December 10, 2014: Chicago Stove

In the middle of December, after a shambles of a baseball season on both sides of town, the Chicago Stove burns brightly.  The winter meetings are in progress, and Chicago has been making some noise.

Let’s start with the Sox.  Already having acquired Zach Duke and Adam LaRoche, 2 nice pieces, they made the biggest splash of the offseason acquiring Jeff Samardzija and signing David Robertson.  I was mildly surprised to say the least.  The signing of Robertson answers the closer riddle that the Sox had not figured out since the trade of Addision Reed.  Here’s a guy who replaced a legend in the Bronx, and is now coming to the South Side in an attempt to consistently shut the door.  Big money too by the way… too much?  You’re going to have to overpay to get your guy, bottom line.  The Sox wanted him, they paid for him, they got him.  Coupled with Duke, the Sox bullpen has been bolstered.  Check.

Next is the return of the Shark to Chicago, this time on the other side of town.  Acting as the #1 for the Cubs last year, Samardzija was enjoying his best year to date.  Then the Cubs fire sale commenced, and he and Hammel (will get to him in a second) were moved for prospects.  Jeff did OK in Oakland.  A move from the NL to the AL is usually not a good one for a pitcher.  He stays in the AL now, and is brought back in from the West Coast closer to his Midwestern roots.  Is he a #1?  He doesn’t have to be with the Sox.  He will be asked to be a #2.  I always thought he could fill that role.  Regardless if he does or not, with only one year left on his current contract, the risk is well worth it for the Sox.  They did give up 4 players for him, and got another minor leaguer back.  I don’t know enough about the players that they gave up to say if it was too much or not, but…  I’m sure Sox fans are all about Samardzija now, after downplaying his success with the Cubs.  Now if only they could forget the Konerko beaning…

To the Cubs for a minute… still waiting… waiting as of this post for the splash.  There have only been ripples thus far, with the acquisition of Tommy LaStella and addition of CJ Edwards to the 40-man roster.  The Cubs missed on Russell Martin, which I’m not sure is a good or bad thing.  Now, they’ve brought another familiar face back to Chicago in Jason Hammel.  I like the move.  Definitely not the caliber of Samardzija, but still a decent starting pitcher, something the Cubs are in need of.  He also had a great start in a Cubs uniform last year, before getting bashed in the AL.  Well, the good news is he’s back in the NL, hoping to repeat his success in this league.

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Cubs fans are still waiting for the big one.  Jon Lester still deciding…  What’s the hold up?  You want to be here or you don’t?  Are we bickering about a few million dollars?  Do you want to be part of something special?  Do you want to go back to your original team?  Do you want to stay on the West Coast?  Whatever the hold up is, I still hope he comes here.  A left handed legitimate ace, with great numbers both regular season and postseason, who relies on pitching, NOT the speed of his fastball, to get guys out… all means good stuff both short and long term.

Update:  Lester has narrowed it down to the Cubs and Red Sox.  Well at least he ain’t staying on the west coast.

Either way, Chicago baseball is becoming fun again, and we’re still over 4 months from opening day.  LIke Kenny Williams said, we can start to dream again, on both sides of town.