another outfielder. After agreeing to a two-year contract extension worth at least $7 million with free-agent lefty reliever John Grabow, the Cubs traded arbitration-eligible right-hander Aaron Heilman to the Arizona Diamondbacks for two prospects. Heilman, who made $1.62million in 2009, was one of 10 Cubs eligible for arbitration this winter and was considered expendable given the team's relative bullpen depth. ''We obviously for years liked Aaron, in his Mets days,'' said general manager Jim Hendry, who acquired ..."
Real work starts now
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November 20
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"They gave the Cubs' new owners a standing ovation when they were formally introduced to the other major-league owners at a dinner Wednesday night at the O'Hare Hilton. ''I think it is the tradition to get standing ovations,'' said Tom Ricketts, who was joined by his brother Todd at the owners meetings this week. ''Nothing we did.'' Nothing more than the hugs-and-kisses honeymoon after the Ricketts family consummated its lengthy purchase of the team last month. But the honeymoon's over. Two days of owners meetings concluded Thursday under slate Chicago skies and the gray clouds of economic hand-wringing by owners on the eve of the free-agent market opening. And while the Cubs might look ..."
Cubs pitching prospect James Russell stands out in AFL
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November 20
Chicago Tribune
 
"In the shadow of high-profile teammates such as Starlin Castro and Josh Vitters, Cubs prospect James Russell has flown well under the radar in the Arizona Fall League. But his name resides near the top of the pitching leaderboard. The 6-foot-4 left-hander for the Mesa Solar Sox closed the fall season on a streak of 10 appearances without an earned run in the hitter-friendly league. That propelled him to third with a 1.26 ERA and a tie for second with a 0.98 WHIP (walks and hits per inning pitched). A starter in the lower minors his first two seasons, Russell began 2009 in the rotation at Double-A Tennessee. Then his career took a potentially significant turn. "I was struggling a little ..."
Cubs trade Aaron Heilman for prospects
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November 20
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Cubs traded reliever Aaron Heilman to the Diamondbacks on Thursday for two minor league prospects while closing in on a two-year deal with John Grabow. Heilman, 31, was dealt for left-handed reliever Scott Maine, a sixth-round pick in 2007 out of the University of Miami, and first baseman Ryne White, a St. Rita High School and Purdue product. The Cubs were likely to non-tender Heilman next month, and the Diamondbacks were in need of right-handed relief pitching, making it a good swap for both teams. Maine, 24, was 4-5 with seven saves and a 2.90 earned-run average at Double-A and Triple-A last year, while White, 23, hit .266 with 52 RBIs at Class A Visalia. The Cubs and Grabow are ..."
Large contracts limiting Cubs strategy
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November 20
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Cubs changed the course of franchise history three years ago Friday when they signed Alfonso Soriano to an eight-year, $136 million deal. With one move, the Cubs shocked the baseball world and proved they were willing to spend their considerable resources to win a World Series. It didn't work out as planned, however, and three years later new Chairman Tom Ricketts enters the scene with the same challenge as Tribune Co. and a decidedly new game plan of fiscal restraint. General manager Jim Hendry conceded Thursday that money was a factor in the decision to trade veteran reliever Aaron Heilman to the Diamondbacks for a pair of minor-league prospects. Heilman stood to earn around $2 ..."
Chicago White Sox, Cubs prospects fare well in Arizona Fall League
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November 20
Chicago Tribune
 
"With a phenomenal closing rush, White Sox prospect Brent Morel ran away with the Arizona Fall League batting championship. The third baseman went 19-for-33 over his final eight games to close at .435 and beat Yankees farmhand Colin Curtis by 38 points. Morel did not join the league until Oct. 26 and did not accumulate enough plate appearances to qualify for the title until the final day. Sox outfielder Jordan Danks led the league with 31 runs and was top 10 in hits, doubles, RBIs, total bases and walks."
D-backs acquire Heilman from Cubs
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November 20
MLB.com
 
"Cross one thing off the D-backs' offseason to-do list. Arizona bolstered its bullpen on Thursday, acquiring right-hander Aaron Heilman from the Cubs for a pair of Minor Leaguers. Heilman was 4-4 with a 4.11 ERA and one save in 70 games for the Cubs. The 31-year-old walked 34 and fanned 65 while holding opponents to a .257 average. "He's a pedigree guy," D-backs general manager Josh Byrnes said. "A former first-round pick with a lot of success in the Major Leagues. He's someone we feel will really strengthen our bullpen." With the D-backs, Heilman likely will pitch as a setup man for closer Chad Qualls. "He's pitched in pressurized situations before in terms of his role and the markets ..."
Cubs deal Heilman to Arizona for two prospects
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November 19
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Cubs sent reliever Aaron Heilman to Arizona on Thursday for a pair of minor-league prospects. Heilman didn't figure into the Cubs 2010 plans, and was likely to be non-tendered by the club next month. In return, the Cubs received left-handed reliever Scott Maine, who went 4-5 with seven saves and a 2.90 ERA at Double-A Mobile and Triple-A Reno, and first baseman Ryne White, who hit .266 with six homers and 52 RBI at Class-A Visalia."
Tampa Bay, Texas and Toronto look like destinations for Milton Bradley
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November 19
ESPN.com
 columnist Jayson Stark
"Tampa Bay, Texas and Toronto look like the three most feasible destinations for Milton Bradley these days. But the Cubs are telling teams that (A) they're not interested in digesting all or most of Bradley's money (two years, $21 million) just for the sake of moving him, and (B) the hiring of his old hitting coach, Rudy Jaramillo, means they no longer think they have to trade him. So they seem to be zeroing in on clubs that might be willing to swap one messy contract for another. Pat Burrell would be that guy in Tampa Bay, but the money doesn't match up and the Cubs would have to find a third team interested in Burrell. Lyle Overbay seems to fit that mold in Toronto, but the Cubs would ..."
Dealing, not shopping, on Cubs' agenda
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November 19
MLB.com
 
"Starting in 2007, Cubs general manager Jim Hendry invested heavily in free agents, adding such players as Alfonso Soriano, Ted Lilly and Mark DeRosa. Before the 2008 season, the big addition was Kosuke Fukudome. Milton Bradley was plucked from the free-agent pool for 2009. However, once the free-agent market officially opens for business on Thursday at 11:01 p.m. CT, Hendry and the Cubs were expected to try to make some deals to tinker with the roster rather than do much shopping. "We need a few moves," Hendry said. "We don't need mega-moves." There aren't many holes to fill heading into 2010 and the payroll is expected to increase "slightly," according to new Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts. ..."
Cubs, lefty reliever Grabow agree to 2-year deal
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November 19
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Cubs and left-hander reliever John Grabow have agreed in principle to a two-year deal, team sources said today. There was never any doubt that Grabow would return, but with the 15-day exclusivity window to re-sign your own free agents ending today, the Cubs wanted to get the deal done quickly. Grabow is considered one of the top left-handed free agent relievers, and could be a hot item on the open market."
Grabow deal nears
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November 19
ESPN.com
 
"Free agent pitcher John Grabow and the Chicago Cubs are close to agreeing on a two-year contract worth nearly $7.5 million for the left-handed pitcher. Grabow, who was traded to the Cubs last summer from Pittsburgh, will be the North Siders' primary set-up man from the left side before Cubs manager Lou Piniella goes to new closer Carlos Marmol."
Shortstop Scutaro open to staying with Jays
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November 17
Foxsports.com
 
"Teams are inquiring about free agent Marco Scutaro not just as a shortstop, but also as a second baseman, according to his agent, Peter Greenberg. One team even asked if Scutaro would consider moving to third. Scutaro, who played Gold Glove-caliber defense for the Blue Jays last season, will "entertain all possibilities," Greenberg said — including a return to the Jays on a one-year deal if, as expected, he is offered salary arbitration. The Jays offered Scutaro a contract extension during the season and another after the season ended, Greenberg said. Scutaro wants to explore the free-agent market, but he likes the city, team and manager Cito Gaston, who gave him his first chance to play ..."
Grabow joins free-agent pool
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November 17
MLB.com
 
"John Grabow filed for free agency on Monday, but the Cubs have had talks with his agent in an effort to bring the left-handed reliever back. Grabow posted a 3.24 ERA with the Cubs, who acquired him July 30 from Pittsburgh along with lefty Tom Gorzelanny for Kevin Hart, Jose Ascanio and Josh Harrison. For the season, Grabow set a career mark with 75 relief appearances, pitching in 45 games with the Pirates and 30 with the Cubs. Grabow, who turned 31 on Nov. 4, began his stint in Chicago with 16 consecutive scoreless appearances. Monday marked the 12th day of a 15-day period in which eligible players may file for free agency. So far, 168 players have filed. Rich Harden, Reed Johnson, Kevin ..."
Sammy Sosa faces questions about changed complexion
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November 16
Miami Herald
 
"No, some scheming pitcher didn't powder Sammy Sosa's face with a rosin bag, payback for all those home runs the slugger walloped during his career. Nor is Sosa paying tribute to the late Michael Jackson. So just what is the cause of Sosa's dramatic change in complexion? According to Sosa, it's nothing more than a facial cream he has been using to soften his skin. ``What happened was that I had been using the cream for a long time and that, combined with the bright TV lights, made my face look whiter than it really is,'' Sosa told ESPN Deportes. The new-look Sosa first came to -- ahem -- light when he made an appearance last week at the Latin Grammys in Las Vegas."
Cubs in the hunt for Curtis Granderson
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November 14
Chicago Tribune
 
"Along with the Yankees and the Angels, sources say the Cubs plan an aggressive push to land Tigers center fielder Curtis Granderson. A source close to the Cubs said Friday that general manager Jim Hendry "absolutely" is interested in offering a prospect-heavy package of players if Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski decides to trade the 28-year-old Illinois-Chicago product. According to the source, Hendry and Dombrowski spoke about Granderson and other Tigers players during the GM meetings earlier in the week at the O'Hare Hilton. The question the Cubs and others are asking is whether the Tigers' economic difficulties are severe enough that Dombrowski would trade a top young talent such as ..."
GMs to throw good money after bad?
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November 13
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"The general manager meetings came and went this week with Milton Bradley still employed by the Cubs, who want to dump the outfielder ASAP after his lousy season that ended with a suspension for his lousy conduct. The Cubs have a serious case of buyer's remorse, but they're not the only team with a wildly regrettable contract. As the offseason unfolds, expect a bunch of teams to try to dump bad contracts, knowing they'll need to eat millions and/or trade their busts for other teams' busts. Tops on the list is Bradley, who's due $21 million the next two years and trash-talked his way out of the North Side. Cubs GM Jim Hendry wants to trade Bradley before the winter meetings begin Dec. 7 so ..."
Carlos Zambrano wins Silver Slugger
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November 13
Chicago Tribune
 
"Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano, who has volunteered eagerly for designated-hitter and pinch-hitting duties in the past despite swinging-related stints on the disabled list, has been awarded his third Silver Slugger award for pitchers. The switch-hitting Zambrano is tied for the third-most awards for pitchers behind Mike Hampton (five) and Tom Glavine (four) after leading pitchers with four home runs and nine extra-base hits while batting .217. But there's a downside to his exuberance at the plate. He spent time on the disabled list for a strained hamstring while beating out a bunt and for a bulging disc in his back, likely aggravated with hard swings. While making a rehabilitation start at ..."
Bradley-for-Burell being discussed, but money's an issue
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November 12
Foxsports.com
 
"The Cubs and Rays continue to discuss a Milton Bradley-for-Pat Burrell trade, but money remains a major obstacle. Burrell will earn $9 million next season, while Bradley is owed $21 million over the next two years. The Rays want the Cubs to pay the vast majority of the difference. The teams are a mere $2 million to $3 million apart over the two years, one source said. The source described the negotiations as "worse than Chinese water torture." Another said, "I wish cattle prods were legal.""
Fontenot awarded 'Super Two' status
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November 12
MLB.com
 
"ubs infielder Mike Fontenot was awarded the final arbitration spot for players with between two and three years of major league service, The Associated Press reported on Wednesday. Fontenot had 2 years, 139 days of service time to tie Orioles center fielder Adam Jones and Reds pitcher Micah Owings but won the tiebreaker for "Super Two" status because he had more service time last season. D-backs third baseman Mark Reynolds, who hit 44 homers and had 102 RBIs last season, had 2 years, 138 days of service and won't go to arbitration, meaning Arizona figures to save millions of dollars next year. Fontenot was able to get the last spot as part of the rules laid out in the 1990 labor agreement ..."
Jim Hendry says Cubs now are in good position to make moves
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November 12
Chicago Tribune
 
"After talking to seven or eight teams about trade possibilities Wednesday, Jim Hendry felt optimistic about his offseason game plan. "It's kind of the way I anticipated," the Cubs general manager said upon leaving the GM meetings at the O'Hare Hilton. "You feel like there's some business that will be done in the next few weeks. Hopefully you can do something before you get to Indianapolis (for the Dec. 7-10 winter meetings). "We need a few moves. We don't need mega-moves. ... I had really good meetings. It was really a good environment after all." The Rangers' Marlon Byrd appears to be the Cubs' primary center field target, and sources said Hendry will be able to sign another outfielder ..."
Chicago Cubs must pursue Curtis Granderson
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November 12
Chicago Tribune
 columnist Phil Rogers
"On the third day of the general managers' meetings at the O'Hare Hilton, as executives were fleeing for flights home, something truly fascinating finally happened. The New York Post's Joel Sherman reported the Tigers' financial problems are so serious they are shopping center fielder Curtis Granderson, the Thornton Fractional South and Illinois-Chicago product. Hours later, there had not been a peep out of Detroit to knock down the report. Oh, really? Maybe Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski was too worn out from beating his head against a wall to slow the runaway speculation. But if the Tigers really are willing to trade the 28-year-old Granderson, a guy with old-school baseball skills and ..."
Rangers and Cubs still talking about malcontent Milton
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November 11
SI.com
 
"The Rangers are the one team obviously pursuing Milton Bradley and they've been engaged in a negotiation with the Cubs regarding how much money would have to be sent to Texas to cover the $21 million remaining on malcontent Milton's contract. The cash-strapped Rangers, whose debt-ridden owner Tom Hicks is being forced to sell the team, could be willing to cover as much as $5 million over the two years left on Bradley's deal (they offered $8 million over one year for him to return last winter). But so far, the Cubs are holding out for more, perhaps shooting to recover as much as half the money left. If the Cubs are to recover that much money, they shouldn't expect to get it from the ..."
Byrd likely to be targeted by Cubs
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November 11
Foxsports.com
 
"Once the Cubs trade Milton Bradley, their plan is to find a center fielder and move Kosuke Fukudome back to right field. Free agent Marlon Byrd is certain to draw their interest. Rudy Jaramillo, the Cubs' new hitting coach, is a huge fan of Byrd's from their three seasons together with the Rangers, according to major-league sources. The Cubs also made a strong run at Byrd in trade discussions with Rangers before the 2008 season. Byrd, 32, is seeking a multi-year contract after batting .283 for the Rangers last season with a career-high 20 homers and 89 RBIs. Mike Cameron, 36, is another center fielder who could intrigue the Cubs. Cameron batted .250 with 24 homer and 70 RBIs for the ..."
Cubs nearing deal with LHP Grabow
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November 11
Foxsports.com
 
"The Cubs are making progress on a deal with left-handed reliever John Grabow, one source said tonight. The deal could be for two years, the source said. Grabow, a free agent, came to the Cubs in a midseason trade with the Pirates."
Lighten up folks, it's just facial cream
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November 11
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The dramatic lightening of his face is caused by a facial cream, not steroids, an infection nor skin-bleaching treatment. Sosa, in an interview that aired Tuesday on Univision's "First Impact'' show, said he was "a little surprised'' by all the uproar over his appearance, which started after a photo surfaced of him at the Grammy Latino Awards ceremony last week in Las Vegas. In the photo, the former Cubs slugger looks significantly paler than he did while playing under the sunny skies at Wrigley. "I spent many years, playing [in the field] at 1:20 p.m. in Chicago for 19 years, [and] you know that the skin gets damaged, and so what I did, now that I'm not playing, not getting so much sun, ..."
Cubs' offseason plans tied to Bradley trade
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November 11
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Cubs' efforts to trade outfielder Milton Bradley picked up speed on the second day of the general managers meetings Tuesday at the Hilton Chicago O'Hare Airport. The Cubs were to meet with four or five teams late Tuesday before the meetings conclude today. Meanwhile, questions such as these hung in the air: Will the Cubs' leadoff man in 2010 look more like Kosuke Fukudome, Chone Figgins or Luis Castillo? Will the center fielder be Mike Cameron, Fukudome, Reed Johnson or Marlon Byrd? How many left-handed hitters will be in the Opening Day lineup? And will the Cubs increase their starting-pitching inventory to help cover for the early-season loss of left-hander Ted Lilly, who had ..."
Texas Rangers still an option for Milton Bradley
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November 11
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Cubs and Rangers continued talking Tuesday on a deal that would send Milton Bradley back to his former team, where he would be reunited with manager Ron Washington . Rangers general manager Jon Daniels confirmed he was looking for a middle-of-the-order bat, but said any interest in Bradley "depends on the specifics of the deal." Still, major league sources say the Rangers are the best option for Cubs general manager Jim Hendry, a motivated seller who would like to get a deal done before the winter meetings begin Dec. 7 so he can go forward with his offseason plans. The Rangers originally offered Bradley a one-year, $6 million deal last winter to stay in Arlington. Staying with that ..."
Cubs trying hard to trade Bradley
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November 10
SI.com
 
"The Cubs are trying hard to dump the perennially malcontented Milton Bradley here at the GM meetings, as it isn't just manager Lou Piniella who didn't connect with him in his season here. Apparently, several key members of the team -- including Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Zambrano -- barely speak to Bradley. "I don't think they dislike him. But Milton's a unique guy who doesn't fit in, like the oddball kid in class,'' one Cubs-connected person said. "He doesn't try to fit in. The other guys tried to take him in, but he's one of those kids that simply doesn't want to be part of anything,'' one Cubs person said. The Chicago Tribune reported that a Bradley blowup with now-deposed hitting coach ..."
Bradley's big contract a barrier
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November 10
Foxsports.com
 
"The Rays remain interested in Cubs outfielder Milton Bradley, but his contract might be too big an impediment to a trade. Bradley, 30, not only is guaranteed $21 million over the next two seasons, but also can earn an additional $1 million each year by making 575 plate appearances. Granted, Bradley has reached that total only once in his injury-marred career — in 2004 with the Dodgers. But the Rays, by using Bradley as their designated hitter, would anticipate that he would stay healthier and play more often. His contract includes a $200,000 bonus for 525 plate appearances, $300,000 for 550 plate appearances and $500,00 for 575 plate appearances. One way to bridge the financial gap would ..."
Harden could be good fit for M's
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November 10
Foxsports.com
 
"Free agent Rich Harden could be a fit for the Mariners, if they decide to upgrade their rotation. (Offense is their main priority.) Harden has had success in the American League West and was born in nearby Victoria, B.C. "He could commute on a seaplane," quipped one person in the industry. A number of teams could benefit from adding a power arm like Harden, but questions persist about his durability."
Gregg joins pool of free agents
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November 10
MLB.com
 
"Kevin Gregg, who lost the closer's job with the Cubs to Carlos Marmol this past season, was one of 31 players to file for free agency on Monday. Acquired from the Florida Marlins on Nov. 13, 2008, in a trade for Minor League pitcher Jose Ceda, Gregg was bumped from the role in mid-August by Marmol, who will be the Cubs closer in 2010. Gregg was classified as a Type A free agent, which means if another team signs him, the Cubs would receive a first-round pick as compensation. That's the case unless the signing team is selecting from picks No. 1-15, and in that case, the Cubs would receive a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds. In 72 games this season, Gregg, 31, finished with ..."
Hendry: Cubs haven't given up on Bradley
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November 10
MLB.com
 
"Major League Baseball's General Manager Meetings, taking place this year at the O'Hare Hilton, often mark the start of discussions for offseason maneuvers. But as the general managers arrived in Chicago Monday, Cubs boss Jim Hendry made it clear how his team's controversial outfielder Milton Bradley doesn't necessarily have to be involved in those Hot Stove moves. "He's still with us. He's on our roster," said Hendry, during a talk with the media on Monday. "And that's how you have to go into the offseason. "Other people have had some major hiccups along the way and come back, and that's just how you have to look at it. He's on your roster until proven differently. That's how we go about ..."
Bradley deal still alive
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November 10
Toronto Sun
 
"The Chicago Cubs still want to send Milton Bradley to the Blue Jays. The latest is a three-team deal in which the Blue Jays send first baseman Lyle Overbay to the New York Mets, the Mets send second baseman Luis Castillo to the Cubs and the Jays wind up with Bradley. The Jays will give a player a second chance, but not a fifth or sixth or whatever chance Bradley is working on, much similar to when they turned down free-agent lefty reliever Steve Howe years ago. The Cubs have zero interest in adding centre fielder Vernon Wells. Nothing in the desert Talks between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Jays about catcher Chris Snyder for Overbay had reached an impasse. The deal would have ..."
Unloading Bradley without paying steep price won't be easy for Cubs GM Hendry
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November 10
Chicago Tribune
 
"After spending the last two winters trying in vain to acquire second baseman Brian Roberts and pitcher Jake Peavy, Cubs general manager Jim Hendry hopes he can unload outfielder Milton Bradley in quick fashion. But as the GM meetings began Monday, there was no certainty that was possible. The Rangers might have the most interest, but sources insisted Texas would agree to a deal only if the Cubs ate most of the remaining $21 million on Bradley's contract. That's a route Hendry seems unwilling to take for now. The Blue Jays reportedly want no part of Bradley, despite a rumor on foxsports.com of a three-way deal in which the Cubs would acquire Mets second baseman Luis Castillo for Bradley. ..."
Unloading Bradley without paying steep price won't be easy for Cubs GM
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November 10
Chicago Tribune
 
"After spending the last two winters trying in vain to acquire second baseman Brian Roberts and pitcher Jake Peavy, Cubs general manager Jim Hendry hopes he can unload outfielder Milton Bradley in quick fashion. But as the GM meetings began Monday, there was no certainty that was possible. The Rangers might have the most interest, but sources insisted Texas would agree to a deal only if the Cubs ate most of the remaining $21 million on Bradley's contract. That's a route Hendry seems unwilling to take for now. The Blue Jays reportedly want no part of Bradley, despite a rumor on foxsports.com of a three-way deal in which the Cubs would acquire Mets second baseman Luis Castillo for Bradley. ..."
The Deal Hunters
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November 9
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Is Milton Bradley still here? Yeah, and he's holding up some of the decisions the Cubs might make as the hot-stove season gets started in earnest with the general managers meetings this week at the O'Hare Hilton. But the flip side for the Cubs is that (1) their to-do list isn't particularly long, and (2) the lack of a Bradley trade should not be confused with a lack of interest. According to a source, at least three more interested parties contacted the Cubs in the last week or so. And with all the GMs in one place today to Wednesday, the Cubs could be another step closer to shipping out Bradley. ''The GM meetings provide a great forum for us to continue the dialogue we have had with ..."
After getting rid of Milton Bradley, Chicago Cubs have 3 priorities in offseason
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November 9
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Cubs may not have as busy of an offseason as they had last year, but they're certain to be among the league leaders in deflecting rumors. This week's general managers' meetings will serve as the ceremonial kickoff to the Milton Bradley trade rumor season, and anyone seen talking to Cubs GM Jim Hendry will probably be accused of having some kind of interest in the controversial outfielder. Hendry won't discuss his offseason game plan, but obviously moving Bradley is at the top of his wish list. Some feel Hendry will have to get rid of Bradley before making any other major moves because how much he has to spend depends on how much of Bradley's $21 million contract the Cubs have to eat in ..."
Figgins a tough decision for Angels
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November 8
Orange County Register
 columnist Mark Whicker
"On July 14, 2001, the Register reported the Angels had traded Kimera Bartee to Colorado for an infielder named Desmond Figgins. Desmond DeChone Figgins, to be precise. None of his three names seemed destined for fame. Figgins had spent two years in the Carolina League. He did have a fanciful 34 triples that second year, but he was in Double-A when the Angels got him. It was hard to imagine that he would ever be a tough decision for the Angels. He is now. Assuming that he files for free agency, Chone Figgins is fixing to find out how much he is loved and, more important, valued. He is one of the best offensive players in this class. Even the most critical Angels fans must admit that Figgins ..."
Cubs seem ready to let Rich Harden and Reed Johnson go
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November 8
Chicago Tribune
 
"There's no question Rich Harden and Reed Johnson would prefer to return to the Cubs in 2010, and in a perfect world, Jim Hendry would probably re-sign both. But Harden's injury-plagued history makes a multiyear deal unlikely, and Johnson may have to take a salary cut to stay. Harden and Johnson, two of the team's five eligible free agents, were among the first players to file after the World Series ended. The Cubs are focusing on re-signing John Grabow in the next two weeks, while neither Kevin Gregg nor Chad Fox is expected back. The Harden scenario is interesting because he's one of the top free agents in a relatively thin market for starting pitching. His talent never has been an ..."
Cubs' Harden, Johnson file for free agency
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November 7
Chicago Tribune
 
"118 players have filed for free agency, including Cubs starting pitcher Rich Harden and outfielder Reed Johnson. Harden, 27, was 9-9 with a 4.09 ERA in 26 starts. Although he's had past arm problems, he recorded his second 25-start season. Johnson, 32, made $3 million last season, yet was limited to a career-low 65 games and 165 at-bats because of a fractured foot suffered July 29."
Josh Vitters doesn't disappoint in Arizona Fall League
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November 6
Chicago Tribune
 
"As Cubs fans spend yet another offseason marinating in angst, top prospect Josh Vitters retains his Southern California cool and a budding star's confidence. What he might not realize is that part of the North Side hand-wringing stems from Vitters himself. The third overall pick in the 2007 draft still hasn't graduated from Class A. Yet questions about the third baseman's defense, power and patience don't set off alarms on Vitters' panic meter. He's playing well enough in the Arizona Fall League that he was selected for this weekend's Rising Stars Game, though he likely won't play after straining a pectoral muscle in batting practice Wednesday. He's grounded enough to realize his ..."
Cubs Ted Lilly will miss start of season
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November 5
Chicago Tribune
 
"Ted Lilly will miss the start of the 2010 season after undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery Tuesday in Los Angeles. How long Lilly will miss is unknown, but the Cubs left-hander said Wednesday he won't begin throwing again for "four months or so." Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said the Cubs were encouraged there was no significant damage to the labrum or rotator cuff, and said surgeon Lewis Yocum thinks there's "a good possibility Ted would be pitching in April" if all goes well. Lilly was reluctant to have the surgery but decided it was his best option in the long run. "I didn't want to go into the season doing what I was doing at the end of the year, where I was missing starts," ..."
Lilly optimistic after surgery on shoulder
Comment
November 5
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Cubs' effort to rebound from a disappointing 2009 season already took its first hit this week when their best pitcher from last season underwent arthroscopic surgery on his pitching shoulder. Left-hander Ted Lilly, who went on the disabled list in July for both a sore shoulder and meniscus surgery in his knee, is expected to at least miss the start of the season after undergoing the ''cleaning out'' procedure, performed Tuesday by Dr. Lewis Yocum, considered one of the top two or three orthopedists associated with Major League Baseball. While the surgery wasn't considered particularly serious, and no significant structural damage was reported, Lilly's not expected to begin a throwing ..."
Lilly has shoulder scoped
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November 4
Daily Herald
 
"We'll have more later today, but the Cubs announced that lefty Ted Lilly underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder yesterday in L.A. The procedure was performed by Dr. Lewis Yocum. In a release, the Cubs said Yocum "found no major damage to Lilly's shoulder and the procedure consisted of a washout and cleanup of the shoulder" and that the surgery took about one hour. The Cubs say Ted will begin a rehab program and will be evaluated after Jan. 1 to see when he can begin a throwing program. They say they're hopeful he can be in the rotation within the month of April. We're scheduled to talk with Ted and with Jim Hendry this afternoon. If you remember, Ted had some shoulder issues ..."
Rays working on Iwamura deal
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November 3
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Just got back to New York and heard from an industry source who's not with the Rays that they are on the verge of completing a trade of 2B Akinori Iwamura. The Rays were looking to do some kind of deal since they weren't planning to pick up the $4.85-million option to bring him back. What's interesting is that the source indicated the deal wasn't with the Cubs or the Dodgers as has been speculated on but to an unexpected team. Hmmm. The Rays are operating under something of a deadline since they have until one day after the end of the World Series to either pick up the option or pay a $550,000 buyout and allow Iwamura to become a free agent. They have been working on essentially a ..."
Stage set for Chicago Cubs' organizational meetings
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November 3
Chicago Tribune
 
"With a new owner in place and a disappointing 2009 season in the rearview mirror, speculation is Jim Hendry will have one year to turn things around on the North Side. But asked if he felt like he was "on the clock," the Cubs general manager said he'll approach this offseason like any other. "I don't ever feel any different about that," Hendry said. "I put a lot of pressure on myself. We've had real good years, and we've had not-good years. We had it going really good in the right direction and this year had a hiccup. "I'm certainly capable of leading the baseball organization to where everyone wants it to go, and if there comes a day when I'm not the right guy, then I don't think I should ..."
The new Mr. Cub
Comment
November 1
Chicago Tribune
 
"A young woman cautiously approached Tom Ricketts at a Chicago Cubs game on the last weekend of the season. She had a camera in hand and a pleading look in her eyes. "Can you take a picture of us?" she asked. Behind her, her husband was standing, holding a baby bundled up on a cold, damp afternoon. Ricketts, dressed like any Cubs fan in a blue fleece jacket with a team logo, obliged without hesitation. "I thought she wanted a picture of me," he said sheepishly as he sat down. The soft-spoken, unassuming 44-year-old walks around Wrigley Field unrecognized and sits in stands with the rest of the crowd. That's soon going to change. Ricketts and his three siblings assumed control of the Cubs on ..."
Cubs deny Bradley-for-Wells trade talks
Comment
November 1
ESPN.com
 
"Although the Cubs have had discussions with Toronto about different scenarios, Cubs sources on Saturday vehemently denied that there is any type of a trade for Milton Bradley for Vernon Wells being discussed. Bradley had two years left on his contract at $21.5 million. Wells has five years left at $98 million, including $23 million each in the last two years of the contract."