Earlier this week (or maybe it was last week, I’ve really stopped paying attention), Theo said something like “Free agents want to play for the Cubs.” At which point I smiled at him sadly, patted him on his graying head, and said, “Of course they do, Fancypants.”
But it turns out that Theo was right! At least one free agent wants to play for the Cubs! Who is this brave man of indomitable spirit who will grace the North Side with his mighty heart? Why, it’s Nate Schierholtz!
“NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Cubs made a move to improve their outfield depth Wednesday when they signed Nate Schierholtz to a one-year, $2.25 million deal.
Schierholtz, who turns 29 in February, fits the mold the Cubs regime created last winter. He’s inexpensive and can be flipped at the trading deadline, as the Giants did with him last July when they sent him to the Phillies in the Hunter Pence deal.
A left-handed hitter, Schierholtz has a .270 career average with 24 home runs and 123 RBIs. He batted .257 with the Phillies and Giants last year, with six homers and 21 RBIs.”
Granted, I’m not sure the 28-year old Schierholtz, who hit .257 in 2012, had as many suitors as reporters would have us believe, but even so. I expect that, absent a red-hot Spring, Schierholtz will be part of a platoon in RF, with DeJesus moving to CF.
But wait! There may be yet another man of a stout heart and iron will, who will be deemed worth of playing for the mighty Cubs. Because the Cubs are still “in” on Mark Reynolds . . among others:
General manager Jed Hoyer said the Cubs still have a “lot of irons still in the fire,” and he feels confident they will get someone who is the right fit at third. Mark Reynolds still is on the radar, although Kevin Youkilis appears out of their price range and headed for the Indians.
Casey McGehee’s agent, Barry Meister, said the former Brewers protege of Cubs manager Dale Sveumwould love to return to his original franchise. But the Cubs haven’t shown interest, and McGehee clearly is a fallback.
Yuniesky Betancourt is also not in their sights, despite rumors. The Cubs are monitoring Ian Stewart, whom they non-tendered last Friday.
I have no doubt that, if Dale had his way, he’d pick up the entire Milwaukee Brewers organization and plunk it down right smack dab in the middle of Clark & Addison. Hey Dale, in case you didn’t get the memo, WE DON’T LIKE THE BREWERS. Quit trying to bring them here. Stop trying to make “Fetch” happen. It’s not going to happen.
And the Cubs are talking to Ryan Dempster (again). And I don’t want to talk about this because it’s only going to make me mad.
Or are they?
I love you, Gordo. You just made my entire week. Maybe my entire year.
Other reports out of Nashville indicate that the Cubs are still “in” on Jason Grilli and were “kinda sorta in” in Jason Bay, if you can believe that. Yes, I said Jason Bay.
We’re keeping a wary eye on Nashville and we’ll update this thread as news breaks.
I should really follow teams that aren’t the Cubs or Nats, because I dont know who any of these people are except Bay and Dempster.
You seriously never heard of Mark Reynolds?
I seriously have no idea who he is. Couldn’t tell you position or team
Did he invent the sandwich called Reynolds Wrap?
*thumbs down*
Who the hell gave him a thumbs up for that joke?
If this was the Old West, he would have been shot for making a joke like that.
I chuckled
*BANG*
Looks like Grilli will decide by 10am and were in the mix.
As I posted in previous thread…I think the most amazing part about Grilli is that his agent is Gary Sheffield.
Uhh… THAT Gary Sheffield?
Yes. That Gary Sheffield.
Jason Bay.
*shakes head*
If they sign Jason Bay, someone should just shoot me.
Maybe we can get Robin Yount to drop by your place.
Cubs draft Hector Rondon from the Indians in the first round of the rule 5 draft.
Sounds like this guy has been broken for over 2 years.
Looks like he had tjs in 2010. http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=rondon001hec
And an elbow fracture in 2011.
He sounds perfect.
The guy has pitched a total of 10 innings over the past two seasons (and only like 30 in 2010)…and the Cubs somehow think this kid is going to be on their 25 man roster out of spring training?
Come to think of it, this team is going to be pretty bad, so I’d guess it is pretty likely he will.
He doesn’t have to be good enough to be on the 25 man roster. He just has to be still injured enough to stash on the DL all year.
I read that as “tmj.” Ha.
what’s tmj
too much jelly
there was some Dempster and Red Sox rumor going on, and I read some stuff from fans that were excited about it,about half their reasoning was baseball related, the other half was not
evidently if you can do an impersonation of an impression and get time on This Week in Baseball then fans know who you are and want you on the team
this is why I am not a Red Sox fan
Cubs lose Starling Peralta to the D-Backs.
Well, we can’t have a STARLING and a STARLIN. Because that would be ridiculous.
But it’s ok that we had like 50 Blakes?
We had 50 Carlos’ one year
I’m OK being surrounded by Carloses.
don’t forget the Todd phase
No word on Grilli yet, outside of the fact the Giants have said they are out.
Gary Sheffield is a cheater AND a liar.
What did he cheat at? Not being snarky, I have no idea what you’re referring to.
steroids
Oh, I thought we decided steroids =/= cheating.
I never agreed to that.
I said it, therefore…
Nothing was ever Sheffield’s fault, it was the other players,the coaches, the managers, the owners, or society at large. Perfect trait to have as a agent…
Andrew Cashner hurt again, this time due to a hunting accident. I think its safe to say we got the better part of that trade.
Did Robin Yount shoot him too?
It’s looking more and more like Josh Hamilton is going to waste away in Seattle.
I’m not saying he’s going to waste away because he’s Josh Hamilton…it’s just that players tend to just waste away in Seattle…especially since the new stadium was built.
Ben Revere goes to Philly…which is where I thought Michael Bourn would go. I’m not really sure who else is really high on Bourn…there’s a possibility he could fall into the Cubs’ lap, if they want him.
Only other team looking for a CF seems to be the Reds and they don’t have any money. If they don’t go crazy on contract, I’m starting to warm up to the idea of Bourne playing CF and Leading off.
Lineup of
Bourne, Dejesus, Castro, Rizzo, Soriano, Castillo, Barney, Valbuena
puke.
If Bourn becomes a Cub, cue lots of “Bourn indentity” jokes…
Or Bourn again Cubbies…
Mmmm Matt Damon.
looks like we don’t get a Grilli.
As if it really would have made any difference.
Everyone’s favorite former Cubs, Randy Wells, was signed by the Rangers.
Actually, my favorite former Cub who’s still playing is probably Carlos Zambrano. If he’s still playing.
I want someone to start a “Greg Maddux to re-sign with the Cubs” rumor. Just because. (If you can’t guessed, I watched the Washington Wizards a lot in 2003)
Gah, grammar fail. Confused “can’t guess” with “haven’t guessed”.
Aramis is mine. Carlos a close second.
That explains a LOT.
Enlighten me.
Via Ken Rosenthal on Twitter:
“#Rangers, #Diamondbacks, #Rays still at meetings, working on Upton blockbuster.”
I don’t know why, but this makes me sad.
The fact your a Cub fan should keep you sad….well at least it does me. What a bullshit Winter Meetings….I hate baseball!
Reedz re-signed with the Braves.
Everyone will be pleased to know that Ian Stewart has re-signed with the Cubs.
*Thumbs down*
(thumbs down)
So I see you’ve all devised a thumbs-down workaround.
Yeah…and I was able to give my own comment a thumbs down.
(thumbs down)
This team is way better than last year’s team.
Way better.
So are most of the teams in AA.