Yardbarker: Carlos Marmol

2009 Cubs:  Pitching

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 22:10:46 -0500

The Cubs currently have 35 guys on their 40-man roster. This does not include any potential free agents (Dempster, Wood, Howry, Lieber, Fox). Howry, Lieber and Fox are gone. The Cubs will try to re-sign Dempster and Wood, but once the World Series is over, each will file for free agency and be off the 40-man roster until or if they are re-signed. The roster is comprised of 17 pitchers and 18 position players. Let's take a look at the pitching staff today. The current rotation would be Zambrano, Harden, Lilly, Marquis and Marshall. The Cubs will probably re-sign Dempster and try to trade Marquis this offseason opening the 5th spot in the rotation for Sean Marshall who has 2 seasons in a row with an ERA below 4. I don't think it's reasonable to expect Marshall to continue doing that. His Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) was 4.27 this year and 4.57 last year. I do think you can expect Marshall to be about league average with a little upside perhaps. The Cubs should be able to trade Marquis this winter. He's coming off 2 relatively decent seasons and he's been healthy and will give you innings, which is something a lot of teams will look for. Most importantly, he only has one year remaining on his contract. The return won't be much, but if the Cubs are intent on trading Marquis, unlike last year, he'll be of interest to more than a few teams. Even if the Cubs fail to re-sign Wood, they've got a closer in Carlos Marmol and one could even argue that spending the resources you'd have to in order to re-sign Wood might be better spent in another way. I'm not convinced of that, but it does appear that Jeff Samardzija's career is in the bullpen. I say that because nearly every report this offseason has him being a key set-up man next year. Marshall is mentioned as a possible starter, but Samardzija seems to have found his role with this team in the 7th or 8th inning. I have no idea what his career will become, but the expectations are obviously of him being a shut down reliever. As such, do the Cubs really need to spend $10 or $12 million per year for 3 or 4 years to bring Kerry Wood back? Not doing so is a risk. We don't know what Samardzija will do and his walk rate and ball/strike rate is atrocious. Then again, it's a risk signing any reliever, especially one with Wood's injury history. Were Hendry to call me and ask me to make the decisions, I'd tell him to re-sign Dempster and to offer Wood arbitration. If he takes it, it's only one year so there's no risk. Odds are he won't take and you'll end up getting 2 draft picks. I'd trade Marquis so Marshall could take his spot in the rotation. To fill Wood's absence in the bullpen, you obviously promote Marmol to closer and you give Samardzija the first opportunity nail down the 8th inning role. The Cubs only have one lefty in the pen in Cotts and he's not really a LOOGY. I'd see what Veal can do in spring training and if not him, then you go with Ceda or Guzman as the final spot. That being said, the Cubs are likely to re-sign both Wood and Dempster, which leaves Marmol in the 8th inning role unless the Cubs wanted to be creative and trade him for a key offensive player they need. That won't happen though. I do think Marquis gets traded and Marshall takes over. The Cubs will go with one lefty in the pen until the deadline. Jose Ceda will get a legitimate shot to make this team out of spring training and will probably steal the 7th inning relief role away from Samardzija at some point early in the season. Really, the pitching for this team is pretty easy to figure out. The offense has a few more holes and many more options. I'll take a look at the offense over the next couple of days as it will need to be broken down in a couple parts.

Good Days of '08: Game 43

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 19:43:35 -0500

Good Days of '08 is a series looking back on some of the memorable Pirate wins this season. Previous entries: [Game 1] and [Game 13].

--------
Game 43 Coverage:
[GameDay]
[Recap]
[More]
[Box--Pirates 7, Cubs 6--5/17/08]
------------------
Where to start on this remarkable game? Well, how about considering that at the time of the game, the Bucs were 0-for-seven against the Cubs in 2008 and had not won at Wrigley in over a year. To boot, the Cubbies were sending Carlos Zambrano to the bump, while we trotted out Zach Duke.
-
Brian Bixler was still playing shortstop for the PBC these days, and he tallied just his 2nd RBI all year when he knocked home a run in the second. Duke responded by giving up three to the Cubs, so it looked like yet another rough day at the office.
-
Duke came back though. The only other run he allowed all day was a Soriano homer--which was understandable because the guy was absolutely en fuego--he had hit two the day before and was having a career week. The most important thing Duke did was striking out pitcher Zambrano (who can hit a little). Z broke the bat over his knee after striking out, then went out for the 5th inning and failed to record an out for 5 batters. He was then lifted--making this game his shortest outing of the year to date. It was a massive implosion--which started with a four pitch walk to Duke. The Pirates scored 3 runs to take the lead.
-
Tyler Yates came in to relieve Zach Duke. Guess what happened when Soriano stepped in to face him? His fourth homer in two games, that's what. Told you he was en fuego. That tied the game to the delight of the Wrigley crowd.
-
The game stayed tied thanks to a stellar performance by Damaso Marte. Not just his pitching--his defense. My best description is this: DeRosa hit a grounder off Marte's leg. It looked like a base hit, but Marte recovered, sprinted to the ball, kind of dove in mid-air as he picked up the ball, and chucked it to first as most of his body was parallel to the ground. Insane play. John Wehner (announcer) was saying "eat it, EAT IT!" urging Marte to not throw the ball. He did, though, and got DeRosa by a millisecond. Unreal.
-
Here is a picture:

And the [video] (where you can also see other highlights of the game).
-
Anyway, Carlos Marmol, one of the most difficult pitchers in baseball to bat against, came in to pitch the ninth. He absolutely embarassed Jason Michaels and looked unhittable, but Freddy got a very lucky hit (basically just stuck the bat out). Nate McLouth, also known as McAwesome or McAll-Star, drilled a 2-run bomb to give the Bucs a late 7-5 lead. WOW.
-
Matt Capps came in to try and end the mini-curse of Wrigley. Soriano was due up third in the inning, so Capps astutely got the first two outs. Soriano then doubled, as did the next batter. One run lead with the tying run on 2nd, winner at the plate. The batter was Derrek Lee, who is a stud. He hit a deep fly ball. The fans went nuts. My heart stopped. Xavier Nady camped under it at the warning track and the Jolly Roger was raised.
--------
WIN: Marte (3-0)
LOSS: Marmol (1-1)
SAVE: Capps (10)
-
Notes:
-WOOOOOOOO
-McLouth is the man.
-I love beating the Cubs. And Zambrano. Too bad that rarely happens.
-Raise that "L" flag, Cubs.
-The win put us within a game of .500
------
RECORD: 20-21

2009 player salaries and options left

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:04:49 -0500

The following table shows the Cubs players who are under contract for 2009. Henry Blanco just has an option that includes a $300,000 buyout. Next to each players name is the number of options he has remaining. This chart can be found just below the site logo at all times. Chicago Cubs 2009 Salary Chart Player (options left) Position 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Jose Ascanio (1) Pitcher Neal Cotts (0) Pitcher Arb. Chad Gaudin (0) Pitcher Arb. Angel Guzman (1) Pitcher Rich Harden (0) Pitcher 7.000 Kevin Hart (2) Pitcher Rich Hill (0) Pitcher Ted Lilly (0) Pitcher 12.000 12.000 Carlos Marmol (1) Pitcher Jason Marquis (0) Pitcher 9.875 Sean Marshall (1) Pitcher Billy Petrick (2) Pitcher Carmen Pignatiello (2) Pitcher Jeff Samardzija (2) Pitcher 1.300 2.500 2.8.00 3.000 3.500 Randy Wells (3) Pitcher Michael Wuertz (0) Pitcher Arb. Carlos Zambrano (0) Pitcher 17.750 17.875 17.875 18.000 19.250 Henry Blanco (0) C 3.000 Ronny Cedeno (0) SS Arb. Mark DeRosa (0) 2B 5.500 Mike Fontenot (1) 2B Jake Fox (1) OF/C Fukudome (4) OF 12.000 12.000 12.000 Sam Fuld (2) CF Koyie Hill (0) C Micah Hoffpauir (2) 1B/OF Reed Johnson (0) OF Arb. Derrek Lee (0) 1B 13.000 13.000 Casey McGehee (3) IF Felix Pie (0) OF Aramis Ramirez (0) 3B 15.650 15.750 14.600 16.000 Brad Snyder (0) OF Alfonso Soriano (0) OF 16.000 18.000 18.000 18.000 18.000 18.000 Geovany Soto (0) C Ryan Theriot (2) SS NOTES: •Salaries information came from mlb4u.com and Cot's Baseball Contracts and AZ Phil •Dollars are in Millions •Numbers in blue: player option •Numbers in red: club option •Guzman, Marmol, Marshall, and Theriot could qualify as Super-Two players, meaning they'd be arbitration eligible •The following players have some form of No-Trade protection: Ted Lilly, Jeff Samardzija, Carlos Zambrano, Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramierz, Kosuke Fukudome, and Alfonso Soriano •Henry Blanco's $3 million option also includes a $300,000 buyout if the Cubs decide not to exercise their option. •Rich Harden can demand a trade since he was traded in the middle of a long-term contract. The Cubs currently have just over $113 million in payroll for 2009. Crane Kenney recently stated the payroll would increase next year from the $130 million it was this year. A couple of the beat reporters have suggested the Cubs payroll would be around $150 million in 2009. That gives the Cubs a lot of money to play around with. I don't completely understand the options process, but AZ Phil shows Fukudome has 4 options left (which is absolutely correct), but I wonder if he can refuse an option. I'm guessing he can't, which means there is a good chance Fukudome will be sent to Iowa or Daytona or Mesa at some point in 2009.

MLB Punchlines: Tim McCarver is Not a Huge Fan of Manny Ramirez

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 21:10:37 -0500

Looks like if you want Rays ALCS tickets you will have to pay a steep price. It will be interesting to see what the Boston/Tampa fan split will be for the games at the Trop. (Tampa Trib)

Will McCarver express his true feelings towards Manny Ramirez on the Fox broadcast? (Philly Inquirer)

Talk about getting the most for your money, check out the Rays' salary breakdown for this season. (Orlando Sentinel)

Something tells us the Dodgers would have had a significantly better record has Rafael Furcal not missed 125 games due to injury. Just a shot in the dark. (OC Register)

Mariano Rivera underwent successful shoulder surgery yesterday and his rehab is expected to take three months. (NY Post)

One of the offseason questions in the Bronx: Will Mike Mussina be back next season? (Star Ledger)

Mets pitcher Ambiorix Burgos turned himself into police in the Dominican Republic. Police say he was involved in an accident that killed a person. (Star Ledger)

The division series TV ratings were down this year from last. Frank Caliendo, your thoughts? (Miami Herald)

Looking back maybe it was a good thing Mattingly didn't get the Yankees manager job. (L.A. Times)

Here are some storylines to help you get into watching the ALCS and NLCS. (KC Star)

The Rockies had a bad season no naturally this means the manager stays and all of the other coaches go. Naturally. (Denver Post)

Indians GM Mark Shapiro discusses the organization's offseason issues and personnel needs. (Plain Dealer)

The hits keep on coming (no pun intended) for the Cubs. Stud reliever Carlos Marmol was in a car accident in the D.R. that required stitches. (Chicago Trib)

The outcome of Rich Harden's visit to a shoulder specialist could decide whether the Cubs pick up his option or not. (Chicago Trib)

Lidge is focused on the here and now, not the ball that Pujols hit off him in the 2005 NLCS that hasn't landed yet. (Baltimore Sun)

ESPN and the MLB Network will televise the World Baseball Classic which starts on March 5. (AZ Republic)

News & Notes

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 03:40:37 -0500

- Crane Kenney says the Cubs will increase payroll next year regardless of an ownership change.

''And when it all works, this is what it looks like,'' he said, referring to back-to-back postseasons and a 97-win season. ''It's like the Braves. That's the model -- the Braves and the Red Sox and the Yankees. Play like a big market, flex your muscle like a big market and hopefully perform like one on the field.''

- Sullivan is hearing that the Cubs will pursue a left-handed outfield bat to compete with Fukudome and Fukudome doesn't really care.

"If it means that there will be competition in right field, all I have to do is win that competition," he replied.

- Carlos Marmol got banged up a bit in a car accident in the Dominican Republic.

"Out of precaution they did different studies on my body, and I don't have any kind of serious injury," Marmol wrote.

- The headline says it all - "Harden to visit Shoulder Specialist". Apparently the Cubs have until today to decide on his option. They have until after the World Series on Blanco's.A

- The same link says all the Cubs coaches have been asked back.

- Cubs organizational meetings begin October 19th in Arizona. A few rumors and notes in that link including...

Lee has a no-trade clause but could be asked to lift it if he's dealt to a team in California for pitching help. Lee lives in Sacramento, so it's not out of the realm of possibility.

Ronny Cedeno likely will be on the trade block again after yelling at trainer Mark O'Neal during a nasty exchange before a game in Milwaukee on the final weekend of the regular season.

Well that should add some fuel toA the sign Teixeira/deal Lee flames. Trading Cedeno, moving Theriot to the utility role and signing Furcal would be kind of neat too.

- Paul Sullivan and I agree on something. I'm not comfortable with this...

The Cubs players spent much of the season downplaying talk of the alleged curse, only to have Cubs brass bring out a Greek priest to spread holy water in their dugout the day of the start of the playoffs. What kind of a show of faith in the high-priced team was that? Piniella and the players were blind-sided by the stunt.

Post-2008 Roster & Projected 2009 Organizational Chart

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:17:17 -0500

OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2008:

CHICAGO CUBS RESERVE LIST (40-MAN ROSTER) AS OF 10/7/08:

* bats or throws left
# bats both

NOTE: There are presently 40 players on the Cubs RESERVE LIST (40-man roster), plus two additional players on the 60-day DISABLED LIST (players on 60-day DL do not count against the roster limit)A

PITCHERS (20):
Jose Ascanio a?" AUTO-RENEWAL (has ONE minor league option left)
* Neal Cotts a?" SALARY-ARBITRATION eligible (NO MINOR LEAGUE OPTIONS LEFT & CAN REFUSE OUTRIGHT ASSIGNMENT)
Ryan Dempster - can be FREE-AGENT
Chad Gaudin a?" SALARY ARBITRATION eligible (NO MINOR LEAGUE OPTIONS LEFT & CAN REFUSE OUTRIGHT ASSIGNMENT)
Angel Guzman a?" AUTO-RENEWAL (has ONE minor league option left)
Rich Harden a?" SIGNED FOR 2009 (CLUB OPTION) or SALARY ARBITRATION eligible if CLUB OPTION is declined, and has right to DEMAND TRADE if CLUB OPTION is exercised
Kevin Hart a?" AUTO-RENEWAL (has TWO minor league options left)
* Rich Hill a?" AUTO-RENEWAL (NO MINOR LEAGUE OPTIONS LEFT)
Bob Howry - can be FREE-AGENT
* Ted Lilly - SIGNED FOR 2009 (has "NO TRADE" rights)
Carlos Marmol a?" AUTO-RENEWAL (has ONE minor league option left)
Jason Marquis - SIGNED FOR 2009
* Sean Marshall a?" AUTO-RENEWAL (has ONE minor league option left)
Billy Petrick a?" AUTO-RENEWAL (has TWO minor league options left)
* Carmen Pignatiello a?" AUTO-RENEWAL (has TWO minor league options left)
Jeff Samardzija a?" SIGNED FOR 2009 (has TWO minor league options left & has "NO TRADE" rights)
Randy Wells a?" AUTO-RENEWAL (has THREE minor league options left & CAN REFUSE OUTRIGHT ASSIGNMENT)
Kerry Wood - can be FREE-AGENT
Michael Wuertz a?" SALARY ARBITRATION eligible (NO MINOR LEAGUE OPTIONS LEFT & CAN REFUSE OUTRIGHT ASSIGNMENT)
Carlos Zambrano - SIGNED FOR 2009 (has "NO TRADE" rights)

CATCHERS (3):
Henry Blanco a?" SIGNED FOR 2009 (CLUB OPTION) or can be FREE-AGENT if CLUB OPTION is declined
# Koyie Hill a?" AUTO-RENEWAL (NO MINOR LEAGUE OPTIONS LEFT & CAN REFUSE OUTRIGHT ASSIGNMENT)
Geovany Soto a?" AUTO-RENEWAL (NO MINOR LEAGUE OPTIONS LEFT)

INFIELDERS (8):
Ronny Cedeno a?" SALARY ARBITRATION eligible (NO MINOR LEAGUE OPTIONS LEFT & CAN REFUSE OUTRIGHT ASSIGNMENT)
Mark DeRosa a?" SIGNED FOR 2009
* Mike Fontenot a?" AUTO-RENEWAL (has ONE minor league option left)
* Micah Hoffpauir a?" AUTO-RENEWAL (has TWO minor league options left)
Derrek Lee - SIGNED FOR 2009 (has "NO TRADE" rights)
Casey McGehee a?" AUTO-RENEWAL (has THREE minor league options left)
Aramis Ramirez a?" SIGNED FOR 2009 (has "NO TRADE" rights)
Ryan Theriot a?" AUTO-RENEWAL (has TWO minor league options left)

OUTFIELDERS (9):A A
* Jim Edmonds - can be FREE-AGENT
Jake Fox a?" AUTO RENEWAL (has ONE minor league option left)
* Kosuke Fukudome a?" SIGNED FOR 2009 (has FOUR minor league options left & has "NO TRADE" rights)
* Sam Fuld a?" AUTO-RENEWAL (has TWO minor league options left)
Reed Johnson a?" SALARY ARBITRATION eligible (CAN REFUSE MINOR LEAGUE OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT & OUTRIGHT ASSIGNMENT)
* Felix Pie - AUTO-RENEWAL (NO MINOR LEAGUE OPTIONS LEFT)
* Brad Snyder a?" AUTO RENEWAL (NO MINOR LEAGUE OPTIONS LEFT)
Alfonso Soriano a?" SIGNED FOR 2009 (has "NO TRADE" rights)
* Daryle Ward - can be FREE-AGENT

60-DAY DISABLED LIST (2):
Chad Fox, P a?" can be FREE-AGENT
Jon Lieber, P - can be FREE-AGENT

NOTE: A player on the 15-day or 60-day DL must be reactivated no later than 11/20, but a DL assignment is automatically terminated when a player eligible to be a Free-Agent under Article XX of the CBA files for free-agency during the post-World Series Free-Agency Filing Period. Also, a player is automatically removed from the 40-man roster when he files for free-agencyA underA Article XX.A

======================================

ELIGIBLE TO BE ARTICLE XX FREE-AGENT:
Henry Blanco (club option with buy-out)
Ryan Dempster
Jim Edmonds
Chad Fox
Bob Howry
Jon Lieber
Daryle Ward
Kerry Wood
NOTE: MLB players eligible to be free-agents under Article XX of the CBA must file for free-agency during the "Free-Agency Filing Period" (first 15 days after conclusion of the World Series). During the 15-day "Free-Agency Filing Period," MLB clubs retain exclusive negotiating rights with their own free-agents, although the other 29 MLB clubs can talk to the player about everything except money (they can discuss the benefits of playing in a particular city, how the player will be used, where the player will bat in the lineup or whether a pitcher will start or relieve, length of contract, no-trade rights, etc). Clubs then must decide by December 1st whether to offer salary arbitration to their own free-agents, and if they do offer salary arbitration, the player has until December 7th to accept or decline the offer. If the club does offer salary arbitration to the free-agent and if the player is rated as a Type "A" or Type "B" free-agent by the Elias Sports Bureau statistical service, the player's old club would receive one or two compensation draft picks in the next June's Rule 4 Draft if the player signs with another club (two picks if the player is rated Type "A" and one pick if the player is rated Type "B"). If the player's old club does not offer salary arbitration on 12/1, the player's old club can continue to negotiate with the player, but the club would not receive a compensation draft pick (or picks) if the player signs with another club.

=====================================

SIGNED FOR 2009:A

+ has "NO TRADE" rights
% can demand trade per Article XX of CBA if club option is exercised

Henry Blanco - $3M club optionA or $300K buy-out
Mark DeRosa - $5.5MA A
+ Kosuke Fukudome - $11.5M
% Rich Harden - $7M club option or salary arbitrationA
+ Derrek Lee - $13M
+ Ted Lilly - $12M
Jason Marquis - $9.875MA
+ Aramis Ramirez - $15.65M
+ Jeff Samardzija - $1.3M
+ Alfonso Soriano - $16M
+ Carlos Zambrano - $17.75M
TOTAL (SO FAR) - $112.575M (includes Blanco and Harden club options)
NOTE: TOTAL does NOT include so-called "pro-rated" signing bonuses that are used by MLB and the MLBPA for the purpose of calculating club payroll to determine possible "Competitive Balance Tax" obligations (tax is applied when a club's payroll reaches $155M), because signing bonuses are usually paid in full when a player signs a contract (which is why it's called a "signing bonus") except when otherwise noted.

==============================

ELIGIBLE FOR SALARY-ARBITRATION:
Ronny CedenoA
Neal Cotts
Chad Gaudin
Rich Harden (but only if 2009 club option is declined)
Reed Johnson
Michael Wuertz
PROJECTED ADDITION TO PAYROLL IF ALL FIVE PLAYERS ELIGIBLE FOR ARBITRATION (not including Rich Harden) ARE OFFERED ARBITRATION: $7.5MA
NOTE: Clubs must decide by December 12th whether to offer salary arbitration to players who are eligible. If the club elects to offer salary arbitration, the club and the player proceed onward through the arbitration process, but the player and the club can reach an agreement at any point prior to a hearing. If the club decides not to offer arbitration to an arbitration-eligible player on 12/12, the player immediately becomes an unrestricted free-agent at that time and is free to sign with any MLB club (including his former club), and the player's old club receives no compensation if the player signs with a new club.A A A

============================================

AUTO-RENEWAL (PRE-ARBITRATION)

NOTE: 2009 MLB minimum salary is $400K with a $65K minimum "minor league split salary" ($32.5K minimum "minor league split" for players with no MLB ST who are on 40-man roster for the first time). Also, a minor league split salary for an "auto-renewal" player must be at least 60% of what the player was actually paid in salary during 2008 season. Clubs must tender contracts to "auto-renewal" (pre-arbitration) players on December 12th. If no contract is offered, the player is considered "non-tendered" and immediately becomes an unrestricted free-agent and can sign with any MLB club (including his old club). If a contract is tendered on 12/12, the player has until the first week of March to negotiate with his club, but if no agreement is reached by that time, the club can automatically renew the player's contract for an amount no less than 80% of the previous year's salary.

Jose Ascanio
Mike Fontenot
Jake Fox
Sam Fuld
Angel Guzman
Kevin HartA
Koyie Hill
Rich Hill
Micah Hoffpauir
Carlos Marmol
Casey McGehee
Sean Marshall
Billy Petrick
Felix Pie
Carmen Pignatiello
Brad Snyder
Geovany Soto
Ryan Theriot
Randy Wells
PROJECTED ESTIMATED 2009 AUTO-RENEWAL SALARIES FOR NINE PLAYERS: $4M
NOTE: Total does NOT include minor league split salaries for players on 40-man roster who are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors.A

====================================

PROJECTED ESTIMATED 2009 TOTAL PAYROLL AS OF TODAY (includes the 11 players who are signed for 2009 and the five players who are eligible for salary arbitration, plus nine "auto renewal" players TBD who would be needed to fill-out the 25-man roster): $124MA A

==================================

ELIGIBLE TO BE MINOR LEAGUE FREE-AGENT:
Andres Blanco, SS
Mike Burns, RHP
Hector Carrasco, RHP
Edward Campusano, LHP
Robinson Chirinos, C-IF
Matt Craig, 1B-3B
Jason Dubois, OF-1B
Doug Deeds, OF-1B
Danny Fatheree, CA
Luis Figueroa, INF
Dumas Garcia, RHP
Adam Harben, RHP
Josh Kroeger, OF
Jason Stanford, LHP
Bobby Scales, IF-OF
Andres Torres, OF
NOTE: Clubs retain exclusive negotiating rights with their own minor league free-agents until the end of the World Series. If a minor league FA is added to his club's 40-man roster prior to the conclusion of the World Series, the player is not eligible to be a free-agent. Players eligible to be minor league free-agents who are not added to their club's 40-man roster by the conclusion of the World Series are free to sign a major league or minor league contract with any organization, including their old club.A A A A

============================================

ELIGIBLE FOR 2008 RULE 5 DRAFT:
James Adduci, OF
Alberto Alburquerque, RHP
Mitch Atkins, RHP
Matt Avery, RHP
Justin Berg, RHP
Todd Blackford, RHP
Russ Canzler, 1B
Yusuf Carter, OF
Julio Castillo, RHP
Rafael Dolis, RHP
Jesse Estrada, RHP
Ryan Harvey, OF
Jim Henderson, RHP
Mark Holliman, RHP
Grant Johnson, RHP
Marcos Mateo, RHP
J. R. Mathes, LHP
Mario Mercedes, C
Jonathan Mota, INF
Jake Muyco, RHP
Leonel Perez, C
Vince Perkins, RHP
Jose Pina, RHP
Mark Reed, C
Gregory Reinhard, RHP
Kyle Reynolds, 1B
Tony Richie, C
Chris Robinson, C
Jayson Ruhlman, LHP
Alvaro Sosa, C
Nate Spears, 2B
Donald Veal, LHP
NOTE: A player on this list is not eligible for selection in the Rule 5 Draft if added to the 40-man roster by November 20th. Also, any free-agent who signs a minor league contract prior to the Rule 5 Draft is eligible for selection in the Rule 5 Draft.

=====================================

2009:A

MINOR LEAGUE OPTION STATUS FOR PLAYERS WITH LESS THAN FIVE YEARS OF MLB SERVICE TIME (SPRING TRAINING 2009):

NOTE: Mike Fontenot, Angel Guzman, and Ryan Theriot would have to clear Optional Assignment Waivers before being optioned to the minors during Spring Training 2009 or anytime during the 2009 season. Sean Marshall and Carlos Marmol would NOT have to clear Optional Assignment Waivers before being optioned to the minors during Spring Training (prior to Opening Day), but Marshall would have to clear Optional Assignment Waivers before being optioned to the minors anytime during the regular season (starting on Opening Day), while Marmol would have to clear Optional Assignment Waivers beginning on June 4th.A Because an Optional Assignment waiver request can be withdrawn if the player is claimed by another club, Optional Assignment waiver claims are rare.A A

NO MINOR LEAGUE OPTIONS LEFT:
Ronny Cedeno (can refuse Outright Assignment to minors)A
Neal Cotts (can refuse Outright Assignment to minors)
Chad Gaudin (can refuse Outright Assignment to minors)
Koyie Hill (can refuse Outright Assignment to minors)
Rich Hill
Felix Pie
Brad Snyder
Geovany Soto
Michael Wuertz (can refuse Outright Assignment to minors)
NOTE: Players who are out of minor league options must clear Outright Assignment Waivers (which are irrevocable) before they can be sent to the minors. Players with at least three years of MLB Service Time and players who have been previously outrighted in their career can refuse an Outright Assignment and can opt to become a free-agent instead. (Free-agency option can be exercised immediately, or player can defer option until after the conclusion of the MLB regular season).A

ONE MINOR LEAGUE OPTION LEFT:
Jose Ascanio (see NOTE)
Mike Fontenot
Jake Fox
Angel Guzman (see NOTE)
Carlos Marmol
Sean Marshall
NOTE: Jose Ascanio has used three minor league options through the 2008 season, but because he has spent only four "full seasons" on an active minor league or major league roster, he will be eligible for a 4th minor league option in 2009 as long as it is exercised prior to completing five full seasons.
Angel Guzman has used three minor league options through the 2008 season, but because he has spent only four "full seasons" on an active minor league or major league roster, he will be eligible for a 4th minor league option in 2009 as long as it is exercised prior to completing five full seasons.

TWO MINOR LEAGUE OPTIONS LEFT:A
Sam Fuld
Kevin Hart
Micah Hoffpauir
Billy Petrick (see NOTE)
Carmen Pignatiello
Jeff Samardzija (see NOTE)
Ryan Theriot
NOTE: Billy Petrick has used two minor league options through the 2008 season, but because he has spent only three "full seasons" on an active minor league or major league roster, he will be eligible for a 4th minor league option as long as it is exercised prior to completing five full seasons.
Jeff Samardzija has used two minor league options through the 2008 season, but because he has spent only two "full seasons" on an active minor league or major league roster, he will be eligible for a 4th minor league option as long as it is exercised prior to completing five full seasons.A

THREE MINOR LEAGUE OPTIONS LEFT:
Casey McGehee
Randy Wells (can refuse Outright Assignment to minors)

FOUR MINOR LEAGUE OPTIONS LEFT:
Kosuke FukudomeA

======================================

PROJECTED 2009 CUBS ORGANIZATIONAL DEPTH CHART

* bats or throws left
# bats both

CATCHERS:
CUBS: Geovany Soto/Henry Blanco/# Koyie HillA
IOWA: Tony Richie/* Blake Lalli/Chris RobinsonA
TENN: Welington Castillo/* Mark Reed
DAYT: Luis Flores/Mario Mercedes
PEOR: Carlos Perez/Michael BrenlyA A
EXST: * Matt Cerda/# Alvaro Sosa/Jose Guevara/Pat Mahoney/Juan MedinaA
DSLC: Carlos Gonzalez/Ricardo Parra/Jose Vigay/Yamel LiriaA A

FIRST-BASEMEN:
CUBS: Derrek Lee/* Micah Hoffpauir
IOWA: * Kyle ReynoldsA A A A A A
TENN: Russ Canzler/* Steve ClevengerA
DAYT: Jovan Rosa/Luis BautistaA A A A
PEOR: Rebel Ridling/* Ryan KeedyA A A A A A
EXST: Sean Hoorelbeke/* Bryan JostA A A
DSLC: # Alexander Mejia/Melvin Camarena/Carlos Romero/Justino Guzman

SECOND-BASEMEN:
CUBS: Mark DeRosa/* Mike FontenotA
IOWA: * Nate SpearsA A A
TENN: Tony ThomasA A A A A
DAYT: * Ryan Flaherty/Josh HarrisonA A A A A A
PEOR: * Jake Opitz/Gian GuzmanA A
EXST: * Logan Watkins/Dwayne KempA A A
DSLC: # Ramon Bonilla/# Vismeldy Bieneme/# Jose Montecino

THIRD-BASEMEN:
CUBS: Aramis RamirezA
IOWA: Casey McGeheeA A A
TENN: Josh LansfordA
DAYT: Marquez Smith
PEOR: Josh Vitters
EXST: John Contreras/Carlos MoralesA A A A A
DSLC: # Nelson Pierre/Juan Pena/Pedro Ramirez

SHORTSTOPS:
CUBS: Ryan Theriot/Ronny CedenoA A
IOWA: * Matt Camp/# Matt MatuliaA
TENN: Darwin Barney/Jonathan MotaA A
DAYT: Nathan Samson/Jose Made
PEOR: Starlin Castro/# Marwin Gonzalez
EXST: Junior Lake/George Matheus/* Hak-Ju LeeA A A A A
DSLC: # Robert Bautista/* Melido Perez/Miguel SalazarA

LEFT-FIELDERS:
CUBS: Alfonso Soriano/* Brad SnyderA A A
IOWA: * Tyler ColvinA A
TENN: Ty Wright
DAYT: Brandon GuyerA A
PEOR: * Drew Rundle/Elvis LaraA A
EXST: * Ryan Sontag/TeWayne Willis/* Sean Williams
DSLC: Jesus Morelli/# Jose Valdez/Albert Hernandez/# Gregorio Robles

CENTER-FIELDERS
CUBS: * Felix Pie/Reed Johnson
IOWA: * Sam FuldA
TENN: * Jonathan Wyatt/Yusuf CarterA A
DAYT: * Tony CampanaA A A A
PEOR: * Cliff AndersenA
EXST: * Kurt Calvert/# David Macias/* Clark HardmanA A A
DSLC: * Francisco Guzman/Manuel Pestana/Pedro Medina

RIGHT-FIELDERS
CUBS: * Kosuke Fukudome
IOWA: Jake FoxA
TENN: * James Adduci/Ryan Harvey
DAYT: * Dylan JohnstonA A A
PEOR: * Kyler Burke/Jericho JonesA A A
EXST: * Nelson Perez/Kevin SotoA A
DSLC: Alejandro Damian/Luis Andrades

STARTING PITCHERS

CUBS:
Carlos Zambrano
* Ted Lilly
Rich Harden
* Sean Marshall
Jason Marquis
* Rich Hill

IOWA:
Mitch Atkins
Randy Wells
* J. R. Mathes
* Donald Veal
Justin Berg

TENNESSEE:
Esmailin Caridad
* James Russell
Billy Muldowney
* Jeremy Papelbon
Marco Carrillo
Alessandro Maestri

DAYTONA:
Hung-Wen Chen
Jay Jackson
Casey Coleman
Aaron Shafer
Robert Hernandez
Alberto Alburquerque

PEORIA:
Chris Carpenter
* Jeffrey Beliveau
Josh Whitlock
Ryan Searle
Kevin Kreier
Ryan Acosta
Justin Bristow
Dae-Eun Rhee

EXST:
Larry Suarez
Alberto Cabrera
Chris Huseby
Oswaldo Martinez
* Jeffry Antigua
Julio Pena
Yohan Gonzalez
Miguel Sierra
Dionis Nunez
Diego Encarnacion

DSLC:
Edilmar Infante
Hector Mayorga
* Marcos Perez
Roderick Pichardo
Ramon Reyes
Luis Liria
Eduardo Figueroa
Ramon Garcia
Jose Tineo
Starlin Peralta

BULLPEN:

CUBS:
Carlos Marmol (closer)
Jeff Samardzija
Chad Gaudin
* Neal Cotts
Michael Wuertz
Kevin Hart
Angel Guzman

IOWA:
Jose Ceda (closer)
Rocky Roquet
Jose Ascanio
* Casey Lambert
Gregory ReinhardA
Jesse Estrada
Mark Holliman
* Carmen Pignatiello
Billy Petrick
Jim Henderson

TENNESSEE:
Brian Schlitter (closer)
Matt Avery
Marcos Mateo
* Jayson Ruhlman
Jordan Latham
Blake Parker
Grant Johnson
Vince Perkins

DAYTONA:A
Andrew Cashner (closer)
Steve Vento
* Dustin Sasser
Michael Cooper
John Muller
* Zach Ashwood
Jake Muyco
Todd Blackford
* Chris Siegfried
Craig Muschko
Jose Pina
Jon Mueller

PEORIA:
Dan McDaniel (closer)
David Cales
* James Leverton
Audy Santana
* Luke Sommer
Cedric Redmond
* Mark PawelekA
Erik Hamren
Harol Tolentino
Bubba O'Donnell
Mike Perconte
Tommy Mejia

EXST:
Manolin DeLeon (closer)
Rafael Dolis
Tarlandus Mitchell
Kitt Kopach
* Leon Johnson
Toby Matchulat
Eric Allen
Carlos Rojas
Andres Quezada
* Cody Hams
Adam Spencer
Miguel Corletto
Jon Nagel

====================================

POST-2009:A

ELIGIBLE TO BE ARTICLE XX FREE-AGENT AFTER 2009 SEASON:
Henry Blanco (if 2009 club option is exercised)
Mark DeRosa
Reed Johnson
Rich Harden
Jason Marquis

=======================================

PLAYERS SIGNED BEYOND 2009:A
Derrek Lee ($13M in 2010, then FA a?" has full "no trade")
Ted Lilly ($12M in 2010, then FA a?" has full "no trade")
Aramis Ramirez ($15.75M in 2010, $14.6M 2011 player option, and $16M 2012 mutual option with $2M buy-out a?" has full "no trade")
Kosuke Fukudome ($13M in 2010 and $13.5M in 2011 a?" has full "no trade")
Jeff Samardzija ($2.5M in 2010: $2.8M in 2011, $3M mutual option in 2012 - player can opt out only if he is eligible for salary arbitration, and $3.5M mutual option in 2013 - player can opt out only if he is eligible for salary-arbitration)
NOTE: Samardzija must accrue six years of MLB Service Time before he can be a Free-Agent
Carlos Zambrano ($17.875 in 2010 and 2011, and $18M in 2012, plus $19.25M vesting-player optionA in 2013 a?" has full "no trade")A
Alfonso Soriano ($18M 2010 through 2014, then FA a?" has full "no trade")

=====================================

PROJECTED ELIGIBLE FOR SALARY ARBITRATION POST-2009:
Ronny Cedeno
Neal Cotts
Mike Fontenot (likely "Super Two")
Chad Gaudin
Angel Guzman
Koyie Hill
Rich Hill
Carlos Marmol
Sean Marshall
Ryan Theriot
Michael Wuertz
NOTE: Cedeno, Cotts, Gaudin, and Wuertz will definitely be eligible for salary arbitration post-2009, but in order for Fontenot, Guzman, K. Hill, R. Hill, Marmol, Marshall, and Theriot to be eligible, player would have to spend part, most, or all of 2009 season (depending on player) on MLB 25-man roster (or 15-day or 60-day DL).

====================================

MINOR LEAGUE FREE-AGENT POST-2009:
Ryan Harvey, OF
Jim Henderson, RHP
Leonel Perez, C
Jose Pina, RHP
Tony Richie, C
Nate Spears, 2B

=============================

POST-2009 FIRST TIME ELIGIBLE FOR RULE 5 DRAFT:
Francisco Acosta, RHP
Alberto Cabrera, RHP
Matt Camp, IF-OF
Marco Carrillo, RHP
Welington Castillo, CA
Jose Ceda, RHP
Tyler Colvin, OF
Arturo Florentino, RHP
Robert Hernandez, RHP
Edilmar Infante, RHP
Dylan Johnston, OF
Kitt Kopach, RHP
Blake Lalli, C
Josh Lansford, 3B
Elvis Lara, IF-OF
Alessandro Maestri, RHP
Matt Matulia, INF
Jon Mueller, RHP
Billy Muldowney, RHP
Dionis Nunez, RHP
Jeremy Papelbon, LHP
Blake Parker, RHP
Mark Pawelek, LHP
Carlos Perez, C
Andres Quezada, RHP
Rocky Roquet, RHP
Tomas Sanchez, RHP
Audy Santana, RHP
Miguel Sierra, RHP
Harol Tolentino, RHP

The best Cubs team in my lifetime

Sun, 05 Oct 2008 15:43:27 -0500

I've mostly avoided any recaps of this series from the mainstream media and I just don't have much interest in reading what they have to say. They'll trash this team. They'll berate certain players, most likely the ones of color. They'll turn 6 months of great baseball into a horrific season based on 3 games. If that's your thing, click on any Tribune, Sun-Times or other major media article about the Cubs. I'm not going there because it's not an actual account of what happened. I'm not going to glorify the season either. As the Great Dusty Baker always says, it is what it is. The Cubs won 97 games and then played some of their worst baseball in the 3 that determined how far the Cubs would advance in the playoffs. Were they the most important games? Perhaps. If you think post season success trumps what occurred in the regular season then you probably think those were the 3 most important games. If you think the post season is mostly a crapshoot, then you probably don't see them as anymore important than the regular season. The media will claim these as the 3 most defining games when they were really nothing more than a 3-game losing streak in which the Cubs played some pretty bad baseball. The intent of this article isn't to point out the flaws in the media. We do that often enough. What I want to say here is that the 2008 Cubs were a great baseball team. Remember them how you want, not how the media portrays them. Or don't remember them. I'm not here to tell you the best is yet to come or to savor every moment. That's been a job for someone else to lead his troubled commenters as if he were a priest. You're all adults. Do with the 2008 memories as you wish. This was the best Cubs team I've ever seen and it was most likely the best Cubs team you've ever seen. The reality is that you have to go back a long, long way to find a better Cubs team (30s?) and few are still around and none, I'm guessing, are around here. I had more fun watching this team than any other Cubs team. This was just a lot of fun that came to an earlier end than we all had hoped. Whether this fun continued or not though, it would have ended and we'd move on to 2009. The Cubs didn't win the Series like all of us wanted, but I won't remember this team any differently than if they had. From start to finish there was never a doubt that this was the best team in the league and one might be able to argue (probably not well though) that this was the best team in baseball. I'll take that. It's much more than I hoped for in 2008 and really all I could ever hope for. Maybe you wanted more. Understandable. All I've ever wanted was for the Cubs was to be consistently good and to be the best. They were. I can't get upset at 3 games that had more to do with sample size than anything else. This was a great baseball team. And nothing that happened the last 5 days changes that one damn bit. This team was fun. The 2003 season unleashed expectations on the Cubs they weren't able to fulfill the rest of Dusty's tenure. For the most part, those 3 final years were miserable years to be a Cubs fan. The 2007 team was just so-so, but compared to how they finished in 2006, it was one hell of an improvement that was worthy of calling a great season, or at least a great accomplishment. The Cubs did manage to exceed expectations in 2008. Obviously that means there's reason to be concerned about declines in 2009. I don't know exactly how much they exceeded expectations, but it probably wasn't as much as you may think. If I recall correctly, Colin Wyers' pre-season look at the Cubs had them winning about 92 or 93 games. Rich Hill didn't factor, but neither did Rich Harden. Some played better than expected and a couple played worse than expected. All and all, they did exceed expectations, but not so much that we should be worried about a huge drop off in 2009. This wasn't an 81-win team that lucked into winning 97 ballgames. This was a 92-ish win team that won 97. Moving ahead there are some things to do. As always, spots on the roster can be improved. We've already begun talking about that and will obviously continue to do so. I didn't say much about 2008. I don't need to. You have the same memories I do, but I want to say one other thing. This was the most memorable Cubs season in my lifetime. In 2003 they got further into the playoffs and were only 5 outs away from the World Series, but this team was different. They were better. To this point in my life, the 1998 season was the most memorable year. They weren't the best team I've seen. Not even close, but several things happened in 1998. Sammy Sosa hit 66 home runs, 65 of them were meaningless I remind you, and the most memorable game in my life took place in May. Kerry Wood struck out 20 batters and turned in the single most dominating pitching performance in the history of this game. Between that performance and the season-long performance of Sammy Sosa, those two things I will never forget. It's too early to remark on how long I may remember something from the 2008 season. We're not even a week beyond the regular season, but there were some performances this year that I can't imagine forgetting. The comeback against the Rockies. The complete and total domination of the Milwaukee Brewers in Milwaukee for 4 days in late July, a series now remembered by Brewers fans as the Miller Park Massacre or the Massacre in July. Kosuke Fukudome's 9th inning, 3-run, game tying home run on Opening Day. Jim Edmonds heroics after being picked up on waivers, especially the curtain call he got at Wrigley. Daryle Ward's huge home run in Florida after weeks or months of little contribution. Geovany Soto's monster rookie season. Rich Harden dominating nearly every hitter he faced or Carlos Marmol making major league hitters look like clowns. Carlos Marmol entering the game in the 8th inning in an early September game on Saturday in Cincinnati to a noise level not heard at their relatively new ballpark--the electricity of that ballpark being taken over by Cubs fans. The final exclamation point on the 2008 regular season when the Cubs scored 4 runs in the 9th off Solomon Torres to tie the Brewers at Wrigley Field and then win in 12 innings. Those are off the top of my head. Some of them I may remember forever, perhaps I'll forget all of them. I don't know. I do know there are 3 memories I will never forget about the 2008 season. The look on Jerry Manuel's face in the 8th inning at Wrigley after he took Hamels out with a 4-1 lead, turning it over to his reliable bullpen, but 5 batters later the Cubs had a 6-4 lead. They went on to 6-4 and the look on Manuel's face after Ramirez hit the home run was just priceless. And, obviously, Carlos Zambrano's no-hitter. This wasn't even the most dominating performance by a Cubs pitcher that I've seen (Wood, 1998, see above). I'm not even sure it was Carlos Zambrano's most dominating performance, but it was a no-hitter. I'll remember that game the rest of my life. The other memory isn't a good one, but the look on the Cubs players' faces after losing last night will stick with me a long time. I imagine it will stick with them for another 6 months. I won't forget those faces in the background of the Dodgers celebrating their win over the Cubs. 3 days in October doesn't even come close to erasing those memories. Thankfully, I forgot to savor those October moments. This team didn't win it all. Sooner or later they will. Just not this year. No matter what the media tries to tell me over the next 6 months or year or however long they try to spin their story to me, that's how I will remember 2008. Not because I choose to remember only the good, but the 2008 season was filled with moments worth remembering. Good ones and bad ones.

Cubs Lose Again-It's Over

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 20:01:45 -0500

Top 2. After the Cubs fail to score Alfonso Soriano after his leadoff single, (his only hit of the series) Carlos Zambrano gives up back to back singles to start the inning. Eithier on 3rd. Loney on 2nd. Z strikes out Zambrano. 1 down. All we need is a double play ball. Z gets Blake DeWitt to hit a soft, tailor made double play ball to Cubs 2B Mark DeRosa. DeRosa shits the bed (see above). Steam starts coming out of Zambrano's ears. Next batter, Casey Blake. Sharp liner to DLee. E 3. Rafael Furcal single. Russell Martin bases clearing double. 100 years of history crushing the shoulders of every fan, player, and coach wearing blue. I get sick to my stomach.

Series over.

Divisional Series 2008 Team Scoring
Los Angeles Dodgers-17
Chicago Cubs-5

Divisional Series 2008 Team Errors
Los Angeles Dodgers-1
Chicago Cubs-5

Divisional Series 2008 Chicago Cubs Hitting

Name	TEAM	Pos	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	AVG
Alfonso Soriano	CHC	LF	2	9	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	.111
Ryan Theriot	CHC	SS	2	8	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	.250
Mark DeRosa	CHC	2B	2	8	2	4	2	0	1	4	0	0	0	.500
Aramis Ramirez	CHC	3B	2	8	1	2	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.250
Kosuke Fukudome	CHC	RF	2	8	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	.000
Jim Edmonds	CHC	CF	2	7	1	2	1	0	0	1	0	1	0	.286
Derrek Lee	CHC	1B	2	7	1	3	1	0	0	0	1	1	0	.429
Geovany Soto	CHC	C	2	7	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	2	0	.143
Daryle Ward	CHC	1B	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000
Ryan Dempster	CHC	P	1	2	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	.500
Mike Fontenot	CHC	2B	2	2	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.500
Carlos Zambrano	CHC	P	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	.000

Divisional Series 2008 Chicago Cubs Pitching

Name	TEAM	W	L	ERA	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
Carlos Zambrano	CHC	0	1	4.26	1	1	0	0	0	6.1	6	7	3	2	7
Ryan Dempster	CHC	0	1	7.71	1	1	0	0	0	4.2	4	4	4	7	2
Sean Marshall	CHC	0	0	3.86	1	0	0	0	0	2.1	1	1	1	1	4
Carlos Marmol	CHC	0	0	18.00	1	0	0	0	0	1.0	3	2	2	0	2
Jason Marquis	CHC	0	0	9.00	1	0	0	0	0	1.0	1	1	1	0	1
Jeff Samardzija	CHC	0	0	9.00	1	0	0	0	0	1.0	2	1	1	0	0
Kerry Wood	CHC	0	0	0.00	1	0	0	0	0	1.0	2	1	0	0	0
Neal Cotts	CHC	0	0	0.00	1	0	0	0	0	0.2	1	0	0	1	0

There is no next year. There never will be.

Yardbarker: Carlos Marmol

2009 Cubs:&nbsp; Pitching

Good Days of '08: Game 43

2009 player salaries and options left

MLB Punchlines: Tim McCarver is Not a Huge Fan of Manny Ramirez

News & Notes

Post-2008 Roster & Projected 2009 Organizational Chart

Top Ten Goats of the Cubs Post-Season

The best Cubs team in my lifetime

Cubs Lose Again-It's Over

2009 Cubs: Pitching