The Rundown: Cubs May Cut a Deal with Rooftops, Interest in Sandoval?
With Wrigley Field walls and bleachers quickly being dismantled, discussions between the Cubs and rooftop owners are heating up, according to David Kaplan.
Multiple sources are telling Kaplan that negotiations between the Ricketts family and the rooftops have taken on a friendlier tone, and a deal could be reached by Opening Day. Some rooftops may be looking to sell their buildings because of financial issues caused by loans, bad Cubs teams and negative public perception.
To me, compromise always seemed like the best outcome for both sides in this situation. It’s too bad it took this long.
Any interest in Pablo Sandoval?
Bruce Levine says the Cubs (as well as the White Sox) may be interested in pursuing Pablo Sandoval to play third base next year.
Sandoval, 28, is a switch hitter that could provide some pop. However, I’m not really buying the Cubs going through with this.
The Cubs already have a decent-hitting, inexpensive option at third in Luis Valbuena (who also happens to wield a sweet bat flip). And, obviously, they have Kris Bryant, who will be ready to join the big league club at some point early next season.
Bryant very well could be moved to the outfield, but then what do you do when Addison Russell comes up in 2016 (or sooner)? Sandoval would require more than a one-year deal, so he would be around when Russell is ready.
The Cubs have more important areas to fill via free agency, such as pitching, outfield and catcher.
Royals even up series
Starting for the Giants, Jake Peavy gave up four runs and six hits in five innings, as Kansas City defeated San Francisco 7-2 to even up the series.
Some people have suggested that the Cubs could sign Jake Peavy as a secondary addition to the pitching staff next year. I hope that doesn’t happen.
Peavy had some success after being traded from Boston in July, but I wouldn’t want to have to depend on him in Chicago next year. I feel like he’s a horrible injury waiting to happen, and that he would struggle outside of AT&T Park in San Francisco.
AFL wrap-up
Bijan Rademacher stayed hot for the Mesa Solar Sox in their 9-3 victory on Wednesday. Rademacher reached base three times, scored two runs and stole a base.
Dan Vogelbach went 2-for-4 with a run and a walk, and Addison Russell went 1-for-6 with two RBI. Playing shortstop, Russell made his third error in the AFL.
Ivan Pineyro got the start and gave up two hits and three runs in 2.2 innings. He struck out three and walked one.
Other notes
* As Evan wrote about last night, the Tennessee Smokies, the Cubs’ Double-A affiliate, have new logos and uniforms. I dig the new look.
* Alex Speier thinks it’s unlikely that James Shields’ postseason struggles will be costing him money in the free-agent market this winter. He points to other poor playoff performances that preceded big free-agent signings, such as the Edwin Jackson signing by the Cubs. Jackson had a 5.60 ERA in four playoff starts before the Cubs signed him to a four-year deal worth $52 million.