The Cubs project for the seventh overall pick in next year's draft, though it's a tight race. The latest on the club:
- Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez said yesterday that he'd probably played his last game as a Cub, noting that he's ready to move on and expects to hit the open market. Today, Ramirez told Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune that he doesn't think interim GM Randy Bush has the power to sign a big free agent, therefore nothing will come of today's meeting between Bush and his agent Paul Kinzer. Ramirez still prefers to stay with the Cubs, but he doesn't want to be part of a rebuilding process. If he hits the market, he'll easily be the best third baseman available.
- Kinzer also represents Starlin Castro, Geovany Soto, Carlos Marmol, and John Grabow, notes MLB.com's Carrie Muskat, so today's meeting probably won't just be about Ramirez.
- Manager Mike Quade answered a question about Carlos Zambrano from Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald, saying, "I'd like his arm back if he fit into the mix. But it would be tough for him to come back, for me." The Zambrano situation will be a tough assignment for the new GM.
- Quade expects to be back next year, he told Sullivan and other reporters.
- Longtime Cubs adviser Gary Hughes resigned yesterday, and ESPN's Buster Olney thinks he could land with the Marlins.
Either Quade truly is a pocket full of sunshine when it comes to his job prospects, or he’s been told by Ricketts that he will be back. I hope it’s the former, rather than the latter. Quade’s an inept manager who really shouldn’t be given another (speaking the obvious of course). Unfortunately, the Cubs may bring him back because they know that they won’t contend next year and see no reason to replace a cheap short term manager.
Quade is gone – Cubs will right the ship by solid management – Gillick – pres – Hahn – GM – Sandberg – Mgr. Big Z and Byrd to Sox for Peavy and Dunn.
Pipe dream
so the cubs want to trade 1 problem with a year left for 2 problems with multiple years and money left on their contracts.
Some people sound like a broken record. At this point just release him. There is not point in taking on another team’s issue when their own issue will be gone by the end of next season.
The cubs turned down Peavy a couple of years ago (rightfully) after Peavy said he only wanted to play in Chicago. And even if adam dunn raises his BA 30 points, he’ll still be worthless at a less than .200 BA. Zamrano is only a bad contract because of the money, he still is capable of winning 10 to 15 a season if they would just let him pitch instead of putting him in time out every time he throws a temper tantrum. I like Zambrano, and I would liek to see him play, but if they’re going to get rid of him at least get some prospects or maybe AJ burnett or Carlos ee or something semi-useful…. let the White Sox keep their mistakes
They’re not just “temper tantrums”; he’s completely irrational, inappropriate and unprofessional all too often. It’s an insult to the team, a cancer to the clubhouse, and an embarrassment altogether. I don’t think he’s an awful guy – he’s a solid talent with severe anger issues – but there’s no room for this nonsense on a Cub team looking to re-focus on winning again.
Who gives a crap if he gets pissed off everytime he gives up 10 runs in a inning.
I believe you meant to say, “embarancement”.
Except 0 of those things will happen, especially the cubs trading with the sox
I’d do Soriano and Z for Dunn and Peavey.
thats not a bad scenerio if the cubs dont have to send a penny to the sox
no thanks
If Sandberg is going to be the man, I’d say get him in here ASAP.
Let him learn the league, the players, evaluate his own players etc..
That way, when the Cubs are ready to contend again in a few years, they will have an experienced, established, respected manager already in place.
I don’t want Sandberg back. He didn’t get the job he wanted when he wanted it, so he left the organization he’s been a part of for decades. I didn’t blame him for being hurt and upset, but he came off as rash to me, and I’d rather we keep Quade or look elsewhere.
guy
Jim hendry screwed sandberg.
Hendry totally dissed sandberg with the your not even 3rd or 4th on the list to be manager comment and then Hendry didnt even offer sandberg his job in Iowa again after sandberg won there. So if your going to say F anyone its F U Hendry, and please come back ryno were sorry for jim hendry’s mistakes.
With Manuel as old as he is in philly, why would Sandberg leave when hes next in line there?
Philly is obviously a better job to take over, bit Manuel wants to stay a few more years and the Cubs job will probably be open a day or two after the new G.M. is hired.
He’s being optimistic with a dash of “I’m coming back unless they tell me I’m not coming back” thrown in. I honestly don’t expect him to return, but even if he does that would be the decision of the incoming GM.
does this mean ramierez wont play in the rest of the team’s games this season?
“…he’d probably played his last game as a Cub.”
ummm…youve got some games left, buddy.
ok, i just read the full article. it specifies “at wrigley.”
so does kinzer tell his clients to have off and on years. soto, ramirez, grabow, marmol. some teams stay away from boras, the cubs should stay away from kinzer.
I remember Farnsworth doing the same thing, is he represented by Kinzer?
“Longtime club adviser Gary Hughes resigns”
Finally people are figuring out that this team is in the midst of chaos. Good choice.
I still just don’t see why the Cubs would be opposed to offering Ramirez a 3 year deal. There are no free-agent alternatives close to his skill level, and nothing in the organization either. (Sorry Vitters.)
It wouldn’t make sense to let him go at this point.