Cubs sign Jason Hammel, 2/20 w/ 3rd year option

[RynoRules]

I certainly hope TT is correct...but I am skeptical. As I stated in the other thread, if I am Lester it would be hard to turn down the Giants.

[RynoRules]

And no one is going to be happy if Hammel is the best SP they acquire, so it'd be neat if we could leave that strawman alone until at least that scenario comes to pass.

 

 

http://images.sodahead.com/polls/003940023/5237187557_flyingpig_xlarge.jpeg

[neely crenshaw]

Outside of his 12 game stint with the Giants Peavy has looked a whole lot like Edwin Jackson over the last few seasons I just can't see a scenario that we're better with Peavy over Hammel, especially considering what the difference in cost would likely be. It really doesn't matter either way unless we sign or trade for a TOR guy.

[Deeg]

Outside of his 12 game stint with the Giants Peavy has looked a whole lot like Edwin Jackson over the last few seasons I just can't see a scenario that we're better with Peavy over Hammel, especially considering what the difference in cost would likely be. It really doesn't matter either way unless we sign or trade for a TOR guy.

 

I'm not sure there's going to be any difference in cost, but at the same dollars I'd prefer Hammel.

[Guest]

I don't get the fatalism about things if the Cubs don't sign or trade for "an ace". The Cubs could easily be a better team in 2015 by adding McCarthy and Anderson instead of Lester (in combination with another starter like Hammel). That definitely pushes Wada into the swing role vacated by Villanueva. It either pushes a trade of Wood or a competition between Hendricks and Wood for the last spot in the rotation. The WAR you lose in the difference between Lester and McCarthy could easily be made up for by Anderson vs the guys at the back end of the rotation.

 

I'm still all for signing Lester if we can, but it isn't like all hope is lost if we don't.

[SouthSideRyan]

I don't get the fatalism about things if the Cubs don't sign or trade for "an ace". The Cubs could easily be a better team in 2015 by adding McCarthy and Anderson instead of Lester (in combination with another starter like Hammel). That definitely pushes Wada into the swing role vacated by Villanueva. It either pushes a trade of Wood or a competition between Hendricks and Wood for the last spot in the rotation. The WAR you lose in the difference between Lester and McCarthy could easily be made up for by Anderson vs the guys at the back end of the rotation.

 

I'm still all for signing Lester if we can, but it isn't like all hope is lost if we don't.

 

I mean, they could be better that way, but it's also possible they don't improve your team at all with them. Choi vs. Lee.

[Guest]

I don't get the fatalism about things if the Cubs don't sign or trade for "an ace". The Cubs could easily be a better team in 2015 by adding McCarthy and Anderson instead of Lester (in combination with another starter like Hammel). That definitely pushes Wada into the swing role vacated by Villanueva. It either pushes a trade of Wood or a competition between Hendricks and Wood for the last spot in the rotation. The WAR you lose in the difference between Lester and McCarthy could easily be made up for by Anderson vs the guys at the back end of the rotation.

 

I'm still all for signing Lester if we can, but it isn't like all hope is lost if we don't.

 

I mean, they could be better that way, but it's also possible they don't improve your team at all with them. Choi vs. Lee.

It isn't very similar to Choi vs Lee at all. We're talking about players with established levels of performance. We're also talking about pitchers who all have variance in year to year performance.

 

But whether we are better off one way or another isn't the point. The post was a response to people saying we're essentially hosed unless we get an "ace" level guy.

[Tyrant]

I don't get the fatalism about things if the Cubs don't sign or trade for "an ace". The Cubs could easily be a better team in 2015 by adding McCarthy and Anderson instead of Lester (in combination with another starter like Hammel). That definitely pushes Wada into the swing role vacated by Villanueva. It either pushes a trade of Wood or a competition between Hendricks and Wood for the last spot in the rotation. The WAR you lose in the difference between Lester and McCarthy could easily be made up for by Anderson vs the guys at the back end of the rotation.

 

I'm still all for signing Lester if we can, but it isn't like all hope is lost if we don't.

 

i just don't see the fascination with mccarthy. he's thrown more than 135 innings twice in a decade. he shouldn't be counted on for anything.

[Guest]

Mooney confirming the interest in Hammel, no other real details though: http://www.csnchicago.com/cubs/cubs-nearing-deal-bring-back-jason-hammel

[RammyFanny]

The Royals almost just won the World Series with a playoff rotation of Shields (who was awful), Ventura, Jason Vargas, and Jeremy Guthrie. I mean, I obviously want the best players, but it's not like having 3 aces is some prerequisite to winning a World Series or something, so I'm with Tim. Just get a lot of quality pitchers and things will work out fine. Or at least buy you more time.

[SouthSideRyan]

I don't get the fatalism about things if the Cubs don't sign or trade for "an ace". The Cubs could easily be a better team in 2015 by adding McCarthy and Anderson instead of Lester (in combination with another starter like Hammel). That definitely pushes Wada into the swing role vacated by Villanueva. It either pushes a trade of Wood or a competition between Hendricks and Wood for the last spot in the rotation. The WAR you lose in the difference between Lester and McCarthy could easily be made up for by Anderson vs the guys at the back end of the rotation.

 

I'm still all for signing Lester if we can, but it isn't like all hope is lost if we don't.

 

I mean, they could be better that way, but it's also possible they don't improve your team at all with them. Choi vs. Lee.

It isn't very similar to Choi vs Lee at all. We're talking about players with established levels of performance. We're also talking about pitchers who all have variance in year to year performance.

 

But whether we are better off one way or another isn't the point. The post was a response to people saying we're essentially hosed unless we get an "ace" level guy.

 

What is Brett Anderson's established level of performance? Guy who might be good if he can throw more than 22 innings?

[SouthSideRyan]

The Royals almost just won the World Series with a playoff rotation of Shields (who was awful), Ventura, Jason Vargas, and Jeremy Guthrie. I mean, I obviously want the best players, but it's not like having 3 aces is some prerequisite to winning a World Series or something, so I'm with Tim. Just get a lot of quality pitchers and things will work out fine. Or at least buy you more time.

 

And their offense sucked, so we don't need one of those either.

[Tyrant]

I don't get the fatalism about things if the Cubs don't sign or trade for "an ace". The Cubs could easily be a better team in 2015 by adding McCarthy and Anderson instead of Lester (in combination with another starter like Hammel). That definitely pushes Wada into the swing role vacated by Villanueva. It either pushes a trade of Wood or a competition between Hendricks and Wood for the last spot in the rotation. The WAR you lose in the difference between Lester and McCarthy could easily be made up for by Anderson vs the guys at the back end of the rotation.

 

I'm still all for signing Lester if we can, but it isn't like all hope is lost if we don't.

 

I mean, they could be better that way, but it's also possible they don't improve your team at all with them. Choi vs. Lee.

It isn't very similar to Choi vs Lee at all. We're talking about players with established levels of performance. We're also talking about pitchers who all have variance in year to year performance.

 

But whether we are better off one way or another isn't the point. The post was a response to people saying we're essentially hosed unless we get an "ace" level guy.

 

What is Brett Anderson's established level of performance? Guy who might be good if he can throw more than 22 innings?

 

well, if you combine mccarthy and anderson, you get probably half of a pretty okay starter.

[Elrhino]

If anything, this is probably good news in terms of the Lester pursuit.

 

I don't know about that. Giants and Red Sox are getting to make final pitches for the closing sell, and Cubs are moving on to contingency plans while Theo is publicly tampering free agent expectations.

 

I'm not going to be devastated if we're not the ones giving Lester 6/140, but just please spare me how we're going to make the big splash next season. Until Theo actually lands a free agent he covets, we should just assume it won't happen and we're going to be stuck convincing ourselves how Edwin Jackson for 4/52 is really just about as good as 5/80 or Anibal Sanchez.

[MWV]

Giants and Red Sox are getting to make final pitches for the closing sell, and Cubs are moving on to contingency plans while Theo is publicly tampering free agent expectations.

 

I don't think it is reasonable to assume that the Cubs are prioritizing Hammel over Lester. Front offices (especially those that effectively have two GMs) can do more than one thing at a time.

[RammyFanny]

If anything, this is probably good news in terms of the Lester pursuit.

 

I don't know about that. Giants and Red Sox are getting to make final pitches for the closing sell, and Cubs are moving on to contingency plans while Theo is publicly tampering free agent expectations.

 

I'm not going to be devastated if we're not the ones giving Lester 6/140, but just please spare me how we're going to make the big splash next season. Until Theo actually lands a free agent he covets, we should just assume it won't happen and we're going to be stuck convincing ourselves how Edwin Jackson for 4/52 is really just about as good as 5/80 or Anibal Sanchez.

Cafardo already said in his latest article the Cubs are meeting with his (Lester's) agents today and possibly again tomorrow

[Elrhino]

Giants and Red Sox are getting to make final pitches for the closing sell, and Cubs are moving on to contingency plans while Theo is publicly tampering free agent expectations.

 

I don't think it is reasonable to assume that the Cubs are prioritizing Hammel over Lester. Front offices (especially those that effectively have two GMs) can do more than one thing at a time.

 

 

Who said this has anything about prioritizing or allocating man hours to pursue Lester?

[Guest]

lol - this could also be the FO showing Lester they are serious about adding additional pieces this offseason.

[Butterscup1679666578]

all of Twitter saying it's done but no terms disclosed yet. It'd be really nice if Theo somehow worked out a 2 yr deal/third year option here.

[Butterscup1679666578]

i don't know anything about this guy but he's saying 2/18 w/club option

 

[Guest]

i don't know anything about this guy but he's saying 2/18 w/club option

 

That would be a nice deal.

[SouthSideRyan]

i don't know anything about this guy but he's saying 2/18 w/club option

 

 

He's the good 18 year old. That would be fantastic.

[Guest]

So it's more 'really good deal' than 'they really love Hammel' then. 2/20ish with a team option would be terrific.

[UMFan83]

How bad was he with Oakland? His ERA was only 4.26 but his FIP was 5.10. Home and Road splits were interesting. 2.43 ERA in Oakland and 5.76 ERA on the road....his 7 road starts were Texas (twice), Houston (twice), Atlanta, SF, Seattle, so mostly hitters parks.

 

Anyways, what production should we be expecting for $9 mil a year? Something inbetween what he did with the Cubs and what he did with Oakland?

[UK1679666180]

Joel Sherman is reporting it is a one year deal. I'm sure there's an option in there.