Rumors for Chicago Cubs
VIDEO: Line drive striking LHP Tom Gorzelanny in his throwing hand
Posted by: | CommentsHere’s a scary video of a line drive coming straight back at Chicago Cubs’ left-handed pitcher Tom Gorzelanny off the bat of Pittsburgh Pirates’ outfielder Jose Tabata. Luckily it didn’t strike Gorzelanny in the head, but unfortunately it hit him on his throwing hand.
Fredi Gonzalez is at the top of Chicago Cubs managerial list
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Sources close to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times say that former Florida Marlins manager, Fredi Gonzalez, is at the top of Cubs’ general manager Jim Hendry’s wish list at this stage of the process. Wittenmyer adds that Hendry prefers a manager with Major League experience, so sentimental favorite, Ryne Sandberg, may not get his opportunity to lead his former team.
”I don’t have anything I can tell you,” Hendry said, ”except Jim and I go back to my high school days. He coached one of the opposing teams when I played. And we worked together with the Marlins.”
Hendry declined to comment on whether Gonzalez had interviewed or expected to interview. But indications are that he’s in the first group of candidates on Hendry’s list. Hendry is expected to complete his interview with Sandberg this week.
Other candidates include interim manager Mike Quade and current New York Yankees manager, Joe Girardi, should he become available.
Marlon Byrd wants Chicago Cubs to go after Adam Dunn in off-season
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Chicago Cubs center fielder Marlon Byrd is making it public that he wants GM Jim Hendry and the team to go after Adam Dunn this winter, according to ESPN’s Bruce Levine.
“Definitely. You know the guys we’ve lost this year,” Byrd said. “Quality guys like [Ted] Lilly [traded to the Dodgers] and [Derrek Lee [traded to the Braves]. You’re thinking you have to replace those guys. Our clubhouse is good, but we need some athletes out there. I have an idea who they should bring in, the type of players. I think I have an idea of who to bring in to help us win.”
Dunn, currently wrapping up a two-year, $20 million contract with the Washington Nationals has been in talks with his current employer about a potential contract extension, but nothing is imminent. GM Mike Rizzo said he and Dunns’ agents are in communication and continue to discuss a possible deal. If the Nationals offer Dunn arbitration and he declines and they don’t sign him, they will receive two compensatory draft choices.
Last week Dunn mentioned that he likes Chicago and Wrigley Field, and the Cubs are looking for a first baseman, so it wouldn’t be surprising if the two sides talk this winter.
Levine adds the Cubs need more athleticism and left-handed run production. A lead-off man should be a top priority for the team as well.
Texas Rangers looking for right-handed hitter before August 31 deadline?
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We’re about two days away from the August 31st deadline to set post season rosters, and while many teams are already making winter vacation plans, the Texas Rangers are continuing to work the phones. According to Richard Durrett of the ESPN.com, the team is looking for a right-handed bat via the waiver wire.
Durrett suggests players such as the Colorado Rockies’ Ryan Spilborghs, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Reed Johnson, the New York Mets’ Jeff Francoeur, the Chicago Cubs Marlon Byrd, the Washington Nationals’ Mike Morse or the Baltimore Orioles’ Ty Wigginton as possible candidates the Rangers could pick up.
Here’s the latest from The Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo:
Cafardo says Manny Ramirez could make the Chicago White Sox a playoff team, but it will come down to the Los Angeles Dodgers deciding to trade him or keep him by the Tuesday deadline. If they trade him, he could be facing the Boston Red Sox next Friday.
Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker hopes he does not have to take part in the managerial free agency frenzy that is expected this winter. “I was out there a few years back working for ESPN and there were seven openings and I didn’t get one of them,’’ said Baker. “I love it right where I am and we’re in the middle of trying to work something out to stay. I love the organization, love working with Walt [Jocketty, the general manager], I love my team. I feel like we’ve built this team together, and it’s been a challenge at times, but it’s paying off for us.’’
Red Sox tried to get right-handed pitcher Justin Masterson back at the trade deadline. Masterson was traded by the Red Sox to the Indians in last year’s deal for Victor Martinez.
There will be a market for free-agent-to-be Victor Martinez this winter, and the Detroit Tigers could be an excellent fit. The Red Sox and Martinez have had preliminary conversation about a contract extension, but nothing of substance. Read More→
Jermaine Dye to return in 2011?
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Former Chicago White Sox outfielder Jermaine Dye is not ready to hang it up yet. He understands that playing in 2010 is unlikely going to happen, but 2011 is not out of the question.
“The season is over for me,” Dye said while in Chicago for former teammate Frank Thomas’ jersey retirement ceremony.
Dye has been staying active all year, and has continued hitting at former teammates Eric Chavez’s house in Arizona, just a few doors down from his home.
According to Scott Merkin of MLB.com, an ideal situation would be for Dye to find a team where he can split duties between playing the field and designated hitter.
The 36-year-old outfielder has turned down several offers to play this season because of financial reasons and his lack of desire to uproot his family. Teams that were interested included the Chicago Cubs and the Washing Nationals. The Nationals were believed to have offered a $4 million contract back in April.
Dye hit .250/.340/.453 with 27 home runs and 81 RBIs in 2009 with the Chicago White Sox. He he started 133 of the 141 games he played in right field.
Adam Dunn will likely become free agent
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It does not appear that the Washington Nationals and Adam Dunn will be able to strike a contract extension before the season ends and Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post believes Dunn is likely heading to free agency.
On Friday, Dunn said that nothing is imminent and he is “assuming” he will end the season without a contract extension from the Nationals. The Nationals can offer one-year arbitration to Dunn and they will have an exclusive window to negotiate with Dunn until 15 days after the World Series. But players eligible for free agency rarely pass up the chance to test their value.
GM Mike Rizzo said he and Dunns’ agents are in communication and continue to discuss a possible deal. If the Nationals offer Dunn arbitration and he declines and they don’t sign him, they will receive two compensatory draft choices.
Earlier this week Dunn mentioned that he likes Chicago and Wrigley Field, and the Cubs are looking for a first baseman, so it wouldn’t be surprising if the two sides talk this winter.
Dunn is in the final year of a two-year, $20 million deal.
Join PRO Rumors on ESPN 1420am with The Sports Animals
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Join PRO Rumors on ESPN 1420 AM Honolulu, Hawaii tonight at 8:35pm PST (5:35pm Hawaii Time) with The Sports Animals Chris Hart and Gary Dickman. You can listen live at http://www.espn1420am.com
Joe Girardi addresses Cubs managerial vacancy
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In Joe Girardi’s first appearance in Chicago since Lou Piniella stepped down from his position as the Cubs’ manager, the native from Peoria, IL, fielded questions from the media in regards to the possibility of him managing the Cubbies. The New York Yankees are in town to face the White Sox.
“I’m going to talk about it for a few minutes today and that’s going to be it,” Girardi said via Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News. “As I’ve said all along, my responsibility is to the Yankees. I was hired by the Yankees to do a job, we’re in a division race – a very tight division race – and my job is to prepare this team to play every day. That’s what I’m focusing on.
“My faith has always been extremely important to me. I’ve never worried about next year. I’m happy with my contract situation, I feel I’m fortunate to be one of 30 managers with a contract right now managing in the big-leagues. There are people in this organization that have done a lot more for this organization than I have that don’t have contracts. We’re not worried about it for next year. I’m worried about right now.” Read More→
Chicago Cubs interview Eric Wedge for vacant managerial position
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Chicago Cubs GM Jim Hendry confirmed that he had dinner with former Cleveland Indians manager Eric Wedge and spent all day with him today for an interview, according to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. Wedge is the first known candidate the Cubs after interviewed.
Wedge will not be the last the team interviews. Several possible successors to the Cubs’ throne include interim manager Mike Quade, Hall of Fame great Ryne Sandberg, former Florida Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez, former Arizona Diamondbacks manager Bob Brenly, current New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi and Washington Nationals coach Pat Listach. Outside possibilities include Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre and ESPN analyst Bobby Valentine.
