January 2009
You are browsing the archive for January 2009.
Lukewarm Stove: Alfonso Soriano to the Rangers for Michael Young?
When it came out that Rangers shortstop Michael Young wanted out of Arlington, it was only natural that the fanbase of every team in MLB with a questionable or shaky shortstop situation would start the “ooh, we could get Young” clamoring. Never mind the fact that Young has five years and $80 million left on [...]
Lukewarm Stove: Cubs Are Looking at Derek Lowe?
I’ve yet to read any credible and/or detailed report regarding the Chicago Cubs and free agent pitcher Derek Lowe. Additionally, for a variety of reasons, the Cubs don’t make a ton of sense as a destination for Lowe. So take this blurb with a huge grain of salt – but we’re duty-bound to report every [...]
Cubs Ownerwatch: Bidding Still Ongoing
As expected/predicted, bidding on the Cubs among the three finalists will continue this week. Tribune Co., owner of the Chicago Cubs as well as the Chicago Tribune, was pushing prospective buyers to submit their final bids for the team, Wrigley Field and related assets by the end of last week. But the media company was [...]
Astros Sign Jose Valverde for $8 Million
It avoids arbitration with the studly closer, but dang. Isn’t that like 15-20% of the Houston Astros’ projected 2009 payroll? Relievers don’t have the best track record in arbitration, so Valverde opted to take a raise to $8 million after losing his case last year and settling for $4.7 million. Considering that he’s led the [...]
Just Kidding About Turning Japanese
So that mystery report from a blog I’ve never heard of, citing a source I’ve never heard of, turned out to be bunk. I, for one, am absolutely shocked. Cubs officials denied a report that the team was close to signing Japanese left-hander Ken Takahashi. Japan-based Sports Hochi reported the possible signing on Sunday night. [...]
Andre Dawson is not a Hall of Famer
According to the voters, at least. Rickey Henderson (duh) and Jim Rice (…but not Dawson?) get the nod this year. Dawson, who was on the Hall of Fame ballot for the eighth year, was denied entry into Cooperstown on Monday, receiving 361 votes, or 67 percent. He needed 75 percent…Dawson received a minor bump in [...]
The Cublogoverse is Turning Japanese, Turning Japanese, I Really Think So
A lot of buzz late last night and this morning throughout the Cublogoverse about a single post on a “Japanese Baseball Blog” that I’ve never heard of. That post, citing a source I’ve similarly never heard of (but maybe I’m just really ethnocentric), is claiming the Cubs are close to signing a 40-year old Japanese [...]
Obsessive Peavywatch: Padres Financial Details Reveal Likelihood of Moving Peavy
Obsessive Peavywatch has entered it’s 8th week, and the focus has shifted from rumors about a Peavy trade, itself, to rumors about the future of the San Diego Padres. For, as the team goes, so goes its need to deal Peavy. Recently, news reports confirmed that former agent and Diamondbacks CEO Jeff Moorad was leading [...]
