Cubs And Carlos Pena Are “Very Close” To A Deal; Other Notes

What a day 2 it has been for the Chicago Cubs at the Winter Meetings. By the time the Winter Meetings are over, the Cubs could very well go from having no first basemen on their roster, to having two first basemen on their roster. Nonetheless, here is the latest as we wrap a crazy day 2.

• The Chicago Cubs and Carlos Pena are indeed close to a deal. Many of you have commented saying that you heard that the Cubs and Pena were close to deal, and I have confirmed those comments. Bruce Levine is reporting that the Cubs and Carlos Pena are very close on 2 or 3 year deal. The deal is expected lean heavily on incentives. There is a chance that the deal could be announced tonight, as the Cubs are meeting with Scott Boras tonight, who represents Pena. There is no word on how this will effect the potential trade with the Texas Rangers that would send Cubs prospects Robinson Chirinos and Rafael Dolis to the Rangers for Chris Davis, and Darren O’day.
• Now, that the Cubs appear to have a left handed power hitting first baseman in Carlos Pena, look for them to shop Kosuke Fukudome. General Manager Jim Hendry has been waiting to trade Fukudome until he had a left handed run producer on the team.
• The Chicago Cubs did not deny that they are shopping Tom Gorzelanny, according to Gordon Wittenmyer. Considering the poor free agent market there is for Starting Pitchers, the Cubs feel Gorzelanny will gain a lot of interest around the league. Wittenmyer notes that the Detroit Tigers have expressed interest in Gorzelanny. Bruce Levine advanced on that report, saying that the Tigers are offering Armando Galarraga. If you remember, Galarraga was the starting pitcher of the “imperfect game” this season, as he was seemingly robbed of a perfect game on the final play of the game by Umpire Jim Joyce. In 2010, Galarraga had a record of 4-9 with an ERA of 4.49.

The Cubs were extremely busy today, and probably will continue to be into the late portions of the night as they try to complete the finishing touches on the deal for free agent first baseman Carlos Pena. Tomorrow is shaping out to be another busy day for the Cubs as they are shopping Gorzelanny and Fukudome, while trying complete a trade for Chris Davis and Darren O’day.