No Kiko Calero for the Cubs, Signs with Mets
The Chicago Cubs dabbled in the Kiko Calero trade for many a week this
offseason, eventually off-put by his past shoulder problems and
demands for a multi-year deal. So it’s no surprise that he ended up
going elsewhere - he’s reportedly
signed with the Mets.
What is a surprise, however, is that he signed on a minor league
contract. Clearly there are issues in his shoulder that his sub-2.00
ERA last year obscures. It remains to be seen how much Calero will get
if he makes the Mets, so it’s possible that he could still end up
raking in a chunk of change. Still, it seems unfortunate that the
Cubs, who keep popping up in rumors for right-handed relievers,
couldn’t make a low-risk run at him.
Ryan Theriot and the Cubs Have Arbitrated
This morning, the Chicago Cubs and their starting shortstop Ryan
Theriot had their fight, according to a tweet from Carrie Muskat. The
two sides engaged in an arbitration hearing that will determine
whether he makes $3.4 million this year, or $2.6 million. We should
get a decision by tomorrow.
Chicago Cubs Avoid Arbitration with Carlos Marmol
As expected, the Cubs have managed to sign closer Carlos Marmol to a
one-year deal, avoiding the ugliness of arbitration that lies ahead
with respect to the last remaining unsigned Cub, Ryan Theriot.
According to Carrie Muskat, the two sides agreed to a $2.125 million
salary, which is approximately the midpoint of what the Cubs had
offered and what Marmol had requested.
Cubs Set to Sign Kevin Millar
According to Jerry Crasnick, the Chicago Cubs will soon sign
38-year-old reserve Kevin Millar to a minor league deal and invite him
to Spring Training. Millar has played a tiny bit of third base and
outfield over the past few years, but has almost exclusively played
first base. He will presumably battle Micah Hoffpauir, Chad Tracy, and
Bryan LaHair (translation: the Hair) for a bench spot on the big club.
Millar’s veteran presence will help his cause, but the fact that he
hasn’t hit worth a lick since 2007 will hurt his cause.
Cubs and Sean Marshall Avoid Arbitration
Unsurprisingly, given they were only a few hundred thousand bucks
apart ($1.175 mill versus $800k), today the Chicago Cubs signed Sean
Marshall to a one-year deal, thus avoiding arbitration.
UPDATE: Looks like they settled for $950k, which is just about the mid-point.
ShareReport: Chicago Cubs Sign Xavier Nady
Word this morning was that Xavier Nady was the Chicago Cubs’ top choice to serve as fourth outfielder, and according to Tim Brown on Twitter, the Cubs have landed him. No details have yet emerged, but we’ll update as more becomes available.
UPDATE: The deal is reportedly (we’re using that word a lot today, no?) worth $3.3 million base, and $2 million in incentives based on games played. We’ll give a full analysis of the deal soon.
ShareReport: Ben Sheets Signs with Oakland
According to various reports - including CBS Sports and a multitude of
Tweets - the Oakland A’s have ponied up to land free agent starting
pitcher Ben Sheets, and will announce the signing later this
afternoon. The deal is thought to be for one year and between $8 to 10
million.
In Case You Were Hoping for Melky Cabrera
You can forget it. Reports indicate that today, Melky Cabrera and some
other youngsters will be traded to the Atlanta Braves for pitchers
Javier Vazquez and Boone Logan. The Braves had been looking for an
outfield bat, and needed to move a starting pitcher, but this is an
imperfect deal for them. Cabrera is far from the run-producer they
were hoping for, and Vazquez was all universe last year and wasn’t
sticking them with a huge, long-term deal like Derek Lowe.
The outfield search continues for the Chicago Cubs.
Share
