Chasing Cubtober: Winter Meetings Wrap-up
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by LMedina86
The Chicago Cubs came into the Winter Meetings with a plan and left (almost) empty-handed. Thankfully, not getting what you want at the Meetings doesn’t mean the end of the world. There are still 114 days until Opening Day 2008 and the Cubs still plan on making some major moves.
The Cubs are still awaiting word whether or not if Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome is coming to the U.S. An original Ken Rosenthal report said that Fukudome was going to announce that he was coming to America. But later on a WGN 720 AM broadcast, Fukudome’s agent said that Fukudome had not made a decision yet and that one could be coming as early as Monday.
Fukudome is at the top of the Cubs wish list, being that he is the left-handed hitting outfielder the Cubs desperately need to balance a heavily right-handed hitting line-up. The Cubs, Chicago White Sox, and San Diego Padres are among teams that are in the Fukudome Sweepstakes.
Fukudome wasn’t the only person the Cubs were attached to last week in Nashville, Tenn. Cubs general manager Jim Hendry had lunch with Baltimore Orioles executive Andy MacPhail, which sparked several rumors.
The most productive talks the two had involved O’s second baseman Brian Roberts. The Cubs tried adding a switch-hitting speedy middle infielder through free-agency when they tried to sign Kazuo Matsui. Instead, Matsui chose to sign a three-year deal with the Houston Astros.
Roberts would be a more ideal acquisition and would likely please more fans than signing Matsui. In 2007, Roberts posted a .377 on-base percentage and stole 50 bases. He could supplant Alfonso Soriano as the lead-off man or could hit second behind Soriano and in front of Derrek Lee.
Talks have cooled for now because MacPhail might be looking to trade major pieces like shortstop Miguel Tejada or left-handed starter Erik Bedard before trading Roberts. Trade talks had been rumored to include prospects Sean Gallagher, Sean Marshall, Ronny Cedeno, Matt Murton, and Tyler Colvin.
Rumors also had the Cubs interested in LA Angels super-utility man Chone Figgins. The Cubs would likely use Figgins as their everyday center fielder, even though he can play both the infield and the outfield. Jerry Cransick of ESPN speculates that the Angels could ask for third baseman Aramis Ramirez in return.
Mark Prior is still a Cub, but his days in Cubbie blue could be numbered as he could be non-tendered next week. Teams that were rumored to be interested in Prior include the Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres, Philadelphia Phillies, and Seattle Mariners.
The Cubs could still keep Prior for around $3 million and then try to trade him again. It was only a few years ago Prior’s name was thrown in trade rumors that had him going to the Phillies for Bobby Abreu or to the Orioles with Felix Pie in exchange for Erik Bedard and Miguel Tejada. My, how times have changed.
The Cubs did make two moves during the Winter Meetings. They did acquire reliever Jose Ascanio from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for reliever Will Ohman and utility-man Omar Infante. The Atlanta Braves were reportedly trying to acquire Infante from the Tigers and followed him to Chicago. The Braves were also intrigued by Ohman’s 1.45 ERA in 17.2 innings away from Wrigley Field. Ohman struggled in the Friendly Confines, posting an ERA of 8.66 in 18.2 innings at Wrigley in 2007.
Ascanio is described as a flame-throwing right-hander who will likely be fighting for a spot in the Cubs bullpen. The Cubs believe that Ascanio is the type of reliever that they can use for several innings at a time.
The Cubs also acquired right-handed pitcher Tim Lahey in the Rule V draft. Lahey has drawn comparisons to closer candidate Carlos Marmol, both of whom are converted catchers. Lahey was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays with the first pick of the Rule V draft and acquired cash considerations for Lahey.
Lahey posted an 8-4 record to go along with 13 saves and a 3.45 ERA in 50 games with the Minnesota Twins Double-A affiliate. He struck out 56 batters in 50 appearances. However, the Cubs lost several players in the Rule V draft including Randy Wells and Adalberto Mendez.
