Levine: Fukudome a Cub (was Kosuke coming to U.S.)

[JeffH]

From Bruce-o-Rama's column:

 

If the Cubs can sign Fukudome and trade for Roberts, they can use the versatile Mark DeRosa in a "super" utility role, playing him at all four infield spots and at the outfield corners when one of the regulars is injured or needs a rest.

 

if derosa's capable of playing ss, he damn well better be playing everyday.

 

He did play there for a game last year. Does anyone remember which game that was? I can't say I remember it.

 

Wasn't that the game when Lou yanked Fontenot off of SS after a couple of errors early in the ballgame? He swapped MF and MD mid-inning.

[Ryno is God 23]

From Bruce-o-Rama's column:

 

If the Cubs can sign Fukudome and trade for Roberts, they can use the versatile Mark DeRosa in a "super" utility role, playing him at all four infield spots and at the outfield corners when one of the regulars is injured or needs a rest.

 

if derosa's capable of playing ss, he damn well better be playing everyday.

 

He did play there for a game last year. Does anyone remember which game that was? I can't say I remember it.

 

June 30th

13-4 loss to MIL.

I believe he replaced Font.

[Ryno is God 23]

From Bruce-o-Rama's column:

 

If the Cubs can sign Fukudome and trade for Roberts, they can use the versatile Mark DeRosa in a "super" utility role, playing him at all four infield spots and at the outfield corners when one of the regulars is injured or needs a rest.

 

if derosa's capable of playing ss, he damn well better be playing everyday.

 

He did play there for a game last year. Does anyone remember which game that was? I can't say I remember it.

 

Wasn't that the game when Lou yanked Fontenot off of SS after a couple of errors early in the ballgame? He swapped MF and MD mid-inning.

 

Yes

[David]

Ah, that explains it. I was in Florida that time of year.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

From my memory, Lou made some comment about DeRosa being out of position or something, which is why he never went back there.

[Abe Frohman]

I don't understand why Lou doesn't give DeRosa some playing time at SS. Give him some work there in S.T. - I'm sure he'd at least be average.

 

How bad was Soriano at 2B? I see he turned a lot of DPs, and it looks like he made a lot of plays, indicating decent range. Was it erratic throwing or a skillet for a glove?

[CubColtPacer]

The Cubs now have the financial advantage over everybody in the division, but they haven't had the financial advantage consistently even in the past 5 years. I also disagree that they should be able to average 90 wins a year just because they are 2nd-4th in payroll in the National League. How many National League teams have broken 90 wins twice in the last 3 years? The answer is: 0. Only 5 teams have even hit 90 wins once during that time, and 3 of those 5 had exactly 90. Expectations shouldn't be that the Cubs should be able to do close to what the Yankees and Red Sox do unless they continue to increase payroll into that range.

 

They've had the advantage for several years now. Under Omar Minaya, the Mets have averaged 89.333 wins per year. This season's 88 win season was considered a disaster due to the late collapse. And that is just with 3 years to work with what his predecessors did, averaging 70.67 wins the previous 3 seasons. To compare, Hendry has average 81.4 wins, coming off a 3 year average of 73.3.

 

There is absolutely zero reason for this team to not consistently win 90 games.

 

Average payrolls over the last 3 years:

 

Mets: 105.87

Cubs: 93.71

Cardinals: 90.43

Astros: 85.69

 

As you can see, the Cubs advantage in their division has been smaller than the difference between the Cubs and the Mets over the last 3 years. If you took it out as far as 2001, the Cubs and Cardinals average payroll is practically identical, while the Mets advantage becomes twice as large.

 

It's simply not fair to say the Cubs have had a big financial advantage over the rest of the division and then compare them to the Mets, who have had a much bigger financial advantage over the Cubs. Now, I expect the Cubs to move into Mets territory financially here in the next few years, but they have never spent nearly as much as the Mets so far.

 

Note that I am not saying that the expectations should be set at what the Cubs have done over the last 5 years. That is too low of a bar, but at the same time an average of a 90 win team is too high for the Cubs spending over the last 5 years. If their spending continues to rise to be much higher over the rest of the division (such as the Red Sox and somewhat the Mets), that's when I believe the 90 win mark as an average win total will be appropriate.

[Ryno is God 23]

I don't understand why Lou doesn't give DeRosa some playing time at SS. Give him some work there in S.T. - I'm sure he'd at least be average.

 

How bad was Soriano at 2B? I see he turned a lot of DPs, and it looks like he made a lot of plays, indicating decent range. Was it erratic throwing or a skillet for a glove?

 

I think he just couldn't field the ball, which can be a problem.

[Roast]

Ugh. Just got back from my final (pretty sure I Aced it, though!) and still nothing new to report. C'mon Kfuk.

 

I don't care if it's only 5am in Tokyo...Wake up and make some money.

 

SmarterChild (2:00:56 PM): The time in Tokyo, Japan is Wednesday, December 12th, 2007 5:00:41 am.

[ctcf]

Noticed Bruce just posted in Baseball Discussions. Hopefully he stops by and gives us an update!

[Roast]

Noticed Bruce just posted in Baseball Discussions. Hopefully he stops by and gives us an update!

 

Dude, we're like a bunch of strung out crackheads and Bruce is our supplier. I feel bad for the guy...That being said...

 

 

BRUCE WHAT'S THE LATEST UPDATE*#$**(@$*(@SLD:JF:ALFJ

[Ryno is God 23]

I hate Fukudome already and he hasn't even signed yet!

[jersey cubs fan]

It's simply not fair to say the Cubs have had a big financial advantage over the rest of the division and then compare them to the Mets, who have had a much bigger financial advantage over the Cubs.

 

Not fair? My lord. Enough with the woe is us nonsense. It's like all the talk forgiving Hendry for any losses because of injury. The Cubs have had a decided and clear financial advantage over every single division foe, plus the advantage of playing the weakest competition, by far. The Mets also play the consistently great Yanks 6 times a year, while the Cubs have been able to play the up and down White Sox. NY has Philly and Atlanta to compete with, teams that have clearly outclassed STL and HOU in recent years. And remember, the Cubs have been the team handing out insane money to many draft picks year after year as well, grossly overpaying for guys like Samardzija. The financial advantage is not only in the USA Today listed payrolls, it's everything, and it's been ongoing for several years.

 

Quit with the excuses already. The Cubs should win 90 games every year. If they finish with 85 or 86 once or twice, it's excusable, but when 85 is the highest win total in three years, that is inexcusable. When 88 and 89 wins are the high water mark you are doing a lousy job taking advantage of the very clear financial advantage.

[CubColtPacer]

It's simply not fair to say the Cubs have had a big financial advantage over the rest of the division and then compare them to the Mets, who have had a much bigger financial advantage over the Cubs.

 

Not fair? My lord. Enough with the woe is us nonsense. It's like all the talk forgiving Hendry for any losses because of injury. The Cubs have had a decided and clear financial advantage over every single division foe, plus the advantage of playing the weakest competition, by far. The Mets also play the consistently great Yanks 6 times a year, while the Cubs have been able to play the up and down White Sox. NY has Philly and Atlanta to compete with, teams that have clearly outclassed STL and HOU in recent years. And remember, the Cubs have been the team handing out insane money to many draft picks year after year as well, grossly overpaying for guys like Samardzija. The financial advantage is not only in the USA Today listed payrolls, it's everything, and it's been ongoing for several years.

 

Quit with the excuses already. The Cubs should win 90 games every year. If they finish with 85 or 86 once or twice, it's excusable, but when 85 is the highest win total in three years, that is inexcusable. When 88 and 89 wins are the high water mark you are doing a lousy job taking advantage of the very clear financial advantage.

 

This is the part I agree with, and we'll have to agree to disagree if the Cubs have truly had a financial advantage over the division, especially anytime before 2006.

[jersey cubs fan]

It's simply not fair to say the Cubs have had a big financial advantage over the rest of the division and then compare them to the Mets, who have had a much bigger financial advantage over the Cubs.

 

Not fair? My lord. Enough with the woe is us nonsense. It's like all the talk forgiving Hendry for any losses because of injury. The Cubs have had a decided and clear financial advantage over every single division foe, plus the advantage of playing the weakest competition, by far. The Mets also play the consistently great Yanks 6 times a year, while the Cubs have been able to play the up and down White Sox. NY has Philly and Atlanta to compete with, teams that have clearly outclassed STL and HOU in recent years. And remember, the Cubs have been the team handing out insane money to many draft picks year after year as well, grossly overpaying for guys like Samardzija. The financial advantage is not only in the USA Today listed payrolls, it's everything, and it's been ongoing for several years.

 

Quit with the excuses already. The Cubs should win 90 games every year. If they finish with 85 or 86 once or twice, it's excusable, but when 85 is the highest win total in three years, that is inexcusable. When 88 and 89 wins are the high water mark you are doing a lousy job taking advantage of the very clear financial advantage.

 

This is the part I agree with, and we'll have to agree to disagree if the Cubs have truly had a financial advantage over the division, especially anytime before 2006.

 

I can't agree to disagree on such a clearly obvious statement.

[CubColtPacer]

It's simply not fair to say the Cubs have had a big financial advantage over the rest of the division and then compare them to the Mets, who have had a much bigger financial advantage over the Cubs.

 

Not fair? My lord. Enough with the woe is us nonsense. It's like all the talk forgiving Hendry for any losses because of injury. The Cubs have had a decided and clear financial advantage over every single division foe, plus the advantage of playing the weakest competition, by far. The Mets also play the consistently great Yanks 6 times a year, while the Cubs have been able to play the up and down White Sox. NY has Philly and Atlanta to compete with, teams that have clearly outclassed STL and HOU in recent years. And remember, the Cubs have been the team handing out insane money to many draft picks year after year as well, grossly overpaying for guys like Samardzija. The financial advantage is not only in the USA Today listed payrolls, it's everything, and it's been ongoing for several years.

 

Quit with the excuses already. The Cubs should win 90 games every year. If they finish with 85 or 86 once or twice, it's excusable, but when 85 is the highest win total in three years, that is inexcusable. When 88 and 89 wins are the high water mark you are doing a lousy job taking advantage of the very clear financial advantage.

 

This is the part I agree with, and we'll have to agree to disagree if the Cubs have truly had a financial advantage over the division, especially anytime before 2006.

 

I can't agree to disagree on such a clearly obvious statement.

 

Where's the proof then that the Cubs have had this advantage over the last 5-10 years? Your only defense seems to be that the numbers are wrong (and these numbers can be derived from a multitude of places) that despite what the numbers say the Cubs have had some sort of advantage. Where is this advantage showing up then?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I believe the Cardinals payroll has been higher in 3 of the last 6 seasons, but no other teams have really been near that level. The Astros have been within just a couple million a couple of years, but the difference is typically around $10M. None of the other teams in the division are even close.

[CyHawk_Cub]

At this point I don't even care what it costs to land Fukudome. We've put so much into his basket that we need to land. I've already come to turns that the contract is going to suck, but it needs to be done at this point.

 

Ehh, I kinda feel the same way...we're "pot committed" so to speak (for you poker fans)...

[CubColtPacer]

I believe the Cardinals payroll has been higher in 3 of the last 6 seasons, but no other teams have really been near that level. The Astros have been within just a couple million a couple of years, but the difference is typically around $10M. None of the other teams in the division are even close.

 

Agreed completely with that. The Cardinals and Cubs have been back and forth to who has the highest payroll the last 8 years (right now the Cubs have pulled ahead and are looking to end that see-saw by widening the gap). The Astros have been close in a few of the years and well behind in the others. Everybody else is typically well behind those 3.

 

In the years where the Cardinals had the payroll advantage though, they typically dominated the Central. If the Cubs are going to have a wide payroll advantage as they seem to want to do now, then they need to dominate the division as well.

[Soul]

*pops in*

 

Fukudome choose the Cubs yet? No?

 

*pops out*

[jersey cubs fan]

Where's the proof then that the Cubs have had this advantage over the last 5-10 years? Your only defense seems to be that the numbers are wrong (and these numbers can be derived from a multitude of places) that despite what the numbers say the Cubs have had some sort of advantage. Where is this advantage showing up then?

 

Pretty much every forum that has this info lists the payroll of the team's opening day roster. For instance, you won't see the $16m the Cubs paid Baltimore to take Sammy Sosa, or the $3+ million they paid Rusch not to pitch. They will not account for midseason acquisitions like Nomar Garciaparra, Aramis Ramirez, Kenny Lofton, or Steve Trachsel. They won't include the money the Cubs will pay Detroit to take Jones.

 

They fail to take into account a lot of things, and when you do take this into account, it's clear the Cubs have had financial resources to spend than their divisional competition.

[mdwilla]

I believe the Cardinals payroll has been higher in 3 of the last 6 seasons, but no other teams have really been near that level. The Astros have been within just a couple million a couple of years, but the difference is typically around $10M. None of the other teams in the division are even close.

 

Agreed completely with that. The Cardinals and Cubs have been back and forth to who has the highest payroll the last 8 years (right now the Cubs have pulled ahead and are looking to end that see-saw by widening the gap). The Astros have been close in a few of the years and well behind in the others. Everybody else is typically well behind those 3.

 

In the years where the Cardinals had the payroll advantage though, they typically dominated the Central. If the Cubs are going to have a wide payroll advantage as they seem to want to do now, then they need to dominate the division as well.

 

Even if we start the season with a $135 million dollar payroll I don't know if we'll be able to dominate the central because the Brewers have a good collection of young bats and are building around them this offseason.

[C.C.]

I believe the Cardinals payroll has been higher in 3 of the last 6 seasons, but no other teams have really been near that level. The Astros have been within just a couple million a couple of years, but the difference is typically around $10M. None of the other teams in the division are even close.

 

Agreed completely with that. The Cardinals and Cubs have been back and forth to who has the highest payroll the last 8 years (right now the Cubs have pulled ahead and are looking to end that see-saw by widening the gap). The Astros have been close in a few of the years and well behind in the others. Everybody else is typically well behind those 3.

 

In the years where the Cardinals had the payroll advantage though, they typically dominated the Central. If the Cubs are going to have a wide payroll advantage as they seem to want to do now, then they need to dominate the division as well.

 

Even if we start the season with a $135 million dollar payroll I don't know if we'll be able to dominate the central because the Brewers have a good collection of young bats and are building around them this offseason.

 

But their starting pitching and 'pen is still questionable.

[Derwood]

okay, so it's now 9:15am on wednesday morning in Japan. Hendry better be on the phone right now (getting measurements for K-Fu's uniform)

[Post Count Padder]

Noticed Bruce just posted in Baseball Discussions. Hopefully he stops by and gives us an update!

 

Dude, we're like a bunch of strung out crackheads and Bruce is our supplier. I feel bad for the guy...That being said...

 

 

BRUCE WHAT'S THE LATEST UPDATE*#$**(@$*(@SLD:JF:ALFJ

Must.....have......update.....fix.....

 

=P~