davell

A little? My read was that it's unclear how that applies to this offseason's FA(partially because of Shark maybe?), but it certainly didn't do anything to change my mind that they won't be going after Scherzer/Lester. There's quite a few players between Scherzer/Lester and the 1 year Feldman/Hammel deals though, and Shark definitely will have an impact on if/how they pursue those guys. As for the finances, I take that to mean the amount available to spend(100 million, give or take) is not going up this offseason, which isn't much of a surprise. That's not the same as 'we still have no money' since to reach that threshold they'd have to spend quite a bit. Was anybody really expecting them to sign a top SP free agent? I mean, that seems obvious to me. A lot of people are obsessing over the perceived need for an ace, but the gameplan seems to me to field a competent pitching staff and then eventually overwhelm with offense. They've done alright picking and choosing arms, but have failed miserably with offense, so they are waiting for the draft picks (and will hopefully sign one or two bats as well). I don't expect a 100+ mill type(unless Shark is extended) but I definitely think a Lester 5/80 type guy is feasible, even if we DO extend Shark. We've got plenty of cheap youngsters, Hoyer has mentioned adding veterans....Based on team needs and what's available, SP and OF are the likely spots. Keep Shark, add Lester and Markakis. Payroll is still in same area it is now.

http://deadspin.com/i-was-tony-gwynns-bat-boy-1592123043?utm_campaign=socialflow_deadspin_twitter&utm_source=deadspin_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow Great article.

Cease's slot is $269,500. If he's getting a million like everybody seems to think, Stinnett is going to have to take underslot, but probably not by too much. If he takes $1 million, you still have about $200k to play with even after Cease gets $1 million. I don't think Cease signs for less than what Sands got. Even with the injury? He was a possible top 10 pick prior to the injury. Just because we think pitchers are risky, it doesn't mean they won't bet on themselves.

We'll likely save 200-300K on 8-10 and I can see us saving 300-500k on Stinnett. Plus, we have over 400k in 5% money. If Cease signs outside of 1.2-1.5 mill, I'll be extremely surprised.

With the lack of FA now, if Shark puts up 8-10 WAR over this season and next, I could definitely see him sniffing 135-150 mill. All it takes is one team to see an ace with a bit less mileage on his arm than others his age.

I've flipped my stance on him as well, but now I prefer keeping him. We can do that AND add a TOR pitcher and an OFer and keep the payroll in line with where it is now.(nauseating) But if you do that, I think it's very possible we can contend next year.

Don't know how accurate he is, but Kaplan said on Sports Talk Live last night that he hears Samardzija wants 6/135 (or something like that). Wow. See you later Jeff. Kind of sounds like we're offering Homer Bailey money and Shark wants a bit more than Matt Cain money.

For one, Pierce Johnson shouldn't have dropped off. Tseng should easily be on it as well.

Wittenmeyer says Cubs have upped their offer to Shark.

Not really. Technically he can go play in an independent league and re-enter the draft next year. His positive is that he's legitimately good. He wasn't a reach at that spot. Which counts for something. The Cards took a Senior in the 1st a few years back.(Ramsey?) He was worthy of being a 1st and if I remember, he signed for a few hundred thousand under slot. I figure we're in close to the same situation here. My guess is 800,000 to a mill for his bonus.

I hope they move Hammel soon.

I don't think it means that at all. Matt Dorey was interviewed earlier today and said the Cubs did their homework and expect to get all 3 of them signed. As fans, we're always wanting as absolutely much as possible, but if they wind up getting the top 10 and none of the rest of the HS kids taken late-it's still a very, very solid haul. I guess I'm still holding out hope we get the top 10 AND one of Gilliam, Peters, Deppermann, Cantu, or Adams. But I'm thinking its less likely after seeing Steele's number. We need Williams to take slot in the 7th, save 200-300k between rounds 8-10 and Stinnett to sign for 800K or so, in my mind, to have a shot at one of the late round guys. That would allow us to give Cease 1.2 mill and still have our 5% money to hopefully get one of that last group.

Outside of the one they've already signed (Martarano)? Yeah, meant it that way. Martarano evidently isn't costing any overslot, which is a positive. And if we don't get any of them, it's not the end of the world. If anything, it just gets me more intrigued with Steele. That the FO thinks he's worth that much.

Steele is getting a mill. I'm calling it now. No interesting late rounders now.

Nope. Stanton will be making 25 mill a year in 3 seasons. We've got Castro for 5/43 and an option after this year. I love Stanton, but we've got plenty of options other than Starlin to trade for him.

Brink got 100K. Loss of velo late in year caused drop in stock.

Sands is getting 1.1 per Manuel. We had figured a mill on him, so it's in line. But every little bit over makes it harder to sign any of the later round guys.

Only lefty.

The Reds have denied signing Iglesias, but he'll sign somewhere within the next two weeks anyway.

Bob Welch was the guy that K'd him 3 times in a game.

Gwynn struck out 3 times in a game ONCE.

http://www.csnphilly.com/baseball-philadelphia-phillies/gwynn-men-sons-love-fathers-fight This story just ran yesterday.

Against Glavine, Smoltz, Maddux, and Pedro-323 At Bats- 3 K's. 2 against Glavine.

He was definitely one of my favorite non-Cubs. My grandparents got me hooked on baseball cards in the early to mid 80s. I remember going thru those shoeboxes years later and finding Gwynn rookie cards and being excited.

I just froze when I saw this.