New President... and Old-ish Cubs News

On this day, here's a fun website where you can make your own Shepard Fairey-esque poster.

Marmol, Fukudome, Lilly, Ramirez, Lee, Soto, Zambrano, Guzman, and Jose Ascanio all on World Baseball Classic provisional rosters. The WBC starts this March.

However, Zambrano may miss the WBC; he is planning to undergo LASIK surgery.

Kevin Gregg signed a one-year contract worth $4.2 million, avoiding arbitration in the process.

Felix Pie was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for two pitchers, lefty Garrett Olson and righty Henry Williamson.

Kerry Wood took out a full-page ad in the Tribune and Sun-Times, thanking Chicago fans, his teammates, and the Cubs organization.

Quick Hits: Winter Meetings Thursday

Sun-Times reports (via twitter) the Cubs have talked to Randy Johnson in case the Peavy trade falls through. They also report Milton Bradley is at the top of their list for a left-handed batter and "interest is mutual," and have asked the Angels about leadoff man Chone Figgins.

MLB.com reports Hendry has talked to Raul Ibanez, in addition to Bradley, and both "are very interested in playing in Chicago."

Kerry Wood has signed with the Cleveland Indians (other teams rumored in the running were the Tigers, and the Mets--before they signed Francisco Rodriguez). The Tribune reports the contract is a two year deal, with option for a third, at an undisclosed amount.

The Trib also reports Jacque Jones is playing in Mexico, and "isn't expected to return to the majors."

The End of an Era, Ownership Bids, and other offseason onsense

Last night the Cubs did not offer Kerry Wood arbitration. The arbitration process is complicated, but basically because of the saturated free agent market, the Cubs did not want to take the chance that Kerry Wood would choose to re-sign and have to pay him at least 80% of last years salary. It is obvious now that the Cubs would rather not get anything for losing him than take the chance of having to sign him to a contract. Kerry Wood's career as a Cub had many ups-and-downs (what else is new?), but he was the longest tenured Cub (now it's Big Z) and was on 4 teams that made the postseason. That 20-strikeout, one-hit game against the Astros (in only his 5th major league start) was the stuff of legend, and sadly he never really was able to live up to the hype surrounding him after that. Still, he was a class act, a good role model (better than his hero, Clemens), and it'll be weird to see him in another jersey this Spring. Can't wait to see him enter a game as an opponent in Wrigley.

The Trib says Dusty Baker would love to coach Kerry again in the Queen City.

The Sun-Times reports Dan Plesac is leaving Comcast for the new MLB network.

And MLB.com rates Jeff Samardzija the #50 best MLB prospect (all players with rookie eligibility).

I could tell you there's Cubs news today...

But I'd be lying.

Wood's probably getting arbitration tonight, and the Peavy rumors won't die.

I do believe some team will come after Kerry (despite there being a bunch of other relievers on the market) so the Cubs securing two compensation picks is a good move.

Probably the best thing I've seen all holiday weekend was this Mailbag question.

I saw a clip where Jeff Samardzija mentioned his interest in joining the starting rotation. What are the odds this could be a possibility in 2009? If he can pitch as well as a starter as he did as a reliever in '08, then that move would give the Cubs a solid rotation with Dempster, Zambrano, Samardzija and [Jason] Marquis or [Rich] Hill.
-- Bruce D., Columbia, S.C.

Rich Hill? What is this, 2006? Forget about Lilly, Harden, or Marshall... put Hill (a guy who can't throw strikes in WINTER BALL) back in the rotation with a guy who's pitched in 26 major league games, less than 28 innings, and ask them to be the back end of your rotation! Good job Bruce D. from South Carolina, you are the reason Cubs fans get a bad name.

You know nothing.

Postseason Awards and Kevin Gregg vs. Kerry Wood

Geovany Soto wins NL Rookie of the Year with 31 of 32 first-place votes. The Reds' Joey Votto received the other top vote. Evan Longoria of the Tampa Bay Rays won the AL ROY award.

Lou wins NL Manager of the Year and donates his bonus to a Chicago charity. He previously won AL Manager of the Year in 1995 and 2001 while in Seattle. Charlie Manuel from the World Champion Phillies is second, Florida's Fredi Gonzalez finishes third. Joe Madden of the Rays won the AL counterpart.

Carlos Zambrano wins... a batting award. He batted .337 with four home runs and won his second Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger award at the National League Pitching position, winning previously in '06.

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The Cubs also acquired reliever Kevin Gregg this week from the Florida Marlins in a trade for Minor Leaguer P Jose Ceda. Before the deal was made, Cubs GM Jim Hendry reportedly told last year's closer, perennial Cub Kerry Wood, that the Cubs would not be re-signing him (unlike the unprofessional way the Padres treated their closer).

There was no question, even before Wood's famous 20K game, that he always had the talent to be an elite pitcher, which made his often inconsistent play all the more befuddling. I never knew "which Kerry" would show up in the ninth inning, and "routine" saves felt few and far between. One or two run leads at home became nail-biters until the end. I feel sad to see him go-- he always seemed like a nice guy-- but from a purely business perspective, the Cubs weren't getting the value for what they were spending and needed to move on.

I'm not exactly sure where Gregg fits in the Gaudin/Samardzija/Marmol picture, but the Cubs still seem relatively deep at reliever, and got younger to boot.

Wood was the 13th highest paid Cub last year, earning $4.2 million. In contrast, Gregg was the 2nd highest paid Marlin, but at only $2.5 mil. Gregg is younger and performed almost as well with less talent around him, and was acquired for less money (even if Wood signed a one-year with a pay-cut).

Kevin Gregg entered the majors in 2003 and spent four years with the Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels before being traded to the Marlins for the '07 season. Last year in 68 2/3 innings and 72 appearances, he went 7-8 with 29 saves, 58 K and a 3.41 ERA/ 1.28 WHIP .

Kerry Wood last year pitched 66 1/3 innings in 65 appearances, posting a 5-4 record, 34 saves, 84 K and 3.26 ERA/1.09 WHIP.

Both Gregg and Wood are righties.