Cubs Keeping Tabs on Pedro?

Multiple sources (cubs.com, chicagotribune.com) reporting that the Cubs were one of the teams keeping tabs on RHP Pedro Martinez as he works out in his home country the Dominican Republic.


I am still one to believe that the Cubs stagnant sale will affect their ability to make moves before the trade deadline. Maybe because of the lack of rumors (besides Cub fans desires to bring back DeRo) this may be just a page filler, but still an interesting idea.

I would assume Pedro could be had cheaply as only half the season at most may remain by the time he is MLB ready and the fact that a one year deal would be a win win for both sides as the team would just have the quick commitment of 2009 and Pedro would have the chance to prove his health and quality to try to cash in this coming off season.

I will be the first to admit that the Peavy rumors got me going this past off season. But we have seen the past couple weeks and the past division winning seasons that starting pitching has not been a problem (not counting the playoffs, but come on... no aspect of the game did its part in the playoffs). It is the lack of hitting that has been killing the Cubs.

So even before Peavy hurt himself for a good chunk of the rest of the season, I began to believe that getting a top of the line starter is not the biggest need right now. But I'll address the offense talk in another post.

So why do I like the Pedro idea? Because the Cubs bullpen is still a bit shaky, even including Marmol at times. While there may be no talk of his possible roles for any team because its still early, why do I think the Cubs are interested?

How bout Pedro out of the pen? Many quality, top of the rotation starters in recent years have spent time in the closers role. John Smoltz, Derek Lowe, Kerry Wood. The Cubs are solid in the rotation, so I would have to assume that this could be a possible option for the pen.

Considering Pedro's age and injury history, a role as the closer would ease the strain on his arm. And the closer position is still a glory role that demands top dollar if Pedro can dominant, providing a second wind for his career.

Even if the Hendry and Co. are looking at Pedro as a starter, the bullpen still gets bolstered with Marshall and Wells being switched into long relief.

But the final angle on this starter to closer theory would be keep Marshall and or Wells in the rotation along with Pedro and then move the oft injured Rich Harden into the closers role. His devastating fastball, change up combination could easily rival that of Trevor Hoffman's.

Randy Johnson Off the Market

Multiple sources (espn.com, dailyherald.com) reporting that LHP Randy Johnson has signed a one year deal with the SF Giants. It is believed to be a $8 million deal.


The Big Unit was whispered to be a fall back option in case the Cubs didnt deal for Peavy. But considering the money he got from the Giants and the fact that he would, when healthy, put up similar numbers as Jason Marquis, its probably safe to say that Johnson wasnt a serious option. The Cubs would have had to dealt Marquis to make space in the rotation. To trade him, Hendry probably would have had to eat some of the $10 million owed to Marquis for 2009. So indirectly the team would be spending more to receive similar production out of the 5th rotation spot.

I still dont see SF becoming a playoff contender with their recent signings, so Johnson's name may come up again at the July trade deadline if the Cubs are in need of rotation help.

Cubs Eying Two Japanese Pitchers?

Paul Sullivan is reporting on chicagotribune.com that the Cubs are eying two relief pitchers from Japan. At this point spring training invites are the level at which the Cubs are interested.

RHP Ken Kadokura is a 35 year old righty. He spent most of the 2008 season in the minors. He was released by Yomiuri after this past season, so no posting fee will be involved. Kadokura's career numbers are 76-82, 10 SV, and a 4.36 ERA. His arsenal consists of a fastball, splitter, and slider. Cubs scout Steve Wilson mentioned Kadokura's great command. The Cubs could fit him in as a middle reliever.

LHP Shigeki Noguchi is a 34 year old lefty also mentioned, but no further mention of his stats or ability. He also was released by Yomiuri after 2008.

Sullivan continues by saying the Cubs think one or both of them at the very least will help Fukudome be comfortable in the clubhouse this spring, similar to how they gave ex White Sox Shingo Takatsu a look last spring.


After a quiet few days due to the Christmas holiday, it is good to hear at least some piece of news. Obviously nothing to get too excited about, as we saw that Takatsu didnt work out for the Cubs by the time April rolled around.

Based on the numbers for Kadokura, I do not expect him to stick on the roster come April. Seeing him in Wrigley will mean we traded away Marshall, we didnt sign a quality relief arm (which should be up there in priority with the lefty OF bat instead of chasing after Peavy), or an arm the Cubs had pegged for middle relief got hurt.

The lack of information on the lefty leads me to believe there isnt much interest in him.