No to Clement; Maybe to Aurilia?
The Daily Southtown’s Nathaniel Whalen reports today that Matt Clement’s agent Barry Axelrod has not heard from the Cubs at all. The Cubs’ exclusive negotiation window with Clement expires tomorrow. No surprise there.
Axelrod also says the Cubs have shown a “glimmer of interest” in a different client—Rich Aurilia. But, says, Axelrod, “From what they said, though, they want to explore the situation with Nomar first.” Aurilia had an OPS 10% below league average last year.
Apparently Dusty Baker is on some sort of attempt to have each member of the 2002 Giants play for him in Chicago. Ramon Martinez, Kenny Lofton, Tom Goodwin, and Calvin Murray have already been checked off the list. Shawon Dunston better have his phone line free.