PrimeTime

I'm watching this on a free stream online at work..Its on about a minute delay. I keep refreshing NSBB to see what's going on and everyone's posts, I can't help it! :(

From Roto, Get it done Theo!! Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com reports that the Phillies are considered a longshot to sign Cuban outfielder Jorge Soler. Salisbury notes that the Phillies have never spent much money in the Latin American market, and he doesn't expect them to alter that approach for Soler. GM Ruben Amaro Jr. confirmed Thursday that his team has interest in the outfielder, but he cautioned to the Philadelphia Inquirer that, "It may come down to where he wants to play and, of course, the money." Many consider the Cubs the favorites to land the 19-year-old, with the Yankees also in the mix.

MLBTR You can totally tell they really want to unload him and have no confidence in him at all with that statement and the comment about his bad defense. Breath of fresh to hear that instead of the old "He's our opening day left fielder, he's gonna help the clubhouse and help us in so many ways and he's such an important piece to our team!"

“I would not throw him into the major leagues yet,” agent Jaime Torres said.”While I think he can make it really fast, I don’t think it would be advisable to do it so fast. He is only 19. But this kid has good stuff, a great makeup and he’s extremely intelligent.” Concepcion’s fastball, according to scouts, is about 92 miles an hour, but he has an exception curveball and very good changeup. Among the Cubs’ competitors for Concepcion were the White Sox, although Concepcion is believed to have preferred the Cubs weeks ago. http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/breaking/chi-cubs-sign-cuban-lefthander-concepcion-20120202,0,92949.story

Hopefully this entices his buddies to come over here and he gives them a ring to come on up and john him on the north side.

Looks like they're gonna do whatever it takes to land him Roto Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports that the Marlins are prepared to make a "substantial offer" to Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. Marlins president David Samson indicated as much during a radio appearance earlier this month by saying that they would be "aggressive right to the point of stupidity, but not quite there." While the dollar figure isn't known, Frisaro hears that the Marlins are prepared to offer a contract between four and six years. Cespedes, 26, is on the brink of free agency after establishing residency in the Dominican Republic. Many believe he'll end up with a contract north of the $30.25 million deal Aroldis Chapman signed with the Reds in January of 2010. The Cubs, Tigers, White Sox, Orioles, Yankees, Nationals, Indians and Phillies are among some of the other interested clubs. http://joefrisaro.mlblogs.com/2012/01/25/marlins-primed-to-bid-for-cespedes/

From over at Bleachernation.com The Alfonso Soriano speculation continues. Bruce Levine reiterates that the Cubs would be willing to eat 80% of the remaining $54 million (over three years) owed to Soriano, and Jim Bowden says the Tigers should consider Soriano to replace Victor Martinez. Thing is? I’m told that, when the Cubs contacted the Tigers about Soriano after learning of the Martinez injury, the Tigers wanted the Cubs to eat 95% of his remaining salary.

and now this CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports that the Rangers and Yu Darvish have agreed to a contract. Heyman adds that the two sides are "just wrapping it up." No word yet on the terms, but the deal is expected to cover five years with an option for a sixth and carry a total value north of $50 million. Darvish, 25, posted a 1.44 ERA and 276/36 K/BB ratio across 232 innings last year in Japan. He carries ace upside here in the states

Baltimore is not gonna happen since it's real doubtful he waives his clause. Yankees have their DH spot open now so that could be a fit. Cubs are still willing to eat salary. Soriano has no-trade rights, but said on Friday that he'd be open to a trade as long as it worked for him and his family. "They can do whatever they want," Soriano said Friday at the Cubs Convention. "It has to be good for me and my family for me to agree (to a trade). I'm comfortable with the Cubs. "I won't go to just any team. I want to be with a contender. I also want to be in the playoffs again. So I'd have to be comfortable with both the team and the city I get traded to." http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/7463133/chicago-cubs-chairman-tom-ricketts-open-possibility-eating-salary

This has got to be a PR move.

Rotoworld Jason Beck of MLB.com was told by a source that "there’s nothing going on" with the Tigers in regard to a trade for the Cubs' Matt Garza. Futhermore, Peter Gammons said Tuesday night on MLB Network that "it’s not going to happen." It's believed that prospect right-hander Jacob Turner would have been the centerpiece of the proposed deal, but it appears the Tigers could go into the season with him as their fifth starter. The Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays and Marlins are among the other clubs who have expressed interest in Garza this offseason.

From Daily Herald article from Bruce, They just all came to the conclusion that Cashner will end up being a reliever and not a starter “We believe Anthony has the potential to be a middle-of-the-order run producer for the Cubs for a long time. He still has some development left, but we feel that what he’s done at age 20 at Double-A and 21 at Triple-A was remarkable.” “The way we see it, Bryan had a terrific year last year at Triple-A,” said Hoyer, noting LaHair’s 38 homers at the Cubs’ Class AAA Iowa affiliate. “He’s been terrific this winter in Venezuela. We see him as our first baseman. “Let’s be candid. I don’t think I did Anthony any favors when I was GM of the Padres. We traded for him for Adrian Gonzalez. We called him up because we weren’t getting any first-base production at San Diego. It was too early, and it was a mistake on my part. I don’t think it did Anthony any favors. We think it’s likely he goes back to Triple-A, and Bryan’s our first baseman (this) year.” “As with any trade, we gave up something very good to get Anthony Rizzo,” Hoyer said. “It was difficult to give up Andrew Cashner. He’s a player that as you gather information here, people think very highly of him. He’s obviously got a terrific power arm and a very good frame. “The more that we did research and the more conversations we had, the conclusions internally after all those conversations, we felt like he was eventually going to end up in the bullpen as a reliever. Given where we are in our cycle, we feel like the ability to get six years of an everyday player like Anthony Rizzo was the right thing to do.”

How is he with the glove? Anyone familiar with his defense? Ive heard above average.

Wasn't Rizzo the centerpiece for the Gonzales deal? And we get him for Cashner who might only be fit as a reliever? I like it.

Wow. Looks like it's close to happening Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that the Cubs are close to re-signing Kerry Wood to a one-year deal.

Soriano next? How much left on his about, 54 mil? We'll probably be paying 53 mil of that if we unload him too.

Looks like Theo had a bad taste in his mouth from when they met up at Goose Island a couple months ago.

The Cubs' bid was "very low" and they have no illusions of winning the rights to negotiate with Darvish, a source tells Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.

@ScottMCBSSports Scott Miller Told by one club that Prince Fielder looking for 10-year deal. Market still eerily quiet there. Waiting for the magic to happen.

Source: Ramirez to sign with Brewers December, 12, 2011 Dec 12 11:28 AM CT By Bruce Levine Former Chicago Cubs third baseman has agreed to a three-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, according to a source familiar with the situation. Check back here for more details.

Latest on Roto According to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman, the Cubs are "definitely in the mix" for free agent Prince Fielder. Fielder's market is expected to begin developing now that the Albert Pujols free agency saga has come to a close. The 27-year-old first baseman has also drawn interest from the Blue Jays and Mariners, and the Rangers are said to be considering making an offer. Fielder owns a stellar .929 career OPS and slugged 38 home runs this past year for Milwaukee. His contract demands are likely in the $200 million range.

As far as I can tell, we're looking at quotes from Boras there?? oops, yes in that part, but there's some Theo talk in the article too.

Epstein speaks http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-pujols-to-angels-good-for-cubs-epstein-20111208,0,3797275.story Fielder has told friends that the Cubs are on his wish list. Would there be any chance of Fielder agreeing to a shorter deal? “I’ve had people come out (and say) ‘Oh, you ought to do a three-year deal,’” said Scott Boras, Fielder’s agent. “Well, that doesn’t fit anybody’s purposes in doing these things. The length of a contract has a lot to do with an understanding from both side about what franchise players are and what they mean, the branding part, the whole media rights part. ... All those things go into it. “That initial concept is ‘the shorter the better.’ But the reality of it is, in these types of player, it’s usually not the best dynamic for the franchise. … The great thing about young free agents is the probability of performance at optimal levels is so high for the majority of the year of the contract.”

Sign Fielder NOW!!

Weaver,Wilson,Haren,and Santana......Damn.