Tribune: Wood Signs Deal with Cleveland (p. 29)

[Blue W]

Funny, I don't remember eveyone being up in arms about signing Fuk at the time. Hind sight is 20/20. If we had watched another team sign him for the money he got, people on this site would have been up in arms. If we hadn't made an offer to Sorianno that he couldn't refuse, people would have criticized Hendry for that as well. Marquis......a bit harder to defend.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Funny, I don't remember eveyone being up in arms about signing Fuk at the time. Hind sight is 20/20. If we had watched another team sign him for the money he got, people on this site would have been up in arms. If we hadn't made an offer to Sorianno that he couldn't refuse, people would have criticized Hendry for that as well. Marquis......a bit harder to defend.

 

On Fukudome, yes hindsight is 20/20. Tough luck. It's Hendry's job to have foresight and be judged by hindsight.

 

On Soriano, this contract was widely panned from the beginning.

[Southpaw191679666239]

Hasn't lost all-star talent? If you're going to include this offseason into the mix, then have a look at the 2008 NL all star pitching roster:

 

I believe he was referring to the Harden and "potential" Peavy trades specifically.

[Guest]

The frustration isn't over the Cubs not re-signing Kerry Wood, or even attempting to re-sign Kerry Wood.

 

The frustration is that the Cubs are dumping their second most effective reliever for nothing, because of a payroll crunch caused by overpaying for other junk over the last 3 years, and then making a trade that absolutely didn't have to be made that early in the offseason, leaving no wiggle room to even try to get pick compensation. All this to save 3 million and weaken an already weak farm system without doing anything to rectify that problem.

 

It might be mentioned in the reference to the weak system but not offering arbitration and passing on the picks is very much part of the consternation here.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I also believe that Wood would get 10+ in arbitration. The fact that he made 8 million or so last year hurts the Cubs case for him to not get a substantial raise. Looking at comparable closer salaries hurts the Cubs. Part of it would depend on how the market comes out for K-Rod and Fuentes, but I think he would have gotten a lot of money.

 

That's a question I had actually. Would Wood's arbitration be based on how much he made with incentives or just his base salary? I suppose it makes the most sense to include incentives unless the union made that a concession in CBA talks.

 

Hendry must think that either:

 

Wood's injury risk is so great that it's not worth it to potentially pay him 10 mil for a year and forfeit the picks as well.

 

Wood's injury risk is so great that they're better off spending the 10 million elsewhere, and he's a lock to accept arbitration.

 

Wood, injury risk included, is not a good investment as a closer at 10 million, and he's a lock to accept arbitration.

 

 

I guess those are justifiable thought processes(at least the 2nd and 3rd for sure), but it stings to be expecting those picks and not getting them. It does make me feel better that this doesn't appear to be a Cubs-exclusive phenomenon though.

[bukie]

The frustration isn't over the Cubs not re-signing Kerry Wood, or even attempting to re-sign Kerry Wood.

 

The frustration is that the Cubs are dumping their second most effective reliever for nothing, because of a payroll crunch caused by overpaying for other junk over the last 3 years, and then making a trade that absolutely didn't have to be made that early in the offseason, leaving no wiggle room to even try to get pick compensation. All this to save 3 million and weaken an already weak farm system without doing anything to rectify that problem.

 

It might be mentioned in the reference to the weak system but not offering arbitration and passing on the picks is very much part of the consternation here.

Yeah, it wasn't stated very well, but the "without doing anything to rectify that problem" of the farm system was in reference to not even trying to get compensation picks.

[CubinNY]

It's pathetic.

 

It's the worst situation possible. If Wood accepts you pay him $10 mil. for one year and work around it. However, the chances are very good that he gets a better deal elsewhere after K-Rod signs.

 

I think this did come down to not wanting to pay Wood anything and also banking on Cashner, Guzman, and The Shark to come up big next year. Kevin Gregg won't be pitching in meaningful innings if he walks guys like he has in the past.

 

Now the Cubs are left with a lot of questions in the bullpen. The saving grace could be our old pal Angel Guzman. If he can stay healthy and get people out and if Jeff S. can keep the ball in the yard, Hendry will again come up 7s. If this happens he's one lucky son of a gun.

 

The real problem is the future. The minor league talent is getting pretty thin.

[davearm2]

The frustration isn't over the Cubs not re-signing Kerry Wood, or even attempting to re-sign Kerry Wood.

 

The frustration is that the Cubs are dumping their second most effective reliever for nothing, because of a payroll crunch caused by overpaying for other junk over the last 3 years, and then making a trade that absolutely didn't have to be made that early in the offseason, leaving no wiggle room to even try to get pick compensation. All this to save 3 million and weaken an already weak farm system without doing anything to rectify that problem.

List for me the overpaid junk that's currently under contract with the Cubs, preventing the retention of Kerry Wood.

 

I'll get you started: Jason Marquis. Most indications are that Hendry's trying to wiggle out of that one as we speak.

 

Who else you got?

You don't think the 40 million designated to Fukudome, Marquis and Soriano is a deterrent?

The phrase you used was "overpaying for other junk".

 

Soriano has been at or near the top of the Cubs' OPS list both years. That's not anywhere close to "junk".

 

Fukudome had a disappointing second half with the bat, but "junk" is way too harsh.

 

Marquis is the only one I see that can remotely qualify, and even then, a starter that gives you 180+ IP and league-average production is not "junk". (Yes I know Marquis fell short of 180 IP, but only because Lou chose to skip him several times.)

 

So "junk" doesn't apply well to any of these guys.

 

Are they "overpaid"? Relative to what you'd like their production to be, sure. Relative to the FA market? Not at all. Each guy got pretty much exactly what his skillset is valued at.

[BigbadB]

It's pathetic.

 

It's the worst situation possible. If Wood accepts you pay him $10 mil. for one year and work around it. However, the chances are very good that he gets a better deal elsewhere after K-Rod signs.

 

I think this did come down to not wanting to pay Wood anything and also banking on Cashner, Guzman, and The Shark to come up big next year. Kevin Gregg won't be pitching in meaningful innings if he walks guys like he has in the past.

 

Now the Cubs are left with a lot of questions in the bullpen. The saving grace could be our old pal Angel Guzman. If he can stay healthy and get people out and if Jeff S. can keep the ball in the yard, Hendry will again come up 7s. If this happens he's one lucky son of a gun.

 

The real problem is the future. The minor league talent is getting pretty thin.

 

If Marshall ends up in a package to the Padres, I think Samardzija is in the Iowa rotation to start '09. Possibly Gaudin, also. I don't think you can go into the '09 season with so little depth in the starting rotation.

[CubinNY]

It's pathetic.

 

It's the worst situation possible. If Wood accepts you pay him $10 mil. for one year and work around it. However, the chances are very good that he gets a better deal elsewhere after K-Rod signs.

 

I think this did come down to not wanting to pay Wood anything and also banking on Cashner, Guzman, and The Shark to come up big next year. Kevin Gregg won't be pitching in meaningful innings if he walks guys like he has in the past.

 

Now the Cubs are left with a lot of questions in the bullpen. The saving grace could be our old pal Angel Guzman. If he can stay healthy and get people out and if Jeff S. can keep the ball in the yard, Hendry will again come up 7s. If this happens he's one lucky son of a gun.

 

The real problem is the future. The minor league talent is getting pretty thin.

 

If Marshall ends up in a package to the Padres, I think Samardzija is in the Iowa rotation to start '09. Possibly Gaudin, also. I don't think you can go into the '09 season with so little depth in the starting rotation.

 

If the Cubs get Peavey and they don't deal Marquis they will be fine even if they have to trade Marshall.

 

Z

Harden

Lilly

Peavey

Dempster

----------

Marquis

Gaudin

 

I'm not sure what to make of Samardzija as a starter, but I think he'll be needed in the bullpen with Wood gone.

[Guancous]

Hasn't lost all-star talent? If you're going to include this offseason into the mix, then have a look at the 2008 NL all star pitching roster:

 

I believe he was referring to the Harden and "potential" Peavy trades specifically.

 

This is correct. Thank you for clarifying that.

 

I think Hendry saw what a bad $10 million closer contract did to the Brewers.

 

Hopefully the new ownership will open their wallets to rebuild the minor league system. Some Boras Babies typically fall due to signability. Shark was a 5th rounder because he only wanted to be a Cub. Perhaps more winning seasons will breed that type of commitment.

[CubinNY]

Shark was a 5th rounder because he only wanted to be a Cub. Perhaps more winning seasons will breed that type of commitment.

That's not true at all. I wonder where people get this stuff.

 

We love the Cubs, the ballplayer love the money and playing ball.

[BigbadB]

It's pathetic.

 

It's the worst situation possible. If Wood accepts you pay him $10 mil. for one year and work around it. However, the chances are very good that he gets a better deal elsewhere after K-Rod signs.

 

I think this did come down to not wanting to pay Wood anything and also banking on Cashner, Guzman, and The Shark to come up big next year. Kevin Gregg won't be pitching in meaningful innings if he walks guys like he has in the past.

 

Now the Cubs are left with a lot of questions in the bullpen. The saving grace could be our old pal Angel Guzman. If he can stay healthy and get people out and if Jeff S. can keep the ball in the yard, Hendry will again come up 7s. If this happens he's one lucky son of a gun.

 

The real problem is the future. The minor league talent is getting pretty thin.

 

If Marshall ends up in a package to the Padres, I think Samardzija is in the Iowa rotation to start '09. Possibly Gaudin, also. I don't think you can go into the '09 season with so little depth in the starting rotation.

 

If the Cubs get Peavey and they don't deal Marquis they will be fine even if they have to trade Marshall.

 

Z

Harden

Lilly

Peavey

Dempster

----------

Marquis

Gaudin

 

I'm not sure what to make of Samardzija as a starter, but I think he'll be needed in the bullpen with Wood gone.

 

Well, from everything we have been reading, the Peavy deal is contigent on the Cubs freeing up money, which means Marquis is gone. That leaves Samardzija and Gaudin as your only real options to fill in if someone in the rotation gets hurt. Guzman is done as a starter. Veal will be on some teams 25 man roster for at least a few months, if not all year as a LOOGY.

 

I would guess Gaudin will be the long man in the pen and Samardzija will be getting stretched out in Iowa. I'm sure the Cubs can find someone off the scrap heap for dirt cheap, but I wouldn't expect it to be anyone decent enough. Maybe a Jerome Williams type guy.

[Guancous]

Shark was a 5th rounder because he only wanted to be a Cub. Perhaps more winning seasons will breed that type of commitment.

That's not true at all. I wonder where people get this stuff.

 

We love the Cubs, the ballplayer love the money and playing ball.

 

Shark would have been a top 10 NFL Draft pick. His bonus alone would be more than he'll make until 2011 or 2012.

 

He also gave up money for a no-trade clause.

[Guest]

Shark was a 5th rounder because he only wanted to be a Cub. Perhaps more winning seasons will breed that type of commitment.

That's not true at all. I wonder where people get this stuff.

 

We love the Cubs, the ballplayer love the money and playing ball.

 

It's unlikely Samardzija would have signed full time for baseball if it wasn't with the Cubs or White Sox.

[Guest]

Shark was a 5th rounder because he only wanted to be a Cub. Perhaps more winning seasons will breed that type of commitment.

That's not true at all. I wonder where people get this stuff.

 

We love the Cubs, the ballplayer love the money and playing ball.

 

Shark would have been a top 10 NFL Draft pick. His bonus alone would be more than he'll make until 2011 or 2012.

 

He also gave up money for a no-trade clause.

 

I think you're overstating his likely draft spot. He was a borderline first rounder, imo.

 

He didn't give up too much money for the no-trade clause...he can still earn up to $10 million by 2011 (I think it's 2011).

[CubinNY]

Shark was a 5th rounder because he only wanted to be a Cub. Perhaps more winning seasons will breed that type of commitment.

That's not true at all. I wonder where people get this stuff.

 

We love the Cubs, the ballplayer love the money and playing ball.

 

It's unlikely Samardzija would have signed full time for baseball if it wasn't with the Cubs or White Sox.

It's even more unlikely that any other GM would give him the contract that Hendry did. We can speculate on this, but there's no evidence to suggest that he was holding out for the Cubs or the White Sox. If anything, he was playing the game very wisely to get a very good deal to play a sport with less of a chance for success but more of a chance at a longer career.

 

It's hard for me to imagine that if the Yankees or Red Sox would have drafted him and given him the same sort of deal the Cubs gave him that he wouldn't have accepted it. He's set for life no matter what happens.

[Outshined_One]

The Yankees and Cubs aren't the only ones doing this:

 

Phillies

Angels and Dodgers

Tigers

Astros

 

Something is definitely going on here. I mean, cripes, looks at ESPN's Free Agent Tracker. Usually by this time of the year, there are a number of guys who've already signed. This has become a really unusual offseason.

[UMFan83]

That's really bizarre that the Dodgers didnt offer it to Furcal, who seems ready to sign elsewhere anyways.

[cubsfan26]

Wow some of you guys are really funny with your overreacting and Hendry bashing. Like I said earlier you people wouldn't be happy with any GM. Hendry has put a competive team on the field of 5 of 6 years, and has made the postseason 3 of those 6 years. What happens in the postseason isn't Hendry fault, because the teams we had were better then they played. As for the overpaid junk stopping us from spending 10m on a reliever? Whats that Fukudome? A year ago everybody on here wanted him, and for half the season everybody on here thought it was a good signing. So just because the guy struggled in the second half of his first year, now he's overpaid junk? I think he deserves a little more time before we label him that, but then how else would some bash Hendry? Even if Fukudome ends up being a bust, name me a team that had a 100m payroll last year, that doesn't have bad contracts on it? In big markets, teams are allowed to take more gambles, and sometimes it backfires.

 

 

The only other potential "overpaid junk" is Jason Marquis, and he's gone 23-18 with a 4.43 era in 61 starts for us over the last two years, and has been a bargin at 11.2m. Yes he's very overpaid this season, but thats only because he was so cheap in 07. Also remember at the time the Cubs needed a guy who could give them innings as a number 4 starter, after 2006 blew up on us. Right now Marquis isn't really needed because we have a guy like Marshall and probably Gaudin who can do what he can do(and wanna upgrade even more). But still if you look at the pitching contracts signed over the last 3-4 years, Marquis has performed at a postive level. Yes that could all change depending on how Marquis pitches next year, but if we trade him this offseason and only eat a few million, his contract will end up actually being a good one, because we got good use out of him.

 

 

Other then that he has DeRosa, Lilly, and Ramirez making below market value. Then Soriano, Lee(was a bargin before last year) and Zambrano are probably making market value these days. When you add everything up Hendry has done a good job putting this roster together. As for people saying the Cubs are only good because Hendry has had money to spend. Really? last year nine teams had a payroll of 117m or higher, and one of those teams won more games then us last year. Not to mention only one other team in that group won 90 games. So it's not how much money you spend, but spending it on the right players. When it comes down to it, people are just being dumb because it's Kerry Wood. Don't get me wrong not getting the draft picks was a poor move, but it's not poor enough to deserve this crazy overreaction. But if it's Francisco Cordero or Brian Fuentes, people aren't acting like this. Sure they might be upset we didn't get the picks, but they would understand that it wasn't worth the risk to be stuck with that player at 10m next year. But instead we have people calling Jim Hendry terrible after he's done a very good job the last two years. When the guy is only trying to make us better in 2009.

[JeffH]

Wow some of you guys are really funny with your overreacting and Hendry bashing. Like I said earlier you people wouldn't be happy with any GM. Hendry has put a competive team on the field of 5 of 6 years, and has made the postseason 3 of those 6 years. What happens in the postseason isn't Hendry fault, because the teams we had were better then they played. As for the overpaid junk stopping us from spending 10m on a reliever? Whats that Fukudome? A year ago everybody on here wanted him, and for half the season everybody on here thought it was a good signing. So just because the guy struggled in the second half of his first year, now he's overpaid junk? I think he deserves a little more time before we label him that, but then how else would some bash Hendry? Even if Fukudome ends up being a bust, name me a team that had a 100m payroll last year, that doesn't have bad contracts on it? In big markets, teams are allowed to take more gambles, and sometimes it backfires.

 

 

The only other potential "overpaid junk" is Jason Marquis, and he's gone 23-18 with a 4.43 era in 61 starts for us over the last two years, and has been a bargin at 11.2m. Yes he's very overpaid this season, but thats only because he was so cheap in 07. Also remember at the time the Cubs needed a guy who could give them innings as a number 4 starter, after 2006 blew up on us. Right now Marquis isn't really needed because we have a guy like Marshall and probably Gaudin who can do what he can do(and wanna upgrade even more). But still if you look at the pitching contracts signed over the last 3-4 years, Marquis has performed at a postive level. Yes that could all change depending on how Marquis pitches next year, but if we trade him this offseason and only eat a few million, his contract will end up actually being a good one, because we got good use out of him.

 

 

Other then that he has DeRosa, Lilly, and Ramirez making below market value. Then Soriano, Lee(was a bargin before last year) and Zambrano are probably making market value these days. When you add everything up Hendry has done a good job putting this roster together. As for people saying the Cubs are only good because Hendry has had money to spend. Really? last year nine teams had a payroll of 117m or higher, and one of those teams won more games then us last year. Not to mention only one other team in that group won 90 games. So it's not how much money you spend, but spending it on the right players. When it comes down to it, people are just being dumb because it's Kerry Wood. Don't get me wrong not getting the draft picks was a poor move, but it's not poor enough to deserve this crazy overreaction. But if it's Francisco Cordero or Brian Fuentes, people aren't acting like this. Sure they might be upset we didn't get the picks, but they would understand that it wasn't worth the risk to be stuck with that player at 10m next year. But instead we have people calling Jim Hendry terrible after he's done a very good job the last two years.

 

Sifting through Hendry's individual transactions and picking out the good ones (I would even be willing to stipulate that there are more good than bad - it's irrelevant) is not meaningful.

 

With the resources this organization has, there is no reason that the Chicago Cubs should be anything but a perennial powerhouse, winning 90+ games a minimum of six out of every ten seasons, with a couple of 85-90 win seasons in there also.

 

There is also no reason that the Chicago Cubs should have anything but one of the very best farm systems in all of baseball, producing a consistent stream of top major league talent.

 

Just because Jim Hendry is better than the ridiculous collection of knuckleheads who have held the title of Cubs GM over the past 30+ years doesn't make him good.

 

He has some fine qualities, but he has demonstrated that he can't get the job done.

[cubsfan26]

With the resources this organization has, there is no reason that the Chicago Cubs should be anything but a perennial powerhouse, winning 90+ games a minimum of six out of every ten seasons, with a couple of 85-90 win seasons in there also.

 

 

To be fair the Cubs have won 85 plus games 4 of the 6 years Hendry has been the GM. Not to mention he has taken them to the postseason 3 of those 6 years. With probably one of the best teams he put together the 2004 Cubs missing the playoffs. Over the last six years only the Red Sox, Yankees(been in the playoffs 5 of 6 years), and Angels(been in playoffs 4 of 6 years) have made the postseason more then the Cubs and two of those teams spend at a much higher level. The Braves, Dodgers, and Cardinals are the only teams to make the playoffs as much as the Cubs have since Hendry took over. So some people might take what Hendry has done lightly, but it's actually pretty hard to do, especially for a GM in his first 6 years as a GM(which not many GM's have done recently either). My main problem with Hendry is the shape of the farm system. His job would be alot easier if we had a good system, but when it comes down to it he can only do so much. But so far it doesn't seem like he has hired the right people to run it.

[Backtobanks]

Wow some of you guys are really funny with your overreacting and Hendry bashing. Like I said earlier you people wouldn't be happy with any GM. Hendry has put a competive team on the field of 5 of 6 years, and has made the postseason 3 of those 6 years. What happens in the postseason isn't Hendry fault, because the teams we had were better then they played. As for the overpaid junk stopping us from spending 10m on a reliever? Whats that Fukudome? A year ago everybody on here wanted him, and for half the season everybody on here thought it was a good signing. So just because the guy struggled in the second half of his first year, now he's overpaid junk? I think he deserves a little more time before we label him that, but then how else would some bash Hendry? Even if Fukudome ends up being a bust, name me a team that had a 100m payroll last year, that doesn't have bad contracts on it? In big markets, teams are allowed to take more gambles, and sometimes it backfires.

 

 

The only other potential "overpaid junk" is Jason Marquis, and he's gone 23-18 with a 4.43 era in 61 starts for us over the last two years, and has been a bargin at 11.2m. Yes he's very overpaid this season, but thats only because he was so cheap in 07. Also remember at the time the Cubs needed a guy who could give them innings as a number 4 starter, after 2006 blew up on us. Right now Marquis isn't really needed because we have a guy like Marshall and probably Gaudin who can do what he can do(and wanna upgrade even more). But still if you look at the pitching contracts signed over the last 3-4 years, Marquis has performed at a postive level. Yes that could all change depending on how Marquis pitches next year, but if we trade him this offseason and only eat a few million, his contract will end up actually being a good one, because we got good use out of him.

 

 

Other then that he has DeRosa, Lilly, and Ramirez making below market value. Then Soriano, Lee(was a bargin before last year) and Zambrano are probably making market value these days. When you add everything up Hendry has done a good job putting this roster together. As for people saying the Cubs are only good because Hendry has had money to spend. Really? last year nine teams had a payroll of 117m or higher, and one of those teams won more games then us last year. Not to mention only one other team in that group won 90 games. So it's not how much money you spend, but spending it on the right players. When it comes down to it, people are just being dumb because it's Kerry Wood. Don't get me wrong not getting the draft picks was a poor move, but it's not poor enough to deserve this crazy overreaction. But if it's Francisco Cordero or Brian Fuentes, people aren't acting like this. Sure they might be upset we didn't get the picks, but they would understand that it wasn't worth the risk to be stuck with that player at 10m next year. But instead we have people calling Jim Hendry terrible after he's done a very good job the last two years.

 

Sifting through Hendry's individual transactions and picking out the good ones (I would even be willing to stipulate that there are more good than bad - it's irrelevant) is not meaningful.

 

With the resources this organization has, there is no reason that the Chicago Cubs should be anything but a perennial powerhouse, winning 90+ games a minimum of six out of every ten seasons, with a couple of 85-90 win seasons in there also.

 

There is also no reason that the Chicago Cubs should have anything but one of the very best farm systems in all of baseball, producing a consistent stream of top major league talent.

 

Just because Jim Hendry is better than the ridiculous collection of knuckleheads who have held the title of Cubs GM over the past 30+ years doesn't make him good.

 

He has some fine qualities, but he has demonstrated that he can't get the job done.

 

"Having the resources" should describe just about an major city baseball team (Yankees, Mets, Angels, Dodgers, White Sox, Red Sox, Phillies, Tigers, etc.), so how many of those teams have perrenial powerhouses and top notch farm systems? Let's not forget our friends in Baltimore that have a billionaire for an owner.

[Rob]

I'm confused as to why you think Gregg needs to be used as a closer to maintain Type A status.

 

I misspoke. Gregg is likely to be a Type A regardless... but that is much less likely to be an issue for other teams if he has a "proven closer" tag attached in FA. Middle relievers aren't generally worth giving up extra draft picks for... some GMs feel that closer are, however.

[SCCubbieFAN]

Anyone think that since Wood (allegedly) came out and said he would take a 1 yr deal to stay w/the Cubs that the Cubs may still offer another 1 yr incentive laden deal like the one he just finished and that is why they didn't offer arbi and possibly be stuck with a much higher arbi award contract in the $9-$11mil range?