SB Nation User Blog: Trey2317

Carpenter to close for Cards?

Trey2317 — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:09:48 -0000

Carpenter to close for Cards?

The Cardinals still need a closer, so Tony LaRussa says it could be Chris Carpenter doing the deed in 2009. Still, note this quote: "He still hasn't thrown, and that's next," La Russa said.

So, no guarantees Carpenter will be healthy enough to close next year.

Burrell to Rays for 2 years, $16 million

Trey2317 — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:23:45 -0000

Burrell to Rays for 2 years, $16 million

Now that's a pretty good deal for Tampa. I doubt it'll affect Bradley's negotiations, though.

MLB Network Information

Trey2317 — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:51:55 -0000

MLB Network Information

The MLB Network page on MLB.com just went live, so for those of you looking for information (including whether or not your cable carrier will have the channel), here it is.

Gaudin, Cotts & Johnson Agree to Terms; 3 Cubs Left to Sign Before Arbitration

Trey2317 — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 22:19:13 -0000

So much for the theory that Chad Gaudin would be non-tendered. The reliever signed for the 2009 season, avoiding arbitration.

With Gaudin's re-signing, it give the Cubs another arm in the bullpen and a versatile one at that.

Gaudin could be used anywhere from late-inning setup role to spot starting if need be.

It's not the big name move some folks want, but it looks like Hendry is content with the pitching staff for the most part.

Here's the official release from the Cubs.

Update: Sullivan says the Cubs offered arbitration to five players:

The Cubs re-signed pitcher Chad Gaudin to a one-year, $2 million deal on Friday and offered arbitration to Kevin Gregg, Michael Wuertz, Neal Cotts, Reed Johnson and Ronny Cedeno.

Update No. 2: Neal Cotts signs. Al has been kind enough to pass along the release from the Cotts signing, as well. Scroll down for the text.

Update No. 3: Reed Johnson signs. See Al's post here for more details.

Financial terms for all 3 players, courtesy of this link from Cubs.com:

...Johnson signed a $3 million contract, and he could platoon in center with Kosuke Fukudome...Gaudin, who inked a one-year, $2 million contract ... went 9-5 with a 4.40 ERA for the season ... Cotts, 28, who agreed to a one-year, $1.1 million deal, went 0-2 with a 4.29 ERA in 50 relief appearances for the Cubs in 2008. He and Sean Marshall are the only left-handers in the bullpen as of now, but the team has hinted strongly that it would like to get Marshall into the rotation.

With 3 Cubs possibly facing arbitration, it's worth noting that Hendy has never gone to arbitration during his tenure.

A Rule 5 Draft Outlook

Trey2317 — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:08:06 -0000

A Rule 5 Draft Outlook

Baseball Analysts came up with a quick look at the past Rule 5 drafts, and this year's draft, due to take place next week.

I don't necessarily expect the Cubs to take anyone, but J. Brent Cox might be an intriguing name to watch - the Cubs could probably stash him on the DL for a time, and if he fully recovers from Tommy John surgery, could be a solid bullpen piece.

They also have this to say on Donnie Veal:

"A former top prospect, Donnie Veal has stagnated at Double-A. In two seasons at that level, he has allowed 276 hits in 275.2 innings of work. His rates in 2008 were not so good at 5.02 BB/9 and 7.62 K/9. Obviously, his control is lacking but he is a lefty that can consistently throw in the low 90s and he has two solid secondary pitchers: a curveball and change-up. He faced 142 left-handed batters in 2008 and did not allow a home run. His splits suggest he could also have some success as a LOOGY: Left-handed batters hit .221, while right-handed batters hit .290."

Just Who Are the Cubs' Best Baserunners?

Trey2317 — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 17:39:45 -0000

It's been debated here and elsewhere throughout the year as to whom are the Cubs best baserunners. Looking at today's Phil Rogers (yes, I know, Phil Rogers) notes column, he cites the 2009 Bill James Handbook to try and quantify some of the Cubs' best and worse base runners.

From the article:

James assigns a plus-minus number based on how often players went from first to third on singles, second to home on singles and first to home on doubles, among other things. Among the Phillies' ratings were Jimmy Rollins' plus-46, Shane Victorino's plus-34, Jayson Werth's plus-28 and Chase Utley's plus-21.

Compare that to these regulars with the Cubs: Kosuke Fukudome plus-25, Mark DeRosa plus-13, Alfonso Soriano plus-12, Mike Fontenot plus-12, Ryan Theriot plus-7, Aramis Ramirez plus-7, Derrek Lee minus-9 and Geovany Soto minus-9.

Found this interesting, especially as some of the merits of potential lead off hitters are discussed in the offseason. Now, it doesn't solve everything, obviously, but the numbers do reinforce some opinions and shed some light into one the Cubs perceived weaknesses.

Plus, it beats talking about Rich Hill's 19 walks in 19.1 innings in Venezuela.

Cubs' Minor Leaguer to raise awareness & money for JDRF

Trey2317 — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:59:06 -0000

Cubs' Minor Leaguer to raise awareness & money for JDRF

Jake Fox, whom some of you may remember from his cups of coffee during the 2007 season, is doing some work to raise some money for JDRF. His wife is diabetic, and the two will be holding a fundraiser in Greenfield, Ind. (outside of Indianapolis) in late December.

More information, including contact information, is located in the link.

Oh, and on the baseball front, Fox was leading the Dominican Winter League in hitting while with Licey.

MLB Channel On-Air Personalities Revealed

Trey2317 — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:24:14 -0000

MLB Channel On-Air Personalities Revealed

Looks like Matt Vasgersian will be the in-studio host, with Harold Reynolds and Al Leiter providing playing insight.

Hazel Mae (formerly of NESN) and Trenni Kusnierek (formerly FSN Wisconsin) will also be working for the channel.

Wood done as a Cub? It appears so.

Trey2317 — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:35:02 -0000

From the Tribune

Pitcher Kerry Wood and the Cubs will part ways after 14 years with the organization, general manager Jim Hendry said today.

Wood, who came up in the Cubs organization as one of the team's most heralded prospects ever, had the longest tenure of any Cubs player on the 2008 roster.

Earlier today, the Cubs acquired right-handed reliever Kevin Gregg from Florida on Thursday to plug a hole in the bullpen, sending Double-A prospect Jose Ceda to the Marlins.

And from the Sun-Times:

The obvious question to ask and address is, `What about Kerry Wood?’ " Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said. "We all feel Kerry is deserving of a three- or four-year, long-term contract. We’re just in a position now, as Kerry understands, that the length of that deal for the salary he would command right now is not our first priority."

Hendry said he spoke in recent days to Wood about that and said that based on their tight relationship that it was only fair to Wood and his family to encourage him to seek the best deal he could on the free agent market rather than leave him "dangling" over a possible chance to return, possibly at a discount. "I don’t think I’ve had a longer or more special relationship with anybody else in baseball," Hendry said of the star-crossed Wood, a first-round draft pick in 1995 who won the National League Rookie of the Year award in 1998 and earned All-Star recognition as both a starter (2003) and closer (2008).

There may be a small opening where Wood could come back if he truly wants to remain a Cub (and forgo a 3 or 4-year contract offer), but it does appear that the Cubs can't/won't be able to match a long-term contract offer.

So let me say thank you, Kerry Wood, if you really are leaving the organization, for the 14 years of service and the memories you provided.

Hank White's Option Declined

Trey2317 — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:30:47 -0000

Hank White's Option Declined

From The Tribune. Cubs decline Blanco's option, hope to re-sign him at a lower price.