Leftovers

by Al Yellon on Nov 23, 2007 9:49 AM CST in Chicago Cubs News

As you move around slowly this morning, still digesting your Thanksgiving dinner -- or maybe you're one of those who insists that getting up at the crack of dawn on the day after and sitting in the cold outside a Best Buy or Target is a swell idea (me, I only get up that early when I'm getting paid to do so), a few comments on recent and upcoming baseball developments:

▪ The Angels sign Torii Hunter to a 5-year, $90 million contract.

Comment: Unless this signing is a sign of things to come -- i.e. the market this offseason is going to be even crazier than last year's -- this is insane. The Angels didn't need a CF, and I suspect Hunter's going to be unhappy when he learns he isn't going to be in center field every single day. Plus, by about year three of this deal, the Angels are likely going to be desperately trying to dump it. Jay Mariotti says the White Sox didn't get him because they were "too cheap". Maybe, but Kenny Williams has to be thanking his lucky stars on this one -- he might actually now have enough money to improve his team.

▪ Jason Kendall signs a one-year deal with the Brewers.

Comment: This is good news for NL Central baserunners; Kendall was horrendous at throwing out players trying to steal last year, as we found out first-hand, and isn't going to be any better in 2008. He had a reputation of being a good pitch-caller before he came to the Cubs, but I didn't see much evidence of that in his two months in a Cub uniform. Johnny Estrada, traded to the Mets for Guillermo Mota, wasn't very good at throwing out runners either, but at least he could hit a bit. Kendall's a downgrade. Good news for Cub fans.

▪ Kerry Wood's going to the Brewers. Or Red Sox. Or Cubs. Or...

Comment: Relax. Teams may be kicking the tires on him, but I think Wood is an old-school guy with some team loyalty. Unless he's completely insulted by an offer from Jim Hendry & Co. -- which I don't see Hendry doing -- look for Wood to be in a Cub uniform, probably on a two-year deal or a one-year deal with an easy vesting option, and with a shot at closing.

▪ Barry Bonds, already in a heap of trouble, has old friends and girlfriends ready to testify against him.

Comment: Good. The article linked above says both the best man at his wedding, and his former girlfriend, have first-hand knowledge of Bonds' steroid use. It also says defense lawyers are going to have a field day trying to poke holes in the credibility of both witnesses for the prosecution because of their own personal problems. This is going to be a heck of an interesting trial. And Bonds' playing career is likely over.

▪ Steve Finley wants to play baseball in 2008.

Comment: Sorry, this took me a while; I had to pick myself up off the floor, where I was laughing hysterically. Steve Finley? Who will be 43 in March? Who didn't play at all last year, and whose last good year was 2004? Forget it, Steve.

▪ Here's a good summary of all the Japanese free agents seeking employment on this side of the Pacific this winter.

Comment: Obviously, the #1 target of the Cubs -- and some other teams -- is Kosuke Fukudome, left-handed-hitting outfielder. I've made no secret of my desire to have Fukudome in a Cub uniform next year; he'd fill several needs and he wouldn't be all that expensive (MetsBlog says 3/30, and if that's all it would take, Jim Hendry -- sign him as soon as he clears Customs.

▪ Scott Linebrink signs with the White Sox, reportedly for 4/19.

Comment: I'm speechless. Further discussion in LilLPLancer23's diary.

▪ Finally, this one flew under the radar, as there's no web link, just a half-page ad in yesterday's dead-tree edition of the Tribune: the Blackhawks have put all available tickets for their nine December home games on sale at 25% off. In case you were too busy with Turkey Day activities, the sale began at 8 pm last night and ends at midnight Sunday.

Comment: John McDonough, at work only two days, already makes a good PR move. This will get a lot more people in the UC next month, and if the Blackhawks continue their good play, will create positive buzz. Smart man, that McDonough.

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Comments

That 3/30 figure is REALLY low.

The CHONE projection for Fukudome says he's probably 4/45. If there's any truth to GMs looking at 3/30, Hendry should just blow everyone out of the water.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Nov 23, 2007 9:53 AM CST reply actions

Even 4/45...

... is worth it. Fukudome will be far more productive than Torii Hunter over the next 4-5 years... if he wants basically half of what Hunter is getting, DO IT!!

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 23, 2007 10:09 AM CST up reply actions

FAR more productive?

That might be getting carried away. Fukudome should probably be a productive player, but FAR more productive than a guy who's topped an .800 OPS in 4 of the last 6 years, and over .825 the last two years? Sure, it could be that he does substantially better than that, but I'm not ready to guarantee it.

Remember: aside from the walks, Fukudome's numbers look a lot like Matsui's numbers (Kazuo Matsui, that is). Hopefully, he doesn't have the same dropoff coming over that Kazuo did.

by SouthernCub on Nov 23, 2007 7:46 PM CST up reply actions

I say this primarily because...

... Fukudome is two years younger than Hunter, and Hunter just had a career year at the best possible time to have one (in his walk year).

Hunter's career line is .271/.324/.469. He has hit 192 career HR, had 711 career RBI, stolen 126 bases, had 1218 career hits and scored 672 runs in 1234 games, 4492 AB.

Just for comparison's sake, there is a certain major league outfielder whose career lines, in virtually the same amount of playing time (1260 games, 4478 AB) are: .280/.329/.455; 164 HR, 623 RBI, 82 SB, 1255 hits, and 617 runs.

I'm talking about someone we are all very familiar with: this guy. I trust you wouldn't give him a $90 million contract.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 24, 2007 4:59 AM CST up reply actions

Of course Hunter is overpaid...

that wasn't my disagreement. My issue is whether or not Fukudome will be far more productive, or similarly productive.

This wasn't a career year for Hunter. His OPS was .839. In 2006, it was .826. So, in fact, his "career year" this year looks a lot more like a repeat of his previous year. And as far as his best year is concerned, in 2002 his OPS was .858. His career OPS is .793, which is only .46 points below this season. Sure, this was one of his better years, but it wasn't a career year. I'd not expect a dropoff offensively for the next 3 years at least. He's not suddenly going to be a sub-.750 OPS guy.

For Fukudome to be FAR more productive, he'd have to be substantially better than an .800 OPS. While that's certainly possible, to expect such production is asking for a letdown. It would almost have to mean his power translates to the MLB, which hasn't been the case for any of the Japanese players. If his power translates like Kaz Matsui's power translated, then it won't matter how much Hunter declines.

In other words, my point wasn't to say how wonderful Hunter is, but how uncertain it is that Fukudome will be a hugely productive player in MLB.

by SouthernCub on Nov 24, 2007 8:03 AM CST up reply actions

Maybe...

... "far" more productive was an overstatement. Still, to pay Torii Hunter that much money says one of two things:

The Angels outbid themselves and are stupid;
The market's going crazy again this year.

I'm leaning toward the latter.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 24, 2007 10:00 AM CST up reply actions

Completely agree...

Hunter's nowhere near worth that contract.

by SouthernCub on Nov 24, 2007 2:32 PM CST up reply actions

Really.

Hendry can beat the heck out of 4/45 too. DO IT! ASAP. Lock up something good right away.

MMMMM...Golden shrimp and chicken combo from Ron of Japan!

by Kinky Reggae on Nov 23, 2007 10:04 AM CST reply actions

Blackhawks ticket question

Is available at the UC box office as well? I just checked and Ticketmaster service charge was well over 5 dollars per ticket. It kinda negates the 25% savings especially for the lower cost seats.

Old Style is the nectar of life.

by Mordecai on Nov 23, 2007 10:05 AM CST reply actions

According to the print ad...

... yes, you can do this at the box office as well.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 23, 2007 10:09 AM CST up reply actions

I fel dirty saying this

but i loved reading MAriotti's article. It is accurate and unrelenting and the Sox deserve to hear this. I can't stand the Sox but can still say I would be PISSED if I were a fan.

Please Hendry, sign Fukudome soon and show the south side what it means to be an agressive and wise GM...please.

MMMMM...Golden shrimp and chicken combo from Ron of Japan!

by Kinky Reggae on Nov 23, 2007 10:13 AM CST reply actions

Pissed?

Because the Angels paid Hunter far more than his market value?

The White Sox wanted him, but really, at a certain point you have to look at the costs. Again, I think by year 3 of this deal the Angels will desperately be trying to dump it on someone.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 23, 2007 10:22 AM CST up reply actions

Hmm... deja vu all over again?

Al, if I just change out a few words in your post, would you say it's still appropriate to a similiar situation a few years ago?

"Because the Dodgers paid Furcal far more than his market value?
The Cubs wanted him, but really, at a certain point you have to look at the costs. Again, I think by year 3 of this deal the Dodgers will desperately be trying to dump it on someone."

Baseball is indeed a cyclical game...

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Nov 23, 2007 10:39 AM CST up reply actions

True.

Do you think the Dodgers regret making that signing?

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 23, 2007 10:42 AM CST up reply actions

Well, I think they regret the Pierre signing more

or at least they should, but yeah, considering what they paid for Furcal, I think it was a dumb move then and certainly has not improved with age.

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Nov 23, 2007 11:33 AM CST up reply actions

Indeed, while they are

a better team than the Cubs (kicked our asses last year) they have not won a pennant since Furcal, or Pierre.

Wait 'til next year. And the next. And the Next. And the next after that too.

by TheEman on Nov 23, 2007 11:40 AM CST up reply actions

Just as we'll be regretting the Soriano deal

n/t

Ed Lynch is STILL on the Cubs payroll, as our D-Backs scout in Phoenix. Lynch attends all 81 D-Back home games with a notepad in hand. Really paid off for us!

by SackMan on Nov 23, 2007 2:31 PM CST up reply actions

True.

I already do - even though I was thrilled at the signing originally.

Honeymoon is over.

Wait 'til next year. And the next. And the Next. And the next after that too.

by TheEman on Nov 23, 2007 4:11 PM CST up reply actions

the biggest difference ...

is that we will have several more seasons of regret with Soriano. If you're a Dodgers fan, at least Furcal is gone after this season.

by elgato on Nov 23, 2007 4:15 PM CST up reply actions

- sigh - LONG

Please don't remind me.

However, in year five or six of the deal, we should be able to trade him to an AL team that can use a DH

Wait 'til next year. And the next. And the Next. And the next after that too.

by TheEman on Nov 23, 2007 4:30 PM CST up reply actions

AZ......

I am not sure Jim is a wise GM.

As for the Mariotti article, it is a joke. I could have been the same article a couple years back if you would have inserted Furcal.

If I were a WS fan I would be thankful that the Angels saved KW from himself. The Hunter contract will be a killer in year three through five. It will be better than the Soriano deal though.

"You are an asshole": NDcubsfan

by timeforachange on Nov 23, 2007 3:07 PM CST up reply actions

Not much better.

n/t

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 23, 2007 3:52 PM CST up reply actions

I guess

I give him more credit than you do. As for KW and this missed signing. I think that the WS need to build up their squad and right now, Hunter would most certainly be an upgrade now. I cannot speak for 3 years from now.

MMMMM...Golden shrimp and chicken combo from Ron of Japan!

by Kinky Reggae on Nov 23, 2007 4:23 PM CST up reply actions

The fact is...

... Hunter isn't a bad player. But he isn't a $18M a year player, either.

The White Sox need a lot more than spending that kind of money on ONE player. As noted above, the Angels just saved KW from himself.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 23, 2007 4:45 PM CST up reply actions

question

Is anybody else surprised that the biggest move of the Cubs' offseason so far has been trading JJ for Omar Infante?

I'm not saying it will end up being the biggest move before spring training. But I THINK the Cubs were more active earlier in previous years. Am I wrong?

by elgato on Nov 23, 2007 10:42 AM CST reply actions

Yes.

You're thinking primarily of the Soriano signing of a year ago. In recent years, much of the Cubs' activity has been in December, and I'd expect that again this year, with the winter meetings coming up then.

Relax. It's still November.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 23, 2007 10:44 AM CST up reply actions

No!

Must go into full panic mode...wait, still sleepy from overeating yesterday...can't enter panic mode...falling asleep...

"Don't think; it can only hurt the ball club."

by Jesse Guam on Nov 23, 2007 10:51 AM CST up reply actions

cool

Thanks, Al.

by elgato on Nov 23, 2007 11:07 AM CST up reply actions

I am dumbfounded by the Hunter

...and Linebrink deals.

Does Hunter's absurd contract impact what Fukeudome will want/get if he signs in the US?

Let me get back to you, will ya, Charlie? I got a guy on the other line asking about some white walls.

by JB 23 on Nov 23, 2007 10:52 AM CST reply actions

Let's hope not.

n/t

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 23, 2007 10:56 AM CST up reply actions

If his agent......

is paying attention it does.

4/45, IMHO, is a pipe dream now.

The only thing that may hold him back is his injury from last year.

"You are an asshole": NDcubsfan

by timeforachange on Nov 23, 2007 3:08 PM CST up reply actions

The market SHOULD by "crazier"

MLB announced record revenues last year and I expect salaries to go up as well. An interesting article in either SI or ESPN last week showed that
player salaries as a portion of costs have gone DOWN signicantly in the last few years. A few years ago player salaries where I think about 54% of costs , now it is around 44%. This is partly because of incresed revenue and partly because there are younger non FA elgible players on rosters but either way teams have PLENTY to spend on players. The trick as always is spending it on the right players.

"It's the Cubbies. There's always a vibe. It's the greatest vibe in baseball." Greg Maddux on Cub fan's optimism even after the 06 debacle.

by jessica on Nov 23, 2007 11:05 AM CST reply actions

McDonough's Farewell Tour?

Just got back from another Wrigley Field walkabout, and while peeping through the right field knothole, I saw John McDonough by the warning track talking to a couple of the workers. As he was leaving, I called out and congratulated him on his new position.

I also asked him if the new 25% off Blackhawk ticket promotion was his idea. He said, no, he hasn't gotten to any of his ideas yet. Then after a slight pause, he continued "But it's a good deal. You should go get some." Always the salesman... ;-)

He then walked away towards centerfield. I stayed by the knothole, took some pictures of the big drain(?) they've installed under the warning track, as well as a couple worm's eye views of the dugout across the field. Can definitely say the infield crown is gone.

By then, McDonough had come back into view over by the Cubs dugout. He stood there for a while, talking with an associate, then went into the stands and walked up and around behind home plate. He stopped again and looked back out over the field for a few more minutes. Then, he turned away, and slowly disappeared down the ramp...

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Nov 23, 2007 11:59 AM CST reply actions

Please don't jump on me people...

I know this is not going to happen but I was just reading that there are rumors (ONLY RUMORS) that Scott Kazmir could be made available if the right deal came up.

I know the Rays would be MORONS to do such a thing but my question is...

What would be the right offer if there were one to be made?

This guy is awesome and is young (I think). He is worth a lot IMO, maybe more that Crawford.

Flame away!

MMMMM...Golden shrimp and chicken combo from Ron of Japan!

by Kinky Reggae on Nov 23, 2007 12:11 PM CST reply actions

Kazmir would be great.

Undoubtedly, the Rays, who are impossible to deal with, would be asking for half of any team's top prospects and young regular players.

Forget it. The Cubs don't have what the Rays would want, and it wouldn't be worth the headache in negotiating.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 23, 2007 12:30 PM CST up reply actions

Right on, Al

As we all can see - their trades with meaningful players are very few and far between. They got really lucky with Kazmir and believe EVERY trade subsequent to that has to work out only in their favor.

I really am not too sure how the franchise even manages to pay their bills.

Wait 'til next year. And the next. And the Next. And the next after that too.

by TheEman on Nov 23, 2007 4:14 PM CST up reply actions

steve finley

played for the rockies last year before being released.

by anormal on Nov 23, 2007 12:38 PM CST reply actions

Yes, you're right.

Somehow, I thought that was in 2006. He might as well have not played, since in 94 AB he hit .181/.245/.245.

My point stands.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 23, 2007 3:52 PM CST up reply actions

oh yeah,

he was definitely terrible. i did like it that they always played rush's "tom sawyer" when he came to bat though....

by anormal on Nov 23, 2007 4:49 PM CST up reply actions

Why would Hunter

split time w/ Matthews in CF??

I can see a Matthews and Rivera platoon in LF. With Garrett Anderson being fragile, this move helps the Angels..

SORIANO! YESSSSSSSS! JIMBO!!!

by CubFaninCA on Nov 23, 2007 4:04 PM CST reply actions

I also saw a comment

that it will allow Vlad to get a little more time at DH. Matthews will be shuffled between LF and RF. Anderson will be primary DH with Vlad hitting there occasionally.

by rlpete on Nov 23, 2007 4:35 PM CST up reply actions

Yep, have heard that too.

Will save some wear-n-tear on Vlad...

SORIANO! YESSSSSSSS! JIMBO!!!

by CubFaninCA on Nov 23, 2007 7:12 PM CST up reply actions

Not ONE decent RUMOR

from ANY of you today!!!

How utterly disappointing!!!

Anyone catch anything today?

Wait 'til next year. And the next. And the Next. And the next after that too.

by TheEman on Nov 23, 2007 4:31 PM CST reply actions

How about a really bad pun instead?

Obviously won't happen now but I'm sure some area newspaper was just itching to run the headline below. My guess would be the SunTimes as I think the Trib is too uptight...

Setup: White Sox just sign Hunter mainly due to Williams' persistence. Big picture of Williams and Hunter on front (back) page.

And the headline is...

Chi Ken Catch A Torii

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Nov 23, 2007 6:07 PM CST up reply actions

You're right

that was really bad. What does it say about me that I liked it, though?

by Cub Fan in Card Country on Nov 23, 2007 8:26 PM CST up reply actions

I find it funny

With all the phoney baloney trade rumors that reporters pull out of their rear ends every day.

I find it funny that one of the biggest stories in Chicago sports in recent years one involving TWO Chicago teams not one hint about it in advance despite most Cubs people knowing by last weekend.

by puckishcubsfan on Nov 24, 2007 1:24 AM CST reply actions