The $100M 2006 Cubs - includes Giles, Furcal, Wagner, Zito

[HoopsCubs]

Worked on this in the Philly airport last night.

 

Starting line-up:

 

1. SS-Rafael Furcal-$8.0M-free agent signing 4 years/$32M

2. LF-Matt Murton-$350K-less than 3 years of service

3. 1B-Derrek Lee-$8.7M-under contract-extension for 4 years/$44M starting in 2006

4. RF-Brian Giles-$10.0M-free agent signing 3 years/$30M

5. 3B-Aramis Ramirez-$10.5M-under contract

6. 2B-Todd Walker-$2.5M-option picked up

7. C-Michael Barrett-$4.3M-under contract

8. CF-Felix Pie-$350K-less than 3 years of service

 

Rotation:

 

9. Carlos Zambrano-$5.0M-1 year salary to avoid arbitration

10. Mark Prior-$2.75M-under contract

11. Barry Zito-$7.2M-under contract-Traded by A's for Corey Patterson, Jerry Hairston and Rich Hill (Cubs also get a prospect)

12. Greg Maddux-$9.0M-option vests

13. Kerry Wood-$12.0M-under contract-Jerome Williams at $350K is the back-up

 

Bullpen:

 

14. Billy Wagner-$8.0M-free agent signing 3 years/$24M

15. David Riske-$2.5M-Traded by Indians for Sergio Mitre and Todd Wellemeyer

16. Scott Williamson-$2.0M-option picked up

17. David Aardsma-$350K-less than 3 years of service

18. Will Ohman-$350K-less than 3 years of service

19. Roberto Novoa-$350K-less than 3 years of service

20. Michael Wuertz-$350K-less than 3 years of service

 

Bench:

 

21. C-Henry Blanco-$1.5M-under contract

22. OF-Adam Greenburg-$350K-less than 3 years of service

23. OF-Rob Mackowiak-$1.5M-Pittsburgh non-tenders

24. 2B/SS-Ronny Cedeno-$350K--less than 3 years of service

25. 1B/3B-Russell Branyan-$1.25M-Milwaukee non-tenders

 

Buyout:

 

Jeromy Burnitz-$500K

 

 

Trades (for a prospect):

 

Glendon Rusch-if he picks up his $2M player option

 

Non-tender:

 

Jose Macias

 

Wave goodbye to free agents:

 

Todd Hollandsworth

Neifi Perez

Ryan Dempster

Matt Lawton

Nomar Garciaparra

 

If you add up the salaries, you'll see it's exactly $100M in 2006. The big acquisitions are Furcal, Giles and Wagner through free agency, and Zito and Riske through trade. After 2006, the Cubs will say goodbye

to Kerry Wood (buyout $3M), Greg Maddux and Scott Williamson. The $20M they save on those 3 players can be used to give raises to Zambrano, Prior, Zito, Lee and Walker. And, Angel Guzman, Jerome Williams or Ricky Nolasco can join the rotation.

 

 

Get your hole puncher ready and start poking. Ready Set. Go.

 

 

Enjoy!

Hoops

[LoneStarCubFan]

Ditch one of the seven relievers and pick up another bench guy.

[gflore34]

Get on the phone with Hendry or somehow get this plan to him, its logical, make sense, in a word smart. What a minute, I've seen the flaw, being that this is an intelligent plan it therefore, represents something the Cubs would not do.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

My biggest issue is rushing Pie to the majors when he clearly isn't ready. I'm also not sure we need to make the trade for Riske. Rather than trade for Riske, could we not use that money to bring in a stop gap CFer such as Lofton to play for one year while we allow Pie to develop more in Iowa.

 

Other than that, I like the roster your moves create.

 

I'm skeptical that we could Zito for the price you've indicated, though.

[Mark Priors Calves]

I'm skeptical that we could Zito for the price you've indicated, though.

 

I agree, but I like the overall look Hoops. I think the A's would rather have a Pinto/Nolasco rather than Patterson and/or Hairston.

[erik316wttn]

A few things....

 

If Wood can get it together in 2006 and stay healthy, I don't think we should let him go. I think he knows this upcoming year is make or break for him.

 

I wouldn't be upset with letting Nomar go, but ONLY if we got Furcal for a reasonable price.

 

And the only way Murton and Pie would play every day is if Dusty was gone. I don't see that happening. Also, doesn't Pie need to learn better strike-zone judgement before he comes up, lest he risk being a glorified Corey Patterson?

 

Would love to have Zito and Wags here. I'm only leery about giving a 3-year contract to Giles because of his age.

 

I also really like your bench, and the fact that you're getting rid of all 3 of Dusty's "toys".

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I really like the idea of acquiring Riske. I've never been a huge Zito fan, but I guess I won't weep if the price is right. Wouldn't Millwood be a similar addition with no player cost? Trading for Zito also has the possibility of being a rental.

 

EDIT to add: I really really really really really don't like the idea of Pie on the Cubs roster, never mind starting and hitting 8th next year.

Edited August 26, 2005 by Transmogrified Tiger

[cubweiser03]

Lineup

*Not big on Pie in CF next year.

*Giles and Furcal id take those at those prices.

 

Starters

*Zito seems like a reach. Not only is corey not a beanerballer but he will probably get $3.0M way overpriced. Maybe sending jerome would do it.

 

Pen

*Riske. Why not resign Dempster for the same or more money? I dont see why cleveland would do this deal or be interested in trading him. Its safer to resign dempster and then go after wagner, unless they get wagner right away which isnt likely considering how long free agents were on the market last year. I feel better about Dempster as a closer than Riske.

*Aardsma/Gooz/JVB fight it out

 

 

Bench

*Im down with that. Heck trade some mid level guys for machowiak.

[CuseCubFan69]

Nice ideas Hoops but it'll never happen with Baker there....never.

 

Also, I like the moves but I agree with Vance about rushing Pie.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Pen

*Riske. Why not resign Dempster for the same or more money? I dont see why cleveland would do this deal or be interested in trading him. Its safer to resign dempster and then go after wagner, unless they get wagner right away which isnt likely considering how long free agents were on the market last year. I feel better about Dempster as a closer than Riske.

*Aardsma/Gooz/JVB fight it out

 

Cleveland has a good, deep pen, and Riske will be too expensive for their low budget. They get pretty decent return for a middle relief/setup guy. Also, Wagner would be the closer in the situation Hoops outlined.

[cubweiser03]

Pen

*Riske. Why not resign Dempster for the same or more money? I dont see why cleveland would do this deal or be interested in trading him. Its safer to resign dempster and then go after wagner, unless they get wagner right away which isnt likely considering how long free agents were on the market last year. I feel better about Dempster as a closer than Riske.

*Aardsma/Gooz/JVB fight it out

 

Cleveland has a good, deep pen, and Riske will be too expensive for their low budget. They get pretty decent return for a middle relief/setup guy. Also, Wagner would be the closer in the situation Hoops outlined.

 

I dont know much about there pen but at $2.5M he's not an albertross. They could do much better than wellymeyer and mitre. To be honest i think todd sucks. Sure he throws hard but his offspeed pitch isnt good and his control still needs work. If you look at his as an outsider like cleveland what is so special about him. So when do you trade for Riske?

After you sign Wagner? By that time if you miss out on billy you got Riske as your closer and its too late (post dec 15, or whatever that date is) to resign Dempster. Its safer and easier to go with Dempster than Riske. Even if Riske is an upgrade over Dempster it aint by much. Resign Dempster, go after Billy, if that fals through then go after Riske.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Pen

*Riske. Why not resign Dempster for the same or more money? I dont see why cleveland would do this deal or be interested in trading him. Its safer to resign dempster and then go after wagner, unless they get wagner right away which isnt likely considering how long free agents were on the market last year. I feel better about Dempster as a closer than Riske.

*Aardsma/Gooz/JVB fight it out

 

Cleveland has a good, deep pen, and Riske will be too expensive for their low budget. They get pretty decent return for a middle relief/setup guy. Also, Wagner would be the closer in the situation Hoops outlined.

 

I dont know much about there pen but at $2.5M he's not an albertross. They could do much better than wellymeyer and mitre. To be honest i think todd sucks. Sure he throws hard but his offspeed pitch isnt good and his control still needs work. If you look at his as an outsider like cleveland what is so special about him. So when do you trade for Riske?

After you sign Wagner? By that time if you miss out on billy you got Riske as your closer and its too late (post dec 15, or whatever that date is) to resign Dempster. Its safer and easier to go with Dempster than Riske. Even if Riske is an upgrade over Dempster it aint by much. Resign Dempster, go after Billy, if that fals through then go after Riske.

 

Cleveland can't afford to pay their non-closer 2.5 million, they're in a pretty tight financial bind. For a middle reliever/setup man, I'd say that we're borderline overpaying for Riske.

[The Voice of Reason]

Hoops - Nice, creative ideas. How about going a step further and replacing President MacPhail with one of the top GMs in the game (Jocketty, Beane, John S. (the Braves guy), etc.

 

BTW, you gotta be Sanjay H., Barry Rosner's favorite GM not working in baseball today. Correct?

[AAApittsburgh]

I'd take Nomar over Furcal, Dempster over Wagner, and I'd replace Novoa and Wuertz with one good SU guy. I'd make Greenberg the starting CF next year and put Pie in AAA for the season. The rest I like. WTG! :D

[Tracer Bullet]

I'd take Furcal. Though if we can't get him, I don't mind trying to get Nomar for cheap or putting Cedeno out there. He's been tearing up AAA.

 

Don't know about paying that much for Giles and Wagner. Though I'm not convinced that Dempster can convert 90% of his saves again next year and there doesn't seem to be a lot out there for impact OF bats this winter.

 

Don't think there's any way Beane gives up Zito (not to mention a prospect too) for Hairston, Hill, and the remains of Corey's potential. Would rather have Zito, but I'm not totally opposed to Williams or Hill as the 5th starter (assuming Wood can start 30+ times - if not, don't really want Jerome, Hill & Maddux in the rotation). Though I think Corey needs a change of scenary (and shipping him out of the NL and not to the ChiSox is a good call) and I don't think Hairston wants to be back to play for Dusty again.

 

Overall the ideas are good and other than Zito (imo) realistic. For the record, if Hendry gets Zito & a prospect for Hill, Corey, & JHJr, I'll happily eat some crow.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

As much as I hate to say it Neifi and Macias aren't going anywhere. They are going to be on this team next year no matter how much we hate it. :(

[biittner77]

As much as I hate to say it Neifi and Macias aren't going anywhere. They are going to be on this team next year no matter how much we hate it. :(

 

Perez- you're probably right. That's fine as long as he's backing up a veteran that figures to start most of the time.

 

Macias- I'm not so sure. Macias hasn't gotten as many starts as he might have this year. Ideally, I think Baker would like someone with more power off the bench. Also, if Perez is around he can cover any of the infield positions that Macias can except 1st. It shouldn't be too hard to find a spot starter for 1st. Macias has been terrible defensively as an OF without enough offensive to justify starting him at a corner. He's shown he can't play an even remotely acceptable CF.

[rawaction]

Riske could be had. And he would be great. I don't really want to mess with Wagner or Furcal. I'm starting to warm up to Raffy, but he's warmed up with the bat, probably taking his price tag above what lesser players (Renteria and Cabrera) received in a FA and SS wealthy offseason. He gets 6 years, IMO. He probably gets slightly more than $8M too. But if he does come at 4/$32, I'd welcome him with open arms.

 

Also, I'm a big fan of Zito. For some reason, I think he could be a dominant NL starter, and especially in Wrigley. But I'd still probably go with Millwood over him because of cost in $$ and prospects.

 

I am starting to sour on my idea to bring back Nomar and Lawton though.

[Derwood]

Great moves....in a vacuum.

 

How many other teams will be vying for Furcal, Wagner, Zito and Giles? Reports have already been made that St. Louis wants Giles, so why wouldn't he go where the winning is?

[cubweiser03]

Great moves....in a vacuum.

 

How many other teams will be vying for Furcal, Wagner, Zito and Giles? Reports have already been made that St. Louis wants Giles, so why wouldn't he go where the winning is?

 

I think the market for Furcal is the smallest. Almost all the big market teams are set for a couple years with a shortstop. Wagner might be a little bigger but not much, again a lot of big market teams are set for closer. Giles will be a big market. Boston/Cards/SD/Cubs/Os

[NewUserName]

A couple of thoughts on this whole thing

1. Frucal would probably become the most overpaid player in Baseball at that price. Cedeno would probably be almost as good at alot less money.

 

2. Wagner is also going to be way overpaid.

 

3. Cleveland isnt broke or a small market team. They CHOSE to go young in light of the team they developed in the 90s was getting to pricey for the value of return. This team and now the Milwaukee Brewers would be great examples of how to build future success. Who would you rather be right now either of these teams or the Cubs. They are both young and upcoming, establishing who can be of use in the future and putting back money to get them over the top in the next couple of years.

 

4. The team that you have put together does have potential to be good next year, But it could be really bad in 3 years and so overpaid that we wouldnt be able to retain Z, Prior, Lee and Ramirez. So we would be bringing in lesser players that would put us in danger of not resigning the decent core of players we have

[Transmogrified Tiger]

3. Cleveland isnt broke or a small market team. They CHOSE to go young in light of the team they developed in the 90s was getting to pricey for the value of return.

 

Having lived in Cleveland until this July, and having spoken to a friend of mine who lives there recently, all I've heard is that their payroll isn't going to climb much if at all until their attendance goes up. Although they have some FA's leaving, they also have a lot of guaranteed(i.e. not arbitration) raises coming to players that mitigates much of their freedom. They aren't a team with the luxury of carrying Riske at nearly 3 million considering their depth in the bullpen, and the fact that he isn't the closer.

[reggiemiller rules]

There is no way that Cpatt, Hill, and Hairston gets Zito. First of all they have a ton of young arms that are much better then Hill, they dont really need OF's and if they did need one they would look for a power bat. Patterson is so far from the type of player the Beane gets that there is no way they would go after him. Look at what the Cards gave up, Haren, Barton, and Calero is a way better package. There is no way they could get Zito it would take at least

the other Patterson or Dop or Harvey in the package to get Zito.

[vaball]

There is no way that Cpatt, Hill, and Hairston gets Zito. First of all they have a ton of young arms that are much better then Hill, they dont really need OF's and if they did need one they would look for a power bat. Patterson is so far from the type of player the Beane gets that there is no way they would go after him. Look at what the Cards gave up, Haren, Barton, and Calero is a way better package. There is no way they could get Zito it would take at least

the other Patterson or Dop or Harvey in the package to get Zito.

 

Not just Zito, Zito and a prospect!

 

That trade would never happen. Other than that though I would say everything else is plausible, hypothetically. But with so few good free agents this off-season I would be very surprised to see one team land Giles, Furcal, and Wagner.

[AramisRamirez]

i would definitely go with furcal and giles. if nothing else, we need those two elements A) lead-off hitter and B) 3rd true threat alongside Derrek and Aramis.

 

furcal, infact, would be my first choice. i think 4/$32M, similar to the renteria deal, is a far offer. lets see what the market is, seeing as he's the best FA SS.

 

giles would be my second target, as atleast two major moves are needed. our lineup depserately needs a third true-threat to take us to the next level. our offense is terrible and has cost our starters alot of victories zambrano's ERA is barely over 3.00, he should have gotten alot more W's this year. giles would be perfect bating 3, 4, or 5. burnitz had his moments, but in all .265 BA doesnt cut it in the 5th spot (where dusty has played him alot this year).

 

in particular i want to see neifi, nomar, and burnitz out of here. since we aren the yanks we still have to infuze high-priced players with minimum-salary prospects (ie murton, cedeno, etc). so like this batting order alot, should we sign furcal and giles.

 

SS furcal

2B walker

1B lee

OF giles

3B ramirez

C barrett

OF murton

OF patterson

 

i dont think zito could net us corey patterson, though its possible. but pie's injury set hm too far back to start opening day. we needed him called up for a period this year. its also very possible hendry could attempt to trade for ken griffey jr and iniclude corey, rich hill, and possibly a prospect for him. he has an outrageous salary and his injury prone so the risk is MAJOR, but if the reds would eat even a couple M, it might be worth it. who knows, he's sure doing pretty good this year. if we did that, scratch the giles signing because they'd never make the commitment. but i think giles is the better more conservative route, especially with the nomar injuries we've experienced. the giles/furcal signing has a ridiculous 1-6.

 

as r as pitching im worried about rusch, hill, and maddux. rusch has been used as a starter and in relief, and i realize thats an adjustment. but his ERA is in the mid 4.00's. hll has been shaky lately also even though da's young. and maddux, well maddux very well could have a 5.00 ERA the way he's going.

 

dempster can close, ill leave him in place. but starting we're lookng at prior, zambrano, wood, williams, and maddux. we need long relief, short relief, and set-up men.

 

the main additions have to come offensively because the pitching with be there. if williams struggles or wood gets hurt we'll bring in mitre, or possibly rusch, or eventually angel guzman (although who knows what his timetable is).