Which Free Agents Do We Have Shot At?

[marc_foust]

Last year there were some ridiculous contracts handed out to subexceptional(my new word) FAs. What players this offseason will the cubs realistically want to get into bidding wars over and which players do you all think will command the insane offers(See Beltran, Drew, Beltre, etc.)? As much talk as there is about how nice it would be to get Burnett, Giles, Damon, Wagner, etc. will they really be smart targets for the cubs? Who would be the best bargain, talent and money wise? And who will we probably end up with?

[Wild_Cubs04]

Subexeptional....I like it :wink:

[E.J.]

Well, with Sammy and Remmy's contracts off the books and Burnitz's option probably not going to be picked up, the Cubs are going to have a bunch of money ($30-$35 million) to spend this offseason, so I think they can afford to take a flier on some free agent (Burnett, Wagner, Ryan, Millwood).

 

The Cubs really need a power bat in the outfield, but Giles is pretty much it for the FA market when it comes to outfielders. Hopefully Hendry can pull off some sort of trade.

 

I don't know what to think about the SS situation. Nomar just can't seem to stay healthy at all, so I think I'd pass on him. I don't know if Cedeno is ready to take over. He should have had the chance to prove himself when Nomar went down in April so we could have at least seen if he was good enough to take the starting job next year. Now we go into the offseason with SS being a big question mark. I don't know if Hendry would want to throw 3-4 years and probably big money at Furcal. I don't know if it's worth it.

 

I'd like to see Hendry sign Wagner or BJ Ryan to be our closer next year, and bring back Dempster and Williamson as setup men. Dempster has been good as closer, but he's starting to scare me a bit. Fill the rest of the bullpen with young guys (Novoa, Wuertz, Ohman, Brownlie?)

 

I'd also like to see Hendry bring in another starter. I think it depends on if Maddux is going to be here next year or not. If for some reason he retires I could see Hendry possibly making a run at Burnett. If Maddux is back next year (which will most likely happen) then I could see Hendry going after Kevin Millwood. With Woody's health a question mark I think it's important that the Cubs start the season with another solid starter. I'd be nervous going into next year with Rusch/Williams/Hill as the 5th starter.

 

It's definitely going to be a much more exciting offseason this year compared to last year though.

[UK1679666180]

I think a closer is needed, I'd go after Ryan first and then Wagner. It would turn the pen into an above avg. one assuming they avoid getting burnt out in the week by mismanagement.

 

I think two OF'ers are needed, One of them has to be Giles, LH bat, middle of the order, be a heck of a battle between his love for the West Coast and other teams going after him.

 

I'd probably trade for another OF'er.

 

I'd like to see Millwood brought in, less money spent, less years committed over Burnett.

 

As far as SS, I'd rather see them trade for someone like Lugo, who'l more than likely be on the market, given his 5.9mil salary and BJ Upton Then, I'd use Cedeno in a utility role who sub for Lugo and Walker at 2B.

 

There's about 25 mil spent, less than what the Cubs have freed up financially. Then, they can use to improve their scouting budget, especially internationally!

[Exile on Waveland]

I think a closer is needed, I'd go after Ryan first and then Wagner. It would turn the pen into an above avg. one assuming they avoid getting burnt out in the week by mismanagement.

 

I think two OF'ers are needed, One of them has to be Giles, LH bat, middle of the order, be a heck of a battle between his love for the West Coast and other teams going after him.

 

I'd probably trade for another OF'er.

 

I'd like to see Millwood brought in, less money spent, less years committed over Burnett.

 

As far as SS, I'd rather see them trade for someone like Lugo, who'l more than likely be on the market, given his 5.9mil salary and BJ Upton Then, I'd use Cedeno in a utility role who sub for Lugo and Walker at 2B.

 

There's about 25 mil spent, less than what the Cubs have freed up financially. Then, they can use to improve their scouting budget, especially internationally!

 

While I don't expect that all to happen, we'd be looking at a pretty darn good team if it did. That's close to exactly what I want to happen. Except, 1) I'd go with Nomar if he comes relatively cheap (though I do like Lugo quite a bit) and 2) if Giles is signed, I'd probably look to go with a Lawton/Murton platoon.

[Bull]

If you sign Nomar, and I think they should, you have to make it incentive laden based on PA.

 

If he goes down you go with Cedeno and you have questionable production on the cheap, which means you have major cash for the trading deadline. If Nomar stays healthy you pay a little more for (hopefully) much more production.

 

If he doesn't go for the incentive laeden deal, you look at Furcal.

 

I'll get staned for this, but the problem this year hasn't been offense, it been pitching. You spend your money on starting pitching and maybe a closer.

 

Prior, Z, Burnett, Millwood, & Maddux

 

You bank on Wood back by may, and he replaces whichever starting pitcher is on the DL at that point....... :wink:

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

I think they should re-sign Nomar for a cheap, incentive based contract. If he gets hurt, we've got Ronny to step in.

 

IF the Cubs are going to go for a closer, I would LOVE for it to be BJ Ryan. When guys like Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson say he has the best stuff they've ever seen, I want him in a Cubs uniform. But that's only if the Cubs go after a closer. I'm happy with Dempster for now.

[marc_foust]

I understand that we will have some 35 million to spend but keep in mind we have to keep some cash availible to resign certain players, lee comes to mind. Also I really do not think it is realistic that we can sign both Giles and a top tier pitcher like Burnett or even Millwood. I really see the market for free agents becoming insane this year. I think if we want Giles we will have to offer at least 9 mil/3 years to net him. With Burnett it may take 10 mil/4 years. Ryan and Wagner will both get somewhere around 8 mil/3-4years. I dont know if 1) they are worth the money and 2) if the cubs are going to open the pocket books enough to get even one of them. I think that we will almost have to resign dempster, nomar, and lawton because to find that many players this offseason may be impossible unless we want an outfield of murton/cpatt/wilson. I think the best way to find a fifth starter and a corner OF are going to be through a package deal with some like the reds, twins, or nats who have excess OF's and could use some arms. With Hairston, Mitre, Rusch, etc we may be able to net a deal to fill a couple of holes. If we trade for a starter and corner OF, (i have mentioned Armas Jr and church from the nats before) we may then be able to make one major signing of a milwood or burnett type and probably have to fill in the bullpen from within. Although if we find two starters we may just be able to leave Wood in the pen.

[Jazz]

At the end of the season, barring an career ending injury, or a monstrous streak from one of our rookies/minor leagues (which is completely impossible with baker at the helm) here is wat commited players we have for next year

 

C - Barrett (3M)

1B - Lee (8M)

2B - ?

SS - ?

3B - Ramirez (10.5)

LF - Murton (.5M)

CF - Patterson (4M arb estimate)

RF - ?

 

SP1. Prior (2M)

SP2. Zambrano (5M Arb Estimate)

SP3. Wood (11M)

SP4. Maddux (9M) -assuming option vests

SP5. ?

 

RP1. Rusch (2M)

RP2. ?

RP3. Ohman (1M)

RP4. Wuertz (.5M)

RP5. ?

RP6. ?

 

Bench

C - Blanco (1.5M)

IF - Cedeno (.5M)

IF - ?

OF - ?

OF - Pie (.3 mil)

Util - ?

 

So for 2006 we have roughly 60 mil commited to 15 players, leaving us with about 35-40 Mil left to spend on 10 players.

Most of those positions could be filled with players within, so lets assume 1 of the relief spots, and 1 of the bench positions will come from the organization.

Walker's 06 option should also be excercised because hes still one of the top 2B in the game, and for 2.5 mil hed be another cheap option with good production.

Nomar's situation is interesting, hes not completely dependable to be healthy, so an incentive laden contract, with a base salary of 5-6 mil that could work its way up to 9-10 mil would be perfect.

Dempster should also be resigned for about 4-5 mil, hes done a bangup job in the closers role, no matter how exciting each save is.

5 more roster spots filled for about 13 mil. Leaving us with about 26 mil left to spend on 5 players.

In right, id be careful of giving a big contract to someone like giles or damon, a trade is a better situation here, hendry should be pursuing a big bat for the lineup, maybe one of Dunn, Huff, or Burrell.

I would really like hendry to go out and sign burnett, a rotation with prior, wood, zambrano, and burnett in it, along with an innings eater like maddux would be devastating, it would prbly take about 10-13 mil to sign him though, so if hes out of the question, just stick williams, mitre, or maybe Rusch here and hope for the best. You cant expect much from a 5th starter, and even if u get decent production, your well above the rest of the league.

BJ Ryan is another target id like hendry to pursue, he is a flatout dominant lefty, who could be had for 5-8 mil, depending on the years involved.

 

In short, id like to see a lineup and rotation like this

 

 

2B Walker

LF Murton

RF Dunn/Huff (if dunn, you stick in LF cause of his defense, and put murton in right)

1B Lee

3B Ramirez

SS Garciaparra

CF Patterson/Pie

C Barrett

 

SP1. Prior

SP2. Zambrano

SP3. Wood

SP4. Maddux

SP5. Williams

 

RP1. Rusch

RP2. Wuertz

RP3. Ohman

RP4. Novoa

RP5. Dempster

CL - Ryan

 

Bench

C - Blanco

IF - Cedeno

IF - ?

OF - Pie/Patterson

OF - Power Bat off bench from FA or Trade

Util - ?

[ChiblueTNT]

Los Angeles: Bengie Molina, Tim Salmon, Lou Merloni, Curtis Pride, Paul Byrd, Jarrod Washburn,

Arizona: Buddy Groom, Tim Worrell, Kelly Stinnett, Royce Clayton, Quinton McCracken, Shawn Estes, Matt Herges, Kerry Ligtenberg

Atlanta: Eddie Perez, Julio Franco, Rafael Furcal, Kerry Robinson, Brian Jordan, John Thomson (Team Option), Jay Powell, Kyle Farnsworth

Baltimore: Rafael Palmeiro, Chris Stynes, Chris Gomez, Eli Marrero, B.J. Surhoff, Sammy Sosa (Team Option), B.J. Ryan, Jason Grimsley

Boston: Ricky Bottalico, Mike Remlinger, Tony Graffanino, Gabe Kapler, John Olerud, Kevin Millar, Dave Berg, Bill Mueller, Jared Sandberg, Johnny Damon, Matt Mantei, Mike Myers, Mike Timlin, Roberto Petagine

Chicago: Matt Lawton, Todd Walker (Team + Player options), Enrique Wilson, Nomar Garciaparra, Neifi Perez, Todd Hollandsworth, Trenidad Hubbard, Jeromy Burntiz (Mutual Option), Greg Maddux (Vesting Option), Glendon Rusch (Player Option), Scott Williamson (Team Option), Ryan Dempster

Chicago White Sox: Geoff Blum, Frank Thomas (Player + Team option), Paul Konerko, Ricky Guiterrez, Carl Everett (Team Option),

Cincinnati: Luis Lopez, Rich Aurilia, Jacob Cruz

Cleveland: Jose Hernandez, Juan Gonzalez, Bob Wickman, Scott Elarton, Kevim Millwood, Scott Sauerbeck, Bob Howry

Colorado: Mike DeJean, Todd Greene (Team Option), Dustan Mohr (Mutual Option), Jamey Wright, Dan Miceli, Byung-Hyun Kim

Detroit: Ivan Rodriguez (Poss. Team Void Option), Dimitri Young (Team Option), Fernando Vina, Ramon Martinez, Bobby Higginson, Rondell White, Jason Johnson

Florida: Damion Easley, Lenny Harris, Alex Gonzalez, Jeff Conine, Juan Encarnacion, A.J. Burnett, Ariel Prieto, Ismael Valdez, Donovan Osborne, Valerio de los Santos, Antonio Alfonseca (Vesting Option), Todd Jones, Chad Fox, Jim Mecir, Brian Moehler

Houston: Brad Ausmus, Jose Vizcaino, Craig Biggio, Orlando Palmeiro, Roger Clemens, John Franco, Tom Martin, Russ Springer

Kansas City: Denny Hocking, Joe McEwing, Matt Stairs, Jose Lima, Brian Anderson, Scott Sullivan (Team or Player Option)

Los Angeles: Jose Cruz Jr., Paul Bako, Olmedo Saenz, Jose Valentin, Elmer Dessens (Mutual option), Jeff Weaver, Scott Erickson, Darren Dreifort

Milwaukee: Wes Helms, Jeff Cirillo. Carlos Lee (Team Option), Rick Helling

Minnesota: Brian Buchanan, Jacque Jones, Joe Mays (Team Option), Terry Mulholland

New York Mets: Alberto Castillo, Mike Piazza, Mike DiFelice, Jose Offerman, Doug Mientkiewicz (Vesting Option), Marlon Anderson, Chris Woodward, Benji Gil, Miguel Cairo, Braden Looper (Team Option), Steve Trachsel (Team Option), Kazuhisa Ishii (Team Option), Tom Glavine (Mutual Option), Felix Heredia (Team Option), Mike Matthews, Danny Graves (Team Option), Roberto Hernandez

New York Yankees: Alan Embree, Hideo Nomo, Al Leiter, John Flaherty, Tino Martinez (Team Option), Ruben Sierra, Rey Sanchez, Bernie Williams, Kevin Brown, Felix Rodriguez, Tom Gordon

Oakland: Jay Witasick, Jay Payton (Team Option), Scott Hatteberg (Team Option), Erubiel Durazo, Octavio Dotel, Steve Sparks, Ricardo Rincon

Philadelphia: Todd Pratt, Kenny Lofton, Billy Wagner, Ugueth Urbina, Terry Adams

Pittsburgh: Daryle Ward, Jose Mesa (Team Option), Mark Redman (Mutual Option + Player Option), Brian Meadows

San Diego: Joe Randa, Ramon Hernandez, Mark Sweeney, Damian Jackson, Eric Young (Team Option), Paul Quantrill, Brian Giles, Trevor Hoffman, Pedro Astacio, Robert Fick, Andy Ashby, Chris Hammond, Rudy Seanez

San Francisco: Randy Winn (Mutual Option), J.T. Snow, Ray Durham (Player Option), Deivi Cruz, Moises Alou (Player Option), Michael Tucker, Jason Schmidt (Team Option), Brett Tomko, Scott Eyre, Jason Christiansen (Team Option), LaTroy Hawkins (Player Option)

Seattle: Dan Wilson, Dave Hansen, Pokey Reese (Team Option), Eddie Guardado (Mutual Option + Player Option), Jamie Moyer, Shigetoshi Hasegawa (Vesting Option), Jeff Nelson

St. Louis: Armando Almanza, Einar Diaz, Mark Grudzielanek, Abraham O. Nunez, Reggie Sanders, John Mabry, Larry Walker (Team Option), Jeff Suppan (Team Option), Matt Morris, Gabe White, Cal Eldred, Julian Tavarez, Al Reyes

Tampa Bay: Eduardo Perez, Travis Lee, Alex S. Gonzalez

Texas: James Baldwin, Greg Colbrunn, Manny Alexander, Brandon Larson, Richard Hidalgo, Kenny Rogers, Steve Karsay, Doug Brocail, Lou Pote

Toronto: Desi Relaford, Ken Huckaby, Gregg Zaun (Team Option), Ted Lilly

Washington: John Halama, Mike Stanton, Preston Wilson, Gary Bennett, Carlos Baerga, Dee Brown, Esteban Loaiza (Mutual Option), Tony Armas Jr., Joey Eischen, C.J. Nitkowski, Antonio Osuna,

 

 

those are the FAs... these are some of the few I'd like to see the Cubs bring in:

 

Arizona: Tim Worrell, Matt Herges

Atlanta: Rafael Furcal, Kyle Farnsworth

Baltimore: B.J. Ryan

Boston: Johnny Damon, Mike Timlin

Chicago: Matt Lawton, Todd Walker (Team + Player options), Nomar Garciaparra, Greg Maddux (Vesting Option), Glendon Rusch (Player Option), Ryan Dempster

Cleveland: Bob Wickman

Milwaukee: Carlos Lee (Team Option, I dont see how the Brewers dont pick up the option)

Philadelphia: Billy Wagner

San Diego: Brian Giles

Seattle: Eddie Guardado (Mutual Option + Player Option)

[erik316wttn]

If I was a FA I think I'd take less money to not play for the Cubs.

[cbbryan]

Los Angeles: Bengie Molina, Tim Salmon, Lou Merloni, Curtis Pride, Paul Byrd, Jarrod Washburn,

Arizona: Buddy Groom, Tim Worrell, Kelly Stinnett, Royce Clayton, Quinton McCracken, Shawn Estes, Matt Herges, Kerry Ligtenberg

Atlanta: Eddie Perez, Julio Franco, Rafael Furcal, Kerry Robinson, Brian Jordan, John Thomson (Team Option), Jay Powell, Kyle Farnsworth

Baltimore: Rafael Palmeiro, Chris Stynes, Chris Gomez, Eli Marrero, B.J. Surhoff, Sammy Sosa (Team Option), B.J. Ryan, Jason Grimsley

Boston: Ricky Bottalico, Mike Remlinger, Tony Graffanino, Gabe Kapler, John Olerud, Kevin Millar, Dave Berg, Bill Mueller, Jared Sandberg, Johnny Damon, Matt Mantei, Mike Myers, Mike Timlin, Roberto Petagine

Chicago: Matt Lawton, Todd Walker (Team + Player options), Enrique Wilson, Nomar Garciaparra, Neifi Perez, Todd Hollandsworth, Trenidad Hubbard, Jeromy Burntiz (Mutual Option), Greg Maddux (Vesting Option), Glendon Rusch (Player Option), Scott Williamson (Team Option), Ryan Dempster

Chicago White Sox: Geoff Blum, Frank Thomas (Player + Team option), Paul Konerko, Ricky Guiterrez, Carl Everett (Team Option),

Cincinnati: Luis Lopez, Rich Aurilia, Jacob Cruz

Cleveland: Jose Hernandez, Juan Gonzalez, Bob Wickman, Scott Elarton, Kevim Millwood, Scott Sauerbeck, Bob Howry

Colorado: Mike DeJean, Todd Greene (Team Option), Dustan Mohr (Mutual Option), Jamey Wright, Dan Miceli, Byung-Hyun Kim

Detroit: Ivan Rodriguez (Poss. Team Void Option), Dimitri Young (Team Option), Fernando Vina, Ramon Martinez, Bobby Higginson, Rondell White, Jason Johnson

Florida: Damion Easley, Lenny Harris, Alex Gonzalez, Jeff Conine, Juan Encarnacion, A.J. Burnett, Ariel Prieto, Ismael Valdez, Donovan Osborne, Valerio de los Santos, Antonio Alfonseca (Vesting Option), Todd Jones, Chad Fox, Jim Mecir, Brian Moehler

Houston: Brad Ausmus, Jose Vizcaino, Craig Biggio, Orlando Palmeiro, Roger Clemens, John Franco, Tom Martin, Russ Springer

Kansas City: Denny Hocking, Joe McEwing, Matt Stairs, Jose Lima, Brian Anderson, Scott Sullivan (Team or Player Option)

Los Angeles: Jose Cruz Jr., Paul Bako, Olmedo Saenz, Jose Valentin, Elmer Dessens (Mutual option), Jeff Weaver, Scott Erickson, Darren Dreifort

Milwaukee: Wes Helms, Jeff Cirillo. Carlos Lee (Team Option), Rick Helling

Minnesota: Brian Buchanan, Jacque Jones, Joe Mays (Team Option), Terry Mulholland

New York Mets: Alberto Castillo, Mike Piazza, Mike DiFelice, Jose Offerman, Doug Mientkiewicz (Vesting Option), Marlon Anderson, Chris Woodward, Benji Gil, Miguel Cairo, Braden Looper (Team Option), Steve Trachsel (Team Option), Kazuhisa Ishii (Team Option), Tom Glavine (Mutual Option), Felix Heredia (Team Option), Mike Matthews, Danny Graves (Team Option), Roberto Hernandez

New York Yankees: Alan Embree, Hideo Nomo, Al Leiter, John Flaherty, Tino Martinez (Team Option), Ruben Sierra, Rey Sanchez, Bernie Williams, Kevin Brown, Felix Rodriguez, Tom Gordon

Oakland: Jay Witasick, Jay Payton (Team Option), Scott Hatteberg (Team Option), Erubiel Durazo, Octavio Dotel, Steve Sparks, Ricardo Rincon

Philadelphia: Todd Pratt, Kenny Lofton, Billy Wagner, Ugueth Urbina, Terry Adams

Pittsburgh: Daryle Ward, Jose Mesa (Team Option), Mark Redman (Mutual Option + Player Option), Brian Meadows

San Diego: Joe Randa, Ramon Hernandez, Mark Sweeney, Damian Jackson, Eric Young (Team Option), Paul Quantrill, Brian Giles, Trevor Hoffman, Pedro Astacio, Robert Fick, Andy Ashby, Chris Hammond, Rudy Seanez

San Francisco: Randy Winn (Mutual Option), J.T. Snow, Ray Durham (Player Option), Deivi Cruz, Moises Alou (Player Option), Michael Tucker, Jason Schmidt (Team Option), Brett Tomko, Scott Eyre, Jason Christiansen (Team Option), LaTroy Hawkins (Player Option)

Seattle: Dan Wilson, Dave Hansen, Pokey Reese (Team Option), Eddie Guardado (Mutual Option + Player Option), Jamie Moyer, Shigetoshi Hasegawa (Vesting Option), Jeff Nelson

St. Louis: Armando Almanza, Einar Diaz, Mark Grudzielanek, Abraham O. Nunez, Reggie Sanders, John Mabry, Larry Walker (Team Option), Jeff Suppan (Team Option), Matt Morris, Gabe White, Cal Eldred, Julian Tavarez, Al Reyes

Tampa Bay: Eduardo Perez, Travis Lee, Alex S. Gonzalez

Texas: James Baldwin, Greg Colbrunn, Manny Alexander, Brandon Larson, Richard Hidalgo, Kenny Rogers, Steve Karsay, Doug Brocail, Lou Pote

Toronto: Desi Relaford, Ken Huckaby, Gregg Zaun (Team Option), Ted Lilly

Washington: John Halama, Mike Stanton, Preston Wilson, Gary Bennett, Carlos Baerga, Dee Brown, Esteban Loaiza (Mutual Option), Tony Armas Jr., Joey Eischen, C.J. Nitkowski, Antonio Osuna,

 

 

those are the FAs... these are some of the few I'd like to see the Cubs bring in:

 

Arizona: Tim Worrell, Matt Herges

Atlanta: Rafael Furcal, Kyle Farnsworth

Baltimore: B.J. Ryan

Boston: Johnny Damon, Mike Timlin

Chicago: Matt Lawton, Todd Walker (Team + Player options), Nomar Garciaparra, Greg Maddux (Vesting Option), Glendon Rusch (Player Option), Ryan Dempster

Cleveland: Bob Wickman

Milwaukee: Carlos Lee (Team Option, I dont see how the Brewers dont pick up the option)

Philadelphia: Billy Wagner

San Diego: Brian Giles

Seattle: Eddie Guardado (Mutual Option + Player Option)

 

What about Hildago for an OF bench spot.............didn't he hit the cover off the ball in Wrigley? He'd probably end up playing everyday though.

[seattlecub]

cpattfan,

 

i think you might be low on wood and lee's sals (from memory though -- quite possible you're right and i'm not), and do you seriously want to put cedeno and pie on next year's bench? that seems countrproductive to me. start them, regardless of which league they play in. personally, i'm inclined to start cedeno for chicago (i'm really doubtful nomar can get through an entire year at this point) and pie for iowa; however, if you can get nomar to sign a contract that is mostly incentives, i'd prolly go for it. i'm not sure what the breaking point would be for me, but i doubt i'd go over 5 for nomar's base.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

LF - Murton (.5M)

RP4. Wuertz (.5M)

IF - Cedeno (.5M)

I am pretty sure they would get 330ish thousand not 500k.

 

Cleveland: Bob Wickman

Please, please no.

 

Seattle: Eddie Guardado (Mutual Option + Player Option)

I don't think he is going to decline that option.

[CubfaninCA]

Hopefully Furcal. Nomar can take the Boston curse elsewhere. I recall him being a workout maniac years ago. He may have wrecked his body and I wouldn't be surprised if he took "enhancers" to push his body way beyond it's limits.

[LuckyPup]

Just to not get into trade scenarios-sign the following:

 

Mike Timlin 2yrs@7M(3,4)

BJ Ryan 3yrs @ 20M(6,6.5,7.5)

Re-sign Dempster 2yrs @ 7M(3,4)

Re-sign Nomar-1yr 5M+incentives

Pick up option on Walker-2.5M

Sign Jose Cruz Jr. 1yr @ 1M for the bench

Sign a cheap starter like Jose Lima( 2yrs @7M) sorry but J.Will ain't working and would be a nice trade chip with Cpatt.

 

Bullpen of: Ryan-Dempster-Timlin-Ohman-Wuertz-Novoa-Rusch is pretty good.

Rotation of: Prior-Z-Maddux-Lima-Wood is also pretty good.

[erik316wttn]

LF - Murton (.5M)

RP4. Wuertz (.5M)

IF - Cedeno (.5M)

I am pretty sure they would get 330ish thousand not 500k.

 

Cleveland: Bob Wickman

Please, please no.

 

Seattle: Eddie Guardado (Mutual Option + Player Option)

I don't think he is going to decline that option.

 

What's wrong with Wickman?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

cpattfan,

 

i think you might be low on wood and lee's sals (from memory though -- quite possible you're right and i'm not)

 

Wood will make 12 million, and Lee 8.67 million.

 

Here's the Cubs that have guaranteed contracts next year:

 

Wood 12 mil

Lee 8.67

Prior 3.55

Ramirez 10.5

Barrett 4

Blanco 1.5

Maddux 9(Option is only 16 IP away, he'll vest)

 

Options

Walker 2.5 mil Team option that can escalate to 2.75

Burnitz 7 mil Mutual option w/ 500k buyout

Williamson 2 mil Team option

Rusch 2 mil Player Option

 

Arbitration

Zambrano 2nd year eligible, 3.76 mil in '05

Patterson 2nd year eligible, 2.8 mil in '05.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

LF - Murton (.5M)

RP4. Wuertz (.5M)

IF - Cedeno (.5M)

I am pretty sure they would get 330ish thousand not 500k.

 

Cleveland: Bob Wickman

Please, please no.

 

Seattle: Eddie Guardado (Mutual Option + Player Option)

I don't think he is going to decline that option.

 

What's wrong with Wickman?

 

He's 36 years old, has an unspectacular WHIP with a low K rate, and will be overpriced with the amount of saves that he's accrued. This is the first year he's been any good since 2001. You're likely to get as good or better results from Wuertz/Novoa/Welly.

[USSoccer]

Couple quick observations:

 

#1-Hendry might need to bank some of the freed up money in case Aramis decides to opt out of his contract after 2006. He also might not need to, since Maddux's $9m would come off in 2006. But it's still something to consider.

 

#2-If history is any indication, and Baker is still here, our bench will likely be about the same. I think you can bank on Hairston, Perez and Blanco being back with the team. Worse, Hendry has a very poor track record when it comes to evaluating backup players and then offering them much more money than they are worth.

 

#3-I would not hold my breath on being able to sign Damon, Burnett or Giles. Those are the 3 marquee names out there, and I would be shocked if the Cubs came in competitive on any of them. Millwood is more likely, but I can see the Yankees going after Milwood harder than Burnett, depending on if Cashman or Steinbrenner is calling the shots.

 

#4-I doubt the Cubs will go after BJ Ryan. I can see them chasing after Billy Wagner, but I doubt they will pony up the years or cash to sign him.

 

Keep in mind that the Cubs have not signed a major FA since Greg Maddux (and the wise-ness of that decision is debatable), and before him it was Moises Alou. The Cubs do spend money on their own players, but rarely do you see them getting in bidding wars.

 

Personally, I would wave goodbye to Perez, Lawton, Hollandsworth, Rusch and Burnitz. Lawton is a bad player. He's an absolute butcher in the field, and has taken 1 walk since he was aquired.

 

I would only resign Garciaparra if it was at a rate around 60% of 2005 guaranteed money, and cram the deal full of incentives. I would exercise the option on Walker, only because there's not much better out there. I would sign Giles to play RF, stick Murton in LF and bat him 2nd, have Walker lead off, and let Corey start off the year in CF, and call up Pie in June if ready.

 

I would sign Millwood, and attempt to trade Williams and Hill for Adam Dunn. If they don't bite, Williams takes Rusch's role as swing in the pen, and Hill waits for the inevitable injury to someone on our staff in AAA.

 

Zambrano

Prior

Millwood

Wood (Williams til ready)

Maddux

 

I would attempt to sign BJ Ryan, and if that didn't work, I'd build my pen like so:

 

Williams

Williamson

Ohman

Aardsma

Novoa

Van Buren (SU)

Dempster (CL)

 

I would let Dempster walk if we aquire Ryan, but I think that's a cheap, young bullpen with ability. Spending money on a bullpen can be a colossal waste of money, since relievers are so up and down anyways.

 

You have a lineup of:

 

Walker

Murton

Ramirez

Giles

Lee

Garciaparra

Walker

Barrett

Patterson.

 

I accept that you need a LH bat on the bench, and a 4th OF. I'd like Mark Sweeney as the LH bat. I'd have Cedeno back up SS, Hairston back up CF and 2B, and Blanco back up C. That leaves one spot open for either the token veteran stiff, or a young player like Greenberg.

 

I think that team fits the budget, is a bit improved as far as OPB goes, and more consistent pitching-wise. It also has room for improvement as the year goes on. You can ditch CPatt and bring up Pie, or trade for a CF. If Walker gets hurt, you have room to deal for Soriano at 2B. If Murton stinks as an everyday LF, you can deal for a corner OF.

[TheDude]

I make only two major moves in the offseason, both of which would be seen as definitive improvements:

 

-Sign Johnny Damon to CF and leadoff

-Sign Billy Wagner

 

Those moves addresses two needs for the team but also spend the majority of the free money.

 

From there, there is a series of minor moves:

 

-Move CP for something, maybe left-handed bullpen help

-Find/acquire a young defensive catcher with excellent onfield instincts to replace Blanco as back-up

-Pick-up Walker's option for 2B

-Give Cedeno a shot at SS

 

I honestly can't figure out the LF and RF situation right now. I'd like to see one kid get a shot (let whoever may be ready duke it out in ST) and one stopgap veteran. I don't mind seeing Burnitz out there again, for another one year contract.

 

I realize that signing Damon blocks Pie if his contract is 3 years or longer (it will be, Damon has earned it), so perhaps Pie can spend 2006 in AAA, then 2007-2008 in RF or LF.

[Exile on Waveland]

#2-If history is any indication, and Baker is still here, our bench will likely be about the same. I think you can bank on Hairston, Perez and Blanco being back with the team. Worse, Hendry has a very poor track record when it comes to evaluating backup players and then offering them much more money than they are worth.

 

You really think Hairston will be back? The current braintrust doesn't seem to like him too much. I'd guess he's gone, regardless of what I'd do.

 

Outside of that, I agree with everything you said and hope the Cubs management does as well.

[USSoccer]

#2-If history is any indication, and Baker is still here, our bench will likely be about the same. I think you can bank on Hairston, Perez and Blanco being back with the team. Worse, Hendry has a very poor track record when it comes to evaluating backup players and then offering them much more money than they are worth.

 

You really think Hairston will be back? The current braintrust doesn't seem to like him too much. I'd guess he's gone, regardless of what I'd do.

 

Outside of that, I agree with everything you said and hope the Cubs management does as well.

 

He's under contract for 2006, so unless we deal him, he's ours.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

#2-If history is any indication, and Baker is still here, our bench will likely be about the same. I think you can bank on Hairston, Perez and Blanco being back with the team. Worse, Hendry has a very poor track record when it comes to evaluating backup players and then offering them much more money than they are worth.

 

You really think Hairston will be back? The current braintrust doesn't seem to like him too much. I'd guess he's gone, regardless of what I'd do.

 

Outside of that, I agree with everything you said and hope the Cubs management does as well.

 

He's under contract for 2006, so unless we deal him, he's ours.

 

Hairston was a super-two, so I believe he's a free agent. I'm not positive how that works though.

[Exile on Waveland]

#2-If history is any indication, and Baker is still here, our bench will likely be about the same. I think you can bank on Hairston, Perez and Blanco being back with the team. Worse, Hendry has a very poor track record when it comes to evaluating backup players and then offering them much more money than they are worth.

 

You really think Hairston will be back? The current braintrust doesn't seem to like him too much. I'd guess he's gone, regardless of what I'd do.

 

Outside of that, I agree with everything you said and hope the Cubs management does as well.

 

He's under contract for 2006, so unless we deal him, he's ours.

 

Hairston was a super-two, so I believe he's a free agent. I'm not positive how that works though.

 

I don't know either, but I do expect Hairston to be traded if he isn't gone by his own choice via free agency.