Cubs Contracts and Callups - Cole Hamels

The suddenly-old-school Cole Hamels figures to take a chance at the open market this winter as the struggling Phillies decide what the future of their aging ballclub will look like. There are already talks of Hamels and fellow free-agent-to-be Shane Victorino being shopped by Philadelphia to avoid just draft-pick compensation for their departures.

As a top-5 lefty in the game, Hamels figures to chase a contract in the neighborhood of 8 years, $160M, nearing CC Sabathia for the largest contract for a pitcher in baseball history. Obviously that could become an Zito-esque albatross as quickly as you can say "shoulder soreness". Still, the shot at having a Hamels-Garza-Samardzija lead to the rotation while not having the pressure to develop a top-of-the-rotation guy from the subpar pitching depth in the Cubs' system would help Theo to build a contender as quickly as 2013.

Cubs Contracts and Callups - Starlin Castro

Earlier this year I discussed the possibility that the Cubs ink Castro to a long-term extension in the vein of the Tampa Bay Rays. It looks like Castro's agent Paul Kinzer has pushed negotiations to the back burner now.

Cubs Contracts and Callups - Matt Garza

The Cubs have changed their mind on trading Garza and that's because of Jeff Samardzija. Including Ryan Dempster, the Cubs top three starters have a WHIP of 1.01 over 112 2/3 IP. Per reports, the emergence of Samardzija as a top-half-of-the-rotation starter has the Cubs believing the 1-2 punch of power arms could have them contending sooner rather than later. Thus the goal would be to move Dempster for a high-ceiling prospect or two (depending on picking up some portion of his remaining $14M deal) and negotiate long-term rights to Garza.

Cubs Contracts and Callups

The Cubs season hums on in last place in the NL Central at 13-20, damned by a six-game, mid-April losing streak. Yes, when a team is built around cornerstones like Ian Stewart, David DeJesus and Chris Volstad, you can be damned by six games in April.

There have been glimmers of hope. Bryan LaHair has maintained an OPS of 1.127 through mid-May. James Russell has backfilled Sean Marshall by allowing just one earned run over 13+ IP. Tony Campana has an on-base percentage of .373 in his first extended look as a major league starter. Darwin Barney leads MLB second baseman in defensive WAR (0.9).

This team has made themselves watchable because of the hustle and potential they've shown. However nice it is to see role players like LaHair, Russell, Campana and Barney exceed expectations though, locking in key cogs will be more important to the future success of the Cubs.

How will Matt Garza's contract situation be handled? What about an early extension for Starlin Castro? When will Anthony Rizzo and Brett Jackson get the call to Wrigley? Who will the Cubs chase in free agency to supplement this young roster?

Cubs Contracts and Callups

Introduction

Matt Garza

Starlin Castro

Anthony Rizzo

Brett Jackson

Cole Hamels

Building A Winner in Ohio

The long-suffering fans of Ohio baseball have seen four significant resignings for their MLB ballclubs over the past week. The Reds extended Joey Votto last week (10 years, $225M) and today added second baseman Brandon Phillips to the fold over the next six years at $72.5M. Meanwhile, Cleveland has quietly made two shrewd moves, extending All-Star SS Asdrubal Cabrera last week (2 years, $16.5M) and Carlos Santana this morning (5 years, $21M).

These moves show opposing strategies for Cincinnati and Cleveland as they move towards contending in the future. What they may bring in long-term championship potential for these teams is up for debate.