Category: Cubs

 

This AP photo on the front page of USA Today’s web page made me laugh.  The headline was Tejada Still Upset With Orioles.  Obviously, the media is taking some liberties with the photo. 

It make one think that the media is becoming less objective, painting Tejada as a whiny crybaby because the Orioles won’t trade him.

Don’t get me wrong.  I’m not saying they are wrong.  But maybe the photo was a bit much. 

For the record, I’d be happy if the Orioles traded Miggy to the Cubs.   Even if Mark Prior was the asking price.  I know all Cubs fans don’t feel this way though.

In Thursday’s Chicago Tribune, GM Jim Hendry hinted that with the acquisition of Juan Pierre, Corey Patterson may just be next year’s Cub right fielder.

After Pierre’s introductory news conference Wednesday at Wrigley Field, general manager Jim Hendry disclosed he would offer Patterson arbitration next week and might give him the right-field job in 2006.

Hmm.  After a season of slicing and dicing Patterson, The Cub fans will have no problem with that, I’m sure. 

Let’s think long term here.  I was on the anti-Corey bandwagon myself for a while but he may not be a lost cause.  In 2004, he batted a respectable .266 (.320 OBP) with 24 homers.  The year before, .298 (.329 OBP, .511 slg).  Maybe let’s not give up on Corey just yet. 

Do the Cubs give up their search for a rightfielder?  Well no but the field is getting smaller and smaller with the obvious choices getting snatched up (Milton Bradley just got traded to the A’s).  Hendry may just be hedging his bets. 

At this point, that might be the smartest move.

 

The Friendly Confines are under reconstruction and Al from Bleed Cubbie Blue has some photos of the whole deal.

 

Rumor has it that the Cubs have traded for Juan Pierre though Hendry hasn’t confirmed it.  The rumored price is two minor league pitching prospects Ricky Nolasco and Renyel Pinto.

Good.  Leadoff problem solved.  In 6 seasons, Pierre has batted .305 with a OBP of .355 and 267 stolen bases.

He comes at a fair price too.  JP will more than likely cost the Cubs between $5-8mil/year. 

That said, it is certainly not a bad trade for the Marlins and belies the notion that they are “selling the farm”.  Pinto and Nolasco are quality pitchers and in time, the Marlin staff will be one to contend with.

Prior-Abreu Rumor?

The Philadelphia Daily News is rumoring about a Prior-Abreu swap.  From the article: 

“According to National League sources at the winter meetings here, the Cubs asked the Phillies yesterday what it would take to pry away two-time All-Star rightfielder, Gold Glove winner and reigning Home Run Derby champion Bobby Abreu.

The answer: Mark Prior.

The Cubs didn’t say yes.

But they didn’t say no, either; at least, they haven’t so far.”

If that is true, I implore the Cubs to do it now.  Prior is a good pitcher but in the four year we’ve had him, we got one good solid year out of him in 2003.  Bobby Abreu, on the other hand, has consistently hit for power (eight straight years with 20+ homers), average (career .303 hitter), and on-base (career .411 OBP).

If Prior is what it will take to get Bobby Abreu, dig deep and pay the piper.

Mabry (yawn)

In other Cub news, they have acquired John Mabry, a free agent.  I’ve never been a Mabry fan but Hendry wants to beef up the pinch hitting crew and I guess he does that with Mabry at little cost.

Update:  Right-hander Sergio Mitre was also part of the deal along with the two minor league pitchers to get Pierre.  Meh,  I think we can live without him.  I was high on him at first but my enthusiam for him fizzled after a while.

 

 

Furcal will not be a Cub it seems.  He has been picked up by the Dodgers in a three year, $39.5 million deal.

Now all this time, I haven’t seen Furcal as the savior of the Cubs.  Yes, I’ve seen his stats.  They’re very good and fit the Cubs’ lineup well.  I’ve just never been a Furcal fan and I’m not heartbroken that he’s not going to be a Cub.

On a side note, some posters on other forums have said that Rafael was just going for the money.  To me that’s kind of a naive statement.  Most MLB players are going to the highest bidder.  Let’s not hold that against him.

Now for the more important matter at hand, have the Cubs put all their eggs in one basket or do they have an alternate plan.  Is there a plan to grab Johnny Damon?  I personally like the guy but I know his hair scares others.

What about Juan Pierre?  He’s still available.  Rumor has it he is talking with the Cubs and the Yankees.  Milton Bradley is another option.

And Nomar.  He could be re-invited to stay.  Or would that be a little uncomfortable?

Followup:  Somebody else I forgot… Julio Lugo.  He’s coming off a career year but that may be a case of the free agent factor.  Nevertheless, not someone to overlook.

The Cubs signed Scott Eyre to an $11 million contract today.  Some key points on Eyre.

• He led the majors in appearances with 86 this year.
• He had a career low 2.63 ERA.
• The Texas Rangers drafted him in 1991.
• He has ADHD and has recently begun treatment for it.

I know it’s popular to make jokes about ADHD but I know what’s involved with the condition so I’d wager he’s feeling a whole lot better now he’s getting what he needs.

Read the article.  Compared to some “journalism” out there now, it actually very insightful.

Yes, the Cardinals are the division leaders.  Yes, they are going to the playoffs.  But the Cubs can hold one thing over their rivals’ heads.  After the Cubs’ 7-4 win today, they have a 10-6 season series record over the Cards.  It’s not much but when you’re a Cub fan, you take what you can get.

Chris “Cy Young Candidate” Carpenter was in for only four innings today.  Four very ineffective innings.  Four innings, four hits, four runs, four earned runs.  I see a pattern here. 

And what was up with Chris’ little spat with Dusty?  Neither the broadcasters or the media knew what exactly what was going on with the “discussion” between the two of them.  Or maybe they’re not tellin’.

Near as I could tell, Dusty was trying to get under Carpenter’s skin and it finally got to him. 

The Cards have wrapped it up.  I don’t need to read it on the news to know that.  It’s pretty evident here in east central Illinois where 49% of the baseball fans are Cardinal wonks and are wearing their red and white (yes, 49% are Cub fans, the other 2% might be Sox fans).

That’s hard to explain to my Chicago baseball friends.  Downstate fans of baseball root for the Cubs or the Cardinals.  Period.  It wasn’t until 10-15 years ago did local news stations start listing Sox scores.  I think they only do it for the U of I students from Chicago.

Anyways, congrats to the Cardinals.  As a representive of the NL Central and of my geographic region, they will be the team I will be rooting for in the playoffs. 

Which confuses some of my friends who are Cub fans from Chicago to no end.