Cubs agree to terms with Carlos Villaneuva..

[Clem Fandango]

Yay activity!

[Warpticon]

Well, The Cubs look to have the best 9-man rotation in the bigs if everything works out.

[davell]

Schierholtz hasn't even been added yet to the 40 man. If this is done basically, I'm not even sure that this is done officially for a while. The league offices are closed from Christmas to New Years, aren't they?

[Tryptamine]

ABTY

 

This one's done... Two plus one... Jackson close behind... Shark being floated- heard the Padres as a team all over him, Indians as well...

 

Gyorko+Kelly+Maybin would be about right for me.

[Derwood]

I've read all of these transaction threads and must ask.

 

JUST WHO THE [expletive] IS THIS ABTY PERSON?

[Tryptamine]

I've read all of these transaction threads and must ask.

 

JUST WHO THE [expletive] IS THIS ABTY PERSON?

 

Guy who has connections in the Royals' organization.

[Rob]

I've read all of these transaction threads and must ask.

 

JUST WHO THE [expletive] IS THIS ABTY PERSON?

 

Prosportsdaily forum contributor. I believe he used to work for the Cubs in a non-baseball position (security or something). So he got a bit of water cooler inside info. Now he's a writer covering the Royals, I believe. But it's not crazy to think he has a few connections in the Cubs org still.

[SABR Gamer]

He said it's very unlikely Shark gets dealt but that when a team adds as much pitching as we have, teams start making phone calls to ask about availability and Shark has generated plenty of interest.

[Tryptamine]

He said it's very unlikely Shark gets dealt but that when a team adds as much pitching as we have, teams start making phone calls to ask about availability and Shark has generated plenty of interest.

 

That's fine with me. Personally I'd prefer keep him unless we get a ridiculous package like I mentioned before.

[Clem Fandango]

If Shark brings back an awesome package of players that helps out long term in multiple positions of need, great. If we keep him, I';m okay with that too. With this many pitchers coming in, Shark is the only one we can ship out that would be worth shipping out... unless we can swap Garza out with someone straight up, but I doubt the Cubs want to sell low on Garza and get less when they can sell high on Samardzija and get a lot.

 

I'd love to get a package centered around Gyorko/Kelly/etc. from the Padres. Or an Olt/Perez/etc. package from the Rangers

[mul21]

Is Gyorko going to be able to stick defensively at 3rd? And what's the realistic top end projection on Kelly? 2/3, 3/4, unknown?

[Clem Fandango]

Based on the reports I've just looked up, all signs point to concerns about his body being able to play at the position, but having quick enough hands and a strong enough arm to be about average at the position. He was being played at 2B quite a bit this past season due to Headley blocking him, and supposedly he doesn't really have the range to stick there. I have to assume he'd be below average at 2B.

 

His bat should play at any position though. Aramis was pretty sub par at 3B for the first few years before it looked like he started to turn a leaf defensively, I don't think it'd be a travesty if Gyorko manned the hot corner, and he's young enough to continue to improve.

[Little Slide Rooter]

When you sign an extra pitcher when you already have 5, it's possible that you're looking to trade 1, but it could also be for depth.

When you sign 2 extra starting pitchers when you already have 5, it's almost certain that you're looking to trade one, maybe 2. There could even be a trade on the table.

[Clem Fandango]

Ever since they were supposed to sign Sanchez and were also reported to be in on Jackson (and even Villanueva) I automatically assumed one of Garza or Samardzija is gonna be shopped.

[CUBZ99]

Carl Butts ‏@CarlButtsMLB

 

Cubs have an agreement in place with Carlos Villanueva for 2 year/$8.5MM deal with mutual option for a 3rd year at $6.5MM/$1MM buy-out #Cubs

 

Never heard of this guy, but still...

[Guest]

Carl Butts ‏@CarlButtsMLB

 

Cubs have an agreement in place with Carlos Villanueva for 2 year/$8.5MM deal with mutual option for a 3rd year at $6.5MM/$1MM buy-out #Cubs

 

Never heard of this guy, but still...

 

Joke account.

[Clem Fandango]

Food for thought... Before his last two starts of the season he had a 3.49 ERA in 14GS, 85IP, and 79K and 22BB. His last two starts were late season blow ups that got his starters ERA up to 4.50. He walked 3 or more batters just twice in his starts.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Obligatory "the last two starts counted" post.

[Clem Fandango]

Hey, he had 9 quality starts in those 16 total starts...

 

So 56% of the time, he worked every time

[davell]

My honest guess is it's protection on Garza's injury and Baker maybe not being ready to start the season. We need "real" depth, not the Rodrigo Lopezes of the world. Doubt trading away SP currently is on the agenda. Unless a team gets crazy on Garza.

[Backtobanks]

My honest guess is it's protection on Garza's injury and Baker maybe not being ready to start the season. We need "real" depth, not the Rodrigo Lopezes of the world. Doubt trading away SP currently is on the agenda. Unless a team gets crazy on Garza.

 

It's nice to have some depth rather than Raley/Rusin/Vostad/Coleman for the rotation. As you mentioned, you need to have the depth when you have a few starters with injury histories.

[Guest]

Jon Heyman ‏@JonHeymanCBS

Carlos Vlllanueva agreement with cubs is $10M for 2 yrs. nice add for chicago.

[jersey cubs fan]

lot of coin for a swingman, although I guess when your rotation is almost all swingmen it makes sense

[davell]

My guess is one of the 3(Feldman, Baker, Villanueva) ends up as a damn good signing. Hard to believe we're getting all 3, considering how much of a SP need there is out there.

[WrigleyField 22]

I really wonder if it could make sense to piggy back some of these guys. Almost half our staff could have some durability/longevity issues. And we are likely to waste one bullpen spot on that rule 5 pick. Is this crazy talk? If we get Jackson, him and Smardzija can be on a normal rotation and expect 200 innings. Garza if healthy can. Then between any time Garza misses and the bottom of the rotation you piggy back Feldman, Baker, Wood, and Villanueva. You have Vizcaino ready by mid year maybe as well.

 

 

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