Mariners' Johjima Opts Out Of Contract

by Al on Oct 19, 2009 2:07 PM CDT Comment 79 comments

Seattle catcher Kenji Johjima today said he was "opting out" of the last two years of his contract and returning to Japan. According to that ESPN.com link:

The team had signed the 33-year-old catcher to a $24 million, three-year extension that began last year. The Mariners said the contract included a clause that allowed Johjima to opt out of the final two years of his deal.

Hmmm. Cot's Baseball Contracts, which nearly always lists opt-out clauses -- note that they do for Aramis Ramirez's deal -- has no such listing under the Mariners' contract listings for any such opt-out for Johjima:

Kenji Johjima c
3 years/$24M (2009-11)

    * 3 years/$24M (2009-11)
          o signed extension with Seattle 4/25/08
          o 09:$8M, 10:$8M, 11:$8M

According to the Tacoma News-Tribune, in this case "opting out" means exactly what it says -- he simply "opted out" of being paid for the next two years:

Was Johjima forced out with $16 million left on his contract? No. Kenji had an option to return to Japan and used it - leaving all $16 million on the table by walking away.

Does Kosuke Fukudome have such an "option" that we might not know about? And would he opt to return to Japan after two not-so-productive years in Chicago? If he did, that would save the Cubs $13 million in 2010 and $13.5 million in 2011. Or perhaps the Cubs could buy out the rest of his deal for less than $26.5 million.

Note: I don't know whether this is the case or not and I'm not necessarily promoting the idea. But it is food for thought. Discuss.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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That stinks for the M's who had a pretty good C prospect

that they just gave up to the Pirates in trade this past year.

Inspector #23 certifies that the above post is sarcasm free, most certainly not what she said, and chock full of intangibles, although regressing to the intangible mean, as you'd expect.

by DGU on Oct 19, 2009 2:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Actually, it's beyond great for the M's

Johjima stinks.

Fontenot (fon-te-no): Cajun for "scrappy"

by zambranofan on Oct 19, 2009 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're right.

It just stinks more that they didn’t know he’d opt out until after they traded Clement.

Inspector #23 certifies that the above post is sarcasm free, most certainly not what she said, and chock full of intangibles, although regressing to the intangible mean, as you'd expect.

by DGU on Oct 19, 2009 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

They had already soured on Clement

as a catcher, IIRC. Adam Moore, though, is an intriguing catching prospect, and I think there’s someone in the low minors that is slipping my mind.

Anyhow, this is probably an early Christmas gift for Zduriencik. It’s dead weight gone, and it will give them some more flexibility this offseason as he continues reshaping that organization.

by toonsterwu on Oct 19, 2009 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

They had soured on Clement as a Catcher.

It’s telling that the Pirates didn’t even have him bring his catching gear with him when they acquired him. I think the consensus is Clement can’t catch any more.

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 Oct 19, 2009 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd say that's too bad,

except since he’s a Pirate, it’s not.

Inspector #23 certifies that the above post is sarcasm free, most certainly not what she said, and chock full of intangibles, although regressing to the intangible mean, as you'd expect.

by DGU on Oct 19, 2009 6:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

no, no, no...

Clement was not a good catching prospect. He was a goot hitting prospect. He was a horrible catcher. They traded him for value, not because he was going to fit into their plans. They have Adam Moore who will get a lot of time at catcher next year, alongside Rob Johnson (hopefully much less of Johnson than they got this year). They also have Steve Baron who they over-drafted in the most recent draft and are very high on.

Johjima doesn’t stink as much as you think he does… he stunk this year, but he’s been consistently better than the average catcher. However, getting out of his $16 million really is a good thing for the Mariners. Their new GM can and will do a lot with that extra money.

It’s also possible that with the ownership of the Mariners having such good will in Japan, these kinds of considerations are much more likely for them than other teams. I wouldn’t expect the Cubs to get the same treatment from Fukudome, unfortunately. However, it’s possible with the Japanese culture influences, if you treat them with honor, they’ll do the same in the end, if it comes to that.

I apologize for anyone who I’m just parroting. I just started typing before reading everyone’s comments.

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by jameslcrockett on Oct 20, 2009 8:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

In today's economy...

$26 mil can buy a lot of interesting stuff pieces. I like Fukudome, and perhaps he turned the corner in some respects this season, but damn that’s a lot of money.

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Oct 19, 2009 2:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Well, let's play the what if game.

What if Dome opted out and went back to Japan? We’d need a RF and a CF, leaving only Fontenot from the left side. We’d have some money to spend, but who would we want out of the free agents? I’m not sure Dome opting out is really a good thing.

Inspector #23 certifies that the above post is sarcasm free, most certainly not what she said, and chock full of intangibles, although regressing to the intangible mean, as you'd expect.

by DGU on Oct 19, 2009 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fukudome is not the impact player the Cubs were hoping for but

He is not their biggest problem by a long shot. Used properly he can be a solid contributor. If they get a CF, he can play or platoon in RF, and if they get a RF, he can play or platoon in CF.

I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren

by lookingdeadred on Oct 19, 2009 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just a few OF worth looking at...

Johnny Damon
Randy Winn
Mike Cameron
Marlon Byrd
Scott Podsednik
Endy Chavez

All of them would be a cheap alternative and relative upgrade over Fukudome.

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Oct 19, 2009 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No.

Podsednik? Are you kidding? I’d argue that Dome is better than all 6 defensively, and offensively his OBP is still an asset.

Someday we'll go all the way...

by CubsBullsBears on Oct 19, 2009 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This season...

All of them beat Fukudome in the UZR defensive metric except for Damon. Chavez, Cameron and Winn are defensive whiz kids, with sick range in center. I’d personally love to see what Cameron and Fukudome could do to prevent runs in center and right.

Like Al said, I’m just adding to the discussion here, not necessarily advocating for such a move. Something of the magnitude of Johjima “opting out” would have to happen, which is unlikely, but it’s fun to talk about anyway.

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Oct 19, 2009 4:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

"All of them beat Fukudome in the UZR defensive metric except for Damon."

Do you actually think Scotty Pods can play CF or RF as well as Fukudome?

I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren

by lookingdeadred on Oct 19, 2009 5:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Podsednik can't even play LF...

Putting him in CF or RF would be a disaster.

Someday we'll go all the way...

by CubsBullsBears on Oct 20, 2009 9:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

True enough

He is best as a DH.

I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren

by lookingdeadred on Oct 20, 2009 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, except that he can't really hit, either.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 20, 2009 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmm... but this past season he almost outplayed Dome...

And for nearly the league minimum, I’d call that a huge value upgrade.

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Oct 21, 2009 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Podsednik v. Fukudome 2009

Fukudome: -9.8 UZR in CF, a whopping 29.1 in RF
Podsednik: 2.6 UZR in CF, .08 UZR in RF

Point is, instead of signing another Gathright, we should look at guys like Podsednik and Winn who would provide an excellent left handed and switch hitting 4th OF veteran bat and glove to the lineup.

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Oct 21, 2009 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ooh, but foot in mouth...

Aaron Miles had a $9.1 million value in 2008. Let the bullshit stats cease.

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Oct 21, 2009 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

In the case of Mike Cameron - I'd rather have them both.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 19, 2009 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

When you include defense

the only one of those guys who is arguably an upgrade on Dome is Mike Cameron. And he’s RH.

Inspector #23 certifies that the above post is sarcasm free, most certainly not what she said, and chock full of intangibles, although regressing to the intangible mean, as you'd expect.

by DGU on Oct 19, 2009 6:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cameron

I’d rather have Cameron as a RH than Fukudome as a LF… if you’re looking for a middle-of-the-lineup hitter. Handedness is significantly overrated. Cameron can do the that job. Fukudome can’t. And Cameron can do Fukudome’s job too.

Cameron vs Fukudome is a little bit of… “Anything you can do, I can do better”… and cheaper.

Of course, we’re already paying Fukudome, so we have to just go with that and be as happy as we can be with it.

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by jameslcrockett on Oct 20, 2009 8:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

"can't" may be a bit too strong.

Interestingly enough, career-wise, Kosuke has put up his highest OPS batting 5th – .856 in 346 PAs.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 20, 2009 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

But...

… he has put up a .395 OBA batting leadoff (229 PA).

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 20, 2009 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, I know...

…and I’d rather see him in the leadoff spot, too. But I thought I’d point it out nonetheless.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 20, 2009 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

you're right... kinda

…but OPS doesn’t tell the whole story. You’re ability to bat fifth is more about your SLG%, and he just doesn’t have the SLG% to hit fifth. Especially not in this lineup. He can’t do the job the Cubs need from someone batting fifth. I’ll mention this though, this year his SLG% as a five hitter was closer to what the team would need it to be… but it came at the cost of his most valuable asset. There is absolutely no justification for batting Kosuke Fukudome fifth. I throw things every time I see it.

But let’s be clear… judging players based on limited at-bats in certain spots in the lineup without further analysis, is a horrible way to evaluate players.

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by jameslcrockett on Oct 20, 2009 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm advocating neither...

…Dome for the five hole (unless absolutely necessary) nor using only a player’s OPS in a given lineup spot as a sole method of evaluation.

That said, I’m not sure his slugging percentage in the fifth spot came “at the cost of” his OBP (which is what I assume you mean by “his most valuable asset”). His OBP was still .349, which isn’t too shabby – particularly for a No. 5 hitter. But, again, that’s based on only 83 PAs – which is why I used his career splits in the five-hole to begin with.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 21, 2009 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

not, really

It didn’t come at the cost of his obp… just the effectiveness of his obp. His obp is a non-asset hitting fifth because, if he’s having to hit fifth, it’s because there’s nobody 6-8 who’s worth it. If they were worth it, they’d be hitting fifth. Again, I’ll say… when everybody is healthy and productive it doesn’t matter where you bat any of them including Soriano. The lineup will score runs… but when things go awry, the Cubs have to learn how to best use the resources they have available to them. He doesn’t hit enough to hit behind Aramis and Derrek, and the 6-8 guys don’t hit enough to have Fukudome leading into them.

I don’t believe leadoff spot is the best place to use Fukudome because it gives up too much of the value of his bat and his left-handedness. Theriot and/or Fuld should bat in front of him… you could also make a case for whatever 2b they go with for next year (Baker, or maybe Hudson or Polanco through free agency or Iwamura through trade). But the difference between Fukudome at 2 or 3 and him leading off is negligible… as long as he’s batting in one of those three spots (assuming no better candidates), I’m a happy Cubs fan.

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by jameslcrockett on Oct 21, 2009 4:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think I kinda-sorta agree.

Uh, well, except for that I do still think leadoff is the ideal place for Kosuke – left-handedness be damned. Oh, and I don’t want Ryan Theriot anywhere near the leadoff spot.

Fuld is an interesting option for leadoff. I’ve contemplated the notion of platooning Fuld and RJ in both centerfield and at leadoff. But that would be gambling on Sammy’s ability to bring some of the strong skills his shown to fruition over the course of an entire season.

In Kosuke, you have a player who not only puts up an outstanding OBP, but also ranks among the top 10 batters in pitches per plate appearance in the NL. Now if the Cubs were to acquire another viable leadoff candidate, Lou could move Kosuke down to second. Given the kind of year DLee had, however, there’s no way Dome is hitting third next season.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 22, 2009 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

agreed though

I think the only one on that list I’d trade for Kosuke is Marlon Byrd, and that’s just because of the extreme salary considerations. I’m not unhappy with Fukudome… just in how the Cubs use him.

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by jameslcrockett on Oct 20, 2009 8:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Most of them are also...

Older than the hills, unfortunately.

Dome is misplayed in CF, which is why his UZR suffers. I haven’t checked it, but I’d be surprised if they were upgrades defensively from the RF position. (Though please correct me if I’m wrong).

by CubsWin!Oregon on Oct 20, 2009 4:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

His defense isn’t worth 13-14 mil, but it’s worth 7-8. He is a great fielder and without him the outfield is horrible. I’d take his .250-.270 average all year. He’s overpaid yes, but it oculd be so much worse.

"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher

by Musicdude10 on Oct 20, 2009 11:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

His performance definitely has not warranted the money

He’s a career 98 OPS+ player after two MLB seasons.

And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.

by Ace Venom on Oct 19, 2009 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

OPS+ doesn't consider defense

If you include Dome’s defensive worth, he was worth $10.8 million this season according to fangraphs.com. Still not worth his contract, but better than in-house alternatives.

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Oct 19, 2009 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fair point

OPS+ is purely an offensive stat. I don’t think people really doubt his glove because it is one of the best that we have.

And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.

by Ace Venom on Oct 19, 2009 2:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's not a good centerfielder.

He’s a very good right fielder. But he’s a way-below-average hitting right fielder.

All told, his contract was quite bad. But it’s not so bad that it’s going to sink the Cubs’ plans. They probably just need to wait it out.

MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown

by D98 on Oct 20, 2009 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kosuke's UZR was negative this year.

I have some issues with the idea that Kosuke’s bat, plus somewhat-below-average play in CF, warrants $10.6 million dollars.

MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown

by D98 on Oct 20, 2009 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It appears Fangraphs values him at $10.8 million this year.

Or am I misreading this?

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 20, 2009 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

They certainly do.

I just disagree with the entire premise.

Do you really believe that any team would pay $10.8M for Kosuke on a 1-year deal, knowing that he would do exactly what he did in 2009? Of course not. It’s a ridiculous premise, and it indicates that the methodology is flawed.

MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown

by D98 on Oct 20, 2009 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, yeah, it is pretty unlikely a team would pay that much.

Maybe a sabermagician out there could explain their methodology.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 20, 2009 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Using the same method...

Ben Zobrist was worth sick $38.2 million this season. More than Pujols and Ryan Howard. This is weighted based on position scarcity. Being that Zobrist is a utility guy with exceptional glove skills at SS, 2B and OF, his numbers are inflated to what a similar player is worth to a team based on the Wins Above Replacement that he provides (WAR). The dollars number is a dollar scale based on what a player would make in free agency. A center fielder is worth more than a RF, a SS is worth more defensively than a 1B, and so on.

Now there’s no way a team goes out and spends $8.2 million on Scott Podsednik, but he provided exactly that value to the White Sox this season for a bargain basement price.

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Oct 21, 2009 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the explanation!

That does help clarify things. Basically, one shouldn’t take those numbers literally but as a reflection of a player’s relative value.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 21, 2009 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

But the point (or at least part of it)

is that you almost always end up “overpaying” when you sign a guy for a chunk of his 30s based on what he did in his 20s. 10 M may seem like too much, but then whatever free agents get paid is more likely to seem like too much.

Inspector #23 certifies that the above post is sarcasm free, most certainly not what she said, and chock full of intangibles, although regressing to the intangible mean, as you'd expect.

by DGU on Oct 20, 2009 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

But at least he's not Aaron Miles

And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.

by Ace Venom on Oct 19, 2009 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Two years does not a career make.

His OPS+ rose 15 points in his second year.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 19, 2009 2:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

True, but when you're 33, how much more career is there?

MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown

by D98 on Oct 20, 2009 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

For a player of Kosuke's skill set and body type...

…I’d venture to guess quite a few more.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 20, 2009 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Certainly not 5 years, though, right?

I’d guess he has at least 2 more years at or close his current production level, which brings him through the end of his current contract. Who knows, he may even have a “career year” ahead of him.

But he’s not going to be the same player at 38. And the player that he is right now isn’t really all that great.

MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown

by D98 on Oct 20, 2009 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why not five years?

He’d be 38. I mean, I wouldn’t expect him to be a starting right fielder at that point. But perhaps a bench/role player. I hesitate to invoke this name, but So Taguchi found himself playing major league baseball this year and he’s older than that.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 20, 2009 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I must confess...

…when I saw this story on Twitter, I thought of Kosuke. But I trust the difference between Johjima and Fukudome is fairly obvious.

I remember seeing Johjima play against the Cubs in interleague games a year or two (or three?) ago and being quite impressed. He seemed strong defensively and had great presence, but I guess his bat disappeared over the last couple of years. Still, it seems like an odd and rather tragic decision on his part to walk away from that much money.

Here’s what the Lookout Landing folks are saying about this development.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 19, 2009 2:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Don't be surprised

if you see the Mariners deal for Chris Snyder, former #1 catcher for the D’Backs. He is coming off relatively minor back surgery and can be had on the cheap.

by azjazzman on Oct 19, 2009 3:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Could the Mariners use

Fukudome? Don’t they market heavily to the Japanese market? I saw a glimpse of a Mariners’ game and the “Rotating” billboard visible to the TV audience was in Japanese. Don’t get me wrong, I like Kosuke, but he is a bit of a letdown at bat.

by ChicagoRobb on Oct 19, 2009 5:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Well the Japanese billboard is for Ichiro more than anyone else.

But yeah, if the Mariners want him I’d be willing to listen. I’m sure they’d want us to eat part of the contract though.

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Oct 19, 2009 6:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Johjima was a bust in Seattle

He wasn’t much liked either. To include by Ichiro. Suffice to say, Johjima did the Seattle Mariners a huge favor.

"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)

by BLou on Oct 19, 2009 7:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Do you mean he wasn't liked by the fans or the players?

Because the fans at the Lookout Landing seem to be mourning his loss.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 20, 2009 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sigh

I know Al and I talked about this the other day. Fukudome IS A PRODUCTIVE PLAYER. Forget the PR line about why the Cubs signed him and whether he has filled that role. The bottom line is he is productive. He posted a solid WAR in CF this year and wanting him to go back to Japan probably isn’t the best move for the team.

by CalCalender on Oct 19, 2009 7:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Like I said..

… I wasn’t making the case that he should — only opening the discussion.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 20, 2009 7:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Honestly,

I’m more surprised that Cot’s didn’t have this in the contract listing for Johjima than I am by this news. Props to Kenji.

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks

by dtpollitt on Oct 19, 2009 8:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

the out clause

there’s talk that it wasn’t an official out clause… and that it was there just in case he had a good reason to go back to Japan, such as a family illness, and that’s what’s happening here. I don’t think we’ll ever know what the reality of the situation is.

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by jameslcrockett on Oct 20, 2009 8:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Take away the September hitless streak

and Fukudome hits around .270. With a high obp. He did his best work in the leadoff spot, but for some reason Lou fell in love with Theriot there.

Excellent defense in rf and getting on base at a near .400 clip make Fukudome an integral part of the Cubs 2010 lineup.

by Clark Addison on Oct 20, 2009 9:41 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Doesn't work that way

Take away the September hitless streak and Fukudome hits around .270

Take away the 8th inning, and game 6 of the 2003 NLCS was pretty cool.

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 20, 2009 9:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol

I can’t believe I’m laughing at the 2003 NLCS.

Anyway, you’re absolutely right about it not working that way with Dome. The Cubs absolutely need to come up with a plan to pace Fukudome, who has not transitioned well to the 162-game, long-travel-time MLB schedule. This is why I think we need to add a very strong 4th OF who could start on other teams, to rest all three of the starting OFs regularly. I’d really like to see the Cubs bring back Felix Pie and sign Mike Cameron.

Inspector #23 certifies that the above post is sarcasm free, most certainly not what she said, and chock full of intangibles, although regressing to the intangible mean, as you'd expect.

by DGU on Oct 20, 2009 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pie

WHAT?! Please no Pie. He’s basically Scott Podsednik.

Insert Reed Johnson. Health is an issue yes. But he’s a fantastic fourth OF that could start in other places. And if Fuld is on the team, he would be a fantastic 5th OF

by Musicdude10 on Oct 20, 2009 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Epic Fail

Pie is as similar to Podsednik as you are to Einstein.

I reject your reality and substitute my own.

by WayneCampbell08 on Oct 20, 2009 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed.

However, since Pie had a good second half, it’d probably take quite a bit to pry him back from the Orioles.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 20, 2009 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe

But probably still less than Granderson

Inspector #23 certifies that the above post is sarcasm free, most certainly not what she said, and chock full of intangibles, although regressing to the intangible mean, as you'd expect.

by DGU on Oct 20, 2009 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Depends how badly the Tigers wanted to get rid of Granderson.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 20, 2009 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't buy the notion that the Tigers what to get rid of Granderson.

I think they’ll listen, but it’s not as if they have a bad contract on their hands.

Inspector #23 certifies that the above post is sarcasm free, most certainly not what she said, and chock full of intangibles, although regressing to the intangible mean, as you'd expect.

by DGU on Oct 20, 2009 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

As we've discussed, it's not whether they want to, it's

whether the need to shed payroll to shore up the finances for the next few years and package CG with something on the high cost/low return category (Bonderman, Willis, Guillen, Mags).

Some team with the means will be able to structure a deal to get Granderson this offseason.

if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand

by N Oakley on Oct 20, 2009 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

See, so far, it's just been one columnist speculating on Granderson being moved.

And other Detroit writers have been skeptical. So, I’m not counting on it.

Inspector #23 certifies that the above post is sarcasm free, most certainly not what she said, and chock full of intangibles, although regressing to the intangible mean, as you'd expect.

by DGU on Oct 20, 2009 4:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

How does Felix Pie basically equal Scotty Pods?

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 20, 2009 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Reed Johnson fills that role to a limited degree...

but I agree I’d love if we had a strong 4 for the outfield. I also hope we get a true CF so we can put Kosuke in RF.

by CubsWin!Oregon on Oct 20, 2009 4:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The problem with Reed Johnson

is that he really shouldn’t be in the batters’ box v. RHP.

Inspector #23 certifies that the above post is sarcasm free, most certainly not what she said, and chock full of intangibles, although regressing to the intangible mean, as you'd expect.

by DGU on Oct 20, 2009 4:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed.

It is a pretty clear disparity.

by CubsWin!Oregon on Oct 20, 2009 6:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Johjima

A Seattle pitcher that I’m friends with has told me that the staff absolutely hated throwing to Johjima. He and Ichiro divided that locker room two years ago and while many of the players do not like Ichiro, more of them absolutely despised Johjima.

The writing was on the wall for his return to Japan. It may have been a mutual decision but those folks in the Seattle front office are not in any way wishing Johjima anything but a quick one-way return to the Orient.

Who needs a stinkin' tag line? What are they for anyway?

by krummy12 on Oct 20, 2009 10:01 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Interesting.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 20, 2009 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The best Mariners blog IMHO is the Seattle Times beat writer's

Lots of details on Johjima’s departure here.

Rumor is he wants to catch for the Hanshin Tigers. "They need a catcher, and Hanshin is a great organization. I’d compare them to the Cubs. It could well be where he ends up, but we don’t have a clue at this point. Kenji is so respectful, before he did anything, he sent a personal letter to Mr. Yamauchi (Nintendo chairman Hiroshi Yamauchi) thanking him. There are a lot of roots in Japan he still has to navigate through.‘’ (Kenji’s agent)

by patches23 on Oct 21, 2009 2:11 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs