Letting Wood and Maddux Go..

[CubbieRich]

Maddux has served his purpose here. Now he's a .500 pitcher who makes $9 million and that's too rich for my blood. I know he has an 400 innings clause that has about 47 innings to vest. Considering he's averaging just over 6 innings per start, if he starts every 5th day he'll make it with his next to last start this year. I hope the Cubs come up with another solution and let him go. I think it's time to move on, Greg.

 

Wood will make $12 million next year and far too expensive for the Cubs-starter or reliever. I am hoping the Cubs trade his worthless arm in the off-season to someone who can be foolish enough to believe he is still a starter.

 

With the Sammy, Nomar, Wood, Remlinger and Maddux money freed up for next year(over $30 million), I see nothing that can't be replaced.

[HoopsCubs]

Maddux has served his purpose here. Now he's a .500 pitcher who makes $9 million and that's too rich for my blood. I know he has an 400 innings clause that has about 47 innings to vest. Considering he's averaging just over 6 innings per start, if he starts every 5th day he'll make it with his next to last start this year. I hope the Cubs come up with another solution and let him go. I think it's time to move on, Greg.

 

Wood will make $12 million next year and far too expensive for the Cubs-starter or reliever. I am hoping the Cubs trade his worthless arm in the off-season to someone who can be foolish enough to believe he is still a starter.

 

With the Sammy, Nomar, Wood, Remlinger and Maddux money freed up for next year(over $30 million), I see nothing that can't be replaced.

 

Both Wood and Maddux have no trade clauses, and if Maddux doesn't get the necessary innings for his auto vest, that will most likely mean the Cubs have failed in the wild card attempt.

 

By the way, it's a pretty poor free agent class, so don't be surprised if the Cubs operate on a $85-90M payroll in 2006, and that expand that to the $110M level in 2007.

[JC]

By the way, it's a pretty poor free agent class, so don't be surprised if the Cubs operate on a $85-90M payroll in 2006, and that expand that to the $110M level in 2007.

 

I hope you are right. If the Cubs spend just to spend available cash, they had better be on one year deals only. Don't get locked in with this ravel.

[badgercub]

Maddux has served his purpose here. Now he's a .500 pitcher who makes $9 million and that's too rich for my blood. I know he has an 400 innings clause that has about 47 innings to vest. Considering he's averaging just over 6 innings per start, if he starts every 5th day he'll make it with his next to last start this year. I hope the Cubs come up with another solution and let him go. I think it's time to move on, Greg.

 

Wood will make $12 million next year and far too expensive for the Cubs-starter or reliever. I am hoping the Cubs trade his worthless arm in the off-season to someone who can be foolish enough to believe he is still a starter.

 

With the Sammy, Nomar, Wood, Remlinger and Maddux money freed up for next year(over $30 million), I see nothing that can't be replaced.

 

Both Wood and Maddux have no trade clauses, and if Maddux doesn't get the necessary innings for his auto vest, that will most likely mean the Cubs have failed in the wild card attempt.

 

By the way, it's a pretty poor free agent class, so don't be surprised if the Cubs operate on a $85-90M payroll in 2006, and that expand that to the $110M level in 2007.

 

Hoops, with a weak free agent class, not wanting to see a repeat of what happened last year in the Rule V draft, can't you see Hendry possibly making a trade or two possibly this season, or in the offseason? When do you have to solidify the 40 man before the Rule V draft?

[TheDude]

Maddux has served his purpose here. Now he's a .500 pitcher who makes $9 million and that's too rich for my blood. I know he has an 400 innings clause that has about 47 innings to vest. Considering he's averaging just over 6 innings per start, if he starts every 5th day he'll make it with his next to last start this year. I hope the Cubs come up with another solution and let him go. I think it's time to move on, Greg.

 

Wood will make $12 million next year and far too expensive for the Cubs-starter or reliever. I am hoping the Cubs trade his worthless arm in the off-season to someone who can be foolish enough to believe he is still a starter.

This isn't going to happen. You take certain risks with long-term guaranteed contracts in baseball. It is a very classless move to dump a future hall-of-famer to avoid a vesting option.

 

And the Cubs new before signing Wood that he was an injury risk. The organization has to bite the bullet and work with him.

[CubfaninCA]

Maddux has served his purpose here. Now he's a .500 pitcher who makes $9 million and that's too rich for my blood. I know he has an 400 innings clause that has about 47 innings to vest. Considering he's averaging just over 6 innings per start, if he starts every 5th day he'll make it with his next to last start this year. I hope the Cubs come up with another solution and let him go. I think it's time to move on, Greg.

 

Wood will make $12 million next year and far too expensive for the Cubs-starter or reliever. I am hoping the Cubs trade his worthless arm in the off-season to someone who can be foolish enough to believe he is still a starter.

 

With the Sammy, Nomar, Wood, Remlinger and Maddux money freed up for next year(over $30 million), I see nothing that can't be replaced.

 

Both Wood and Maddux have no trade clauses, and if Maddux doesn't get the necessary innings for his auto vest, that will most likely mean the Cubs have failed in the wild card attempt.

 

By the way, it's a pretty poor free agent class, so don't be surprised if the Cubs operate on a $85-90M payroll in 2006, and that expand that to the $110M level in 2007.

 

My guess is that they bring back Nomaah and Lawton. Maybe bring back Nomah w/ another 1 year deal. Then go after Giles pretty hard, and perhaps a starting pitcher. I really can't see them moving Maddux, but I bet they try to deal Wood. Jmo but I think all this stuff about making him a reliever is a way to get him to waive his no trade clause.

[badger1679666666]

For the love of all things Holy, how the hell are they going to trade a guy with a no trade clause. This I want to see.

 

No matter how many times you claim he's worthless, HE'S GOING NOWHERE.

 

And If they don't pick him up at a lower cost after next year and he goes somewhere and becomes Roger Clemens, with a new bionic arm, I'm gonna personally come and hunt down everyone clamoring for his trade.

[UBlink]

For the love of all things Holy, how the hell are they going to trade a guy with a no trade clause. This I want to see.

 

.

 

Trading implies the other team wants him - and if, for example, they want him bad enough to extend his contract, he might be more than willing to waive his no-trade clause I'm not even sure which "him" we're talking about here, but the principal is the same - a player with a no-trade clause can be traded, but hes got to get something more out of the deal, which means the team trading him [the Cubs] will get less. And sometimes that means a deal won't get done. But that's not the same as saying a deal can't be done.

[10man]

Maddux should just do the classy thing and retire after this season.

He can still compete but not at a high level of play anymore.

[AlwaysaCub]

Maddux should just do the classy thing and retire after this season.

He can still compete but not at a high level of play anymore.

 

He could and someday will be a great pitching coach...

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Maddux should just do the classy thing and retire after this season.

He can still compete but not at a high level of play anymore.

 

That's one way to look at it(also the way I look at it). However, the casual fan could say "Hey, he's still able to pitch at a decent level(insert comment about wins here). He's stabbing us in the back by not honoring his contract."

[erik316wttn]

Maddux should just do the classy thing and retire after this season.

He can still compete but not at a high level of play anymore.

 

He could and someday will be a great pitching coach...

 

See, I don't know. It's a weird thing. Has any really awesome superstar player been able to make the successful transition to a manager or pitching/hitting coach? I know a few have tried, but it always seems to be the guys who had a cup of coffee in the majors or the guys who were the backup players that make the best coaches/managers.

[UBlink]

See, I don't know. It's a weird thing. Has any really awesome superstar player been able to make the successful transition to a manager or pitching/hitting coach? I know a few have tried, but it always seems to be the guys who had a cup of coffee in the majors or the guys who were the backup players that make the best coaches/managers.

 

Orel Hersheiser has done a pretty decent job, considering what he has to work with.

[Mad Ducks]

Maddux has served his purpose here. Now he's a .500 pitcher who makes $9 million and that's too rich for my blood. I know he has an 400 innings clause that has about 47 innings to vest. Considering he's averaging just over 6 innings per start, if he starts every 5th day he'll make it with his next to last start this year. I hope the Cubs come up with another solution and let him go. I think it's time to move on, Greg.

 

Wood will make $12 million next year and far too expensive for the Cubs-starter or reliever. I am hoping the Cubs trade his worthless arm in the off-season to someone who can be foolish enough to believe he is still a starter.

 

With the Sammy, Nomar, Wood, Remlinger and Maddux money freed up for next year(over $30 million), I see nothing that can't be replaced.

 

 

one example of why you don't get rid of Wood....Curt Schilling. He went through similar injuries for about three years with the phillies in the mid-90's. Everyone thought he would wash out as well....

[jjgman21]

Maddux should just do the classy thing and retire after this season.

He can still compete but not at a high level of play anymore.

 

He could and someday will be a great pitching coach...

 

See, I don't know. It's a weird thing. Has any really awesome superstar player been able to make the successful transition to a manager or pitching/hitting coach? I know a few have tried, but it always seems to be the guys who had a cup of coffee in the majors or the guys who were the backup players that make the best coaches/managers.

 

He's not a HOFer, but Joe Torre's done a decent job managing and was a great htter.

Frank Robinson is a HOFer, his managerial success could be debated

Felippe Alou was a very good player, and considered a great manager a couple years ago.

I think Scioscia made a few all-star games, and he has a managerial ring.

 

usually it is the marginal players that go on to managerial success, but there are plenty of good players that are/were able to transfer that knowledge.

[badger1679666666]

Maddux has served his purpose here. Now he's a .500 pitcher who makes $9 million and that's too rich for my blood. I know he has an 400 innings clause that has about 47 innings to vest. Considering he's averaging just over 6 innings per start, if he starts every 5th day he'll make it with his next to last start this year. I hope the Cubs come up with another solution and let him go. I think it's time to move on, Greg.

 

Wood will make $12 million next year and far too expensive for the Cubs-starter or reliever. I am hoping the Cubs trade his worthless arm in the off-season to someone who can be foolish enough to believe he is still a starter.

 

With the Sammy, Nomar, Wood, Remlinger and Maddux money freed up for next year(over $30 million), I see nothing that can't be replaced.

 

 

one example of why you don't get rid of Wood....Curt Schilling. He went through similar injuries for about three years with the phillies in the mid-90's. Everyone thought he would wash out as well....

 

[sarcasm]What the hell are you talking about. Wood sucks and is the Worst.Pitcher.Ever. I'd rather have Jeff Fassero starting than Wood. Get his bum-ass out of town, because he's worthless. Trade him, trade him, trade him, even for a bag of balls. [/sarcasm]

[CubfaninCA]

Maddux should just do the classy thing and retire after this season.

He can still compete but not at a high level of play anymore.

 

Can only hope so. Just give him a cozy front office job. Maddux is still decent, but not worth what he's paid. Williams and Hill can do what Maddux does for a lot less.

[UBlink]

Maddux should just do the classy thing and retire after this season.

He can still compete but not at a high level of play anymore.

 

Can only hope so. Just give him a cozy front office job. Maddux is still decent, but not worth what he's paid. Williams and Hill can do what Maddux does for a lot less.

 

Has Maddux done less than would have been expected when the Cubs offered him this contract? Overall, I think he has performed about as well as could have been expected, so he's held up his end of the bargain?

 

Do the Cubs now wish they hadn't offered him as much? Maybe, but that's not the point. They offered him a contract, he signed it, and he has lived up to reasonable expectations for his performance under the contract. The Cubs need to hold up their end as well.

[rawaction]

Larry Bird was a great coach.

[CubfaninCA]

Maddux should just do the classy thing and retire after this season.

He can still compete but not at a high level of play anymore.

 

Can only hope so. Just give him a cozy front office job. Maddux is still decent, but not worth what he's paid. Williams and Hill can do what Maddux does for a lot less.

 

Has Maddux done less than would have been expected when the Cubs offered him this contract? Overall, I think he has performed about as well as could have been expected, so he's held up his end of the bargain?

 

Do the Cubs now wish they hadn't offered him as much? Maybe, but that's not the point. They offered him a contract, he signed it, and he has lived up to reasonable expectations for his performance under the contract. The Cubs need to hold up their end as well.

 

A 4.67 ERA in the NL = not living up to his side of the deal. Jerome Williams can give the Cubs that at a quarter of the cost. Maddux has had a great career and should bow out gracefully. Hopefully, he can win it all in a Cub jersey this year.

[UBlink]

Maddux should just do the classy thing and retire after this season.

He can still compete but not at a high level of play anymore.

 

Can only hope so. Just give him a cozy front office job. Maddux is still decent, but not worth what he's paid. Williams and Hill can do what Maddux does for a lot less.

 

Has Maddux done less than would have been expected when the Cubs offered him this contract? Overall, I think he has performed about as well as could have been expected, so he's held up his end of the bargain?

 

Do the Cubs now wish they hadn't offered him as much? Maybe, but that's not the point. They offered him a contract, he signed it, and he has lived up to reasonable expectations for his performance under the contract. The Cubs need to hold up their end as well.

 

A 4.67 ERA in the NL = not living up to his side of the deal. Jerome Williams can give the Cubs that at a quarter of the cost. Maddux has had a great career and should bow out gracefully. Hopefully, he can win it all in a Cub jersey this year.

 

His last year in Atlanta he had a 3.96 ERA. What do you think would be a reasonable expectation would have been in 2003 for his performance 2 years later at age 39?

[CubfaninCA]

Maddux should just do the classy thing and retire after this season.

He can still compete but not at a high level of play anymore.

 

Can only hope so. Just give him a cozy front office job. Maddux is still decent, but not worth what he's paid. Williams and Hill can do what Maddux does for a lot less.

 

Has Maddux done less than would have been expected when the Cubs offered him this contract? Overall, I think he has performed about as well as could have been expected, so he's held up his end of the bargain?

 

Do the Cubs now wish they hadn't offered him as much? Maybe, but that's not the point. They offered him a contract, he signed it, and he has lived up to reasonable expectations for his performance under the contract. The Cubs need to hold up their end as well.

 

A 4.67 ERA in the NL = not living up to his side of the deal. Jerome Williams can give the Cubs that at a quarter of the cost. Maddux has had a great career and should bow out gracefully. Hopefully, he can win it all in a Cub jersey this year.

 

His last year in Atlanta he had a 3.96 ERA. What do you think would be a reasonable expectation would have been in 2003 for his performance 2 years later at age 39?

 

For what he make, 3.75. I don't care what he did at Atl.

[UBlink]

Maddux should just do the classy thing and retire after this season.

He can still compete but not at a high level of play anymore.

 

Can only hope so. Just give him a cozy front office job. Maddux is still decent, but not worth what he's paid. Williams and Hill can do what Maddux does for a lot less.

 

Has Maddux done less than would have been expected when the Cubs offered him this contract? Overall, I think he has performed about as well as could have been expected, so he's held up his end of the bargain?

 

Do the Cubs now wish they hadn't offered him as much? Maybe, but that's not the point. They offered him a contract, he signed it, and he has lived up to reasonable expectations for his performance under the contract. The Cubs need to hold up their end as well.

 

A 4.67 ERA in the NL = not living up to his side of the deal. Jerome Williams can give the Cubs that at a quarter of the cost. Maddux has had a great career and should bow out gracefully. Hopefully, he can win it all in a Cub jersey this year.

 

His last year in Atlanta he had a 3.96 ERA. What do you think would be a reasonable expectation would have been in 2003 for his performance 2 years later at age 39?

 

For what he make, 3.75. I don't care what he did at Atl.

 

I don't argue that that's what he should do. I'm saying when the Cubs signed him if they thought they were going to get 3 years at 3.75 then they have only themselves to blame. A reasonable expectation at that point would have been 4.20 in 2004, 4.40 in 2005 and 4.60 in 2006, with equal likelihoods of doing better or worse. In 2004 he was slightly better than that, this year he's slightly worse.

[Exile on Waveland]

Larry Bird was a great coach.

 

Did you mean to say "Larry Bird was great at watching Rick Carlisle coach?"

 

Go Hoosiers, by they way.

[neely crenshaw]

maddux should have 13-14 wins this year with any support. his era is high but if look closer he has been very good most starts. his era is product of the fact that when he was bad he was very,very bad with huge er stats. he has about 3 starts like that. the rest are all quality starts. i could handle a guy that pitches well about but 4-5 starts out of 30ish. he should once again win 15.

that being said i really am hoping that the cubs find a way to trade him to a contender. i am sure he would clear waivers. san diego would be ideal..petco would not give up cheap home runs. we could use the 9 mil to fill other necessary spots...especially if hill continues to show he can get it done.

wood needs to go. i hate to let him go BUT at 12 mil a year next season he is not worth the gamble. if we could get anyone to take him for anything we can easily sign someone to replace him that is more reliable and less expensive. carpenter and burnett would not cost 12 mil. if you think maddux is too expensive for what he gives then wood is way over priced at 12 mil. maddux and wood are 2 of my favorites. i do not want to screw maddux out of his option but we need to fins a way to move them both. 21 mil for next could go a long way towards filling holes in this team!