Hendry signs Jones for 3/$16 million

[LoneStarCubFan]

Hendry was armed with a lot of money but he had nobody to spend it on. Typical Cub luck.

 

Would people prefer signing Johnny Damon to a bloated four-year deal to play center field? Or overpay A.J. Burnett?

 

It's not like he had a bunch of options.

 

People can whine and moan that he should have made a big trade, but you can't make one by yourself. You need another team to go along.

[rocket]

The Cubs are so stupid and worthless.

[UK1679666180]

Hendry was armed with a lot of money but he had nobody to spend it on. Typical Cub luck.

 

In an ideal world, it would have been allocated towards the rapidly declining farm system. But it wasn't a Jones or bust scenario, overspending like he did indicates otherwise though.

[LoneStarCubFan]

Hendry was armed with a lot of money but he had nobody to spend it on. Typical Cub luck.

 

In an ideal world, it would have been allocated towards the rapidly declining farm system. But it wasn't a Jones or bust scenario, overspending like he did indicates otherwise though.

 

And had he done that the same people screaming about how he overspent for players this year would be screaming he should be picking up whoever he can to improve the club.

[RynoRules]

The Cubs are so stupid and worthless.

 

:shrug:

[UK1679666180]

Hendry was armed with a lot of money but he had nobody to spend it on. Typical Cub luck.

 

In an ideal world, it would have been allocated towards the rapidly declining farm system. But it wasn't a Jones or bust scenario, overspending like he did indicates otherwise though.

 

And had he done that the same people screaming about how he overspent for players this year would be screaming he should be picking up whoever he can to improve the club.

 

Like who?

 

Would "they" (whoever these imaginary people are) be yelling for Hendry to sign the same players that they are screaming that he overpaid for?

 

You can improve the club w/out overspending on players, even in this market.

 

Example...

 

Sanders will likely not get the same deal as Jones both in years and dollars.

 

Who is likely to be more productive? Jones or Sanders?

 

Once again, it's not an all or nothing scenario.

 

I would rather see them put it back into the weak farm, system rather than overspending on players.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

So let me see. In the season of Hope us Cubs fans already called in the 2006 season. Yep everything is back to normal after the 2003 season.

 

Hendry has addressed the needs of the Cubs. Pen, Lead-off CF and RF. Why is that a bust? You can only determine a bust over time. You all are not counting on pitching at all and are expecting the offense to carry this team. Well it isn't. Hendry is building a balanced team with OBP and speed in the front of the line-up followed by power and then a Barrett mix. Hendry has helped build a better defensive team too IMO.

 

He's trying to Dusty proof this team!

 

Pierre and Jones are high energy guys that'll bring a nice balance to the team. I like the moves. All nay says need to have a "smart egg nog" and relax! Hendry's not finished yet.

 

Largely agree. Group think and over reaction reign on here currently.

 

Yes, we all get together to decide what should be the board response to every post. Thanks for the assinine post.

[wastra]

Hendry was armed with a lot of money but he had nobody to spend it on. Typical Cub luck.

 

 

 

What a terrible philosophy.

 

 

We're not in this situation due to bad luck, we're in it because for the past 3 years, Hendry has bungled the 40-man roster to the point where for 2 straight years, despite one of the igher NL payrolls, it's now been unsalvageable.

 

Being a GM is not just about going into an offseason and trying to get good players. It's about planning 1, 2, 3, 4, + years down the road. Hendry has shown no reason for us to believe he even has a plan beyond tomorrow, let alone next month or next year. So not only did he go out and sign a questionable player for big dollars, he signed him to a THREE YEAR DEAL, so now we're sinking or swimming with a queationable guy in right field.

 

 

Seriously- how do you go 2 straight years with what could conceivably be the worst offensive outfield in the NL with the payroll we're running?

 

I'll say it now, just as I did on the day of the burnitz signing last year: This is not a playoff-caliber team.

[Magnetic Curses]

Hendry was armed with a lot of money but he had nobody to spend it on. Typical Cub luck.

 

Would people prefer signing Johnny Damon to a bloated four-year deal to play center field? Or overpay A.J. Burnett?

 

It's not like he had a bunch of options.

 

People can whine and moan that he should have made a big trade, but you can't make one by yourself. You need another team to go along.

 

his first priority should have been to sign giles.

 

after giles, it doesn't really matter. the rest takes care of itself.

 

trade for pierre, whatever, sign a couple bullpen guys, alright, lose out on furcal, i don't care.

 

a lineup of

 

1. pierre

2. walker

3. lee

4. giles

5. ramirez

6. barrett

7. murton

8. cedeno

 

looks pretty good to me.

[CardsFanInChiTown]

Rob Neyer on the deal

 

And then there's Jacque Jones. I know the words above will draw a healthy response for those who consider me a "Yankee-hater" ... but hold your fire, because I've got some truly nasty things to say about Jim Hendry and Jacque Jones.

 

Last night, I read a long story about the Cubs signing Jones to a three-year deal worth $16 million. Honestly, the money is not a big deal. The Cubs can afford it. The problem is that Jones will, for the next three seasons, be in the lineup nearly every day (notwithstanding trade or injury). In this particular story, I "learned" that:

 

• According to Cubs general manager Jim Hendry, Jones has "a lot of upside in him" (he's going to be 31 next season);

 

• Jones is "patient at the plate" (his career high in walks, set last season, is 51);

 

• Hendry's scouts told him that Jones' struggles in the last two seasons were perhaps because "Jones tried to carry the Twins," who had to deal with injuries to key players such as Torii Hunter and Shannon Stewart.

 

On the other hand, here's what I learned in three minutes of quality time on the Interweb: Jones batted .300 in 2002 and '03 not because he was relaxed. He batted .300 because he was 27 and 28. He's not at all patient and figures to draw something like 40 walks in 150 games. The Cubs finished second in the National League last season with 194 home runs, but ranked just ninth in scoring. Why? Because their .324 on-base percentage ranked 11th in the league.

 

Jones' OBP over the last two seasons?

 

.317

 

Jones is exactly the sort of player the Cubs don't need, and it's incredibly negligent of Hendry to ignore a fact so evident.

 

http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/insider/columns/story?columnist=neyer_rob&id=2267243

[Blueheart05]

Rob Neyer on the deal

 

And then there's Jacque Jones. I know the words above will draw a healthy response for those who consider me a "Yankee-hater" ... but hold your fire, because I've got some truly nasty things to say about Jim Hendry and Jacque Jones.

 

Last night, I read a long story about the Cubs signing Jones to a three-year deal worth $16 million. Honestly, the money is not a big deal. The Cubs can afford it. The problem is that Jones will, for the next three seasons, be in the lineup nearly every day (notwithstanding trade or injury). In this particular story, I "learned" that:

 

• According to Cubs general manager Jim Hendry, Jones has "a lot of upside in him" (he's going to be 31 next season);

 

• Jones is "patient at the plate" (his career high in walks, set last season, is 51);

 

• Hendry's scouts told him that Jones' struggles in the last two seasons were perhaps because "Jones tried to carry the Twins," who had to deal with injuries to key players such as Torii Hunter and Shannon Stewart.

 

On the other hand, here's what I learned in three minutes of quality time on the Interweb: Jones batted .300 in 2002 and '03 not because he was relaxed. He batted .300 because he was 27 and 28. He's not at all patient and figures to draw something like 40 walks in 150 games. The Cubs finished second in the National League last season with 194 home runs, but ranked just ninth in scoring. Why? Because their .324 on-base percentage ranked 11th in the league.

 

Jones' OBP over the last two seasons?

 

.317

 

Jones is exactly the sort of player the Cubs don't need, and it's incredibly negligent of Hendry to ignore a fact so evident.

 

http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/insider/columns/story?columnist=neyer_rob&id=2267243

 

In fairness, it was Carrie Muskat that said he was patient not Hendry. I pointed that out lastnight.

[goonys evil twin]

Rob Neyer on the deal

 

• According to Cubs general manager Jim Hendry, Jones has "a lot of upside in him" (he's going to be 31 next season);

 

• Jones is "patient at the plate" (his career high in walks, set last season, is 51);

 

• Hendry's scouts told him that Jones' struggles in the last two seasons were perhaps because "Jones tried to carry the Twins," who had to deal with injuries to key players such as Torii Hunter and Shannon Stewart.

 

 

Jones is exactly the sort of player the Cubs don't need, and it's incredibly negligent of Hendry to ignore a fact so evident.

 

http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/insider/columns/story?columnist=neyer_rob&id=2267243

 

Sums up exactly what is wrong with this boneheaded backasswards management group. They are so bullheaded dead set against anything resembling objective analysis that they still live in the fantasy world that a 31 year old player can have upside, or that prolonged repeated lackluster results are due to something other than the simple fact that this is exactly what this player is.

[erik316wttn]

I think if this happens it's pretty safe to say the Cubs offseason has been a bust.

 

Safe to say the Cubs and the Cards.

 

But the Cards are still better than us.

[Magnetic Curses]

Rob Neyer on the deal

 

• According to Cubs general manager Jim Hendry, Jones has "a lot of upside in him" (he's going to be 31 next season);

 

• Jones is "patient at the plate" (his career high in walks, set last season, is 51);

 

• Hendry's scouts told him that Jones' struggles in the last two seasons were perhaps because "Jones tried to carry the Twins," who had to deal with injuries to key players such as Torii Hunter and Shannon Stewart.

 

 

Jones is exactly the sort of player the Cubs don't need, and it's incredibly negligent of Hendry to ignore a fact so evident.

 

http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/insider/columns/story?columnist=neyer_rob&id=2267243

 

Sums up exactly what is wrong with this boneheaded backasswards management group. They are so bullheaded dead set against anything resembling objective analysis that they still live in the fantasy world that a 31 year old player can have upside, or that prolonged repeated lackluster results are due to something other than the simple fact that this is exactly what this player is.

 

stop being so negative goony. and neyer should stop being so negative, too. let's not let the truth get in the way of irrational optimism.

 

what a joke of a GM.

[CubinNY]

Rob Neyer on the deal

 

And then there's Jacque Jones. I know the words above will draw a healthy response for those who consider me a "Yankee-hater" ... but hold your fire, because I've got some truly nasty things to say about Jim Hendry and Jacque Jones.

 

Last night, I read a long story about the Cubs signing Jones to a three-year deal worth $16 million. Honestly, the money is not a big deal. The Cubs can afford it. The problem is that Jones will, for the next three seasons, be in the lineup nearly every day (notwithstanding trade or injury). In this particular story, I "learned" that:

 

• According to Cubs general manager Jim Hendry, Jones has "a lot of upside in him" (he's going to be 31 next season);

 

• Jones is "patient at the plate" (his career high in walks, set last season, is 51);

 

• Hendry's scouts told him that Jones' struggles in the last two seasons were perhaps because "Jones tried to carry the Twins," who had to deal with injuries to key players such as Torii Hunter and Shannon Stewart.

 

On the other hand, here's what I learned in three minutes of quality time on the Interweb: Jones batted .300 in 2002 and '03 not because he was relaxed. He batted .300 because he was 27 and 28. He's not at all patient and figures to draw something like 40 walks in 150 games. The Cubs finished second in the National League last season with 194 home runs, but ranked just ninth in scoring. Why? Because their .324 on-base percentage ranked 11th in the league.

 

Jones' OBP over the last two seasons?

 

.317

 

Jones is exactly the sort of player the Cubs don't need, and it's incredibly negligent of Hendry to ignore a fact so evident.

 

http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/insider/columns/story?columnist=neyer_rob&id=2267243

 

I'm sure Neyer's article is going to get yanked b/c it is pay. but Neyer is saying exactly what some here have said and he isn't even a member of NSBB.

 

Go figure.

Edited December 21, 2005 by CubinNY

[Magnetic Curses]

Hendry was armed with a lot of money but he had nobody to spend it on. Typical Cub luck.

 

-Edward K, indianapolis, Ind.

[anemic offense]

This deal is either going to work out REALLY well, or its going to be a complete disaster. I don't even see a middle ground.

[jtownie]

This deal is either going to work out REALLY well, or its going to be a complete disaster. I don't even see a middle ground.

 

I don't mean to pick here but what evidence do you have that would lead you to believe it could even work out REALLy well? Pass the peace pipe 'cause I need a hit of that!

[goonys evil twin]

This deal is either going to work out REALLY well, or its going to be a complete disaster. I don't even see a middle ground.

 

I think it'll either really hurt the team, or just slightly hinder them as they overcome with great pitching (or some magical offensive addition).

 

There's almost no chance it works out really well, because we know how good Jones is and the peak of what he can bring to the table, as well as the likelihood of that peak. He might not be the worst RF in the game. But he won't be better than mediocre, at best.

[LoneStarCubFan]

his first priority should have been to sign giles.

 

after giles, it doesn't really matter. the rest takes care of itself.

 

Except, of course, Giles never wanted to leave San Diego...

[Fred Hornkohl]

prior was not even average last year. july 1st on he had an aboce 5.00 era. the second half of the season his stats were not as good as maddux. that was a whole lot of starts and a large sample size. hopefully he will come back better, let's remember how many pitches he was throwing and how few innings.

the outfield is better but by how much.it's tough for me to believe that hendry will go with murton in left. can you win at wrigley with an outfield that might not hit 50 hrs combined?

with lofton and damon signed, perhaps patterson's value goes up. bottom line is that with this lineup it means we must have great(and healthy) pitching all season. it also means that we must have lee and aram healthy and productive all season. any injury would be devastating!

 

From July 1st on, Prior definitely did not have an ERA above 5. He was worse in the 2nd half, but still not that bad; just a rough estimate by looking at his month by month ERAs I'd say it was probably around 4.10-4.20. He had an ERA+ of 116 last year, which is no doubt disappointing, and I'm hoping for much better next year, but it's far from below average.

 

(Edited for confusing grammar.)

 

You're quite right, SSR.......

 

07/01 - 10/02        IP    H    R   ER   BB    K   HR    PC  BB/9   K/9  HR/9  WHIP   ERA
Prior             102.3  100   52   49   41  123   16  1854  3.61 10.82  1.41  1.38  4.31

Edited December 21, 2005 by Fred Hornkohl

[soapy]

Just for fun lets compare the 2003 Cubs with the 2006 projected Cubs

 

C - Miller = Barrett. Miller was a terrible hitter but he clearly got the best out of the Cubs staff

1B - Karros/Choi/Simon < Lee

2B - Grudz > Walker

SS - KGonz < Cedeno. Gonz was a better fielder probably, but his .210 or so after the ASB average killed the Cubs. Cedeno is an unknown, but projects to be better then KGonz

3B - Bellhorn/ARam < Aram. If healthy

LF - Alou > Murton. Even though Alou had a down year and was slow and couldn't run the basepaths, this time the unknown variable works against a young player. Murton could end up better though

CF - Patterson/Lofton > Pierre. Just a gut feeling

RF - Sosa > Jones. Even as bad as he was..

 

SP

 

Prior > Prior. Guess its unfair to compare the same player 3 years later, but that Prior was healthy and has not put up the same numbers since, no matter the reason

Wood > Wood. Obviously

Zambrano < Zambrano. Don't get me wrong, Zambrano was awesome in 2003, but I think he is more mature and more dominant now.

Clement > Maddux. Sadly...

***** (name should be banned from the forum) < Rusch/Williams

 

BP

 

03 < 05. We've improved I'll grudgingly admit

 

Bench

 

03 > 05. No power in the 05 bench. Sadly, Troy O'Leary-like player is needed.

 

Overall, I think the '03 team is better, but not by much.

 

I was talking offense.

 

C - Barrett >>>>Miller

1B - Lee >>>>>>>>> Karros/Choi/Simon

2B - Walker > Grudz Grudz had a career year in 2003, and Walker has a comparable OBP and a lot more power)

SS - Cedeno > KGon

3B - ARam >>> Bellhorn/Harris/2003 ARam

LF - Murton < Alou (though Alou had an average year at best)

CF - Pierre = Lofton

RF - Jones << Sosa

 

You remember the KGon-Miller black hole? Ugh. No more of that.

 

We don't know what the 2006 bench will look like, and there are good bench bats out there to be taken.

 

What makes the two of you think that Cedeno will be starting at SS AND Walker will still be here (and starting at 2B).

 

I'd say the MI will be Perez/Walker or Cedeno/Perez.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I'd say the MI will be Perez/Walker or Cedeno/Perez.

 

Sadly, it's beginning to look more like it will be Cedeno/Perez or Perez/Cedeno.

[Cubzfan64]

Just for fun lets compare the 2003 Cubs with the 2006 projected Cubs

 

C - Miller = Barrett. Miller was a terrible hitter but he clearly got the best out of the Cubs staff

1B - Karros/Choi/Simon < Lee

2B - Grudz > Walker

SS - KGonz < Cedeno. Gonz was a better fielder probably, but his .210 or so after the ASB average killed the Cubs. Cedeno is an unknown, but projects to be better then KGonz

3B - Bellhorn/ARam < Aram. If healthy

LF - Alou > Murton. Even though Alou had a down year and was slow and couldn't run the basepaths, this time the unknown variable works against a young player. Murton could end up better though

CF - Patterson/Lofton > Pierre. Just a gut feeling

RF - Sosa > Jones. Even as bad as he was..

 

SP

 

Prior > Prior. Guess its unfair to compare the same player 3 years later, but that Prior was healthy and has not put up the same numbers since, no matter the reason

Wood > Wood. Obviously

Zambrano < Zambrano. Don't get me wrong, Zambrano was awesome in 2003, but I think he is more mature and more dominant now.

Clement > Maddux. Sadly...

***** (name should be banned from the forum) < Rusch/Williams

 

BP

 

03 < 05. We've improved I'll grudgingly admit

 

Bench

 

03 > 05. No power in the 05 bench. Sadly, Troy O'Leary-like player is needed.

 

Overall, I think the '03 team is better, but not by much.

 

I was talking offense.

 

C - Barrett >>>>Miller

1B - Lee >>>>>>>>> Karros/Choi/Simon

2B - Walker > Grudz Grudz had a career year in 2003, and Walker has a comparable OBP and a lot more power)

SS - Cedeno > KGon

3B - ARam >>> Bellhorn/Harris/2003 ARam

LF - Murton < Alou (though Alou had an average year at best)

CF - Pierre = Lofton

RF - Jones << Sosa

 

You remember the KGon-Miller black hole? Ugh. No more of that.

 

We don't know what the 2006 bench will look like, and there are good bench bats out there to be taken.

 

What makes the two of you think that Cedeno will be starting at SS AND Walker will still be here (and starting at 2B).

 

I'd say the MI will be Perez/Walker or Cedeno/Perez.

 

I firmly believe Todd Walker will be gone and Perez will play the full season as our SS or 2B.

[soapy]

I'd say the MI will be Perez/Walker or Cedeno/Perez.

 

Sadly, it's beginning to look more like it will be Cedeno/Perez or Perez/Cedeno.

 

Well, Perez did save us from fifth place last year. Dude's earned it.

 

Pierre

Neifi

Lee

Jones

Ramirez

Murton

Barrett

Cedeno

 

If Murton and/or Cedeno tank, you're looking at a 70 win season, IMO.