Possible Cubs Targets

Lets take a look into what the Cubs can get to solidify their bullpen and at second base for the games down the stretch. But first lets discuss the situation, the Cubs have about 3 Million dollars to spend according to Cubs officials. The Cubs also have a few untouchables in Josh Vitters (unless a super star player is coming this way) and Jay Jackson, with a few other minor leaguers on the keep list. So what do the Cubs have to offer? What do the Cubs want? All these questions will be answered with possible trade proposals.

Catchers:

Gregg Zaun- A solid defender, he's got some pop, and a career OBP of .344, and he's continuing that pace this year as well. But hes priced at 1.5 million dollars, I'd like the Cubs to take the entire salary only if we give up less. The O's need corner infield help with that being a glaring hole in there system, with Aubrey Huff and Melvin Mora leaving at seasons end.

Cubs get: Gregg Zaun Cash considerations (750K), and Tyler Henson
Orioles get: Micah Hoffpauir and maybe a low prospect

Yes I know Hoffpauir means a lot to the Cubs, but with Jake Fox here who could play 1B, 3B, C, LF, RF (not particularly great, but solid defense around him.)

Second baseman:

Freddy Sanchez- Hes great at 2B, and can bat leadoff. He's also signed through next year and so far is batting .316 with 6HRs and 34 RBIs. Why not go after him even with his high price tag? The Pirates need help at SP, SS, and 2B so lets explore a deal.

Cubs get: Freddy Sanchez and pirates pay 3.25 million dollars (possible deal-breaker)
Pirates get: Ryan Flaherty, Kevin hart, and either Mike Fontenot/Andres Blanco/Jeff Baker

Felipe Lopez: Not a big fan, nor do I think hes an upgrade. But has a track record, and could bat leadoff. Strikes out a ton (averages 128 strikeouts per 600 AB.)

Cubs get: Felipe Lopez
Dbacks get: Mike Fontenot and grade C/C- prospect (a type of player who is just a body)

Relievers:

B.J. Ryan- All you gotta do is claim him and hope your the worse team to claim him.
Matt Herges- The same as B.J.

If the Cubs do deal Rich Harden to a contender, watch out for a big trade, he makes 7 million dollars this year. If Rich is traded (he'd bring back a B prospect) then the Cubs could get Sanchez more easily.

I think Rich is gonna be OK, he's not used to pitching so consistently, but when hes on WOW. The only problem that rich has is the homerun ball, in 14 starts hes given up at least 1 bomb in 12 of those starts.

This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Cubs Notes

Bradley Comments:

"Don't read the newspapers, don't watch TV, just play," he said. "We've got everything we need right here. If we stay together in here, cut out all the outside [stuff], we'll be fine. There's way too much hoopla, there's way too much talk, there's way too much speculation.

"We're a team -- 25 guys going out there every day, grinding. You play 162 games for a reason. It doesn't matter where you're at right now. The Cardinals haven't won jack."

Hitting coach Von Joshua has been working with Bradley, who finished the first half at .243, well off his .321 pace last season with the Rangers.

"I understand what I'm doing wrong," Bradley said. "I looked at my tape from last year. I feel it now. So when I tell you I'm back, I'm back. You can mark it down. I'll be hitting for the rest of the year. I'm back."

Lou ends the first half with:

"I feel we're in good position to win this division," Piniella said. "Two things -- stay healthy, get healthy and swing the bats. That's it. We do those two things, we can win the second half. Those are two big 'ifs,' though."

This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Cubs Interested in B.J. Ryan

The Cubs have shown great interest in the recently released BJ Ryan, who officially cleared waivers today. If the Cubs claim him (while having the "worst" record between teams that claim him) should get him for the Major League minimum.

If the Cubs get him, look for them to send him to AAA to sharpen up. Ryan has shown improvement, during June Ryan had a 1.04 ERA.

This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Jake Fox recalled, Sammy Sosa

The Cubs called up Jake Fox, you may know that a player who is sent down has to wait 10 days before being called up, BUT the Cubs placed Jason Waddell on the DL.

Also the New York Times in reporting that Sammy Sosa failed a drug test in 2003, this will almost certainly deny Sosa into the Hall if this report comes out to be true.

UPDATE: Bruce Levine is reporting that it is at least three to four weeks before Aramis Ramirez returns.

I will keep you posted.
This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Gerald Perry Fired

UPDATE: 12:02 Gerald Perry Fired - Von Joshua Promoted to Cubs Hitting Coach. Gerald was pulled off the field during Cubs batting practice by GM Jim Hendry and fired.

Von Joshua, hitting coach for the Iowa Cubs, will be promoted from Triple-A on Monday and will be in uniform for the opener of the White Sox series on Tuesday.


Ryan Freel will begin a rehab assignment on Monday with the I-Cubs and is expected to rejoin the Cubs soon.

This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Pedro Martinez in Cubbie Blue

According to Nick Cafardo; Sources close to Pedro Martinez indicated that the Chicago Cubs have watched Martinez throw, as well as the Rays. Both teams are also beginning to at least explore how much money it would take to add Martinez to their rosters.

There also saying Martinez's fastball has tipped off at 94 MPH. WOW, that's really encouraging if we could add him to the pen.

This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Cubs 6/11 notes, Draft

Tonight's lineup:

Soriano - LF
Theriot - SS
Bradley - RF
Lee - 1B
Johnson - CF
Soto - C
Scales - 3B
Miles - 2B
Zambrano - P

31		Jackson, Brett	UC Berkeley	CF	L/R	6'02"	210	1988-08-02	JR
Comments: It's not a great Draft class for college bats, particularly in the outfield, so one with the athleticism Jackson has is bound to be noticed. He runs well on both sides of the ball, has a decent approach at the plate and plays a good center field right now. Some may see him as a tweener who isn't a leadoff hitter or a No. 3 type. If he gets bigger he will have to move to a corner, where how much power he actually has becomes a bigger question. He's got more value if he can stay in center, and the team that takes him may be hoping he can stay put. 79 LeMahieu, David Louisiana St U IF R/R 6'04" 196 1988-07-13 Comments: As a shortstop from a major college program, LeMahieu is going to get plenty of looks. Like most LSU products, he plays the game the right way and makes the most of his average tools. He's got a solid approach at the plate, but doesn't have a ton of raw power. That wouldn't matter, except for the fact he might have to move to third as he matures. Still, as a real "baseball player" who's excelled in a major program, he's bound to be drafted well. 109 Kirk, Austin Owasso HS (OK) LHP L/L 6'01" 1990-05-22 HS 140 Rusin, Christopher U Kentucky LHP L/L 6'02" 190 1986-10-22 SR 170 Darvill, Wesley Brookswood SS SS L/R 6'02" 1991-09-10 HS 200 Raley, Brooks Texas A&M U LHP L/L 6'03" 180 1988-06-29 SO 230 Springfield, Blair MacArthur HS (IL) IF R/R 5'11" 1991-02-18 HS 260 Whitenack, Robert SUNY Old Westbury RHP R/R 6'05" 185 1988-11-20 JR 290 Jones, Richard The Citadel C L/R 6'00" 210 1988-01-31 JR 320 Thomas, Joseph Edward Waters Col 3B R/R 6'04" 225 1988-07-02 JR 350 Mincone, John Suffolk CC West LHP L/L 6'01" 215 1989-07-23 J2 380 Davis, Burundi Howard Col OF R/R 6'00" 185 1989-01-02 J2 410 Taylor, Chad Jefferson HS (FL) SS R/R 6'01" 175 1990-08-29 HS 440 Keefe, Daniel U Tampa RHP R/R 6'04" 185 1987-08-15 SR 470 Shields, Bryan Auburn U Montgomery CF R/R 6'04" 190 1987-08-03 SR 500 Walker, Keenyn Judge Memorial Catholic HS (UT) CF S/R 6'02" 1990-08-12 HS 530 Dail, Barrett Mt Olive Col RHP R/R 6'02" 205 1987-09-30 JR 560 Williams, Matthew Duke U C R/R 5'11" 220 1987-02-23 SR 590 Burruel, Sergio Trevor G Browne HS (AZ) C L/R 5'11" 1991-07-22 HS 620 Erickson, Eric U Miami LHP R/L 6'00" 174 1988-02-17 JR 650 Rohan, Greg Kent St U 1B R/R 6'00" 205 1986-05-11 5S 680 Fitzgerald, Derrick Dyersburg State CC 2B R/R 5'11" 195 1988-12-20 J1 710 Pruitt, Jeffrey Cal St Northridge CF R/R 6'05" 220 1988-01-21 JR 740 Esquivel, Gerardo De La Salle Institute (IL) RHP R/R 6'01" 170 1991-04-28 HS 770 Bour, Justin George Mason U 1B L/R 6'04" 250 1988-05-28 JR 800 Grife, Steven Mercyhurst Col RHP R/R 6'00" 177 1986-11-04 SR 830 Martin, Corey Western Carolina U RHP R/R 6'03" 195 1987-05-01 SR 860 Petraitis, Jordan Miami U 3B R/R 6'03" 225 1986-08-30 SR 890 Clubb, Timothy Missouri St U RHP R/R 6'02" 195 1986-09-04 SR 920 Sheppard, Daniel Downers Grove North HS (IL) C R/R 6'00" 180 1991-02-25 HS

This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Aaron Miles activated....Jake Fox?

After the Cubs win Tuesday night the Cubs activated Aaron Miles and optioned Jake Fox back to Triple A Iowa. Fox who was 5-12, might of been the wrong choice, with infielders Scales and Blanco who could of either been sent down to keep Fox up. But on the other hand Fox's trade value was going down back as soon as he goes to AAA it should jump up again.

This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

June 7th Line-up and Notes

Today's lineup:

Soriano - LF
Theriot - SS
Fukudome - RF
Lee - 1B
Fontenot - 3B
Johnson - CF
Hill - C
Blanco - 2B
Wells - P

It looks like Soriano will get a much needed day off, against a pitcher that he has owned.

Carlos Zambrano has this to say about his future endeavors:

"After this contract, I'm done," said Zambrano, who is signed through 2012 with a vesting option for 2013. "I'm serious. I don't want to play. I want to help this team, I want to do everything possible to win with this team, but after five years or four years, or whatever I have left on my contract, I just don't want to play.

"I want to stay home and see my daughters grow up and hang out with my family more," he said. "Do you know how many Mother's Days I spend with my mother? Do you know how many things I've lost in my life?

"It's good to be here, it's good to play baseball -- don't get me wrong," Zambrano said. "But five years, four years, whatever I have left in my contract, I will retire. That's it."

We'll see what happens down the line, im sure his mind will change within the next 4 to 5 years.

IF you an author for an American League blog for any website, could you please comment or Email me!
This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Aramis Ramirez....Notes

According to the Chicago Tribune Aramis Ramirez will resume baseball activities this weekend in Cincinnati, which is about a week earlier the previously reported. The Cubs need him back desperately, but they need to be careful with him, since he's the best third basemen in the league apart from David Wright who is actually having an OK season with only 3 homeruns, but a .326BA.

NOTES:

• The Cubs and Braves had to postpone the rubber game, but it's been rescheduled for June 22.
• Rich Harden threw a bullpen session on Thursday, and felt no pain in his back, and is slated to pitch for the Iowa Cubs on Sunday in a rehab start. The Cubs are expecting to have Harden back in time to start the opener against the Minnesota Twins at Wrigley on Friday, June 12.
• Expect Big Z to start Friday in Cincinnati, while going for a milestone 100 wins.
• Milton Bradley will not need a stint on the DL, after feeling much better on Thursday.
  
• Lou gave Geo a "mental break" in Atlanta.
  

I think the Cubs need to get a power arm in the bullpen, IF we don't see the Cubs trade for one this summer, expect Shark Boy to be back in the bullpen. Which he could stay for awhile.

IF you an author for an American League blog for any website, could you please comment or Email me!
This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson