HoopsCubs

Hendricks DFAd. Brett Marshall claimed off waivers. 40 man roster still at 40. However, I think Hendricks had a better shot at the 25-man roster Opening Day than Marshall does, so I am reducing the current count back down to 4: Kotteras, Ruggiano, Wright and Veras. Still feel there are 3 more new faces coming: 2 starters and a utility player albeit my formula factored in a Jeff Samardzija trade, which looks in doubt now until the trading deadline.

I still think Justin Grimm can factor into that bullpen.

Where do you have Villanueva? Rotation? "Favorite other RP"? Dealt?

TT - my gut still tells me they're going to move Russell.

Until the trade deadline. That's when Kyuji steps back in.

We're up to 5 new faces for the projected 25-man roster with the claim of Liam Hendriks and the rumored signing of closer/reliever Jose Veras - they join Kotteras, Wright and Ruggiano. 40-man roster will be at 40.

If you connect the dots between the various reports and rumors, the Cubs view Samardzija's value over the next 5 years at $6M, $10M, $12M, $13M, $14M in successive seasons or $58M. What should they view him as?

A Cubs source told me that despite the trade for Ruggiano, the FO would still like to add a CF. They are also going back and forth on whether or not they have a bona fide back up 1B (right-handed hitting) on the roster or not. From a 40-man point of view, Mike Olt and Josh Vitters are currently penciled into that role when the Cubs face a nasty lefty, but I was told Theo is not sold yet on either making the 25-man roster.

Alright, with Wesley Wright in the fold and the George Kotteras trade from a few weeks back, we are up to 2 new faces on the projected 25-man roster on Opening Day. So, who's next? Alright, with the Bogusevic trade for Ruggiano, we are now up to 3 new projected faces for the 25-man roster. 40-man roster currently sits at 38.

A Cubs source told me this morning that the Cubs have offered to take CF Michael Bourn and his 3 years/$41M off Cleveland's hands, so that the Indians can utilize the freed up funds to address starting pitching. While they would like to have Ubaldo Jimenez back, they are also waiting in the weeds to see if they can grab Matt Garza. Source was not sure if the Indians rejected the offer or if they are still mulling it over.

They are talking about Lorenzo Cain too, if my source is correct. Samardzija and Barney for Cain, Crow and 2 pitching prospects (no names given to me).

Any interest in Cole Hamels? Phillies are supposedly "shopping" him and Cliff Lee. 5 years at $22.5M per. Age 30

3 years of cost control and a former 1st round draft pick. But I noticed he pitched at AAA at some point in 2013. Was he re-habbing an injury or was he sent down? He had a terrific 2011 and 2012, but his 2013 was not so good.

This might be tied to the Gordon Wittenmyer tweet that the Cubs are talking to Washington about bullpen help.

Cubs source told me that Theo/Jed are telling each executive a different story regarding Samardzija's price and availability just to keep everybody guessing as to their true intentions. One executive told the source that Theo told him that the Cubs are looking for a cost controlled corner OF and a high ceiling catching prospect in return for Samardzija, and that they plan to dangle Jorge Soler to acquire the multiple top pitching prospects they seek. Every team is probably attempting some sort of FUD campaign.

Also heard that the Cubs might take a flyer on free agent OF Delmon Young. Cubs' FO likes his career stats against left-handed pitching and view him as a decent option for platooning with Nate Schierholtz, or as insurance if Nate is dealt.

Cubs have interest in signing free agent pitcher Johan Santana to compete for the #5 rotation spot, if the price is right. They have looked at his medical reports recently and are "generally satisfied." Unlike many teams that have expressed interest in him, the Cubs might be willing to give him a major league deal with low base and high incentives based on innings pitched. I asked the source if this idea was being thrown out there to put pressure on Scott Baker to come to the table, but he said the interest in Santana is genuine.

Cubs have had discussions with 2 teams about dealing Edwin Jackson and a 3B prospect for a young reliever and a pitching prospect. The two teams are believed to be Cleveland and San Diego. The Cubs would like to free up Jackson's $11M and spread it over 2 players: an innings eating starter and a serviceable CF. We'll see if these discussions see the light of day in Florida. Hoops

Alright, with Wesley Wright in the fold and the George Kotteras trade from a few weeks back, we are up to 2 new faces on the projected 25-man roster on Opening Day. So, who's next?

Here's another way of looking at the Tanaka market. What if we compared each club's payroll at the beginning of the 2013 season (as a baseline) with their current obligations for 2014. By obligations, I am referring to players under contract only, and not those who are arbitration eligible. For example, the Cubs' payroll in 2013 to start the season was $107M. Their current obligations for 2014 are $51M. If they were to spend at the same level as 2013, they would still have $56M of headroom (headroom defined as last year's payroll minus this year's obligations to date). Now, I know the assumption of having the ability to spend to last year's level will vary from team to team, but we need to draw the line somewhere. So, here are the teams that have $40M or more in "headroom": $90M New York Yankees (if they don't adhere to the luxury tax limit) $62M New York Mets $56M Chicago Cubs $55M Chicago White Sox $51M New York Yankees (if they do adhere to their stated goal of staying under $189M) $50M Seattle Mariners $47M Baltimore Orioles $45M Atlanta Braves We've heard about the Yankees, Cubs and Mariners as being potential players. The Dodgers are a wild card - even though their current "headroom" is only $37M, they seem to spend at will. But, let's not lose sight of the Mets, White Sox, Orioles or Braves here. They seem to have the financial flexibility to pull off a Tanaka signing though I don't see the Braves or White Sox as holding much appeal to the young Japanese kid. The Mets might be lying there in the weeds ready to pull it off. Hoops

Cubs and the Padres have talked this week about a deal that would send Nate Schierholtz and James Russell to San Diego for pitching prospects. My source does not know if the teams are still actively talking or if the talks died down.

I am told the Cubs were in on him right to the end. Oakland gave up more than what the Cubs thought he was worth.

St. Louis has non-tendered John Axford.

Andrew Bailey non-tendered.

Gamel non-tendered. That opens 2 spots on the 40-man.