The General Managers' Meetings Thread

[ChiCubsFan]

Rosenthal has some interesting nuggets from the Meetings:

 

"Believe it or not, the Cubs again granted Ramirez an escape clause, this time after his fourth year instead of after his second. The risk isn't as great; Ramirez figures to be less attractive at 32 than he was at 28."

 

"The Cubs still want to add two starting pitchers, and free-agent left-hander Ted Lilly appears to be one of their principal targets. The team has made early contact with Lilly's agent, Larry O'Brien, who describes the Cubs as an "intriguing" possibility."

 

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6165654

 

The first was mentioned in the ARam signing thread and the second in the Ted Lilly thread. I really hope we don't pay more than 6 mil for Ted Lilly. He said he wanted to pitch on the west coast though.

[USSoccer]

Rosenthal has some interesting nuggets from the Meetings:

 

"Believe it or not, the Cubs again granted Ramirez an escape clause, this time after his fourth year instead of after his second. The risk isn't as great; Ramirez figures to be less attractive at 32 than he was at 28."

 

I have no problem with that whatsoever.

 

Big difference between giving a 28 year old an out, and a 32 year old an out.

[baseball7897]

Rosenthal has some interesting nuggets from the Meetings:

 

"Believe it or not, the Cubs again granted Ramirez an escape clause, this time after his fourth year instead of after his second. The risk isn't as great; Ramirez figures to be less attractive at 32 than he was at 28."

 

I have no problem with that whatsoever.

 

Agreed.

[RammyFanny]

Rosenthal has some interesting nuggets from the Meetings:

 

"Believe it or not, the Cubs again granted Ramirez an escape clause, this time after his fourth year instead of after his second. The risk isn't as great; Ramirez figures to be less attractive at 32 than he was at 28."

 

I have no problem with that whatsoever.

 

Agreed.

 

Article also said it was 75 million, not 73.

[ChiCubsFan]

Rosenthal has some interesting nuggets from the Meetings:

 

"Believe it or not, the Cubs again granted Ramirez an escape clause, this time after his fourth year instead of after his second. The risk isn't as great; Ramirez figures to be less attractive at 32 than he was at 28."

 

I have no problem with that whatsoever.

 

Agreed.

 

Article also said it was 75 million, not 73.

 

Didn't the article say it was 73 but there was a 2 million buy out if they dont pick up the option? Could be wrong and making that up...

[Guest]

I still wonder if the Cubs might use Barrett to try to get Wells.

Jeff,

Funny you mention that. I've got a source on the East coast, who has told me twice (a month ago and during the Bears game yesterday) that he expects Hendry will "shop" Barrett to see what he can get for him. He did say he had heard that the Jays, Yanks and Rockies had all expressed interest in Barrett at the trading deadline. Barrett comes into his walk year in '07, and it seems Hendry is a bit nervous about offering him a contract extension due to some negative feedback from Cub pitchers on his defensive limitations. Rather than let him walk for nothing, he would like to get something. The source said he had heard from a Yankee contact that Hendry is intrigued with LoDuca, Pudge, Kendall and Posada, who will all be free agents at the end of 2007, and who he thinks would be good defensive catchers for the Cubs rotation starting in 2008 for a couple of seasons, who can also swing the bat. If they traded Barrett, the source said that the Cubs might look to sign a guy like Mike Lieberthal on a one-year deal to bridge the gap.

 

Add that to the rumor mill!

- as soon as I clean up the vomit . . .

[Shilzzz]

maybe this is a really stupid question, but is this different than the winter meetings?

[WindyCity]

maybe this is a really stupid question, but is this different than the winter meetings?

 

Not a stupid question. The answer is 'Yes'. Reportedly, the groundwork for a lot of signings/trades is made during the GM meetings and those moves then get completed during the winter meetings.

[Vinestal]

maybe this is a really stupid question, but is this different than the winter meetings?

 

Yeah these are different meetings. The GM meeting actually have a bunch of educational type meetings in the mornings about rule changes, changes to the collective bargaining agreement, ect. and then in the afternoon/evening the GMs usually meet to talk about each others needs, players they like ect. They usually lay down alot of the groundwork for what happens during the winter meetings which happen in Dec. I think.

[Rob]

I don't think we'll see much action at the GM Meetings.

 

Marcus Giles very well may be traded, and a few mid-tier free agents may sign pretty small deals... but the real action will be laying down the groundwork for the Winter Meetings.

[HoopsCubs]

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2006/11/the_buzz_around.html

 

from Boston Globe:

 

"The buzz around the meetings, though uncomfirmed, is that J.D. Drew is the player the Red Sox have offered a free-agent contract to. Sox officials did not deny that Drew is the one."

 

Rotoworld suggests that if they signed Drew, the Red Sox would probably turn around and trade Coco Crisp or Wily Mo Pena for bullpen help.

 

I wonder if they would go for a Coco Crisp for Ryan Dempster deal? Crisp's OBP numbers were terrible in '06, but decent in '04 and '05. Would he be of interest to us?

[SouthSideRyan]

That was Lamar - they seemed more willing to do deals under the new mgmnt last year. I think they will make a trade this offseason.

 

We'll see if that was the byproduct of the GM or the ownership. Hunsicker is competent, but if he's under mandate from ownership to attempt to recreate the Kazmir deal whenever possible, well, yeah.

 

It's different ownership now too.

[SouthSideRyan]

The source said he had heard from a Yankee contact that Hendry is intrigued with LoDuca, Pudge, Kendall and Posada, who will all be free agents at the end of 2007, and who he thinks would be good defensive catchers for the Cubs rotation starting in 2008 for a couple of seasons, who can also swing the bat.

 

Except LoDuca, Kendall, and Posada are all horrible defensive catchers.

[Rob]

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2006/11/the_buzz_around.html

 

from Boston Globe:

 

"The buzz around the meetings, though uncomfirmed, is that J.D. Drew is the player the Red Sox have offered a free-agent contract to. Sox officials did not deny that Drew is the one."

 

Rotoworld suggests that if they signed Drew, the Red Sox would probably turn around and trade Coco Crisp or Wily Mo Pena for bullpen help.

 

I wonder if they would go for a Coco Crisp for Ryan Dempster deal? Crisp's OBP numbers were terrible in '06, but decent in '04 and '05. Would he be of interest to us?

 

I have absolutely zero interest in Coco Crisp. They can have Dempster if they'll just take his salary on... but I'd rather save the cash and the roster spot than pick up Crisp.

[VanceJergins]

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2006/11/the_buzz_around.html

 

from Boston Globe:

 

"The buzz around the meetings, though uncomfirmed, is that J.D. Drew is the player the Red Sox have offered a free-agent contract to. Sox officials did not deny that Drew is the one."

 

Rotoworld suggests that if they signed Drew, the Red Sox would probably turn around and trade Coco Crisp or Wily Mo Pena for bullpen help.

 

I wonder if they would go for a Coco Crisp for Ryan Dempster deal? Crisp's OBP numbers were terrible in '06, but decent in '04 and '05. Would he be of interest to us?

 

No thanks to Crisp, I cant see him being much more productive than Pie.

 

And I really hope the rumors that Boston bid close to $50 million on Daisuke are true and that limits what they can offer Drew. It seems the Cubs are much more interested in Soriano. I'd be happy if we signed Soriano, but Drew fills our needs so much better and will be a few million cheaper.

[VanceJergins]

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2006/11/the_buzz_around.html

 

from Boston Globe:

 

"The buzz around the meetings, though uncomfirmed, is that J.D. Drew is the player the Red Sox have offered a free-agent contract to. Sox officials did not deny that Drew is the one."

 

Rotoworld suggests that if they signed Drew, the Red Sox would probably turn around and trade Coco Crisp or Wily Mo Pena for bullpen help.

 

I wonder if they would go for a Coco Crisp for Ryan Dempster deal? Crisp's OBP numbers were terrible in '06, but decent in '04 and '05. Would he be of interest to us?

 

I have absolutely zero interest in Coco Crisp. They can have Dempster if they'll just take his salary on... but I'd rather save the cash and the roster spot than pick up Crisp.

 

Oooh, a Dempster for Crisp deal wouldnt be bad if we made Crisp our 4th outfielder. I think he would be great for the bench, but I definitely dont want him starting.

[daske17]

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2006/11/the_buzz_around.html

 

from Boston Globe:

 

"The buzz around the meetings, though uncomfirmed, is that J.D. Drew is the player the Red Sox have offered a free-agent contract to. Sox officials did not deny that Drew is the one."

 

Rotoworld suggests that if they signed Drew, the Red Sox would probably turn around and trade Coco Crisp or Wily Mo Pena for bullpen help.

 

I wonder if they would go for a Coco Crisp for Ryan Dempster deal? Crisp's OBP numbers were terrible in '06, but decent in '04 and '05. Would he be of interest to us?

 

Even though the Red Sox have made him an offer, I doubt that he accepts it so soon after filing free agency. Unless it's overwhelming, I think it will do nothing but set the bar for his expected contract.

[jtownie]

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2006/11/the_buzz_around.html

 

from Boston Globe:

 

"The buzz around the meetings, though uncomfirmed, is that J.D. Drew is the player the Red Sox have offered a free-agent contract to. Sox officials did not deny that Drew is the one."

 

Rotoworld suggests that if they signed Drew, the Red Sox would probably turn around and trade Coco Crisp or Wily Mo Pena for bullpen help.

 

I wonder if they would go for a Coco Crisp for Ryan Dempster deal? Crisp's OBP numbers were terrible in '06, but decent in '04 and '05. Would he be of interest to us?

 

I believe his OBP numbers took a big hit due to some hand/finger injuries. My guess is he rebounds with a very solid year. If he is truly a buy-low candidate it's worth the risk. he has a strong probability of coming back and giving an above-average production year.

[RynoRules]

Rosenthal has some interesting nuggets from the Meetings:

 

"Believe it or not, the Cubs again granted Ramirez an escape clause, this time after his fourth year instead of after his second. The risk isn't as great; Ramirez figures to be less attractive at 32 than he was at 28."

 

I have no problem with that whatsoever.

 

Its actually a smart move. He's going to be exiting his prime having played his entire career at a position that takes a major physical toll on teh player (see Scott Rolen, for example).

[RyCubsFan]

Rosenthal has some interesting nuggets from the Meetings:

 

"Believe it or not, the Cubs again granted Ramirez an escape clause, this time after his fourth year instead of after his second. The risk isn't as great; Ramirez figures to be less attractive at 32 than he was at 28."

 

I have no problem with that whatsoever.

 

Its actually a smart move. He's going to be exiting his prime having played his entire career at a position that takes a major physical toll on teh player (see Scott Rolen, for example).

 

I think you might misunderstand...as reported, it is not an out clause for the Cubs...it is for Ramirez. In theory, Ramirez would only excercise it if he could once again capitalize financially by locking up more years at the time. It would not be smart of Ramirez to excercise the option if he was hurting.

[CubsInNC]

I like that thinking. I wouldn't be averse to trading Barrett at all especially if you can get above market value for him. If they filled some other positions with better offensive options, I think you could get by with even Blanco as your starting catcher, but you would have to be pretty solid up and down the lineup to do that.

 

Blanco in the starting lineup. Ick. Remember we already have a Blanco at SS (Izturis/Cedeno). That's 2 pretty unproductive swingers in a lineup, 3 when you count the majority of the pitchers. I'm not sure that unless our 1-6 was Soriano-Barrett-Aramis-Bonds-D. Lee-Jones/Platoon we could survive that. And even then, it would be a huge detriment to have both those holes in the lineup.

 

If you would have read the entire post, I say it only makes sense to do this if are pretty solid up and down the rest of the lineup. If you get above market value for Barrett you would probably fill one of the other gaping holes we have. Hendry is going to have a lot of money to spend too to fill other holes.

 

I did read the entire post. If you read my entire post you'd see that I said that even a top notch 1-6 it would be a problem.

[baseball7897]

Marcus Giles for Wuertz?

[JWCUB]

Marcus Giles for Wuertz?

 

Thats funny.

[BDWeav71]

Marcus Giles for Wuertz?

 

 

Maybe Wuertz and Ohman would get it done...

 

and thats still a big maybe.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

My guess is that the Braves would want Marshall or Marmol and a prospect like Patterson.