Cubs News: Latest news and rumors: Baez, New free agents, Hot Stove contracts and more

Patrick Gorski - USA Today Sports

by Ken Allison - Columnist - Sat Dec 01 18:01:03 GMT-04:00 2018

Cubs news and notes

2019 Cubs Opening Day: 117 days.

Happy birthday: Javier ‘El Mago’ Baez turns 26 today. May the rabbit continue to find his hat, and may the baseball continue to find his bat in 2019.

What is going on at shortstop? The Cubs non-tendered newly acquired SS/2B/3B Ronald Torreyes, perhaps an indication that they will, in fact, be giving Addison Russell a chance to pull it all together. Theo Epstein has made no guarantees about Russell’s future though, stating in part, “While this decision leaves the door open for Addison to later make an impact for us on the field, it does not represent the finish line nor rubber-stamp his future as a Cub.”

Doug Glanville: If you haven’t checked out Doug’s book, “The Game From Where I Stand,” do yourself a favor and buy it. A friend sent me a copy as a gift, and although I just started reading it last night, I’m hooked! Doug’s a smart man, a gifted writer, and he makes you feel like you’re a part of the team, and part of the game, right alongside him.

The new wave of free-agents (the non-tenders)

Pursuant to MLB rules, players due for arbitration are catapulted into free-agency if their respective teams fail to tender them a contract by the deadline- that deadline passed last night. In a free-agent market already packed with talent, a new class of free agents have joined the ranks.

The list below includes some of the better known names who were non-tendered, although there a plethora of lesser known names who also entered free-agency as of last night.

Former Angels: RHPs Blake Parker and Matt Shoemaker.

Former Athletics: RHPs Mike Fiers and Kendall Graveman.

Former Blue Jay: INF Yangervis Solarte.

Former Brewers: 2B Jonathon Schoop, LHP Xavier Cedeno and LHP Dan Jennings.

Former Cub: INF Ronald Torreyes.

Former D-Backs: RHP Shelby Miller, RHP Brad Boxberger and INF/OF Chris Owings.

Former Giant: RHP Hunter Strickland.

Former Met: INF Wilmer Flores.

Former Orioles: C Caleb Joseph and INF Tim Beckham.

Former Phillies: 1B Justin Bour and LHP Luis Avilan.

Former Ranger: RHP Matt Bush.

Former Red: OF and speed-specialist Billy Hamilton.

Former Royal: OF Bubba Starling.

Former Tigers: C James McCann and RHP Alex Wilson.

Former Twin: OF Robbie Grossman.

Former White Sox: OF Avisail Garcia and 1B/DH Matt Davidson.

Updated contract info from around the league:

As news of teams tendering contracts to players ahead of the non-tender deadline poured in yesterday, few included dollar amounts. Some teams released those figures this morning, and many contracts came in under the projected arbitration amount. Here’s an updated list.

Unless specified below, all contracts are for one year and are not guaranteed. The amount in parenthesis indicates the players projected arbitration amount.

Athletics: RHP Liam Hendricks $2.15M guaranteed ($2.15M), RHP Ryan Dull $860k ($900k).

Braves: LHP Johnny Venters $2.25M ($1.5M).

Brewers: INF Tyler Saladino $887.5k ($1.0M), OF/INF Hernan Perez $2.5M ($2.7M).

Cardinals: LHP Chasen Shreve $900k ($1.2M).

Dodgers: LHP Tony Cingrani $2.65M ($2.7M).

Giants: INF Joe Panik $3.8M ($4.2M); RP Sam Dyson $5.0M ($5.4M).

Indians: RHP Danny Salazar $4.5M ($5.0M), RHP Nick Goody $675k (no projected arbitration salary was released).

Nationals: LHP Sammy Solis $850k ($900k).

Padres: RHP Bryan Mitchell $900k ($1.2M), INF Greg Garcia $910k ($900k).

Pirates: RHP Michael Feliz: $850k ($900k). This is a split agreement which would also guarantee Feliz $375k in the minors.

Red Sox: RHP Tyler Thornburg $1.75M w/$400k in incentives ($2.3M).

Twins: Newly acquired 1B C.J. Cron $4.8M ($5.2M).

Most teams will negotiate and subsequently release details of their contracts in the next few weeks, and of course, Hot Corner will keep you up to date.