Levine: Cubs eying Adrian Gonzalez

[MSG T]

And winning 88 games, the Wild Card and playing the Phillies in the first round is exponentially better than winning 76 games, missing the playoffs and seeing attendance drop to 2.4 mil. Don't forget, the Giants barely made the playoffs (winning 4 more games than 88). The Cardinals won the WS after winning 83 games in one of the worst divisions ever. Making the playoffs is the goal, once that occurs, anything can happen.

[Sammy Sofa]

And winning 88 games, the Wild Card and playing the Phillies in the first round is exponentially better than winning 76 games, missing the playoffs and seeing attendance drop to 2.4 mil. Don't forget, the Giants barely made the playoffs (winning 4 more games than 88). The Cardinals won the WS after winning 83 games in one of the worst divisions ever. Making the playoffs is the goal, once that occurs, anything can happen.

 

Even subtracting the "anything can happen" thinking, you'd still have a team that was competitive for the entire season and actually made the playoffs. That goes much further when it comes to selling merchandise and tickets the following season than a team that farts it's way weakly to the end of the season and was out f it in the summer.

[davell]

There have been quotes about payroll that differ quite a bit. Just depends on who said it and when. I've seen things talking about our payroll being 145 mill last year and it'll go slightly down from there. I've seen things about our payroll being 135 or so and it going down slightly from there.

 

The difference is the way people account for trades that happened. If opening day payroll was 145 they traded it down to 135, but since that was halfway through the year they actually spent around 138-140.

 

 

AZPhil has it that we spent 132.5 mill this past season. The key here and what we(and maybe AZPhil as well) don't know is how the Cubs front office accounts for signing bonuses.

 

In the end, what I'm hoping for, i suppose, is that assuming the reports are right and we are definitely going to lose some payroll off the major league roster, I at least hope it's put back into the farm. And in a perfect world, if we have 10-15 mill to spend on the major league club this offseason, it's spent smartly, because with a few breaks here and there, it's definitely POSSIBLE to contend in our division and as another guy just said, if you get there, anything CAN happen at least.

 

We're a major market team and one should not truly affect the other, if you ask me. The Red Sox(who we're supposed to be modeling ourselves after) spend big on both. Hopefully, we can contend this year, but if not, the idea is for Castro, Colvin, Cashner and some of the guys we have in AA to continue to grow and next year, when Aramis, Grabow, Fukudome, and Silva all come off the books after the season, we're in much better shape to add free agents again. Just hopefully, it will be done with more than a 2-3 year window in mind, ala this past time for Jimbo.

[UMFan83]

If the Red Sox and Yankees can have 2 of the better farm systems in baseball and both compete for a WS every year, the Cubs can do it. It doesn't need to be a mutually exclusive thing.

[dew1679666265]

If the Red Sox and Yankees can have 2 of the better farm systems in baseball and both compete for a WS every year, the Cubs can do it. It doesn't need to be a mutually exclusive thing.

 

I could be wrong, but I don't think the Yankees have one of the better farm systems in baseball. In fact, I think it's pretty mediocre.

[KingCubsFan]

Save the money for what? Even the 88 and out scenario you described would make the Cubs more money in the near future than just "saving it for the farm." Avoiding signing players 30 and up is pointlessly shortsighted. The key is signing the right players who are 30 and up.

Dunn would be a good signing, but if signing him and filling the rest of the holes on this team means we again go cheap on the draft and avoid bidding on the top international free agents, then I don't blame them for passing. As the past two teams have shown, spending more money than anyone else doesn't guarantee the playoffs. Even if we don't decrease the payroll, we'll still need a lot of luck to make the playoffs. Maximizing the major league payroll to the detriment of other parts of the organization is stupid given the current state of the team.

[Sammy Sofa]

They don't have to spend on much else if they go with Dunn.

[Backtobanks]

Let's not forget all of the speculation about trading Fukudome. Assuming they eat some of his contract, that might free up another $10 million for next year.

[Outshined_One]

If the Red Sox and Yankees can have 2 of the better farm systems in baseball and both compete for a WS every year, the Cubs can do it. It doesn't need to be a mutually exclusive thing.

 

I could be wrong, but I don't think the Yankees have one of the better farm systems in baseball. In fact, I think it's pretty mediocre.

 

They're above average based on the upside of some of their players, but they're currently lacking depth. Their farm system has improved in the past few years thanks to increased spending in the draft and their increased pursuit of big names in Latin America. They have one of the top prospects in the minors in C Jesus Montero along with a few more guys who'll get Top 100 consideration.

[Sammy Sofa]

Let's not forget all of the speculation about trading Fukudome. Assuming they eat some of his contract, that might free up another $10 million for next year.

 

And creating a hole.

[davell]

Levine had a chat today and was asked a bunch of questions about Gonzalez obviously, among other things. When asked what it'd take to get him, he mentioned the Cubs had enough WITHOUT giving up Castro or Brett Jackson. Obviously, Archer or McNutt would be a major piece and he also brought up Hak Ju Lee as a guy the Pads would want. Later on, he also mentioned Brandon Guyer as a trade possibility. When asked to name his top 3 choices as to who the Cubs 1st baseman would be in 2011, he responded with Colvin, Pena, and Gonzalez. In that order, but it wasn't clear as to whether or not HE had put them in a weighted order or not.

 

He also mentioned that the Cubs look at Pena as a guy they think will hit .250 at Wrigley with a bunch of homers and excellent defense.

 

Also, not necessarily thread related, he mentioned we would go after a Westbrook/Garland type of starting pitcher.

[SouthSideRyan]

 

Also, not necessarily thread related, he mentioned we would go after a Westbrook/Garland type of starting pitcher.

 

Of [expletive] course we are.

[jersey cubs fan]

 

Also, not necessarily thread related, he mentioned we would go after a Westbrook/Garland type of starting pitcher.

 

Of [expletive] course we are.

 

Hendry sees Lilly/Marquis part deux.

[dew1679666265]

If the Red Sox and Yankees can have 2 of the better farm systems in baseball and both compete for a WS every year, the Cubs can do it. It doesn't need to be a mutually exclusive thing.

 

I could be wrong, but I don't think the Yankees have one of the better farm systems in baseball. In fact, I think it's pretty mediocre.

 

They're above average based on the upside of some of their players, but they're currently lacking depth. Their farm system has improved in the past few years thanks to increased spending in the draft and their increased pursuit of big names in Latin America. They have one of the top prospects in the minors in C Jesus Montero along with a few more guys who'll get Top 100 consideration.

 

Thanks. I knew about Montero, but thought he was their only really high level prospect (top 100 worthy).

[davell]

 

Also, not necessarily thread related, he mentioned we would go after a Westbrook/Garland type of starting pitcher.

 

Of [expletive] course we are.

 

Hendry sees Lilly/Marquis part deux.

 

 

Yeah, I see ZERO reason to spend money on a starting pitcher, unless it's an ace. Not to mention the fact that I doubt either Garland or Westbrook will settle for a one year deal, making it even worse. On the same topic, he mentioned that the Cubs aren't sure of what they're going to do with Cashner yet, as they are divided in their thinking. They want him to throw his 2nd and 3rd pitches better, before they feel comfortable committing to him as a starter. That said, Levine acted like if he WAS in the pen this year and got his slider and change working better, he may still be a candidate to start in the future.

 

In other words, Levine just should have said this: As always, the Cubs will find a way to waste resources and in this year's organizational meetings, the wheel landed on starting pitching for this year's annual dump-a-thon........

[dew1679666265]

 

Also, not necessarily thread related, he mentioned we would go after a Westbrook/Garland type of starting pitcher.

 

Of [expletive] course we are.

 

Hendry sees Lilly/Marquis part deux.

 

If Rothschild can turn either into Lilly, I'd be fine with the signing. Westbrook seems like he might have that potential, Garland is probably more similar to Marquis.

 

I wouldn't be in favor of the signing, but I wouldn't hate it either.

[jersey cubs fan]

 

Also, not necessarily thread related, he mentioned we would go after a Westbrook/Garland type of starting pitcher.

 

Of [expletive] course we are.

 

Hendry sees Lilly/Marquis part deux.

 

If Rothschild can turn either into Lilly, I'd be fine with the signing. Westbrook seems like he might have that potential, Garland is probably more similar to Marquis.

 

I wouldn't be in favor of the signing, but I wouldn't hate it either.

 

I would. This team isn't going to get better by signing innings eaters. They need to score more runs first and foremost, and the only way they are going to improve the pitching is by getting a real stud, not more guys who are okay.

[Cubs Fan Dan]

I hope this is true and I would think the Cubs do have enough to complete the deal without including Jackson and Castro. Archer/Mcnutt, Guyer, Hak Ju Lee/Vitters two low level prospects would probably do it.

 

I would pull the trigger on anyone in the system not including Jackson/Castro is an extension would be possible. With Aram, Zambrano, Dempster, Fuk coming off payroll within the next 2 years I do not see how the Cubs could not afford a 6 yr 120 mil deal or something in that range. He would then be surrounded by younger inexpensive players like jackson, castro, colvin, dewitt etc....

[Backtobanks]

Let's not forget all of the speculation about trading Fukudome. Assuming they eat some of his contract, that might free up another $10 million for next year.

 

And creating a hole.

 

I'm not disagreeing with you, but putting Colvin in RF and signing a 4th OF would alleviate some money issues for a 1B.

[jersey cubs fan]

Let's not forget all of the speculation about trading Fukudome. Assuming they eat some of his contract, that might free up another $10 million for next year.

 

And creating a hole.

 

I'm not disagreeing with you, but putting Colvin in RF and signing a 4th OF would alleviate some money issues for a 1B.

 

And severely weaken the already soft OBP abilities of this team.

[treebird]

we have to play tyler colvin at first base instead of adam dunn so we can sign dumbass relievers and jon garland.

 

jesus christ

[Sammy Sofa]

Let's not forget all of the speculation about trading Fukudome. Assuming they eat some of his contract, that might free up another $10 million for next year.

 

And creating a hole.

 

I'm not disagreeing with you, but putting Colvin in RF and signing a 4th OF would alleviate some money issues for a 1B.

 

It downgrades the team too much. They shouldn't have to move Fukudome if they want to sign Dunn. They only have to move Fukudome if they want to sign Dunn AND make unnecessary pitcher signings.

[jersey cubs fan]

I really like the idea of Fukudome and Dunn in the same lineup. Two potential top ten guys in the area to go along with what should be solid numbers by Ramirez and Soto could make that a strength of the team. Let Colvin be the 4th OF he's almost certainly destined to be. All three spots are going to need the rest.

[Sammy Sofa]

Fukudome

Castro

Aramis

Dunn

Soto

Byrd

Soriano

DeWitt

 

Works for me.

[Northside Blues]

He also mentioned that the Cubs look at Pena as a guy they think will hit .250 at Wrigley with a bunch of homers and excellent defense.

 

I think Carlos Pena would be an excellent acquisition for the Cubs for two reasons. One would obviously be Carlos Pena being a solid hitter and decent defender whose fly ball tendencies would work well at Wrigley. Another would be that it would possibly signal a fundamental difference in the way that the Cubs evaluate hitters.

 

Also, not necessarily thread related, he mentioned we would go after a Westbrook/Garland type of starting pitcher.

 

After seeing what Larry Rothschild did with Silva, it would be interesting to see what he could do with another low walk/strikeout high ground ball starting pitcher. The Cubs really haven't had one in his time here other than Silva. Well Greg Maddux I guess. Maybe Sergio Mitre.