Bruce Levine Reporting that Remlinger Will be DFAd...

[HoopsCubs]

Just heard on ESPN AM 1000 (noon CDT).

 

Mike Remlinger will be Designated For Assignment later today to allow Scott Williamson to be put on the 40/25 roster.

 

I think it's fair to say we did not get $10.65M of value over the 3 years he was here.

 

 

Hoops

[E.J.]

Great move. It's good to see. Remmy definitely was a huge bust in Chicago. I'm not sad to see him go.

[soapy]

That's probably the right choice, but it still surprises me a little.

[wade]

Not only is he performing poorly, the move could be considered addition by subtraction with the coach not having him around to put in against left handed hitters.

[HoopsCubs]

That's probably the right choice, but it still surprises me a little.

 

Agreed. I think it is the right baseball move, but I'm still surprised Hendry is doing it. Then again, DFAing Borowski set the precedent.

Edited August 5, 2005 by HoopsCubs

[Bull]

This is a good sign. I liked remmy, but it's good to see that the organization can cut bait.

 

In fact, that's probably the fishing analogy that allowed Baker to come to terms with this decision.

Edited August 5, 2005 by Bull

[Tracer Bullet]

Any word on what the other moves will be?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Well, this means that Hairston isn't going on the 60-man. I wonder if this means they're hoping he'll be back for the playoffs if we make it.

[HoopsCubs]

Great move. It's good to see. Remmy definitely was a huge bust in Chicago. I'm not sad to see him go.

 

Think about it. Over the 2004 and 2005 seasons, the Cubs had invested close to $18M in Remlinger, Hawkins and Borowski. That amount would have paid for Jeff Kent. I know - it's not an apples to apples comparison.

[E.J.]

Great move. It's good to see. Remmy definitely was a huge bust in Chicago. I'm not sad to see him go.

 

Think about it. Over the 2004 and 2005 seasons, the Cubs had invested close to $18M in Remlinger, Hawkins and Borowski. That amount would have paid for Jeff Kent. I know - it's not an apples to apples comparison.

 

I'm sort of getting the idea that you wanted Hendry to sign Jeff Kent. :wink:

[soapy]

That's probably the right choice, but it still surprises me a little.

 

Agreed. I think it is the right baseball move, but I'm still surprised Hendry is doing it. Then again, DFAing Borowski set the precedent.

 

Good point.

[wade]

Great move. It's good to see. Remmy definitely was a huge bust in Chicago. I'm not sad to see him go.

 

Think about it. Over the 2004 and 2005 seasons, the Cubs had invested close to $18M in Remlinger, Hawkins and Borowski. That amount would have paid for Jeff Kent. I know - it's not an apples to apples comparison.

 

Just think if they'd of signed Benitez or Percival this year and had to deal with their injuries and expense. Yikes.

[CubinNY]

I wonder why the Cubs couldn't have traded him. I know he is not a LOOGY, but if used properly he does have value.

[Flames24Rulz]

definitely the right move. Remlinger was getting worse and worse and he would've already been gone if he didn't break his finger earlier in the year.

[Tracer Bullet]

I wonder why the Cubs couldn't have traded him. I know he is not a LOOGY, but if used properly he does have value.

 

Won't they have 10 days to trade him, if possible (though admittedly, teams don't tend to pay top dollar in a trade for a player that was just DFA'd].

[DesMoinesCub]

I can't say I am sad to see him go...but do you remember the strikeout of Giambi against the Yankees last year. If Hendry knew this was coming, I wonder why he didn't try to trade him? I know earlier in the year they almost did, but anything would have been better then this. Is there a way to put him on waivers and see if anyone picks him up?

[Mark Priors Calves]

Wow, what an ending to a very disappointing stint with the Cubs. I, along with many Cub fans, was very excited that Remlinger was signed as a FA heading into '03. I think its fair to say that he was a huge bust and never came close to performing to the amount of money that he was being paid. Hopefully Williamson can give the bullpen a solid arm in the 8th inning and move Novoa back to the 7th inning spot.

[Buford T Justice]

The Yankees will pick him up off the scrap heap.

[SouthSideRyan]

I wonder why the Cubs couldn't have traded him. I know he is not a LOOGY, but if used properly he does have value.

 

Won't they have 10 days to trade him, if possible (though admittedly, teams don't tend to pay top dollar in a trade for a player that was just DFA'd].

 

Correct, I wouldn't expect much in return if we can work out a trade.

 

And I think it's grossly unfair to Hendry to throw Borowski and Hawkins in the same category as Remlinger. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone disagreeing with the first 2 signings.

 

And Hawkins is doubly unfair considering the impressive haul Hendry got in return for him.

[Wheelimus]

Yeah, the only question is which team without a moron for a manager will pick him up, use him the way he needs to be used (as in, never face a lefty) and make us cry....

 

Yankees i'd imagine.

[gflore34]

Fantastic! I agree with most posts, he was huge disappointment, never performed up to what he was paid. And most importantly its one less pitcher for Dusty to misuse!

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Repeat after me:

 

Do not throw millions or talented prospects at middle relievers.

Do not throw millions or talented prospects at middle relievers.

Do not throw millions or talented prospects at middle relievers.

Do not throw millions or talented prospects at middle relievers.

Do not throw millions or talented prospects at middle relievers.

 

Remlinger was the most egregious example via free agency, but we signed LaTroy, and the Cubs traded value for the likes of Matt Karchner and David Weathers in recent years too. Middle relievers, even if they are purportedly a "setup man", just aren't worth it. You're better off turning those jobs over to young pitchers in your organization, and letting the hot hands earn the spots.

 

Buh-bye Sling Blade, not sad to see you go.

[SCCubbieFAN]

Is there a way to put him on waivers and see if anyone picks him up?

 

I believe the Cubs will put him on waivers in hopes that some team will claim him thereby picking up the remainder of his current contract. If he clears waivers he can be traded. Even if some team claims him, Hendry can still try to work out a deal with the claiming team by threatening to pull him back. If he clears waivers, he can also become a FA.

[TenzilKem]

Repeat after me:

 

Do not throw millions or talented prospects at middle relievers.

Do not throw millions or talented prospects at middle relievers.

Do not throw millions or talented prospects at middle relievers.

Do not throw millions or talented prospects at middle relievers.

Do not throw millions or talented prospects at middle relievers.

 

Remlinger was the most egregious example via free agency, but we signed LaTroy, and the Cubs traded value for the likes of Matt Karchner and David Weathers in recent years too. Middle relievers, even if they are purportedly a "setup man", just aren't worth it. You're better off turning those jobs over to young pitchers in your organization, and letting the hot hands earn the spots.

 

Buh-bye Sling Blade, not sad to see you go.

 

I agree that it's not a good idea to spend millions for multi-year contracts for relievers.

 

But, for the record, we didn't trade value for David Weathers--we traded the fat slob who Carlos refers to in my signature. Weathers was having the best year of his career when the Cubs acquired him, but in hindsight it looks like we got him just when he was going in to a dead arm phase, and he was never as effective for the Cubs as he was for the Brewers.

 

As for Remlinger, it's a shame that a combination of injuries and managerial misuse led to the organization getting less than its money's worth.

[Wheelimus]

Actually, I think it should be "Don't give up REAL prospects", I mean, if I could trade, say, David Kelton for a quality middle reliever, I'd do it. You trade your guys who haven't panned out for those type of players, people you're not going to get anything out of but another team might hope a change of organization sparks them.

 

But we should never, ever again trade a prospect with big league potential for a middle reliever.