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[Backtobanks]

Let's say Maddux continues his amazing season and wins 16-17 games with a 3.5 ERA and leads the Cubs to the playoffs. Does Hendry re-sign him? Let's say Maddux is willing to give the Cubs a "home-town discount" for a 2-year contract. Deal or no deal (and possibly face the PR fiasco of letting Maddux leave the Cubs a second time). How much would the Cubs be willing to give to Maddux? Now change that scenario to Maddux leading the Cubs to the WS (or to a WS win). Could the Cubs "afford" to let Maddux leave?

[Wheelimus]

I think that if Greg has a good season, we should resign him. One year contract with a team option for a second year, or a million buck buyout.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

The problem with re-signing Maddux is that we'll be working with a short deadline. I can't see the Cubs risking offering arbitration, which means he'll have to be signed prior to the Winter Meetings or we could not sign him until after May 1. His agent is Boras, so if there's any market at all, Boras will play the waiting game.

[rawaction]

I think Atlanta didn't re-sign Maddux because they got screwed in arbitration the previous season. The Cubs would have to pay big if he accepts. As much as it would hurt, I would say let him test the waters, regardless of how good his season is, and hope he retires.

[RynoRules]

It would be very sad indeed if Greg finishes as he has started and thus prices himself off the team. He's as reliable as any pitcher 15 years younger.

[srbin84]

If he continues the season he is having, just give him what he wants. This team has wasted more money for less than Greg Maddux.

[biittner77]

If Maddux has a good year, is he a Type A FA? If so the comp pick would be nice.

 

Maddux's future as a Cub also depends on the progress of Marshall, Hill and Guzman not to mention Wood, Miller and Williams.

[badgercub]

What are the odds, if he continues to have a good season, that he would want to stay in Chicago and play for a "reasonable contract". A hometown discount if you will.

[Jehrico]

How about a 3 yr contract with 2 automatic vesting options? If after the first year he wins 15 or has an ERA under 3.5, the second year vests. If he does it again, he gets the third year.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Considering there is zero chance Kerry Wood returns, and Mark Prior is completely unreliable, I'd say the Cubs should hang onto a competent starting pitcher like Greg Maddux. Given his age, he'd probably be agreeable to a one-year deal with a second-year option. The money is moot, as he's already getting $9MM and he wouldn't get much more than that, if at all. So sign him, and if you think more of the young guys are ready to pitch in the bigs, like Guzman and Hill, then you send someone like Glendon Rusch away, not someone like The Professor.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

How about a 3 yr contract with 2 automatic vesting options? If after the first year he wins 15 or has an ERA under 3.5, the second year vests. If he does it again, he gets the third year.

 

You cannot have contracts and bonuses based on statistical achievements like number of wins or ERA, it's not allowed by MLB or the union. You can use numbers based on health, like innings pitched or games started, but that's it. Similarly, you can't base a position player's deal on the number of homers hit, or the batting average, etc..., but you can use numbers related to health and durability like games played and plate appearances.

[rawaction]

If he continues the season he is having, just give him what he wants. This team has wasted more money for less than Greg Maddux.

 

 

For your sig....the year is 2006.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

If Wood is not brought back, Maddux should definitely be retained for a 1 year + option deal. If Wood comes back, Maddux at a reduced price wouldn't be a terrible thing.

[rawaction]

Considering there is zero chance Kerry Wood returns, and Mark Prior is completely unreliable, I'd say the Cubs should hang onto a competent starting pitcher like Greg Maddux. Given his age, he'd probably be agreeable to a one-year deal with a second-year option. The money is moot, as he's already getting $9MM and he wouldn't get much more than that, if at all. So sign him, and if you think more of the young guys are ready to pitch in the bigs, like Guzman and Hill, then you send someone like Glendon Rusch away, not someone like The Professor.

 

I think there's a much better chance than you think that Wood is back. And I don't agree that Prior is unreliable, but that's debatable I guess. And still $9M is a lot for a guy that isn't a guaranteed top of the line starter.

[biittner77]

If Wood is not brought back, Maddux should definitely be retained for a 1 year + option deal. If Wood comes back, Maddux at a reduced price wouldn't be a terrible thing.

 

I can't see Maddux sticking around at a reduced price. He already has a ring and is a first ballot HOF. Why take a paycut?

[BeerHere]

If he has a great year, bring him back for 2 years. The Cubs could do much worse and given the state of the othe starters, nothing is ever certain. Personally I think Wood walks, Prior has had a choppy history the last couple years. A lot depends on how Marshall/Hill/Guzman do this year. If all three are spectacular, maybe Maddux walks. If all three stumble or get hurt, Maddux should stay.

 

Either way, it's too early to tell and it's no certainty that MadDog will pitch this well the entire year. I sincerely hope he does and Hendry is forced to make a tough decision this offseason.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Don't bring Maddux back.

[Mizzou]

I'd be open to a one year contract with a mutual option for the second year.

 

The only starters that we know will be here next year are Prior and Zambrano. I'd really rather not have three rookies or a combination of rookies and crappy free agent starting pitchers.

 

Assuming Maddux doesn't suddenly break down and pitch even worse than he did last year, resign him. Absolutely.

[XZero771679666304]

Considering there is zero chance Kerry Wood returns, and Mark Prior is completely unreliable, I'd say the Cubs should hang onto a competent starting pitcher like Greg Maddux. Given his age, he'd probably be agreeable to a one-year deal with a second-year option. The money is moot, as he's already getting $9MM and he wouldn't get much more than that, if at all. So sign him, and if you think more of the young guys are ready to pitch in the bigs, like Guzman and Hill, then you send someone like Glendon Rusch away, not someone like The Professor.

 

I think there's a much better chance than you think that Wood is back. And I don't agree that Prior is unreliable, but that's debatable I guess. And still $9M is a lot for a guy that isn't a guaranteed top of the line starter.

 

I agree. I think it is actually likely that Wood is back. No one is going to offer him a big contract after the last two years, and he and his wife love Chicago. I think a one or two year low base - high incentive contract for Kerry is probable.

 

As for Maddux, I would bring him back for 4-5 million. I think he'd go for it. I am less than sold on Hill, and Guzman is still unreliable.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

As for Maddux, I would bring him back for 4-5 million. I think he'd go for it. I am less than sold on Hill, and Guzman is still unreliable.

 

How are you going to give him 4-5 million? Unless you can somehow convince him to cut his salary in half before the arbitration deadline, you're going to be paying him at least the 9 million he gets this year.

[XZero771679666304]

As for Maddux, I would bring him back for 4-5 million. I think he'd go for it. I am less than sold on Hill, and Guzman is still unreliable.

 

How are you going to give him 4-5 million? Unless you can somehow convince him to cut his salary in half before the arbitration deadline, you're going to be paying him at least the 9 million he gets this year.

 

Convince him. Isn't a team option? Can it not be bought out?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

As for Maddux, I would bring him back for 4-5 million. I think he'd go for it. I am less than sold on Hill, and Guzman is still unreliable.

 

How are you going to give him 4-5 million? Unless you can somehow convince him to cut his salary in half before the arbitration deadline, you're going to be paying him at least the 9 million he gets this year.

 

Convince him. Isn't a team option? Can it not be bought out?

 

This year is the option year, it vested with IP requirements.

[Chocolate Milk]

I like Maddux and it looks like he'll have a fairly productive season. However, he's likely to be pretty expensive and it's time we see if some of our young arms (Hill, Guzman, Marshall, etc) can get it done.

 

I say let him walk.

Edited April 18, 2006 by Chocolate Milk

[XZero771679666304]

As for Maddux, I would bring him back for 4-5 million. I think he'd go for it. I am less than sold on Hill, and Guzman is still unreliable.

 

How are you going to give him 4-5 million? Unless you can somehow convince him to cut his salary in half before the arbitration deadline, you're going to be paying him at least the 9 million he gets this year.

 

Convince him. Isn't a team option? Can it not be bought out?

 

This year is the option year, it vested with IP requirements.

 

I thought so.

 

Well, then I don't think it is a problem. He says he wants to win here, I wonder how much he wants to switch teams at his age, and he knows that at 40+ teams will probably expect some decline. Not everybody is Roger Clemens, and he doesn't have to go to arbitration.

 

5 million per is perfectly reasonable, IMO.

[Geech]

I don't think so. Maddux strikes me as the sort of guy who knows what he's worth and wants to paid such. That's not to say he's greedy, just that he wants to be paid fairly. Right now his current salary is pretty close to what pitchers of his ability are getting paid, so I don't see him taking that much of a paycut just to stick around.