ESPN AM 1000: Cubs resign Blanco for 2 years/5M

[thedaymen]

Of the four deals mentioned above, I actually like the Blanco one best. Just some perspective. This is the best of Hendry's terrible deals.

[Soul]

Wow, you all freak out about the littlest things. We know what Hank brings and its not like he's making starting catcher money. He's our backup, calls a great game, cut down other teams running, and is limited with the bat. I'll take my chances with Hank over Soto at this point. Calm down.

Again, it's a pattern:

$4.15 to Izturis

$4.5 to DeRosa

$3.25 to Rusch

$2.5 to Blanco

 

It's $14.4 million. It's not the "littlest thing"

 

You're assuming that those four positions on the team would be adequately filled by people making $0. You have to assume that the people there are at least making something.

 

4 players at an average of $400,000 each, combines to $1.6m. Make one of those guys a millionaire veteran and the total cost is $2.2 million, leaving $12.2 million on the table for somebody, or somebodies, who can actually help the team get better.

 

Yeah, I was going to say 14.4 million is the better part of the Marlins entire payroll---spent on 4 players who can't help the team and have no future potential.

 

It's a big deal wrapped up in small pieces. It's Hendry, in a nutshell.

[rocket]

so essentially hendry signed a backup catcher to the same contract that he signed todd walker to a couple years ago.

 

dumb move. soto is ready.

[Andy]

I really wanted to get back on your bandwagon after Aramis and Kerry, Jim, but this is just stupid economics. Geovany Soto could put up BETTER numbers for a little more than 1/10 the cost.

 

This is gonna cost us a big time FA.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Once again, another signing that isn't horrible but when combined with overpaying for other parts, Jim is pissing away money left and right.

 

We'll end up not having the money for Soriano or Drew because we gave too much to Henry Blanco when Soto could do the job at 400K.

[TheDude]

That's a steep price for defense, I agree. I like having Blanco on the team if the offense is upgraded with a major bat as anticipated. You can hide Blanco's bat if he gets Zambrano a Cy Young as his personal catcher.

[Derwood]

It looks like a loyalty signing. It's good to be on Hendry's good side it seems

[Laura]

I realize a lot of the payroll issues are interrelated, but please try to keep the DeRosa discussion in the DeRosa thread. Thanks.

[Flames24Rulz]

I don't mind Blanco, but why would you give him a 2 year deal worth $2.5 million a year AND a mutual option for 2009? I would have gave him a 1 year deal worth probably $1-1.25 million. He's not the youngest guy in the world, so I really don't understand the concept of signing a guy his age to a multi-year deal when you have a capable backup catcher in Soto who would be making the minimum.

 

But otherwise, great job Hendry.

[Bruno7481]

While the money may be a little high, it isn't like the Cubs are tapped out here.

 

Wood resigned for significantly less.

 

Pierre's salary is gone (most likely)

 

Assuming the payroll is raised like they are saying, I don't think Blanco and DeRosa handicap them all that much. Granted it remains to be seen who else Hendry is going to bring in here. But I think it is safe to assume Blanco and DeRosa will be afterthoughts when reviewing the teams offseason acquisitions because better players will be brought in.

 

That is my hope anyway.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

Wow, this shocks me. Hank White at that price? I wonder how many starting catchers' salaries are close to that...

 

I was hopeful when Aramis and Kerry took the hometown discount that the money would be spent wisely on good STARTING players. Not backups.

 

Looks like the Trib Co. forgot to get rid of one guy... and he's the one guy with the power to field a bad team.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

While the money may be a little high, it isn't like the Cubs are tapped out here.

 

Wood resigned for significantly less.

 

Pierre's salary is gone (most likely)

 

Assuming the payroll is raised like they are saying, I don't think Blanco and DeRosa handicap them all that much. Granted it remains to be seen who else Hendry is going to bring in here. But I think it is safe to assume Blanco and DeRosa will be afterthoughts when reviewing the teams offseason acquisitions because better players will be brought in.

 

That is my hope anyway.

I understand your optimism... I felt the same way before the 2006 season. :cry:

[WrigleyField 22]

Speaking of hometown discounts, if we insisted on keeping Blanco, why couldn't he give us one?

 

Greedy bastard. :)

 

 

Still, I hate you cubs.

Go Soto!

[CuseCubFan69]

Is it possible that Hendry might move Barrett?

[Rob]

All of this stocking up on (s)crappy role players damn well better be leading to some mega-blockbuster trade... otherwise, I'm super-pissed.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

Is it possible that Hendry might move Barrett?

Not unless he wants his car to be keyed and his house TPed.

[TheDude]

I wonder how many starting catchers' salaries are close to that...

 

Of the one's that are eligble for FA, they all do. The going rate for most back-up catchers eligble for FA is 800k-1.2 million. Blanco is regarded very highly as one of the best back-ups in baseball, clearly for his defense, game calling, and teaching ability.

 

He's probably not worth 2.5, but I don't think it's a stretch to say another team would have paid 3.0 for his services for two years.

[fromthestretch]

I wonder how many starting catchers' salaries are close to that...

 

Of the one's that are eligble for FA, they all do. The going rate for most back-up catchers eligble for FA is 800k-1.2 million. Blanco is regarded very highly as one of the best back-ups in baseball, clearly for his defense, game calling, and teaching ability.

 

He's probably not worth 2.5, but I don't think it's a stretch to say another team would have paid 3.0 for his services for two years.

 

$3.0 mil per year or total? I highly doubt he'd have gotten that per year. I could see $1.5 mil per year, maybe $2.0 mil.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

By the way, the Cubs have 4 catchers on their 40-man roster right now and might be looking to add a fifth in Jake Fox...I hope they take Reyes off now.

[soapy]

Is it possible that Hendry might move Barrett?

I was wondering about that as well. It's the only way I can possibly think of that would make any sense. Even then, I don't like it unless he gets a nice return on Barrett.

[Wheelimus]

Crazy idea time, and one I don't even think I'd sign off on (and am not sure they would either, ha, but for some reason it popped in my brain.)

 

Barrett and Jones for Varitek and Manny

[TruffleShuffle]

Is it possible that Hendry might move Barrett?

I was wondering about that as well. It's the only way I can possibly think of that would make any sense. Even then, I don't like it unless he gets a nice return on Barrett.

 

I don't know why they'd trade Barrett. He's a bargain on his current contract and provides much-needed offense. That said, his bargain status might make him even more attractive, and perhaps he could be used in a deal for a very good hitter or pitcher. But unless the player coming back is a legitimate star, it'd be dumb to deal Barrett.

[TruffleShuffle]

Crazy idea time, and one I don't even think I'd sign off on (and am not sure they would either, ha, but for some reason it popped in my brain.)

 

Barrett and Jones for Varitek and Manny

 

Red Sox will not trade Varitek. I'm pretty sure he's the team captain, and I'm also pretty sure he has a no-trade clause.

[goonys evil twin]

Crazy idea time, and one I don't even think I'd sign off on (and am not sure they would either, ha, but for some reason it popped in my brain.)

 

Barrett and Jones for Varitek and Manny

 

Red Sox will not trade Varitek. I'm pretty sure he's the team captain, and I'm also pretty sure he has a no-trade clause.

 

Yeah, no way they deal Tek.

[Wheelimus]

Heh, guess I just see a $10 million dollar catcher who put up a .725 OPS last year (admittingly hurt part of the year), and not the heart of the team.