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

[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.

 

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.

I agree. I wonder if there really is any truth to the "rumor" that the pitchers prefer to throw to Blanco or just don't like throwing to Barrett. I don't tend to believe it because the numbers don't reflect that.

 

Having said that, Barrett could be a nice trading chip because he is slightly under paid for his production right now, but will be a free agent after next season. The biggest problem obviously being that it creates another whole offensively (depending on who Barrett is traded for).

[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.

 

$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.

 

I think Blanco would have gotten minimum 1.5 per year for two years from other teams around the league. He probably would have gotten the same contract the Cubs gave him from any other large market team that already projects high in total team offense (Mets, Yankees, Red Sox, White Sox) going into 2007.

[YearofDaCubs]

Trading Barrett would be dumb. Our offense right now already is pretty bad and making it worse won't help the cause.

[TheDude]

Trading Barrett would be dumb. Our offense right now already is pretty bad and making it worse won't help the cause.

 

That's a very narrow view. You're not even considering the returns. If Barret is part of the package to land a big name player, then maybe it's worth it. It's certainly worth exploring.

[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.

 

I think Blanco would have gotten minimum 1.5 per year for two years from other teams around the league. He probably would have gotten the same contract the Cubs gave him from any other large market team that already projects high in total team offense (Mets, Yankees, Red Sox, White Sox) going into 2007.

 

I don't believe the Yankees have paid over $1 million for a backup catcher since Joe Oliver in 2001. If any backup catcher is overvalued by his team, it's Doug "the only person who apparently can catch a knuckleball" Mirabelli, and he only made $1.5 mil in 2006. Like the Yankees, the White Sox and the Mets haven't paid $1 mil for a backup catcher the past few years.

[WrigleyinEngland]

Who needs a Catcher? if we could market Barrett as the best available?? If you pair him up with our Gold Glove SS (christ thats starting to get on my [expletive] everytime Jim speaks) and an arm such as Marshall or Marmol that seems like an attractive package.

[baseball7897]

Who needs a Catcher? if we could market Barrett as the best available?? If you pair him up with our Gold Glove SS (christ thats starting to get on my Rusch everytime Jim speaks) and an arm such as Marshall or Marmol that seems like an attractive package.

 

Toronto needs a catcher.

[WrigleyinEngland]

'christ thats starting to get on my Rusch everytime Jim speaks'

 

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

How funny is that!i'm talking about how peed off i am and Glendon gets dropped in without me realising!!!

[WrigleyinEngland]

I don't really like that much on the blue jays, i certainly don't have the man love many have for Vernon Wells.

[SouthSideRyan]

Well my offseason optimism didn't last long. I don't think anybody has ever been paid this much to be a backup catcher. Just horrendous.

[WrigleyField 22]

Barrett is certianly not untouchable. And while I would love to take advantage of selling a player at his high point, I'm not sure it is worth it considering the bargain he is (Barret makes less than $2M more than Blanco- how bout them apples).

 

I'd do it at the right offer, but I'm not sure we'll see that right offer.

 

Anyone think since Barrett is such a bargain it explains why Hendry was willing to spend more on Blanco. Not saying its right, but Hendry might think so.

 

Barrett

Blanco

Soto

Reyes

Fox?

 

Yea, we will need to be moving something. Reyes could be cut easily, and while we had 4 last year, thats not really necessary again especially with Blanco around long term. So you figure one other guy could be moved. Fox might have some value as part of a bigger trade.

 

The number of guys on the 40 man, especially at catcher must mean some move is coming.

[soccer10k]

Why couldn't he have just let a rookie back Barrett up?

 

Blanco's contract according to Cot's:

- $0.75M signing bonus

- 07:$1.8M, 08:$2.8M, 09:$3M club option ($0.3M buyout)

- 2009 option may become guaranteed based on 07-08 performance

- escalators may increase 2009 option to $4.5M

[rocket]

Why couldn't he have just let a rookie back Barrett up?

 

Blanco's contract according to Cot's:

- $0.75M signing bonus

- 07:$1.8M, 08:$2.8M, 09:$3M club option ($0.3M buyout)

- 2009 option may become guaranteed based on 07-08 performance

- escalators may increase 2009 option to $4.5M

 

once again jim insanely overpays for a market that isn't even there

[Geech]

- 2009 option may become guaranteed based on 07-08 performance

- escalators may increase 2009 option to $4.5M

 

Pure insanitah.

[USSoccer]

In what universe is Henry Blanco worth that kind of contract.

 

Those escalators better have the letters M, V and P in them somewhere as to insure they never are reached.

[CubFanPhilly]

If Hendry stays on long enough MLB can terminate the pension. Just send the old washed up vets to the Cubs and let Hendry fund their retirements.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

I don't even understand why anyone would want to trade Michael Barrett. We have one of the best catchers in the league offensively, and defensively he's made great improvements. That's one position we actually have a good player at. Trading him for a star at another position doesn't make sense to me. Yeah, you may get a power hitting outfielder, but you weaken the team in another area, which is a great hitting catcher. Just my opinion though.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I don't even understand why anyone would want to trade Michael Barrett. We have one of the best catchers in the league offensively, and defensively he's made great improvements. That's one position we actually have a good player at. Trading him for a star at another position doesn't make sense to me. Yeah, you get a power hitting outfield, but you weaken the team in another area which is a great hitting catcher.

 

He's a FA at the end of the season and he's 30...by the end of his next contract, he'd be getting to that age where most catcher's start breaking down.

 

If you can improve the team, I don't have a problem with it.

[Stu]

Why couldn't he have just let a rookie back Barrett up?

 

Blanco's contract according to Cot's:

- $0.75M signing bonus

- 07:$1.8M, 08:$2.8M, 09:$3M club option ($0.3M buyout)

- 2009 option may become guaranteed based on 07-08 performance

- escalators may increase 2009 option to $4.5M

 

once again jim insanely overpays for a market that isn't even there

 

Isn't this a GM who outbid himself for Burnitz?

[Monco]

I don't even understand why anyone would want to trade Michael Barrett. We have one of the best catchers in the league offensively, and defensively he's made great improvements. That's one position we actually have a good player at. Trading him for a star at another position doesn't make sense to me. Yeah, you may get a power hitting outfielder, but you weaken the team in another area, which is a great hitting catcher. Just my opinion though.

 

Hes made great improvements defensively? Hes a green light for all baserunners.

[Rob]

I don't even understand why anyone would want to trade Michael Barrett. We have one of the best catchers in the league offensively, and defensively he's made great improvements. That's one position we actually have a good player at. Trading him for a star at another position doesn't make sense to me. Yeah, you may get a power hitting outfielder, but you weaken the team in another area, which is a great hitting catcher. Just my opinion though.

 

I'm certainly not rallying to have Barrett sent away, but I can see where the idea comes from. There are real concerns about his performance going forward which will most likely keep us from signing him to an extension. With that in mind, trading him away if he's not going to be part of a championship team this season makes sense.

 

The only issue I really have comes with availability. The people advocating a Barrett for Wells trade are being ridiculous. That's essentially a lateral move in any event, and that's compounded by the fact that there is a perfect option availabe for CF in JD Drew, while the market for catchers is extremely weak.

 

For me to be willing to trade Barrett away, I better be getting a very young player that will be under club control for a few years, or an older but excellent player signed to a contract for a few more years. Otherwise, I have trouble accepting the massive downgrade from Barrett to whatever crap is available on the FA market. (Bengie Molina? Washed-up versions of Mike Piazza, Javy Lopez, and Mike Lieberthal? Puh-lease...)

[BigbadB]

Barrett reminds me of Mike Lieberthal. Liebs sure broke down in a hurry.

[Monco]

What will Barrett command as a free agent? Maybe 9 million per? Thats alot of money for a catcher who can't throw anyone out.

[SouthSideRyan]

I went to check Barrett's CS%, it's not good. But guess who's worse??

 

BENGIE MOLINA. STOP THAT INSANITY NOW PLEASE

[BigbadB]

What will Barrett command as a free agent? Maybe 9 million per? Thats alot of money for a catcher who can't throw anyone out.

 

He does have trouble with that. I always thought that his pitching staff didn't really help him with that all that much, though. Zambrano's stuff is so amazing, it's almost a guess by the catcher as to where to position his glove. Maddux is one of the easiest guys in the league to run on. Hill has a slow curve ball. Marshall has a slow curve ball, etc...