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Dave
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Post subject: Cubs 2009 Free Agents
 Posted: Nov 05, 2009 - 12:34 PM CST
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Joined: Apr 18, 2005
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Outfielder Reed Johnson and pitchers John Grabow, Rich Harden, Kevin Gregg, and Chad Fox are eligible to file for free agency now that the World Series has ended.
A player must file within 15 days after the World Series is over. The Cubs will retain exclusive negotiating rights during that 15-day period.
The Cubs did begin discussions with Grabow's agent before the regular season ended. The team was expected to try to re-sign the left-handed reliever, who was acquired July 30 along with Tom Gorzelanny from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
"I want to come back," Grabow said in early October. "[Cubs general manager Jim Hendry] knows that. It's just a matter of getting it done."
In 30 games with the Cubs, Grabow, who turned 31 on Wednesday, posted a 3.24 ERA. He appeared in a career-high 75 games and totaled a personal-best 23 holds between Chicago and Pittsburgh.
The news Wednesday that Cubs pitcher Ted Lilly underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder doesn't alter Hendry's offseason plans, nor does it make the team more likely to keep Harden. Both Harden and Johnson could return, but it depends on their asking prices.
Johnson, 32, made $3 million last season, yet was limited to a career-low 65 games and 165 at-bats because of a fractured foot suffered July 29. He also was on the disabled list because of back spasms.
The Cubs may consider a one-year deal with Harden, 27, but would be hesitant to give the right-hander a multiyear contract. Harden was 9-9 with a 4.09 ERA in 26 starts. He will probably always have a tough time convincing teams he's healthy because of his past arm problems, but he took a step forward by posting his second straight 25-start season. It's the first time in his career he's totaled that many starts in back-to-back years.
Gregg, 31, acquired from the Florida Marlins last Nov. 13 in a trade for Minor League pitcher Jose Ceda, lost the closer's job in mid-August to Carlos Marmol. In 72 games, Gregg finished with a 4.72 ERA and 23 saves. He was shut down on Sept. 29 because of a sore rib cage. All of Gregg's seven blown saves came on the road.
"I have a long-term memory, and the memory I have is of a guy who competed well and never complained about anything," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said of Gregg. "That's all you can expect as a manager from your players."
On the plus side for the right-hander is that 2010 will be his second year after arthroscopic knee surgery. He has appeared in at least 72 games in three straight seasons.
Fox, whose career has been interrupted by elbow injuries, made two appearances in May and then had to be shut down because of inflammation. |
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