THT Compares the Class of 2008 with 2007

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

The Harball Times has a good article today comparing the next FA crop with the one from this past winter.

 

 

Link.

 

There are plenty of attractive options who could appear in next year's market: Carlos Guillen, Andruw Jones, Adam Dunn, Carlos Zambrano, Michael Young, Freddy Garcia, Joe Nathan and Bobby Abreu, just to name a few. As I already mentioned, the composition of the 2008 class will change between now and November. Some players will sign extensions, while there could be surprise additions

[Amazing_Grace]

The Harball Times has a good article today comparing the next FA crop with the one from this past winter.

 

 

Link.

 

There are plenty of attractive options who could appear in next year's market: Carlos Guillen, Andruw Jones, Adam Dunn, Carlos Zambrano, Michael Young, Freddy Garcia, Joe Nathan and Bobby Abreu, just to name a few. As I already mentioned, the composition of the 2008 class will change between now and November. Some players will sign extensions, while there could be surprise additions

 

Doesn't ARod have an opt-out clause at the end of this season similar to Ramirez's? If he opted out to get out of NY, that would qualify as a big surprise.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Yes, and the article goes on to mention Arod's opt out clause.

[Mephistopheles]

I thought if ARod wasn't the highest paid player he had an out clause. I didnt realize he had one no matter what. Maybe it was added when he was traded.

[cbbryan]

I wouldn't mind Nathan depending on what happens w/ Dempster/Wood.

 

Young and Dunn might be interesting as well.

[Guancous]

I wouldn't mind Nathan even if Wood and Dempster tie for the Cy Young.

[CubinNY]

I wouldn't mind Nathan depending on what happens w/ Dempster/Wood.

 

Young and Dunn might be interesting as well.

 

Dunn has Astro written all over him.

[Drew Doughty]

I wouldn't mind Nathan depending on what happens w/ Dempster/Wood.

 

Young and Dunn might be interesting as well.

 

Dunn has Astro written all over him.

 

Not really. I'm pretty sure -- not 100% positive -- that Minute Maid suppresses home runs for lefties. Plus, the Astros have 1st and LF covered with Lee and Berkman.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

He also has an option that will almost assuredly be picked up.

[nilodnayr]

I wouldn't mind Nathan depending on what happens w/ Dempster/Wood.

 

Young and Dunn might be interesting as well.

 

Dunn has Astro written all over him.

 

Not really. I'm pretty sure -- not 100% positive -- that Minute Maid suppresses home runs for lefties. Plus, the Astros have 1st and LF covered with Lee and Berkman.

 

Not to mention that in 09 half of their payroll will be tied up in 3 players. They better find a way to get good value, improve their minors, or undo the Jennings trade or something. Not that we are in a better situation (depending on if the 120M payroll is going to increase at CPIW).

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

With Lee and Berkman already entrenched, I don't see a Dunn to the Astros deal happening. Had they not signed Lee, it would be the most likely destination.

 

Dunn to the Rangers could happen. He would rake it in that ballpark and have the option of being the DH.

[frostwyrm]

Will the Cubs even be in the FA market in 2008? After Z's extension we'll have about $100M committed for 2008. If the payroll stays at $110M we'll have only $10M to replace Barrett, buy a bench, and pay Murton. Maybe the Trib will increase the payroll. Otherwise the only FA's we could afford will be warm bodies to fill out the bench. I suppose Hendry could just backload the living crap out of Z's deal.