Wrigley Rat

BA announced the following signings yesterday: Signed: LHP Bill White, 2B Robinson Chirinos Also, the Cubs usually announce their non-roster invites around this time of the year (last year it was Jan. 15th). I'm wondering who they are as well. I know we need a couple infielders, a few AAAA players, and some old pitchers who will most likely be released during spring training. I also expect us to sign some players to minor league contracts who wanted major league deals (like Rich Aurilia, but slightly worse).

Maestri had shoulder tendonitis and missed the last two months of the season (he did not need surgery). He said in a recent offseason interview that his arm is fine now and he's working out at the MLB Baseball Academy in Italy. I'm pretty sure he was pitching injured in his minimal time at AA. Good to know. I hope he recovers fully by the start of this season.

Thanks - good suggestions. I think I would put Patton somewhere in the 30's due to his age for the levels he has played. I have also been a Drew Rundle fan, not sure how I left him off - I think I would put him at 23 between Robert Hernandez and Blake Parker. I'm very worried that Chris Huseby has Rich Hill-itis. He completely lost his control last year. I would put him in the 50's until he gains his control again. I'm glad to hear the good news about Maestri and Coleman. I will take that into account. Coleman was simply low due to inexperience and low draft order (I don't remember his stuff being too overpowering either). The end of 2008 for Maestri was disappointing - was he injured? I have enjoyed what he has given us, but I wondered if he started to become overmatched at AA (albeit in a small sample size and at an early age). Thanks for the info.

Here is my current Top Prospects List for the Cubs. It is not listed by position, but you can figure that out. I also recommend looking at Baseball America's Prospect Handbook, John Sickels Top Prospect lists, etc. These are usually commented on in this forum as soon as they are puclished, but purchasing the books give you much more information. 1 Josh Vitters 2 Jeff Samardzija 3 Andrew Cashner 4 Jay Jackson 5 Tyler Colvin 6 Aaron Shafer 7 Dae-Eun Rhee 8 Jovan Rosa 9 Jeff Stevens 10 Welington Castillo 11 Hak-Ju Lee 12 Ryan Flaherty 13 Chris Carpenter 14 Marcos Mateo 15 John Gaub 16 Starlin Castro 17 Casey Lambert 18 Brian Schlitter 19 Dan McDaniel 20 Esmailin Caridad 21 Josh Harrison 22 Robert Hernandez 23 Blake Parker 24 Jose Ascanio 25 Junior Lake 26 Ryan Searle 27 Mitch Atkins 28 Darwin Barney 29 Matt Cerda 30 Justin Berg 31 Marquez Smith 32 Tony Thomas 33 Larry Suarez 34 Jeremy Papelbon 35 Jayson Ruhlman 36 Rocky Roquet 37 Nathan Samson 38 Alex Maestri 39 Marwin Gonzalez 40 Carlos Perez 41 Chris Archer 42 Hung-Wen Chen 43 Marco Carrillo 44 Kyler Burke 45 Bill Muldowney 46 Jordan Latham 47 Steve Vento 48 Jericho Jones 49 Brandon Guyer 50 Nate Spears 51 Logan Watkins 52 Cedric Redmond 53 Justin Bristow 54 James Leverton 55 Rafael Dolis 56 Luis Flores 57 Ryan Acosta 58 James Russell 59 Alberto Cabrera 60 Nelson Perez 61 Dylan Johnston 62 Mark Reed 63 Ty Wright 64 Yohan Gonzalez 65 Casey Coleman 66 Steve Clevenger 67 James Adduci 68 Russell Canzler 69 Cody Hams 70 Dwayne Kemp 71 Jonathan Wyatt 72 John Contreras 73 Ryan Keedy 74 Luis Bautista 75 Blake Lalli I could be missing some, because it has not been looked over much. Hope it helps. Some people will strongly disagree with some of my choices, and I know I rarely match up with Baseball America past the Top 10.

http://www.thecubreporter.com/2009/01/03/fleita-afoot I don't think this was posted yet, but Oneri Fleita said it over the weekend and it kind of lends some credence to the Aurilia rumor since he can play 1B, 2B, and 3B (and since we could use another RH bat on the bench). I personally would rather not see Aurilia signed, but his PH splits last year were solid (1023 OPS). http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/bsplit.cgi?n1=aurilri01&year=2008

I would love to keep Hoffpauir too, but there just isn't room on the roster for him. I'm sure they might want Aurilia for more versatility than Hoff. Also, there's the usual reason - He's a veteran. We really don't need any more versatility on this team: - Miles (2B, SS, 3B, OF) - Hoffpauir (1B, LF, RF) - Johnson/Fukudome (OF) - Gathright (OF) - Bako © Of the starters: - Theriot (SS, 2B) - Fontenot (2B, 3B - he played a lot of third in the minors) I think there is plenty of redundancy on the team, just not as much maybe as when it had DeRosa.

That's not true. I think it's pretty safe to assume Cedeno is gone one way or another. That leaves Miles as the only backup IF. Need at least 1 more. Aurilia fills that role. Looks like the Cubs will once again assemble a bench full of 25th men. It certainly looks like Hoff is a goner too. I suggested Aurilia last year as a righty bat off the bench with some power. Where did you hear that? I'm under the assumption that he has been groomed to be the Darryl Ward of the 2009 Cubs and beyond. He hasn't done anything in my mind to lose that job.

Curious - what was Geovany Soto's projection a few years ago? I thought I remember hearing backup, but don't remember. If Perez could surprise like Soto did... that would be nice! If Welington Castillo gets traded away (in a Peavy deal or otherwise) that would leave our system terribly thin at the catcher position. Of course, I think it would be smart to trade him this off-season while his value is so high. It seems like his value can only go down from here on out.

I'll take a quick stab at the catcher question. Welington Castillo is really the only catcher in the Cubs' minor league system who is being touted at the moment. I have him ranked as the Cubs' 8th best prospect today. The only other Cub catcher to make my Top 30 list (at #26) is Matt Cerda who was drafted as a second baseman, but played a little catcher in high school. He is very raw and unproven, but in limited action last year (mostly as a DH) he managed to hit .253 with a .341 OBP at Mesa. Other players with a chance to make it include: - Steve Clevenger - a converted infielder with a nice bat (doubles power) who should play in AA this year...good eye at the plate...23 years old...lefty...ranked 33rd on my list. - Carlos Perez - 21 years old and played at Boise last year...out of Venezuela...similar statistically to Clevenger but hasn't filled out yet...has a higher upside than Clevenger. - Luis Flores - 22 years old...played in Peoria last year and couldn't buy a hit...supposedly has good potential to pan out...should repeat Peoria hopefully with better luck...7th round pick I believe. - Mark Reed - still young at 22 years old, but has been in the Cubs' system for awhile...looked good at AA in limited action last year, but has not hit consistently...the Cubs will give him some more time to develop...brother of Jeremy Reed. Two former catchers now playing first base (hopefully could return to catching): - Blake Lalli - good defensive numbers behind the plate, but his left-handed bat is what could get him noticed...undrafted...power and gap potential...has hit everywhere he has gone, but old for his levels...I really like him even though he's a bit old at 26...used to pitch. - Luis Bautista - 24 year old righty...same story as Lalli above, but not as good defensively...probably a first baseman for good...his bat has looked nice, but will have to prove it at higher levels since he was old for Peoria last year. Little to no chance of making it: - Michael Brenly - Alvaro Sosa - Mario Mercedes (left unprotected in the MINOR league portion of the Rule V Draft two years in a row and wasn't selected!) - Tony Richie - Chris Robinson - Pat Mahoney - Robinson Chirinos (utility infielder/backup catcher)

SS Andres Blanco has been re-signed to a minor league contract per Baseball Americas Transactions.

Even if Soto goes down with an injury?

Thanks for that note - I assumed Colvin would start at Extended Spring Training (which he still might), but I assumed he would go directly to Tennessee or Iowa, not Daytona when healthy. It makes sense though.

Why take on a $5 million backup catcher? 1) We need to dump Marquis' $10 million contract. We will probably have to eat $4-6 million for someone to take him off our hands. Taking on Schneider's contract somewhat negates our financial responsibility to the Mets for Marquis. 2) We need a backup catcher and will likely pay around $1 million for a Paul Bako-type anyway who would rot on the bench. At least Schneider could start if something happened to Soto. (We know Bako and Koyie Hill really aren't starting catchers in MLB.) 3) Think back to the trade with the Dodgers: Todd Hundley's terrible contract for Eric Karros and Mark Grudzielanek (two overpaid reserve players at the time). This is the same thing to a lesser degree. I would like this trade and I have no strong feelings for Brian Schneider. I just think it makes sense for both clubs.

I am bored. I never do these fictional trades, but... What about this trade idea? Marquis and someone else (Wuertz/prospect/etc.) to the Mets for Brian Schneider. Little to no money changing hands ($2 million to NY?). Reasons: 1) The Mets want to sign Tim Redding to eat innings as the fifth starter, but he may sign with someone else. They have considered trading for Marquis and still continue to. http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8966720/Sources:-Mets-to-make-push-for-righty-Redding 2) The Cubs obviously want to move Marquis and his $10 million salary. 3) The Mets are considering changing catchers and maybe signing Jason Varitek or someone else. http://www.fannation.com/si_blogs/hot_stove/posts/25561 4) Brian Schneider is the more expensive of NY's catchers at $4.9 million this year ($5.4 million if he is traded) which makes him the more likely candidate to be traded if they sign a different starting catcher. http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2004/12/new-york-mets.html 5) Brian Schneider is left-handed and has good splits for Wrigley. He should do well as a backup to Soto and a left-handed bat off the bench. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/splits?playerId=4388 6) His rate of throwing out baserunners was significantly better than Soto's in 2008, so he could be a defensive replacement to give Soto a break near the end of some games. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/stats?playerId=6428&context=fielding http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/stats?playerId=4388&context=fielding I'm ready for criticism. :)

Marquis as a type A free agent would be a bad thing. There is no way you'd offer him arbitration. He'd likely take it and get $10 million +. I understand your overall point, though. I've gotten the impression that Marquis would likely have to be moved for the Cubs to add a major piece. Please explain how a SP, coming off of a season where he earns Type A status, accepts arbitration for a one year contract? I think it comes down to the Cubs not wanting to take the chance of him accepting arbitration and being on the hook for his salary. Which is what happened with Kerry Wood this year (I think K.W. would have accepted arbitration to stay with the Cubs at $10 million for 2009 - I know that he's a closer though). Our payroll for 2010 is one of the major sticking points to trading for Jake Peavy, and offering arbitration to Marquis when we would most likely be looking to move salary would not be a wise financial move.

Luis Figueroa signed with the Angels. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2008/12/and-the-angels.html

Josh Kroeger has signed with the White Sox. :( http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/chi-12-white-sox-winter-meetingsdec12,0,7995664.story

Trading DeRosa now maximizes his value. If we can get it done with other players, I would prefer to do that, but if it allows us to keep more players might be smart. DeRosa is in the last year of a cheap contract and is getting old. He will want a bigger contract next year and is coming into the down side of his career. We need to get more lefties into the lineup and this would force us not to use DeRosa's right-handed bat every game. His versatility and bat would be very missed though.

http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/11/30/sportsextra/doc493340a8b95b4081405268.txt - Dave Van Dyck of the Chicago Tribune I don't believe this is true, but it's interesting. I imagine Marshall is a main part of any package for Peavy.

Bids are due, but I don't necessarily think that means the ownership issue will be "settled." I think I read somewhere that the new ownership is expected to give Hendry a budget number as soon as Monday. Apparently, that is all that is keeping him from pulling the trigger on the Peavy deal (and any deals that set that one up).

When I read this on MLBTR I felt the same way. I would love to get DeJesus, especially if it only costs us a salary dump (Marquis) and someone else minor. I believe Wells had surgery at the end of the season (he was at least very hurt), so I'm not sure what his trade value will look like before he shows he's ready during spring training. If Milton Bradley ends up wanting to sign with us, then we could always consider offering DeJesus to the Padres while trying to put together a package for Peavy. They want pitching, but it's hard to imagine that DeJesus doesn't have some value to a rebuilding team. I imagine we will start seeing some of these trades/signings happen later this week once the ownership issue is settled. I hope we don't have to wait until the end of the Winter meetings.

yes

I think at this point, Hendry is going to do whatever it takes (well at least, I hope so). For the RF thing, would we be content with Luke Scott? He's cheap, but put up some alright numbers last year. He's the left-handed bat we're looking for. I don't know...we'll see what Jimbo can do. I would personally not like to see Luke Scott in a Cubs uniform. I don't know who else we could get, but Scott played LF last year with a poor AVG and OBP. He also was worse during Day games and on the Road. I see him, at best, as a platoon partner with Mark DeRosa in right, which makes Fontenot a starter versus LHP's. Luke Scott is also 30 years old with "lukewarm" numbers over his career. I would rather see Hoffpauir platoon there if we can't afford someone better. And I realize his defense in right will be bad.

i'm not saying that fontenot is extremely valuable or anything, but almost any team in baseball would have a place on their roster for mike fontenot. even if his numbers this year were a fluke, he's still a utility guy who can put up an obp around .350 and an ops around .800. that's pretty good. I would agree, but I think Fontenot is only valuable until his last arbitration year when his cost to the team becomes prohibitive (for what he gives us). I think we need to have another "Fontenot" ready in the minors to replace him with at that time. Since that is not until 2012, I figure Spears is relatively expendable. I just worry about including Fontenot in a trade and not having a decent replacement. Neifi Perez redux?

I looked at Spears vs. Fontenot and Fontenot is significantly better IMO. Since Fontenot has little value to other clubs, I'm guessing that Hendry doesn't feel Spears deserves a roster spot. Of course if the Cubs decided to trade Fontenot in some package, I would think we would need a Spears-type player to replace him. I am surprised about Veal. I don't care if other clubs don't value Veal in trade discussions with Hendry - I'm sure that someone will take a flyer on him. I just hope he doesn't stick with anyone. I picture him as a guy who just needs more time than most to develop.