Left-handed reliever John Grabow became the latest Cubs player to file for free agency today, joining Rich Harden, Reed Johnson, Kevin Gregg and Chad Fox. Like Gregg, Grabow is classified as a Type A free agent, meaning the Cubs would be awarded a first-round draft pick if another team signed him.
The Cubs, who obtained Grabow from Pittsburgh along with left-hander Tom Gorzelanny on July 30 in exchange for Kevin Hart, Jose Ascanio and Josh Harrison, are interested in retaining Grabow's services and have had talks with his agent.
The Cubs, who obtained Grabow from Pittsburgh along with left-hander Tom Gorzelanny on July 30 in exchange for Kevin Hart, Jose Ascanio and Josh Harrison, are interested in retaining Grabow's services and have had talks with his agent.
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They'll come to terms with Grabow eventually, they need that 2nd lefty arm in the pen. And he did do a decent job last year.
I could see the Cubs offering Harden arbitration, the FA market is thin for starting pitching. And though I don't believe Harden is really a starter anymore since he can only go 5 innings in any given start, some teams maybe desperate enough to take a 2 or 3 year flier on him. I think they offer him 2 years at $4 million annually to be a middle relief or late inning setup man. That's about all he's good for anymore. If he accepts arbitration they should low ball his @ss and see what happens.
If they don't resign Grabow, mark it down as another stupid move by Hendry. Basically traded Hart for Gorzelanny!
Love to see the Sox go after Grabow. Would be a big improvement in the pen. This is something Kenny should explore.
While I 99% of the time agree with you bob, I'm OK with whatever happens. I say they sign him to an extremely incentive laden deal Who did we give up for Harden...allow me to google it because I have no idea...Sean Gallagher, outfielders Matt Murton and Eric Patterson and minor leaguer Josh Donaldson..any of those guys doing ANYTHING that would make you wish they were back here? Now, had they traded a Josh Vitters/Starlin Castro type pospest then I would want a larger return then we've already gotten. With what we gave up to get, what he did while here with us and the 1st round sandwich pick we get for him being a Type B free agent, I don't think we have to offer arbitration to Harden...
I have a Harden for Grabow, he's the cutest!
Rod, Gregg is considered a Type A free agent based on the number of games he played. Even though draft picks are a crap shoot, I'd still take a draft pick over Gregg.
The Cubs should try to resign Grabow.
the cubs would have to offer arbitration to those guys to get draft picks. While they might do that for Grabow they probably won't for Gregg, meaning anybody could sign him without forfeiting picks.
How in the wide, wide world of sports is Kevin Gregg considered a Type A free agent? All that is, is a way for the Cubs to get nothing for the guy, since any team in their right mind wouldn't sign a player which would cost them a first rd. draft pick.
If they are going to let Harden and Grabow file they should also file for arbitration for both, they could use Harden in the bullpen if he decides to sign or it would be a deterrent for him and he would pursue another team and the cubs still get compensation, you don't let him walk after giving players for him.