Roster Watch and Offseason Notes

[Rice Cube]

Okay kids...the 40-man is full, and if the Cubs actually did sign Carlos Villanueva, someone has to go. If the Cubs end up signing Edwin Jackson, someone else has to go. Whenever Nate Schierholtz's contract is finalized, someone else has to go. So that's three guys who have to be DFA'd/passed through waivers/whatever.

 

[Rice Cube]

Looks like Beliveau was claimed by the Rangers. All ur Cubz are belong to Rangers.

 

[Rice Cube]

Sandy Rosario was just claimed by the Giants, per ESPN...so I assume that means one spot was cleared up for Villanueva/Jackson/Schierholtz. Need two more.

 

[Rice Cube]

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/14384/rangers-claim-lhp-beliveau-off-waivers

40-man should be at 39 with Rosario gone and before the other dudes are added.

 

[Rice Cube]

Cubs just announced Nate Schierholtz signing, so 40-man should be full up again.

 

[Rice Cube]

Anno says the Cubs DFA'd Gerardo Concepcion, who cleared waivers and was outrighted to Kane County. 40-man now at 39 again. Still need one more spot.

 

[Rice Cube]

Recap from Muskat:

* In other roster moves, left-handed pitcher Jeff Beliveau was claimed off waivers by the Rangers and right-handed pitcher Sandy Rosario claimed by the Giants. Left-handed pitcher Gerardo Concepcion also cleared waivers and was assigned outright to Class A Kane County. The Cubs roster is now at 39.

Schierholtz is official. Villanueva and Jackson are not. Should be interesting to see if they get things in order before Xmas, but both Theo and Jed are Jewish so I guess they don't care :lol:

 

[waldo7239117]

The Chicago Cubs made a few roster moves today in order to update the 40-man roster. Before today, the Cubs 40-man roster was at 4o players with 3 players that needed to be added. Nate Schierholtz, Carlos Villanueva and Edwin Jackson were recently signed and needed a spot on the 40-man roster. Here's the moves the Cubs made today:

*The Cubs designated LHP Jeff Beliveau for assignment about a week ago and the team announced today that he has been claimed by the Texas Rangers. The Cubs took a risk by DFA'ing Beliveau and it did not pay off. The Cubs probably hoped he would slip by un-claim, but the Rangers ruin than plan. He has a lot of potential, but in his time with the Cubs, he could not find the strike zone.

*The Cubs also designated RHP Sandy Rosario for assignment and the team announced today he was claimed by the San Francisco Giants. We hardly new Rosario as he was claimed off waivers from the Boston Red Sox on December 12th. In fact, Rosario has been claimed by the Oakland Athletics, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs and now the San Francisco Giants since December 10th.

*The Cubs announced that LHP Gerardo Conception cleared waivers and was outrighted to Low-A Kane County. The Cubs took a risk by doing so and this gamble paid off. The main reason could could be because of his contract. He signed a 5-year deal with the Cubs last off-season worth 6 million. Teams may have looked at that and past. As he may never make the majors. He did have potential coming over from Cuba, but overcame Mono and hasn't pitched since. He was also struggling before getting Mono.

*The Cubs finally announced the 1-year deal with OF Nate Schierholtz. The Cubs had a deal in place with Schierholtz on the last day of the Winter Meetings (December 6th).

The Cubs cleared 2 spots on the 40-man roster. One spot went to Schierholtz and we don't know about the other spot yet. It'll be either Carlos Villanueva or Edwin Jackson.

With that said, the Cubs still have to make one more roster move. Then, the 40-man roster will be all set once again.

http://www.chicitysports.com/2012/12/21/the-chicago-cubs-make-much-needed-roster-moves/

 

[Rice Cube]

The Cubs signed right-handers Andrew Carpenter and Cory Wade plus first baseman Brad Nelson to minor league deals. Wade elected free agency from the Blue Jays in late November.
Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#GJj19q48YzsfwHPA.99

Yay.

 

[dabynsky]

Wade is the most interesting signing of the bunch, and Carpenter has a shot at being a useful middle relief arm. Brad Nelson is your 2013 starting I-Cub 1B/DH.

 

[Rice Cube]

Yeah, all of them have the lightning-in-bottle potential but every org needs its filler.

 

[dabynsky]

Yeah, all of them have the lightning-in-bottle potential but every org needs its filler.

Nelson is more like a spark than lightning.

 

[Rice Cube]

Merry Xmas Cubs fans!

http://worldseriesdreaming.com/2012/12/25/cubbies-christmas-jed-vs-the-nl-central/

I imagine most announcements will take place after Christmas, so enjoy the ham

 

[Rice Cube]

Cubs (613) - The Cubs spent the bulk of their money on pitching but they also made a few low-cost signings to re-tool their offense. Theo Epstein & Co. signed Nate Schierholtz to a one-year, $2.25MM deal, plucking him away from other suitors such as the Yankees, Rays, Red Sox, Orioles, and Mets. Another strong year from Alfonso Soriano would help propel Chicago's offense, but the Cubs may eat a big portion of the $36MM owed to him to get his salary off of the books and get a solid prospect in return.
Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#q6uxeCqoTyjlx2Xu.99

:woot: :lol:

 

[Rice Cube]

Jeff Passan ‏@JeffPassan
Source in Japan says lefty reliever Hisanori Takahashi has agreed with Cubs on a minor league deal with big league invite.

This guy:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/takahhi01.shtml

 

[Chitownboss12]

Looks like he is just going to be roster filler. Takahashi could actually turn out to be useful, but the Cubs are probably one of the few major league rosters he could make.

 

[dabynsky]

Looks like he is just going to be roster filler. Takahashi could actually turn out to be useful, but the Cubs are probably one of the few major league rosters he could make.

They really could use a second lefty in the pen, and he has decent peripherals that suggest he might not be terrible. I agree still a longshot at the roster.

 

[Chitownboss12]

They really could use a second lefty in the pen, and he has decent peripherals that suggest he might not be terrible. I agree still a longshot at the roster.

Considering Maine and Beliveau are both gone they really could. Travis Wood could be moved to the bullpen if he doesn't make the rotation. There is also a small chance that Brooks Raley or Chris Rusin could get a shot, but probably after Takahashi, if at all.

 

[DewsSox79]

Before the Cubs and Angels settled on the eventually-abandoned Carlos Marmol-for-Dan Haren trade, L.A. turned down the Cubs' offer of Marmol for Peter Bourjos and an infielder.
The Cubs have "genuine concern about holding [their] fan base" given the team's recent struggles and rebuilding process, which Levine feels may have been the impetus for the Cubs' signing of Edwin Jackson and its pursuit of Anibal Sanchez.

Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#3etDTjhcltEA8IGb.99

1) marmol for bourjos and a spec is beyond stupid.

2) of course the signing was due to the fan base...like i said the casual fans see a money signing no matter how bad edwin jackson is and feel the false hope. all it is, is a PR move.

 

[Rice Cube]

1) marmol for bourjos and a spec is beyond stupid.

2) of course the signing was due to the fan base...like i said the casual fans see a money signing no matter how bad edwin jackson is and feel the false hope. all it is, is a PR move.

For the Marmol trade, it never hurts to ask. Angels probably need a belly laugh anyway.

As for the PR move, the Cubs could have tried to sign more guys like Cody Ross etc., guys who wouldn't cost a draft pick. I think even the casual fans can look at this signing and realize it's not going to help much. But I fear we're going in circles here.