Blanco's Option Declined

by philadelphiacub on Oct 31, 2008 3:15 PM CDT

Haven't seen this posted anywhere on BCB yet. The Cubs declined Blanco's option, but expect to resign him at a lower guaranteed salary to continue being the backup C. Wittenmeyer suggests its possible there's a "handshake agreement" in place. Smart move to save $1M or $2, and it also answers the backup C question for '09.

Seems to indicate the tighter budget vibe we've been hearing has some truth to it, and Hendry is getting a little creative to free up some $$.

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Oh and according to Keith Law

Bob Howry received Type A Free Agent status (don’t know how the hell that happened considering his 08 performance, previous years must have outweighed it). Does that make offering him arb any more tempting?

by philadelphiacub on Oct 31, 2008 3:19 PM CDT reply actions

Maybe less likely,

because I don’t think another team gives up a first round draft pick for him.

It may increase the chance he would accept.

Definitely an intriguing story to follow.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Oct 31, 2008 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions

Good move.

Blanco was making 33% more than any other backup catcher, and a million dollars is still a million dollars.

MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown

by D98 on Oct 31, 2008 3:46 PM CDT reply actions

I hope we resign Sr. Blanco. He’s a real pro.

by leothelip on Oct 31, 2008 3:55 PM CDT reply actions

Me too.

by sue369 on Oct 31, 2008 6:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Hope Blanco is back

He’s an asset to this pitching staff and has mentor to Geovany Soto.

"Not that I don't feel like I'm part of the team, by no means, but when you get that nice celebration coming into the dugout and you're getting your ass hammered by guys, it's no better feeling than to have that done.'' -- Matt Stairs (aka The Professional Hitter)

by MDBNIU on Oct 31, 2008 4:05 PM CDT reply actions

Mostly, I want his sweet tattoos back. Mostly.

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Oct 31, 2008 4:15 PM CDT reply actions

Where else is Hank White going to have his own fan club?

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Oct 31, 2008 4:17 PM CDT reply actions

Long live

Hank white, resign him, the Hank White fan club will live on !

Someday we'll go all the way.

by Cubbinstrongsince86 on Oct 31, 2008 4:27 PM CDT reply actions

If cubs marketing were smart

They’d make some hank white jersey tee’s, if he’s resigned of course. I know a number of people, including myself, that would drop $20 to get it.

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Oct 31, 2008 5:16 PM CDT reply actions

Agreed with all of the above.

I think Hank will sign at a lower deal — but it might take a two-year contract. That’s still fine with me.

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

by Al Yellon on Oct 31, 2008 5:22 PM CDT reply actions

That could be the handshake deal

An extra year but less per year.

by rlpete on Oct 31, 2008 5:46 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 1, 2008 4:04 AM CDT up reply actions

He's really not Henry Blanco any more

He’s Henry Reposado, or Henry Añejo. And I mean that with respect.

by ChipSet on Oct 31, 2008 9:33 PM CDT reply actions

blanco

i,d love him back too but you dont pay a guy 3 mill to play once a week. good move on the cubs part.anybody want daryl ward back?

by NOMAR on Nov 1, 2008 5:47 AM CDT reply actions

NO

Wards gotta go aside from the Florida game he was garbage, send him packing. Micah hoffpaur would make a solid replacement and less money.

by Steve Sax on Nov 2, 2008 12:59 AM CDT reply actions

On what basis would Hoffpauir make a "solid" replacement?

He had 14 PH at-bats in 2008, and struck out in 7 of them. Is that solid? No, that sucks.

I’m not necessarily advocating bringing back Ward — maybe it’s time to move on. But Hoffpauir has NOT proven that he can be a competent pinch-hitter.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 2, 2008 4:12 AM CDT up reply actions

Micah Hoffpauir doesn't have a major league future

He’ll be back toiling at Triple A for good in 2009. The only way he carves out a major league existence is to show proficiency coming off the bench cold to pinch hit. With his big swing and at his age the odds of that transformation happening aren’t good. Plus the guy is a defensive liabilty wherever you try to hide him on the field.

Cubs will have new left-handed hitting pinch hitter next season. It might just be Jim Edmonds.

by MDBNIU on Nov 2, 2008 4:04 PM CST up reply actions

You and I agree about Hoffpauir

I don’t see Edmonds being willing to be nothing more than a bench player if he comes back.

The author of this post is not a certified scout, doctor, agent, statistician, manager, or journalist, nor was he ever a very good player, though he tried very hard to be like Ryne Sandberg and was about as scrappy as it gets (in T-ball). Any opinion expressed above should in no way be confused with fact, truth, or reality and is hereby qualified in the following ways: 1) The author does not know as much about baseball as Lou Piniella. 2) The author does not know as much about baseball as Jim Hendry. 3) The author does not know as much about baseball as either Dusty or Darren Baker.

by DGU on Nov 2, 2008 8:29 PM CST up reply actions

Agreed.

If Edmonds comes back, it would be in the same role as 2008 — platoon CF, not the Ward role.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 3, 2008 3:36 AM CST up reply actions

Hoff's Biggest Problem

Defense. I could see the guy as a spot starter at 1B, RF, and LF. Hoff can’t play a good right field, and he’s an ordinary 1B defensively. Hoff is in an organization that currently does not need a 1B.

The guys I can remember being quality pinch-hitters such as Richie Hebner, Thad Bosley, Rusty Staub, Lenny Harris, and Daryle Ward (though, not this past year) all had plenty of major league experience before falling into the “pinch hitting” role. I can’t see Hoff filling that role.

Hoff could start 15 games at 1B, 10 games in RF, and 10 games in LF. He will never be close to an everyday starter with the Cubs, unless D-Lee is dealt.

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Nov 2, 2008 7:28 AM CST up reply actions

Exactly!!!

It’s very rare — I can’t think of a single example off the top of my head — for someone like Hoffpauir to come out of the minor leagues, especially at his age, and become a competent major league bench player, especially with his lack of defensive skill.

He’s best suited to be a DH. I would imagine Jim Hendry is trying to put him in a package to trade him somewhere.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 2, 2008 7:32 AM CST up reply actions

It makes no sense

Hoffpaur is not a competent pinch hitter but a competent DH???? What in the world is the difference. The guy showed signs that he can at least be a good backup. Backups tend to be used as pinch hitters.

by Steve Sax on Nov 2, 2008 11:45 AM CST up reply actions