Jose Ceda is apparently going to Florida

I forget who it was that wrote this, but the Marlins have reached a level of roster churning which is pretty remarkable......

Jose Ceda might be a better pitcher right now than Kevin Gregg. I mean, probably not, but there's a chance.

I didn't think the bullpen was a big area of need with the Cubs, but I guess this is insurance if Howry and Wood leave.

The Marlins are going to have a firesale, but getting rid of Jacobs, Gregg and Olsen made a lot of sense even if they weren't. Selling Willingham for pennies on the dollar was retarded.

There were a few teams (Tigers, Indians, Mets, Cards, Braves) that could use a closer/setup man in the back of the pen and you'd think they would offer more than Ceda. Seems like the Marlins are going home with whoever buys them a drink first.

the Marlins have reached a level of roster churning which is pretty remarkable

I'm amazed that they're able to still remain competitive every year. Is it one person who has this magic eye for talent or does everyone there have the gift? If they had a $100 M payroll...scary stuff.

The Marlins are going to have a firesale, but getting rid of Jacobs, Gregg and Olsen made a lot of sense even if they weren't. Selling Willingham for pennies on the dollar was retarded.

I agree. Since Josh is not a good defensive player, the Marlins are probably best off with an outfield of Ross, Maybin, and Hermida. But it's hard to imagine he wouldn't have some trade value. What's he going to make in arbitration, 5 million? Would you really rather pay 12 million to Pat Burrell?

The Angels could have used him, as currently they have openings in left field, RF or DH depending on where Vlad plays, and 1B. Willingham could have filled one of those spots regardless of whether the Angels sign Tex, Manny, Milton Bradley, or whoever. But then, I have a soft spot for OF/DH's who used to catch and provide power, walks, and a lot of HBP.

Eric Gregg?

the Marlins have reached a level of roster churning which is pretty remarkable.

They're getting to be almost at the level of the Oakland A's for this stuff.

I didn't think the bullpen was a big area of need with the Cubs, but I guess this is insurance if Howry and Wood leave Howry stays, regardless of what happens to Wood.

Fixed that for you.

Howry is cooked.

And the cherry on top of this #### sundae: Jim Hendry says Kerry Wood's career with the Cubs is over. What a ####### ######### this guy is.

I don't mind this move. Milwaukee is really shallow in the bullpen right now. I'm surprised that they didn't try to make a move on this.

And the cherry on top of this #### sundae: Jim Hendry says Kerry Wood's career with the Cubs is over. What a ####### ######### this guy is.

Surprised by that... but if Wood was thinking something approaching Billy Wagner money... say... 4/40 or anywhere in that ballpark, I agree with Jim.

"Howry is cooked."

I'm not necessarily convinced. 4.35 FIP, after all.

This is great news for Minaya and Jocketty: three "premium" FA closers with only two teams willing to pony up big bucks to plug that hole.

I'm not necessarily convinced. 4.35 FIP, after all.

I don't know... after being burned on DIPS, I'm not sold on FIP... but I also saw a spike in gopher balls in 2008 - and dip in Ks. Visually, it sure looks to me like he's lost easily an 2-3 MPH on his fastball. He seems to work in the upper 80s more than the low 90s now. The guy just looked eminently hittable for most of the season.

He still throws strikes, I guess - and Howry's had a history of putting up some out of character down years every 3 or 4 years.... but at 35 in 2008, I won't be bothered if he leaves.

Not sure how the compensation works out - but if the Cubs can get a pick out of him, I wouldn't be that unhappy with an arb offer.

Earlier today, while bored in class, I was contemplating K-Rod's possible destinations and came up with the Cubs if Wood didn't come back. Then I decided the Cubs probably still aren't in the market for any major contracts still in the aftermath of their binge a couple years ago and considering the ownership situation and the economy.

There's no real point to me mentioning this aside from the obvious fact that they aren't going to be after K-Rod and that I'm now bored in a different class.

And the cherry on top of this #### sundae: Jim Hendry says Kerry Wood's career with the Cubs is over. What a ####### ######### this guy is.

We don't know what Wood is asking for though. I like the guy a lot, but he's not a good long term deal investment.

I'm not necessarily convinced. 4.35 FIP, after all.

I am.

We don't know what Wood is asking for though. I like the guy a lot, but he's not a good long term deal investment.

I agree, but ... knowing how much he liked playing in Chicago (or at least from what he's said), I have to think he wouldn't have asked for anything outrageous. WAG is that whatever he ends up getting, he would have stayed for a year less and 80% of the yearly value (i.e. if he signs for 4/40, the Cubs probably could have kept him for something like 3/24). Again, just a WAG based on gut feeling - my guess is that Hendry has backed himself into a corner where he has no payroll breathing room this season.

Still, even if I'm right about that, 3/24 isn't even necessarily a good deal, but considering some of the other contracts Hendry's given out, it's hardly a drop in the bucket for a guy that can perform the way Wood does.

Well, it's certainly possible that he's done. I just don't see anything there that'd lead me to make absolute pronouncements. He lost just under one K per nine, but that's well within the range of normal variance (and accompanied by a drop in BB, meaning fewer long counts), and part of the jump in HR was also from an increase in HR/F.

When I think "completely and irrevocably finished", it's usually closer to a 2000/2001 Ramon Martinez or a 2008 Matt Morris than the type of season that Howry just had.

Having watched Howry all season, I don't need stats to tell me he is done, put a fork in him.
As for Wood, I know it makes business sense not to resign him to a long term contract. But as a Cubs fan, I find it incredibly sad. In a era where few players stay in one place long. I got attached to Woody over the last 14 years, even if many of them were spent on the DL. He was always a standup guy who it seemed genuinely loved playing at Wrigley.

I got attached to Woody over the last 14 years

You started following him in high school?

Well given I am in 38, high school was a long time ago. I got the years wrong-it was only 10 years. It just seemed longer.

Man, I am shocked nobody has suggested the Brewers trade JJ Hardy to get Wood.

That's sarcasm in reference to all the asinine, "JJ Hardy for a bag of gummy bears" trade suggestions.

Good luck Kerry

That's sarcasm in reference to all the asinine, "JJ Hardy for a bag of gummy bears" trade suggestions.

You either overestimate the value of JJ Hardy or underestimate the value of gummy bears.

The Marlins are going to have a firesale, but getting rid of Jacobs, Gregg and Olsen made a lot of sense even if they weren't. Selling Willingham for pennies on the dollar was retarded.

I think you can call it now ... best bet on the over-under board next March will be over whatever the number is for the Marlins. The public appearance is another fire sale, but (despite the fact that their returns were pretty crummy), one could probably argue that they shouldn't be downgraded one win in 2009 compared to a projection done two weeks ago. (Maybin's offense and defense versus Willingham's, Jacobs and Gregg having pretty mainstream stats without good value to back them up, full seasons of Johnson and Sanchez and hopefully improvement from Miller replacing Olsen.)