Little Slide Rooter

That's what I'm thinking. Which is awesome, because the only reservation I had about Bourn was the contract (both dollars and years). I'm that at this point, Bour's going to wait it out until the final weeks of Spring Training. Sure, he could sign 1 year self gamble contract now, in which case he'd have no shortage of suitors. However, if he waits it out, his value certainly isn't likely to drop, but teams will have an idea of how their current CF option is working out. If there are teams that look to be in need, he can either again look for a longer term deal, probably 3-4 years or worst case scenerio he goes with a 1 year at a higher dollar amount and hopefully an option or 2.

That's a really good trade for the Astros. Carter is a good potential DH for them Nice for the A's as well. They have no shortage of 1B/DH types of young pitching or pitching prospects. They do have a notable need for infielders of the non-noodle bat variety. Lowrie fits that criteria, and is only 28. While Peacock and Carter may be younger with upside, Lowrie gives the A's what they need now with some big league success under his belt.

The woman beater market is pretty dry right now, Brett Meyers signed a few weeks ago Supply and demand at its finest. Maybe the California Penal League will post Milton Bradley.

The catch 22 in these situations is that while it's easy to dismiss as extortion, it's also easy for the athlete/celebrity to play that card. Either way, $ tends to make these things go away, whether or not it was the intention of the accuser. Not saying that I think it's right, just saying that it is what it is.

-I really can't imagine Willis in AAA, not for long anyway. Unless he somehow manages to crack the big league roster, I'd imagine that he'll move on in a mutual parting of ways. -Weathers is 27 and had yet to findh the strike zone. I'm thinking he'll be given until the end up spring training to do so. He was 27 in AA last and had 53/29 BB/K over 34 IP last year. He'd be eaten alive in the PCL. -There are simply too many options with varying degrees of a chance to be a part of the future to waste any more time or roster space on Coleman and Berken. -Beeler could easily start in AA. He's only 23, and Whitenack could be better off srarting out at A+, for a short time anyway. -And I'm still betting on at least 1 of Garza or Marmol to be traded by opening day.

If true, I think its Chisenhall and he fills out 1B/3B bench and starter vs LHP role. Anyone else of "note" they may be after? If the return is Chisenhall, the Cubs would likely have to include Valbuena because I doubt the Indians want Mark Reynolds playing 3B. He's a butcher at third but played pretty well at 1B last season which is where they signed him to play. And after Chisenhall, they don't have much at third, just Mike Aviles and no one good in AAA. The Cubs might also want to include a 3rd player in the deal because they need to clear 2 spots on the 40-man and Chisenhall would be placed on the 40-man for sure. We have heard that Lake and Watkins were being discussed in trade talks earlier. Complete speculation, of course, but Soriano, Valbuena, Lake/Watkins/possibly Vitters (or one of many pitchers on the 40-man) and cash for Chisenhall and two younger prospects that wouldn't have to be put on the 40-man. Of the younger prospects that are trade eligible, I would be interested in C - Alex Monsalve, RHP - Dillon Howard, OF - Anthony Santander, OF - Luigi Rodriguez, SS/3B - Ronny Rodriguez and LHP - Luis Lugo. There are other possibilities as well. Some players from the 2012 draft class could be traded as PTBNL, though that is a little unorthodox given the amount of time the Cubs would have to wait before they could be officially sent over. Davell mentioned that the Indians competitive compensation 2nd round draft pick can't be traded during the off-season, but might be able to be included as some sort of PTBNL. That said, the rumor could fall through and all of this speculation would have been for naught... While Soriano had a very nice rebound, let's not forget that he's a 37 year old with bad knees, coming off his first >1.0 WAR season in 3 years. Chisenhall is 25, has several years under team control, plays an in demand position, and has some degree of big league success. Maybe if we were dealing with a win now team, we could twist their arm a bit, but Cleveland is not that. If anything, I'd guess that we end up throwing in a somewhat intriguing player or prospect in addition to the 90some% bath, with them adding a fringe prospect or two. It doesn't help matters that up until this offseason, they've done everything short of ringing a bell and marching Soriano around town shouting "boy for sale" in hopes of moving him.

Stewart's $2 million isn't guaranteed as far as I know. If he doesn't make the team out of ST, he isn't owed anything. Heck, if Chisenhall is brought in, they may agree to part ways before the spring even starts if he feels he can catch on with another team. Looking back, my post doesn't have much to do with what you asked. I would say yes to the DFA. I'm thinking that if we acquired Chisenhall, Stewart gets as much time as possible between 2B and OF, and if he can play either somewhat serviceably, he stays in favor of either Valbuena or whomever would otherwise be pencilled in as the 5th OF.

The issue with San Francisco was the chilly nights that weren't good on the joints, right? Don't have that in Cleveland, if that truly is the reason. I wonder if it could also be due to the fact that he'd be playing 50% of his games at AT&T, one of baseball's worst hitters parks and another large chunk at PetCo and Dodger stadium.

If true, I think its Chisenhall and he fills out 1B/3B bench and starter vs LHP role. Anyone else of "note" they may be after? yea but then opens a giant hole in the OF We lose one of our biggest bats, but between Hairston, DeJesus, Schierholtz, Jackson, and Sappelt, we should be able to scrounge up a serviceable big league outfield. While this team certainly looks much better than last year, they're still far enough from truly contending that I'd be willing to let the 2013 team take a hit like that for the right return. Chisenhall would be that return. This would also give us the freedom to shop Vitters, or else have him play some OF at Iowa.

They're going to need to hit on multiple young pitchers, because right now they don't have anyone they can pencil in for a 3+ win season. Very true. Hudson continues to be a reliable front ender, Maholm a quality 4th, but both are short term. Not sure what to make of Medlan. As for the young pitching, they're by no means sure things, but if they all pan out, Teheran, Minor, and Beachy could end up a powerhouse for years to come.

The Braves are going to be very good for a very long time.

Someone should tell Mr. Heyman that Milton Bradley likely won't be available this season. In all seriousness, they could be an interesting trade parner for us. Marmol and depending on how much they're willing to give up, Soriano or DeJesus.

Dude, Philly's getting a Delmon 1.3 [expletive], for that price, I'd have happily gotten a Delmon, warts and all. And while it's likely that this marks the end of the Phillies as a suitor for Soriano, Young joins Dom Brown, Darin Ruf, John Mayberry, and Laynce Nix in a battle for the Phillies 2 corner OF spots. None of the 5 strike me as sure things, especially to an aging team in win now mode.

Whenever I see these types of reports, I have to wonder if they were actual negotiations or just casual Theo/Jed: so assuming Upton's agrees to come to the Cubs, what are we talking? Towers: we'll start with Castro and go from there Theo/Jed: anyway it happens without Castro? Towers: not gonna happen. Not saying not ever, but certainly not now Theo/Jed: maybe we'll talk in the Summer Towers: sounds good. Say hi to Marie and the kids for me.

His career .286/.317/.550 line vs. LHP would go pretty well with Schierholtz' .266/.319/.413 vs RHP.

I could see Phillip Aumont hughlighting the package. Phil's are in win now mode, and they coukd send over Aumont plus a low level/high ceiling but not their top 15-20 prospect as well as something like a John Mayberry or Tyson Gillies, with us sending something fringy or big league ready their way.

Jensen: like the ceiling. Has already had some success Golden: because I still like him McNutt: 2 years removed from being a top 50 prospect: gets another year before being written off.

Yes, but there is the much bigger chance that you just wasted your money on a lottery ticket. Wasted money? On a minor league contract? Alrighty. It was really just a generic response to the lottery ticket analogy. I'm not concerned with the Cubs having wasted money on Dontrelle Willis. That's why I only buy lottery tickets when the jackpot's nice and high 8-)

McNutt Golden Jensen

I can't wait until Castro goes into a mini slump and makes a few untimely errors, resulting in local sports radio shows to be overcome by callers demanding that Brent Lillibridge replace him because he plays the game the white right way.

Yuck, that didn't work out too well. Still will never forget his opening day home run and awesome first half of 2008. And March-May 2009-2011.

Here's the latest from MLBTR Yeah, I see no reason to overwhelm the Oriole's unless Rick Porcello morphs into Drey Smyly or Nick Castelannos.

My thinking is something small scale and not particulalry exciting along the lines of: Cubs: Porcello Orioles: Marmol (Cubs and/or Tigers end up picking up most of the tab) Boesch Tigers: Hardy Maybe some minor prospects are flung about. I could see the Cubs cramming Raley or Rusin into the deal and getting some non-roster fringe prospects in order to make room on the 40 man.

Golden McNutt Loux