Winter Meetings Non-Transaction News

by Al on Dec 11, 2008 8:56 AM CST in News Comment 78 comments

There were a couple of notes in this morning's Tribune, buried at the bottom of two articles, not involving trades or signings of any kind, that I found of interest.

Phil Rogers:

Baseball's tiebreaking coin flips appear on their way out, to be replaced by a system awarding home-field advantage for one-game playoffs to teams with better head-to-head records.

COMMENT: It's about time. MLB can fix the last remaining such issue by giving the World Series home games to the team with the best record. And yes, Bud, you can still figure out all the hotel room problems. The best record in each league is determined at least three weeks before the first World Series game, and you'll have at least an idea of what cities might qualify at least a month before that.

Paul Sullivan:

[Aramis] Ramirez is expected to decline an invitation to play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. Sources said Ramirez likes to stay in his routine in the spring, and he probably would be a backup anyway if Alex Rodriguez starts at third for the Dominicans. … Among the Cubs expected to participate in the WBC are [Alfonso] Soriano and Carlos Marmol (Dominican Republic), Geovany Soto (Puerto Rico), [Kosuke] Fukudome (Japan), [Ryan] Dempster (Canada) and [Derrek] Lee (United States). [Carlos] Zambrano has not decided whether to play for Venezuela.

COMMENT: There was some talk three years ago that Z's participation in the WBC threw off his preseason routine and was responsible for the horrible April (0-2, 5.35 in 6 starts) he had in 2006. He did recover to have a good year (16-7, 3.41), although he had his highest career walk total that year. I'm guessing Z doesn't play, unless he gets pressured to do so.

0 recs | Comment 78 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Maybe this will help Fukudome..

Playing some meaningful games early will hopefully get him ready for the season. Maybe he won’t tank at the end like last year..

Greg Jennings.. Future All Pro

by mkcubs21 on Dec 11, 2008 8:59 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

He was one of the heroes for Japan in 2006.

Hope you’re right.

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

by Al on Dec 11, 2008 9:03 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It will be interesting to see how he does

He clearly has the talent, let’s just hope he puts it together.

by dr stabbingworth on Dec 11, 2008 9:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

If he gets hot early

Using last year as the only sample, if #1 gets hot early, he’ll cool off sooner—before June.
But hopefully he picks up something from someone along the way and becomes a true Major League hitter.

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.

by chilango2 on Dec 11, 2008 10:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm still trying to understand the logic of the coin flip rule

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Dec 11, 2008 9:05 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Save yourself the trouble.

There wasn’t any.

"Well, we're out of cake! We only had three bits and we didn't expect such a rush! So what do you want?"
"What, so my choice is 'or death?' Well, then I'll have the chicken, please."
--Eddie Izzard

by znohitter on Dec 11, 2008 10:40 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Kind of like the Big 12's tiebreak

for the Big XII South. Idiocy.

Brian McRae's 5 o'clock shadow

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Dec 11, 2008 10:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

What if the teams with the best record in each league

are eliminated in the League Championship Series?

And 83-win wild card teams advance to the WS?

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 Dec 11, 2008 9:10 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Then the team with the best remaining record is still the host.

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

by Al on Dec 11, 2008 9:17 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

But that doesn't help MLB's supposed timing issue

They would still have to book rooms in all playoff cities.

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 Dec 11, 2008 9:20 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Right.

But they do this in the NBA. Why would it be different for baseball?

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

by Al on Dec 11, 2008 9:30 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think it would be a problem.

MLB and the Travel/Convention Boards for the cities in the playoffs should be able to book blocks of rooms 3-4 weeks in advance. The only problem arises if there is a convention in the city at the same time, but I’m sure that is something that could be worked out.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Dec 11, 2008 9:38 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

I don’t believe MLB’s excuses about hotel rooms. I’m saying they may never make this one last change because there’s no way to make it look like Bud’s great idea didn’t suck.

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 Dec 11, 2008 9:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think there is some of that to it

Booking hotel rooms was never an issue when the World Series host flipped leagues every other year – they still had to block hotel rooms for 4 cities for a while.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Dec 11, 2008 9:49 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I know this issue get discussed ad nauseam

(I think I spelled that correctly)

But what if the league that has a better overall interleague record for that year hosts the WS? That way the league earns the right AND Bud can get his hotel rooms.

by gocubsgo22 on Dec 11, 2008 2:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, that'd be a way better system than they have now.

Still, it means that the results of Pirates/Royals games wind up being important for the WS home field.

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

by Al on Dec 11, 2008 2:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The "no time to book rooms" is a crock of an excuse in the first place...

…especially if the recession continues. Hotel forecasters say that hotels are projected to have an occupancy rate of 59% in 2009, the lowest percentage since 1971.

Whoever said you can't mix business with pleasure never owned a PuttPutt course---Andy Bernard

by carmen_fanzone on Dec 11, 2008 9:41 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I really hope this does help Dome...

…I don’t want this to be another crappy, overpaid player that the Cubs sign. We all know we’ve done enough of those.

I wasn’t that excited when we signed him to begin with seeing how the general Cubs fans never saw him play. Aside from Ichiro and Matsui, the MLB hasn’t really signed a real good player from Japan, or anywhere in Asia.

I know Nomo was good at first, but he started to tank fairly early in his career.

by Cubs and Hawks fan on Dec 11, 2008 9:29 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Remember that some of them have been older -- Dome was 31 --

because they have service time for free agency just like we do. Some of them (particularly the pitchers) have been abused a bit as well.

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Dec 11, 2008 11:51 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Leading off

Just ran across this quote from Pinella in the Sun-Times today. Not very encouraging news from my perspective:

‘’We won 70 percent of the games with him leading off,’’ Piniella said. ’’That’s a pretty good number. He’s a good player. He gets a little hot, he gets a little cold. And unfortunately in the postseason, he has been a little cold.

‘’But I have all the confidence in the world in him. The way we are right now, he is our best choice.’’

To me, a true lead-off man is more important than another SP or a slugging RF.

Story found here: http://www.suntimes.com/sports/deluca/1325658,CST-SPT-deluca11.article

I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com

by digitalbenjamin on Dec 11, 2008 9:36 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Maybe, but...

… as Lou said, the Cubs win with him leading off. So where’s the issue? He goes cold in the postseason, true. He’s not the only one.

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

by Al on Dec 11, 2008 9:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It's a different strategy

… but it’s one the Cubs have apparently dismissed. I’m guessing it’s because acquiring a Roberts or Furcal would mean moving Sori lower in the lineup and making the glut of righties even worse. The lineup would probably look something like this:

Furcal
Lee
Ramirez
Soriano
Soto
DeRosa (in right)
Theriot/Fontenot

Right-handed 2-7? I don’t think Lou wants that.

by elgato on Dec 11, 2008 9:45 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The problem with last years team offensively...

IMHO… was not the Rightly/Lefty balance, nor the ability to hit for power. It was someone to consistently get on base at the top of the order and manufacture runs/steal/etc… That’s why I’d rather focus on Furcal or Roberts.

I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com

by digitalbenjamin on Dec 11, 2008 9:51 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Lou disagrees

I’m not saying he’s right, though.

by elgato on Dec 11, 2008 9:55 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Similarly, a big part of the problem

was that no more than about two guys would be hot at once during the second half of the season. I seem to recall at least a few games where we lost, even though we had more hits than the other team, because we couldn’t string the hits together. The only way for Lou to compensate is by playing the guys who’re hot at the moment.

"Well, we're out of cake! We only had three bits and we didn't expect such a rush! So what do you want?"
"What, so my choice is 'or death?' Well, then I'll have the chicken, please."
--Eddie Izzard

by znohitter on Dec 11, 2008 10:46 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Furcal isn't any more consistent than Soriano...

he’s a feast-or-famine hitter. He’s the same type of hitter as Soriano, plus maybe 5-10 OBP points over the course of the season.

by SouthernCub on Dec 11, 2008 10:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Paul Bako

Welcome home (maybe).

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 Dec 11, 2008 9:47 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Ugh.

Bako was fine as a backup when he was here, but that’s five years ago. I hope Blanco comes back.

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

by Al on Dec 11, 2008 9:48 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

+1

I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com

by digitalbenjamin on Dec 11, 2008 9:49 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The Cubs must think/know that Henry is planning on retiring

and trying to make contingency plans.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Dec 11, 2008 9:49 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think ...

Henry might be too expensive for the Cubs’ liking.

by elgato on Dec 11, 2008 9:59 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That's a possibility, too.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Dec 11, 2008 10:00 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yabbut...

…. I don’t see other teams rushing to sign him, either.

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

by Al on Dec 11, 2008 10:17 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Neither do I

which is why I think it’s more the Cubs are getting word he is planning on retiring or taking the year off to be with his family.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Dec 11, 2008 10:17 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

We should get an announcement about this soon, I guess.

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

by Al on Dec 11, 2008 10:20 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I would hope so

though if Bako were to sign, the fact that Mark Johnson, Koyie Hill and Bako were all invited to spring training would seem to indicate that Blanco had made his decision.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Dec 11, 2008 10:24 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It would seem so.

Given what recently happened, I would completely understand if Blanco retired.

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

by Al on Dec 11, 2008 10:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Brian McRae's 5 o'clock shadow

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Dec 11, 2008 10:49 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

My worst fear is seemingly coming true

Paul Bako back? What’s next, he’s going to be catching balls from our new LOOGY Will Ohman?!? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Dec 11, 2008 10:59 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

worst fear?

You’re freaking out about our backup catcher? My worst fear is that Dempster turns into a pumpkin while Z’s health gets worse and worse and Harden can’t make more than 15 starts.

I apologize if you were merely exaggerating to make a point. :)

by elgato on Dec 11, 2008 11:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Okay maybe not

They were just two of my least favorite Cubs.

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Dec 11, 2008 11:06 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Bako was fine

He actually hit pretty well in 2003, and was essentially splitting time with Damian Miller down the stretch.

I agree that his time might have passed, though.

Oh, and I hated Ohman, too, FTR.

by elgato on Dec 11, 2008 11:10 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hit well?

He batted .229 with 0 homers and 17 RBI’s in 70 games with the Cubs. I’d hardly call that hitting well.

The one thing I will give him credit for is he did have a big hit in the NLCS.

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Dec 11, 2008 11:58 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I should be working the grapevine....

…because I (kiddingly) said that on Tuesday after the Reds trade. LOL.

Whoever said you can't mix business with pleasure never owned a PuttPutt course---Andy Bernard

by carmen_fanzone on Dec 11, 2008 9:51 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know

Blanco was nearly out of baseball after ‘07, and even though he did great in ’08, it was in a very limited number of games. He’s probably interested in parlaying that into a lucrative contract (like he had with the Cubs — probably one of the best paid backups).

Hendry is probably looking at Gabor’s lefty bat, health, affordability, and that awesome first month he had last year….

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 Dec 11, 2008 10:16 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

One of Al's favorite ex-Cubs finds a home

Farnsworth to the Royals.

by rlpete on Dec 11, 2008 9:52 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Sullivan keeps writing that Gaudin ...

will be non-tendered. I haven’t seen that anywhere else.

As for Bako, his price tag, reputation as a good game caller and lefty bat are probably reasons why the Cubs are considering him. He’s also about a year younger than Blanco, for whatever that’s worth.

by elgato on Dec 11, 2008 9:58 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I really don't get that one...

and I’ve commented on it a few times. Even if he was out of fashion with the organization, at less than 4 mil, I can’t figure out why the Cubs wouldn’t just deal him for a low-level prospect or two. It’s not like someone wouldn’t look at him as a starting pitching option, at the least.

by Damen Jackson on Dec 11, 2008 10:05 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

n/t

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.

by chilango2 on Dec 11, 2008 10:34 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

wbc

sounds like a wrestling organization.i would prefer my players to stay in spring training and do their work.but the players run the game,not the owners

by NOMAR on Dec 11, 2008 10:31 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

This is a HUGE source of pride for some guys...

I think that to flat-out deny them the opportunity to represent their country is unfair. It should be up to them.

It also helps MLB in getting some global exposure, more so than it does for the duration of the regular season.

Brian McRae's 5 o'clock shadow

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Dec 11, 2008 10:51 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It's a lose-lose situation for the teams...

If they “forbid” players from participating, they look bad and may anger the players. If they let them play, they risk serious injury (especially for the pitchers).

by SouthernCub on Dec 11, 2008 10:53 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

And players never get injured in spring training, nonotatall

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Dec 11, 2008 12:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Apples and oranges...

spring training is necessary and benefits the team. The WBC does not benefit the team.

Moreover, I’d argue the injury risk is reduced in spring training. Players take Spring Training as a warmup and ease their way into things, whereas the WBC is unequivocally a competition and players go full tilt. The big injury risk is for the pitchers.

by SouthernCub on Dec 11, 2008 12:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The WBC does benefit the team...

It is a great money-maker for MLB. The teams divide up the profits and (theoretically) spend more money putting talent on the field.

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Dec 11, 2008 12:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Also in Sulli's article

he says if the Peavy thing falls through, the Cubs will turn their attention to Randy Johnson…much cheaper option, and possibly a great addition. Unit a #5 starter? Wow.

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

by Canadian Cubs Fan on Dec 11, 2008 10:53 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

the nice thing

about getting Peavy is that he has a relatively inexpensive contract for four years ($15 million per, compared with Zito, CC, etc.). Peavy would help immediately AND in the future, whereas the Unit would (obviously) be a one-year thing.

I was sort of against the Peavy deal (or, at least, I didn’t see a lot of the logic) until a poster here a couple weeks ago noted that Peavy’s contract gets more expensive after Lilly’s contract runs out. In other words, the Cubs would have Z, Dempster and Peavy locked up in reasonable-ish deals through 2012, and Peavy becomes more expensive when the Cubs are done with Lilly’s $10 million per contract.

Now, if any or more of Z, Peavy and Dempster fall off the table in terms of ability in the next four years, or they get hurt, none of the contracts look that good. But if they all sustain (or approximate) their recent performances, then the contracts are at the very least reasonable.

Back to the Unit … he makes more sense IF the Cubs have to trade the farm (no pun intended) for Peavy. And I think that’s exactly how Hendry is operating.

by elgato on Dec 11, 2008 11:01 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

sorry -- should have said 2013

n/t

by elgato on Dec 11, 2008 11:08 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I wasn't in favor of Johnson...

… given his age and injury history.

However, depending on the dollar amount, maybe it’s a viable idea.

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

by Al on Dec 11, 2008 11:05 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

He may be worth the risk. Say the ’09 version of Jimmy Ballgame.

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Dec 11, 2008 11:08 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Only uglier.

Brian McRae's 5 o'clock shadow

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Dec 11, 2008 11:09 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

and more expensive

by elgato on Dec 11, 2008 11:10 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Definitely

I read today he’s seeking $6-8 million.

Even the $6 million seems like too big of a risk if you ask me. Sure he’s another lefty, but at least you know what you’re gonna get with Marquis. Or dump Marquis and take a much cheaper risk Marshall.

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Dec 11, 2008 11:32 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

And taller.

"Well, we're out of cake! We only had three bits and we didn't expect such a rush! So what do you want?"
"What, so my choice is 'or death?' Well, then I'll have the chicken, please."
--Eddie Izzard

by znohitter on Dec 11, 2008 11:41 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

and surlier.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Dec 11, 2008 12:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

probably not worth its own diary

… but the Pirates just took Donald Veal in the Rule 5 draft, according to MLBtraderumors.

by elgato on Dec 11, 2008 11:12 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Blast from the past:

Rocky Cherry got picked too

Brian McRae's 5 o'clock shadow

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Dec 11, 2008 11:17 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Good for Veal...

A change of scenery might help him. The Pirates have developed some decent young pitchers lately.

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Dec 11, 2008 11:56 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

There's a Rule 5 post on the FanPost list.

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

by Al on Dec 11, 2008 12:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm glad Aramis is keeping away from the WBC

I just wish Marmol would stay away as well. His arm is already going to be stressed to the max next season.

Let the Blaine Gabbert era begin.

by nji232 on Dec 11, 2008 11:24 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

If Marmol's arm didn't fall off last year

He should be okay to pitch a few innings in the WBC. Remember, there are limits on how often and how long pitchers can be used, and I find it hard to believe anyone with those constraints could possibly overuse Marmol if Lou didn’t ruin him last year.

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Dec 11, 2008 12:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

What's with all the hype

about Furcal? Does anyone remember his FA year, the Cubs went after him hard, and he turned them down. He doesn’t want to play for the Cubs.

by Cubs and Hawks fan on Dec 11, 2008 11:35 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

A Freudian slip?

Or shoddy journalism? Or, does Sully know something that we don’t?…

He names the Cubs who might or might not play in the WBC, but he doesn’t mention DeRo. DeRo has not said he definitely will play for Italy, but he hasn’t said he won’t either. He may be waiting to see if he gets picked by the U. S. team first…

Does Sully think DeRo is an ex-Cub?

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Dec 11, 2008 12:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs