The CubbieDude and his dad (The World’s Greatest Living Cubs Fan) take a loving look at a loving look at the Chicago Cubs



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Jim Hendry has publicly stated that he wants to add another veteran arm to the bullpen (this despite the fact that the Cubs already have some good young arms in Esmailin Caridad and Justin Berg, among others). There have been several rumors flying the last few days about who this pitcher might be, so let’s examine three of them.

This tweet from SI’s Jon Heyman indicated that the Cubs had interest in Chan Ho Park, who did an excellent job for the Phillies last year after they yanked him from their rotation. Park was horrific as a starter, posting a 7.29 ERA in seven starts, but once moved to the bullpen he put up solid numbers. In 50 relief innings he struck out 52, walked only 16, had a 1.18 WHIP and allowed zero home runs. According to the guys I spoke to on the hotstove.com preseason roundtable discussion yesterday, Park occasionally suffers from “lack of focus”, but if the Cubs can deal with that problem, he’d probably be worth having on a one-year deal.

Heyman’s tweet also indicated the Rays are looking at Park. They’re doing so likely to replace Joe Nelson, who, according to this Chicago Breaking Sports article, has expressed interest in joining the Cubs. Nelson pitched for the Rays last year after bouncing around from the Braves to Red Sox to Mets to Royals to Marlins for several years before that. He got hit pretty hard after the middle of May and was finally sent outright to Triple-A on August 1 and DFA’d (see, some teams actually do that!) in September. He’s 35 and has really only had one good year — his 2008 season with the Marlins.

Noah Lowry, who at one time appeared to be yet another solid starting pitching arm coming out of the Giants organization, has had a series of injuries and health problems, including being diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome, described at that link as:

arm numbness caused by pressure in the neck against the nerves and blood vessels that go to the arm

Nevertheless, 15 teams, including the Cubs, will reportedly watch a tryout for Lowry next Tuesday. I doubt the Cubs are looking at him as a reliever, but if he’s healthy, he’d provide another fall-back starting pitcher option. Lowry is a sinkerballer who had two pretty good years in 2004 and 2005 before getting hurt. He last pitched in the major leagues in 2007.

So, what say you about these possible choices? I’m kind of “eh” about all of them, although Park might be a good signing, at the right price (i.e.: low dollars, not backloaded, one-year deal).

DENVER (AP) — Closer Huston Street and the Colorado Rockies finalized a $22.5 million, three-year contract on Wednesday, a deal that could be worth $31 million over four season.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin appeals court on Wednesday rejected a defamation lawsuit filed against the Milwaukee Brewers and the team’s radio announcer Bob Uecker.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Kenny Lofton, a speedy center fielder and dangerous leadoff hitter for 10 seasons with the Cleveland Indians, has been elected to the team’s Hall of Fame.

Jon Garland has signed with the San Diego Padres, opting to stay in the Sunshine State for another year. The club may have gotten away with a bit of a steal here, signing the right-hander for just $4.7 million for one year with a $6.75 million option for 2011.

Garland, who grew up in the Los Angeles area, left an 8-year career with the Chicago White Sox behind when he was traded to the Angels in 2008. He then went on to play in the National League, splitting up his time between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Dodgers last season, going a combined 11-13 with a 4.01 ERA.

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Despite wanting with all of his heart to enter the MLB Hall of Fame as a Chicago Cub, Andre Dawson will be wearing a Montreal Expos hat.

The Hall announced its decision Wednesday, and Dawson immediately reacted in disappointment. Poor Canada.

“I’m disappointed,” he said. “I can proudly say that because Chicago was my preference… It was a little gut-wrenching for me to hear that but it’s their decision.”

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It’s official now. From the release:

The Chicago Cubs have agreed to terms with infielder Chad Tracy on a minor league contract. The deal includes an invite to major league spring training. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

This is a good signing with no risk. If Tracy is healthy, he’ll have a real shot at making the team as an OF/1B/3B backup. If not, the Cubs can just release him. Since he (apparently) had no other major league offers, maybe he’d accept a Triple-A assignment if he didn’t make the club, and would be the first injury callup.

Also from a press release this morning:

The Chicago Cubs and left-handed pitcher Sean Marshall have agreed to terms on a 2010 contract, thus avoiding salary arbitration. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

That leaves Ryan Theriot and Carlos Marmol still unsigned.