Wrigley Rat

- BA

Daytona: - Daytona Cubs placed RHP Dae-Eun Rhee on the 7-Day disabled list retroactive to April 10, 2010 with a blister on his right middle finger. - Jake Opitz assigned to Daytona Cubs from Boise Hawks.

Chicago: - Chicago Cubs recalled Casey Coleman from Iowa Cubs. - Chicago Cubs recalled Jeff Stevens from Iowa Cubs. Iowa: - Ramon Ortiz assigned to Iowa Cubs from Chicago Cubs. - Polin Trinidad assigned to Iowa Cubs from Chicago Cubs.

I know most of these have already been said - not sure if some haven't (too lazy to check). BA - Matt Eddy http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/article/Tuesday-s-Sports-Transactions-1312982.php#ixzz1ItU5quWc

Recently acquired pitcher Robert Coello (for Tony Thomas) pitched 4 innings yesterday (79 pitches). Maybe he is being converted to a starting pitcher? Something to watch.

A summary of moves at the end of spring training: - Yaniel Cabeza assigned to AZL Cubs from DSL Cubs1. - Rubi Silva assigned to AZL Cubs from DSL Cubs1. - AZL Cubs released 3B Jake McAloose. - Boise Hawks released OF Cody Shields. - Boise Hawks released LHP John Mincone. - Boise Hawks released RHP Carlos E Rojas. - Chicago Cubs outrighted Max Ramirez to Iowa Cubs. - Chicago Cubs optioned Welington Castillo to Iowa Cubs. - Chicago Cubs optioned Jeff Stevens to Iowa Cubs. - Chicago Cubs optioned Casey Coleman to Iowa Cubs. - Chicago Cubs optioned Fernando Perez to Iowa Cubs. - Chicago Cubs optioned Justin Berg to Iowa Cubs. - Chicago Cubs optioned Scott Maine to Iowa Cubs. - Iowa Cubs released LHP Scott Rice. - Chicago Cubs optioned Robert Coello to Iowa Cubs. - Chicago Cubs optioned Thomas Diamond to Iowa Cubs. - Chicago Cubs optioned John Gaub to Iowa Cubs. - Chicago Cubs optioned Esmailin Caridad to Iowa Cubs. - Tennessee Smokies released RHP Mike Parisi. - Chicago Cubs optioned Rafael Dolis to Tennessee Smokies. - Chicago Cubs optioned Kyle Smit to Tennessee Smokies. - Chicago Cubs optioned Alberto Cabrera to Tennessee Smokies. - Daytona Cubs released RHP Corey Martin. - Daytona Cubs released 1B T.J. Baxter. - Peoria Chiefs released CF Francisco Guzman. - Peoria Chiefs released RHP Danny Keefe. - Peoria Chiefs released OF Matthew Szczur. Chicago later re-signed him. - Peoria Chiefs released RHP Steve Grife.

- Arizona Phil

Interesting note (which a lot of you already knew) from Matt Eddy (BA): Some have said that he will have four option years instead of three (similar to Samardzija). Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald is looking into it and will report on it soon.

Arizona Phil

Signed: OF T.J. Baxter - BA

Released: OF Albert Hernandez

I like this Craig. I don't think I would have completely agreed before watch Harvey and Dopirak fizzle out, but now that makes great sense!

I think the players you draft, sign, and trade for ought to match your philosophy of team payroll. Here is my Top 10 List for engineering a winning ballclub (sorry it's long): (1) Since the Cubs are a large market team with a large payroll, we can afford to sign other team's free agents to somewhat large contracts. We can also make trades for players in their arbitration years whose teams' can't afford them. (2) The Cubs brass need to take personal feelings out of contract negotiations and try their best to sign players who are in the primes of their careers or younger. We "reward" too many fan favorites with bad contracts past their prime years. (3) Contracts need to be slotted better. For example, It's OK for your cleanup hitter to make $10 million per year, but your long reliever can't be much over minimum. Making poor choices in free agency leads to salary slots not matching up, which leads to under-qualified players in important positions. (4) I believe that three starting pitchers should be "near-ace" quality, and the other two should be pre-arbitration pitchers with the possibility of becoming an ace. Those that don't meet expectations by their second arbitration year should be traded away to someone who sees their importance as a cheapish innings-eater. (5) I believe that the bullpen needs an ace closer (I know a lot of people disagree), as well as three reliable veterans (one of which can be the closer if needed) and 1-2 reliable youngsters. The closer's salary should not exceed the top five closer salaries in baseball. The veterans should not get longer than two-year contracts. (6) I believe that six hitters in the regular lineup should be paid well, but that every other position player needs to be traded away before their second arbitration year, or accept lower than market salary (like Koyie Hill). (7) Every position player should have a competent backup on the bench or at Iowa in case of injury. (8) Practice the "Rule of Two." A GM needs to pay a free agent based on their last TWO years of service, not just their most recent season. If a player has had one good year in the past two, their price should be cheaper than someone who has had two solid seasons in a row. (9) High-priced contracts need to end in a staggered way. Every year, a big contract or two should come off the books, allowing the team to invest in different areas of need. The Cubs have gone several years without many significant contracts coming off the books and that has handcuffed the team. (10) When trying to sign free agents, negotiate with several at once early in free agency. Let it be known publicly that you are negotiating with each free agent. Be completely willing to sign the first one who accepts your contract parameters. - Even with all that being said, plan for 10-20% "waste salary." This can include bad contracts, replacement players for long-term injured players, and players signed slightly over planned slotting. - To answer the question of this thread: (1) Draft and sign the best players available with an emphasis on pitching and power potential. (2) Trade minor leaguers away when their value is highest (Chris Archer, Robinson Chirinos, Brandon Guyer) and don't look back. Some will come back to bite you, but if the players you got back in return have value, then you've done a good job. Don't trade the players you believe in most, but have legitimate reasons for believing in them! (3) The AAA club should be filled with potential backups for the major league club. If the players you've developed are ready to perform, then they should play in Iowa, but if they still need more time, a former major leaguer should take their roster spot at Iowa and be ready in case of injury. (4) Collect major league-ready pitchers who can be shuttled between Iowa and Chicago and can be used in trades. When they are over-performing in AAA, trade them while they're hot, assuming that one pitcher is as good as another. The Cubs have been good at this in recent years!

Cuban Outfielder Ruby Silva signed for $1.2 million, and Cuban catcher Yaniel Cabeza signed for $500K.

Augie Ojeda and Braden Looper signed to minor league contracts and invited to spring training.

Cubs sign OF Luis Montanez (our former #1 pick).

LH 1B - John Urich signed by the Cubs... http://www.chicoer.com/sports/ci_17097502 http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/U/john-urick.shtml

Typing with your nose again? ;)

- Jason Dubois, who batted .300 with 20 homers and 59 RBIs last season for Iowa, will join the team as hitting coach. - Former big league catcher Mark Johnson will manage Boise. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101216&content_id=16331090&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

My opinion: - Robinson Chirinos needs another year in the minors before becoming a major league backup catcher. He doesn't seem to profile as a starting catcher (but his power numbers would most likely play up in Texas). That being said, if a team out there thinks he can be a starter, I say sell high. We wouldn't be able to use him until next year, and even then, he would only see real playing time if Soto got hurt. - Rafael Dolis is taking up a spot on the 40-man roster when he is definitely at least a full year away from being a major league reliever (my guess is that he needs at least two more years). Even though he has a 100 mph fastball, he just hasn't amassed the dominating strikeout totals in order to be considered a prize prospect. If someone else thinks he is a top prospect, I say sell high. - Chris Davis is a left-handed corner infielder who was drafted in the 5th round of 2006. Although he has shown flashes of power, he seems to have stalled out a bit at the major league level. Since he is only 25 and has worked with Rudy Jaramillo in the past, I will gladly trust that Rudy has given a strong recommendation on his talent and defer to his better judgment. His statistics remind me of what Micah Hoffpauir has done recently, but he is several years younger. Since he is cost-controlled for a few more years, I think it's worth taking a chance on him. I truly see him fitting in as the backup 1B and 3B this year, with the Cubs still trying to sign Carlos Pena to start. - Darren O'Day is a 28 year old right-handed side-armer who has posted back-to-back solid seasons. Although making a name for himself later in his career, has does have several things going for him. First of all, he doesn't walk people (which seems tough to do as a side-armer to me). Second, he doesn't give up home runs. And finally, his WHIPs the past two years have been 0.95 and 0.89 respectively. Definitely someone who could find a home in our bullpen. He seems a bit like a ROOGY (although he has been effective against LHers as well), and someone who you might use to get out of jams in an inning. Overall, even if Chirinos and Dolis turn out to be quality starters in the majors, I feel like this trade has the potential to work out for the Cubs. I think we are a better team with Davis and O'Day than we are with Chirinos and Dolis. If 2011 takes a downturn, O'Day could be traded to a contender at the deadline for a couple prospects.

Jeff Gray is now a White Sox.

Brad Snyder has signed a minor league contract and has been invited to spring training. (I'm happy to hear that as he adds to our depth at that position and could be a nice bat off the bench.)

I think Brett Jackson will get the most attention, especially if he plays well. Brandon Guyer should give him a run for his money. Marquez Smith will also get a lot of AB's if he's still around. I wouldn't be totally surprised to see the Cubs pick him in the Rule 5 Draft if they don't like anyone else (that sort of thing has been done before), although 3B are not very likely to stick for a whole year (especially since he really doesn't play another position).

Unrelated to the Cubs: - Tampa Bay Rays Signed: 3B Russ Canzler - Texas Rangers Signed: OF Doug Deeds

http://chicagocubsonline.com/archives/2010/11/cubrumors112010.php#more- Chicago Cubs called up Kyle Smit from Tennessee Smokies (Added to the 40-man roster). - Chicago Cubs called up Christopher Archer from Tennessee Smokies (Added to the 40-man roster). - Chicago Cubs called up Brandon Guyer from Tennessee Smokies (Added to the 40-man roster). - Chicago Cubs called up Alberto Cabrera from Daytona Cubs (Added to the 40-man roster).