Cubs Offseason Thread

[Da Coach]

The Cubs aren't done yet- It's reported that they plan to sign infielder Chad Tracy-

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/01/report-cubs-to-sign-infielder-chad-tracy.html

[BUfan14]

Just saw the Chad Tracy thing, again not a bad move, and he would be a solid bench player and pinch hitter potentially for us. He is a left handed bat but has declined since his pretty good first 3 years. Not a bad signing at all, but still nothing to get excited about after a bad year. I feel we have gotten rid of most of our likable players, I just don't find this current team very likable. I am not overly optimistic about the Cubs this year after being optimistic the last few years, but hopefully they will prove me wrong.

[Beninator]

Athletics signed Sheets so we are not getting him, which is disappointing to me, but we signed Xavier Nady. He is coming off an injury so we will see how that goes, but it is relatively cheap so a pretty good deal that has more upside than downside. I still hope we sign Orlando Hudson for second base, but there appears to be no signs of us doing that.

Spending $10 million on Ben Sheets is crazy. Sheets is a more oft-injured Rich Hardin! Let the A's have Sheets. IMO the Sheets signing is an odd move for the A's.

[BUfan14]

Well an opening day rotation (Lilly out first month) of
Zambrano (head-case)
Dempster
Wells
Gorzelanny???
Silva??? or Samardzija???

Doesn't excite me, and really does not look very good.

The Cubs are a major market team they have money to spend, especially for a 1 year deal. They could have signed Harden too and chose not to even offer arbitration and get a pick.

[Beninator]

Well an opening day rotation (Lilly out first month) of
Zambrano (head-case)
Dempster
Wells
Gorzelanny???
Silva??? or Samardzija???

Doesn't excite me, and really does not look very good.

The Cubs are a major market team they have money to spend, especially for a 1 year deal. They could have signed Harden too and chose not to even offer arbitration and get a pick.

But the Cubs are also constrained to a degree by the contract money they allocated to Fukudome, Soriano, and Milton Bradley (Silva) et al. It appears that the MLB teams are waiting until the last minute to sign free agents to get a better price from the negotiations. I agree that the Cubs need another starting pitcher and a reliever.

[SFP]

But the Cubs are also constrained to a degree by the contract money they allocated to Fukudome, Soriano, and Milton Bradley (Silva) et al. It appears that the MLB teams are waiting until the last minute to sign free agents to get a better price from the negotiations. I agree that the Cubs need another starting pitcher and a reliever.

There are very few teams not looking for some quality arms that's why the A's took a gamble on him. Also, if the A's are not doing that well and Sheets is pitching decently they can trade him for some prospects. They seem to make a trade like that every year. The chances of them paying out the whole contract is probably slim and a good bet to make. Billy Beane is a sound tactician.

[Da Coach]

The Cubs signed Kevin Millar-

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/02/cubs-bring-kevin-millar-to-camp-on-minor-league-invite.html

[SFP]

The Cubs signed Kevin Millar-
http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com...ue-invite.html

I guess they were looking for some PR! Millar is a great guy but well past his ability to contribute to a winning team but then again I'm betting the Cubs will not even go .500 this year. They have really gone down hill quickly.

[Da Coach]

Spending $10 million on Ben Sheets is crazy. Sheets is a more oft-injured Rich Hardin! Let the A's have Sheets. IMO the Sheets signing is an odd move for the A's.

Cubs fans are going to be happy the Cubs didn't go after Ben Sheets.
Sheets had a start today for the A's and gave up 10 runs without getting an out-.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/recap;_ylt=Ap6VYjgDeYHtZB4cjPlOc7oRvLYF?gid=300315117

This was his third start of the spring, and so far, Sheets has allowed 18 runs in 4 1-3 innings over these first three spring outings.