Marshall, Cubs avoid Arbitration…More on Tracy…Other Notes

With the Cubs off-season checklist looking just about completed, the Cubs are now focusing on avoiding arbitration with three players in Sean Marshall, Carlos Marmol, and Ryan Theriot. Well they successfully avoided it with Sean Marshall today. And more on Chad Tracy’s contract with the Cubs.

The Cubs and Sean Marshall today avoided arbitration today, when they agreed on terms to a one year $950,000 deal. Marshall is heading into camp with his sights set on being the fifth starter for the Cubs. He is one of a possible 5 candidates for the job. The others are Andrew Cashner, Tom Gorzelanny, Carlos Silva, and Jeff Samardzija. So far there is no front runners for the Job as they all have a chance of landing the spot, with the exception being Cashner who probably is an outside chance. Marshall if he fails to capture the spot, will likely join the bullpen as a long reliever.

The Cubs officially announced the signing of Chad Tracy today. As first reported it is a minor league deal that could net him $900,000 if he makes the team out of spring training. Which I still think he has a great chance of doing. He also could earn $525,000 if he gets more than 450 at bats, and another $100,00o if he wins the NL comeback player of the year award.

The Cubs bench in the course of one day has gotten dramatically better. They went from having one of the weaker benches in the league, to having one of the better benches. They added a great platoon outfielder and hitter in Xavier Nady, a guy in Chad Tracy who could play 1B,3B,RF,LF, and already have the likes of Jeff Baker, Andres Blanco, and Koyie Hill as well. The Cubs bench this year, should be one of the best assets that this team will have this year.

As for their reliever search, the Cubs denied serious interest in reliever Chan-Ho Park today.  Citing his salary demands are not fit with the teams budget. They are still looking at the trade market for a reliever, and Luke Gregerson of the Padre’s appears a realistic possibility.

And to try and warm you up from the cold weather, I will tell you that there are 21 more days remaining until Pitchers and Catchers report for Spring Training.