ESPN 1000 - Cubs are going after Schmidt next

[ctcf]

Hmm so we have like 10 different places saying the Cubs offered Schmidt the 3 year deal, then Bruce Levine says we never did...Were do these other places get that news from? Pretty big since its a headline on SI.com and on rotoworld.com

 

It's Bruce Miles, and all the other sites got their information from the San Fransisco Chronicle. They probably got their info from Schmidt's agent, which Bruce said was probably a false rumor that the agent thought up.

 

I doubt that SI.com and ESPN would have it as such big news if there was only a blurb about it in the San Francisco Chronicle. Rotoworld, yes, but not SI or ESPN.

 

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/baseball/mlb/11/28/schmidt.cubs/index.html

 

Thats from the main baseball page from a reporter over at SI.com

 

Yea I wasn't aware Bruce Miles' word was absolute truth these days.

[shnsajax]

Hmm so we have like 10 different places saying the Cubs offered Schmidt the 3 year deal, then Bruce Levine says we never did...Were do these other places get that news from? Pretty big since its a headline on SI.com and on rotoworld.com

 

It's Bruce Miles, and all the other sites got their information from the San Fransisco Chronicle. They probably got their info from Schmidt's agent, which Bruce said was probably a false rumor that the agent thought up.

 

I doubt that SI.com and ESPN would have it as such big news if there was only a blurb about it in the San Francisco Chronicle. Rotoworld, yes, but not SI or ESPN.

 

And this is separate from Chronicle. Schmidt: just sign with us so we can know for sure.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/baseball/mlb/11/28/schmidt.cubs/index.html

 

Thats from the main baseball page from a reporter over at SI.com

 

It doesn't mention Chronicle. Schmidt: Just sign with us so we an stop wondering. :lol:

 

Sports Center just used the Chronicle as their source. They must be a some what confidant in it, but its still a rumor.

[baseball7897]

I fear they are going to overpay for 2 lesser free agents like Meche and Marquis, which to me seems like a foolish waste of money. We have guys that pitched last year that are likely to put up similar numbers for far less money. *sigh*

 

You guys are quickly jumping to conclusions about Gil Meche. You see his numbers and you quickly don't want him. The thing you're not seeing is the potential he has to succeed. He has a very live arm, still pretty young, sharp breaking curveball, and a potential Jason Schmidt changeup in the mix. I see his potential for more of a reason to sign him rather than his numbers.

[goonys evil twin]

I fear they are going to overpay for 2 lesser free agents like Meche and Marquis, which to me seems like a foolish waste of money. We have guys that pitched last year that are likely to put up similar numbers for far less money. *sigh*

 

You guys are quickly jumping to conclusions about Gil Meche. You see his numbers and you quickly don't want him. The thing you're not seeing is the potential he has to succeed. He has a very live arm, still pretty young, sharp breaking curveball, and a potential Jason Schmidt changeup in the mix. I see his potential for more of a reason to sign him rather than his numbers.

 

Unfortunately numbers mean a lot more than potential, especially when you've been around as long as him.

[killthegoat06]

Hmm so we have like 10 different places saying the Cubs offered Schmidt the 3 year deal, then Bruce Levine says we never did...Were do these other places get that news from? Pretty big since its a headline on SI.com and on rotoworld.com

 

It's Bruce Miles, and all the other sites got their information from the San Fransisco Chronicle. They probably got their info from Schmidt's agent, which Bruce said was probably a false rumor that the agent thought up.

 

I doubt that SI.com and ESPN would have it as such big news if there was only a blurb about it in the San Francisco Chronicle. Rotoworld, yes, but not SI or ESPN.

 

And this is separate from Chronicle. Schmidt: just sign with us so we can know for sure.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/baseball/mlb/11/28/schmidt.cubs/index.html

 

Thats from the main baseball page from a reporter over at SI.com

 

It doesn't mention Chronicle. Schmidt: Just sign with us so we an stop wondering. :lol:

 

Sports Center just used the Chronicle as their source. They must be a some what confidant in it, but its still a rumor.

Darn.

[Rob]

I fear they are going to overpay for 2 lesser free agents like Meche and Marquis, which to me seems like a foolish waste of money. We have guys that pitched last year that are likely to put up similar numbers for far less money. *sigh*

 

You guys are quickly jumping to conclusions about Gil Meche. You see his numbers and you quickly don't want him. The thing you're not seeing is the potential he has to succeed. He has a very live arm, still pretty young, sharp breaking curveball, and a potential Jason Schmidt changeup in the mix. I see his potential for more of a reason to sign him rather than his numbers.

 

Damnit, you're right.

 

We should throw 30 million at Juan Cruz while we're at it.

[3Dog]

I sure miss the good ol' days, when media outlets specialized in facts and responsible reportage instead of spreading rumors and misinformation.

[Vinestal]

Jon Heyman from that SI.com article:

 

Cubs GM Jim Hendry disputed the $45 million figure but didn't deny that the club was pursuing Schmidt

 

That sounds like they did some checking into it at least. Sounds like they actually talked to Hendry.

[baseball7897]

I fear they are going to overpay for 2 lesser free agents like Meche and Marquis, which to me seems like a foolish waste of money. We have guys that pitched last year that are likely to put up similar numbers for far less money. *sigh*

 

You guys are quickly jumping to conclusions about Gil Meche. You see his numbers and you quickly don't want him. The thing you're not seeing is the potential he has to succeed. He has a very live arm, still pretty young, sharp breaking curveball, and a potential Jason Schmidt changeup in the mix. I see his potential for more of a reason to sign him rather than his numbers.

 

Damnit, you're right.

 

We should throw 30 million at Juan Cruz while we're at it.

 

I was expecting you to post something. Actually, I even made a bet with a fellow nsbb member that you would post something like that.

[Butterscup1679666578]

I'm not as anti-Meche as a lot of people here, but I think it'd be foolish not to look at Lilly first.

[Mizzou]

I'll be shocked if the Cubs wind up signing Schmidt for 15M per year.

[oldcubsfan]

Jon Heyman from that SI.com article:

 

Cubs GM Jim Hendry disputed the $45 million figure but didn't deny that the club was pursuing Schmidt

 

That sounds like they did some checking into it at least. Sounds like they actually talked to Hendry.

 

John Heyman is a very good reporter, who wrote for Newsday before SI. He has many, many baseball contacts. Maybe the offer isn't a formal one, but you know the discussions have taken place.

[Rob]

I fear they are going to overpay for 2 lesser free agents like Meche and Marquis, which to me seems like a foolish waste of money. We have guys that pitched last year that are likely to put up similar numbers for far less money. *sigh*

 

You guys are quickly jumping to conclusions about Gil Meche. You see his numbers and you quickly don't want him. The thing you're not seeing is the potential he has to succeed. He has a very live arm, still pretty young, sharp breaking curveball, and a potential Jason Schmidt changeup in the mix. I see his potential for more of a reason to sign him rather than his numbers.

 

Damnit, you're right.

 

We should throw 30 million at Juan Cruz while we're at it.

 

I was expecting you to post something. Actually, I even made a bet with a fellow nsbb member that you would post something like that.

 

Would you really be happy without a smartass rival? I know I'd surely get bored.

 

Mind you, I'm still waiting on the response as to whether you'd spend that kind of money on Juan Cruz.

[CoolHandLuke]

Meche does have potential, and if he was a cheap under the rader type signing I would be all for it. Potential in this market gets you 3/30 though and I would not be comfortable giving him that. He pitched in an extreme pitchers park and his numbers were still not very good. No thanks to Meche in this market.

[TruffleShuffle]

I fear they are going to overpay for 2 lesser free agents like Meche and Marquis, which to me seems like a foolish waste of money. We have guys that pitched last year that are likely to put up similar numbers for far less money. *sigh*

 

You guys are quickly jumping to conclusions about Gil Meche. You see his numbers and you quickly don't want him. The thing you're not seeing is the potential he has to succeed. He has a very live arm, still pretty young, sharp breaking curveball, and a potential Jason Schmidt changeup in the mix. I see his potential for more of a reason to sign him rather than his numbers.

 

He's had six years in the majors and will be 28 next year. When's this potential going to translate into results?

 

And that's fine if you like him, but you have to understand why people are skeptical of your opinion. He's been a below-average pitcher for four consecutive seasons and is an injury risk, which makes many people apprehensive of giving him a multi-year contract in the neighborhood of $8-9M per year.

[Vinestal]

I fear they are going to overpay for 2 lesser free agents like Meche and Marquis, which to me seems like a foolish waste of money. We have guys that pitched last year that are likely to put up similar numbers for far less money. *sigh*

 

You guys are quickly jumping to conclusions about Gil Meche. You see his numbers and you quickly don't want him. The thing you're not seeing is the potential he has to succeed. He has a very live arm, still pretty young, sharp breaking curveball, and a potential Jason Schmidt changeup in the mix. I see his potential for more of a reason to sign him rather than his numbers.

 

Damnit, you're right.

 

We should throw 30 million at Juan Cruz while we're at it.

 

I was expecting you to post something. Actually, I even made a bet with a fellow nsbb member that you would post something like that.

 

Would you really be happy without a smartass rival? I know I'd surely get bored.

 

Mind you, I'm still waiting on the response as to whether you'd spend that kind of money on Juan Cruz.

 

It was always my opinion that Jaun Cruz would be really good if he would just put on some wieght. He looks like a crack adict.

[CP_414]

Jon Heyman from that SI.com article:

 

Cubs GM Jim Hendry disputed the $45 million figure but didn't deny that the club was pursuing Schmidt

 

That sounds like they did some checking into it at least. Sounds like they actually talked to Hendry.

 

John Heyman is a very good reporter, who wrote for Newsday before SI. He has many, many baseball contacts. Maybe the offer isn't a formal one, but you know the discussions have taken place.

 

Indeed. Heyman is one of the best in the business. I trust Bruce, because the local guys tend to have a better grip on things than national guys. That said, even the greatest reporter isn't going to have every story. I live in Milwaukee and Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times scoops every single Bucks story. Gery is the guy with Bucks info. Despite that he was on the radio about 3 hours before the TJ Ford-Charlie Villenueva trade saying that there is no truth to the rumor of that trade. Bruce Miles is by far the best Cubs reporter, but I'm hopeful with the Heyman article seemingly supporting the SF report, that there is more truth to these Schmidt rumors than he thinks. Again, I obviosuly don't know more than Bruce, but this Heyman report is a very positive thing because he used his own sources, not the SF newspaper's like what ESPN is running with.

[baseball7897]

I fear they are going to overpay for 2 lesser free agents like Meche and Marquis, which to me seems like a foolish waste of money. We have guys that pitched last year that are likely to put up similar numbers for far less money. *sigh*

 

You guys are quickly jumping to conclusions about Gil Meche. You see his numbers and you quickly don't want him. The thing you're not seeing is the potential he has to succeed. He has a very live arm, still pretty young, sharp breaking curveball, and a potential Jason Schmidt changeup in the mix. I see his potential for more of a reason to sign him rather than his numbers.

 

Damnit, you're right.

 

We should throw 30 million at Juan Cruz while we're at it.

 

I was expecting you to post something. Actually, I even made a bet with a fellow nsbb member that you would post something like that.

 

Would you really be happy without a smartass rival? I know I'd surely get bored.

 

Mind you, I'm still waiting on the response as to whether you'd spend that kind of money on Juan Cruz.

 

I dont have a problem with you. None of your post directed at me bother me.

 

Would I pay $30 Million for a bullpen guy? Hell no. I know Cruz has been starting games for the D-Backs, and he doesnt impress me with his 6'2 155lb frame. Cruz has a better chance to succeed in the bullpen than he does in the rotation. If Juan Cruz were to be a FA seeking a bullpen job, then I don't see why he wouldn't have value for a team. If he were to be a FA this year I highly doubt he would be in the Gil Meche money range.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

No way Hendry signs Schmidt, it's not his M.O. We'll trade for one 3/4 starter, and sign a FA 3/4 starter. I'm putting my money on Freddy Garcia and Gil Meche, but my preference would be Jake Westbrook and Vicente Padilla.

[CardsFanInChiTown]

The Cards are going to bid on Schmidt's services.

[hawkcub]

No way Hendry signs Schmidt, it's not his M.O. We'll trade for one 3/4 starter, and sign a FA 3/4 starter. I'm putting my money on Freddy Garcia and Gil Meche, but my preference would be Jake Westbrook and Vicente Padilla.

 

And signing Soriano was Hendry's MO? This seems to be a new Hendry I think he's going to Schmidt.

[Shilzzz]

Jon Heyman from that SI.com article:

 

Cubs GM Jim Hendry disputed the $45 million figure but didn't deny that the club was pursuing Schmidt

 

That sounds like they did some checking into it at least. Sounds like they actually talked to Hendry.

 

John Heyman is a very good reporter, who wrote for Newsday before SI. He has many, many baseball contacts. Maybe the offer isn't a formal one, but you know the discussions have taken place.

 

Indeed. Heyman is one of the best in the business. I trust Bruce, because the local guys tend to have a better grip on things than national guys. That said, even the greatest reporter isn't going to have every story. I live in Milwaukee and Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times scoops every single Bucks story. Gery is the guy with Bucks info. Despite that he was on the radio about 3 hours before the TJ Ford-Charlie Villenueva trade saying that there is no truth to the rumor of that trade. Bruce Miles is by far the best Cubs reporter, but I'm hopeful with the Heyman article seemingly supporting the SF report, that there is more truth to these Schmidt rumors than he thinks. Again, I obviosuly don't know more than Bruce, but this Heyman report is a very positive thing because he used his own sources, not the SF newspaper's like what ESPN is running with.

 

well even the tribune said that they've had at least preliminary discussions.

[jtownie]

Bruce (sorry to bug you!!) How do you see the rotation shaking out for the cubs?? 2 lesser FA? one final Q, do you see Jones in CF or is he gone?? thanx again your a star.... 8)

 

Two lesser free agents in the rotation unless something happens with Schmidt that changes everybody's minds and allows him to come here. For now, they'll pencil Jones in center. If they can find a left-handed bat who can play CF, they'll try to trade Jones. The wild card is Pie. If he tells the Cubs he's ready (by his play, of course), he could be in CF sometime in 2007. The center-field situation is very fluid right now. I expect a lot of activity in Orlando next week.

 

I can think of two LH bats that are/might be available...Roberts and Ichiro. I believe Roberts is expected to sign with the Giants correct?

 

I also take that Murton is not being moved unless I am reading too much into this from B Miles.

[Vinestal]

No way Hendry signs Schmidt, it's not his M.O. We'll trade for one 3/4 starter, and sign a FA 3/4 starter. I'm putting my money on Freddy Garcia and Gil Meche, but my preference would be Jake Westbrook and Vicente Padilla.

 

Well this offseason has been very anti-status quo for Mr. Hendry, the Soriano signing wasnt exactly a "Hendrylike" move either. If he is really going for the gold this season Schimdt makes alot more sense that 2 mediocre backend free agents that you have to hope pan out and over pay for. I think signing Schimdt and hoping someone from within steps up is the better strategy for winning now. We have plenty of "might be good" type pitchers on the roster already why do we need to sign one?

[Rob]

I dont have a problem with you. None of your post directed at me bother me.

 

Would I pay $30 Million for a bullpen guy? Hell no. I know Cruz has been starting games for the D-Backs, and he doesnt impress me with his 6'2 155lb frame. Cruz has a better chance to succeed in the bullpen than he does in the rotation. If Juan Cruz were to be a FA seeking a bullpen job, then I don't see why he wouldn't have value for a team. If he were to be a FA this year I highly doubt he would be in the Gil Meche money range.

 

Ask any scout in the league, and I bet they'll tell you Cruz has better stuff than Meche.

 

I'm just trying to make the point that you can't always go for the guy with the better potential. Potential just isn't the same thing as production, and Meche's base level of production is exactly what we can expect from our young arms like Guzman or Marshall. Meche has never shown he can produce at a level worth near 9 million more than those guys... nor does he have any more potential than Guzman.

 

Meche isn't a smart signing.