Hot Stove Report - Cubs Rumors (updated 2/2)

Updated 2/2 Wuertz and Hill traded and so much more - see the front page for the latest, this post is being retired at last.

Updated 1/15 Today, as expected, only two Cubs filed for arbitration, Kevin Gregg and Mike Wuertz. Neither will even sniff an actual arbitration proceeding. Jim Hendry doesn't roll that way.

Things are NOT settling down in Cubville. Hendry is on the prowl, seeking a 5th starter that would keep Marshall in the bullpen (such as Randy Wolf).

With Felix Pie, Rich Hill and Ronny Cedeno out of options, any or all of them could be moved, and Rich Aurilia still a possible free agent pick-up. Amongst that and other things, the Trib is just realizing that Aaron Miles may not be a starter and Jeff Samardzija could be in AAA come April.

In other news and notes from the past couple weeks, there's been talk about signing a lefty from Japan. And, of course, Milton Bradley in, Luis Vizcaino in, Jason Marquis, out.

Updated 1/5/09 Happy New Year everyone. Things are in place, with Marquis for Vizcaino wrapping up and Milton Bradley en route for a physical. Here's a quick note on Milton and some analysis of Vizcaino and his troublesome splitter.

Updated 12/31 Well, Happy New Year Jim Hendry. Aaron Miles, welcome to Chicago. Mark DeRosa, welcome to Cleveland. And here's my latest cut at the 25-man roster.

Updated 12/30 Yes, it has been that slow. But, suddenly, not so slow.

First, Marquis to Colorado for Hirsh was rumored, now it's Vizcaino instead - and almost a done deal.

A couple veterans from Japan could be in camp.

And Bradley will land soon.

Updated 12/20 Another Yawn (another ht MLBTR)

Updated 12/18 Yawn (ht MLBTR) link expired

Updated 12/17 Night I have to really stretch for this update. Nothing much happened in Cub land today. Elsewhere, Furcal is going to end up in LA. There was a brief mention that the Twins still cling to some sort of Mark DeRosa deal. And Pie must really be low on the depth chart.

Updated 12/17 Morning Figuring I'll have at least one update to this today .... The Cubs are checking on Derek Lowe, according to SI. This would be a great pick-up, but, given his age and contract demands, I'm not so sure. At least, in this case, the Cubs would lose draft picks, not a boat load of players, as with Peavy. I've taken a SWAG at the 25-man. I already disagree with myself.

For those of you unfamiliar with the term, SWAG is a Scientific Wild Ass Guess. A step-up from a plain old WAG.

The whole Furcal thing is getting weird (more below). Rafael may be reneging on a "gentleman's agreement" with Atlanta. Did something similar happen with him in the Cubs three years ago? Teixeira could land soon, and Manny will probably go next. Adam Dunn is seemingly invisible.

Oh, and take the Felix Pie poll (in the right-sidebar), just got the first "Clears Waivers" vote.

Updated 12/16 So, Furcal goes to Atlanta, as widely reported at the moment. Could this mean Escobar to San Diego in a Peavy deal? We'll see. I've come around on the Joey Gathright deal (update done deal), and the Cubs may have another pitcher on the radar - Fu-Te Ni, according to Bleeding Blue and Teal (ht MLBTR). He's from Taiwan, and you can find more here - it appears the M's made him an offer already. From Lookout Landing:

Having seen him pitch, he's sort of a lefty sidearmer in the high 80s low 90s. in the majors I'm guessing he would profile as a LOOGY most of the time , though he wasn't all that effective vs lefty in Taiwan (but it was mostly singles. the underlying preriphals were very good,)

Updated 12/15 Joey Gathright - Seriously? Other news is slow, but it does sound like Randy Johnson and Milton Bradley are top priorities at the moment.

Updated 12/12 As usual, lots of goodies at MLBTR. Ibanez to the Phillies (3/30), Bradley and Abreu still possibilities for the Cubs. I still think Shoeneweis for Marquis + $$ makes sense for both teams. I'm fully prepared for a Soriano-Johnson/Fukudome-Bradley outfield in 2009. I foresee either DeRosa and/or Fontenot losing playing time in any case.

Today is the non-tender deadline - keep track @ MLBTR
Tendered
Non-Tendered

Updated 12/11 b Schoeneweis fits the veteran LOOGY bill (update - he's a D-Back now), Paul Bako could replace Hank White.

Updated 12/11 No dice on Peavy after all - but Big Unit back in play, from Maddog's note. Donald Veal gone via the Rule V draft, along with two other minor leaguers. If the Pirates do keep Veal on the roster, at least we'll get some PITCHf/x data on the guy. Milton Bradley Milton Bradley Milton Bradley. MLBTR says Abreu could be going to Chicago - South Side, that is. Ibanez still in play. I don't see anything about the Cubs and Dunn other than "no". Woody is going to be an Indian any moment now, and the Mets have K Rod and JJ Putz now. Stuff is happening.

Updated 12/10 Phillies/Cubs/Padres close to deal, according to Steve Phillips (so, you know, whatever).

So far, the Orioles, Phillies and Twins have all been mentioned as the "third team" - as if someone got a glimpse of them on the grassy knoll or something. Patience may be required, but Kevin Towers almost has to unload Peavy now.

Kerry Wood is a physical away from being a member of the Cleveland Indians. Milton Bradley is talking to the Cubs.

Late Update Are teams lining up replacements for pieces of the trade? Phillies add a catcher, Cubs check on a super-utility guy.

Updated 12/8 Wow, a lot going on. Keeping up with MLBTR alone is tough.

Raul Ibanez is in play, but the Cubs are reported to prefer Abreu over Ibanez, and either over Dunn/Bradley.

Rich Aurilia?

DeRo a Phillie?

Chad Fox, yet another comeback.

Updated 12/6 Hey, that's a long hiatus. I'm back.

If you check-out MLBTR today, you'll see a lot of relevant info, and, taking it all in over the past week or so, here's what I suspect will go down at or after the Winter Meetings.

1. Cubs find new home for Marquis, taking on part of the salary - but don't execute the deal


2. The Cubs sign or acquire a left-handed hitting right-fielder, and then the big one.....


3. My guess: A three-team trade, with Pie, Cedeno, Player X, Player Y and Vitters taking a hike. Cubs end up wth Jake Peavy, Orioles get Pie and Player X, Friars get Vitters, Garret Olson, Player Y, Cedeno and Adam Scott.


4. Marquis goes

Please see this hot stove and cub rumor archive post for pre-December updates and a table of PITCHf/x stats on some relevant players.