Archive for July, 2009
White Sox get Peavy…again?
UPDATE: The reported package of players headed to the Padres include Aaron Poreda, Clayton Richard, Adam Russell, and Dexter Carter.
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NHL investigating Hossa contract
The NHL is investigating the contract between the Blackhawks and free agent Marian Hossa, according to a published report.
The Ottawa Sun reported Thursday night that the league is trying to determine if the 12-year, $62.8 million deal Hossa signed July 1 circumvents the collective bargaining agreement and salary cap.
Hossa’s contract results in a $5.23 million cap hit each year over the length of the deal, but much of the money is to be paid up front, with $7.9 million annually for the first seven years and tapering down to $750,000 the final two years.
The NHL is investigating whether the Hawks discussed with Hossa the possibility the 30-year-old winger would retire before the contract expires, which would end the cap hit.
The paper reported the Hawks could face a maximum fine of $5 million and the loss of draft picks if the league determines the team and Hossa discussed retirement before the conclusion of the deal.
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Jays were just not that into Sox system
According to Joe Cowley’s major-league source, Kenny Williams made one more pass at Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay three days ago and was told ”no sale” by Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi.
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Cubs missing Edmonds?
Gordon Wittenmyer says the Cubs miss Jim Edmonds this year, even more so than Mark DeRosa. Edmonds was a bargain compared to the left handed production Milton Bradley has provided thus far for the 10 mil. the Cubs have paid for.
Not only does Edmonds represent the golden touch general manager Jim Hendry had with almost every move he made last year, but he also represents the missing left-handed-hitting production the Cubs thirst for this season.
It’s a thirst so great that during a recent pregame conversation with media that centered mostly on $30 million switch hitter Milton Bradley — the jewel of a Cubs offseason dedicated to lefty hitting — manager Lou Piniella paused, smiled and said, ”We’re still looking for that left-hand bat.”
Edmonds, who turned 39 last month, never was in the Cubs’ plans after filling a big platoon need in center field and in the middle of the Cubs’ order after signing last May (producing 19 homers and a .937 OPS for the 97-win division champs).
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Bears not interested in Vick
No surprise here, but Lovie Smith made it official. The Bears have no interest in Michael Vick.
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Report: Cubs get Grabow, Gorzelanny
ESPN Chicago reports the Cubs have sent Jose Ascanio and Kevin Hart for the two lefties.
ESPN Chicago reports the Cubs are in the process of finalizing a trade for Pittsburgh Pirates left-handed reliever John Grabow.
UPDATE: John Heyman says the Cubs might also be getting Tom Gorzelanny from Pittsbugh as well, Gorzelanny could fill in nicely for Ted Lilly while he comes back from his injuries.
The Cubs have been in the market for a left-handed reliever to firm up their bullpen, and Grabow has been on their radar for a while. Sean Marshall is currently the only lefty in the bullpen.
Grabow has been a big name on the trade market as teams try to stock up for the stretch drive. The lefty set-up man is 3-0 with a 3.42 ERA for last-place Pittsburgh, with 41 strikeouts and 28 walks in 47 1/3 innings. He has two blown saves and 16 holds. The 30-year-old has a career 4.04 ERA, and a 3.29 ERA in 42 appearances against the Cubs.
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Guillen upset with Colon
Ozzie Guillen is upset that he found out Bartolo Colon couldn’t pitch through bench coach Joey Cora. Guillen then approached White Sox trainer Herm Schneider, who said Colon didn’t express any discomfort to him.
“I was upset because our trainers didn’t even know anything about the situation,” Guillen said Wednesday after learning Tuesday night that Colon couldn’t start the series finale at Minnesota and would be placed on the 15-day disabled list. “When we got the news, I talked to [trainer] Hermie Schneider about it. He didn’t have anything about it. I had the [trainer's report] and I don’t see anything with Colon, and all of a sudden he couldn’t [pitch].
“[General manager] Ken Williams wasn’t too happy. … I think [Colon] handled it the wrong way. You feel something, you should tell the trainers where you’re at.”
Before batting practice, Colon played dominoes with Alexei Ramirez, Jose Contreras, Octavio Dotel and Tony Pena.
Colon’s injury could have been caused by the high number of breaking pitches he threw against Detroit in his first big-league start in nearly two months after recovering from swelling in his left knee.
Left-hander Clayton Richard will be reinstated in the rotation.
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Cubs looking for lefty RF
Gordon Wittenmyer’s sources say the Cubs are contemplating using Milton Bradley in a platoon in right field. This would require the Cubs to go out and get a left handed hitting right fielder and also use a 10mil. player against lefties only. Mark Teahen and Florida’s Jeremy Hermida are mentioned.
Specifically, the Cubs have looked into the Royals’ Mark Teahen and the Marlins’ Jeremy Hermida, who were weak blips on the Cubs’ radar early last winter before they zeroed in on Bradley in early November.
With barely a day left before the non-waiver trade deadline Friday, the Cubs weren’t optimistic either one could be acquired, according to a team source. They’re thought to have about $2 million to $3 million of payroll room to work with — which would be the prorated equivalent of about $5 million to $8 million in full-year contract value.
Teahen (.293, nine home runs, 36 RBI) is having the better season offensively. He has played mostly third base this season but started 11 games in right field. The Royals have had other teams ask about Teahen and might be willing to trade him, but they are said to be looking for a center fielder.
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Bears talking to Matt Jones’ agent?
Jeff Dickerson’s latest has Matt Jones including the Bears amongst the teams his agent has been talking to.
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Levine: Cubs seek reliever; Sox look for defensive outfielder
Bruce Levine reports the Cubs have tried to aquire both Tom Gorzelanny and John Grabow from Pittsburgh, and the White Sox are looking at Felix Pie.
Levine says the Orioles are asking too much for George Sherill, and Pittsburgh may be asking too much for Grabow. Joe Beilmel may be the fall back guy as far as left handed relievers go.
The Cubs have only mild interest in Washington Nationals lefty Joe Beimel. But if they can’t get a better guy, they may settle for Bimel, whose numbers have fallen off quite a bit this season.
On the South Side, general manager Kenny Williams is seeking a top-flight defensive outfielder for the pennant race. The Sox have been scouting former Cubs outfielder Felix Pie, currently with the Orioles, for over six weeks.
My buddy Mark Gonzalez of the Chicago Tribune reported Wednesday that the Sox will try to trade recently demoted infielder Josh Fields for Pie. The former Cubs outfielder would provide better range and a stronger arm than Dewayne Wise. Pie also is a faster baserunner, although he’s not an accomplished base stealer.
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Urlacher denies criticizing Cutler
According to Brian Urlacher, Bobby Wade is trying to stir up unnecessary trouble.
That is how the Bears’ linebacker viewed the comments his ex-teammate offered to a Minneapolis radio station Wednesday, comments suggesting that Urlacher was not too fond of new teammate Jay Cutler.
“Oh please. I don’t think I would ever say that about one of my teammates,” Urlacher told the Tribune. “Look, Bobby Wade’s a friend of mine. He’s trying to get things going before training camp. That’s just Bobby being Bobby. I’m pretty sure Jay knows I wouldn’t say that about him.
Wade called Urlacher Wednesday afternoon to apologize and told Urlacher he would call coach Lovie Smith to clarify if necessary. Urlacher also was humored by aWSCR-AM report that he had to be restrained from going after Cutler during organized team activities.
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Fields wants to be traded
Joe Cowley reports that Josh Fields was demoted to Class AAA Charlotte after the game, and had no problem admitting that he now wants to be traded.
“No,” the once highly-touted prospect responded, when asked if he was upset with the decision. “I had a meeting with [general manager Ken Williams Tuesday] before the game. It was one of best meetings I
had with them. Everything has been good so far. Only hope look out for me somehow and if a team is looking for someone like me, help me out.”Asked if that meant he wanted to be elsewhere, Fields said, “I think yeah, we had a good discussion in there. So we will see, couple of days left before deadline, hopefully something happens.”
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