Cubs Sign Gerardo Concepcion
by Al Yellon on Feb 2, 2012 6:03 PM CST
in Chicago Cubs News
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PrintFor those of you who have been waiting for the Cubs to sign a Cuban player, it's happened, according to Jorge Ebro:
@jorgeebro
jorge ebro Official: Cuban pitcher Gerardo Concepcion signed a multimillion dollar pact with the Chicago Cubs, a source confirmed to El Nuevo Herald.
Favorite Retweet
I confess I know little about Concepcion, who is just 18 years old, although he was highly sought-after. This makes it clear that Theo Epstein & Co. are serious about building an organization with a strong international presence.
Discuss, etc.
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I'm probably wrong,
but I had him second on my list, behind Soler and ahead of Cespedes. Not half an hour ago, I was thinking "Love the new facility. Now sign someone already.
10-25-2011. Theo Epstein joins the Cubs. Now, the fun begins.
viva la revolucion
There will be no excuses for not doing something the right way. - Dale Sveum
by santoswoodenlegs on Feb 2, 2012 6:16 PM CST reply actions 4 recs
don't you mean
viva la concepion?
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by digitalbenjamin on Feb 3, 2012 9:20 AM CST up reply actions
Yeah
Its double rough for me being at my grandparents and watching them try to figure out the tivo
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Cubs win....what a lucky break!!" ---Harry
Vast East Coast Conspiracy
Cubs make good signing. Interwebz melt.
10-25-2011. Theo Epstein joins the Cubs. Now, the fun begins.
by timh815 on Feb 2, 2012 9:18 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I thought it was just me,
Or the fact that I was at work.
Author at Acme Packing Company, SB Nation's Green Bay Packers blog.
State high point count: 4/50
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by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 3, 2012 12:33 AM CST up reply actions
Great news!
This guy could be the best Cuban player to sign this year. Cuban rookie of the year, great curve. Somewhat reasonable price.
Low risk, high reward.
-- Jerome Horwitz
by KO Stradivarius on Feb 2, 2012 8:37 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Now that would be the Marlins new park, I saw they completed their "statue" in of OF today.
~Ronald Reagan has held the two most demeaning jobs in the country; President of the United States and radio broadcaster for the Chicago Cubs~ George F. Will
by unretrofied93 on Feb 2, 2012 8:38 PM CST up reply actions
Makes sense for Theo and Co.
Youngest of the 3, seems to have a good upside. I like this.
by Grockcubs on Feb 2, 2012 8:38 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
Is a pact different than a contract?
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
it's a contract, but written in the blood of the player, the GM, and the agent
Just wee-un.
by jesus christos on Feb 2, 2012 8:42 PM CST up reply actions
Then it binds the player to the team, but neither the player nor the team can talk about it.
For some fans, Kerry Wood is that dollap of pumpkin paste.
by Nunyabidness on Feb 2, 2012 10:06 PM CST up reply actions
The team can talk about it to the media
just not to the players :)
The Stat Pack
by shoemile on Oct 21, 2011 10:10 PM CDT
by Madison Cub Fan on Feb 3, 2012 8:18 AM CST up reply actions
The tweet is 138 characters so
a pact is different than a contract by 4 letters.
John Grabow - Who will pay you $4.8 million in 2012?
"Deal" is the same length as "pact"
… and wouldn’t sound nearly as silly.
by CJK on Feb 3, 2012 8:31 AM CST up reply actions
its likely
just a language difference, like the word used in spanish literally translates to pact (guessing)
follow me on twitter for fantasy sports analysis @http://twitter.com/DrewDinkmeyer or get the full analysis at www.fantistics.com
by DartmouthCubsFan on Feb 3, 2012 8:40 AM CST up reply actions
Goldstein says he'd put Concepcion as the Cubs 6th best prospect right now.
He’s one of many guys who could possibly make a huge jump in 2012. I can’t wait to see where our system is by the end of the season. Now let’s go get Cespedes and/or Soler.
Goldstein did indeed say #6
But he also thinks the entire deal is ‘silly’. The money, the fact that it’s MLB. And FYI he thinks it’s ‘silly’ to think that a factor for the Cubs in this deal is Concepcions possible effect on drawing Cespedes/Soler.
by Lweb23 on Feb 2, 2012 9:23 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions
I think...
I think I heard the same interview with Goldstein (on MLB radio?) His scouting report was less flattering than others. Others I read said he was 91 -93 with great curve and solid change and upside as a 2.5 starter… Goldstein had him sitting 88 – 91 with great curve and solid change, but said his upside is #4… I hope it is more the first and less the Goldstein though; I think at 18 y/o he has a lot of room to grow and develop a few ticks on the FB. I like the signing and now I want one of the OF’s (mostly Soler)…but I’ll take both of them too.
Not silly
If Gerardo is a top ten prospect, that makes him one of our top three or four pitching prospects. Next year, any of Concepcion, Maples, Cates, Rhee or Del Valle can take a huge step in their development.
I think it’s funny how scouts project a guy’s rotation slot. Nothing could be less predictable.
-- Jerome Horwitz
by KO Stradivarius on Feb 3, 2012 6:03 AM CST via mobile up reply actions 2 recs
And more money being spent by the broke Ricketts family.
Where are all the whiners today complaining about Ricketts having no money?
John Grabow - Who will pay you $4.8 million in 2012?
$7mill major league contract
which only means…
ROOOSTTEEERRRGGAAAAAAAATTTTTTEEEE
Just wee-un.
by jesus christos on Feb 2, 2012 8:53 PM CST up reply actions
Wow
Nice chunk of change for the man!
by Toews-makes-funny-faces on Feb 2, 2012 8:54 PM CST up reply actions
Great news
Hopefully they can add Cespedes as well. Soler would be great too.
Any idea on what the contract was?
by jerry morales rules on Feb 2, 2012 8:52 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
rumor it was a MLB contract at $7m
Source to http://ESPNdeportesLosAngeles.com: Cuban pitcher Gerardo Concepcion agree $7 million contract with #Cubs
UPDATE II: I asked Enrique Rojas if it was a Major League deal and he said that it was. That would mean Concepcion would go on the 40-man roster right away (unless there are some special circumstances of which I’m not aware), which would mean the Cubs have to clear up another spot (and would have to carry Concepcion on the 40-man for a long time).
A friend once told me: "I don't buy the idea that a team learns anything from a loss, the only thing they learn is how to lose games."---Knight
Why would Concepcion want a major league contract?
Considering that he is at minimum 2 years away and proabably longer than that?
by jerry morales rules on Feb 2, 2012 8:55 PM CST up reply actions
Speeds up free agency
10-25-2011. Theo Epstein joins the Cubs. Now, the fun begins.
Question for you guys
Living out in CT I do not hear much Chicago Cubs news out this way or such. How is Theo being received or viewed so far? What type of vision has he layed out for the future?
by Toews-makes-funny-faces on Feb 2, 2012 9:03 PM CST reply actions
He's worshiped.
He’s stockpiling young talent right now, waiting to build up a young core and then spend according in free agency. Volstad, Wood, Sappelt, Stewart, Torreyes, Weathers, Cates and Rizzo are all fairly young guys acquired in trades with untapped upside and hopefully their best years ahead of them. It appears they are open to extending Garza and building a rotation around him, but if they can’t he may be traded at some point for more young talent. We have a ton of high upside in the low minors and could very well have an elite farm system 2-3 years from now. Depending on how a lot of our young guys develop this year and what we do next offseason, we may be ready to compete next year, or it might take 2-3 years. But when Theo and Jed are ready to spend, we will have the money to spend accordingly on top players, but right now that money is going to young, high upside talent.
the only thing i love more than theo is the marlins
Just wee-un.
by jesus christos on Feb 2, 2012 9:19 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Cool
Glad to see they are building from within (at least stocking the minors to do it) instead of trying just the FA method. I was hoping to see the Cubs keep Garza, he was one of the few players from last season I enjoyed watching (read: not throwing my remote at the TV because he gave up). I am not expecting a miracle this year, I am looking just to see the right things to be happening on the field and in the Clubhouse, and hope to see the team mature over the season.
If this is Theo’s plan to build the club like this, I am all onboard with it. It is not only a proven model to build a winner but a perennial contender. I’m enjoying looking forward to baseball again.
by Toews-makes-funny-faces on Feb 2, 2012 9:22 PM CST up reply actions
Hundreds of thousands of Cubs fans everywhere are Theo-ing...
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
you mimic pulling out a calculator and then doing an equation
For some fans, Kerry Wood is that dollap of pumpkin paste.
by Nunyabidness on Feb 2, 2012 10:08 PM CST up reply actions
while schmoozing with
Eddie Vedder
10-25-2011. Theo Epstein joins the Cubs. Now, the fun begins.
Generally,
Cub fans can’t stand him. We are all pretty sure he is worth a Tom Veryzer Rookie card as compensation.
Eamus Ursuli!
Really glad we picked up at least one of the Cubans
Good work Theo.
"Keep pushin' til' it's understood. And these badlands start treating us good."
Smokin'
The sun is up. They sky is blue. It's beautiful, and so are you. Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play? ~Lennon & McCartney
Well we got one.
Could Chicago be getting their own Big Three a la the Heat?
by Lweb23 on Feb 2, 2012 9:25 PM CST via iPhone app reply actions
I was referring to the 3 Cubans
But I most definitely agree!
by Lweb23 on Feb 2, 2012 9:36 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions
"Just shut up and play" - Matt Garza
"Pain is inevitable, suffering is an option." - Dale Sveum
by RiskyBusiness on Feb 2, 2012 9:49 PM CST up reply actions
A+ or AA
depending on his spring is my guess. Peoria would be great since it would give me a chance to see him.
He's 18
Tennessee would be really, really aggressive.
My guess is he starts at Boise or Peoria.
by Josh Timmers on Feb 3, 2012 12:35 AM CST up reply actions
I think where he starts
will be part Concepcion and part Theo. In the past, we slow-played arms. On the 40 man, it would be foolish to hold him out until Boise if he’s ready. He should be ‘in the mix’ for Peoria. He might not be in Peoria in April, but he ought to be by mid-May if he represents.
No point having his first start in front of paying fans in June in Boise. Hopefully he sees Daytona by season’s end. He should get 4 options, not 3.
10-25-2011. Theo Epstein joins the Cubs. Now, the fun begins.
Yeah
When I wrote that, I wasn’t thinking about him being on the 40 man. I bet he starts in Peoria, unless he really struggles in ST. That way, starting in Boise would give him two months of EXST. But they probably wouldn’t have paid him what they did if they thought he’d struggle in ST.
Now how long he stays in Peoria is going to say something about the new regime.
A note to Cubs Prospects.
You will have the best staff you’ve ever had. Make good use of it, because Theo plans on bringing in someone just as good as you in June, if not sooner. If you have a middling season in 2012, you might be dealt.
10-25-2011. Theo Epstein joins the Cubs. Now, the fun begins.
by timh815 on Feb 2, 2012 10:09 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
quade is angry at daley-poo
"Maybe I’m being an idiot, but I thought we gave a
pretty damn good effort every night. I don’t know, maybe that was
[Sveum’s] philosophy or a backhanded shot. I didn’t hear that.’’
"I thought [Aramis] Ramirez gave a helluva effort last year. Maybe because it was contract year, I don’t know.’’
heheheh
Just wee-un.
Hmmmm
He did not see a problem, that for a leader in this situation was a HUGE problem!
by Toews-makes-funny-faces on Feb 2, 2012 10:16 PM CST up reply actions
Well at least he's right about something
Maybe I’m being an idiot
DUMP GARZA. CORRECT THE COSMIC WRONG.
by shoemile on Feb 3, 2012 12:49 AM CST up reply actions 3 recs
no offense to Jesus who posted this
But I think I know only wasted moments of my life that I can’t get back I also may have lost some brain cells.
The Stat Pack
by shoemile on Oct 21, 2011 10:10 PM CDT
by Madison Cub Fan on Feb 3, 2012 8:22 AM CST up reply actions
not only
The Stat Pack
by shoemile on Oct 21, 2011 10:10 PM CDT
by Madison Cub Fan on Feb 3, 2012 8:23 AM CST up reply actions
i did take offense to it
i am quite infuriated
Just wee-un.
by jesus christos on Feb 3, 2012 3:52 PM CST up reply actions
What a difference
9 months make!?!
In early May 2011, Texas signed Leonys Martin to a 15.5 million dollar deal. I remember thinking there was no way we would spend that much on a Cuban import.
Now, Concepcion is signed(-ish), and some experts say Theo paid too much. Soler and Cespedes are on the table.
By Jove, I think we’re at the big kids table. We’re now seeing why we didn’t protect borderline guys like Flaherty and Gonzalez.
10-25-2011. Theo Epstein joins the Cubs. Now, the fun begins.
don't take my name in vain!!!
Kthx :p
by JOVE23 on Feb 3, 2012 10:00 AM CST via iPhone app up reply actions
Dear Gerardo Concepcion,
"For small creatures such as we the vastness is bearable only through love." Carl Sagan
Signed, Cubbiegoon
Author at Acme Packing Company, SB Nation's Green Bay Packers blog.
State high point count: 4/50
If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge for putting up with you.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 3, 2012 12:33 AM CST up reply actions
theo is doing what he did in boston
stock piling young arms as curt shilling said in the latest article….this is a low risk great sign, i would love to hear josh’s projections but again, its a few years away. From what i have seen the kid is going to get a chance. No one is going to replace a player overnight. I look forward to the development of this pitcher, if in fact, thats what he becomes. I cant express my excitement in just the farm system but also what is to be expected along with the new training facility in the dr. I live less than an hour from peoria and went to many games last season and watched matt, raw talent and theo trusts jason and his scouts. great sign
Approaching half of the Top 24 Prospects
are recent adds. Very recent.
10-25-2011. Theo Epstein joins the Cubs. Now, the fun begins.
Hmmm,
is that because the new additions are so good?
Or is it because the returning “prospects” are so bad?
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 Feb 4, 2012 10:01 AM CST up reply actions
but the latter is more likely ... sadly
oh well, at least TheoJed is working the problem
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 Feb 4, 2012 4:38 PM CST up reply actions
The Immaculate Concepcion!
They have two liter bottles now? To think I spent all that time demanding a liter!
does his glove fly out like that
every pitch? Ow.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Feb 3, 2012 12:25 PM CST up reply actions
WOW WTF!!!
I’m not seeing this at all. They over overpaid for the 2 Cubans last year. I’m just not seeiing how a speedster like Silva is going ot have much of any value ML wise w/ that awfull PD. The C can’t hit for nothing I don’t care how good the glove is and we gave those 2 guys 1.5 mil. Conception is nothing special for 7 MILLION DOLLARS AND A ML CONTRACT. WTF.
Here is a Ben Badler tweet for 9 hous ago:
BenBadler International scouts not sure how Concepcion could command $7MM. Finesse lefty, lots of 86-90 on the gun lately.
You think Soler or Cespedes gives 2 shakes where this guy went. They are both looking for the money not a social gathering. BA just recently posted their SR for 6 Cubans and I gotta say his was not real encouraging. High 80’s FB (and this from a site that routinely overstates velo) scouts see an upside of a #5. 4.7 k/9 last year graned against older cometion but they say his stuff won’t miss many bats is it is.
I sure do not undestand this. Seems like spending money for the sake of spending. Shoulda took this 7 mil and added to whatever offer they wee gonna make for Solar or Cespedes. Somebody in the org. better see something nobody else is seeing and they damn well better see more projection.
scoutingthesally.com scouting service $17.95. Very cool service check it out.
Furthermore
we have spent upwards of 10 million dollars on Cubans and I don’t see a bonafide prospect out of the bunch. I’m putting together my Cubs top 30 for later this month and I’m not sure anyone of them cracks it. Silva is close maybe in but I’m not overly excited about the kid. 16 BB and 95 K’s ain’t getting it done for someone with his skill set.
scoutingthesally.com scouting service $17.95. Very cool service check it out.
i gotta this is a little over the top
fact is none of us know much about these cubans cuz the competition is so vastlu different. goldstein has concepcion as our #6 overall prospect & he is the consensus #1 cuban pitcher on the market. i honestly could care less about TRs $10mil and i think if even one of these 3-4 cubanos works out it pays for itself. u cant just take chances on americans u have to be creative and take risks u can afford.
"I'll play any day. I don't care if I'm 0-for-30, playing baseball is my PASSION. I'll go out and play." - Geo Soto
by CubbyBlues on Feb 3, 2012 7:23 AM CST via Android app up reply actions
Dude
you’ve never seen him play. He’s 18 years old. He’s probably going to be somewhere between Sandy Koufax and Sally Field, but since we haven’t seen him play, it’s hard to be very excited or upset by the signing.
I highly doubt Theo is spending money for the sake of spending money.
by tomas21 on Feb 3, 2012 7:48 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
This isn't like spending $30 million (or more) on Cespedes, who is SEVEN years older than Concepcion.
I look at it this way — it’s only about $2 million more than Jim Hendry wasted on John Grabow last year.
Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation
right
and 30 million would be a huge risk to take on a guy like cespedes, but cespedes would immediately be a top ten prospect in baseball and by FAR our top prospect.
by John T. Unger on Feb 3, 2012 8:51 AM CST up reply actions
I don't know that Cespedes would be a top 10 prospect...
…in all of baseball. Has that really been stated anywhere?
"[The Cubs] have a very famous tradition in baseball, and it will be nice to be part of turning it around." ~ Jamie Quirk, Bench Coach
One of the Prospektniks
pegged him at 7 leaguewide. I ain’t buying it, but there ya go.
10-25-2011. Theo Epstein joins the Cubs. Now, the fun begins.
Wow, I didn't realize he was being rated quite that highly.
I would’ve assumed Top 100…probably even Top 50. But that’s pretty high.
"[The Cubs] have a very famous tradition in baseball, and it will be nice to be part of turning it around." ~ Jamie Quirk, Bench Coach
Dude
international scouts have seen him plenty and they are not raving about the guy. Cuba as a national team competing in international tournaments like the WBC is a good team but in their own league the talent becomes much more watered down. 7 million AND a ML contract just makes no sense. This guy would not even get top 3 round consideration if he were in the 2012 draft.
It’s not that fact that I hate the guy or think he has no shot at possibly being a ML player someday but they way overpaid and now have to use a 40 man roster spot on a guy who is at leas 4-5 years away. But again thinking 7 mil for a guy who “scouts see as a #5 starter maybe a little more” is ridiculous.
scoutingthesally.com scouting service $17.95. Very cool service check it out.
You sound incredibly irrational and blinded by facts you're making up. Here's something from the scouting obok
Concepcion can’t come close to Chapman’s heat, and he’s even less polished, but he does bring similarly wicked stuff from a similarly tall, wiry frame. Using a deceptive sweeping delivery that makes him look a little like a slinger, Concepcion’s arm action restricts his fastball to a maximum of about 92-94mph right now and probably impairs his command somewhat, but he’s still got room to grow, and it’s quite possible the Cubs will break his mechanics down and rebuild them in a different way, too.
His change and curve are seen as potential plus pitches, but also look inconsistent. The slider is already great, though it rings off as much dirt as leather. Overall, it seems near-certain he’d be devastating if he could harness his breaking balls just a little more reliably.
He’s 18 and has 3 potential plus pitches?? Yeah, I’m sure he’d get no interest in the first few rounds… I’ve read multiple reports that say his ceiling is a #2/3. He’s instantly the Cubs #1 or #2 pitching prospect, and will likely be in A or A+ at only 19 years old. Let’s give him a little time to show us what he has before we freak out like that.
by bdlugz on Feb 3, 2012 4:46 PM CST up reply actions 5 recs
I would agree...
If you showed me an 19 y/o with 3 potential plus pitches AND who is slightly polished, I would say he is a 1st or early 2nd rounder based on the fact he is a ‘soft tossing lefty". Though 92 – 94 isn’t exactly puss arming the ball up there.
A certain cubs lefty specialist was a 92 – 94 w/ a plus curve… even if he turns into a dominant lefty set up guy for 6yrs and $7m I’m in. Heck even if he ends up being our Spanish translator I’m in…. you win some you lose some.
And Chapman has 1 pitch he can't locate reliably
Key moment: Brain LaHair pulls a Chapman pitch into the RF corner for a double.
"I don't see a bonafide prospect out of the bunch"
With all due respect, Goldstein immediately slotted Concepcion in as our No. 6 prospect. Are you saying that’s not a bona fide prospect?
"[The Cubs] have a very famous tradition in baseball, and it will be nice to be part of turning it around." ~ Jamie Quirk, Bench Coach
Goldstien
I guess he may know more then everyone else but aside from the BA SR I’ve seen many scouts tweet that they were surprised about the deal and his stuff was nothing special. not sure what makes Goldstien see him as our #6 prospect. Finesse lefties are dime a dozen wouldn’t you agree?
We already got a 4/5 finesse lefty starter (Maholm) for 4.5 mil and he’s going to contribute this year for less. Now if Goldsien has it on good authority that there is much more projection then maybe I could see #6.
scoutingthesally.com scouting service $17.95. Very cool service check it out.
Well, as a Cubs fan...
…I’m not sure that I can agree with the notion that finesse lefty starting pitchers are dime a dozen. I guess there’s always a LOOGY or three hanging around. But, just as an example, here’s Sickels’ Top 20 Cubs prospects list and I don’t see any LHPs among the names, much less a starter. Who was the last homegrown finesse lefty in our rotation? Rich Hill? That was a while ago.
And I think we need a more comprehensive round-up of the scouting comments on Concepcion before we write off his stuff as nothing special. I’ve read terms such as “polished” for his age and that he has good secondary stuff already – and, again, he’s only 18. This may well turn out to be an overpay, but I understand why the Cubs are being so aggressive and don’t have a problem with it.
"[The Cubs] have a very famous tradition in baseball, and it will be nice to be part of turning it around." ~ Jamie Quirk, Bench Coach
by daver on Feb 3, 2012 1:17 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
But finess lefties are all bad...
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/glavito02.shtml
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fordwh01.shtml
by ClarkFan on Feb 3, 2012 3:17 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Don't forget Barry Zito!
Wait, maybe that’s not the best example anymore…
"[The Cubs] have a very famous tradition in baseball, and it will be nice to be part of turning it around." ~ Jamie Quirk, Bench Coach
wow get a grip
people bitch about anything. its roughly 7 million over the LIFE OF HIS CONTRACT. what if its a 4 year deal? is 1.75 mil a year bad for someone who could end up being part of our rotation for the future? at this rate we are spending (read: not near previous regimes) I’m ok with them paying a few mil for that investment each year. at least its not Aroldis Chapman money.
by RIP Slim on Feb 3, 2012 1:08 PM CST via Android app up reply actions
It's going to be for his rookie years/arb years, so 6 years minimum.
He probably demanded a MLB contract to guarantee him a new contract in 6 years. Mexican leagues take something like 80% of contract bonuses, so he wont actually see much of his bonus.
they make decaf, you know...
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Feb 3, 2012 7:45 AM CST up reply actions 7 recs
I don't think this is a move anyone should be upset or elated by
It’s not a big money deal, so there really isn’t much risk. He’s 18 years old. Even if he wasn’t Cuban, and we had tons of scouting information on him, we wouldn’t have much ability to predict whether he’d have future success. On the other hand, some people think he’s be one of our top prospects, so he’s probably worth the gamble.
Cuba is the last great unregulated frontier. I don’t know if these guys are going to be any good, but this is one of our last chances to use our financial advantage on amateur players. It isn’t my money, so I hope it gets spent.
by tomas21 on Feb 3, 2012 7:46 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
lighten up Francis.
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 Feb 4, 2012 10:03 AM CST up reply actions
i read somewhere its getting close to top 10.
dont take my word for it, but i picked up that info on trade rumors.
I saw a list recently...
…I think it was Baseball America (maybe Baseball Prospectus) — had us at No. 15.
"[The Cubs] have a very famous tradition in baseball, and it will be nice to be part of turning it around." ~ Jamie Quirk, Bench Coach
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by digitalbenjamin on Feb 3, 2012 9:27 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Wow, Gerardo is now both Rico and Suave.
Fukudometer: Created 3/31/08 Wrigley Debut 4/5/08 WGN and Japan TV Debut 4/6/08 Sun Times Debut: 4/20/08 Coffee Table Debut: 7/17/08
by Fukudometer on Feb 3, 2012 8:14 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
I've seen several reports saying he's 18 and some 19, makes me wonder how old he actually is.
MCM's Favorite Hawkeye
this is a truly bizarre signing
to get an MLB deal worth 7 million as a draftee, you’d be talking about a high first rounder who’s probably going to be ready for the majors soon (or be jeff samarzjida and be dealing with an idiot GM). from everything i’ve read, it doesn’t sound like this guy is anything close to that. i’m not saying he couldn’t end up being a good pitcher, but that could happen in six years when he’s just about to be a free agent anyway. truly bizarre.
Draft picks can only negotiate with one team.
When a top prospect becomes available for bidding among all 30 teams like this, the price tag is obviously gonna go up.
Some thoughts...
I agree with Al. If Grabow can get 5 million, I don’t mind this deal even if he doesn’t make it.
BA did say many scouts see a #5 starter at best but that some scouts do see more potential. That seems to put him in the middle of that huge collection of Cubs minor league starters that have the potential to be in the middle of a rotation but very likely fit into the back end or not all. The assumption is that the Cubs have the scouts who see better potential.
Goldstein saying he is the #6 prospect isn’t saying a ton really based on the way Cubs prospects are viewed. In November he had Jackson, drop, Baez, drop, Castillo, Maples, Szczur, Vitters, Candelario, McNutt, Hernandez. So even adding Rizzo, Concepcion at #6 would be in that collection of 3 star prospects that all have major questions or in Castillo’s case limited upside. He might as well be #11.
I don't get all the hate
It’s $7 million over the course of the contract (minimum 6 year deal) for a guy that will already rank as our #6 prospect. On top of that, with the new CBA this is the last year we can spend heavily on international signings.
I hope he turns out to be Johan Santana but even if he’s a bust, $7 million over 6 years isn’t gonna restrict the Cubs financially at all. The only downside to me is that it is a MLB deal so we have to create room on the 40 man roster.
I don't get all the hate either? We're adding young talent to our system. That's a good thing.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
This may not be a one-step move
Theo and Jed inherited a cupboard that was pretty bare. Henry left an underperforming, overpaid major league roster and a low rated minor league system. Even if Espstein and Co. wanted to improve the team for 2012-2013, they had no tools to use in that task.
Short of throwing $$$$$$ at FAs, the main tool for a higher budget team to acquire MLB level talent is to trade prospects to low budget teams in exchange for players they can no longer afford. But the Cubs had nothing of interest to teams like San Diego, Kansas City or Tampa – just those overpaid Major Leaguers and talent-free minor leaguers.
It would not surprise me if some of the younger prospects acquired this season end up as trade chips to acquire Arb-2 or Arb-3 players from low budget teams or to pick up players from the coming player sell-off by the Marlins. Concepion could fit into this role – young, relative cheap, and interesting to a small market team.
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