The Cubs agreed to a one-year, $4.2MM deal with Kerry Wood. As Dempster appears headed into the rotation, Wood vies with Carlos Marmol for the closer job. If things go perfectly, Wood and Marmol could combine for a pretty wicked one-two punch.
In his limited action last year, Wood looked good. 18 scoreless appearances out of 22 total was a good first taste of Wood's potential as a reliever. His 3.33 ERA was a bit higher than you would like, but 8 of his 9 runs given up were surrendered in only 3 appearances (at Colorado, at Pittsburgh and the Dodgers). Marmol looked almost unhittable at times, posting 96 strikeouts in 69.1 innings with a 1.43 ERA and a .169 opponents' batting average.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Keying on Kaz
The Cubs are reportedly taking a run at Kaz Matsui. Matsui revived himself in Colorado after failing to blossom in the Big Apple. He posted 118 hits, over 84 runs and 32 stolen bases. However, his average was skewed heavily toward the home field (.330 vs .249). Despite this fact, Kaz did hit well with RISP (.295) and RISP and 2 out (.388) and hit .355 over 107 lead-off at bats. Additionally, Matsui batted slightly better during the day (.300) than he did in night games (.283).
Certainly not a sexy name, Matsui wll still likely be an affordable addition, a solid glove and, as a switch-hitter, adds the intrigue of a lefty.
This forces some wrangling over what happens with Theriot (who slumped down the stretch in his first full season) and DeRosa (perhaps now part of the outfield quagmire), as well as how the offensive lineup shakes out. Presumably, Kaz would be destined for the leadoff spot. This early on, I shan't even speculate.
Certainly not a sexy name, Matsui wll still likely be an affordable addition, a solid glove and, as a switch-hitter, adds the intrigue of a lefty.
This forces some wrangling over what happens with Theriot (who slumped down the stretch in his first full season) and DeRosa (perhaps now part of the outfield quagmire), as well as how the offensive lineup shakes out. Presumably, Kaz would be destined for the leadoff spot. This early on, I shan't even speculate.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
First Free Agent Salvo
The first major impact for the Cubs this offseason was felt Tuesday as the club President, John McDonough, resigns and takes the same position for the mighty Black Hawk. I can't say that I'm not glad to see a competent front office man moving over to help the Hawks. On the other hand, I have mixed feelings about the Cub loss.
McDonough has only been in the position since October 2006, after Andy MacPhail stepped down. However, it's never good to see the uncertainty of a pending sale seep into day-to-day operations (see any number of lengthy corporate transitions for evidence of the negative impact this period can have). No doubt, the fact that McDonough had no job security under the future owner's regime influenced his decision. Additionally, the Cub job seems like a tense situation. The club needs to maintain a full house, placate the community and fans, and compete during the aforementioned transition period. Business as usual for one of baseball's premier teams. The Hawks, on the flip side, are on the come. Finally emerging from a lengthy period of atrocious play, they look like the coach and a mix of young and veteran players are finally meshing. Attendance has no where to go but up, and the pending broadcast of some home games is a boon fans have been clamoring for.
In other news, looks like the Brewers are going to take a flyer on Kendall, the Mariners have offered something to Kuroda, and Boston has their eye on Kid K, Kerry Wood.
The ball is in your court, Cubbies.
McDonough has only been in the position since October 2006, after Andy MacPhail stepped down. However, it's never good to see the uncertainty of a pending sale seep into day-to-day operations (see any number of lengthy corporate transitions for evidence of the negative impact this period can have). No doubt, the fact that McDonough had no job security under the future owner's regime influenced his decision. Additionally, the Cub job seems like a tense situation. The club needs to maintain a full house, placate the community and fans, and compete during the aforementioned transition period. Business as usual for one of baseball's premier teams. The Hawks, on the flip side, are on the come. Finally emerging from a lengthy period of atrocious play, they look like the coach and a mix of young and veteran players are finally meshing. Attendance has no where to go but up, and the pending broadcast of some home games is a boon fans have been clamoring for.
In other news, looks like the Brewers are going to take a flyer on Kendall, the Mariners have offered something to Kuroda, and Boston has their eye on Kid K, Kerry Wood.
The ball is in your court, Cubbies.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Friday, November 16, 2007
Z5
Zambrano finished fifth in the NL Cy Young voting (as he did in '04 and '06).
Big Z ended the 2007 campaign with 18 wins. However, he also notched 13 losses and career highs for runs (100), earned runs (95), home runs (23) and ERA for a season with more than 7 starts (3.95). Z also gained a decision in 31 of his 34 starts, a solid 6 1/3 innings per start.
Despite a rough start and an even rougher August, Zambrano posted a 4-2 record and 2.53 ERA in June and a sizzling 5-1, 1.38 in July that was a primary contributing factor in the Cubs surge back into the NL Central race. The stretch included a 3-start block where Carlos went 8, 9, and 8 innings, respectively and gave the bullpen a much needed break.
Sometimes maddeningly inconsistent (as was the case for the entire team), Zambrano also provided glimpses of the fire and brilliance fans have come to love, including a .247 batting average, a .346 slugging percentage and a .980 fielding percentage while sprinkling in 9 runs and 5 RBIs.
Big Z ended the 2007 campaign with 18 wins. However, he also notched 13 losses and career highs for runs (100), earned runs (95), home runs (23) and ERA for a season with more than 7 starts (3.95). Z also gained a decision in 31 of his 34 starts, a solid 6 1/3 innings per start.
Despite a rough start and an even rougher August, Zambrano posted a 4-2 record and 2.53 ERA in June and a sizzling 5-1, 1.38 in July that was a primary contributing factor in the Cubs surge back into the NL Central race. The stretch included a 3-start block where Carlos went 8, 9, and 8 innings, respectively and gave the bullpen a much needed break.
Sometimes maddeningly inconsistent (as was the case for the entire team), Zambrano also provided glimpses of the fire and brilliance fans have come to love, including a .247 batting average, a .346 slugging percentage and a .980 fielding percentage while sprinkling in 9 runs and 5 RBIs.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Where's Ditka When You Need Him?
MLB and Baby Ruth are going to celebrate the 100th anniversary of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the opening week of the 2008 season.
You can blame composer Jack Norworth for the horrid screetching of the guest conductors at Wrigley these days and for the Clive Barker-esque horror scene that is the Harry Caray statue.
You can blame composer Jack Norworth for the horrid screetching of the guest conductors at Wrigley these days and for the Clive Barker-esque horror scene that is the Harry Caray statue.
Financial Management
The Cubs admit to needing a bat and another starting pitcher. The team has not been tight with the purse strings of late, having locked up Ramirez, Lee and Soriano. There has been something in the range of $100 million allocated for 13 players in '08.
What remains on the agenda are potential free agent deals for Wood and Kendall (at a significant cut from last year's mega-salary). Wood could be a good pen option as the Cubs are now toying with Dempster as a starter (imposing rotation, no?). Kendall seems like a decent fellow (though he may have a bit of swindler in him...over $13 million last year!), but I would rather give Soto a shot to prove his year-end numbers were the real deal. Floyd and Trachsel are destined for other teams and Ward was signed for a measly $1.2 million (mutual option). I'd take it. I would also do as the Cubs did. Ward proved invaluable off the bench and was a model employee (.327 in total, .268 with 11 walks as a pinch-hitter).
Wood could be pricey on the open market after a solid return last year. Prior and Wuertz are due for salary arbitration. Wuertz is almost surely back, but the Prior plan is being closely guarded by the Cub brass. I imagine they would like to give him another shot, but will probably look to get a cheap deal. Perhaps they are best parting ways, but I wouldn't mind seeing the Trojan alum toe the rubber for the Cubs again. Only as a last man on the bench option, mind you, not a solution.
The Prior and Wood situations would probably dictate what happens to Eyre and Ohman as the Cubs structure the bullpen for the coming season. It wouldn't be right if their future wasn't a constant headache.
And so, what the hell is left in the coffer? I really don't know. It seems like they don't have the scratch to come up with two top tier players. Regardless, Sportscity.com has a Top 50 Free Agents list and it is not inspiring for teams on the hunt. Torii Hunter, Andruw Jones and Bonds (?) are the only unsigned players in the top ten (Lowell seems certain to ink something soon). Other notables on the list are Michael Barrett (35), Joe Borowski (40), Sammy (45) and Jon Lieber (50). Without going into the possibles, those names should give fans a fright about what is waiting to be had for the "right" price. At the least, Kosuke Fukudome comes in at number 11 ahead of Posada (16) and Rowand (19) so maybe he has some skills. I should probably try to find out.
While we are thinking about the mystical prowess of players from the Land of the Rising Sun, I should recommend a book called You Gotta Have Wa. Any book that touches on a part of the Bob Horner saga is a must read. Similarly, let's not forget Tuffy "3 HRs on Opening Day" Rhodes and his stellar run over in Japan. 55 home runs in one seasson. Oh, baby!
What remains on the agenda are potential free agent deals for Wood and Kendall (at a significant cut from last year's mega-salary). Wood could be a good pen option as the Cubs are now toying with Dempster as a starter (imposing rotation, no?). Kendall seems like a decent fellow (though he may have a bit of swindler in him...over $13 million last year!), but I would rather give Soto a shot to prove his year-end numbers were the real deal. Floyd and Trachsel are destined for other teams and Ward was signed for a measly $1.2 million (mutual option). I'd take it. I would also do as the Cubs did. Ward proved invaluable off the bench and was a model employee (.327 in total, .268 with 11 walks as a pinch-hitter).
Wood could be pricey on the open market after a solid return last year. Prior and Wuertz are due for salary arbitration. Wuertz is almost surely back, but the Prior plan is being closely guarded by the Cub brass. I imagine they would like to give him another shot, but will probably look to get a cheap deal. Perhaps they are best parting ways, but I wouldn't mind seeing the Trojan alum toe the rubber for the Cubs again. Only as a last man on the bench option, mind you, not a solution.
The Prior and Wood situations would probably dictate what happens to Eyre and Ohman as the Cubs structure the bullpen for the coming season. It wouldn't be right if their future wasn't a constant headache.
And so, what the hell is left in the coffer? I really don't know. It seems like they don't have the scratch to come up with two top tier players. Regardless, Sportscity.com has a Top 50 Free Agents list and it is not inspiring for teams on the hunt. Torii Hunter, Andruw Jones and Bonds (?) are the only unsigned players in the top ten (Lowell seems certain to ink something soon). Other notables on the list are Michael Barrett (35), Joe Borowski (40), Sammy (45) and Jon Lieber (50). Without going into the possibles, those names should give fans a fright about what is waiting to be had for the "right" price. At the least, Kosuke Fukudome comes in at number 11 ahead of Posada (16) and Rowand (19) so maybe he has some skills. I should probably try to find out.
While we are thinking about the mystical prowess of players from the Land of the Rising Sun, I should recommend a book called You Gotta Have Wa. Any book that touches on a part of the Bob Horner saga is a must read. Similarly, let's not forget Tuffy "3 HRs on Opening Day" Rhodes and his stellar run over in Japan. 55 home runs in one seasson. Oh, baby!
Pie Trainer
Traynor was a HOF Pirate. Pie needs a trainer.
As wordplay goes, that flat out stunk. Similar reviews could be bandied about for Felix Pie's performance in the Dominican Winter Baseball League. In 13 games for the Tigres del Licey, Pie has hit for a .205 average. Gerald Perry (hitting coach), Bob Dernier (minor league baserunning instructor), and Ryne Sandberg (Class A manager) were in the DR to witness some of this diamond mastery.
As wordplay goes, that flat out stunk. Similar reviews could be bandied about for Felix Pie's performance in the Dominican Winter Baseball League. In 13 games for the Tigres del Licey, Pie has hit for a .205 average. Gerald Perry (hitting coach), Bob Dernier (minor league baserunning instructor), and Ryne Sandberg (Class A manager) were in the DR to witness some of this diamond mastery.
Dirty Deeds
Wrigley Field is in the process of having the turf and drainage systems revamped. Not that you could really call the last remaining "crowned" field much of a system.
White Sox groundskeeper, Roger Bossard, is in charge of the operation. Removing 7,500 tons of dirt and lowering the field surface by 14 inches. Bossard has already completed 10 renovations of MLB parks and word is that 4 of the last 6 WS champions have used Bossard fields (Boston, St. Louis, White Sox, and Arizona).
The redo will use clay from Kansas City and sod from either Colorado or New Jersey (depending on the weather at the time of transport), that will be hauled cross country in refridgerated trucks then installed and covered with a material designed to keep the turf 7-9 degrees warmer than the ambient temperature.
Timing is critical, as anyone who has tried to grow anything knows, and Bossard is condensing a 7-week job into 4 so the renovations can be complete by the close of November.
The main question has to be what impact the disturbed ashes of deceased Cub fans will have on the Billy Goat Curse. The second important question is, of course, when will the organization be hawking small vials of the removed dirt.
White Sox groundskeeper, Roger Bossard, is in charge of the operation. Removing 7,500 tons of dirt and lowering the field surface by 14 inches. Bossard has already completed 10 renovations of MLB parks and word is that 4 of the last 6 WS champions have used Bossard fields (Boston, St. Louis, White Sox, and Arizona).
The redo will use clay from Kansas City and sod from either Colorado or New Jersey (depending on the weather at the time of transport), that will be hauled cross country in refridgerated trucks then installed and covered with a material designed to keep the turf 7-9 degrees warmer than the ambient temperature.
Timing is critical, as anyone who has tried to grow anything knows, and Bossard is condensing a 7-week job into 4 so the renovations can be complete by the close of November.
The main question has to be what impact the disturbed ashes of deceased Cub fans will have on the Billy Goat Curse. The second important question is, of course, when will the organization be hawking small vials of the removed dirt.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Let's get it on
The Chicago Cubs are approaching the century mark without winning that elusive World Series Championship title. Meanwhile, the White Sox and Redsox have managed it. Even the Marlins have managed it.
The boys in blue fizzled in the 2007 playoffs, but I don't think any of us thought they would do otherwise. However, some of us fans were buoyed by the second half of the season. A decent club that could be tweaked and massaged into something a little more ready to compete.
So, the Cubs went out and traded Jacque Jones for infielder Omar Infante, then followed up with the blockbuster Craig Monroe deal. Admittedly, fans were down on Jacque for not being quite a superstar. Realistically, he did a fairly decent job, though situational success was not all it could have been. Monroe is declining from whatever mediocrity he peaked at and was due to be jettisoned to the free angent market anyway, so the Cubs gain the much sought after Player To Be Named Later for what otherwise was a complete loss.
The real worry is that this mild moves presage yet another winter of stocking mid-tier talent. Everyone needs that, for sure, but the Cubbies need another superstar bat and, really, another top flight starting pitcher. A Carl Crawford deal appears dead. Kosuke Fukudome is a great sounding name, but what? Felix Pie looks to be a fine discipline challenged bat. I don't hear much else from the Cubs' camp, but perhaps they can muster something up.
Let's hope so. Otherwise, it'll be another long season.
The boys in blue fizzled in the 2007 playoffs, but I don't think any of us thought they would do otherwise. However, some of us fans were buoyed by the second half of the season. A decent club that could be tweaked and massaged into something a little more ready to compete.
So, the Cubs went out and traded Jacque Jones for infielder Omar Infante, then followed up with the blockbuster Craig Monroe deal. Admittedly, fans were down on Jacque for not being quite a superstar. Realistically, he did a fairly decent job, though situational success was not all it could have been. Monroe is declining from whatever mediocrity he peaked at and was due to be jettisoned to the free angent market anyway, so the Cubs gain the much sought after Player To Be Named Later for what otherwise was a complete loss.
The real worry is that this mild moves presage yet another winter of stocking mid-tier talent. Everyone needs that, for sure, but the Cubbies need another superstar bat and, really, another top flight starting pitcher. A Carl Crawford deal appears dead. Kosuke Fukudome is a great sounding name, but what? Felix Pie looks to be a fine discipline challenged bat. I don't hear much else from the Cubs' camp, but perhaps they can muster something up.
Let's hope so. Otherwise, it'll be another long season.
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