The 2006 Cubs

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Ok, with the Jacque Jones signing, here is our 2005 Cubs...

 

C Michael Barrett- 4 million

1b Derrek Lee- 8.667 million

2b Todd Walker- 2.5

SS Ronny Cedeno 350K

3b Aramis Ramirez- 10.5

Lf Matt Murton 350 K

Cf Juan Pierre 5.5 (arb estimate)

Rf Jacque Jones 5.33

 

SP Kerry Wood 12

SP Mark Prior 3.55

SP Carlos Zambrano 5.5 (arb estimate)

SP Greg Maddux 9

SP Glendon Rusch 2.75

 

Bullpen

CL Ryan Dempster 5

Scott Williamson 2

Scott Eyre 3.7

Bob Howry 4

Will Ohman 400K

Micheal Wuertz 400K

 

Bench

John Mabry 1

Jerry Hairston 2.5 (arb est)

Corey Patterson 3 (arb est)

Neifi Perez 2.5

Henry Blanco 1.5

 

That's 24 players at 95.997 million. There will be either one more in the pen (Novoa, Welly, Koronka, Williams at roughly 400 K) or another bat on the bench that would cost maybe 1 million.

 

If we make a trade, we could still add roughly 9 million in salary and maybe more if we traded a salary like Patterson off the roster.

 

So, what's the next move, or is this the team that will take the field on Opening Day against the Reds?

[E.J.]

How do teams like the A's get into the playoffs with around $50 million a year and we get stuck with a team like that for $95? What a joke.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

That's your team! Aren't you excited? They might add someone like Eduardo Perez for the bench, and that's it. What a fearsome bunch these 2006 Cubs will be! Ooooh, taste the excitement as the Cubs try to snag 4th place away from the Cincinnati Reds. It will be fun at the old ball yard with those $40 box seats, yes sir!!

[Ding Dong Johnson]

After reading the subject, I half expected your post to say nothing more than "will suck".

 

The only way I can convince myself that Hendry is not a complete moran is if he does have a big deal cooking for someone like Tejada. Of course, we are probably stuck with what you have listed.

[Keener98]

After hearing Hendrys comments after the signing of Jones, Corey is gone. He basically said the reason they tendered him a contract was because teams weren't willing to offer anything in a trade because of the possibility of him being non-tendered. He said he will do what's best for the cubs first(yea right) and whats best for Corey 2nd. Corey is not on this team in 2006.

[E.J.]

After hearing Hendrys comments after the signing of Jones, Corey is gone. He basically said the reason they tendered him a contract was because teams weren't willing to offer anything in a trade because of the possibility of him being non-tendered. He said he will do what's best for the cubs first(yea right) and whats best for Corey 2nd. Corey is not on this team in 2006.

 

What's best for the Cubs is not signing Jacque freaking Jones to a 3-year contract Hendry, you moran!!!!!

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

After hearing Hendrys comments after the signing of Jones, Corey is gone. He basically said the reason they tendered him a contract was because teams weren't willing to offer anything in a trade because of the possibility of him being non-tendered. He said he will do what's best for the cubs first(yea right) and whats best for Corey 2nd. Corey is not on this team in 2006.

 

And I agree that is what is likely to happen, but since he was tendered, that immediately adds him to the 40-man. He's there until a trade happens.

 

I really don't see a Tejada trade happening, but I could see the extra cash being used to either extend Lee by increasing his contract for this year in exchange for cheaper value in future years...

 

or we could pursue one of the pitchers left on the market like Weaver. I don't see us having the cash to pursue Millwood until Corey is traded.

[BigbadB]

If they add cash to send Corey away, I'm not going to be happy. Oh wait, I'm already not happy.

 

But, getting back to this 2006 team, not only does the parent club look like crap, but the farm system took a pretty good hit as well.

 

AND, the draft will be pretty dull. AND, the Cubs are basically doing nothing outside of the US to find new talent.

 

But, let us all worship the fine offseason Hendry has provided the millions of fans around the world.

[CUBZ99]

So basically your saying that the Cubs finished in 4th place this year and failed to improve in any position?

 

The worst part is that if Hendry trades Walker the offense is looking pretty weak.

[UMFan83]

BTW, i dont know how this pertains to yearly salary, but the AP article says that Jones gets a 4 million signing bonus to be paid from 2006-2008 and an annual salary of 3 million in 2006

[USSoccer]

Vance, Prior was apparently arb eligible, so his salary will probably be higher than 3.5m

[CuseCubFan69]

So who are the Cubs looking at to fill the last slot or are they going to trade Patterson and Walker and add 3 guys?

[CuseCubFan69]

Here are Jones 3 year splits. Check out his average/OBP when he bats second. He also looks to be a hot April hitter and cools off big time after that.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/splits?statsId=6246&type=batting3

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Here are Jones 3 year splits. Check out his average/OBP when he bats second. He also looks to be a hot April hitter and cools off big time after that.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/splits?statsId=6246&type=batting3

 

I like the looks of that 1.933 OPS in the 9 spot. :lol:

[MustangMike]

Here are Jones 3 year splits. Check out his average/OBP when he bats second. He also looks to be a hot April hitter and cools off big time after that.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/splits?statsId=6246&type=batting3

 

I like the looks of that 1.933 OPS in the 9 spot. :lol:

 

I found a bright side...we have two outfielders that will wear their hats sideways....and a red hed! That's just good tv.

[ThePenguin11]

That list is lacking Jerome Williams.

[LoneStarCubFan]

Patterson gets dealt for sure. He's as good as gone. And it wouldn't surprise me if Walker goes too. Which means All Neifi, All The Time.

 

The question is, who are the two guys who fill those slots once they go? What can you get for CP, Walker and a minor leaguer or two? Does Eric Byrnes make sense as a platoon RF?

 

And will Dusty be dumb enough to go with a seven-man bullpen yet again at the cost them an extra bat?

 

The bullpen should be set as it is. Williams and Hill need to pitch out of the rotation in Des Moines instead of rot in the pen in Chicago.

[MikeG]

Add Wood to the DL and put Williams in a starting spot.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

That list is lacking Jerome Williams.

 

Williams is likely a starter until Wood returns to the rotation, but I fear he doesn't have a spot there unless Rusch struggles mightily.

[wastra]

For the life of me, I can't fathom how that list of scrubs and at least wo near-rookies plus 4 or 5 good players is a $95m payroll. that's not even a playoff caliber team IMO.

 

Andy; the sooner Hendry is gone, the better.

[AramisRamirez]

the day jacque jones signed a 3-year deal, the 2006 season ended for us and we finish with 83 wins. im content because any scenario had us finishing with that many wins. the only difference is we didnt trade our good prospects. so this season ended before it started.

[hankp101]

While this has certainly been a disappointing offseason so far, I don't think this team is absolutely doomed. I am sure this has been discussed ad nauseum elsewhere, but what would it take for the cobs to get Huff and Lugo? Assuming Walker is a goner, would Walker+Williams+Wellemeyer+prospect be enough? Those two could fill a whole lot of needs and would make this team one starter a way from being a serious contender in the NL, IMO.