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After a dissapointing close to the 2007 playoffs, the Cubs hope to rebound strong in 2008. Its been 100 years since their last world series championship, so its finally about time for the dreadful drought to end.
The Cubs have several new faces in 2008, and a few new roles for some long time familiar faces. Kosuke Fukodome is coming from Japan and hopes to kick start the Cubs offense at the top of the order. He brings an excellent on base percentage, good speed, above average power, and a good glove to the Chicago Cubs outfield.
Kerry Wood appears to have the closer's role locked down, atleast for the time being. Wood has had an excellent spring with the only setback of missing a few days with back spasms. Kerry Wood will be a key determining factor in the success of the Cubs in 2008.
Alex Cintron was released, bringing the spring training roster down to 30.
The Cubs added some outfield depth, by signing veteran Reed Johnson to a 1.3 million dollar contract. Lou Piniella hopes to platoon Johnson with speedy center fielder Felix Pie. Reed Johnson has always been an excellent hitter against left handed pitching.
Sean Marshall appears to be headed to the bullpen to replace the injured Scott Eyre. Marshal had hoped to land a #5 starting job with the Cubs.
It was the biggest upstaging in the 22-year history of the Cubs convention, and even those getting upstaged didn’t seem to mind.
The Cubs did something important in a huge kind of way, according to Jim Hendry (General Manager), who signed Samardzija to a five-year major-league contract worth $10 million with the possibility of Samardzija earning up to $16.5 million with team option years for 2012 and 2013.
Samardzija was a star wide receiver for Notre Dame, and by signing a long-term deal with the Cubs, he gave up what surely would have been a promising career in the National Football League.
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It’s a seller’s market for the rare pitcher of Carlos Zambrano’s ability, and the Cubs ace knows it.
Zambrano received some of the loudest cheers Friday evening during the opening ceremonies of the Cubs convention.
He’ll also be receiving bigger paychecks. Zambrano and the Cubs are about $4 million apart as they head for a possible salary arbitration hearing, with Zambrano wanting $15.5 million.
He also wants a long-term contract, and he’s making it known he doesn’t want to negotiate past Opening Day.
Zambrano fully realizes the seven-year, $126 million deal Barry Zito signed to leave Oakland for San Francisco will help Zambrano. The Cubs no doubt will ask for more of a “hometown discount,” perhaps in the $100 million range for six or seven years.
But once Zambrano makes his opening-day start on April 2 in Cincinnati, the talk will stop until after the season, when the 25-year-old right-hander becomes a free agent.
Zambrano went 16-7 with a 3.41 ERA last year, his fourth straight season of double-digit victories and 200-plus innings pitched.
Included was former ace Mark Prior, who started only nine games last year because of shoulder problems. Prior said he’s feeling better and plans to be in the rotation on Opening Day. But the Cubs aren’t counting on it.
In addition to Prior, righty Kerry Wood is rehabbing from shoulder setbacks. Larry Rothschild wouldn’t put a timetable on either Kerry Wood or Mark Prior.
According to the Daily Herald, the Cubs will stage one news conference today to announce that general manager Jim Hendry has agreed to a contract extension.
Hendry had nothing new to report Friday on a possible contract extension for star first baseman Derrek Lee. But it’s possible something could get done as early as today — or at least both sides are hoping so.
Lee, who reportedly gets slightly more than $9.4 million this season, likely is looking for $12 million to $13 million per season for four to five years. The Cubs may want to go with four years plus an option. This past off-season, White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko signed a five-year, $60 million extension.
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