What will we spend our money on this offseason?

[Backtobanks]

Yeah, I don't think anyone had a doubt we'd make a run at him. Now get him.

 

From MLBTR:

 

Red Sox Preparing For Major Free Agent Spending

By Jeff Todd [september 11, 2014 at 1:09pm CDT]

 

Red Sox chairman Tom Werner said today in an appearance on WEEI’s Dennis & Callahan (via WEEI.com’s Jerry Spar) that his club is prepared to spend a significant amount of money on the upcoming free agent market. “[W]e are determined to get back to being in first next year,” said Werner.

 

Citing the “extreme flexibility” that the club was able to achieve in the famous 2012 August blockbuster with the Dodgers, Werner said that the organization is prepared to open the pocketbook this winter. “I wouldn’t say that we have limitless money, but we’ve got a lot of money to spend and we’re determined to go into the free agent market and improve the team.”

 

Indeed, after entering this year with about $156MM in MLB payroll, about $20MM off of the team’s 2012 high water mark, Boston has just under $106MM committed for 2015 and does not have any high-dollar arbitration cases to account for. But the team’s true flexibility is all the more evident looking further into the future: it has annual guarantees of no more than about $37MM on the books past next year.

[KingCubsFan]

Sounds promising but I'll refrain from excitement until he's on TV holding up a Cubs jersey.

 

I'll remain skeptical until he pitches his first game as a Cub.

 

I remain skeptical until he pitches the final pitch for the final out in game 7 of the World series in which the Cubs win.

 

Game 7? I want a cakewalk in 5 games, tops.

Complete with a Baez batflip and slow trot around the bases after a solo homerun to go up 10-2 in the clincher.

[d_money]

The Cubs sign Lester followed by a stud college starting pitcher in the draft...and were on the way

[Guest]

The Cubs sign Lester followed by a stud college starting pitcher in the draft...and were on the way

 

nope.

 

nope nope nope.

[d_money]

The Cubs sign Lester followed by a stud college starting pitcher in the draft...and were on the way

 

nope.

 

nope nope nope.

It seemed to work for the Cards (Wacha) and the Sox (Sale) for some examples - it's a possibility

[UK1679666180]

The Cubs sign Lester followed by a stud college starting pitcher in the draft...and were on the way

 

nope.

 

nope nope nope.

It seemed to work for the Cards (Wacha) and the Sox (Sale) for some examples - it's a possibility

 

I'm not one to say TINSTAAPP, but it would have to be their BPA on the board and fit into their draft strategy. If they follow a similar pattern as last year, it might have to be a safer pick with a smaller ceiling than someone who might command more money with a higher ceiling.

 

As much as they say Schwarber was the best bat in the draft, his lower contract demands played a key role as well.

[Guest]

Michael Wacha is dead

[mul21]

The Cubs sign Lester followed by a stud college starting pitcher in the draft...and were on the way

 

nope.

 

nope nope nope.

It seemed to work for the Cards (Wacha) and the Sox (Sale) for some examples - it's a possibility

 

I'm not one to say TINSTAAPP, but it would have to be their BPA on the board and fit into their draft strategy. If they follow a similar pattern as last year, it might have to be a safer pick with a smaller ceiling than someone who might command more money with a higher ceiling.

 

As much as they say Schwarber was the best bat in the draft, his lower contract demands played a key role as well.

 

I think this part of the strategy was 100% related to the fact that they thought they could get the high school arms they did in rounds 3-5 at the prices they did. If those guys weren't going to be in play, I don't think you necessarily see them making that pick.

[UK1679666180]

The Cubs sign Lester followed by a stud college starting pitcher in the draft...and were on the way

 

nope.

 

nope nope nope.

It seemed to work for the Cards (Wacha) and the Sox (Sale) for some examples - it's a possibility

 

I'm not one to say TINSTAAPP, but it would have to be their BPA on the board and fit into their draft strategy. If they follow a similar pattern as last year, it might have to be a safer pick with a smaller ceiling than someone who might command more money with a higher ceiling.

 

As much as they say Schwarber was the best bat in the draft, his lower contract demands played a key role as well.

 

I think this part of the strategy was 100% related to the fact that they thought they could get the high school arms they did in rounds 3-5 at the prices they did. If those guys weren't going to be in play, I don't think you necessarily see them making that pick.

 

Definitely, but I don't want them to exclude a BPA just to get some arms into the system. Their draft strategy will be determined in May just early speculation of how it will play out going on right now. They're currently into the Fall Ball collegiate scene followed by pre-season one on ones during the Winter to get early ideas for signability.

[d_money]

The Cubs sign Lester followed by a stud college starting pitcher in the draft...and were on the way

 

nope.

 

nope nope nope.

It seemed to work for the Cards (Wacha) and the Sox (Sale) for some examples - it's a possibility

 

I'm not one to say TINSTAAPP, but it would have to be their BPA on the board and fit into their draft strategy. If they follow a similar pattern as last year, it might have to be a safer pick with a smaller ceiling than someone who might command more money with a higher ceiling.

 

As much as they say Schwarber was the best bat in the draft, his lower contract demands played a key role as well.

But I would think their strategy would evolve from one year to the next as they are seeing players progress through the system.

 

All this being said, thank god Appel didn't fall to them. Last checked, he was having a hard time in A ball.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Yeah, I don't think anyone had a doubt we'd make a run at him. Now get him.

 

From MLBTR:

 

Red Sox Preparing For Major Free Agent Spending

By Jeff Todd [september 11, 2014 at 1:09pm CDT]

 

Red Sox chairman Tom Werner said today in an appearance on WEEI’s Dennis & Callahan (via WEEI.com’s Jerry Spar) that his club is prepared to spend a significant amount of money on the upcoming free agent market. “[W]e are determined to get back to being in first next year,” said Werner.

 

Citing the “extreme flexibility” that the club was able to achieve in the famous 2012 August blockbuster with the Dodgers, Werner said that the organization is prepared to open the pocketbook this winter. “I wouldn’t say that we have limitless money, but we’ve got a lot of money to spend and we’re determined to go into the free agent market and improve the team.”

 

Indeed, after entering this year with about $156MM in MLB payroll, about $20MM off of the team’s 2012 high water mark, Boston has just under $106MM committed for 2015 and does not have any high-dollar arbitration cases to account for. But the team’s true flexibility is all the more evident looking further into the future: it has annual guarantees of no more than about $37MM on the books past next year.

 

So wait, you're saying that we might not be the only team in the mix for pitching?

[Backtobanks]

Yeah, I don't think anyone had a doubt we'd make a run at him. Now get him.

 

From MLBTR:

 

Red Sox Preparing For Major Free Agent Spending

By Jeff Todd [september 11, 2014 at 1:09pm CDT]

 

Red Sox chairman Tom Werner said today in an appearance on WEEI’s Dennis & Callahan (via WEEI.com’s Jerry Spar) that his club is prepared to spend a significant amount of money on the upcoming free agent market. “[W]e are determined to get back to being in first next year,” said Werner.

 

Citing the “extreme flexibility” that the club was able to achieve in the famous 2012 August blockbuster with the Dodgers, Werner said that the organization is prepared to open the pocketbook this winter. “I wouldn’t say that we have limitless money, but we’ve got a lot of money to spend and we’re determined to go into the free agent market and improve the team.”

 

Indeed, after entering this year with about $156MM in MLB payroll, about $20MM off of the team’s 2012 high water mark, Boston has just under $106MM committed for 2015 and does not have any high-dollar arbitration cases to account for. But the team’s true flexibility is all the more evident looking further into the future: it has annual guarantees of no more than about $37MM on the books past next year.

 

So wait, you're saying that we might not be the only team in the mix for pitching?

 

Just pointing out that we're not the only ones with a lot of money to spend.

[RynoRules]

Rogers speculating we'd sign Jonny Gomes and Russell Martin. Apprarently he has a thing for heavily bearded veterans:

http://espn.go.com/chicago/

[Guest]

Below, an exhaustive list of reasons to sign Jonny Gomes this offseason:

[jersey cubs fan]

does it have something to do with the "need" of a veteran presence in the clubhouse?

[chopsx9]

Below, an exhaustive list of reasons to sign Jonny Gomes this offseason:

 

I'll add a couple...

[A New Era]

Below, an exhaustive list of reasons to sign Jonny Gomes this offseason:

 

Oh my God. You didn't have anything below. That was so funny. :clapping:

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

http://i.imgur.com/DGNXfIi.gif

[Sammy Sofa]

Below, an exhaustive list of reasons to sign Jonny Gomes this offseason:

 

Oh my God. You didn't have anything below. That was so funny. :clapping:

 

Sorry, was there some kind of bizarre comment/pun/joke about oddly shaped genitals that would have been more to your liking?

[Guest]

Below, an exhaustive list of reasons to sign Jonny Gomes this offseason:

 

Oh my God. You didn't have anything below. That was so funny. :clapping:

 

Sorry, was there some kind of bizarre comment/pun/joke about oddly shaped genitals that would have been more to your liking?

 

AHAHAHAHAHA omg im dying

[RynoRules]

Below, an exhaustive list of reasons to sign Jonny Gomes this offseason:

 

Our guys are too clean shaven. We need him.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Below, an exhaustive list of reasons to sign Jonny Gomes this offseason:

 

Our guys are too clean shaven. We need him.

they're not clean shaven, they just can't grow beards

[George Hayduke]

Below, an exhaustive list of reasons to sign Jonny Gomes this offseason:

 

Our guys are too clean shaven. We need him.

they're not clean shaven, they just can't grow beards

Hahaha!

[biittner77]

Below, an exhaustive list of reasons to sign Jonny Gomes this offseason:

 

Oh my God. You didn't have anything below. That was so funny. :clapping:

 

Fair enough. Here's a couple reasons to sign Gomes

 

1. Every other Cubs outfielder retires from baseball

2. someone's been looking at a list of all time Cubs' players and realized that there aren't that many players whose names start with G.

 

I don't get why the Cubs would go after a veteran OF who doesn't look to be appreciably better than the guys we already have.

[KrisBryantisaBeast]

I would much rather them sign Markakis instead of Gomes.