VanceJergins

Izturis makes 4.5 mil a year. He's definitely not worth it. He's a bad backup SS. Theriot would be almost a lock to outperform him next year. Trade Izturis to anyone stupid enough to take most of his salary, dont worry about what you get for him. Then try to sign Lugo or another decent SS, and if not you can still upgrade by starting Theriot.

I gave Hendry a lot of credit for getting Aramis signed. Matsuzaka looks like a real ace while watching him pitch, and when you translate the numbers to MLB level. While perhaps I erred to say he's been more productive, I sincerely do believe he will be more productive by plenty than Soriano will. Once again, three year splits are more indicitive of future performance than five year splits, but I will grant there was probably a bit of selection bias in the years I chose. Then again, you'd think putting him in Texas should have helped your case, not hurt it... which is a scary thought. And I do agree with you... so long as we win a World Series, it's fine by me to have to deal with this contract. But I am concerned we're going to have a hard time winning a world series while holding this contract on our hands. I definitely see your argument with Soriano, I'm just choosing to concentrate on the bright side. We got a top FA that I think will make this team a lot better. If we get another decent starter, replace Jones with a decent CF, and hopefully replace Izturis, I think we're huge favorites to win the central. And no matter what's being said I see this signing as Jones' ticket out of town, which I like. And with Hendry's aggressiveness this offseason we're definitely not done. I think we have a lot to be excited about.

First off, Soriano clocks in at #4 on the "readily-available" market. Aramis, Matsuzaka, and Drew all have been and will continue to be more productive than Soriano for the immediate future. And there's a huge drop down in production from those top 3 to Soriano. That doesn't even take into account the fact we could easily get a few guys in trades, too. ARod, Manny, and Cabrera are all out there for the taking right now... and they're all exponentially better bets than Soriano. I'll hold off complaining about the contract for the time being, as we have no hard figures... but the fact remains that sinking that kind of money and years into a merely "very good" at best player is fiscally irresponsible. Is that much of an issue of the Cubs continue to bump payroll? Probably not for 3-5 years at least... once he declines, it could be trouble (but there is the chance there's some option years we can get out of). The real issue at hand is what happens if the Cubs are sold soon (as has been rumored). If a new ownership group cuts the payroll to the $100 mil level, this signing would be enough to drag this team down the crapper for half a decade. Let's do an experiment. I'll give you Soriano's numbers and a mystery player. You tell me how much this mystery player is worth to you. 2004: Soriano - .280/.324/.484 OPS+ of 98 Player X - .274/.352/.468 OPS+ of 105 2005: Soriano - .268/.309/.512 OPS+ of 110 Player X - .305/.355/.474 OPS+ of 115 2006: Soriano - .277/.351/.560 OPS+ of 132 Player X - .278/.355/.398 OPS+ of 93 Both players had years in 2006 out of line with their career numbers. While Player X is indeed three years older, he has shown himself to be quite capable of outperforming Soriano by doing so 2 of the last 3 years. Would you even think of giving Todd Walker five million per year for 4 years to patrol right field? How about seventeen million per? I sure as hell wouldn't... But he's not that far from being comprable to Soriano as an offensive threat. Well, we got Aramis. How can you say Matsuzaka has been more productive than Soriano when he's never thrown a pitch in MLB? I would rather have Drew though. I wouldnt consider ARod, Manny, and Cabrera there for the taking. Manny might be a possibility, but I dont think we have what it would take to get ARod or Cabrera without giving up Zambrano. And with your experiment you conveniently started with the Soriano's worst 2 years and didnt include his very productive two years before that. If the original reports of 8/136 are true, then I think we definitely overpaid. But if we can win a world series in the next couple years I would be fine with being stuck with a couple awful contracts for a few years after that.

We got someone that will dramatically improve our chances to win this year. The Cubs havent won since 1908 and you people are worried that we may have less financial flexibility in 5 years? This may be a horrible contract, but it gives us a much better chance to win a world series. I dont care if it hurts us in a few years, I'm very pleased. Hendry improved the team by a lot for next year, well done.

Rapada is a LOOGY, not necessarily even a one-inning guy while these guys are starters/long-relievers. Also, Sean Marshall came up to start the season; part of the reason Rapada might be ready is his success in the AFL which obviously came after the season. How can Kevin not be included in your sig pic? Or Creed? Thats an outrage.

I dont know if I've seen anyone that thinks he's the 2nd ace we've been hoping for, but he's above average. With his groundballs he seems pretty well suited for Wrigley, he eats innings, and he's still fairly cheap. He was 16/39 in ERA for qualified AL SP with 4.17. I'd bet he could consistently have an ERA in the high 3's in the NL, which would put him at Glavine's level for this year. My biggest reason for wanting him is that the Indians seem to want relief pitchers and a backup ss, so it seems like an Izturis/Eyre deal could get him. And the way I see it, we have an ace, I'd bet that either Miller or Prior will put up above avg numbers, I bet Hill will put up above avg numbers, and I bet Westbrook would put up above avg numbers, that would give us a front four of: Awesome Above Avg Above Avg Above Avg ??? So its less about desperately wanting Westbrook and more about him being very good for our situation. Again, if the cost of acquisition is low, then I'm all for it. But if we start to have to give up real talent to get him, then let's move on. I can't see the advantage of Westbrook over some of the FA guys being worth Murton or Wuertz to me. I would rather have him than one of the FA guys because 1.) I think he's better than most of them, and 2.) Because they're all asking for around 10m, and getting Westbrook would leave us money for 2 big bats. But I completely agree that would shouldnt give up a lot and I dont think there are many people that would disagree. Wuertz would be around where I would draw the line. I think I would give him up just because we have an overstocked pen and because starters are more valuable. I would definitely not consider giving up Murton.

I dont know if I've seen anyone that thinks he's the 2nd ace we've been hoping for, but he's above average. With his groundballs he seems pretty well suited for Wrigley, he eats innings, and he's still fairly cheap. He was 16/39 in ERA for qualified AL SP with 4.17. I'd bet he could consistently have an ERA in the high 3's in the NL, which would put him at Glavine's level for this year. My biggest reason for wanting him is that the Indians seem to want relief pitchers and a backup ss, so it seems like an Izturis/Eyre deal could get him. And the way I see it, we have an ace, I'd bet that either Miller or Prior will put up above avg numbers, I bet Hill will put up above avg numbers, and I bet Westbrook would put up above avg numbers, that would give us a front four of: Awesome Above Avg Above Avg Above Avg ??? So its less about desperately wanting Westbrook and more about him being very good for our situation.

Half of his "improved" discipline came from him drawing additional intentional walks thanks to the crap Nat lineup. With Ramirez and Lee lurking, he won't get those. Only 16 of his 67 walks were intentional. Thats still 51 non-intentional which is still 13 more than his previous career high, which was also a year he batted leadoff, and had 35 more AB's. When he was in Texas, where was usually the #5 hitter, he had 33 BB's both seasons. Also, he saw 2839 pitches compared to his previous high of 2657. And this was in 13 fewer PA's. So part of it was IBB's because of a weaker lineup, but I think there are some obvious signs of improved patience when he bats leadoff. I think realistic numbers we should look at for how Soriano would perform next year batting leadoff would be his Yankees numbers with a tad higher OBP. Its not ideal, but I'd certainly take it.

Are you on a quest to have crappy pitching? Marquis and Meche are not good. I wouldnt mind them competing for the 5th spot, but thats about it.

Think outside the box, abuck. Outside the box. Well if Hendry, as someone suggested, was saying how happy he was as a way of touting Izturis, then Cleveland is simply trying to get Murton for less by saying that they're only interested in a position which the Cubs obviously have nothing to offer them. Obviously I meant that Hendry is thinking of new, creative ways to make this team worse: "Hmmm, I currently employ no less than five players who could, in a pinch, function as a back-up shortstop. How about I give them a cheap, young, productive and improving starting left fielder instead? Eureka!" 1. Trade Matt Murton 2. 3. Profit! Haha. I hope this is just speculation by rotoworld. If they really are looking for a backup ss and Hendry gives them Murton....I....I...I dont know what I'd do....but there'd be lots of crying and childhood toys involved.

Wow - very very interesting ... c'mon JD you know you like Chicago I vividly remember a Cubs Cards game in 2001 or 2002 when JD and Albert hit back-to-back jacks off Farnsworth on 98 and 99mph fastballs. Farns just looked shell-shocked, like wtf is going on. JD is a professional hitter the Cubs desperately need. Trivia q: when was the last time the Cubs had a guy w/a lifetime IsoD > 0.100 in their everyday lineup? Bellhorn? Bingo - good call. Yeah, I'm really smart....and modest.

Wow - very very interesting ... c'mon JD you know you like Chicago I vividly remember a Cubs Cards game in 2001 or 2002 when JD and Albert hit back-to-back jacks off Farnsworth on 98 and 99mph fastballs. Farns just looked shell-shocked, like wtf is going on. JD is a professional hitter the Cubs desperately need. Trivia q: when was the last time the Cubs had a guy w/a lifetime IsoD > 0.100 in their everyday lineup? Bellhorn?

Please be true. It would be very encouraging to know that the Cubs are really interested.

If the deal is Veal or Gallagher, Pie, and one of Marshall/Mateo/Marmal/Ryu/Guzman, sign me up. I dunno if I'd include both Veal and Gallagher. If I am going to assume Manny's contract and give up my three best prospects, I'd want something additional in return or at least want the Sox to assume responsibility for 33-40% of the remaining money on Manny's deal. Yeah, I would also hate giving up both Veal and Gallagher. Maybe Gallagher, Pie, Marshall, Marmol, and Jones.

My official stance is that I would be more than happy to add either one.

Manny gives you that too, plus he has a career OPS of over 1.1. I really don't get why anyone would want Drew over Manny, but that's just me. I think its the prospects we'd have to give up for Manny. Plus the thinking that he'd take Murton's spot instead of Jones'. I'd be more than happy seeing Murton move to a 4th OF role if Manny took his spot. He would without a doubt be more productive, but I'd rather he take Jones spot.

Manny gives you that too, plus he has a career OPS of over 1.1. I really don't get why anyone would want Drew over Manny, but that's just me. I think its the prospects we'd have to give up for Manny. Plus the thinking that he'd take Murton's spot instead of Jones'.

It seems like his OBP is much higher whenever he's the leadoff hitter. Maybe its a mental thing where he only thinks he needs to show patience when he's leading off and that leads to much better success.

With the way things seems to go, Spiezio is going to have a Bonds like resurgance and that stupid red thing on his face will become a national fad.

Could someone post the important info from the article for those who arent registered? reg. not needed but... Thanks. When I clicked the link it had a registration thing. Maybe if I looked a litter harder I would have found a way around it.

Could someone post the important info from the article for those who arent registered?

If Manny took the place of Jones in RF, I'd rather have Manny. But it it meant getting rid of Murton, I'd rather sign Drew.

I would make that trade in a heartbeat.

I hate the machines calling balls and strikes idea. That is part of the player element with catchers trying to frame the ball and sometimes pitchers throwing such nasty pitches that the umpire thought it was a strike. I would hate for those things to be taken out for some stupid computer. Things like foul/fair I wouldnt mind as long as it didnt make the game much longer.

Oh my, how can you make innocent little smiley face guy do such a thing?