ESPN.Com is reporting that Lou Piniella is going to try to pursue Alex Rodriguez into coming to the Chicago Cubs if the Cubs and Yankees can work out a trade.  Early reports are that Aramis Ramirez would be headed to New York and a good starting pitching prospect.  I don’t see that deal happening because Ramirez and Hendry are pretty close and Ramirez can opt out of his contract and test the free agent market if he wishes.  Unless he wants to goto the Yankees and the Cubs do a sign and trade deal I don’t see it happening. 

I could see a deal along the lines of Rich Hill or Sean Marshall, Ronny Cedeno, and maybe Matt Murton going to the Yankees.  Tough call but you gotta make tough decisions when you are looking at bringing a big time player to the team like A-Rod is.

I blogged a week or so ago about A-Rod possibly coming to the Cubs if Lou Piniella was the managaer, and it looks like that just might happen. Along ways to go in this so we will have to see what Jim Hendry and the Yankees can work out.

Cubs Rumors

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Well it really does look like Lou Piniella is headed to Chicago to manage the Chicago Cubs.  ESPN1000 is reporting that that Piniella has agreed on a three year deal for roughly 3 million per year.  The Cubs management plan on having a press conference tomorrow to announce the signing of Piniella.

It will be interesting to see who Piniella brings in for a coaching staff and what Jim Hendry does in the free agent market.  There are big time pitchers in Barry Zito and Jason Schmidt as well as big time sluggers like Carlos Lee.

Look for Joe Girardi to head to Washington and take over the Nationals managerial spot.  I’m not sure if the Cubs ever offered the job to Girardi, but I really doubt they ever did.  Piniella fits the mold as a manager that Hendry would like. ( Not taking a gamble on a young manager)

Cubs Blog

Rumors are really going around now about Lou Piniella becoming the next Cubs manager and that it could happen before the World Series begins.  I don’t like the move, as I want Girardi to be the Cubs manager but I can see him ending up in Washington coaching the Nationals.  Sweet Lou, would be my second choice over Bruce Bochy and Bob Brenly though.

Lets set back and see what happens this next week, but all signs are pointing towards hard ass Pinella coming to Chicago.  Do we need to get a over/under bet going on how many times he will be ejected?

Chicago Cubs Rumors

Exactly what I have been thinking since the Yankees were beat by the Tigers, Chicagosports.com has a report out today that talks about the Cubs and Alex Rodriguez. 

Once the Tigers finished the Yankees, you had to figure A-rod was on his way out of town.  One day later, it was rumors about Joe Torre being fired and then more rumors it was going to be either Torre or Rodriguez out of New York City.  Right then I think 90% of Cubs fans had the thought running through their head, A-rod to the Cubs?  Could it really happen?  Would A-rod want to come to Chicago?

The Cubs probably would have to give up prized left-hander Rich Hill, who appears to be No. 2 in the starting rotation behind Carlos Zambrano. Others the Yankees might covet are top outfield prospect Felix Pie and left-handed setup man Scott Eyre.  It’s hard to give up Hill who had a great second half of the season but some moves have to be made to get into the post season.  Hendry cannot just sit on his butt all off-season and not do anything to improve this Cubs team.

More Cubs Rumors
 

Former Cubs player and former Marlins manager, Joe Girardi spent most of the day on Monday interviewing for the Chicago Cubs managers job.  I have said on the blog that Girardi is the manager of my choice for the Cubs.  I think Joe could really help the team out, and make the changes that need to be done to get this team back to the playoffs.

Jim Hendry also says he will interview a couple of minor league coaches from the Cubs organization.  Mike Quade has managed the Cubs’ Triple-A Iowa affiliate since 2003. In 2006, he led the team to a 76-68 record. Pat Listach, a Major League player from 1992-97, mostly with the Brewers, managed Double-A West Tennessee to a 80-60 record this past season.

Cubs Blog

One manager that Jim Hendry was looking at too possibly become the next Cubs manager might be headed to the Big Apple.  Reports this morning out of New York are saying Joe Torre has been fired by the Yankees and Lou Piniella is the guy that Steinbrenner wants.

I say go ahead and take Sweet Lou, I didn’t want him to become the Cubs manager anyways.  I would rather have Joe Girardi any day.

Another name that is going around for the Cubs manger job is Bruce Bochy.   Bochy is the manager of the San Diego Padres right now.  An ESPN analyst threw that name into the pot but I don’t think it means much at the point.

Chicago Cubs Blog

Could Steve Stone really be headed back to the tv booth for the Chicago Cubs?  What a combination of Len Kasper and Steve Stone if it does happen!  I would love to see that happen.  But the only way it will happen is if Bob Brenly takes the managers job of the team.  I’m not too sure he really wants the job as he stated in the season if he were to manage the Cubs there would have to be some big changes in the organization.  Maybe that is what this team needs though?

The 22nd annual edition of the Cubs Convention will be held on Friday, Jan. 19 through Sunday, Jan. 21 at the Hilton Chicago Hotel on 720 S. Michigan Ave. Weekend passes will go on sale at 10 a.m. CT on Nov. 6 and be exclusively available on Cubs.com or by phone at (800) THE CUBS (800-843-2827).

Weekend passes will cost $50, plus convenience fees.   Included with each weekend pass is access to all autograph and photo sessions, question and answer sessions, as well as the memorabilia and vendor booths.

The list of players and coaches will be released later on so stay tuned to Chicago Cubs Blog for that information! 

On Wednesday, the Cubs informed hitting coach Gene Clines, first-base coach Gary Matthews, bench coach Dick Pole, pitching coach Larry Rothschild, third-base coach Chris Speier, bullpen coach Juan Lopez and special assistant Sonny Jackson that the new manager would be responsible for hiring his own staff.

Each coach was contacted by Cubs general manager Jim Hendry. All were told they would be considered for spots on the new coaching staff but were also free to pursue other opportunities.

Cubs Blog

It didn’t take Dusty too long to find a new gig this post season.  He will start working for ESPN this weekend during the baseball playoffs.  Great, just what we all want to hear lol.  It would be interesting to hear Dusty’s take on game situations etc and listen to him argue with the other broadcasters lol.  I would love to see Kruk and Baker get into a nice argument.

It is rumored that Baker could possibly be headed to the Washington Nationals to coach them next year. Frank Robinson will not be back as manager and reports are Baker is one of their choices for the job.

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