6 Cubs File For Free Agency

[waldo7239117]

6 Cubs File for Free Agency |

Since the World Series came to an end, players filed for free agency today. 148 players filed for free agency today and 6 were Cubs. RP Kerry Wood, 1B Carlos Pena, RP John Grabow, P Rodrigo Lopez, Ramon Ortiz and OF Reed Johnson. The Cubs are still able to talk to these 6 players by their self until Wednesday at 11:00 p.m. If a deal is not reached by then, the players can talked to any team. Meaning, the players can sign with any other team after Wednesday.

Out of the 6 players, I can see Kerry Wood and Carlos Pena returning. Kerry Wood would be a good re-sign. He pitched pretty well in ’11 and helped the bullpen to success. Who knows, maybe he’ll be the closer in ’12 and Marmol returns to the set-up role. Where Marmol has pitched the best in his career. But that’s all speculation right now. Wood will also not cost much and a cheap RP signing that will help a lot. Pena could return too, if the Cubs can’t sign either Fielder/Pujols or decide to stay away from both of them. In that scenario, I do see Pena returning.

The other 4 players who filed for free agency, I do not see returning. Reed Johnson is a good club house guy and an all out player, but he’s too injury prone and the Cubs would be better off going with guys like Tony Campano or Tyler Colvin. John Grabow was good when the Cubs acquired him from the Pirates, but after that he has pitched bad. Rodrigo Lopez was an injury replacement and nothing more. Ramon Lopez is also an injury replacement and depth in the minors. 3 of these players will not sign until spring training and maybe 4. I see Grabow signing before spring training, but I wouldn’t be surprise if he didn’t.

I don’t see the Cubs signing either Wood or Pena before they can talk to other teams.

I more player that may elect free agency is 3B Aramis Ramirez. He has a club option and the Cubs have not declined it or picked the option up yet. The option is worth 16 million. From the reports, the Cubs will decline the option and he will become a free agent. However, Theo Epstein/Jed Hoyer have not spoken much and we don’t know which direction their going to go in. Ramirez’s option could still be picked up, but we don’t officially know yet.

 

[Rice Cube]

Was this on MLBTR, Waldo?

 

[Jntg4]

Who is Tony Campano?

 

[Rice Cube]

Who is Tony Campano?

Tony Campana, but he ran so fast the serif in his "a" broke off.

 

[Rice Cube]

Found it, thanks for the heads up:

Official free agency list - Mets Blog - ESPN New York

 

[Captain Obvious]

If Pena is back, I'm gonna be pissed off.

 

[daddies3angels]

If Pena is back, I'm gonna be pissed off.

From what Theo has said i expect alot of 1-2 year FA signings. Not big guy liek Fielder. Im going to give Theo 3 years to build...So il trust him in FA

 

[Jntg4]

If Pena is back, I'm gonna be pissed off.

:umad:

 

[tbo41fan]

bye bye losers!

 

[waldo7239117]

Was this on MLBTR, Waldo?

I know you found it, but yeah MLBTR and it was link to the link you posted. But I looked at the Chicago news article.

 

[Lex L.]

From what Theo has said i expect alot of 1-2 year FA signings. Not big guy liek Fielder. Im going to give Theo 3 years to build...So il trust him in FA

When did Theo say he was only going to make 1-2 year signings?

 

[Shawon0Meter]

I hope Kerry Wood will be back...pretty sure he will.

Pena might be back but signing Fielder still makes sense to me. He's 27 and even if it takes the Cubs 3 years to contend again, it's fine. And in the mean time we still have a superstar on the team if there's not much else to look forward to. Signing a guy that good who's just entering his prime won't come along often, especially in a case where the Yankees and Red Sox won't have real interest in the guy. Try to get it done now!

 

[Jntg4]

When did Theo say he was only going to make 1-2 year signings?

When asked about Pujols/Fielder, he said that there is a time and a place for a big FA signing and hinted at not pursuing them.

 

[waldo7239117]

When did Theo say he was only going to make 1-2 year signings?

Yeah I didn't hear/saw that. I heard he will go after guys that are entering their prime (Fielder would make sense). 1-2 year contracts on older players who still have a year or two left and that's it.

 

[waldo7239117]

Epstein, for the most part, said no to Albert. But not to Fielder if you read between the lines.

 

[Mr. Cub]

I hope we re sign Aramis too. He is a must for our team in my opinion.

 

[waldo7239117]

Ramirez has to opt out tomorrow and is expected too. Samardzija's option will be picked up soon.

 

[EnjoyYourTiger]

If Wood is willing to remain in Chicago, I say keep him. It was nice for him to come back at a pay cut for the year, I loved having him back, but don't go crazy with the checkbook to keep him.

Pena would be an alright keep, if he will stay for a year or two at 6-7.5 mil a year. None of this 10 mil/1 year crap. This is also assuming Fielder doesn't search for greener pastures in Chicago. Get it, because he's a cow.

I'd like to see Johnson back as a 4th OF.

Grabow should get used to being unemployed.

We could possibly use Lopez as a 5th starter if nothing better comes along. But Ortiz probably won't be back.

 

[marky mark]

Reed Johnson is a great pick for a team in the playoff run.