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11-30-2003, 01:34 PM
By Paul Sullivan
Tribune staff reporter
November 29, 2003, 9:09 PM CST
LaTroy Hawkins remains on the Cubs' radar screen, but they may have to outbid the New York Yankees to snare one of the game's top setup men.
The Yankees have contacted Hawkins' agent but have not made an offer to the Minnesota free agent.
Hawkins told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune "everything is very uncertain right now," which figures to be good news for the Cubs in their low-speed pursuit.
Though the Cubs haven't contacted Hawkins, they have targeted the right-hander to fill the primary setup rolein 2004 and beyond.
They plan to bid for him if the Yankees don't end it early with an offer he can't afford to turn down. The winter meetings, where much of the groundwork for deals takes place, begin Dec. 12 in New Orleans.
Hawkins, who turns 31 in December, reportedly is seeking a three-year deal worth around $15 million, apparently hoping to get closer's money without actually having to fill the role. His value as a setup man shot up the last two seasons after he was booted from the closer's role in Minnesota.
Hawkins had 28 holds and a 1.86 earned-run average for the Twins last season, including a 0.85 ERA after the All-Star break. The Cubs are seeking two or three relievers this off-season to replace Antonio Alfonseca, Mark Guthrie and Dave Veres, all departed free agents.
Juan Cruz and Todd Wellemeyer may vie for one bullpen vacancy, and another may go to a left-handed middle reliever. But the priority for general manager Jim Hendry is to find a right-handed setup man who also has the ability to close out games in case Joe Borowski isn't the long-term solution in that role.
Borowski, Hawkins, Kyle Farnsworth and Mike Remlinger could be the nucleus of one of the league's best bullpens.
Hawkins was 14-for-14 in save opportunities in 2000 but followed up with nine blown saves in 37 chances in 2001 with a 5.96 ERA. He has thrived since while setting up Eddie Guardado, posting a strikeouts-to-walks ratio of about 5-1 last season.
The Cubs hope Hawkins' affection for manager Dusty Baker—and the fact he hails from nearby Gary—gives them an advantage if their offer is on par with others.
They already have made a splash with last week's acquisition of Florida first baseman Derrek Lee and have shown some interest in second baseman Luis Castillo, who seemed like a cinch to re-sign with the Marlins after Lee went to the Cubs.
Cubs sources said no offer has been made to Castillo. A report in Saturday's edition of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel said the Cubs entered the bidding for Castillo on Friday with a "very competitive" offer.
Castillo reportedly was offered a three-year, $15.5 million deal to stay with Florida and also has drawn interest from other teams, including the New York Mets. Castillo's agent, Seth Levinson, was unavailable for comment.
As expected the free-agent market has gotten off to a slow start, with only one significant signing—Kelvim Escobar's $18.75 million, three-year deal with Anaheim. St. Louis general manager Walt Jocketty suggested it was a "market correction," a theory the players' union would dispute.
There's no denying several dozen players will be competing for contracts in a limited time frame. There may be up to 300 players on the open market after teams non-tender some arbitration-eligible players on Dec. 20.
Copyright © 2003, The Chicago Tribune
Tribune staff reporter
November 29, 2003, 9:09 PM CST
LaTroy Hawkins remains on the Cubs' radar screen, but they may have to outbid the New York Yankees to snare one of the game's top setup men.
The Yankees have contacted Hawkins' agent but have not made an offer to the Minnesota free agent.
Hawkins told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune "everything is very uncertain right now," which figures to be good news for the Cubs in their low-speed pursuit.
Though the Cubs haven't contacted Hawkins, they have targeted the right-hander to fill the primary setup rolein 2004 and beyond.
They plan to bid for him if the Yankees don't end it early with an offer he can't afford to turn down. The winter meetings, where much of the groundwork for deals takes place, begin Dec. 12 in New Orleans.
Hawkins, who turns 31 in December, reportedly is seeking a three-year deal worth around $15 million, apparently hoping to get closer's money without actually having to fill the role. His value as a setup man shot up the last two seasons after he was booted from the closer's role in Minnesota.
Hawkins had 28 holds and a 1.86 earned-run average for the Twins last season, including a 0.85 ERA after the All-Star break. The Cubs are seeking two or three relievers this off-season to replace Antonio Alfonseca, Mark Guthrie and Dave Veres, all departed free agents.
Juan Cruz and Todd Wellemeyer may vie for one bullpen vacancy, and another may go to a left-handed middle reliever. But the priority for general manager Jim Hendry is to find a right-handed setup man who also has the ability to close out games in case Joe Borowski isn't the long-term solution in that role.
Borowski, Hawkins, Kyle Farnsworth and Mike Remlinger could be the nucleus of one of the league's best bullpens.
Hawkins was 14-for-14 in save opportunities in 2000 but followed up with nine blown saves in 37 chances in 2001 with a 5.96 ERA. He has thrived since while setting up Eddie Guardado, posting a strikeouts-to-walks ratio of about 5-1 last season.
The Cubs hope Hawkins' affection for manager Dusty Baker—and the fact he hails from nearby Gary—gives them an advantage if their offer is on par with others.
They already have made a splash with last week's acquisition of Florida first baseman Derrek Lee and have shown some interest in second baseman Luis Castillo, who seemed like a cinch to re-sign with the Marlins after Lee went to the Cubs.
Cubs sources said no offer has been made to Castillo. A report in Saturday's edition of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel said the Cubs entered the bidding for Castillo on Friday with a "very competitive" offer.
Castillo reportedly was offered a three-year, $15.5 million deal to stay with Florida and also has drawn interest from other teams, including the New York Mets. Castillo's agent, Seth Levinson, was unavailable for comment.
As expected the free-agent market has gotten off to a slow start, with only one significant signing—Kelvim Escobar's $18.75 million, three-year deal with Anaheim. St. Louis general manager Walt Jocketty suggested it was a "market correction," a theory the players' union would dispute.
There's no denying several dozen players will be competing for contracts in a limited time frame. There may be up to 300 players on the open market after teams non-tender some arbitration-eligible players on Dec. 20.
Copyright © 2003, The Chicago Tribune