Cubs officially pick up Ward's option decline Trachsel/Floyd

[Schwarber Fan]

per the Suntimes

 

Meanwhile, the Cubs on Friday picked up pinch-hit specialist Daryle Ward's $1.2 million contract option for 2008, after declining options for Floyd and pitcher Steve Trachsel, making them free agents.

 

some other tidbits:

 

• • Depending on how outrageous the bidding gets in a pitching-short market, the Cubs could go after Schilling, the 40-year-old Red Sox free agent who listed the Cubs among 13 teams he would consider.

 

• • Content with third baseman Aramis Ramirez -- and not in the mood for setting more offseason spending records -- the Cubs don't expect to be a player in the A-Rod sweepstakes.

 

• • And center field could be as key a position for the Cubs this winter as it is for the other team in town, depending on how prospect Felix Pie's winter progresses. Hitting coach Gerald Perry is in the Dominican Republic working with Pie, and he and manager Lou Piniella have devised a winter baseball plan for Pie, after which the organization will re-evaluate him.

 

Also Floyd, Trachsel, and Monroe are not expected back.

[RynoRules]

Most of the above is excellent news, except for the ARod part.

 

I especially love that they are sending Perry to spend time with Felix. That's exactly the right thing to do. If he just improve his plate discipline he'll be Jose Reyes-like, IMO.

[erik316wttn]

Most of the above is excellent news, except for the ARod part.

 

I especially love that they are sending Perry to spend time with Felix. That's exactly the right thing to do. If he just improve his plate discipline he'll be Jose Reyes-like, IMO.

 

They could move ARod back to short. Even if he's not as good there as he once was, is anyone really going to complain with the offensive production he'd bring?

 

Damn, Hendry, at least give it a shot.

[CuseCubFan69]

per the Suntimes

 

Meanwhile, the Cubs on Friday picked up pinch-hit specialist Daryle Ward's $1.2 million contract option for 2008, after declining options for Floyd and pitcher Steve Trachsel, making them free agents.

 

some other tidbits:

 

• • Depending on how outrageous the bidding gets in a pitching-short market, the Cubs could go after Schilling, the 40-year-old Red Sox free agent who listed the Cubs among 13 teams he would consider.

 

• • Content with third baseman Aramis Ramirez -- and not in the mood for setting more offseason spending records -- the Cubs don't expect to be a player in the A-Rod sweepstakes.

 

• • And center field could be as key a position for the Cubs this winter as it is for the other team in town, depending on how prospect Felix Pie's winter progresses. Hitting coach Gerald Perry is in the Dominican Republic working with Pie, and he and manager Lou Piniella have devised a winter baseball plan for Pie, after which the organization will re-evaluate him.

 

Also Floyd, Trachsel, and Monroe are not expected back.

 

I remember Bruce talking about how hard Lou and his staff work and after reading they have a plan for Pie to follow just proves it once again. I just envision Baker in a boat the day after the season and forgetting who Pie was. Nice job Lou and Gerald and thank you.

[CuseCubFan69]

Most of the above is excellent news, except for the ARod part.

 

I especially love that they are sending Perry to spend time with Felix. That's exactly the right thing to do. If he just improve his plate discipline he'll be Jose Reyes-like, IMO.

 

I thought Reyes swung at everything?

[CubColtPacer]

Most of the above is excellent news, except for the ARod part.

 

I especially love that they are sending Perry to spend time with Felix. That's exactly the right thing to do. If he just improve his plate discipline he'll be Jose Reyes-like, IMO.

 

I thought Reyes swung at everything?

 

He did when he came into the league. His walks have jumped from 27 in 2005 to 53 in 2006 to 77 in 2007.

[biittner77]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/rumors/post/Cubs-keep-Ward-pass-on-Trachsel-Floyd;_ylt=Allt2qfu3rVF.8XNgpCcdqE5nYcB?urn=mlb,52224

 

Good: Cubs bring back Ward

 

Better: Cubs won't bring back Floyd

 

Best: Cubs won't bring back Trachsel

 

Maybe Hendry has learned something

[Bruno7481]

Most of the above is excellent news, except for the ARod part.

 

I especially love that they are sending Perry to spend time with Felix. That's exactly the right thing to do. If he just improve his plate discipline he'll be Jose Reyes-like, IMO.

 

They could move ARod back to short. Even if he's not as good there as he once was, is anyone really going to complain with the offensive production he'd bring?

 

Damn, Hendry, at least give it a shot.

 

I'm sure Hendry would love to give it a shot, but I really doubt it is up to him.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Good news on both Ward and Traschel.

 

I would have broken something if Traschel really was brought back.

[Roast]

 

I would have broken something if Traschel really was brought back.

 

No doubt.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Yay Ward!

[RynoRules]

Most of the above is excellent news, except for the ARod part.

 

I especially love that they are sending Perry to spend time with Felix. That's exactly the right thing to do. If he just improve his plate discipline he'll be Jose Reyes-like, IMO.

 

I thought Reyes swung at everything?

 

He did when he came into the league. His walks have jumped from 27 in 2005 to 53 in 2006 to 77 in 2007.

 

Beat me to it. There's no reason Pie can't develop along the same lines if he works at it. I'd be thrilled if he walked 70 or so times a year.

[Sammy Sofa]

Sexcellent.

[NewUserName]

Sexcellent.

 

 

interesting word to use when talking about a Daryl Ward option pick up

[imb]

Sexcellent.

 

 

interesting word to use when talking about a Daryl Ward option pick up

 

Daryle Ward is sexual chocolate and don't you forget it

[Sammy Sofa]

Sexcellent.

 

 

interesting word to use when talking about a Daryl Ward option pick up

 

Daryle Ward is sexual chocolate and don't you forget it

 

You diz-amn right.

 

Haters gonna hate.