Joe Nelson, Eric Byrnes love the Cubs…Other Rumblings

The Cubs off-season is just about close to being completed, the lone task remaining for the Cubs is acquiring a late inning right handed relief pitcher. The Cubs over the past two weeks have been linked to many relievers that include Heath Bell, Kiko Calero , Jason Frasor, Luke Gregerson,  and Chan Ho- Park. Get ready to add to that list, as another reliever may have just talked his way onto the Cubs radar.

Joe Nelson has expressed an interest in wanting to pitch for the Chicago Cubs. This is the first time that the Cubs and Nelson have been linked together, and it is not known whether the Cubs have an actual interest in Nelson. The right handed appeared in 42 games with the Rays last year, and posted an ERA of 4.02. Although there has been concern as to whether or not Nelson can stay healthy for the course of a full season, as he has only gone past 50 innings pitched in a season once in his five year career.

Eric Byrnes has expressed a love for the Cubs, and desire to play here through recently signed Cub Chad Tracy. Only problem is the Cubs are no longer in the market for an outfielder. Their really is not much to put into this one, the Cubs like Sam Fuld as a fifth outfielder and are very concerned about Byrnes  decrease in production over the last couple of years. I don’t see Eric Byrnes coming to Chicago,  unless one of our outfielders goes down with an injury early in spring training.

Baseball Prospectus projected the Cubs to finish third in their division this year with a record of 77-85. But keep in mind this is the same Baseball Prospectus that projected the Cubs to have 92 wins last year. And that is why they play the games, and there is no such thing as a “paper championship”.

The Cubs will also be on hand to scout free agent starting pticher Noah Lowry’s throwing session next week. Lowry, once a prized arm in the Giants organization has not pitched in the Majors since 2007 when he went 14-8 with a 3.98 ERA. I have to admit I am intrigued by Noah Lowry, because if he is healthy he may not be a bad option for the Cubs. I wouldn’t mind seeing the Cubs offer Lowry a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training. Which would give Lowry the chance to win the fifth starters spot in the Cubs rotation.