Hank White

by cubboy89 on Nov 15, 2006 9:24 AM CST

Accrding to ESPN 1000 radio, the Cubs have resigned Henry Blanco to a two year deal worth 5 million.

Good to have Henry back in the fold. Hendry appears to be signing the lower tier guys first again. Also heard in the same radio report that Gil Meche joining the Cubs rotation is a real possibility.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Good news on both ends

But I hope the Meche news in no way stops them from pursuing Schmidt or another top of the rotation pitcher. Meche, Schmidt, and Soriano and we're close to having a team that can win the division.

by NO100 on Nov 15, 2006 9:23 AM CST reply actions

Meche, Schmidt, and Soriano....

....and you're halucinating. That's way to much salary. If we get Soriano, it'd likely have to be Meche and Padilla, and I bet that'd be pushing it.

It seems more likely that we'll get 2 out of the three pitchers of Meche, Lilly, and Padilla. Then, hendry may trade for a CF. I don't believe that they can even afford Meche, Lilly, and Soriano, let alone Schmidt instead of Lilly...

by ontheuptick on Nov 15, 2006 9:30 AM CST up reply actions

I'm hearing Meche.

Then trade for pitcher number two. Don't know who we can offer in return, however.

LEMMINGS!

by Littlerock Rynofan on Nov 15, 2006 9:39 AM CST up reply actions

Meche

Let's hope Hendry isn't targeting Meche as the #2 guy behind Z.

by cubboy89 on Nov 15, 2006 9:49 AM CST up reply actions

I don't think so.

I've seen him mentioned as a "solid" number four. But ... if something doesn't move along the FA, trade front, or get healthy, Meche may be forced into a two spot, not unlike what happened to Maddux this year.

LEMMINGS!

by Littlerock Rynofan on Nov 15, 2006 12:03 PM CST up reply actions

A package

of Murton, Jones, Barrett, Marshall, or Marmol.

by NO100 on Nov 15, 2006 9:59 AM CST up reply actions

for who?

im all for trading jones, really dont want to trade murton, and would rather not trade marshall and barrett but it would depend on what caliber of guy were getting in return

by kylejo on Nov 15, 2006 10:26 AM CST up reply actions

Oh I don't know

I was just responding to who we could offer.

To throw out a name though, how about Jason Jennings?

by NO100 on Nov 15, 2006 10:52 AM CST up reply actions

Jason Jennings,

Jake Westbrook, Dontrelle Willis and Freddy Garcia......to name a few......I would trade Murton and Will Ohman for Garcia.....throw in a Ryan Harvey maybe ;)

DeROSA!

by TheBeerBaron on Nov 15, 2006 2:28 PM CST up reply actions

ill take a pass

on westbrook for that price if it includes murton, the guys decent, but im scared of pitchers with low low strikeout totals, especially in wrigley...garcia for that price id take

by kylejo on Nov 15, 2006 4:44 PM CST up reply actions

I think a payroll of $120M

might be realistic for the Cubs this season. I don't believe reports that Meche is going to get $10M/year or that Soriano is going to get a $100M contract over multiple years. I think the Cubs have he flexibility to bring in all 3. Whether they will or won't remains to be seen.

However, I still think the Cubs will make a big trade and that could bring the top of the rotation starter too.

So far so great as far as I'm concerned regarding Hendry this off season.

by NO100 on Nov 15, 2006 9:58 AM CST up reply actions

Don't forget Igawa.

We may have bid on him.

by HanOfTheBluegrass on Nov 15, 2006 11:58 AM CST up reply actions

Meche

What's the report on Meche?

GET SORIANO!

by CubFaninCA on Nov 15, 2006 9:53 AM CST up reply actions

Good signing...

... and I know there are certain people here who think that Geovany Soto could do just as good a job for less money -- but there is something to be said for Blanco's experience.

$2.5 million for a backup catcher seems expensive, but this marketplace appears to be going to the high end.

by Al Yellon on Nov 15, 2006 9:24 AM CST reply actions

With Barrett...

as our starter, it was important to secure a top notch defensive catcher. This is a solid move.

No More Negativity! I am reborn!!!!!!

by timeforachange on Nov 15, 2006 9:44 AM CST up reply actions

I hope..

Lou plays Hendry a little more than Dusty did.

by Macy on Nov 15, 2006 12:07 PM CST up reply actions

yes!

I like Blanco, and he seems to compliment Barrett.

Hendry wins this round

SINATRO!!!! Its music to my ears.

by flyball on Nov 15, 2006 9:41 AM CST reply actions

Nice job, Jim

I'd actually be okay with Hank playing every day and packaging Barrett for a SP. But that's just me.

HENDRY!

by cubbiejulie on Nov 15, 2006 9:44 AM CST reply actions

Blanco...

... would stop hitting if he played every day. He needs a platoon partner.

I'm still in favor of trying to package Barrett to the Blue Jays (along with Pie, and pitching) to get Vernon Wells. Then sign Gregg Zaun to platoon with Blanco.

by Al Yellon on Nov 15, 2006 9:57 AM CST up reply actions

Zaun...

... or rather the eldesst of the catching Molina brothers, who is a free agent.

DmL

by dmlichte on Nov 15, 2006 10:07 AM CST up reply actions

He played every day

when Barrett had his. . . uh. . . unfortunate incident. And, IIRC, he hit pretty well.

I think he's vastly underrated.

HENDRY!

by cubbiejulie on Nov 15, 2006 10:18 AM CST up reply actions

Underrated how???

with his bat?? I'm not so sure anyone undervalues his bat, but I tend to think that if anything people overvalue it considering the numbers. It can't be his D, he's just not a good defensive C.

RAMIREZ!

by PriorandAramisfan23 on Nov 15, 2006 10:23 AM CST up reply actions

Nevermind.....

I thought you were talking about Barrett. Yes, I agree with you Blanco is underrated.

RAMIREZ!

by PriorandAramisfan23 on Nov 15, 2006 10:25 AM CST up reply actions

No

I think Hank White is underrated, no Barrett.

HENDRY!

by cubbiejulie on Nov 15, 2006 10:25 AM CST up reply actions

Yes...

... Blanco played every day for a month. But try doing that for six months, and you'll be sorry.

by Al Yellon on Nov 15, 2006 10:29 AM CST up reply actions

Nuh-uh

bet i wouldn't be. i love hank.

HENDRY!

by cubbiejulie on Nov 15, 2006 10:33 AM CST up reply actions

Yes, yes you would.

In the only two seasons in which he had more than 300 at-bats, he hit .210 (2001) and .206 (2004). His best value is as a backup.

by Al Yellon on Nov 15, 2006 10:40 AM CST up reply actions

Nunh-uh

n/t

HENDRY!

by cubbiejulie on Nov 15, 2006 10:41 AM CST up reply actions

Yuh-huh.

n/t

by Al Yellon on Nov 15, 2006 10:48 AM CST up reply actions

I know you are, but what am I?

n/t

HENDRY!

by cubbiejulie on Nov 15, 2006 10:48 AM CST up reply actions

LOL

n/t

by Al Yellon on Nov 15, 2006 12:02 PM CST up reply actions

could we afford

to extend wells, while also having to extend zambrano, after already extending lee and ramirez??? if we trade away our future center fielder we better have an extension already in place

by kylejo on Nov 15, 2006 10:28 AM CST up reply actions

Me too.

Rommel, you magnificent bastard, I READ YOUR BOOK !!!

by BlueMike on Nov 15, 2006 10:02 AM CST up reply actions

great

now we have nearly 7 million dollars tied up in a backup catcher and an average utility player who will be forced into full-time second-base duty.

maybe next we can give ohman closer money.

DEJESUS!!!

by tomas21 on Nov 15, 2006 9:44 AM CST reply actions

Oh come on.

We all know the winning formula is to resign everybody from your fifth-place finishing team and complement them with career utility players and mid-grade stating pitchers.

Can't you see that?!?!

"Bite my shiny metal ass!" -- Bender Bending Rodriguez

"Life is just one crushing defeat after another until you just wish Flanders was dead."

by The Jade Scorpion on Nov 15, 2006 9:48 AM CST up reply actions

Sixth place*

Get it straight!

ROTHSCHILD!

by Perkins on Nov 15, 2006 10:40 AM CST up reply actions

yeah

it takes talent to finish in 6th place, not just any team can do it

SINATRO!!!! Its music to my ears.

by flyball on Nov 15, 2006 10:50 AM CST up reply actions

lol

You really have to want to suck badly.

ROTHSCHILD!

by Perkins on Nov 15, 2006 10:52 AM CST up reply actions

desire

do you see any other 6th place teams? nope, it takes a special team to combine their suckiness and timing to create a 6th place finish

SINATRO!!!! Its music to my ears.

by flyball on Nov 15, 2006 10:58 AM CST up reply actions

lol

We should make a demotivational poster out of that.

ROTHSCHILD!

by Perkins on Nov 15, 2006 11:39 AM CST up reply actions

Grumpy

Did you not see my ode to you on the Monday NBD? Go look, it will cheer you up.

HENDRY!

by cubbiejulie on Nov 15, 2006 10:20 AM CST up reply actions

just saw it

thanks for the shout-out. unfortunately us poor pediatricians barely make enough to repay our student loans, so i definitely couldn't afford such luxuries as naming rights to the non-baseball threads. plus i can never remember movie quotes like you guys can, so i don't deserve the honor.
yes, i'm grump. i worked 96 hours in the past week. but i leave for vegas tomorrow with wife and baby, so all will be well on my return. and sunday i get to watch the bears game from the worlds best sports book, so that should be good.

DEJESUS!!!

by tomas21 on Nov 15, 2006 5:51 PM CST up reply actions

Good signing

Hopefully Sweet Lou will see the light and put Blanco behind the plate a lot more than Dusty was prepared to do. Barrett's defense and pitch calling is too big a killer to have him out there for 130 games a season. I like Hank White.

Rommel, you magnificent bastard, I READ YOUR BOOK !!!

by BlueMike on Nov 15, 2006 10:01 AM CST reply actions

Yeah

Let's hope Piniella's smart enough to take a credible offensive threat out of the lineup a lot. Dumb, dumb, dumb, but not as dumb as throwing Mr. .295 OBP out there at SS.

ROTHSCHILD!

by Perkins on Nov 15, 2006 10:41 AM CST up reply actions

Me gusta Hank White, pero...

...no me gusta la dinero.

This is WAAAY too much money to give Blanco when a replacement could easily be found for much cheaper. Pretty inexcusable to pay a backup catcher so much money.

by FukudomeAtLarge on Nov 15, 2006 10:34 AM CST reply actions

No, it's not.

Not in today's marketplace it's not.

These signings SEEM overpriced, but wait till you see the rest of the offseason -- I suspect they'll look cheap.

by Al Yellon on Nov 15, 2006 10:39 AM CST up reply actions

Not wanting to be negative and all...

but given that the league average payed to backup catchers hovers around 500 thousand, I sincerely doubt the inflation of the market has made these salaries increase by 400%. Let's not fool ourselves, we overpayed.

by Chitown Mojo on Nov 15, 2006 11:10 AM CST reply actions

He's one of if not the

best backup catcher in baseball. Yes, the Cubs overpaid, but he was going to get far more than the league average for backup catchers whomever signed him. So what if they overpaid by maybe $500k?

by NO100 on Nov 15, 2006 11:17 AM CST up reply actions

Glad to

hear Henry will be back in a Cubs uniform. Good signing.

Please, please, please keep Orange guy!!!!!!

by sue369 on Nov 15, 2006 11:11 AM CST reply actions

This is the one issue

where al and gaius marius are on the same train

blanco for 2.5 isnt that bad at all-- he is a great defensive catcher and our in house options arent up to his skill level

"Its not like we need 10-12 players to contend"

by ksucubbie on Nov 15, 2006 11:42 AM CST reply actions

Good God

Someone had better get on that train, quick. Just in case.

HENDRY!

by cubbiejulie on Nov 15, 2006 11:43 AM CST up reply actions

LOL

And the rest of the truth is somewhere else above -- if the Cubs hadn't paid this much for Blanco, someone else would have. I know the White Sox were interested.

by Al Yellon on Nov 15, 2006 11:55 AM CST up reply actions

Yep

Henry Blanco is an asset. He works very well with pitchers and is a quality defensive catcher. Hopefully, Sweet Lou utilizes him a lot more than Dusty was willing to. Because this team needs to improve behind the plate.

Rommel, you magnificent bastard, I READ YOUR BOOK !!!

by BlueMike on Nov 15, 2006 11:58 AM CST up reply actions

Silly as it sounds............

........this might be Hendry's BEST FA SIGNING in the entire off season.

Blanco was tracking to have as many RBIs as the beloved Barrett this past season. As Al mentions, no way Blanco could hold up for the duration, but clearly Barrett can't either.

With Blanco receiving, the Cubs can be assured of the opposing team being honest on the basepaths, as well as our pitchers being guided properly. Neither of these things happen when Barrett is wearing the tools.

Securing a solid backstop is a key to any quality baseball team. As Casey Stengel said of Yogi Berra, "I don't go anywhere without my man". If it's good enough for "The Old Perfesser", it's good enough for me.

by tville on Nov 15, 2006 9:33 PM CST up reply actions

dear god

al agreeing with gaius, mike saying something that doesnt make me laugh

ITS BIZZARO WORLD

"Its not like we need 10-12 players to contend"

by ksucubbie on Nov 15, 2006 11:59 AM CST reply actions

See?

Maybe things ARE turning around!!!

by Al Yellon on Nov 15, 2006 12:01 PM CST up reply actions

If that's the case,

maybe we had better get Neifi back. . . .

HENDRY!

by cubbiejulie on Nov 15, 2006 12:02 PM CST up reply actions

Quoting Ron Santo...

... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

by Al Yellon on Nov 15, 2006 12:07 PM CST up reply actions

I mean

we should get "Bizaro Neifi." He'll be the opposite of Neifi and post a .475 OBP.

HENDRY!

by cubbiejulie on Nov 15, 2006 12:08 PM CST up reply actions

From AP:

"Blanco has also played with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Colorado Rockies, Milwaukee Brewers, Atlanta Braves and Minnesota Twins. He is a .225 career hitter with 49 homers and 225 RBIs in 666 games. "

The power of Christ compels Hank White!

by deanosaur on Nov 15, 2006 1:24 PM CST reply actions

Dammit Hendry

stop overpaying for mediocrity. I think I'm going to have to start a "Free Soto" campaign real soon.

Sigh.

Well, at least the guys at Desipio will be pleased.

by VS on Nov 15, 2006 1:40 PM CST reply actions

From Rotoworld

Cubs re-signed Henry Blanco to a two-year contract with a mutual option for 2009.
The sudden trend of handing out multi-year deals to mediocre bench players is an odd one and the bug seems to have been passed from Wayne Krivsky to Jim Hendry. Blanco will continue to back up Michael Barrett, which thankfully limits the damage he can do to the Cubs' offense.

by VS on Nov 15, 2006 2:18 PM CST up reply actions

Rotoworld...

... is wrong about one thing. Blanco isn't a "mediocre" bench player. He is a very GOOD bench player -- perhaps the best backup catcher in baseball. That's worth some money, IMO.

by Al Yellon on Nov 15, 2006 2:55 PM CST up reply actions

I disagree, Al

Henry Blanco is a guy with a .225/.290/.367 career line. He had a career year at age 34. Even then, he had a 80+ OPS and .241 EqA (average is around .260 or so).

The best backup catcher in baseball? Maybe, but that doesn't mean anything to me. That's just saying he sucks less than other backup catchers. That's no ringing endorsement.

Anyway, Al, you're dead set on believing that Blanco is a good addition so there's nothing I can say that will change your mind. But I will say that for all the hype about his defense and leadership and whatnot, Cub pitchers performed better with Barrett behind the plate last season. There is nothing that Blanco can do that Soto coudln't.

by VS on Nov 15, 2006 3:12 PM CST up reply actions

Except...

... for providing ten years' experience.

Look, I know you are a stat guy, and I do respect stat lines. We are talking about a backup catcher here, and Blanco also had a decent backup-catcher season in 2005.

All I'll say is that there are things about winning baseball games that cannot be measured on a stat sheet. Sometimes it's better to have a veteran backup catcher than a rookie. I think this is one of those times; you don't.

We'll have to agree to disagree.

by Al Yellon on Nov 15, 2006 3:39 PM CST up reply actions

I think everyone agrees that

there are things about winning baseball that can't be easily measured. The disagreement is over whether those little things are worth over $2M/year. I believe that they aren't, especially when it seems fairly likely to me that Soto would outperform Blanco offensively. THAT's the thing that we'll have to agree to disagree about.

by mportsch on Nov 15, 2006 8:42 PM CST up reply actions

Agreed

Henry Blanco is an exceptional catcher. The Cubs need him.

Rommel, you magnificent bastard, I READ YOUR BOOK !!!

by BlueMike on Nov 15, 2006 4:16 PM CST up reply actions

I think they're right

To me, the phrase needs to be looked at as a whole: "Mediocre bench player."

If there was such a thing as a very good bench player, the "bench" part probably wouldn't come into play.

You know, you really don't need a $120 million payroll if you can find a way around signing guys to huge deals that the market doesn't dictate. Sure, guys like Soriano will get huge deals. That doesn't mean there should be big ones for backups.

So much for the law of averages.

by JDay on Nov 16, 2006 1:25 AM CST up reply actions

el blanco

hanks good to have on the bench.i dont think he,s the type that cry,s when he does,nt play.he is a part time player though.dont understand the knock on barrett,he does a fine job.sometimes you have to trade a little defence for a little offence.he,s got a big heart though and a lot of guts.

by NOMAR on Nov 15, 2006 3:04 PM CST reply actions

I don't really like this deal...

especially when combined with yesterday's signing of Mark DeRosa. The Cubs now have two career backups - on the wrong side of 30 - locked up for TWO years at $7M/year. Couldn't the Cubs have found a better way to spend $7M? Would Ray Durham have cost that much more than $7M/year? How about Cliff Floyd? Those are actual difference makers, and they individually wouldn't cost much more than these two guys.
Maybe Al is right that the free agent market will be much more lucrative than in years past, and these deals will end up looking like bargains, but I'm not holding my breath. I hope I'll look back at the end of the offseason and realize how wrong I was on these signings.

by mportsch on Nov 15, 2006 3:04 PM CST reply actions

Cliff Floyd...

... ugh. Always injured. Steer clear.

by Al Yellon on Nov 15, 2006 3:08 PM CST up reply actions

Anyone who insults Floyd

Will have to deal with me
( anyone not on this blog for more than two years
should pay no attention to this comment)

I love the ballpark. I love the city. I love the fans. Aside from how we've played this year, there's nothing not to like about Chicago." Greg Maddux 7/29/06

by jessica on Nov 15, 2006 6:20 PM CST up reply actions

Oh...

... I'll deal with you.

I do NOT want Cliff Floyd anywhere near a Cub uniform. Ever.

by Al Yellon on Nov 15, 2006 6:31 PM CST up reply actions

Um Al

Are you SERIOUS ? Do you remember all the jokes
on the old AND the Yahoo group about me not wanting
to bump into Cliff in a dark alley? Boy you gotta
do something about that short term memory
Next you will forget which player I like best.

Suffice to say folks joining us late that I was just
a tiny, tiny bit obsessesed in 2004 that the Cubs
NEVER, EVERY, EVER go near Iron Glove Floyd
( who of course went on to have good year)

I love the ballpark. I love the city. I love the fans. Aside from how we've played this year, there's nothing not to like about Chicago." Greg Maddux 7/29/06

by jessica on Nov 15, 2006 7:41 PM CST up reply actions

What is all fuss

on this signing? Goodness 5 million in this day of age is pennies. If you think this 5 million is going to prevent the Cubs from other moves, YIKES we in some trouble!

Throw out your Gold Teeth and see how they Roll

by Johnny Callison was a Cub on Nov 15, 2006 10:40 PM CST reply actions