Cubs expected to sign Paul Bako (1 yr, $500,000)

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But if everything is equal, do you think he stays with the Cubs at 750k for 120 AB's, when he could go to another team for the same price for 200-250 AB's?

 

No way to know fur sure, but yeah... probably. I'd think getting to stay with a good team and one that you've been with the last 4 seasons over going to an awful team and a brand new clubhouse would be more be much more important than getting some extra PT.

 

Again, I don't know why you're assuming that a 37 year old backup catcher wants more playing time.... let alone wanting it bad enough to leave a great team/city (not to mention the friends he's made) for a crappy team that nobody cares about. Is being a catcher on 37 year old legs really that fun?

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I think the Cubs should inquire if Pudge would be interested in a back-up role.

 

Seconded.

 

 

He might be interested in a back up role, but not one with a catcher like Soto in front of him. Pudge still wants to play and get AB's, thats not gonna have with Soto on the team. It's gonna be pretty hard to find a catcher better then Bako who would be willing to sign here, unless we overpaid. Thats why I still feel it would have took more then 750 K to resign Blanco. Yes he signed with the Padres for that, but he also has a much better chance to get playing time with the Padres. Pudge will probably sign with the Mets, Marlins or Astros were he will still get alot of AB's even if he isn't starting everyday.

 

Blanco seemed to be fine with being a backup while he was with the Cubs. I'd say there's a very good chance he'd rather have stayed in Chicago where he's been the last 4 years. Not all guys want more playing time. You can't just assume that's what a player wants.

 

If I had to guess, which is really all I can do since I'm not in the front office, I would think Hendry talked to Hank about coming back and Hank probably told Hendry that he wanted to go somewhere he would have a chance to play more often.

 

That would make the most sense.

 

Or Blanco was just another victim of Hendry's obsession with "getting more left handed" this offseason.

[cubsfan26]

But if everything is equal, do you think he stays with the Cubs at 750k for 120 AB's, when he could go to another team for the same price for 200-250 AB's?

 

No way to know fur sure, but yeah... probably. I'd think getting to stay with a good team and one that you've been with the last 4 seasons over going to an awful team and a brand new clubhouse would be more be much more important than getting some extra PT.

 

Again, I don't know why you're assuming that a 37 year old backup catcher wants more playing time.... let alone wanting it bad enough to leave a great team/city (not to mention the friends he's made) for a crappy team that nobody cares about. Is being a catcher on 37 year old legs really that fun?

 

This just what I heard from a pretty good source. But only Blanco and Hendry know what happen for sure.

Edited February 17, 2009 by cubsfan26

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