why do old cubs succeed everywhere else?

[MustangMike]

From ESPN.com:

 

Clement has one more victory in 18 starts for Boston than he did in 30 for the Chicago Cubs last season. He signed a $25 million, three-year free agent contract with the Red Sox.

 

 

This really irks me...why does it seem everyone that moves on does so well, but we sign a name and they get hurt, play down to below career averages? I always liked Clement, can someone explain to me again why we didn't pay him instead of Maddux...I haven't wrapped my mind around that one.

[erik316wttn]

From ESPN.com:

 

Clement has one more victory in 18 starts for Boston than he did in 30 for the Chicago Cubs last season. He signed a $25 million, three-year free agent contract with the Red Sox.

 

 

This really irks me...why does it seem everyone that moves on does so well, but we sign a name and they get hurt, play down to below career averages? I always liked Clement, can someone explain to me again why we didn't pay him instead of Maddux...I haven't wrapped my mind around that one.

 

Um, possilby because we already had Maddux under contract?

[johnnyba99]

I wouldn't say Clement is any better than he was when with the Cubs. His ERA and WHIP are nearly identical. He has more wins because the Red Sox are better than the Cubs. Now, why did we let him go? Good question. It really wasn't a choice between Maddux and Clement, as Maddux was already signed through this year. I agree that we should've kept Clement, I thought that when he left and still do. I believe he said he loved Chicago and would've stayed for less money, but Hendry had no interest.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

I always wanted to keep Clement here too. And I predicted he'd have an all star season wherever he ended up. He's just that good and we never gave him any run support. But the Cubs were banking on Wood and Prior being healthy, and the young arms to fill in the 5 spot. They didn't think they needed Clement. Plus, he was going to get a lot of money wherever he went, and the Cubs didn't think they could match that. THe payroll is high enough. I don't like their decision, but we all have to live with it. I hope Clement turns it on even more and grabs himself a Cy Young this year though. :shock:

[TB_11]

His numbers are very similar to last year - he's just getting great run support now. Reports have said that he feels more comfortable in the AL, since he doesn't have to bat and run, which affects his asthma.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

I remember last year when there was all that talk about him being traded for Nomar. Then the day the Nomar deal was announced, all that was said in the locker room was, "We got Nomar". I guess Clement assumed that meant he was gone, and he was extremely pissed off. (Even through some stuff if I remember correctly) But when Dusty told him he was still a Cub, he hugged Dusty and was on the verge of tears. He loved Chicago, and it's a shame we had to let him go.

[MustangMike]

From ESPN.com:

 

Clement has one more victory in 18 starts for Boston than he did in 30 for the Chicago Cubs last season. He signed a $25 million, three-year free agent contract with the Red Sox.

 

 

This really irks me...why does it seem everyone that moves on does so well, but we sign a name and they get hurt, play down to below career averages? I always liked Clement, can someone explain to me again why we didn't pay him instead of Maddux...I haven't wrapped my mind around that one.

 

Um, possilby because we already had Maddux under contract?

 

Thanks for you sarcastic remark, I really appeciate your input. If you would take the time to address the question which is why not pay Clement when they chose to pay Maddux.

[MustangMike]

His numbers are very similar to last year - he's just getting great run support now. Reports have said that he feels more comfortable in the AL, since he doesn't have to bat and run, which affects his asthma.

 

Very good point with the DH rule, he doesn't have to bat therefore helping his asthma...didn' think of that. And the run support doesn't hurt. I definitly wasn't saying Clement didn't succeed in Chicago, I loved him as a cubs pitcher and I think most fans did as well. I remember his swing though, I don't know how many times he had to "run the bases". ;)

[MustangMike]

I always wanted to keep Clement here too. And I predicted he'd have an all star season wherever he ended up. He's just that good and we never gave him any run support. But the Cubs were banking on Wood and Prior being healthy, and the young arms to fill in the 5 spot. They didn't think they needed Clement. Plus, he was going to get a lot of money wherever he went, and the Cubs didn't think they could match that. THe payroll is high enough. I don't like their decision, but we all have to live with it. I hope Clement turns it on even more and grabs himself a Cy Young this year though. :shock:

 

 

With what Zambrano and Prior are going to earn, and what Wood already steals from the cubs every year, I guess you couldn't pay clement as well and not have a yankee-esque budget. I can understand that point. I still think that giving Clement a contract at 8/million per for 2 years and never signing Maddux could have been done though. Maybe he takes the money, maybe not though if he really wanted to stay. Water under the bridge I know, but I just read that article and couldn't help but feel bothered by it.

[BigbadB]

Clement is the same pitcher he was last year. Look at Clement's ERA last year and then look at his record. The thing that is wrong is the Cubs lack of offense hurt Clement's standing as a free agent. There is no way he should have been a type "B" free agent. We should have received more compensation for him.

 

I knew Clement had to go. Could you imagine giving Clement 7/8m to continue pitching for the Cubs. That would have meant no Burnitz in RF. The outfield this year would probably then be Dubois, Hollandsworth and Patterson.

 

I wish Clement the best of luck in Boston. The biggest shame is that we were not appropriately compensated for his loss.

[Cubzfan64]

I'll echo the sentiments here that Matt hasn't changed much (he still gets in trouble with walks now and then, but he HAS cut down on those this year). The difference is the team that surrounds him.

 

I do wonder now and then what affect a solid catcher like Varitek can do to help a guy too. I've never heard Barrett lauded for anything he brings to the "game calling" or "handling pitchers" aspect of his game and to tell you the truth, that bothers me a bit.

 

Keep in mind too, there are plenty of other ex-Cubs who've fallen apart once they leave Chicago, they just don't stick in your mind like the guys who went on to excel.

[MustangMike]

Keep in mind too, there are plenty of other ex-Cubs who've fallen apart once they leave Chicago, they just don't stick in your mind like the guys who went on to excel.

 

This is true, but I don't care about them! I don't personally get too mad about guys like Dontrelle since he was a minor league guy and flordia did their homework and we got the guys we needed at the time for a run. However I know Clement and Maddux were on the same team, but I would have given the Maddux money to Clement and you'd still have the same team with a young guy like Mitre, Hill, Williams, someone else in the 5th slot.

[erik316wttn]

From ESPN.com:

 

Clement has one more victory in 18 starts for Boston than he did in 30 for the Chicago Cubs last season. He signed a $25 million, three-year free agent contract with the Red Sox.

 

 

This really irks me...why does it seem everyone that moves on does so well, but we sign a name and they get hurt, play down to below career averages? I always liked Clement, can someone explain to me again why we didn't pay him instead of Maddux...I haven't wrapped my mind around that one.

 

Um, possilby because we already had Maddux under contract?

 

Thanks for you sarcastic remark, I really appeciate your input. If you would take the time to address the question which is why not pay Clement when they chose to pay Maddux.

 

I would have loved them to, I've have loved to keep the same rotation from last year, but like someone else said, I guess they didn't think they needed him or could afford him.

[ZZ Thorn]

I was extremely ticked when they signed Maddux, cuz then the writing was on the wall for Clement.

 

He seems like a real nice guy, so I'm glad he's doing so well.

 

I think everyone does better when they leave the Cubs is cuz they're leaving the Cubs, you know, the most loser franchise in baseball, so they have nowhere to go but up.

[cubs dane]

I was extremely ticked when they signed Maddux, cuz then the writing was on the wall for Clement.

 

He seems like a real nice guy, so I'm glad he's doing so well.

 

I think everyone does better when they leave the Cubs is cuz they're leaving the Cubs, you know, the most loser franchise in baseball, so they have nowhere to go but up.

 

Wait a minute. ZZ, aren't you Mister Optimism when it comes to the Cubs, Et tu Brute!!!

[Cubzfan64]

Keep in mind too, there are plenty of other ex-Cubs who've fallen apart once they leave Chicago, they just don't stick in your mind like the guys who went on to excel.

 

This is true, but I don't care about them! I don't personally get too mad about guys like Dontrelle since he was a minor league guy and flordia did their homework and we got the guys we needed at the time for a run. However I know Clement and Maddux were on the same team, but I would have given the Maddux money to Clement and you'd still have the same team with a young guy like Mitre, Hill, Williams, someone else in the 5th slot.

 

My comment was in reference to the title of your post and this comment you made This really irks me...why does it seem everyone that moves on does so well

 

If you're basically just unhappy about Clement leaving and doing well, then your thread title is misleading.

[DCDiehard]

On this topic. I wonder if anyone knows.

 

Why was Steve Stone a mediocre with the Cubs, then have some good years with the White Sox and then -- won 25 games and a Cy Young award with the Orioles.

 

Did he ever say on the air? :?:

[BigbadB]

On this topic. I wonder if anyone knows.

 

Why was Steve Stone a mediocre with the Cubs, then have some good years with the White Sox and then -- won 25 games and a Cy Young award with the Orioles.

 

Did he ever say on the air? :?:

 

Yeah, he has stated the reason. He basically threw curve ball after curve ball the year he won 25 games. It essentially ruined his arm and the rest of his career.

[ZZ Thorn]

I was extremely ticked when they signed Maddux, cuz then the writing was on the wall for Clement.

 

He seems like a real nice guy, so I'm glad he's doing so well.

 

I think everyone does better when they leave the Cubs is cuz they're leaving the Cubs, you know, the most loser franchise in baseball, so they have nowhere to go but up.

 

Wait a minute. ZZ, aren't you Mister Optimism when it comes to the Cubs, Et tu Brute!!!

 

LOL, I am an optimist, but that's about today's game and tomorrow's. But the past is pretty clear - the Cubs are the laughingstock of MLB, have been for decades. We're a cultural touchstone synonymous with 'loser.'

 

But I like our chances this year (although this is diminshing rapidly.)!

[MustangMike]

Keep in mind too, there are plenty of other ex-Cubs who've fallen apart once they leave Chicago, they just don't stick in your mind like the guys who went on to excel.

 

This is true, but I don't care about them! I don't personally get too mad about guys like Dontrelle since he was a minor league guy and flordia did their homework and we got the guys we needed at the time for a run. However I know Clement and Maddux were on the same team, but I would have given the Maddux money to Clement and you'd still have the same team with a young guy like Mitre, Hill, Williams, someone else in the 5th slot.

 

My comment was in reference to the title of your post and this comment you made This really irks me...why does it seem everyone that moves on does so well

 

If you're basically just unhappy about Clement leaving and doing well, then your thread title is misleading.

 

It was an attempt at humor, sorry it didn't hit the mark.

[Cubzfan64]

Keep in mind too, there are plenty of other ex-Cubs who've fallen apart once they leave Chicago, they just don't stick in your mind like the guys who went on to excel.

 

This is true, but I don't care about them! I don't personally get too mad about guys like Dontrelle since he was a minor league guy and flordia did their homework and we got the guys we needed at the time for a run. However I know Clement and Maddux were on the same team, but I would have given the Maddux money to Clement and you'd still have the same team with a young guy like Mitre, Hill, Williams, someone else in the 5th slot.

 

My comment was in reference to the title of your post and this comment you made This really irks me...why does it seem everyone that moves on does so well

 

If you're basically just unhappy about Clement leaving and doing well, then your thread title is misleading.

 

It was an attempt at humor, sorry it didn't hit the mark.

 

Heh - np, I'm disgusted enough with this season so far that I miss alot of humorous comments.