Kap says Cubs are talking to Aurilia's agent

[davell]

But, isn't the ownership situation supposed to be resolved within the next month as it is? I'm not sure why we would go after another SP, unless

 

(A) Our ownership situation will NOT be resolved before the season starts......

 

or

 

(B) We aren't confident we can actually get Peavy and are willing to forget about him in order to add a Lowe/Perez/Sheets type......Although, I can see us winding up with Randy Wolf instead of any of those guys, especially if Lou wants another lefty in the rotation.

[17 Seconds]

Peavy is not an option for now. The ownership situation will have to be resolved first. Hendry has had no serious talks with SD lately, but he will continue keeping an eye on the situation. Until then, I fully expect the Cubs to obtain another starting pitcher.

 

When are we going to get some good news this off season? I hope by using the word "obtain" you mean acquire by trade because I really don't see any affordable starting pitchers that would be an upgrade over Marshall.

 

It's not necessarily about being an upgrade over Marshall, it's about allowing him to be in the bullpen and back up Harden. Plus I think there are a couple options through FA that are better than Marshall.

[Tryptamine]

I know it's most likely a pipe dream, but what kind of package would it take to pull Volstad away from the Marlins? With Harden more than likely leaving after the year and my preference for Marshall as a bullpen arm, I'd love to have him this year and the next few.

[CUBZ99]

Peavy is not an option for now. The ownership situation will have to be resolved first. Hendry has had no serious talks with SD lately, but he will continue keeping an eye on the situation. Until then, I fully expect the Cubs to obtain another starting pitcher.

 

When are we going to get some good news this off season? I hope by using the word "obtain" you mean acquire by trade because I really don't see any affordable starting pitchers that would be an upgrade over Marshall.

 

It's not necessarily about being an upgrade over Marshall, it's about allowing him to be in the bullpen and back up Harden. Plus I think there are a couple options through FA that are better than Marshall.

 

Besides Sheets and Lowe? The way that Hendry had to dump Marquis and DeRosa in order to afford Bradley, I don't think the Cubs will have enough money to sign either one.

[cubsfan26]

I could see the Cubs looking at Ben Sheets, Derek Lowe, Oliver Perez, or Jon Garland. I know Garland and Perez weren't much better then Marquis, but both guys have potential to have better seasons next year. We could also possibly trade for another pitcher, with all the spare parts we still have. I still don't see us adding anymore players until we know who the new owner is gonna be though.

[cubsfan26]

Peavy is not an option for now. The ownership situation will have to be resolved first. Hendry has had no serious talks with SD lately, but he will continue keeping an eye on the situation. Until then, I fully expect the Cubs to obtain another starting pitcher.

 

When are we going to get some good news this off season? I hope by using the word "obtain" you mean acquire by trade because I really don't see any affordable starting pitchers that would be an upgrade over Marshall.

 

It's not necessarily about being an upgrade over Marshall, it's about allowing him to be in the bullpen and back up Harden. Plus I think there are a couple options through FA that are better than Marshall.

 

Besides Sheets and Lowe? The way that Hendry had to dump Marquis and DeRosa in order to afford Bradley, I don't think the Cubs will have enough money to sign either one.

 

Yeah not until we know who the new owner is at least.

[17 Seconds]

Peavy is not an option for now. The ownership situation will have to be resolved first. Hendry has had no serious talks with SD lately, but he will continue keeping an eye on the situation. Until then, I fully expect the Cubs to obtain another starting pitcher.

 

When are we going to get some good news this off season? I hope by using the word "obtain" you mean acquire by trade because I really don't see any affordable starting pitchers that would be an upgrade over Marshall.

 

It's not necessarily about being an upgrade over Marshall, it's about allowing him to be in the bullpen and back up Harden. Plus I think there are a couple options through FA that are better than Marshall.

 

Besides Sheets and Lowe? The way that Hendry had to dump Marquis and DeRosa in order to afford Bradley, I don't think the Cubs will have enough money to sign either one.

 

How do we know he didn't dump payroll so he could ass Bradley and a starting pitcher?

 

Oliver Perez could come cheap and I don't think he would be a terrible option at a reasonable price. I know he's doesn't sound exciting, but if he comes cheap he'd allow us to use Marshall in the pen and as backup for Harden. Perez is not great, but he's been above average the past 2 season and would provide more depth that is needed.

 

Again though, I'd only consider him if he was really cheap, which I think he will be.

[Tryptamine]

I could see the Cubs looking at Ben Sheets, Derek Lowe, Oliver Perez, or Jon Garland. I know Garland and Perez weren't much better then Marquis, but both guys have potential to have better seasons next year. We could also possibly trade for another pitcher, with all the spare parts we still have. I still don't see us adding anymore players until we know who the new owner is gonna be though.

 

At this point I think any pitcher we add is via trade. More than likely it's going to either be an inning eating journeyman or young high upside pitcher for the future. The kind of guys we can hide in the 5 spot. I really doubt we go for anyone that's expensive unless they're truly elite like Peavy.

[mdwilla]

Peavy is not an option for now. The ownership situation will have to be resolved first. Hendry has had no serious talks with SD lately, but he will continue keeping an eye on the situation. Until then, I fully expect the Cubs to obtain another starting pitcher.

 

When are we going to get some good news this off season? I hope by using the word "obtain" you mean acquire by trade because I really don't see any affordable starting pitchers that would be an upgrade over Marshall.

 

It's not necessarily about being an upgrade over Marshall, it's about allowing him to be in the bullpen and back up Harden. Plus I think there are a couple options through FA that are better than Marshall.

 

Besides Sheets and Lowe? The way that Hendry had to dump Marquis and DeRosa in order to afford Bradley, I don't think the Cubs will have enough money to sign either one.

 

 

 

How do we know he didn't dump payroll so he could ass Bradley and a starting pitcher?

 

Oliver Perez could come cheap and I don't think he would be a terrible option at a reasonable price. I know he's doesn't sound exciting, but if he comes cheap he'd allow us to use Marshall in the pen and as backup for Harden. Perez is not great, but he's been above average the past 2 season and would provide more depth that is needed.

 

Again though, I'd only consider him if he was really cheap, which I think he will be.

 

I don't know what dumping payroll has to do with assing Bradley but I do want to hear more. :P

[nilodnayr]

It'd sure be nice to trade DLee and whoever else they want to the Giants for Cain and sign Dunn to play 1B for 10M. Seems like the Giants have money to spend on offense, but they'll probably miss out on Manny. And they have a ton of pitching depth.

[haubrich91]

It'd sure be nice to trade DLee and whoever else they want to the Giants for Cain and sign Dunn to play 1B for 10M. Seems like the Giants have money to spend on offense, but they'll probably miss out on Manny. And they have a ton of pitching depth.

 

If it was only that easy.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Aurilia is a back-burner guy. He's a guy in whom the Cubs have had interest, but he's one of those players they may bring in (even on a minor-league deal) once they get everything else done.

 

Is hendry pretty much done after Bradley/Marquis? Is another SP after the ownership situation is resolved unrealistic?

 

The Peavy thing, from what I've been told, probably can't happen until the ownership situation is resolved. However, Hendry will try to add a starting pitcher not named Peavy before spring training opens.

 

So are you saying that Peavy is no longer an option, or are you saying that until the ownership situation is resolved, Hendry will try to find someone else for SP?

 

Peavy is not an option for now. The ownership situation will have to be resolved first. Hendry has had no serious talks with SD lately, but he will continue keeping an eye on the situation. Until then, I fully expect the Cubs to obtain another starting pitcher.

 

Wouldnt it be cheaper to just go out and sign Joe Beimal if they really dont trust Cotts as the only lefty in the pen, and give Sean Marshall the 5th rotation spot that he spent the last 2 years earning, meanwhile, keep Samardzjia loose as a starter in Iowa for insurance if/when Harden gets injured, or needs a break?

[jersey cubs fan]

The Cubs have spoken to Rich Aurilia's agent and may offer Aurilia a one-year deal to take Cedeno's spot and back up Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee.

 

 

Oh joy. What a terrible waste of a roster spot that would be.

 

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-15-cubs-bits-chicagojan15,0,6211292.story

[YearofDaCubs]

Dumb..

[UMFan83]

Oh so THATS why we traded DeRosa. So we can afford to overpay veteran players instead of using cheaper and just as competent younger players. Makes sense now.

[CubColtPacer]

The Cubs have spoken to Rich Aurilia's agent and may offer Aurilia a one-year deal to take Cedeno's spot and back up Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee.

 

 

Oh joy. What a terrible waste of a roster spot that would be.

 

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-15-cubs-bits-chicagojan15,0,6211292.story

 

I'd be a little scared about the role they had for him, but I don't mind him if he's just here to get a few spot starts at 1st and 3rd and come off the bench to hit left-handed pitching (which he is inconsistent with but still solid against). I think he fits onto this particular team a little better than Cedeno does. Cedeno's reverse splits really hurt him in a bench role because he's either the last guy off the bench against right-handed pitching or he gets sent up there against left-handers where he's terrible. Aurilia would actually get used in pinch-hitting situations where he could be moderately successful, and I'd rather have him get those starts at 3B than Miles.

Edited January 15, 2009 by CubColtPacer

[cubsfan26]

It depends on what we would be paying Aurilia, if we sign him to a 1y at 800,000 deal he would cost around the same as Cedeno. I rather not sign Aurilia, but I don't he's horrible either. Aurilia still can crush LH pitching, so if you limit his AB's against RH pitching he could be a effective bench player for you. I still would be surprised if we sign Aurilia though. The only way I think he comes here is because he wants to win. I doubt Hendry will give him more money then other teams will. The Giants reportly want him back as insurance at 1b and 3b, so I can see them offering him more money then the Cubs would.

[jersey cubs fan]

The Cubs have spoken to Rich Aurilia's agent and may offer Aurilia a one-year deal to take Cedeno's spot and back up Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee.

 

 

Oh joy. What a terrible waste of a roster spot that would be.

 

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-15-cubs-bits-chicagojan15,0,6211292.story

 

I'd be a little scared about the role they had for him, but I don't mind him if he's just here to get a few spot starts at 1st and 3rd and come off the bench to hit left-handed pitching (which he is inconsistent with but still solid against). I think he fits onto this particular team a little better than Cedeno does. Cedeno's reverse splits really hurt him in a bench role because he's either the last guy off the bench against right-handed pitching or he gets sent up there against left-handers where he's terrible. Aurilia would actually get used in pinch-hitting situations where he could be moderately successful, and I'd rather have him get those starts at 3B than Miles.

 

 

He did well last year, but was pathetic the year before. I don't think you can say he's still solid against RHP. He could just as easily do as poorly as he did in 2007.

 

The problem I see is this leaves Miles as the only legit backup at either middle infield position*. Aurillia really can't play those spots. Cedeno can backup SS, and while he's probably not going to add much, if any offense, he could do as much as Aurillia.

 

*Furthermore, it leaves the Cubs with no quality defensive SS on the team.

[cubsfan26]

The Cubs have spoken to Rich Aurilia's agent and may offer Aurilia a one-year deal to take Cedeno's spot and back up Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee.

 

 

Oh joy. What a terrible waste of a roster spot that would be.

 

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-15-cubs-bits-chicagojan15,0,6211292.story

 

I'd be a little scared about the role they had for him, but I don't mind him if he's just here to get a few spot starts at 1st and 3rd and come off the bench to hit left-handed pitching (which he is inconsistent with but still solid against). I think he fits onto this particular team a little better than Cedeno does. Cedeno's reverse splits really hurt him in a bench role because he's either the last guy off the bench against right-handed pitching or he gets sent up there against left-handers where he's terrible. Aurilia would actually get used in pinch-hitting situations where he could be moderately successful, and I'd rather have him get those starts at 3B than Miles.

 

 

Yeah I can't see Aurilia really wanting to come to the Cubs, unless he really wants to win. Because he just isn't gonna get alot of AB's backing up 1b and 3rd. Playing 1b, 3rd and pinch hitting he will be lucky to get 130-150 AB's, which is about 250-300 less then he usually gets. So the Cubs have interest, but I doubt they want to pay him much, and I doubt he gets much AB's. So just because the Cubs have interest, doesn't mean Aurilia will want to come here in this role.

[cubsfan26]

Without DeRosa, I wouldn't be surprised to see a 6 man bench a little more often next year.

[jersey cubs fan]

Yeah I can't see Aurilia really wanting to come to the Cubs, unless he really wants to win. Because he just isn't gonna get alot of AB's backing up 1b and 3rd. Playing 1b, 3rd and pinch hitting he will be lucky to get 130-150 AB's, which is about 250-300 less then he usually gets. So the Cubs have interest, but I doubt they want to pay him much, and I doubt he gets much AB's. So just because the Cubs have interest, doesn't mean Aurilia will want to come here in this role.

 

He's a 37-year old extremely limited defensive player that can't come close to producing the numbers necessary at the positions he's stuck at, 3B and 1B. Teams just aren't throwing money to garbage guys like Aurillia this year. The demand for major league names to fill spots just isn't that high. Why pay a veteran $800,000 to take up at bats that a $400,000 kid who might have a future can do it? In normal times the kid is the better option, in uncertain economic times when tickets haven't even gone on sale yet it's even more of an obvious option.

[jersey cubs fan]

Without DeRosa, I wouldn't be surprised to see a 6 man bench a little more often next year.

 

I would still be surprised. I've prefer the 11 man staff, but the Cubs have gone with 7 relievers almost fulltime for several years now. They have multiple health/durability questions on the staff, no set 5th starter eating innings, and a nearly unknown bullpen situation. I just don't see them going with 6 relievers.

[CubColtPacer]

The Cubs have spoken to Rich Aurilia's agent and may offer Aurilia a one-year deal to take Cedeno's spot and back up Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee.

 

 

Oh joy. What a terrible waste of a roster spot that would be.

 

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-15-cubs-bits-chicagojan15,0,6211292.story

 

I'd be a little scared about the role they had for him, but I don't mind him if he's just here to get a few spot starts at 1st and 3rd and come off the bench to hit left-handed pitching (which he is inconsistent with but still solid against). I think he fits onto this particular team a little better than Cedeno does. Cedeno's reverse splits really hurt him in a bench role because he's either the last guy off the bench against right-handed pitching or he gets sent up there against left-handers where he's terrible. Aurilia would actually get used in pinch-hitting situations where he could be moderately successful, and I'd rather have him get those starts at 3B than Miles.

 

 

He did well last year, but was pathetic the year before. I don't think you can say he's still solid against RHP. He could just as easily do as poorly as he did in 2007.

 

The problem I see is this leaves Miles as the only legit backup at either middle infield position*. Aurillia really can't play those spots. Cedeno can backup SS, and while he's probably not going to add much, if any offense, he could do as much as Aurillia.

 

*Furthermore, it leaves the Cubs with no quality defensive SS on the team.

 

That of course assumes that both Cedeno is a quality defensive SS (which is still highly debated) and that the Cubs would choose to play Cedeno over Miles when Theriot needs a break (which IMO is highly doubtful). Cedeno would likely only get a handful of starts all year long. Only having Miles and Fontenot to back up SS is a little scary though.

 

As for Aurilia hitting LHP, he has been outstanding against them 2 out of the last 3 years and was decent against them the year before that. He definitely could hit like he did in 2007..when you are talking about a sample of 130 at-bats, those type of fluctuations are to be expected. But he has a greater than average chance of being at least decent against them, which is a lot better than most of our bench can say.

[SouthSideRyan]

If this goes through, they really did choose Miles/Aurilia over DeRosa/Cedeno. That's a horrible indictment on Hendry.

[CubColtPacer]

If this goes through, they really did choose Miles/Aurilia over DeRosa/Cedeno. That's a horrible indictment on Hendry.

 

I hate that they went this route too (specifically trading DeRosa) but you would have to throw in both the money saved and the 3 pitching prospects in order to get a fair comparison.