The Winter Meetings Thread

[ctcf]

EDIT: If you guys want, I can try to update rumors in this first post as I read them. I'm home studying for finals all day so I get bored and end up checking twitter every ten minutes.

 

Feel free to make predictions, especially for our beloved Cubbies. Figured this might be a good place for all the crazy rumor swirling that will go on with multiple players. Hard not to be super excited this year. I don't think it's set in yet just how radically different our team will be in terms of names alone from the last 4-5 years.

 

My predictions: Garza gets traded and the Cubs are heavily linked to one of Pujols/Fielder (more so than in recent weeks) but don't sign one of them until after the meetings. Wouldn't be shocked if they walk away with a new 2B as well, despite that not being mentioned much.

 

Regardless:

 

http://i.imgur.com/J7mK9.gif

Edited December 4, 2011 by ctcf

[davell]

I had put mine in a different thread, but I'll say we trade Soriano and 42 mill to Oakland for Dallas Braden. We'll sign Jorge Soler for 5 years and 17.5 mill. We'll sign Fielder for 7 years and 161 mill, with an 8th year vesting option. Lots of Garza rumors, biggest one for Hughes/Banuelos/Murphy from Yanks, but nothing is done at meetings. Compensation for Theo is Antigua, compensation for Jed/Jason is Suarez. Jay Jackson, Marwin Gonzalez, and Flaherty ALL get picked in Rule 5. We take Nick Barnese from Tampa. Edited December 4, 2011 by davell

[ctcf]

I had put mine in a different thread, but I'll say we trade Soriano and 42 mill to Oakland for Dallas Braden. We'll sign Jorge Soler for 5 years and 17.5 mill. We'll sign Fielder for 7 years and 161 mill, with an 8th year vesting option. Lots of Garza rumors, biggest one for Hughes/Banuelos/Murphy from Yanks, but nothing is done at meetings.

 

Is that Garza rumor your guess or something you heard?

 

I'd be surprised if the gave us Dallas Braden for Soriano.

[davell]

Garza is a complete guess. Obviously so is the Soriano deal. Oakland could see it as an opportunity to unload one of their pitchers who's probably going to make close to 5 mill next year and may not even be ready for the start of the year. Plus it allows them to keep Gio/Cahill/McCarthy a little while longer. I think Soriano has decent value to an AL team at 3/12 still and think we may be surprised at the return, even if it seems like it's for an injured pitcher, albeit one who could eventually slot into the 2/3 slot in our rotation if things turned out right.

[JeffH]

I had put mine in a different thread, but I'll say we trade Soriano and 42 mill to Oakland for Dallas Braden. We'll sign Jorge Soler for 5 years and 17.5 mill. We'll sign Fielder for 7 years and 161 mill, with an 8th year vesting option. Lots of Garza rumors, biggest one for Hughes/Banuelos/Murphy from Yanks, but nothing is done at meetings.

 

Is that Garza rumor your guess or something you heard?

 

I'd be surprised if the gave us Dallas Braden for Soriano.

 

I'd be surprised if Soriano waives his no-trade clause to go to Oakland.

[Cubs Fan Dan]

prediction: Cubs acquire Headley for Dolis, Vitters, and low level prospect, cubs trade Marmol to Boston for Lowrie, Reddick, and low level prospect. Cubs send Soriano and 36 mil to A's for mid level minor league pitcher. Cubs sign Soler for 5/20. Cubs sign Kuroda for 2 yrs 28 mil, option for a 3rd yr. Cubs linked to Fielder heavily and will sign him a week following meetings. Zambrano and cash to marlins for coghlan and minor keaguer. Byrd, marwin gonzalez to nats for lannan.

 

Garza stays

 

DeJesus RF

Castro SS

Fielder 1B

Soto C

Headley 3B

Reddick LF

Lowrie 2B

Jackson CF

 

 

Garza

kuroda

dempster

lannan

wells

 

smardz

wood

marshall

cash

[ctcf]

prediction: Cubs acquire Headley for Dolis, Vitters, and low level prospect, cubs trade Marmol to Boston for Lowrie, Reddick, and low level prospect. Cubs send Soriano and 36 mil to A's for mid level minor league pitcher. Cubs sign Soler for 5/20. Cubs sign Kuroda for 2 yrs 28 mil, option for a 3rd yr. Cubs linked to Fielder heavily and will sign him a week following meetings. Zambrano and cash to marlins for coghlan and minor keaguer. Byrd, marwin gonzalez to nats for lannan.

 

Garza stays

 

DeJesus RF

Castro SS

Fielder 1B

Soto C

Headley 3B

Reddick LF

Lowrie 2B

Jackson CF

 

 

Garza

kuroda

dempster

lannan

wells

 

smardz

wood

marshall

cash

 

That lineup could vie for least HRs by a major league lineup ever.

[davell]

I wouldn't think so. DeJesus should get around 10. Castro 15ish, Fielder 35ish, Soto 20ish, Headley 12ish, Reddick 15 to 20ish, Lawrie 15ish, and Jackson could be anywhere from 12 to 20ish. Lots of balance, if you ask me. Definitely some question marks, but should have solid pop.

[Little Slide Rooter]

1. Jay Jackson, Marwin Gonzalez, and Ryan Flaherty are picked in the rule 5.

2. Dae Eun Rhee and Jeff Baker are sent to Boston as compensation.

3. Jeff Antigua is sent to San Diego as compensation.

4. The biggest FA signing of the winter meetings are Mark Buehre by the Marlins and Edwin Jackson by the Nats.

5. A few trades, nothing earth shattering.

 

The winter meetings are always a let down, at least the past few years. Mostly framework for trades to be completed in upcoming weeks.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I wouldn't think so. DeJesus should get around 10. Castro 15ish, Fielder 35ish, Soto 20ish, Headley 12ish, Reddick 15 to 20ish, Lawrie 15ish, and Jackson could be anywhere from 12 to 20ish. Lots of balance, if you ask me. Definitely some question marks, but should have solid pop.

 

Problem is you're relying on a lot of breakout seasons. Your 4-8 hitters are all massive crapshoots as are the 3-5 staring pitchers. this being said, I don't think this team would contend though its not out of the question but I'd actually be OK with it as framework for the future.

[TheDude]

Having people's predictions in the thread will make it tough to fish out the actual updates for anyone trying to follow.

[ctcf]

So far, the biggest signing is Jon Heyman by CBS Sports

[Banedon]

So far, the biggest signing is Jon Heyman by CBS Sports

 

That's going to jack up his twitter ID.

[PrimeTime]

Pretty much what we already knew.

 

 

Jim Bowden:

I talked to Jed Hoyer this week. Obviously, their #1 priority is to build scouting and Player development. In term of major league club...he told me....better defense, more LHH in lineup and starting pitching depth.....they might make a splash for a Fielder/Pujols type player if they can get smaller length than market but higher aav

[Guest]

SI_JonHeyman Jon Heyman

#cubs getting a bit of interest in soriano. belongs in al. obvs theyd have to pay bulk of $.

1 minute ago

[Guest]

SI_JonHeyman Jon Heyman

#cubs getting a bit of interest in soriano. belongs in al. obvs theyd have to pay bulk of $.

1 minute ago

 

 

Hmm. That would be great if they could move him. I didn't think it was realistic, especially with the extra hurdle of the NTC. I'm sure Epstein has already learned what teams Soriano would approve trades to.

[XZero771679666304]

SI_JonHeyman Jon Heyman

#cubs getting a bit of interest in soriano. belongs in al. obvs theyd have to pay bulk of $.

1 minute ago

 

 

Hmm. That would be great if they could move him. I didn't think it was realistic, especially with the extra hurdle of the NTC. I'm sure Epstein has already learned what teams Soriano would approve trades to.

 

 

I've actually become increasingly expectant that Soriano will be traded this offseason. Signing a guy like DeJesus for what will (likely) be less than he's worth has only made me more optimistic it will happen.

[bukie]

Jonah Keri is live updating from the winter meetings here all week.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Bryan LaHair met with #Cubs execs Theo, Jed Monday at Hilton Anatole to talk about next season bit.ly/rOjrbD

 

Hopefully it weant something like Bryan, just so you know were close to signing Pujols(or Fielder) for 1st base but there's a bench role with your name on it but we understand fully if you want to try your luck elsewhere.

[Hollandsworths mug]

http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/winter_meetings_Merten.jpg

[Banedon]

Jonah Keri is live updating from the winter meetings here all week.

 

ESPN is doing a live chat today here but there's a lot of stupidity in there. I think people asked about every possible iteration of a Garza trade possible.

[Backtobanks]

From MLBTR:

 

Tigers, Blue Jays, Padres Inquired On Daniel Murphy

By Tim Dierkes [December 5 at 2:19pm CST]

The Tigers, Blue Jays, and Padres inquired on Mets infielder Daniel Murphy, tweets Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Sherman adds that the Mets like the Tigers' Andy Dirks as a potential center field alternative to Angel Pagan.

 

Murphy, 26, hit .320/.362/.448 in 423 plate appearances while playing first base, second base, and third base this year.

 

He would be a great pickup at 26 years old. Could platoon with Baker at 3B if we don't get Headley/Stewart. Could play regularly at 2B. Young, cheap, versatile LH DeRosa clone.

[ctcf]

Dodgers just signed Harang.

[jersey cubs fan]

Murphy gave my daughter her first baseball so I like him, and so does my wife.

[bukie]

Dodgers just signed Harang.

Does his arm come separately now?