Cubs sign DeRosa for 3 yrs/$13M

[A New Era]

Given that the company line (see the front page of Cubs.com) is that DeRosa is the Cubs' new 2nd baseman, this deal blows hard. Unless something drastic happens, our middle infield is shaping up to be Theriot, DeRosa, Izturis and Cedeno. They could have held onto Neifi and Walker for much cheaper and likely have the same terrible results. Awful.

 

I'd rather have derosa at 4.3 than neifi at 2.5. Honestly.

 

Well, DeRosa fits more of the Walker role and Izturis is the nu-Neifi. My point is we've barely improved the middle infield, if at all, at too much cost.

 

Oh I agree. Not much improvement. However if he can just be Walker + good defense then I don't mind this move too much. I however would have rather seen a bigger signing before focusing on such a miniscule improvement. .

[CUBZ99]

I think the biggest thing is we probably could have gotten near-DeRosa production for much cheaper with a combination of Fontenot, Theriot, and Cedeno. Instead, we overpay for DeRosa, leaving less money to spend on actual FA's with worth. It's like a broken record with Hendry.

 

Yes, and Cedeno was supposed to be better than Neifi and any pitcher was supposed to be better than the 2005 version of Rusch and so on. If last year taught us anything, it was not to blindly hope a bunch of fringe prospect rookies would have important roles on the team. I'm praying that DeRosa can maintain his 2006 numbers next year and this signing looks better in August.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Given that the company line (see the front page of Cubs.com) is that DeRosa is the Cubs' new 2nd baseman, this deal blows hard. Unless something drastic happens, our middle infield is shaping up to be Theriot, DeRosa, Izturis and Cedeno. They could have held onto Neifi and Walker for much cheaper and likely have the same terrible results. Awful.

 

I'd rather have derosa at 4.3 than neifi at 2.5. Honestly.

 

Well, DeRosa fits more of the Walker role and Izturis is the nu-Neifi. My point is we've barely improved the middle infield, if at all, at too much cost.

 

Oh I agree. Not much improvement. However if he can just be Walker + good defense then I don't mind this move too much. I however would have rather seen a bigger signing before focusing on such a miniscule improvement. .

 

I don't think there's a snow ball's chance in hell that DeRosa will match Walker's offensive production.

[Soul]

Given that the company line (see the front page of Cubs.com) is that DeRosa is the Cubs' new 2nd baseman, this deal blows hard. Unless something drastic happens, our middle infield is shaping up to be Theriot, DeRosa, Izturis and Cedeno. They could have held onto Neifi and Walker for much cheaper and likely have the same terrible results. Awful.

 

I'd rather have derosa at 4.3 than neifi at 2.5. Honestly.

 

Well, DeRosa fits more of the Walker role and Izturis is the nu-Neifi. My point is we've barely improved the middle infield, if at all, at too much cost.

Welcome to Hendry's world.

 

I wonder how Lou feels about this. Just gotta wonder, that's all.

 

I've got to hold judgement on DeRosa himself, but more money is now off the table, and we obviously need at least one more top FA bat and a couple starters.

 

Pretty clear that's not going to happen now. So '07 is all but guaranteed to be a marginal year, especially because of the pitching, but also because we just don't have the pop and we can't satisfy both concerns with the resources available.

 

Just wheels turning, that's all. I'm thinking Lou has that little voice in the back of his mind......"uh-oh, did I make a mistake?"

[CUBZ99]

"I love our infield," Hendry said. "I feel great about it. You've got two Gold Glove winners [in Izturis and Lee], a great player at third base and I like our young players."

 

Looks like we are getting Izturis and Derosa next year up the middle.

 

2007 is over before it even had a chance to begin.

Nonsense. That is silly. Why does it end anything?

 

Because I think getting guys like Izturis and DeRosa indicate next to nothing has changed in Hendry's mind as to how to build this team. I have zero confidence in him finding anyone for the OF except for another Jones or Pierre-esque player and a couple of average journeyman pitchers. As soon as I see something that indicates he's adjusted his team building policy, hey, I'll be jumping for joy. Sadly, with the last 2 positions we've needed to improve significantly and he's made changes at, 2nd and SS, he's tanked miserably. Why is he going to be any different improving the OF or the starting rotation? With the exception of the bullpen, Hendry hasn't indicated at all he has what it takes to make the drastic improvements this team needs. Almost all of his trades and signings in the last 6 months are just staying the course and not rocking rhe boat at all. He's taking no chances on anything even remotely close to a big signing or trade.

 

Hendry gets a high OBP guy for 2B and everyone is acting like the sky is falling. I'm very suprised at the reaction to the DeRosa signing so far. I'll admit his numbers haven't always been that great, but last year was a fine year and I can't imagine everyone would be that upset at having a .350+ OBP at 2b.

[Sammy Sofa]

Given that the company line (see the front page of Cubs.com) is that DeRosa is the Cubs' new 2nd baseman, this deal blows hard. Unless something drastic happens, our middle infield is shaping up to be Theriot, DeRosa, Izturis and Cedeno. They could have held onto Neifi and Walker for much cheaper and likely have the same terrible results. Awful.

 

I'd rather have derosa at 4.3 than neifi at 2.5. Honestly.

 

Well, DeRosa fits more of the Walker role and Izturis is the nu-Neifi. My point is we've barely improved the middle infield, if at all, at too much cost.

 

Oh I agree. Not much improvement. However if he can just be Walker + good defense then I don't mind this move too much. I however would have rather seen a bigger signing before focusing on such a miniscule improvement. .

 

The problem is that ultimately we had only 2 positions wide open to seriously imprive this team, 2nd and CF (if Pierre ain't coming back like it seems), and now one of them has been wasted. On a much better team, signing a guy like Walker or DeRosa is a good move. The Cubs are nowhere near being that team. DeRosa is not going to make them much better, if at all. He's not the type of impact player they desperately need right now. Signing him to be anything other than a utility guy and maybe the 1st bat off the bench doesn't make him all that useful to this team, and it looks like he's their starting 2nd baseman. Now what? Jones isn't being traded, Hendry's latest comments indicate he's still in love with Izturis...unless it's as part of a packagae for a huge impact player, you're likely not going to be able to upgrade over Murton in LF. Now we're left with just CF.

[A New Era]

Given that the company line (see the front page of Cubs.com) is that DeRosa is the Cubs' new 2nd baseman, this deal blows hard. Unless something drastic happens, our middle infield is shaping up to be Theriot, DeRosa, Izturis and Cedeno. They could have held onto Neifi and Walker for much cheaper and likely have the same terrible results. Awful.

 

I'd rather have derosa at 4.3 than neifi at 2.5. Honestly.

 

Well, DeRosa fits more of the Walker role and Izturis is the nu-Neifi. My point is we've barely improved the middle infield, if at all, at too much cost.

 

Oh I agree. Not much improvement. However if he can just be Walker + good defense then I don't mind this move too much. I however would have rather seen a bigger signing before focusing on such a miniscule improvement. .

 

I don't think there's a snow ball's chance in hell that DeRosa will match Walker's offensive production.

 

And I honestly don't know. Just hope. Atleast we know where you stand. :)

[Sammy Sofa]

Look at his career stats. He's Walker with better defense and a worse bat.

[Soul]

"I love our infield," Hendry said. "I feel great about it. You've got two Gold Glove winners [in Izturis and Lee], a great player at third base and I like our young players."

 

Looks like we are getting Izturis and Derosa next year up the middle.

 

2007 is over before it even had a chance to begin.

Nonsense. That is silly. Why does it end anything?

 

Because I think getting guys like Izturis and DeRosa indicate next to nothing has changed in Hendry's mind as to how to build this team. I have zero confidence in him finding anyone for the OF except for another Jones or Pierre-esque player and a couple of average journeyman pitchers. As soon as I see something that indicates he's adjusted his team building policy, hey, I'll be jumping for joy. Sadly, with the last 2 positions we've needed to improve significantly and he's made changes at, 2nd and SS, he's tanked miserably. Why is he going to be any different improving the OF or the starting rotation? With the exception of the bullpen, Hendry hasn't indicated at all he has what it takes to make the drastic improvements this team needs. Almost all of his trades and signings in the last 6 months are just staying the course and not rocking rhe boat at all. He's taking no chances on anything even remotely close to a big signing or trade.

 

Hendry gets a high OBP guy for 2B and everyone is acting like the sky is falling. I'm very suprised at the reaction to the DeRosa signing so far. I'll admit his numbers haven't always been that great, but last year was a fine year and I can't imagine everyone would be that upset at having a .350+ OBP at 2b.

 

Not the sky falling, but rather just knowing we had miles & miles to go, and really needed a perfect offseason to get there in '07. DeRosa on his own? Meh....I could make a place for him on my ballclub I suppose. But when you've got limited funds, a huge FA bat to sign plus 2 starter-quality arms? It's not an '07 winning move, IMHO.

[Omar]

What are the chances Bynum will be on the 25-man?

[Blueheart05]

"I love our infield," Hendry said. "I feel great about it. You've got two Gold Glove winners [in Izturis and Lee], a great player at third base and I like our young players."

 

Looks like we are getting Izturis and Derosa next year up the middle.

 

2007 is over before it even had a chance to begin.

Nonsense. That is silly. Why does it end anything?

 

Exacly,the Cubs can still sign two more A/B free agents and, for what it's worth, ESPN AM 1000 is reporting that the Cubs have been talking to the Indians about acquiring Lee or Westbrook for bullpen arms so a trade may be in the works as well.

[erik316wttn]

Given that the company line (see the front page of Cubs.com) is that DeRosa is the Cubs' new 2nd baseman, this deal blows hard. Unless something drastic happens, our middle infield is shaping up to be Theriot, DeRosa, Izturis and Cedeno. They could have held onto Neifi and Walker for much cheaper and likely have the same terrible results. Awful.

 

I'd rather have derosa at 4.3 than neifi at 2.5. Honestly.

 

That's like saying you'd rather be stabbed than shot.

[Soul]

Given that the company line (see the front page of Cubs.com) is that DeRosa is the Cubs' new 2nd baseman, this deal blows hard. Unless something drastic happens, our middle infield is shaping up to be Theriot, DeRosa, Izturis and Cedeno. They could have held onto Neifi and Walker for much cheaper and likely have the same terrible results. Awful.

 

I'd rather have derosa at 4.3 than neifi at 2.5. Honestly.

 

That's like saying you'd rather be stabbed than shot.

 

True. I would though 8)

[Sammy Sofa]

"I love our infield," Hendry said. "I feel great about it. You've got two Gold Glove winners [in Izturis and Lee], a great player at third base and I like our young players."

 

Looks like we are getting Izturis and Derosa next year up the middle.

 

2007 is over before it even had a chance to begin.

Nonsense. That is silly. Why does it end anything?

 

Exacly,the Cubs can still sign two more A/B free agents and, for what it's worth, ESPN AM 1000 is reporting that the Cubs have been talking to the Indians about acquiring Lee or Westbrook for bullpen arms so a trade may be in the works as well.

 

Who are they trading? Hendry clearly thinks Izturis is the answer at SS. I've seen little to indicate Jacque would be traded...if anything, Hendry will take Jacque's numbers from last year as vindication for his contract and feel he has to hold onto him. These are the kind of things you have to keep in mind with our GM. He makes baffling decisions for seemingly ridiculous reasons. Murton seems to be the only one with a chance of being the odd man out.

[Careless]

"I love our infield," Hendry said. "I feel great about it. You've got two Gold Glove winners [in Izturis and Lee], a great player at third base and I like our young players."

 

Looks like we are getting Izturis and Derosa next year up the middle.

 

2007 is over before it even had a chance to begin.

Nonsense. That is silly. Why does it end anything?

 

Because I think getting guys like Izturis and DeRosa indicate next to nothing has changed in Hendry's mind as to how to build this team. I have zero confidence in him finding anyone for the OF except for another Jones or Pierre-esque player and a couple of average journeyman pitchers. As soon as I see something that indicates he's adjusted his team building policy, hey, I'll be jumping for joy. Sadly, with the last 2 positions we've needed to improve significantly and he's made changes at, 2nd and SS, he's tanked miserably. Why is he going to be any different improving the OF or the starting rotation? With the exception of the bullpen, Hendry hasn't indicated at all he has what it takes to make the drastic improvements this team needs. Almost all of his trades and signings in the last 6 months are just staying the course and not rocking rhe boat at all. He's taking no chances on anything even remotely close to a big signing or trade.

 

Hendry gets a high OBP guy for 2B and everyone is acting like the sky is falling. I'm very suprised at the reaction to the DeRosa signing so far. I'll admit his numbers haven't always been that great, but last year was a fine year and I can't imagine everyone would be that upset at having a .350+ OBP at 2b.

He got no such thing. His career OBP would be 16/22 qualified from last year at 2b.

In only 2 years has his OBP been better than average (compared to those this week)

He has had 2 seasons that would have put him last/next to last in OBP.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Given that the company line (see the front page of Cubs.com) is that DeRosa is the Cubs' new 2nd baseman, this deal blows hard. Unless something drastic happens, our middle infield is shaping up to be Theriot, DeRosa, Izturis and Cedeno. They could have held onto Neifi and Walker for much cheaper and likely have the same terrible results. Awful.

 

I'd rather have derosa at 4.3 than neifi at 2.5. Honestly.

 

Well, DeRosa fits more of the Walker role and Izturis is the nu-Neifi. My point is we've barely improved the middle infield, if at all, at too much cost.

 

Oh I agree. Not much improvement. However if he can just be Walker + good defense then I don't mind this move too much. I however would have rather seen a bigger signing before focusing on such a miniscule improvement. .

 

I don't think there's a snow ball's chance in hell that DeRosa will match Walker's offensive production.

 

And I honestly don't know. Just hope. Atleast we know where you stand. :)

 

DeRosa had his best OPS+ last season at 106. His career OPS+ is 90. In six seasons in which he had 150 or more PA, DeRosa has topped the 100 OPS mark twice. He's a below average hitter coming off a career year in a hitter's park. In 2004 when Atlanta tried to make him a full-time starter at third, he failed miserably.

 

In comparison, Walker has a career OPS+ of 98. While he was at 93 last season, in seasons where he has amassed over 150 PA, Walker has four seasons over 100.

 

DeRosa is a better fielder than Walker, probably by a great deal. He's not a better hitter unless he faces lefties exclusively. He hammers lefties. He would be a good player off the bench. He would have value as a platoon player all over the diamond against lefties and brings some value to the versatile role. He is miscast as a starter.

[Shavo]

So signing a player for 4.2 Million prevents us from getting Zito/Soriano or whoever? Jeez you guys sure can spin anything against Hendry.

 

Look at the market people. You don't get players with the ability to put up a line of .296 .357 .456 over 520 at bats that is capable of playing almost any position for 1 Million dollars. He's only done it once, but how many times does he need to do it to be legit?

 

Give him a chance.

[Careless]

So signing a player for 4.2 Million prevents us from getting Zito/Soriano or whoever? Jeez you guys sure can spin anything against Hendry.

 

Look at the market people. You don't get players with the ability to put up a line of .296 .357 .456 over 520 at bats that is capable of playing almost any position for 1 Million dollars. He's only done it once, but how many times does he need to do it to be legit?

 

Give him a chance.

An 8 year career isn't a chance?

[KingCubsFan]

I don't think there's a snow ball's chance in hell that DeRosa will match Walker's offensive production.

I think that's a bit strong:

Walker's OPS

2003: .761

2004: .820

2005: .829

2006: .754

 

DeRosa 2006: .813

It's not as if Walker was some super offensive force at 2b. He was what DeRosa was last year: above average. I'm not saying that DeRosa will match his numbers from last year, but the difference between the two doesn't seem to be as large as you make it out to be. And I'll take a slightly lower OPS for the ability to turn a double play.

[jjgman21]

 

Hendry gets a high OBP guy for 2B and everyone is acting like the sky is falling. I'm very suprised at the reaction to the DeRosa signing so far. I'll admit his numbers haven't always been that great, but last year was a fine year and I can't imagine everyone would be that upset at having a .350+ OBP at 2b.

 

no he didn't. he got Mark DeRosa.

 

I think it unwise to consider a guy that had a career year at age 31 and barely eeked out a .350 opb for the first time in his career a ".350 obp+ at 2b"

 

I'd rather just have Grudz back.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

So signing a player for 4.2 Million prevents us from getting Zito/Soriano or whoever? Jeez you guys sure can spin anything against Hendry.

 

Look at the market people. You don't get players with the ability to put up a line of .296 .357 .456 over 520 at bats that is capable of playing almost any position for 1 Million dollars. He's only done it once, but how many times does he need to do it to be legit?

 

Give him a chance.

 

He needs to do it more than once. Every possible bit of evidence points to '06 being a fluke season.

[JeffH]

Aren't we limited to signing 4 Type A or B FA's? Ramirez is one since his deal was signed on Sunday. DeRosa makes two. That leaves only two more.

 

I can't imagine Ramirez counts.

 

Imagine this scenario:

 

The arb deadline rolls around and Aramis still hasn't signed anywhere. The Cubs offer him arb and he accepts.

 

According to the old CBA, the Cubs signing "free agent" Ramirez in that way would not count against their quota.

 

Regardless, someone brings this up every offseason and it never, ever comes into play.

 

This is incorrect. Here's the language directly from the old CBA:

 

The Club shall be deemed not to have signed a free agent for purposes of paragraph (5) of this Section B when a Player accepts salary arbitration pursuant to this paragraph (3).

 

CFP, thanks, but I've read the applicable passages of the CBA. I've bolded the passage I was referring to in my hypothetical.

 

If a team signs one of its own free agents via the arb process, that signing doesn't count against the quota. If that doesn't count, I don't see why a non-arb agreement would. It could, but it would be altogether nonsensical (of course, I wouldn't put nonsense past MLB).

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I don't think there's a snow ball's chance in hell that DeRosa will match Walker's offensive production.

I think that's a bit strong:

Walker's OPS

2003: .761

2004: .820

2005: .829

2006: .754

 

DeRosa 2006: .813

It's not as if Walker was some super offensive force at 2b. He was what DeRosa was last year: above average. I'm not saying that DeRosa will match his numbers from last year, but the difference between the two doesn't seem to be as large as you make it out to be. And I'll take a slightly lower OPS for the ability to turn a double play.

 

While DeRosa's line from 2006 looks great and I pray to Kent he can repeat it, I can't ignore his 2005 line of 243/325/439 and his 2004 line of 239/293/320 and his 2003 line of 263/316/383. He has a career year last year in a hitter's park. If he repeats it great, but what if he puts up his career norm of 273/331/404? While not horrible, when combined with Izturis, it's some pretty weak production from the middle infield. Furthermore, we're paying over 4 million a year for that.

[Sammy Sofa]

So signing a player for 4.2 Million prevents us from getting Zito/Soriano or whoever? Jeez you guys sure can spin anything against Hendry.

 

Look at the market people. You don't get players with the ability to put up a line of .296 .357 .456 over 520 at bats that is capable of playing almost any position for 1 Million dollars. He's only done it once, but how many times does he need to do it to be legit?

 

Give him a chance.

 

It's not always about the money.

 

Like I said elsewhere, 2nd and CF were the two areas it was clear the Cubs could significantly upgrade relatively easily if they were willing to spend and they've just blown one of those slots on a glorified utility player.

[rocket]

hahahahaha, same old hendry. nothing's changed.

 

what a pointless signing.