Pujols signs with Angels pg 151

[Little Slide Rooter]

Brewers To Explore Extensions For Greinke, Marcum

By Luke Adams [November 16 at 11:40pm CST]

The Brewers expect to discuss potential extensions with starters Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum this winter, tweets Danny Knobler of CBS Sports. In a second tweet, Knobler adds that the Brew Crew could also explore a long-term deal for closer John Axford, among others.

 

Greinke and Marcum, both acquired by the Brewers in trades last offseason, will be eligible for free agency a year from now. Greinke is entering the final season of a four-year, $38MM contract, while Marcum is eligible for arbitration for the last time this winter. Axford, meanwhile, is still a year away from being arbitration-eligible.

 

If no extensions are worked out before the 2012 campaign begins, Greinke will earn $13.5MM, while MLBTR projects Marcum to earn approximately $6.8MM.

 

 

This might not seem like it belongs in this thread, but could it mean that the Brewers have un surprisingly officially been priced out on Fielder and Reyes?

 

They're reportedly now looking at cheaper SS options like Furcal and Barmes, which I'd originally speculated could mean that they're trying to scrape enough coin for Fielder, but it could also mean they're actually being smart and filling the need they've had all along.

 

I really don't see both Greinke and Marcum re signing, at least not this offseason, but definitely I could see one signing this offseason if they don't land Fielder or Reyes, which isn't looking likely and then signing Pena or Kotchman for 1B and a cheap SS and let McGehee and Gamel battle it out for 3rd.

[erik316wttn]

Brewers To Explore Extensions For Greinke, Marcum

By Luke Adams [November 16 at 11:40pm CST]

The Brewers expect to discuss potential extensions with starters Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum this winter, tweets Danny Knobler of CBS Sports. In a second tweet, Knobler adds that the Brew Crew could also explore a long-term deal for closer John Axford, among others.

 

Greinke and Marcum, both acquired by the Brewers in trades last offseason, will be eligible for free agency a year from now. Greinke is entering the final season of a four-year, $38MM contract, while Marcum is eligible for arbitration for the last time this winter. Axford, meanwhile, is still a year away from being arbitration-eligible.

 

If no extensions are worked out before the 2012 campaign begins, Greinke will earn $13.5MM, while MLBTR projects Marcum to earn approximately $6.8MM.

 

 

This might not seem like it belongs in this thread, but could it mean that the Brewers have un surprisingly officially been priced out on Fielder and Reyes?

 

They're reportedly now looking at cheaper SS options like Furcal and Barmes, which I'd originally speculated could mean that they're trying to scrape enough coin for Fielder, but it could also mean they're actually being smart and filling the need they've had all along.

 

I really don't see both Greinke and Marcum re signing, at least not this offseason, but definitely I could see one signing this offseason if they don't land Fielder or Reyes, which isn't looking likely and then signing Pena or Kotchman for 1B and a cheap SS and let McGehee and Gamel battle it out for 3rd.

 

I heard they contacted Jimmy Rollins' agent as well.

[Hollandsworths mug]

Levine weighs in on Prince following Sveum and I liked the comments from Jerry Hairston Jr.

 

 

"It was interesting to watch he and Prince work together," Hairston Jr. said. "It will not hurt the Cubs' chances of getting Prince, if that's what they want to do in the offseason. Their relationship is really tight. It's about trust, both Dale and Prince have had success together. That certainly does bond a relationship."

 

 

The smart money in baseball has Fielder ending up with the Washington Nationals.

 

"I know that they're pretty tight," Byrd said of Sveum and Fielder. "What could be better than to get Prince here in Chicago? I don't know what Theo and Jed's plan is. Trying to bring in a great player like Prince, and knowing the relationship Sveum, has with him, could be a leg up. But that’s not my call. I'm not the GM, I'm just a player."

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/7231/will-sveum-bring-fielder-with-him

[sneakypower]

Washington going after Fielder as opposed to say, Jose Reyes, would make absolutely no sense at all

[Guest]

“We know what we want. Now it’s a question of continuing some of those conversations to a conclusion.”

 

Hoyer wouldn’t speak about whether or not the Cubs have interest in Fielder, but said he’d help any club.

 

“He’s a great player,” Hoyer said. “He provides a ton of production and that goes without saying. Dale [sveum] has great respect for him. As for whether we will be involved, we can’t comment. But I think he fits anyone’s team, especially anyone that needs a first baseman.”

 

Hoyer would be a real dick to put that last sentence out there if they had no intention of going after him. :-)

[Vinestal]

Twitter:

George ofman (@georgeofman)

11/18/11 9:09 PM

Prince Fielder might fit one of the Cubs needs, but he doesn't fit their budget. If this was two years later......

 

Apparently he doesn't have a good understanding of our budget.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Twitter:

George ofman (@georgeofman)

11/18/11 9:09 PM

Prince Fielder might fit one of the Cubs needs, but he doesn't fit their budget. If this was two years later......

 

Apparently he doesn't have a good understanding of our budget.

 

There are lot of media guys who seem to think that we're a lot more cash strapped than we are. We really only have 2 big contracts going right now, 1 of which will be up after this year. Ricketts even said that they have the money to spend on the right guy. Even if they were short on money, which they arent they could do some mild backloading.

[toonsterwu]

Washington going after Fielder as opposed to say, Jose Reyes, would make absolutely no sense at all

 

Debatable. I kept saying awhile ago to not rule out Fielder and the Nats. They reportedly like Espinosa long run at short, and have Desmond/Lombardozzi/Rendon to fit in the middle infield (it's possible Zimmerman moves to first and opens up 3rd for Rendon as well). Moving on a middle of the order bat makes sense, although I don't know if they can fit Fielder/SP unless they move some money (which is doable, DFA or trade Lannan/Gorzelanny and then look to shop LaRoche). Now, a top of the order bat should be a higher priority, but if they like their MI options, they may pursue a CF instead (but the Twins wanted Storen for Span, and they weren't willing to do that).

 

The Lerners want to win ... and win soon. With Philly aging, the Nats may see an opening.

 

________

 

I keep wondering why a lot of the media is suggesting the Cubs won't pursue a big ticket signing. Makes me wonder if there's some leaks that they've been getting from the front office. There seem to be a lot of folks that are suggesting that the Cubs won't push.

Edited November 19, 2011 by toonsterwu

[Little Slide Rooter]

Washington going after Fielder as opposed to say, Jose Reyes, would make absolutely no sense at all

 

Debatable. I kept saying awhile ago to not rule out Fielder and the Nats. They reportedly like Espinosa long run at short, and have Desmond/Lombardozzi/Rendon to fit in the middle infield (it's possible Zimmerman moves to first and opens up 3rd for Rendon as well). Moving on a middle of the order bat makes sense, although I don't know if they can fit Fielder/SP unless they move some money (which is doable, DFA or trade Lannan/Gorzelanny and then look to shop LaRoche). Now, a top of the order bat should be a higher priority, but if they like their MI options, they may pursue a CF instead (but the Twins wanted Storen for Span, and they weren't willing to do that).

 

The Lerners want to win ... and win soon. With Philly aging, the Nats may see an opening.

 

True, but Atlanta and Miami feel the same way. Could be an interesting shift of power in that divison in the next few years.

[toonsterwu]

Washington going after Fielder as opposed to say, Jose Reyes, would make absolutely no sense at all

 

Debatable. I kept saying awhile ago to not rule out Fielder and the Nats. They reportedly like Espinosa long run at short, and have Desmond/Lombardozzi/Rendon to fit in the middle infield (it's possible Zimmerman moves to first and opens up 3rd for Rendon as well). Moving on a middle of the order bat makes sense, although I don't know if they can fit Fielder/SP unless they move some money (which is doable, DFA or trade Lannan/Gorzelanny and then look to shop LaRoche). Now, a top of the order bat should be a higher priority, but if they like their MI options, they may pursue a CF instead (but the Twins wanted Storen for Span, and they weren't willing to do that).

 

The Lerners want to win ... and win soon. With Philly aging, the Nats may see an opening.

 

True, but Atlanta and Miami feel the same way. Could be an interesting shift of power in that divison in the next few years.

 

Assuming the Lerners are willing to keep payroll high, which is debatable considering attendance hasn't been great, the Nats are as well positioned as the Braves. System is strong, albeit not as strong as the Nats, but they have elite chips. The rotation looks good in the short term and the long run, the lineup has the big bats in the middle, and the pen looks good. The Braves will always have some payroll restrictions with current ownership, and I'm in a wait and see mode on the Marlins.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I'm not disagreeing, I'm saying that it will be a very competitve division. The Phillies will likely manage to keep in the thick of it as well. As for The Mets...it could be a loooong decade.

[Bull]

Twitter:

George ofman (@georgeofman)

11/18/11 9:09 PM

Prince Fielder might fit one of the Cubs needs, but he doesn't fit their budget. If this was two years later......

 

Apparently he doesn't have a good understanding of our budget.

 

There are lot of media guys who seem to think that we're a lot more cash strapped than we are. We really only have 2 big contracts going right now, 1 of which will be up after this year. Ricketts even said that they have the money to spend on the right guy. Even if they were short on money, which they arent they could do some mild backloading.

 

nothing wrong with appearing cash strapped so Boras can't use you to raise the price tag on every free agent.

[Pushfrog98]

I must have slept right through Alberts press conference. So how much discount did Stl get?

[davell]

It's going to take us an entire offseason just to figure out which reporter, if any, has good contacts within the organization, with the new group.

[Guest]

It does seem weird that so many media people think the Cubs having nothing of significance to spend. Maybe they are confusing being competitive as a team in 2012 with being competitive for the most attractive free agents this offseason.

 

The Cubs just went out and built an amazing front office. Do these same people think that Ricketts could lure all of these guys to Chicago with the intent of only opening up his wallet to fill up the roster rather than the vault?

 

There is no appearance at all of this new Chicago team half-assing it, so I don't really understand this thought process that they won't do anything significant this offseason. If they don't do something significant, it will ONLY be because Theo doesn't like the options available or the cost. It's already pretty obvious to me that they like Fielder a lot, though.

 

I personally prefer the showing of casual interest to keep the cost down, rather than Hendry's panting and pawing all over Soriano to get him to sign on the dotted line, regardless of the cost.

[Little Slide Rooter]

It does seem weird that so many media people think the Cubs having nothing of significance to spend. Maybe they are confusing being competitive as a team in 2012 with being competitive for the most attractive free agents this offseason.

 

The Cubs just went out and built an amazing front office. Do these same people think that Ricketts could lure all of these guys to Chicago with the intent of only opening up his wallet to fill up the roster rather than the vault?

 

There is no appearance at all of this new Chicago team half-assing it, so I don't really understand this thought process that they won't do anything significant this offseason. If they don't do something significant, it will ONLY be because Theo doesn't like the options available or the cost. It's already pretty obvious to me that they like Fielder a lot, though.

 

I personally prefer the showing of casual interest to keep the cost down, rather than Hendry's panting and pawing all over Soriano to get him to sign on the dotted line, regardless of the cost.

 

I can understand wanting to be cautious and building for the future, but Fielder and Pujols arent your average free agents, especially Pujols and are the type of guys who can make an immediate impact, and definitely great cornerstones for a building process. Especially considering that the recent trend seems to be teams locking up their young stars for as long as possible.

[davearm2]

I can understand wanting to be cautious and building for the future, but Fielder and Pujols arent your average free agents, especially Pujols and are the type of guys who can make an immediate impact, and definitely great cornerstones for a building process. Especially considering that the recent trend seems to be teams locking up their young stars for as long as possible.

Fielder, I don't think is the sort of elite talent he's made out to be. Just look at his WAR numbers.

 

Pujols absolutely is elite. Probably the definition of elite, actually.

 

The issue is, the risk ($$$ and years) is just as extreme as the reward (talent).

[Sammy Sofa]

dave, should the Cubs ever sign someone like Fielder?

[davell]

If anything, I could see Theo wanting to get a better grasp of his new organization before spending huge on a single player. Not saying this is going to happen, but I think it's understandable, if it happens. Spend a year building up the system and having even more money fall off next year. In the end though, I think we'll add ONE big ticket guy this offseason.

[Sammy Sofa]

Why would he need more time to realize the Cubs have gaping holes both at 1B and in the middle of their order?

[davell]

Why would he need more time to realize the Cubs have gaping holes both at 1B and in the middle of their order?

He doesn't. But there IS a chance anyway that he's not sold on Pujols or Fielder. There's not a bigtime 1B FA next offseason, but a team can be built without a huge bat at 1B. I'm just saying there's a chance he will wait and build in a different way. That said, if you held a gun to my head, I'd tell you I expect us to sign Fielder this offseason, especially after the hiring of Sveum.

[Sammy Sofa]

By why would they wait to "build in a different way?" Signing someone like Pujols or Fielder doesn't prevent them from improving the team down the line, be it through trade, the draft or FA.

[bukie]

The major flaw in the "wait until they're ready to contend to sign a Fielder/Pujols-caliber free agent" is that having a Fielder/Pujols-caliber free agent available is a once in a decade opportunity.

[Sammy Sofa]

The major flaw in the "wait until they're ready to contend to sign a Fielder/Pujols-caliber free agent" is that having a Fielder/Pujols-caliber free agent available is a once in a decade opportunity.

 

Well, Pujols is. Fielder, as good as he is, isn't really all that rare a player.

[davell]

By why would they wait to "build in a different way?" Signing someone like Pujols or Fielder doesn't prevent them from improving the team down the line, be it through trade, the draft or FA.

All I'm saying is IF Theo doesn't like Fielder or Pujols for whatever reason, he could go a different route at 1B and get 1B production from a more unconventional position. No idea who and I don't expect it to happen either, but it is a possibility, if we don't land one of the 1B this offseason. Like I said, I expect one big ticket signing and Prince seems like the best fit to me.