Jeff Vorva Winter Meeting Snippets

[fearthecubs]

http://www.dailysouthtown.com/southtown/dssports/pro/053sd3.htm

 

Furcal, 27, reportedly agreed to a three-year deal worth $39 million. The Cubs offered him three options: a five-year, $47.5 million guaranteed deal; another deal that could have paid him $50 million over five years; and a third deal that included a sixth-year club option that could have made the deal worth $57.5 million.

 

"I talked to Nomar recently, and he's doing what he should be doing — looking at a lot of possibilities," Hendry said. "He understands why, infield-wise, we haven't pursued him. I think in his best interest, for me to keep him hanging on maybe to play right field ... we had a very honest chat, and I think he's going to get opportunities to play (infield) positions elsewhere."

 

The Cubs also could be looking at the possibility of acquiring Tampa Bay outfielder Aubrey Huff via a trade, or signing free-agent outfielder Milton Bradley, who played for the Dodgers last season.

 

While Hendry didn't want to talk about specific names, he said the Cubs have some quality players at both the minor and major league levels who can be used in trades this offseason. Second baseman Todd Walker's name figures to be brought up frequently.

[BigbadB]

http://www.dailysouthtown.com/southtown/dssports/pro/053sd3.htm

 

Furcal, 27, reportedly agreed to a three-year deal worth $39 million. The Cubs offered him three options: a five-year, $47.5 million guaranteed deal; another deal that could have paid him $50 million over five years; and a third deal that included a sixth-year club option that could have made the deal worth $57.5 million.

 

"I talked to Nomar recently, and he's doing what he should be doing — looking at a lot of possibilities," Hendry said. "He understands why, infield-wise, we haven't pursued him. I think in his best interest, for me to keep him hanging on maybe to play right field ... we had a very honest chat, and I think he's going to get opportunities to play (infield) positions elsewhere."

 

The Cubs also could be looking at the possibility of acquiring Tampa Bay outfielder Aubrey Huff via a trade, or signing free-agent outfielder Milton Bradley, who played for the Dodgers last season.

 

While Hendry didn't want to talk about specific names, he said the Cubs have some quality players at both the minor and major league levels who can be used in trades this offseason. Second baseman Todd Walker's name figures to be brought up frequently.

 

As far as I know, Bradley is not a free agent......

 

 

Yet!

[Mizzou]

Great, Hendry still showing no interest in bringing Nomar back. Fail to get Lugo then be stuck with Neifi as an everyday infielder, Jim!

[BigbadB]

Great, Hendry still showing no interest in bringing Nomar back. Fail to get Lugo then be stuck with Neifi as an everyday infielder, Jim!

 

Atlanta can make a pretty attractive package for Lugo.

[Balsa]

Great, Hendry still showing no interest in bringing Nomar back. Fail to get Lugo then be stuck with Neifi as an everyday infielder, Jim!

 

Atlanta can make a pretty attractive package for Lugo.

 

They've probably had it together for weeks. I fully expect the Braves to sign Lugo.

[XZero771679666304]

Great, Hendry still showing no interest in bringing Nomar back. Fail to get Lugo then be stuck with Neifi as an everyday infielder, Jim!

 

Atlanta can make a pretty attractive package for Lugo.

 

They've probably had it together for weeks. I fully expect the Braves to trade for Lugo.

 

Fixed.

[Keener98]

Great, Hendry still showing no interest in bringing Nomar back. Fail to get Lugo then be stuck with Neifi as an everyday infielder, Jim!

 

Atlanta can make a pretty attractive package for Lugo.

 

 

I just dont understand why Atlanta is looking outside their organization for a SS. They have Betemit who hit .300 last year, and they have Tony Pena Jr.

[XZero771679666304]

Great, Hendry still showing no interest in bringing Nomar back. Fail to get Lugo then be stuck with Neifi as an everyday infielder, Jim!

 

Atlanta can make a pretty attractive package for Lugo.

 

 

I just dont understand why Atlanta is looking outside their organization for a SS. They have Betemit who hit .300 last year, and they have Tony Pena Jr.

 

And better yet, they have a manager who will actually play them.

[erik316wttn]

Come back, Nomar! I miss you!! I promise to hunt down and kill anyone who speaks ill of you!!

[Keener98]

Great, Hendry still showing no interest in bringing Nomar back. Fail to get Lugo then be stuck with Neifi as an everyday infielder, Jim!

 

Atlanta can make a pretty attractive package for Lugo.

 

 

I just dont understand why Atlanta is looking outside their organization for a SS. They have Betemit who hit .300 last year, and they have Tony Pena Jr.

 

And better yet, they have a manager who will actually play them.

 

Exactly, so whats the point in trading some of their young talent to get a good but not great SS in Lugo. I think Betemit could be better than what Lugo is and hes younger and cheaper. If Im the Braves I move on and try finding a closer.

[Blueheart05]

Great, Hendry still showing no interest in bringing Nomar back. Fail to get Lugo then be stuck with Neifi as an everyday infielder, Jim!

 

Atlanta can make a pretty attractive package for Lugo.

 

 

I just dont understand why Atlanta is looking outside their organization for a SS. They have Betemit who hit .300 last year, and they have Tony Pena Jr.

 

For the same reasons the Cubs are; the guys they have are inexperienced and they only want to take the risk after other options have been exhausted.

[ManCrushOnNomar]

Come back, Nomar! I miss you!! I promise to hunt down and kill anyone who speaks ill of you!!

[The Voice of Reason]

Great, Hendry still showing no interest in bringing Nomar back. Fail to get Lugo then be stuck with Neifi as an everyday infielder, Jim!

 

Atlanta can make a pretty attractive package for Lugo.

 

 

I just dont understand why Atlanta is looking outside their organization for a SS. They have Betemit who hit .300 last year, and they have Tony Pena Jr.

 

And better yet, they have a manager who will actually play them.

 

Exactly, so whats the point in trading some of their young talent to get a good but not great SS in Lugo. I think Betemit could be better than what Lugo is and hes younger and cheaper. If Im the Braves I move on and try finding a closer.

 

They're looking for a one year fix until Betemit's ready. Lugo is a free agent in 2007.

[fearthecubs]

They're looking for a one year fix until Betemit's ready. Lugo is a free agent in 2007.

 

Yup. Don't ever doubt that franchise, btw. They always know whats going on. Cubs could learn so much from Schuerholtz and Jocketty.

[Salazar89]

I could see Nomar landing in Atlanta. Would buy them another year for Betemit to develop.

[Blueheart05]

I could see Nomar landing in Atlanta. Would buy them another year for Betemit to develop.

 

Nomar would likely cost them more than Lugo. Also, most teams are looking for Nomar to play 3B or OF. Few teams want to risk him reaggravating his injured groin with all of the activity at SS.

[goonys evil twin]

They're looking for a one year fix until Betemit's ready. Lugo is a free agent in 2007.

 

Yup. Don't ever doubt that franchise, btw. They always know whats going on. Cubs could learn so much from Schuerholtz and Jocketty.

 

I would say the Cubs should learn so much from them. But after watching more than a decade of MacPhail's system, I'm not so sure they have the ability to learn any new tricks. In the 90's the Cubs set out to emulate the Braves, building a team that was entirely based on the pitching staff. I think they ignored the part where Atlanta kept developing top notch offensive talent from within their own system, and they didn't do a very good job of building a reliable pitching staff either. It's been a decade with this regime, and the results speak for themselves. Moderate progress coupled with serious setbacks and major disappointment.

[TheDude]

They're looking for a one year fix until Betemit's ready. Lugo is a free agent in 2007.

 

Yup. Don't ever doubt that franchise, btw. They always know whats going on. Cubs could learn so much from Schuerholtz and Jocketty.

 

I would say the Cubs should learn so much from them. But after watching more than a decade of MacPhail's system, I'm not so sure they have the ability to learn any new tricks. In the 90's the Cubs set out to emulate the Braves, building a team that was entirely based on the pitching staff. I think they ignored the part where Atlanta kept developing top notch offensive talent from within their own system, and they didn't do a very good job of building a reliable pitching staff either. It's been a decade with this regime, and the results speak for themselves. Moderate progress coupled with serious setbacks and major disappointment.

 

It also helps to have a few things "go your way". Mismanagement is legitimately coupled with *every* single major pitching prospect suffering injuries and setbacks within the Cubs system or just not developing as projected.

 

A few years ago you could look at the Cubs system and, through rose-colored glasses, see five potential 1-2 starters in the rotation (Wood, Prior, Zambrano, Cruz, Guzman) with others waiting in the wings (Sisco, Wellemeyer).

 

Not excusing the management. Perhaps there are issues with minor league pitching development and other factors. But the management should get credit for legitimately stocking the system high ceiling pitching.

[fearthecubs]

I could see Nomar landing in Atlanta. Would buy them another year for Betemit to develop.

 

I think Nomar's more than 50% headed to Cleveland.

[goonys evil twin]

But the management should get credit for legitimately stocking the system high ceiling pitching.

 

They stocked the system with high ceiling pitching, but the question is, is that a smart move? A lot of times the lower ceiling but higher floor pitchers end up being the best pitchers. They did stock it with talent, but their job is not just to stock, but to develop and maximize value. The Cubs have never come close to maximizing the value of their resources.

[The Voice of Reason]

They're looking for a one year fix until Betemit's ready. Lugo is a free agent in 2007.

 

Yup. Don't ever doubt that franchise, btw. They always know whats going on. Cubs could learn so much from Schuerholtz and Jocketty.

 

 

Wouldn't either one of them be a wise choice to throw a lot of $ at and "promote" from GM to President and replace MacPhail?

[MPrior]

I could see Nomar landing in Atlanta. Would buy them another year for Betemit to develop.

 

I think Nomar's more than 50% headed to Cleveland.

 

I also think they're looking for a leadoff hitter to replace Furcal. They really liked his "table-setting" or whatever you want to call it.