Yardbarker: Derrek Lee

Sherman: Yankees Have A Plan

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 13:31:44 -0500

According to Joel Sherman of the NY Post, the Yankees have about 90 million dollars available and plan to spend it on the market. Of the pitchers available, they would like to sign two of the top three pitchers: CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Derek Lowe. While the list grows if one of those players goes elsewhere, the point is they would like to sign two top of the line pitchers. As for Mike Mussina and Andy Pettitte, they will make the players similar offers and whoever takes it first is the one they are going to go with. Mussina has actually faired better than Pettitte over the past year or so, putting up better numbers and focusing on the Yankees, instead of whether or not to retire.A

Since Pettitte has come back to the Yankees, we've seen nearly a two point drop in K/9, a thirty point increase in AVG, and a full point increase in BB/9. As for Mussina, he returned to 2006 form this year and looked even better. 2007 was a minor hiccup, where he tried to hard to make the adjust to finesse, and it showed. He was trying to strikeout batters a lot more, and it lead to him getting hit a lot harder. While Pettitte is younger and probably has a couple years left, him struggling may put more of a focus on retiring, where as Mussina seems fine with pitching another year or two before hanging it up.A

The third step in the Yankees prospect is to trade a pitching prospect or two for aA solid firstA baseman or corner outfielder. It is possible that the Yankees will trade Phil Hughes, IanA Kennedy, Jeff Marquez, or Dellin Betances in a package for someone likeA Prince Fielder or Derrek Lee, if they do pursue a first baseman. If they want a corner outfielder, they could go after Matt Holliday of the Rockies. Other options include Matt Kemp, Hunter Pence, and Magglio Ordonez, among others.A

It is possible they will go after a high profile outfielder and sign a first baseman like Sean Casey or Tony Clark, opening the way for prospect Juan Miranda, assuming he does well in Triple-A to start next season.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

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].

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Game 43 Coverage:
[GameDay]
[Recap]
[More]
[Box--Pirates 7, Cubs 6--5/17/08]
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Here is a picture:

And the [video] (where you can also see other highlights of the game).
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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.
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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.
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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

Giants Targeting Uggla, First Baseman?

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 17:28:51 -0500

The Giants are looking for some offensive help, and will try to acquire either a second baseman, most likely Dan Uggla, or a first baseman, probably in the form of Derrek Lee or Paul Konerko. Both first baseman have full no trade clauses, but might be willing to waive the clause because they would be moving closer to home. Because all three of those players had good offensive years, it would cost them a top starter, probably Matt Cain.A

I doubt Lee or Konerko would waive their no-trade clause, considering they both made the playoffs, so Uggla is their best bet. However, I wouldn't put it past the Cubs or White Sox to at least ask their players about waiving the clause.A

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

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.

Time To Trade Lee?

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 21:18:01 -0500

Is it time to trade Derrek Lee? Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee is a fan favorite among Cubs fans, but could he be hurting the team? He only hit .291 with 20 HR in the three spot, while grounding into the most double plays in the league. Maybe moving him to the five spot and Soriano to third would make a difference, but it looks like Lee is starting to decline. He has slowed down in the field and was injured through his prime, barely able to hit 20 homeruns over the past two seasons. Trading Lee while his value is somewhat high would bring in a solid pitcher or two, while opening a spot for the Cubs to make a splash. I'm not saying trade Lee and use some of that money to sign Mark Teixeira, but that would show the Cubs' commitment to winning.

The Angels, Atheltics, Mariners, and Giants are all in the market for a first baseman, and have the prospects worth the Cubs' while. We'll see what happens.
This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Time To Trade Lee?

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 21:18:01 -0500

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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

Video - US Army Soldier Impersonates Harry Carey while looking for Weapons of Mass Destruction!

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 08:53:17 -0500

This is one of the coolest videos I have seen in a great while. "If a Weapon of Mass Destruction was made of Bar-B-Q Spare Ribs would you eat it? I know I would. Heck. I'd ask for seconds. "

Tales From The Playoff BBQ - Saturday

Sun, 05 Oct 2008 14:40:43 -0500

>Los Angeles 3, Chicago 1 (Dodgers win series 3-0)

Next Game: TBD

What Happened: James Loney's two-run double in the first inning was all the Dodgers would need to sweep the Cubs and win their first playoff series since 1988. Russell Martin added an RBI for LA, who were led by Hiroki Kuroda's 6.1 inning, six-hit performance. Rich Harden was ineffective for the Cubs, managing just 4.1 innings of work, allowing three runs on five hits. The real story was Chicago's woeful offense, who left nine men on base and could only drive in one off the bat of pinch-hitter Daryle Ward.

Breakdown: Lou Pinella said it best post-game: "...you can play postseason baseball for now to another hundred years, but if you score six runs in three games, it's going to be another hundred years before we win." Give the Dodgers and especially Joe Torre credit as they gutted the Cubs at Wrigley in two straight games, completely taking the wind out of them and raising the dreaded curse questions all over again. Alfonso Soriano never showed up (0-5, .071 for series) and neither did Aramis Ramirez (.182) or Geovany Soto (.182). Derrek Lee was nearly invisible and Kosuke Fukdome didn't exactly cement his status in the Windy City with a terrible postseason. The Manny love story in the City of Angels rolls on, as the broken-hearted story in Chicago continues.

The Big Number: The Cubs last appeared in the World Series in 1945. Yikes.

>Milwaukee 4, Philadelphia 1 (Phillies lead series 2-1)
Next Game: Sunday @ 1 pm

What Happened: With their backs against the wall, the Brew Crew showed some heart in extending their series one more day. Dave Bush scattered five hits and allowed one run in 5.1 innings of work, while four relievers held the Phillies scoreless. JJ Hardy went 3-for-4 and Bill Hall added two hits to pace Milwaukee, who had four different players drive in a run. Jayson Werth and Ryan Howard each had two hits for Philadelphia. Jamie Moyer (4 IP, 4 hits, 2 runs) took the loss

Breakdown: You gotta give Milwaukee credit for showing some guts when this series was all but over. Philly should still finish this series off Sunday and yes, I'm as surprised as you are that CC Sabathia isn't starting. What's it been...a couple days? He can still go!

The Big Number: Chase Utley is hitting just .167 in the postseason.

Josh Nason started Small White Ball in 2007 and is the main contributor of content for the site. A long-time writer, his work can also be read at sites like RopesRingandCage.com, EmailMarketingGuy.com and others. He also does radio appearances and was on TV once, albeit for a lame public television game show. He can be reached at josh@smallwhiteball.com.

Game 3 NLDS / Cubs @ Dodgers

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 20:46:59 -0500

Game Chat | Press Pass | BR Preview

	Rich Harden	vs.		Hiroki Kuroda
	*5-1, 1.77, 89 K, 30 BB, 71 IP	*2008*		9-10, 3.73, 116 K, 42 BB, 183.1 IP
	1-2, 6.43, 5 K, 7 BB, 7 IP	*Post*		(None)
	*NL stats only

LF	Alfonso Soriano		SS	#Rafael Furcal
2B	*Mike Fontenot		C	Russell Martin
1B	Derrek Lee		LF	Manny Ramirez
3B	Aramis Ramirez		RF	Andre Ethier
C	Geovany Soto		1B	*James Loney
CF	*Jim Edmonds		CF	Matt Kemp
RF	Mark DeRosa		2B	*Blake DeWitt
SS	Ryan Theriot		3B	Casey Blake
P	*Rich Harden		P	Hiroki Kuroda

Our very own Rob G. will be in the stands at tonight's game. Be sure to look for him on the broadcast.

Thoughts on Hiroki Kuroda from rom "Blue Notes," the L.A. Times blog about the Dodgers:

...when the Japanese import is on, dude typically gets into a serious, sometimes unhittable groove. But he's often the Bizarro-version of that pitcher after the first bit of trouble, more often than not tossing himself further into trouble than figuring a way out of it.

In two starts against the Cubs this year, Kuroda has pitched 15 1/3 innings and allowed one earned run. In other words, we really haven't come across that "first bit of trouble" part.

In his last two regular season starts, against the Brewers and the Mets, Harden walked 11 men in 11 innings.

Richa?"we've already tried the walking lots of guys thing in this series and it doesn't work for us.

The Dodgers are one victory away from reaching the NLCS for the first time in 20 years, which is also how long it has been since they played in a World Series.

Twenty years without a World Seriesa?"how pathetic is that?!

Infected

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 20:01:57 -0500

Somewhere along the way the Cubs contracted the "paralyzing suck" virus and it seemed to spread from one Cub to the next last night. I felt like I was watching 28 Days Later, just waiting for the Cubs fans at the park to start ripping each other apart. It started with Ryan Theriot, and not on that ill-advised bare-handed play. After Soriano singled and took second, Theriot flailed away looking thorougly overmatched by Chad Billingsley. What a fantastic time for a guy who hits the ball to the right side about 95% of the time to fail.

He sure made up for it later though when he attempted a bare-handed do-or-die play on a ball he should have probably have just gloved. I admit I stepped away for a second and only saw the back end of the replay.A The Parachat crowd was 50/50 on whether Theriot would have even gotten Loney had he tried to field it cleanly, but nonetheless, it certainly wasn't a good play.

Next up was DeRosa, who turned two routine outs into none when he muffed an admittably hard-hit ball. Had he not been infected with "the paralyzing suck" virus, he might have realized he still had plenty of time to at least secure one out, but instead rushed his throw to still try and get a double play which was gone as soon as he didn't fieldl the ball cleanly.

Around the diamond it went and next up was Derrek Lee who did all he could to keep a hot smash in front of him, but unfortunately the "paralyzing suck" virus must mess with your equilibrium because he couldn't pick up where the ball went. And to complicate matters, Zambrano was a little late getting to the bag.

I think somewhere in that exchange, Zambrano caught it because a few hitters later, he left an absolute cookie up for Russell Martin that pretty much sucked the air right out of Wrigley.

Quick sidebar: That was just an absolutely fantastic drag bunt single by Furcal right before that. Hope Hendry can land him this time around in free agency.

Oh but, it wasn't done. Aramis booted a ball later in the game and the entire offense started hacking away down five runs rather than remain patient and try to chip away one run at a time. In the 7th, the virus spread to the dugout when Neal Cotts was brought in to face Andre Ethier and James Loney. Problem being with Bob Howry warmed up in the pen, Lou left Cotts out there to face Matt Kemp who predicatbly singled in a run. You ask, what's the difference between 6-0 and 7-0, I say a whole lot when you have as talented an offense as the Cubs do. They're in every game and the manager doesn't need to be giving up in the 7th inning.

By the 8th, Lou decides to go with his bullpen aces and they certainly weren't immune. Marmol gives up another two and Wood - in possibly his last game as a Cub in Wrigley - gives up one more. Everyone gets a ride on the "suck ass" carousel.

More ranting after the jump....

- Way to be a leader of the team, DeRosa...

Beforehand, Piniella was taken aback by second baseman Mark DeRosa saying the Cubs already were in a do-or-die situation. If that was the case, Piniella said, they might as well forfeit Game 3.

Piniella had a little talk with DeRosa and amplified his feelings afterward.

"And this is why I don't like talking about do-or-die things, and I heard that from a few of our players," he said. "I'll talk to them about it. This is not do-or-die. Actually, we're sending a pretty good pitcher out there on the mound in Los Angeles on Saturday in (Rich) Harden, and we're sending a darned good pitcher to the mound also on Sunday in (Ted) Lilly."

- Good to see the Cubs learned about being up front to their fans about injuries....

Multiple team sources confirmed Thursday that Harden received an anti-inflammatory shot for the discomfort that sidelined him for 12 days between his Aug. 29 and Sept. 11 starts.

It's not rare for pitchers to get anti-inflammatory injections, and insiders suggest it can be considered maintenance as much as injury relief for a pitcher with a history of problems but no structural damage.

- Alright, this curse shit is complete bullshit, but the last fucking thing anyone associated with the Cubs needs to be doing is perpetuating it. So a hardy fuck you to Crane Kenney:

The story began a couple days ago, when Cubs Chairman Crane Kenney left a message on Greanis' voice mail to call him. Greanis thought his friends were playing a prank on him, but when he eventually got in contact with Kenney, he found out the reason for the call.

"He said, 'I'm a devout Catholic, and I'm not superstitious, but if there is anything there, I want to take care of it,'" Greanis said Thursday.

The Billy Goat curse was placed on the Cubs in 1945 when Billy Goat Tavern owner William Sianis was denied entrance to a World Series game at Wrigley Field because he wanted to bring in his goat. The curse was immortalized in newspaper columns over the years, particularly by syndicated columnist Mike Royko, and gained widespread attention during the 2003 postseason when Fox played it up during the Cubs-Florida match-up in the National League Championship Series.

Kenney told Greanis that they wanted a Greek Orthodox priest to bless the dugout, since the alleged curse was placed by a Greek-American.

"I told him 'I'm honored,'" Greanis said. "I said we'd bring some holy water and say a prayer. It's not for ensuring the Cubs winning, but for being safe and protected. I'm a priest first, and a Cubs fan second. I don't want anything to be mocked, and neither did Mr. Kenney."

Greanis came to Wrigley on Wednesday well before the media was allowed inside the park. But a TBS cameraman setting up near the dugout saw the ritual and got some of it on tape. TBS then aired it during their pre-game show, ensuring it would get national publicity.A

- However you feel about "The Sports Guy", Bill Simmons, his take on why this game means so much to many of us and why many of us take each and every loss so personally is about as spot-on as I've ever read:

The relationship between a fan and his baseball team is unlike anything else. If you love a team -- if you truly love it -- then that team infiltrates your daily life for six straight months (seven if you're lucky). You wake up, you shower, you eat, you work, you eat, you watch your baseball team, you sleep. When the Mets collapsed for the third straight season last week, my devastated friends who follow them all said the same thing: it wasn't losing again as much as reflecting on those 162 games and the hundreds of hours wasted along the way. They felt betrayed. Only baseball does that to you. It's a game of routine, of watching one at-bat after another, hoping something different happens, of relishing the little things that happen along the way. You don't know your favorite players personally, but you feel like you do

- I'll have the "pleasure" of being there for Games 3 and a possible Game 4.A Sort of like the pleasure of contracting genital herpes.

Yardbarker: Derrek Lee

Sherman: Yankees Have A Plan

Good Days of '08: Game 43

Giants Targeting Uggla, First Baseman?

2009 player salaries and options left

Time To Trade Lee?

Time To Trade Lee?

Post-2008 Roster & Projected 2009 Organizational Chart

Video - US Army Soldier Impersonates Harry Carey while looking for Weapons of Mass Destruction!

Top Ten Goats of the Cubs Post-Season

Tales From The Playoff BBQ - Saturday

Game 3 NLDS / Cubs @ Dodgers

Infected