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.

Ryan Dempster's scoreless innings streak ends at 33 as Cubs lose 4-1 to Cardinals

The Cubs lost 4-1 to the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium Friday night in the first of a three-game series.  There is a good chance this was Ryan Dempster's last start as a Cub as he allowed four runs on seven hits while striking out two batters and walking two over six innings pitched.  This was the right-hander's first loss since May 25th, but it isn't expected to affect his trade value.

Ryan Dempster started for the Cubs against the Cardinals on Friday at Busch Stadium (photo from cubs.com)

Dempster's scoreless streak of 33 innings, tied with Ken Holtzman for the 7th longest in Cubs history, ended tonight when he gave up four hits in a row in the first inning.  Matt Holliday also hit a 469-foot home run off Dempster in the third inning, which is the longest home run in the seven-year history of the new Busch Stadium.

After tonight's game, Dempster’s ERA went from 1.86 to 2.11 but he still leads the National League and remains tied for the best ERA in the majors.  If Dempster isn't traded before his next start, he will most likely pitch next Friday against the Cardinals at Wrigley Field.

The Dodgers have reportedly made an offer to the Cubs for Dempster, but the Cubs haven't responded yet.  If the Cubs do accept the deal, Dempster would have to approve the deal since he has 10 years of major league service time (of which the last five have been with the same team) and has rights to block any trades.

Former Cubs pitcher Ted Lilly, who was traded to the Dodgers during the 2010 non-waiver trade deadline, expressed his thoughts on his former teammate and friend.  "Obviously, he’s a very good pitcher," Lilly said of Dempster.  "He’s one of the best teammates I’ve ever had."

Former Cubs teammate Ted Lilly wouldn't mind having Ryan Dempster on the same team again (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Dale Sveum's goal for the second half is to finish the season at .500, which may not seem like a big deal, but it could be tough for this year's team which went into Friday's game with a record of 38-53.

"There's no reason having a goal if it's not set high," Sveum said.  "To get there, it's going to be tough, obviously, to play 23 games over .500 to get to .500, but that's a goal.  When you set goals, that's what you reach for -- you might come up a little short but you're a lot better off than setting a crappy goal and coming up short on that.  Then you're really screwed."  At the halfway point of the season at the All-Star break, the Cubs were on track to lose more than 100 games, but with a record of 14-5 since June 25th, they currently have the best record in the majors since that date.

In other Cubs news, the team signed Dominican right handed pitcher Juan Carlos Paniagua to a minor league deal for $1.5 million.  The 22-year old will report to Mesa.

Tomorrow the Cubs and Cardinals will play game two of the three game series at 6:15pm CT.  Matt Garza will start for the Cubs and try for his sixth win of the season.

Cubs scoreless against the Dodgers; Beliveau impressive; Gerardo Concepcion news

The Cubs bunting tournament continued, where David DeJesus defeated Starlin Castro to round out the Final Four, which also consists of Casey Coleman, Paul Maholm, and Wellington Castillo.

The Cubs lost 5-0 to the Los Angeles Dodgers today, where former Cub Ted Lilly started for the Dodgers and Matt Garza was the Cubs starter.  Garza's line: 1 1/3 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 4 R. 39 pitches/24 strikes.  Jeff Beliveau had an impressive outing as he pitched two scoreless innings in relief  and struck out five batters.  For a recap of the preseason game, you can link to the article on cubs.com here.

A beautiful day at Camelback Ranch, where the Cubs played the Dodgers.

Former Cub Ted Lilly warms up before the Cubs-Dodgers game (photo from Paul Sullivan)

In other Cubs news, the team has signed Gerardo Concepcion to a five year deal with a guaranteed $6 million, with a $3 million signing bonus and the other $3 million spread out over the length of the contract.  The 20-year old was the was the Rookie of the Year last year in the Cuban National League.  You can read more about the deal here.

The next Cubs preseason game is tomorrow at 3:05pm CST against the Cincinnati Reds.  The game can be heard on WGN-Radio.  Only 25 more days until Opening Day!

Cubs get a "W" over the Brewers, 6-1

The Cubs get second "W" in a row when they beat the Milwaukee Brewers, 6-1 in Maryvale today.  Ryan Dempster's first pitch to former Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez almost beaned him in the head.  I wonder what message Demps was trying to send to Ramirez, unless the ball just 'slipped' out of his hand?  Dempster went on to throw three scoreless innings.  Here is link to a recap of the game from cubs.com. 

Former Cub Aramis Ramirez before today's game against the Cubs (photo from Paul Sullivan)

Cubs Pitcher Dae-Eun Rhee and Catcher Micah Gibbs were assigned to minor league camp today. The roster currently stands at 57 players.

The Cubs will play the Los Angeles Dodgers tomorrow at 2:05 at Camelback Ranch, where Matt Garza will square off against former Cub Ted Lilly.  You can watch the game on WGN-TV or catch the webcast on cubs.com.

Only 26 more days until Opening Day!