Chasing Cubtober: Keeping an eye on the enemy
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by LMedina86
At this time last year, the Cubs were doing their best impression of a college student after getting a refund check—they were spending money like there was no tomorrow.
But in 2007, the Cubs have yet to make an impact move via trade or free agency. The Cubs only moves to date were trades of Jacque Jones and Craig Monroe. However, the Jones trade could be seen as an addition by subtraction.
With the Cubs not making any major moves now would be a good time to take a look at what some of the Cubs rivals are doing to improve themselves.
The biggest move so far this off-season was made when the Cincinnati Reds signed closer Francisco Cordero to a four-year $46 million dollar deal. Cordero converted 44 of 51 save opportunities while posting a 2.98 ERA in 2007 while also being named to the NL All-Star team.
Signing Cordero makes the back end of the Reds bullpen better. In 2007 the Reds only converted 54 percent of their save opportunities. David Weathers, who recorded 33 saves in 2007, will be moved into a set up role. This is a good move on paper, but do not forget that he was supplanted as closer in Texas before being dealt to Milwaukee in the Carlos Lee deal.
The move to the Reds leaves the Brewers, Cordero’s former team, without a closer. And they might be losing one of their set-up relievers as well. Reports have Scott Linebrink on the verge of signing a four-year $19 million deal with the Chicago White Sox.
The good news for the Brewers is that they have a few options in the market place. They could use an in-house option like former closer Derrick Turnbow or convert starting pitcher Dave Bush into a reliever. Bush was a closer in college.
They could also use utility man Bill Hall and/or starting pitcher Chris Capuano to acquire a closer via trade, but they could be better served by searching the free agent market.
Free agent options include former closers Eric Gagne, Octavio Dotel, Keith Foulke and Troy Percival. One would have to wonder if the Brewers would be interested in prying Kerry Wood from the Cubs with a three-year deal and a guaranteed spot as their closer.
They’ve already signed former Cub Jason Kendall to be their catcher days after trading Johnny Estrada to the Mets. In his 57 games with the Cubs, Kendall posted a .270 average and an impressive .362 on-base percentage. He’ll probably get a majority starts in Milwaukee, something he wouldn’t have got had he stayed in Chicago.
The St. Louis Cardinals also have themselves a new catcher after signing Jason LaRue. LaRue was a solid defensive catcher while in Cincinnati and at times was a prevalent offensive force. LaRue will be backing up one of baseball’s best defensive catchers, Yadier Molina.
New Cardinals GM John Mozeliak is looking to improve the team via the trade market as well, and it looks as if third baseman Scott Rolen is being actively shopped. But Rolen’s declining health coupled with his big money contract could be deal breakers for teams looking to acquire him.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have a new manager and general manager entering the 2008 season. Manager John Russell was called up from the Phillies’ Triple-A affiliate, where he spent two years as their manager.
While Pirates fans might not be impressed with their manager, they should be impressed with rookie general manager Neal Huntington. In a recent Q & A e-mail session with Pirates fans, Huntington vows to use “objective measures” such as OPS, WHIP and VORP. Huntington’s statement appeals to stat heads and those who understand the importance of those statistics.
The Houston Astros have also been active in the trade market, so far this off-season. They moved closer Brad Lidge in a trade with the Phillies along with infielder Eric Bruntlett for outfielder Michael Bourn, right-hander Geoff Geary and minor league third baseman Mike Costanzo.
They also brought in reliever Oscar Villareal from the Braves for speedster Josh Anderson, who will likely replace Andruw Jones in center field. The Astros have also been linked to 40-year-old reliever Doug Brocail and were at one point close to signing infielder Kaz Matsui. It might take Astros GM Ed Wade to save the Cubs from making a multi-year, multi-million dollar mistake with Matsui.
