@Buster_ESPN: Sources: Yankees have serious interest on OFer Jorge Soler, among many teams. Cubs are not close to signing Soler, as has been reported.

There were rumors last night that the Chicago Cubs had a deal in place with Soler but over the last couple hours that have been many reports that that was indeed false. Even if there was such a deal in place it wouldn’t matter as Soler hasn’t been declared a free agent by Major League Baseball and therefore can’t sign with anyone yet.

Which of course means a team like the Yankees can come in and make an offer he can’t refuse. Something they’re well equipped to do.

The rumor involving the Cubs last night had the team signing him to a three or four year deal worth about $27.5 million. A very expensive deal for a 19-year old who will most likely need to start his career playing Single A baseball.

All of baseballs hierarchy is interested in this kid, which team wins out?

Hours after the Cubs announced the Zambrano move — a transaction that included the Cubs absorbing $15 million of the $18 million owed Zambrano in 2012, according to a source — Epstein said he would pursue another trade if it made sense moving forward.

Part of that equation could be how much of Soriano’s contract the Cubs would be willing to pay. Soriano, who turns 36 on Saturday, is owed $54 million over the next three seasons. (ESPN Chicago)

After reading this report it sounds like Epstein is trying to talk to any American League team that is willing to listen. Bruce Levine of ESPN Chicago says that Theo has spoken with eight teams and that he would be a fit for a team that needs a designated hitter. He even said the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim were even interested in him, that of course was prior to them signing Albert Pujols.

There’s also been reports that the Cubbies are willing to eat up to half of Alfonso’s remaining contract. He’s owed $54 million over the next three seasons, which means the Cubs are going to want something pretty good in return.

The reason is at only $9 million per season he comes a very valuable hitter to any team, especially one needing that DH. Yes, he only hit .244 last season and .248 over the past three but he’s still got that same great power he’s always had, hitting 26 homers.

The question will come down to how hard Theo plans to play ball. From the sounds of things it seems like he’s not going to give in easily.

“At some point in the future, if there’s a transaction that makes sense with any of our players that puts the Cubs in a better position moving forward, we are going to pursue it. But in respect to Alfonso, he has power and is an offensive contributor. We can work with him to get the best out of him and see where that takes us.” (ESPN Chicago)

Unfortunately there’s been a lot of bashing about the girl and her family on the YouTube video. I’m sure its Cubbies fans. It’s amazing how ignorant so many will get over the smallest of things. We all love our teams and will support them to the day we die but the responses on YouTube over a little joke is just absurd. Especially when you consider it involves CHILDREN.

The reason for this post isn’t to bash them though it’s because there’s now a video taking those people to town. Here ya go.

Here’s the video that started it all. So funny.

What’s your thoughts on the whole thing? If you go to YouTube you can see all the ignorance.

@Ken_Rosenthal: Sources tell me and @jonmorosi: A. Ramirez visited Angels, offer likely coming. #Brewers have also inquired. #MLB

If the Angels are serious about adding Ramirez they’re offer is going to have to be substantial if they want this to end quickly as he’s got other teams interested. Only a few minutes after the tweet Rosenthal posted an article listing the Milwaukee Brewers as a legitimate contender for his services.

The Brewers also are among the teams pursuing Ramirez, sources say. If Milwaukee signs Ramirez, then Mat Gamel and incumbent third baseman Casey McGehee could combine to replace Prince Fielder at first base.

Milwaukee general manager Doug Melvin has been aggressive in attempting to upgrade the infield, with Jerry Hairston Jr. and Jimmy Rollins among his targets. The Brewers are not interested in Jose Reyes at his present contract demands, sources say. (Ken Rosenthal & Jon Paul Morosi – FOX Sports)

I’m thinking the offer won’t be high enough to end things quickly. So yea, expect Ramirez’s agent to be meeting with Milwaukee officials next week at the Winter Meetings.

@Ken_Rosenthal: #Rangers can’t be ruled out on starters. Have shown strong interest in Garza in past. #Cubs’ new regime willing to move him. #Cubs #MLB

This tweet was actually pretty interesting to me as many have said the Rangers would be out of the market for a starting pitcher after signing a closer. So who do you believe Ken Rosenthal or everyone else? I’d go with Ken.

I don’t see how the Rangers are out of the market for a starter. Yes, Neftali Feliz will be in the starting rotation but who knows how the adjustment will go. Will he succeed? Will his arm hold up? The Rangers would be smart to add another starter, just in case.

But anyways back to the Cubs and their willingness to move Garza. He was a player the Boston Red Sox really wanted as compensation but the Cubs were wise to decline. He’s too good to be used as piece to acquire a front office guy. He’s young, 27, and still has two years under team control.

In 2011, he made $5.95 million and should get a raise but would still be under $10 million. For his type of production, 3.32 ERA over 198 innings with 197 strikeouts, that kind of salary would be a HUGE bargain.

Thanks to that, the Cubs can expect a BIG return and sorry Sox fans Theo Epstein isn’t that big. I can see why Theo wants to place him on the market, he’ll be able to bring in quite a few players while he tries to rebuild the organization.

he Marlins have interest in acquiring pitcher Carlos Zambrano – whom the Cubs want to trade – if Chicago picks up a large chunk of his $18 million salary for 2012 and doesn’t expect a lot in return. (Miami Herald)

We all know the Cubs will be actively shopping Zambrano this off season, they pretty much have to after how the 2011 season ended. If you forgot, Big Z spent the last four weeks of the season on the disqualified list due to another emotional outburst. After all that there’s just no way he’s on their 2012 roster.

The problem for the Cubs and every team in the league knows this is they have no leverage. Typically if a team takes on a large salary they don’t give any players worth a shit back. If they give decent players then the sending team will eat some salary.

Unfortunately for the Cubs, I don’t see any team willing to pay that salary or give a decent player back. So they’re pretty much going to have to eat some salary and take back marginal prospects at best. If they bend and decide to accept that fact you better believe the Marlins will jump into the Big Z sweepstakes.

According to Zambrano, he and Ozzie talk almost daily. They’re both natives of Venezuela and have obviously become close. If there is any manager that could handle Big Z’s temper it would be Guillen as he’s got a temper of his own. Do you think Carlos would be blow up at Ozzie like that? Eh, I’m not so sure, that would lead to an EPIC fight.

Carlos would be a huge addition to the Marlins rotation, if he were indeed traded. In 2011, he only went 9-7 with a 4.82 ERA but there were a lot of issues in play. Over the last four seasons his ERA is a solid 3.96 with a 43-26 record. Add him to a rotation with Josh Johnson, Anibal Sanchez, Javier Vazquez and Ricky Nolasco and you’ve got a solid rotation.

On top of that the Miami Herald reports the Marlins look to have a payroll between 80-90 million, that’s reminiscent of the years they won the title. What that says is there willing to add payroll and make a big splash in their new stadium. Apparently pitchers Mark Buehrle and CJ Wilson are also on their radar.

It will be interesting to see what the Marlins do, especially regarding Carlos Zambrano. Personally, I think he’ll wind up there, how much do the Marlins give up thou is the wild card.

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‘‘It can’t be a platoon system for me because I still would like the left-handed power in the middle of that lineup that I know Carlos has,’’ Quade said. ‘‘And I’m not willing to bail on that two weeks, three weeks into the season in April in Chicago. Hopefully, that’s a conversation for never.’’ (Chicago Sun-Times)

I applaud Quade for standing up for his veteran slugger but is it warranted? I understand he wants the power bat in the lineup but what has Pena done lately?

Here’s his numbers for the past five seasons.
2007 – .282 with 46 hr and 121 rbi, 142 strikeouts
2008 – .247 with 31 hr and 102 rbi, 166 strikeouts
2009 – .227 with 39 hr and 100 rbi, 163 strikeouts
2010 – .196 with 28 hr and 84 rbi, 158 strikeouts
2011 – .167 with 0 hr and 5 rbi, 22 strikeouts

Since his career year in 2007, Pena has gradually become a feast or famine type of hitter. He’s become a Mark Reynolds type; better yet he’s become the modern age Rob Deer. He’s giving you a home run or nothing at all.

In the very competitive National League Central is that the type of player you want as your everyday starter? I understand the Cubbies play at Wrigley Field and come summer time Pena will launch plenty of homeruns onto Sheffield Avenue. But why not bench him against lefties?

He is bad enough against right handed pitchers but even worse against the lefties. In 2010, he went .179 with 8 homers in 79 games against left handers. Yea, the power is there but one homer every ten games, is it really worth it?

Personally, I think Quade knows it’s not worth it and there is indeed a platoon at first base. Quade is just scared to say it because that would be admitting Pena’s $10 million contract was a mistake. Why do I think there is a platoon?

‘‘The biggest decision I have right now is to find ways to keep Baker involved on a regular basis, whether it’s at second, the outfield, first or [third]. His versatility makes a huge difference, and he’s swinging the bat so well.’’ (Chicago Sun-Times)

He mentions Baker’s versatility but come on now we all know with Pena’s struggles, against lefties first base is going to be Baker’s as long as he keeps hitting.

But sooner rather than later, the Cubs are going to have to decide on a starting pitcher for next Tuesday’s game against the Rockies at Wrigley Field.

The Cubs may have to go away from lefty James Russell, who gave up 7 hits and 4 runs, including 3 homers, in 4 innings of Wednesday’s nightcap. That’s on the heels of 7 hits and 5 runs (4 earned) in 1 innings in his first major-league start last week at Houston.

So let’s see in two starts Russell has pitched 5 and 2/3 innings, allowing 14 hits, three homers and eight earned runs, while only striking out one. In my opinion, that’s a guy that should be pitching in relief or sent back to the minor leagues for some more seasoning.

Here’s the thing thou. If Russell isn’t going to pitch Tuesday then who fills in? The Herald lists a few options, Jeff Samardzij, Thomas Diamond and Austin Bibens-Dirkx.

If the Rockies game was in Colorado, I’d go with Samardzij cause it’s a guy they know and in a very hitter friendly ballpark. Wrigley Field is pretty friendly but depending on the weather could help out a pitcher, so why not try out a rookie?

Diamond pitched for the Cubbies in 2010 and was pretty damn bad himself with a 6.83 ERA over 16 appearances. So my not even close to professional opinion would be go with Bibens-Dirkx.

Bibens-Dirkx is currently 25 and never seen big league action, he’s currently pitching at AAA Iowa. Over three starts he’s got a 7.31 ERA over 16 innings, which I’d call more of a product of bad luck, he’s given up 17 hits, five of which were home runs. If you look at his other numbers thou you’d see he has struck out 20 batters while walking only three.

Austin pitched in the Independent Leagues in 2009, and AA Tennessee in 2010 so there will be footage but not as much as other young pitchers. And really, for a spot start that could be just enough to keep Rockies hitters off guard.

@cst_cubs: Pena setting no deadline if cubs want to talk extension: ‘I’m open.’

I’m wondering what he’s been drinking if he thinks the Cubbies are already thinking extension. Seriously, I’m wondering it’s got to be good stuff, I want some!

I mean really, why in the hell would Chicago want to talk extension. Let’s look at his numbers.

2007 – Career year – .282 avg with 46 homers and 121 rbis
2008 – .247 avg with 31 homers and 102 rbis
2009 – .227 avg with 39 homers and 100 rbis
2010 – .196 avg with 28 homers and 84 rbis

With declining numbers like that does he really think the Cubs will want to give him an extension before they see if he rebounds? Even in a contract year, he dropped an absolute dud that can’t be to inspiring. He should feel lucky that Chicago even gave him the $10 million that they did.

But there’s another reason why the Cubbies won’t talk extension and it’s a pretty good one. Albert Pujols.

If the Cubs extend Pena now and Pujols hits free agency, then they’re already out of the running. There is no way any team is taking themselves out of that sweepstakes before it even begins.