What should be one of the bigger advantages for top major league organizations is the size of their wallet and the ability to move top prospects for accomplished stars during the off-season. The New York Yankees were able to trade some of their high level prospects in exchange for center fielder Curtis Granderson. The Boston Red Sox spent a ton of money for a solid starting pitcher when they inked John Lackey. The team with the third largest payroll behind the two aforementioned teams is the Chicago Cubs. They signed free agent Marlon Byrd to a cheap 3 year contract. It was not exactly a stellar off-season for the second year in a row for Jim Hendry and company.  

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Entering this offseason the Cubs had eight arbitrational players: Ryan Theriot, Carlos Marmol, Sean Marshall, Mike Fontentot, Jeff Baker, Koyie Hill, Angel Guzman, and Tom Gorzelanny.  Of those eight, only Ryan Theriot remains as sole survivor and an unagreed upon contract.  The honest truth in all of it, is that the Cubs aren’t too interested in keeping Theriot past this season.  For more keep on reading… Read more… »

The Cubs still aren’t done shopping on the free agent market as Hendry is actively shopping the flooded outfield market.  Several prominent names have be linked to the Cubs of late, including Xavier Nady, Jermaine Dye, Rocco Baldelli, and Eric Byrnes.  All have their drawbacks but all do have high upsides as well.  Also not out of the running is the return of Reed Johnson although that does seem like a long shot.

It’s good to see Jim not settling for the likes of Micah Hoffpauir or Sam Fuld to round out the bench and is looking at an experienced discount bat off the bench.  For more keep reading… Read more… »

On the final day of the 2009 calendar the Cubs purchased their centerfielder for the 2010 season in the 32 year old Marlon Byrd.  Byrd has long been on Hendry’s list of players to acquire and when he become eligible in free agency this season he was at the top of the Cubs’ wishlist but Milton Bradley had to be dealt first.  The right handed hitting Byrd just served up his career year in his walk season and his first full season as a full-time player since 2003, in 146 games, Byrd posted a line of .283/.329/.479/.808 with 43 2bs, 3 3bs, 20 hrs, 89 rbi, and 8/12 in stolen bases.  For more on Byrd and the Cubs future keep reading…

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Today Hendry and Beane pulled off a trade that helped both ballclubs.  The A’s were able to acquire a cheap defensively challenged yet strong hitter in Jake Fox while the Cubs were able to shed Aaron Miles while getting a MLB ready reliever, two prospects and clearing 1.5M in salary due to paying Oakland 1M.  Inside I’ll discuss more on the deal as we also look at the the 28yo righty reliever in Jeff Gray and prospects 23yo lefty slugger Matt Spencer (AA) and 21yo righty power arm Ronny Morla (High A) keep reading.

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