Cubs loss secures protected pick?

Link is via Keith Law's twitter. I have not looked at the standings to verify his pick order.

This means that any type A free agents signed by the Cubs this off season will not result in the loss of their first round pick. The Cubs will lose their second rounder instead.

over 2 years ago smmcctrk 18 comments 0 recs |

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On second look, maybe not

I see now he has 2 14s listed. Texas failed to sign their first rounder last year so they get the 15th pick. Wonder if that means the Cubs’ pick is still protected or not.

by smmcctrk on Oct 4, 2009 9:03 PM CDT reply actions

We are protected

It is pick 16, but because of the compensation pick we are still okay. That rainout pays off

Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.

by nji232 on Oct 4, 2009 10:39 PM CDT up reply actions

This is huge

and we should get another pick too if Harden signs somewhere else.

by Josh Timmers on Oct 5, 2009 10:19 AM CDT reply actions

Only if we offer him arbitration

Which I think the Cubs should do. I would take him back on a one year deal if he accepts.

by smmcctrk on Oct 5, 2009 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions

I would

because Harden is exactly the type of guy you’d want on a one-year contract. In fact, I’d be happy if he accepted arb.

by Josh Timmers on Oct 5, 2009 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed.

Further, if I’m Harden’s agent I advise him to do that. Harden didn’t have a great year and big-dollar, multiyear deals are likely to be down this offseason.

Harden should take a one-year deal somewhere, have a big year, then go to free agency again next offseason.

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

by Al Yellon on Oct 5, 2009 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions

On the other hand, the pitching market isn't great this off-season...

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 5, 2009 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions

I depends entirely on what Harden wants. I heard one interview with him last week during a Cubs pregame on 720 where he discussed how much he enjoyed pitching for the Cubs and he felt like they handled him quite well. He specifically mentioned the training staff. So if you’re a guy with a history, you might want to stay in a place that has proven that it knows how to handle you.

I do think its very likely that Harden will have some good offers. He won’t have ace type offers, however Harden in his current situation gives a small or middle market team like Minnesota, KC, Pittsburgh or Toronto, the opportunity to try to grab an ace type pitcher at reduced dollars. It is a big risk, that is for sure, but Harden has the potential to be a dominant pitcher and teams like the aforementioned ones are never going to be able to land a top line free agent. I think he’ll see a lower payroll team make him a multi-year deal, perhaps with some creativity and some options.

by dmlichte on Oct 5, 2009 7:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Right, but...

… apart from Minnesota, he’d be going to a noncontender with the other teams you mention.

Sometimes the best place for a player is right where he is. These guys have to realize, some of them, that with the money they make, they could be happier taking a little less and staying in a place where you enjoy playing.

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

by Al Yellon on Oct 5, 2009 7:58 PM CDT up reply actions

Harden

I agree that players should realize that there are things more important than money, but often that doesn’t happen.

As for the contender issue, I think there are a few teams that could convince Harden that adding him makes them a contender. The Royals would be one. A 1-2 of Greinke and Harden makes them immediate contenders in the AL Central, especially if Harden can be consistent. The Rangers likely won’t have interest in a pitcher who needs to be handled with kid gloves, but that is a team that is always looking for starting pitching.

by dmlichte on Oct 6, 2009 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions

The Royals are dysfunctional even if they had both Harden and Greinke.

As noted above, Harden seems to like being a Cub and the training staff has helped him. Sometimes that does trump the dollars. We’ll see.

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

by Al Yellon on Oct 6, 2009 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions

I

wish that was true Josh. Gut feel is telling me that Harden is close to a blowout with his arm and the Cubs wont offer him arb. No extra pick

by Slamdog on Oct 5, 2009 5:43 PM CDT up reply actions

One question

What are the chances Hendry offers Harden arbitration when he didn’t offer it to Wood?

by Luis on Oct 5, 2009 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions

Right now I would offer arbitration...

for one year, since we are not sure what we will get with Gorzo next year.

If you think you've seen it all...just wait!

by CubFanSince1970 on Oct 5, 2009 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions

I would too

But I surely would have offered Wood arbitration last year, so who know what to expect from Hendry.

I don’t really want Harden back, but for a chance of 2 picks I would be willing to take the gamble of him accepting.

by Luis on Oct 5, 2009 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions

There was a 100% chance

that Wood would have accepted arbitration had it been offered. And Hendry was trying to clear out salary.

There is probably a less than 50% chance Harden will accept arb.

by Josh Timmers on Oct 5, 2009 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions

I am no so sure Josh

I think there was a gentleman’s agreement that the Cubs would not offer the arbitration to make it easier for Wood to sign
elsewhere. Hendry is considered a players GM and I think was done in light of Wood’s long service to the Cubs. Not entirely dissimilar from trading Maddux in 06 so he could go play with a winning team. I don’t think the Cubs owe Harden anything in terms of that.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim

by Doggie Stalker on Oct 5, 2009 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions