So Very Many Third Basemen and Other Bullets

It’s Day One of the post-Koyie Hill Era (well, technically he could be re-signed…), and there will be plenty to discuss on non-tenders from other teams, as well as the latest on Prince Fielder. Until then, I’ve got a sick kid at home and a sick self at home, so I’m muddling through the Bullets…

  • Various reports note that Matt Garza could be in line for a contract extension after receiving his tender yesterday. “Could be in line”/”Is in line” are phrases that imply some speculation, and also are generic enough always to be true. Sure, Garza could be in line for an extension. But he could also be in line for a trade. Garza is in his third of four arbitration years, and figures to make $8.5 to $9 million in 2012, and then upwards of $11 million in 2013. He is 28, and an extension would seem to make sense for the Cubs only if they can buy out a free agent year or two at a discount (which discount Garza would theoretically give in exchange for the security of a three or four-year deal). In free agency, Garza could get $13 to $15 million annually, so, given the two arbitration years and a theoretical slight discount, what kind of deal is fair for both sides? Three years and $32 million? Four years and $42 million? That’s the range I’d be thinking about if I were the Cubs. Any higher, and you’re probably just better off letting him play out his two arbitration years, and then seeing where the chips fall.
  • Make no mistake in that preceding discussion: Garza remains on the trade block. If the Cubs get a great offer, the extension discussion is mooted. I don’t expect the Cubs to seriously talk about extending Garza until they are certain that trade talks will prove fruitless.
  • Carlos Zambrano resumed baseball activities yesterday. The activity? A home run derby, naturally. Zambrano is finally expected back on the mound (he took a liner off the face a few weeks ago) on Wednesday. The injury proved a real bummer for the Cubs, who no doubt hoped Zambrano could show some great stuff over a sustained period in Venezuela. As it stands, he might make a couple more starts to add to a few decent starts back in November.
  • Bryan LaHair is back in the Venezuelan Winter League (for those keeping score at home, that’s there and back, there and back, and there again).
  • Cubs’ minor league pitcher Robert Coello is now former Cubs’ minor league pitcher Robert Coello, having signed with the Blue Jays. Having been acquired by the Cubs last year in an old-prospect-for-old-prospect swap (Tony Thomas) with the Red Sox, Coello didn’t show much in Spring Training and then showed even less in the minors. He’s got the stuff to make a big league pen, but he was out of time in the Cubs’ system.
  • A visual depiction of the Cubs’ third baseman between Ron Santo and Aramis Ramirez (via @ClubhouseCancer). Who’s your irrational favorite (I’d probably go with Tyler Houston, who was mostly a catcher):
  • written by

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

    more cubs news

    Enhanced Box Score: Braves 2, Cubs 0 – May 13, 2024

    Well that ninth inning rally started off great, with Cody Bellinger and Christopher Morel reaching, the latter on 12-pitch walk (the longest PA of his career). And then POOF. In just two pitches, the Cubs made three outs and the...

    Craig Counsell Was Just Thrown Out from the Dugout … by the First Base Umpire

    Well you don't see that very often. Craig Counsell was just thrown out of the game from inside the Cubs dugout *by the FIRST BASE umpire* after a check-swing appeal. Here's what happened. In the bottom of the fourth inning,...

    Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Braves (6:20 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    CUBS LINEUP — The Atlanta Braves are one of, if not the toughest opponent the Cubs will face this season. But Seiya Suzuki is back, Cody Bellinger is back, and Shota Imanaga is on the mound. This Cubs team is...

    Cubs Roster Move: Alzolay to the IL, Cuas Returns (UPDATE)

    It felt like this situation with Adbert Alzolay could not go on much longer, and it has now resolved itself with an Injured List move. Today, the Cubs placed Alzolay on the 15-day IL with a right forearm strain. Jose...

    MLB Has a New Streaming Home For Its ‘Sunday Leadoff’ Games

    Fans can now watch MLB games via Roku. Do with that what you will. The "MLB Sunday Leadoff" games will begin this weekend. The first game, featuring the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals, starts at 12:05 p.m. CT,...

    Let’s See How They Measure Up in Atlanta: Cubs vs Braves Series Preview

    Cubs vs Braves — Six of the Cubs next ten games come against the Atlanta Braves, and the first three are on the road starting tonight. And while the Cubs did recently get Seiya Suzuki, Cody Bellinger, and Justin Steele...

    MLB Pipeline Added Two MORE Cubs to Their Top-100

    Over the weekend, MLB Pipeline updated their top-100 MLB Prospect Rankings, with eight new players making the list after graduations and other considerations. And TWO of those players, Moises Ballesteros and Jefferson Rojas, are Chicago Cubs prospects. All together, that...

    For the Second Time in a Few Days, Birthday Boy Nico Hoerner Saved the Game

    A happy 27th birthday to Chicago Cubs second baseman, and fill-in shortstop, Nico Hoerner. He is currently hitting a career-best .275/.364/.399/122 wRC+, and walking more often (9.7%) than he's striking out (9.1%). He has been absolutely scorching over the past...

    MLBits: Padres Best the Dodgers, Skenes Debut Reactions, Guardians New Threads, More

    The Dodgers have a comfortable lead in the NL West, but the Padres are proving to themselves that they can make this a two-horse race. Plus, reactions from Paul Skenes' major league debut and more in today's MLB Notes. Padres...

    David Peralta Has Opted Out of His Minor League Deal with the Cubs

    The Chicago Cubs have had veteran outfielder David Peralta around as emergency depth going back to Spring Training, when he was working his way back from offseason arm surgery. But he might now be heading off to join another organization....

    Latest News

    Cardinals vs. Angels: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    In a series opener on Tuesday, Sonny Gray will take the mound for the St. Louis Cardinals (16-24) against Reid Detmers and the Los Angeles Angels (15-26), with first pitch scheduled for 9:38 PM ET at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.The...

    Diamondbacks vs. Reds: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Tuesday at 9:40 PM ET, Ketel Marte and the Arizona Diamondbacks (19-22) face Elly De La Cruz and the Cincinnati Reds (17-23) at Chase Field.Find out how to watch the Arizona-Cincinnati matchup below.When is Diamondbacks vs. Reds and when...

    Mariners vs. Royals: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Tuesday, Logan Gilbert will start for the Seattle Mariners (22-19) versus Michael Wacha and the Kansas City Royals (25-17), with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at T-Mobile Park.Keep reading to find out how to watch the Seattle-Kansas...

    How to Watch Padres vs. Rockies: Live Stream or on TV

    The San Diego Padres (22-21), who will give the ball to Dylan Cease, host the Colorado Rockies (12-28) with Cal Quantrill on the mound, Tuesday at 9:40 PM ET.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for TV and...

    Minnesota Twins vs. New York Yankees Series May 14-16: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

    A three-game series featuring the Minnesota Twins and the visiting New York Yankees will begin on Tuesday, May 14 at 7:40 PM ET.Twins vs. Yankees Series Info Yankees @ Twins Time: Tuesday, May 14 at 7:40 PM ET Twins Starting...

    Rangers vs. Guardians: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Tuesday, Jack Leiter will start for the Texas Rangers (22-20) against Ben Lively and the Cleveland Guardians (25-16), with first pitch scheduled for 8:05 PM ET at Globe Life Field.Keep reading to find out all the details on how...

    How to Watch Astros vs. Athletics: Live Stream or on TV

    On Tuesday at 8:10 PM ET, Kyle Tucker and the Houston Astros (15-25) play Brent Rooker and the Oakland Athletics (19-23) at Minute Maid Park.The article below will provide you with everything you need to know to watch Houston take...

    Craig Counsell Was Just Thrown Out from the Dugout … by the First Base Umpire

    Well you don't see that very often. Craig Counsell was just thrown out of the game from inside the Cubs dugout *by the FIRST BASE umpire* after a check-swing appeal. Here's what happened. In the bottom of the fourth inning,...

    Red Sox vs. Rays: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    In a series opener on Tuesday, Jarren Duran and the Boston Red Sox (21-19) play Isaac Paredes and the Tampa Bay Rays (20-21), with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 PM ET at Fenway Park.Find out how to watch the Boston-Tampa...

    Brewers vs. Pirates: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Tuesday, Joe Ross will start for the Milwaukee Brewers (24-16) versus Quinn Priester and the Pittsburgh Pirates (18-23), with first pitch scheduled for 7:40 PM ET at American Family Field.Find out how to watch the Milwaukee-Pittsburgh matchup below.When is...

    more cubs news