Thoughts on why MAYBE Furcal DIDN'T sign with the Cubs...

[CubsWin]

I agree with many of your points however I was just reacting to your post "L.A. isn't winning anything anytime real soon." compared to the Cubs. I just don't see a huge gap between the 2 teams. But I agree the Cubs have a better upside than L.A.

Both teams endured some injuries and some unexpectedly bad performances, but looking at the top of the rotations of the two teams, its not even close. And looking at the top end talent in the line-up its not even close. The Cubs finished with a better record for a reason.

 

And, please, could you do all of us a favor and change your avatar. Willie McGee is one ugly dude. :wink:

[LoneStarCubFan]

I know it could be about the money....13.3 million vs the Cubs offer of reportedly 10 million a year...but Hendry stated in the newspaper that he sat down with Furcal and explained to him his plan of attack and what route he was planning on going in the next several weeks for the team. He said he was just being honest with Furcal about what he wanted to do.

 

Maybe Furcal wasn't impressed? Maybe what JH said didn't sound like "championship caliber" type moves? Now I can see if he says, Hey Furcal if we sign you, we're looking at J. Jones in RF or something like that, Furcal would not be impressed at all. However, if Hendry says we're looking at trading for a Dunn or an Abreu for RF, I would think Furcal would be excited to play here a little bit more.

 

Just something else to think about other than the usual he was in it for the money.

 

We could be in for a RUDE AWAKENING if JH does the usual "cubs moves" and gets average pieces via trades or signings here soon. No one wants J. Jones when we have a shot to get Abreu who IS on the market. Do what it takes Hendry!

 

Basically what I am saying is, if at the end of this offseason if JH doesn't do anything "big" we could possibly see why Furcal didn't sign with us. He didn't like the direction Hendry was going.

 

Any thoughts??? :?:

 

It's always about the money. Especially when they say it isn't.

 

Why else would Furcal sign with a ballclub with no plan and no manager? Because of the LA school system?

[RyCubsFan]

1. Money

 

but 2. maybe he likes L.A. as a place better than Chicago. There's a Latino mayor in L.A. and a huge Latino population.

[illiniguy]

 

Those are good points, however with Furcal and a healthier team I think the Dodgers will also be a significantly better team next year.

 

Better, but significantly better? I'm not so sure. Who's going to play third? Or first? Bill Mueller? Drew and Bradley (who probably won't even be a Dodger come opening day) are perennial DL candidates who are coming of injuries. Izturis (who helped carry the Dodgers early last year with his improbable start) is not going to be ready till midseason after major surgery. Gagne is going to be coming odd major surgery, as is Jayson Werth. You have no idea what you will get out of Jose Cruz Jr.

 

Kent and Bradley hate each other. They don't even have a manager yet. They have a mixture of the young and inconsistent in the rotation. Weaver and possibly Lowe are going to be gone.

 

They gave a foolish contract to Drew, to Lowe, and now a very foolish contract to Furcal.

 

Now they're out of money.

 

 

As for the Cubs, Wood is going to be a issue, but I don't feel Prior will miss any real time next year. Z is Z. Maddux is Maddux.

 

We have Silver sluggers at first base and catcher, and a potential one in Ramirez at third whose offseason training is going to be monitored closely this year to help prevent leg troubles. We have gone from a terrible bullpen to a good one.

 

Most importantly we have a ton of money to spend and a ton of prospects to trade to fill our holes. L.A. has the prospects, but not the money.

 

I just feel the Cubs are in a better place than the Dodgers.

 

I agree with many of your points however I was just reacting to your post "L.A. isn't winning anything anytime real soon." compared to the Cubs. I just don't see a huge gap between the 2 teams. But I agree the Cubs have a better upside than L.A.

You know we have had a real rough off season and we all pretty much know that we need to lower expectations again. Don't you think this compounded with the last two world champions ending streaks is enough to get to us without a Cardinals fan playing devils advocate all the time on a Cubs board? We get it our prospects for the playoffs once again don't look good.

[CardsFanInChiTown]

And, please, could you do all of us a favor and change your avatar. Willie McGee is one ugly dude. :wink:

 

Hah, I guess it is a pretty tough avatar to look at. Particularly on a Cubs board, I'll see what I can do.

Edited December 4, 2005 by CardsFanInChiTown

[CardsFanInChiTown]

You know we have had a real rough off season and we all pretty much know that we need to lower expectations again. Don't you think this compounded with the last two world champions ending streaks is enough to get to us without a Cardinals fan playing devils advocate all the time on a Cubs board? We get it our prospects for the playoffs once again don't look good.

 

I realize I walk a fine line on here and for the most part people have been pretty classy to me. Maybe I'll tone down some of my Cubs opinions on here. I'm not trolling, at my core just a nerd who likes chating about baseball.

[Mizzou]

And, please, could you do all of us a favor and change your avatar. Willie McGee is one ugly dude. :wink:

 

Hah, I guess it is a pretty tough avatar to look at. Particularly on a Cubs board, I'll see what I can do.

 

Especially when it's in every thread.

[Sweet Swinging Billy]

The answer of course is money, money, and then more money. How can it be anything else? I don't believe he has any friends on the Oddgers, compared to all his close friends on the Braves and Cubs...and he was quoted as saying that Cox was like a father to him. Yeah right, see ya later Dad!

[CubfaninCA]

Did the Cubs offer a 5th year to Furcal?? If not, perhaps they need to take a different route for a change. The NY teams, LA and Anaheim do it.

[XZero771679666304]

Did the Cubs offer a 5th year to Furcal?? If not, perhaps they need to take a different route for a change. The NY teams, LA and Anaheim do it.

 

Yes, the Cubs offered a 5th year. Apparently it wasn't the issue.

[TruffleShuffle]

You know we have had a real rough off season and we all pretty much know that we need to lower expectations again. Don't you think this compounded with the last two world champions ending streaks is enough to get to us without a Cardinals fan playing devils advocate all the time on a Cubs board? We get it our prospects for the playoffs once again don't look good.

 

I realize I walk a fine line on here and for the most part people have been pretty classy to me. Maybe I'll tone down some of my Cubs opinions on here. I'm not trolling, at my core just a nerd who likes chating about baseball.

 

I don't think it's trolling... after all, I know the Cubs are going to suck this year, and I'm a Cubs fan. Being a baseball fan who can actually see reality doesn't make him a troll.

[Jehrico]

after all, I know the Cubs are going to suck this year, and I'm a Cubs fan.

 

Where'd you get your crystal ball?

[CardsFanInChiTown]

You know we have had a real rough off season and we all pretty much know that we need to lower expectations again. Don't you think this compounded with the last two world champions ending streaks is enough to get to us without a Cardinals fan playing devils advocate all the time on a Cubs board? We get it our prospects for the playoffs once again don't look good.

 

I realize I walk a fine line on here and for the most part people have been pretty classy to me. Maybe I'll tone down some of my Cubs opinions on here. I'm not trolling, at my core just a nerd who likes chating about baseball.

 

I don't think it's trolling... after all, I know the Cubs are going to suck this year, and I'm a Cubs fan. Being a baseball fan who can actually see reality doesn't make him a troll.

 

Actually, if the Cubs get a impact RF bat I think they can be quite competive.

[CardsFanInChiTown]

And, please, could you do all of us a favor and change your avatar. Willie McGee is one ugly dude. :wink:

 

Hah, I guess it is a pretty tough avatar to look at. Particularly on a Cubs board, I'll see what I can do.

 

Especially when it's in every thread.

 

Just put me on ignore.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Bring back Willie.

[CardsFanInChiTown]

Bring back Willie.

 

So this is even worse huh?

[stitchface]

The answer of course is money, money, and then more money. How can it be anything else? I don't believe he has any friends on the Oddgers, compared to all his close friends on the Braves and Cubs...and he was quoted as saying that Cox was like a father to him. Yeah right, see ya later Dad!

 

His new daddy is manny mota (mota mota)

[stitchface]

Bring back Willie.

 

So this is even worse huh?

 

 

now you're trolling. why not put bartman or dusty up there?

[CardsFanInChiTown]

Bring back Willie.

 

So this is even worse huh?

 

 

now you're trolling. why not put bartman or dusty up there?

 

I believe the other posters problem with Willie was he's upsettingly ugly not that he's a Cardinal so I picked Carp.

[stitchface]

put up a picture of chicago!

 

I think occams razor applies to this thread. one word - money.

[Andy]

Bring back Willie.

 

So this is even worse huh?

 

 

now you're trolling. why not put bartman or dusty up there?

 

I believe the other posters problem with Willie was he's upsettingly ugly not that he's a Cardinal so I picked Carp.

You should put up "whoever wins the most games from June through August is the automatic Cy Young winner" as your sig to match.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

As I posted in another thread, Furcal didn't sign with the Cubs because he was angry that Jim leaked the signing to Len who leaked it to a couple of kids who posted it here.

[Andy]

As I posted in another thread, Furcal didn't sign with the Cubs because he was angry that Jim leaked the signing to Len who leaked it to a couple of kids who posted it here.

I know that would be the determining factor for me if I was making a decision like that.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

As I posted in another thread, Furcal didn't sign with the Cubs because he was angry that Jim leaked the signing to Len who leaked it to a couple of kids who posted it here.

I know that would be the determining factor for me if I was making a decision like that.

 

Well, I have it from a reliable source.

[Andy]

As I posted in another thread, Furcal didn't sign with the Cubs because he was angry that Jim leaked the signing to Len who leaked it to a couple of kids who posted it here.

I know that would be the determining factor for me if I was making a decision like that.

 

Well, I have it from a reliable source.

Rubby didn't go to bed yet? :wink: