Morning Marquee: Cubs new TV deal; Deals continue after meetings

It was an amazing week at the Winter Meetings in San Diego. The Chicago Cubs landed one of the the biggest signings in Jon Lester, while also adding Miguel Montero and bringing Jason Hammel back to Chicago. The Cubs were just one of several “winners” of the week, and yet many top name free agents remain, meaning there is still much more to come.

The Cincinnati Reds made some deals late in the meetings, dealing two of their string pitchers in Mat Latos and Alfredo Simon. The word is the Reds GM Walt Jocketty was told to cut payroll, and he indeed did that. Latos was sent to the Marlins for starting pitcher Andres DeSclafani and catcher Chad Wallach (Son of former Major leaguer Tim Wallach). Simon was sent to the Tigers in exchange for infielder Eugenio Suarez and RHP Jonathan Crawford. The Reds had to make some difficult to decisions of what pitchers to try to sign after the end of the season. Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake were in line for raises, hence the need to reduce payroll.

Former Cubs reliever Kyuji Fujikawa is reportedly near a deal to sign with the Texas Rangers on a one-year contract with a team option for 2016. When the Cubs signed him prior to 2013, he came with an impressive resume in Japan. He was 42-25 with a 1.77 ERA, and a .096 WHIP. Shortly after signing the two-year deal Fujikawa dealt with elbow issues, eventually undergoing Tommy John surgery in June of 2013.

The Boston Red Sox finalized their deal with Wade Miley, a 2012 All-Star from the Diamondbacks. Ruby De La Rosa and Allen Webster, who were traded from the Dodgers to Boston in 2012, were again shipped off together for Miley. GM Ben Cherington is in the process of retooling the Sox rotation, and believes Miley can fit in nicely. He will join Rick Porcello and Justin Masterson as part of the new rotation.

The Chicago Cubs continue to work out “temporary” solutions with their television situation, agreeing to a 25 game deal with local ABC station WLS-TV. The deal runs through 2019, coinciding with the CSN deal. The Cubs have been looking into possible suitors after leaving WGN after 66 years.

Here are some of the stories you may have missed:

‘Cubs, local ABC station agree to deal to air 25 games in 2015’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Reds trade Latos to Marlins for two prospects’ – Blog Red Machine

‘Reds trade Simon to Tigers for two prospects’ – Blog Red Machine

‘Fujikawa reportedly near deal to join Rangers’ – MLB.com

‘Red Sox, D-Backs finalize Miley deal‘- BoSox Injection