FoxSports-Cubs ink Lilly to four-year deal

[C.C.]

Here's a pretty relevant and thorough run-down on Teddy since he's now a cub:

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2006/10/2007_mlb_free_a_6.html

 

Injury points (since the FOX article mentioned his history of arm problems):

 

October 1999: Shoulder surgery

 

July 2002: Inflammation in shoulder

 

February 2005: tendinitis in shoulder

 

July 2005: tendinitis in biceps

 

September 2005 (obviously not a good year): discomfort in shoulder blade

 

March 2006: mild right shoulder "injury"

 

June 2006: shoulder tightness

 

 

 

Sensing a trend here? He has plenty of shoulder problems. So I think we should all be prepared for that. Also check this out (I didn't remember this):

 

August: Misses start with stiff neck. Later in month, has heated argument with manager John Gibbons after being pulled from awful start. Gibbons gets bloody nose.

October: Lilly files for free agency.

 

He's got spunk, I suppose that's something.

 

What pitchers don't have shoulder problems. Most pitch through them. Did you hear that PRIOR!!!! :wink:

 

You're right. Just thought I would point out the trend.

 

The fact that he beat the crap out of his manager after his desire was questioned is also interesting 8-)

 

So him and Z will make quite the fiery combo.

[circlecitycub]

August: Misses start with stiff neck. Later in month, has heated argument with manager John Gibbons after being pulled from awful start. Gibbons gets bloody nose.

October: Lilly files for free agency.

 

He's got spunk, I suppose that's something.

 

If Lilly and Lou go toe to toe that could be one for the ages.

[Omar]

Here's a pretty relevant and thorough run-down on Teddy since he's now a cub:

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2006/10/2007_mlb_free_a_6.html

 

Injury points (since the FOX article mentioned his history of arm problems):

 

October 1999: Shoulder surgery

 

July 2002: Inflammation in shoulder

 

February 2005: tendinitis in shoulder

 

July 2005: tendinitis in biceps

 

September 2005 (obviously not a good year): discomfort in shoulder blade

 

March 2006: mild right shoulder "injury"

 

June 2006: shoulder tightness

 

 

 

Sensing a trend here? He has plenty of shoulder problems. So I think we should all be prepared for that. Also check this out (I didn't remember this):

 

August: Misses start with stiff neck. Later in month, has heated argument with manager John Gibbons after being pulled from awful start. Gibbons gets bloody nose.

October: Lilly files for free agency.

 

He's got spunk, I suppose that's something.

 

What pitchers don't have shoulder problems. Most pitch through them. Did you hear that PRIOR!!!! :wink:

 

You're right. Just thought I would point out the trend.

 

The fact that he beat the crap out of his manager after his desire was questioned is also interesting 8-)

 

So him and Z will make quite the fiery combo.

 

We should've gotten Lilly in the Dusty Era. He would've over-used him so much he wouldnt've had strength to punch Dusty.

[E.J.]

August: Misses start with stiff neck. Later in month, has heated argument with manager John Gibbons after being pulled from awful start. Gibbons gets bloody nose.

October: Lilly files for free agency.

 

He's got spunk, I suppose that's something.

 

If Lilly and Lou go toe to toe that could be one for the ages.

 

Meh. Lou would probably break a hip.

[cheapseats]

August: Misses start with stiff neck. Later in month, has heated argument with manager John Gibbons after being pulled from awful start. Gibbons gets bloody nose.

October: Lilly files for free agency.

 

He's got spunk, I suppose that's something.

 

If Lilly and Lou go toe to toe that could be one for the ages.

 

FWIW, reports from the clubhouse said Gibbons was the instigator.

[UMFan83]

Oh yeah, that was Lilly in that confrontation. For some reason I thought it was someone else

[Lefty]

Bleh. I wonder if Marshall would've been better than Lilly by 2008. I'm pretty sure my dead cat will be better by year 4.

 

It's pretty amazing what Hendry will pay for experience. If Lilly can have a 4 ERA in the NL over 180 innings, that is exactly 20 runs or 2 wins better than a guy with a 5 ERA. If you don't think Marshall or Mateo (or Guzman or Cotts or Veal or Gallagher) can do that, why do you have a farm system at all? To pay $9 million plus for maybe two marginal wins is awful. To commit for four years is unpardonable. Meanwhile Izturis is penciled in for 600PAs. How will this team avoid 100 losses in 2010?

[jjgman21]

Oh yeah, that was Lilly in that confrontation. For some reason I thought it was someone else

 

Gibbons also got into an exchange with Shea Hillenbrand which lead to Hillenbrand's departure. perhaps that's what you were thinking of.

[Lefty]

ugh. please don't compound this by signing Meche also.

 

Don't you kind of want to see Hendry's "dream team" win 78 games?

[Guest]

Levine confirms via Larry O' Brien.

 

Levine says first year will be lower than the following years.

Is the glut of backloaded contracts the Cubs have handed out this winter worrying anyone else?

[treebird]

Levine confirms via Larry O' Brien.

 

Levine says first year will be lower than the following years.

Is the glut of backloaded contracts the Cubs have handed out this winter worrying anyone else?

 

not jim hendry, he'll either be gone or have a multi-year contract

[Lefty]

 

Is the glut of backloaded contracts the Cubs have handed out this winter worrying anyone else?

 

If Hendry doesn't win this year he's gone. Then what does he care what the team looks like afterward? The amount of dead weight on this roster in 2010 will be unfathomable.

[RichHillIsABeast]

Levine confirms via Larry O' Brien.

 

Levine says first year will be lower than the following years.

Is the glut of backloaded contracts the Cubs have handed out this winter worrying anyone else?

 

Guys like Lilly and Meche will be very movable two years from now. The market for SP will continue to be ridiculous.

 

I think we're also counting on one or two guys being in the starting lineup making the league minimum. That frees up quite a bit of cash.

[Soul]

Yanks throw money around like candy too. They get by.

 

Cubs are tossing cash because they can. Always could----this whole idea of "budgets" and "spending limits" always seemed a little strange to me when applied to the Cubs. They've got so much cash it's ridiculous.

 

We're finally seeing it. No correct that, the league is finally seeing what this organization can bring to the table if they want to.

[Guest]

If Hendry doesn't win this year he's gone. Then what does he care what the team looks like afterward? The amount of dead weight on this roster in 2010 will be unfathomable.

It definitely reeks of a now or never approach to winning. Another idea for conspiracy theorists; the backloading could be a sign that the Tribune won't be signing the paychecks come 2008-2009.

[jjgman21]

I would like Ted Lilly of 2004 for this entire contract.

 

Thanks

 

Yeah, if BABIP stays consistenly 40 points below what it should be, we will be quite happy with this deal. If he isn't so lucky...well we can kiss a chance at the playoffs goodbye.

 

yes. all is riding on Ted Lilly equalling his best season. c'mon.

[Omar]

Who knows? Lilly could have a great year.

[Guest]

I think we're also counting on one or two guys being in the starting lineup making the league minimum. That frees up quite a bit of cash.

Who? The only positional prospects who look to contribute anything in the next couple of years are Pie and Patterson (perhaps Soto), and the two guys they would likely replace (Jones and DeRosa) are two of our cheapest guys as it stands.

[Soul]

Who knows? Lilly could have a great year.

 

Will you bet $10 million on that?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

J/K couldn't resist 8-)

[apete6]

This guy is going to be the white Jacque Jones. Everyone is going to hate him. He better take advantage of the cold weather and start 4-0 or the natives will be restless at Clark & Addison. Good luck Ted...

[CubinNY]

Who knows? Lilly could have a great year.

 

That's what I'm hoping for. Leaving the AL East should help some.

[ConstableRabbit]

Who knows? Lilly could have a great year.

 

That's what I'm hoping for. Getting out of the dangerous-hitter-filled AL East should help a bit.

 

I wrote off Hill last season (as many others did as well) after a few (more) of his bad starts, but he seems to have figured it out. Maybe Lilly can find success in the NL Central.

 

please?

[killthegoat06]

This guy is going to be the white Jacque Jones. Everyone is going to hate him. He better take advantage of the cold weather and start 4-0 or the natives will be restless at Clark & Addison. Good luck Ted...

 

Not necessarily. If Prior's healthy and Hill returns to 2nd-half form, Lilly would be 4 starter (depending on who else we get). A 4 starter does not have to go 4-0. If Prior's unhealthy and Hill regresses ...

[Bruno7481]

I love this from BP:

 

Right as I was set to post this, Will Carroll checks in to tell me the backstory. Jim Hendry had chest pains, took Lilly’s agent with him to the hospital and closed the deal while connected to an EKG machine. That’s some clutch GMing right there, a dedication to getting the job done. Hendry is apparently OK now, and up one starting pitcher.

 

[erik316wttn]

Z

We need something here ...

Hill

Lilly

Prior/Miller

 

That's not a bad rotation if a miracle occurs and we get someone good for 2 slot.

My thoughts exactly. It has the potential. Lilly in the 4 spot= very good. At #2=Blah.

 

But $10 million for a 4 starter? Yikes.