What If You Could Spend $23M?

HoopsCubs · October 9, 2006

For arguments sake, let's say you are the GM of the Cubs and have a $100M payroll for 26 players (including Prior) in 2007.

Assume 22 of those players (including Prior) make up $77M of the payroll (see details below). Assume you kept Ramirez by adding dollars and years in the future.

Your boss has just told the press that the goal is to win the WS in 2007. What specific signings or trades would you make if you started with 4 holes (CF, 2B, SP, SP) and $23M to spend? Be specific including dollars.

Note: you may decide that 2B is not a hole, but LF is. You may decide that 2B and LF are fine, but SS is a hole. You may decide only 1 starting rotation spot is a hole. There are multiple scenarios, but bottom line, you can only spend $23M plus any salary you save by dumping a contract or arbitration eligible player (Zambrano, Prior, Ohman), so what would you do to achieve your boss's goal with the players available in free agency and/or the players, who may be on the trade block?

C - Barrett - $4.30M (under contract)

1B - Lee - $13.00M (under contract)

2B - ???

3B - Ramirez - $11.00M (under contract)

SS - Izturis - $4.15M (under contact)

LF - Murton - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)

CF - ???

RF - Jones - $5.30M (under contract)

C - Blanco - $1.5M (signed to 1 year extension)

IF - Theriot - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)

IF - Moore - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)

OF - Pagan - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)

OF - Some free agent signing - $1.00M

SP - Zambrano - $10.0M (estimate $3.5M raise from 2006)

SP - ???

SP - Hill - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)

SP - ???

SP - Marshall (or Mateo, Guzman or Marmol) - $0.35M

SP - Prior - $4.20M (estimate $0.55M raise)

RP - Dempster - $5.00M (under contract)

RP - Eyre - $3.50M (under contract)

RP - Howry - $4.00M (under contract)

RP - Ohman - $1.00M (estimate $0.39M raise)

RP - Wuertz - $0.35M ( less than 3 years of service - under control)

RP - Aardsma (or Novoa) - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)

RP - Rusch - $3.25M (under contract)

Buyout - Wood - $3M

Hoops

CubsInNC · October 9, 2006

For this same argument, couldn't we assume that Rusch is out next year, and his contract is thus covered by insurance? We'd have his money added to what's available, but have 1 more hole to fill.

With that assumption as well, my roster (with an extra $2M from Rusch and $0.95M not resigning Blanco, total = $25.95M)

C - Barrett - $4.30M (under contract)

1B - Lee - $13.00M (under contract)

2B - Soriano - $11.00M (3yr $39mil with 2 additional vesting option years)

3B - Ramirez - $11.00M (under contract)

SS - Izturis - $4.15M (under contract)

LF - Murton - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)

CF - Matthews Jr. - $3.00M

RF - Hermida (Cedeno + Jones +1.6M to FLA = 1.95M total - under control)

C - Soto - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control frees up $1.15M)

IF - Theriot - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)

IF - Moore - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)

OF - Pagan - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)

OF - Craig Wilson - $3.00M

SP - Zambrano - $10.0M (estimate $3.5M raise from 2006)

SP - Schmidt - $12.5M (4yr - $53M)

SP - Hill - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)

SP - Marshall (or Mateo, Guzman or Marmol) - $0.35M

SP - Prior - $4.20M (estimate $0.55M raise)

RP - Dempster - $5.00M (under contract)

RP - Eyre - $3.50M (under contract)

RP - Howry - $4.00M (under contract)

RP - Ohman - $1.00M (estimate $0.39M raise)

RP - Wuertz - $0.35M ( less than 3 years of service - under control)

RP - Aardsma (or Novoa) - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)

RP - Wood - $1.25M + $3M buyout + $1M incentives

Total payroll:

$99.8M

Bench is very weak, Rotation could be top notch. An '08 outfield of Hermida/Murton/Pie could be a cornerstone....

Edits: added roster, and corrected math, I hope.

Edited October 9, 2006 by CubsInNC

HoopsCubs · October 9, 2006

For this same argument, couldn't we assume that Rusch is out next year, and his contract is thus covered by insurance? We'd have his money added to what's available, but have 1 more hole to fill.

Okay, go for it. Let's assume the Cubs and Rusch agreed to a $1.25M injury settlement. Now you have an additional $2M or $25M to spend.

CoolHandLuke · October 9, 2006

No way Florida trades Hermida for Cedeno and Jones.

ChiCubsFan · October 9, 2006

For this same argument, couldn't we assume that Rusch is out next year, and his contract is thus covered by insurance? We'd have his money added to what's available, but have 1 more hole to fill.

With that assumption as well, my roster (with an extra $2M from Rusch and $0.95M not resigning Blanco, total = $25.95M)

C - Barrett - $4.30M (under contract)
1B - Lee - $13.00M (under contract)
2B - Soriano - $11.00M (3yr $39mil with 2 additional vesting option years)
3B - Ramirez - $11.00M (under contract)
SS - Izturis - $4.15M (under contract)
LF - Murton - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)
CF - Matthews Jr. - $3.00M
RF - Hermida (Cedeno + Jones +1.6M to FLA = 1.95M total - under control)

C - Soto - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control frees up $1.15M)
IF - Theriot - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)
IF - Moore - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)
OF - Pagan - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)
OF - Craig Wilson - $3.00M

SP - Zambrano - $10.0M (estimate $3.5M raise from 2006)
SP - Schmidt - $12.5M (4yr - $53M)
SP - Hill - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)
SP - Marshall (or Mateo, Guzman or Marmol) - $0.35M
SP - Prior - $4.20M (estimate $0.55M raise)

RP - Dempster - $5.00M (under contract)
RP - Eyre - $3.50M (under contract)
RP - Howry - $4.00M (under contract)
RP - Ohman - $1.00M (estimate $0.39M raise)
RP - Wuertz - $0.35M ( less than 3 years of service - under control)
RP - Aardsma (or Novoa) - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)
RP - Wood - $1.25M + $3M buyout + $1M incentives

Total payroll:
$99.8M

Bench is very weak, Rotation could be top notch. An '08 outfield of Hermida/Murton/Pie could be a cornerstone....

Edits: added roster, and corrected math, I hope.

You're kidding, right? Why in the hell would the Marlins trade Hermida for Cedeno and Jones? Hermida is cheaper, younger, and will eventually be much better than Jones. Cedeno is horrible and they already have a nice MI with Uggla and Ramirez.

LuckyPup · October 9, 2006

For arguments sake, let's say you are the GM of the Cubs and have a $100M payroll for 26 players (including Prior) in 2007.

Assume 22 of those players (including Prior) make up $77M of the payroll (see details below). Assume you kept Ramirez by adding dollars and years in the future.

Your boss has just told the press that the goal is to win the WS in 2007. What specific signings or trades would you make if you started with 4 holes (CF, 2B, SP, SP) and $23M to spend? Be specific including dollars.

Note: you may decide that 2B is not a hole, but LF is. You may decide that 2B and LF are fine, but SS is a hole. You may decide only 1 starting rotation spot is a hole. There are multiple scenarios, but bottom line, you can only spend $23M plus any salary you save by dumping a contract or arbitration eligible player (Zambrano, Prior, Ohman), so what would you do to achieve your boss's goal with the players available in free agency and/or the players, who may be on the trade block?

C - Barrett - $4.30M (under contract)
1B - Lee - $13.00M (under contract)
2B - ???
3B - Ramirez - $11.00M (under contract)
SS - Izturis - $4.15M (under contact)
LF - Murton - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)
CF - ???
RF - Jones - $5.30M (under contract)

C - Blanco - $1.5M (signed to 1 year extension)
IF - Theriot - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)
IF - Moore - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)
OF - Pagan - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)
OF - Some free agent signing - $1.00M

SP - Zambrano - $10.0M (estimate $3.5M raise from 2006)
SP - ???
SP - Hill - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)
SP - ???
SP - Marshall (or Mateo, Guzman or Marmol) - $0.35M
SP - Prior - $4.20M (estimate $0.55M raise)

RP - Dempster - $5.00M (under contract)
RP - Eyre - $3.50M (under contract)
RP - Howry - $4.00M (under contract)
RP - Ohman - $1.00M (estimate $0.39M raise)
RP - Wuertz - $0.35M ( less than 3 years of service - under control)
RP - Aardsma (or Novoa) - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)
RP - Rusch - $3.25M (under contract)
Buyout - Wood - $3M

Hoops

i would start with pitching-after watching Detroit just dominate the yankees, i'm convinced pitching is the ticket to spend on.

I dont re-sign Blanco- i let Soto backup Barrett-saves me 1.5. Also, i believe Rusch will retire thus freeing up another 3.25M-thus i have 27.75M to spend

Sign Schmidt 4/48( 11,12,12,13)

Trade Jones(5)+Novoa+Ohman(1)+Ryu to Dodgers for Drew(11)

Re-sign Wade Miller 1 yr@ 2.5M( mutual option for 2nd year with 1M buyout)

Re-sign Woody-1 yr@ 1M plus incentives+3M buyout)

money spent=18.9M

Sign David Dellucci to 2 yr 5M deal (2,3) to play OF and the bench

20.9M spent......leaving 7M to spend-(soto costs me 300k)

Sign Lofton to 1 year 2M deal

Trade Marshall(350k)+Murton(350k)+Izturis(4.3)+Dempster(5)+Marmol(350k) to Baltimore for Tejada(12)-only 1.65M goes against payroll-

leaving me 3.35M

Sign Mark DeRosa to 2yr 5M(2,3)

Sign Miguel Cairo to 1 yr 1.35M

theres 23M spent-

CF-Lofton(2M)

LF-Dellucci(2M)

SS-Tejada(12M)

1B-Lee(13M)

3B-Aram(11M)

RF-Drew(11M)

C-Barrett(4.3)

2B-Theriot(300k)

total=55.6M

Zambrano(10)

Schmidt(11)

Hill(350k)

Miller(2.5M)

Prior(4.2M)

total=28M

Bench-

Soto(300k)

Pagan(300k)

Moore(300k)

Cedeno(300k)

DeRosa(2M)

Cairo(1.35M)

total=4.55M

Wood(1M)

Eyre(3.5M)

Howry(4M)

Wuertz(350k)

Aardsma(350k)

Guzman/Mateo(350k)

total=9.55M

total payroll of=97.7M

i'd take that team

CoolHandLuke · October 9, 2006

For arguments sake, let's say you are the GM of the Cubs and have a $100M payroll for 26 players (including Prior) in 2007.

Assume 22 of those players (including Prior) make up $77M of the payroll (see details below). Assume you kept Ramirez by adding dollars and years in the future.

Your boss has just told the press that the goal is to win the WS in 2007. What specific signings or trades would you make if you started with 4 holes (CF, 2B, SP, SP) and $23M to spend? Be specific including dollars.

Note: you may decide that 2B is not a hole, but LF is. You may decide that 2B and LF are fine, but SS is a hole. You may decide only 1 starting rotation spot is a hole. There are multiple scenarios, but bottom line, you can only spend $23M plus any salary you save by dumping a contract or arbitration eligible player (Zambrano, Prior, Ohman), so what would you do to achieve your boss's goal with the players available in free agency and/or the players, who may be on the trade block?

C - Barrett - $4.30M (under contract)
1B - Lee - $13.00M (under contract)
2B - ???
3B - Ramirez - $11.00M (under contract)
SS - Izturis - $4.15M (under contact)
LF - Murton - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)
CF - ???
RF - Jones - $5.30M (under contract)

C - Blanco - $1.5M (signed to 1 year extension)
IF - Theriot - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)
IF - Moore - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)
OF - Pagan - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)
OF - Some free agent signing - $1.00M

SP - Zambrano - $10.0M (estimate $3.5M raise from 2006)
SP - ???
SP - Hill - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)
SP - ???
SP - Marshall (or Mateo, Guzman or Marmol) - $0.35M
SP - Prior - $4.20M (estimate $0.55M raise)

RP - Dempster - $5.00M (under contract)
RP - Eyre - $3.50M (under contract)
RP - Howry - $4.00M (under contract)
RP - Ohman - $1.00M (estimate $0.39M raise)
RP - Wuertz - $0.35M ( less than 3 years of service - under control)
RP - Aardsma (or Novoa) - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)
RP - Rusch - $3.25M (under contract)
Buyout - Wood - $3M

Hoops

i would start with pitching-after watching Detroit just dominate the yankees, i'm convinced pitching is the ticket to spend on.

I dont re-sign Blanco- i let Soto backup Barrett-saves me 1.5. Also, i believe Rusch will retire thus freeing up another 3.25M-thus i have 27.75M to spend

Sign Schmidt 4/48( 11,12,12,13)

Trade Jones(5)+Novoa+Ohman(1)+Ryu to Dodgers for Drew(11)

Re-sign Wade Miller 1 yr@ 2.5M( mutual option for 2nd year with 1M buyout)
Re-sign Woody-1 yr@ 1M plus incentives+3M buyout)

money spent=18.9M

Sign David Dellucci to 2 yr 5M deal (2,3) to play OF and the bench

20.9M spent......leaving 7M to spend-(soto costs me 300k)

Sign Lofton to 1 year 2M deal

Trade Marshall(350k)+Murton(350k)+Izturis(4.3)+Dempster(5)+Marmol(350k) to Baltimore for Tejada(12)-only 1.65M goes against payroll-

leaving me 3.35M

Sign Mark DeRosa to 2yr 5M(2,3)
Sign Miguel Cairo to 1 yr 1.35M

theres 23M spent-

CF-Lofton(2M)
LF-Dellucci(2M)
SS-Tejada(12M)
1B-Lee(13M)
3B-Aram(11M)
RF-Drew(11M)
C-Barrett(4.3)
2B-Theriot(300k)

total=55.6M

Zambrano(10)
Schmidt(11)
Hill(350k)
Miller(2.5M)
Prior(4.2M)

total=28M

Bench-
Soto(300k)
Pagan(300k)
Moore(300k)
Cedeno(300k)
DeRosa(2M)
Cairo(1.35M)

total=4.55M

Wood(1M)
Eyre(3.5M)
Howry(4M)
Wuertz(350k)
Aardsma(350k)
Guzman/Mateo(350k)

total=9.55M

total payroll of=97.7M

i'd take that team

I don't think Derosa would sign for that little, nor do I think he would sign for a bench role.

I'll get to mine later on. Class is calling.

bsc970 · October 9, 2006

woods 3m buyout is on this years payroll

vance_the_cubs_fan · October 9, 2006

I'm going to use ten million to sign Schmidt and 15 million to sign Soriano for 2b. Pie plays CF.

Any additional money over that, I'd use to upgrade the bullpen.

bsc970 · October 9, 2006

zito and soriano

Jazz · October 9, 2006

Here's the outline of the offseason with those perimeters

1) Dempster and cash for Emil Brown

I've seen this rumor from a few places, and I like the idea of unloading Ryan anyway we can. I'd work on this deal to see if we can lower the amount of cash we be giving to 2Mil in 07 and 08.

This deal saves 3.3 Mil total in 2007. Now we're at 28.3 mil available

[the next two deals are the brainchild of fellow member goony, it's crazy but the deals he proposed are plausible with a few adjustments]

2) Jones, Eyre, Marmol, and Aardsma for A-Rod, Pavano, and Cash

Believe it or not, the Yankees are right about at their limit spending wise. Theyll have Sheffield and Mussina coming off the books, but theyre going to want to sign all the best pitchers on the market, maybe even both Zito and Schmidt. Thats going to run them dry. In this deal theyll be able to free up enough breathing room reload for the next few years, and in the process get a DH/OF, a solid reliever, and 2 young pitchers. Cash wise theyd be giving us 9 mil in 07 and 08, and 4 mil in '09 and '10. The Yankees would be dumping approximately 17 mil in 2007 that we would be accountable for.

We are now at 11.3 mil available

3) Pie, Veal, Guzman, Fox, and Moore for Willis, and Cabrera

This is really putting all your eggs in one basket, but I believe it is worth it completely.The Marlins might want one more prospect to satisfy them, so I'd give them a choice of Shaver or Atkins. There really is no need to justify this deal. You get arguably the best hitter in baseball, and a pitcher who is just entering his prime. Done Deal.

Monetary wise, all the prospects listed above would total to about 2 mil, while the Willis and Cabrera duo combined would go for 13 mil. There have been rumors that Loria would have to shop one of these guys to keep the payroll under 20 mil like he wants to, but there have been no indications that he would shop both, Willis being the most likely canidate. This might be a bit of a pipe dream, but it works from all other perspectives.

This is the team you'd get

C - Barrett - $4.30M (under contract)

1B - Lee - $13.00M (under contract)

2B - Theriot - $0.35 (less than 3 years of service - under control)

3B - Ramirez - $11.00M (under contract)

SS - Rodriguez -$12M ($16M - $4M from NYY)

LF - Murton - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)

CF - Brown - $2.0M (estimate)

RF - Cabrera - $6.5M (estimate)

C - Blanco - $1.5M (signed to 1 year extension)

IF - Fontentot - $0.35 (less than 3 years of service - under control)

IF - Izturis - $4M (under contract)

OF - Pagan - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)

OF - Dave Roberts - 2.5M

SP - Zambrano - $10.0M (estimate $3.5M raise from 2006)

SP - Willis - $6.5M (estimate)

SP - Hill - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)

SP - Pavano - $6M ($10M - $4M from NYY)

SP - Marshall - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)

SP - Prior - $4.20M (estimate $0.55M raise)

RP - Novoa - $0.35 (less than 3 years of service - under control)

RP - Mateo - $0.35 (less than 3 years of service - under control)

RP - Howry - $4.00M (under contract)

RP - Ohman - $1.00M (estimate $0.39M raise)

RP - Wuertz - $0.35M ( less than 3 years of service - under control)

RP - Ryu - $0.35M ( less than 3 years of service - under control)

"Buyout" - Rusch - 1.25

Buyout - Wood - $3M

Total = 98.5

Handlebar McSkullet · October 9, 2006

For arguments sake, let's say you are the GM of the Cubs and have a $100M payroll for 26 players (including Prior) in 2007.

Assume 22 of those players (including Prior) make up $77M of the payroll (see details below). Assume you kept Ramirez by adding dollars and years in the future.

Your boss has just told the press that the goal is to win the WS in 2007. What specific signings or trades would you make if you started with 4 holes (CF, 2B, SP, SP) and $23M to spend? Be specific including dollars.

Note: you may decide that 2B is not a hole, but LF is. You may decide that 2B and LF are fine, but SS is a hole. You may decide only 1 starting rotation spot is a hole. There are multiple scenarios, but bottom line, you can only spend $23M plus any salary you save by dumping a contract or arbitration eligible player (Zambrano, Prior, Ohman), so what would you do to achieve your boss's goal with the players available in free agency and/or the players, who may be on the trade block?

C - Barrett - $4.30M (under contract)
1B - Lee - $13.00M (under contract)
2B - ???
3B - Ramirez - $11.00M (under contract)
SS - Izturis - $4.15M (under contact)
LF - Murton - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)
CF - ???
RF - Jones - $5.30M (under contract)

C - Blanco - $1.5M (signed to 1 year extension)
IF - Theriot - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)
IF - Moore - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)
OF - Pagan - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)
OF - Some free agent signing - $1.00M

SP - Zambrano - $10.0M (estimate $3.5M raise from 2006)
SP - ???
SP - Hill - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)
SP - ???
SP - Marshall (or Mateo, Guzman or Marmol) - $0.35M
SP - Prior - $4.20M (estimate $0.55M raise)

RP - Dempster - $5.00M (under contract)
RP - Eyre - $3.50M (under contract)
RP - Howry - $4.00M (under contract)
RP - Ohman - $1.00M (estimate $0.39M raise)
RP - Wuertz - $0.35M ( less than 3 years of service - under control)
RP - Aardsma (or Novoa) - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)
RP - Rusch - $3.25M (under contract)
Buyout - Wood - $3M

Hoops

1.Resign Aram- Adding Two more years, while bumping this years compensation to 15 mil (-4)

2. Signing Zambrano to 5yr 65 mill extension, 13 mil this year (-3)

3. Trading Jones and Dempster + 2 mil Cash(you would have to) to cleveland for casey blake(he makes 5mil)= lets say casey blake(10mil-2-5)=+5 mil

4. Sign Alfonso Soriano 4 year 65 mil (-16.5)

5. Sign Randy Wolf 1 year 1.5mil (-1.5)

6. Sign Kerry Wood 1 year 2mil (-2)

7. Sign Wade Miller 1year 1 mil (-1)

23 mil spent=

C - Barrett - $4.30M (under contract)

1B - Lee - $13.00M (under contract)

2B - Theriot - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)

3B - Ramirez - $15.00M

SS - Izturis - $4.15M (under contact)

LF - Murton - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)

CF - Soriano - $16.5

RF - Blake - $5.00M (under contract)

C - Blanco - $1.5M (signed to 1 year extension)

IF - Moore - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)

OF - Pagan - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)

OF - Some free agent signing - $1.00M

SP - Zambrano - $10.0M (estimate $3.5M raise from 2006)

SP - Wolf

SP - Hill - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)

SP - Miller

SP - Marshall (or Mateo, Guzman or Marmol) - $0.35M

SP - Prior - $4.20M (estimate $0.55M raise)

RP -Wood 2.00M (under contract)

RP - Eyre - $3.50M (under contract)

RP - Howry - $4.00M (under contract)

RP - Ohman - $1.00M (estimate $0.39M raise)

RP - Wuertz - $0.35M ( less than 3 years of service - under control)

RP - Aardsma (or Novoa) - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)

RP - Rusch - $3.25M (under contract)

Um... Not the best staff ever.. this is why im not gm. but i want to empthsize the importance of resigning ram and z

CubFanPhilly · October 9, 2006

C - Barrett - $4.30M (under contract)

1B - Lee - $13.00M (under contract)

2B - Theriot/Fontenot $.35M (less than 3 years of service)

3B - Ramirez - $13.00M (4 yr/$52 mil extension $13 mil per)

SS - Tejada - $12.00M (under contract)

LF - Murton - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)

CF - J. Jones - $5.30M (under contract)

RF - L. Gonzalez $7.5 (1 yr.)

C - Soto $.35M (less than 3 years of service)

IF - Fontenot - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)

IF - Izturis - $4.25 (under contract)

OF - Pagan - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)

OF - RH OF FA

SP - Zambrano - $10.0M (estimate $3.5M raise from 2006)

SP - Zito - $10M (5 yr./$60 mil. 9,11,14,14,12)

SP - Hill - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)

SP - Prior - $4.20M (estimate $0.55M raise)

SP - Marshall (or Mateo, Guzman or Marmol) - $0.35M

RP - Howry - $4.00M (under contract)

RP - Dempster - $5.00M (under contract)

RP - Ohman - $1.00M (estimate $0.39M raise)

RP - Wuertz - $0.35M ( less than 3 years of service - under control)

RP - Aardsma (or Novoa) - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)

RP - Wood $1m base plus up to $5 mil. in incentives 50,60,70,100,150 IP

RP - Rusch - $3.25M (under contract)

Buyout - Wood - $3M

-Deal Gallagher/choice of Izturis or Cedeno/Eyre/other prospects to Orioles for Tejada

-Sign Zito, Extend Ramirez, Sign Luis Gonzalez (short-term commit and a LH bat. Sub C. Wilson if you'd prefer.).

-JJ to CF.

-Cedeno/Fontenot lead-off platoon.

EDIT: Theriot/Fontenot lead-off platoon. Cedeno as backup if they struggle.

-Sign Wood to $1mil base/$6mil with full incentives.

Assuming the O's opt for Cedeno instead of Izturis, the total Payroll pencils in at $102-$107 mil. BUT, Hendry has said that buyouts are amortized in prior payrolls. And I'm hoping the Cubs get out of part of Rusch's contract.

Lineup

Theriot/Fontenot

Murton

Tejada

Lee

ARam

Gonzalez

Barrett

Jones

Edited October 9, 2006 by CubFanPhilly

CuseCubFan69 · October 9, 2006

C - Barrett - $4.30M (under contract)
1B - Lee - $13.00M (under contract)
2B - Theriot/Fontenot $.35M (less than 3 years of service)
3B - Ramirez - $13.00M (4 yr/$52 mil extension $13 mil per)
SS - Tejada - $12.00M (under contract)
LF - Murton - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)
CF - J. Jones - $5.30M (under contract)
RF - L. Gonzalez $7.5 (1 yr.)

C - Soto $.35M (less than 3 years of service)
IF - Fontenot - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)
IF - Izturis - $4.25 (under contract)
OF - Pagan - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)
OF - RH OF FA

SP - Zambrano - $10.0M (estimate $3.5M raise from 2006)
SP - Zito - $10M (5 yr./$60 mil. 9,11,14,14,12)
SP - Hill - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)
SP - Prior - $4.20M (estimate $0.55M raise)
SP - Marshall (or Mateo, Guzman or Marmol) - $0.35M

RP - Howry - $4.00M (under contract)
RP - Dempster - $5.00M (under contract)
RP - Ohman - $1.00M (estimate $0.39M raise)
RP - Wuertz - $0.35M ( less than 3 years of service - under control)
RP - Aardsma (or Novoa) - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service - under control)
RP - Wood $1m base plus up to $5 mil. in incentives 50,60,70,100,150 IP

RP - Rusch - $3.25M (under contract)
Buyout - Wood - $3M

-Deal Gallagher/choice of Izturis or Cedeno/Eyre/other prospects to Orioles for Tejada

-Sign Zito, Extend Ramirez, Sign Luis Gonzalez (short-term commit and a LH bat. Sub C. Wilson if you'd prefer.).

-JJ to CF.

-Cedeno/Fontenot lead-off platoon.

-Sign Wood to $1mil base/$6mil with full incentives.

Assuming the O's opt for Cedeno instead of Izturis, the total Payroll pencils in at $102-$107 mil. BUT, Hendry has said that buyouts are amortized in prior payrolls. And I'm hoping the Cubs get out of part of Rusch's contract.

Lineup
Theriot/Fontenot
Murton
Tejada
Lee
ARam
Gonzalez
Barrett
Jones

I think you meant Theriot/Fontenot at leadoff, right?

craig · October 9, 2006

woods 3m buyout is on this years payroll

Thanks for that note.

Are you certain?

$3 matters substantially, I'd think.

I recall in January of 2005, before Sammy was traded, that Hendry specifically said that Sammy's buyout (for 06) would be on the 05 payroll, not the 06 payroll.

$6 for Wood buyout and Rusch contract. The difference between having all $6 on the books, versus perhaps having none of that on the books, versus perhaps something in between, that will have a large impact on what Hendry actually can do.

frostwyrm · October 9, 2006

I'd blow the whole $23M on Zito and Soriano.

bhogg · October 9, 2006

i'd blow the whole 23m on hotdogs.

Imagine an almost unlimited amount of hot dogs? The cubs would have an incredible advantage over the rest of the league.

Jazz · October 9, 2006

i'd blow the whole 23m on hotdogs.

Imagine an almost unlimited amount of hot dogs? The cubs would have an incredible advantage over the rest of the league.

and over babe ruth's talking plaque

HoopsCubs · October 9, 2006

What specific signings or trades would you make if you started with 4 holes (CF, 2B, SP, SP) and $23M to spend? Be specific including dollars.

Coincidentally, if the Cards raise their payroll from $89M to $92M, they too will have $23M to spend on 4 positions: CF, 2B, SP, SP.

I haven't done a detailed Astros estimate yet, but if they don't resign Clemens ($12.25M) or Pettitte ($17.5M) and buyout Bagwell ($7.0M buyout vs. $17M salary in 2006) as expected, they save $39M just from not having those 3 guys. I expect Houston will be very active in free agency and trades this offseason. They potentially have the cash to get 3 of the top 4 free agents: Carlos Lee, Alfonso Soriano, Barry Zito and Jason Schmidt. And if they settle for 2 free agents, they have the headroom to acquire ARod or Tejada.

Beware of Houston. They are in a good position cash wise.

Big Fergie J · October 10, 2006

To answer the question posed in the title of this thread, I'd buy a boat.

sweetpeteman · October 10, 2006

i'd blow the whole 23m on hotdogs.

Imagine an almost unlimited amount of hot dogs? The cubs would have an incredible advantage over the rest of the league.

The exchange would be about 20 hotdogs to a nickle.

nilodnayr · October 10, 2006

C - Barrett - $4.00M (under contract)

1B - Lee - $13.00M (under contract)

2B - Vidro - $7.50M (under contract)

3B - Ramirez - $13.00M (4 yr/$52 mil extension $13 mil per)

SS - Theriot - $.35M (less than 3 years of service)

LF - Dunn - $10.50M (under contract)

CF - Church - $.50M (less than 3 years of service)

RF - Kearns - $4.00M (estimate $2.15M raise)

C - Soto $.35M (less than 3 years of service)

IF - Fontenot - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service)

IF - Cedeno - $.50M (less than 3 years of service)

OF - Pagan - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service)

OF - Bynum - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service)

SP - Zambrano - $13.0M (give him the Oswalt deal)

SP - Matsuzaka - $10M (3 yr./$30 mil. with 3 years of options)

SP - Hill - $0.50M (less than 3 years of service - under control)

SP - Prior - $4.20M (estimate $0.55M raise)

SP - Miller - $2.00M

RP - Howry - $4.00M (under contract)

RP - Wuertz - $0.50M ( less than 3 years of service)

RP - Ohman - $1.00M (estimate $0.39M raise)

RP - Eyre - $3.50M (under contract)

RP - Wood $1m base plus up to $5 mil. in incentives 50,60,70,100,150 IP

RP - Aardsma - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service)

RP - Novoa - $0.35M (less than 3 years of service)

~$96M

-Deal Jones and Marshall for Church, Kearns, Vidro

-Sign Matsuzaka, posting 30M (not attributed to payroll contraints, trust me, we'll make it back in marketing)

-Deal Dempster and Murton for Dunn

-Trade Izturis to whomever for a bucket of balls (a medium sized bucket, but we have to return the bucket)

-The bench is weak, but not horrible if used properly, and theres plenty of room left over to upgrade if desired.

Lineup

Theriot

Church

Lee

Dunn

ARam

Barrett

Kearns

Vidro

Thats a 350+ OBP from each position with just a teeny bit of power. And a Nasty top 3 rotation for the playoffs. Suck it Beane.

mhuber92211 · October 10, 2006

Some of these trade proposals are REALLY Reaching. To think that Cedeno or Dempster would result in any player that would make a positive impact in '07 is a huge task. We aren't at the trading deadline so no one is under the gun to take a bad deal. I think that you need to look at what other teams can offer in trades before you assume that Dempster/Cedeno can bring back anything. Look at what Corey got us last offseason and compare his value versus Cedeno & Dempster and that is a more likely comparison of what either player will bring.

RichHillIsABeast · October 10, 2006

Matsuzaka

Zito is a LHP. We have plenty of that in the farm system pipeline. Schmidt isn't coming to Chicago. Soriano isn't going to play CF, although that's where I'd like him to play. Lee is a waste of payroll. blah blah blah

We need a front of the rotation starter and we're not likely to get him from the farm, trade, or FA.

Pinktermite · October 10, 2006

I'd blow my wad (did I just say that?) on Zito and Matsuzaka and beg the tribune for MORE money to get AROD and even more pitching.

Pitching is the key...starting pitching. It's why the Yankees were exposed like the ugly naked old lady they are...they were outpitched.

The lineup matters not...well, it matters, but not as much as the pitching.

What If You Could Spend $23M?

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