Albert Pujols deservedly won the NL MVP this year and for some stupid reason fans from all over the place are trying to argue he didn’t deserve it.  First of all, I’ve seen several say that Ryan Howard should have won so let’s look at a few things.

OFFENSE
Albert Pujols:  .357/.462/.653
Ryan Howard:  .251/.339/.543

DEFENSE
Pujols:  .840 RZR, 52 OOZ
Howard:  .743 RZR, 32 OOZ

BASERUNNING
Pujols (net gain from BJOL):  0
Howard:  -23

OK, defensively Pujols was so much better it’s funny.  He made 20 more plays on balls out of zone and about 15 or so plays on balls in zone.  Pujols was average running the bases while Ryan Howard was atrocious.  Offensively, there’s no comparison whatsoever.  Ryan Howard’s OBP was .339 for crying out loud.  .339.  Three Thirty Nine! 

But, let’s check out some of the unbelievably stupid comments from around Al Gore’s interweb today.

From BCB, of course.

I think that Pujols had a very very good year, but he wasn’t even the MVP of the Cards…

I think Ludwick & Loshe were probably more of the reason that the Cards were competitive most of the year for the division title. I think maybe the MVP should have gone to Howard.

Jimmyeatworld

by Jimmyeatworld on Nov 17, 2008 3:05 PM CST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Sorry Jimmy, but you’re one of the dumbest people on the planet.

From some guy who actually writes for a newspaper in Wisconsin and is proof that the current system needs fixed as this dumbfuck voted had Pujols not 2nd, not 3rd, but 7th!!!

I had an MVP ballot and voted for Howard first because he almost single-handedly carried the Phillies to the playoffs by batting .352 with 11 homers and 32 RBI in September. I like to weight my voting to teams in the playoff hunt because I think that puts more pressure on players and separates the men from the boys. There’s little pressure on players having big years if their teams aren’t playing for anything at the end.

Tommy, you’re just not a very bright man. 

From Hugging Harold Reynold in the comments on WV23.

Here’s how I see it in a nutshell…StL could have finished 4th with or without Pujols. Where, then, is the value? If you want to tell me he was most valuable to them finishing 4th, then I have no argument.

Yeah, they could have finished 4th with our without Pujols, but they wouldn’t have finished 4th without him.  And they sure as shit wouldn’t have found themselves in contention until mid-September despite an overall shitty team behind Pujols.  Let’s not give Pujols the award because the rest of the team wasn’t very good.  Yeah.

From Rob on GROTA who actually is confident enough to claim they got it wrong again in the title of his post.  Rob actually argues why a team in last place was deserving of an MVP member (Dawson) while Pujols isn’t.  Ok.  Whatever.  To his credit, however, he doesn’t say Ryan Howard should win the award.  Nope, he says Brad fucking Lidge should have won it.

Some of you may know where I’m going with this, so hang on.  But first, Brad Lidge was the MVP of the National League this past year.  He saved every game he was asked to.  Without him, the Phils do not win the East, let alone the whole bowl of chips.  I understand the voting took place before the playoffs, but as we well know here in Cubland, a bad closer equals lots of games pissed away equals a poor record and no postseason play.  Lidge was the Beast from day one to day last, and he should have been the MVP this year.

I don’t know why this is so hard.  I certainly don’t understand how so many people are as dumb as they are.  Most Valuable Player is not open for discussion.  There’s no interpreting that goes on.  Value is value.  Here is the definition of valuable:

val·u·a·ble (vly—bl, vly-)
adj.
1. Having considerable monetary or material value for use or exchange: a valuable diamond.
2. Of great importance, use, or service: valuable information; valuable advice.
3. Having admirable or esteemed qualities or characteristics: a valuable friend.

So, most valuable would be the most “considerable monetary or material value.”  Or of most “importance, use or service.”  Or most “admirable or esteemed qualities or characteristics.”  Since not one of these people knows jack shit about what kind of qualities or characteristics these guys have beyond what they do on the field, most valuable players means only one thing:  the player who had the most value to his team.  The player who most helped his team.  The player who was most valuable to his team regardless of where that team finished.  There is no rule that it has to be a team in 6th place, but not 4th place or it that it can’t come from a team in 2nd place, but only 1st place and 6th place.  One definition.  ONE. 

How on earth do so many people not understand this?  It’s not up for debate, people.  Most valuable player is the player who most helped his team in 2008.  I don’t give a crap about knees or wrists or any lies that people may have.  It’s easy.  It’s the least complicated thing around.  It’s so easy that I’d think if you knew not to inhale water that you should know what it means.  Jesus god damn dancing fucking christ. 

Albert Pujols was the best player in baseball.  There is no debating this fact.  He was twice as good as who some of these morons think should win it and infinitely better than some damn closer for the Phillies. 

What the fuck is wrong with people?  Why are people so stupid?  I don’t understand how so many people can not get something that requires no “getting”.  It’s right there in the name of the award.  MOST VALUABLE PLAYER.  We know what valuable means, and hopefully the rest of you now know as well and I assume we all know what “player” means.  I shouldn’t assume anything though. 

JMan linked to this interview (audio clip) of Towers today and he says that they aren’t talking to the AL clubs and he’s focused on the Cubs, but that they’re looking at getting another team or two involved in the deal to get the pieces they want.  Sounds like Jake Peavy really doesn’t want to play in the AL and that leaves the Cubs on his preferred list.  Towers said he’d spend a lot of time with Hendry talking and that if they can’t get a deal done they’d revisit other teams, but didn’t think that would happen for some time. 

So, the Cubs are still definitely in on Jake Peavy and are at this point the only team the Padres are talking to. 

The SEC has charged Mark Cuban with insider trading relating back to 2004. 

The SEC alleges in a civil action that Mr. Cuban sold his entire 6% ownership stake on June 28, 2004, after learning that Mamma.com was raising money through a private investment in a public entity, or PIPE. The next day, on June 29, the company announced the PIPE financing and shares of the company dropped by more than 10%. By selling his stake, the SEC alleges, Mr. Cuban avoided more than $750,000 in losses.

One has to wonder how much influence Buddy Selig had as this almost certainly gives Mark Cuban almost zero chance of buying the Cubs. 

We’ve seen the reaction from many Cubs fans over the past week with regards to the Cubs not re-signing Kerry Wood.  I like Wood as much as anyone, but some of the reactions have been outrageous.  Not around here (no, Jack, this isn’t directed at you), but on places like BCB and commenters like Clute on GROTA or Dusty on WV23, it’s been humorous to say the least.  So it got me thinking.  Carlos Zambrano has thrown more innings and started more games in his career with the Cubs than Kerry Wood has, but why do I have a feeling that there wouldn’t be nearly as many complaints were the Cubs not to re-sign Zambrano last year or if they were to trade him this offseason?  What do you think?

According to John Perrotto of Baseball Prospectus, Ryan Dempster turned down the Cubs 4 year, $52 million offer.  This isn’t really news since we all knew there was little chance he’d sign for that kind of money after having the kind of season he did in 2008.  A lot of teams are interested in him ad he reportedly wants 5 years and $75 million.  I don’t think he’ll have a problem getting that, especially if CC Sabathia takes the Yankees 6 year, $140 million offer.  This is Dempster’s last big payday, and maybe his only big payday.  Cubs fans will likely be upset with Dempster for turning it down after repeatedly saying he wants to remain with the team, but Dempster is making the right decision.  Why take $50 million when you can get $75 million?  He shouldn’t have to settle for less and it appears he won’t. 

Of particular interest in this piece by Perrotto is where he says it’s still distinctly possible that Kerry Wood returns to the Cubs at a below market rate for one year since he’s not getting much interest on the free agent market. 

Below is the interesting part in the article.

Despite their seemingly ugly breakup this past week, some close to the situation believe that free agent Randy Johnson will still be in a Diamondbacks’ uniform on Opening Day, though the Dodgers and Cubs have interest in the veteran left-hander. ... Also breaking up to make up could be Kerry Wood, who may return to the Cubs on a low-budget contract with the market for relief pitching this winter flooded, and in light of the limited interest being shown in the big right-hander by other teams. ... Dempster re-signing with the Cubs is no longer a certainty after he turned down a four-year, $50 million offer, especially since they want to have money available to sign a left-handed hitting outfielder, either Bobby Abreu or Raul Ibanez. ... The Braves are interested in Dempster, Burnett, and Lowe after failing to complete a trade with the Padres for right-hander Jake Peavy. Padres GM Kevin Towers is looking to bring a third team into the discussion in an effort to restart the talks

Paul Sullivan said the other day that re-signing Dempster was Plan A with acquiring Jake Peavy as the back-up to plan A.  That makes it Plan B, but Sullivan doesn’t know his alphabet apparently and went on to say that Plan B would be the Cubs signing Randy Johnson and Plan C would be Ben Sheets.  The Cubs obviously have nothing in the system that can get a deal done for Peavy and Hendry has said he wants the pitching situation figured out before the Winter Meetings begin in a few weeks.  It would make sense that Hendry would act fast now that Dempster has turned down his offer and he’d be wise to leave the Peavy negotiations the way the Braves did. 

Several places have reported that the Cubs won’t go to 5 years in their offer with Dempster and some have speculated that they offered him as much money as they would.  So unless Perrotto’s source is incorrect, Ryan Dempster is gone and the Cubs will get 2 draft picks.  That’s 4 extra draft picks so far.  Word on the street is that the Giants may sign Howry before December 7th, which would give them another 2 picks without having to take the risk of offering him arbitration. 

Paul Sullivan writes that about 70% of Cubs fans who have voted in a poll on the Tribune are against the Cubs signing Randy Johnson. 

An unscientific Tribune poll indicates about 70 percent of Cubs fans are against signing Johnson, and that runs pretty close to the e-mails I’ve received. One fan sent me a two-word e-mail on the idea: “Crazy stupid.”

Is it really crazy stupid?

Crazy stupid?  Are you serious?  I keep asking this question, what is wrong with Cubs fans?

No disrespect to Julie of LOHO who I know is against the Cubs signing Randy Johnson, but what do people want?  Do they want good ballplayers?  If so, Randy Johnson is a good one and he’s cheap.  Do Cubs fans want bad ballplayers?  Well, that would explain why Ryan Theriot is a fan favorite. 

People, please say with me, Randy Johnson is good at baseball.  Again, Randy Johnson is good at baseball.  Another way.  Repeat after me, even at his age, Randy Johnson is good at baseball.

He’s not the great player he once was obviously, but he’s still pretty good. 

I have to accept that I am never going to understand Cubs fans.  I wish I could.  I probably wouldn’t be so frustrated, but for the life of me I cannot figure out why Cubs fans are against the Cubs getting good players.  It happens every years.  Each and every year there area handful of good ballplayers that the fans don’t want.  Why?  I have no clue.  I can only guess that they don’t like players who are good.  There really could not be another reason to not want good baseball players on the team you root for. 

Do you want good players to play with the Cubs?  Since we have undeniable proof that Randy Johnson is still good, why do 70% not want Randy Johnson on the Cubs?  The injury excuse doesn’t fly.  It would if it was a long-term deal, but we’re talking about a one-year deal.  There is only marginally more risk in Johnson getting injured as there is any other player on the roster.  This excuse does not work. 

The good news I suppose is that there are 30% who would like to see the cubs sign Randy Johnson.  The first comment in that post by Sullivan is below.

Of course, sign him. Sign him even if they do bring back Dempster. Are the 70 percent of fans against signing him going to tell me that Johnson would be a worse 5th starter than Marquis? Give me a break.

Yes.  Exactly.  I mean, even if Johnson were to get injured the Cubs would be improved by using Marshall in the rotation rather than Marquis.  This isn’t even a difficult decision.

To be honest, I think it’s such an easy one that I’d give up on signing Dempster and trading for Peavy.  Since you can only have of the 3 and all 3 have a relatively similar upside, get the one who has the least risk.  Easy decision.  Maybe the easiest one Hendry will face in the offseason in my opinion. 

Randy Johnson is a free agent and the Diamondbacks aren’t going to re-sign him.  He supposedly could be had for a one-year deal and just $8 million.  He’s still a very good pitcher and while he’s had his share of back injuries in recent years, he still threw 184 innings in 2008.  He threw over 200 in 2004, 2005 and 2006 before missing most of 2007. 

There’s a risk that the back could give out and he misses the entire season, but at $8 million I think it’s a risk worth taking.  The Cubs just saved around $6-8 million by not re-signing Wood so they have the money.

Randy Johnson isn’t just mediocre at this late stage of his career, he’s still one of the better starting pitchers in baseball.  Since returning to the NL, Johnson’s ERA has been around 3.90 over 250 innings.  He was 14th in the NL in FIP.  His expected FIP of 3.88 was 9th in the NL and better than Jake Peavy’s 3.92.  Johnson is middle of the road ace. 

The average tRA+ (just like ERA+ and OPS+) of a number one starter is 130.  The averages for all slots are below.

AVERAGES. (based on 2007 and 2008 data)

#1 STARTERS: 130 tRA+
#2 STARTERS: 112 tRA+
#3 STARTERS: 100 tRA+
#4 STARTERS: 91 tRA+
#5 STARTERS: 76 tRA+

Randy Johnson’s tRA+ in 2008 was 130.  He’s an average number 1 starter.  Or was in 2008 anyway.  He posted a tRA+ of 137 in 2007 and with the Yankees in 2005 and 2006 it was 120 and 121.  If you’ve read the article I linked above about the average tRA+ for the 5 starting slots, you’ve seen than the barrier for a number 1 starter is 118.  The last time Randy Johnson was below that was in 2003 at 109. 

How does Randy Johnson’s last few years compare to some of the Cubs starters in 2008?  Ryan Dempster’s tRA+ was 127.  Carlos Zambrano was 113.  Rich Harden was 146. 

According to tRA, Randy Johnson would have been the 2nd best Cubs starter in 2008.  If we use FIP, Johnson’s 3.73 FIP would have been just behind Ryan Dempster (3.46) and Rich Harden (3.10).  Cole Hamels FIP was 3.70. 

Johnson’s fastball still has some life.  It was 90.8 mph and I’m guessing that was down because of the back injury (it was above 92 a year ago).  His 3.91 ERA wasn’t helped out by the .316 BABIP he allowed.  He still struck out 8.46 batters per 9 and Bill James projects he’ll strikeout over a batter per inning 2009.  He walks around 2 per 9. 

He still has plenty left and is one of the best pitchers in the game.  Over his last 13 starts in 2008 he posted a 2.41 ERA.  He struck out 78 in 86 innings while walking only 16.  That’s more than a 5 to 1 k to walk ratio. 

For only one year and $8 million you aren’t going to do better than Randy Johnson.  It’s an extremely low risk and very high reward kind of deal. 

Since there isn’t much to do until the Cubs make another move or two, I thought it might be fun to take a look back at the best games in Kerry Wood’s career with the Cubs.  I’m not sure how many games I’ll do just yet, but there will be at least 5.  The first one happens to be the first regular season game I was able to watch Kerry Wood in person.  It was May 11, 1998 in Phoenix. 

We all remember the start before that, but this was an historic start for Kerry Wood as well.  On this night Wood struck out 13 batters in 7 innings and set a major league record for most strikeouts in 2 consecutive games.  I’m not sure if that record is still his, but he passed Nolan Ryan that night.  He was well on his way to becoming the fastest MLB pitchers to reach 1000 strikeouts. 

I lived in the Phoenix area at this time and had gone to see Wood pitch in Spring Training that year.  I still recall that first time I saw him pitch and you just knew he was going to be a star.  He was a young phenom with a 99 mph fastball and a knee buckling curve.  He didn’t have the best idea where either pitch was going all the time, but with that arsenal he didn’t have to.  I remember after the Cubs sent Wood to Iowa in 1998 that one of the analysts on Baseball Tonight said the Cubs would win the World Series “if they have 5 starters better than Kerry Wood.” 

On May 11, 1998 Kerry Wood threw 7 innings, allowed 5 hits and only 1 run while walking one and striking 13 men out.  This was a great performance from a rookie making only his 6th start, but it was kind of a letdown for those in attendance.  Many of the 47,129 that attended the game to watch the new expansion team in their brand new park were there to see Kerry Wood strikeout 20 again.  It obviously didn’t happen and while his performance this night was dominating, it wasn’t the same as the one a week earlier. 

Mark Grace hit a home run in the top of the 1st inning.  The Cubs added a couple of runs in the 2nd and led 3-0.  This was before Sammy Sosa appeared to be on track to pass Maris.  Sosa hit 20 home runs that June to add to his 13 in April and May. 

Below is the full box score and play by play taken from Retrosheet.

Game Played on Monday, May 11, 1998 (N) at Bank One Ballpark

CHI N   1 2 0   0 0 0   1 0 0 -  4 10 0
ARI N   0 0 0   0 0 0   1 0 1 -  2 7 1

BATTING

Chicago Cubs           AB   R   H RBI     BB SO     PO   A
Alexander 2b,ss           5   0   0   0     0   1     1   2
Mieske lf               5   0   2   0     0   0     2   0
  Beck p               0   0   0   0     0   0     0   0
Grace 1b               5   1   1   1     0   1     3   0
Sosa rf               3   0   1   0     1   0     2   0
Hernandez ss,lf           3   1   2   0     1   1     0   1
Orie 3b               4   1   1   1     0   0     2   0
Brown cf               3   1   1   0     1   1     1   0
Servais c               4   0   0   0     0   0     16   0
Wood p                 3   0   2   2     0   0     0   0
  Adams p               0   0   0   0     0   0     0   0
  Morandini ph,2b         0   0   0   0     1   0     0   0
Totals               35   4 10   4     4   4     27   3

BATTING -
2B: Orie (7,off Anderson); Mieske (1,off Anderson); Brown (5,off Anderson);
Hernandez (3,off Sodowsky).
3B: Hernandez (1,off Anderson).
HR: Grace (1,1st inning off Anderson 0 on 2 out).
IBB: Sosa (2,by Anderson); Brown (1,by Sodowsky).
Team LOB: 8.

Arizona Diamondbacks       AB   R   H RBI     BB SO     PO   A
White cf               4   0   0   0     0   2     3   0
Dellucci lf             4   0   1   0     0   2     2   0
Bell ss               3   0   0   0     1   2     2   5
Lee 1b                 4   0   0   0     0   3     10   0
Fabregas c             2   0   1   0     0   0     2   1
  Stinnett c             2   1   1   1     0   0     3   1
Brede rf               3   1   1   0     1   1     2   1
Fox 3b                 4   0   2   0     0   1     1   0
Batista 2b             3   0   1   1     0   1     2   2
Anderson p             2   0   0   0     0   2     0   1
  Benitez ph             1   0   0   0     0   1     0   0
  Sodowsky p             0   0   0   0     0   0     0   2
  Miller ph             1   0   0   0     0   1     0   0
Totals               33   2   7   2     2 16     27 13

FIELDING -
E: Batista (1).

BATTING -
2B: Dellucci (4,off Wood); Fox (2,off Beck).
HR: Stinnett (2,7th inning off Wood 0 on 1 out).
SF: Batista (1,off Beck).
Team LOB: 7.

PITCHING

Chicago Cubs           IP   H   R ER BB SO HR
Wood W(4-2)            7   5   1   1   1 13   1
Adams                 1   0   0   0   1   2   0
Beck SV(10)            1   2   1   1   0   1   0
Totals                 9   7   2   2   2 16   1

Arizona Diamondbacks       IP   H   R ER BB SO HR
Anderson L(1-4)          7   8   4   4   2   4   1
Sodowsky               2   2   0   0   2   0   0
Totals                 9   10   4   4   4   4   1

IBB: Anderson (1,Sosa); Sodowsky (4,Brown).

Umpires: HP - Charlie Reliford, 1B - Paul Schrieber, 2B - Dana DeMuth, 3B - Ed Montague

Time of Game: 2:31   Attendance: 47129

Starting Lineups:

  Chicago Cubs             Arizona Diamondbacks  
1. Alexander       2b     White           cf
2. Mieske         lf     Dellucci         lf
3. Grace           1b     Bell           ss
4. Sosa           rf     Lee           1b
5. Hernandez       ss     Fabregas         c
6. Orie           3b     Brede           rf
7. Brown           cf     Fox           3b
8. Servais         c       Batista         2b
9. Wood           p       Anderson         p

CUBS 1ST: Alexander flied to center; Mieske flied to left; Grace
homered; Sosa popped to right; 1 R, 1 H, 0 E, 0 LOB.  Cubs 1,
Diamondbacks 0.

DIAMONDBACKS 1ST: White struck out; Dellucci doubled to left;
Bell lined to right; Lee grounded out (second to first); 0 R, 1
H, 0 E, 1 LOB.  Cubs 1, Diamondbacks 0.

CUBS 2ND: Hernandez tripled to right; Orie doubled to center
[Hernandez scored]; Brown lined to first; Servais flied to
center; Wood singled to right [Orie scored, Wood out at second
(right to catcher to second to shortstop to second)]; 2 R, 3 H,
0 E, 0 LOB.  Cubs 3, Diamondbacks 0.

DIAMONDBACKS 2ND: Fabregas singled to right; Brede flied to
left; Fox singled to left [Fabregas to second]; Batista lined to
third; Anderson struck out; 0 R, 2 H, 0 E, 2 LOB.  Cubs 3,
Diamondbacks 0.

CUBS 3RD: Alexander popped to shortstop; Mieske popped to
second; Grace struck out; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB.  Cubs 3,
Diamondbacks 0.

DIAMONDBACKS 3RD: White struck out; Dellucci lined to left; Bell
struck out; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB.  Cubs 3, Diamondbacks 0.

CUBS 4TH: Sosa grounded out (first unassisted); Hernandez struck
out; Orie popped to first; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB.  Cubs 3,
Diamondbacks 0.

DIAMONDBACKS 4TH: Lee struck out; Fabregas grounded out
(shortstop to first); Brede was called out on strikes; 0 R, 0 H,
0 E, 0 LOB.  Cubs 3, Diamondbacks 0.

CUBS 5TH: STINNETT REPLACED FABREGAS (PLAYING C ); Brown struck
out; Servais grounded out (shortstop to first); Wood grounded
out (second to first); 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB.  Cubs 3,
Diamondbacks 0.

DIAMONDBACKS 5TH: Fox struck out; Batista struck out; Anderson
struck out; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB.  Cubs 3, Diamondbacks 0.

CUBS 6TH: Alexander struck out; Mieske doubled to left; Grace
grounded out (pitcher to first); Sosa was walked intentionally;
Hernandez walked [Mieske to third, Sosa to second]; Orie popped
to center; 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 3 LOB.  Cubs 3, Diamondbacks 0.

DIAMONDBACKS 6TH: White grounded out (second to first); Dellucci
struck out; Bell struck out; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB.  Cubs 3,
Diamondbacks 0.

CUBS 7TH: Brown doubled to right; Servais popped to catcher;
Wood singled to right [Brown scored]; Alexander lined to right;
Mieske singled to center [Wood to second]; Grace popped to left;
1 R, 3 H, 0 E, 2 LOB.  Cubs 4, Diamondbacks 0.

DIAMONDBACKS 7TH: Lee struck out; Stinnett homered; Brede
walked; Fox lined to second; Batista singled to left [Brede to
second]; BENITEZ BATTED FOR ANDERSON; Benitez struck out; 1 R, 2
H, 0 E, 2 LOB.  Cubs 4, Diamondbacks 1.

CUBS 8TH: SODOWSKY REPLACED BENITEZ (PITCHING); Sosa singled to
shortstop; Sosa was picked off first (pitcher to first);
Hernandez doubled to left; Orie grounded out (shortstop to
first) [Hernandez to third]; Brown was walked intentionally;
Servais popped to third; 0 R, 2 H, 0 E, 2 LOB.  Cubs 4,
Diamondbacks 1.

DIAMONDBACKS 8TH: ADAMS REPLACED WOOD (PITCHING); White flied to
center; Dellucci was called out on strikes; Bell walked; Lee
struck out; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 1 LOB.  Cubs 4, Diamondbacks 1.

CUBS 9TH: MORANDINI BATTED FOR ADAMS; Morandini walked;
Alexander reached on a fielder’s choice [Morandini to second
(error by Batista; assist by Bell)]; Morandini was picked off
second (catcher to shortstop); Mieske grounded out (pitcher to
first) [Alexander to second]; Grace grounded out (shortstop to
first); 0 R, 0 H, 1 E, 1 LOB.  Cubs 4, Diamondbacks 1.

DIAMONDBACKS 9TH: BECK REPLACED MIESKE (PITCHING); MORANDINI
STAYED IN GAME (PLAYING 2B); ALEXANDER CHANGED POSITIONS
(PLAYING SS); HERNANDEZ CHANGED POSITIONS (PLAYING LF); Stinnett
lined to third; Brede singled to center; Fox doubled to right
[Brede to third]; Batista out on a sacrifice fly to right [Brede
scored, Fox to third]; MILLER BATTED FOR SODOWSKY; Miller was
called out on strikes; 1 R, 2 H, 0 E, 1 LOB.  Cubs 4,
Diamondbacks 2.

Final Totals     R   H   E LOB
Cubs         4 10   0   8
Diamondbacks   2   7   1   7

Kevin Towers said he doesn’t foresee a deal with any of Jake Peavy’s preferred teams, which include the Braves and Cubs along with the Dodgers, Cardinals and Astros. 

The Padres have been unable to line up a suitable trade with one of Jake Peavy’s preferred teams and now may turn to another club in an attempt to move Peavy’s four-year, $63 million guarantee.

“We’ve had advanced discussions with the Cubs and Braves, which are Jake’s priority teams,” General Manager Kevin Towers said Thursday night, “but at this point in time, I do not see a potential deal with either club.”

The Yankees and Angels could be next in line.

The Cubs just traded Jose Ceda to the Florida Marlins for their closer Kevin Gregg.  Gregg will presumably take over the 8th inning role that Carlos Marmol had in 2008 while Marmol becomes the team’s closer.  It’s highly unlikely the Cubs re-sign Wood at this point.  Gregg is arbitration eligible and he made $2.5 million in 2008.  He’s likely to see an increase up to about $4 million for the 2009 season.

[UPDATE @ 2:45 PM]  Jim Hendry has said the Cubs will part ways with Kerry Wood. 

More to come later.

According to Scott Miller, the Braves and Padres are close to a deal for Jake Peavy.  It appears the Padres will ask Jake Peavy to waive his no-trade clause sometime today and the Braves want an answer before tomorrow’s free agent signing begins.  Miller does say that Peavy would prefer to play for the Cubs, but that sources believe the Cubs offer is inferior to that of the Braves. 

This probably means that Jim Hendry will cave in and give Ryan Dempster what he wants sometime today or tonight.  Today is the last day that the Cubs have exclusive negotiating rights with their 8 free agents.  The 8 free agents are Ryan Dempster, Kerry Wood, Jon Lieber, Chad Fox, Bob Howry, Henry Blanco, Jim Edmonds and Daryle Ward.  Most believe that the Cubs have interest in bringing only 3 of those guys back:  Dempster, Wood and Blanco.  I’m too lazy to locate the source, but Geovany Soto said the other day he was 100% certain Henry Blanco would be back with the Cubs.  Look for Hendry to sweeten his offers to both Dempster and Wood sometime today. 

[UPDATE @ 10:35 AM]  Ken Rosenthal says that the Braves are no closer to a deal for Peavy than they were. 

If the Braves are getting Jake Peavy, it’s news to them.

The Braves are on the verge of a trade agreement with the Padres for Peavy, according to CBSSportsline.com, but the Padres have yet to communicate their acceptance of a Braves’ offer to Atlanta officials, major-league sources say.

The Cubs also have not heard back from the Padres, sources say. Manager Lou Piniella downplayed his team’s pursuit of Peavy on Wednesday, calling it “only talk,” but the Cubs remain interested in making a deal.

It is possible that the Padres have decided internally to proceed with the Braves, then finalize the details later Thursday. The teams spoke again on Wednesday, continuing discussions that have lasted for over a month.

Mark Bowman agrees. 

The Braves had some reason to be encouraged when they saw CBS Sportsline.com’s report that they might be nearing completion of a deal to land Jake Peavy.  But at the same time, they were also somewhat surprised because they hadn’t gained that same sense through their latest conversations with the Padres.

Braves general manager Frank Wren and Padres general manager Kevin Towers have talked about Peavy for more than a month and the Braves have provided multiple offers over the last week.  But as of Thursday morning, the Braves hadn’t gained a sense that they were any “closer” to getting Peavy than they’d been at any point earlier this week.

With that being said, a deal could still certainly be completed at some point today as long as the Padres are satisfied with the offer and Peavy agrees to waive his no-trade clause.

Jerry Crasnick speculated that the Cubs could be interested in Ben Sheets if they weren’t able to trade for Jake Peavy or re-sign Ryan Dempster.  When you consider ballpark, Sheets was at least as good as Peavy in 2008.  His CAIRO projection in 2009 is a 3.61 ERA and his Bill James projection is 3.39.  He’s coming off an elbow injury, which is nothing new for him as he’s always coming off some kind of arm injury.  That might make him affordable though.  I have no idea what kind of offer it would take to get him, but with his injury history it won’t be nearly what he’s worth. 

If you sign Sheets to, say, a deal for something like 4 years and $65 million you get to keep the prospect you’d sent to San Diego and you’d get 2 draft picks for Ryan Dempster as well. 

What do you think?  How much money and how many years will it take?