First Hill, now Wuertz
Out of options, out of town.
That's how it's been with the Cubs this year. Infielder Ronny Cedeno, center fielder Felix Pie, lefty Rich Hill and right-handed reliever Michael Wuertz all were out of minor-league options, and all found themselves traded by Cub GM Jim Hendry.
Hill went to the Orioles this morning for a player to be named later. Wuertz went a couple hours later to Oakland for a couple of minor-leaguers.
One thing I've learned about Hendry: He likes to keep the roster nice and tidy at spring-training time. Players out of options have to clear waivers if their club wants to send them to the minor leagues at the end of camp, and all of these now-former Cubs would have been claimed. By trading them, Hendry at least gets live bodies. He also saves a little more than $2 mil in salaries, and that's suddenly become important to the Cubs this winter.
Hill suddenly lost his command last spring training after walking no one in the entire Cactus League season in 2007. Maybe he'll find it with the O's. Wuertz spent about two months in the minor leagues last season after his slider flattened out. He's a good guy, and he carved out a nice little career for himself after going from starter to reliever in the minor leagues. In 2005, he led the Cubs in appearances, with 75.
Pitchers and catchers report at the end of next week. Great time to be in Arizona.
Well, now that it looks like Barry Bonds has legitimate evidence against him, I wonder how the great ESPN will move forward? This was the same network that devoted countless hours to this guy and had poor Pedro Gomez living in a box outside Pac Bell for weeks. Same holds true for Clemens.
I'm really beginning to stay clear of "worldwide leader" as they love to rip guys they see fit yet protect others. For instance, they rip steroid users yet the last time I checked they have Fernando Vina and Mike Golic working there. So how do you differentiate your stance? You can't...
This is only the beginning. Bud Selig's monster is going to keep on exploding before his very eyes, and every recent record has to be looked at with scrutiny and disbelief. In fact, it will only fuel the fire for these hall of fame voters to cast aside recent players with questions of doubt. Yet there is Bud, making his cool 18.75 millions.
To me, who can you honestly say is "clean"?
How is Soto's hand? It bothered him most of '08, and he said in the fall it was still bothering him.
I have Hoffpauir making the roster, which means Miles would be the only SS, 3B backup. Do you see it that way?
I have Marshall at #5 SP. Pen of Marmol, Gregg, Heilman, Sama', Gaudin, Cotts, Vizcaino. Does it look like this to you?
Why do we keep loading up on righties who struggle versus lefty hitters.....while not getting a good loogy specialist?
Speaking of righty relievers, I have J Stevens opening in AAA but having a real chance to help from, say, June on. How does he project to you?
Does it look to you as if Harden is going to start the season on the DL?
I have Wellington Castillo coming up in Sept. if he has a good season at Iowa. I think we'd be rushing him if we expedited that timetable. Thoughts?
We'll find out next week how Soto's hand is.
Beyond that, we're going to have to see how spring training plays out before we talk about who makes it and who doesn't. If the Cubs keep 13 position players, as expected, Hoffpauir would seem to have the inside track as of now. However, that could change if he has a poor spring. It also could change if Hendry adds somebody between now and Opening Day who can play the left side of the infield.
The bullpen looks that way to me, right now.
Left-handed specialists are not that easy to find. They liked the way Cotts threw the ball late last year. But again, there are pitchers out there whom the Cubs could obtain during the spring.
Stevens could be up by June, if he doesn't make the team out of camp.
Harden's status will depend on how he looks in spring training.
With Welington Castillo, the only way I see him coming up is if the Cubs have injuries at catcher or if his hitting picks. The Cubs don't want to rush the clock on service time, options, arbitration and the like. Castillo is not on the 40-man roster.
Hendry has let some players go since they were out of options and it was unclear if they would make the big league roster out of camp. Now comes along a power arm (if his arm strength is same/close to the mph clock on his fastball in winter league). Does Hendry keep a power arm this time, as opposed to letting others without a power arm leave the nest? How conservative is Jim? Does it come down to how much he wants to gamble on Guzman, or how much he likes the other guys he would have to cut loose? By cut loose, will he be able to bring those guy(s) back in a couple of weeks, a month later if Guzman breaks down? Don't know that we can do more than conjecture...maybe Hendry feels the same way...conjecture, he doesn't know what way he would lean..
On another subject, hello puckmeister Steve Rain...I'm a Cubs fan, too, and I have seen other hockey bloggers here ...if you are a baseball fan, you can cheer for your team (Cubs) and still enjoy watching the not as much adored south side team because you are a baseball fan. I know some fans can't agree with this kind of loyalty. Iight add that I don't particularly follow the Wolves, but that is because they are minor league entity.
Good to hear from you Mr. Hockeypuck. I left a note on the other blog about meeting at the Bud Select bar.
I like Guzman. Again, here comes another prospect that we have heard about for years, who hasn't quite lived up to expectations because he can't stay healthy. I thought he finally had found his niche in May of 2007 when he and Marmol gave Piniella 2 really good power arms. Sadly, he went down again with another injury.
Credit to the guy below who reminded me of Viscaino. Like hockeypuck, I will watch Sox games. I don't root for them, but I do enjoy watching baseball as 95% of my buddies and fellow hawk fans are Sox fans. Not sure what that means, but I do keep tabs on them. Viscaino pitched pretty well for them a few years back, and hopefully he can help solidfy that late inning role in front of Marmol.
I know a lot of people are all over Hendry for his Hill trade. Look, the guy was out of options. There was a very little chance of him making the 25 man roster WHICH he still has to do in Baltimore or again he goes into the free agent pool thanks to him being out of options. The fact that Hendry can get anything for him, we should be happy with. We aren't talking about Cy Young here. He had a very good start to 2007, then he imploded, and that game last May in Pittsburgh when he walked the world will be my memory of Hill. To me he always looked like a guy who needed somebody constantly pumping him up to keep him going.
Now that the Cubs have some room onthe 40 man, is Hendry going to bring in a backup IFer? It seems like the guys that were still available have been disappearing quickly. Is Rich Aurilia the only guy left on the radar, or is someone like Nomar an option too?
I would think Aurilia is still the leading candidate. Nomar is an interesting name (in more ways than one, I guess; he's the only "Nomar" I've ever met _ and a nice guy), but I haven't heard the Cubs discussing him seriously. His 2005 injury (the first time I heard the word "avulsion") pretty much sunk that season.
Hey Bruce,
How bad is Soriano's defense at 2nd base??? could you live with it??? I only ask because corner outfielders $$$ seem to be dropping. You could get Dunn or Abreu on the cheap to play left field...I know this is a pie in the sky idea...just wondering how bad his D is at 2nd.
It's not good at second. He hasn't played it for a few years now, and if he had to move there and give up the leadoff spot, well, it might be too much.
Seriously, Abreu even at a "bargain" price is still too rich for the Cubs' blood. They're not going there.
Hey Bruce,
Like I said just a pie in the sky idea. What other additions do you see the team making? I know you talked about Rich Arulia...it looks like Philly and the Giants have interest too. Who else might be an option? Do you feel comfortable at SS? I know Theriot is your starter and I am fine with that...however, it seems a little thin after that...with the trade of Ronnie does that mean that Miles will be a utility guy?
There hasn't been much of a rumble of news about this spot. As of now, and I believe this will change in the coming days or perhaps in camp, the Cubs will go with a three-man of Fontenot-Miles-Theriot in the middle. Theriot will play about as many games at short as he did last year, good health permitting. When he needs a day off, Miles will slide over. At second, I expect Fontenot to get the bulk of the playing time, with Miles filling in there, too. I look for some sort of addition before position players report for spring training.
will he go to the pen pouting or will he have a healthy team first perspective?
What do you think?
I really don't know how he'll react. My guess is he's happy to be out of New York and glad to be in a place where the GM wants him, and Hendry has wanted Heilman for some time. I think he'll be fine.
Bruce, is there any truth at all to the rumors that Hendry recieved word that Ricketts wasn't going to allow him to take on Peavy's salary, and that's what prompted Hendry to feel free to trade Olson? Do you still think Hendry is going to go after Peavy hard? It seems weird that he'd trade Olson if he planned to still go after Peavy in the futurue considering he'd have a hard enough time satisfying Towers as is.
Why these two guys were linked is beyond me. That never came from the Cubs. I don't think there's a connection between the Cubs dealing Olson and hearing anything from Ricketts on Peavy. Hendry will not give up the pursuit of Peavy. If he feels he has a chance to get him, he will pursue. From my talks with all kinds of Cubs people, they feel they have enough _ with or without Olson _ to get something done on Peavy.
Well I wasn't saying they were linked in terms of Hendry making the Pie deal for that purpose. I was talking about how Towers has repeatedly said he likes Olson a lot. When they traded Pie for Olson I wasn't one of the people who assumed if was a precursor to Peavy. I assumed it was because that was the best we could get for Pie. That said, I was just wondering why they'd trade him away when they know Towers likes him. I wasn't sure they had enough to satisfy Towers without him until you just old me, so that's why I asked.
Skiba, That was a popular media perception to which I was referring. I think you've been more right on than some of the reports, and I appreciate your input here at the corner saloon.
Bruce, can you help me understand the particulars of the Hill trade, as far as the PTBNL the Cubs will receive? If the player the Cubs are to receive will be determined by how well Hill does for the Orioles, does that mean there are two or more different groups of players that the Cubs will be allowed to select from, with the best group of players being made available only if Hill does extremely well, and the Cubs being allowed to select from the other group or groups if he doesn't fare quite as well? If so, how will Hill's success be measured, and what will need to happen in order for the Cubs to receive a high level prospect from the Orioles? If this isn't the arrangement, how will Hill's performance affect the quality of the PTBNL? It seems that Hendry has assumed all the risk in this trade and removed any risk for the Orioles, who stand to lose basically nothing from the sound of it, if Hill can't manage to rediscover the proximity of home plate, but have everything to gain if he can. I realize that Hill was out of options so his trade value was diminished, but it was reported that the Mariners and Royals were among teams that quickly expressed interest in Hill, and I have to wonder if Hendry could have gotten more from another club than he did from his old pal Andy. Whether his back injury was the cause of his control issues, or there is some truth to the other piece I read, that was illustrated with photos of Hill from 2007 and 2008 showing the dramatic difference in the level of his shoulders during his delivery, who knows. But he showed a world of promise two years ago and it's disappointing as a Cub fan to think that they could lose such a promising young pitcher for next to nothing.
Hendry indicated that the "quality" of the player would be determined on whether Hill made the big-league roster. He got no more specific on that, whether it meant the opening-day roster or if Hill stayed on the roster all year. Hill was probably viewed as flawed goods around the game, so I doubt the Cubs could have gotten a whole lot more for a pitcher who can't seem to find the strike zone.
I take it then to mean that the Cubs would receive a player from one predetermined list if Hill doesn't make the opening day roster, or stay on the roster the entire year as the case may be? But they would receive a player from a "better" group of players if Hill does meet the agreed up stipulation? So in any event, he would not be offered back to the Cubs if he doesn't crack the Baltimore roster? Of course, if he's not able to make the Baltimore roster, the Cubs probably wouldn't want him back anyways. BTW, it's great that you are willing and able to offer some of the inside scoop to Cub fans with inquiring minds. Keep up the great work Bruce.
The Cubs have turned over their roster 32% from last year. I never expected there would be this many moves this offseason. I don't see the wisdom in doing that for a team that won 97 games.
After the season ended, I got a lot of feedback that the Cubs needed a major shakeup. That'll happen when you go three and out for the second straight year. It was on the order of: "Get rid of Lee; he's not clutch and he's declining; somehow trade Soriano; trade Marquis because he's well, Marquis; trade that goofball Zambrano; see if you can trade Fukudome."
I got all that kind of stuff and more, never mind that a lot of guys have no-trade clauses.
As it turned out, this is how the game works now. Guys like Howry, Daryle Ward and Edmonds were gone anyway. Blanco was as good as gone. Wood, as we know now, was telling teammates he didnt' think he'd be back. The only surprise, really, was DeRosa, and his departure fit with the Cubs' plan to "get more right-handed," because he was the only right-handed hitter whom it was realistic to trade.
Wuertz has a big time nasty slider. He was excellent at stranding inherited runners. In 2007 Wuertz was second in the NL in stranding inherited runners with an 87% rate. Carlos Marmol led the NL that year with an 89% rate.
Wuertz had a major league average fastball, low 90's. I always felt he needed to add one more pitch to his repertoire. Wish him well, perhaps someone in another organization can teach him another pitch.
Both players received are rated by Baseball America as middling prospects, the 14th and 15th best in the Oakland system if I remember right. Robnett was Oakland's 2004 number one pick who has had injury problems.
Wuertz' slider is excellent - when it works. It did not work well enough last season. I guess it became a question of whether Lou wanted to go into 2009 and see if Wuertz' got his location back. I think we know what his patience level is for that kind of thing, especially with the team in "win now" mode and several power arms (Lou's kind of pitcher) are competing for a spot in the pen.
The Cubs pursued Peavy and his huge contract for so long, why no love for Ben Sheets? He is probably a better pitcher than Peavy when healthy. If he can be had on the cheap for a one year deal (and that appears possible), his injury history should be less of a concern. Any possibility the Cubs would go in that direction?
The Cubs have shown no interest to date. I do know his initial asking price has or had been high, with Texas being the only known suitor. I do not know if the medicals have been scaring other teams away. It's a good question, but I don't see it with the Cubs.
Hey Bruce,
What do you think of the Wuertz move? Personally, I know that Wuertz could drive people crazy but isn't he better then Vizcaino? Also, do you feel that our bullpen is in better shape today over last year?
In general what do you think of the offseason moves? I know there have been a lot but it doesn't seem like any are going to make a huge difference. It seems like you are losing power/OBP in a few guys (Derosa/Edmonds) and adding some back with Milton.
Do you know if Jim tried to include Rich Hill in the Heilman deal instead of Olsen? It seemed like there was an interst on the Mariners part.
I'll miss Wuertz, personally. He's a good guy, and I could talk with him a lot. Hendry said he felt Wuertz might have a hard time making the club out of spring. Each spring for the past few, his shoulder would bark a little, maybe because of the slider, and that set him back. He could be inconsistent during the season, but when his slider is on, he's tough to hit.
I'm not sure how to assess this bullpen. It's funny, nobody's ever enamored with it. Last year at the start, Howry and Eyre were question marks and nobody knew if Wood could be the closer. With Gregg and Marmol at the back end, I'd say they're about the same. A big key will be Samardzija. If he's lights-out and there's no room in the rotation, it will be hard to send him down.
I don't think Hill was part of the Heilman deal.
Overall, I don't believe the offense is in much worse shape, if at all. I can see people debating on whether getting more left-handed was a good idea or not, but if they were going to do that, DeRosa was the only guy they could trade. He showed some signs of physical breakdown near the end of the season. Bradley led the AL in OPS, at .999, last year. I don't worry about the "mental" part as much as I would about him being healthy enough to stay on the field. If he can, he could be a huge addition.
As I always say, let's see it play out for a while first.
Hey Bruce,
A few additional questions. Do you think the Cubs over bid themselves on Dempster? I know the offseason got off to a hot start but it seems like it has really become a buyers market.
I am also a fan of the Bradley move but worried about the health. with the health being an issue and one GM saying that Abreu might have to settle for a 1 year 7 million deal. Do you think he might have been a smarter investment?
Hendry figured Dempster earned the new deal with what he did last year and overall as a closer. Who knows how the market would have played out? The Cubs also feel Dempster is the No. 1 leader in the clubhouse. That's rare in a pitcher. Usually, a position guy takes that role.
The question on Bradley/Abreu is a valid one. Hendry felt he needed to address the situation when he did, and at that time, Abreu's price looked like it was going to come in pretty high.
Hendry, in addition to being a very reactive GM, also is a very focused one. What I mean is that if he sets his sights on someone, he usually gets him or (nearly) dies trying. They had meetings with Bradley last fall and came away impressed enough and sold on his numbers that it was going to take something unforeseen for the Cubs not to sign him.
Thanks, Bruce.
I by know means am questioning Hendry...I think he has done a very nice job over the years. I like Dempster I just worry that he will revert to his old form; ie his start in the playoffs. I tend to be a numbers guy when it comes to assesing a player and Dempsters career numbers aren't super impressive.
In regards to Bradley I think he will add some fire...but let's hope Hendry's sight is better then last year...Fukedome :) I still have hope but, boy, was that swing ugly at the end of the season.
Bruce,
Even with the trades of Wuertz and Hill I see the roster as having 14 pitchers for what I would presume is 12 roster spots. Does that mean Samardzija is headed for Iowa for sure? And even so, that still leaves one more spot to open up between Hart, Guzman, Vizcaino, Cotts, and Marshall. Do you think anyone else is on the move?
The Cubs will let these guys battle for jobs in the spring. If Samardzija is lights-out, it will be hard to send him down. Hart still has to prove things in the Cubs' eyes. Guzman must prove he can stay healthy. If you have an injury or poor performance by a number of pitchers in camp, a surprise guy could sneak in (the Rule 5 guy, Patton), or Hendry could make a trade or make a pickup during spring training.
It'll be an interesting camp, start to finish.
I liked Wuertz but he did have some control problems that pissed off Uncle Lou. HOwever, when he got that slider working he was nasty. The thing is, is that he was one of those guys who could come in mid inning and bail out a fellow reliever or starter by stranding guys who his ability to get the strikeout. You can't discount the importance of that.
Not a big fan of this move. Hopefully, Guzman can stay healthy and Hart can continue to develop into a late inning guy. The Cubs depth of having major league experienced prospects is starting to dwindle fast.
Bruce,
I'm trying to recall the Rich Hill trade rumor(s) from a few seasons ago at the Winter Meetings. The rumors were so persistent, I believe you got Hendry to say that Hill was "untouchable."
Hoops
Bruce,
I'm trying to recall the Rich Hill trade rumor(s) from a few seasons ago at the Winter Meetings. The rumors were so persistent, I believe you got Hendry to say that Hill was "untouchable."
Hoops
There were rumors of the Cubs turning down an offer of Adam Dunn for Hill. Not true. It was all a hypothetical situation.
Bruce,
Isn't he out of options too?
I'm trying to figure out the pitching staff of 13 (12 plus a guy if Harden is DL):
Starters: Zambrano, Lilly, Dempster, Harden, Heilman
Relievers: Gregg, Marmol, Samardjiza, Cotts, Marshall, Gaudin, Vizcaino
I guess that would keep Guzman, Hart and the AAA pitcher from Cleveland in Iowa.
For medical reasons, it looks like he got another year on the options clock. I'll double check that.
The Cubs tell me he indeed is out of options.
Bruce-
Wasn't he hitting 95-97 in his winter ball league? Not sure how much stock you can take in those readings, but he pitched pretty well in early 2007 before going down.....again.....with an injury.
Yes, Guzman was hitting those MPH figures in winter ball. The Cubs have always liked the radar-gun readings. If Guzman would ever stay in one piece for a spell, we might see what he's got as it applies to the major leagues. He's got one of the nicest motions you'll see. It's fun watching him throw on the side in the early days of spring training because he's so fluid, and the ball pops into the catcher's glove. Maybe this year it'll come together for him.
...so which one of you in the peanut gallery ***t in Big Jim's Cheerios? Wow, ironically enough this has been one of his busiest offseason despite the economy and the ownership change/situation.
Wuertz would sometimes drive me crazy with his inconsistency and walk people, ala Dempster when he was the closer.
Hopefully Sean Marshall locks down a starter's role and Peavy's potential future with the Cubs becomes one of luxury and not necessity.