Could the Cubs do nothing in the 2005 offseason?

[stuy119]

Saw a post in another thread and wanted to split this off. The other post (from Hoops) mentioned that the Cubs had roughly $50 million to spend for more or less 17 spots.

 

Taking into account that a weak FA class exists, Dusty likes to play vets and the Cubs system is extremely young, is there a chance that we don't pick up anything other than 1-2 year contracts while waiting for the next FA class to pick up some steam? And if this were done, would the money be stashed in the bank for another year?

 

Maybe a big splash like Furcal (just to be pre-emptive), but then let Murton and Pie cut their teeth, along with Ramirez, Lee, and Cedeno, with Barrett behind the plate?

 

Not ideal to say the least, but we can see where they stand for a year and then plan on 2007 to go for it all with a big FA splash.

[neely crenshaw]

i think there is a better chance that they do nothing(or next to). the prices will be high and the talent slim. i see an offseason like 2004, where we take care of our own and make some serious reaches. i do not see the cubs paying giles 10 mil, which it will probably get too, or furcal. burnett will be looking at at least 12..and maybe higher. wagner? if they(closers) 7 mil last year, better look at about 9 for 3 years this year.

[LoneStarCubFan]

i think there is a better chance that they do nothing(or next to). the prices will be high and the talent slim. i see an offseason like 2004, where we take care of our own and make some serious reaches. i do not see the cubs paying giles 10 mil, which it will probably get too, or furcal. burnett will be looking at at least 12..and maybe higher. wagner? if they(closers) 7 mil last year, better look at about 9 for 3 years this year.

 

There's absolutely no reason for the Cubs to spend big money on a closer. What they need are set-up guys. Signing Burnett and Furcal wouldn't be a bad idea though.

[neely crenshaw]

those were just examples...

[XZero771679666304]

i think there is a better chance that they do nothing(or next to). the prices will be high and the talent slim. i see an offseason like 2004, where we take care of our own and make some serious reaches. i do not see the cubs paying giles 10 mil, which it will probably get too, or furcal. burnett will be looking at at least 12..and maybe higher. wagner? if they(closers) 7 mil last year, better look at about 9 for 3 years this year.

 

Giles is good, but he is aging and his numbers are down. I sincerely doubt he will command 10 million per. Having said that, I think Giles re-signs with San Diego. I think Hendry will most likely trade for a corner OF and extend them. I don't see the Cubs signing a SP. What I do see is the Cubs signing Furcal, letting Walker go and moving Cedeno to second. I also think Hendry will sign two of the top relievers on the market.

 

After this year, I highly doubt we will such an inactive offseason as we did last year, especially without the Sosa circus holding up the works. There will be 30 million to spend, and I blieve it will be spent. On what is debatable, but spending that much will make it an active offseason by default.

[Derwood]

Many of us were upset by the perceived inactivity this past off season, and still blame Hendry for not picking up better players. But in retrospect, were guys like Drew and Benitez worth the money? This year's FA class has even fewer options, and it may be prudent to not over reach for mid level talent.

[XZero771679666304]

Many of us were upset by the perceived inactivity this past off season, and still blame Hendry for not picking up better players. But in retrospect, were guys like Drew and Benitez worth the money? This year's FA class has even fewer options, and it may be prudent to not over reach for mid level talent.

 

Yeah, the 2004 free agent class was ripe with busts. Beltran, Drew, Benitez, Percival... all have been terribly disappointing.

[AAApittsburgh]

Many of us were upset by the perceived inactivity this past off season, and still blame Hendry for not picking up better players. But in retrospect, were guys like Drew and Benitez worth the money? This year's FA class has even fewer options, and it may be prudent to not over reach for mid level talent.

More could have been done the previous offseason. There was enough on the market to make the Cubs a very good tream. Why couldn't they get Tejada or Vlad? Hendry was very shortsighted, and now I could definitely see them overspending on crap this offseason.

[TheDude]

There is no chance the team does nothing. Prior and Zambrano will continue to get escalating raises and 2 years from now their salaries will be preventative for the team to make too many acquisitions. All you have done is waste a couple years in the meantime.

 

Generally speaking, the FA class isn't ripe with all-stars. But there is talent worth pursuing, and there is definately talent enough to rebuild a contender.

 

People shouldn't fear overpaying. There is no sure thing. But the last thing Hendry will do on a contract year for him and his manager is not field the best team possible.

[CuseCubFan69]

Many of us were upset by the perceived inactivity this past off season, and still blame Hendry for not picking up better players. But in retrospect, were guys like Drew and Benitez worth the money? This year's FA class has even fewer options, and it may be prudent to not over reach for mid level talent.

More could have been done the previous offseason. There was enough on the market to make the Cubs a very good tream. Why couldn't they get Tejada or Vlad? Hendry was very shortsighted, and now I could definitely see them overspending on crap this offseason.

 

True. Hendry lacked imaginiation and vision to make the Vlad or Tejada moves.

[goonys evil twin]

There is no chance the team does nothing.

 

Generally speaking, the FA class isn't ripe with all-stars. But there is talent worth pursuing, and there is definately talent enough to rebuild a contender.

 

I generally agree with those sentiments.

 

Theoretically they could do next to nothing and once again hope that improved health will provide the necessary improvements to the team. But it would be inexcusable to do so once again (that was last offseason's strategy).

[mg420]

i think there is a better chance that they do nothing(or next to). the prices will be high and the talent slim. i see an offseason like 2004, where we take care of our own and make some serious reaches. i do not see the cubs paying giles 10 mil, which it will probably get too, or furcal. burnett will be looking at at least 12..and maybe higher. wagner? if they(closers) 7 mil last year, better look at about 9 for 3 years this year.

 

There's absolutely no reason for the Cubs to spend big money on a closer. What they need are set-up guys. Signing Burnett and Furcal wouldn't be a bad idea though.

 

wood would make a great lights out 2 inning setup up guy imo.

[XZero771679666304]

i think there is a better chance that they do nothing(or next to). the prices will be high and the talent slim. i see an offseason like 2004, where we take care of our own and make some serious reaches. i do not see the cubs paying giles 10 mil, which it will probably get too, or furcal. burnett will be looking at at least 12..and maybe higher. wagner? if they(closers) 7 mil last year, better look at about 9 for 3 years this year.

 

There's absolutely no reason for the Cubs to spend big money on a closer. What they need are set-up guys. Signing Burnett and Furcal wouldn't be a bad idea though.

 

wood would make a great lights out 2 inning setup up guy imo.

 

Maybe, but it would be hard to rationalize paying your setup guy 12 million.

[CubfaninCA]

They'll get some mid-level free agents, and pull off a trade or too.

[Electron Blue]

i think there is a better chance that they do nothing(or next to). the prices will be high and the talent slim. i see an offseason like 2004, where we take care of our own and make some serious reaches. i do not see the cubs paying giles 10 mil, which it will probably get too, or furcal. burnett will be looking at at least 12..and maybe higher. wagner? if they(closers) 7 mil last year, better look at about 9 for 3 years this year.

 

There's absolutely no reason for the Cubs to spend big money on a closer. What they need are set-up guys. Signing Burnett and Furcal wouldn't be a bad idea though.

 

wood would make a great lights out 2 inning setup up guy imo.

 

Maybe, but it would be hard to rationalize paying your setup guy 12 million.

 

True. But on the other hand, if you can't trade him (and they may not be able to), would you rather spend the $12 M on a iffy and oft-injured 6-inning starter or a light's out setup man?

[ltb]

calling drew a bust is ridiculous. the guy had a .932 OPS after an atrocious beginning to the season, then got hit in the hand.

 

as if he could help that.

 

come on, guys.

[AAApittsburgh]

calling drew a bust is ridiculous. the guy had a .932 OPS after an atrocious beginning to the season, then got hit in the hand.

 

as if he could help that.

 

come on, guys.

Seems like it happens every year.

[ltb]

calling drew a bust is ridiculous. the guy had a .932 OPS after an atrocious beginning to the season, then got hit in the hand.

 

as if he could help that.

 

come on, guys.

Seems like it happens every year.

 

lol

next, i bet you're going to tell me that mark prior is injury prone because he got hit on the elbow by a ball, right? sounds like a real good argument to me....

[CubinNY]

Others have typed it before, but there aren't many worse things then overspending on medicore (and worse) ball players.

 

I'd like to see the Cubs invest the money into scouting (modern scouting not toolsy scouting) and development in Latin America and the Pacific Rim.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

calling drew a bust is ridiculous. the guy had a .932 OPS after an atrocious beginning to the season, then got hit in the hand.

 

as if he could help that.

 

come on, guys.

Seems like it happens every year.

 

lol

next, i bet you're going to tell me that mark prior is injury prone because he got hit on the elbow by a ball, right? sounds like a real good argument to me....

 

This is his 7th season, and he's played 110+ games in only 3 of them. I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'.

[HoopsCubs]

Saw a post in another thread and wanted to split this off. The other post (from Hoops) mentioned that the Cubs had roughly $50 million to spend for more or less 17 spots.

 

Taking into account that a weak FA class exists, Dusty likes to play vets and the Cubs system is extremely young, is there a chance that we don't pick up anything other than 1-2 year contracts while waiting for the next FA class to pick up some steam? And if this were done, would the money be stashed in the bank for another year?

 

Maybe a big splash like Furcal (just to be pre-emptive), but then let Murton and Pie cut their teeth, along with Ramirez, Lee, and Cedeno, with Barrett behind the plate?

 

Not ideal to say the least, but we can see where they stand for a year and then plan on 2007 to go for it all with a big FA splash.

 

Stuy,

I think they'll spend a $100M. But with the exceptions being Brian Giles, Johnny Damon, Rafael Furcal, Billy Wagner and AJ Burnett, I don't see Hendry giving any free agent a deal lasting more than 2 years.

[stuy119]

Stuy,

I think they'll spend a $100M. But with the exceptions being Brian Giles, Johnny Damon, Rafael Furcal, Billy Wagner and AJ Burnett, I don't see Hendry giving any free agent a deal lasting more than 2 years.

 

Hoops-

 

I agree, but I'll be awfully disapointed if we sign Damon. He'll be a guy everyone is complaining about 3-4 years from the signing, wondering why Hendry spent $30M on his .240/.320/.375 line when he's 41 years old and rotting in CF.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

Stuy,

I think they'll spend a $100M. But with the exceptions being Brian Giles, Johnny Damon, Rafael Furcal, Billy Wagner and AJ Burnett, I don't see Hendry giving any free agent a deal lasting more than 2 years.

 

Hoops-

 

I agree, but I'll be awfully disapointed if we sign Damon. He'll be a guy everyone is complaining about 3-4 years from the signing, wondering why Hendry spent $30M on his .240/.320/.375 line when he's 41 years old and rotting in CF.

 

I'd imagine Damon resigns with Boston or ends up with the Angels or Yankees (who are absolutely desparate for a decent CFer). He won't get the years he wants from Hendry.

 

But for the sake of argument, I'd be disappointed as well if we signed Damon. He doesn't fit in our long range plans with Pie coming up in the next couple of years. We have bigger fish to fry.

[HoopsCubs]

Stuy,

I think they'll spend a $100M. But with the exceptions being Brian Giles, Johnny Damon, Rafael Furcal, Billy Wagner and AJ Burnett, I don't see Hendry giving any free agent a deal lasting more than 2 years.

 

Hoops-

 

I agree, but I'll be awfully disapointed if we sign Damon. He'll be a guy everyone is complaining about 3-4 years from the signing, wondering why Hendry spent $30M on his .240/.320/.375 line when he's 41 years old and rotting in CF.

 

Don't worry about it Stuy. Damon will be an Angel before he ever becomes a Cub. Arte Moreno will make Steinbrenner and John Henry work hard to get Damon.

[nilodnayr]

Stuy,

I think they'll spend a $100M. But with the exceptions being Brian Giles, Johnny Damon, Rafael Furcal, Billy Wagner and AJ Burnett, I don't see Hendry giving any free agent a deal lasting more than 2 years.

 

Hoops-

 

I agree, but I'll be awfully disapointed if we sign Damon. He'll be a guy everyone is complaining about 3-4 years from the signing, wondering why Hendry spent $30M on his .240/.320/.375 line when he's 41 years old and rotting in CF.

 

Don't worry about it Stuy. Damon will be an Angel before he ever becomes a Cub. Arte Moreno will make Steinbrenner and John Henry work hard to get Damon.

 

Per Rotoworld

 

Johnny Damon said Thursday the Angels would be his No. 2 choice to sign with, after Boston, during free agency this offseaon.

''Anaheim's right behind Boston as far as teams on the list,'' Damon said. ''I love Southern California. The weather is awesome, I like the team, I love (Manager) Mike Scioscia, I love their pitching staff, I love Orlando Cabrera. A lot of things about it make sense.'' Sep. 9 - 8:10 am et

Source: Orange County Register