OUT OF RIGHT FIELD

We've Moved

2008-12-19T13:42:00.006-06:00

Out of Right Field has moved. It can now be found at http://mvn.com/outofrightfield/. Nothing has changed, and we even hired some people to move all of our old articles over there as well. You can see the pictures of that move below.

We would have done the work ourselves, but there was a Fresh Prince marathon on all day.

Another reason?

2008-12-16T13:51:00.002-06:00

Click on the link below to see another video of Joey Gathright.

Maybe the Cubs are 0-6 in the 2 years in the playoffs because they don't have a freak show player off the bench. That's definitely not it, but who knows.

Baseball High Jump
Professional baseball player Joey Gathright jumps over the pitcher for the L.A. Dodgers. This is the best baseball play I have seen in a long time!

Why did the Cubs sign Joey Gathright?

2008-12-16T13:38:00.001-06:00

If for no other reason, it was to impress the team on road trips and boost morale by doing things like this off the field:

Cubs sign Joey Gathright

2008-12-16T13:32:00.002-06:00

According to Bruce Miles, the Cubs have added bench depth in the form of speedy outfielder, Joey Gathright. Gathright can play all outfield positions and is extremely fast.

Gathright is a lefthanded bat that could platoon with Reed Johnson in centerfield, or could be a bench player that sees time platooning with all positions in the outfield.

Gathright has a low career OBP of .328, but could be a great weapon for Lou Piniella off the bench in terms of speed. Ronny Cedeno & Felix Pie played that role last season.

Cubs are focused on signing Milton Bradley

2008-12-13T12:26:00.003-06:00

In news I'm absolutely loving, Gordon Wittenmyer writes that the Cubs are making signing Milton Bradley their current #1 priority.

Cubs re-sign Chad Guadin

2008-12-12T17:12:00.002-06:00

According to Paul Sullivan, the Cubs have signed Chad Guadin to a one-year deal.

The Cubs also offered arbitration Kevin Gregg, Michael Wuertz, Neal Cotts, Reed Johnson, and Ronny Cedeno.

Hendry Ends Peavy Saga

2008-12-11T15:02:00.002-06:00

According to Ken Rosenthal, and several other sources, Jim Hendry informed Kevin Towers this morning that the Cubs will no longer be involved in talks to acquire Jake Peavy. The Cubs were dealing from a position of strength, and Towers demands were getting to be excessive considering the Cubs current ownership situation, as well as the inability to find a taker for Jason Marquis.

The Cubs' rotation will still be formidable, and the team should benefit from not having to deal a decent core of young players. Sean Marshall was among them, and while he will likely be in the bullpen again in 2009, it should be a good thing in 2010 (or in 2009 with injuries, and lets be honest it's bound to happen) as he will be able around to take Marquis' spot.

Adding Peavy would have been great, but I think I speak for most Cubs fans when I say thank you to Jim Hendry for ending this somewhat quick. We don't need a repeat of the Brian Roberst saga from last year.

Cubs Rumors: Chone Figgins

2008-12-10T22:10:00.006-06:00

According to Mike DiGiovanna, the Cubs have been exploring the possibility of a trade with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for Chone Figgins.

Nothing will be done, however, until Mark Tiexiera signs with a team. At that point, the Angels can re-evaluate what are their needs.

Figgins would potentially replace a traded Mark DeRosa as the super utility man for the Cubs. Figgins has played 6 positions in the past & he can also bat leadoff.

Cubs Rumors: Jake Peavy

2008-12-10T20:30:00.000-06:00

Wednesday, 8:30PM: According to Jayson Stark, the Cubs are not budging on the Padres further demands and the Peavy deal is no close to being done than it was yesterday.

The Cubs have also been getting numerous requests for Mark DeRosa since the rumor started floating around that he was available in a trade. I would hope the Cubs would at least consider what's out there in an available trade for DeRosa. If would be safe to assume that Mark DeRosa is at his peak level in terms of value, as he's been one of the Cubs MVPs in both of their Division Championships. If that many teams are fighting, I'd hope they would push to see what they could possibly get for someone so sought after.

Wednesday, 6:10PM: The Yankees tried to the ball rolling on a Jake Peavy deal of their own, but Buster Olney says talks went nowhere.

Wednesday, 10:55AM: Bought up by Tim Krasovic, Jake Peavy had said in the past that if the Yankees acquired CC Sabathia, they would look much more attactive. Well, CC is on the Yankees now, so will the Yankees make a push to get Peavy? The Yankees still have rotation wholes to fill, with Pettitte gone and Mike Mussina retiring.

Tuesday, 10:55PM: According to Paul Sullivan, Jason Marquis & Mark DeRosa are in the current Peavy deal that is on the table.

Crane Kenney says that Jim Hendry has the authority to add a big contract like Jake Peavy's, even without knowing who the next owner will be because there is room in their current budget.

Tuesday, 8:31PM: According to Jeff Passan of Yahoo, the only holdup of a Peavy deal is the Cubs getting rid of Jason Marquis.

Tuesday, 7:45PM: According to Corey Brock, GM Kevin Towers has said that the Peavy deal is closer to happening today than it was yesterday.

Tuesday, 6:31PM: According to Chuck Garfien of CSNChicago, the Cubs are back to being close to sealing a Peavy deal. No specifics were given on who is involved, just that it's close to happening.... again.

Tuesday, 2:30PM: According to Tim Brown & Gordon Edes, the price appears to be too steep according to the Cubs perspective.

GM Kevin Towers is still optimistic that a deal will get done.

Tuesday, 12:43PM: Jayson Stark of ESPN concurs with Ken Rosenthal that his Cubs sources are telling him that a Peavy deal isn't imminent despite what everyone else is saying.

Welcome to the Winter Meetings.

Tuesday, 12:16PM: According to Ken Rosenthal, the Cubs maintain that they are not close in a deal for Jake Peavy. The ownership question needs to be answered before a Peavy deal can be completed.

Rosenthal says that the Cubs could try to sign Randy Johnson if a Peavy deal does not happen.

Cubs Rumors: Jake Peavy deal proposal

2008-12-10T18:06:00.003-06:00

According to Carrie Muskat (as reported by ESPN's Steve Phillips, the Peavy trade proposal reportedly on the team involves 3 teams.

- The Phillies would send either JA Happ or Carlos Carrasco plus Jason Donald to the Cubs for Mark DeRosa

- The Cubs would then send the 2 players picked up from the Phillies, but Jason Marquis, Josh Vitters, and Felix Pie

- The Cubs would get Jake Peavy from the Padres

Cubs Rumors: Paul Bako

2008-12-10T16:32:00.003-06:00

According to Bruce Miles, the Cubs may bring Paul Bako into Spring camp as a non-roster invitee.

The Cubs backup right now is Koyie Hill. It would appear that the Henry Blanco era in Chicago is over. As a mentor to Geovany Soto, he was invaluable. Let's hope Soto was paying attention.

Cubs Rumors: Mark DeRosa is staying put

2008-12-10T14:14:00.001-06:00

According to Carrie Muskat, the Cubs will not be dealing Mark DeRosa, despite the rumors of him going to the Phillies or the Twins.

Cubs Rumors: Mark DeRosa, Jake Peavy

2008-12-10T10:00:00.000-06:00

Wednesday, 10:00AM: According to LaVelle E. Neal III of the Star Tribune, the Twins have inquired about Mark DeRosa in a possible trade. This trade would have facilitate the Peavy trade, as the Twins may have the pitching the Padres crave.

Tuesday, 1:05PM: According to Bruce Miles, a Mark DeRosa trade would be the classic case of selling high, something the Cubs have not been known to do with their players in the past. (Sosa, Farnsworth, Patterson, etc.)

Monday, 8:09PM: With the Phillies now a possibility as a 3rd party in a Peavy/Cubs trade, rumors now are circulating on what the Phillies could want in return. According to a source of Scott Miller of CBSSports.com, the Phillies have interest in 2nd baseman/super utility player Mark DeRosa.

In another long shot, the Cubs could send Jason Marquis to the Padres in a Peavy deal.

Cubs to trade Carlos Zambrano if they acquire Jake Peavy?

2008-12-10T09:45:00.001-06:00

Wednesday, 9:45AM: According to Gordon Wittenmyer, the Cubs adamantly denied that Zambrano would be shopped if the Cubs acquired Peavy in a trade.

Tuesday, 3:19PM: According to John Perrotto of Baseball Prospectus, there is a "crazy" rumor floating around that the Cubs would entertain offers for Carlos Zambrano is they acquire Jake Peavy in a trade.

The obvious benefit of trading Carlos Zambrano would be getting his contract off the books. Other than that, a trade of Big Z would be asinine. We'll see if this rumor gets legs or it's just a weak rumor.

Cubs Rumors: Left-handed bat

2008-12-09T21:29:00.000-06:00

Tuesday, 9:29PM: According to Chuck Garfien, GM Jim Hendry talked to 3-4 agents of left-handed bats. Garfien says that Hendry is in no hurry to sign anyone, but he'll have the field narrowed down by the end of the Winter Meetings.

Monday, 2:15PM: According to Jayson Stark, the Cubs are getting aggressive in searching for their left-handed bat. The names are the usuals (Dunn, Ibanez, Abreu, and Bradley), but Stark puts Ibanez & Abreu as the leaders. Jeremy Hermida is a long shot.

Cubs Rumors: David DeJesus, Mark Teahan

2008-12-09T20:14:00.004-06:00

According to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star, GM Dayton Moore of the Kansas City Royals shot down any speculation that he is listening to offers from the Cubs on Mark Teahan or David DeJesus.

Moore claims that the price on David DeJesus will be high and he has no interest in trading Mark Teahan.

The Cubs win something

2008-12-09T16:33:00.004-06:00

According to Carrie Muskat at MLB.com, the Cubs trainers were named trainers of the year by The Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society.

The parade is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.

Cubs Rumors: Kerry Wood

2008-12-09T13:24:00.003-06:00

According to MLB.com, Kerry Wood is close to signing a 2 year deal (with a possible 3rd option year) with the Cleveland Indians.

As a huge fan of Kerry Wood, a deal like this would ensure that the Cubs would face him only in interleague play. (which is a series at Wrigley this year, June 19-21) Also, watching Wood close out games against the Sox would be an added bonus.

Cubs Rumors: Jason Marquis

2008-12-09T13:15:00.000-06:00

Tuesday, 1:15PM: According to Jayson Stark, a trade sending Jason Marquis to the Mets for Aaron Heilman has been discussed, but seems highly unlikely. The teams haven't come to an agreement on how much of the 2009 salary of Jason Marquis the Cubs would have to eat.

Monday, 7:00PM: According to Tony Renck of The Denver Post, the Rockies told the Cubs that they don't have the money to make a Jason Marquis deal happen. It could be their way of getting the Cubs to pay for more of the $9.875 million owed to him in 2009. The deal is considered a long shot.

Monday, 3:40PM: According to sources of Bruce Miles, there is nothing of substance to the Marquis-to-the-Rockies trade rumors.

Monday, 9:39AM: According to Tony Renck of The Denver Post, the Colorado Rockies have interest in acquiring Jason Marquis. No word on the possible specifics in the trade, but I'm sure the Cubs would have to pay some of his 2009 salary.

A Jason Marquis trade would free up some money to go after a lefthanded bat, a leadoff bat, or Jake Peavy.

Cubs Rumors: Jake Peavy, Baltimore Orioles

2008-12-09T11:34:00.003-06:00

According to Roch Kubatko, if the Baltimore Orioles are a part of the proposed Jake Peavy deal that's in the hands of Jim Hendry, it's news to them. Roch says that the Orioles have not agreed to trade anyone in such a deal.

Based on this, Mark DeRosa seems more likely in the deal going to the Phillies.

Cubs Rumors: Raul Ibanez

2008-12-09T11:24:00.002-06:00

According to Jayson Stark, the Cubs are among 2 other teams who are the front runners to acquire Raul Ibanez.

The other two teams are the Philadelphia Phillies & the New York Mets.

Governor Rod Blagojevich tried to use the Cubs/Wrigley Field to get people fired

2008-12-09T10:32:00.004-06:00

According to the federal indictment against current (and most likely former) Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, Rod, among many other things, withheld state assistance for the Tribune Company in connection with the Cubs/Wrigley Field sale until the Tribune Company fired its editorial board. Apparently Rod didn't like what the editorial board had been saying about him. Wake up Rod, everybody has been saying that about you.

I guess we won't be seeing Rod singing the 7th inning stretch any time soon.

Cubs Rumors: Jake Peavy deal close?

2008-12-09T10:30:00.000-06:00

Tuesday, 10:30AM: Phil Rogers concurs with Tim Krasovic, the Peavy deal is only a matter of time at this point.

Monday, 9:45PM: According to Tim Krasovic, the Padres need an answer from the Cubs by the end of the week.

Ronny Cedeno, Michael Wuertz, Felix Pie, Jason Marquis, Angel Guzman, and/or Kevin Hart could be on the move to San Diego, Philadelphia, or Baltimore. Mark DeRosa & Josh Vitters could also be involved. GM Kevin Towers says that this is the most complicated trade negotiation in his 14 years as GM.

Monday, 9:30PM: Tim Krasovic of the Union-Tribune concurs with Corey Brock's news that GM Kevin Towers has found a trade and that it needs the Cubs approval at this point.

Mark DeRosa could be traded to San Diego, then to Philly. DeRosa would play 2nd base while Chase Utley is on the DL for the first few months.

Monday, 9:07PM: According to Corey Brock of MLB.com, the legwork for a Peavy to the Cubs deal is complete. Now, it's up to Jim Hendry to approve.

Up to 4 teams may be involved in this potential blockbuster.

Cubs Rumors: Milton Bradley

2008-12-08T19:24:00.003-06:00

According to Enrique Rojas of ESPN, the Cubs met with free agent outfielder Milton Bradley last night.

Bradley would fill in their left-handed power bat need. If signed, Milton Bradley would give Ozzie Guillen a run for his money for title of "craziest man" in Chicago baseball.

Cubs Rumors: Felix Pie

2008-12-08T18:01:00.002-06:00

According to Roch Kubatko, the Baltimore Orioles still have interest in Felix Pie. A likely scenario for the Orioles acquiring Pie is in a 3 team deal that included Jake Peavy at this point.

The Orioles took bust Corey Patterson off the Cubs hands, are they trying to go 2-for-2?