Cubs Interested in Another Cuban Prospect - Adeiny Hechavarria

Studly 21-year-old Cuban prospect Adeiny Hechavarria has officially been unblocked by the authorities in Cuba (damn it’s good to live in the United States, huh?), and is free to sign with a team in America. The New York Yankees and the Chicago Cubs have shown the most interest in the shortstop.

Hechevarria, 21, is excellent in the field, but questions remain about whether he can hit in the bigs. Unlike the Cubs recent Cuban signing - Serrano for $250k - Hechevarria is expected to get big bucks on the order of $10 million.

That said, it would be interesting to learn where the Cubs’ strong interest comes from. Sure, a guy like Hechevarria might not be ready to play in the bigs for a couple years, but are the Cubs looking at him to play in the middle infield soon? Say, perhaps in a double-play tandem with Starlin Castro? Ryan Theriot is under the Cubs’ control for two more years after this season, but could be non-tendered after this or next season.

What such a signing would mean for the Cubs’ other stud shortstop prospect, Hak-Ju Lee, remains to be seen. Thought of as the future of the middle infield, together with Castro, Lee is still playing A-level ball, so his future is uncertain. But he’s said to be better defensively than even Castro.

One thing’s for sure - it would be nice to have these kind of questions to deal with.

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Obsessive Carlos Silva Fat Watch: He’s Workin’ On It

Not all obsessive watches have to be intense.

Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella mentioned earlier this week that pitcher Carlos Silva - received in trade/dump for Milton Bradley - showed up to camp out of shape, which is a euphemism for “planet-like.” The good news is that Silva is at least working on it.

“Silva is a hard worker, there’s no question about it,” Piniella said yesterday. “He might be a hard eater. I’m only joking. He comes out here and works hard. I’m not surprised but very encouraged from what I see.”

That’s good, I suppose, but there’s only so much a guy can do in a few weeks.

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No Chan Ho Park for the Cubs, Signs with Yankees

Well, if the Chicago Cubs were looking to use their Ryan Theriot winnings on a reliever, it won’t be Chan Ho Park.

The Yankees have signed former Phillies reliever Chan Ho Park to a 1-year $1.2million deal, with incentives to make another $300K.

Park had considered an offer from the Cubs, where he would have started but felt he had a better chance of winning a World Series title with the defending champs. hotstove.com.

Well, duh, he’s got a better chance with the Yankees. Can’t blame him for that part. Can blame him for turning down $3 million from the Phillies earlier in the offseason.

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Carlos Silva is Out of Shape, You Say? Outstanding!

When you sign a big time contract - let’s say, 4 years and $40 million - I can understand complacency kicking in. After all, you’re set for life, and in baseball, those contracts are guaranteed. You get that money whether you dominate, or whether you, say, go 5-18 with an ERA near seven in the first two years of that deal.

But you’d think that if you did fall into the trap of sloth, and did play so poorly those first two years, you’d be energized to try and do better the last two years - even if it was just to try and get another contract at the end of the four-year deal. Further, you’d think that, if you were traded after the two terrible years, that you’d be really energized to step up an perform. You’d do everything you could to be ready to go that next season.

You’d think.

[Carlos] Silva, acquired from the Mariners for Milton Bradley, has some work to do.

“We have to get him in a little better shape here,” Piniella said of the right-hander. “Let’s hope we get him back to where he was in Minnesota when he had that good hard sinker working, nice little breaking ball.”

In Minnesota, Silva finished with double-digit wins in 2004, ‘06 and ‘07, but went 5-18 the last two seasons in Seattle.

“I don’t know what happened in Seattle,” Piniella said. “Seattle is a really good park to pitch in. They tell me his ball straightened up a little bit last year and he got it up a little more. He was good enough to get himself a real nice contract for four years with the Mariners. Let’s hope we can get him back to where he was.”

Silva may need to do a little more cardio work… cubs.com.

That’s just spectacular. Silva was never a particularly fit individual, but coming to camp out of shape after the crapfest he’s put up the last two years is just unfathomable to me. If that is indicative of the attitude he’s bringing to the Cubs - recall that he, like Bradley, has a somewhat checkered behavioral past - the team might as well release him now, because he isn’t going to contribute anything but drama and distractions.

Let’s hope he does get into shape, does get down to business, and does contribute more than simply being a repository for post-game buffet leftovers.

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Live Together, Die Alone: LOST and the Chicago Cubs

“Every man for himself is not going to work. It’s time to start organizing. We need to figure out how we’re going to survive here. Now, I found water. Fresh water, up in the valley. I’ll take a group in at first light. If you don’t want to go, then find another way to contribute. Last week most of us were strangers. But we’re all here now. And God knows how long we’re going to be here. But if we can’t live together, we’re going to die alone.” - Jack Shephard

I have generally avoided using this space to pontificate on things personal and outside of baseball. I figure you all come here to read about the Cubs, not my thoughts on health care reform. And for a guy who has an obsession with the television show LOST that is equaled only by his obsession with the Cubs, it’s hard not to go off about the show from time to time. Warning: this is one of those times.

But the truth is, this post is as much about the Cubs as it is about LOST. The parallels weaving their way through the show, the Chicago Cubs, and Cubs fandom are worth at least one, little article as we approach tonight’s premiere of the much-anticipated final season and dramatic conclusion of LOST. The article’s a bit longer than our usual fare here at Bleacher Nation, but I think it’s worth your time if you’re a fan of the Cubs or a fan of the show. Keep reading up on the Cubs-LOST crossover.

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After a Physical, Xavier Nady Will Be a Chicago Cub

Yesterday, the Chicago Cubs agreed to terms with outfielder Xavier Nady on a one-year, $3.3 million deal, which also offers some $2 million in incentives for games played. Nady, 31, essentially did not play last year after elbow problems led to his second Tommy John surgery. Now fully-recovered, the Cubs hope Nady can be a good platoon-mate for Kosuke Fukudome in right field, and can back-up Alfonso Soriano in left field and Derrek Lee at first base. Nady is expected to take his physical later this week, and because of the two Tommy John surgeries, it is less perfunctory than others might be.

In his last full season - the 2008 season, split between the Pirates and the Yankees - Nady was excellent: .305/.357/.510, with 25 homers, 97 RBI, and 37 doubles. Had Nady put up those numbers last year for the Cubs, he would have been the best outfielder, and second best hitter on the entire team. His career line is a very solid .280/.335/.458. The guy can hit.

If Nady starts putting up those 2008 kind of numbers, it will be hard to keep him out of the starting lineup. However, expecting a return to top numbers is probably a bit ambitious - but not for the reason you might think. I am much less concerned about any lingering elbow issues, which should have a minimal effect on Nady at the plate. Instead, I am more concerned with the fact that he has not faced Major League pitching in over a year. Hopefully he’s completely healthy in Spring Training, and can take that time to see a whole lot of pitches.

In the field, of course, Nady’s elbow will be something of a concern. Positional players who return from Tommy John surgery are less impacted than pitchers, but usually there is a visible impact. Prior to this second surgery - the first was almost ten years ago - Nady was considered an average defender in the corner outfield spots, and a below average defender in center field, where he hasn’t played in a few years. He hasn’t played at first base much in the past few years, but presumably his defense there is nothing special.

In the end, if healthy, Xavier Nady makes this Chicago Cubs team much better. In fact, he probably makes the team better than almost any bench signing could. But the “if healthy,” as it is with any player, is a huge caveat here. I feel strangely confident in that regard. Given the plethora of options for the Cubs - Jonny Gomes, Jermaine Dye, Reed Johnson, Rocco Baldelli - I don’t think the team would have given Nady such a relatively large guaranteed commitment if they weren’t confident about his health.

One last interesting tidbit: Nady will make more this year than the free agent “starting” outfielder the Cubs signed. Marlon Byrd’s 2010 salary is just $3 million, compared to Nady’s $3.3. Of course, Byrd’s three-year deal was heavily backloaded, and averages $5 million per year. Then again, if Nady hits his performance bonuses, he’ll eclipse that number, too.

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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?

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Xavier Nady Remains an Option for the Cubs

Fortunately, in their search for a fourth outfielder, the Chicago Cubs appear to have many options. Of course, each option is flawed in some respect - otherwise they’d be in line for a starting gig. One option continues to be Xavier Nady.

Scott Boras, the agent for Xavier Nady, said in an e-mail that the outfielder is “on schedule to be ready in spring training,” following the second Tommy John elbow surgery of his career.

“The doctors have his throwing program ahead of schedule,” Boras said.

A separate source said that the Cubs are among the teams interested in Nady. The Cubs would like to add an experienced fourth outfielder to compliment Alfonso Soriano, Marlon Byrd and Kosuke Fukudome. FOX Sports.

There is some fear that Nady’s arm will be so jacked up that he will simply not be an effective option in the outfield this year.

Other fourth outfielder options include Jermaine Dye, Ryan Spilborghs and Rocco Baldelli.

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