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Do we re-sign Dempster?

Wrigley_field_sign_tiny by calicubfan on

Although the 2008 FLOP hasn't completely set in quite yet, I can't help but look towards next season. I was looking at Cubs' player contracts and I wonder whether or not the Cubs will re-sign Dempster? Can he repeat his great '08 performance? (Regular season, that is!) Or should we pursue another top notch starter? What about J. Edmonds, R. Johnson, and D. Ward? And, can we depend on Fukudome in RF?

Also, I wonder how the pending sale of the club will effect free agent signings and/or trades. I also wonder if the Cubs will be involved in the Sabathia, Manny Ramirez, and A.J. Burnett sweepstakes? One thing is for sure, this is a very talented team but it is clearly not built to succeed in October. At least we're done w/ Bob Howry!

Your thoughts?

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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I would guess...

We would re-sign Demp. He doesn’t seem like a guy who would be out there trying to get max money with just any team. Plus, if you look at his success this season, most of it was at Wrigley Field. I think he relishes the challenge of winning here.

Someday we'll go all the way...

by CubsBullsBears on Oct 5, 2008 8:02 PM CDT   0 recs

I think we should not resign demp

the key to his success was his insanely low BABIP… BABIP is considered to be mostly luck, and does not translate well from year to year… he had a career year, will most likely want a 4 year, 42 million dollar contract… Other than that, he walks far too many people to justify that salary. I think if the Cubs dont resign dempster, they could package derrek lee and hoffpauir for a solid # 2 pitcher and sign teixeira to play 1b. Obviously this is a best case scenario.

by scarymonsters85 on Oct 5, 2008 8:27 PM CDT   0 recs

Lee has a FULL no trade clause

n/t

"I never drink water because of the disgusting things fish do in it" -W.C. Fields

by calicubfan on Oct 5, 2008 8:58 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

All that means is that trading Lee would be more complicated...

Plenty of players with full no-trade clauses have been traded though. It just gives the player negotiating power and the ability to determine where he gets traded (if he gets traded).

by SouthernCub on Oct 5, 2008 9:02 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Insanely low BABIP??

What are you talking about?? He ended the season with a .288 BABIP, a little lower than his career BABIP and 15-20 points lower than league average, which was .306 last season. Taking a look at his FIP, which takes only considers things that a pitcher is solely responsible for(Fielding independent pitching) whoes that he was indeed a damn good pitcher, as he had the seventh best FIP among qualifiers, ahead of Jake Peavy, Johan Santana, Big Z, Matt Cain, Roy Oswalt, Ricky Nolasco and Cole Hamels. Now I’m not saying I would take Demp ahead of those guys, but I am saying that he was not insanely lucky and that he was outstanding, just not as great as his sub-3.00 ERA would tell you. I would resign him for the right price.

by dakoose on Oct 5, 2008 10:01 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

0.272

was his BABIP this year… way below his average… in fact. His ISO was second best in the majors, next to Kuroda, which also isn’t likely to remain static. And yes, while he does strike out a lot of batters, he does walk a lot of people. He has injury problems, and is coming off his first 200 inning season after tommy john surgery… but you said it best… the right price

by scarymonsters85 on Oct 5, 2008 11:36 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Where did you get that BABIP from?

Fangraphs has him at .288, and after seeing your figure, I checked BP and they have him at .283. Still, even a .272 BABIP isn’t insanely low. There are pitchers out there who have consistently had low BABIP’s. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that he is one of those pitchers, especially when you consider his unorthodox pitching motion and the late movement he gets on a lot of his pitches.
His HR/FB rate is in line with numbers as a Cub. In his five years here he posted rates of 6.3%, 7.4, 7.1, 12.9 and 7.7 He has a solid but not spectacular 2.46 K:BB and while those injury concerns are pretty real, he isn’t exactly a guy with a lot of miles on his arm. He held up pretty well down the stretch and while he might not get better as he has already been around a while, I doubt he will regress all that much. I expect a 3.3-3.5 ERA out of him next year.

by dakoose on Oct 6, 2008 12:02 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

There are pitchers out there who have consistently had low BABIP’s.

Really? Name five.

I has a blog. | Ask a sabermagician!

by cwyers on Oct 6, 2008 1:56 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I am not saying that Ryan's low BABIP had no luck involved,

but it has been noted in several articles that typically, some of the better sinkerballers in the league can maintain lower than league average BABIP’s. Ryan does have a pretty good sinker and could be categorized as a sinkerballer. Brandon Webb, Chien-Ming Wang, Johan Santana, Derek Lowe and our man, Carlos Zambrano have all had BABIP’s consistently at least 10-15 points lower than league average, with Zambrano’s usually sitting 30-40 below the league average. Other than extreme sinkerballers, which Zambrano isn’t, pitcher’s with late movement on their pitches seem to generate low BABIP’s.
Demp isn’t an extreme GB pitcher, but he does generate a bit more of them than the average big leaguer. And while I haven’t really checked out his PitchFX, to the naked eye his pitches do have a solid amount of late movement.

by dakoose on Oct 6, 2008 11:49 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I think we should resign Demp. Look at what the Cards just paid for Lohse.

"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.

by zevkalman on Oct 5, 2008 8:30 PM CDT   0 recs

Bingo

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Oct 5, 2008 9:34 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I think we should resign him. I have

a feeling he wants to be back. I’d love to have Reed back too.

I think Ward will not be back.

by sue369 on Oct 5, 2008 8:37 PM CDT   0 recs

Agreed

I like both reed and Demp and would like to see them back.

Hoffpauer can be Ward next year

When you're eight games behind, it's like eight miles; when you're eight games in front, it's like eight inches. ~ Ron Santo

by gwood on Oct 5, 2008 9:40 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I was thinking the

same thing for Hoff.

by sue369 on Oct 6, 2008 6:44 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I wasn't.

Not until he can learn to take walks.

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

by Al on Oct 6, 2008 7:49 AM CDT to parent up   1 recs

Yes

And Woody

"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"

by Grockcubs on Oct 5, 2008 8:47 PM CDT   0 recs

Yep

And if he stinks as a starter, we know he can pitch well in the bullpen. I won’t expect another season like this one, but I’m sure he’ll still be a quality starter who can go out and win big games.

by TheHawkRules on Oct 5, 2008 9:08 PM CDT   0 recs

what big games did dempster win?

with the exception of the end of the july series against the brewers?

by scarymonsters85 on Oct 5, 2008 11:40 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

well...

…he won 17 games, had an ERA below 3, is a great team player, and has a bulldog attitude. Thats enough for me.

Did those other 16 wins come against the Padres?

by TheHawkRules on Oct 6, 2008 10:36 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

If you can convince me that 2008 is not a fluke...

then I’d agree he’s worth the money. The problem is that there’s a wealth of evidence to suggest that 2008 was a big fluke.

by SouthernCub on Oct 6, 2008 10:48 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I never said...

…I’d expect him to repeat his numbers from 08. I’m sure he’d win 10-15 games though. That’s why I mentioned also that if he stunk, he could go back to the bullpen. I doubt he’ll be expensive either. So… if you want to just let him walk… well then…. hmmmmm….

by TheHawkRules on Oct 6, 2008 10:57 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

He WILL be expensive...

Guys with much less impressive seasons have gotten 4 years and $40 million in very recent years. Someone is going to pay top dollar for him. So even with a hometown disount, I think he’s going to cost somewhere in the 4 year, $48 million range. Given that we already have a high payroll and limited flexibility, I don’t think it makes sense to pay that kind of money for a mediocre starter (which is what I fear he will return to being).

If you agree with me that there’s real concern that he’s going to return to being a mediocre starter, then it makes no sense to pay that kind of money for him. We can find cheaper options to be adequate but not great relievers (see Michael Wuertz). We have several options to replace mediocrity in the rotation (Marshall, Samardzija, Gaudin, maybe even Hill).

The only way I think paying Dempster the money he’s going to command is if you think he’ll remain a #1 or #2 starter. Otherwise, I’d look to spend that money elsewhere (like CF/RF or SS).

by SouthernCub on Oct 6, 2008 12:17 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

for clarity's sake

that also assumes we have “more money” to spend

remember our contracts (since they were backloaded) for the most part rise significantly next year. I believe (off the top of my head) our payroll increases by 10-20 million just based on the current players on the roster for next year

by DartmouthCubsFan on Oct 6, 2008 12:21 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Good point...

We’d have to look closer at the situation to know exactly where the payroll stands. Remember: we shed Howry, Eyre, Dempster’s current ~$5 million, Ward, and potentially Wood from the payroll. But you’re probably right that the salary hikes for Soriano, Ramirez, Marquis, Zambrano, and Lilly more than counterbalance those savings.

Adding another several million for Dempster becomes even dicier when that’s taken into account. And it still doesn’t address potential payraises to address any of our other holes, like CF/RF. And it assumes we don’t re-sign Wood.

by SouthernCub on Oct 6, 2008 12:35 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

rough estimate

i’ve got us about 5.5 over current budget with losing the following players:

Dempster
Wood
Reed Johnson
Daryle Ward
Bob Howry
Jon Lieber

that obviously doesn’t include any arbitration raises the young players receive either

by DartmouthCubsFan on Oct 6, 2008 12:47 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I actually got a slight savings ($-2.35 million)

I assumed roughly $7 million for Wood (have to consider that he got most of those performance incentives worth about $3.5 million this year), and I assumed they don’t re-sign Blanco (saves $2.5 million after the $0.3 million buyout).

But that still doesn’t consider arbitration raises for anyone. And if the Cubs do pick up the Blanco option, that adds about $3 million as well.

by SouthernCub on Oct 6, 2008 1:25 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

yeah, i think the end result is the same

like in the Granderson post on Pie’s spring numbers

we’re not looking at a whole lot more flexibility in terms of adding dollars next year unless we assume a huge jump in payroll

by DartmouthCubsFan on Oct 6, 2008 1:26 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't think he'll ask... nor get, 4yrs-48mil

Ok, he may ask, but i doubt anybody will pay that…. I don’t think Hendry will give him a 4 year deal with all the arm probs, etc…

For some reason, I think we may see a 1 year deal. Who knows though.,

by TheHawkRules on Oct 7, 2008 11:02 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

that would great for the Cubs

and stupendously dumb for Dempster

i guarantee he gets a significant multi-year deal. He was arguably one of the top 5 pitchers in the NL this year, he’s not signing a 1 year deal

by DartmouthCubsFan on Oct 7, 2008 7:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Sign Wood to a 4 year 30 mill contract

sign Dempster to a 4 year, 38 million dollar contract.

I could live with both of those

2009 Cubs: Well, Seems so far away..

by Chanman25 on Oct 5, 2008 9:22 PM CDT   0 recs

For Dempster it might be closer to 4/48.

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

by Al on Oct 5, 2008 9:31 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

This is the kind of contract that Hendry will over pay on if he has the green light to spend the money

On second thought, Hendry might expect and get the home town discount with Dempster but my gut says that Hendry wants him back.

Not sure whether it’s a big deal as it is just an emotional time for fans and players right now, but I am curious how Dempster feels about returning given his playoff game performance? There’s been a ton of criticism of that and I wonder if he’d rather part ways? I think Hendry is 100% sold on Dempster, but maybe the player will prefer to walk?

by DudeVf11 on Oct 6, 2008 9:34 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yes

Dempster will take less to re-sign with the Cubs. 4 yrs / $40 MM should do the trick. And definitely re-sign Woody. Then focus on getting what we need the most – a left-handed bat to balance Lee, Ramirez and Soriano. Who that would be I have no idea. Might have to be a trade rather than a FA signing.

You see, you spend a good piece of your life gripping a baseball, and in the end it turns out that it was the other way around all the time. ~Jim Bouton, Ball Four, 1970

by Zorb on Oct 5, 2008 9:30 PM CDT   0 recs

Like Bobby Abreu?

n/t

"I never drink water because of the disgusting things fish do in it" -W.C. Fields

by calicubfan on Oct 5, 2008 9:40 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Ugh.

This would be a typical signing — fading former star signed to big-money contract, after which he flops.

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

by Al on Oct 5, 2008 9:58 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

What left handed bat then?

Obviously, not Teixeira. What kind of money do think the Cubs have to play with?

"I never drink water because of the disgusting things fish do in it" -W.C. Fields

by calicubfan on Oct 5, 2008 10:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I commented on another post about

Adam Dunn. Ownership and some trades will dictate the amount of available cash. Dunn is intriguing because a) He is great at Wrigley and b) if the limited interest in him at the deadline is any indicator, he might not be as expensive as he should be.

by dakoose on Oct 5, 2008 10:05 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Dunn?

To play what? Left field? Right field? What a disaster that would be.

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

by Al on Oct 5, 2008 10:17 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Do we count on Fukudome..

..in RF then? I know we owe him lots of money, but my god, he’s looked terrible.

"I never drink water because of the disgusting things fish do in it" -W.C. Fields

by calicubfan on Oct 5, 2008 10:21 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I am trying to find the BP defensive stats for Dunn,

who started in right field 23 times this year and 82 times in his career. The point is that the Cubs must add a a big time lefty run producer, and the only free agent lefty available outside of Texiera is Adam Dunn. I think moving Dome to center wouldn’t be a bad idea, and neither does Trey Hillman, who managed him in Japan. His offensive problems would be more tolerable in center field, where the bar is set much lower.

by dakoose on Oct 5, 2008 10:26 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The problem with that...

is that you put a bad fielder in LF (Soriano), an arguably worse fielder in RF (Dunn), and then play a guy out of position in CF (Fukudome).

I’m not saying Fukudome can’t play CF. But if you’re going to put two bad fielders in RF and LF, you probably should have someone WELL above average defensively in CF.

by SouthernCub on Oct 6, 2008 9:10 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

the cubs need to find a big time run producer

regardless of handedness. a 30+ HR guy who will hit 40 doubles.

by scarymonsters85 on Oct 6, 2008 9:11 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

the following players

hit 30 HR’s and 40 2B’s last year:

Pujols
Ludwick
Dye
Teixeira
Utley
Wright
Huff

not exactly a huge list

on top of that… Aramis had 44 2B’s and 27 HR’s, Soriano had 27 2B’s and 29 HR’s (but in 100 less ABs), DLee had 41 2B’s and 20 HR’s, Soto had 35 2B’s and 23 HR’s

by DartmouthCubsFan on Oct 6, 2008 9:30 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Not Al, but new owners usually makr a splash.

It could be a trade. It could be a guy that we say “Wow, I never saw that coming!”

I’d try to acquire Beltran though. But I think that if we could acquire a superstar Left Handed hitter via trade, we could then focus our FA money on Furcal/Burnett/Lowe/Cruz/Lyon, etc..Of course just one of them though :).

Devin Hester, you are ridiculous! -Jeff Joniak

by ARAM FOR MVP on Oct 5, 2008 10:07 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Don't be so sure new ownership will be in place by the end of the year...

… by which time most major deals and signings will have to be completed.

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

by Al on Oct 5, 2008 10:17 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Agree...

…which is what worries me. Hendry may or may not have considerable flexibility to do a lot with all the dough already commiteed. I guess we’ll see.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Oct 5, 2008 10:20 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

that's what EVERY FA signing is

to some extent.

The way baseball is set up is you’re able to control a player for 6 years before they hit FA. Since most players come up in the ages of say 23-25, those 6 years encompass nearly ALL of the players prime (25-30).

Baseball is a silly game in which its set up for you to get paid the least when you’re the most productive and paid the most when you’re least productive. This is how small market teams have been able to take advantage and compete.

Building through FA isn’t the long-term answer. It’s a quick fix system with often significant long-term consequences. The more you rely on FA the more of your chips you’re throwing into the middle for right now and taking off the table for 2-3 years from now. In my opinion we have “enough” money tied up in deteriorating assets and should start pumping money into potentially appreciating assets (i.e. the draft)

by DartmouthCubsFan on Oct 6, 2008 8:56 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

one old guy

that doesn’t get a lot of love is Raul Ibanez. If the Cubs were to target a left handed free agent OF, he’d be the one I’d want.

by Cubinator on Oct 6, 2008 12:32 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The problem with almost all of the Free Agent OFs

Is that they are all LFs, especially the lefties.

The reason Ibanez doesn’t get any love is because he couldn’t play where we need him to. Soriano can’t play RF (or CF for that matter) so you are stuck with guys who have to be better on defense and faster.

The only lefty RF bat that is a free agent or COULD be a free agent is Ken Griffey, Jr.

by IllinoisCubs on Oct 6, 2008 1:25 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Exactly when...

… is the year that Ibanez, who will be 37 in June, suddenly declines?

I have the answer: the year the Cubs sign him. Stay away.

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

by Al on Oct 6, 2008 7:50 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

you may be right

in which case i hope we stay in-house

by Cubinator on Oct 6, 2008 10:42 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

In-house means...

two of the following:

Edmonds: aging and definitely a gamble – can we catch lightning in a bottle twice with him;
Fukudome: still lots of questions about whether he’s going to figure out major league pitching, but he’s certainly a good RF defensively;
Pie: see Fukudome, but better as a CF than Fukudome.
Hoffpauir: still unsure if his bat is for real, but definitely sure his glove is not for real.

by SouthernCub on Oct 6, 2008 10:52 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I honestly think we dont need more starters

Dempster seems like he wants to remain a Cub and even if Hardens health falters, there are plenty of other in house options, and i believe Marquis will be heading into the final year of his deal, so he could actually have some trade value to someone in the playoff chase needing pitching depth

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Oct 5, 2008 9:37 PM CDT   0 recs

I don't know the answer...

…right now, and I am sure it will depend on the money he would demand on the open market.

I believe there may be some merit to the BABIP numbers some have sited, and he did revert to his walk habits in his biggest game as a starter. I’m not saying I wouldn’t want him, but it would depend on the price and how that would effect other things you can get done. I’m also not sure they can afford to lose both Dempster and Harden, but Harden has his own unique risks.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Oct 5, 2008 9:45 PM CDT   0 recs

Cubs have a $7M option on Harden.

I think they’d be NUTS not to pick it up!

"I never drink water because of the disgusting things fish do in it" -W.C. Fields

by calicubfan on Oct 5, 2008 9:48 PM CDT   0 recs

i completely agree. They will pick it up.

I love cubs fans. Isn’t it funny how just the day after a tough loss and end to the season, we can just bounce right back and talk about next year. Love the fanbase

by lexmarklover on Oct 5, 2008 9:51 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Signing Dempster will be mistake

Dempster had a solid season in 2008. But it was also a career year that incorporated a heavy helping of good fortune. That said I have to take a pass on getting into a bidding war for him. Let him walk to sign a $50 million plus with some other team who will inevitably regret the move.

"What pressure should I have on me? There's no pressure on me." -- Lou Piniella (10/3/08)

by MDBNIU on Oct 5, 2008 9:57 PM CDT   0 recs

Who replaces him then?

Marshall? And PLEASE don’t say Rich Hill

"I never drink water because of the disgusting things fish do in it" -W.C. Fields

by calicubfan on Oct 5, 2008 10:05 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Open the job up to internal competition...

Sean Marshall and Jeff Samardzija. Either that or engineer a trade. Or get a lesser grade pitcher on the free agency market.

I am not inclined to give Ryan Dempster a 4 year contract at the dollars he will command. I’m not sold on Dempster’s ability to keep chalking 200 innings and a sub 4.00 ERA.

"What pressure should I have on me? There's no pressure on me." -- Lou Piniella (10/3/08)

by MDBNIU on Oct 5, 2008 10:37 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I like Shark

but would be scared for lineups to see him 2 or 3 times in one game at this point in his career. I also like Demp. If Demp is willing to give us a hometown discount, it’d be tough to find equal value internally or externally.

by Cubinator on Oct 6, 2008 12:35 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

"I am not inclined to give..."

sorry, you feel that way, but of course it isn’t your money, so…

by Orval Overall on Oct 6, 2008 6:58 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

kind of silly

Isn’t the entire premise of this thread “what would you do if you were in Hendry’s shoes”?

I think it’s logical to read the previous post as “were I in a position to do so, I would not be inclined to give…”

No reason to get all nitpicky. It’s a “what would you do as the GM” thread, so it’s more than a little silly to point out that a poster is not, in fact, Jim Hendry.

MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown

by D98 on Oct 6, 2008 1:39 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

MDBNIU, then who do you think should replace him, or other positions?

If we let Demp go, Lowe is perfect.

We also know about Burnett apparently wanting to come here, so who knows.

I do believe that we will be in the running for Sabathia, and if we want him we get him. Just my 2 cents.

Devin Hester, you are ridiculous! -Jeff Joniak

by ARAM FOR MVP on Oct 5, 2008 10:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Lowe is going to command

more than Demp. Lots of interest in him and he has no ties to the Cubs.

by Cubinator on Oct 6, 2008 12:36 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

One has to wonder

If Cubs management feels like they have to make a splash this off season because of what happened. I think Wood and Dempster will be back but it would not surprise me if we became front runners for a big free agent this year. I won’t speculate names but you never know…

by ak123 on Oct 5, 2008 10:07 PM CDT   0 recs

You mean like our assine splash on Soriano

$136 milion over 8 years for a guess hitting hack who goes into prolonged deep freezes and doesn’t show up at playoff time.

Sorry, but I’ve had my fill of trying to buy glory via overpaying red flag commodities in free agency.

"What pressure should I have on me? There's no pressure on me." -- Lou Piniella (10/3/08)

by MDBNIU on Oct 5, 2008 10:39 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Exactly

I was never a fan of the signing but that’s the sort of thing I could see the front office doing again.

by ak123 on Oct 6, 2008 9:31 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

yet you want no attempt at development with Felix Pie

kind of damned if you do, damned if you don’t…. wouldn’t you say?

I’m with you on getting away from a dependence on FA, but along with that comes the need to funnel time, energy, and resources into developing players at the major league level

by DartmouthCubsFan on Oct 6, 2008 9:38 AM CDT to parent up   1 recs

It's not so much the dollars as it is the years on Dempster.

If his discount is a contract for three years, I’d jump on it. If the discount is in dollars and we’re still on the hook for 4-5 years, it’s time to collect some compensation draft picks.

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 Oct 5, 2008 10:21 PM CDT   0 recs

Can Tex play any other position besides 1B?

Like… SS? I know it sounds crazy but….

Or maybe 2B? With DeRo shifting to short?

by hmlee on Oct 5, 2008 11:06 PM CDT   0 recs

You're right,

that is crazy.

by dakoose on Oct 5, 2008 11:13 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'd re-sign Dempster

In my opinion, he was our best pitcher this year as well as the most consistent. I’d also sign Reed Johnson. I really don’t know why he didn’t get a chance to play more than he did this year. He did a great job, and was a clutch RBI guy. I think Wood is a no brainer, and I’m sure that he wants to remain a Cub. I’d let Ward go and I have heard that Edmonds might retire. He helped us in the second half, but I still think he’s about done and certainly isn’t the player he used to be. If he decides to stay in the game, I wouldn’t have a problem with letting him go. Oh, and bye bye Bobby.

by qccub on Oct 5, 2008 11:40 PM CDT   0 recs

Reed was great for us and

I wouldn’t mind having him stick around next year, but anything more than 200-250 AB’s for Reed is too much. I think Lou used him perfectly this year, platooning him with Edmonds. Reed doesn’t have much power and is an asset only if he hits above .300. He makes for a bad starting outfielder but a solid fourth off of the bench.
Meanwhile, I don’t know what’s going to happen with Pie. He is clearly the best athlete on the team and our best center fielder, but what about his bat? If Fukudome doesn’t improve and somehow the Cubs unload him, then pie would make for an equally capable but much cheaper replacement. But if things do finally click for Felix, then watch out because he has all the tools. If he could ever get on base at a solid clip he might be able to steal thirty bases and give us the leadoff man we are looking for.

by dakoose on Oct 6, 2008 12:17 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Let's be clear here.

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