Will the Yanks keep Abreu for 2008?

[TheDude]

I think it is a $16 million option. Do you think the Yanks will pick it up?

 

Left-handed, OBP-minded Abreu is a fit for the Cubs in RF, but where would you place him in your list of off-season options?

[moorecg]

if they don't pick it up he becomes the biggest free agent out there right? I think they will pick it up... (barring A-rod of course)

[jersey cubs fan]

Considering all the other guys they might end up losing, I believe they will keep him. However, if they do resign Jorge, Mo and ARod, he could become available. And if that were the case, I'd put him atop my wish list, even if he isn't the same player he was when I fell in love. Abreu in right would allow you to settle for mediocrity at shortstop and have a very stable lineup. I'm guessing they will put more effort into getting starting pitchers, being willing to sacrifice a little offense to get it done, but I've been guessing that for a couple years and have been wrong.

[nilodnayr]

I think it is a $16 million option. Do you think the Yanks will pick it up?

 

Left-handed, OBP-minded Abreu is a fit for the Cubs in RF, but where would you place him in your list of off-season options?

 

Theres a $2M buy out, so its a $14M decision. If either ARod or Jorge leave they absolutely have to pick it up.

[jyoung55]

I doubt the Cubs in the current conditions would be willing to give him the contract that he would want even if he were to become available... something that I agree with others would take the Yankees keeping ARod, etc.

[jersey cubs fan]

I doubt the Cubs in the current conditions would be willing to give him the contract that he would want even if he were to become available... something that I agree with others would take the Yankees keeping ARod, etc.

 

There's room for flexibility there though. If they can move Jones, Eyre or Dempster, and DeRosa, they'd be moving similar money. You may be able to replace DeRosa's production with similar numbers out of a Theriot/Fontenot platoon at 2nd. Plus, you may be able to pick up a pretty solid performer after dealing those contracts. You could either keep Murton around as a bench guy who lets Abreu rest on occasion, or go ahead and include him in a deal the cuts payroll.

 

The thing about Abreu is that if he were to become available, it would mean the biggest spender, NY, is out of the bidding. The Mets are already really crowded in the OF. Philly isn't going to take him back. I don't believe Boston would make a serious play for him, unless they move Manny. So, a significant amount of the league's bigger spenders probably wouldn't even get in on the betting, plus, the Dodgers already have about 7 OFers for 3 positions, and I'm not sure a guy like Coletti would be at all interested in Abreu.

[Have a seat, Neifi]

$16 million for a 33-year old corner outfielder who posted a 114 OPS+ doesn't seem like a great deal to me. The pricetag would have to be substantially lower for me to consider a good deal when we could just put Murton in RF for $400k or whatever.

[rawaction]

$16 million for a 33-year old corner outfielder who posted a 114 OPS+ doesn't seem like a great deal to me. The pricetag would have to be substantially lower for me to consider a good deal when we could just put Murton in RF for $400k or whatever.

 

I'm leaning toward this way too. While he does offer a LH bat, that and the millions of dollars in salary difference isn't justified when you could have Murton for cheap. I still think Abreu can improve on his 2007 numbers, but I'd rather go cheaper and younger.

[FergieJ31]

I've always been a huge Abreu fan and I believe he would mash NL Central pitching, a very nice fit in the middle of the Cubs lineup. He'd be atop my wish list -- well, right behind the pipe dream called ARod.

 

I fear he if does become a free agent the Cards will be more aggressive than the Cubs in the bidding - just a hunch.

[TheDude]

$16 million for a 33-year old corner outfielder who posted a 114 OPS+ doesn't seem like a great deal to me. The pricetag would have to be substantially lower for me to consider a good deal when we could just put Murton in RF for $400k or whatever.

 

The Cubs are going to need an upgrade somewhere. Yes you can gamble on some youth, and you should. But not in RF. If I'm settling for potential sub-par production somewhere, I want it up the middle of the field. Pie in CF, or Theriot at SS.

 

RF is really the prime spot for an upgrade this offseason. Trade Murton and get good value in return, as he is a solid commodity for the Cubs.

[jersey cubs fan]

$16 million for a 33-year old corner outfielder who posted a 114 OPS+ doesn't seem like a great deal to me. The pricetag would have to be substantially lower for me to consider a good deal when we could just put Murton in RF for $400k or whatever.

 

The Cubs are going to need an upgrade somewhere. Yes you can gamble on some youth, and you should. But not in RF. If I'm settling for potential sub-par production somewhere, I want it up the middle of the field. Pie in CF, or Theriot at SS.

 

RF is really the prime spot for an upgrade this offseason. Trade Murton and get good value in return, as he is a solid commodity for the Cubs.

 

SS is the prime spot for upgrade this offseason. Since you are all but guaranteed to have the worst SS production in the league if you stick with Theriot, almost anybody would be an improvement. On the other hand, Murton is at least a good bet to be average, if not slightly above.

 

But I agree that if the option is available, you take Abreu to at least solidify one spot, and strongly consider dealing Murton in another deal (possibly finding a competent SS to replace Theriot - or maybe one who can platoon with him from the left side).

[MSG T]

I don't have a problem getting Abreau if they could. His OPS post-ASB was near his career average, but what happened to his BB. He hadn't been lower than 110 since '97, this year he dropped way down, though I believe he still had more than any Cub.

 

Would they realistically be able to afford him? If it came down to a choice of upgrading RF with an Abreau type player or upgrading SS with a Tejada/Rentaria type, I'd prefer they go with SS. Bigger jump in performance there.

 

Note: I'm assuming( I know) that they couldn't bring in both, ex. Tejada/Rentaria and Abreau. I think even with dropping some payroll in a deal or two wouldn't be enough to acquire more than one of them.

[jyoung55]

I doubt the Cubs in the current conditions would be willing to give him the contract that he would want even if he were to become available... something that I agree with others would take the Yankees keeping ARod, etc.

 

There's room for flexibility there though. If they can move Jones, Eyre or Dempster, and DeRosa, they'd be moving similar money. You may be able to replace DeRosa's production with similar numbers out of a Theriot/Fontenot platoon at 2nd. Plus, you may be able to pick up a pretty solid performer after dealing those contracts. You could either keep Murton around as a bench guy who lets Abreu rest on occasion, or go ahead and include him in a deal the cuts payroll.

 

The thing about Abreu is that if he were to become available, it would mean the biggest spender, NY, is out of the bidding. The Mets are already really crowded in the OF. Philly isn't going to take him back. I don't believe Boston would make a serious play for him, unless they move Manny. So, a significant amount of the league's bigger spenders probably wouldn't even get in on the betting, plus, the Dodgers already have about 7 OFers for 3 positions, and I'm not sure a guy like Coletti would be at all interested in Abreu.

 

1) I strongly disagree with your sentiments on getting rid of DeRosa.

 

2) However, in your discussion of getting rid of relatively cheap , versatile production (DeRosa) to clear room for a high salary player it appears that you assumed that my claim the Cubs are not in a position to give Abreu a contract that he wants was based upon money allowed for this coming year's team. It's not only that. If you have tried to read the tea leaves that some of the people close to the Cubs have been putting out it doesn't appear that they want to give a long contract with a lot of money, since they already have enough of those as it is. And a contract > 2 or 3 years is something that Abreu is likely wanting, because this would be his last realistic shot at that sort of deal if he does hit the market this year.

[jersey cubs fan]

1) I strongly disagree with your sentiments on getting rid of DeRosa.

 

2) However, in your discussion of getting rid of relatively cheap , versatile production (DeRosa) to clear room for a high salary player it appears that you assumed that my claim the Cubs are not in a position to give Abreu a contract that he wants was based upon money allowed for this coming year's team. It's not only that. If you have tried to read the tea leaves that some of the people close to the Cubs have been putting out it doesn't appear that they want to give a long contract with a lot of money, since they already have enough of those as it is. And a contract > 2 or 3 years is something that Abreu is likely wanting, because this would be his last realistic shot at that sort of deal if he does hit the market this year.

 

I don't want to get rid of DeRosa, I think they should consider trading him if somebody gives up value. He's basically an average hitter (probably will be right around 100 OPS+). He's going to get paid $4.75 and $5.5m the next two years. Not overpaid, but not cheap either. He will be 33 and 34 the next two years. I believe it would be possible to get similar production at 2B by using a platoon of Theriot and Fontenot.

 

DeRosa was a nice player this year. He took a small step back from his career year last season, and will probably continue to do that the rest of the way, but he's definitely somebody they can win with.

 

Anyway, back to the money. You clear away Jones, DeRosa and Dempster, and you've cleared $15m in payroll for 2008 (plus $5.5m for 2009). And each one of those guys is tradable. Jones bounced back, hit for average late in the year (despite a horrible season), has a decent reputation, played CF and RF, and has only 1 year left on the deal. DeRosa was a nice all around player who can fill a middle infield spot and contribute to a team in need of offense. Dempster has the "closer" label and he's "been there". He hasn't been that good, but overall, as a reliever, he's been pretty solid.

 

I would rather take my chances that Abreu would give me significantly above average production in RF (115-125 OPS+) and the other spots would get filled, than keep spending $5m on replacable guys.

 

I don't see 2-3 years as getting in the way as much as 2008 payroll specifically.

[jyoung55]

1) I strongly disagree with your sentiments on getting rid of DeRosa.

 

2) However, in your discussion of getting rid of relatively cheap , versatile production (DeRosa) to clear room for a high salary player it appears that you assumed that my claim the Cubs are not in a position to give Abreu a contract that he wants was based upon money allowed for this coming year's team. It's not only that. If you have tried to read the tea leaves that some of the people close to the Cubs have been putting out it doesn't appear that they want to give a long contract with a lot of money, since they already have enough of those as it is. And a contract > 2 or 3 years is something that Abreu is likely wanting, because this would be his last realistic shot at that sort of deal if he does hit the market this year.

 

I don't want to get rid of DeRosa, I think they should consider trading him if somebody gives up value. He's basically an average hitter (probably will be right around 100 OPS+). He's going to get paid $4.75 and $5.5m the next two years. Not overpaid, but not cheap either. He will be 33 and 34 the next two years. I believe it would be possible to get similar production at 2B by using a platoon of Theriot and Fontenot.

 

DeRosa was a nice player this year. He took a small step back from his career year last season, and will probably continue to do that the rest of the way, but he's definitely somebody they can win with.

 

Anyway, back to the money. You clear away Jones, DeRosa and Dempster, and you've cleared $15m in payroll for 2008 (plus $5.5m for 2009). And each one of those guys is tradable. Jones bounced back, hit for average late in the year (despite a horrible season), has a decent reputation, played CF and RF, and has only 1 year left on the deal. DeRosa was a nice all around player who can fill a middle infield spot and contribute to a team in need of offense. Dempster has the "closer" label and he's "been there". He hasn't been that good, but overall, as a reliever, he's been pretty solid.

 

I would rather take my chances that Abreu would give me significantly above average production in RF (115-125 OPS+) and the other spots would get filled, than keep spending $5m on replacable guys.

 

I don't see 2-3 years as getting in the way as much as 2008 payroll specifically.

 

You missed a "greater than symbol." We're not getting Abreu so there's no sense in trying to force you and other's with this thought process to understand the reality of the situation.

[javy knows my name]

1) I strongly disagree with your sentiments on getting rid of DeRosa.

 

2) However, in your discussion of getting rid of relatively cheap , versatile production (DeRosa) to clear room for a high salary player it appears that you assumed that my claim the Cubs are not in a position to give Abreu a contract that he wants was based upon money allowed for this coming year's team. It's not only that. If you have tried to read the tea leaves that some of the people close to the Cubs have been putting out it doesn't appear that they want to give a long contract with a lot of money, since they already have enough of those as it is. And a contract > 2 or 3 years is something that Abreu is likely wanting, because this would be his last realistic shot at that sort of deal if he does hit the market this year.

 

I don't want to get rid of DeRosa, I think they should consider trading him if somebody gives up value. He's basically an average hitter (probably will be right around 100 OPS+). He's going to get paid $4.75 and $5.5m the next two years. Not overpaid, but not cheap either. He will be 33 and 34 the next two years. I believe it would be possible to get similar production at 2B by using a platoon of Theriot and Fontenot.

 

DeRosa was a nice player this year. He took a small step back from his career year last season, and will probably continue to do that the rest of the way, but he's definitely somebody they can win with.

 

Anyway, back to the money. You clear away Jones, DeRosa and Dempster, and you've cleared $15m in payroll for 2008 (plus $5.5m for 2009). And each one of those guys is tradable. Jones bounced back, hit for average late in the year (despite a horrible season), has a decent reputation, played CF and RF, and has only 1 year left on the deal. DeRosa was a nice all around player who can fill a middle infield spot and contribute to a team in need of offense. Dempster has the "closer" label and he's "been there". He hasn't been that good, but overall, as a reliever, he's been pretty solid.

 

I would rather take my chances that Abreu would give me significantly above average production in RF (115-125 OPS+) and the other spots would get filled, than keep spending $5m on replacable guys.

 

I don't see 2-3 years as getting in the way as much as 2008 payroll specifically.

 

You missed a "greater than symbol." We're not getting Abreu so there's no sense in trying to force you and other's with this thought process to understand the reality of the situation.

 

Ummm, could you clarify this post a little bit? Like maybe rewrite it completely?