Levine: Eyre done deal. 3 years $11 million

[CardsFanInChiTown]

Well maybe hendry did this one so the demp contract would look like a steal. :lol:

 

Sorry if i'm trolling here - just tell me to stop.

[YearofDaCubs]

It wasn't so much that I was upset about not liking the deal.

 

It's not enjoyable to read page after page of the same stuff, new ideas? New reasons it wasn't good?

 

Like I said previously, Sarcastic brought up a 'new' point about the unreliability of relievers - after 5 pages someone finally spoke up with this?

 

The fact that my sarcastic post yielding this many "shame on yous" from this community is baffling.

 

BAFFLE'D!!!

Don't be baffled, it happens to others that USED to post here regularly. The funny part is all the name calling and second guessing of Hendry, people still wonder why he won't post here or answer questions on the site. My question to you is, if you were Hendry, would you?

You're funny. I could care less if Hendry shows up in here or not. Secondly, nobody is asking for him to come here anyways so who cares. With the job he has been doing he should lock himself in the office and order delivery.

[USSoccer]

The most frustrating thing is that, to attract a guy to sign with you, you might have to EITHER give him a little extra money OR throw him a bone like a player option.

 

NOT BOTH!!!

 

When Hendry targets a guy, he goes all out for him. That's about all I can say. I wish he'd make better decisions regarding his resources. I wish he'd target different guys.

 

It's done with now, though. None of us here can possibly change the fact that we signed 3 guys that, when added together, took up between 25 and 30% of our available budget for this winter, and of the 3 only Eyre is an upgrade, and it's not a upgrade equal to how much we're paying him.

 

The only thing left to do is hope that Hendry has a rabbit up his sleeve. I think we might end up with Furcal, and then it's on Hendry to swing a trade for a RF. An IMPACT RF.

[Clogged Basepaths]

I completely understand the angst over the cumulative sum of the deals we've inked so far.

 

But...

 

It's gotten to the point where the waters are so poisoned by it that I am struggling to conjure a (realistic) FA signing that wouldn't get torn apart.

 

Furcal will result in too many years, or too much money, or both.

Same with Giles, but most likely years.

Wagner/Ryan would be years/$ respectively.

 

We're so angry (rightfully so) with the results/excuses the last 2 years basically nothing will make us happy.

 

Trades, are a different story obviously, as 'winning' in any trade will still make the peasants rejoice. But FA's are basically dead to us at this point it seems.

[Guest]

I've said this before, but I'll say it again: Eyre has a career Fielding-Independent ERA of nearly 5.00. (4.94 for those of you who are sticklers for decimal points.) For a little perspective, Glendon Rusch's career FIERA is a comparatively scant 4.21. To be fair, though, Eyre has been a much more effective pitcher since turning 30, posting FIERAs of 3.79, 4.25, 4.85, and 3.01 over the past four years. Still, is it a wise decision to commit $11 million to a player who's unlikely to provide any more value than a 4.00 ERA over 60-70 innings? Particularly when you have an in-house option (Ohman) that could fill the same role just as competently for a fraction of the cost? I don't think so. Edited November 18, 2005 by Anonymous

[Deeg]

We've all seen how well throwing big money at middle relievers has worked for the Cubs - and not just the Cubs. Throwing big money at a LOOGY who's been better than mediocre exactly once in his career is totally baffling. As Jeff said, the fact that Hendry is willing to piss away so much of his budget on players like Rusch, Perez and Eyre leads one to believe he thinks his team is already pretty damn good, and needs only minor tinkering. That may be the most depressing part of all of this. Edited November 18, 2005 by Deeg

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

It wasn't so much that I was upset about not liking the deal.

 

It's not enjoyable to read page after page of the same stuff, new ideas? New reasons it wasn't good?

 

Like I said previously, Sarcastic brought up a 'new' point about the unreliability of relievers - after 5 pages someone finally spoke up with this?

 

The fact that my sarcastic post yielding this many "shame on yous" from this community is baffling.

 

BAFFLE'D!!!

Don't be baffled, it happens to others that USED to post here regularly. The funny part is all the name calling and second guessing of Hendry, people still wonder why he won't post here or answer questions on the site. My question to you is, if you were Hendry, would you?

You're funny. I could care less if Hendry shows up in here or not. Secondly, nobody is asking for him to come here anyways so who cares. With the job he has been doing he should lock himself in the office and order delivery.

 

That me state a few things along these lines and then shut-up on the issue.

 

Personally, I'd love for Hendry to post here. I also think if he did and he identified himself and we were confirmed it was him, the majority of posters, would be respectful, even if they were critical.

 

Secondly, I would hope that we wouldn't have to censor our opinions to try to lure Hendry or anyone else for that matter to come here. It's a fan forum and the opinions of the fans should be heard. Both sides. While I've been accused of negativity and such lately, go back and read my pre-2005 season posts. I was one of the ones fighting the positivity battle. What changed? Hell, just look at the 2005 season and there's your answer.

 

Third, while I'm aware that a GM has occasionally appeared on a fan forum, I don't know any that make it a regular habit. You're more likely to see a structured interview posted, but rarely if ever do you see a GM actually interacting on the message board. While it would be cool, I doubt it happens.

 

Finally, my guess is we've had more intereaction from people (broadcasters, players, media) in the organization than any other fan forum. So to try to chasitse people and say "shut-up so Hendry will come here," is about the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.

[USSoccer]

I've said this before, but I'll say it again: Eyre has a career Fielding-Independent ERA of nearly 5.00. (4.94 for those of you who are sticklers for decimal points.) For a little perspective, Glendon Rusches career FIERA is a comparitvely scant 4.21. To be fair, though, Eyre has been a much more effective pitcher since turning 30, posting FIERAs of 3.79, 4.25, 4.85, and 3.01 over the past four years. Still, is it a wise decision to commit $11 million to a player who's unlikely to provide any more value than a 4.00 ERA for 60-70 innings? Particularly when you have an in-house option (Ohman) that could fill the same role just as competently for a fraction of the cost? I don't think so.

 

That exact scenario has reared it's head several times, though. Cedeno and Fontenot are here, yet we've resigned Perez. Hill, Mitre and Williams are here, yet we brought back Rusch.

 

It a bad, bad pattern.

[Clogged Basepaths]

I've said this before, but I'll say it again: Eyre has a career Fielding-Independent ERA of nearly 5.00. (4.94 for those of you who are sticklers for decimal points.) For a little perspective, Glendon Rusches career FIERA is a comparitvely scant 4.21. To be fair, though, Eyre has been a much more effective pitcher since turning 30, posting FIERAs of 3.79, 4.25, 4.85, and 3.01 over the past four years. Still, is it a wise decision to commit $11 million to a player who's unlikely to provide any more value than a 4.00 ERA for 60-70 innings? Particularly when you have an in-house option (Ohman) that could fill the same role just as competently for a fraction of the cost? I don't think so.

 

You make a very good point. But I already pointed out that I don't feel we can actually 'count' on Ohman to even be healthy, let alone good this year.

He 'could' fill the role is the sticking point. He's been so banged up over his career that I almost can't believe he's back on the big league club. As we've seen recently, it's not 'easy' to acquire a quality left reliever through a trade during the season. What would we do if Ohman exploded in April? If Ohman fills the role, that's even better, as we'd have 2 lefties capable of being good out of the bullpen. I, for one, do not want to see Rusch and his giant WHIP out there in any inning, let alone the last couple.

[frostwyrm]

If I could make a list of roles that a GM should have a good chance of filling cheaply, LOOGY might be at the top of the list. The Braves rountinely trust their farm system to produce STARTERS, real everyday difference-makers. You'd think the Cubs could reach into their farm system and find a stinkin LOOGY they trust.

[RynoRules]

I'm probably known around here as a Hendry apologist, but even I don't like the cash involved here. 3 yrs and 9 mill would have made more sense to me. I like Eyre; I don't like the cash.

 

That said, what is the current rate of inflation re middle reliever contracts? And do we know for certain that the budget isn't going to be a little more than 105 mill?

[Clogged Basepaths]

If I could make a list of roles that a GM should have a good chance of filling cheaply, LOOGY might be at the top of the list. The Braves rountinely trust their farm system to produce STARTERS, real everyday difference-makers. You'd think the Cubs could reach into their farm system and find a stinkin LOOGY they trust.

 

Using the Braves as a comparison to anything Cubs related is just going to make us all sad. Let's see how their farm system would stand up to Dusty "The Elbow Devourer" Baker.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

I like the signing. The money, who cares? Hendry spends like a drunken sailor, we already know this. At least he got a contributor for the money.

 

I disagree with the characterization that this is $3.5MM a year spent on a LOOGY. Eyre wasn't signed to be a LOOGY, that is Will Ohman's job, and he does it just fine. Eyre was signed to be a middle reliever, a 7th inning man to get the ball to the primary setup man. Bullpen, bullpen, bullpen. I've argued for years that bullpen strength, in terms of depth and quality, is what this team needs to get more production from our starting pitchers. I think the recent success of the White Sox, and Angels, and Astros and (last year) the Cardinals only adds further empirical evidence to the idea that in the modern game, deep and effective bullpens get teams to the postseason.

 

In my view, the signing is necessary because as of October, the only relievers we had in-house that I had any confidence in were Dempster to close and Ohman in his limited loogy role. Wuertz is borderline IMO and Williamson is still unproven after his injury. I think little of the Roberto Novoa's and Todd Wellemeyer's of the world.

 

I am hoping Hendry continues the theme and trades Todd Walker for our setup man. Signing Howry would be OK, but I still like the Walker for MacDougal trade rumor and hope it happens.

 

You know the Cubs will go with a 7-man pen again. Rusch is your long man, spot starter, and Wood insurance; Ohman is the loogy; Dempster to close. You now let performance and the hot hand dictate which of Michael Wuertz, Scott Williamson, Scott Eyre and hopefully, Mike MacDougal handle the 6th, 7th and 8th inning duties.

 

Folks, that is a loaded bullpen and will win us extra games over the course of the season, guaranteed. I like this very much. Get me my slugging corner OF, and leadoff man in CF or middle infield, and I am satisfied the offseason will be an overall success.

[YearofDaCubs]

I didnt read through all 11 pages so if this has been said forgive me. How many times is Hendry going to overpay for a setup man? When will he realize that a managers usage will do alot more for a bullpen than pay 1 set up guy 3 million. If he wants to improve his bullpen get a manger who has a clue on how to run one.

Yeah, I guess paying for setup men Remlinger, and Hawkins wasnt good enough for him to learn his lesson about paying top dollar for setup men. The man never learns.

[Andy]

Welcome to the Cubs, His Eyreness.

 

This signing wouldn't be so bad if we hadn't already burned 5.5 mil next year on the inNeiffable Perez and Rusch...it's not that bad by itself but we've basically committed over 9 mil of our budget in the off-season and we've upgraded only at bullpen. We still need a RF, SS, CF and we have only 21 mil or so to play with now. I think it's becoming more and more likely that Neifi will play SS and Hendry will look to trade for an overrated Torii Hunter type in the outfield.

 

This is depressing.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I completely understand the angst over the cumulative sum of the deals we've inked so far.

 

But...

 

It's gotten to the point where the waters are so poisoned by it that I am struggling to conjure a (realistic) FA signing that wouldn't get torn apart.

Furcal will result in too many years, or too much money, or both.

Same with Giles, but most likely years.

Wagner/Ryan would be years/$ respectively.

 

We're so angry (rightfully so) with the results/excuses the last 2 years basically nothing will make us happy.

 

Trades, are a different story obviously, as 'winning' in any trade will still make the peasants rejoice. But FA's are basically dead to us at this point it seems.

 

Well, if we don't get at least one of Furcal/Giles or someone comparable in a trade, then we're not winning in 2006 anyway, no matter how many Scott Eyre's we have. If Hendry has determined not to pursue Furcal or Giles for those reasons, then he'd be best served using 2006 as a rebuilding year evaluating the prospects and use the freed money to make down payments to Prior, Zambrano, Lee etc.

[Clogged Basepaths]

I like the signing. The money, who cares? Hendry spends like a drunken sailor, we already know this. At least he got a contributor for the money.

 

I disagree with the characterization that this is $3.5MM a year spent on a LOOGY. Eyre wasn't signed to be a LOOGY, that is Will Ohman's job, and he does it just fine. Eyre was signed to be a middle reliever, a 7th inning man to get the ball to the primary setup man. Bullpen, bullpen, bullpen. I've argued for years that bullpen strength, in terms of depth and quality, is what this team needs to get more production from our starting pitchers. I think the recent success of the White Sox, and Angels, and Astros and (last year) the Cardinals only adds further empirical evidence to the idea that in the modern game, deep and effective bullpens get teams to the postseason.

 

In my view, the signing is necessary because as of October, the only relievers we had in-house that I had any confidence in were Dempster to close and Ohman in his limited loogy role. Wuertz is borderline IMO and Williamson is still unproven after his injury. I think little of the Roberto Novoa's and Todd Wellemeyer's of the world.

 

I am hoping Hendry continues the theme and trades Todd Walker for our setup man. Signing Howry would be OK, but I still like the Walker for MacDougal trade rumor and hope it happens.

 

You know the Cubs will go with a 7-man pen again. Rusch is your long man, spot starter, and Wood insurance; Ohman is the loogy; Dempster to close. You now let performance and the hot hand dictate which of Michael Wuertz, Scott Williamson, Scott Eyre and hopefully, Mike MacDougal handle the 6th, 7th and 8th inning duties.

 

Folks, that is a loaded bullpen and will win us extra games over the course of the season, guaranteed. I like this very much. Get me my slugging corner OF, and leadoff man in CF or middle infield, and I am satisfied the offseason will be an overall success.

 

I said that earlier. Adding a SS and OF and another setup will make this a successful offseason.

[Brian34Cook]

Cubs agree to terms with free-agent reliever Eyre

 

CHICAGO (AP) -- Free-agent reliever Scott Eyre agreed to terms on a two-year, $11 million contract with the Chicago Cubs on Thursday.

 

Financial terms of the deal, which includes a player option for the 2008 season, were still being negotiated.

 

"We haven't worked all that out yet," Eyre's agent Tommy Tanzer said. "There is going to be a signing bonus."

 

The Cubs said Eyre will be introduced at a news conference Friday at Wrigley Field.

 

Eyre's contract calls for up to $300,000 a year in performance bonuses. He will receive $100,000 for 70 appearances and an additional $200,000 if he pitches in 80 games. There is also wording that would give Eyre additional money should he become the Cubs' closer.

 

[More in URL]

[RynoRules]

 

I said that earlier. Adding a SS and OF and another setup will make this a successful offseason.

 

That's really the key now: a SS, and, IMO two OFers (Pierre, Furcal and Dunn or Abreu, please).

[brinoch]

At least nobody has corrected my grammar yet.

 

Somebody call a mod! There's a post that disagrees with me!

 

You're fine, and you'll be fine. I thought frostwyrn's post was borderline. Remember, attack the post, not the poster.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I like the signing. The money, who cares? Hendry spends like a drunken sailor, we already know this. At least he got a contributor for the money.

 

I disagree with the characterization that this is $3.5MM a year spent on a LOOGY. Eyre wasn't signed to be a LOOGY, that is Will Ohman's job, and he does it just fine. Eyre was signed to be a middle reliever, a 7th inning man to get the ball to the primary setup man. Bullpen, bullpen, bullpen. I've argued for years that bullpen strength, in terms of depth and quality, is what this team needs to get more production from our starting pitchers. I think the recent success of the White Sox, and Angels, and Astros and (last year) the Cardinals only adds further empirical evidence to the idea that in the modern game, deep and effective bullpens get teams to the postseason.

 

In my view, the signing is necessary because as of October, the only relievers we had in-house that I had any confidence in were Dempster to close and Ohman in his limited loogy role. Wuertz is borderline IMO and Williamson is still unproven after his injury. I think little of the Roberto Novoa's and Todd Wellemeyer's of the world.

 

I am hoping Hendry continues the theme and trades Todd Walker for our setup man. Signing Howry would be OK, but I still like the Walker for MacDougal trade rumor and hope it happens.

 

You know the Cubs will go with a 7-man pen again. Rusch is your long man, spot starter, and Wood insurance; Ohman is the loogy; Dempster to close. You now let performance and the hot hand dictate which of Michael Wuertz, Scott Williamson, Scott Eyre and hopefully, Mike MacDougal handle the 6th, 7th and 8th inning duties.

 

Folks, that is a loaded bullpen and will win us extra games over the course of the season, guaranteed. I like this very much. Get me my slugging corner OF, and leadoff man in CF or middle infield, and I am satisfied the offseason will be an overall success.

 

I said that earlier. Adding a SS and OF and another setup will make this a successful offseason.

 

That all depends on who that SS and OF are. Right now we're down to about 20 million do fill our needs with.

 

After the Rusch signing, we had 30 million to fill the roster. Had we used the internal options, we could have spend on Giles and Furcal or Giles and Burnett or Furcal and Burnett.

 

Now, our options are being more limited based on money spent needlessly.

[Clogged Basepaths]

I completely understand the angst over the cumulative sum of the deals we've inked so far.

 

But...

 

It's gotten to the point where the waters are so poisoned by it that I am struggling to conjure a (realistic) FA signing that wouldn't get torn apart.

Furcal will result in too many years, or too much money, or both.

Same with Giles, but most likely years.

Wagner/Ryan would be years/$ respectively.

 

We're so angry (rightfully so) with the results/excuses the last 2 years basically nothing will make us happy.

 

Trades, are a different story obviously, as 'winning' in any trade will still make the peasants rejoice. But FA's are basically dead to us at this point it seems.

 

Well, if we don't get at least one of Furcal/Giles or someone comparable in a trade, then we're not winning in 2006 anyway, no matter how many Scott Eyre's we have. If Hendry has determined not to pursue Furcal or Giles for those reasons, then he'd be best served using 2006 as a rebuilding year evaluating the prospects and use the freed money to make down payments to Prior, Zambrano, Lee etc.

 

I wasn't saying I was against either Furcal or Giles. I'd like to have them both, but any deal they would actually sign - would not be met happily here. That was the only point.

[YearofDaCubs]

And let me reiterate. If this were the first signing of the offseason, I would likely roll my eyes at it, but I wouldn't be terribly upset. My reaction to it would be similar to how I reacted to the Rusch signing. Combined with Rusch and Perez, this is a bad signing.

 

Let me share a simple analogy. Blowing an extra thirty bucks on something I don't need at the mall is likely not going to put my family in a bind. If I do it every day it starts to add up. Doing it once, no big deal. Doing it for two weeks, then I start to look around at a bunch of crap that could have really equaled a nice purchase. Neifi, Rusch, and Eyre are the pile of crap that could have been Giles or Furcal.

 

Let's put it this way...assume all those guys were under contract. We're about to make a trade. On one side, Neifi, Rusch and Eyre. On the other side, Furcal or Giles. Which side would you choose?

 

Now if Hendry has a blank checkbook and still can pay the money for Giles and Furcal....great. But with a 105 payroll, the prospects of that happening are looking pretty slim.

 

Moves like this make me wonder if Hendry really understands how flawed this team is.

Hendry has no damn clue. I'm starting to question if he has the vision to put a contending team together in 2006.

[bmkhawk]

Where does this leave Ohman, who did a commendable job last year? Do we need 2 LOOGY's? Or is Eyre Dempster's setup guy? I don't get it.

 

Maybe Ohman is now possible trade bait.

 

Also, I'm not going to judge this signing until I see how Eyre does in a Cubs uniform. I guess all the "Mr. know it Alls" here know what the market is regarding LOOGY's as FA's. NOT!!!!

 

Give it a chance all you pessimists & overreacter's!

Maybe the optmists should give it a rest. Almost 4 mil for a loogy. Yeah!

 

Just because he is left handed doesn't mean he has to be only a LOOGY.

 

Christ, look at his BAA against righties. Very solid.

[Clogged Basepaths]

I like the signing. The money, who cares? Hendry spends like a drunken sailor, we already know this. At least he got a contributor for the money.

 

I disagree with the characterization that this is $3.5MM a year spent on a LOOGY. Eyre wasn't signed to be a LOOGY, that is Will Ohman's job, and he does it just fine. Eyre was signed to be a middle reliever, a 7th inning man to get the ball to the primary setup man. Bullpen, bullpen, bullpen. I've argued for years that bullpen strength, in terms of depth and quality, is what this team needs to get more production from our starting pitchers. I think the recent success of the White Sox, and Angels, and Astros and (last year) the Cardinals only adds further empirical evidence to the idea that in the modern game, deep and effective bullpens get teams to the postseason.

 

In my view, the signing is necessary because as of October, the only relievers we had in-house that I had any confidence in were Dempster to close and Ohman in his limited loogy role. Wuertz is borderline IMO and Williamson is still unproven after his injury. I think little of the Roberto Novoa's and Todd Wellemeyer's of the world.

 

I am hoping Hendry continues the theme and trades Todd Walker for our setup man. Signing Howry would be OK, but I still like the Walker for MacDougal trade rumor and hope it happens.

 

You know the Cubs will go with a 7-man pen again. Rusch is your long man, spot starter, and Wood insurance; Ohman is the loogy; Dempster to close. You now let performance and the hot hand dictate which of Michael Wuertz, Scott Williamson, Scott Eyre and hopefully, Mike MacDougal handle the 6th, 7th and 8th inning duties.

 

Folks, that is a loaded bullpen and will win us extra games over the course of the season, guaranteed. I like this very much. Get me my slugging corner OF, and leadoff man in CF or middle infield, and I am satisfied the offseason will be an overall success.

 

I said that earlier. Adding a SS and OF and another setup will make this a successful offseason.

 

That all depends on who that SS and OF are. Right now we're down to about 20 million do fill our needs with.

 

After the Rusch signing, we had 30 million to fill the roster. Had we used the internal options, we could have spend on Giles and Furcal or Giles and Burnett or Furcal and Burnett.

 

Now, our options are being more limited based on money spent needlessly.

 

Well, obviously it'd depend on who it was. My earlier posts said "above league average" - I was not referencing Neifi and like...Neifi (but in the OF).