HoopsCubs

Aren't we supposed to be discussing a rumor here that suggests we might be in the market for another player/pitcher?

UPDATED December 13, 2007 With the news of Neal Cotts signing, here's the payroll situation: $16M Carlos Zambrano $14M Alfonso Soriano $13M Derrek Lee $15M Aramis Ramirez $8M Ted Lilly $5.833M Ryan Dempster (Free agent after 2008 season) $6.375M Jason Marquis $4.75M Mark DeRosa $4.5M Bob Howry (Free agent after 2008 season) $4.133M Scott Eyre-PLAYER OPTION (Free agent after 2008 season) $3.175M Henry Blanco $1.2M Darryl Ward $2.0M CASH sent to Detroit in Jacque Jones trade $4.2M Kerry Wood $12M Kosuke Fukudome $800K Neal Cotts To-date, the Cubs have 15 players under contract with an obligation of $115M. Taking it one step further: assuming the following 8 signings (first 1 arbitration eligible, next 7 league minimum): $0.9M Michael Wuertz $0.415M Ryan Theriot $0.415M Felix Pie $0.415M Geovany Soto $0.415M Matt Murton $0.415M Rich Hill $0.415M Carlos Marmol $0.415M Kevin Hart Another $3.8M. So, the Cubs would now have 23 players at $118.8M. Depending on payroll (either $120M as reported by Mr. Miles or $125M as reported by Mr. Levine), the Cubs should have somewhere betweeen $1.2M and $6.2M to spend on 2 more players: - back-up middle infielder (Cedeno, Patterson, Fontenot are internal options) - utility infielder or outfielder (Cedeno, Patterson, Fontenot, Pagan, Fuld are internal options) The internal choices are probably the way to go if the payroll is at $120M unless Hendry can snag a valuble right-handed pinch hitter for about $800K. If the payroll is at $125M, then Hendry does have room (barely) to get Brian Roberts' $6.3M into the fold, thereby making DeRosa the back-up/utility/super sub guy. Hoops

Of course, if you are leading an organization, and there is someone in your organization, who clearly gives off the body language and attitude of not wanting to be there, then you may have to remove said individual, so that it does not have a negative impact on the rest of your organization. I can tell you that I have had to make that decision at least a half dozen times in the business world.

Just saw something in the ESPN crawler: Roberts is probably going to be named in the Mitchell report.

I think the argument people are making is that many mistakes were made to bring the situation to this point. In a vacuum, you can't argue with Hendry's decision to non-tender Prior. Paying him $3.5M with no certainty on when he'll pitch in 2008, if at all, with full certainty that the player will explore free agency would not have been a good financial decision. Several media people were saying he does not wish to be here anymore. The analysis really needs to focus on how both parties got to this point. So, I commend Hendry for making the right vacuum decision yesterday, but pan him for allowing the situation to reach the point where the player no longer wishes to be part of this franchise. Hoops, did it start with the pay cut last year? Or with the media labeling him as a pansy, with the Cubs not responding? If the latter, what does the typical professional sports club do, to combat that, without royally peeving the writers who spout these things, and thus get even more vilified in the press? Just speculating, I think it was the paycut and his perception that the Cubs were not defending him as you pointed out plus misleading medical diagnoses by Cubs staff AND the big one: sending him to the minors. I think that hacked him off more than anything really.

I think the argument people are making is that many mistakes were made to bring the situation to this point. In a vacuum, you can't argue with Hendry's decision to non-tender Prior. Paying him $3.5M with no certainty on when he'll pitch in 2008, if at all, with full certainty that the player will explore free agency would not have been a good financial decision. Several media people were saying he does not wish to be here anymore. The analysis really needs to focus on how both parties got to this point. So, I commend Hendry for making the right vacuum decision yesterday, but pan him for allowing the situation to reach the point where the player no longer wishes to be part of this franchise.

Apparently we must have. I just checked the wire over at ESPN, and they only have Mark Prior listed on the Cubs non-tender list Now that Ohman is gone, I guess Cotts will compete with Pignatiello and Marshall for that wonderfully coveted role: 2nd lefty in the pen. I am assuming, of course, that Marshall is not in the rotation plans. I still think he will be dealt.

If memory serves, the Jays have been looking for a "hitting" SS for over 3 years. Offensively, Eck should be a step above McDonald and Clayton. But, will it be worth it? That depends on the salary. Jays are in a tough spot. They're not as good as NYY and BOS, but definitely better than BALT and TB - what should they do?

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7558686?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=49

But what deal did Hendry give to Dempster in 2004? If you go back and look at the facts, you will see that in January 2004, Hendry offered Ryan a $500K salary in 2004 for basically re-habbing in exchange for agreeing to a team option in 2005. It was believed that Ryan would re-hab in the first half and come back some time after the all star break. In fact, he pitched about 2 months (Aug and Sep) in 2004 and did okay. Cubs picked up the 2005 option. That is exactly what Hendry wanted with Prior.

Did anyone hear if the Mets tendered Estrada a contact or not?

So, let's see if Hendry does something in the pitching department, and then let's revert to the name calling. I am not upset at all by this. I still think Hendry is going to make 2 or 3 more moves.

Could be the Bedard deal to Dodgers, reds, etc....

Deal! I do get the strong sense that Hendry is not done yet.

The sun will rise tomorrow. And Mark Prior will probably be in a Padre uniform. It was great winning with him. It will be just as great winning without him. Move on friends - there's more deals to be made and ST is just around the corner (I know easier said than done).

No way. You can always stick Chavez in AAA. Let's get out from under Marquis' contract and poor performance, please. I agree. Dump his salary. Even after Roberts, I still think the Cubs have 2 major more moves up their sleeves: another OF and a starter.

As a player, who has been traded in the middle of a multi-year contract, I believe Tejada can demand a trade after the 2008 season, and if he's not accomodated he can become a free agent. So, 2 questions come to mind: (1) If he's serious about playing for a winner, what is the probability that Tejada would request a trade after 2008? (2) Did Ed Wade really get him just so that he can flip him to one of the LA teams to get better prospects that the ones he gave to Baltimore? Hoops p.s. - I said in an earlier page that I think this was a good deal for the O's. I would underscore that point if Tejada only ends up playing 1 season in Houston.

Moreso because he's an obnoxious SOB and talks too much.

I just tried it and didn't have any problem loading the page. Considering they have practically no chance at post-season play over the next 2 years, that sounds like a good trade for the O's. 2 of those guys, I believe, are top 10 prospects, and Luke Scott has upside.

UPDATED December 12, 2007 With the news of Kosuke Fukudome signing (presumably for $12M per year), here's the payroll situation: $16M Carlos Zambrano $14M Alfonso Soriano $13M Derrek Lee $15M Aramis Ramirez $8M Ted Lilly $5.833M Ryan Dempster (Free agent after 2008 season) $6.375M Jason Marquis $4.75M Mark DeRosa $4.5M Bob Howry (Free agent after 2008 season) $4.133M Scott Eyre-PLAYER OPTION (Free agent after 2008 season) $3.175M Henry Blanco $1.2M Darryl Ward $2.0M CASH sent to Detroit in Jacque Jones trade $4.2M Kerry Wood $12M Kosuke Fukudome To-date, the Cubs have 14 players under contract with an obligation of $114.2M. Taking it one step further: assuming the following 8 signings (first 1 arbitration eligible, next 7 league minimum): $0.9M Michael Wuertz $0.415M Ryan Theriot $0.415M Felix Pie $0.415M Geovanni Soto $0.415M Matt Murton $0.415M Rich Hill $0.415M Carlos Marmol $0.415M Kevin Hart Another $3.8M. So, the Cubs would now have 22 players at $118M. Depending on payroll (either $120M as reported by Mr. Miles or $125M as reported by Mr. Levine), the Cubs should have somewhere betweeen $2M and $7M to spend on 3 more players: - back-up middle infielder (Cedeno, Patterson, Fontenot are internal options) - lefty in the pen (Marshall, Cotts, Pignatiello are internal options) - utility infielder or outfielder (Cedeno, Patterson, Fontenot, Pagan, Fuld are internal options) The internal choices are probably the way to go if the payroll is at $120M unless there is a high value utility player out there that Hendry can get for less than $1.2M. If the payroll is at $125M, then Hendry does have room to get Brian Roberts' $6.3M into the fold, thereby making DeRosa the back-up/utility/super sub guy. Hoops

Wow. Up to 9 pages now. We are still talking about Cedeno and Theriot, correct? Frankly, I don't care of this thread goes 27 pages. It won't change the facts: neither player should be starting at the major league level for a contending team based on what they've shown thus far at the major league level. A ballclub projecting to have a payroll of $125M shouldn't have to play either player. Only a team that pays a low OBP/high SLG guy $136M to leadoff and sign a high ERA/high WHIP pitcher to a 3 year deal worth $21M because he can pitch innings should be forced to make a decisiion like Theriot vs. Cedeno. Oh, right, that is us. :lol:

Your guess is as good as mine. If the Cubs land Fukudome, I think they will be more willing to trade Pie especially if Colvin is progressing. Hendry keeps saying Pie is untouchable, but I got to believe if Hendry becomes desperate for Brian Roberts, he'll put Pie in that deal. With Pie, Theriot and the pitcher's spot, the lineup has 3 automatic outs (save for Z).

It's going to be interesting to watch the White Sox on this. They've had a lousy off season thus far coming off a lousy year with an owner, who loves sticking it to the Cubs. I think they're a legitimate threat.

All good points. It wouldn't surprise me if Lou was telling Hendry every other day to trade those guys for a proven bat or arm.

I'm going to guess that the winning bid will be 4 years and $56M.