Gut feeling: Are we headed for a worst-case scenario?

[JeffH]

Here's your worst case scenario:

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

The Cubs have re-signed infielder Jose Macias to a two-year, $4 million contract.

 

"Obviously, we have a real need for a quality, quality veteran middle infielder who has experience at the top of the order. We're tickled to have Jose back," said Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

The Chicago Cubs have acquired centerfielder Juan Pierre from the Florida Marlins in exchange for LHPs Rich Hill, Sean Marshall, Renyel Pinto, and a player to be named later.

 

The player to be named later is believed to be LHP Mark Pawelek.

 

"Obviously, we like Pierre. He can run and is a quality, quality defender. We were attracted to the way he catches the ball. We plan to slot him in the batting order at #2 behind Macias," said Cubs GM Jim Hendry.

 

"We feel that this is a good, old fashioned baseball trade that helps out both sides," said Hendry.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

The Chicago Cubs have acquired shortstop Cesar Izturis from the Los Angeles Dodgers for right handed pitcher Kerry Wood.

 

"Obviously, we like Kerry a lot and are very grateful for all he's meant to this franchise, but we felt like we couldn't pass up the opportunity to add a guy like Izturis. He's a quality, quality guy," said Cubs GM Jim Hendry.

 

"Our doctors have given us positive reports on Izturis' elbow and we expect him back in time for the start of the season, with a worst case scenario of a couple weeks into April. We feel like he'll be the missing piece at the top of our lineup," added Hendry.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

The Chicago Cubs have signed free agent outfielders Jacque Jones and Preston Wilson to a pair of three-year contracts.

 

Jones will receive a guaranteed $24 million over the three seasons, with incentives that could bring the total value of the deal to $30 million.

 

Wilson will receive a guaranteed $20 million over the three seasons, with incentives that could bring the total value of the deal to $25 million.

 

"Obviously, we had a need in the outfield. We're excited to be able to add two of the top outfielders available in the free agent market. Jacque and Preston both have terrific track records. We expect that they'll give a quality boost to our lineup," said Cubs GM Jim Hendry.

 

"We feel that both guys bring a lot to the table - they can catch the ball and can hit the ball out of the ballpark," added Hendry.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[JWCUB]

Here's your worst case scenario:

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

The Cubs have re-signed infielder Jose Macias to a two-year, $4 million contract.

 

"Obviously, we have a real need for a quality, quality veteran middle infielder who has experience at the top of the order. We're tickled to have Jose back," said Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

The Chicago Cubs have acquired centerfielder Juan Pierre from the Florida Marlins in exchange for LHPs Rich Hill, Sean Marshall, Renyel Pinto, and a player to be named later.

 

The player to be named later is believed to be LHP Mark Pawelek.

 

"Obviously, we like Pierre. He can run and is a quality, quality defender. We were attracted to the way he catches the ball. We plan to slot him in the batting order at #2 behind Macias," said Cubs GM Jim Hendry.

 

"We feel that this is a good, old fashioned baseball trade that helps out both sides," said Hendry.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

The Chicago Cubs have acquired shortstop Cesar Izturis from the Los Angeles Dodgers for right handed pitcher Kerry Wood.

 

"Obviously, we like Kerry a lot and are very grateful for all he's meant to this franchise, but we felt like we couldn't pass up the opportunity to add a guy like Izturis. He's a quality, quality guy," said Cubs GM Jim Hendry.

 

"Our doctors have given us positive reports on Izturis' elbow and we expect him back in time for the start of the season, with a worst case scenario of a couple weeks into April. We feel like he'll be the missing piece at the top of our lineup," added Hendry.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

The Chicago Cubs have signed free agent outfielders Jacque Jones and Preston Wilson to a pair of three-year contracts.

 

Jones will receive a guaranteed $24 million over the three seasons, with incentives that could bring the total value of the deal to $30 million.

 

Wilson will receive a guaranteed $20 million over the three seasons, with incentives that could bring the total value of the deal to $25 million.

 

"Obviously, we had a need in the outfield. We're excited to be able to add two of the top outfielders available in the free agent market. Jacque and Preston both have terrific track records. We expect that they'll give a quality boost to our lineup," said Cubs GM Jim Hendry.

 

"We feel that both guys bring a lot to the table - they can catch the ball and can hit the ball out of the ballpark," added Hendry.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

I REPEAT NOOOOOOOOOOOO :evil:

[Guancous]

Here's your worst case scenario:

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

The Cubs have re-signed infielder Jose Macias to a two-year, $4 million contract.

 

"Obviously, we have a real need for a quality, quality veteran middle infielder who has experience at the top of the order. We're tickled to have Jose back," said Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

The Chicago Cubs have acquired centerfielder Juan Pierre from the Florida Marlins in exchange for LHPs Rich Hill, Sean Marshall, Renyel Pinto, and a player to be named later.

 

The player to be named later is believed to be LHP Mark Pawelek.

 

"Obviously, we like Pierre. He can run and is a quality, quality defender. We were attracted to the way he catches the ball. We plan to slot him in the batting order at #2 behind Macias," said Cubs GM Jim Hendry.

 

"We feel that this is a good, old fashioned baseball trade that helps out both sides," said Hendry.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

The Chicago Cubs have acquired shortstop Cesar Izturis from the Los Angeles Dodgers for right handed pitcher Kerry Wood.

 

"Obviously, we like Kerry a lot and are very grateful for all he's meant to this franchise, but we felt like we couldn't pass up the opportunity to add a guy like Izturis. He's a quality, quality guy," said Cubs GM Jim Hendry.

 

"Our doctors have given us positive reports on Izturis' elbow and we expect him back in time for the start of the season, with a worst case scenario of a couple weeks into April. We feel like he'll be the missing piece at the top of our lineup," added Hendry.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

The Chicago Cubs have signed free agent outfielders Jacque Jones and Preston Wilson to a pair of three-year contracts.

 

Jones will receive a guaranteed $24 million over the three seasons, with incentives that could bring the total value of the deal to $30 million.

 

Wilson will receive a guaranteed $20 million over the three seasons, with incentives that could bring the total value of the deal to $25 million.

 

"Obviously, we had a need in the outfield. We're excited to be able to add two of the top outfielders available in the free agent market. Jacque and Preston both have terrific track records. We expect that they'll give a quality boost to our lineup," said Cubs GM Jim Hendry.

 

"We feel that both guys bring a lot to the table - they can catch the ball and can hit the ball out of the ballpark," added Hendry.

 

I hope that we can all laugh about this next week. This will be the most important Winter Meetings that this franchise has had in years, maybe decades.

[JWCUB]

Here's your worst case scenario:

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

The Cubs have re-signed infielder Jose Macias to a two-year, $4 million contract.

 

"Obviously, we have a real need for a quality, quality veteran middle infielder who has experience at the top of the order. We're tickled to have Jose back," said Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

The Chicago Cubs have acquired centerfielder Juan Pierre from the Florida Marlins in exchange for LHPs Rich Hill, Sean Marshall, Renyel Pinto, and a player to be named later.

 

The player to be named later is believed to be LHP Mark Pawelek.

 

"Obviously, we like Pierre. He can run and is a quality, quality defender. We were attracted to the way he catches the ball. We plan to slot him in the batting order at #2 behind Macias," said Cubs GM Jim Hendry.

 

"We feel that this is a good, old fashioned baseball trade that helps out both sides," said Hendry.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

The Chicago Cubs have acquired shortstop Cesar Izturis from the Los Angeles Dodgers for right handed pitcher Kerry Wood.

 

"Obviously, we like Kerry a lot and are very grateful for all he's meant to this franchise, but we felt like we couldn't pass up the opportunity to add a guy like Izturis. He's a quality, quality guy," said Cubs GM Jim Hendry.

 

"Our doctors have given us positive reports on Izturis' elbow and we expect him back in time for the start of the season, with a worst case scenario of a couple weeks into April. We feel like he'll be the missing piece at the top of our lineup," added Hendry.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

The Chicago Cubs have signed free agent outfielders Jacque Jones and Preston Wilson to a pair of three-year contracts.

 

Jones will receive a guaranteed $24 million over the three seasons, with incentives that could bring the total value of the deal to $30 million.

 

Wilson will receive a guaranteed $20 million over the three seasons, with incentives that could bring the total value of the deal to $25 million.

 

"Obviously, we had a need in the outfield. We're excited to be able to add two of the top outfielders available in the free agent market. Jacque and Preston both have terrific track records. We expect that they'll give a quality boost to our lineup," said Cubs GM Jim Hendry.

 

"We feel that both guys bring a lot to the table - they can catch the ball and can hit the ball out of the ballpark," added Hendry.

 

I hope that we can all laugh about this next week. This will be the most important Winter Meetings that this franchise has had in years, maybe decades.

 

I agree. I think Hendry is going to do something huge. He did not get Furcal, I think we will have 1, maybe 2 Huge trades. Gotta do something.

[JWCUB]

Anyone else have the same feeling?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Personally, I would want them in this order:

 

1. Dunn. He's young, and with guys like Lee and Ramirez surrounding him, I bet his average would creep up a bit. Plus, that OBP and Power are awesome.

 

2. Abreu. Older, but still a STUD.

 

3. Older, Ugly contract, "clubhouse cancer"**, still puts up great numbers.

 

 

**I dont give a rip about "clubhouse cancer". I've said it before, i'll say it again. Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig didnt talk for five years. They did ok. Plus, look where all that chemistry got us last year.

 

If with a cancer, you get Manny's production....I hope the Cubs catch cancer.

[RynoRules]

BUMP

 

In light of recent (non)events, I thought it might be fun to bump this thread so everyone who needs to can vent.

 

Here I go: :rant:

 

 

Darn you, Mr. Hendry. You had the world in your pocket in the form of 20-plus million dollars and yet you have done precious little to add a true impact player to this middling team. If anyone should a feel a sense of urgency, its you. Your franchise has gone nearly 100 years w/out a title, you were recently upsatged (in tems of both success and acquisitions) by your rival and neighbor to the South, your team has regressed for two straight seasons, and your contract is about to expire.

 

Instead of devoting your time, energy and resources to acquiring a unique talent that would provide a true impact to this mediocre club, you have acquired so many spare parts who are a "dime a dozen" (Rusch, Eyre, Howry, and Perez) and one outfielder (Pierre) who you may have grossly overpaid for (largely b/c you made no secret about the fact that you coveted him in the Biblical sense). Now you are intimating that the hole in RF will be filled by a player who was so bad last year that he was sent to AAA for a 1/3 of the season. You have given in to your manager's ma-love for medicore veterans (rumors of people named Jones and Wilson, and a man named Neifi getting starter money :puke: ), refused to annoint Murton and Cedeno as starters, and are apparently working hard to deal the third best hitter on the team (Walker).

 

What gives, Jim? It sure looks like a worst case scenario. Looks my gut feeling was right.

 

Prove me wrong...

 

PLEASE!!!

[YearofDaCubs]

BUMP

 

In light of recent (non)events, I thought it might be fun to bump this thread so everyone who needs to can vent.

 

Here I go: :rant:

 

 

Darn you, Mr. Hendry. You had the world in your pocket in the form of 20-plus million dollars and yet you have done precious little to add a true impact player to this middling team. If anyone should a feel a sense of urgency, its you. Your franchise has gone nearly 100 years w/out a title, you were recently upsatged (in tems of both success and acquisitions) by your rival and neighbor to the South, your team has regressed for two straight seasons, and your contract is about to expire.

 

Instead of devoting your time, energy and resources to acquiring a unique talent that would provide a true impact to this mediocre club, you have acquired so many spare parts who are a "dime a dozen" (Rusch, Eyre, Howry, and Perez) and one outfielder (Pierre) who you may have grossly overpaid for (largely b/c you made no secret about the fact that you coveted him in the Biblical sense). Now you are intimating that the hole in RF will be filled by a player who was so bad last year that he was sent to AAA for a 1/3 of the season. You have given in to your manager's ma-love for medicore veterans (rumors of people named Jones and Wilson, and a man named Neifi getting starter money :puke: ), refused to annoint Murton and Cedeno as starters, and are apparently working hard to deal the third best hitter on the team (Walker).

 

What gives, Jim? It sure looks like a worst case scenario. Looks my gut feeling was right.

 

Prove me wrong...

 

PLEASE!!!

There's always room on the darkside for you RynoRules.

[RynoRules]

BUMP

 

In light of recent (non)events, I thought it might be fun to bump this thread so everyone who needs to can vent.

 

Here I go: :rant:

 

 

Darn you, Mr. Hendry. You had the world in your pocket in the form of 20-plus million dollars and yet you have done precious little to add a true impact player to this middling team. If anyone should a feel a sense of urgency, its you. Your franchise has gone nearly 100 years w/out a title, you were recently upsatged (in tems of both success and acquisitions) by your rival and neighbor to the South, your team has regressed for two straight seasons, and your contract is about to expire.

 

Instead of devoting your time, energy and resources to acquiring a unique talent that would provide a true impact to this mediocre club, you have acquired so many spare parts who are a "dime a dozen" (Rusch, Eyre, Howry, and Perez) and one outfielder (Pierre) who you may have grossly overpaid for (largely b/c you made no secret about the fact that you coveted him in the Biblical sense). Now you are intimating that the hole in RF will be filled by a player who was so bad last year that he was sent to AAA for a 1/3 of the season. You have given in to your manager's ma-love for medicore veterans (rumors of people named Jones and Wilson, and a man named Neifi getting starter money :puke: ), refused to annoint Murton and Cedeno as starters, and are apparently working hard to deal the third best hitter on the team (Walker).

 

What gives, Jim? It sure looks like a worst case scenario. Looks my gut feeling was right.

 

Prove me wrong...

 

PLEASE!!!

There's always room on the darkside for you RynoRules.

 

Thank you, sir. My patience is waning...

[CubfaninCA]

BUMP

 

In light of recent (non)events, I thought it might be fun to bump this thread so everyone who needs to can vent.

 

Here I go: :rant:

 

 

Darn you, Mr. Hendry. You had the world in your pocket in the form of 20-plus million dollars and yet you have done precious little to add a true impact player to this middling team. If anyone should a feel a sense of urgency, its you. Your franchise has gone nearly 100 years w/out a title, you were recently upsatged (in tems of both success and acquisitions) by your rival and neighbor to the South, your team has regressed for two straight seasons, and your contract is about to expire.

 

Instead of devoting your time, energy and resources to acquiring a unique talent that would provide a true impact to this mediocre club, you have acquired so many spare parts who are a "dime a dozen" (Rusch, Eyre, Howry, and Perez) and one outfielder (Pierre) who you may have grossly overpaid for (largely b/c you made no secret about the fact that you coveted him in the Biblical sense). Now you are intimating that the hole in RF will be filled by a player who was so bad last year that he was sent to AAA for a 1/3 of the season. You have given in to your manager's ma-love for medicore veterans (rumors of people named Jones and Wilson, and a man named Neifi getting starter money :puke: ), refused to annoint Murton and Cedeno as starters, and are apparently working hard to deal the third best hitter on the team (Walker).

 

What gives, Jim? It sure looks like a worst case scenario. Looks my gut feeling was right.

 

Prove me wrong...

 

PLEASE!!!

 

Besides Luis Castillo who have they missed out on??

 

You want to pay Furcal $13/yr? You want to move the franchise to Carlsbad, CA, so we could have gotten Giles? :wink:

[Guancous]

The real worst case scenario would be Bobby Higginson or Mike Hampton putting on Cubs jerseys and wiping out the rest of the payroll.

[BigbadB]

The real worst case scenario would be Bobby Higginson or Mike Hampton putting on Cubs jerseys and wiping out the rest of the payroll.

 

Higginson's contract is done, finally. I think his career is done as well, though.

[Roast]

BUMP

 

Well folks, here we are, a couple weeks older and a couple players crappier.

 

We now have Juan Pierre and Jaque Jones holding down our outfield, and Hendry seems hell bent on trading our third-best offensive weapon from last year?

 

Talk just died down about him wanting to trade Prior, hill, AND patterson away for Tejada and Bedard (SP?). Unless we can find another 2B or SS, our middle infield will consist of Cedeno and Neifi.

 

Can we call this worst case yet?

[jiml60]

Not yet, let's wait for the inevitable Preston Wilson signing.

[CubfaninCA]

BUMP

 

Well folks, here we are, a couple weeks older and a couple players crappier.

 

We now have Juan Pierre and Jaque Jones holding down our outfield, and Hendry seems hell bent on trading our third-best offensive weapon from last year?

 

Talk just died down about him wanting to trade Prior, hill, AND patterson away for Tejada and Bedard (SP?). Unless we can find another 2B or SS, our middle infield will consist of Cedeno and Neifi.

 

Can we call this worst case yet?

 

Pierre's not crap and was Prior really on the block? I'm not buying Levine's "report" hook, line and sinker.

[HoopsCubs]

BUMP

 

Well folks, here we are, a couple weeks older and a couple players crappier.

 

We now have Juan Pierre and Jaque Jones holding down our outfield, and Hendry seems hell bent on trading our third-best offensive weapon from last year?

 

Talk just died down about him wanting to trade Prior, hill, AND patterson away for Tejada and Bedard (SP?). Unless we can find another 2B or SS, our middle infield will consist of Cedeno and Neifi.

 

Can we call this worst case yet?

 

Pierre's not crap and was Prior really on the block? I'm not buying Levine's "report" hook, line and sinker.

 

I'm buying pieces of Levine's report (Cubs interest in Tejada, and Orioles wanting pitching and Pie), but I have never believed Prior was offered up, especially so early in the negotiation. If he was, it should tell us a lot about Hendry's confidence in Wood and Guzman.

[YearofDaCubs]

I don't know for certain if Prior was available or not but logically it would have made no sense for us to trade Prior.

[UK1679666180]

They've improved the team, there's no doubt about that. But, I don't think they've improved enough and their talent still doesn't equal the amount they're paying for that talent.

[CardsFanInChiTown]

BUMP

 

Well folks, here we are, a couple weeks older and a couple players crappier.

 

We now have Juan Pierre and Jaque Jones holding down our outfield, and Hendry seems hell bent on trading our third-best offensive weapon from last year?

 

Talk just died down about him wanting to trade Prior, hill, AND patterson away for Tejada and Bedard (SP?). Unless we can find another 2B or SS, our middle infield will consist of Cedeno and Neifi.

 

Can we call this worst case yet?

 

Pierre's not crap and was Prior really on the block? I'm not buying Levine's "report" hook, line and sinker.

 

I'm buying pieces of Levine's report (Cubs interest in Tejada, and Orioles wanting pitching and Pie), but I have never believed Prior was offered up, especially so early in the negotiation. If he was, it should tell us a lot about Hendry's confidence in Wood and Guzman.

 

I'm pretty sure Prior was on the table but they wanted Z. I could be wrong though.

[RynoRules]

Point of my original post was that many of us were fine with the early moves - the two relivers, Rusch, and (gulp) Neifi - assuming that we acquired some big help for the lineup (Furcal / Pierre / Big RFer). We have wound up with Jacque Jones and Juan Pierre. That ain't exactly what I had in mind, and its hard to believe that JH isgoing to find away to further strengthen the team without severely weakining it in another catagory.

[CubfaninCA]

BUMP

 

Well folks, here we are, a couple weeks older and a couple players crappier.

 

We now have Juan Pierre and Jaque Jones holding down our outfield, and Hendry seems hell bent on trading our third-best offensive weapon from last year?

 

Talk just died down about him wanting to trade Prior, hill, AND patterson away for Tejada and Bedard (SP?). Unless we can find another 2B or SS, our middle infield will consist of Cedeno and Neifi.

 

Can we call this worst case yet?

 

Pierre's not crap and was Prior really on the block? I'm not buying Levine's "report" hook, line and sinker.

 

I'm buying pieces of Levine's report (Cubs interest in Tejada, and Orioles wanting pitching and Pie), but I have never believed Prior was offered up, especially so early in the negotiation. If he was, it should tell us a lot about Hendry's confidence in Wood and Guzman.

 

I can buy that he'd give up Hill, Pie & Williams for Tejada. Dealing Prior makes no sense considering Hendry's philosophy. Unless there's a major rift w/ the organization.

[CubfaninCA]

Point of my original post was that many of us were fine with the early moves - the two relivers, Rusch, and (gulp) Neifi - assuming that we acquired some big help for the lineup (Furcal / Pierre / Big RFer). We have wound up with Jacque Jones and Juan Pierre. That ain't exactly what I had in mind, and its hard to believe that JH isgoing to find away to further strengthen the team without severely weakining it in another catagory.

 

Jones beats the helloutta Burnitz or Patterson in RF. People set their sights way too high for RF given who was available, i.e. nobody good.

[Magnetic Curses]

Point of my original post was that many of us were fine with the early moves - the two relivers, Rusch, and (gulp) Neifi - assuming that we acquired some big help for the lineup (Furcal / Pierre / Big RFer). We have wound up with Jacque Jones and Juan Pierre. That ain't exactly what I had in mind, and its hard to believe that JH isgoing to find away to further strengthen the team without severely weakining it in another catagory.

 

Jones beats the helloutta Burnitz or Patterson in RF. People set their sights way too high for RF given who was available, i.e. nobody good.

 

i want your reasoning on why jones "beats the hell outta burnitz".

[Dr. Cub]

They've improved the team, there's no doubt about that. But, I don't think they've improved enough and their talent still doesn't equal the amount they're paying for that talent.

 

You took the words right out of my mouth. Very simple, straightfoward, and true.

[UK1679666180]

Just a quick study w/inserting Kent into the line-up...

 

1st, what the Cubs production was last year.

 

Batting Order:

1).658

2).739

3).978

4).876

5).859

6).811

7).708

8).699

 

Using ZiPs projection for '06;

 

1)Pierre-.709

2)Murton-.771

3)Lee-.951

4)Ramirez-.879

5)Kent-.775

6)Jones-.747

7)Barrett-.781

8)Cedeno-.739

 

Assuming days off, I used 145 days for each starter and a .700 OPS replacement level for the back-ups.

 

For Barrett, I used 120 games as a starter and the replacement .700 OPS for the back-up during the remaining days.

 

Overall, there was a .24 point improvement in OPS with the '06 lineup.

 

I wanted to insert Walker instead, you'd get a .764 OPS and a .13 improvement with OPS.

Edited December 29, 2005 by UK