Bleed Cubbie Blue: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:

Around SBN: Getting Marshawn Lynch touches is key for Bills' success Bar-right-arrows

The Real Jim Edmonds Story

Yelloncard_tiny by Al on

Yes, I'm making a lot of FanPosts today. None of these really warrants a front-page post, so here goes another.

The folks over at the SBN Cardinals blog, Viva el Birdos, have the real scoop, so they say, on why the Cubs signed Jim Edmonds. They claim he's a spy. Funny stuff.

There is one bit of useful information, found in the comments to that post:

I was at a party with the Cubs team physician this weekend, and he claimed that the team would give JE two weeks to show some signs of baseball life, then give him the old thumbs up/down.

Edmonds looked pretty happy and healthy sitting on his ass all weekend as lefty after lefty took their lumps from the Cub offense.

by Urban Pawnee on May 19, 2008 7:41 AM CDT

Two weeks. Sounds good to me.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation, Bleed Cubbie Blue, or Al Yellon, editor-in-chief. FanPost opinions are, however, valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

0 recs | Comment 100 comments

Read Related

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Yeah, I wouldn't think that...

they would give him a whole lot of time to prove that he still belongs. If he stinks up the place, get rid of him and eat the $289K, no harm, no foul….

You ARE freaking out MAN!

by crw89 on May 19, 2008 9:19 AM CDT   0 recs

You wouldn't have to eat the $289K.

That’s what they pay him if he lasts the whole season. If they cut him after two weeks, the Padres and Cardinals pick up the rest of his deal and the Cubs only pay him two weeks’ worth of the prorated minimum salary.

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

by Al on May 19, 2008 9:25 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh ok...

I thought the $289k was guaranteed…so it’s even less of a risk than I thought!

You ARE freaking out MAN!

by crw89 on May 19, 2008 9:30 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The little details in the fiscal game of MLB

This is actually a good rule for if you trade or take on a guaranteed contract you can’t unload if you decide to cut him. Now if you are foolish and cut him and someone rents him for the minimum it only subtracts the minimum of time used from the guaranteed contract.

As for the spy thing…what an imagination….

Hoffpauir looked overmatched at the plate…swang through and over three sweeping breaking balls in the dirt.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on May 19, 2008 9:45 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Are you sure about that?

I was under the impression that baseball contracts are guaranteed. The Padres and Cardinals are committed to his old salary (i.e., what he was guaranteed coming into the season) regardless of what the Cubs do with Edmonds. The Cubs (not the Cardinals or Padres) are committed to paying him what they signed him to, right?

The question is whether the major league minimum is also guaranteed. If it’s guaranteed, then the Cubs owe Edmonds $289k regardless of whether or not they cut him. If it’s not guaranteed, then the Cubs are only responsible for what he earns while he’s with the Cubs. The Cardinals and Padres pay the same set amount either way.

by SouthernCub on May 19, 2008 9:42 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't think it's guaranteed.

Think about it—if the Cubs bring up someone from AAA (call him “Felix Pie”, for example), they pay him the ML salary for the time he’s on the roster. That’s generally called a “split contract”; the player gets the ML salary while he’s on the ML roster, gets paid a minor league wage when he’s in AAA.

Edmonds essentially has a “split contract” - he gets paid the minimum by the Cubs while he is on the Cubs’ roster - the rest is paid by StL and SD, since they are on the hook for the guaranteed deal he signed in the offseason.

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

by Al on May 19, 2008 9:49 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

That may be the correct analogy, maybe not...

There’s a difference – Pie is not a major league veteran. He’s not even arbitration eligible. There are very different rules for players who haven’t achieved the requisite service time. Edmonds, on the other hand, is a veteran at this point. So it would seem that signing him as a free agent makes that contract guaranteed.

Also, Pie’s split contract is between two organizations under the same umbrella. I don’t know that the same rules apply for different MLB organizations. For example – the Cardinals signed Edmonds to the original contract. They then subsequently traded him to San Diego. San Diego is on the books for the rest of the contract that he signed for, even though he’s no longer with them.

Again, I could be wrong about this, but the comparison between the AAA player and Edmonds doesn’t seem to be a one-to-one match.

by SouthernCub on May 19, 2008 10:11 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Slight edit...

The Padres are on the books for the rest of Edmonds’ St. Louis contract minus the portion being picked up by the Cardinals as part of the trade agreement. The meaning of my sentence didn’t change, but I wanted to get it more accurate.

by SouthernCub on May 19, 2008 10:13 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The guys over at Cubcast

said that Edmonds got the league minimum while on the roster and, as you say, Al, the bulk of his pay ($8M according to them), comes from StL and SD.

Not a bad gig.

It's fun to be a Cub right now. -- Mark DeRosa

by Emelie on May 19, 2008 12:57 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I think...

...the 289 is guaranteed for Edmonds.

Anyway, it certainly won’t stop them from nuking him in a few weeks if he isn’t doing anything.

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

by MPH73 on May 19, 2008 2:36 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Good point...

whether it’s $289k or a prorated version, it’s not going to keep him here for the duration if he’s not performing. I guess any further debate on the matter is just arguing on the margins.

by SouthernCub on May 19, 2008 2:42 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yea...

...the 289 is the pro-rated amount of the league minimum. The only way they could cut him loose and not pay the balance of the 289, is if he signed a minor league contract, which he didn’t.

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

by MPH73 on May 19, 2008 2:53 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I really doubt...

...they bothered to sign him to only give him two weeks. I would think he is going to get in the neighborhood of 30 days or so before they let him go (if he is struggling).

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

by MPH73 on May 19, 2008 2:56 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Was this party at f15teen?

Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager

by northsider on May 19, 2008 9:20 AM CDT   0 recs

Don't know.

Why don’t you go to VEB and ask the guy who posted?

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

by Al on May 19, 2008 9:24 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I've been waiting for some good conspiracy theories...

...to come out regarding the Edmonds acquisition. And this one is the best (and, uh, actually first) one I’ve come across.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.

by dat cubfan daver on May 19, 2008 9:34 AM CDT   0 recs

2 weeks

A 2 week testing period is only good if you assume Edmonds has nothing left and will undoubtedly show that every time he comes to the plate.

But if you think he could legitimately help the club, how can you tell that in 2 weeks? I mean he didn’t look utterly overmatched in his handful of ABs (and he is batting .500 v. RHP as a Cub so far). So, unless they’re timing his swing and finding it slow, or somehow seeing something with their scouts, then 2 weeks is hardly enough time to judge a player. And if their scouts see something, why didn’t they see that before they picked him up?

No, two weeks does not sound good to me. It sounds like a continuation of a policy to make first-impression snap judgments about players, judgments like the one that kept playing Reed Johnson against RHP because his first two weeks were hot.

by DGU on May 19, 2008 9:50 AM CDT   0 recs

I PREDICT:

he gets a big “knock” in Houston.

by The E-Man on May 19, 2008 9:53 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Uh, Yeah,Right

double plays aint big knocks!!

Grant Earnhart

by ernie87 on May 19, 2008 4:35 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Mostly agree...

But again, Piniella is an impatient man. He’s shown a history of expecting immediate performance.

I’m more concerned that Edmonds will have a big hit or two in the next few weeks and “earn” the job for the rest of the year, and then proceed to stink the rest of the way with Piniella being blinded by the early success (a la Fontenot last year and Johnson so far this year). Hopefully that doesn’t happen.

by SouthernCub on May 19, 2008 10:15 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Ditto.

I’ve been afraid of the same impress (short-term) and depress (long-term) scenario. – TL

by timlacy on May 19, 2008 12:11 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Two bad scenarios

1) Edmonds is no good, but looks good in the first two weeks.
2) Edmonds is good, but looks no good in the first two weeks.

Either way, it’s Lou’s sub-par player evaluation that’s the problem, and that’s not going away.

Some of you aren’t worried about #2, thinking, “Well, we’ll get Pie back,” but I don’t think we will. I think we’ll trade valuable players for someone like Ken Griffey Jr. and as far as I can tell, there’s not much difference between Edmonds and Griffey, except that Edmonds is practically free.

by DGU on May 19, 2008 1:48 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'd be really surprised if the Cubs traded for Junior.

All signs show he’s headed back to Seattle to finish his career. Plus, he would displace Dome from his natural position, and I’m not sure Jocketty would want to lift a finger to help the Cubs. Come to think of it, I can’t believe Hendry would give potentially valuable young players to a team that, if not ruined by Dusty Baker, could actually give the Cubs a lot of trouble over the next few years.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.

by dat cubfan daver on May 19, 2008 2:00 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

We already gott'em

we already have the right players,Lou needs to stop over managing,and coach the ones he has got

Grant Earnhart

by ernie87 on May 19, 2008 4:38 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I agree with you.

Why would anyone put any merit in some anonymous post by someone who said they were at a party and got inside info? Just plain silly.

by cubswin on May 19, 2008 2:42 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Was at the game and in

HOFF-POWER’S AB I said to my fiancee (who was looking through the binocs trying to spot the “best looking Cubs”), “Welcome to the Majors, Micah!”

I wasn’t at ST this year – but on TV, and from Al’s reports, Hoff-Power can rake. But hitting at the MLB level is different. Just ask Felix Pie!

by The E-Man on May 19, 2008 9:52 AM CDT   0 recs

It strikes me as odd

that a Cubs team physician would be so candid at a party. Seeing as how the Cubs are so guarded with their injury reports, etc., you would think that the medical staff and other employees would be directed to not speak to the public about internal discussions/decisions. I wonder if this party goer is stretching the truth a bit or something.

Either way, two weeks sounds like a short test period, but it seems that the Cubs are all about short test periods (see Felix Pie)

"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome

by gwood on May 19, 2008 9:57 AM CDT   0 recs

Maybe he was drunk.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.

by dat cubfan daver on May 19, 2008 9:58 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Good point.

"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome

by gwood on May 19, 2008 9:59 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Maybe the negative fan reaction to Edmonds

has Cubs management wanting to get the message out that he has a short leash.

by DGU on May 19, 2008 10:02 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

My guess is

internally Edmonds is on a “short leash” already.

by The E-Man on May 19, 2008 10:04 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Right

and the Cubs don’t care who knows it, or rather, the Cubs actually want everyone to know it.

by DGU on May 19, 2008 10:07 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Now

if they would combine that short leash with an acknowledgment that Pie will get a chance at some point . . . I will be a lot happier.

"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome

by gwood on May 19, 2008 10:08 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

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

by Al on May 19, 2008 10:08 AM CDT to parent up   1 recs

FYI

Pie so far at Iowa:
0 for 12 with 1 walk and 2 strikeouts. Yikes. I hope he turns that around soon.

by Shanghai Badger on May 19, 2008 10:19 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yikes is right.

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

by Al on May 19, 2008 10:20 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

That really

doesn’t help Pie’s cause at all.

Any idea if he is at least making solid contact and hitting a lot of at-em balls?

"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome

by gwood on May 19, 2008 10:25 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

From MILB Gameday...

Friday, Pie reached on a fielding error to 2B, was HBP, flied to CF, grounded to 1B, and lined out to SS.

Saturday, Pie flied out to left, flied out to right, bunted out, walked, and grounded out to 2B.

Sunday, Pie lined to 1B, struck out swinging, grounded to 1B, and struck out looking.

It’s hard to tell how hard he’s hitting the outs, but he has sprayed the ball somewhat in a limited sample. It’ll probably take more time to really be able to tell.

by SouthernCub on May 19, 2008 10:34 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

My only hope...

...is that Felix is REALLY trying to adjust his approach and doing so is really messing with his ability to execute at the plate. I would also imagine there must be some readjustment process to going from the excitement of playing (or not playing, as it were) on a first place team to the relatively more sedate Triple A level. In any case, he has nowhere to go but up from this. (Um, right, Felix?)

Nanika Ga Okoru!

Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.

by dat cubfan daver on May 19, 2008 10:32 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The risk...

The risk is this….Felix Pie cannot adjust his hitting approach the way the Cubs want him to…or he becomes demoralized by lousy results in the early going and falls back into old bat habits. Pie has proven that his old ways of hitting work wonders against Triple A pitchers. The big challenge for him is to stick with the program that has been prescribed.

Rich Harden is the missing link to a 2008 World Series Championship for the Cubs !

by MDBNIU on May 19, 2008 10:49 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, I know.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.

by dat cubfan daver on May 19, 2008 10:58 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

sounds like he's working on hitting for contact, at least.

That’s way low on the K meter, yes?

2008: The year we put it all together.

by drewishdrewid on May 19, 2008 11:33 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Down, yes, but still not good

That’s a pace of well over 100 for a 162-game season

by Shanghai Badger on May 19, 2008 12:14 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Hey, at least the strikeouts are down.

Really that’s what I would most care about him working on.

by californiachicagoan on May 19, 2008 11:48 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

If he consistantly can put the ball in play

he will get a lot of hits just off his speed.

by californiachicagoan on May 19, 2008 11:50 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

We will see..

“They”(the Cubs)will see in time he has nothing left,already falling on his face!

Grant Earnhart

by ernie87 on May 19, 2008 4:40 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Boy, and I'M labeled Mr. Negative

Funny how people are already primed to write off Jim Edmond’s future with the Chicago Cubs.

Rich Harden is the missing link to a 2008 World Series Championship for the Cubs !

by MDBNIU on May 19, 2008 10:35 AM CDT   0 recs

Or Sorianos

oh wait thats you. (crickets…..............)

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on May 19, 2008 10:37 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

This just into the WGN Sports Desk

MDBNIU still doesn’t like Alfonso Soriano as member of the Cubs. But he is grateful that the grossly overpaid “superstar” finally is providing measure of return on the investment. Thanks for playing our game. Vanna will hand you a door prize on the way off stage.

Rich Harden is the missing link to a 2008 World Series Championship for the Cubs !

by MDBNIU on May 19, 2008 10:47 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Thanks for taking me off the ignore list.

That guess hitting hack is do a good job guessing.

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on May 19, 2008 10:48 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Even Ray Charles...

was successful in getting a base hit during celebrity softball tournaments my friend.

Rich Harden is the missing link to a 2008 World Series Championship for the Cubs !

by MDBNIU on May 19, 2008 10:52 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Right by he didnt

have 14 RBIS and 39 total bases in the last 7 days. 39 bases in 7 days-—---WOW

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on May 19, 2008 10:53 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Wow, comparing Alfonso Soriano to Ray Charles. Congratulations! You have just reached A NEW LOW.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.

by dat cubfan daver on May 19, 2008 11:02 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I think I'm going to need some proof

of Ray Charles alleged softball successes….

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on May 19, 2008 11:56 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Stand by...

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on May 19, 2008 12:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Ooh, now this is exciting!

Nanika Ga Okoru!

Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.

by dat cubfan daver on May 19, 2008 12:14 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

not really...i didn't take my time.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on May 19, 2008 12:15 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Outstanding.

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on May 19, 2008 12:16 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

That's still pretty good.

I wonder where he was hitting in the batting order…

Nanika Ga Okoru!

Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.

by dat cubfan daver on May 19, 2008 12:19 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

after Ted Lilly

of course.

2008: The year we put it all together.

by drewishdrewid on May 19, 2008 12:21 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Doesn't Ray know..

that real men only play 16 inch softball….and without gloves too:)

"I realize very well that I could regress to the mean."
-Brian Bannister on his BABIP

by Bump Bailey on May 19, 2008 12:24 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Does your young

daughter write your material because it seems sort of childish.

by sue369 on May 19, 2008 11:08 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

How could she.

She never played baseball in college.

I has a blog.

by cwyers on May 19, 2008 11:13 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Darwin theory was obviously wrong

if blue mike was allowed to procreate.

by Madison Cub Fan on May 19, 2008 11:38 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Pickling beets

Sue, do you have recipe? Do I use vinegar or white wine? Thanks.

Rich Harden is the missing link to a 2008 World Series Championship for the Cubs !

by MDBNIU on May 19, 2008 1:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

first you take your head...

no, wait, let me rephrase.

First, you stick your head…

2008: The year we put it all together.

by drewishdrewid on May 19, 2008 1:14 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Ahem...

I believe you meant to say…

First, you pull your head out of…..

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on May 19, 2008 1:16 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

no, if he sticks his head

then we can’t hear him.

2008: The year we put it all together.

by drewishdrewid on May 19, 2008 2:17 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Talking out of both sides of my mouth

MDBNIU, do you have any tips? Do I just ignore it when I’m caught or do I just lash out with high-school insults?

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on May 19, 2008 1:15 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

measure of return?

He hit like you wish you could have back when you “played college ball”. That includes intramural, right?

2008: The year we put it all together.

by drewishdrewid on May 19, 2008 11:34 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

38 year old outfielders only have a future in card conventions.

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on May 19, 2008 10:39 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Well, no not really...

Again, reading is fundamental. Nobody claims Jim Edmonds is coming to Chicago to be a messiah. Rather he is here to hopefully serve as a quality complement to Reed Johnson in center field and provide a much needed left-handed bat in the lineup. Personally, I think he ends up doing a fine job given that job description.

Rich Harden is the missing link to a 2008 World Series Championship for the Cubs !

by MDBNIU on May 19, 2008 10:45 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Quality compliment

So he’s here to tell Reed that he made a nice catch in DC? That he likes the goatee? That Reed’s a snappy dresser? Hell, I’ll do that for half what they are paying Edmonds. Anything beyond that, I’m still skeptical – but I hope that I’m wrong.

by Shang