O's and Cubs Continue Wheeling and Dealing

The Chicago Cubs sent former fourth round draft pick Rich Hill to the Baltimore Orioles for a player (or cash) to be named at a latter date.

The Orioles are reworking their rotation. The addition of the left hander Hill starts to mold the O-Birds rotation in a better shape than it was at the beginning of the offseason;

1.Jeremy Guthrie
2.Koji Uehara
3. Rich Hill
4. ???
5. ???

The 28-year-old Hill is 18-17 with a 4.37 ERA in 64 appearances during four seasons with the Cubs, including 11-8 with a 3.92 ERA in a career-high 32 starts during 2007.

Heilman Sent Packing Again

The Seattle Mariners sent starter and or reliever Aaron Heilman to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for infielder Ronny Cedeno and starter Garrett Olson.

Olson was recently acquired by the Cubbies, who had sent outfielder Felix Pie to the Orioles in exchange for the left handed starting pitcher.

Heilman, initially expected to compete for a spot in the Mariners starting rotation, will now battle the likes of Sean Marshall for the fifth spot in Chicago's starting five.

Olson was considered to be a key component in the on again - off again Jake Peavey trade rumors that have dominated Chicago and San Diego newspaper headlines this offseason.

Teams Make Additions to Ring in the New Year

The Angels have found their man whom they hope will replace the single season saves leader Fransisco Rodriguez; and that man just happens to hail from Colorado.

The Angels agreed to a two year deal with 33 year old left handed closer Brian Fuentes (1-5, 30 saves in 34 chances, 2.73 ER).

According to ESPN.com Fuentes will earn $8.5 million for 2009 and $9 million for 2010. The contract includes a $9 million vesting option for 2011, based on games finished, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.

The Chicago Cubs continued to tweak their roster, trading away fan favorite Mark DeRosa to the Cleveland Indians for minor league pitchers Jeff Stevens, Chris Archer and John Gaub.

DeRosa fills the Indian's void over at the hot corner, and allows them to keep their young middle infield intact (GM Mark Shapiro considered moving shortstop Jhonny Peralta to third and Asdrubal Cabrera from second to short.)

The Cubs are also considering a trade for the Rockies Luis Vizcaino in exchange for Jason Marquis. According to ESPN; The 30-year-old Marquis was 11-9 for Chicago last season, with a 4.53 ERA in 167 innings while Vizcaino, 34, struggled in his first season in Colorado, pitching to a 5.28 ERA in 46 innings.

The Baltimore Orioles signed left handed starter Mark Hendrickson to a one year deal. The Orioles only have Jeremy Guthrie slated in their rotation, as Daniel Cabrera signed on with the Washington Nationals.

Rumor Mill:

The Mets may have made an offer to free agent starter Derek Lowe.

Mets and Dodgers talking trade? Andrew Jones could be wearing blue and orange next season.

Dodgers are looking to get their offseason shoping list Dunn.

The Rangers added three arms into the mix for bullpen help.

Aaron Miles is set to replace DeRosa.

Offseason Rumblings and Grumblings: Nov 14th

Today's the first day of the free agent frenzy that will become the 2009 Offseason, but teams around the league were already making big moves to acquire pieces to ensure a 2009 playoff run.

The Chicago Cubs picked up closer Kevin Gregg from the Marlins, all but ensuring that Kerry Wood will not return next season.

The Yankees traded away perennial swinger and misser Wilson Betemit to the White Sox in exchange for Nick Swisher. The deal is supposed to be a fall back plan in case the Yankees can't sign Teixeira, but it's already made one fan lose his mind (in a good way).

Randy Johnson and the Diamondbacks front office failed to come to terms on a new contract, forcing the Big Unit to file for free agency. Randy is just five wins shy of 300 for his career.

Managers of the Year Announced

Congratulations to Tampa Bay's Joe Madden and Chicago's Lou Pinella, both were named Managers of the Year in their respective leagues.

Joe Madden's selection was all but guaranteed after leading the 2007 last place Rays to their first ever AL East and League crowns, as well as the franchises' first ever World Series appearance. Madden received all but one of the first place votes, with Minnesota's Ron Gardenhire receiving the solo vote.

Lou Pinella beat out Phillies manager Charlie Manuel to receive his third ever Manager of the Year Award. Pinella led the Cubs to another playoff appearance, but Manuel's Phillies went on to win the World Series.

Rookie of the Year Awards Announced

Congratulations to Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria and Chicago Cubs catcher Geovany Soto; both won their respective League's Rookie of the Year Award today.

Soto and Longoria each helped propel their teams to playoff appearances, with Longoria's Rays advancing all the way to the World Series before they were eliminated by the Phillies.

Soto batted .285 with 23 home runs and 86 rbis while playing in 141 games for the Cubs.

Longoria batted .272 with 27 home runs and 85 rbis while playing in only 122 games for the Rays. Longoria started the season in the minors, and spent a few weeks on the DL late in the season.

Collective Head Slapping Registers on Richter Scale

by Chris Lima
108 Red Stitches

A small earthquake was registered throughout the United States last night, as Cubs fans throughout the country collectively and repeatedly slapped their foreheads in continued disbelief.

The Cubs cemented their 100 years of frustration after being swept out of the playoffs for the second straight season.

The Cubs did little to "reverse the curse" committing six errors during the short series, and were outscored by the Dodger 20-6.

For more fun Cubs "Curse Continues" links, visit these wonderful sites to ease (or promote) your pain:

- Help guide the Cubs through to the playoffs in this 80's style shoot-em-up type Arkanoid game.

- Read about the Cubs game plan that went horribly right.

- The Cubs have to start planning for the future, one that might not include Mark DeRosa.

- Could be worse, you could be Eddie Brinkman.

- Or this guy.

Playoff Picture Coming Into Focus

by Chris Lima
108 Red Stitches

With the Red Sox victory over the Cleveland Indians last night, the BoSox eliminated the New York Yankees from post season contention. With the win, three of the four playoff slots in the American League have been filled (LA Angels of Anaheim, Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox). The current Twins-White Sox series should determine the fate of the AL Central Race, with the White Sox leading the division by a game and a half.

The National League, as always, will most likely come down to the wire. The Cubbies are the only team to lock up a playoff spot, as the Phillies and Mets jocky for first place daily and even with a three game lead over the Diamondbacks, the Dodgers are really only safe from the Giants and Padres in the NL West.

The Yankees were unable to give their beloved Stadium a proper send off, as they failed to make the playoffs for the first time since the '94 strike shortened season.

And apparently, according to ESPN, the Rays are playing in the NLDS this post season....

Zambrano No Hits Astros, First Cubbie No-No Since '72

September 15, 2008
by Chris Lima
108 Red Stitches

Carlos Zambrano has had some season. Arm troubles, trips to the DL, crazy wins, head scratching losses. This time, after not having pitched since September 2nd, Zambrano did something that no Cubs hurler has done in 36 years.

He tossed a No-No. Even with arm fatigue and not having faced live hitters in twelve days.

Imagine what he could do when he's finally healthy.

Zambrano walked one batter and hit another, the only blemishes on an otherwise perfect performance.

Zambrano wound up throwing 110 pitches, which might be cause for concern for Cubs fans, after all the pomp and circumstance is over.

Here's the odd part; Zambrano threw the no-hitter in Miller Park. Against the Houston Astros, who, the last time we checked, were not the Milwaukee Brewers. The game was moved to Miller Park (Brewers home field) because of Hurricane Ike.

Harden Packs Bags, Heads to Windy City

Anything you can do, I can do better. This sentiment running rampant in the NL Central Division as the Cubs picked up A's ace Rich Harden in a six player deal.

The trade comes only a few days after the Brewers picked up linebacker CC Sabathia in a trade with the Cleveland Indians.

Chicago also picked up Chad Gaudin while jettisoning right hander Sean Gallagher and outfielders Matt Murton and Eric Patterson.

Nitpicking the Experts

ESPN's baseball spent the offseason tossing and turning, each lying awake at night, full knowing this day would come.

It is the eve of the start of the baseball season, and the staff at 108 Red Stitches is ready to analyze their baseball season predictions.

	World Series	American League	National League	Wild Cards
Jayson Stark, ESPN.com	Braves over Tigers	East: Red Sox Central: Tigers West: Mariners	East: Braves Central: Cubs West: Rockies	AL: Indians NL: Mets
Peter Gammons, ESPN/ESPN Insider	Indians over Braves	East: Red Sox Central: Tigers West: Angels	East: Braves Central: Cubs West: D-backs	AL: Indians NL: Mets
Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.com	Tigers over Mets	East: Red Sox Central: Tigers West: Angels	East: Mets Central: Cubs West: D-backs	AL: Indians NL: Braves
Buster Olney, ESPN The Magazine	Indians over Cubs	East: Yankees Central: Indians West: Mariners	East: Braves Central: Cubs West: Rockies	AL: Red Sox NL: Mets
Tim Kurkjian, ESPN The Magazine	Red Sox over Mets	East: Red Sox Central: Indians West: Angels	East: Mets Central: Cubs West: Dodgers	AL: Red Sox NL: Phillies

Sometimes we wonder who's drinking out of the tainted water cooler over in Bristol, CT. Of the five reporters we've selected, (each of whom we hold in the utmost regard as journalists) Buster Olney is the most creative in his picks, and really is the only one of the five that puts his reputation on the line by selecting the Yankes, Indians, and Mariners to win their Divisions, while choosing the Braves, Cubs, and Rockies, to nestle in first in their divisions.

Everyone else loves the Red Sox or (gasp) the Tigers. Ray Charles could have taken a look at the Tigers' lineup and seen that they could wrap up the Central.

The Sox, Tigers, Mets, and Cubs are all safety picks. There's nothing interesting about them. And we, of course don't agree with any of them.

Here are our picks for the 2008 season, and guess what...we're going to be right.

World Series

American League

National League

Wild Cards

Cubs over Yankees

East: Yankees Central: Indians West: Mariners

East: Braves Central: Cubs West: D-Backs

AL: Blue Jays NL: Brewers

Believe it or not, the Cubs will win the World Series, because of a bullpen anchored by Kerry Wood. With the Reds out of a playoff run by early June, they'll send Ken Griffey Jr to the Cubs to give him (and them) a shot at that elusive World Series ring.

A lot of people are giving the Red Sox a lot more credit than they're worth. A cranky rotation, old age at important positions (catcher, corner outfield, third base) and a bullpen that'll be on again/off again; the Red

Sure, everyone says the Yankees biggest problem is their rotation, but they'll score enough runs to cover the five runs a game their staff will allow. They're a year away from going back to the World Series, and coming out on top.

The Mets will stumble out of the gates due to injuries that have ravished their roster. With Sox aren't the same team as last year. Dustin Pedroia and Jacoby Elisbury will have their growing pains as well. only Wright and Reyes fully capable of playing everyday without the fear of shattering a hip, the Mets will patch together a lineup and rotation that will lead to "too little, too late" once everyone is fully healthy and healed.

Prospect Analysis: Tyler Colvin

Name: Tyler Colvin
Organization: Chicago Cubs
Position: Outfield
Born: 9/5/1985
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Drafted: 2006, 1st Round (13th Overall)

Immediately thrust into High A-Ball, promoted to Double-A, Floorida State League All-Star, selected to Team USA, walk-off grand slam against Oral Roberts in the College World Series Super Regional Round; Colvin's career has been peppered with highlights and accolades, and he's just 22-years old.
Colvin finished the season batting .299 with 16 home runs and 81 RBIs, all while nursing a sore shoulder.
According to Scout Magazine, the 6'3'' Colvin "has drawn comparisons to such big league outfielders as Steve Finley and Shawn Green." If Colvin adds some muscle to his lanky frame, he'd be capable of going yard 20-30 times a season.
It may be another year or two before you see Colvin in the majors, with the Cubs having a crowded outfield.

Baseball Roundup: 1/17/08

As the week is coming to an end we like to take a look back on any wheeling and dealing from the front offices of Major League Franchises around the country.

In an interesting move that could be a huge pickup, the Yankees signed ex-Astro outfielder Jason Lane to a minor league contract. Lane is expected to compete for the first base as well as a spot as a reserve outfielder. Lane was pushed out of the Astros' outfield with the signing of Carlos Lee to a long term deal and with the emergence of rookie sensation Hunter Pence. He might be a great insurance policy in case Matsui, Abreu, or Damon begin to show signs of old age.

The Cubs took 3.5 million dollar, one year gamble on right hander Jon Lieber. Lieber last pitched for the Cubs during the 2001 season, winning 20 games. Last season Lieber was plagued with injuries that led to inconsistent performances and a demotion to the bullpen.

The Tigers and left handed pitcher, Nate Robertson, avoided arbitration by agreeing on a three year contract extension with a nice raise tacked on. Robertson was eligible for free agency after the 2009 season. His contract averages out to be about 7 million dollars per year, pretty impressive for someone whose best season was a 13-13 record.

The Texas Rangers lassoed free agent Jason Jennings in with a one year, $4 million offer. Jennings returns home (he's a Dallas native and pitched for Baylor University during college) after a dismal performance in Houston. An injury shelved Jennings for the remainder of the season, after piling up a 2-9 record for the Astros. This was Texas' second move in as many days; they signed Marlon Byrd on Wednesday.

The Devil Rays continue to piece together a pitching staff, signing Mark Hendrickson and Dan Wheeler and added Jonny Gomes to their lineup; again.

Doug Mirabelli re-signed with the Red Sox, allowing Nation Fans and Tim Wakefield to breath a collective sigh of relief. Theo also receives a Smiley Sticker for not having to re-acquire him in a trade that loses the Sox valuable young talent.

Ancient Arthur Rhodes signed a minor league deal with Seattle.

He'll be my third pick in our upcoming fantasy baseball draft.