I hope the rest of the World Series isn’t like it was tonight. The one good thing is I waited long enough to start watching that I could cut out all the commercials and plenty of other junk during the show. By the time I caught up to the game, the game was a million to 1 and I didn’t need to sit thru much more. Just in case it’s a closer game, and I need to watch all nine inning, I think I’ll wait a little longer (or watch the Fire playoff game.)
There’s not a lot of Cubs stuff going on, but maybe enough to squeeze out a Thursday post.
They started ripping the field yesterday. Webcam footage (I guess) shows that all the grass is gone, and they’re dumping excess dirt. Most of the time will be spent on getting the new grass in and set up, I guess. It’ll be interesting to see if there’s any visible difference. You could tell it crowned from the seats (at least most of them.) It wasn’t as much as visible as it apparently is from the clubhouses.
Roberto Novoa got claimed by the O’s, which served to remind us that Roberto Novoa was on the team all year. That’s what preseason car accidents that break your shoulder do to you. I wonder if he got a playoff share.
Cliff Floyd was shopping himself to the Marlins. That wouldn’t seem to fit with them, but it’s a clear sign he’s not coming back to Chicago unless he’s getting a good spot; he doesn’t need to stay in Chicago next year as much as last year and won’t be taking a lesser role just to do it.
Ken Rosenthal says the Cubs are expected to pick up the options of Daryle Ward and Steve Trachsel. Ward makes a lot of sense, and I’m looking forward to his pinch hitting nearly as much as I’m looking for to a year of trying to spell his first name correctly. Rosenthal is usually accurate, but I hope he goofed about Steve Trachsel. Starting pitching is very thin in the majors right now, but there’s still plenty of bad options out there, just as bad as Trachsel appears to be for ’08 and a lot cheaper than $4.75mil a year. Trachsel was at best a luxury item at the end of the season to fill in holes, not something the Cubs need for 162 games. The Cubs are solid enough with their top five guys that they don’t need to be spending money on a 6th.
Henry Blanco says he’s 100% and will be back with the Cubs. Yay. He’ll be backup, Soto will be starting, Kendall will be long gone. The Cubs.com interview with Jim Hendry pretty much confirms that. (The other interesting thing about that interview is how Hendry praises the new scouting director while subtly burying the old one.)
Exciting Winter Ball Action!
Arizona Fall League
Sam Fuld: in 53 AB, 340/435/604 (Power? Who knew? It’s 4 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, and he’s 6 of 7 SB)
Sean Gallagher: 6 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 5 K (Not one start, but 4 relief apperances; this may be connected to the Trachsel news)
I’m trying to think of what the next big news peg for the Cubs will be. Even though Cuban buying the Cubs and A-Rod signing with the Cubs both have minuscule chances of happening, those stories still manage to get covered. A-Rod’s opt out deadline is first, so I guess that’s it.
* 1 day after the world series – filing for free agency
* 4 days after the world series – last day to protect from the Rule 5 draft (neither these two should be big issues for the Cubs)
* 10 days after the world series – A-Rod gets an extension from the Yankees or opts out
* 16 days after the world series – Free agency starts (Cubs shouldn’t be big players)
* mid November – Mitchell investigation released (it’s Cubs related because I figure on players from most if not all teams being mentioned in one way or another)
* mid November/early December – Cubs finally officially for sale
* Dec 1 – last day to offer arbitration to free agents (probably no on Kendall and Floyd, yes on Wood)
* Dec 6 – Rule 5 draft (the Reds appear not to need another OF, so this should be quiet)
* Dec 7 – last day to accept arbitration (Wood probably says no, but still may come back)
* Dec 12 – last day to tender contracts (the end of Prior?)
* early January – Tribune is taken private
* late February – closing in on the final buyers (no idea when it’ll actually happen; team may be run by MLB this year for all I know)