Cubs Make Three Roster Moves

by Chanman25 on Nov 3, 2007 4:09 PM CDT

http://netsports.baseball.com/default.asp?c=baseball&page=mlb/news/AAN4110843.htm

Basically says:

Ward's option picked up
Floyd's option declined, resulting in him being a free agent
Trashchel's option declined, resulting him him being a free agent

As expected pretty much. Only two more free agents that the Cubs have yet to resigned///let go: Kendall and Wood.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation, Bleed Cubbie Blue, or Al Yellon, editor-in-chief. FanPost opinions are, however, valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

0 recs | Comment 13 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Uncle Cliff

...had a tough year, both on the field and in his personal life. I wish him well.

by Rev Gunia on Nov 3, 2007 4:41 PM CDT 0 recs

From what I understand...

... Kendall, who is a free agent (no option year), will not be offered arbitration and will be let go.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Nov 3, 2007 5:28 PM CDT 0 recs

If Soto will be the starter next season,

what's wrong with keeping Kendall around, if the price is right. He wasn't terrible while he was with the Cubs. Are there any better options for a backup catcher who has the ability to step in if Soto fails (which could happen).

by markleonette on Nov 3, 2007 7:20 PM CDT up 0 recs

Price won't be right.

IIRC, Kendall had a pretty expensive contract last year (paid mostly by Oakland) so chances are he'd get something similar in arbitration, win or lose. I'm pretty sure there are limits on how much salary can be cut, even if your numbers sucked last year. Just not worth it to offer him arbitration, 'cause he'd probably take it. I like the guy, but those are dollars better thrown at a SP, leadoff hitter, and/or LH right fielder.

What's Blanco's status? Assuming he's still under Cubs control, he's more than adequate to be a first-rate backup. I know he was injured much of the second half last year, but I thought he made a full recovery and played a bit in September, didn't he?

If no on Blanco, backup catchers are relatively easy to pickup in Spring Training. Most teams go into camp with 3-4 borderline catchers just to see who gets hot/hurt. I'm pretty sure Cubs could get a dependable veteran via the waiver wire at the end of March.

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Nov 3, 2007 7:36 PM CDT up 0 recs

The max. pay cut would only be an issue

during arbitration, I think. If they signed him before arbitration, couldn't they cut his salary by 90 percent, if they wanted, and he agreed to it? According to ESPN.com, his salary was $13 million.

by markleonette on Nov 3, 2007 7:49 PM CDT up 0 recs

Blanco

I agree he's a fine back-up, but isn't it a bit insane to pay $3 mln a year for your back-up catcher? Or is that the going rate these days? Seems like you could get someone for $800,000 (which is what Blanco's salary ought to be).

"Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly. Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt, And I'll be ready to die." -Steve Goodman

by danimal15 on Nov 3, 2007 9:14 PM CDT up 0 recs

$2.8M...

... is what Blanco is making next year. You have to think that Blanco is healthy enough in the Cubs eyes to play the role of back-up catcher / mentor for Soto.

This is the going rate now for backup catchers.

And, the Cubs set that standard. ;-)

by initram on Nov 4, 2007 12:35 AM CDT up 0 recs

Blanco is worth 3 mil

If the Cubs payroll ends up around 100 mil, that puts Blanco portion right around 3%.

As we learned this year, its worth having a solid backup who isn't injured. If Balnco can stay healthy, which is a considerable if, I'd lke him as a backup over player X we can pick up off the scrap heap.

Losing Soto would be an offensive loss, but at least Blanco should be able to provide solid defense.

"There are no curses here...Games are won and lost on the baseball field" - Lou Piniella

by El Borto on Nov 4, 2007 9:26 AM CST up 0 recs

Exactly Right...

... and if something were to happen to Soto, you still have Koyie Hill, who is a respectable third string catcher waiting in the wings.

by initram on Nov 5, 2007 12:43 PM CST up 0 recs

Is Koyie Hill still with the Cubs?

He was designated for assignment late in the season. Maybe they re-signed him, but I don't think he's on the 40-man roster.

But you are exactly right, he IS a good THIRD-string catcher. Blanco is a good BACKUP catcher. Hopefully Soto doesn't struggle, but if he does, people on this site will be complaining about Blanco not being a starting catcher, and how he's bringing down the lineup, etc., etc., etc. I have more faith in Kendall being an emergency starter than Blanco.

by markleonette on Nov 5, 2007 6:25 PM CST up 0 recs

Kendall Has No Strength In His Arm...

... and with another year added to his age, I doubt it will improve.

If the Cubs get Kuroda from Japan, which is looking promising, we have another pitcher that is slow to the plate.

As for Koyie Hill, he was retained and was re-assigned to AAA Iowa. Jake Fox was the remaining guy on the 40-man roster. With Kendall good as gone for the Cubs, look for Koyie Hill to make it back on the 40-man roster.

by initram on Nov 5, 2007 10:05 PM CST up 0 recs

The max pay cut rules...

...only apply to players that CANNOT decline arbitration. The Cubs could offer Kendall league minimum in arbitration if they wanted to. (Wouldn't happen, but it's not technically prohibited.)

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Nov 4, 2007 9:40 AM CST up 0 recs