zambrano signs

[MPC]

if Zambrano walked, it was have been discussed as letting Greg Maddux walk away from the Cubs the first time.

[DesMoinesCub]

This whole A-Rod thing has me thinking...

 

The Cubs starting rotation will all be back next year so no additional money needs to be spent this off season. If for some reason, someone can't go you have a lot of options in the minors.

 

Starters- Soriano (LF) Pie/Jones (CF) DeRosa, Murton, Theriot (RF)

Lee (1B), Ramirez (3B), DeRosa/Theriot (2B) and a SS Soto/Blanco ©

 

Bench- Fontenot (INF) Jones/Pie/Murton, Blanco, bring Ward back for 1.2 Million (option according to Cot's Baseball Contract), throw Fox in there as well

 

Bullpen- Marmol, Wuertz, Eyre (I hope not), Howry, Dempster, Wood (if at a decent price), Gallagher, Petrick, Guzman

 

The point is, we really don't need to spend any money this off season. We have many quality bench guys who are younger and will take very little of our payroll. Same for the remaining spots in the bullpen. So, if we aren't going to spend any money, why can't we go after A-Rod.

 

The reason I am putting DeRosa in right and Theriot at second is because we won't have to spend any money on a RF (even though I agree DeRosa and an average RF is better the Theriot/DeRosa...but we won't have to spend any money this way).

 

I really think it is possible.

[nilodnayr]

This whole A-Rod thing has me thinking...

 

The Cubs starting rotation will all be back next year so no additional money needs to be spent this off season. If for some reason, someone can't go you have a lot of options in the minors.

 

Starters- Soriano (LF) Pie/Jones (CF) DeRosa, Murton, Theriot (RF)

Lee (1B), Ramirez (3B), DeRosa/Theriot (2B) and a SS Soto/Blanco ©

 

Bench- Fontenot (INF) Jones/Pie/Murton, Blanco, bring Ward back for 1.2 Million (option according to Cot's Baseball Contract), throw Fox in there as well

 

Bullpen- Marmol, Wuertz, Eyre (I hope not), Howry, Dempster, Wood (if at a decent price), Gallagher, Petrick, Guzman

 

The point is, we really don't need to spend any money this off season. We have many quality bench guys who are younger and will take very little of our payroll. Same for the remaining spots in the bullpen. So, if we aren't going to spend any money, why can't we go after A-Rod.

 

The reason I am putting DeRosa in right and Theriot at second is because we won't have to spend any money on a RF (even though I agree DeRosa and an average RF is better the Theriot/DeRosa...but we won't have to spend any money this way).

 

I really think it is possible.

 

Um, because we already have 100-110M committed for next year? We are already on the hook for more money next year than we've paid this year without any free agent acquisitions. If you want to argue for ARod, don't use the fact that we don't have to make any other FA acquisitions as evidence that its possible. The only way we can do it is if we up payroll by 30-40M. On the plus side though, we could still do so and be under the luxury tax threshold.

[CubFanPhilly]

This whole A-Rod thing has me thinking...

 

The Cubs starting rotation will all be back next year so no additional money needs to be spent this off season. If for some reason, someone can't go you have a lot of options in the minors.

 

Starters- Soriano (LF) Pie/Jones (CF) DeRosa, Murton, Theriot (RF)

Lee (1B), Ramirez (3B), DeRosa/Theriot (2B) and a SS Soto/Blanco ©

 

Bench- Fontenot (INF) Jones/Pie/Murton, Blanco, bring Ward back for 1.2 Million (option according to Cot's Baseball Contract), throw Fox in there as well

 

Bullpen- Marmol, Wuertz, Eyre (I hope not), Howry, Dempster, Wood (if at a decent price), Gallagher, Petrick, Guzman

 

The point is, we really don't need to spend any money this off season. We have many quality bench guys who are younger and will take very little of our payroll. Same for the remaining spots in the bullpen. So, if we aren't going to spend any money, why can't we go after A-Rod.

 

The reason I am putting DeRosa in right and Theriot at second is because we won't have to spend any money on a RF (even though I agree DeRosa and an average RF is better the Theriot/DeRosa...but we won't have to spend any money this way).

 

I really think it is possible.

 

I agree that it's possible. And I'd love to see the Cubs pursue A-Rod (but I'm not convinced he's going anywhere).

 

Also, while they may be able to fit one more large contract under their budget, they'd better be convinced that team is enough to contend for the WS the next three years. Another long-term big contract pretty much ties their hands from 2008-2010. Unless, of course, the new owner is willing to bump payroll more than say four or five percent per year.

 

I'd like to see them pursue someone who's still productive but near the end of their contract and a little overpaid (e.g., Tejada or Griffey). Ideally sending Jones and prospects in return.

[DesMoinesCub]

Um, because we already have 100-110M committed for next year? We are already on the hook for more money next year than we've paid this year without any free agent acquisitions. If you want to argue for ARod, don't use the fact that we don't have to make any other FA acquisitions as evidence that its possible. The only way we can do it is if we up payroll by 30-40M. On the plus side though, we could still do so and be under the luxury tax threshold

 

So since we have more money commited next year then we spent this year are we going to sign any free agents? Not even the big names, but can we go after anyone?

 

My arguement is that we could fill any possible holes with our younger guys, so we could spend less money and yes, if we up the payroll, try to get A-Rod. It is far mor likely that we can sign him if we don't have to add another starter, pick up another outfielder, add a couple of bench guys and two guys for the bullpen. My point is that if we can fill out the roster with cheap young guys, we can spend more money on an area that can be upgraded...and yes, we will need to up the payroll to do that.

[DesMoinesCub]

Also, there are seven guys at the beginning of this year's team that I will be free agents:

 

Wood, Ohman, Miller, Izturis, Floyd, Cotts, Barrett-

 

Now that would save us 16.7 million that could be used somewhere. Now, I know some of these guys are no longer with the Cubs, but it is money they are freed from.

[CubFanPhilly]

Also, there are seven guys at the beginning of this year's team that I will be free agents:

 

Wood, Ohman, Miller, Izturis, Floyd, Cotts, Barrett-

 

Now that would save us 16.7 million that could be used somewhere. Now, I know some of these guys are no longer with the Cubs, but it is money they are freed from.

 

The Cubs spent ~$112 mil. this season. They have ~$107 mil. committed - exlcuding Wood, Miller, Izturis, Floyd, Cotts & Barrett. Ohman is under contract next season.

 

So to add A-Rod, you'd need to find a way to add $25-$30 mil. next season or severely backload his contract. Assume for a moment that the new ownership increases payroll by 10%. That'd still leave you $9 mil -$13 mil. short. It's doubtful they could deal away that much in other contracts (anyone going to take JJ's full contract - even if he finishes well).

 

Basically the Cubs would have to a) increase payroll 20%; b) get A Rod to take an under-market contract; or c) backload the heck out of the deal.

 

None of those possibilities seems likely.

[shnsajax]

Also, there are seven guys at the beginning of this year's team that I will be free agents:

 

Wood, Ohman, Miller, Izturis, Floyd, Cotts, Barrett-

 

Now that would save us 16.7 million that could be used somewhere. Now, I know some of these guys are no longer with the Cubs, but it is money they are freed from.

 

The Cubs spent ~$112 mil. this season. They have ~$107 mil. committed - exlcuding Wood, Miller, Izturis, Floyd, Cotts & Barrett. Ohman is under contract next season.

 

So to add A-Rod, you'd need to find a way to add $25-$30 mil. next season or severely backload his contract. Assume for a moment that the new ownership increases payroll by 10%. That'd still leave you $9 mil -$13 mil. short. It's doubtful they could deal away that much in other contracts (anyone going to take JJ's full contract - even if he finishes well).

 

Basically the Cubs would have to a) increase payroll 20%; b) get A Rod to take an under-market contract; or c) backload the heck out of the deal.

 

None of those possibilities seems likely.

 

Having an owner and depending on who he is will determine lots of things. Until then none of us know anything.

[DesMoinesCub]

Yeah...I knew Ohman wasn't a free agent, but I don't think he will be with the Cubs next year. That is why I figured in his money. I know ARod is a long shot, but by being able to fill in holes with younger guys makes the possibility a little easier to dream about.

[nilodnayr]

Also, there are seven guys at the beginning of this year's team that I will be free agents:

 

Wood, Ohman, Miller, Izturis, Floyd, Cotts, Barrett-

 

Now that would save us 16.7 million that could be used somewhere. Now, I know some of these guys are no longer with the Cubs, but it is money they are freed from.

 

I don't remember where it was but I believe I calced 111 or so including Ohman and Cotts (since they are under our control for next year). I excluded Wood, Miller, Izturis, Floyd, and Barrett and everyone else who isn't under control. I included cheap guys like Fontenot, Murton, Theriot, etc. I think I put Z down as 18, so you can drop a couple M from that #. There still were a few spots that will probably be filled in the minimum that I didn't even count. Just because we are dropping some players doesn't magically make our total payroll decrease. Thats the beauty of escalating contracts...its gonna be a lot worse in the next few years.

 

And according to Cotts, our 2007 payroll is just over 99M.