Wuertz agrees to contract, avoids arbitration

by Chanman25 on Jan 21, 2008 2:05 PM CST

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs and right-handed pitcher Michael Wuertz have agreed to terms on a one-year contract for the 2008 campaign, thus avoiding salary arbitration. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
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Source: Cubs.com

Wuertz is very underrated in my opinion. He has been a solid and reliable reliever for the past three seasons and could be a potential set-up man.

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.

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Agreed.

As in past years, I don't expect any Cub to actually go to an arbitration hearing -- the last one was 15 years ago, Mark Grace.

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

by Al on Jan 21, 2008 2:05 PM CST 0 recs

Wuertz was our only arb-eligible player.

Everyone else is either a free agent or pre-arb.

I would suggest you learn to truly interrupt all stats before using any selective stats. -- cubswin

by cwyers on Jan 21, 2008 2:07 PM CST up 0 recs

Well then!

Guess I was right!

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

by Al on Jan 21, 2008 2:23 PM CST up 0 recs

Next year

Who could claim arbitration next year?

Regardless, Wuertz has worked hard the last few years so it's good he got a better deal this season. I too agree with the post earlier about him being underrated (and underrated is good IMO if other teams don't think too much into him).

by ak123 on Jan 21, 2008 5:23 PM CST up 0 recs

It's service time dependant...

...and thus depends on how much time is spent on the 25-man roster. Impossible to say for sure right now.

I would suggest you learn to truly interrupt all stats before using any selective stats. -- cubswin

by cwyers on Jan 21, 2008 9:50 PM CST up 0 recs

Wuertz

is the man. hes a very reliable reliever.

by Glacier on Jan 21, 2008 7:39 PM CST 0 recs

Wuertz

I think Wuertz is the forgotten man in this whole bullpen.

He's the only reason I'd even fathom trading Marmol for the right price.

But I really hope both are Cubs for the forseeable future.

We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.

by cubstoseriesby100 on Jan 21, 2008 8:09 PM CST 0 recs

re: Wuertz

LOL, so you'd trade Marmol and keep Wuertz. Klassic KOW! Wuertz is forgotten for a reason -- Marmol and Howry are simply more consistent. (Compare their respective WHIPs.) And I'm hoping to put Kerry Wood on that list later this year.

When it's working, Wuertz's slider is indeed devastating...but he's never seemed to be able to throw it with any consistency. I'm not unhappy that Wuertz will be back, but let's be realistic here.

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Chicago Cubs starting outfield: Soriano-Pie-Fukudome. Let it be.

by dat cubfan daver on Jan 22, 2008 10:26 AM CST up 0 recs

Well if you want to be realistic

...dont count on Kerry Wood making that list you speak of.

I hope he does but you wanted to be realistic right?

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry "I strongly dislike Steve Stone." ---Hammer

by Hammer on Jan 22, 2008 1:08 PM CST up 0 recs

re: Well if you want to be realistic

Well, that's why I said I'm "hoping" to put Wood on that list. There's nothing unrealistic about hoping, guaranteeing would be another matter entirely.

And just to temper my last post a bit, I do think Wuertz is well worth the amount of money the Cubs are spending on him (which actually isn't that much). Last season, he earned the distinction of ranking second in the National League in percentage of inherited runners stranded.

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Chicago Cubs starting outfield: Soriano-Pie-Fukudome. Let it be.

by dat cubfan daver on Jan 22, 2008 1:39 PM CST up 0 recs

Cool

Couldnt agree more about Wuertz, he had a great season last year but he is what he is and you know what to expect. Hes not a back of the bullpen guy or the first one out, hes steadily in the middle. I like him and when that slider is on, nearly unhittable, even when his slider backs up on him hes OK. Just a good arm to have, I like that much better than giving 11 million to Dotel or 19 million to Linebrink

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry "I strongly dislike Steve Stone." ---Hammer

by Hammer on Jan 22, 2008 1:47 PM CST up 0 recs

Yay

We get slider-boy back!

Elbow above the shoulder. Below is a no no.

by number1cubfan on Jan 21, 2008 9:42 PM CST 0 recs

wuertz

is a good guy to have in the pen, but not set-up worthy for this team. He struggles too much with his control at times because all he throws is sliders....hitters can lay off it if it comes every pitch.

by cubsmania on Jan 21, 2008 10:38 PM CST 0 recs