June 2011 - Chicago Cubs Wiretap

The Marlins would love to add Cubs right-hander Matt Garza to their improved starting rotation. Miami signed left-hander Mark Buehrle to a contract earlier this offseason. The Marlins, after failing to land Athletics left-hander Gio Gonzalez, have serious interest in Garza, according to major league sources.

The Cubs have hired former star Bill Buckner as a minor league hitting coach. Buckner will be with the Boise Hawks of the short-season Class A Northwest League. The Cubs made the announcement Friday. Buckner played for the Cubs from 1977-84 and won the 1980 NL batting title. He was a career .289 hitter over 22 seasons.

The Tigers are a new suitor for Cubs right-hander Matt Garza. Interest in Garza has picked up recently, according to Major League sources. Multiple teams are pursuing the right-hander aggressively, increasing the odds that he will be dealt before spring training.

The Cubs appear to want a young starting pitcher in an trade for right-hander Matt Garza. The Yankees and Blue Jays have the type of young arms that Chicago would desire and a need for a starter.

A report that free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder might agree to take a three-year contract appears to be false. "Not only is that inaccurate and delusional, but it seems that some people have gotten into their New Year's Eve stash just a little bit early this year," agent Scott Boras said. Apparently there are still upwards of six teams still interested in Fielder. "It appears some baseball people are just bored," Boras said. "That's when you hear ideas like that floated."

The Cubs announced the signings of pitchers Manny Corpas and Andy Sonnanstine on Monday. Both players were signed to split contracts. Sonnanstine, 28, has pitched parts of five seasons with the Rays. The right-hander began his career as a starter but was used primarily as a reliever the past two seasons. Sonnanstine will give the Cubs some depth and versatility they lacked last season when both Randy Wells and Andrew Cashner were lost from the rotation due to injuries.

There is still a chance that the Red Sox could get a "significant" player from the Cubs as compensation for executive Theo Epstein. The Cubs have agreed not to purge Boston's staff of major talent for three years. The Red Sox and Cubs will address the issue after making the bulk of their offseason moves.

The Rangers are still believed to be the leaders in the race for free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder. The Cubs and Mariners are both denying interest in Fielder. Washington is also very active in the Fielder sweepstakes.

The Cubs are showing some interest in free-agent outfielder Coco Crisp. Crisp is still fast, has more power and is a very good outfielder. He would also seem to be a fit for the Nationals or Rangers.

The Cubs would love to trade right-hander Ryan Dempster and the $14 million remaining on his contract. Chicago is willing to pay a portion the 34-year-old's salary in the right deal. He has pitched more than 200 innings four straight years but his 4.80 ERA and 1.448 WHIP last season aren't appealing.