The General Managers' Meetings Thread

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Juan Pierre: As much as the Cubs would like to bring the leadoff batter back to the Windy City, the Brewers are being mentioned as a potential future home for the speedster who would rather reach on a hit than a walk and who posesses a noodle of a throwing arm.

 

Good stuff.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Just for fun, I put up a poll to see where we all stand regarding the FA hitters.

[RichHillIsABeast]

If we get Carlos Lee for LF, I will slit my wrists. LF isn't a hole. CF, 1/2 of RF, 2B, and our pitching staff all need major work on them before we even thing about replacing Murton with a FA.

[abuck1220]

Here are some of the latest rumors. (Some we have heard already.)

 

J.D. Drew: The veteran outfielder (or his agent) is rolling the dice, banking on another MLB organization ponying up more than the $33 million (guaranteed) Drew left on the table by opting out of his contract with the Dodgers. The Red Sox, Cubs and Padres have been mentioned as potential suitors.

 

Gary Matthews Jr.: The 32-year-old late bloomer has drawn considerable interest from teams in both leagues. The Rangers want him back, but the Angels and White Sox have him targeted for their outfield, as do the Giants, Dodgers, Cubs and Astros. Matthews Jr. picked a fine time to have a career year -- .313 batting average, 19 home runs and 79 RBIs -- and his first All-Star Game invitation.

 

Juan Pierre: As much as the Cubs would like to bring the leadoff batter back to the Windy City, the Brewers are being mentioned as a potential future home for the speedster who would rather reach on a hit than a walk and who posesses a noodle of a throwing arm.

 

Carlos Lee: After less than half-a-season in the AL with the Rangers, it could be back to the Senior Circuit for the outfielder, who played for the Brewers in 2005 and half of the '06 season. The Astros and Cubs seem to be the most interested, hoping to make room for a player that has averaged 31 home runs and 104 RBIs the past five seasons.

 

i can't tell you how much more i want jd drew than any of those guys. it's not even close.

 

i don't even know why carlos lee is in the conversation at this point. he would be a huge waste of money that would not fill any hole.

[Rob]

If we get Carlos Lee for LF, I will slit my wrists. LF isn't a hole. CF, 1/2 of RF, 2B, and our pitching staff all need major work on them before we even thing about replacing Murton with a FA.

 

Ummm...

 

SS is probably our biggest hole of all. I have much more faith in Pie, Pagan, and Theriot to hit like league average CF, RF, and 2B men... respectively, than I have in Izturis to hit like a league average SS.

[ThePenguin11]

If we get Carlos Lee for LF, I will slit my wrists. LF isn't a hole. CF, 1/2 of RF, 2B, and our pitching staff all need major work on them before we even thing about replacing Murton with a FA.

 

Wow. That's pretty ridiculous. Matt Murton<<<<

[ThePenguin11]

Here are some of the latest rumors. (Some we have heard already.)

 

J.D. Drew: The veteran outfielder (or his agent) is rolling the dice, banking on another MLB organization ponying up more than the $33 million (guaranteed) Drew left on the table by opting out of his contract with the Dodgers. The Red Sox, Cubs and Padres have been mentioned as potential suitors.

 

Gary Matthews Jr.: The 32-year-old late bloomer has drawn considerable interest from teams in both leagues. The Rangers want him back, but the Angels and White Sox have him targeted for their outfield, as do the Giants, Dodgers, Cubs and Astros. Matthews Jr. picked a fine time to have a career year -- .313 batting average, 19 home runs and 79 RBIs -- and his first All-Star Game invitation.

 

Juan Pierre: As much as the Cubs would like to bring the leadoff batter back to the Windy City, the Brewers are being mentioned as a potential future home for the speedster who would rather reach on a hit than a walk and who posesses a noodle of a throwing arm.

 

Carlos Lee: After less than half-a-season in the AL with the Rangers, it could be back to the Senior Circuit for the outfielder, who played for the Brewers in 2005 and half of the '06 season. The Astros and Cubs seem to be the most interested, hoping to make room for a player that has averaged 31 home runs and 104 RBIs the past five seasons.

 

i can't tell you how much more i want jd drew than any of those guys. it's not even close.

 

i don't even know why carlos lee is in the conversation at this point. he would be a huge waste of money that would not fill any hole.

 

I don't think Lee should be a priority, but if we strike out on a couple other hitters, we will have to consider upgrading Murton.

[RichHillIsABeast]

If we get Carlos Lee for LF, I will slit my wrists. LF isn't a hole. CF, 1/2 of RF, 2B, and our pitching staff all need major work on them before we even thing about replacing Murton with a FA.

 

Ummm...

 

SS is probably our biggest hole of all. I have much more faith in Pie, Pagan, and Theriot to hit like league average CF, RF, and 2B men... respectively, than I have in Izturis to hit like a league average SS.

 

Izturis isn't on this team to hit. He's there to prevent runs, which he is phenomenal at.

[Rob]

If we get Carlos Lee for LF, I will slit my wrists. LF isn't a hole. CF, 1/2 of RF, 2B, and our pitching staff all need major work on them before we even thing about replacing Murton with a FA.

 

Wow. That's pretty ridiculous. Matt Murton<<<<

 

Carlos Lee Post All Star Break:

 

.312/.358/.512 .870 OPS

 

 

Murton:

 

.319/.390/.522 .912 OPS

 

 

Edit:

 

If we get Carlos Lee for LF, I will slit my wrists. LF isn't a hole. CF, 1/2 of RF, 2B, and our pitching staff all need major work on them before we even thing about replacing Murton with a FA.

 

Ummm...

 

SS is probably our biggest hole of all. I have much more faith in Pie, Pagan, and Theriot to hit like league average CF, RF, and 2B men... respectively, than I have in Izturis to hit like a league average SS.

 

Izturis isn't on this team to hit. He's there to prevent runs, which he is phenomenal at.

 

No. He was phenomenal at it before all the injuries. When you couple that with a degenerative knee condition he will not ever be anywhere near phenomenal again... Perhaps he gets back to solidly above average, but he's not even shown us that he's that good right now.

 

He's a drain on this team offensively, and his glove doesn't even begin to make up for his shortcomings. He needs to go.

Edited November 14, 2006 by Rob

[NorthsideAvenger]

If we get Carlos Lee for LF, I will slit my wrists. LF isn't a hole. CF, 1/2 of RF, 2B, and our pitching staff all need major work on them before we even thing about replacing Murton with a FA.

 

Wow. That's pretty ridiculous. Matt Murton<<<<

 

And Carlos pojects as a DH. Murton is NOT a 4th OF. He can hit WELL enough, and get on WELL ENOUGH to warrant being a LF. Besides...Murton is a bargain at his current contract, whereas Carlos Lee is more likely going to be a burden on some team salary.

 

No question....Murton IS BETTER then Lee.

[VanceJergins]

If we get Carlos Lee for LF, I will slit my wrists. LF isn't a hole. CF, 1/2 of RF, 2B, and our pitching staff all need major work on them before we even thing about replacing Murton with a FA.

 

Wow. That's pretty ridiculous. Matt Murton<<<<

 

It breaks my heart to disagree with someone cool enough to have Jack Bauer as their picture.....but I do. Matt Murton is already a good player and I think he's going to be a great player. I think he'll be as productive as Lee next year at a small fraction of the cost. And I'm not even talking about how much more I'd like to have Murton over the course of the next 5 seasons, just this next one. Over the next 5 its Murton hands down.....But gosh I love Jack Bauer.

[oldcubsfan]

If we get Carlos Lee for LF, I will slit my wrists. LF isn't a hole. CF, 1/2 of RF, 2B, and our pitching staff all need major work on them before we even thing about replacing Murton with a FA.

 

Wow. That's pretty ridiculous. Matt Murton<<<<

 

And Carlos pojects as a DH. Murton is NOT a 4th OF. He can hit WELL enough, and get on WELL ENOUGH to warrant being a LF. Besides...Murton is a bargain at his current contract, whereas Carlos Lee is more likely going to be a burden on some team salary.

 

No question....Murton IS BETTER then Lee.

 

On a high power team, he might be a good starter, but he reminds me of Jason Michaels and that is not special.

[killthegoat06]

I gotta wonder...where did all those people go that was violently opposed to picking up Soriano at the trading deadline in 2005? What changed besides a contract year outburst?

 

 

I was just about to ask that. I remember a bunch of people saying his defensive negatives outweigh potential offensive positives.

[Mephistopheles]

It really doesn't mean all that much, but I feel obligated to point out that Carlos Lee's career EqA is .284. Matt Murton's career EqA is .285.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

If we get Carlos Lee for LF, I will slit my wrists. LF isn't a hole. CF, 1/2 of RF, 2B, and our pitching staff all need major work on them before we even thing about replacing Murton with a FA.

 

Wow. That's pretty ridiculous. Matt Murton<<<<

 

And Carlos pojects as a DH. Murton is NOT a 4th OF. He can hit WELL enough, and get on WELL ENOUGH to warrant being a LF. Besides...Murton is a bargain at his current contract, whereas Carlos Lee is more likely going to be a burden on some team salary.

 

No question....Murton IS BETTER then Lee.

 

On a high power team, he might be a good starter, but he reminds me of Jason Michaels and that is not special.

 

If the Cubs could get power out of CF with either Soriano or Drew (or Andruw Jones if the Braves make him available), then Murton would be good for LF.

[A New Era]

I find it hard to beleive that some people don't understand, when you have about 4-5 holes. You want to keep your above average LF who is making less than $400k. The difference in Carlos Lee's projected offense and Murton's is not worth the projected $15 million dollar difference in payroll. We do not have a vacancy in LF because we have an above average LF. How hard is that to understand?

[Laura]

 

No. He was phenomenal at it before all the injuries. When you couple that with a degenerative knee condition he will not ever be anywhere near phenomenal again... Perhaps he gets back to solidly above average, but he's not even shown us that he's that good right now.

 

He's a drain on this team offensively, and his glove doesn't even begin to make up for his shortcomings. He needs to go.

 

Does Izturis have a degenerative knee condition? I had heard that his elbow problems were degenerative, but I hadn't heard about his knee. Egads.

[JeffH]

I find it hard to beleive that some people don't understand, when you have about 4-5 holes. You want to keep your above average LF who is making less than $400k. The difference in Carlos Lee's projected offense and Murton's is not worth the projected $15 million dollar difference in payroll. We do not have a vacancy in LF because we have an above average LF. How hard is that to understand?

 

What a ridiculous post.

 

Murton is going to earn more than $400 K next season.

 

:wink:

[CUBZ99]

I find it hard to beleive that some people don't understand, when you have about 4-5 holes. You want to keep your above average LF who is making less than $400k. The difference in Carlos Lee's projected offense and Murton's is not worth the projected $15 million dollar difference in payroll. We do not have a vacancy in LF because we have an above average LF. How hard is that to understand?

 

Lets not get carried away. Murton may be a fine LF someday, but Lee's numbers dwarfed Murton's last year. Almost .895 OPS compared to .809, 37 HR's compared to 13 HR, 116 RBI's to 62 RBI. Murton is not in CLee's league yet.

[CubColtPacer]

 

No. He was phenomenal at it before all the injuries. When you couple that with a degenerative knee condition he will not ever be anywhere near phenomenal again... Perhaps he gets back to solidly above average, but he's not even shown us that he's that good right now.

 

He's a drain on this team offensively, and his glove doesn't even begin to make up for his shortcomings. He needs to go.

 

Does Izturis have a degenerative knee condition? I had heard that his elbow problems were degenerative, but I hadn't heard about his knee. Egads.

 

I think the elbow is degenerative, and not the knee. The only thing I've heard with his leg is his hamstring issues (a little bit in 2005, and of course it flared up with the Cubs). I don't think he actually has an actual condition in his legs though.

[Rob]

 

No. He was phenomenal at it before all the injuries. When you couple that with a degenerative knee condition he will not ever be anywhere near phenomenal again... Perhaps he gets back to solidly above average, but he's not even shown us that he's that good right now.

 

He's a drain on this team offensively, and his glove doesn't even begin to make up for his shortcomings. He needs to go.

 

Does Izturis have a degenerative knee condition? I had heard that his elbow problems were degenerative, but I hadn't heard about his knee. Egads.

 

I think the elbow is degenerative, and not the knee. The only thing I've heard with his leg is his hamstring issues (a little bit in 2005, and of course it flared up with the Cubs). I don't think he actually has an actual condition in his legs though.

 

Yeah, you're right.

 

I had a minor brain fart. I knew he had a degenerative condition, and all I could remember were the leg injuries from the last 2 years. But yeah, it's his elbow.

 

Either way, it adversely affects his fielding, so my point stands.

[RichHillIsABeast]

Izturis doesn't have a degenerative knee condition. That's his elbow, and it's fine.

 

His range is outstanding, as is glove, and arm.

[VanceJergins]

I find it hard to beleive that some people don't understand, when you have about 4-5 holes. You want to keep your above average LF who is making less than $400k. The difference in Carlos Lee's projected offense and Murton's is not worth the projected $15 million dollar difference in payroll. We do not have a vacancy in LF because we have an above average LF. How hard is that to understand?

 

Lets not get carried away. Murton may be a fine LF someday, but Lee's numbers dwarfed Murton's last year. Almost .895 OPS compared to .809, 37 HR's compared to 13 HR, 116 RBI's to 62 RBI. Murton is not in CLee's league yet.

 

Murton went through a horrible slump in June which brought down his overall numbers, but he outperformed Lee in the second half. Lee will hit more homeruns than Murton this year, but thats probably about it.

[Laura]

Ok, thanks. I was out of town for awhile and thought maybe I missed something.

[abuck1220]

I find it hard to beleive that some people don't understand, when you have about 4-5 holes. You want to keep your above average LF who is making less than $400k. The difference in Carlos Lee's projected offense and Murton's is not worth the projected $15 million dollar difference in payroll. We do not have a vacancy in LF because we have an above average LF. How hard is that to understand?

 

Lets not get carried away. Murton may be a fine LF someday, but Lee's numbers dwarfed Murton's last year. Almost .895 OPS compared to .809, 37 HR's compared to 13 HR, 116 RBI's to 62 RBI. Murton is not in CLee's league yet.

 

are those numbers $12 mil better than murton's?