Dempster re-signs with Cubs

[HoustonGM]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3710712

4 years, $52 million

I don't think Dempster will ever throw up a sub-3 ERA again, but I think he's more than capable of being a slightly better than league average pitcher for the next 4 years, so this is a fine deal.

[TheNamelessPoet]

well peavy will stay right in SD i guess

[HoustonGM]

well peavy will stay right in SD i guess

Don't be so sure. The word is that this doesn't affect the Cubs pursuit of Peavy at all (nor should it).

[TheNamelessPoet]

man that would be a sick rotation

[justanewguy]

I doubt the Cubs will sign or trade for any big name pitchers now. They have too many needs in the bullpen and the lineup, and they're in the process of being sold.

There's also way too many teams out there looking for starters.

[Reade]

I wouldn't count on that, Sutcliffe and Grace have both been talking to Peavy about playing in Chicago, and Peavy has the same agent that both Sut and Grace had in their playing days.


"I wouldn't necessarily rule out anything," Hendry said without being specific. He said the Cubs would not hesitate to bring on more pitching if the situation was right, while still hoping to add a left-handed bat.

Hendry, who got a contract extension through 2012 in October, said he expected the team's payroll to increase slightly this season. He said he'd encountered no financial restrictions, even with the team up for sale by Tribune Co.

[justanewguy]

I wouldn't count on that, Sutcliffe and Grace have both been talking to Peavy about playing in Chicago, and Peavy has the same agent that both Sut and Grace had in their playing days.

"I wouldn't necessarily rule out anything," Hendry said without being specific. He said the Cubs would not hesitate to bring on more pitching if the situation was right, while still hoping to add a left-handed bat.

Hendry, who got a contract extension through 2012 in October, said he expected the team's payroll to increase slightly this season. He said he'd encountered no financial restrictions, even with the team up for sale by Tribune Co.

This doesn't really mean anything. Sutcliffe and Grace are not members of the front office. Also, I doubt ANY teams would hestitate to bring on more pitching if the situation was right. Hendry said what a GM will say when you ask them a question about this kind of stuff.

I read this in the Trib earlier today and ignored it. It's a non-story.

[KowboyKoop]

The next acquisition for the Cubs may be the Royals Mark Teahen. A Teahen for Pie swap is being discussed. I think it would benefit both teams..Teahen had a down year last year...but is an okay hitter (and one of the best baserunners in the game..not talking about SBs) and can play up to five positions...and the Royals are tired of Teahen's underperforming and getting a good defensive CF would be good..and he still has some upside that he may or may not realize. I think it'd be a good risk for the Royals..and Teahen could potentially provide a decent bat for the Cubs and a lot of defensive versatility.

[koolzach1]

I would think that the Cubs would have to add in something else. Teahan is under team control for a little while longer at a cheap price (I think), while Pie has been a bust thus far.

[HoustonGM]

Teahen isn't that good of a player. I was loving him after his 2006, but it looks like that was a fluke. He's got an average at best bat, which is poor considering he's a corner player. His only great value comes in defensive flexibility and on the basepaths. He's a very good bench player, but very stretched as an everyday guy. I wouldn't give up a 23 year old toolsy center fielder that plays very good defense for him.

David DeJesus would be a nice trade target for the Cubs, and that'd require giving up more than Pie, but I think that'd be worth it.

[KowboyKoop]

Teahen isn't that good of a player. I was loving him after his 2006, but it looks like that was a fluke. He's got an average at best bat, which is poor considering he's a corner player. His only great value comes in defensive flexibility and on the basepaths. He's a very good bench player, but very stretched as an everyday guy. I wouldn't give up a 23 year old toolsy center fielder that plays very good defense for him.

David DeJesus would be a nice trade target for the Cubs, and that'd require giving up more than Pie, but I think that'd be worth it.

As a Royals fan, I think getting Pie for Teahen would be a good risk to take. Teahen might be a little better than his '08 numbers suggest..but he's certainly not an ideal corner OF. 2006 most definitely was a fluke..no doubt about it...but he does have flashes of great power..some of his HRs are just breathtaking to the opposite field...but then he goes back to hitting weak groundballs. Very frustrating player..underachiever for sure. According to reports from the KC side, it is the Cubs who initiated talks and players discussed have been Teahen and DeJesus from our side..and Pie, Fontenot, and Ronny Cedeno from their side. If we trade DeJesus..we better get both Pie and Fontenot. He isn't a star..but he's pretty solid and has a real nice contract.



We'll see if anything actually happens....I've heard that Pie for Teahen is the most likely scenario IF anything happens at all...I doubt DeJesus gets moved.

[HoustonGM]

Yeah, as a Royals fan, you should be happy about getting Pie for Teahen. I was (obviously) speaking from the position of the Cubs.

Also, DeJesus wasn't a rumor or anything, just a suggestion from me (thanks to Rotoworld) of a better target for the Cubs than Teahen. (Rotoworld suggested Cedeno and Pie for Dejesus)

[KowboyKoop]

Yeah, as a Royals fan, you should be happy about getting Pie for Teahen. I was (obviously) speaking from the position of the Cubs.

Also, DeJesus wasn't a rumor or anything, just a suggestion from me (thanks to Rotoworld) of a better target for the Cubs than Teahen. (Rotoworld suggested Cedeno and Pie for Dejesus)

There's been speculation from KC media that both Chicago teams have shown interest in DeJesus...I don't think the ChiSox would have a chance..they have so little to offer.

I'd do Pie and Cedeno for Teahen in a heartbeat..I hope it happens. I would want more than that for DeJesus. Perhaps Pie and Sean Marshall for DeJesus would work. Give Pie the starting CF job, immediately improves our outfield defense in two spots (Pie > DeJesus in CF, DeJesus > Teahen/Guillen in LF) and Cedeno would be an upgrade over Tony Pena Jr. as a middle infielder off the bench. Hopefully Pie would be able to have a respectable year with the bat..I wonder how much of his struggles his first couple seasons are due to irregular ABs/playing time?

[justanewguy]

DeJesus would be a great acquisition, but the Cubs really need a left-handed hitter who can hit for more POWER than that. DeJesus would do what Fukudome should have done, but he still doesn't add a HR threat to their lineup.

Teahen could add the power, but isn't a good enough hitter to trade Pie for (for the reasons mentioned mentioned about Pie above).

The Cubs could do well for themselves to put up some money for a player like Abreu. Is outfield defense really important enough to overlook a dire offensive need? Abreu would make that team instantly better, which is scary...

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

The Cubs could do well for themselves to put up some money for a player like Abreu. Is outfield defense really important enough to overlook a dire offensive need? Abreu would make that team instantly better, which is scary...

That makes too much sense for it to happen though.