Cubs sign Scott Baker to 1 year deal

[jersey cubs fan]

I don't see this one as a flip at the deadline. I see this deal as an audition where if Baker pitches well the Cubs extend him. Given how unlikely it is that a guy coming off TJS is going to pitch well in the 1st half, that's the impression I get.

I highly doubt that. You think we'll give a 32 year-old with his injury history an extension?

 

I don't think giving him 2-3 years after this year would be all that unrealistic. I mean it's unrealistic to expect him to pitch particularly well before the trade deadline coming off his surgery, so banking on that to make him a worthwhile trade target doesn't make much sense.

 

Considering they will most likely be in the same boat, money to burn and many holes to fill in the rotation, I would agree. If it's just a clean 1 year deal with no option that will make things difficult. You would assume the player would like a full healthy season to perform before hitting free agency. But if you lay the groundwork now maybe you can get a more team friendly extension before he actually hit free agency. There's a chance he will show enough by July to draw trade interest, but that's probably not a great chance.

[davell]

Like the move, wish there was a 2nd year, think we'll add 2 more SP.

[davell]

Is there a timetable for him to be ready to face ML hitters? If I recall correctly, he had TJS in April or May.

 

 

Also, this marks my first post on NSBB. Here's a :hello: for the standing ovation from all of you.

Welcome in. He's likely to be cutting it close, in being ready for the beginning of the season. They could hold him in Iowa rehabbing, until late May possibly.

[Guest]

Well, there's the rehabbing SP to tandem with Vizcaino. Still need two more.

[SouthSideRyan]

To elaborate on my "[expletive] you." That's an ok deal, but it's a troubling sign about how many seasons we're going to punt.

 

I tend to think, as of now, that 2015 is probably the most realistic year to begin to make a push. The short of it is, barring some surprises, there just aren't many pieces that we are going to add to the core of Castro/Rizzo in the next year or two. At best, it feels like maybe an piece or two will develop into capable starters, but there just isn't much that we are adding to the core to build around. Thankfully, Castro/Rizzo are young enough that we can take that time. Most of our prime prospects are a few years away, and it's not like we have a ton of assets to bring in a lot of upper level, closer to ready quality talent.

 

I'm not enthused about it. I can understand it, and I'm okay "punting" 2013. I don't know if the general fan base can take 3 years of horrid play, though.

 

to "begin to make a push," [expletive] kill me.

[mookie]

I like this deal. It's a smart move, and while I agree about an option, there is still time to extend him if all parties dig the vibe being brought to the table.

[sneakypower]

to "begin to make a push," [expletive] kill me.

you've got to give it time, Josh Vitters is still young, remember

[pitchcs]

I'm a fan.

 

A huge plus of this is Baker doesn't walk anybody. 770/224 career K/BB

[jersey cubs fan]

"Scott Baker is a pitch-maker," baseball President Theo Epstein said.

 

The signing was negotiated at the GM meetings last week in Palm Springs. Epstein said Baker is "in my opinion an underrated pitcher and someone who has a consistent track record of success."

 

Baker said he's on a timetable to be ready the first week of the 2013 season and wants to start going at the beginning of spring training.

 

"If things go perfectly, he should be stretched out to five-six innings by that first week of the season," Epstein said. "But we're going to use good judgment every step of the way. It's not as important whether it's Opening Day or 10 days into the season as it is that he comes back healthy."

 

He doesn't worry about being flipped at the trade deadline, as the Cubs did with Paul Maholm after signing him to a similar short-term deal one year ago.

 

"That's kind of a far stretch, in my opinion," Baker said, pointing to the fact he's coming off an injury.

 

The Cubs haven't hidden their long-term strategy of trading veteran pitching for prospects, though Epstein said that's not what they're thinking on this signing. Epstein even spoke of the possibility of making it a "longer-term relationship down the road" if Baker performs as well as they believe he can.

"First of all, we hope our season goes better than that and we're not in that position," he said. "We're realistic. If we're out of it, we're trying to build a healthy organization (and) we are going to flip some players. But we don't necessarily flip them all. If you have somebody who's a good fit on and off the field, you can look to extend them."

[Guest]

"Scott Baker is a pitch-maker," baseball President Theo Epstein said.

 

The signing was negotiated at the GM meetings last week in Palm Springs. Epstein said Baker is "in my opinion an underrated pitcher and someone who has a consistent track record of success."

 

Baker said he's on a timetable to be ready the first week of the 2013 season and wants to start going at the beginning of spring training.

 

"If things go perfectly, he should be stretched out to five-six innings by that first week of the season," Epstein said. "But we're going to use good judgment every step of the way. It's not as important whether it's Opening Day or 10 days into the season as it is that he comes back healthy."

 

He doesn't worry about being flipped at the trade deadline, as the Cubs did with Paul Maholm after signing him to a similar short-term deal one year ago.

 

"That's kind of a far stretch, in my opinion," Baker said, pointing to the fact he's coming off an injury.

 

The Cubs haven't hidden their long-term strategy of trading veteran pitching for prospects, though Epstein said that's not what they're thinking on this signing. Epstein even spoke of the possibility of making it a "longer-term relationship down the road" if Baker performs as well as they believe he can.

"First of all, we hope our season goes better than that and we're not in that position," he said. "We're realistic. If we're out of it, we're trying to build a healthy organization (and) we are going to flip some players. But we don't necessarily flip them all. If you have somebody who's a good fit on and off the field, you can look to extend them."

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-chicago-cubs-scott-baker-20121113,0,2325931.story

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I'm a fan.

 

A huge plus of this is Baker doesn't walk anybody. 770/224 career K/BB

 

That's what I like. We talked and talked about controlling the strike zone, but a lot of these cheap pitching options we're going after seemed to walk the world.

[XZero771679666304]

I'm a fan.

 

A huge plus of this is Baker doesn't walk anybody. 770/224 career K/BB

 

That's what I like. We talked and talked about controlling the strike zone, but a lot of these cheap pitching options we're going after seemed to walk the world.

 

That they'd overlook BB a bit on a pitcher they don't intend to keep beyond the next trade deadline (say a potential signing like Liriano) doesn't scream hypocrisy to me. Now if they sign a pitcher with control issues to a 4-5 year deal, that'd be a different story.

[illiniguy]

To elaborate on my "[expletive] you." That's an ok deal, but it's a troubling sign about how many seasons we're going to punt.

 

I tend to think, as of now, that 2015 is probably the most realistic year to begin to make a push. The short of it is, barring some surprises, there just aren't many pieces that we are going to add to the core of Castro/Rizzo in the next year or two. At best, it feels like maybe an piece or two will develop into capable starters, but there just isn't much that we are adding to the core to build around. Thankfully, Castro/Rizzo are young enough that we can take that time. Most of our prime prospects are a few years away, and it's not like we have a ton of assets to bring in a lot of upper level, closer to ready quality talent.

 

I'm not enthused about it. I can understand it, and I'm okay "punting" 2013. I don't know if the general fan base can take 3 years of horrid play, though.

 

we're at 3 years of pretty bad already.

Not under Theo and Jed. They can't be held responsible for the Hendry years.

[Sammy Sofa]

Not under Theo and Jed. They can't be held responsible for the Hendry years.

 

The point wasn't pointing blame so much as pointing out that we've sat through 3 straight years of crappy baseball already.

[illiniguy]

Not under Theo and Jed. They can't be held responsible for the Hendry years.

 

The point wasn't pointing blame so much as pointing out that we've sat through 3 straight years of crappy baseball already.

I understand that. Just think they are only operating under what they can do from when they took over. That said I think we will try to compete this year.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Not under Theo and Jed. They can't be held responsible for the Hendry years.

 

But they're getting to reap the benefits of the drafting that went with those years, so they don't get to ignore them either.

[Rob]

Nifty little move. With as many holes in the rotation as the Cubs have, I don't see how anybody could be upset about this one.

[sneakypower]

Not under Theo and Jed. They can't be held responsible for the Hendry years.

 

But they're getting to reap the benefits of the drafting that went with those years, so they don't get to ignore them either.

*looks at 2010 draft*

 

yeah, um, no

Edited November 14, 2012 by sneakypower

[Abe Frohman]

Personally, I was really surprised that Baker went to Oklahoma State as a pitcher. Scott was a very good hitter, and a great SS in HS. I'm going to be very interested to see how he hits. He can swing the bat. Not that it really matters. Glad to see this signing.

[Soul]

To elaborate on my "[expletive] you." That's an ok deal, but it's a troubling sign about how many seasons we're going to punt.

 

I tend to think, as of now, that 2015 is probably the most realistic year to begin to make a push.

 

I doubt even the great Theo survives 2 more full seasons of horrible, bottom-feeder baseball.

 

This team MUST compete.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Not under Theo and Jed. They can't be held responsible for the Hendry years.

 

But they're getting to reap the benefits of the drafting that went with those years, so they don't get to ignore them either.

*looks at 2010 draft*

 

yeah, um, no

 

The three years of bad were 2010, 2011 and 2012. Why would you look at the 2010 draft, which was the result of the not-that-bad 2009 season?

[sneakypower]

so they're getting to reap the benefits of their own good drafting?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

so they're getting to reap the benefits of their own good drafting?

 

They're getting to reap the benefits of the awesome 2011 draft (which looks a lot more awesome than it did last year at this time, I have to admit) and having the No. 6 overall pick.

[davell]

To elaborate on my "[expletive] you." That's an ok deal, but it's a troubling sign about how many seasons we're going to punt.

 

I tend to think, as of now, that 2015 is probably the most realistic year to begin to make a push.

 

I doubt even the great Theo survives 2 more full seasons of horrible, bottom-feeder baseball.

 

This team MUST compete.

While I think we'll likely be awful in 2013, almost decent in 2014 and really good in 2015 abd beyond, why do you think they must compete now? They're taking advantage of a starved fanbase thats extremely loyal. This couldn't be done in New York or Boston, but I think we'll stay above 2.5 mill attendance no matter what. It's not like we've got some rich tradition of winning. In the end, whether we win 65 or 76 games next year, is inconsequential.

[SouthSideRyan]

To elaborate on my "[expletive] you." That's an ok deal, but it's a troubling sign about how many seasons we're going to punt.

 

I tend to think, as of now, that 2015 is probably the most realistic year to begin to make a push.

 

I doubt even the great Theo survives 2 more full seasons of horrible, bottom-feeder baseball.

 

This team MUST compete.

While I think we'll likely be awful in 2013, almost decent in 2014 and really good in 2015 abd beyond, why do you think they must compete now? They're taking advantage of a starved fanbase thats extremely loyal. This couldn't be done in New York or Boston, but I think we'll stay above 2.5 mill attendance no matter what. It's not like we've got some rich tradition of winning. In the end, whether we win 65 or 76 games next year, is inconsequential.

If we win 65 gamesthis year we well not draw 2.5 in '14 without surprise contention. Id bet a lot on that. If their plan is who cares how bad we are the sheep will come then they weren't paying attention to the crowds the last 2 months of the year