Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez Signs with the Phillies

[Guest]

This really doesn't have much to do with what you guys are talking about, but I'd like to point out again that Yoenis Céspedes is not really that good and I really don't care that we missed out on him.

 

4.6 fWar in 208 games so far. he's good.

[Bryants Disco Ball]

This really doesn't have much to do with what you guys are talking about, but I'd like to point out again that Yoenis Céspedes is not really that good and I really don't care that we missed out on him.

 

4.6 fWar in 208 games so far. he's good.

 

Congrats to Yoenis for having a good rookie season, considering most of that was earned in 2012.

 

He's now 27, can't get on base, is really a corner OF rather than a CF and is a free agent after two more seasons.

 

I don't care about him at all. Well, maybe a little, but not much.

[davell]

Dalier Hinojosa, another RHP, also cleared and eligible to sign. 27, throws in the 90's, has a slider and curve. Red Sox, Yanks, Dodgers, and us are linked to him.

[Sammy Sofa]

This really doesn't have much to do with what you guys are talking about, but I'd like to point out again that Yoenis Céspedes is not really that good and I really don't care that we missed out on him.

 

4.6 fWar in 208 games so far. he's good.

 

Congrats to Yoenis for having a good rookie season, considering most of that was earned in 2012.

 

He's now 27, can't get on base, is really a corner OF rather than a CF and is a free agent after two more seasons.

 

I don't care about him at all. Well, maybe a little, but not much.

 

He's got a 1.6 WAR so far this season. The Cubs missed out on a useful player who would have only cost them money.

[Bryants Disco Ball]

This really doesn't have much to do with what you guys are talking about, but I'd like to point out again that Yoenis Céspedes is not really that good and I really don't care that we missed out on him.

 

4.6 fWar in 208 games so far. he's good.

 

Congrats to Yoenis for having a good rookie season, considering most of that was earned in 2012.

 

He's now 27, can't get on base, is really a corner OF rather than a CF and is a free agent after two more seasons.

 

I don't care about him at all. Well, maybe a little, but not much.

 

He's got a 1.6 WAR so far this season. The Cubs missed out on a useful player who would have only cost them money.

 

I'm sure you are correct, but I keep seeing a WAR of 0.9 for this season.

 

That said, his label has now dropped to that of "useful" rather than star or superstar. I'm quite confident if he was on our team, people would be calling him a huge disappointment with his .225 batting average and .293 on base. I know this because they say that about a 23-year-old Anthony Rizzo who has better numbers.

 

Sorry, but Yoenis is just not that good. Useful? I guess. But useful doesn't make the baseball fan in me lose much sleep.

[Clem Fandango]

1.6 fWAR

0.9 bWAR

 

For comparison, Soriano, DeJesus, and Schierholtz all have a 0.9 bWAR or higher, but they all have less than 1.6 fWAR.

 

I would've liked Cespedes as much as the next guy, but I'm not lamenting his loss. B-R and FanGraphs have conflicting info. UZR rates him out as a ridiculously good defensive outfielder (9.6 UZR, 21.1 UZR/150). B-R's dWAR lists him as a smidge below average (-0.1).

 

Depending on who you pick determines how you value him this year. I'm apathetic about Cespedes at this point. The Cubs didn't screw up, they were screwed by his agent by not allowing them the opportunity to counter the A's offer.

[jersey cubs fan]

I'm sure you are correct, but I keep seeing a WAR of 0.9 for this season.

 

That said, his label has now dropped to that of "useful" rather than star or superstar. I'm quite confident if he was on our team, people would be calling him a huge disappointment with his .225 batting average and .293 on base. I know this because they say that about a 23-year-old Anthony Rizzo who has better numbers.

 

Sorry, but Yoenis is just not that good. Useful? I guess. But useful doesn't make the baseball fan in me lose much sleep.

 

There's a fairly large gulf between wanting more out of a guy and thinking he is a huge disappointment. And in addition to that, there's an entirely different world where one would be bummed that he is on the team. If Cespedes were here, people may want more, but they wouldn't be bummed he was here.

[Sammy Sofa]

This really doesn't have much to do with what you guys are talking about, but I'd like to point out again that Yoenis Céspedes is not really that good and I really don't care that we missed out on him.

 

4.6 fWar in 208 games so far. he's good.

 

Congrats to Yoenis for having a good rookie season, considering most of that was earned in 2012.

 

He's now 27, can't get on base, is really a corner OF rather than a CF and is a free agent after two more seasons.

 

I don't care about him at all. Well, maybe a little, but not much.

 

He's got a 1.6 WAR so far this season. The Cubs missed out on a useful player who would have only cost them money.

 

I'm sure you are correct, but I keep seeing a WAR of 0.9 for this season.

 

That said, his label has now dropped to that of "useful" rather than star or superstar. I'm quite confident if he was on our team, people would be calling him a huge disappointment with his .225 batting average and .293 on base. I know this because they say that about a 23-year-old Anthony Rizzo who has better numbers.

 

Sorry, but Yoenis is just not that good. Useful? I guess. But useful doesn't make the baseball fan in me lose much sleep.

 

0.9 is the BR number, 1.6 is the FG number. FG also has him already worth his salary this season, but take that for what it's worth.

 

I for one didn't think he was going to be a superstar off the bat (or was a lock to be one); most people seemed to think he'd take a bit of time to truly adjust, which was one of the main reasons the Cubs wanted him for 6 years instead of 4 (the serious potential for a big payday after 4 years being the other). The guy is never making more than $10.5 million a year, and it shouldn't be surprising if at all if he easily outperforms his contract. And it's not like it's an either/or between him and Rizzo; I'd much rather have both and the Cubs could have had both.

[Sammy Sofa]

The Cubs didn't screw up, they were screwed by his agent by not allowing them the opportunity to counter the A's offer.

 

Still think that story is nonsense. His agent would have to be one of the worst ever.

[davell]

Yeah, no clue what to believe anymore with our involvement on any of the IFA's. Hell, Keith Law mentioned recently that no one other than the Dodgers bid more than 10 mill for Puig.

[Guest]

We're still pining over Cespedes? It turns out he's a 3 win OF confined to LF, which makes him both well worth his contract and also completely replaceable in free agency for "only money" every offseason, to speak nothing of the extreme redundancy on the current roster. His presence should be lamented no more than that of Jason Grilli, who has actually been awesome in a role of need instead of a bit above average in a spot that the Cubs are not lacking in slightly above average players.

[Sammy Sofa]

CESPEDES WILL RULE US ALL. Get your damn logic out of here, TT; it cannot heal my broken heart.

[WrigleyField 22]

The Cubs didn't screw up, they were screwed by his agent by not allowing them the opportunity to counter the A's offer.

 

Still think that story is nonsense. His agent would have to be one of the worst ever.

Well they did have a big dispute, which was after the contract, so maybe that explains part of it, though I do find it highly unlikely. It's possible though.

 

It's probably far more likely both teams were in back and forth and the agent asked for a final offer from each. Cubs knew there was possibly a 4 year offer, but would only go 6 or 4+ arb. So it could be true they took the A's offer before showing it to the Cubs, but that the Cubs would have been well aware of the market based on previous negotiations and put in what they felt was their highest offer, which didn't budge on team control. He isn't the worst agent ever if he played the market and negotiated a bit, but then forced blind final offers to try and drive up the offers. It would be just a negotiating tactic.

 

Looking at his contract he is basically like a FA signing a 4 year deal. Other than Jackson and a couple other pitchers they've been involved in, it seems the Cubs are either targeting 1-2 year contracts, or contracts with long term control for young players. Cespedes contract doesn't fit the philosophy that's been laid out. If there are any other FA OF that signed 4 year deals and are producing, we should really equally lament those missed opportunities, as that's more where Cespedes fits as far as opportunities go.

[Bryants Disco Ball]

We're still pining over Cespedes? It turns out he's a 3 win OF confined to LF, which makes him both well worth his contract and also completely replaceable in free agency for "only money" every offseason, to speak nothing of the extreme redundancy on the current roster. His presence should be lamented no more than that of Jason Grilli, who has actually been awesome in a role of need instead of a bit above average in a spot that the Cubs are not lacking in slightly above average players.

 

Good post. I think everyone can agree with this, whether they like Cespedes or not.

[ctcf]

There's no way the Cubs sign this guy. He's going to LA.

[jersey cubs fan]

We're still pining over Cespedes? It turns out he's a 3 win OF confined to LF, which makes him both well worth his contract and also completely replaceable in free agency for "only money" every offseason, to speak nothing of the extreme redundancy on the current roster. His presence should be lamented no more than that of Jason Grilli, who has actually been awesome in a role of need instead of a bit above average in a spot that the Cubs are not lacking in slightly above average players.

 

He is not completely replaceable every offseason. Not to mention, his presence could have allowed this front office to put resources toward addressing other needs, so talking about "today's roster" is pointless.

[Guest]

We're still pining over Cespedes? It turns out he's a 3 win OF confined to LF, which makes him both well worth his contract and also completely replaceable in free agency for "only money" every offseason, to speak nothing of the extreme redundancy on the current roster. His presence should be lamented no more than that of Jason Grilli, who has actually been awesome in a role of need instead of a bit above average in a spot that the Cubs are not lacking in slightly above average players.

 

He is not completely replaceable every offseason. Not to mention, his presence could have allowed this front office to put resources toward addressing other needs, so talking about "today's roster" is pointless.

 

There are 3 win LF in free agency every year, several of them in most years.

 

Having Cespedes may have forced them to make other arrangements, but considering the nature of that redundancy(Soriano and his 3/54 contract), I have some significant doubts they could've done better than just spending Cespedes' money elsewhere.

[Clem Fandango]

Figured this might as well go here...

 

Cuban righty Dalier Hinojosa received clearance from the U.S. government and has been granted free agency by MLB, tweets MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez. Hinojosa defected from Cuba in February, establishing residency in Haiti, according to a source. The Cubs, Dodgers, Red Sox, and Yankees are among the teams that have shown interest in the 27-year-old, Sanchez wrote in June. Hinojosa is represented by Praver/Shapiro, MLBTR has learned, and he has already showcased his talents for teams.

 

Hinojosa throws in the low-to-mid 90s with a slider, curveball, two-seam fastball, and changeup, according to Sanchez. He starred with the Cuban national team, and is a former teammate of Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez. Gonzalez, who has also been cleared to sign with MLB teams, with throw three innings in front of scouts as part of a Thursday showcase in Tijuana, writes Sanchez. There is no limitation to the contracts these Cuban defectors may receive, because they are at least 23 years old and have played as a professional in a Cuban professional league for at least three seasons. For the 2014-15 international signing period, that minimum requirement will jump to five seasons.

 

The Cubs, Dodgers, Red Sox, and Yankees, huh? Get outta town.

[sneakypower]

There are 3 win LF in free agency every year, several of them in most years.

 

Having Cespedes may have forced them to make other arrangements, but considering the nature of that redundancy(Soriano and his 3/54 contract), I have some significant doubts they could've done better than just spending Cespedes' money elsewhere.

for the past calendar year, Cespedes has been worth 3.8 fWAR with a

95 R, 29 HR, 89 RBI, 15 SB & .265/.332/.475 and 120 wRC+ line

 

wRC+ over that same time-frame (300+ PA):

DeJesus - 107

Rizzo - 106

Soriano - 106

Castillo - 95

Valbuena - 91

Castro - 86

Barney - 65

 

it's probably fair to argue that Cespedes would be the best hitter on our team had we signed him; i'm pretty comfortable with terming him a miss

[Guest]

And when August 1 rolls around his last calendar year will look something like .245/.320/.440 for ~2.7 fWAR. Like I said, he's an above average player who will be worth the money paid to him, and if you slice the timeframe just right you can make him look even better than that. The overall point doesn't change though.

[Bryants Disco Ball]

There are 3 win LF in free agency every year, several of them in most years.

 

Having Cespedes may have forced them to make other arrangements, but considering the nature of that redundancy(Soriano and his 3/54 contract), I have some significant doubts they could've done better than just spending Cespedes' money elsewhere.

for the past calendar year, Cespedes has been worth 3.8 fWAR with a

95 R, 29 HR, 89 RBI, 15 SB & .265/.332/.475 and 120 wRC+ line

 

wRC+ over that same time-frame (300+ PA):

DeJesus - 107

Rizzo - 106

Soriano - 106

Castillo - 95

Valbuena - 91

Castro - 86

Barney - 65

 

it's probably fair to argue that Cespedes would be the best hitter on our team had we signed him; i'm pretty comfortable with terming him a miss

 

That's a tremendous way to screw with the numbers.

[jersey cubs fan]

And when August 1 rolls around his last calendar year will look something like .245/.320/.440 for ~2.7 fWAR. Like I said, he's an above average player who will be worth the money paid to him, and if you slice the timeframe just right you can make him look even better than that. The overall point doesn't change though.

 

That the Cubs don't have a need for above average 27 year olds?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

And when August 1 rolls around his last calendar year will look something like .245/.320/.440 for ~2.7 fWAR. Like I said, he's an above average player who will be worth the money paid to him, and if you slice the timeframe just right you can make him look even better than that. The overall point doesn't change though.

 

That the Cubs don't have a need for above average 27 year olds?

 

Not really in the outfield, they don't.

[Guest]

And when August 1 rolls around his last calendar year will look something like .245/.320/.440 for ~2.7 fWAR. Like I said, he's an above average player who will be worth the money paid to him, and if you slice the timeframe just right you can make him look even better than that. The overall point doesn't change though.

 

That the Cubs don't have a need for above average 27 year olds?

 

The Cubs don't need to be lamenting the loss of an above average left fielder as some huge missed opportunity. They had one then and now, and they are regularly available on the open market.

[jersey cubs fan]

And when August 1 rolls around his last calendar year will look something like .245/.320/.440 for ~2.7 fWAR. Like I said, he's an above average player who will be worth the money paid to him, and if you slice the timeframe just right you can make him look even better than that. The overall point doesn't change though.

 

That the Cubs don't have a need for above average 27 year olds?

 

The Cubs don't need to be lamenting the loss of an above average left fielder as some huge missed opportunity. They had one then and now, and they are regularly available on the open market.

 

The Cubs suck and have sucked for a long time. People who are perfectly happy with the team sucking don't need to be telling fans what above average players they do and do not need to be lamenting missing out on.