Cubs Hot Stove

[Davoso]

Local radio station reporting Cubs close to getting Juan Pierre from FLorida for a couple of minor leaguers. In 2005 Pierre hit .276 with 2 HR, 47 RBI, 96 Runs and 57 SB.

His average was down 50 points from his .326 average in 2004 and down from .305 in 2003.

 

[IntenseOperator]

Davoso

You think it might be high time they moved one or two of their big name starters and got some value there while they can?

 

[Davoso]

Not sure who you mean since Wood has no value. I would not move either Zambrano or Prior.

 

[rrc]

How about today's Trib where Rothschild says "to say we're going to depend on him (Wood) going into spring training would be stupid on our part."

I agree with him.

 

[IntenseOperator]

Not sure who you mean since Wood has no value. I would not move either Zambrano or Prior.

Davoso

Just bringing it up for your thoughts. I would have no trouble moving Prior. They could get two studs and some future talent for him. I think he's never going to be the same. It's in his head now. He not going to ever play a whole season. You will not get more for him than now. I have nothing against him. Just looking at what may happen. He's locking up a ton of money they could use elswhere. They sat on Wood to long (and Sammy).

If not Prior, wait till Zambrano shows up for spring training another 25 lbs bigger. :scared His back is going to call it quits on the 4 burrito per day diet.

 

[Davoso]

You may be right about Prior. I remember when the Wood for Oswalt or Wood for I-Rod trades were being talked about a few years ago and Cubs fans were adamantly against them. I would still be afraid to lose Prior. I would not have objected to moving A-Ramirez for a stud pitcher and more and taking a chance on Nomar at 3rd but that's not going to happen since Hendry has told Nomar to find "a better fit".

 

[JT]

Puzzling thing about Prior is he has very good mechanics so perhaps he'll be ok long term. Could be a case of alot of innings on a young arm. Woods and even Zambrano have poor mechanics, especially Wood so it really isn't a suprise with him. Pierre needs to hit .300 to help as a lead off hitter due to not walking enough. Defense other then his arm is very good.

 

[IntenseOperator]

Talk off local radio is that the new bleachers will block the wind during games when it's incoming. This will lead to many more homers. At least in the past, the wind blowing in kept as many games Under as when it was blowing out. Would think the Cubs would start thinking about getting some more bats besides Lee and Ram if this is the case.

 

[Fairy Dust]

I heard on local radio that the cubs were close to getting Pierre and Furcal.

 

[IntenseOperator]

Derek Lee with only one 1st place vote?

 

[IE]

Cubs agree with free agent LHP Eyre on two-year deal

November 17, 2005
CHICAGO (Ticker) - The Chicago Cubs dipped into the free agent market for a veteran lefthander Thursday, agreeing to terms with Scott Eyre on a two-year contract.

Financial terms were not disclosed. The deal also includes a player option for 2008.

Eyre, 33, led the major leagues with 86 appearances last season and has worked in 169 games the past two campaigns. He went 2-2 with a 2.63 ERA last season.


In Chicago, Eyre will fill the bill as the club's primary southpaw out of the bullpen. Will Ohman was used in that role last season, going 2-2 with a 2.91 ERA in 69 games.

Eyre has worked in 408 career games with the Chicago White Sox, Toronto and San Francisco, posting an 18-25 record with four saves and a 4.52 ERA.

 

[Davoso]

Pretty decent pickup. 3rd best lefty reliever available after Wagner and BJ Ryan and at a whole lot less money.

 

[IntenseOperator]

Cubs sign Bobby Howry

closer to Pierre

 

[Davoso]

Wild Rumor

Wild Rumor

In addition to a story that the Cubs are close to signing Furcal see below for a rumor from Inside the Ivy...

The rumor goes that the Cubs are close to finalizing a seven player deal with the Texas Rangers that would bring Alfonso Soriano and Kevin Mench to the Cubs in exchange for Jerome Williams, Todd Walker, and three minor leaguers, one of whom is believed to be right hander David Aardsma, and another shortstop Ronny Cedeno. According to our source the two clubs have agreed on which players would be dealt, but what is holding it up is exactly what kind of deal Soriano will want in Chicago

 

[IntenseOperator]

Davoso

Heard off local radio that the Philly GM said three teams were in the running for Thome.

Cleveland
White Sox

and you guessed it
the Cubs :scared

hope D Lee doesn't catch wind of this

they must have had some other game plan in the mix somewhere along the way


BTW
the White Sox rumored to be looking at Pierre

 

[Davoso]

Cubs finally make a move...trade for Pierre

Cubs finally make a move...trade for Pierre

DALLAS -- The Chicago Cubs are expected to land their leadoff man Wednesday, according to a high-ranking baseball official.

The Cubs, who lost in the bidding for free agent Rafael Furcal, reached agreement with the Florida Marlins late Tuesday on a trade that would reportedly net Chicago center fielder Juan Pierre in exchange for a package that includes Double-A pitching prospects Ricky Nolasco and Renyel Pinto.

The Texas Rangers were also in the final mix for Pierre, who batted .276 in 162 games with the Marlins in 2005.


Earlier Tuesday, Cubs GM Jim Hendry wouldn't confirm that the Cubs were after Pierre, but did confirm that he met with the Marlins, who continue to unload players at a rapid-fire pace.

"If we're fortunate that they will cooperate, we'll be happy," Hendry said.

And since the Marlins did, the Cubs should be, as Chicago's leadoff spot was a problem in 2005. The team tried eight different players there, and they batted a collective .245.

In other news Tuesday, Hendry dismissed a rumor in which the Cubs were sending Mark Prior to Philadelphia for outfielder Bobby Abreu. Carlos Zambrano also is not on the trading block.

"Carlos Zambrano and Mark Prior are not going to be traded by the Chicago Cubs," Hendry said.

 

[Dayad]

Latest poop:

Cubs closing in on Jacque Jones.

Another solid rumor has Cubs trading with Washington. Vidro and Church for Wood.

Don't shoot the messenger!

 

[Davoso]

Jacque Jones, Ugh!

 

[Davoso]

Damn, it happened. Cubs signed Jones to a 3 year 16 million dollar deal. He strikes out a lot so he fits right in. This sucks.

 

[IntenseOperator]

He's on the Cubs home station now. Sounds like a real team player. No ego. He knows he can do better than what he's done to this point.

Told his parents he's wanted to play for Dusty before his career ended. (Don't think that's a good thing.) He passed on a number of other teams.

Says he too aggressive at the plate. Sounds like you were on the money with the strike outs Davoso.