Should the Cubs take a gamble this offseason?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Gamble on Matsuzaka.

 

Or JD Drew's health

 

I like your gambles.

[ltb]

Gamble on Matsuzaka.

 

Or JD Drew's health

 

both plz.

even if matsuzaka gets overpaid, it can't be worse than giving glendon rusch anything at all.

[NorthsideAvenger]

On Bonds: Can we talk about trying to get Dunn, instead?

 

Look Bonds BARELY plays the field anymore. He doesn't play night games after day games, nor does he play in more then 3 or 4 games in row. At best, you MIGHT get 110-120 games out of Bonds. And simply put, Bonds isn't going to be worth the contract the gets. At this stage, Bonds is strictly a DH, no questions asked. I rather gamble on Soriano being able to play CF, over knowing Bonds CAN'T play LF anymore. Bonds is not a worthy gamble candidate. Let Anaheim, Oakland, or perhaps even Texas worry about landing Bonds.

That's just not true. He played in 130 games last year.

 

So, vance, you expect him to continue to play at least 130 games in the field as he getting older? Cause I don't.

[NorthsideAvenger]

100 games of having Barry Bonds in the lineup is 100 games we have a real good chance of winning. And when you figure the other 62 games will go to Murton, plus all of Jacques lefties, doesn't really hurt him at all. Plus you know there will be blowout games where Barry might want to sit down early.

 

For those 100 games, the Cubs would have to win close to 65-70 of those games, and right now, even with Bonds the Cubs don't have the personnel to play .700 ball. And that INCLUDES Bonds.

 

What if that cost you $6 million with incentives? For a 1.000 OPS.

 

Unlikely. Bonds is still going to ask for at least $10 million, if for nothing else he is closing in on Aaron's "record." So, I doubt he settles for $6 million. Bonds will play the $10 mill or I'd retire ploy. So, I bet on it being at $10 mill.

 

Sorry guys, we're the Cubs, I think old Cap ruined any chance of having a "we don't hire slimballs", before all of us were even born. So lets go for the cheap guy with the four hundred plus OBP if he's cheap...

 

Look at the bright side, if he's a Cub he'll power us to an insurmountable lead in the division, one homer from trying the record, and then HAVE A VERY LARGE SATELLITE DROP ON HIM IN A GAME. The cleanup is going to suck, but then Matt gets more at bats. :lol:

 

Funny.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

On Bonds: Can we talk about trying to get Dunn, instead?

 

Look Bonds BARELY plays the field anymore. He doesn't play night games after day games, nor does he play in more then 3 or 4 games in row. At best, you MIGHT get 110-120 games out of Bonds. And simply put, Bonds isn't going to be worth the contract the gets. At this stage, Bonds is strictly a DH, no questions asked. I rather gamble on Soriano being able to play CF, over knowing Bonds CAN'T play LF anymore. Bonds is not a worthy gamble candidate. Let Anaheim, Oakland, or perhaps even Texas worry about landing Bonds.

That's just not true. He played in 130 games last year.

 

So, vance, you expect him to continue to play at least 130 games in the field as he getting older? Cause I don't.

 

I suspect he could play at least 115-120 games in the field and still be used as a pinch hitter or a DH in games at AL parks in another 10 games or so for next season and that's the only one you'd be concerned with.

 

Bonds is only going to sign a one-year deal. So, what happens beyond next year doesn't matter. Also, I'm only in favor of him if the price is 10 million or less.

 

Assume that it is. For ten million, you will get a player that I bet will hit 260/415/500 or better in 100-130 games. I think having that production would be good at that price, even if he only started a 100 games. With Murton at 400K for next year, you have an inexpensive player for the other 60. Also, it allows Murton to play for Jones against most lefties. Assume no other changes, and the return of Pierre...and Bonds as the only offensive addition, the Cubs still could trot out this line-up:

 

CF Pierre

2b Theriot

1b Lee

LF Bonds

3b Ramirez

RF Jones

C Barrett

SS Izturis

 

Even if in 60 games, Murton replaces Bonds, the line-up isn't horrid and for 100 games the line-up is very good. That heart of the order is fearsome with good complementary players in front and behind it.

 

If we assume 65 million is already committed to the roster, adding Bonds pushes it to 75. With a 115 million payroll, the Cubs still have the cash to sign pitching to make this a very formidable group.

 

I know Bonds won't happen. I also know he's not a likeable player nor is he a likeable person. I don't think an NL team can afford to sign him to 15 million, but at 10 million or less, he would be an awesome risk to take, bad knees and all.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Gamble on Matsuzaka.

 

Or JD Drew's health

 

Yes on both, I'm keen for these two. The more I learn about Matsuzaka, the more I want him. He's younger than Hill for crying out loud.

[NorthsideAvenger]

I'm sorry Vance, I much rather have Adam Dunn in LF over Barry Bonds. And you know I'm not all that keen on Dunn, but atleast he would be as productive (BA notwithstanding) as Bonds, and he would play in atleast 140+ games.

 

Just so no, to the massive ego Bonds.

[C.C.]

Gamble on Matsuzaka.

 

Or JD Drew's health

 

Yes on both, I'm keen for these two. The more I learn about Matsuzaka, the more I want him. He's younger than Hill for crying out loud.

 

Matsuzaka I'd love but JD Drew I wouldn't at all. Get Soriano and Matsuzaka and I'll be a very happy Cub fan! At least until the season starts...

[CubinNY]

Hendry has been gambling every season on long shots.

 

It's time for a couple bets on favorites.

 

You only catch lightning in a bottle every once in a blue moon.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I'm sorry Vance, I much rather have Adam Dunn in LF over Barry Bonds. And you know I'm not all that keen on Dunn, but atleast he would be as productive (BA notwithstanding) as Bonds, and he would play in atleast 140+ games.

 

Just so no, to the massive ego Bonds.

 

I'd take either. And everyone knows how much I like Dunn, but Bonds numbers this year still surpass young Adam's. Bonds had a higher OBP and SLG as well.

 

I'm no fan of Bonds, but if he came for 10 million bones (and the SF papers are suggesting that he will be paid less than 10 million) or less, he'd make a great acquisition, personality defects and all.

 

And unlike Dunn, it will cost no players to get him for this one season. I know people don't like the baggage Bonds brings. I don't either. He's an ass, but I've been friends with assholes before, and even have been called one myself a time or two, and if this [expletive] can help us win the World Series, and I believe he can, I'll take 130 games of a 1000 OPS in leftfield for 10 million or less and then cut him loose next season.