Hendry Could Spend $50M This Offseason

[JC]

Personally, I explore trading Lee.

 

Sure, its a gamble. But, its selling high that the Cubs rarely take advantage of. Lee has tailed off here late in the season to production that is more in line with his career norms. If memory served, he slumped somewhat badly last year at the end, too. I don't want that in playoff drives should the Cubs be in the hunt again.

 

If Lee trading Lee could land a high-end OFer, I'd do it. I would then take part of my cash surplus and figure out a way to bring Todd Helton to Wrigley. His lefty bat would provide balance and ease the need to get a big lefty bat in the OF.

 

I think Lee is a great guy. But, keeping the Cubs' interest in mind, I think his trade value may be best for the Cubs right now.

[TheDude]

That's the $50M question! Lead-off, SS, Closer, Set-up, 2 OF spots and 5th starter are the definite holes. Despite the thin free-agent market, there's a lot of dough there to be creative. Any out-of-box thinking out there?

 

Hoops

I'll shoot for some out-of-the-box stuff. I believe the Cubs can partner with the right team as long as they look at the other teams "on the cusp". However, the biggest problem the Cubs have is the lack of any real trading value, so this is certainly not an easy thing.

 

1 - For example, the Texas Rangers have to finally accept that they need a marquee starter for that rotation if they want to contend. They have good young pitchers, but need an anchor on the staff. Texas also has an abundance of hitting youth all over the field. I have heard talk of them parting with Soriano, Mench, one of their catchers, and even Blalock if it nets them the pitcher they desire. I really, really wish Wood was healthy and not questionable. I'd try to find a way to trade Wood to Texas for Young (my dream leadoff hitter).

 

Now, the Cubs don't have that marquee pitcher to give up right now. But perhaps there is a creative alternative for the spinners out there. Something that nets the Cubs Mench in the end. (The dream is to spin Zito + others to Texas for Mench and Young).

 

2 - I think Jesse Crain can be had from Minnesota. Minnesota likely wants to part with JC Romero first - but maybe Hendry can get Crain instead of Romero for Walker. I'll take either, though Walker should net more than just Romero (meaning a prospect).

 

3 - Sign Giles. He has the 2nd highest OBP in MLB. There is no question about this move.

 

4 - Bring back Jon Lieber! Ok, so it's a ways out of the box and a bit sentimental, but Lieber has a fantastic K/BB ratio and control. He keeps his team in games and makes the opponent earn it. Unfortunately, Philly needs the starting pitching as much as we do, so this isn't likely to happen.

[Derwood]

To me Burnett is vastly preferrable to Zito, because Beane will demand and get a high price in prospects. We won't have to give up any prospects to get Burnett, we just have to pay him his dollar price, which will be very high of course, but Zito will be just as expensive in 2007 if he has another good season in 2006. One year of Zito at 7.7M is not worth gutting the farm. I say sign Burnett and keep the prospects for other needs.

 

As a refresher, here is what Beane got for the other two of the "Big 3"

 

Hudson: P Juan Cruz, P Dan Meyer, OF Charles Thomas

 

Mulder: P Danny Haren, P Kiko Calero, C Daric Barton

 

Of those 6 players, Haren (12-10, 3.86) has had the most success. Calero has been a good reliever, Cruz has been terrible, Thomas is hitting .109 in limited AB's. I haven't looked up the minor league stats.

 

So what would be the Cubs equivalent of thos prospects?

[goonys evil twin]

4 - Bring back Jon Lieber! Ok, so it's a ways out of the box and a bit sentimental, but Lieber has a fantastic K/BB ratio and control. He keeps his team in games and makes the opponent earn it. Unfortunately, Philly needs the starting pitching as much as we do, so this isn't likely to happen.

 

Liebs signed a 3/$21m deal before this year. Reports have him earnings about $5.5m this year, leaving 2 years at $7.75 per year. That's not a bad deal for a reliable middle of the rotation guy, but Jon is basically Greg Maddux at this point. And the Cubs already have the unreliable Maddux on the books for $9m next season. They have very similar k/9, k/bb, WHIP, ERA. Lieber has given up a few more HR, and that might be due to his ballpark, but he's been lit up pretty well on the road as well. At 36 next season, I just don't see Lieber making much of an improvement either.

 

 

Now, if Philly asked the Cubs to take on Lieber and were willing to hand over Abreu in an effort to overhaul their roster, then by all means I'd be interested. But I don't think that's happening, and I don't think there's much value in Lieber alone.

[ManCrushOnNomar]

I know it was talked about briefly earlier this season (around the trade deadline), but could we throw together a package to net Bobby Abreu? Say something along the lines of Patterson, Williams, and a B level prospect?

 

I know it's a pipe dream, but imagine Bobby playing half his games in Wrigley. Instantly we have a running game.

[goonys evil twin]

I know it was talked about briefly earlier this season (around the trade deadline), but could we throw together a package to net Bobby Abreu? Say something along the lines of Patterson, Williams, and a B level prospect?

 

I know it's a pipe dream, but imagine Bobby playing half his games in Wrigley. Instantly we have a running game.

 

That package wouldn't even start a conversation. If Philly once again falls short, I wouldn't eliminate the possibility of them dealing Abreu, but you're basically sending them spare parts, not prospects.

[dalgreen]

We talk about trading guys at the height of their value yet very few speak of Barrett. Yes, I know his offensive numbers are one of the better ones from the catcher's spot in the majors, but if you can trade his bat for two bats or one bat of equal or better value, why wouldn't you? I think taking his four million off the books would help us. If we can make serious upgrades to the outfield positions, I believe we could be okay with a better defensive and less offensive catcher. The Astros and Cardinals have done well over the years with Ausmus and Matheny, for example.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

To me Burnett is vastly preferrable to Zito, because Beane will demand and get a high price in prospects. We won't have to give up any prospects to get Burnett, we just have to pay him his dollar price, which will be very high of course, but Zito will be just as expensive in 2007 if he has another good season in 2006. One year of Zito at 7.7M is not worth gutting the farm. I say sign Burnett and keep the prospects for other needs.

 

As a refresher, here is what Beane got for the other two of the "Big 3"

 

Hudson: P Juan Cruz, P Dan Meyer, OF Charles Thomas

 

Mulder: P Danny Haren, P Kiko Calero, C Daric Barton

 

Of those 6 players, Haren (12-10, 3.86) has had the most success. Calero has been a good reliever, Cruz has been terrible, Thomas is hitting .109 in limited AB's. I haven't looked up the minor league stats.

 

So what would be the Cubs equivalent of thos prospects?

 

In asking that question, you can't look at what those prospects or players did this year, but how they were viewed prior to being acquired. That was their value (or perceived value) at the time of the trade.

 

Hudson: Cruz (had completed a season as a top flight reliever). Dan Meyer (top pitching prospect in Braves system) and OF Thomas (4th OF with nice tools)

 

Mulder: P Danny Haren (top pitcher in Cardinals system), Kiko Calero (serviceable reliever) and Daric Barton (top minor league hitter in Cardinals system)

 

Applying that equivocation to the question, to get Zito, the Cubs would likely have to include a package of Rich Hill, Roberto Novoa, and Ryan Harvey. That's too steep in my opinion.

[goonys evil twin]

We talk about trading guys at the height of their value yet very few speak of Barrett. Yes, I know his offensive numbers are one of the better ones from the catcher's spot in the majors, but if you can trade his bat for two bats or one bat of equal or better value, why wouldn't you? I think taking his four million off the books would help us. If we can make serious upgrades to the outfield positions, I believe we could be okay with a better defensive and less offensive catcher. The Astros and Cardinals have done well over the years with Ausmus and Matheny, for example.

 

I'd have no problem dealing Barrett, but I bet Hendry would. Plus, you'd really have a tough time settling your OF dilemna once you go back to subpar offense at C as well. You would have to get 2 good OF bats, and couldn't settle on just one.

[Tedward]

That package wouldn't even start a conversation. If Philly once again falls short, I wouldn't eliminate the possibility of them dealing Abreu, but you're basically sending them spare parts, not prospects.

 

Agreed. We'd probably need to gut the farm system to make a play for Abreu and I'm not sure that is worth it. Although, I believe Abreu could probably be had for a top flight starting pitcher.

 

I'd rather contact DePotesta and see if they would have interest in moving their headache (Milton Bradley) for ours (Patterson). Both players most likely need changes of scenery. Bradley would have a manager he could probably play for in Baker. I wouldn't mind a Giles, Bradley, Murton outfield next season, with Pie pushing Murton if he falters.

[dalgreen]

To me Burnett is vastly preferrable to Zito, because Beane will demand and get a high price in prospects. We won't have to give up any prospects to get Burnett, we just have to pay him his dollar price, which will be very high of course, but Zito will be just as expensive in 2007 if he has another good season in 2006. One year of Zito at 7.7M is not worth gutting the farm. I say sign Burnett and keep the prospects for other needs.

 

As a refresher, here is what Beane got for the other two of the "Big 3"

 

Hudson: P Juan Cruz, P Dan Meyer, OF Charles Thomas

 

Mulder: P Danny Haren, P Kiko Calero, C Daric Barton

 

Of those 6 players, Haren (12-10, 3.86) has had the most success. Calero has been a good reliever, Cruz has been terrible, Thomas is hitting .109 in limited AB's. I haven't looked up the minor league stats.

 

So what would be the Cubs equivalent of thos prospects?

 

In asking that question, you can't look at what those prospects or players did this year, but how they were viewed prior to being acquired. That was their value (or perceived value) at the time of the trade.

 

Hudson: Cruz (had completed a season as a top flight reliever). Dan Meyer (top pitching prospect in Braves system) and OF Thomas (4th OF with nice tools)

 

Mulder: P Danny Haren (top pitcher in Cardinals system), Kiko Calero (serviceable reliever) and Daric Barton (top minor league hitter in Cardinals system)

 

Applying that equivocation to the question, to get Zito, the Cubs would likely have to include a package of Rich Hill, Roberto Novoa, and Ryan Harvey. That's too steep in my opinion.

 

I would part with either Hill or Novoa but not both. Harvey I definitely wouldn't mind giving up. It's sad that I've already pretty much given up on him.

[frostwyrm]

To me Burnett is vastly preferrable to Zito, because Beane will demand and get a high price in prospects. We won't have to give up any prospects to get Burnett, we just have to pay him his dollar price, which will be very high of course, but Zito will be just as expensive in 2007 if he has another good season in 2006. One year of Zito at 7.7M is not worth gutting the farm. I say sign Burnett and keep the prospects for other needs.

 

As a refresher, here is what Beane got for the other two of the "Big 3"

 

Hudson: P Juan Cruz, P Dan Meyer, OF Charles Thomas

 

Mulder: P Danny Haren, P Kiko Calero, C Daric Barton

 

Of those 6 players, Haren (12-10, 3.86) has had the most success. Calero has been a good reliever, Cruz has been terrible, Thomas is hitting .109 in limited AB's. I haven't looked up the minor league stats.

 

So what would be the Cubs equivalent of thos prospects?

 

In asking that question, you can't look at what those prospects or players did this year, but how they were viewed prior to being acquired. That was their value (or perceived value) at the time of the trade.

 

Hudson: Cruz (had completed a season as a top flight reliever). Dan Meyer (top pitching prospect in Braves system) and OF Thomas (4th OF with nice tools)

 

Mulder: P Danny Haren (top pitcher in Cardinals system), Kiko Calero (serviceable reliever) and Daric Barton (top minor league hitter in Cardinals system)

 

Applying that equivocation to the question, to get Zito, the Cubs would likely have to include a package of Rich Hill, Roberto Novoa, and Ryan Harvey. That's too steep in my opinion.

 

Yeah! It's like internet stocks in the late 90's. At the time they were worth a lot of money, only later was it clear they were overpriced. At the time Hudson and Mulder were traded Beane got a high price for them.

[neely crenshaw]

this is just another example of why hendry should have spent a little more last year and have a bigger payroll for a season instead of hording all this cash for a pretty sad free agent market. we will either badly overpay for less or once again walk away from the offseason with nothing and state we didn't want to pay that salary for so and so....

 

also what in hendry's history makes anyone believe he will make all these deals and signings? he has yet to sign anyone who wasn't a gamble.

[YearofDaCubs]

this is just another example of why hendry should have spent a little more last year and have a bigger payroll for a season instead of hording all this cash for a pretty sad free agent market. we will either badly overpay for less or once again walk away from the offseason with nothing and state we didn't want to pay that salary for so and so....

 

also what in hendry's history makes anyone believe he will make all these deals and signings? he has yet to sign anyone who wasn't a gamble.

So far the only thing that Hendry has paid market value for among free agents has been for setup man and obviously that hasnt worked out so great. It will be a very interesting offseason.

[frostwyrm]

Our window won't be open much longer, and Burnett and Giles could put us over the top. I say give them their fair prices. Cedeno and Murton won't hurt us at 320K apiece. Bring Walker back and get a stopgap CF and you have a good team. With Burnett on the team we could use Wood as the closer.

[biittner77]

The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that Hendry will use that money to take on players whose contracts that are too expensive for their current teams. He'll do that through trades and the trades will be along the lines of the Ramirez deal but not as one sided.

 

The question is whose soon to be FAs or arb eligibles would be available? I've heard that the 2007 FA class is much deeper (could it be much worse?) Those are the guys that he'll target. Thus I don't see any of the usual suspects (like Giles) playing for the Cubs next season.

[YearofDaCubs]

Our window won't be open much longer, and Burnett and Giles could put us over the top. I say give them their fair prices. Cedeno and Murton won't hurt us at 320K apiece. Bring Walker back and get a stopgap CF and you have a good team. With Burnett on the team we could use Wood as the closer.

I'm all for what you said but I would still leave Wood in the rotation and remove Jerome Williams untiol an injury happens(which is likely with the Cubs) or wait till the next season and put him back in the rotation after Maddux is gone.

[jtownie]

The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that Hendry will use that money to take on players whose contracts that are too expensive for their current teams. He'll do that through trades and the trades will be along the lines of the Ramirez deal but not as one sided.

 

The question is whose soon to be FAs or arb eligibles would be available? I've heard that the 2007 FA class is much deeper (could it be much worse?) Those are the guys that he'll target. Thus I don't see any of the usual suspects (like Giles) playing for the Cubs next season.

 

 

This is the most extensive list I have found in regards to players that will or potentially be FA after 2006.

 

http://www.mlb4u.com/0607FA.html

 

 

It's a bit deeper but there doesn't appear to be a lot of big names.

[JC]

 

 

This is the most extensive list I have found in regards to players that will or potentially be FA after 2006.

 

http://www.mlb4u.com/0607FA.html

 

 

It's a bit deeper but there doesn't appear to be a lot of big names.

 

Yuck.

 

It took everything I had to start that word with a "y".

[Transmogrified Tiger]

 

 

This is the most extensive list I have found in regards to players that will or potentially be FA after 2006.

 

http://www.mlb4u.com/0607FA.html

 

 

It's a bit deeper but there doesn't appear to be a lot of big names.

 

Yuck.

 

It took everything I had to start that word with a "y".

 

What were you expecting? Granted, there's no Vlad there, but it's pretty talented on the whole, although that could change by performance in the next year. I'll check to see if they missed any guys.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Hendry make a deal for Pierre and try to answer our lead-off question there.

 

While I'm not enamored with Pierre, I wouldn't be surprised to see that move.

[ManCrushOnNomar]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Hendry make a deal for Pierre and try to answer our lead-off question there.

 

While I'm not enamored with Pierre, I wouldn't be surprised to see that move.

I would however be sickened by that move. Pierre is not the answer, as I'm sure 99% of this board believes also.

[Nobody youd want to know]

We hardly need to spend all that money on hitters; as I've stated ad nauseum, the Cubs right now are a top-5 offense. What they need is a little more OBP, and pitching, pitching and more pitching.

 

That having been said, I love Brian Giles, and I think you open up the bank for him. 3 years/$38 million sounds like an offer he can't refuse. Book him, Danno. Bat him in front of DLee, who's come up to bat 331 times this season with the bases empty (25 solo HRs), compared to 248 PAs with runner(s) on. With a .400 OBP ahead of him, that's a lot fewer solo shots.

 

(If you can't get Giles, nab Juan Encarnacion, whose .360 OBP would look good in the 2 spot. And his 2005 salary is $4.4 mil, so you'd save a bit of money.)

 

I'm done with Corey. Trade him for whatever you can get, and sign a stopgap guy until Pie's ready. I'd go for Jay Payton, who only makes $3.5 this year but will probably cost you a bit more after the splash he made after being traded to the A's. Other FA possibilities: Dave Roberts (who's older, cheaper, has better speed but has NO power) or Jose Cruz Jr. (if he gets over his horrendous fielding slump, and is willing to accept much less than this year's $4 mil)

 

For a backup OF, rather than Jeff Conine, let's grab Mark Sweeney, who's old but cheap, and has a career .359 OBP (.425 this year).

 

And I'd love to steal Jason Michaels away from Philly as a backup CFer. His 2005 OBP: .407.

 

Go cheap on the rest of the offense.

 

 

Then you buy a couple of starters, Burnett and Millwood would be my preference. If you can trade for Zito, you go all-out.

 

Lineup:

 

Walker, 2B

Murton, LF

Giles, RF

Lee, 1B

Ramirez, 3B

Barrett, C

CF (choose from FAs Dave Roberts, Jose Cruz Jr. or Jay Payton--preferably Payton)

Cedeno, SS

 

That's a better offense than this year's, and will score quite a few more runs.

 

SP:

Z

Prior

Burnett

Millwood

Maddux

 

(Swap Zito for Millwood if you can trade for him, and move Zito to 3rd).

 

RP:

Ohman

Wuertz

Williamson (setup)

VanBuren

Chris Hammond (FA; 1.02 WHIP in 2005)

 

Closer: Wood

 

Bench:

Mark Sweeney (OF & PH)

Scott McClain (3B & 1B)

Mike Fontenot (2B, SS, 3B)

Ben Grieve (OF & PH)

Hank White ©

Jason Michaels (OF)

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I'm done with Corey. Trade him for whatever you can get, and sign a stopgap guy until Pie's ready. I'd go for Jay Payton, who only makes $3.5 this year but will probably cost you a bit more after the splash he made after being traded to the A's. Other FA possibilities: Dave Roberts (who's older, cheaper, has better speed but has NO power) or Jose Cruz Jr. (if he gets over his horrendous fielding slump, and is willing to accept much less than this year's $4 mil)

 

Payton has an 4 million team option next year, and Roberts has another year of arbitration before free agency.

[CuseCubFan69]

I'm done with Corey. Trade him for whatever you can get, and sign a stopgap guy until Pie's ready. I'd go for Jay Payton, who only makes $3.5 this year but will probably cost you a bit more after the splash he made after being traded to the A's. Other FA possibilities: Dave Roberts (who's older, cheaper, has better speed but has NO power) or Jose Cruz Jr. (if he gets over his horrendous fielding slump, and is willing to accept much less than this year's $4 mil)

 

Payton has an 4 million team option next year, and Roberts has another year of arbitration before free agency.

 

What about Mora? What does Baltimore need to make him a Cub?