Thursday Bruce article.....

[YearofDaCubs]

That's not what was said. "He does realize we don't currently have a RF, right???" = drivel. There's been rumors of Wilkerson, Bradley, Jones & Abreu.

 

You think it's drivel, I think it drives home a point. It was a sarcastic response to some pretty insincere words coming out of Hendry's mouth.

 

Why do you pretend like there isn't a problem with the Cubs right now? Do you really think everything is fine?

 

Many teams have spots to fill. I'm a laid back guy w/ patience.

A laid back guy whom with every opportunity you get defend Hendry and the organization and keep waiting for the big trade or signing to happen. Time is ticking as far as I'm concerned.

 

How is giving Hendry a B- a defence @ every opportunity?? Also, I've said he's done enough to get canned by the end of this upcoming season, if they don't contend.

Sounds good to me. Although considering the holes we still have a B- is generous. :P

[JeffH]

Michael Barrett, 4.13M

 

Where did this come from? Is there a published year-by-year breakdown of Barrett's contract anywhere?

 

Mark Prior, 3.55M

 

This would include 1/5th of his signing bonus. I have always assumed that his signing bonus was paid a long time ago, even though MLB takes it up across the guaranteed years of the contract. Is there a published report saying how it actually was/will be paid to Prior?

[YearofDaCubs]

Oops, pardon me.

 

Walker should be on that list.

 

$86+ for 22 players.

 

I didn't include Patterson. I'm only including the following:

 

• Players under contract
  Arb eligible players I'm fairly sure will be on the club
  0-3 guys I'm fairly sure will be on the club

So if you include Walker and Patterson which sounds like they might be back on the roster next year and include the raises to the arb elgible players it doesn't seem like we have much left.

 

Walker is already included in that $86.

 

Raises for arb eligible Pierre, Zambrano, and Ohman are already in there.

 

Salaries for arb eligible Patterson and Hairston are not in there, because I'm not certain yet they're going to be on the ball club. Once they get tendered contract offers, I'll put them in tentatively.

Good stuff. So we can afford a player making 8-12mil.

[CubfaninCA]

That's not what was said. "He does realize we don't currently have a RF, right???" = drivel. There's been rumors of Wilkerson, Bradley, Jones & Abreu.

 

You think it's drivel, I think it drives home a point. It was a sarcastic response to some pretty insincere words coming out of Hendry's mouth.

 

Why do you pretend like there isn't a problem with the Cubs right now? Do you really think everything is fine?

 

Many teams have spots to fill. I'm a laid back guy w/ patience.

A laid back guy whom with every opportunity you get defend Hendry and the organization and keep waiting for the big trade or signing to happen. Time is ticking as far as I'm concerned.

 

How is giving Hendry a B- a defence @ every opportunity?? Also, I've said he's done enough to get canned by the end of this upcoming season, if they don't contend.

Sounds good to me. Although considering the holes we still have a B- is generous. :P

 

I take the last 3 1/2 years into consideration. The team far exceded expectations in 2003. They underachieved a little in 2004, but had major injuries to Prior & Wood and still won 88 games. Last year was a major disappointment and Baker's infatuation w/ Perez reached epic proportions. Hitching his wagon to Baker for a 4th season makes me questions whether Hendry's fit for the job, as he's a pretty stubborn man. I'll give him one more year.

[BigbadB]

That's not what was said. "He does realize we don't currently have a RF, right???" = drivel. There's been rumors of Wilkerson, Bradley, Jones & Abreu.

 

You think it's drivel, I think it drives home a point. It was a sarcastic response to some pretty insincere words coming out of Hendry's mouth.

 

Why do you pretend like there isn't a problem with the Cubs right now? Do you really think everything is fine?

 

Many teams have spots to fill. I'm a laid back guy w/ patience.

A laid back guy whom with every opportunity you get defend Hendry and the organization and keep waiting for the big trade or signing to happen. Time is ticking as far as I'm concerned.

 

How is giving Hendry a B- a defence @ every opportunity?? Also, I've said he's done enough to get canned by the end of this upcoming season, if they don't contend.

Sounds good to me. Although considering the holes we still have a B- is generous. :P

 

I take the last 3 1/2 years into consideration. The team far exceded expectations in 2003. They underachieved a little in 2004, but had major injuries to Prior & Wood and still won 88 games. Last year was a major disappointment and Baker's infatuation w/ Perez reached epic proportions. Hitching his wagon to Baker for a 4th season makes me questions whether Hendry's fit for the job, as he's a pretty stubborn man. I'll give him one more year.

 

Do you think Hendry salvaged Baker's final year because he stands to make 4m in that final year? Do you think that the Tribune would be happy with Hendry if he fired a guy Hendry hired, who still had 4m to go on his contract? Then also knowing that someone would have to be hired to replace Dusty, would Hendry's own job become more unstable?

 

I'm wondering if that had anything to do with Baker still being here. The rumors of extensions kind of shoots that theory out of the water. But, Baker has been absolutely horrible (in my mind) with filling out a line up card, from preventing clubhouse chaos, etc...

 

He hasn't been a man worthy of a 4m paycheck, IMO. Will it be easier for Hendry to fire him this year knowing he's now in the last year of his contract, meanwhile an interim manager wouldn't cost anymore?

 

Or at this point, will Hendry just be sent packing too (assuming that he doesn't improve the team)?

[Sarcastic]

Hyperbole is used here more than any other place. I think we should insitute hyperbole as NSBB's favorite word. That being said it sure as heck doesn't look like hyperbole to me when indeed we don't even look like a playoff contender and have many holes. Your buddy Moses Hendry better get to work.

 

Exagerations have been made, outrage has been magnified. You can't deny that. It isn't ridiculous to say that the Cubs currently have no good options on the team at RF, but it is premature to say that Hendry will definitely not improve the position and that the team will fail miserably.

 

From now on, whenever anybody wants to whine, just post this:

 

*obligatory dropping of 1908 and criticism of Tribune for not dropping all the cash they have into getting a winning team*

 

*comment that Cubs fans have waited long enough*

 

*threat to stop being a Cubs fan if the management does such-and-such*

 

This way, we won't all be looking through the same post 5000 times.

Considering Hendry's past offseason and lack of OF options out there there is a very good reason to be concerned about the Cubs in 2006. Who are you tell us if we are whining? What exactly should be happy about? Hendry has done a poor job as I see it. If you don't look at the facts that is your problem. We don't need you to tell us what to post.

 

Concerned? Sure. Convinced of the inevitablilty of the Cubs being a sub .500 team? I don't know.

 

Also, don't tell me that I don't look at the facts. That is not true. We both look at facts, the difference is what we see in those facts. I see that the offseason is not yet over, and that it is entirely possible that the team's problems will be adressed. You seem to see the Cubs failing.

[YearofDaCubs]

Hyperbole is used here more than any other place. I think we should insitute hyperbole as NSBB's favorite word. That being said it sure as heck doesn't look like hyperbole to me when indeed we don't even look like a playoff contender and have many holes. Your buddy Moses Hendry better get to work.

 

Exagerations have been made, outrage has been magnified. You can't deny that. It isn't ridiculous to say that the Cubs currently have no good options on the team at RF, but it is premature to say that Hendry will definitely not improve the position and that the team will fail miserably.

 

From now on, whenever anybody wants to whine, just post this:

 

*obligatory dropping of 1908 and criticism of Tribune for not dropping all the cash they have into getting a winning team*

 

*comment that Cubs fans have waited long enough*

 

*threat to stop being a Cubs fan if the management does such-and-such*

 

This way, we won't all be looking through the same post 5000 times.

Considering Hendry's past offseason and lack of OF options out there there is a very good reason to be concerned about the Cubs in 2006. Who are you tell us if we are whining? What exactly should be happy about? Hendry has done a poor job as I see it. If you don't look at the facts that is your problem. We don't need you to tell us what to post.

 

Concerned? Sure. Convinced of the inevitablilty of the Cubs being a sub .500 team? I don't know.

 

Also, don't tell me that I don't look at the facts. That is not true. We both look at facts, the difference is what we see in those facts. I see that the offseason is not yet over, and that it is entirely possible that the team's problems will be adressed. You seem to see the Cubs failing.

Agreed.

[wilk]

Michael Barrett, 4.13M

 

Where did this come from? Is there a published year-by-year breakdown of Barrett's contract anywhere?

 

Mark Prior, 3.55M

 

This would include 1/5th of his signing bonus. I have always assumed that his signing bonus was paid a long time ago, even though MLB takes it up across the guaranteed years of the contract. Is there a published report saying how it actually was/will be paid to Prior?

 

I don't know of any published report to direct you to. Prior was $2M incentive-escalated to $2.75M + 800k of the signing bonus which is paid at the start of each year 2002-2006.

 

Barrett I had $4M salary + 130k bonus. His base salary could be as high as $4.5M but I'm not positive on that.

[YearofDaCubs]

That's not what was said. "He does realize we don't currently have a RF, right???" = drivel. There's been rumors of Wilkerson, Bradley, Jones & Abreu.

 

You think it's drivel, I think it drives home a point. It was a sarcastic response to some pretty insincere words coming out of Hendry's mouth.

 

Why do you pretend like there isn't a problem with the Cubs right now? Do you really think everything is fine?

 

Many teams have spots to fill. I'm a laid back guy w/ patience.

A laid back guy whom with every opportunity you get defend Hendry and the organization and keep waiting for the big trade or signing to happen. Time is ticking as far as I'm concerned.

 

How is giving Hendry a B- a defence @ every opportunity?? Also, I've said he's done enough to get canned by the end of this upcoming season, if they don't contend.

Sounds good to me. Although considering the holes we still have a B- is generous. :P

 

I take the last 3 1/2 years into consideration. The team far exceded expectations in 2003. They underachieved a little in 2004, but had major injuries to Prior & Wood and still won 88 games. Last year was a major disappointment and Baker's infatuation w/ Perez reached epic proportions. Hitching his wagon to Baker for a 4th season makes me questions whether Hendry's fit for the job, as he's a pretty stubborn man. I'll give him one more year.

 

Do you think Hendry salvaged Baker's final year because he stands to make 4m in that final year? Do you think that the Tribune would be happy with Hendry if he fired a guy Hendry hired, who still had 4m to go on his contract? Then also knowing that someone would have to be hired to replace Dusty, would Hendry's own job become more unstable?

 

I'm wondering if that had anything to do with Baker still being here. The rumors of extensions kind of shoots that theory out of the water. But, Baker has been absolutely horrible (in my mind) with filling out a line up card, from preventing clubhouse chaos, etc...

 

He hasn't been a man worthy of a 4m paycheck, IMO. Will it be easier for Hendry to fire him this year knowing he's now in the last year of his contract, meanwhile an interim manager wouldn't cost anymore?

 

Or at this point, will Hendry just be sent packing too (assuming that he doesn't improve the team)?

Baker has been abysmal. All are great questions especially considering there is doubt now about the extenstions to be given out. Baker's latest comments made it seem he didn't want to be in Chicago anymore and I'm sure most will be fine with that.

[Diffusion]

Prior will earn $3.55m in 2006. $2m base salary, $800k signing bonus installment, $500k salary escalator for 2003 Cy Young placing, $250k escalator for 2003 All-Star selection.

[CubfaninCA]

That's not what was said. "He does realize we don't currently have a RF, right???" = drivel. There's been rumors of Wilkerson, Bradley, Jones & Abreu.

 

You think it's drivel, I think it drives home a point. It was a sarcastic response to some pretty insincere words coming out of Hendry's mouth.

 

Why do you pretend like there isn't a problem with the Cubs right now? Do you really think everything is fine?

 

Many teams have spots to fill. I'm a laid back guy w/ patience.

A laid back guy whom with every opportunity you get defend Hendry and the organization and keep waiting for the big trade or signing to happen. Time is ticking as far as I'm concerned.

 

How is giving Hendry a B- a defence @ every opportunity?? Also, I've said he's done enough to get canned by the end of this upcoming season, if they don't contend.

Sounds good to me. Although considering the holes we still have a B- is generous. :P

 

I take the last 3 1/2 years into consideration. The team far exceded expectations in 2003. They underachieved a little in 2004, but had major injuries to Prior & Wood and still won 88 games. Last year was a major disappointment and Baker's infatuation w/ Perez reached epic proportions. Hitching his wagon to Baker for a 4th season makes me questions whether Hendry's fit for the job, as he's a pretty stubborn man. I'll give him one more year.

 

Do you think Hendry salvaged Baker's final year because he stands to make 4m in that final year? Do you think that the Tribune would be happy with Hendry if he fired a guy Hendry hired, who still had 4m to go on his contract? Then also knowing that someone would have to be hired to replace Dusty, would Hendry's own job become more unstable?

 

I'm wondering if that had anything to do with Baker still being here. The rumors of extensions kind of shoots that theory out of the water. But, Baker has been absolutely horrible (in my mind) with filling out a line up card, from preventing clubhouse chaos, etc...

 

He hasn't been a man worthy of a 4m paycheck, IMO. Will it be easier for Hendry to fire him this year knowing he's now in the last year of his contract, meanwhile an interim manager wouldn't cost anymore?

 

Or at this point, will Hendry just be sent packing too (assuming that he doesn't improve the team)?

 

Oh, I'm sure the Trib doesn't want to pay 2 managers, but if Hendry pushed hard enough they may be able to get Baker out. My assumption w/ Hendry is that he's a really stubborn guy, and that may be his downfall.

 

My guess is that if Hendry & Baker pull off 83 wins or more, they'll be back. That's enough for the Trib. It keeps hope alive w/ the masses, who don't follow baseball too closely.

[YearofDaCubs]

That's not what was said. "He does realize we don't currently have a RF, right???" = drivel. There's been rumors of Wilkerson, Bradley, Jones & Abreu.

 

You think it's drivel, I think it drives home a point. It was a sarcastic response to some pretty insincere words coming out of Hendry's mouth.

 

Why do you pretend like there isn't a problem with the Cubs right now? Do you really think everything is fine?

 

Many teams have spots to fill. I'm a laid back guy w/ patience.

A laid back guy whom with every opportunity you get defend Hendry and the organization and keep waiting for the big trade or signing to happen. Time is ticking as far as I'm concerned.

 

How is giving Hendry a B- a defence @ every opportunity?? Also, I've said he's done enough to get canned by the end of this upcoming season, if they don't contend.

Sounds good to me. Although considering the holes we still have a B- is generous. :P

 

I take the last 3 1/2 years into consideration. The team far exceded expectations in 2003. They underachieved a little in 2004, but had major injuries to Prior & Wood and still won 88 games. Last year was a major disappointment and Baker's infatuation w/ Perez reached epic proportions. Hitching his wagon to Baker for a 4th season makes me questions whether Hendry's fit for the job, as he's a pretty stubborn man. I'll give him one more year.

 

Do you think Hendry salvaged Baker's final year because he stands to make 4m in that final year? Do you think that the Tribune would be happy with Hendry if he fired a guy Hendry hired, who still had 4m to go on his contract? Then also knowing that someone would have to be hired to replace Dusty, would Hendry's own job become more unstable?

 

I'm wondering if that had anything to do with Baker still being here. The rumors of extensions kind of shoots that theory out of the water. But, Baker has been absolutely horrible (in my mind) with filling out a line up card, from preventing clubhouse chaos, etc...

 

He hasn't been a man worthy of a 4m paycheck, IMO. Will it be easier for Hendry to fire him this year knowing he's now in the last year of his contract, meanwhile an interim manager wouldn't cost anymore?

 

Or at this point, will Hendry just be sent packing too (assuming that he doesn't improve the team)?

 

Oh, I'm sure the Trib doesn't want to pay 2 managers, but if Hendry pushed hard enough they may be able to get Baker out. My assumption w/ Hendry is that he's a really stubborn guy, and that may be his downfall.

 

My guess is that if Hendry & Baker pull off 83 wins or more, they'll be back. That's enough for the Trib. It keeps hope alive w/ the masses, who don't follow baseball too closely.

I don't think anything less than the playoffs will do it.

[JeffH]

Prior will earn $3.55m in 2006. $2m base salary, $800k signing bonus installment, $500k salary escalator for 2003 Cy Young placing, $250k escalator for 2003 All-Star selection.

 

I'd be grateful if you could point me to documentation on how Prior's signing bonus is being paid (all at once, year-by-year).

 

Thanks.

[stitchface]

What crappy trades could these be? do we have hope that one is for tejada and the other for someone decent?

[USSoccer]

What crappy trades could these be? do we have hope that one is for tejada and the other for someone decent?

 

I'm guessing one of them involves Arizona or Anaheim. Finley, Gonzo or Green in exchange for Corey and a pitcher, or Walker, or something like that.

 

The other one might be an offer for Tejada, and if we use the Pierre trade as a measuring stick for what Hendry is willing to give up when he's desperate, god knows who we're losing.

[BigbadB]

What crappy trades could these be? do we have hope that one is for tejada and the other for someone decent?

 

Ha! Are you implying Tejada is something less than "someone decent"?

 

That's the way I read it. :D

[stitchface]

hmmmm, no. :shock: