The A-Ram contingency plan

[Banedon]

From the Tribune:

 

Although the Cubs can't force him to sign at their price, they can, and already have, let him know they have a contingency plan in case he decides to leave.

 

"It's like dominoes," one Cubs source said. "If you lose a bat like that, and you don't put a bat nearly as good [in place] of him, then you're going to get some offense from a couple of different places."

 

One of those dominoes could be at shortstop, and no, it's not Alex Rodriguez. Industry sources say Hendry once again will explore the possibility of trading for Baltimore's Miguel Tejada, who has three years and $38 million remaining on his six-year, $72 million contract, including a $12 million salary in 2007 and $13 million the two following years.

 

A deal for Tejada involving Mark Prior was discussed last December, but never came to fruition. Houston believed it had struck a deal for Tejada last summer, dangling Roy Oswalt, shortstop Adam Everett and another player. But Orioles owner Peter Angelos is said to have vetoed the trade at the last minute, and Oswalt eventually signed a five-year, $73 million extension with the Astros.

 

Tejada may be back on the market, although it certainly would take more than Prior to land him this time. Carlos Zambrano is considered an untouchable, but when asked to name his untouchables this week, Hendry mentioned only Derrek Lee.

 

The end of the article mentions Ichiro, and whether he'd want to come to Chicago to get more national attention. Maybe put him in center?

[UK1679666180]

They need a back-up plan but, I don't know how Ichiro is considered part of the plan. They're comp. different hitters and play diff. positions.

 

While Tejada is a very productive 3B, what would be the difference salary compared to losing the req'd players to get him?

[Tracer Bullet]

Z for Tejada? No thanks.

[goonys evil twin]

First shot across the bow? Or warning to fans that Aramis isn't coming back?

[Banedon]

They need a back-up plan but, I don't know how Ichiro is considered part of the plan. They're comp. different hitters and play diff. positions.

 

While Tejada is a very productive 3B, what would be the difference salary compared to losing the req'd players to get him?

 

Sorry, my question about Ichiro was as more of "in addition to " A-ram. You're right, I wouldn't want him to be the "replacement".

[C.C.]

First shot across the bow? Or warning to fans that Aramis isn't coming back?

 

They don't seem to have any sense of ugency getting him back, so I have to wonder...

[BigbadB]

Let's see. Scott Moore? Aaron Boone? Aubrey Huff?

 

 

Or Aramis?

 

No contest. If they have no urgency to bring back Aramis, then they also have no urgency to win in 2007.

[jmajew]

If Aramis doesn't want to be here then so be it. I don't think the team should overpay him just to get him to stay. If a player doesn't want to be in a certain city but is stuck there his numbers may not be up to his full potential.

 

If Aramis does leave if we sign Huff, Soriano, Lugo and trade for Burrell I think our offense will still be vastly improved. The only problem with that is will Hendry actually make all those moves, most likely not.

[Backtobanks]

First shot across the bow? Or warning to fans that Aramis isn't coming back?

 

They don't seem to have any sense of ugency getting him back, so I have to wonder...

 

I don't see why you said there's no urgency to get him back. Hendry is negotiating with his agent and negotiations involve give and take on both sides. I'm sure he would be signed by now if Hendry offered him an extension of 5 years and $100 million, but that's not how it works. Hendry is trying to keep the number as low as possible, while his agent is trying to get as much as possible.

[goonys evil twin]

First shot across the bow? Or warning to fans that Aramis isn't coming back?

 

They don't seem to have any sense of ugency getting him back, so I have to wonder...

 

Hendry seemed to think Ramirez wasn't going to opt for free agency, which tells me he thought he could get this done with a simple extension, as opposed to a brand new contract.

[RammyFanny]

Article also mentions Carl Crawford. Interesting Comments by Lou supposedly with the trib saying

New manager Lou Piniella doesn't want a power-hitting outfielder who's also a butcher on defense.

 

Kind of sounds anti-Soriano for center, though he does go on saying how athleticism is important in center.

"You'd think in a ballpark like this, you'd need a lot of power," Piniella said. "What you need is athleticism. If the conditions are right, anyone can hit a home run. If they're not, not even Babe Ruth can hit one out."

[USSoccer]

If Hendry screws this up, he should be fired on the spot. There should be no good reason to not sign him, and if he leaves without compensation other than a piddling draft pick (which we'll waste anyway), I'll be super ticked.

[goonys evil twin]

If Aramis doesn't want to be here then so be it. I don't think the team should overpay him just to get him to stay. If a player doesn't want to be in a certain city but is stuck there his numbers may not be up to his full potential.

 

If Aramis does leave if we sign Huff, Soriano, Lugo and trade for Burrell I think our offense will still be vastly improved. The only problem with that is will Hendry actually make all those moves, most likely not.

 

That sounds okay, but the Cubs aren't in a position where they can just get guys who really want to be here. This isn't USC recruiting high school football players. Hendry has to convince him to stay. That's his job.

[soapy]

If Ramirez doesn't re-sign, they should probably just blow this thing up. The amount of money and/or talent they are going to give up to replace him is going to prohibit other necessary upgrades (both offensively and starting pitching).

[Banedon]

Article also mentions Carl Crawford. Interesting Comments by Lou supposedly with the trib saying

New manager Lou Piniella doesn't want a power-hitting outfielder who's also a butcher on defense.

 

Kind of sounds anti-Soriano for center, though he does go on saying how athleticism is important in center.

"You'd think in a ballpark like this, you'd need a lot of power," Piniella said. "What you need is athleticism. If the conditions are right, anyone can hit a home run. If they're not, not even Babe Ruth can hit one out."

 

The "butcher on defense" line probably counts out Adam Dunn too then.

[USSoccer]

Article also mentions Carl Crawford. Interesting Comments by Lou supposedly with the trib saying

New manager Lou Piniella doesn't want a power-hitting outfielder who's also a butcher on defense.

 

Kind of sounds anti-Soriano for center, though he does go on saying how athleticism is important in center.

"You'd think in a ballpark like this, you'd need a lot of power," Piniella said. "What you need is athleticism. If the conditions are right, anyone can hit a home run. If they're not, not even Babe Ruth can hit one out."

 

The "butcher on defense" line probably counts out Adam Dunn too then.

 

It also counts out Carlos Lee, for that matter.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Article also mentions Carl Crawford. Interesting Comments by Lou supposedly with the trib saying

New manager Lou Piniella doesn't want a power-hitting outfielder who's also a butcher on defense.

 

Kind of sounds anti-Soriano for center, though he does go on saying how athleticism is important in center.

"You'd think in a ballpark like this, you'd need a lot of power," Piniella said. "What you need is athleticism. If the conditions are right, anyone can hit a home run. If they're not, not even Babe Ruth can hit one out."

 

The "butcher on defense" line probably counts out Adam Dunn too then.

 

It also counts out Carlos Lee, for that matter.

 

Jacque Jones too.

[goonys evil twin]

Article also mentions Carl Crawford. Interesting Comments by Lou supposedly with the trib saying

New manager Lou Piniella doesn't want a power-hitting outfielder who's also a butcher on defense.

 

Kind of sounds anti-Soriano for center, though he does go on saying how athleticism is important in center.

"You'd think in a ballpark like this, you'd need a lot of power," Piniella said. "What you need is athleticism. If the conditions are right, anyone can hit a home run. If they're not, not even Babe Ruth can hit one out."

 

The "butcher on defense" line probably counts out Adam Dunn too then.

 

It also counts out Carlos Lee, for that matter.

 

Jacque Jones too.

 

Nope, he likes athleticism.

[USSoccer]

If Ramirez doesn't re-sign, they should probably just blow this thing up. The amount of money and/or talent they are going to give up to replace him is going to prohibit other necessary upgrades (both offensively and starting pitching).

 

Agreed. There's a limit to how much we can improve this winter as it is. If Ramirez goes elsewhere, a difficult task becomes a nearly impossible one.

[Magnetic Curses]

Article also mentions Carl Crawford. Interesting Comments by Lou supposedly with the trib saying

New manager Lou Piniella doesn't want a power-hitting outfielder who's also a butcher on defense.

 

Kind of sounds anti-Soriano for center, though he does go on saying how athleticism is important in center.

"You'd think in a ballpark like this, you'd need a lot of power," Piniella said. "What you need is athleticism. If the conditions are right, anyone can hit a home run. If they're not, not even Babe Ruth can hit one out."

 

The "butcher on defense" line probably counts out Adam Dunn too then.

 

It also counts out Carlos Lee, for that matter.

 

i thought lee was pretty decent in left. i could be wrong, though.

[The Q]

Do you guys think you'd have any interest in Mike Lowell? I'm sure the Sox would be willin to eat a few million for one of those bullpen guys.

[goonys evil twin]

Do you guys think you'd have any interest in Mike Lowell? I'm sure the Sox would be willin to eat a few million for one of those bullpen guys.

 

I would think Hendry would like him, but I have zero interest.

[C.C.]

Do you guys think you'd have any interest in Mike Lowell? I'm sure the Sox would be willin to eat a few million for one of those bullpen guys.

 

I'd rather take my chances with Normar at 3rd.

[USSoccer]

Do you guys think you'd have any interest in Mike Lowell? I'm sure the Sox would be willin to eat a few million for one of those bullpen guys.

 

Not a chance, unless you want to send Manny along and take back Jones.

[The Q]

I wouldn' be shocked if the Sox did take back Jones...and put him in CF.