Cubs free agents-in or out?

[Little Slide Rooter]

Kerry Wood-tough one. I cant see any owner in their right mind paying this guy with his injury history

 

Jason Kendall-Id like to see him back. Blanco isnt a starting catcher, and he never will be, and we dont know what to expect from Soto. However, again with the new owner factor, I cant see them signing a guy his age.

 

Scott Eyre-Hopefully he'll be back. I know, hes had a rough go of it, but the only other lefty in the bulpen is Ohman, and I like to think they'll find a way to move him one way or another.

 

Daryle Ward-Hes been a pretty money pinch hitter. If he can be had for cheap, Id like to see him back.

 

Cliff Floyd-Logic points to no. If he has anything left in him, it will be DHing in the AL.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Eyre isn't a FA. He still has another year left on his deal.

[Wabasha31]

Eyre actually has a $3.8M player option. I can't imagine him declining it considering his year, so, like Vance said, he will be back.

 

The Cubs have a $1.2M team option on Ward. My guess is that Ward is back.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Now that Moore is out of the system, I can't see the team passing on Ward. We'll need a LH thumper on the bench, and that's likely to be Ward. We don't have any kids in the system to handle the role, so Ward will be retained.

 

The Cubs will make Kendall an offer as well. I'm not sure how good it will be and whether it will be enough to keep him.

 

With Wood it all depends on how cheaply he's willing to sign for.

 

Hopefully, we'll pass on Floyd and seriously look toward upgrading the OF. I'd go with Fukudome.

[Little Slide Rooter]

With Monroe signed through '08, and Soriano, Pie, Murton, and Jones as well as DeRosa when needed I cant see any new outfielders joining the team. As a matter of fact, if there are any off season aquisitions, it would be a reliever or a utility man, and even thats more likely to come fro the farm. With all the money that Hendry has spent of this yet to be decided owner, I wouldnt expect the '08 team to look much different than this one. Unless Cuban ends up buying.

 

Id would like to keep Kendall if he'll sign a 1 year deal, maybe with a mutual option knowing hes keeping the seat warm for Soto, but then of course we'll have to move Blanco, which shouldnt be tough as a quality back up catcher is a valuable commodity.

[SouthSideRyan]

Monroe isn't signed through '08, he's arb-eligible. I'd guess he'll be non-tendered and they'll attempt to re-sign him at a lower rate.

[Outshined_One]

I'd go with Fukudome.

 

8-)

 

Considering the Cubs' interest in the Japanese market this past offseason, Fukudome might be a legitimate option. I can't imagine Hendry and Piniella being thrilled about the prospect of having a Soriano/Pie/Jones OF next season.

 

The question is, where would Fukudome play?

[Guest]

the cubs need to get over this fear of rookies. the odds of soto being worse than kendall are pretty low and he has future value. wasting resources on a catcher would be quite foolish.

[CuseCubFan69]

Would Kendall be considered a type A free agent or has that rule been changed?

[davearm]

Unless Henry Blanco can be dumped (and assuming Hendry would even want to), Kendall and Soto seem to be an either/or proposition.

[biittner77]

Unless Henry Blanco can be dumped (and assuming Hendry would even want to), Kendall and Soto seem to be an either/or proposition.

 

I see Soto as the starter and Blanco as the back up. Hendry would probably rather keep Kendall but can't afford him so he'll be forced to go cheap at catcher. This will give him more flexibility to make a move in the OF if Pie flops next season.

[inari]

I'd go with Fukudome.

 

8-)

 

Considering the Cubs' interest in the Japanese market this past offseason, Fukudome might be a legitimate option. I can't imagine Hendry and Piniella being thrilled about the prospect of having a Soriano/Pie/Jones OF next season.

 

The question is, where would Fukudome play?

 

Unfortunately, I definitely can.

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

Is thsi Fukudome guy any good?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Is thsi Fukudome guy any good?

 

There's a discussion about Japanese FA's mostly centering around Fukudome here.

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

Is thsi Fukudome guy any good?

 

There's a discussion about Japanese FA's mostly centering around Fukudome here.

 

Thanks.

 

It appears if other teams enter the bidding, the price for Fukudome could push over 10 million per season. Not quite sure if he would be worth that.

[apete6]

Kerry Wood-tough one. I cant see any owner in their right mind paying this guy with his injury history

 

Jason Kendall-Id like to see him back. Blanco isnt a starting catcher, and he never will be, and we dont know what to expect from Soto. However, again with the new owner factor, I cant see them signing a guy his age.

 

Scott Eyre-Hopefully he'll be back. I know, hes had a rough go of it, but the only other lefty in the bulpen is Ohman, and I like to think they'll find a way to move him one way or another.

 

Daryle Ward-Hes been a pretty money pinch hitter. If he can be had for cheap, Id like to see him back.

 

Cliff Floyd-Logic points to no. If he has anything left in him, it will be DHing in the AL.

 

Wood--Yes, unless he drops his guilt over stealing money for 3 years and signs with someone else in a multi-year contract for a lot of money.

 

Kendall-No, unfortunately. If Hendry hadn't pointlessly signed Blanco to a 2 year contract last winter, we could keep Kendall and have him and Soto take care of C.

 

Eyre-Like its been mentioned, he'll be back. Not that bad, IMO. I can see him bouncing back with a quality year.

 

Ward--Yes, please.

 

Floyd--Over our collective dead bodies.

 

Here's your OF next year, hopefully:

 

Murton/Jones--LF

Pie--CF

Soriano--RF

 

Backups: Ward, Pagan or EPatt

 

Honestly, we'll probably have the same exact team next year as we do this year minus Floyd and Kendall.

 

Rotation: Same except maybe Prior getting a chance

Bullpen: Pretty much the same. The middle relief guys will probably fluctuate all year between guys from the organization

Infield: will be exactly the same as well.

Catcher: It's either gonna be Blanco/Soto or Kendall/Blanco

[daske17]

For what it's worth, one of my female friends was out at the Hunt Club with Cliff Floyd, Sean Marshall, Mike Fontenot and DLee Friday night. (excuse me while I pick up those names I just dropped)

 

Cliff told her that he was going to retire at the end of the year to raise his kids. So we may not have to worry about that one.

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

Cliff told her that he was going to retire at the end of the year to raise his kids. So we may not have to worry about that one.

 

oh sweet mercy that would be awesome.

[YearofDaCubs]

Only Ward and if we can get someone to offload Blanco who IMO is pretty much useless, that would be even better. Wood isn't what he used to be, it's the Cubs and him part ways.

[TruffleShuffle]

Unless Henry Blanco can be dumped (and assuming Hendry would even want to), Kendall and Soto seem to be an either/or proposition.

 

I see Soto as the starter and Blanco as the back up.

 

That's what I'd like to see, but the Cubs are stupid so I'm assuming they won't give Soto a chance to start.

[biittner77]

Unless Henry Blanco can be dumped (and assuming Hendry would even want to), Kendall and Soto seem to be an either/or proposition.

 

I see Soto as the starter and Blanco as the back up.

 

That's what I'd like to see, but the Cubs are stupid so I'm assuming they won't give Soto a chance to start.

 

I hear ya. But I still believe money will be the deciding factor and Soto is the cheapest option. So it depends on how much Kendall wants.

 

Considering that Soto can also play some 1st base and actually can hit, it would not shock me to see the Cubs go with 3 catchers to start the season with the idea that they can probably move Blanco or demote Soto if they have to. It's not an ideal sitaution but the Cubs, as we've all seen, have done dumber things.

[CubmanPi]

For what it's worth, one of my female friends was out at the Hunt Club with Cliff Floyd, Sean Marshall, Mike Fontenot and DLee Friday night. (excuse me while I pick up those names I just dropped)

 

Cliff told her that he was going to retire at the end of the year to raise his kids. So we may not have to worry about that one.

Len just IMed me and said that Hendry wants to sign Floyd to a big multi-year deal because of the way he has saved us this season.

Sorry, had to.