Cubs make roster moves before non-tender deadline; Tree lighting on Thursday

As the MLB non-tender deadline approached Monday night, the Cubs had many decisions to make.  All in all, the team tendered 2014 contracts to the following arbitration-eligible players, including second baseman Darwin Barney, starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija, outfielder Nate Schierholtz, starting pitcher Travis Wood, relief pitcher Pedro Strop, reliever James Russell and third baseman Luis Valbuena.

Starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija was one of seven arbitration-eligible players to whom the Cubs tendered contracts to. (Chicago Tribune photo)

MLBTradeRumors.com projects Samardzija to get $4.9 million in 2014, while Schierholtz is projected to get $4.4 million; Wood $3.6 million; Barney $2.1 million; Russell $1.7 million; Valbuena $1.5 million; and Strop $1 million.

In addition, the Cubs signed fan favorite Donnie Murphy to a one-year $825,000 contract plus incentives.

The Cubs also reached an agreement with backup catcher George Kottaras (who was acquired last week from the Kansas City Royals) for a one-year, $1.075 million contract.

George Kottaras will be the Cubs' backup catcher in 2014 (photo from Chicago Sun-Times)

The Cubs non-tendered relievers Daniel Bard and Chang-Yong Lim and also infielder Mat Gamel.  All three are now free agents.

Former Cubs catcher Dioner Navarro agreed to a two-year, $8 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.  We wish him the best.

The Cubs' 40-man roster currently stands at 37 players.

Former Cubs pitcher Ted Lilly has retired due to chronic neck pain.  "I am retiring," Lilly wrote.  "I don't want to, but I think it is the realistic decision."  Lilly had the nerve endings on the right side of his neck cauterized by a spine specialist recently, which allowed him to pitch in the Venezuelan Winter League, but the discomfort continued.  Besides the Cubs, Lilly also played for the Dodgers, Yankees, Blue Jays, A's and Expos during his 15-year MLB career.

The Cubs Christmas Tree Lighting will take place this Thursday, December 5th in front of the Wrigley Field marquee.  The Cubs have not yet announced the time of the event.

Cubs win 11-1 over Nationals and David DeJesus as Samardzija pitches complete game and Schierholtz has 6 RBI

It was an interesting day for Cubs news as word first surfaced that outfielder David DeJesus had been traded to the Washington Nationals around 2:30pm CT this afternoon.  DeJesus said that it felt like time stopped for him when talking to Cubs President Theo Epstein on the phone when during complimenting DeJesus, Epstein told him he had been traded to the Nationals.  DeJesus' wife Kim, a Chicago area native from Wheaton and lifelong Cubs fan, reportedly cried when DeJesus broke the news to her.

Outfielder David DeJesus was traded to the Nationals today (Yahoo Sports photo)

At least DeJesus didn't have far to go, as the Cubs started the first game of a 4-game series against the Nationals tonight at Wrigley Field.   We wish David and Kim nothing but the best in the future.

The Cubs went on to crush the Nationals 11-1 as Jeff Samardzija pitched a complete game and Nate Schierholtz homered twice and had 6 RBI.  Donnie Murphy also hit two homers and Dioner Navarro hit a homer. 

Nate Schierholtz is congratulated by Dioner Navarro as he crosses home plate (Chicago Sun-Times photo)

In the top of the 8th inning, DeJesus was called on to pinch-hit for the Nationals and he received a warm greeting from Cubs fans as he stepped up to the plate.  Navarro gave him a hug and after he flied out, second baseman Darwin Barney and other of his former teammates gave him encouragement.

DeJesus was a leader in the Cubs' clubhouse and will surely be missed.  But Cubs General Manager Jed Hoyer said there's a chance DeJesus could return to the Cubs in 2014....we shall see!

Tomorrow the Cubs and Nationals play game two at 7:05pm CT.  Left-handed pitcher Chris Rusin will make the start for the Cubs and try to earn his third win of the season.