Offseason Rumors

[Bryants Disco Ball]

Was it something I said?

 

I mean, it's cool and all that the Rays have been able to do what they've done, but it shouldn't be something to aspire to when you're the [expletive] Cubs in mother [expletive] Chicago.

 

It is when you think the top end of free agency is a pool of guys that mostly have had their best years and you'll be paying them a ton of money for doing a lot of great things for his former team.

 

It's why I didn't want Albert Pujols. It's why I didn't want B.J. Upton. Josh Hamilton. It's why I don't want Robinson Cano.

 

The only guy I wanted the past two years was Prince Fielder. If you find me a superstar in his prime, go bonkers. I just don't know how many times it happens.

 

It's why I love second tier free agency. The one where a good front office can get quality guys for less years and a lot less money.

[Sammy Sofa]

Was it something I said?

 

I mean, it's cool and all that the Rays have been able to do what they've done, but it shouldn't be something to aspire to when you're the [expletive] Cubs in mother [expletive] Chicago.

 

It is when you think the top end of free agency is a pool of guys that mostly have had their best years and you'll be paying them a ton of money for doing a lot of great things for his former team.

 

It's why I didn't want Albert Pujols. It's why I didn't want B.J. Upton. Josh Hamilton. It's why I don't want Robinson Cano.

 

Upton was 28 going into this season. Pujols was 32 going into his first year with the Angels. Josh Hamilton turned 32 a month into his first season with the Angels.

 

Yeah, Upton had a monstrously bad year, but why are you lumping him in with Pujols and Hamilton as if he's an older player? Fielder was 28 his first year with Detroit.

 

And come on, the Cubs should be a team like the Dodgers or Phillies or Angels that can take the hit of 2-3 bum years in a big contract for a top tier player. Why would it be a bad thing if they could afford to do that?

[Sammy Sofa]

I mean, I want the Cubs to be able to use all avenues available to better their team. It makes no sense to me to say something like "I love second tier free agency" like it's better if they win that way or they should willfully avoid big contracts when they can afford them.

[Guest]

Was it something I said?

 

I mean, it's cool and all that the Rays have been able to do what they've done, but it shouldn't be something to aspire to when you're the [expletive] Cubs in mother [expletive] Chicago.

 

It is when you think the top end of free agency is a pool of guys that mostly have had their best years and you'll be paying them a ton of money for doing a lot of great things for his former team.

 

It's why I didn't want Albert Pujols. It's why I didn't want B.J. Upton. Josh Hamilton. It's why I don't want Robinson Cano.

 

The only guy I wanted the past two years was Prince Fielder. If you find me a superstar in his prime, go bonkers. I just don't know how many times it happens.

 

It's why I love second tier free agency. The one where a good front office can get quality guys for less years and a lot less money.

 

Why are you trying to save the owners' money? There's nowhere else to spend it. You're not going to max out this team's financial wherewithal by locking up young rookies.

[Bryants Disco Ball]

Was it something I said?

 

I mean, it's cool and all that the Rays have been able to do what they've done, but it shouldn't be something to aspire to when you're the [expletive] Cubs in mother [expletive] Chicago.

 

It is when you think the top end of free agency is a pool of guys that mostly have had their best years and you'll be paying them a ton of money for doing a lot of great things for his former team.

 

It's why I didn't want Albert Pujols. It's why I didn't want B.J. Upton. Josh Hamilton. It's why I don't want Robinson Cano.

 

Upton was 28 going into this season. Pujols was 32 going into his first year with the Angels. Josh Hamilton turned 32 a month into his first season with the Angels.

 

Yeah, Upton had a monstrously bad year, but why are you lumping him in with Pujols and Hamilton as if he's an older player? Fielder was 28 his first year with Detroit.

 

And come on, the Cubs should be a team like the Dodgers or Phillies or Angels that can take the hit of 2-3 bum years in a big contract for a top tier player. Why would it be a bad thing if they could afford to do that?

 

I shouldn't have lumped Upton in there, correct. It was more I didn't want him because he was way overpriced for how good he is and is being paid like he's a superstar. Or at least close to it.

 

If the Cubs were run like the Dodgers with that type of money - and, hey, I agree they should be able to - then why not? Who cares then?

 

But when you're not, I rather run my team like the Cardinals than the Phillies. Sign my own guys to contract extensions and make a few big splashes on guys who are 25-27 in age that I feel comfortable giving seven years and big money to. When they come around, of course. Which isn't that often.

[Bryants Disco Ball]

Was it something I said?

 

I mean, it's cool and all that the Rays have been able to do what they've done, but it shouldn't be something to aspire to when you're the [expletive] Cubs in mother [expletive] Chicago.

 

It is when you think the top end of free agency is a pool of guys that mostly have had their best years and you'll be paying them a ton of money for doing a lot of great things for his former team.

 

It's why I didn't want Albert Pujols. It's why I didn't want B.J. Upton. Josh Hamilton. It's why I don't want Robinson Cano.

 

The only guy I wanted the past two years was Prince Fielder. If you find me a superstar in his prime, go bonkers. I just don't know how many times it happens.

 

It's why I love second tier free agency. The one where a good front office can get quality guys for less years and a lot less money.

 

Why are you trying to save the owners' money? There's nowhere else to spend it. You're not going to max out this team's financial wherewithal by locking up young rookies.

 

Again, though, I have no problem signing a superstar to a big contract. It just has to fit in terms of age and productions.

 

When Bryce Harper and Mike Trout hit free agency at 25, yes, I will want the Cubs to go wild for them. Even 10 years. When Albert Pujols does at 31, not so much.

[Sammy Sofa]

Again, why would anyone rather run their team like one with financial limitations? I would rather run a team like the Cardinals, but with the Phillies' money.

[Bryants Disco Ball]

Again, why would anyone rather run their team like one with financial limitations? I would rather run a team like the Cardinals, but with the Phillies' money.

 

100 percent agree.

 

I wouldn't want to run it with financial limitations. But I don't believe I am being given that option. So, yes, I believe the Cubs should be able to spend $200 million per season (still wisely, of course) due to their market.

 

But for whatever reason, they are not being allowed to by ownership. So, if that is going to be the case, then I need the team to be run more like the Cardinals.

[davell]

Passing on Lincecum types at that money is smart. But if we overpay for Choo, Cano, Ellsbury, even McCann-I'm fine with it. Conceivably, as a large market team, especially one with as many cheap, cost controlled players as we're about to have....The back ends of those contracts shouldn't hurt us at all. And while this group may not look like total world beaters, it's just getting worse every year.

 

If our perceived window doesn't actually open up til 2016, a Cano at 33 is still likely to give 2-3 4+WAR seasons from that point forward. If his contract in 2019-2022 sucks complete ass, who cares? He's hopefully helped big time in a few of our contending years....

[Sammy Sofa]

Passing on Lincecum types at that money is smart.

 

I seriously doubt anyone here is sorry they "missed out" on Lincecum...the worry is that his deal is indicative of how much money is going to be tossed around.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Again, why would anyone rather run their team like one with financial limitations? I would rather run a team like the Cardinals, but with the Phillies' money.

 

Sounds like 2000s Boston.

[davell]

Passing on Lincecum types at that money is smart.

 

I seriously doubt anyone here is sorry they "missed out" on Lincecum...the worry is that his deal is indicative of how much money is going to be tossed around.

Well yeah. Every team just got a 25 mill bump. Yet the supposed most profitable team this past year appears to be using theirs to offset the revenue loss from attendance, that's basically the same number.(going off idea our payroll is staying around the same)

 

If that's the case, grab a star and make one good trade to cover that difference. Don't Hendry it away with a 3 mill backup C, a pair of 2.5 mill middle infielders, 2 mill on a righty hitting OFer, a 4 mill LOOGY, 8 mill for a closer, and 2 4 mill 6th starters....

[Sammy Sofa]

Man, I was so excited over that idea.

 

Theo probably was, too.

 

[expletive] Ricketts.

[davell]

By the way, I'm ready for PoorTomRicketts to confront NotTomRicketts.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Seriously, this is how it's going to be all offseason. Everybody needs to recalibrate their expectations for what FAs should get.

 

Sorry, I'm taking the under for 9 million being the new cost of a win based on this one deal. I don't doubt salary inflation, but I do doubt this deal as the new norm.

 

The worst part of this deal is that it probably pushes the Indians closer to giving Ubaldo the qualifying offer, if they were on the fence before.

 

I bet this isn't the last contract this year that pays $9m/win in some estimates.

[davell]

I know the consensus had been around 5 mill per win, but hasn't there recently been studies it's closer to 7? With the infusion of cash-I'm with Kyle. Think we'll see it raised again.

[SouthSideRyan]

Jesus Christ, get the new advertising up before the Cubs become the Rays also in how they have to nearly let everyone go.

It's not a matter of having to let him go. I don't see it as very likely we'll contend in 2014 and I'm not at all confident Shark is ever going to be more than he is right now. I'll take the very solid prospect package and the extra 15-20 mill he'll be getting in a few years to spend elsewhere.

 

To not spend elsewhere

 

I actually think we will use it to spend on signing some of the prospects to contract extensions (Yes, this is assuming some of them pan out), which is the plan I like better anyway. Free agency pretty much blows and is not the way I want to build a team.

 

So we lock up Baez and Bryant to 5/35 contracts, what do we do with the other money? You can only spend so much on Josh Johnson and Ryan Church

[pitchcs]

Remember when everyone on this board wanted BJ Upton? That was fuckin hilarious.

[Sammy Sofa]

Remember when everyone on this board wanted BJ Upton? That was [expletive] hilarious.

 

Why? BJ Upton was pretty [expletive] cool for 6 seasons prior to last year and was only 27 at the time.

[Bryants Disco Ball]

Jesus Christ, get the new advertising up before the Cubs become the Rays also in how they have to nearly let everyone go.

It's not a matter of having to let him go. I don't see it as very likely we'll contend in 2014 and I'm not at all confident Shark is ever going to be more than he is right now. I'll take the very solid prospect package and the extra 15-20 mill he'll be getting in a few years to spend elsewhere.

 

To not spend elsewhere

 

I actually think we will use it to spend on signing some of the prospects to contract extensions (Yes, this is assuming some of them pan out), which is the plan I like better anyway. Free agency pretty much blows and is not the way I want to build a team.

 

So we lock up Baez and Bryant to 5/35 contracts, what do we do with the other money? You can only spend so much on Josh Johnson and Ryan Church

 

Perhaps extend Ryan Sweeney for another five years?

 

But, yeah, I understand. Although, my dream would be to sign Baez and Bryant (if the real deals) to 10-year contracts. Only a dream, though.

[Bryants Disco Ball]

Remember when everyone on this board wanted BJ Upton? That was [expletive] hilarious.

 

Why? BJ Upton was pretty [expletive] cool for 6 seasons prior to last year and was only 27 at the time.

 

I know the numbers we all love seemed to favor him, but he just never felt worth the hype that comes with that type of contract.

[Sammy Sofa]

Remember when everyone on this board wanted BJ Upton? That was [expletive] hilarious.

 

Why? BJ Upton was pretty [expletive] cool for 6 seasons prior to last year and was only 27 at the time.

 

I know all the numbers we all love seemed to favor him, but he just never seemed to be worth all the hype that comes with that type of contract.

 

His contract seemed right in line with that he was producing.

 

Basically what happened is just something that's total hindsight; nobody thought he'd topple off of a cliff like this at 28 barring a major injury.

[Bryants Disco Ball]

Remember when everyone on this board wanted BJ Upton? That was [expletive] hilarious.

 

Why? BJ Upton was pretty [expletive] cool for 6 seasons prior to last year and was only 27 at the time.

 

I know all the numbers we all love seemed to favor him, but he just never seemed to be worth all the hype that comes with that type of contract.

 

His contract seemed right in line with that he was producing.

 

Basically what happened is just something that's total hindsight; nobody thought he'd topple off of a cliff like this at 28 barring a major injury.

 

It's probably because I'm obsessed with on-base percentage that I didn't want him and thought he was overhyped. I realize he brings other things to the table, but I just don't want a guy who has a hard time getting on base and has no way of contributing on offense when he's not getting a hit.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Which is higher:

 

Tanaka's posting fee + first two years of his contract

 

or

 

Cubs' 2014 MLB payroll

[SouthSideRyan]

Remember when everyone on this board wanted BJ Upton? That was [expletive] hilarious.

 

To be clear this post is coming from the guy who wanted Dayan Viciedo vomiting all over himself attempting to play the field in Wrigley's LF last year.

Edited October 23, 2013 by SouthSideRyan