Inside the Cubs

Based on Japanese media reports overnight that Japanese free agent Kosuke Fukudome has told the Yomiuri Giants of Tokyo that he doesn't plan to sign with them, the outfielder's formal announcement that he's coming to the U.S. should come Monday.

And a deal with the Cubs? They're the front-runners in a four-team group of finalists that includes the White Sox, San Diego Padres and Texas Rangers.

Fukudome's agent said Friday that when/if his client ceclared his U.S. intentions, a deal could come together very quickly. Could make him a Cub by mid-to-late week.

The big question left to answer: How much for the latest version of the top hitter in Japan?

Posted by Gordon Wittenmyer at 11:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (9) | TrackBacks (0)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Cubs acquired pitcher Tim Lahey — a converted catcher — in exchange for cash shortly after the right-hander was claimed by the Tampa Bay Rays in the Rule 5 draft this morning at the winter meetings.

Picking first in the draft, the Rays selected Lahey, 25, from the Minnesota Twins. Lahey, drafted by the Twins as a catcher in the 20th round of the 2004 draft, was converted to a pitcher in 2005. He went 8-4 with 13 saves in 16 chances and a 3.45 ERA for Class AA New Britain last season. Lahey, who is 6-4 and 250 pounds, is 15-6 with a 3.91 ERA and 38 saves in 123 minor-league relief appearances. He has walked 70 and fanned 146.

Posted by Chris De Luca at 12:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Sources confirmed Wednesday at the winter meetings that the Cubs are interested in Baltimore Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts as the speedy left-handed hitter they are seeking to complement potential Japanese league free-agent outfielder Kosuke Fukudome.

Without specifying the targeted players, manager Lou Piniella said he hopes to land a lefty hitter via free agency and one via trade.

Roberts, 30, had a .377 on-base percentage and stole 50 bases last season. He hit .290 with 12 home runs and 57 RBI.

But wanting him and landing him might be two very different things for the Cubs, who would be dealing with former team president Andy MacPhail, who is now running the O's. The Orioles likely would have interest in a package that includes left-hander Sean Marshall.

Roberts, a first-round pick in 1999, has been a favorite of owner Peter Angelos and has been considered a part Baltimore's rebuilding plans.

Posted by Gordon Wittenmyer at 07:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBacks (0)

Despite deciding after another over-amped, poor performance on Opening Day last year that ace Carlos Zambrano probably wouldn't start an opener again, Cubs manager Lou Piniella said during an informal chat with media Wednesday that Zambrano probably would be his starter for the Cubs' opener next season, at home against Milwaukee. ``I think he's probably over all that,'' Piniella said. ...

On the Mark Prior front, Piniella confirmed the Cubs have talked to several teams about at trade but wouldn't speculate on the likelihood of a deal getting done. The Cubs have until Dec. 12 to move the arbitration-eligible Prior or face a Dec. 12 arbitration deadline for offering arbitration -- and a salary of maybe $3.4 million -- for a pitcher that may or may not be ready to pitch competitively next season, and could bolt for a big free agency payday after that if he does. The Cubs want a one-year deal with an option year to keep Prior. The Padres head a list of interested teams that also includes Cincinnati, Texas and possibly Philadelphia. ...

Other highlights from Piniella's media briefing Wednesday:

--He preached patience to fans who may be unsatisfied with the Cubs' lack of deals during the meetings, pledging that patience will be rewarded -- a thinly veiled reference to the Cubs' front-runner status for Japanese free agent Kosuke Fukudome. ``[GM Jim Hendry] [promised me by Christmas, I'll be pretty happy,'' Piniella said.

--Piniella said he expects the Cubs to add left-handed hitting via both free agency (Fukudome) and a trade, which suggests the Cubs might have a middle infielder in their sights. Boston's Alex Cora would be a good fit, but tough to land.

--Those who watched Ryan Theriot's productivity tail off at the end of the season and wondered if that loosened up the shortstop job going into spring training, Piniella said flatly Theriot's his shortstop in 2008. ``He earned it,'' said Piniella, who said Theriot's spot in the order (second or eighth) is likely to be determined by which players the Cubs are able to add to the lineup.

Posted by Gordon Wittenmyer at 03:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)