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Hairston Agrees To $2.3 Million Deal With Cubs

Jan 31, 2006 4:21 PM EST

Second baseman/outfielder Jerry Hairston Jr. agreed to a one-year, $2.3 million deal Monday with the Chicago Cubs and avoided a salary arbitration hearing.

Hairston, acquired by the Cubs on Feb. 2 last year from Baltimore for Sammy Sosa, hit .261 in 114 games last season with four homers and 30 RBIs. He appeared in 44 games at second and 58 in the outfield, including 48 in center field. He was slowed in August by a problem with an elbow ligament.

Hairston made $1.85 million last season. He asked for $2.6 million in arbitration and the Cubs countered with an offer of $1.95 million.

Via SI.com

Chicago Cubs

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Chances Of Zito At Wrigley Dim For Now

Jan 24, 2006 1:27 PM EST

Wade Miller's signing most likely is the last major addition to the pitching staff before spring training opens in three weeks.

While rumors have floated all winter about the Cubs acquiring Oakland lefty Barry Zito, that likelihood appears dim?at least until the midseason trading deadline.

Via Chicago Tribune

Chicago Cubs, Oakland Athletics

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Cubs Sign Wade Miller To One-Year Deal

Jan 23, 2006 7:59 PM EST

The Chicago Cubs and pitcher Wade Miller agreed Monday to a one-year contract that will pay $1 million in salary and up to another $1 million in bonuses based on the number of starts he makes.

Bothered by shoulder problems, the 29-year-old right-hander was 4-4 with a 4.95 ERA in 16 starts in his lone season with the Boston Red Sox. He spent the first five weeks and the final two months on the disabled list, and the Cubs expect him to miss at least the first month of this season.

Miller was with the Houston Astros for his first six major league seasons, going 16-8 in 2001 and 15-4 in 2002. He is 62-43 with five complete games and a 3.98 ERA during his career.

"We've always thought world of him," general manager Jim Hendry said. "He's a winning-type guy."

Via AP

Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs

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Sosa Could Go To Japan

Jan 23, 2006 1:54 PM EST

Although Sammy Sosa does not have a home for next season yet, the former Cub has no intention of playing in Japan, although he has received offers from at least two Japanese teams, sources told the Japan Times.

Washington continues to court Sosa, but the two sides reportedly are arguing about whether he should get a guaranteed major-league contract or a minor-league deal.

Via Chicago Tribune

Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, Washington Nationals

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Zambrano, Prior And Pierre Appear Headed For Arbitration

Jan 18, 2006 3:21 PM EST

Five Cubs could be headed for salary-arbitration hearings scheduled between Feb. 1-21. Then again, the monetary differences in every case don't appear insurmountable.

When the deadline came Tuesday for both sides to exchange proposed 2006 salaries, Carlos Zambrano had a $1.2 million difference with the club and Mark Prior only a $700,000 gap. Zambrano filed to earn $7.2 million compared to the Cubs' proposal of $6 million. Prior is seeking $4 million, while the team countered with $3.3 million.

The biggest financial chasm among the arbitration-eligible Cubs was new center fielder Juan Pierre, who was acquired in a trade with Florida last December. He filed at $6.5 million, even after what he acknowledged was an underachieving season in 2005. The Cubs offered him $5 million and certainly don't want to get off to a bitter dispute with him, so these negotiations could be worth watching.

Second baseman Jerry Hairston wants $2.6 million, while the Cubs are dangling $1.95 million. Reliever Will Ohman asked for $775,000, more than the $500,000 the Cubs considered to be a fair return for his past value.

"We feel like we always do, that we're trying to be fair to the player,'' general manager Jim Hendry said. "We have proven in the past that we are willing to be more than fair."

Via Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Cubs

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Cubs Jan 2006 Archive

  • Prior, Zambrano Close In On Arbitration

    Chicago Sun-Times | Jan 17, 2006

    General manager Jim Hendry will attempt again to reach 2006 contract agreements with Mark Prior, Carlos Zambrano, Juan Pierre, Jerry Hairston and Will Ohman, but it's highly possible that all five Cubs will file salary figures by today's deadline for potential arbitration cases.

  • Cubs Consider Using Wood As A Reliever

    San Jose Mercury News | Jan 15, 2006

    The Cubs are considering using Kerry Wood as a reliever, at least at the outset of his comeback from shoulder surgery.

  • Prior Says He Was Never Upset About Trade Rumors

    Chicago Tribune | Jan 14, 2006

    Mark Prior told reporters he never was upset at being the subject of trade talk, despite a published report he was "peeved.

  • Prior Upset About Trade Rumors

    Daily Southtown | Jan 12, 2006

    USA Today Sports Weekly reported Mark Prior is "peeved that (the Cubs) were willing to trade him to Baltimore."

  • Sammy Goes To Washington?

    MLB.com | Jan 12, 2006

    The Nationals have expressed interest in free agent outfielder Sammy Sosa, according to a baseball source. General manager Jim Bowden was scheduled to have preliminary discussions with Sosa's agent.

  • Walker Heavily On The Block

    Daily Herald | Jan 11, 2006

    The Cubs continue to work behind the scenes to trade second baseman Todd Walker. As of now, Neifi Perez and Jerry Hairston Jr. look to share time at second, with Ronny Cedeno opening at shortstop.

  • Hendry Likely To Get Extension

    Chicago Sun-Times | Jan 11, 2006

    Cubs president Andy MacPhail said Tuesday he will consider during spring training whether to give general manager Jim Hendry a contract extension before deciding at a later date when to make the expected commitment.

  • Sutter Elected To Hall Of Fame

    ESPN | Jan 10, 2006

    Bruce Sutter was elected to the Hall of Fame on Tuesday, becoming just the fourth relief pitcher given baseball's highest honor.

  • Wood May Not Be Ready For Start Of Season

    Daily Southtown | Jan 10, 2006

    Pitcher Kerry Wood, who had shoulder surgery in late August, started light throwing in Arizona last week.

  • Cubs Interested In Zito

    Daily Southtown | Jan 10, 2006

    The Cubs will still entertain trade possibilities before pitchers and catchers report to spring training and there are rumors they are interested in Oakland pitcher Barry Zito.

  • Cubs And O's Close To Patterson Trade

    Chicago Tribune | Jan 6, 2006

    The Cubs finally may have found a taker for Corey Patterson: the Baltimore Orioles.

  • Prior Expects To Cash In, Now Eligible For Salary Arbitration

    AP | Jan 4, 2006

    Chicago Cubs pitcher Mark Prior voided the final year of his contract, making him eligible for salary arbitration.

  • Grissom Agrees To Minor-League Contract With Cubs

    Chicago Sun-Times | Jan 3, 2006

    The Cubs will make an announcement today, but barring something unexpected, it won't be about a trade for Baltimore Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada.

  • Cubs Looking To Give Grissom A Try

    Chicago Tribune | Jan 1, 2006

    The Cubs likely will bring in center fielder Marquis Grissom, who turns 39 next April.

  • Tejada Trade Coming Soon?

    Chicago Tribune | Jan 1, 2006

    It has become a longshot for Miguel Tejada to return to Baltimore and a blocbuster deal could happen soon.