free agents, Texiera and Sabathia specifically, has become silly season. All of a sudden Soriano seems like a bargain. But, there’s no way we can go into 2009 with a Johnson-Gathright platoon in center. If Ibanez got 3/$30 mil. there’s no reason to think we couldn’t get Abreu or Bradley at a reasonable price, so the best bet would still be to go after someone from that group. Another interesting thing from yesterday was the Astros letting Ty Wiggington go for nothing. With good off-season moves the Astros could pose a serious threat to the Cubs, but this is a rather ominous start. And with an obvious inability to add payroll you would have to think that this really cripples their team next year.

perhaps they knew something was up with him physically and didn’t want to take the chance. If Wood would have taken a huge discount, as he said he would, to play for the Cubs, it seemed strange the Cubs wouldn’t retain him. Now, it could make sense. And its not like the Cubs would go out and say, “he’s an injury risk waiting to happen,” and screw up his chances of being signed elsewhere.

And in regards to Gathright? No, perhaps as our 4th outfielder/ replacement baserunner but not in a straight up platoon situation.

I’m guessing you didn’t look at Gathright’s stats before posting that. The guy had a sub-.600 OPS against both righties and lefties. He is an efficient base stealer, not a particularly good CFer, and a terrible, sub-Neifi hitter.

Pie is 3x the player Gathright is.

I foresee some huge changes for MLB going forward in the next era.

No more guaranteed contracts…something like the NFL will come about, where the only guarantee will be front loaded bonuses….but there will be an injury insurance…for the Lloyds of London will not underwrite these contracts anymore.

What I am interested in is the mention that it is not this year nor 2011 or 2012 that the Cubs Front Office is concerned about but 2010.

What contracts are maturing that year? Is it that Theriot, Fontenot Soto and others maturing into a next range? I don’t see any big increases current signees.

Wood is gone!! link

didn’t many here want him a couple of years ago? He wouldn’t be a bad option off the bench like we used Reed last year? He could end up being a smart pickup.

…perhaps the Cubs should look into Chris Capuano. He’s may never be a starter again after Tommy John surgery, but in his career lefties have only hit .232/.295/.324 against him – move him to the bullpen and he could make a good, inexpensive LOOGY.

is worth a look. He’ll be 27 next year and had ERA+ of 118 and 100 in 2006 and 2007 before last season’s problems. Not sure what the physical status is though.

I must not have received my invitation — it seems some of you got yours and been into the good stuff this afternoon.
Gathright, Chuck James, Wigginton ???
You guys are kidding — you aren’t really serious?
Give me a couple of hits — I’ll even throw these guys out for consideration — or throw them out period -
Kenny Rogers, Damian Easley, Craig Counsell, Sidney Ponson, Julian Tavarez, Greg Norton, and last but not least - CP - I do not think I have to spell it out but if you are unsure, his brother was traded by the Cubs to the A’s in the Rich Harden deal.
Oh - one more — a good backup — Michael Barrett.
Enjoy the funfest !!!

and we have 13 signed total for $121M, can someone please refresh my memory on the other 10 signed for $115M? Or point me to a website with the numbers?

and thanks!