Bleacher Bums Forum

Wow, that's a club friendly deal.  I'm surprised he couldn't get a better deal. 

Well that's going to be a big loss for the pen if Wood moves on.

You have to think the Cubs will have to go aggressively after a setup man now.

Maholm's contract will look even better come July.

If his ERA is as glossy as it was last year, at worst, they could get a mid-level prospect for him.

I'm all for Wells becoming a situational righty once the rotation takes shape.

I haven't looked at the FA market as far as relievers but I assume there is some value on the board as far as a setup guy.

Well that's going to be a big loss for the pen if Wood moves on.  You have to think the Cubs will have to go aggressively after a setup man now.

Not if the Theocracy is writing off 2012.

They may well sign a couple of setup men, but I seriously doubt that they aggressively pursue any relievers who are seen as making any difference to the bullpen.  They will be bodies.

Marmol's days are also likely numbered.

I'm not sure I understand why Hoyerstein wouldn't just pay market price for Wood for 1 year.

Because they are writing off the season, and as much as Cub fans love Kerry Wood, relatively few are going to buy tickets in the hope of seeing him come into the game in relief, and even if they did his spot in the bullpen would reduce the number of innings available to develop or evaluate young arms.

Maholm's contract will look even better come July.  If his ERA is as glossy as it was last year, at worst, they could get a mid-level prospect for him.

You would think that, and it may prove to be true, but if it is true, then you would also think it would have been true in 2011, when Maholm had an ERA of 3.06 on July 16th as the trade deadline approached, and the Pirates, who certainly could have used prospects or low salary talent still developing, instead held onto him.... perhaps because Maholm, for whatever reason, simply is not the kind of guy to draw much attention at the trade deadline.

I certainly hope it is because the Pirates refused offers or made outrageous demands and that Maholm brings some young talent in July... but the track record in 2011, indicates it might not happen in 2012, even if Maholm seems to be doing well.

I'm all for Wells becoming a situational righty once the rotation takes shape.

You generally want situational relievers to have a pretty dramatic split, and Wells does not.  RH batters have an OPS of .714 against him for his career and LH batters have an OPS of .740.  Just not a great deal of difference.

MLB Trade Rumors on the Maholm deal:

9:54am: The Cubs have officially announced the deal, but have yet to make a corresponding 40-man roster move.

That roster move has to be coming any minute, doesn't it?  I don't think MLB will just let them sit with a 41 man roster until they feel like cutting someone.

Here's the press release:

The Cubs will make a corresponding 40-man roster move before Maholm is officially added to the roster.
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