2007 Free Agents

[CubfaninCA]

cliff floyd..

 

hmmm. he fits the cubs profile. he was really good for a while, but is now aging and could come cheap. he could put up some nice numbers. if they can package murton for a difference maker player, then why not.

[Outshined_One]

b- we need someone from Cuba to help Mr Valdes when he gets to the majors. Although Contreras or El Duque could help him make the adjustment, Mr Sanchez would be a nice fallback and utility OF.

 

The Cubs cut Valdes loose.

[RynoRules]

cliff floyd..

 

hmmm. he fits the cubs profile. he was really good for a while, but is now aging and could come cheap. he could put up some nice numbers. if they can package murton for a difference maker player, then why not.

 

Why would you want to trade Murton - inexpensive, already a good hitter and going to get better - for an aging and expensive LFer who is on the downside of his career? Unless you are advocating getting Floyd to replace Murton in LF if we traded him for a Dunn-like player?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Unless you are advocating getting Floyd to replace Murton in LF if we traded him for a Dunn-like player?

 

That's how I interpreted it.

[Sammy Sofa]

I see zero reason to not sign Walker back next year.

 

Really, what's the point? He's exactly the kind of #1 or #2 hitter this team needs. Focus on the frickin' outfield and even the bench before anyone even thinks of dumping Walker.

[CubfaninCA]

Unless you are advocating getting Floyd to replace Murton in LF if we traded him for a Dunn-like player?

 

That's how I interpreted it.

 

Good interpretation.

[Butterscup1679666578]

I really want Carlos Lee, and seeing his splits at Wrigley Field, wouldn't complain if they overpaid for him. Teach Murton the ways of RF, put Carlos Lee in LF, Pie in center. I like it.

[CubfaninCA]

Soriano will be at the top of the Cubs list.

 

Mark this down fellas.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I really want Carlos Lee, and seeing his splits at Wrigley Field, wouldn't complain if they overpaid for him. Teach Murton the ways of RF, put Carlos Lee in LF, Pie in center. I like it.

 

Lee would be an improvement, but I'm not that enthusiastic about going after him. His discipline and power have remained pretty much constant, and fluctuations in batting average have determined his good and bad years. I think you're likley to get near his career numbers for the next few years, or around a .280/.340/.500/.840 line. Nothing to be ashamed of for sure, but probably not a good gamble in the FA market, especially since he turns 31 next season.

[CubfaninCA]

if they want a near career .840 ops guy, go after soriano and put him @ 2b.

 

would be nice to have him this year. those 14 homers double the cubs top guy. :x

[CubfaninCA]

well, this could change if some teams decide not to pick up options, but the top free agents look to be:

 

1. Soriano - He's pricing himself out of Cub range. :( I'll put my money on either Boston or NY.

 

2. Zito - nice 3.28 ERA

 

3. Schmidt - 2.53 ERA

 

4. Jermaine Dye - 1.074 ops. k williams > beane.

 

5. C. Lee - Dye's phenomenal season could put Lee in the Trib price range.

 

6. Mulder - 4.71 ERA, but has a career 3.91. Keep up the 4.70 ERA and he could be Trib friendly. Come back to Chicago Mark!

 

7. Trot Nixon - Can't see Boston letting all that obp go.

 

Altogether, maybe C. Lee & Mulder are possible.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Free agent crop is weak (again), Cubs need to rebuild via trades. I'd start by stockpiling as much young talent as I can between next week (June 15 trade deadline) and July 31. Get me some youngsters that have upside please, in exchange for veterans that cannot help us this year and/or we do not plan on bringing back.

 

1. I ask Maddux if he wants to be traded.

2. If I can get anything of value for Pierre, I take it. Now.

3. I move Jones while his value is about as high as it'll ever be.

4. I think you can get some very good value for one of our late inning relievers. Personally, I'd try to trade Dempster and give Howry the closer's job, but that's me. I'd willingly trade Howry or Eyre as alternatives to Dempster.

5. With (the awful) Phil Nevin now here as a placeholder until Lee returns, and with the season already in the tank, trade Walker while his value is high and you can get something for him.

6. If someone wants to talk Michael Barrett, Matt Murton, Aramis Ramirez or one of our AAA starters, I'll listen, but it's not as high a priority. I confess I'm beginning to sour on Murton as a long-term corner OF solution.

 

My hope would be that out of all the above, Hendry could acquire young talent this year that can be ready to help out next year. One starting position player, one middle to late inning reliever, and one strong bench player would be a nice haul. If you then AGGRESSIVELY hunt down one FA starting pitcher (Zito) and pursue a bigtime offseason trade for an OF bat (Abreu?), you could start making some progress here.

 

If you could move Jones, and assuming there's no way Wood, Maddux or Pierre return, I see an immediate what, $32MM windfall? If you trade one of Dempster or Howry, and Williamson and Miller won't be back (Miller never here!), that's another $8MM.

 

So, you go with a $60MM to $70MM payroll team and a lot of youngsters, an option I can live with. Or you let Hendry waste millions on washed up zeroes like Neifi and Rusch and Friends.

 

Guh.

[CubfaninCA]

If they want to cut some payroll for next year, package Rusch & Walker to NY for some prospects. NY needs pitching help anyways. Matsui's garbage and they're using Valentin @ 2b. Walker gives them depth.

 

No Wood, Maddux, Pierre & Rusch = $30 mil. gone. :D

 

In the offseason, trade Prior, Cedeno, and prospects for Tejada. Get Prior the heck out of Chicago.

[moorecg]

well, this could change if some teams decide not to pick up options, but the top free agents look to be:

 

1. Soriano - He's pricing himself out of Cub range. :( I'll put my money on either Boston or NY.

 

2. Zito - nice 3.28 ERA

 

3. Schmidt - 2.53 ERA

 

4. Jermaine Dye - 1.074 ops. k williams > beane.

 

5. C. Lee - Dye's phenomenal season could put Lee in the Trib price range.

 

6. Mulder - 4.71 ERA, but has a career 3.91. Keep up the 4.70 ERA and he could be Trib friendly. Come back to Chicago Mark!

 

7. Trot Nixon - Can't see Boston letting all that obp go.

 

Altogether, maybe C. Lee & Mulder are possible.

 

Soriano--I'm not sure he'd be out of our price range considering the money we'll be cutting loose and our obvious needs...however, I'd really like to get some OBP to go with that pop (yes..I know he's putting up a .360 this year...but his historicals are a little sketchy)

[CubfaninCA]

well, this could change if some teams decide not to pick up options, but the top free agents look to be:

 

1. Soriano - He's pricing himself out of Cub range. :( I'll put my money on either Boston or NY.

 

2. Zito - nice 3.28 ERA

 

3. Schmidt - 2.53 ERA

 

4. Jermaine Dye - 1.074 ops. k williams > beane.

 

5. C. Lee - Dye's phenomenal season could put Lee in the Trib price range.

 

6. Mulder - 4.71 ERA, but has a career 3.91. Keep up the 4.70 ERA and he could be Trib friendly. Come back to Chicago Mark!

 

7. Trot Nixon - Can't see Boston letting all that obp go.

 

Altogether, maybe C. Lee & Mulder are possible.

 

Soriano--I'm not sure he'd be out of our price range considering the money we'll be cutting loose and our obvious needs...however, I'd really like to get some OBP to go with that pop (yes..I know he's putting up a .360 this year...but his historicals are a little sketchy)

 

Soriano's playing his way into a 5 yr. 70 million deal. No way the Cubs pay anyone more than D. Lee.

[baseball7897]

Soriano will be at the top of the Cubs list.

 

Mark this down fellas.

 

I think Zito will be their number 1 target this off-season.

[CubsBullsBears]

Soriano will be at the top of the Cubs list.

 

Mark this down fellas.

 

I think Zito will be their number 1 target this off-season.

And they're going to fall short, and Hendry will give his typical crap that he tried.

[baseball7897]

Soriano will be at the top of the Cubs list.

 

Mark this down fellas.

 

I think Zito will be their number 1 target this off-season.

And they're going to fall short, and Hendry will give his typical crap that he tried.

 

wouldnt doubt it

[Transmogrified Tiger]

If Wood doesn't come back, I'd be pretty tempted to throw a high dollar, 2 year deal(possibly 2 + option) at Schmidt.

[baseball7897]

If Wood doesn't come back, I'd be pretty tempted to throw a high dollar, 2 year deal(possibly 2 + option) at Schmidt.

 

Schmidt is one hell of a pitcher I wouldnt mind having him here but there is a injury concern with him.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

If Wood doesn't come back, I'd be pretty tempted to throw a high dollar, 2 year deal(possibly 2 + option) at Schmidt.

 

Schmidt is one hell of a pitcher I wouldnt mind having him here but there is a injury concern with him.

 

He hasn't had less than 29 starts in 4 years. Performance wise he dropped off last year, but has been as good as ever thus far in '06. If that performance holds I wouldn't worry about signing him, especially since the idea is to sign him to a shorter deal.

[CubfaninCA]

if schmidt keeps it up, he'll get a 4-5 year offer from someone not named the cubs.

 

the cubs will do as a always do. go for 2nd tier free agents and hope for lightning in a bottle. they'll also make their annual half-hearted attempt at a top tier player and fall way short. MacPhail's m.o. is so obvious now.

[baseball7897]

if schmidt keeps it up, he'll get a 4-5 year offer from someone not named the cubs.

 

the cubs will do as a always do. go for 2nd tier free agents and hope for lightning in a bottle. they'll also make their annual half-hearted attempt at a top tier player and fall way short. MacPhail's m.o. is so obvious now.

 

Good point. When was the last time the Cubs signed a top FA? Shane Andrews?

[Andy]

if schmidt keeps it up, he'll get a 4-5 year offer from someone not named the cubs.

 

the cubs will do as a always do. go for 2nd tier free agents and hope for lightning in a bottle. they'll also make their annual half-hearted attempt at a top tier player and fall way short. MacPhail's m.o. is so obvious now.

 

Good point. When was the last time the Cubs signed a top FA? Shane Andrews?

Probably have to go all the way back to Andre Dawson.

[CubfaninCA]

if schmidt keeps it up, he'll get a 4-5 year offer from someone not named the cubs.

 

the cubs will do as a always do. go for 2nd tier free agents and hope for lightning in a bottle. they'll also make their annual half-hearted attempt at a top tier player and fall way short. MacPhail's m.o. is so obvious now.

 

Good point. When was the last time the Cubs signed a top FA? Shane Andrews?

Probably have to go all the way back to Andre Dawson.

 

dawson kinda fell into their lap. closest thing to a top tier guy is alou.