In the lobby with Lou
INDIANAPOLIS _ If there's any fun part to the winter meetings, it's having a lobby small enough so that you can see everybody's comings and goings. Couldn't do that in Vegas last year or in Nashville at the Opryland the couple of years I was there.
Here at the Indy Marriott, there's a little space for a lot of people. Cubs manager Lou Piniella came walking through this evening as the team's delegation went to dinner after a brief staff meeting. Lou looked tanned and rested. A European cruise with stops in France, Sicily and Greece will do that. Good for him.
Lou came here via Cincinnati, where he took part in a celebration for the 1990 Reds world champion team, which he managed. He said he was as surprised as anyone that one news outlet made a big deal out of his job status beyond 2010, when his contract expires.
"I'm going to do the best job I possibly can, and at the end of this year, we'll see what happens," he said. "I can work on a handshake."
We'll have a story online and in Monday's paper quoting GM Jim Hendry saying he's not concerned at all about Lou's job status.
With the Cubs spending their time here trying to get rid of Milton Bradley, I got to thinking about their off-season of a year ago. Just to show you what kind of winter the Cubs had in 2008-09, did you know that they're likely to open the 2010 season with precious few of their 2008-09 acquisitions still with them. To wit:
--Bradley figures to be gone soon. I see no scenario that has him back with the Cubs next year.
--Aaron Miles was traded to Oakland last week after going .185/.224/.242 this year.
--The other Aaron, reliever Aaron Heilman, was traded to the Diamondbacks.
--Reliever Kevin Gregg, who opened the season as the closer only to lose that job in August, is a free agent, and he won't be back.
--Richie Robnett and Justin Sellers both are gone from the organization. Wait a sec. Who? I wouldn't mention these minor-leaguers, but they were the guys who came from Oakland in the trade that sent reliever Michael Wuertz to the A's. Ol' Wuertzy was 6-1 with a 2.63 ERA. In 78.2 innings pitched for the A's, he allowed only 52 hits while walking 23 and striking out 102. Ouch.
--Reliever Luis Vizcaino came from the Rockies for serviceable starter Jason Marquis. Vizcaino barely broke a sweat with the Cubs before they let him go.
--Outfielder Joey Gathright went to the Orioles for Ryan Freel. Remember him?
About the only guys left from last off-season are the three pitchers the Cubs got from the Indians for Mark DeRosa: Jeff Stevens, Chris Archer and John Gaub.
That's something, I guess, when put in context of an entire winter. This off-season has to be better. Right?
I think it's interesting the Braves have pounced on the free agent market this year, signing both Billy Wagner and Takashi Saito very quickly.
Do you think this is a result of the Braves being thwarted in signings at the last minute during last year's offseason? Last year, Furcal very publicly reneged on a deal he had agreed to in principle and I wonder if that changed their plan for this winter.
Also, are there fewer writers at the Winter Meetings this year? I know the Daily Herald deprived Cub fans of your excellent reporting during road games and was wondering at the overall effect on the writers for this year's meetings?
Will more papers pull their writers from coverage for the 2010 meetings? This is of great concern to me as a baseball fan as I read many articles from beat writers across the country and would be disappointed if that information was no longer available.
Thanks for all of your year-round great work! Happy Holidays to your and your family!
I'm not sure about the Braves. I'll ask one of their writers what their motivation might be.
There appears to be a good number of writers here. That's a good sign. I'm hoping for better things as far as travel goes for 2010. I don't know what other papers are going to do.
Hey Bruce,
I just wanted to get your thoughts on Randy Winn and if he could be a possible fit for the Cubs. He is a switch hitter that seems to have the ability to play all of the outfield positions. He had an off year last year but has been pretty consistant over his career. He has had a three year run of 56 steals to 7 caught stealing. He usually puts up 10-14 HR and plays solid defense.
Could he play CF at Wrigley? He seems like a good low cost alternative in CF.
I'm told today he's not on their radar at this time. From what I hear, the center fielder will be one of the later pieces they add. They want to move Bradley first and add a veteran right-handed reliever.
Thanks Bruce,
I'm surprised to hear that CF is last on their list. From all of the "rumors" they are all over Cameron and Byrd. I understand that moving Bradley is their number one priority. What are your thoughts on CF? Who would you like to see?
I knew last offseason was bad, but I didn't realize how bad until all of the transactions were compiled together.
We have all heard of addition by subtraction, but last offseason looks more like subtraction by addition. This offseason has to be better...if nothing else by luck.
The one addition I want is a solid on-base postion player for the top of the order, but thus far it doesn't sound as if that is the focus of this offseason.
Bruce - did the Cubs even take a look Marco Scutaro? He would have been a nice fit for two years at short or second base if they believe Castro is close and Theriot doesn't have the range.
The Cubs appear happy with their middle-infield picture, and I did not hear any talk of Scutaro. The Cubs feel with Baker, Theriot, Fontenot and Castro waiting in the wings, they're covered. If Castro comes up, you can move Theriot to second. But that's a ways away yet. Theriot's defense grades out as adequate.
Bruce - any chance you know the difference, if there is one, in the deals that Cameron/Byrd are looking for? Maybe fewer years for Cameron?
I think I prefer Cameron. I really don't like Byrd and I think Cameron brings a good presence to the clubhouse. Plus, he's worked with Lou before. 10.3 UZR in CF last year and I think knowing that he'll be streaky on offense, that his defense can make up for that at times. I just hope he's not running head first into the wall at Wrigley because he's playing all out, all the time.
See, look at that, I talked myself into signing a 37 year old CF.
Not only is Byrd better against RHP, something the Cubs surely can stand to improve upon, but where would you fit Cameron into the lineup? I'm afraid that batting Cameron and Soriano back to back would mean lots of double golden sombreros, especially when the Cubs are facing quality righthanders.
I don't know if things have progressed to the point where years and dollars have been discussed with either player. It's a slow-moving free-agent market. The Cubs don't seem sure which way Byrd is going to go performance wise. Jaramillo could be a factor there, just as Lou could be a factor in any talks with Cameron. I don't suspect anything will develop here until Milton is moved.
You had to bring Wuertz up again didn't you Bruce:)
I always liked that nasty slider of his and was sorrry to see him dealt, especially for a couple non-prospects. I know you are in full agreement on that. Just one question....was it Robnett or Sellers that Hendry was fascinated with?
It was Robnett. He was in camp last spring and on the 40-man before the outrighted him and finally released him. Neither he nor Sellers did much before that in the minors to raise any eyebrows. Lou didn't like Wuertz, and given the club's financial situation, which at that time already wasn't good, the dumped him. I had touted Wuertz from early on. He had his moments when the arm was dead and the slider was flat, but the A's seemed to use him right.
Yep, I always thought that Wuertz would be a great RH component of a RH/LH specialists duo. Bruce, has there been any mention of the Cubs showing any interest in Javy Vazquez? There are rumors out there as I'm sure you are aware, that the Braves are looking to trade him for an impact bat. I'm not sure if Atlanta would want to take on Milton's baggage or if they would consider him an "impact" bat, but I'm pretty sure his bat has "impacted" several objects both on and off the field.
I've not heard anything to this point about the Cubs and Vazquez. I couldn't see Milton with Bobby Cox anyway. Before the Cubs add anything, they'll have to do some money subtraction. I don't see a veteran starting pitcher in the Cubs' plans.
he mentioned if he got a CF and 3/4th starter this winter he'd be really happy. Generally Hendry likes to satisfy the managers request. Obviously not his highest priority but I have to believe Hendry is looking to see who he can bring in(Maybe a high-risk guy like Sheets or Bedard).
I am worried about when Lilly will be back to 100% healthy, will it really be in April?
While Harden had a bigger name than impact for the Cubs in 2009, he still needs to be replaced.
With these two question marks, do the Cubs really have enough starting pitching to compete from the start of the season without any additions?
I put up a new blog today, and I wrote that May 1 is probably the likely date for Lilly. They probably don't have enough starting pitching as of this moment.