There's going to be a bunch of smaller articles with players the Cubs will be interested in. Just wanted one place to organize the discussions:


According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs general manager Jim Hendry is focusing "on the likes" of free agent first baseman Nick Johnson this winter.
In other words, don't look for a big splash like Adam Dunn, or even the return of Derrek Lee. Johnson, 32, was limited to just 72 at-bats with the Yankees this season and underwent two surgeries on his right wrist. According to the report, there are indications that the Cubs could be interested if Johnson's medicals look good enough. He's a pretty big gamble, even with a low guarantee. Johnson might fit best as a DH in the American League at this point.



According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs general manager Jim Hendry is "keeping an eye on" Kerry Wood for his bullpen.
Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com reported similar information last week, though Hendry has refused to comment for now. "Everyone knows I have a wonderful relationship with Kerry, and that will be a life-lasting one,'' said Hendry. "But to get into specifics now ... would be foolish." Wood, 33, would be welcomed with open arms in Chicago, but he would have to take a back seat to Carlos Marmol as closer. He thrived in a set-up role with the Yankees down the stretch, but it's not known if he still has a preference to close.



Nick Johnson is a hell of a risk. Dude can't stay healthy. I feel like we are going to crazy overpay for him. Adam Dunn please. If the Cubs are looking into only a one year filler before the Adrian Gonzalez derby, I much rather look at a Carlos Pena or Lance Berkman.


Kerry would be a nice story. I wouldn't be completely against signing him as long as the contract was a 1 year deal with a team option for the 2nd at 1.5 or so per year max. Anything else is a huge overpayment.

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Team Cutler.

The Chicago Cubs outrighted pitcher Angel Guzman off the 40-man roster on Thursday. He cleared waivers to become a free agent and has agreed to a minor-league contract with the Cubs and an invitation to spring training, according to a major league source.


Sure, sounds good. He's got talent. Please stay healthy Angel.

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Team Cutler.

Didn't they say the injury he suffered last year was possibly career ending? This is probably just a no risk deal to see if he has anything left in the tank.

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I would still put my money on first base going to Casey Kotchman. I would also look for a few rule 5 draft additions. Someone will get traded out of the outfield to make room for Brett Jackson. Honesty, I like everything about Marlon Byrd but I think he should go because he is valuable an will bring a decent return. I would also look for the cubs to take a no risk chance on former can miss Angel prospect Brandon Wood as he is out of options and they are out of patience. If somehow the cubs can offer something to the Rays for current backup 2b sean rodriguez then I can see some great things happen both in the infield and at the plate for the cubs middle infielders.

We shall see if any of these things happen. The only things I have seen written so far were the rumors posted above. I can see Woody coming back but Nick Johnson and his bad body need not apply.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

Can you please retitle this thread to...Cubs Winter Warming Plate ??

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Proud to be UNVERIFIED.

I think it would be a more accurate representation of the cubs off season plans if it were called the Cubs Off Season Dutch Oven.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

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Honest question. How is Nick Johnson any different than the terrible signing of Xavier Nady at this point. Hey we paid you to rehab from Tommy John surgery and completely suck at baseball. When the two top players on your teams off season radar are Nick Johnson and Kerry Wood that blows. Can hitters do the towel drill?

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yea...why not just keep goin with Nady? he did great last year after Lee left, and he seemed to like Quade and vice versa

I mean, why change for the sake of change? i aint impressed by change

I aint like most cub fans that think something needs to be done just to look like ur doing something

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I wake up thanking Jeebus every morning for this fact.

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its funny how Theriot and Fontenot were traded and noone cared, yet now we scramble to find as many dumb backup 2B as we can...I just dont get it

why create a problem out of nothing, and for nothing?

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Xavier Nady from August 18th through the end of the season hit a staggering .282, .299 OBp with a stellar .651 ops.

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Team Cutler.

I try to not get upset about bad Cubs front office moves. I have no control over it, and it's a constant. However, if they sign Nick Johnson, I will be using some bad words and possibly replacing drywall.

By the way, has anyone actually heard Sean Rodriguez is available? I think he's been devalued on here the last couple days.

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With Hendry in charge, it really doesn't matter what they do. This team will be bad. Just hope the kids develop somewhat.

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there was a time he was real good...chop off August and look at his September stats

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Sean is only a platoon player there and he is still young. He is young and should be a solid power hitting fixture at 2b somewhere. Don't get too excited about any of this though. You need to work on processing the fact that Jamie Navarro has just been named bullpen coach of the mariners.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

For September, he was .238BA, .244OBP, .518 OPS


His 3 games in October were stellar though... .400/.400/.800

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Team Cutler.

Anyone want to bet that no one listed by UMN is on the Cubs next year?

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

He really raked in that game between September 13th and 15th.

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You don't even think Brett Jackson will be up next year?

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

Maybe if he suddenly gains 30 lbs. in the off-season like Colvin.

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He has already mastered AA and we certainly don't want him taking away AAA ab's from Fuld so that just about puts him on the big league roster already.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

Colvin = Jay Bruce = 25 HRs, bad BA, bad RF. I hope I'm wrong.

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He is a maybe, but I should probably rephrase my statement. No one currently not in the organization on your list.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

His corner outfield defense isn't horrendous. Don't look up his CF stats or you'll rip your eyes out. If I could guarantee Colvin to hit .250-.260 25-30 home runs next year and play an average RF i'd take that right now with our other holes

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Team Cutler.

Oh, yeah, I'm not saying he's a problem, but people who think he's going to be Joey Votto need to reel it in a bit.

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I would hope that they can showcase Fukudome early in the year when he is actually decent then flip him for a mid level prospect by the deadline then go with Colvin in right the rest of the year

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I just hate Fukudome's contract. He's not a bad player at all. A + defender with a solid OPS. Way too inconsistent to be playing everyday or getting paid what he is

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Team Cutler.

He goes through more slumps than OKC

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Yes, Fuku is way overpayed but at least he gives you something for the money. He is an excellent RF and does have a knack for getting on base. He had a better season last year then previous years. If I was a GM,I would have a real problem giving big money to anybody who never played a ML Ballgame.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."