November 10, 200619 yr Once again, its almost that time of year. The Cardinals still aren't done celebrating their championship, and baseball's main focus is now on all the off-season moves getting ready to transpire. Which big names are going where and why? The annual owners meeting, keep in mind are next week. Some free agent names of mention 1. Alfonso Soriano 2. Carlos Lee 3. Barry Zito 4. Matsuzaka 5. Jason Schmidt 6. JD Drew
November 10, 200619 yr Author ESPN is just reporting that the Boston Red Sox may have just won the bidding rights on Matsuzaka, giving 35-45 mil. just to negotiate. This is just specualtion at this point, however, huge news to start this off-season with. Among the teams that were bidding for the Japaneese power pitcher were the Sox, Yanks, Cubs, Mets, and Rangers.
November 10, 200619 yr Among the teams that were bidding for the Japaneese power pitcher were the Sox, Yanks, Cubs, Mets, and Rangers. He's not a power pitcher...
November 10, 200619 yr Author He's not a power pitcher... Stats given as a fastball that reaches mid to upper 90's, a slider in the high 80's. Although his style may not be that powerful, his stuff is.
November 11, 200619 yr Tom Glavine declines his player option to the Mets but have had talks to sign a 2-year deal with them anyway. Still has a chance to return to the Braves to get his 300th win. Looks to be that 2B Marcus Giles is on his way out of Atlanta and could be heading to San Diego to play with brother Brian Giles. It looked like the Padres would move Marcus to 3rd but after trading Barfield it could be possible to have him at 2nd. In return the Braves would get Scott Lillenbrink. Rumor has it that the Braves could be trading pitcher Tim Hudson and a minor league prospect to the Rangers for Michael Young. Another rumor has Braves involved in a trade with the D-Rays for Carl Crawford. D-Rays would get Chuck James, Matt Diaz, and Horacio Rameirez!
November 11, 200619 yr Stats given as a fastball that reaches mid to upper 90's, a slider in the high 80's. Although his style may not be that powerful, his stuff is. His huge upside is he has several pitches that he can throw for a strike, at any time in the count. If the Red Sox want to give up that much for just a chance at landing him, then more power to them. There is a lot of reported uncertainity with the amount of pitches he has had the last several years. He could be one of the best ever, or he could be a huge bust. The winners in the whole deal are the Saibu Lions!
November 11, 200619 yr Cubs will go after Carlos Lee hard, especially when they lose Aramis Ramirez to the west coast this week. Cubs will also go after Gary Matthews when they fail to re-sign Juan Pierre. I'm also hearing the Cards and Padres making a Suppan for Woody Williams free agent swap if you will.
November 11, 200619 yr Cubs will go after Carlos Lee hard, especially when they lose Aramis Ramirez to the west coast this week. Cubs will also go after Gary Matthews when they fail to re-sign Juan Pierre. I'm also hearing the Cards and Padres making a Suppan for Woody Williams free agent swap if you will. I have heard rumors that Ramirez is been coveted by the Angels very hard.
November 11, 200619 yr If he wants to go and the Cubs can get Lee, I say let him go. He hasn't proven to be a clutch hitter and his unwillingness to hustle on the bases is ridiculous. I'd rather see them keep Pierre than Ramirez.
November 11, 200619 yr It's going to be interesting to see this offseason. There will be a lot of new faces in a lot of new places.
November 11, 200619 yr Author If he wants to go and the Cubs can get Lee, I say let him go. He hasn't proven to be a clutch hitter and his unwillingness to hustle on the bases is ridiculous. I'd rather see them keep Pierre than Ramirez. The word Ive been hearing is even though Aramis filed for free-agency, the Cubs are still his number one choice. I have also heard that Hendry has offered a five year 70 mil. deal to Ramirez, so more reason for him to come back, in which i think he will. If not don't be suprised to see the Cubs go out and get Nomar back from the Dodgers and play him at third. As for Pierre, I think Hendry and the entire Cubs organization have been cool on him. Although I like Juan a lot, I'm not so sure the feelings mutual in the Cubs front office. The Cubs are targetting Gary Matthews Jr for centerfield, however, chances of signing him may not be as good since the Cubs fired Gary Matthews Sr. as 1st base coach. The Cubs payroll has jumped from 90 mil. to 115 mil this offseason, and Sweet Lou has already said he intends Jim Hendry to use it. Pinella has stated the Cubs off season targets as Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Lee, Barry Zito, Jason Schmidt, and Gary Matthews Jr.
November 11, 200619 yr Ramirez wants a six-year deal and the Cubs (rightfully) won't go past five. With JD Drew opting for FA, the Dodgers may re-focus on resigning Nomar now that they have the extra money. Padilla and Schmidt are the names I'm hearing for the Cubs rotation, although Schmidt wants too long a contract. If the Cubs don't get Matthews, they will go after Dave Roberts or Mike Cameron.
November 13, 200619 yr Author Cubs sign Aramis Ramirez to a 5 year deal, as well as Kerry Wood for a one year deal.
November 15, 200619 yr Cubs sign Mark DeRosa, from the Rangers, as their second baseman. Mark DeRosa became the first major league free agent to switch teams this offseason, agreeing Tuesday to a $13 million, three-year contract with the Chicago Cubs. A nine-year veteran, he is expected to be the Cubs' every day second baseman. The 31-year-old batted a career-high .296 with 13 homers and a career-high 74 RBIs last season for the Texas Rangers, while appearing at six positions and starting at all four infield spots. http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/135829,derosa111406.article
November 15, 200619 yr Cubs sign Mark DeRosa, from the Rangers, as their second baseman. Aw shucks. I was hoping to see Ronny Cedeno playing second again...
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