Cubs sign Grissom, Mike Restovich, and AUGIE to minor deals

[Rusch33]

It's minor league contracts.

 

Calm down.

[JC]

It's minor league contracts.

 

Calm down.

 

I'm not sure what this means.

[dalgreen]

I didn't realize that non-roster invitees automatically make the 25-man roster. I think this frustration could be directed in other areas. It will be a minor miracle if Grissom even gets through spring training healthy, let alone the 162 game season. I will be more upset come spring training if the 25-man roster is what it is now than Grissom coming to spring training.

[BigbadB]

Jacque Jones had many offers on the table for his services. Grissom will not platoon with Jones. Jones will start in about as many games as Burnitz did last year. Burnitz led the Cubs in starts last year.

 

From who? The Royals and who else? I'd rather platoon with the Cubs than start everyday in KC too. I wouldn't assume quite yet that he'll start everyday.

 

I'm going to assume this until Dusty proves he's a changed man. I'm not saying it's right. It's just the way I see the ball bouncing.

 

Over time, a guy develops a reputation if he continues to do the same things year after year. I didn't give him the reputation, he earned it.

 

He's been quoted as saying that dark skinned players can handle playing in the heat better. The Cubs play a lot of day games. He and Hendry seem to like the toolsy player, and Jones is more toolsy than Murton. I could go on and on, but I honestly believe that Hendry and Baker feel quite comfortable putting Jacque Jones and his 30/30 potential out there day in and day out. I think Jones could potentially hit 30 HR's playing most of his games in the NL Central. If I can think that, then I know Hendry and Dusty probably think it more than I do.

[CUBZ99]

It's minor league contracts.

 

Calm down.

 

I'm not sure what this means.

 

I think he means that some people are being a little over dramatic.

[WrigleyField 22]

I love Augie. I don't want to see him anywhere near our major league team, but hes the kind of guy you like to root for.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Restovich was a top prospect for Minnesota before struggling in his stints in the majors. He's only 27, so I like the signing. He's worth a shot.

 

He could be the right handed pinch hitter, reserve outfielder we've been looking for.

[erik316wttn]

Augie [expletive] Ojeda.

 

Somehow I knew I hadn't heard the last of him.

 

He can catch the ball, though.

[erik316wttn]

It's minor league contracts.

 

Calm down.

 

I'm not sure what this means.

 

I think he means that some people are being a little over dramatic.

 

Is there such a thing as being over dramatic with this team?

[stitchface]

It's minor league contracts.

 

Calm down.

 

I'm not sure what this means.

 

I think he means that some people are being a little over dramatic.

 

Is there such a thing as being over dramatic with this team?

 

we all know what an nri is - who is over-dramatic?

[BigbadB]

we all know what an nri is - who is over-dramatic?

 

We all know what an NRI is, but does Dusty?

[CUBZ99]

It's minor league contracts.

 

Calm down.

 

I'm not sure what this means.

 

I think he means that some people are being a little over dramatic.

 

Is there such a thing as being over dramatic with this team?

 

:lol: Point taken.

[stitchface]

well, we know hendry doesn't.

[Schwarber Fan]

I saw Restovich and Ojeda play here in Rochester and i like Restovich alot.

I have always liked Augie and his name... he was the Rochester Red Wings fan favorite player last year...

 

Grissom... i can do without.

[erik316wttn]

I saw Restovich and Ojeda play here in Rochester and i like Restovich alot.

I have always liked Augie and his name... he was the Rochester Red Wings fan favorite player last year...

 

Grissom... i can do without.

 

Augie should not be on a major league roster.

 

He's Rey Ordonez without the bat.

[CUBZ99]

I saw Restovich and Ojeda play here in Rochester and i like Restovich alot.

I have always liked Augie and his name... he was the Rochester Red Wings fan favorite player last year...

 

Grissom... i can do without.

 

Augie should not be on a major league roster.

 

He's Rey Ordonez without the bat.

 

He's not on the major league roster. Last year the Cubs did the same thing by signing Cody Ransom (a guy who was actually coached by Baker in SF, I think) and he never saw the major league roster once.

[erik316wttn]

I saw Restovich and Ojeda play here in Rochester and i like Restovich alot.

I have always liked Augie and his name... he was the Rochester Red Wings fan favorite player last year...

 

Grissom... i can do without.

 

Augie should not be on a major league roster.

 

He's Rey Ordonez without the bat.

 

He's not on the major league roster. Last year the Cubs did the same thing by signing Cody Ransom (a guy who was actually coached by Baker in SF, I think) and he never saw the major league roster once.

 

But my point is this.

 

I know he was signed to a minors contract. He has ML experience, and he can "catch the ball." He was signed to a minor league contract with the possibility of making the big club again one day. He shouldn't even have that chance. That spot should be for some up-and-coming kid, not Augie "0-for-22" Ojeda.

 

I admire his heart and his drive. I like the effort he gives. But, all the heart in the world means nothing if you don't have any talent. He has none.

[BigbadB]

From Rotoworld:

 

Cubs signed outfielder Marquis Grissom to a minor league contract.

Before his ugly 2005, Grissom had OPSs against lefties of 1056 in 2003 and 933 in 2004. If he replaces Jacque Jones versus southpaws for the Cubs, the team will probably be better off. Still, the Twins never had the guts to make Jones a platoon player and the Cubs might not want to upset him so soon after giving him a three-year deal. Jan. 3 - 7:40 pm et

 

Pretty much my feelings. The Twins didn't platoon him and I doubt the Cubs do.

 

Cubs signed infielder Augie Ojeda to a minor league contract.

Ojeda spent four years in the Cubs system before joining the Twins two years ago. A defensive specialist, there's certainly no room for him on a team already carrying Neifi Perez. Jan. 3 - 7:34 pm et

 

See that, Dusty? Neifi is a utility player, not a starter!

 

Cubs signed outfielder Michael Restovich to a minor league contract.

Did he enter into this agreement before or after he knew Marquis Grissom would also be joining the Cubs? He may be at least as good of an option to platoon with Jacque Jones as Grissom, but we doubt he'll be the choice. The Cubs will probably have him waste away in Triple-A. Jan. 3 - 7:37 pm et

 

Dubois looked like a better prospect than Restovich when comparing minor league numbers. We know how that turned out.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Restovich would be a good complement to Mabry on the bench, if Grissom doesn't work out. Restovich KILLS LHP, but is worse than Dubois against RHP. Like Dubois, Restovich has power, and we need that for the bench--a guy that can come up in the 8th inning instead of a freaking Jose F. Macias, and hit the ball out of the park.

 

Assume for a moment the Cubs keep Todd Walker to start at 2B, and go with the sane strategy of an 11-man pitching staff. Then the Cubs bench right now looks like Neifi, Hairston, Blanco, Mabry, Grissom and Restovich? I have to say, that's a much better bench than the Cubs have trotted out there in recent years. Could have been better (Mark Sweeney comes to mind), but an improvement.

 

Bullpen--vastly improved, especially with depth.

Bench--improved, especially in terms of righty/lefty balance.

 

So that's something. If Hendry makes no additional moves, this looks like an 80-85 win team. Not enough to make the playoffs, but sadly, probably just enough to get Hendry and Dusty re-upped. Lovely.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Augie really doesn't worry me at all, I don't see him being on the roster at any juncture.

[SouthSideRyan]

The reactino to Augie is insane. I hated him too, but he ain't touching this roster.

[stitchface]

so goes the second great flaw with the cubs . . .get the wrong players then misuse them to make them worse. f jones, he's a platoon player.

[SteveSarley]

I don't mind the signings at all.

If Grissom can return to 2004 he is a fine backup OF with a nice combo of OBP, speed, power and defense.

Restovich? Why not take a look? He'll probably be a big help to the AAA team in the long run.

Augie? The same Augie who used to get the "Au-gie Au-gie" chants?

Why not? The orginazation seems to have always liked him. He doesn't have a chance at making the team but will play in AAA quite a bit.

I am still not happy with our OF situation. Grissom is a big "?" and Mabry is a #5, at best. Please don't say Corey's name, because he will be gone.

This team needs a 4th outfielder who can play some center and fill in for about 80 games among the three spots combined, barring injury, of course. If Grissom fills this spot, fine. I just cannot bank on a guy his age coming off an injury.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Augie is organizational filler. Iowa needs a second SS, and Cedeno isn't going back there. Fontenot can't play short. So Augie becomes Ryan Theriot's backup. OK, no big whoop.

[cubweiser03]

I like Restovich too.