The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Jim Edmonds is expected to sign with the Cubs soon after he clears waivers Wednesday. General manager Jim Hendry wouldn't comment on Edmonds, 37, because he technically remains property of the San Diego Padres until he clears release waivers. But multiple Cubs sources said the team plans to pursue Edmonds, and one said Edmonds has told his agent to talk to no one before talking to the Cubs. The Cubs have considered a left-handed bat a need for weeks. (Updated 05/13/2008).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/14/08).
Fantasy Analysis
Edmonds was dumped unceremoniously by the Cardinals last winter in a trade for minor-league third baseman David Freese and is motivated by the opportunity to help a division rival beat his old team. The eight-time Gold Glove winner and four-time All-Star clearly has lost a step in the outfield and was hitting .178 when the Padres released him. His production has steadily declined since 2004, when he hit .301 with 42 homers and 111 RBI for the Cardinals. He hit .252 with 12 homers and 53 RBI in 365 at-bats last year. But he's a career .286 hitter with power (363 homers) when healthy and the Cubs believe the serious calf injury that kept him out of much of spring training might have bothered him more than he let on after being activated April 5. Now is a good time to cut in line for him in NL-only Fantasy leagues. (Updated 05/13/2008).
Edmonds was released Friday by the San Diego Padres after his batting average dipped to .178 - more than 100 points below his lifetime average - and he struggled to track down fly balls. (Updated 05/09/2008)
Advice
The Padres knew they were taking a gamble when they acquired the oft-injured Edmonds from St. Louis in December. Few people, though, could have guessed the 37-year-old's stay would be this short. An eight-time Gold Glove winner and four-time All-Star, Edmonds strained his right calf in early March and started the season on the disabled list before being activated on April 5. A lifetime .286 hitter, he was just 16-for-90 in 26 games, with one home run and six RBIs.
The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Jim Edmonds is expected to sign with the Cubs soon after he clears waivers Wednesday. General manager Jim Hendry wouldn't comment on Edmonds, 37, because he technically remains property of the San Diego Padres until he clears release waivers. But multiple Cubs sources said the team plans to pursue Edmonds, and one said Edmonds has told his agent to talk to no one before talking to the Cubs. The Cubs have considered a left-handed bat a need for weeks. (Updated 05/13/2008).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/14/08).
Fantasy Analysis
Edmonds was dumped unceremoniously by the Cardinals last winter in a trade for minor-league third baseman David Freese and is motivated by the opportunity to help a division rival beat his old team. The eight-time Gold Glove winner and four-time All-Star clearly has lost a step in the outfield and was hitting .178 when the Padres released him. His production has steadily declined since 2004, when he hit .301 with 42 homers and 111 RBI for the Cardinals. He hit .252 with 12 homers and 53 RBI in 365 at-bats last year. But he's a career .286 hitter with power (363 homers) when healthy and the Cubs believe the serious calf injury that kept him out of much of spring training might have bothered him more than he let on after being activated April 5. Now is a good time to cut in line for him in NL-only Fantasy leagues. (Updated 05/13/2008).
