Lukewarm Stove: Dodgers Want Ted Lilly AND Ryan Theriot
With trade partners dwindling, the Chicago Cubs might be able to package two of their movable parts together in one deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Dodgers are talking to the Cubs about a trade for both left-hander Ted Lilly and second baseman Ryan Theriot, according to a major-league source.
It is not known whether a deal is close. The Cubs almost certainly would need to include cash to cover part of the nearly $5 million combined that Lilly and Theriot are owed for the rest of the season.
Lilly is a free agent at the end of the season. Theriot is under club control for two additional years.
The Dodgers already have made one trade, acquiring outfielder Scott Podsednik from the Royals. The additions of Lilly and Theriot would further deepen and strengthen their roster.
Lilly would join a rotation that already includes left-hander Clayton Kershaw and right-handers Chad Billingsley, Hiroki Kuroda and Vicente Padilla.
Theriot likely would take over at second base, with the Dodgers possibly sending Blake DeWitt to Triple-A. FOX Sports on MSN.
The return would almost certainly hinge on how much of the remaining salaries the Cubs are willing to eat. Either way, the Cubs would be better off making a move than standing pat.
Why the 2010 St. Louis Cardinals Will Suck
Editor’s Note: Yes, it’s that time of year again – the time for us to settle back into our protective bubble where the Chicago Cubs are destined for greatness, and every other team in the National League Central is bound for spectacular failure. If you’d care to check out last year’s fare: St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros. Already featured for 2010: Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros, Milwaukee Brewers, Pittsburgh Pirates.
The 2010 Major League Baseball season is nearly upon us, and that means two things: (1) we’re all so deprived of real baseball action that we’re willing to treat meaningless Spring Training games like they’re the playoffs, and (2) the prognosticators are out in full force. Yes, every sports publication in the world puts out a season preview. Some are interesting, some aren’t. For the most part, folks just don’t have the time necessary to do the kind of in-depth preview that is going to be of any use to a reader that actually follows the team being previewed.
So most previews end up being pretty surface level, and boring. Well, we’re not going to do that here at Bleacher Nation. It’s much more interesting (notice how I subtly pat myself on the back?) to simply examine why the team currently sucks and is going to suck in 2010.
So enjoy – we’ve been previewing the suckiness (suckosity?) of the other teams in the National League Central over the past five weeks. Last – and least – the hated rival of the Chicago Cubs: the ugly, stinky, poopy, but unfortunately kind of good, St. Louis Cardinals. And how appropriate that the preview lands on April Fools Day – because the joke is probably on us. Read the full preview on why the 2010 St. Louis Cardinals will suck, after the jump.
Watch More Chicago Cubs Spring Training Games
That headline feels like it should be followed with “or else.” But no, I don’t intend it to be threatening. That’s just your insecurity talking.
The MLB Network is going to air a crap ton of Spring games this year, so in addition to the handful of games on WGN, you’ll be able to catch a few more Chicago Cubs Spring Training games on TV.
The full list is available at that link, but the Cubs games include March 19 against the White Sox, March 22 against the Indians, March 23 against the Royals, March 26 against the A’s, March 28 against the Mariners, and April 1 against the Rockies.
Reliever Joe Nelson Wants to Be a Chicago Cub
The Chicago Cubs continue to look for a reliever, but maybe they should just let the reliever come to them.
Free-agent pitcher Joe Nelson, who has made 101 appearances over the past two seasons, has expressed an interest in the Cubs.
Nelson, 35, is seeking an opportunity to be a late-inning reliever and help a young staff.
Nelson had a 2.86 ERA with Florida and Tampa Bay in 2008-09. He has allowed only 74 hits in 94 innings while striking out 96. His best season was in 2008, when he posted a 2.00 ERA in 59 appearances with the Marlins. He also has pitched for the Braves, Red Sox and Royals. Chicago Breaking Sports.
Nelson has had a bizarre professional career, having not really broken through until age 33 with the Marlins. He pitched in the bigs in 2001, 2004, and 2006 with an assortment of teams, with long minor league stints in between, before having a dominating year in 2008 for the Marlins. He was good, but not great, last year for the Rays. Given his erratic career, he’s unlikely to get a big money deal – just a one-year, small money deal. It might not even be a big league contract.
And by the way: could there be a guy who better proves that middle relievers are a total crapshoot?
Fourth Outfielder Watch: Jonny Gomes is in Love with the Chicago Cubs
Add another name to the list of possible fourth outfielder options for the Chicago Cubs: Jonny Gomes. After raking for the Cincinnati Reds last year, Gomes was non-tendered for fear that he’d bring in too much money for the small-market club in arbitration. Gomes, 29, was presumed to be looking for a starting gig, but as the offseason winds down and options thin, he appears to be willing to accept a reserve role.
And he also appears to be madly, madly in love with the Chicago Cubs, with whom he’s been speaking.
“Absolutely,’’ said Gomes, confirming discussions. “I’m a big fan of the game, a student of the game, and I follow a lot of history. I’m not only a player but also a client. Obviously, I’m a big fan of the Cubs, and a big fan of the city – it’s probably one of my favorite cities on the tour, as well as my wife’s.’’
Gomes, who lives in Scottsdale, Ariz., a few miles away from the Cubs’ Mesa spring training facility, wouldn’t comment on details of where talks stood, but he said he feels he’s a better fit than some of the other players the Cubs have contacted.
“Most guys are [seeking multi-year deals]. I think that’s kind of where I stand out with other free agents,’’ he said. “With Rocco [Baldelli], Xavier Nady, Reed Johnson and Jermaine Dye, I’m one of the youngest. If I was ever to hold out for a multiyear deal or a while lot of money, it wouldn’t be after a year with [281] at-bats, regardless what the run-production numbers were. I definitely want to be treated fair, but I’m not really looking to break the bank or for a lot of years. I’m looking to help the team get to the playoffs.
“With the guys on the free agent market out there right now, I think I can bring a lot to the Cubs with what I have. I’m comfortable playing left and right, and messing round with some ground balls at first base in spring training.’’
He’s also comfortable with manager Lou Piniella, his manager in Tampa Bay when Gomes finished third in the American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2005….
Gomes, who says he’s been in contact with the five usual suspects of teams looking this winter for corner outfielders (including the Yankees, Royals and Braves), said another factor separating him from other free agents, such as Dye:
“What the Cubs have to offer, I’m totally OK with,’’ he said. “They’re asking for a fourth outfielder, and others are looking to start. I’m just looking to get in there. And I think it would be great to get back with Lou. I know how hard he is on young players and expects a lot, but we built a pretty good relationship in Tampa.
“I think it would be a good fit for both sides.’’ CHICAGO SUN-TIMES.
In more than a decade of obsessively combing over rumors and transaction details, I have never – never – heard a player publicly make such impassioned statements about wanting to be with a particular team while simultaneously describing why he’s a better option than the particular other players that had been rumored targets for the same spot. Heck, he even said that he’s not looking for very much money!
That all said, the Cubs will have to make a decision on Gomes carefully. Although he put up huge numbers in part-time duty last year for the Reds, his previous three seasons were, at best, so-so. The good news is that his numbers last year weren’t merely inflated by playing in Great American Ballpark – he had an OPS well over .800 on the road last year.
For his career, Gomes has raked lefties to the tune of an .885 OPS, which would make him a good platoon-mate for Kosuke Fukudome. And at just 29, there is still some upside.
Still, Gomes may not be a perfect fit for the Cubs. The fourth outfielder will be expected to be the top bat off the bench, and Gomes has never been much of a pinch hitter – just a .608 OPS in 67 pinch hit appearances. Further, the biggest knock on Gomes is his defense. Sure, he can play both corner outfield spots, but he doesn’t play them very well. Ideally, the Cubs could find a reserve outfielder who could play all three outfield positions – or at a minimum could play very good corner outfield defense. That will not be the case with Gomes (or Jermaine Dye, for that matter).
But whatever the flaws, by making very public entreaties like he has, Gomes is sure to get a long look from the Cubs. If nothing else, they’ve got to toss a low-ball offer his way, right?
Lou Piniella is a “Legend”
Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella will be presented with the Thurman Munson award, along with four other honorees, on February 2 in New York.
The AHRC New York City Foundation benefits from the gala, which remembers Munson, the late, great Yankees catcher and captain who tragically perished in a 1979 plane crash.
Diana Munson, Thurman’s widow, has been involved in the benefit since its inception, raising nearly $10 million to assist children and adults who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Longtime New York sports anchor Len Berman, formerly of NBC Sports, will once again serve as the master of ceremonies for the 16th consecutive year. The honorees will be cited for their accomplishments on the field of play and philanthropic efforts….
Piniella, a previous Munson Award recipient, will receive the “Legend Award” for his long and meritorious service to baseball. Piniella played 18 seasons in the big leagues, including 11 with the Yankees, and is in his 22nd season as a big league manager.
The 69-year-old Tampa, Fla., native has won more than 1,700 games as a manager, and has three Manager of the Year Awards, including in 2008 with the Cubs. He was selected Rookie of the Year in 1969 with the Royals before being dealt to the Yankees in 1975, where he became one of Munson’s closest friends. MLB.com.
Piniella is signed through this season with the Cubs, but he has recently vacillated on the question of whether he’ll want to return in 2011.
Minor League Staffs Announced
We already knew that Ryne Sandberg was being promoted to manage the AAA Iowa Cubs, but now the rest of the minor league system teams’ staffs have been announced. Among the notable items:
The Cubs named their Minor League coaching staffs on Thursday. Ryne Sandberg was promoted to Triple-A Iowa, Bill Dancy takes over at Double-A Tennessee, and former big league catcher Jody Davis returns to managing in Boise where he’ll be joined by Jeff Fassero….
Dancy joins the Cubs after spending the past 30 years within the Philadelphia Phillies (1978-2009) and Kansas City Royals (2009) organizations. In 2005-06, he was the Phillies’ third base coach. Dennis Lewallyn will join Dancy as the Smokies pitching coach and Tom Beyers as the hitting coach.
Davis, who managed Peoria and Daytona, spent the 2009 season as the Cubs’ Minor League catching instructor and returns to the dugout for Class A Boise. Ricardo Medina, who previously coached with the Dominican Summer League, will serve as Boise’s hitting coach.
Davis, who was the Cubs catcher from 1981-1988, will be joined by former big league pitcher Fassero, who helped with the Cubs this summer in Mesa. Being retired was nice but the left-hander wanted to do more….
Buddy Bailey, who has been with the Cubs since 2006, will return to Class A Daytona and be joined by pitching coach Tom Pratt and former big league outfielder Richie Zisk. Casey Kopitzke, who managed at Class A Boise in 2009, will move up to Peoria in 2010. David Rosario and Barbaro Garbey will join Kopitzke as the pitching and hitting coaches, respectively.
Juan Cabreja will be the Rookie League Mesa manager for the second straight year and Rick Tronerud returns to handle pitching coach duties for the 10th consecutive season. Desi Wilson joins the staff as the hitting coach after handling those duties for Peoria last year. Muskat Ramblings.
Obsessive Bradley Trade Watch: Milton Going to an AL Team Tonight? UPDATED x2
According to Gordon Wittenmyer’s Twitter, the Cubs may be on the verge of trading Milton Bradley to a “surprise” AL team tonight. Various rumors have linked Bradley to the Rays, Rangers, and Royals in the AL, so none of those three would qualify as a “surprise.”
Yahoo Sports has suggested that the surprise team is the Mariners, and the return is starting pitcher Carlos Silva – a guy the Cubs looked at back when he was a free agent. Silva is signed through 2011, like Bradley, and is owed a total of $25 million over those two years. Silva’s two years in Seattle have been an absolute disaster – hurt last year, and God awful in 2008. And frankly, he wasn’t very good before that. The Cubs need a starting pitcher, but let’s hope this isn’t how it goes down.
UPDATE: See Cigar’s note in the comments. The Mariners/Silva rumor has been, thankfully, squashed. Also, we could see an announcement on the Bradley front tomorrow morning (if word doesn’t leak sooner).
UPDATE 2: Wittenmyer has updated and said that the prospective deal is 3/4 done, that it’s a two-team swap, and it’s for a player that the Cubs will then have to spin off. Hmm. AL team – not the Rangers, Rays, Mariners or Angels – that would take Bradley, and that has a player that want to dump, whom the Cubs wouldn’t want to keep. Any guesses?
The Indians want to dump Kerry Wood ($10ish million left on his deal for 2010) – if Jim Hendry is so intent on getting a righty reliever who can set-up or close, why not consider Wood? Indians may not want Bradley back, though. I’m just thinking out loud at this point.
More details as they become available…
