Can we redirect Furcal money towards Millwood?

[AramisRamirez]

this is a question/suggestion regarding our payroll. we offered furcal 5-years/$47.5M. the addition of pierre adds minimal increase to our payroll. im not sure of his salary but its pretty small, right?

 

so doesnt that leave us with some spending money? i know we need to fill at the absolute minimum, one starting OF spot. but for the most part, our roster is workable.

 

my worry now is on our pitching staff. wood is still unhealthy and it would be a crime for us to count on him for anything in 06. maddux's production really dropped and at this point im pegging him as a #5 starter. both come off the books after this year, right?

 

so what on earth are we planning on doing to our staff?? we cant honestly be happy going zambrano, prior, rusch, williams, and a call-up in 07. with a decent call-up starter we'd still need to secure a starter capable pitching at the front of the rotation.

 

isnt an investment in millwood reasonable?? assume we add one of the talked about OF's like bradley or huff. is that really going to cap out payroll out at $105M or the whatever the magic number is?

 

if we could structure a deal with millwood that would increase dramatically by year 2, would that be acceptable?? the total number will be bloated, no doubt. with good reason people should fear the dreaded bloated salary to pitchers who suck. but millwood is a pretty decent gamble in my opinion. his ERA is great and even though he'd suffer from the same poor run support in chicago we're still certain to be in the playoff hunt.

 

i would first offer 3-years/$35M, which he would promtly reject. i would than offer (boy im going to get FLAMED on this board for this one) 4-years/$45-50M as the final offer.

 

ridiculous sum of money? yes. sick sick rotation? yes!!

[JeffH]

Kevin Millwood is grossly overrated and his agent is Scott Boras.

 

Stay far, far away.

[CubfaninCA]

I'd go 4 & 36. Pitching wins titles, and the Cubs rotation would be deep.

[Neuby]

I really hope the Cubs can add another starter to the rotation. When you figure your going to be dropping Pattersons salary in a trade and maybe Walkers they should have the funds to do it. I think a guy like Washburn or Weaver would allow the Cubs to start Cedeno at short, Walker at second, get Bradley and maybe another outfielder.

[The Voice of Reason]

Keep in mind Boras is his agent and he is on record as saying that Millwood deserves a better contract than Burnett got (e.g., 5yr $60 million?).

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

none of the available FA pitchers are worth the money they're going to get. just say no. the only decent contract was Burnett. yes, burnett. i'd rather take a chance on spending 11M per season on a front of the rotation guy than an innings eater like Millwood, who usually puts up a 4+ ERA (especially since we're talking 4-5 year contracts in both cases).

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

I'd go 4 & 36. Pitching wins titles, and the Cubs rotation would be deep.

 

i think the bidding is currently at 44M/4. :shock:

[The Voice of Reason]

I really hope the Cubs can add another starter to the rotation. When you figure your going to be dropping Pattersons salary in a trade and maybe Walkers they should have the funds to do it. I think a guy like Washburn or Weaver would allow the Cubs to start Cedeno at short, Walker at second, get Bradley and maybe another outfielder.

 

I think you may need to use Walker to get Bradley.

[Sweet Swinging Billy]

I say go after Kevin Millwood. A Maddux/Millwood reunion would be great for the Cubs.

[Salazar89]

I've always been a patterson apologist so I will go as far to say.........

 

I would rather see Millwood and Patterson (in RF)

 

Then Rusch and " " (insert Bradley, Wilson, Encarncion)

 

 

Pitching and D = Wins

[Neuby]

I've always been a patterson apologist so I will go as far to say.........

 

I would rather see Millwood and Patterson (in RF)

 

Then Rusch and " " (insert Bradley, Wilson, Encarncion)

 

 

Pitching and D = Wins

 

Bradley is better than Patterson with the glove. I don't think getting Bradley handcuffs the Cubs into not getting a deal done with Millwood.

[CubfaninCA]

I'd go 4 & 36. Pitching wins titles, and the Cubs rotation would be deep.

 

i think the bidding is currently at 44M/4. :shock:

 

Who offered that? That's too much.

[JeffH]

I know that, in general, this board hates the idea of acquiring anyone who isn't a superstar, but here goes.

 

Several weeks ago, after the Eyre signing, but before the Howry signing, Bruce Levine came on the radio and said that the Cubs were looking for a righthanded setup man and mentioned the name "Scott Elarton".

 

I remember this vividly because the report struck me as odd, considering Elarton hasn't relieved much in his career - not at all as of late.

 

He's a homerun machine, but he was decent last season.

 

Would anyone have interest in offering him a $7/2 contract? Too much? Too little? If Williams is traded, someone is going to have to be in the rotation until Wood is ready.

 

With a contract like that, one would think he'd be very tradeable and quite attractive at the deadline.

 

At $3.5-ish, he'd fit just perfect, budget-wise, with Huff-Bradley-Lugo-Bench Guy TBD.

[RyCubsFan]

Millwood is too inconsistant for such a longterm deal. After all, the Cubs could have signed him to a much cheaper long term deal last offseason. Why is he worth so much now, but wasn't then? Who's to say that he won't regress significantly this year?

 

I'd rather trade for Zito. Send Hill, Novoa, and Wellemeyer to the A's. Hill for Zito makes sense, as Hill has been compared to Zito because of their similar curves. It would be a good media story.

[XZero771679666304]

Millwood is too inconsistant for such a longterm. After all, the Cubs could have signed him to a much cheaper long term deal last offseason. Who's to say that he won't regress significantly this year?

 

I'd rather trade for Zito. Send Hill, Novoa, and Wellemeyer to the A's. Hill for Zito makes sense, as Hill has been compared to Zito because of their similar curves. It would be a good media story.

 

The A's want a big bat for Zito if they are going to trade him.

[goonys evil twin]

"Scott Elarton".

 

Would anyone have interest in offering him a $7/2 contract? Too much? Too little? If Williams is traded, someone is going to have to be in the rotation until Wood is ready.

 

At $3.5-ish, he'd fit just perfect, budget-wise, with Huff-Bradley-Lugo-Bench Guy TBD.

 

Last 5 seasons ERA:

4.81

7.06

6.27

5.90

4.61

 

Why would you offer him 2 years? Why would you offer him $3.5m? Why would you want him at all?

 

Give him a minor league invite if you insist. He's been awful since his breakthrough with Houston in the 90's. His K/9 fell from over 8 to under 6, consistently under 6. He gives up a ton of longballs and a big OPS against. If I'm going to bitch about Rusch's contract (and I am) then I'd have to bitch about this guy, who is just as bad, if not worse.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

I'd go 4 & 36. Pitching wins titles, and the Cubs rotation would be deep.

 

i think the bidding is currently at 44M/4. :shock:

 

Who offered that? That's too much.

 

Seattle, although the team officially denies it. Millwood is looking for around 11M+/5 years. Ridiculous.

 

I think a more realistic number is 40M/4, but this market has seen a number of stupid signings (Furcal, lol). it's still too much for Millwood, who will be 31 next season.

[Win for Santo]

Millwood is too inconsistant for such a longterm deal. After all, the Cubs could have signed him to a much cheaper long term deal last offseason. Why is he worth so much now, but wasn't then? Who's to say that he won't regress significantly this year?

 

I'd rather trade for Zito. Send Hill, Novoa, and Wellemeyer to the A's. Hill for Zito makes sense, as Hill has been compared to Zito because of their similar curves. It would be a good media story.

 

I was going to post a message, but you've captured my feelings. Zito will be much better, and if we can get him from the Athletics now, we'll have no problem affording him next year (when Maddux's contract rolls off). The superior pitching provided by Zito will offset what I believe will be only average production from RF (i.e., the candidates discussed here...Bradley, Wilkerson, Huff, Mench are OK, but not serious impact bats).

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

Millwood is too inconsistant for such a longterm deal. After all, the Cubs could have signed him to a much cheaper long term deal last offseason. Why is he worth so much now, but wasn't then? Who's to say that he won't regress significantly this year?

 

I'd rather trade for Zito. Send Hill, Novoa, and Wellemeyer to the A's. Hill for Zito makes sense, as Hill has been compared to Zito because of their similar curves. It would be a good media story.

 

I was going to post a message, but you've captured my feelings. Zito will be much better, and if we can get him from the Athletics now, we'll have no problem affording him next year (when Maddux's contract rolls off). The superior pitching provided by Zito will offset what I believe will be only average production from RF (i.e., the candidates discussed here...Bradley, Wilkerson, Huff, Mench are OK, but not serious impact bats).

 

the problem with Zito is negotiating some sort of extension before trading for him. he's going to command a decent haul in prospects, which is a very high price to pay for a one year rental. Beane won't give anyone permission to talk to Zito about an extension (so far). maybe it's just a negotiating tactic.

[JeffH]

"Scott Elarton".

 

Would anyone have interest in offering him a $7/2 contract? Too much? Too little? If Williams is traded, someone is going to have to be in the rotation until Wood is ready.

 

At $3.5-ish, he'd fit just perfect, budget-wise, with Huff-Bradley-Lugo-Bench Guy TBD.

 

Last 5 seasons ERA:

4.81

7.06

6.27

5.90

4.61

 

Why would you offer him 2 years? Why would you offer him $3.5m? Why would you want him at all?

 

Give him a minor league invite if you insist. He's been awful since his breakthrough with Houston in the 90's. His K/9 fell from over 8 to under 6, consistently under 6. He gives up a ton of longballs and a big OPS against. If I'm going to bitch about Rusch's contract (and I am) then I'd have to bitch about this guy, who is just as bad, if not worse.

 

Well, I called it.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

"Scott Elarton".

 

Would anyone have interest in offering him a $7/2 contract? Too much? Too little? If Williams is traded, someone is going to have to be in the rotation until Wood is ready.

 

At $3.5-ish, he'd fit just perfect, budget-wise, with Huff-Bradley-Lugo-Bench Guy TBD.

 

Last 5 seasons ERA:

4.81

7.06

6.27

5.90

4.61

 

Why would you offer him 2 years? Why would you offer him $3.5m? Why would you want him at all?

 

Give him a minor league invite if you insist. He's been awful since his breakthrough with Houston in the 90's. His K/9 fell from over 8 to under 6, consistently under 6. He gives up a ton of longballs and a big OPS against. If I'm going to bitch about Rusch's contract (and I am) then I'd have to bitch about this guy, who is just as bad, if not worse.

 

Well, I called it.

 

why don't you state your rationale for acquiring him and that hypothetical contract. i seriously don't see why you want him, but maybe you could shed some light on the guy.

[RyCubsFan]

Millwood is too inconsistant for such a longterm deal. After all, the Cubs could have signed him to a much cheaper long term deal last offseason. Why is he worth so much now, but wasn't then? Who's to say that he won't regress significantly this year?

 

I'd rather trade for Zito. Send Hill, Novoa, and Wellemeyer to the A's. Hill for Zito makes sense, as Hill has been compared to Zito because of their similar curves. It would be a good media story.

 

I was going to post a message, but you've captured my feelings. Zito will be much better, and if we can get him from the Athletics now, we'll have no problem affording him next year (when Maddux's contract rolls off). The superior pitching provided by Zito will offset what I believe will be only average production from RF (i.e., the candidates discussed here...Bradley, Wilkerson, Huff, Mench are OK, but not serious impact bats).

 

the problem with Zito is negotiating some sort of extension before trading for him. he's going to command a decent haul in prospects, which is a very high price to pay for a one year rental. Beane won't give anyone permission to talk to Zito about an extension (so far). maybe it's just a negotiating tactic.

 

 

I hear ya, but I have confidence in Hendry to sign him to an extension. After all, who would want to leave Chicago?!

 

The Cubs still have too many pitchers. Two of Welly, Wuertz, and Novoa could easily be traded. Hill may or may not pan out. The Cubs would still have Marshall, Guzman, and Ryu as rotation candidates close to the Bigs.

[da bears]

none of the available FA pitchers are worth the money they're going to get. just say no. the only decent contract was Burnett. yes, burnett. i'd rather take a chance on spending 11M per season on a front of the rotation guy than an innings eater like Millwood, who usually puts up a 4+ ERA (especially since we're talking 4-5 year contracts in both cases).

 

I agree with you. I think we could spend the money more wisely than throwing out ten mil a year for Milwood.

[JeffH]

"Scott Elarton".

 

Would anyone have interest in offering him a $7/2 contract? Too much? Too little? If Williams is traded, someone is going to have to be in the rotation until Wood is ready.

 

At $3.5-ish, he'd fit just perfect, budget-wise, with Huff-Bradley-Lugo-Bench Guy TBD.

 

Last 5 seasons ERA:

4.81

7.06

6.27

5.90

4.61

 

Why would you offer him 2 years? Why would you offer him $3.5m? Why would you want him at all?

 

Give him a minor league invite if you insist. He's been awful since his breakthrough with Houston in the 90's. His K/9 fell from over 8 to under 6, consistently under 6. He gives up a ton of longballs and a big OPS against. If I'm going to bitch about Rusch's contract (and I am) then I'd have to bitch about this guy, who is just as bad, if not worse.

 

Well, I called it.

 

why don't you state your rationale for acquiring him and that hypothetical contract. i seriously don't see why you want him, but maybe you could shed some light on the guy.

 

I don't like him much. I was just guessing at the contract. He's reportedly interested in a two-year deal.

 

The rationale is that someone has to pitch in the rotation until Wood is ready. I assume Williams will be traded. Maybe he won't - he is a Dusty pet, after all.

 

Don't misunderstand - I suppose I'd just as soon go with Hill or Wellemeyer, but I'm a big prospect guy. There is a risk of those guys going out there and throwing up a 6.5 ERA. That probably wouldn't happen with Elarton. In terms of NL-equivalent ERA, he's been just over 4 the last two years. I don't know how The Jake profiles - pro-hitter or pro-pitcher.

 

The money is going to be spent one way or another. Unless we go with Neifi and Hairston at 2B and Murton full-time in LF, there's probably not going to be the money available for the Weavers and Millwoods of the world (who I don't want anyway).

 

Like I said, he could be a good trade option in mid-season. He'd probably look much better to a team with a big starting pitching need in July than he does now.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

I'd rather give the prospects a few starts and trade Rusch at the deadline (if we're tanking again). :twisted:

 

However, I'd rather go with Elarton than with Millwood or some other overpaid FA this season. If we could get a front of the rotation guy via trade, that would be wonderful, but it's probably unlikely. Woody puts us in a bind this year, but we're probably looking to get a front of the line starter next year with him off the books (and declining his option). let's hope our trade chips don't go south on us in 2006.