Freeing up Money!!!

by Bleeding Cubbie Blue on Nov 16, 2008 9:21 AM CST

So the Kerry Wood debacle was to save dough. It apparently will save the Cubs about 6 mill. Since Kerry even on a 1-yr deal would have gotten 10 mill, while Gregg will get about 4 mil in arbitration.

Let Dempster go...If he wants more $ or years than 4 for 50 mil...which I thought was too much already...It'll only further lock up the Cubs options for future years as well as this years.

Grab the 4 draft picks and run!!! Cubs window to win is 2-3 years and it's time to rebuild the farm and draft some MLB ready arms.

The Cubs already have Zambrano, Lilly, Harden (please stay healthy), Hill, Marshall as options. I hope Marquis is traded.

Trade Marquis and Neal Cotts or Michael Wuertz to the Mets for Ryan Church.

Save maybe 5-6 mill if we don't have to kick in money

I would sign a starter or two looking for a 1 yr. deal to rebuild their value. Those available...Penny, Randy Johnson, and Carl Pavano.

Likely 1 yr. 7-8 mill will be enough for Penny or Johnson (problem is both are more flyball pitchers, but have been dominant in the past)

Would save at least 4-5 mill over Dempster and years.

Otherwise go after Lowe if the above options are not appealing to add durability to Cubs rotation, Ground balls work in Wrigley. Plus he's prob looking for 3 years max. Offer 3 years and 45 mill.

Peavy is NOT coming to the Cubs...I highly doubt this deal will happen.

Another deal that I would do (while not popular) is flip Derrek Lee to the Giants if he'd accet the deal. Flip him straight up for Johnathan Sanchez (who can be a starter/swingman and our lefty in the bullpen)

If we can't find another right field option...how about they throw in Randy Winn as a salary dump. I think he can leadoff

So for Lee's 12 mill we take back 9 mill and save 3 mill.

Who can replace Lee though? Hoffpauir how about inquiring the Nationals on Nick Johnson (who's always injured but lefty good OBP, pretty good when healthly, makes 6 mill) they have Willingham now. Billy Butler...

Then a RF is needed, LH...The ones on the market look to expensive for the Cubs...and none look like smart bets for the money...Ibanez and Abreu age and defense...Dunn while he would smash onto Waveland, has no defense and is a DH in waiting...He'd only be passable at first if that...

So trade for Brian Giles if he's accept a trade. A one year gamble...I know old but good D and has some pop and good OBP

Last problem would be to find a cheap Leadoff option...I don't see any. Any ideas? Furcal is good only when healthy and in his 3 yr deal with the Dodgers he was only really healthy for 1 yr. He's prob looking for 3 or 4 for 15 mill. Orlando Hudson is similar with prob worse offense

However, these deals all leave the payroll more flexible for next year...most are 1 yr. deals and won't lock up payroll

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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Comments

You were doing ok

until trading Lee and replacing with Hoffpauir or Nick Johnson. No to both.

by rlpete on Nov 16, 2008 9:23 AM CST reply actions

Penny and Pavano?

You must be joking. At least Randy Johnson, despite his back problems, made 30 starts last year.

Carl Pavano made 26 starts during his entire four-year contract with the Yankees. Stay away. Far away.

I don’t like Brad Penny’s attitude, nor his injury history.

Derek Lowe, I suppose, would be of interest, but he is older and would likely cost as much, if not more, than Dempster.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 16, 2008 9:29 AM CST reply actions

Plus, Lowe wants more than 3 years...

I think he’s the right type of guy to bring in, but would cost too much. I’m kind of glad Dempster has allegedly turned down the Cubs offer…my gut is telling me he just had his career year.

Demp and Rich: proof that people that live in igloos and say "eh" can contibute!

by Canadian Cubs Fan on Nov 16, 2008 9:41 AM CST up reply actions

I'd have no problem taking...

the same coin that Dempster and Wood would have gotten next year, and throwing it at Lowe. At least he’s got a resume to merit it, and a pitching style that makes me think he can do it a while longer. 3/45, with a 4th year option? With the buyout, that should net him about 17 million per. Sounds about right to me.

by Damen Jackson on Nov 16, 2008 10:07 AM CST up reply actions

and..

playoff experience

Dear Santa:: All I want for X-mas this year is an official 2009 Jake Peavy Cubs Jersey. Oh and a Beimel one too. I've been a real good guy for the most part!!!

by cubsluver22 on Nov 16, 2008 11:02 AM CST up reply actions

About the draft picks

Don’t we have to offer arbitration to get the picks? Are we for sure going to offer Dempster and Wood arbitration?

by dlee25 on Nov 16, 2008 12:21 PM CST reply actions

I would offer

it in a nano second. niether of them will accept in their right minds.

Dear Santa:: All I want for X-mas this year is an official 2009 Jake Peavy Cubs Jersey. Oh and a Beimel one too. I've been a real good guy for the most part!!!

by cubsluver22 on Nov 16, 2008 1:09 PM CST up reply actions

It would put Wood to the test

Find out if he really would play for the Cubs on a one year deal

by dr stabbingworth on Nov 17, 2008 9:03 AM CST up reply actions

I would think Wood would accept arbitration in about a second and a half.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 17, 2008 9:31 AM CST up reply actions

So that raises the question, Do we offer him arbitration?

It would suck if we didnt get any draft picks but I can see the logistics in all of this.

by dlee25 on Nov 17, 2008 3:08 PM CST up reply actions

not offering him arbitration

is the only thing that can make this whole thing worse

i have to admit i never even thought of that, but if we didn’t even get draft picks out of this…. well i’d be fairly convinced that Jim Hendry is sabotaging the organization

by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 17, 2008 3:49 PM CST up reply actions

this is nitpicking,

but Dunn would smash on to Sheffield more so than Waveland…

"I'm not an athlete, I'm a baseball player"
-John Kruk

by thinskull on Nov 16, 2008 1:53 PM CST reply actions

And might smash INTO the wall on the Sheffield side chasing after fly balls he couldn't reach.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 16, 2008 4:49 PM CST up reply actions

Very true. He could also grab a breather on the visiting team's bullpen bench when a righty is up to bat.

"I'm not an athlete, I'm a baseball player"
-John Kruk

by thinskull on Nov 16, 2008 5:34 PM CST up reply actions

I don't think it is foregone conclusion the Cubs offer Kerry Wood arbitration

There might not be a team out there willing to sacrifice 2 draft picks in order to sign Kerry Wood. He might be one of those guys who signs very late.

BCB, home of the insidious campaign of the clueless to "Dustyfy" an outstanding manager in Lou Piniella.

by MDBNIU on Nov 16, 2008 5:44 PM CST reply actions

teams dont sacrifice TWO picks

they sacrifice ONE, the other pick is a compensation pick given by MLB, it’s not taken from another team

by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 17, 2008 10:28 AM CST up reply actions

Arbitration

IK think both will be offered arbitration. Wood is one of the top closers out there and someone would sign him. If not I wouldn’t have a problem having Wood come back for a one year contract, Dempster either for that matter

by Bleeding Cubbie Blue on Nov 16, 2008 6:14 PM CST reply actions

Pavano???

Shut up. When you’re done, shut up some more.

The worst beer I had was pretty good.

by Worf on Nov 16, 2008 9:45 PM CST reply actions

What is your problem

Just throw out shut up and shut up and don’t offer anything else.
I agree no Pavano, I would look into Penny and Johnson.
This appears the Cubs are going for the scraps that have fallen or will fall from the table.

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

by Grockcubs on Nov 16, 2008 10:18 PM CST up reply actions

Pavano

I was in no way endorsing signing Pavano…just throwing out names that would sign short term deals since this seems to be where the Cubs are stuck now after spending so much. They cna;t be big players for FA’s anymore and have to be more frugal and smart with their money.

by Bleeding Cubbie Blue on Nov 16, 2008 10:41 PM CST up reply actions

You...

may be the most annoying person on this site.

by jbertram on Nov 17, 2008 9:19 AM CST up reply actions

What's your problem?

by McRipper on Nov 17, 2008 9:36 AM CST up reply actions

My best guess is...

…Worf is trying to make “shut up” the new “pound sand.”

"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Last words of the leaky pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.

by daver on Nov 17, 2008 9:41 AM CST up reply actions

You know, you never see worf and blue mike in a room at the same time

Tommie Agee was out.
"This field, this game, is a part of our past. It reminds us of all that was once good, and it could be good again." TM

by Weeghman Park on Nov 17, 2008 10:20 AM CST up reply actions

I'm sorry...

Of course let’s sign Pavano! Let’s give him tons of money!

Sometimes ideas deserve nothing more than “Shut up”

Not every idea is a good one. Not every opinion is valid. That’s a myth, right up there with “ballplayers will turn down money for a championship” and “Every team has a chance!”

The worst beer I had was pretty good.

by Worf on Nov 17, 2008 10:53 AM CST up reply actions

So if you don't like somebody's idea

they get a “shut up”? Well, hell, I don’t like your idea that his idea deserved a shut up, so shut up!!

Pretty stupid, huh?

by McRipper on Nov 17, 2008 11:00 AM CST up reply actions

Nah...

Only if I think an idea is worthless do I give a shut up. I don’t say it for ideas I merely disagree with.

The worst beer I had was pretty good.

by Worf on Nov 17, 2008 11:08 AM CST up reply actions

You'll find

that on BCB, everybody tries to be pretty cordial to one another and their ideas, opinons, etc. If you disagree, state why and give the chance for someone to counter. Telling someone to shut up after they presented an idea isn’t cool and makes the poster feel stupid, or angry.

So shut up!!! Just kidding.

by McRipper on Nov 17, 2008 11:18 AM CST up reply actions

Shut up...

… isn’t acceptable. Period. Find another way to say an idea is worthless.

For example, “Your idea is worthless” might work.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 17, 2008 12:12 PM CST up reply actions

Let's combine them

“Pound Up” or " Shut Sand"?

I kinda like “Pound Up” myself.

by McRipper on Nov 17, 2008 11:03 AM CST up reply actions

"Pound up" kinda reminds me of "Cowboy up".

Suddenly I’m envisioning a group of dimwitted baseball enthusiasts who meet every week to come up with ridiculous trade scenarios. As the meeting comes to a conclusion and attendees begin dispersing to spread their ill-conceived ideas around the blogosphere, the moderator exclaims, “Alright, everyone. Let’s get out there. Pound up! ”

"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Last words of the leaky pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.

by daver on Nov 17, 2008 11:15 AM CST up reply actions

Anyone can say "shut up"

But I invented the “And when you’re done, shut up some more!”

You owe me a quarter if you use it.

The worst beer I had was pretty good.

by Worf on Nov 17, 2008 11:34 AM CST up reply actions

Nah, I heard that in a movie somewhere

Tommie Agee was out.
"This field, this game, is a part of our past. It reminds us of all that was once good, and it could be good again." TM

by Weeghman Park on Nov 17, 2008 11:42 AM CST up reply actions

you do realize

that while the window is 2-3 years (and i truly think its closer to 1-2) then by sending away all of this talent in your proposal (Lee, Dempster, Wood, etc) we’re really closing this window now to hopefully open one in a few years

I’m not saying i’m against the idea (i’ve been on the re-build the farm bandwagon for a few years now), but lets be realistic in the assumption that those series of moves as suggested would likely close the current window

by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 17, 2008 10:27 AM CST reply actions