M. Sneed, Sun-Times gossip col., hears that Nomar is leaving

[AAApittsburgh]

Why are so many of us wanting Nomar back, yet we complained about Hendry having too many injury risks on the team last season? I admit, I'm as guilty as anyone. But it seems a little hypocritical. The other injury risks (Wood, Ramirez, Prior) aren't going anywhere, so you'd think we would want to get less injury friendly.

I'd take that risk at SS. At any other position, I probably wouldn't. Since it's so hard to find good offensive shortstops, I don't see any reason to not bring him back unless he wants more than 1 year.

[E.J.]

I don't want him back at all. I'm up for any of Furcal, Cedeno, or Lugo (if he can be had in a trade). Nomar needs to play 3b for a West Coast team.

[TrueBlueCubFan]

I don't want him back at all. I'm up for any of Furcal, Cedeno, or Lugo (if he can be had in a trade). Nomar needs to play 3b for a West Coast team.

Lugo's option was picked up by TB for 06'

[E.J.]

I don't want him back at all. I'm up for any of Furcal, Cedeno, or Lugo (if he can be had in a trade). Nomar needs to play 3b for a West Coast team.

Lugo's option was picked up by TB for 06'

 

Doesn't mean he can't be traded by TB this offseason. I still think there's a good chance he'll be traded.

[TrueBlueCubFan]

I don't want him back at all. I'm up for any of Furcal, Cedeno, or Lugo (if he can be had in a trade). Nomar needs to play 3b for a West Coast team.

Lugo's option was picked up by TB for 06'

 

Doesn't mean he can't be traded by TB this offseason. I still think there's a good chance he'll be traded.

Who does TB have to play SS if they trade Lugo?

[USSoccer]

I don't want him back at all. I'm up for any of Furcal, Cedeno, or Lugo (if he can be had in a trade). Nomar needs to play 3b for a West Coast team.

Lugo's option was picked up by TB for 06'

 

Doesn't mean he can't be traded by TB this offseason. I still think there's a good chance he'll be traded.

Who does TB have to play SS if they trade Lugo?

 

Isn't BJ Upton a SS?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I don't want him back at all. I'm up for any of Furcal, Cedeno, or Lugo (if he can be had in a trade). Nomar needs to play 3b for a West Coast team.

Lugo's option was picked up by TB for 06'

 

Doesn't mean he can't be traded by TB this offseason. I still think there's a good chance he'll be traded.

Who does TB have to play SS if they trade Lugo?

 

Upton, they could bring back Alex Gonzalez if they think he's not quite ready.

[BigbadB]

Why are so many of us wanting Nomar back, yet we complained about Hendry having too many injury risks on the team last season? I admit, I'm as guilty as anyone. But it seems a little hypocritical. The other injury risks (Wood, Ramirez, Prior) aren't going anywhere, so you'd think we would want to get less injury friendly.

 

Because we have a back up plan in place (Cedeno) if Nomar were to get injured, I don't see that much risk in bringing him back. Based on the projections of what he would cost, why not offer him a contract that was laced with incentives? If he doesn't meet the incentives, he doesn't get an increase.

 

If he's healthy, he could have a splendid year offensively. If he leaves, and Furcal signs with the Mets (as is rumored), who are you going to get? What will you have to give up to get him?

 

I'd fight to keep Nomar here. If he elects to take his chances on the market, I'd offer arbitration. Some team will offer him some serious coin on the market.

 

The lack of interest Cubs management is showing towards bringing Nomar back or signing Giles is very disappointing.

[JeffH]

The lack of interest Cubs management is showing towards bringing Nomar back or signing Giles is very disappointing.

 

What evidence do you have that the Cubs have a lack of interest in signing Giles?

[TheDude]

Why are so many of us wanting Nomar back, yet we complained about Hendry having too many injury risks on the team last season? I admit, I'm as guilty as anyone. But it seems a little hypocritical. The other injury risks (Wood, Ramirez, Prior) aren't going anywhere, so you'd think we would want to get less injury friendly.

And people seem perfectly willing to add JD Drew as well. I don't get it either.

[USSoccer]

Why are so many of us wanting Nomar back, yet we complained about Hendry having too many injury risks on the team last season? I admit, I'm as guilty as anyone. But it seems a little hypocritical. The other injury risks (Wood, Ramirez, Prior) aren't going anywhere, so you'd think we would want to get less injury friendly.

And people seem perfectly willing to add JD Drew as well. I don't get it either.

 

Yeah, that one I don't get...

[E.J.]

Lugo's option is for $4.95 mil. That's quite a bit for a team that had a payroll around only $30 mil last year. Does anyone know if the new D'Rays ownership plans on raising the payroll this year?

[abuck1220]

Why are so many of us wanting Nomar back, yet we complained about Hendry having too many injury risks on the team last season? I admit, I'm as guilty as anyone. But it seems a little hypocritical. The other injury risks (Wood, Ramirez, Prior) aren't going anywhere, so you'd think we would want to get less injury friendly.

 

because nomar's backup would be cedeno, who i wouldn't mind see getting forced into the starting role. that, and the alternative may be grossly overpaying for furcal.

 

i'd rather pay nomar $4 mil, have him get hurt and miss four months, and let cedeno play than give furcal a 4/$45 type deal.

[TrueBlueCubFan]

One indicator that tells me Nomar will not be back with the Cubs is that JH has noted one of his improvements to the team this off-season will be team defense. In no way is a MI of Nomar & Walker an improvement on defense. Actually, it's a downgrade. Unless JH plans on using Walker as a platoon 2nd baseman.

[wade]

Why are so many of us wanting Nomar back, yet we complained about Hendry having too many injury risks on the team last season? I admit, I'm as guilty as anyone. But it seems a little hypocritical. The other injury risks (Wood, Ramirez, Prior) aren't going anywhere, so you'd think we would want to get less injury friendly.

 

because nomar's backup would be cedeno, who i wouldn't mind see getting forced into the starting role. that, and the alternative may be grossly overpaying for furcal.

 

i'd rather pay nomar $4 mil, have him get hurt and miss four months, and let cedeno play than give furcal a 4/$45 type deal.

 

I completely agree.

 

Well, it would be nice if Nomar didn't get hurt and put up good numbers, but I like that worse-case scenario.

[SAMMYWHO]

I think we're kidding ourselves if we think Nomar will sign for around 3 mil. It wasn't that long ago he was winning batting titles. I'm all for signing him but I would pay more for his services than most people I'm sure.

[frostwyrm]

What if Nomar gets an incentive-laden contract, with the incentives based on playing time of course, and he gets injured badly enough that he sucks but can still play? I could totally see that happening. We could be stuck with a truly crappy defensive SS in that case.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

Is Nomar's house in Wilmette done being built yet? Mia likes it here. That could play a small role in this whole decision. If the Cubs want to lowball him, they might be able to get away with it. It's better than overpaying for Furcal in my eyes. We can use the Furcal money to get an outfield.

 

I wouldn't mind paying Nomar 2 or 2.5 for one year with incentives based on production, plate appearances, etc. Just cover your back in case of another injury.

[Derwood]

Your source:

 

http://images.suntimes.com/images4/columnists/sneed.jpg

 

:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

 

"It's a man, baby!"

[rawaction]

Why are so many of us wanting Nomar back, yet we complained about Hendry having too many injury risks on the team last season? I admit, I'm as guilty as anyone. But it seems a little hypocritical. The other injury risks (Wood, Ramirez, Prior) aren't going anywhere, so you'd think we would want to get less injury friendly.

 

because nomar's backup would be cedeno, who i wouldn't mind see getting forced into the starting role. that, and the alternative may be grossly overpaying for furcal.

 

i'd rather pay nomar $4 mil, have him get hurt and miss four months, and let cedeno play than give furcal a 4/$45 type deal.

 

I completely agree.

 

Well, it would be nice if Nomar didn't get hurt and put up good numbers, but I like that worse-case scenario.

 

I have agreed with that sentiment since June. I actually may have been the originator of the "Bring Nomar back" crowd. But it's making less and less sense to me to keep putting out a team with several players who are likely to go on the DL. Cedeno is a good backup, but remember, Walker has missed time in each of the last 2 years as a Cub. So, what happens if both go down? We go back to blaming Hendry for putting out an injury riddled team? I wouldn't fault him for paying money for Furcal. Cedeno and Patterson are the only MIFs coming thru the system. Odds are at least 1 of them won't make it. If Hendry gives a reasonable ($8M-10/4 years) contract to Furcal, I wouldn't be too upset given the likelihood of his health, the stability he brings to the defense and the offense (being a leadoff hitter), and his age.

[wade]

I'm starting to get used to the idea of Furcal because, well, it looks like he really is their number one target and I might as well get used to it.

 

My only concern with going after him so hard is if in their pursuit, Nomar is gone and he's not available to fall back on.