Matt Capps Released, Signs With Nationals

[jersey cubs fan]

Curious what all the folks applauding Neal Huntington in the Grabow thread think about this move.

 

His arbitration price is going to be skewed by the "closer label" so it makes perfect sense for a small market team (or any team) not to pay extra for a reliever just because his numbers are accompanied by save totals.

[Post Count Padder]

SATURDAY, 7:13pm: Capps confirmed to ESPN Radio Chicago today that he has had preliminary discussions with the Cubs about joining the club.

[Clem Fandango]

SATURDAY, 7:13pm: Capps confirmed to ESPN Radio Chicago today that he has had preliminary discussions with the Cubs about joining the club.

 

Sorta bumping this cause it looks like it has gotten a little neglected. I like the idea of adding him, I just hope Hendry hasn't gone completely coconuts and gives him a top of the line deal. The price he'll be paid I think will determine whether or not it's a good move to add him, but it sounds like this could happen sometime in the near future.

[Keener98]

SATURDAY, 7:13pm: Capps confirmed to ESPN Radio Chicago today that he has had preliminary discussions with the Cubs about joining the club.

 

Sorta bumping this cause it looks like it has gotten a little neglected. I like the idea of adding him, I just hope Hendry hasn't gone completely coconuts and gives him a top of the line deal. The price he'll be paid I think will determine whether or not it's a good move to add him, but it sounds like this could happen sometime in the near future.

 

I fully expect the money saved from trading Bradley, to be turned into Capps. Then we will in turn sign Podsednik on the cheap to be our CF. UGH

[Gingerballs Lives]

I still can't get over how much cash we gave Grabow.

 

Cubs offseason key acquisitions:

Matt Capps, Scott Podsednik, Carlos Silva

 

Key loses:

Rich Harden, Milton Bradley

 

 

LOL.

[chuckywang]

One of my friend's cousin went to college with Josh Sharpless. As he was waiting for Josh Sharpless to exit the locker room after a Pirates / Cubs game at Wrigley, the first person to exit the locker room was Matt Capps by himself. Without acknowledging anybody or signing any autographs, he immediately walked across the street into the nearest bar.

[Post Count Padder]

One of my friend's cousin went to college with Josh Sharpless. As he was waiting for Josh Sharpless to exit the locker room after a Pirates / Cubs game at Wrigley, the first person to exit the locker room was Matt Capps by himself. Without acknowledging anybody or signing any autographs, he immediately walked across the street into the nearest bar.

Well if I played for the Pirates I'd want a drink as soon as the game was over, too.

[Neuby]

Capps wants a multi year deal and he wants to close.

Danny Baez,Chad Bradford, Kiko Calero, Dotel, Escobar,Herges, are cheaper, one year options i would rather gamble on then overpay again for multiple years.

[BCVM22]

Without acknowledging anybody or signing any autographs, he immediately walked across the street into the nearest bar.

 

Was he heard singing anything while in the bar?

[Cubswin11]

One of my friend's cousin went to college with Josh Sharpless. As he was waiting for Josh Sharpless to exit the locker room after a Pirates / Cubs game at Wrigley, the first person to exit the locker room was Matt Capps by himself. Without acknowledging anybody or signing any autographs, he immediately walked across the street into the nearest bar.

Who the [expletive] would be waiting outside the Pirates locker room at Wrigley wanting a Matt [expletive] Capps autograph? When players are on the road they probably don't acknowledge anyone when leaving the locker room, unless they have people they know are waiting for them or someone approaches them.

[RedFlash]

Capps wants a multi year deal and he wants to close.

Danny Baez,Chad Bradford, Kiko Calero, Dotel, Escobar,Herges, are cheaper, one year options i would rather gamble on then overpay again for multiple years.

 

But he also said he wants to play for a contender and is willing to accept a set-up role. So right now, Capps is prolly deciding between being a set-up man (defacto closer on days when Marmol is either ineffective, or needs a break) with the Cubs or closing for the Nationals. My opinion is the Nats are likely another 90-95 loss team in 10 which would make saves come at a premium and thus Capps may not get the value as a closer for 2011.

 

My guess is it wouldn't surprise me if Capps signs with either the Cubs or the Phillies. Phillies are said to be needing another bullpen arm, and with injuries to both Lidge and Romero there is opportunity to close if for a short while in Phil. I expect both Byrd and Capps to have their deals done very early next week (regardless if it's the Cubs or not) so they can enjoy the XMas.

[haubrich91]

I like the move if it happens...this makes our bullpen pretty good. I just hope Hendry doesn't overpay like he has in the past.

[A New Era]

My guess is it wouldn't surprise me if Capps signs with either the Cubs or the Phillies. Phillies are said to be needing another bullpen arm, and with injuries to both Lidge and Romero there is opportunity to close if for a short while in Phil.

 

If I were Capps and I wanted to play for a contender. And the Phills were interested. I'd choose the Phills over the Cubs in a heartbeat.

[RedFlash]

My guess is it wouldn't surprise me if Capps signs with either the Cubs or the Phillies. Phillies are said to be needing another bullpen arm, and with injuries to both Lidge and Romero there is opportunity to close if for a short while in Phil.

 

If I were Capps and I wanted to play for a contender. And the Phills were interested. I'd choose the Phills over the Cubs in a heartbeat.

 

Same here, but Capps seems to be more interested in the Cubs and/or Phillies don't seem at all interested in Capps.

[Tedward]

From Rotoworld

 

According to MLB.com's Bill Ladson, free agent reliever Matt Capps intends to choose between offers from the Cubs and Nationals by Wednesday night.

 

The Nats can offer Capps a shot at closing duties and the Cubs can not, but Washington is far from contention in the NL East. We'll see what his priorities are. The 26-year-old had a disappointing 2009 season but boasts a 3.61 career ERA and has issued only 50 walks in 271 2/3 career innings. Dec. 22 - 11:57 am et

[inari]

I can't imagine that we don't end up with Capps when those are his alternatives.

[soapy]

sigh...

[Southpaw191679666239]

This may bode well for me in regards to tickets if Capps signs here. Well... I'd have to shore up my connections, but let's just say "I know a guy".

 

 

 

Who in turn, knows a guy who pitched with Capps in the Pirates organization. :)

[Shilzzz]

Hey man great story. You should tell it at parties.

[cubsfan26]

So he's either gonna be the Nationals closer or Cubs set up guy? The reason why I believe these two teams are the finalist is probably because they are offering the most money or are some of the higher bidders. I heard Capps wife loves Chicago and really wants him to sign here. Either way I will be surprised if he signs for less then 2y at 7 or 8m. So I'm not so sure that it would be a great idea to sign him at that salary.

[soapy]

You can see where this is headed already. Hendry will feel the need to out-bid the Nationals. Gah...

[davell]

I'm fine with Capps honestly. But not BOTH Capps and Grabow. Assuming Capps gets 4 per year or so, that's 7.5 mill shelled out for relievers. Which seems to me would have been much better spent on Hudson anyway.

 

Capps fits us much better than Grabow though, if Marmol struggles at closer, he's a solid guy to have as a backup.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I heard Capps likes pizza but not that thin stuff

[Guancous]

This signing would make more sense if our upper minors weren't so stocked with bullpen arms. The Nationals need anyone who can break 80 mph. Their front office would be foolish to not sign Capps.

 

That said, I live in DC and the Nationals front office isn't renowned for their sensemaking.

[fromthestretch]

This signing would make more sense if our upper minors weren't so stocked with bullpen arms. The Nationals need anyone who can break 80 mph. Their front office would be foolish to not sign Capps.

 

That said, I live in DC and the Nationals front office isn't renowned for their sensemaking.

 

The Nationals are a team that should spend some on their bullpen. A stronger bullpen and solid defense could make life a lot easier on their young starting pitchers.

 

I'm really hoping Rizzo can make this team somewhat respectable. The only thing I like about them being lousy is that it's easy to get tickets.