Read More: Anibal Sanchez (P – FLA), Ricky Nolasco (P – FLA), Carlos Zambrano (P – CHC), Mark Buehrle (P – FLA), Chris Volstad (P – FLA), Miami Marlins, Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs have agreed to trade pitcher Carlos Zambrano to the Miami Marlins in exchange for pitcher Chris Volstad, according to Bruce Levine of ESPN Chicago. Juan C. Rodriguez of the Miami Sun-Sentinel adds that the Cubs are paying $15.5 million of the remaining $18 million on Zambrano’s contract, which runs through next season. The deal is still pending the approval of the commissioner’s office given that the transaction involves more than $1 million.

Zambrano, 30, joins a Miami rotation with Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle, Anibal Sanchez and Ricky Nolasco. The Marlins are paying little to acquire him other than Volstad, given that removing Volstad’s salary from their payroll essentially offsets what they’ll add by having to compensate Big Z.

For the Cubs, Volstad gives them a cheap, young starting pitcher with at least a touch of upside. MLBTR projects Volstad’s 2012 salary at $2.7 million, which isn’t a whole lot to pay to a 25-year-old with three years of starting experience under his belt. With a career ERA of 4.59, Volstad isn’t exactly an impact player, but he’s sure to be useful and could even develop into a solid mid-rotation starter.

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The Chicago Cubs and outfielder Reed Johnson have agreed to a $1.15 million US, one-year contract.

The 35-year-old batted .309 with five homers and 28 RBIs in 111 games for Chicago last season, his second stint with the team. He also played for the Cubs from 2008-09, batting .287 with 10 homers and 72 RBIs in 174 games.

Johnson is a career .283 hitter with 59 homers and 349 RBIs in 997 games over nine major league seasons with the Cubs, the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

That’s all for today guys, i’ll be back to blog you tomorrow.

The Chicago Cubs have officially re-signed reserve outfielder Reed Johnson to a one-year deal worth $1.15 million in 2012, according to the Tribune’s Paul Sullivan. Johnson played in 111 games for the Cubs last season and provided a solid bat off the bench; he hit .309/.348/.467 with 22 doubles.

Johnson has spent three of the last four seasons with Chicago, with a brief detour to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2010. He began his career with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he spent five seasons. Johnson, who turned 35 in December, is a lifetime .283/.341/.413 hitter with 178 doubles, 59 home runs and 349 RBI.

For more updates on Chicago sports, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of the Cubs, head over to Bleed Cubbie Blue. Also, check out MLB Daily Dish for Cubs rumors and transactions.

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What are your opinions.

CHICAGO (AP)—The Chicago Cubs and outfielder Reed Johnson have agreed to a
$1.15 million, one-year contract.

The 35-year-old batted .309 with five homers and 28 RBIs in 111 games for
Chicago last season, his second stint with the team. He also played for the Cubs
from 2008-09, batting .287 with 10 homers and 72 RBIs in 174 games.

Johnson is a career .283 hitter with 59 homers and 349 RBIs in 997 games
over nine major league seasons with the Cubs, the Blue Jays and the Dodgers.

Comment Below!.

CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs and outfielder Reed Johnson have agreed to a $1.15 million, one-year contract.

The 35-year-old batted .309 with five homers and 28 RBIs in 111 games for Chicago last season, his second stint with the team. He also played for the Cubs from 2008-09, batting .287 with 10 homers and 72 RBIs in 174 games.

What do you guys think about this.

Read More: Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs

A report earlier in December indicated that the Chicago Cubs were going to hire Bill Buckner to be the hitting coach of the Boise Hawks, which is the club’s single-A affiliate. On Friday the Cubs confirmed the hiring:

name alum Bill Buckner as the hitting coach for the 2012 season.

Buckner hasn’t coached in the majors in nearly 15 years, but he did have interest from other teams, as explained in the previous update on this story:

Buckner currently lives in Boise, Idaho, which partially explains the hire. The ESPN report adds that new Boston Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine wanted to add Buckner to his Major League coaching staff, but Boston’s front office resisted the idea. Buckner has coached in the majors in the past, but not in a while. His most recent MLB coaching gig was as the Chicago White Sox hitting coach all the way back in 1997.

For more updates on Chicago sports, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of the Cubs, head over to Bleed Cubbie Blue. Also, check out MLB Daily Dish for Cubs rumors and transactions.

What are your opinions.

The Chicago Cubs new front office regime is in the midst of overhauling the team’s bullpen. The trade of lefty reliever Sean Marshall to Cincinnati last week was a blow to the Cubs relief staff. Marshall is set to become a free agent following the 2012 season. Chicago did well to acquire young starting pitcher Travis Wood along with two prospects in return for a player likely to depart as a free agent.

The loss of Marshall means that more responsibility will fall to James Russell, another lefty who pitched both as a starter and reliever in 2011. Russell struggled mightily in his five starts. He allowed 31 earned runs in 67 2/3 innings for the season but Russell allowed 18 of those earned runs in less than 20 innings as a starter. In 2012 Russell should be able to put his starting days behind him and focus on retiring left handed hitters.

Former Cubs manager Mike Quade was backed into a corner early in 2011. April injuries to starters Randy Wells and Andrew Cashner coupled with a lack of organizational pitching depth forced Quade to use Russell as a starter. It also resulted in an over reliance on past their prime pitchers like Ramon Ortiz and Rodrigo Lopez. The new front office led by Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer have been working to improve the Cubs pitching depth in an attempt to avoid last season’s pitching disaster.

The addition of Wood gives Chicago a young starter who will likely be slotted into the back end of the rotation. Andrew Cashner seems to be over his injury woes of a season ago. The team has also added veterans like Andy Sonnanstine and Manny Corpas to the mix. Sonnanstine had his ups and downs over the course of his career with the Tampa Rays. The veteran right hander has an unimpressive 5.26 career ERA in 132 games, but he does have experience as both a starter and reliever. He has started 80 games in the Majors and could end up being a long reliever/spot starter for Chicago.

Corpas is an interesting addition. He pitched for five seasons for the Colorado Rockies before missing all of 2011 with an injury. Chicago signed the right-hander to a split contract that will pay him one rate for Major League service time and another rate for time spent in the minors. Corpas, like Sonnanstine, has struggled at times but has recorded 34 career saves. He could give Chicago a low-cost option at closer should the team deal Carlos Marmol as part of its rebuilding efforts. By the same token, Corpas could wash out and be cut in Spring Training. He’s a low risk/potentially high reward signing for the Cubs

In addition to the veterans mentioned above Chicago has added reliever Lendy Castillo through the Rule 5 draft and Casey Weathers in a deal with the Rockies. The team must also be encouraged by the Arizona Fall League performances of Cashner and Chris Carpenter, who was a highly regarded prospect before dealing with injuries and control problems. The Cubs have gone about re-stocking the bullpen for new manager Dale Sveum without committing long term contracts or big dollars to relievers. The rookie manager will have more options at his disposal than his predecessor, and he’ll probably need them.

* Information gathered from http://www.baseball-reference.com/

Dan Soderberg is a freelance writer and lifelong baseball fanatic. You can read some of Dan’s other work at http://mudville9.blogspot.com Follow Dan on Twitter @dan_soderberg

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Anytime someone talks about the Chicago Cubs, my first thoughts always float back to the many summers I spent at Wrigley Field watching the Cubs play. To me, the two have always gone together. One would not be the same without the other.

So, when the Ricketts family purchased the Cubs and talk began to circulate about the age of Wrigley Field and the need for a change, I was heartbroken. The Cubs just wouldn’t be the same without Wrigley Field and I know I am not the only fan to feel this way.

I live on the other side of the country now and have not been to Wrigley Field in quite a few years. I am sure that time has not been kind but the idea of demolishing it and starting from the ground up is just not an idea that sites well with me.

There are too many memories there. Memories of the “Bleacher Bums” back in the 80s and Harry Caray belting out “Take me out to the Ballgame.” There is too much history in the ivy to let it be taken away.

This is a ball park that is set in the heart of the city as well as in the hearts of the fans. This is a ball park that, despite its aging nature, still has fan’s willing to pay top dollar to come and watch their team win or lose.

While I understand the arguments that Wrigley Field does not provide the state-of-the-art facilities that other teams have, there are ways to remedy that without losing the history this ball park provides to the fans.

Keep the field, the bricks and the ivy and that amazing scoreboard that still operates manually. Keep the historic marquis sign. Leave the bleachers just the way they are so the “bums” home remains unchanged. Then, remodel the remaining ball park. Update the facilities and the clubhouses. Revamp the stadium seating and increase them. Create more space for more fans to come and see the games.

Add restaurants and state of the art food venders. Do all you can to increase the revenue capabilities of the ball park and help create a winning team but keep the qualities that make Wrigley Field the piece of history it is.

This can all be done while preserving the history and memories of the fans. Once the remodel is complete, replace the marquis sign out front and its game on. It was my first game at Wrigley Field that gave me my love of baseball and the Cubs and I hope it is around to the same for many more generations of fans.

Deborah Braconnier is a former athlete and softball player. She has followed the Chicago Cubs since she was a teenager and remembers watching Ryne Sandberg and team from the bleachers in Wrigley Field and having player’s posters all over her wall. Working now as a freelance writer, she brings her love of sports together with her writing. Follow her on Twitter @fwcdeborah.

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Read More: Matt Garza (P – CHC), Sean Marshall (P – CIN), Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs traded relief pitcher Sean Marshall to the Cincinnati Reds on Friday for three players, and Theo Epstein says the club probably isn’t done making moves:

“I don’t think we are done,” Cubs president Theo Epstein said Friday after trading Sean Marshall to the Cincinnati Reds. “I do think we still need to build more depth on the starting pitching front, both in the big leagues and minor leagues.

“But it doesn’t happen overnight. You have to make sacrifices. Just like moving Sean Marshall, who was certainly an asset for the 2012 club.”

It’s been widely speculated that starter Matt Garza could be a prime trade target. Epstein said Garza is “the type of pitcher you want to build around” while acknowledging that the Cubs are in a situation where they’re listening to offers for anyone on the roster.

For more updates on Chicago sports, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of the Cubs, head over to Bleed Cubbie Blue. Also, check out MLB Daily Dish for more MLB rumors and transactions.

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You might be wondering why Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer would pursue a 29-year-old middle reliever who hasn’t pitched in MLB since 2010 and who has been mostly irrelevant since 2007.

The Chicago Cubs have agreed to a one-year contract with reliever Manuel Corpas. Corpas has a career ERA of 3.93. He was also a critical part of the Colorado Rockies’ National League pennant during the 2007 season. Corpas finished that season with 19 saves and a 2.08 ERA. He also had five saves and a 0.87 ERA during the postseason.

Since then, Corpas hasn’t finished any season with an ERA lower than 4.52. He hasn’t pitched in MLB since having Tommy John surgery after appearing in 56 games in 2010. The Texas Rangers signed Corpas to a minor-league contract in 2011. He never appeared in an organized game with them. Corpas also played winter ball in Panama.

The Cubs recently traded Sean Marshall to the Cincinnati Reds. Marshall had progressed into one of MLB’s best left-handed relievers and setup specialists over the past couple of seasons. The Cubs traded Marshall because he was one of the few players who were currently on the roster who could net some decent prospects. The Cubs also have Kerry Wood or Jeff Samardzija as potential replacements for his setup role.

I’m not sure that this is supposed to be an answer to that departure. Corpas is just trying to make his way back into MLB following that surgery. He’d be a fantastic addition to the bullpen if he could rediscover what made him so good during his first two seasons. Of course, we’re talking about 2006 and 2007. It’s very unlikely that he’ll ever play like he did during that pennant run.

Who knows? Maybe Corpas will enjoy a resurgence and become an important component in the Cubs’ bullpen. Jose Lima had a couple decent years that almost nobody expected. There’s no risk in this signing and he has been good in the past. The worst scenario that could happen is that he never makes the 25-man roster and he’s released in 2013. He could also give the Cubs another reliable reliever at a cheap rate.

Joshua Huffman grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as a Green Bay Packers and Chicago Cubs enthusiast. He immediately gained an admiration for Cubs fans after watching numerous games on WGN during the mid-90s. His favorite Cubs moment was Kerry Wood’s(notes) 1-hitter, 20K extravaganza that was only denied of a no-hitter by Kevin Orie’s defensive blunder. As a Packers and Cubs fan, he suffered through Steve Bartman and “4th & 26″ in a span of three months.

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Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer appear like they’re making moves to finalize the 40-man roster for the 2012 MLB season. The Chicago Cubs are expected to re-sign Reed Johnson to a one-year contract. The deal was pending a physical.

Johnson would be sandwiched inside a stable of outfielders that include Alfonso Soriano, Marlon Byrd, David DeJesus, Tony Campana and possibly Brett Jackson. Johnson would probably be a reserve outfielder who could possibly be in a platoon role with DeJesus because Johnson has more success against left-handed pitching.

Johnson is a 35-year-old outfielder who doesn’t figure into the long-term rebuilding plan for the Cubs. However, he’s a solid player who plays good defense at all three outfield positions. While he lacks power, Johnson is a good hitter who enjoyed a bit of a resurgence in 2011. Johnson hit .309 with five home runs, 28 RBI and a .348 OBP in 246 at-bats.

Johnson decided to re-sign with the Cubs because he felt at home with them. He praised recently-hired manager Dale Sveum by calling him “A very smart guy.” Johnson seems like he’d like to complete his career with the Cubs. He’s spent three of the past four seasons with them. He played with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2010.

I have no problems with this re-signing. Johnson was one of my favorite players in 2011. I would’ve liked to see him play more. I thought he outplayed Byrd in the limited playing time that he did receive, especially after that facial injury that Byrd suffered. Johnson was one of the few players who I actually felt good about when the Cubs were faced with a clutch-hitting scenario. He’s the type of veteran who I’d like to have around young players like Starlin Castro.

I wouldn’t think that the Cubs would keep six outfielders on their 25-man roster. Maybe that means that Jackson will start the season in Triple-A? Maybe they don’t feel like Campana’s speed is enough of an asset for him to remain on the 25-man roster? Maybe they’ll try to trade Byrd as he’s probably one of the few players who could net some prospects?

Maybe they’ll eat Soriano’s contract? I know; fat chance.

Joshua Huffman grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as a Green Bay Packers and Chicago Cubs enthusiast. He immediately gained an admiration for Cubs fans after watching numerous games on WGN during the mid-90s. His favorite Cubs moment was Kerry Wood’s(notes) 1-hitter, 20K extravaganza that was only denied of a no-hitter by Kevin Orie’s defensive blunder. As a Packers and Cubs fan, he suffered through Steve Bartman and “4th & 26″ in a span of three months.

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Gotta run!.

Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer appear like they’re making moves to finalize the 40-man roster for the 2012 MLB season. The Chicago Cubs are expected to re-sign Reed Johnson to a one-year contract. The deal was pending a physical.

Johnson would be sandwiched inside a stable of outfielders that include Alfonso Soriano, Marlon Byrd, David DeJesus, Tony Campana and possibly Brett Jackson. Johnson would probably be a reserve outfielder who could possibly be in a platoon role with DeJesus because Johnson has more success against left-handed pitching.

Johnson is a 35-year-old outfielder who doesn’t figure into the long-term rebuilding plan for the Cubs. However, he’s a solid player who plays good defense at all three outfield positions. While he lacks power, Johnson is a good hitter who enjoyed a bit of a resurgence in 2011. Johnson hit .309 with five home runs, 28 RBI and a .348 OBP in 246 at-bats.

Johnson decided to re-sign with the Cubs because he felt at home with them. He praised recently-hired manager Dale Sveum by calling him “A very smart guy.” Johnson seems like he’d like to complete his career with the Cubs. He’s spent three of the past four seasons with them. He played with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2010.

I have no problems with this re-signing. Johnson was one of my favorite players in 2011. I would’ve liked to see him play more. I thought he outplayed Byrd in the limited playing time that he did receive, especially after that facial injury that Byrd suffered. Johnson was one of the few players who I actually felt good about when the Cubs were faced with a clutch-hitting scenario. He’s the type of veteran who I’d like to have around young players like Starlin Castro.

I wouldn’t think that the Cubs would keep six outfielders on their 25-man roster. Maybe that means that Jackson will start the season in Triple-A? Maybe they don’t feel like Campana’s speed is enough of an asset for him to remain on the 25-man roster? Maybe they’ll try to trade Byrd as he’s probably one of the few players who could net some prospects?

Maybe they’ll eat Soriano’s contract? I know; fat chance.

Joshua Huffman grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as a Green Bay Packers and Chicago Cubs enthusiast. He immediately gained an admiration for Cubs fans after watching numerous games on WGN during the mid-90s. His favorite Cubs moment was Kerry Wood’s(notes) 1-hitter, 20K extravaganza that was only denied of a no-hitter by Kevin Orie’s defensive blunder. As a Packers and Cubs fan, he suffered through Steve Bartman and “4th & 26″ in a span of three months.

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Paul Maholm may not be the only left-handed starting pitcher that the Chicago Cubs are pursuing this offseason.

The Cubs are reportedly discussing a trade with their National League (NL) Central rival, the Cincinnati Reds. Reports indicate that the Cubs would receive 24-year-old starting pitcher Travis Wood. The Reds would receive 29-year-old setup specialist Sean Marshall. The Cubs might also get prospects.

Assuming these reports are true, it’s beginning to look like Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer want every left-handed player in MLB other than Prince Fielder on the Cubs’ roster in 2012. Seriously though, they’re placing a strong emphasis on adding left-handed hitters into their lineup and at least one left-handed pitcher into their starting rotation.

Marshall has been one of MLB’s best left-handed setup specialists for the past two seasons. Marshall finished the 2011 season with a 2.26 ERA in 78 appearances. Marshall was praised by some fans as an All-Star candidate as he had a 0.95 ERA after 28.1 innings pitched. A midseason slump prevented him from being selected.

The Reds acquired starting pitcher Mat Latos from the San Diego Padres. They’re currently looking to bolster their bullpen with a quality left-handed reliever. Marshall would be the perfect candidate because of his familiarity with the NL Central. Wood has become expendable because of Latos.

The Reds selected Wood with a second-round pick in 2005. He had a solid MLB debut in 2010 that included a 5-4 record, 3.51 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP in 17 starts. Wood debuted against the Cubs on July 1, 2010. He earned a no-decision after he surrendered two hits and two earned runs in seven innings. Wood took a perfect game into the ninth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in just his third start.

2011 wasn’t as kind to Wood. He finished with a 6-6 record, 4.84 ERA and 1.49 WHIP. Wood was demoted to Triple-A for approximately two months for underperformance. He was also the subject of trade talks before the July trading deadline.

Was 2010 a fluke? According to RedLegs Baseball, Wood was the No. 4 prospect in the Reds’ farm system heading into 2010. Epstein is also rumored to be intrigued in him.

Wood appears to be extremely dependent on flyballs. That always worries me with pitchers at Wrigley Field. I prefer strikeout pitchers and groundball pitchers. A flyball pitcher is always at risk when the wind is blowing out.

You might be wondering, “Why doesn’t Marshall just move back into the starting rotation?” I’d actually rather see that happen before a straight swap for these two players. I think the Cubs should just keep Marshall if they can’t get more for him.

I’m guessing that Kerry Wood would become the full-time setup specialist. Jeff Samardzija would probably be the secondary guy. The Cubs might attempt to develop Andrew Cashner into a closer if Carlos Marmol doesn’t fix his control issues.

Joshua Huffman grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as a Green Bay Packers and Chicago Cubs enthusiast. He immediately gained an admiration for Cubs fans after watching numerous games on WGN during the mid-90s. His favorite Cubs moment was Kerry Wood’s(notes) 1-hitter, 20K extravaganza that was only denied of a no-hitter by Kevin Orie’s defensive blunder. As a Packers and Cubs fan, he suffered through Steve Bartman and “4th & 26″ in a span of three months.

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Chicago Cubs Reportedly Want to Sign Starting Pitcher Paul Maholm: Fan’s Take

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