Cubs re-sign Miller

[soccer10k]

Paul Sullivan was just on Chicago Tribune Live. He said the deal was a low base - high incentive contract. He didn't specify any numbers.

 

Exactly what I wanted to hear.

[CubsWin]

Moronic? That's an awfully strong word. Garbage? I'm not certain Wade Miller would agree with you on that description of him as a pitcher.

 

dishing $$$ for garbage players or rehab projects.

 

Hey, Miller was great once upon a time. But he is still a rehab project.

So you weren't calling Miller garbage?

 

And, yes, he can still be called a rehab project or a injury prone pitcher who was once really good. Given that he was signed to a low base/high incentive contract, how is that a "moronic" signing? And how would that possibly affect whether Hendry resigns Ramirez?

 

Saying that Hendry signing a "rehab project" to a low base, high incentive deal is somehow evidence that he is moronic is a difficult position to support.

[Soriano12]

Saying that Hendry signing a "rehab project" to a low base, high incentive deal is somehow evidence that he is moronic is a difficult position to support

 

When Aram is a Dodger next week my point will be more clear.

[RynoRules]

Low base plus incentives + fine w/ me. If he makes it as the 5th starter, it probably will mean that JH did something right in getting guys for the front end of the rotation. Lets see how this plays out.

[Yeti]

Saying that Hendry signing a "rehab project" to a low base, high incentive deal is somehow evidence that he is moronic is a difficult position to support

 

When Aram is a Dodger next week my point will be more clear.

what exactly do you expect him to do, hold ARam and his ageant hostage until they sign?

really, you can only sit at the table with the same ppl for so many hours a day, i'm glad to see Hendry is useing his off time(from trying to sign ARam) wisely

[RynoRules]

Saying that Hendry signing a "rehab project" to a low base, high incentive deal is somehow evidence that he is moronic is a difficult position to support

 

When Aram is a Dodger next week my point will be more clear.

 

So if Aram bolts you will surmise that its b/c Hendry spent too much time trying to resign Wade Miller? No doubt you provide us all with proof of this theory.

 

Seriously man, he has lots to do, including resigning ARam. Part of being a professional is the ability to multi-task.

[Chocolate Milk]

Saying that Hendry signing a "rehab project" to a low base, high incentive deal is somehow evidence that he is moronic is a difficult position to support

 

When Aram is a Dodger next week my point will be more clear.

 

You don't have a point.

[rawaction]

Miller I was 50/50 on. I kinda agree with TT that he's not a much better option (if at all) than Marshall and others. To me, it doesn't change much. The Cubs still need to get 2 arms, one top of the rotation quality.

 

Seems to me just a name to be added to the list of potential 5 starters. Miller, Marshall, Mateo, Marmol, Prior, Ryu, and Guzman. I think it's pretty safe to assume that not 1 of these guys will make it thru an entire season as the Cubs #5. That's about $10M (assuming Miller gets about 2-3M) spent on a 5 starter combo. Along with a potentially $20M bullpen if they re-sign Wood and that's a lot of money spent on what is likely the least important parts of the team.

 

I probably would have taken my chances with the kids and Prior at the #5. And I probably would NOT re-sign Wood to pitch in the pen, and spend the extra money elsewhere.

[Sammy Sofa]

Saying that Hendry signing a "rehab project" to a low base, high incentive deal is somehow evidence that he is moronic is a difficult position to support

 

When Aram is a Dodger next week my point will be more clear.

 

What exactly is your point? That the likely 2-3 million dollars at the most are what kept Aramis from resigning? Or are you saying Hendry totally ignored Aramis to get this done?

[nilodnayr]

I don't understand why Miller is a more appealing option than Marshall, Marmol, Mateo, Guzman, or Ryu.

 

He's actually performed at a high level before, none of those guys have.

 

Career ERA+ of 112. You might be lucky to get 100 innings of 90 ERA+ out of any of those other options. Miller might be able to give you 150 inning at 100-110, and it wouldn't be ridiculous if he gave you 190 innings at 120 ERA+.

 

A 120 ERA+ is the equivalent of about a top 20 starter. Think of some one a bit better than the likes of Glavine (113) , Zito (116), Schilling (116), Willis (112), Rogers (118), and Myers (118) in 2006. I would say a 120 ERA+ is optimistic.

 

Miller had a 4.57 ERA last year but that was only in 21.2 innings. Looking at his WHIP, he should have had an ERA over 5.

[Soriano12]

Saying that Hendry signing a "rehab project" to a low base, high incentive deal is somehow evidence that he is moronic is a difficult position to support

 

When Aram is a Dodger next week my point will be more clear.

 

What exactly is your point? That the likely 2-3 million dollars at the most are what kept Aramis from resigning? Or are you saying Hendry totally ignored Aramis to get this done?

 

2-3 Million kept us from Furcal last year. I will say I think Hendry has been negilgent in getting this deal done for a while now. Had he approached Aram in Sept and offered 4/80 I'm sure Aram would have signed. IMO I think there was a attitude that Aram could not command over 15/per from any team. They failed to account for the fact that it was

 

A. A thin FA class.

B. Aramis was the only 3B worth a damn.

 

Now they should just bite the bullet and give him 16-17-18 per..whatever it takes. Is it overpaying, of course, but it is well worth it.

[Sammy Sofa]

Saying that Hendry signing a "rehab project" to a low base, high incentive deal is somehow evidence that he is moronic is a difficult position to support

 

When Aram is a Dodger next week my point will be more clear.

 

What exactly is your point? That the likely 2-3 million dollars at the most are what kept Aramis from resigning? Or are you saying Hendry totally ignored Aramis to get this done?

 

2-3 Million kept us from Furcal last year.

 

So you're saying that the Cubs were unable to pay that extra money because they needed it somewhere else as opposed to just being UNWILLING to pay it?

[CubColtPacer]

Saying that Hendry signing a "rehab project" to a low base, high incentive deal is somehow evidence that he is moronic is a difficult position to support

 

When Aram is a Dodger next week my point will be more clear.

 

What exactly is your point? That the likely 2-3 million dollars at the most are what kept Aramis from resigning? Or are you saying Hendry totally ignored Aramis to get this done?

 

2-3 Million kept us from Furcal last year. I will say I think Hendry has been negilgent in getting this deal done for a while now. Had he approached Aram in Sept and offered 4/80 I'm sure Aram would have signed. IMO I think there was a attitude that Aram could not command over 15/per from any team. They failed to account for the fact that it was

 

A. A thin FA class.

B. Aramis was the only 3B worth a damn.

 

Now they should just bite the bullet and give him 16-17-18 per..whatever it takes. Is it overpaying, of course, but it is well worth it.

 

If he offered 4/80 in September, of course Aramis would have taken it-and we would have all called Hendry crazy. Are you sure you typed that right? 20 a year is really, really high.

[CubsWin]

Miller is making 1.5 million guaranteed base salary with incentives up to 5.25.

 

I highly doubt, disgruntled, that a one year, 1.5 million dollar contract will have any bearing on whether the Cubs resign Aramis Ramirez.

 

In the real world, what will have a bearing on that, is what Aramis wants to do with his life and his career. Where he wants to live. How much money he wants to be paid. And then whether Hendry agrees that Aramis is worth what he and his agent think he is. That is what will call the shots. Not a 1.5 million dollar, one year contract. Get real. There are plenty of things to criticize Jim Hendry for, you don't need to invent any. And criticizing him for signing Wade Miller to that low of a base salary is unsupportable.

 

If you want to needlessly criticize him for losing Ramirez before it actually happens, be my guest...

[CubColtPacer]

Miller is making 1.5 million guaranteed base salary with incentives up to 5.25.

 

I highly doubt, disgruntled, that a one year, 1.5 million dollar contract will have any bearing on whether the Cubs resign Aramis Ramirez.

 

In the real world, what will have a bearing on that, is what Aramis wants to do with his life and his career. Where he wants to live. How much money he wants to be paid. And then whether Hendry agrees that Aramis is worth what he and his agent think he is. That is what will call the shots. Not a 1.5 million dollar, one year contract. Get real. There are plenty of things to criticize Jim Hendry for, you don't need to invent any. And criticizing him for signing Wade Miller to that low of a base salary is unsupportable.

 

If you want to needlessly criticize him for losing Ramirez before it actually happens, be my guest...

 

Where'd you here that? That's a great contract-I thought they would have to guarantee him at least 2.5 million.

[Soriano12]

So you're saying that the Cubs were unable to pay that extra money because they needed it somewhere else as opposed to just being UNWILLING to pay it?

 

I think alot of factors were at work.

 

1) I heard the Cubs wanted him to take some type of alcohol abuse class,

they had a temporary conscious I guess.

 

2) While there is no salary cap for the Cubs, there is the Tribune budget, a form of the cap. Had Hendry gave Furcal the top dollar maybe he couldn't have filled out the roster with the Neifi Perez's, Rusch's etc. So Hendry see's Furcal's demands and backs off over a few million per season. He then drops nearly 7 million on Rusch/Neifi/Miller. 7 Million. For spots that could have been matched performance wise by players from the minors. Ryan Theirot could have done the job of Perez, any arm from AAA could have done better than Rusch.

 

Hendry is consumed with properly allocating a roster with these role players, etc. I'm assuming he is thinking that Miller will be his "Chris Carpenter" reclamation project.

 

I have an extreme objection to his GM philosophy. IMO, you go out and secure as many top players as possible. Then fill in the gaps from the minors.

[Soriano12]

Saying that Hendry signing a "rehab project" to a low base, high incentive deal is somehow evidence that he is moronic is a difficult position to support

 

When Aram is a Dodger next week my point will be more clear.

 

What exactly is your point? That the likely 2-3 million dollars at the most are what kept Aramis from resigning? Or are you saying Hendry totally ignored Aramis to get this done?

 

2-3 Million kept us from Furcal last year. I will say I think Hendry has been negilgent in getting this deal done for a while now. Had he approached Aram in Sept and offered 4/80 I'm sure Aram would have signed. IMO I think there was a attitude that Aram could not command over 15/per from any team. They failed to account for the fact that it was

 

A. A thin FA class.

B. Aramis was the only 3B worth a damn.

 

Now they should just bite the bullet and give him 16-17-18 per..whatever it takes. Is it overpaying, of course, but it is well worth it.

 

If he offered 4/80 in September, of course Aramis would have taken it-and we would have all called Hendry crazy. Are you sure you typed that right? 20 a year is really, really high.

 

I meant 5/80. My bad.

[CubColtPacer]

So you're saying that the Cubs were unable to pay that extra money because they needed it somewhere else as opposed to just being UNWILLING to pay it?

 

I think alot of factors were at work.

 

1) I heard the Cubs wanted him to take some type of alcohol abuse class,

they had a temporary conscious I guess.

 

2) While there is no salary cap for the Cubs, there is the Tribune budget, a form of the cap. Had Hendry gave Furcal the top dollar maybe he couldn't have filled out the roster with the Neifi Perez's, Rusch's etc. So Hendry see's Furcal's demands and backs off over a few million per season. He then drops nearly 7 million on Rusch/Neifi/Miller. 7 Million. For spots that could have been matched performance wise by players from the minors. Ryan Theirot could have done the job of Perez, any arm from AAA could have done better than Rusch.

 

Hendry is consumed with properly allocated a roster with these role players, etc. I'm assuming he is thinking that Miller will be his "Chris Carpenter" reclamation project.

 

I have an extreme objection to his GM philosophy. IMO, you go out and secure as many top players as possible. Then fill in the gaps from the minors.

 

The problem with that theory about going out and acquiring those role players after failing to get Furcal is that most of that money went to Rusch and Neifi, and they both signed a month before the Furcal situation happened. Hendry had a number for Furcal, and the contract went above that.

 

BTW, as much as it hurt last season, I'm still happy that Furcal wasn't signed for that. He doesn't put big enough numbers-if the team can use that extra money to go out and get an actual star this year, then it will be much more helpful then Furcal for two more years.

[Soriano12]

Saying that Hendry signing a "rehab project" to a low base, high incentive deal is somehow evidence that he is moronic is a difficult position to support

 

When Aram is a Dodger next week my point will be more clear.

 

You don't have a point.

 

No. You just don't agree with my point. Firing a 2nd dart at the

Wade Miller board before securing Aram irks me.

[Guest]

Thoughts:

 

1) I didn't catch if Miller ever filed for FA

2) If he didn't file for FA, then the Cubs would have the flexibility to trade him in March if they end up overloaded at SP

3) Since they have no sure things at #5, I don't mind the signing even if he did file

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Saying that Hendry signing a "rehab project" to a low base, high incentive deal is somehow evidence that he is moronic is a difficult position to support

 

When Aram is a Dodger next week my point will be more clear.

 

You don't have a point.

 

No. You just don't agree with my point. Firing a 2nd dart at the

Wade Miller board before securing Aram irks me.

 

You do realize that negotiations can take place with several players at once, don't you? It's not as though ironing out a deal for Wade Miller is taking 14 hours a day.

[Guest]

Saying that Hendry signing a "rehab project" to a low base, high incentive deal is somehow evidence that he is moronic is a difficult position to support

 

When Aram is a Dodger next week my point will be more clear.

 

You don't have a point.

 

No. You just don't agree with my point. Firing a 2nd dart at the

Wade Miller board before securing Aram irks me.

You have a point, but it is based on some pretty wild assumptions or some twisted logic.

[cjbucks]

Saying that Hendry signing a "rehab project" to a low base, high incentive deal is somehow evidence that he is moronic is a difficult position to support

 

When Aram is a Dodger next week my point will be more clear.

 

You don't have a point.

 

No. You just don't agree with my point. Firing a 2nd dart at the

Wade Miller board before securing Aram irks me.

 

You do realize that negotiations can take place with several players at once, don't you? It's not as though ironing out a deal for Wade Miller is taking 14 hours a day.

 

I'm assuming that Hendry has some kind of assistant - it's possible that Hendry would give someone else parameters and let them sign people like Wade Miller with minimal direction.

[Soriano12]

Saying that Hendry signing a "rehab project" to a low base, high incentive deal is somehow evidence that he is moronic is a difficult position to support

 

When Aram is a Dodger next week my point will be more clear.

 

You don't have a point.

 

No. You just don't agree with my point. Firing a 2nd dart at the

Wade Miller board before securing Aram irks me.

You have a point, but it is based on some pretty wild assumptions or some twisted logic.

 

Save Isiah Thomas, I can't think of a more incompetent GM in pro sports.

I don't think it wild to assume anything with him. No Cubs GM in history has done less with more.

[LeftCoastCubFan]

1.5 mil (incentives can bring it up to 5.25). All in all, not a bad deal.

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-061109cubsmiller,1,3824347.story?coll=cs-home-headlines