2012 Winter Meetings Rumors & Discussion (12/2 - 12/6)

[1972 Cubs]

Former top prospect, good k/9, good looking throwing sessions lately. This isn't a Fantasy draft where you're going to get an awesome top player without flaws. Itst he rule 5 draft.

Understand - but taking a pitcher that hasn't been healthy since 2009 and trying to keep on your 25 man roster doesn't seem worth the hassle

[CubbieSteve]

Cerda was selected in the AAA portion. He goes to the Cardinals with no roster restrictions. He's their's and can't be returned.

He will now become the next great Cardinal and murder us for the next 10 years with his bloop hits, scrappiness, and pure grit

[utkcub]

So its official, this has been the most boring winter meetings from a Cubs standpoint in a long time.

[cubsbullsbears2]

What did you expect? Honestly, FA wise this is roughly what I anticipated. Will have to say I expected some sort of Vitters/Jackson/Barney/Marmol/Soriano deal at some point, but I get the idea of letting the chips fall and selling afterwards

[KyleJRM]

What did you expect? Honestly, FA wise this is roughly what I anticipated. Will have to say I expected some sort of Vitters/Jackson/Barney/Marmol/Soriano deal at some point, but I get the idea of letting the chips fall and selling afterwards

I expected a genuine MLB starting outfielder.

[utkcub]

What did you expect? Honestly, FA wise this is roughly what I anticipated. Will have to say I expected some sort of Vitters/Jackson/Barney/Marmol/Soriano deal at some point, but I get the idea of letting the chips fall and selling afterwards

I at least expected a decent rumor to be excited about yet we got nothing.

[ABE32]

I at least expected a decent rumor to be excited about yet we got nothing.

Dempster reunion was exciting for about 10 mins...if he relents it still could be exciting.

[DavidH]

Some videos of Rondon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mn_dBDiYfSo - 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_h3hHazmJqA - 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3v4pEbZJP0 - 2009

[utkcub]

Dempster reunion was exciting for about 10 mins...if he relents it still could be exciting.

About as exciting as seeing your hot ex-girlfriend for 10 minutes I suppose...

[gocubs2118]

Grilli down to Pirates, Jays and Cubs according to Rosenthal.

[C-ross12]

Understand - but taking a pitcher that hasn't been healthy since 2009 and trying to keep on your 25 man roster doesn't seem worth the hassle

Well its fine to have that opinion, and maybe you're right. But the FO seems to disagree, and given the Pedigree Rondon comes with, along with the success hes achieved in the minors and the good scouting reports of recent throwing, I'll go along with them on this. Again, its a rule 5 pick. Worst case, the whole thing blows up and you end up sending him back. Looking through the list of players selected behind him, its hard to get too upset with the pick TBH.

[KyleJRM]

I like Rondon just fine as the pick. There's a ton of upside there and he appears to have been doing well in Venezuela.

I hate losing Peralta, though.

[DavidH]

Grilli down to Pirates, Jays and Cubs according to Rosenthal.

And it will be a two year deal (according to Rosenthal)

[JBears79]

What did you expect? Honestly, FA wise this is roughly what I anticipated. Will have to say I expected some sort of Vitters/Jackson/Barney/Marmol/Soriano deal at some point, but I get the idea of letting the chips fall and selling afterwards

Honestly, I was expecting those kind of deals too.

I think were going to start to see a whole new trend in baseball when it comes to MLB team development due to the new CBA. Teams seem to be more hesitant to give up top prospects due to cost control and fear overpaying on free agents.

Didn't ABTY say that teams asking prices on guys were ridiculous? I thought he mentioned that teams that the Mets contacted were asking for Zach Wheeler in virtually every deal, even in one for a back up catcher.

[Cubsfan365]

I'm not happy that we lost Peralta, but it's fair to think they didn't expect anyone to take a guy who hasn't pitched above Peoria. I guess those who weren't happy about Nick Struck being unprotected don't have to worry about that.