Questions That Need Answers

[CubsWin]

So now that Soriano is in the fold, pending the physical, here are the main questions floating around in my mind...

 

1. Did Ramirez count as a type A free agent signing?

2. Is Soriano really going to play RF?

3. If so, does that mean that Jones is playing CF or is he traded?

4. What is the payroll limit? Can the Cubs legitimately still be in the hunt for either Zito or Schmidt?

 

Feel free to add more questions or post your answers...

[Omar]

About the payroll.. They said they wanted to spend $115 million... I believe we started out in the mid 80's. So far we've spent: 17 million on Soriano, 14.6 on Ramirez, 1.5 on Miller, 4.3 on the Mark of Rose.. $37.4 million. Around $125 mil. Anyone have exact calculations?

[LuckyPup]

Ramirez is only about 2M up from what he was budgeted to make this year so dont know if the entire 14.6 should count against- just guessing about that though- some estimates have us around 100M spent- i could see the payroll going upwards of 125M-

[Neuby]

When reports first start to leak about the payroll going up it was around 115-120 which was just short of the luxury tax threshold but now that the threshold has gone up who knows.

[biittner77]

1. Did Ramirez count as a type A free agent signing?

 

No, resigning your own FAs doesn't count agisnt the limit

 

2. Is Soriano really going to play RF?

 

Hendry said he wants to add 2 bats. Unless Derosa counts I'd guess it was easier to find another RF than CF

 

3. If so, does that mean that Jones is playing CF or is he traded?

 

Jones will be traded but perhaps he'll start the season in CF while they wait to see what Pie does at AAA

 

4. What is the payroll limit? Can the Cubs legitimately still be in the hunt for either Zito or Schmidt?

 

Schmidt has stated his preference for the West Coast from day 1. I've not heard that Hendry was ever interested in Zito.

[Guest]

About the payroll.. They said they wanted to spend $115 million... I believe we started out in the mid 80's. So far we've spent: 17 million on Soriano, 14.6 on Ramirez, 1.5 on Miller, 4.3 on the Mark of Rose.. $37.4 million. Around $125 mil. Anyone have exact calculations?

There's an ongoing thread dedicated to tracking this. Best guess is that so far about $100 million of 2007's money is spoken for.

[hardcorecubfan]

what about Murton?

could some of the payroll be deferred until these people retire?

 

 

Pierre?

[CubsWin]

1. Did Ramirez count as a type A free agent signing?

 

No, resigning your own FAs doesn't count agisnt the limit

But the question is: was Ramirez the Cubs "own" FA once their exclusive negotiating period expired at midnight and when exactly was he signed, before or after the deadline?

 

2. Is Soriano really going to play RF?

 

Hendry said he wants to add 2 bats. Unless Derosa counts I'd guess it was easier to find another RF than CF

I heard he wanted to add some lefty bats, but there was no mention at what positions or if they would even be starters. He's got some bench spots to fill/upgrade. Soriano said he didn't have an opinion, just so long as it was the OF and that he would leave it up to Piniella.

 

3. If so, does that mean that Jones is playing CF or is he traded?

 

Jones will be traded but perhaps he'll start the season in CF while they wait to see what Pie does at AAA

This is the sense I'm getting as well. Jones may be traded during the off season if he can bring in the right pitcher, if not, he will play CF until Pie is ready which may be '08.

 

4. What is the payroll limit? Can the Cubs legitimately still be in the hunt for either Zito or Schmidt?

 

Schmidt has stated his preference for the West Coast from day 1. I've not heard that Hendry was ever interested in Zito.

The latest reports on the radio are that the Cubs are not out of the Schmidt sweepstakes. I was aware of his West Coast preference, but the Cubs are making a splash right now and if the Cubs look like they have a better chance of winning than the Giants, Padres, Dodgers, Angels or Mariners, he may think again.

[biittner77]

But the question is: was Ramirez the Cubs "own" FA once their exclusive negotiating period expired at midnight and when exactly was he signed, before or after the deadline?

 

Doesn't matter. The last team he played for was the Cubs so therefore he is a returning FA. Also, I don't see the Cubs signing more than 2 more A or B FAs. One FA Pitcher and Perhaps one FA bat with the rest of the holes filled through trades.

[CubsWin]

But the question is: was Ramirez the Cubs "own" FA once their exclusive negotiating period expired at midnight and when exactly was he signed, before or after the deadline?

 

Doesn't matter. The last team he played for was the Cubs so therefore he is a returning FA. Also, I don't see the Cubs signing more than 2 more A or B FAs. One FA Pitcher and Perhaps one FA bat with the rest of the holes filled through trades.

Cool, thanks. Looks like each team is alloted 5 A or B signings anyway, so I doubt they would reach the limit.

 

It appears the consensus is that Soriano will play RF if the current OF personnel stays the same. Anyone hear differently?

[jjgman21]

But the question is: was Ramirez the Cubs "own" FA once their exclusive negotiating period expired at midnight and when exactly was he signed, before or after the deadline?

 

Doesn't matter. The last team he played for was the Cubs so therefore he is a returning FA. Also, I don't see the Cubs signing more than 2 more A or B FAs. One FA Pitcher and Perhaps one FA bat with the rest of the holes filled through trades.

Cool, thanks. Looks like each team is alloted 5 A or B signings anyway, so I doubt they would reach the limit.

 

It appears the consensus is that Soriano will play RF if the current OF personnel stays the same. Anyone hear differently?

 

5? everyone was saying 4.

[NCCubFan]

But the question is: was Ramirez the Cubs "own" FA once their exclusive negotiating period expired at midnight and when exactly was he signed, before or after the deadline?

 

Doesn't matter. The last team he played for was the Cubs so therefore he is a returning FA.

Makes sense to me. Considering how quickly after the deadline they signed him I'm sure they could have gotten it done a half day earlier if there was a reason to.

[NorthsideAvenger]

The latest reports on the radio are that the Cubs are not out of the Schmidt sweepstakes. I was aware of his West Coast preference, but the Cubs are making a splash right now and if the Cubs look like they have a better chance of winning than the Giants, Padres, Dodgers, Angels or Mariners, he may think again.

 

Unforutnately, it will come down to the Dodgers and the Cubs, and UNLESS Hendry can knock Schmidt's shoes off (like he did with Soriano), I see Jason staying in Cali.

[CubsWin]

So now that Soriano is in the fold, pending the physical, here are the main questions floating around in my mind...

 

1. Did Ramirez count as a type A free agent signing?

2. Is Soriano really going to play RF?

3. If so, does that mean that Jones is playing CF or is he traded?

4. What is the payroll limit? Can the Cubs legitimately still be in the hunt for either Zito or Schmidt?

 

Feel free to add more questions or post your answers...

Another question that never got answered is what are the specifics of Soriano's contract. Are there any option years at the end of it? Has anyone heard or read anything on that?

[LeftCoastCubFan]

Another question that never got answered is what are the specifics of Soriano's contract. Are there any option years at the end of it? Has anyone heard or read anything on that?

It's unknown at this point. I assume the details will come out around the press conference. Initially it sounded like there were a few option years at the end, but since it's been reported as 8/136 which makes it sound garuanteed.

[LeftCoastCubFan]

About the payroll.. They said they wanted to spend $115 million... I believe we started out in the mid 80's. So far we've spent: 17 million on Soriano, 14.6 on Ramirez, 1.5 on Miller, 4.3 on the Mark of Rose.. $37.4 million. Around $125 mil. Anyone have exact calculations?

About 101 mil and talk of going up to 120.

 

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