Decisions on future for Cubs, Soto resigns with Cubs and other news

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions.   If the cubs didn’t have to think about, now is the time they start thinking about the future.  Two key pitchers for the Cubs, Carlos Marmol and newly acquired Matt Garza are now in talks with the Cubs are their futures.  The Cubs are facing arbitration at the end of the year for Marmol and Garza.  For those who don’t know what arbitration is?  Arbitration is an option for baseball players who are eligible for a new contract but cannot come to an agreement with their parent club.  For more of an explanation visit this website.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/115906-baseball-arbitration-rules/#ixzz1C5cBLzse

Carlos Marmol, who has been with the Cubs since 2006, is salary arbitration eligible at the end of the 2011 season.  This past 2010 season Marmol saved 38 games for the Cubs, which was half of the Cubs 76 victories.  A save in baseball is where the starting pitcher is out of the game and the manager of the team calls to the bullpen for the closer to help keep them from losing the game.  According Espn, a great starting point for the agreement would be $18-20 million.  This figure would make the greatest sense for Marmol, especially if he has the Cub’s curse in getting injured and Marmol would be set for life.  

Now for Matt Garza the process for salary arbitration is different compared to Carlos Marmol situation.  For Garza, who was recently acquired from Tampa Bay Rays for 5 prospects, he has 2 more years left before arbitration comes into effect for the Cubs.  According to Espn analysts the Cubs may want to consider all three seasons -- 2011-13 -- and offer something in the area of $23-$25 million.  Like Marmol, Garza would be able to protect himself and his family if he ever got injured again.

Recently, the Cubs also resigned Geovany Soto to a 1 year deal for $3 million.  Soto has recently struggled the past 2 years for the Cubs.  In 2008, Soto was the National League rookie of the year.

In other news, former right fielder Milton Bradley is in trouble for alleged threats against a woman.  For all of us Cubs we are very happy that we don’t have to deal with Bradley’s troubles.  He well known for throwing a ball into the bleachers at Wrigley Field after 2 outs instead of 3 outs, in which he thought after he caught the ball it was the 3^rd out.

Check back next week on more Cubs news.  Until then GO CUBS GO.

Information is from ESPN and Cubs.com

Cubs pick up 2 key players for 2011 Season

Just when you thought 2011 Major league baseball season for the cubs would be a bad one, it just got better for fans.  One of the key pickups for the Cubs is Carlos Pena.  Pena is 32 years old and has recently played for the Tampa Bay Rays.  Pena has played the last 4 years with Tampa Bay and had a .196 batting average last season.  Carlos has a lifetime batting average of .241.  Many Cub fans are kind of scared about this pickup.  Pena himself said he's looking forward to a new beginning.  Pena was picked up this past offseason off of free agency.

 The next pick up for the cubs is Matt Garza.  Garza also comes from Tampa Bay and is 27 years old.  Matt has spent the last 3 seasons with Tampa Bay and began his career with the Minnesota Twins.  Garza this last season had a 3.91 Earned run average (ERA) and was 15-10.  He has a career 3.97 ERA and is 42-44 over his MLB career.  The cubs acquired him through a trade with Tampa Bay sending 5 prospects to Tampa Bay, while the Cubs get Garza and 2 prospects.  Garza is going to be one of the Cubs top starting pitchers and will compete with Carlos Zambrano and Ryan Dempster for starting opening day.  After these two pickups Cubs fans will hopefully have faith in this year's team to make the playoffs again.  Until then GO CUBS GO.

(sources are from Espn and cubs website)