Category: MLB (Page 408 of 448)

SPORTSbyBOOKS.com has referenced three links regarding Mark Cuban possibly buying the Chicago Cubs for $625 million. The original story was posted on Radar Online and eventually shot down by CNBC reporter Darren Rovell.

Rumor or not, let’s speculate. On one hand, could you imagine Cuban getting a seat right behind the home plate umpire for all the Cubs’ home games? Good grief, no umpire would want to visit Wrigley. On the other hand, and more importantly, there aren’t many owners who are as committed to their clubs as Cuban is. Let’s face it, up until this past offseason, the Tribune Co. has been one of the cheapest in all of professional sports. Cuban would certainly change all that, and possibly revive one long-suffering organization.

There was speculation that the reason why the Tribune Co. opened its wallet this offseason, was because it wanted to sell. Hmm…

The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that the Giants are ready to sign Barry Bonds to a one-year contract worth $16 million.

Are general manager Brian Sabean and owner Peter Magowan out of their minds? Have they forgotten about the media circus, the nine personal lockers, the personal reclining chair, and the entourage of trainers, nutritionist, massage therapists and personal butt kissers? He’s also 42, has terrible knees and oh-not-too-mention an ongoing steroid investigation surrounding him.

Let me dissect the pee-sized minds that decided to bring him back to San Fran. Are Sabean and Magowan so pathetic that they have to cater to Bonds’ every move? Sabean lied right to the Giants fans last year with this little ditty: “We’re going to get healthier and younger,” he said. “We’re moving in a new direction, because obviously what we have done has not worked.” Yet Bonds is back. Yet 35 year olds Dave Roberts and Rich Aurilia have been the face of the offseason. Yes, Sabean tried to go after Juan Pierre, Gary Mathews Jr. and Carlos Lee. But in a small twist of irony, those players all rejected equal to greater contracts with the Giants, forcing Sabean to rebuild through his farm system. Or so people thought.

What will get overlooked in all of this is that nobody wanted him. Several teams including the Padres, Rangers and Cardinals all specifically said that they wanted nothing to do with him. So why, in the name of all that is holy, would the Giants sign him for $16 million? Bonds can’t hold up for an entire season, can’t play defense and certainly can’t run the base paths anymore. Yet Bonds says “jump” and Sabean and Magowan respond with “how much money do you want?” They just paid for half a player nobody else wanted. They outbid themselves and highly overspent in the process.

The Giants just sold their souls to the devil. And paid him $16 million.

One could call the Chicago Cubs organization many things, but idle is not one of them. On Thursday the Cubs officially signed free agent pitcher Ted Lilly to a four-year contract worth reportedly $40 million. Lilly joins Aramis Ramirez, Alfonso Soriano and Mark DeRosa in players that Chicago has signed over the offseason.

It’s been well documented that Lilly has a fiery persona, which came to fruition last season when he barked at Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons for pulling him out of a game. With that said, Lilly has to be perfect for the Cubs and new manager Lou Piniella doesn’t he?

All of a sudden, Chicago’s starting rotation is starting to at least take shape. Carlos Zambrano is solid, Lilly is a nice addition and hopefully Rich Harden keeps developing. If the Cubs can add one more arm, Mark Prior or Wade Miller look a hell of a lot safer in a No. 5 role than a top-of-the-rotation starter.

MLB.com is reporting that free agent starting pitcher Jason Schmidt will sign a three-year contract with the L.A. Dodgers.

Although Schmidt’s age and health is a concern, he brings a popping fastball and a nasty slider to the mound for the Dodgers. Being in San Francisco for the better part of a decade, he’s also used to the National League and even more so, the NL West. All and all, this is a great move for the Dodgers and given what other free agents are receiving, a bargain in terms of contract price.

The signing of Schmidt leaves the Dodgers most hated rival in shambles. San Fran wasn’t necessarily ready to anoint top prospect Matt Cain as the No. 1 starter, but might have to given who’s behind him in the rotation. The Giants are filled with young pitching talent, but coconut GM Brian Sabean has been rumored to be dangling most of it in front of Seattle for Richie Sexson. If Sabean stays pat with youngsters, which rarely happens (just ask Francisco Liriano and Boof Bonser), the Giants could have a nice rotation someday in Cain, Lowry, Jonathan Sanchez, Kevin Correia and Brad Hennessy. San Fran also has one of the best pitching prospects in the minor leagues in 22-year-old Tim Lincecum.

Apparently, the Giants are interested in Barry Zito, but he’s only 28. Zito is about eight years younger than what Sabean looks for in a player and would never pay him the $100 million that he’s seeking. Instead, Sabean will probably end up selling all of his young talent for some 36-year-old on the down side of his career and than turn around and sign David Wells as his No. 1 guy.