2012-2013 Off-Season Calendar & Discussion

[Yagyu+]

2012-2013 OFF-SEASON CALENDAR

OCTOBER

3 - End of 2012 MLB regular season
24 - World Series begins: Detroit Tigers vs. San Francisco Giants
28 - World Series ends: Detroit Tigers 0 - San Francisco Giants 4; Eligible players become free agents
30 - AL and NL Rawlings Gold Glove Awards announced: 2B Darwin Barney, CHC
31 - Option decisions due

NOVEMBER

2 - Qualifying offers due: OF Michael Bourn, OF Josh Hamilton, RHP Hiroki Kuroda, 1B Adam LaRoche, RHP Kyle Lohse, 1B/DH David Ortiz, RHP Rafael Soriano, 1B/OF Nick Swisher and OF B.J. Upton.
3 - First day that Major League and Minor League free agents may sign contracts with teams other than their former clubs, 12:01am ET
4 - Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Awards announced: 2B Darwin Barney, CHC
6-9 - General Managers Meetings, Palm Springs, CA
7 - Individual weekend passes for the 28th Annual Cubs Convention go on sale, 11:00am ET
8 - Silver Slugger Awards announced - MLB Network - 5:00pm ET
9 - Midnight ET, last date for a player to accept arbitration from former club
10 - End of waiver period
11 - Beginning of new waiver period; waivers secured on or after November 11, 2012 remain in effect until February 15, 2013; exception: outright waivers
12 - AL and NL Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Awards announced, 4:00pm ET: AL - OF Mike Trout, LAA; NL - OF Bryce Harper, WAS
13 - AL and NL Managers of the Year announced, 4:00pm ET: AL - Bob Melvin, OAK; Davey Johnson, WAS
14 - AL and NL Cy Young Award winners announced, 4:00pm ET: AL - LHP David Price, TBR; NL - RHP R.A. Dickey, NYM
14-15 - Owners Meetings, Chicago, IL
15 - AL and NL Most Valuable Players announced, 4:00pm ET: AL - 3B Miguel Cabrera, DET; NL - C Buster Posey, SFG
15-19 - World Baseball Classic Qualifier 3 in Panama City, Panama (Brazil, Colombia, Nicaragua, Panama)
15-18 - World Baseball Classic Qualifier 4 in New Taipei City, Taiwan (Chinese Taipei, New Zealand, Philippines, Thailand)
20 - Deadline for filing reserve lists/setting 40-man roster for Major League club and all Minor League levels in advance of Rule 5 Draft
23 - The Rink at Wrigley opens for skating.
30 - Midnight ET, last date to tender contracts to arbitration eligible players

DECEMBER

1 - Last date to request outright waivers to assign player prior to Rule 5 Draft
2-6 - Baseball Winter Meetings, Nashville, Tenn.
4 - Balloting Results announced for Ford C. Frick Award
6 - Rule 5 Draft, Nashville, Tenn., 10:00am ET

JANUARY

5-15 - Salary arbitration filing period
7 - Baseball America scheduled to release Chicago Cubs 2013 top prospect list
18 - 28th Annual Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, 1:00-9:00pm CT; Exchange of salary arbitration figures
19 - 28th Annual Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, 9:00am-midnight CT
20 - 28th Annual Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, 9:00am-1:00pm CT

FEBRUARY

1-21 - Salary arbitration hearings
10 - Cubs pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training
11 - First Workout for Pitchers and Catchers
15 - End of waiver period
16 - Cubs position players report to Spring Training; Beginning of new waiver period
17 - First full squad workout at Fitch Park in Mesa, AZ
23 - Cubs Cactus League opener against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

MARCH

2-6 - World Baseball Classic, First Round - Pool A
2-5 - World Baseball Classic, First Round - Pool B
3 - Last day of skating at The Rink at Wrigley
7-10 - World Baseball Classic, First Round - Pool C
7-10 - World Baseball Classic, First Round - Pool D
8-10 - World Baseball Classic, Second Round - Pool 1
8 - Single-Game Tickets for the 81 home games of the Cubs 2013 schedule go on sale
17-19 - World Baseball Classic, Championship Round: Finals - San Francisco, Calif. (AT&T Park)
31 - All Clubs must reduce active roster to 25 players

APRIL

1 - Opening Day of the 2013 MLB Regular Season: Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates

2012-2013 OFF-SEASON TRANSACTIONS

AUGUST

10 - Promoted Tim Wilken to special assistant to the president/general manager. Named Jaron Madison director of amateur scouting.
15 - Fired vice president of player personnel Oneri Fleita.
29 - Named Brandon Hyde director of player development.

SEPTEMBER

6 - Agreed to terms with free agent 3B Jesse Hodges on a minor league contract.
19 - Agreed to player development contracts with Kane County (MSL), Daytona (FSL) and Boise (NWL) through the 2014 season.

OCTOBER

3 - Fired third base coach Pat Listach.
4 - Promoted Shiraz Rehman to assistant general manager. Recalled RHP Casey Coleman and LHP Brooks Raley from Iowa (PCL); SS Junior Lake, RHP Jacob Brigham and OF Matt Szczur from Tennessee (SL); and OF Jorge Soler and LHP Gerardo Concepcion from Kane County (MWL).
16 - Acquired RHP Marcelo Carreno and cash considerations from the Detroit Tigers as players to be named for IF Jeff Baker.
23 - Named David Bell third base coach. Promoted interim hitting coach James Rowson to hitting coach. Agreed to terms with assistant general manager Randy Bush on a three-year contract extension. Named Tim Cossins field coordinator, Alex Suarez assistant director of player development/international scouting; Lukas McKnight assistant director of amateur scouting; Chris Clemons, J.P. Davis and Alex Lontayo area scouts; Mark Adair regional crosschecker; Andrew Bassett pro scouting coordinator; Steve Boros, Terry Kennedy and Mark Kiefer pro scouts; and Jason Karegeannes and Brad Kullman major league scouts. Promoted Jake Ciarrachi to pro scout.
24 - Claimed RHP Carlos Gutierrez off waivers from Minnesota. Designated C Anthony Recker for assignment.
25 - Assigned INF Adrian Cardenas, RHP Miguel Socolovich and RHP Jason Berken outright to Triple-A Iowa (PCL). Activated RHP Marcos Mateo from the 60-day DL and sent him outright to Iowa. C Anthony Recker claimed off waivers by the New York Mets.
26 - Assigned RHP Justin Germano, OF Joe Mather and RHP Blake Parker outright to Triple-A Iowa (PCL). Announced RHP Manuel Corpas refused outright assignment and elected free agency. Placed RHP Chris Volstad on outright waivers; subsequently claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Royals. Promoted community affairs and projects coordinator Vijay Tekchandani to traveling secretary.
28 - Named Derek Johnson minor league pitching coordinator.
30 - Announced RHP Justin Germano refused outright assignment and elected free agency.
31 - Announced OF Joe Mather refused outright assignment and elected free agency.

NOVEMBER

1 - Named Anthony Iapoce special assistant to the GM/Player Development. Iapoce will oversee the minor league hitting program.
2 - Claimed RHP Zach Putnam off waivers from the Colorado Rockies. Activated RHP Matt Garza, 3B Ian Stewart and RHP Arodys Vizcaino from the 60-day disabled list.
3 - Announced RHP Shawn Camp elected free agency.
4 - Announced LHP Kyler Burke and 3B Jonathan Mota re-signed minor league contracts.
5 - Announced RHP Marcos Mateo re-signed and SS Edwin Maysonet signed minor league contracts.
9 - Named PJ Mainville head athletic trainer. Mark O'Neal will stay on in a office level position.
11 - Re-signed RHP Blake Parker to a minor league contract.
12 - Released 1B Rebel Ridling.
13 - Agreed to terms with free agent RHP Scott Baker on a one-year contract worth $5.5 million with another $1.5 million possible in performance bonuses. Agreed to terms with free agent RF Johermyn Chavez on a minor league contract. Agreed to terms with free agent 2B Alberto Gonzalez on a minor league contract.
14 - Agreed to terms with free agent C J.C. Boscan on a minor league contract. Agreed to terms with free agent LF Brian Bogusevic on a minor league contract.
15 - Agreed to terms with free agent C Dioner Navarro on a one-year contract worth $1.75 million with another $250,000 possible in performance bonuses.
16 - Named Brian Harper hitting coach for the Triple-A Iowa (PCL).
19 - Agreed to terms with free agent RHP Shawn Camp on a one-year contract worth $1.35 million with $200,000 possible in performance bonuses.
20 - Acquire RHP Barret Loux and a player to be named later from the Texas Rangers for RHP Jake Brigham. Selected the contracts of RHP Trey McNutt, IF Christian Villanueva, 2B Logan Watkins and RHP Robert Whitenack to add to the 40-man roster. Designated 1B/OF Bryan LaHair for assignment. Waived RHP Carlos Gutierrez and assigned to Triple-A Iowa (PCL) after clearing waivers.
21 - Received $950,000 from the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks for the rights to 1B/OF Bryan LaHair.
26 - Named Rob Deer assistant hitting coach.
27 - Agreed to terms with free agent RHP Scott Feldman on a one-year deal worth $6 million with $1 million possible in performance bonuses.
28 - Designated RHP Casey Coleman for assignment.
29 - Named Scott Harris director of baseball operations.
30 - Failed to offer 3B Ian Stewart, RHP Zach Putnam and RHP Jaye Chapman 2013 contracts. Assigned RHP Casey Coleman outright to Triple-A Iowa (PCL).

DECEMBER

1 - Agreed to terms with free agent RHP Kyuji Fujikawa on a two-year deal worth $9.5 million with $2 million possible in performance bonuses and a vesting option of $5.5-$6 million based on games finished. If the option does not vest, the Cubs hold a $5.5 million club option with a $500,000 buyout.
2 - Agreed to terms with free agent OF Roberto Caro on a minor league.
3 - Agreed to terms with television analyst Jim Deshaies on a four-year deal.
5 - Agreed to terms with free agent RF Nate Schierholtz on a one-year deal worth $2.25 million with $500,000 possible in performance bonuses.

Rule 5 Draft results:

Pick		Team	Player		        Position        Former Team
2		CHC	H. Rendon		RHP		CLE
9		ARI	S. Peralta		RHP		CHC
16		HOU	M. Burgess		OF		CHC
26		STL	M. Cerda		3B		CHC
36		TOR	A. Jimenez		RHP		CHC

6 - Agreed to terms with free agent 3B Ian Stewart on a non-guaranteed one-year deal worth $2 million with $500,000 possible in performance bonuses.
7 - Agreed to terms with free agent RHP Andrew Carpenter on a minor league contract.
10 - Agreed to terms with free agent RHP Jensen Lewis on a minor league contract.
11 - Named minor league coaching staffs. Named Jim O'Boikowitch manager of in-game entertainment.
12 - Claimed RHP Sandy Rosario off waivers from the Boston Red Sox.
13 - Designated LHP Jeff Beliveau for assignment. Agreed to terms with free agent RHP Cory Wade on a minor league contract.
14- Released RHP Pete Levitt, RHP Bryce Shafer and LHP Willengton Cruz.
17 - Agreed to terms with free agent RHP Chang-Yong Lim on a two-year minor league contract worth up to $5 million, including a $100,000 signing bonus.
20 - Agreed to terms with free agent RHP Carlos Villanueva on a two-year contract worth $10 million. Agreed to terms with free agent RHP Edwin Jackson on a four-year contract worth $52 million.
21 - LHP Jeff Beliveau claimed off waivers by the Texas Rangers. RHP Sandy Rosario claimed off waivers by the San Francisco Giants. Assigned LHP Gerardo Concepcion outright to Single-A Kane County. Agreed to terms with free agent 1B Brad Nelson on a minor league contract. Agreed to terms with free agent RHP Zach Putnam on a minor league contract. Agreed to terms with free agent RHP Yeiper Castillo on a minor league contract.
25 - Agreed to terms with free agent RHP Jaye Chapman on a minor league contract.
27 - Agreed to terms with free agent LHP Hisanori Takahashi on a minor league contract.

JANUARY

4 - Agreed to terms with free agent LHP Dontrelle Willis on a minor league contract.
10 - Agreed to terms with IF Luis Valbuena on a one-year, $930,000 contract, avoiding arbitration. Agreed to terms with IF Brent Lillibridge, OF Darnell McDonald and RHP Dayan Diaz on minor league contracts.
17 - Agreed to terms with RHP Matt Garza on a one-year, $10.5 million contract, avoiding arbitration. Agreed to terms with C Jair Fernandez on a minor league contract.
18 - Agreed to terms with RHP Jeff Samardzija on a one-year, $2.64 million contract with another $125,000 possible in performance bonuses, and LHP James Russell on a one-year, $1.075 million contract, avoiding arbitration.
23 - Agreed to terms with OF Scott Hairston on a two-year contract worth $5 million with $1 million possible in performance bonuses.
24 - Designated RHP Lendy Castillo for assignment.
25 - Agreed to terms with non-drafted free agent OF Bobby Buckner on a minor league contract.

FEBRUARY

4 - Re-signed C Nathan Maldonado to a minor league contract.
5 - Sent RHP Lendy Castillo outright to Triple-A Iowa (PCL).

[Yagyu+]

Separate from the Free Agent and Trade Ideas Thread, this will be a work in progress leading up to Spring Training and document all off-season transactions, in addition to a few significant moves made during the course of the 2012 regular season, and list upcoming events on the baseball calendar.

RECENT RELEVANT RUMORS

Team has talked with Delmon Young, Ryan Raburn and Ben Francisco about the possibility of a one year deal... On a 1 year deal, I think [Young would] be fine, he'd become a FA again still within his prime years and would likely be bending over backwards to 'play nice'. (TY, 12/20)

Soriano market starting to pick up as more and more teams are starting to get the cold shoulder from Ross and Swisher as they near their decisions... DeJesus has been brought up multiple times as well. Wouldn't be shocked if both DeJesus and Soriano were dealt with one of the aforementioned coming in to play LF until BJax is deemed ready. (TY, 12/20)

Bourn apparently is impressed by the moves the team has made thus far and also with the pitch the FO has laid out. (TY, 12/20)

They are in the mix for Bourn. I just didn't believe it until I saw some other evidence of activity. (MB, 12/20)

With the Jackson signing I'm going to upgrade the Cubs from "dark horse" to "in the mix" for Bourn.
No they are in the mix for Bourn. I just didn't believe it until I saw some other evidence of activity. (MB, 12/20)

Cubs had an offer out on Marcum as well. It was pulled, however they likely would've signed him if either Villanueva or EJax walked. (TY, 12/20)

Interesting note: Villanueva has a bonus for innings pitched AND for games finished, covering all bases in case he goes to the pen. (TY, 12/20)

The signing of all these pitchers means the Cubs are simply steps closer to eventually trading Matt Garza. (Ofman, 12/20)

Royals have called on Garza, Samardzija and Marmol (not in the same deal)... Padres offer on Samardzija likely to include Gyorko and also Adys Portillo... (TY, 12/20)

Almost zero [chance KC includes Moustakas in any deal]... Moose was on the table only when Myers was still there... KC still has some nice pieces o deal however... (TY, 12/20)

From what a number of agents have told me over past couple days the Cubs don't plan on flipping these guys [Jackson and Villanueva]. Now Garza..that's another story. (Kaplan, 12/20)

Indians report old... Unless they reentered late, they've been out since prior to Padres... (TY, 12/19)

This one's done... Two plus one... Jackson close behind... Shark being floated - heard the Padres as a team all over him, Indians as well... (TY, 12/19)

From what I'm hearing, the Phillies, Cubs, Mariners and Rangers have interest in Howell. I don't expect Howell to sign a deal until after Christmas. (Ladson, 12/18)

Signing Jackson wouldn't stop a Villanueva signing. (TY, 12/18)

Cubs may be worried about Garza and his rehab. (TY, 12/18)

They still like Travis Wood quite a bit and like Shark enough to quietly start extension talks. (TY, 12/18)

Just asked what an EJax signing would mean to the Cubs. Answer: 'Solid but hearing they may sign Bourn as well...' (TY, 12/18)

EJax prefers NL and has really eaten up the Cubs pitch... Money almost identical, Cubs definitely in the lead... EJax also leaning towards Cubs as they have shown consistent interest throughout the offseason whereas Texas is just now jumping in... (TY, 12/18)

They have kicked the tires on Edwin Jackson and Shawn Marcum. Jackson it appears will get a three-year deal from someone else. (Levine, 12/18)

Most teams are holding on to their good, young players at this point. Regardless of how much money the Cubs eat [of Alfonso Soriano’s contract], other clubs are reluctant to give up any young talent. (Levine, 12/18)

The deal for Barney was before Detroit obtained Infante. Infante is firmly locked in as the Tigers' second baseman right now. I don't see that deal happening. (Levine, 12/18)

Carlos Marmol going for a small package of prospects [is one trade the Cubs might make before the start of the season]. (Levine, 12/18)

Cubs checked in on Michael Bourn again yesterday; confirmed interest in Kelly Johnson and Jose Lopez; in on multiple pitchers -- Mark Lowe, Kyle McClellan, Carlos Villanueva all spoken to today. We've reached that point. Minor league deal(s) only for a McClellan and Lopez. (TY, 12/17)

Good suggestion by Phil Rogers that the Cubs try for Porcello. Only problem: They did call, and there's no match. (Knobler, 12/17)

So what should the Cubs do with Sanchez off the market? One good move is to trade for the Tigers’ Rick Porcello. (P. Rogers, 12/17)

Revisiting Villanueva -- they had him targeted from the get-go and were planning on him instead of Feldman. Villanueva misread the market, refused signing anything under 3 years and the Cubs walked. Now it seems he and his agency are coming around to the idea. (TY, 12/13)

Adams, KRod have been in the cross-hairs since the FA period started. Even if they signed Grilli in addition to Fujikawa they still would have been in on either/both; made an offer to Uehara prior as well. They are all-in on improving pitching depth top to bottom. (TY, 12/13)

Tigers LOVE Sanchez but they face a real hurdle -- they flat out refuse to go 5 years on pitchers -- one exception made, and that was for arguably the best pitcher in baseball, and even then they only went 5 on the dot. Right now, they are trying like hell to convince Sanchez to take a 4 year deal at a higher ATV. Sanchez still hasn't signed with the Tigers which tells you how much he values the 5th year. When all is said and done, I honestly believe he signs here. Almost impossible to get a 5 year deal anymore and Sanchez knows it. (TY, 12/13)

The "double cross" was the agent or agency leaking deal to media to put pressure on Detroit, where Sanchez prefers. That said, Sanchez does want to come here and will do so happily if the Tigers don't go 5. (TY, 12/13)

Team is deep on Edwin Jackson as well. Hearing even if Sanchez signs Jackson still may be an option. (TY, 12/13)

Hearing Detroit isn't jumping at 5. Offering extra cash and an option. This one coming down to the wire. (TY, 12/13)

Still hearing Cubs very much involved... Also heard they were aware that Sanchez had a hand shake agreement with Tigers brass to allow counter offer... Not upset with it... (TY, 12/13)

Anibal's agent Gene Mato said he's still talking to other teams. Tigers have been involved all winter, like Cubs. (Heyman, 12/13)

Cubs are indeed talking to Anibal Sanchez, and have been all winter, but they deny they have a deal done. (Heyman, 12/13)

And the Cubs turn out to be the second mystery team of the day, reaching agreement on five-year deal with Anibal Sanchez. (Nightengale, 12/13)

Sources: Cubs in serious discussions with Anibal Sanchez. Deal could be 5 years/$75 million. Tigers still a threat. (Rosenthal, 12/13)

Olt for Garza just became even less likely as the Rangers will now turn to Olt in LF to offset the power loss in lineup. (TY, 12/13)

Bourn, Ross and Swisher are about to get what they want with all three now likely to get the extra year(s) they want, which should help Soriano's value -- a team that wasn't willing to take on two years of Sori if they could just sign Ross for two plus an option likely now are more intrigued as Ross could possibly get three plus one now. (TY, 12/13)

Clubs pursuing Mike Adams say he could sign in next couple of days. Among teams linked to him: Nats, Jays, Phillies, Rangers, Cubs, Brewers. (Stark, 12/13)

Cubs willing to pay about $26M of Soriano's $36M if they get right prospect back. Seems reasonable. (Heyman, 12/13)

I can say the Cubs don't want Brown and there is virtually no chance of [a deal involving him and Soriano] happening. (MB, 12/12)

Unsure of anything with Detroit. Wouldn't count on that kind of value [Soriano for Porcello] though. (MB, 12/12)

Every time I've heard Barney's name come up in trade talk, Valbuena is always the immediate answer to ["who plays second base?"] Likely would add a stop gap like Kelly Johnson, Freddy Sanchez or the likes to 'battle' Luis. (TY, 12/12)

FO still talking to Oakland about Coco Crisp. (TY, 12/12)

Samardzija's 'value' will increase substantially after Sanchez and Jackson sign. One team in on Shark is the Red Sox, another is the Royals (not joking). Unlikely he's dealt, however. Barney's name popping up again quite a bit. Teams have called on BJax and Vitters; Soriano still garnering interest, although the FO has clearly marked his value and won't budge until it's met, possibly setting up a deadline deal for him. (TY, 12/11)

Teams have been talking to Cubs about Samardzija. Barney/DeJesus getting play still as well. (TY, 12/11)

[Cubs] are hoping to add a veteran center fielder who can play regularly… also hoping to add another starting pitcher… The candidates still on the market that have been on the Cubs' list include Shaun Marcum, Jair Jurrjens, John Lannan, Joe Saunders and Francisco Liriano. (Kaplan, 12/11)

The Cubs are looking to add a right-handed bat that can play third…Other names they have at least explored include what it would take to land Texas Rangers prospect Mike Olt, Jack Hannahan and former Cub Casey McGehee. (Kaplan, 12/11)

The Cubs are also hoping to upgrade their bullpen with another move, but before they can add another significant arm they have to figure out what they are going to do with Carlos Marmol. (Kaplan, 12/11)

I think [the Cubs will] have to turn to the trade market pretty soon. (Levine, 12/11)

The Cubs are in need of some right-handed hitting off the bench. In the OF and IF. (Levine, 12/11)

Texas always has been interested in Garza. Very interested before trading deadline when he got hurt again. Still viable if he's healthy. (Levine, 12/11)

The Cubs bid on several third basemen they didn't get like Chavez and Keppinger. (12/11)

Bourn is still in the area of five year, $90 million. (Levine, 12/11)

Right now the Cubs would just like to add another quality arm or two to the rotation and the bullpen. I don't think LH or RH is a priority. (Levine, 12/11)

Cubs still looking into bullpen arms. Reached out to J.P. Howell. (TY, 12/10)

According to multiple sources, the Cubs have reached out to Samardzija about the possibility of exploring a multiyear deal with the big right-hander. (Wittenmyer, 12/10)

They're going to get another starter. Maybe one of [Marcum, Liriano or Jackson], maybe Villanueva. Could be [via] trade -- market is impossible to judge at the moment... they are dead set on obtaining another SP. (TY, 12/8)

Cubs outfielder David DeJesus is an ideal trade fit for the Mariners. (Morosi, 12/7)

[Nate Schierholtz] is expected to be the Cubs' primary right fielder in 2013. (J. Rogers, 12/6)

Alfonso Soriano wouldn't be bad fit for the Phillies (or several other teams). (Heyman, 12/6)

Hearing [the Cubs] are getting, um, very creative about filling 3B...like Josh Donaldson shifting from C to 3rd type A's crazy. Steve Clevenger... Not likely to happen, but they are, um, most definitely covering all their bases. Idea tossed around, not a plan put into place... That said, don't be surprised to see Clevenger make the roster as a 3rd C, backup corner IF/OF type. (TY, 12/5)

KC/CHC has talked at least twice today...Barney [is] a player I know KC has interest in. (TY, 12/5)

Mark Reynolds still is on the radar. (Sullivan, 12/5)

Casey McGehee's agent, Barry Meister, said the former Brewers protege of Cubs manager Dale Sveum would love to return to his original franchise. But the Cubs haven't shown interest, and McGehee clearly is a fallback. (Sullivan, 12/5)

Dempster not likely to return, source says. Doesn't fit into Cubs plans, dollar-wise or length-wise. (Sullivan, 12/5)

Report of Cubs-Dempster talks grossly misrepresents their nature. Negotiations not happening. Reunion implausible. (Wittenmyer, 12/5)

The agent for free agent pitcher Ryan Dempster has had conversations with the Cubs about a possible return to Chicago, according to major league sources. A source said that an offer has not been made by Cubs executives as of Wednesday, but money and length of contract has been discussed. (J. Rogers, 12/5)

Cubs and Ryan Dempster's agent talking parameters of deal. No direct offer yet. (Levine, 12/5)

Cubs did talk to free agents Keppinger, Chavez, who both signed today. Betancourt not in mix. No 3B yet. Hoyer says: "We'll keep looking." (Muskat, 12/5)

Hoyer admitted they were in on Keppinger and Chavez but lost out on both. It's simple, they won't overpay cause they aren't final pieces. (J. Rogers, 12/5)

Cubs last night assured Marmol he'll open season as closer but prepared him for trading-deadline move. (Wittenmyer, 12/5)

Mark Reynolds made $7.5M this year. He's looking for a similar deal. (Hoch, 12/5)

This FO is all about finding what is being undervalued at the moment. While OBP will likely never be 'over valued' the rest of the league has caught up in that department. (TY, 12/5)

Cubs have spoken to Royals about... Jeff Francoeur. Believe it to be more of a 'check in' conversation then a 'go ahead and make this happen' deal. (TY, 12/5)

[Jeff Francoeur] is (extremely) flawed however if used in a proper platoon and as a late inning defensive replacement, IMO he may be a bit undervalued. Him and say Nyjer Morgan may actually produce slightly above league average if used correctly, which is a completely different issue all together ... I'd rather have Francoeur and say Nate Schierholtz for 2 years and likely under 8M per than Victorino for three years 13M per all day everyday. (TY, 12/5)

Think this season is the one where come July, you'll start to see a serious asset uptick. From what I'm hearing, they (FO) are still attempting to weed everything out that they feel needs to be before they'll be ready to seriously contend. Also heard that Theo was a bit taken aback by just how much infrastructure work needed to be done and is open to a 2 year extension to compensate for 'lost time'. (TY, 12/4)

Marlins wouldn't back off of Junior Lake for Escobar, which the front office obviously felt was too steep consider the amount of negatives involved with Escobar. (TY, 12/4)

Michael Bowden is having a great winter in the Dominican as a starting pitcher but the Cubs still see him in the bullpen. Epstein: “We're looking at him as a reliever. It is good that he's getting stretched out this winter. It gives us some options if we have an injury in the rotation." (P. Rogers, 12/4)

The Cubs are interested in almost all the free agent outfielders. (Levine, 12/4)

It doesn't look like the Cubs have the type of moveable parts to acquire a top starting pitcher. (Levine, 12/4)

The Cubs are looking for ... credible starting pitchers. Their main concern is guys who give them between 175-200 innings. (Levine, 12/4)

A major league official said the Cubs have interest in [Jason Grilli] but nothing is close. (Levine, 12/4)

Zero chance [the Cubs play on Greinke]. It's not the time to invest $25 million a year on starting pitching. (Levine, 12/4)

Betancourt would be Iowa filler - the vet type signed every year (last year it was Almenzga). It's not a big deal. He offers defensive versatility and MLB experience, something(s) that are usually solid attributes to a MiLB roster. (TY, 12/4)

One option the Cubs are considering for third base is free agent Yuniesky Betancourt. Former Cubs shortstop Alex Gonzalez now represents Betancourt, and met with Theo Epstein about the infielder. (Muskat, 12/4)

Cubs interested in David Murphy of the Rangers, likely as the everyday RF. (TY, 12/4)

Cubs spoke to Boras today (again). The consensus is Edwin Jackson is the target. (TY, 12/4)

Cubs talked to: Atlanta, Tampa and the Dodgers today, along with agent Casey Close and [Scott] Boras; very busy day all around. Continue to hear this place is a powder keg right now - a massive amount of 'almost there' deals in place. (TY, 12/3)

The Cubs will monitor everything, but not feel the same urgency as those teams in win-now mode. Someone else will win the Josh Hamilton and Zack Greinke sweepstakes. (Mooney, 12/3)

Sources indicated that the Cubs are not after Michael Bourn. (Mooney, 12/3)

[The Cubs] have interest in at least one left-handed pitcher. Washington non-tendered lefties Tom Gorzelanny and John Lannan, both of whom the Cubs talked to the Nationals about earlier this year. (Wittenmyer, 12/3)

Signing a "setup-type reliever ... with closing experience" doesn't preclude keeping Marmol as the Cubs try to strengthen the bullpen. (Wittenmyer, 12/3)

Another Cubs honcho also suggested Fujikawa is not necessarily viewed as the Cubs' closer. (Wittenmyer, 12/3)

Theo still looking to add to Cubs rotation, but "we can kind of relax and pick our spots and don’t necessarily have to be desperate.” (Mooney, 12/3)

Theo says number of free agents have expressed interest in Cubs. (Muskat, 12/3)

Theo on rumors of Soriano being shopped: "We really value what he's done," but Cubs told him they'll listen and keep him informed. (Wittenmyer, 12/3)

Cubs opened off-season with CF need but have shifted focus to RF, taking into consideration the market and DeJesus' ability to play CF. (Wittenmyer, 12/3)

Theo just talked. No surprise Big name free agents still off in the distance. He's not philosophically opposed to platoons at 3rd or OF. (J. Rogers, 12/3)

Sounds like will make a move or two. Kind of closing in. Maybe lefty reliever and/or non tendered player from other team. (J. Rogers, 12/3)

Source: Cubs have told Marmol he's trade candidate but they won't "give him away." (Wittenmyer, 12/3)

Cubs talking to many agents about bullpen help. Former White Sox pitcher Jason Grilli on the list of relievers they like. (Levine, 12/3)

Heard Marmol's name to San Diego rumored as well. (TY, 12/2)

Jason Grilli could be next. (MB, 12/1)

Fun fact: Cubs still looking into Mike Adams and Francisco Rodriguez... (TY, 12/1)

The Cubs could be dark horses on Bourn. (MB, 11/30)

Indians, Cubs have had deep conversations on deal(s)... Choo a target. (TY, 11/30)

Cubs have checked in on Fowler. (TY, 11/30)

Cubs/Yankees spoke (again) yesterday. (TY, 11/30)

[Bourn will] be an extra year plus a pretty easily reachable kick in year on top of BJ Upton...at least that's what he's asking. (TY, 11/30)

Team is attempting to unload Marmol (again). (TY, 11/28)

Liriano was offered the exact same contract as Feldman, turned it down. (TY, 11/28)

Just to add to the discussion the Cubs are shopping Barney pretty heavy. (MB, 11/28)

Heard the Cubs are in on Yunel Escobar - pretty far along. (TY, 11/28)

A far more interesting, albeit far less sexy, conversation could be made for why has this FO spent so much phone time with the Yankees this past week? (TY, 11/25)

Cleveland, KC and Texas were all willing to deal for Garza at the deadline and all have seen his medicals. (TY, 11/20)

Stewart will cost very little and likely will be brought back if for no other reason than depth (wouldn't be surprised if he started the year in Iowa to get his 'timing back') (TY, 11/19)

Maybe Soriano to TB. (TY, 11/18)

Cubs have had discussions with the Indians about Lonnie Chisenhall and Ubaldo Jimenez, possibly in the same deal... just GM Meetings talk, nothing concrete. (TY, 11/9)

Interesting tidbit... Cubs are interested in adding picks this draft- with none coming via free agency, I wouldn't be shocked if they made a deal with Texas that included their possible comp pick if they lose Hamilton. (TY, 11/3)

I wouldn't be shocked if the Angels still pursued Marmol heavily... Same goes for the Yankees who will want closer experience in their setup man this upcoming season. (TY, 11/3)

Hearing it's likely the Cubs land one of the Mike Adams/Francisco Rodriguez/Koji Uehara type group to plug in as Closer, likely flipping at the deadline. (TY, 11/3)

Hearing the Barney 'market' is actually rather high- many teams have (finally) started to put an everyday starting 2B value to him (most of last year, many scouts told me their organization viewed Barney as a utility player on the value chart) An everyday starting 2B value is enough to land a solid SP from a pitching rich organization. (TY, 11/1)

Buckle up boys... a LOT (more than any other team) of chatter at the Old Maid table about Cubs activity this offseason. (TY, 10/29)

Hearing the team has had talks with Rays about pitching, Jeff Niemann in particular. (TY, 10/26)

[BDawk4Prez]

No videos.

The world wants Yagyu videos. Give the people what they want!!!

[SenorGato]

Otani went first overall in the NPB draft. Should delay his signing here.

[JBears79]

Man I can't wait til the winter meetings.

[gocubs2118]

Neither can I, first time I'll be going. Can't wait.

[Yagyu+]

Sahadev Sharma:

Just saw the Fielding Bible Awards were announced for 2012, unsurprisingly, Darwin Barney is the winner for second base

The 2012 Fielding Bible Awards:

SECOND BASE—DARWIN BARNEY, CHICAGO CUBS (96 POINTS)

Darwin Barney led all second basemen in Defensive Runs Saved with 28. Closest to him were Robinson Cano and Alexi Casilla with 15. Barney secured 96 points, only 4 points short of a unanimous win. The 2011 Fielding Bible Award winner, Dustin Pedroia, was runner up in 2012 with 82 points.

John Dewan, co-author of The Fielding Bible:

“Darwin Barney’s defense is a shining star in an otherwise cloudy season for the 2012 Chicago Cubs. After a nondescript debut at second base in 2011, when he saved only one run defensively, Barney led all second basemen in 2012 with 28 runs saved. This total led by a wide margin. He had a lot more runs saved than defending Fielding Bible Award winner Dustin Pedroia’s total of 11, a lot more than Robinson Cano’s 15, and a lot more than Brandon Phillips’ 11. Those three came in second, third and fourth in a vote that wasn’t close; Barney received eight of ten first-place votes. Barney’s vote tabulation of 96 points was only four short of perfection.”

[OldStyleCubbies]

Cardenas, Socolvich, Berken, Mateo all outrighted to AAA removing them from 40 man roster.

[A New Era]

Cardenas, Socolvich, Berken, Mateo all outrighted to AAA removing them from 40 man roster.

excellent. Hopefully some more pickups we can talk about soon.

[BobTheAutomator]

Sahadev Sharma:



The 2012 Fielding Bible Awards:



John Dewan, co-author of The Fielding Bible:

Damn, Gina!

[SenorGato]

Billy Beane did an interview with AN once again, he does one or two every so often, and there's some interesting stuff in there for me:

Each one has its own individual story. Let me go back to a low. On the first day of workouts when we lost (Scott) Sizemore, that was a huge blow. We’ve been trying to fill that spot for years since Eric Chavez and to lose him on the first day of drills and knowing he was out for the year, that was tough. Knowing that Josh had experience at Auburn at third, we really had no choice but to move him over there. We also felt good because we knew defensively he could handle the position. He stumbled out of the gate (offensively) which players will do. He went back to Triple-A. We were fortunate that Brandon (Inge) was available and Brandon was a real lift to us. He played great through the course of the summer. When Brandon went down and we went back to Josh, it was one of those things where we had to trust what this kid had done in the past. I just said, if we don’t give this kid a chance now given what he’s done at the highest level of the minor leagues and he winds up going somewhere else and doing it, we’re simply going to hate ourselves. We poked around about trying to acquire a guy when Brandon went down but we had to trust the numbers, trust the data and the track record then it would be shame on us if we didn’t just give this kid the job. The moment he got up here he was a different player. I think what helped him was the success that some of the other younger guys who came up over the course of the season. There is a sense with the young guys of handing off the baton to the next guy which leads to a sense of empowerment when they get up here. A guy who rakes in Triple A and then come up here and struggles, the rest of the guys see that and it can be a little bit intimidating to them. Josh, the second time he got up here, he wasn’t even the same guy.

Maybe next year The Vitters is that guy? Or Jackson even...Anyway, the bigger thing to me was talking about how players feed off each other. Cubs fans always seem to talk about how the Cards get these guys to produce out of nowhere, but those guys have been brought into a winning, competitive, successful environment. That does have a positive effect on the mindset of a player, especially a young player. Not only that, but being a winning team getting success out of individuals who unexpectedly produce means success can keep happening.

If you have starters, you always have a chance.

Obviously this is about starting pitching.

Beane: We hit a bunch of home runs. You’re simply not going to win in this league unless you hit a bunch of home runs no matter what anyone tells you. I’ve been saying that for 10 years.
....

Bleszinski: I’ve read theories where people seem to think that a team based on power in the playoffs won’t succeed because you have to rely on pitchers to make mistakes in order to take full advantage of that power and the pitchers left in the playoffs are typically some of the best in the AL. Do you buy that theory?

Beane: No. If you go back and look at each playoff team over the last 10 years, more often than not the team that won each playoff series, they out-homered their opponent. Whether or not they were a team that hit a lot of homers during the regular season, if they out-homered the other team in the playoffs, they were more likely to go forward.

Bleszinski: It all comes back to pitching and power.

Beane: Any team can win this tournament. The template doesn’t change based on who wins that tournament. The Yankees have won more games than any team in baseball the last decade. They’ve consistently been the best team in baseball. Whether they won the tournament or not is irrelevant when you’re talking about the best team in baseball. A different team has won it every single year and they’ve won it in different ways with different personnel. If you’re talking about home runs, my guess is, without looking, that whatever team out-homers the other in a playoff series, that that’s the team that advances.

And having that type of talent in order to get to the playoffs every year is important. You look at the teams left in the playoffs and they have that go-to kind of talent with (Miguel) Cabrera and (Prince) Fielder in Detroit. (Matt) Holliday in St. Louis and Buster Posey with San Francisco. Yoenis was that guy for us. That being said, having Reddick and Yoenis back-to-back with Josh hitting 32 home runs this year was huge. Josh was also a gold-glove caliber right fielder who was in there every day.

That's right, he mentions how the OF had multiple stars this year, including a stud in Cespedes. Crazy that you're allowed to have two.

On whether to trust Cespedes coming into the season:

Beane: Yes. Was it a risky signing? No question. But we also weren’t flying completely without a net. We had information going back to his amateur years. We also had other players who came over from Cuba that we could use as a barometer to try and measure what we’d think he’d do. It was a little bit of scouting, a little bit of science and a little bit of luck.

Why do I pick this? Well I happen to be a fan of promoting BJ Upton here. If it's not known to whoever - Upton is a former elite amateur talent who went #2 overall in the draft. He grew up with two studs in Justin Upton and David Wright as teammates. Matt Garza, a former teammate of Upton, came over and improved off of his already solid track record with the Rays. It's not just how much WAR a guy put up lately (lately being the previous season before FA) and his batting average. It's using every piece of information you can get, and it is out there if you want it.

Or as Beane puts it in reference to Reddick moving forward:

Instead of taking out parts and dwelling on them, you have to look at the entire body of work which was fantastic.

You can’t go into a season thinking here’s our 12-man pitching staff and we’re going to go all the way through with this. You almost have to an 18 to 19-man pitching staff.

Platoon talk:

In many cases these guys were getting chances they’ve never had before. These guys were happy for that opportunity but Bob did do a great job of keeping everyone fresh. Managing a platoon is a challenge too because they start a lefty and you have your right-handed lineup then they go to the bullpen and you have to pick the right time to use the bats off the bench. It’s not black and white. It’s easy before the game because a lefty is starting but as the game goes along you have to pick and choose when to make that switch.

Crowd/Fans:

Bleszinski: Talk about the Coliseum crowd. From all the reports, it was the best crowd possibly ever for some of the games down the stretch. What do you have to do to make sure that the team sees that kind of energy in the ballpark on a nightly basis in 2013?

Beane: First thing is a competitive team.

Wait wait wait...It's not lowering ticket prices? ****!

I’m convinced that chemistry and all that are byproducts of winning. These guys feel good about themselves and the beauty is that they’re now a battle-tough group. I was thinking about it against Detroit. Jarrod Parker is pitching Game 1 and Game 5 of this series, that’s really going to help him going forward. There’s going to be a sense of calm when low points come.

[Yagyu+]

Cardenas, Socolvich, Berken, Mateo all outrighted to AAA removing them from 40 man roster.

An excerpt from an entirely thorough post at The Cub Reporter:

None of the four players outrighted today have Article XX-D rights (previously outrighted and/or at least three years of MLB Service Time or post-2012 "Super Two" status) so they can't be a free-agent immediately, but the quartet will be MLB Rule 55 minor league free-agents (6YFA) automaticaly at 5 PM (Eastern) on the 5th day following the conclusion of the World Series.

With today's roster moves, the Cubs MLB Reserve List (AKA "40-man Roster") now stands at 37 players, with four more players (Matt Garza, Blake Parker, Ian Stewart, and Arodys Vizcaino) still on the 60-day Disabled List. (Players on the 60-day DL do not count against the 40-man roster limit. however all players on the 60-day DL must be reinstated no later than 5 PM on the 5th day following the conclusion of the World Series).

There's some excellent information in the rest of the post concerning minor league free agents.

Billy Beane did an interview with AN once again...

Here's the link to the story at Athletics Nation, Still Playing Moneyball: An Exclusive Interview With Billy Beane.

[SenorGato]

Thanks for that. Completely forgot the link.

[JBears79]

Bored Mock

Trade Trey McNutt, Arismendy Alcantra and Gioskar Amaya for Peter Bourjos and Alberto Callaspo
Trade Vitters, Szczur and Lake for Jonathan Niese

Trade Soriano to the Rays for Wade Davis

Sign Edwin Jackson
Sign Delmon Young
Sign Mark Lowe

1) Bourjos/Jackson CF
2) Castro SS
3) Rizzo 1b
4) Young/ Jackson LF
5) DeJesus/Jackson RF
6)Castillo/Clevenger C
7) Callaspo/Vitters/Valbuena 3b
8) Barney 2b

In this Brett Jackson acts like a 4th OF

Rotation
Shark
Garza
Niese
Jackson
Wood

[JBears79]

Moving this list to the offseason thread and UPDATED

Pitchers
Andrew Miller RP/SP
Derek Holland SP (long shot but I think he could be on the move)
Martin Perez SP
Any D-Backs Pitcher + pitching prospects (should be talking to them in OFS)
Brett Cecil SP
Jays Pitching Prospects (should be looking at moving some in the future)
Jake Arrieta SP
Brian Matsuz SP
Justin Masterson SP
Ubaldo Jimenez SP
Johnathan Niese SP (long shot)
Phil Hughes SP/RP
Wade Davis RP/SP
Brett Anderson SP
Anthony Bass SP
Casey Kelly SP
David Price SP (long shot)
Alex Cobb SP (long shot)
Jeremy Hellickson SP (long shot)
James Shields SP (long shot)
Rick Porcello SP
Any of the Braves pitchers
Zach Britton SP
Josh Johnson SP
Mark Burlhe SP
Tim Linceicum SP

Infield
Alberto Callaspo 3b
Lonnie Chisenhall 3b
Asdrubal Cabrera SS/3b
Garin Cecchini 3b (long shot but really underrated prospect IMO)
Daniel Murphy 2b
David Wright 3b (long shot)
Wilmer Flores 3b (This depends on Wright)
Logan Forsythe 2b
Chase Headley 3b (long shot)
Jed Gyroko 3b/2b
Nolan Arenado 3b
Mike Olt 3b
Jed Lowrie SS
Dan Uggla 2b
Pablo Sandavol (long shot)
Ryan Roberts IF

Outfield
Justin Upton RF (long shot)
Adam Eaton CF
Gerardo Parra OF
Shin-Soo Choo LF/RF
Denard Span CF
Dexter Fowler CF
Ryan Kalish LF/RF
Peter Bourjos CF
Craig Gentry CF
Nick Markakis LF/RF
Dom Brown LF
Nolan Reimold OF

Catcher
Ryan Lavarnaway C
Ryan Doumit C
JP Arrencibia/Travis D'Araund C (I like the idea of looking into one of them)