MLBTR Updated Cubs Rumors
Tim's a good guy and I believe he has good sources. Thus I post his information from this afternoon as a source of starting discussion.
The two most interesting points, in my opinion, are:
There are no perfect fits for the right field vacancy, and the Cubs are willing to sacrifice some defense to add that middle of the order lefthanded hitter.
That, unfortunately, has Raul Ibanez written all over it. And:
Teams around baseball are wary of certain Type A/B free agents accepting offers of arbitration. Expect the Cubs to figure out where Kerry Wood stands before deciding whether to offer.
You could call this the "Greg Maddux Clause", because after 2002, when his second five-year deal with Atlanta expired, the Braves intended to let him go. They offered arb as a courtesy and Maddux accepted; the $14.8 million he got is, I believe, still the record for the largest arbitration settlement. That was for the 2003 season, the year he lost to The Former Employee in the NLDS in one of the better postseason games I've ever seen.
At the very least, there is some new information in Tim's post. Have at it.
Comments
this is stupid
Expect the Cubs to figure out where Kerry Wood stands before deciding whether to offer.
They should just freaking sign him. I bet he’d take $4mill. What do they do when he accepts arbitration and gets $12 million???
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on
Nov 25, 2008 4:21 PM CST
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It won't happen.
Because if he does accept arb, I think he’s classy enough to negotiate a deal rather than go to arbitration.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Nov 25, 2008 4:22 PM CST
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Like I've been saying..
Kerry and the Cubs at the arbitration deadline is going to be pure theater.
But damned if I can figure out why if you were going to consider Ibanez at 8-12 annually, you wouldn’t reach for Abreu at 10-12.
by Damen Jackson on
Nov 25, 2008 4:35 PM CST
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If the Cubs and Woody agree on arb,
it won’t get to the hearing date. They will reach a settlement. Several days ago lots of folks here were saying their good-byes to Woody. My take then, and still now, is I’ll say bye-bye when he signs elsewhere. Until then, it’s certainly possible he can re-sign for 1 year.
So how bad is Ibanez fielding? No one will ever compare him to Clemente but how bad are we talking? And is it so bad, his left-handed bat won’t over come that fielding problem by a decent margin.
The one rumor I’ve been hoping to hear is the most critical one of all: Leadoff man. Who can they just go out and get? I don’t want to pay Furcal $12-13M a year for even a couple years.
Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.
by blackhawk24 on
Nov 25, 2008 5:21 PM CST
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The short answer?
Bad. I’ve seen just enough Mariners game the last two seasons to make this amateur assessment:limited range, no arm, and no good horizontal movement. And that was in left field, and before he started aging. I’ve no problem with a right fielder who’s average defensively; the Cubs have solid guys who can replace that person late in games. But Ibanez is taking it to the extreme.
As for Wood, the question isn’t whether they agree or arb, but whether it’s offered at all. I simply don’t believe that he’s wanted here, at least not by some in the organization. But what the Cubs do want is those draft picks though. It’s a nasty game of chicken, and more than one club has been burned by it.
by Damen Jackson on
Nov 25, 2008 6:51 PM CST
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Drew... They are giving him the opportunity to at least be offered something by someone else first...
I think the plan has been to not make an offer until the arbitration deadline all along, as they don’t seem to believe that he’ll get any big offers. Seems to be working so far. Then he’ll refuse arbitration & sign a one or two year deal with the Cubs. I’m more convinced now more than ever that Woody will be in blue pinstripes next year.
Jimmyeatworld
by Jimmyeatworld on
Nov 25, 2008 4:26 PM CST
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I think this is correct
They wanted to give Woody the look to a big contract. If it’s not there, he’ll be a Cub.
Cubs Win!! Cubs Win!
by Ihatethecards on
Nov 25, 2008 4:37 PM CST
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I just don't see the point
he continues to say he wants to be a Cub. Why waste the time and money pretending otherwise?
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on
Nov 25, 2008 4:40 PM CST
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That's the question none of us seems to be able to answer.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Nov 25, 2008 4:40 PM CST
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And one of several questions the Chicago press
doesn’t seem to be interested in asking.
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 25, 2008 11:18 PM CST
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He's not wasting money...
there’s nothing to be lost right now. If he gets an offer (how many days ago was the Gregg deal and the “un-official” end of the Woody era?) from a team he’d like to go to and it’s say 2 years + a mutual option for some nice coin, let’s say $8M per, then he’d be crazy not to take it.
If he doesn’t get the “big” offer or it comes from a team he really doesn’t want to go to, Mr. Hendry left the door wide open for his return.
Honestly now, how many here thought the Cubs were anywhere remotely close to being done in the ’pen in planning for the 2009 season?
Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.
by blackhawk24 on
Nov 25, 2008 5:25 PM CST
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The Gregg deal was two weeks ago.
And the open free-agent season started on November 13, 12 days ago. That, you’d think, would be plenty of time to get an offer, if one was forthcoming.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Nov 25, 2008 5:54 PM CST
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Marmol in play?
Is there a deal out there for a LH COF that involves Marmol? The Gregg trade was to backfill against either Marmol or Wood leaving. If Marmol is dealt, Wood re-signs. If the deal falls through, Wood is gone because the money is needed for one of the less-than-ideal free agents.
by Seamer on
Nov 25, 2008 6:45 PM CST
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Ibanez
Why “unfortunately” on Ibanez Al? Do not like his age or his defense or both? They need a big LH bat, and in this day & age, big bat usually means weak defense, at least in the outfield. To me, he’s the best option.
Demp and Rich: proof that people that live in igloos and say "eh" can contibute!
by Canadian Cubs Fan on
Nov 25, 2008 4:21 PM CST
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I agree on Ibanez.
They’re not getting a five-tool player on the remaining budget. That means they’re going to have to sign a player with strengths AND weaknesses, even if it is met with groans by some fans.
Will he win the Gold Glove? No. Will he crack 110+ RBIs? Probably, and I believe so. Is it easier to bring in a defensive replacement when needed than to find a 100 RBI-capable guy off of the bench? Yes. Is he a class guy and good clubhouse influence? Yes.
As long as there is a defensive replacement for needed situations, I’ll suffer the shaky defensive CORNER OF who can light-up the scoreboard. I’m still willing to bet his offense minus his defense equals a net plus for the Cubs. I know I’m in the minority by not objecting to Ibanez, but I think he’d be a big part of a monstrous Murderers’ Row.
Considering what we’re bring told are the offseason limits for the org – I’ll take his bat in the Cubs’ lineup.
"Bite my shiny metal ass!" -- Bender Bending Rodriguez
"Life is just one crushing defeat after another until you just wish Flanders was dead."
by The Jade Scorpion on
Nov 25, 2008 4:35 PM CST
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I have nothing against Ibanez
But I and many others believe the money needed to sign him could be used in better ways — especially because he would play right despite his defensive deficiencies.
by elgato on
Nov 25, 2008 5:01 PM CST
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I didn't get it last season and I don't get it this off-season
We had the league-leading offense.
We had an over-taxed pen and starters not going long enough.
Why do we think we should be adding more bats at the cost of gloves? Shouldn’t we be thinking the exact opposite way?
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 25, 2008 11:23 PM CST
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Or perhaps...
it’s not a masher that we need, but a table-setter… maybe that was the missing link last season
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on
Nov 26, 2008 8:22 AM CST
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No Ibanez, por favor
He’ll be 37 for crying out loud and he’s only had 4 100+ RBI season in 13 years, so I dont see where this reputation is coming from.
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
Nov 25, 2008 5:07 PM CST
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I agree. I'd rather have Edmonds back, at least he can play defense...
Jimmyeatworld
by Jimmyeatworld on
Nov 25, 2008 5:08 PM CST
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The Ibanez's are not very effective on defense ; Exhibit B

Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!
by cubnational on
Nov 25, 2008 7:59 PM CST
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I have a fanpost in mind that involves this movie
i’m saving it for when the winter blahs are really setting in… and/or we sign Ibanez.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on
Nov 25, 2008 8:45 PM CST
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LOL
OK, it took me a minute or so, but I got it eventually. That movie rules.
"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 dat cubfan daver on
Nov 25, 2008 9:56 PM CST
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to be honest with you ..
I bought a copy of the flick but I think it sucked.
I mean the movie was an almost total disconnect from the absolutely legendary SF novel by Heinlein. There was so much about the whole book that was dissed to make ST just another whiz bang franchise. Which was too bad because the special effects absolutely and positively smoked. It had so much potential ..
All of the actors were directed into being cartoons and situations presented in the movie were ridiculous to the point of banality (such as the shower room scene with mixed bathing in boot camp and the one above with Carmen Ibanez getting a hole the size of a Soriano bat driven right through her upper rib cage and then walking arm in arm with Johnny Rico and Carl away from the brain bug capture 10 minutes later)
Of course, this was a Paul Verhoeven production – the same guy who gave you Total Recall and Robocop. What was I thinking??
But Denise Richards’ Ibanez ain’t no Ugly Betty (IMHO, one of the prettiest things on two legs after my missus). It was a huge fail for me – especially since I’ve been reading the novel off and on for years.
And watching that guy’s head get sucked dry .. that was unintentionally hilarious and I couldn’t help but almost choke after laughing so hard when I saw it.
Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!
by cubnational on
Nov 26, 2008 6:27 PM CST
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Being unintentionally hilarious...
…is exactly why “Starship Troopers” rules. It’s ROFLcopter-worthy camp with, as you say, Grade A special effects.
"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 dat cubfan daver on
Dec 2, 2008 11:56 AM CST
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Kerry Wood
I have a rules question about offering a free agent player like Kerry Wood arbitration.
Scenario 1:
If the Cubs don’t offer Kerry Wood arbitration, won’t they lose the ability to negotiate with him until a certain date early in the season, (something like May 1st or so?)
Scenario 2:
If they offer Wood arbitration and even if he declines, could they still negotiate with him without restriction and sign or not sign him as both sides choose?
Scenario 3:
If they offer arbitration and Wood accepts would they either come to an agreement on a 1 year deal (or multi-year) or go to an arbitration hearing after exchanging figures?
Is that correct?
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on
Nov 25, 2008 4:22 PM CST
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Answers.
1) Yes
2) If he declines, he’s a free agent subject to (1).
3) I doubt they’d go to a hearing. The Cubs don’t like going to arb hearings; they haven’t gone to arb since 1993 (Mark Grace). Wood has enough personal integrity that I figure he’d negotiate.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Nov 25, 2008 4:24 PM CST
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Thanks Al!
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on
Nov 25, 2008 4:24 PM CST
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Didn't the Cubs go to arbitration with someone recently, (like in the last 2-3 yrs.)?
Jimmyeatworld
by Jimmyeatworld on
Nov 25, 2008 4:27 PM CST
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I don't believe so.
I think they came close with Z one year, but settled right before the hearing.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Nov 25, 2008 4:28 PM CST
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You Are Correct...
… I thought they were negotiating as they were heading to the hearing. In fact, I thought they asked the judge to delay the hearing for another 30-60 minutes, and hashed out the details then…
In Hendry We Trust
by initram on
Nov 25, 2008 5:44 PM CST
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No.
I thought the same thing (was thinking Wuertz for some reason), but looked it up a couple weeks ago and was found to be wrong.
by kanderber on
Nov 25, 2008 4:57 PM CST
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it was Ohman
And it went right down to the wire.
by elgato on
Nov 25, 2008 5:02 PM CST
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Remember when MLBTR
was referred to sarcastically as “our favorite site”? I do like MLBTR and go there quite often and think it has improved much since it first began, when it seemed more like pure speculation, to how it has involved, into informed speculation.
"Prince Fielder Dies Of Inside-The-Park Homerun" - The Onion
by DTJchris on
Nov 25, 2008 4:28 PM CST
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oops, evolved
"Prince Fielder Dies Of Inside-The-Park Homerun" - The Onion
by DTJchris on
Nov 25, 2008 4:28 PM CST
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I like it, but its basically just a clearinghouse for links
Granted, they do a great job and its very well organized, but I dont see any “insider information” anywhere
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
Nov 25, 2008 5:08 PM CST
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Except for the post under discussion in this thread, right?
My next sig line quote will also be from Lou Piniella, and the first word will be either "Look", or "Listen", followed by a comma.
by JohnM on
Nov 25, 2008 5:46 PM CST
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You mean you werent aware Teahan was a player of interest?
and that Hendry wouldnt trade Marshall or Fontenot for that bum?
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
Nov 25, 2008 5:51 PM CST
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Didn't see any link added to the clearinghouse
and the Wood info was new.
My next sig line quote will also be from Lou Piniella, and the first word will be either "Look", or "Listen", followed by a comma.
by JohnM on
Nov 25, 2008 5:54 PM CST
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Well this isnt that important, but look at the sight
the majority of the posts are simply links to papers all over the country….I like the sight, dont get me wrong at all, but you can find most of that stuff yourself if you had the time
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
Nov 25, 2008 6:57 PM CST
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Agreed
it’s pretty rare that there’s anything not from a published source. And when there is something from an unnamed source (as in this case), it’s probably a beat writer talking off the record.
My next sig line quote will also be from Lou Piniella, and the first word will be either "Look", or "Listen", followed by a comma.
by JohnM on
Nov 26, 2008 3:35 AM CST
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AKA a blog...?
Brian McRae's 5 o'clock shadow
by PurpleLineToWrigley on
Nov 26, 2008 9:51 AM CST
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Um so with us out of the Peavy race and I believe Lou said he wanted another reliever
then why the hell not resign Wood?? We can still get another bat with the remaining money!!
To see your idol player whom you have grown up watching be cast aside by his loyal organization can make even a grown man choke up...We'll miss you #34!
by Chanman25 on
Nov 25, 2008 4:33 PM CST
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This makes too much sense.
It should happen, but who knows?
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Nov 25, 2008 4:37 PM CST
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Al, just to clarify...
When Doggie became a FA after 2002, the Braves and Scott Boras entered into a “gentlemen’s agreement” that the Braves would offer arbitration and that Doggie would turn it down. This was done so that the Braves could (at least nominally) remain in the bidding — remember the rules back then — so that Doggie would have more leverage.
When Boras realized that the offers he wanted weren’t flowing, he reneged on the gentlemen’s agreement and accepted the arb offer. That put Schuerholtz in the position of having to dump Kevin Millwood, another Boras client.
I don’t think that Schuerholtz ever dealt with Boras after that.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on
Nov 25, 2008 4:40 PM CST
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Wood's classier than that, obviously.
But there don’t seem to be any offers for Wood — either that, or he’s not actively seeking them, figuring the Cubs are almost forced to offer him arb.
Curious little game, this.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Nov 25, 2008 4:42 PM CST
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I have never heard that
and you might say I have followed Maddux closely so do you have anything to back that up ?
What happened was the Braves offered Maddux arbitration and it is true they did not expect him to accept but it is not true
( at least has never been stated ) that Boras & Maddux agreed not to accept. The Braves wanted draft picks like any other team and
simply assumed Maddux would find a multi-year deal elsewhere. I strongly suspect this was much more Maddux’s decision to take arb
than Boras. Despite his West Coast treks of the last few years , he hated to move around and has referred to his leaving both Chicago ( in 92) and Atlanta as “being fired”.
Braves took a logical risk in assuming Maddux would get a multi-year offer he would take, they were wrong. This is why I think the issue with Wood is so similar. The Cubs want draft picks but they don’t want Wood and if they offer him arb it will make it even less likely he can get a good deal so good kind hearted Jim will decline to offer arb because it will of course be in Wood’s best interest.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
by Doggie Stalker on
Nov 25, 2008 4:52 PM CST
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I read that in the AJC the next off-season.
They were talking about whether Schuerholtz would pursue a FA who was another Boras client, and the reporter said that Schuerholtz would steer clear of Boras players because…
I’m honestly not sure (from the article) if Boras did it with or without Doggie’s permission.
I wasn’t implying that Woody would do that — he isn’t a Boras guy — but I just wanted to set the record straight on Al’s intro.
I think that Woody’s case comes down to the fact that Lou doesn’t want him back (and Woody knows it), but he may have trouble finding a multi-year deal elsewhere — especially with a team that would have to give up a first rounder. That’s why the Rangers might be a better bet.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on
Nov 25, 2008 5:19 PM CST
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Well I am sure Shuerholtz had many reasons to dislike Boras
but I don’t think he promised him Maddux would never accept arb.
I don’t think the Rangers or anyone else will have to give up a first rounder for Woody since I don’t think Cubs will offer
arb. He won’t come back if Lou does not want him as many of us suspect is the case.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
by Doggie Stalker on
Nov 25, 2008 5:49 PM CST
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and on what basis are these suspicions?
you’re right – many folks do seem to suspect that Lou does not want him around. But I haven’t seen a credible reason yet on which to base that suspicion.
On the other hand, I see draft picks. Lovely lovely draft picks. That’s very credible. Or I see another year of what should be very effective relief work. That’s also very credible.
So if Woody gets no offer before Dec 1, tell me again why the Cubs WON’T offer arbitration?
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on
Nov 25, 2008 7:05 PM CST
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They won't offer arbitration
because the market is flooded with closers and Wood could easily decide to accept putting Hendry in an even bigger
corner of having to either make a deal with a pitcher he has dumped or go to arbitration ( which he never does) and then try to shop the most popular Cub in what would be a very ugly scene. I hope they offer and Kerry accepts but I am not holding my breath.
You are correct that there is no proof at all that Lou has anything to do with Wood’s being dumped other than it is impossible to believe Hendry would consider it without Lou’s blessing. The real question is whose idea was it, did Hendry say Lou I just don’t have the budget to keep Kerry and Demp and Lou says I need Demp more or did Lou indicate to Hendry he did not really want Wood. We can try grilling them at the convention but I doubt we will get a straight answer. The best face you can put on getting rid of Wood is to save money and hope Marmol can handle being a closer and Gregg is a good set up guy but very few people would consider Gregg/Marmol a better combo if budget were not an issue.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
by Doggie Stalker on
Nov 25, 2008 7:32 PM CST
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My reasons for suspecting that Lou doesn't want Woody
1. Woody’s statement that he felt early on that this would be his last year as a Cub. If it weren’t about his relationship with Lou, he would have felt that his performance would have determined his return — and we all know how well Wood performs when healthy.
2. The fact that Hendry held a “goodbye” news conference (or added it to Ryan’s conference) so early. If he had said “Kerry isn’t going to sign soon because he wants to test the market. We hope that he will give us a chance to match something.”, I would believe that it was about Woody “needing to do what was best for his family”.
3. If it were Wood’s idea, he would not have come out and essentially contradicted JH.
4. The fact that Lou has a long history of abusing RPs, but didn’t do that to Woody. I think that Lou was scared of the fan backlash if he had overused Wood like he did Howry and Wood would have broken down.
5. The fact that they traded for Gregg, which essentially took a chunk of the money that would have gone to Wood, without waiting for Wood to do something. They would not have traded for Gregg just to replace Howry; second tier RPs are readily available in FA. They were trading for a closer/prime setup guy.
Of all these reasons, #1 is most important. Early in the season, Kerry had no reason to suspect that money would be an issue since the sale of the team looked imminent.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on
Nov 25, 2008 8:10 PM CST
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ok, there's a lot of smoke there, but I can see where there might be a little fire in there somewhere.
And I agree – #1 seems to be the smokiest of all.
I don’t doubt that there is some serious Machiavellianing going on here with all the principles involved, and I won’t even attempt to divine what anyone’s real intent is. So I will retreat a bit to more solid ground and say this:
If Woody doesn’t sign somewhere by Dec. 1, the Cubs WILL offer him arbitration. I just don’t see this this organization walking away from either another year of good relief (not to mention fan goodwill) if he accepts, or good draft pick(s) if he doesn’t. Especially given the state of their farm system.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on
Nov 25, 2008 8:55 PM CST
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The Rangers' 1st round pick is protected.
Woody would only cost them a 2nd round pick.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on
Nov 25, 2008 7:55 PM CST
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Why is the Rangers' 1st round pick protected?
Seriously, I do not know the answer.
Also, Wood has expressed a preference for staying in the NL.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Nov 25, 2008 8:07 PM CST
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They had the ninth best record in the AL and 18th best overall.
Teams in the lower half record-wise (I’m not sure if it is by league or overall) don’t lose their first round pick by signing a type A FA; they lose their second round pick. If they sign two players they lose their 2nd and 3rd, etc.
Their first round pick is protected; that is why they would be a good candidate to sign him.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on
Nov 25, 2008 8:15 PM CST
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didnt bonds also get the highest arb award????
anyone know?
"I played with one of the best pitchers in history, Greg Maddux," Zambrano said"
by fischisgod on
Nov 25, 2008 7:29 PM CST
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Would love Woody back!
Check the piggy bank……..quick!
"Bite my shiny metal ass!" -- Bender Bending Rodriguez
"Life is just one crushing defeat after another until you just wish Flanders was dead."
by The Jade Scorpion on
Nov 25, 2008 4:44 PM CST
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Al can we start
a bring back Kerry fund where every member of this sight donates to?
Derrick Rose-2009 ROTY Tyrus Thomas-2009 MIP...hope I'm at least half right
by CHCOWNTHECENTRAL on
Nov 25, 2008 5:01 PM CST
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OK, I'll toss in $20.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Nov 25, 2008 5:54 PM CST
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I will match that $20
Derrick Rose-2009 ROTY Tyrus Thomas-2009 MIP...hope I'm at least half right
by CHCOWNTHECENTRAL on
Nov 25, 2008 5:58 PM CST
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Wow!
$40 in 5 minutes! We’ll have enough in no time!
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Nov 25, 2008 6:02 PM CST
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I am in for $40
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
by Doggie Stalker on
Nov 25, 2008 6:25 PM CST
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We're getting there!
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Nov 25, 2008 6:30 PM CST
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11 cents so far for me..
To see your idol player whom you have grown up watching be cast aside by his loyal organization can make even a grown man choke up...We'll miss you #34!
by Chanman25 on
Nov 25, 2008 6:34 PM CST
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$80.11.
We’re getting closer.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Nov 25, 2008 6:48 PM CST
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I had offered my recently-depleted 401(k)
in its entirety, but for Albert Pujols…
Still, I’ll chip in a healthy $50.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
by chilango2 on
Nov 25, 2008 6:50 PM CST
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was gonna say I'll offer my 401k
but since I lost almost two years of earnings in four months, I don’t think it’s going to help much
Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!
by cubnational on
Nov 25, 2008 8:06 PM CST
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who should I make my check out to?
To see your idol player whom you have grown up watching be cast aside by his loyal organization can make even a grown man choke up...We'll miss you #34!
by Chanman25 on
Nov 25, 2008 7:02 PM CST
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Wait till we get more offers.
You really want to write a check for eleven cents?
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Nov 25, 2008 7:50 PM CST
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I'll throw in $34.34
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on
Nov 25, 2008 8:09 PM CST
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Good numbers!
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Nov 25, 2008 8:25 PM CST
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Thought you might like that
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on
Nov 25, 2008 8:29 PM CST
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ok, the gallows humor in me compels me to say...
…I’ll throw in $19.08.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on
Nov 25, 2008 9:00 PM CST
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ugh.you lose an eckstein
i decided to start writing like nomar because his style is so edgy and post-modern and i,m really convinced he is really jd salinger
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 26, 2008 3:17 PM CST
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nomar
you have to work on it a little bit the lack of caps and proper punctiuation is a good start so you,ve got that going for you however the post needs to shift topics before you conclude happy thanksgiving
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on
Nov 26, 2008 3:57 PM CST
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thanks for the feedback,,,,,,
you have a happy thanksgiving two and i think the cubs might sign kerry woods after all he,s the face of the cubs but we can,t really know what goes on in john hendry,s mind so we shouldn,t second guess him he really knows what he,s doing and also i really think they should change the away uniforms and go back to socks and stirrups because the last time they were even in a world serie,s was when they wore those and maybe take the numbers off the uniforms because i think the last time they won the world serie,s they didn,t have number in fact i think the cubs were the last team to put numbers on the uniforms but that might have been the yankee,s
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 26, 2008 10:16 PM CST
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thought about putting in the bank actually, seeing how much interest
i can get from it in about 10 years or so it will be worth a whole lot more!
To see your idol player whom you have grown up watching be cast aside by his loyal organization can make even a grown man choke up...We'll miss you #34!
by Chanman25 on
Nov 25, 2008 9:16 PM CST
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I'm gunna take out $2.51
I need to buy some milk on the way home.
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on
Nov 26, 2008 8:24 AM CST
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I took the settling for less D in RF as
Adam Dunn….fingers crossed…..can you just imagine the bombs he would hit to right field?
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
Nov 25, 2008 5:03 PM CST
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His Price Tag...
… I think will be too high for us.
Abreu I think is our best bet.
In Hendry We Trust
by initram on
Nov 25, 2008 5:45 PM CST
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Abreu will want just as much as Dunn
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
Nov 25, 2008 5:52 PM CST
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Abreu or Dunn will only happen if Hendry can dump some salary first.
Trading away Jason Marquis is not impossible. However, trading away Jason Marquis without paying part of his salary or taking on a bad contract in return might be. If the Cubs can’t do that, I don’t see how they’re going to clear enough salary to make room for Dunn or Abreu.
For the record, I think Abreu would be the best choice of what’s available right now… but I’m not optimistic about the Cubs’ chances of signing him.
"I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game." - Walt Whitman
by hip2bsquare on
Nov 25, 2008 7:56 PM CST
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Abreu doesnt strike me as a great defender
So whats the difference b/t Abreu, Dunn and Ibanez out there? At least The Big Donkey has youth on his side, relative to the other two.
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
Nov 25, 2008 8:11 PM CST
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Abreu is rated at -11; Dunn is rated at -13.
That choice is like asking whether you would rather be shot or strangled.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on
Nov 25, 2008 8:18 PM CST
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Depends where you're shot, doesn't it?
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on
Nov 25, 2008 8:30 PM CST
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Is it just me or does there seem to be new stats every week
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
Nov 25, 2008 9:26 PM CST
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agreed, some of these stats that come out I find completely worthless
just LOOK at how the guy plays on the field!
To see your idol player whom you have grown up watching be cast aside by his loyal organization can make even a grown man choke up...We'll miss you #34!
by Chanman25 on
Nov 25, 2008 9:29 PM CST
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Easier said than done.
I usually try to look away when the ball is hit to either one of those guys!
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on
Nov 25, 2008 10:06 PM CST
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what is Ibanez rated as?
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on
Nov 26, 2008 8:24 AM CST
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Ibañez is also -13.
For comparison purposes: most people on this board think that DeRo isn’t a good OF, but he is a +1.
Either DeRo is better than people think, or Dunn, Abreu, and Ibañez are really, truly, horribly bad.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on
Nov 26, 2008 11:57 AM CST
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Or both.
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 26, 2008 12:14 PM CST
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I remember in a game in late 07
Soto was in the big leagues so it was probably September (he homered). The Cubs were hosting the Reds. I was sitting on the rooftops on Sheffield. Dunn destroyed a ball onto Sheffield. It looked like it was going to land on our building (no right field Glenallen Hill here).
by ChiCubs23 on
Nov 25, 2008 5:47 PM CST
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The Mystery
In Lou’s quote in the Sun-Times today, he admits that the bullpen might need another arm. Given Woody’s number’s last year, and the fact that every team in baseball could always benefit from another experienced power arm in the bullpen, and Woody’s obvious allegiance and deep desire to stay, none of this makes a whole lot of sense. The best I can make of it is that Hendry truly feels guilty about letting Woody come back on a 1-2 year deal when there’s a possibility that Woody can snag a contract worth in the $30-40 million/range on the market. With the economy, the slow-moving free agent market, the glut of closers and teams’ apparent hesitation this off-season, it seems possible those 4 factors combine to lead to a re-signing through the arbitration process. It’s too self-defeating to blow off the draft pick compensation, and we all know what Woody really wants. Woody himself said he was hot to get this all resolved soon; there’s been nothing legitimate on the rumor front other than that he flew to NY. The longer this drags on the better…
by ethicsmax on
Nov 25, 2008 5:15 PM CST
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All I want for Christmas
Is for Bobby Abreu’s pinstripes to become a little lighter.
by morgane on
Nov 25, 2008 5:47 PM CST
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i think that the most interesting part of the article on MLBTR
wsa the part about the cubs think that they can move salary beyond just Marquis… WHom do you think that is?? DO you think there is a secret market for Kosuke and would yall eat half of marquis and half of kosuke to get rid of them assuming we got something decent…
I for one want marshall to get a chance to start
"I played with one of the best pitchers in history, Greg Maddux," Zambrano said"
by fischisgod on
Nov 25, 2008 7:31 PM CST
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The only three Cubs making major dinero that don't have NTCs are Marquis ($9.875M), Harden ($7M), and DeRo ($5.5M).
Reed Johnson might get as high as $4M in arbitration. Gregg will probably get $4M in arbitration. Blanco might get $2M. Other than that you have NTCs and sub $1M guys.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on
Nov 25, 2008 8:24 PM CST
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Lilly has a NTC?
ok, if so, that one surprises me…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on
Nov 25, 2008 9:02 PM CST
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According to Cot's he has "no trade protection".
I don’t know how extensive it is.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on
Nov 25, 2008 10:07 PM CST
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i salivate at the thought of Adam DUnn in RF....
i know the defense will be bad but seriously his bat makes up for it
"I played with one of the best pitchers in history, Greg Maddux," Zambrano said"
by fischisgod on
Nov 25, 2008 7:48 PM CST
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Kosuke will be back. Count on it.
And on a very short leash. He’d better have one kick butt spring training and two months of solid numbers at the plate or I betcha, defensive wizard that he is or not, someone the Cubs are trying very hard right now to acquire to platoon with him will get the job and the Cubs will trade him so fast before the All Star Break that heads will spin .. .
Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!
by cubnational on
Nov 25, 2008 8:05 PM CST
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Anyone regret voting for Fukudome in the All-Star game?
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
Nov 25, 2008 8:12 PM CST
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I didn't vote for him.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Nov 25, 2008 8:25 PM CST
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wish I could say the same
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
Nov 25, 2008 9:27 PM CST
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Who cares
It’s an exhibition and it’s nice to see some diversity. I doubt he really had any impact on who won, not that it mattered to us.
by dr stabbingworth on
Nov 26, 2008 8:07 AM CST
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I'd rather have Dunn
If we are positioning ourselves to settle for an older, defensively challenged player for RF I’d at least like the guy that will mash the ball out onto Sheffield 25 times, and hit another 15 homers on the road. At least we would have something to “oooh” and “ahhhh”, about. He gets walks, and who knows, maybe Perry and Lou can get a few more points on the average, and cut down on the strike outs. There has to be some way to cut a little payroll to allow them to get Dunn.
by Nibbles on
Nov 25, 2008 8:48 PM CST
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Question on Wood.....
Doesn’t he have a rotator cuff tear, from a couple of years ago, that he elected to rehab instead of surgically repair? If this is the case, I would not want to rely on him.
Hey Lou, we're long overdue.
by deadcatbounce on
Nov 25, 2008 8:51 PM CST
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Andy Petit
Is stating he wants to play for Torre. What is his value, and (maybe a dumb question), would he help the Cubs?
Thanks
"Hey Hey, Holy Mackerel, No Doubt About It!"
by scottsdalecubs on
Nov 25, 2008 9:24 PM CST
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no way he'd come to the Cubs, absouletly no way
either Yankees, Dodgers, or Retirement Castle
To see your idol player whom you have grown up watching be cast aside by his loyal organization can make even a grown man choke up...We'll miss you #34!
by Chanman25 on
Nov 25, 2008 9:29 PM CST
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Considering...
… that Joe Torre doesn’t manage the Cubs, and won’t be, this question is irrelevant.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Nov 26, 2008 4:36 AM CST
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Speaking of rumors
I think that after about 5 or 6 major free agent signings (which may take until early January), you’ll start to hear rumors about the Cubs dealing Soriano.
I don’t expect them to trade him, but I think you’ll hear a lot of rumors, basically to whichever teams didn’t sign Texeira and Manny.
Fontenot (fon-te-no): Cajun for "scrappy"
by zambranofan on
Nov 26, 2008 7:36 AM CST
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how long
has soriano been a cub? 2 years. how many times have they been to the playoffs since he’s been a cubs? 2 times…. can’t win the world series if you don’t get there. no way the cubs deal soriano.
by cubbiefanTN on
Nov 26, 2008 7:42 AM CST
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Soriano doesn't fit the current Cubs.
Let me preface this by saying – I think Soriano is an offensive force, a good player, and part of the reason we’ve made the playoffs in back to back years. That said, the Cubs don’t seem to like him at lead-off and moving him out of lead-off makes the too-many-RH-sluggers problem even worse. Meanwhile, the players the Cubs seem to covet fit best in LF.
There are plenty of good reasons why the Cubs won’t be likely to trade Soriano, but Hendry will also have plenty of reasons to try. Consider how a lineup like the following fixes most of the perceived lineup problems and is affordable if you don’t eat any of Soriano’s contract:
Winn
DeRosa
Ramirez
Ibanez
Soto
Lee
Fukudome
Fontenot/Theriot
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 26, 2008 7:55 AM CST
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Soriano was signed...
… to make a statement — that being, the Cubs were going to be a player in the free-agent market, which they hadn’t been for quite a number of years. Soriano was the top free agent that offseason and the Cubs signed him.
Two years later, they no longer need to make that statement and you’re right, in many ways he doesn’t fit. They may not be able to trade him, but I would not be surprised if it happened.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Nov 26, 2008 8:16 AM CST
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On the 1-10 scale of least likely to most likely
where do you put Soriano being traded?
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 26, 2008 10:34 AM CST
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1
Those three little words we all hate to hear… no. trade. clause.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on
Nov 26, 2008 11:01 AM CST
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Tell me - do you think I'm reading too much into what wasn't said here -
A few weeks back, Bruce Miles wrote a blog piece with a title your post echoes. It basically said, “The Cubs aren’t trading Aramis Ramirez or Derrek Lee because of their NTCs.” I was surprised that Bruce mentioned those two but was totally silent on Soriano. So, am I reading too much into that if I note it along with John Perotto’s reporting:
[The Cubs] would be willing to offload the big contracts of outfielders Alfonso Soriano (six years, $106 million) and Kosuke Fukudome (three years, $38 million), but aren’t likely to find any takers.
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 26, 2008 11:22 AM CST
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JMO
Players have two basic reasons for negotiating a NTC:
1. They like the city and the team, and are willing to give a “hometown discount” in exchange for the expectation that they will stay.
2. They want leverage in determining where they go, if traded.
——
In Lee’s and Ramy’s cases, they were happy in Chicago and wanted to stay; that is why each re-signed with the Cubs below market value. It makes sense that Bruce would say they have no interest in leaving.
In Sori’s case, I suspect that he just wanted leverage. I would guess that he would approve (with some financial incentive) a trade to the Dodgers or Yankees. He probably wouldn’t want to go to a hitter’s graveyard like SD. It’s reasonable to assume that he would listen if JH asked, but might not go to some places. (I would imagine that he might be like Peavy — “trade me, but I control where I’m going.”)
Dome would probably love to get as far away as possible from Lou at this point. In his case, the only issue would be finding a taker.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on
Nov 26, 2008 12:10 PM CST
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I agree with your read on all four of those players.
That’s why I think Dome is the most likely to be traded, followed by Soriano, with Ramirez and Lee all but impossibles. Even then, I don’t think Dome or Sori are all THAT likely to be traded.
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 26, 2008 12:16 PM CST
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yes, I think you're reading too much into it
I have to chuckle a bit… have we reached a point where we now attempt to decipher and analyze what’s NOT written? If so, then look out BCB data servers – it’s only November!
I guess my perspective is when we’re dealing with NTCs, all realistic arguments start with the player. Cubs and whoever can talk all they want, but if the player don’t want to go, it ain’t gonna happen. So try to get inside of Sori’s head (c’mon in – there’s plenty of room) and think about what you’d want. And frankly, the only thing I’ve heard/read anywhere (and it turned out to be here) that comes close to building a case for leaving is Sori might prefer to play under Torre than Lou. That’s it. I can’t fathom any other reason why he’d want to leave.
As for Dome… I’m pretty sure there’s a whole lot of Japanese pride, work ethic, and professionalism that we can’t even begin to comprehend so as to understand what he’s going through and what his thought process on possibly leaving would be. As I’ve stated elsewhere, I just think it would be in extremely poor taste (class, professionalism, etc.) for the Cubs to try and move him after just one year – ergo, I don’t want to think, nor do I think, that will happen. But if it does, then I believe Dome and his agent will certainly ensure that he ends up where he wants to be – my guess would be somewhere on the West Coast.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on
Nov 26, 2008 3:10 PM CST
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Well, I was with you until the part of
Not eating any of Soriano’s contract. Thinking that is even remotely possible is just living in fantasy. Soriano’s contract is an albatross, plain and simple. His contract made (at least) some sense if you would get his production for a second baseman. The moment he switched to LF his value should have gone down considerably, but for whatever reason it didn’t. You can get a LF with Soriano type production for a lot less years and money. Hendry fell in love with him because he was toolsy and because of the sexy (but rather irrelevant) 40-40 club. It’s the best example of Hendry’s problems, which we hope, he at least has learned a lesson (though I’m not confident).
I don’t think you trade Soriano without at least having to eat 40% of his contract).
by Luis on
Nov 26, 2008 9:07 AM CST
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Soriano was signed...
… to make a statement that the Cubs were in play for top free agents, not because of him being “toolsy” or the 40-40 thing.
Now, I’d bet the Cubs would like to deal him. If they do, it’ll be because they find someone willing to take the whole deal. Eating half the deal would be pointless, since the point of trading him is to clear payroll room.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Nov 26, 2008 10:27 AM CST
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Almost agreed
Yes, the Cubs wanted to make a statement. However, the Cubs perceived that Soriano was the best available player because of (or at least in part of) the reasons mentioned above. They could have just as easily concluded that Carlos Lee was a better player and gone hard after him. The fact that the Cubs focused solely on Soriano shows how they evaluated players back then. The fact that it took 8 years, a no trade clause and a guarantee to lead off to sign him just shows how bad a decision this was in the first place. Ramirez, probably the best hitter in his generation (behind *Bonds) was put on waivers with something like 4 years and 20 million per left on his contract. The fact that noone claimed him just shows how ridiculous it is for Soriano to make 18 million per season, when he is not even in the same gaalxy as Ramirez.
by Luis on
Nov 26, 2008 2:36 PM CST
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They had to offer the eight years...
… because the Angels had offered seven. So it wasn’t just the Cubs looking to sign him to al ongterm deal.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Nov 26, 2008 3:11 PM CST
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Furthermore...
… Ramirez wasn’t claimed not because of the money, but because no one wanted to deal with the headaches.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Nov 26, 2008 3:11 PM CST
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That would be a first in major sports
The history of sports is loaded with ultra talented guys which will find interested teams no matter the extra baggage they bring with them (and that baggage an be a lot more than what Ramirez would have brought with him). I don’t believe for a second than this was the reason he wasn´t claimed. I think it had the most to do with teams not wanting to pay 20 million a year for 1 player. Except the Red Sox and the Yankees, I don’t remember any other team with a contract like that at the time.
And I don’t remember reading that the Angels or anyone else offering Soriano 7 years. What I do remember is a lot of people on this site waiting on the terms of contract because they thought years 7 and 8 would be options years. So that would be in contradiction of another team offering 7 guaranteed.
by Luis on
Nov 26, 2008 3:44 PM CST
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Here's an article about...
… Soriano being possibly offered six years by the Angels:
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Times reported that the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have made an offer to Soriano, believed to be a six-year, $80 million proposal.
I think Hendry’s offer was intended to blow the Angels’ offer out of the water, which, clearly, it did.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Nov 26, 2008 4:47 PM CST
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That it certainly did
6/80 certainly sounds a lot more reasonable than what the Cubs ended up giving (not to mentioned that you shouldn’t have to give up a no trade clause when you are high bidder, and especially by that much).
I the end, I think most people would agree, that the Cubs wanting to make a statement was not the bad thing, it was unfortunate that the year they decided to do it there were really no elite players available, and yet they ended up giving an elite type deal to a good but never great player. And that doesn’t even take into account the fact that he never fit this team (another righthanded hitter with a low OBP, for a team mostly righthanded and at the bottom of the league in walks drawn).
Anyhow. What is done is done.
by Luis on
Nov 26, 2008 7:28 PM CST
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what I remember about the Sori signing at the time...
Seemed like in many of the previous years, when it came time to go after the big free agents, the official line from mgmt was “we will go after players like Stud 1 and Stud 2” and of course, they never got Stud 1 or Stud 2, they’d end up with somebody else who maybe, just maybe would have numbers close to Stud 1 or Stud 2. Hence the use of the word “like”.
So what made me happy at the time was instead of going after players like Carlos Lee or like Soriano, we went after Lee and Soriano. And we got Soriano. No more of this “like” crap. We finally bagged the big target.
Now, whether or not that was a good decision or not remains to be seen – still 6 years to go. But I have to say at the time, it sure seemed like a good move, though selfishly speaking as a ballhawk, I’d rather have had Carlos Lee. Carlos been berry berry good to me out on Waveland…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on
Nov 26, 2008 3:19 PM CST
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Get back to me after Manny Ramirez signs.
Seriously. You could be right. If the FA market takes a downturn and Manny signs for 2 years, then, yeah, Soriano’s contract is what you say it is.
On the other hand, if Manny gets 5 years, then Soriano’s contract looks golden, especially to teams like the Dodgers, Angels, and Giants. Compare Sori’s contract to Torii Hunter’s, for example. The minute Torii took that deal, Soriano’s contract looked a lot better in my view. I think the Giants and Dodgers are two teams, who, if they don’t get Manny, could be open to taking all of Soriano’s contract. I think Sabean would probably trade Winn for Sori straight up. I’m just not sure Sori accepts that trade.
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 26, 2008 10:38 AM CST
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Agreed
I think the teams most interested in Soriano would be ones, like the Giants, who are not likely to be approved by Alfonso. He might like the Dodgers, Angels, Mets, or Yankees better than the Cubs, but none of those teams match up particularly well with the Cubs’ needs anyway, IMO. That’s why I think pundits who have little to talk about after Manny signs will start throwing around Soriano rumors, but I don’t think there will be any substance to them.
Fontenot (fon-te-no): Cajun for "scrappy"
by zambranofan on
Nov 26, 2008 12:04 PM CST
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By your logic
Marquis is untouchable
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on
Nov 26, 2008 8:15 AM CST
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eiwww
why would you want to touch Marquis?
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on
Nov 26, 2008 8:27 AM CST
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Dang Nabbit!
If Kosuke could only HIT we would’nt be in this mess!
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on
Nov 26, 2008 8:25 AM CST
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Exactly...
… let’s see if he can tear it up in ST.
In Hendry We Trust
by initram on
Nov 26, 2008 8:26 AM CST
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fingers crossed
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on
Nov 26, 2008 8:29 AM CST
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this guy likes soriano....
this guy sees our record when soriano plays and says wow that is our best hitter.. (i am sorry aramis but i think sori has you)
Happy turkey day all
"I played with one of the best pitchers in history, Greg Maddux," Zambrano said"
by fischisgod on
Nov 26, 2008 10:06 PM CST
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