The Cubs are far from done as they continue putting their roster together for 2013, while Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer also work on completely overhauling an organization that was in far worse shape than they realized when they accepted the Cubs challenge.
From talking with a collection of agents and baseball sources over the past few days, the Cubs left Nashville and the annual Winter Meetings with a handful of short term needs on their shopping list. They are hoping to add a veteran center fielder who can play regularly. This would allow them to put David DeJesus back in his more natural position of right field which is where they originally intended on playing him when he was signed in November 2011.
The Cubs are also hoping to add another starting pitcher, but most agents I spoke with believe they will not spend significant money unless they are adding a definite upgrade after adding Scott Baker and Scott Feldman early in free agency. The candidates still on the market that have been on the Cubs' list include Shaun Marcum, Jair Jurrjens, John Lannan, Joe Saunders and Francisco Liriano. The Twins were hopeful of bringing Liriano back but reports today out of Minnesota seem to indicate that the two sides are at a stalemate.
Ryan Dempsters name has been linked to the Cubs on a number of occasions, but unless he is willing to accept a short term deal the Cubs have no interest in giving him the three-year contract he is seeking. Sources tell me they have not had substantive talks since the end of the 2012 season. He has already rejected a two-year, 25 million offer from the Red Sox as he holds out for a third guaranteed year.
But those offers do not seem to be coming his way. He will probably have to accept a two-year deal with an option for a third year, with the Milwaukee Brewers in hot pursuit along with a handful of other clubs.
Consider that the Cubs were able to land both Feldman and Baker on one-year deals for very modest salaries compared to the money that is now going to other mediocre starters. Joe Blanton landed a 15 million deal over two years and Kevin Correia, who signed with the Minnesota Twins for 10 million over two years, are examples. Todays market makes it imperative to strike early when going after pitching before the supply dries up and the demand sends contracts skyrocketing.
In addition to another starter, the Cubs are looking to add a right-handed bat that can play third base but the options there are extremely limited in free agency. Forget reports that had the Cubs linked to Placido Polanco, as his lack of power has the Cubs looking elsewhere. Other names they have at least explored include what it would take to land Texas Rangers prospect Mike Olt, Jack Hannahan and former Cub Casey McGehee.
The Cubs have already re-signed Ian Stewart to a one-year deal that will only become guaranteed if he makes the Opening Day roster, but that signing cannot be putting much confidence into the Cubs' fan base after Stewarts abysmal 2012 season that ended on the Disabled List. Its hard to believe that there was no better option available than a guy who appears to be a former first round bust.
Olt is ranked as one of the better third base prospects in baseball, along with Tigers minor leaguer Nick Castellanos, but the price to acquire either one appears to be prohibitive. The irony of trying to acquire Olt is that he would probably already be a Cub had Matt Garza not gotten injured last summer, which derailed the Cubs plans to trade him to Texas in a blockbuster deal.
The Cubs are also hoping to upgrade their bullpen with another move, but before they can add another significant arm they have to figure out what they are going to do with Carlos Marmol. They considered trading him to the Los Angeles Angels in a deal for starter Dan Haren, but backed away after becoming squeamish about Harens medical history and significant price tag. Marmol had a solid 2012 season when he was reinstalled as the Cubs closer after an early season demotion, and still has value pitching at the back end of games.
Most scouts that I spoke with believe that his high-wire act will scare off many teams when they look at his 9.8 million salary, but they also believe that some teams will take a chance on him if they are moving a high salary back in the deal. The Yankees, who are looking for bullpen insurance as Mariano Rivera tries to come back from ACL surgery have no interest in Marmol despite having former Cubs' pitching coach Larry Rothschild on their staff.