11/12 Offseason: Fixing the Cubs

[love_that_reefer]

The Yankees and Blue Jays bidding against themselves is going to be great for the Cubs. Garza is an AL East killer!

[Kingdom]

It would be freaking amazing if the Yanks landed a crazy guy. Talk about epic meltdown potential. Would he and Burnett duke it out in the clubhouse?

[love_that_reefer]

Cubs signed RHP Kerry Wood to a one-year, $3 million contract with a $3 club option for 2013.
Wood signed a team-friendly one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Cubs last offseason, but spoke with multiple teams this winter in hopes of getting a contract at the market-value rate. The Cubs ultimately compromised and awarded him with a nice raise after he posted a 3.35 ERA and 57/21 K/BB ratio over 51 innings last season. He'll function in a set-up role again in 2012.

Good to see him stay and possibly retire as a Cub.

In other news, the Cubs signed Alfredo Amezaga to a minor league deal.

[Trendy Bastard]

Things looked bad there for a bit but I knew he'd be back.

I'm usually not one for spending money just to, well, spend money. But the guy has given his all to the Cubs and the city.

[love_that_reefer]

Cubs signed Trever Miller to a minor league deal.

[Trendy Bastard]

I think I read he'll make $800k if he makes it to the big leagues. Low risk signing.

It's crazy how much pitching depth there is compared to last year.

[love_that_reefer]

Cubs claim Adrian Cardenas. Not a bad move by the Cubs. They DFA Blake DeWitt

[Trendy Bastard]

Another move I like. I didn't know much about Cardenas, but it seemed like A's fans that I've talked to liked him.

[Trendy Bastard]

Sveum and co. tell Marmol to drop his cut fastball.

I didn't even know he had one.

[DMBZeppelin]

Sveum and co. tell Marmol to drop his cut fastball.

I didn't even know he had one.

What's sad is neither did Quade and Riggins. That's the Cubs for you though. Last year our manager would look to the bullpen and realize "OH HEY I DIDN'T WARM ANYBODY UP!" (shrug) at least this year I feel like players will be coached.

[Trendy Bastard]

I'm really hoping I like Sveum. I'm not sure I have ever liked the Cubs manager.

[love_that_reefer]

Cubs manager Dale Sveum said it's a "concrete plan to just let (Anthony) Rizzo have another season at Triple-A and let him be comfortable instead of moving him up and down."
General manager Jed Hoyer said last month that he expected Rizzo to begin the year in the minors, and it sounds like he could be there for a while. Of course, if Bryan LaHair flops in his opportunity as the first baseman and Rizzo is tearing it up at Triple-A Iowa, which are both distinct possibilities, we could see Rizzo's timetable pushed up. The 21-year-old batted just .141 with one homer in 49 games for the Padres this past season, but he boasted a .331/.404/.652 batting line with 26 homers at Triple-A.

They seem to really like LaHair as they have hinted all offseason that Rizzo needs more time in AAA. Of course ST will tell the tale.

Also, Sveum came out and said DeJesus is their leadoff man. Good to see it's not Castro.