SB Nation Chicago - Chicago Cubs Offseason: Cubs, Red Sox Agree To Terms On Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer Compensationhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48877/chicago-fave.png2012-11-21T12:04:23-06:00http://chicago.sbnation.com/rss/stream/23218262012-11-21T12:04:23-06:002012-11-21T12:04:23-06:00Bryan LaHair could be headed to Japan
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<p>LaHair was a 2012 NL All-Star but his production dropped dramatically after the All-Star break. </p> <p><span>Bryan LaHair</span> is close to an agreement with the SoftBank Hawks in Japan, a day after being designated for assignment by the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Cubs</a>, <a href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/11/softbank-hawks-lahair-nearing-deal.html">according to a report</a>.</p>
<p>LaHair, 30, made the NL All-Star team in 2012 but fell into a slump as the season continued, finishing with 16 home runs and a .259/.334/.450 batting line in 380 plate appearances.</p>
<p>The Cubs could have traded LaHair last season when he was playing at an All-Star level but now, they would have to sent him to Triple-A or he would become a free agent. His opportunity to go to Japan could be more lucrative than if he stays which could explain the Cubs and LaHair's decision to go this route.</p>
<p>LaHair, who plays both corner outfield and first base, would get lost in the shuffle of the Cubs' roster and would see limited playing time if he stayed with the Cubs. The Cubs, meanwhile, need to get to 40-man rosters on Wednesday in time for the Rule V Draft.</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/11/21/3676232/chicago-cubs-brian-lahair-japanRonald Clark2012-11-20T18:56:52-06:002012-11-20T18:56:52-06:00Cubs cut 1B/OF Bryan LaHair
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<p>2012 National League All-Star possibly heading to Japan</p> <p>One of the casualties from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a> trimming their 40-man roster on Tuesday was first baseman and outfielder <span>Bryan LaHair</span>, who was designated for assignment. On Twitter, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/CarrieMuskat/status/271045380010016768">Cubs MLB beat reporter Carrie Muskat said</a> the team is "pursuing opportunity for (LaHair) in Japan."</p>
<p>LaHair, 30, hit .259/.334/.450 with 16 home runs and 17 doubles in 2012, in 380 plate appearances, his best season of his three in the major leagues. He was selected as the All-Star Game representative for the Cubs for the 2012 game. LaHair signed as a free agent with Chicago in Nov. 2010, after spending nine seasons in Seattle's farm system.</p>
<p>The Cubs added right-handed pitchers <span>Trey McNutt</span> and Robert Whitenack and infielders <span>Christian Villanueva</span> and <span>Logan Watkins</span> to their 40-man roster on Tuesday, which was the last day teams could make changes to their roster before the Rule 5 draft, to be held Dec. 6 in Nashville at baseball's Winter Meetings.</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/11/20/3673496/chicago-cubs-bryan-lahair-cut-goneJosh Brokaw2012-03-30T07:01:08-05:002012-03-30T07:01:08-05:00Theo Epstein Compensation: Boston Could Try To Re-Open Talks After Carpenter Surgery
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<p>Frustrated by the emergence of a right elbow injury that's ultimately required surgery on reliever Chris Carpenter, the pitcher acquired from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a> as part of the compensation for Theo Epstein, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Boston Red Sox</a> don't consider talks about the compensation to be over now.</p>
<p>According to a source that's spoken with <a href="http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/sports/red_sox/index.php/2012/03/29/red-sox-not-ready-to-declare-theo-epstein-compensation-talks-over-weighing-options/">Michael Silverman of the Boston Globe</a>, folks in Boston don't see the negotiations for Epstein's compensation to be over:</p>
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<p>The club is weighing its options about what to do next, said the source. This raises the specter that the Red Sox believe the possibility exists that Carpenter was injured when he was traded to them on Feb. 21. A baseball source indicated that the teams agree that that there was no intent or prior knowledge by the Cubs that misled the Red Sox about Carpenter’s condition.</p>
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<p>In addition to receiving Carpenter, the Red Sox swapped first baseman Jair Bogaerts for Cubs pitcher Aaron Kurcz. Neither of the pitchers that Boston received would be considered a top prospect, but there's never been a precedent for teams receiving that kind of return for executives.</p>
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https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/3/30/2913153/theo-epstein-compensation-cubs-red-sox-2012Satchel Price2012-03-29T13:04:45-05:002012-03-29T13:04:45-05:00Theo Epstein Compensation: Cubs Receive 1B Jair Bogaerts From Red Sox
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a> have hopefully closed the final chapter of the <b>Theo Epstein</b> compensation talks. According to Adam Hoge of CBS Sports, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Boston Red Sox</a> have sent 18-year-old 1B <b>Jair Bogaerts</b> to Chicago:</p>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523RedSox">#RedSox</a> send 1B prospect Jair Bogaerts to <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523Cubs">#Cubs</a> to complete Theo Epstein compensation.</p>
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHogeCBS) <a data-datetime="2012-03-29T16:59:55+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/AdamHogeCBS/status/185410973488783360">March 29, 2012</a>
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<p>Bogaerts played in 46 Rookie League games in 2011, hitting an impressive .291/.392/.411 slash with 2 home runs. With only two rookie-league seasons under his belt, Bogaerts is likely years away from reaching the majors.</p>
<p>The Cubs <a href="http://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/2/21/2814223/theo-epstein-compensation-chris-carpenter-cubs-red-sox/in/2321826">previously sent</a> prospect C+ SP <span>Christopher Carpenter</span> to the Red Sox after weeks of debate between the two franchises. Epstein left the Red Sox organization before the conclusion of his contract, but the unprecedented transition resulted in protracted compensation talks that eventually had to be settled with the help of commissioner Bud Selig.</p>
<p><i>For more on the offseason, stay tuned to <a href="http://chicago.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Chicago</a>. For more from around baseball, head over to <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a>. To keep track of all rumors and happenings in the game, check out <a href="http://www.mlbdailydish.com/">MLB Daily Dish</a>.</i></p>
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https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/3/29/2911841/theo-epstein-compensation-cubs-jair-bogaerts-red-soxBradley Woodrum2012-03-26T13:52:37-05:002012-03-26T13:52:37-05:002012 MLB Free Agency: Cubs Sign MR Shawn Camp To Minor League Deal
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<p>According to Carrie Muskat of Cubs.com, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a> have signed reliever RHP <span>Shawn Camp</span> to a minor league deal:</p>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523Cubs">#Cubs</a> sign RHP Shawn [Camp] to Minor League deal. He's at HoHoKam today</p>
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) <a data-datetime="2012-03-26T15:17:16+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/CarrieMuskat/status/184297976993300480">March 26, 2012</a>
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<p>Camp previously played for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Seattle Mariners</a>, earned $750,000 on a major league deal. His 2011 season did go as well as hoped, though, as the then-35-year-old pitching 66.1 inning with his highest ERA (4.21) of the last three years as well as the lowest strikeout rate (11.0%) of his career.</p>
<p>With almost 500 innings under his belt, the veteran Camp adds extra depth to a projected Cubs bullpen already bolstered with former starters such as <span>Carlos Marmol</span>, <span>Kerry Wood</span>, <span>James Russell</span> and possibly <span>Casey Coleman</span>.</p>
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https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/3/26/2903939/2012-mlb-free-agency-cubs-sign-mr-shawn-camp-to-minor-league-dealBradley Woodrum2012-03-16T13:33:52-05:002012-03-16T13:33:52-05:002012 MLB Offseason: Chicago Cubs Claim RHP Frankie De La Cruz
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a> have claimed 28-year-old RHP <span>Frankie De La Cruz</span> from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Milwaukee Brewers</a>, according to Tom Haudricourt of the <i>Milwaukee Journal Sentinal</i>:</p>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523Brewers">#Brewers</a> RHP Frankie De La Cruz was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs.</p>
— Tom (@Haudricourt) <a data-datetime="2012-03-16T18:04:26+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/Haudricourt/status/180716168871559168">March 16, 2012</a>
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<p>De La Cruz has pitched 32.0 innings in the major leagues since 2007, and spent most of the 2011 season in Triple-A. The long-time starter and swing man pitcher compiled 137.0 IP in the minors last year, earning a 3.88 <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/library/index.php/pitching/era/">ERA</a> and 4.16 <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/library/index.php/pitching/fip/">FIP</a>. In the majors, De La Cruz pitched 13.0 innings in relief, earning a 2.77 ERA and 3.26 FIP.</p>
<p>The Cubs mark the fifth organization De La Cruz has played for since 2007.</p>
<p><i>For more on the offseason, stay tuned to <a href="http://chicago.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Chicago</a>. For more from around baseball, head over to <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a>. To keep track of all rumors and happenings in the game, check out <a href="http://www.mlbdailydish.com/">MLB Daily Dish</a>.</i></p>
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https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/3/16/2878175/2012-mlb-offseason-cubs-frankie-de-la-cruzBradley Woodrum2012-03-05T15:51:39-06:002012-03-05T15:51:39-06:002012 MLB Offseason: Cubs Finalize Contracts For 24 Players
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a> signed 24 of their players on Monday, according to <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/8228/cubs-agree-to-deals-with-24-players">ESPN Chicago</a>. The players were all under team control still, meaning the signings were not free agent acquisitions, but rather just 1-year, pre-arbitration contracts.</p>
<p>ESPN Chicago has the details:</p>
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<p>The minimum salary this season is $480,000 with five Cubs players agreeing to deals over $500,000. Those players are <span>Jeff Samardzija</span> ($2.64 million), <span>James Russell</span> ($512,000), <span>Starlin Castro</span> ($567,000), <span>Darwin Barney</span> ($500,000) and <span>Travis Wood</span> ($505,000).</p>
<p><i>--snip--</i></p>
<p>The full list of players who agreed to deals Monday:</p>
<p><b> Right-handed pitchers:</b> <span>Alberto Cabrera</span>, <span>Lendy Castillo</span>, <span>Casey Coleman</span>, <span>Rafael Dolis</span>, <span>Marcos Mateo</span>, Samardzija and <span>Casey Weathers</span>.</p>
<p><b>Left-handed pitchers:</b> <span>Jeff Beliveau</span>, <span>John Gaub</span>, <span>Scott Maine</span>, Russell and T. Wood.</p>
<p><b> Catchers:</b> <span>Welington Castillo</span> and <span>Steve Clevenger</span>.</p>
<p><b>Infielders:</b> Barney, <span>Adrian Cardenas</span>, Castro, <span>Bryan LaHair</span>, <span>Junior Lake</span>, <span>Anthony Rizzo</span> and <span>Josh Vitters</span>.</p>
<p><b> Outfielders:</b> <span>Tony Campana</span>, <span>Dave Sappelt</span> and Matt Szczur.</p>
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<p>The two most notable signees are SS Starlin Castro and RP Jeff Samardzija. Castro, now a veteran of two full MLB seasons, becomes arbitration eligible after the 2012 season, meaning his salary should increase exponentially at that time. Samardzija, meanwhile, signed a major-league contract out of college and recently re-worked his contract with the Cubs following his seemingly permanent relegation to relief duty.</p>
<p>The Cubs started their 2012 season with Sunday's spring training game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a>, and they will begin the season at home on Thursday, April 5, taking on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a>.</p>
<p><i>For more on the offseason, stay tuned to <a href="http://chicago.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Chicago</a>. For more from around baseball, head over to <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a>. To keep track of all rumors and happenings in the game, check out <a href="http://www.mlbdailydish.com/">MLB Daily Dish</a>.</i></p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/3/5/2847286/2012-mlb-offseason-cubsBradley Woodrum2012-02-29T15:43:14-06:002012-02-29T15:43:14-06:00Cubs Rumors: GM Says Alfonso Soriano, Marlon Byrd Will Be With Team On Opening Day
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a> expect to have outfielders <span>Alfonso Soriano</span> and <span>Marlon Byrd</span> in the starting lineup on Opening Day, as Cubs GM Jed Hoyer told <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/jimbowdenespnxm/status/174965911437066240">ESPN's Jim Bowden </a>on Wednesday. Both have been in trade rumors during the offseason as the Cubs retool under new management, but it appears that they're both staying put for now.</p>
<p>Soriano, 36, was more heavily discussed in rumors this offseason given his massive price tag and declining performance. While the slugger still has legitimate power, hitting 50 homers combined over the past two seasons, he's no longer a good runner, he's not a particularly good defender and his on-base skills have devolved from mediocre to downright awful. Over the next three seasons he's owed $54 million, so Chicago would need to eat a significant portion of that figure.</p>
<p>Byrd, on the other hand, hasn't been brought up nearly as much despite having the organization's top prospect emerging behind him. The 34-year-old has played well as the full-time center fielder for Chicago over the past two years, but he makes $6.5 million in 2012 and isn't exactly a good first-division starter. He likely would garner more interest than Soriano on the open market, although power is always at a premium.</p>
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https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/2/29/2833956/chicago-cubs-rumors-mlb-2012-alfonso-soriano-marlon-byrdSatchel Price