maddux thinking retirement??

[abuck1220]

After pitching his 106th career complete game in an 11-4 victory over St. Louis that halted the Cubs' eight-game losing streak, the 39-year-old Maddux conceded he would take some time over the winter to consider whether he wants to return in 2006.

 

"I'm not getting any younger," Maddux said. "I really want to finish out strong and I want to come back and play next year, as long as I feel like I can play. Obviously I'm not going to play it like I did 10, 15 years ago. But as long as I can feel like I'm one of the best five guys we can put in the rotation, I'm looking forward to coming back."

 

"Sit down, look in the mirror, and if you're good enough to play, you play," Maddux said. "If you're not, you quit. It's that simple.

 

"If I'm deserving enough to come back and play and wear a shirt with my name on the back, believe me, I want to do it."

[E.J.]

No offense to Maddux, but I think that option money could be spent in a much better way, so I'm hoping he does retire.

[frostwyrm]

Maddux will keep playing. He said he's satisfied being the 5th best starter on whatever team he belongs to. With the pitching talent in MLB being so diluted that shouldn't be difficult.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I don't think he retires. Just my :twocents:

[CubfaninCA]

As long as he's with the Cubs next year, he's still a top 5 guy. Doubtful Williams, Hill or anyone other youngster passes him. However, I'd rather see Williams as the #5 starter, instead of Maddux. Use that money towards upgrading the offense or signing a #3 or #4 starter.

[YearofDaCubs]

Although it woulod be nice for us if he did, I highly doubt that he will. Here's hoping that he does.

[mhuber92211]

If he doesn;t get his 15 wins this season, might be a good reason to point to to hang 'em up.

[10man]

It pretty much boils down to Greg and how he evaluates his ability to compete. Let's hope Maddux is honest in his assessment of himself during the offseason.

[Marco4]

It swings, doesn't it? If we could be guaranteed an outing like yesterday every time he came out (or even every other time) to pitch, there'd be no question. But we can't.

 

I think I'd like to see him finish at the end of the year, unless he keeps the standard of yesterday up until that point.

 

Its tough. He has won more games this year than any other Cubs pitcher, after all.

[neely crenshaw]

he is our top winner, leader in innings and his era has continues to fall. as i have said all along he has pitched well. he has a really bad outing every 5-6 starts and that jacks up his era. if he had any support he would be at 14 wins. we will have to overpay him next season as a 4-5 starter but if we go with wood as a starter you almost have to have maddux just to make sure someone of the 5 will go out there every 5 days.

we want guys to end load contracts to help the present but when they do that, you will over pay when you reach the backend.

bottom line, when maddux is finsihed next year he will have 45-46 wins in 3 seasons, while golden boys prior and wood won't have combined for that many. you tell me who is over paid then.

[fromthestretch]

he is our top winner, leader in innings and his era has continues to fall. as i have said all along he has pitched well. he has a really bad outing every 5-6 starts and that jacks up his era. if he had any support he would be at 14 wins. we will have to overpay him next season as a 4-5 starter but if we go with wood as a starter you almost have to have maddux just to make sure someone of the 5 will go out there every 5 days.

we want guys to end load contracts to help the present but when they do that, you will over pay when you reach the backend.

bottom line, when maddux is finsihed next year he will have 45-46 wins in 3 seasons, while golden boys prior and wood won't have combined for that many. you tell me who is over paid then.

 

Try every 3-4 outings. If you look at his game log this season, his bad games are a bit more frequent than you claim.

 

As for winning more games than Wood and Prior, let's not forget that Prior missed some time this season after taking a line drive off his throwing arm, which I don't think he can really be blamed for. And Maddux isn't the only person suffering from a lack of run support. Looking over the game logs, Prior could have 2-3 more wins this year and probably four more last year with some run support.

 

I don't think it would be horrible to have Maddux as a fifth starter next year. In fact, I'd be fine with it. What I don't like is how much the Cubs would be paying him to be their fifth starter.

[BigbadB]

Maddux is a perfect fit for the San Diego Padres. Why not work a trade to send him there for his final season. They will be in a position next year to compete for a division championship, and his tendency to give up the long ball would be warning track outs in San Diego. He'd probably knock more than a run off his ERA. It also gives the Padres a very good rotation with Peavy, Eaton, Lawrence, Park and Maddux (assume Woody Williams won't be back).

 

Obviously, the Cubs would have to pick up about half his contract. But, it seems to me to be a perfect fit.

[Iceblink]

The article on cubs.com ( link ), has an extra quote that slants the story differently:

 

Quoting Maddux:

"I want to play," Maddux said. "I'd love to play for another 10 years. [Retirement] is not something that is an issue right now. What is an issue right now is me getting ready for my next start against Houston."

Edited August 12, 2005 by Iceblink

[daske17]

Maddux said in an interview on NBC that he wanted the controversey closed, that he will not be retiring at the end of the year. I think that article was more Sullivan stirring the pot rather than reporting the news (per usual). Even in that article Maddux says,

 

"Let's just shut it down right now," he said. "I've said what I feel and I've been totally honest. Let's just worry about it and play baseball. Please. I'd love to play for another 10 years, but this is something that is not an issue right now."

 

I don't think Greg though that the reporters would really take him seriously that he would consider retiring at the end of the year. I believe he was talking about it more in the hypothetical "How much more do I have left in the tank" sense. Totally blown out of proportion in my opinion.

[YearofDaCubs]

Maddux said in an interview on NBC that he wanted the controversey closed, that he will not be retiring at the end of the year. I think that article was more Sullivan stirring the pot rather than reporting the news (per usual). Even in that article Maddux says,

 

"Let's just shut it down right now," he said. "I've said what I feel and I've been totally honest. Let's just worry about it and play baseball. Please. I'd love to play for another 10 years, but this is something that is not an issue right now."

 

I don't think Greg though that the reporters would really take him seriously that he would consider retiring at the end of the year. I believe he was talking about it more in the hypothetical "How much more do I have left in the tank" sense. Totally blown out of proportion in my opinion.

I heard what he said on the radio and it sounded like he will evaluate himself during the offseason and go from there. I still dont htink he retires.