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Backtobanks

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Everything posted by Backtobanks

  1. Backtobanks
    Obviously all of those reasons not to bring in the best talent this offseason revolve around money and long term contracts, both of which have burned the Cubs at this point. I think it's safe to say that the Cubs will be very much in the bidding for Pujols/Fielder and Sabathia/Wilson. Considering the fact that they're stuck with two huge contracts (Zambrano and Soriano) along with Dempster's and the fact that they're not sure of which direction (contending or developing young players) they're going to take for 2012, I think being serious about bidding for a big-time 1B and #1 starter is pretty impressive.
  2. Backtobanks
    Wouldn't a guy this good be the 1 time out of 10? We're not talking just any pitcher here....We are talking about an elite player and pitcher, which would seem to not be a 9/10 situation, no? His weight is a superfluous issue...1 because he's never ever had an arm problem and 2 he's heavy because he's a huge human being (that 290 sits on a 6'7" frame). He's more LT than G when it comes to athleticism...as we've seen for a decade+ now and NL Central fans were treated for half a season. I'm not sure his weight is a superfluous issue when you're talking about 4-6 years from now.
  3. Backtobanks
    Especially if he's 290 lbs. and has pitched almost 1000 innings in the last 4 years.
  4. Backtobanks
    Everything you say about Sabathia is true, but the contract that he signs will be ridiculous. He's opting out of 4 years and $92 million, so obviously the bidding will start with 5+ years and $125+ million. Also, comparing him to Lee and Halladay ignores the fact that his weight may be an issue as he ages.
  5. Backtobanks
    You're absolutely right and yet some posters are saying "give them Brett Jackson", "give them whatever they want", etc. What are they going to do - let him sit in the corner and do nothing for the next year? Or better yet, let him continue to be the GM when he's pissed at the organization and would rather be in Chicago.
  6. Backtobanks
    Take a look at Crawfords contract year by year and try again. I've looked at it and basically I'm asking the Red Sox to pay half his salary for the last 4 years. That will mean he will cost the Cubs about $42 million over the last 4 years in future money as opposed to 2012 money.
  7. Backtobanks
    Let me tweak the deal: Soriano + Zambrano for Lackey + Crawford + $40 million ($10 million per year from 2014 - 2017) + Theo (no additional compensation)
  8. Backtobanks
    Soriano + Zambrano for Lackey + Crawford + $40 million ($10 million per year from 2014 - 2017). The ultimate salary dump trade.
  9. Backtobanks
    Kaplan How about Cherington for Bush? Seems fair. 10/13/2011: Randy Bush agrees to send Brett Jackson, Trey McNutt, and Matt Szczur to the Red Sox as compensation 10/14/2011: Ben Cherington officially named New Red Sox GM 10/15/2100: Ben Cherington names Randy Bush his assistant GM. Brett Jackson breaks all of Ted Williams' records. Trey McNutt becomes the new Bob Gibson. Matt Szcur becomes the new Carl Yaztremski. Theo Epstein changes everything about the Cubs and they average 95 wins per season for 2012-2016, make the playoffs every year, and lose in the first round every year.
  10. Backtobanks
    I wouldn't trade either but either of those for Epstein is far less absurd than that Upton/Davis package of yours. It's a tossup, IMO. We aren't trying to get Epstein out of some 15 year contract to come to the Cubs. The only reason he's interested is because he's at least a little disgruntled in Boston, and he's only under contract for another 12 months. For the Red Sox to demand any player of value(aka anyone who would play in MLB or find themselves on a Top 15-20 prospect list), is a desperate attempt that someone like Ricketts should see right through. He can respond "you can take whatever trinket I'm offering(cash, minor league filler, Bryan LaHair) and get something for Theo, or you can trap him in Boston for 12 months and piss him off, assuring he's gone after 2012 for nothing". The Red Sox have no leverage to demand value. Absurdity is paying an extreme price for something that you don't have to. You are absolutely correct - the Red Sox have no leverage to demand value. It's like the Cubs trading Zambrano and/or Soriano and wanting something of value. The Marlins were idiots for giving up 2 decent prospects for Guillen.
  11. Backtobanks
    Cashner and/or Jackson for Epstein???? #-o And some of you guys make fun of my trade proposals. :-k
  12. Backtobanks
    Hanley Rameriz for Josh Beckett. I don't think the Cubs will trade Castro, SS is a much harder position to fill. Exactly. There are lots of 1B who will produce decent power numbers, though not as good as Votto's numbers. There are very few SS that can match Castro's numbers now and hopefully in the future.
  13. Backtobanks
    They will be hiring a new GM, so that could change. If Texas wins the WS, he'd have to consider taking the money that the O's would be able to offer. Most of the FAs that leave money on the table to play for a contender have already made a lot of money. Wilson and his agent know that this is his first, last, and only big payday.
  14. Backtobanks
    As others have pointed out, it's crazy to trade your young, cheap superstar SS for a reasonably young, affordable (for now) superstar 1B when you have 2 other superstar 1B that will cost you only money.
  15. Backtobanks
    Everything I've read has said that the Reds aren't trying to trade Votto, but would listen to any offers that are made. What Jocketty said is exactly what you would expect him to say at this point, but if a team calls offering someone like Shields or Cain, he would be a fool not to think about it when he has Alonzo ready to play 1B.
  16. Backtobanks
    Because there's very little precident of a team offering compensation for another one's GM. And if the Cubs plan on offering Theo the President of Baseball Opps title, isn't it almost unprofessional to block a promotion for Theo by demanding compensation from the Cubs (assuming the Red Sox aren't also offering a similar title if he stays)? Assuming that Epstein wants the Cubs' job, do the Red Sox really want a GM that doesn't want to be there and that they just screwed out of his new job because they couldn't settle on compensation? They've got nothing to lose for asking about compensation, but I would think you have to let him go if he wants to go.
  17. Backtobanks
    Not going to argue with any of you about a fair offer for Davis and Upton, but it would save a lot of money for the Rays since Upton is way too expensive for his production (nice way of saying he has had 3 consecutive bad years with the exception of SB) and Barney would look like an All Star next to their other shortstops. LaHair could be a cheap option as a DH or bat off the bench and Davis is replaceable in their rotation.
  18. Backtobanks
    How about Wade Davis + Upton for Barney (to play SS) + Colvin + LaHair (1B/DH) to open the negotiations.
  19. Backtobanks
    From MLBTR: •Some people think that C.J. Wilson has keen interest as free agent in New York, tweets Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated. He adds that the Yankees are probably the early favorite to sign him.
  20. Backtobanks
    Zambrano + Colvin + decent prospect + $16 million ($9 million in 2012 and $7 million in 2013) for Nolasco + Morrison. (The $16 million is the difference between the contracts of Nolasco and Zambrano). It would take a good 5 mil more. Zambrano is virtually immovable without Ozzie being interested, and LoMo is a potential star where as Colvin is a potential decent 4th outfielder. I'm not disagreeing with you, just reminding you that Morrison is and has been in the dog house in Florida.
  21. Backtobanks
    At this point, anybody who doesn't think Epstein is the first choice is either naive or stupid. 1. Ricketts basically said that the Red Sox are his model as to what he wants to do. 2. The media in both towns and nationally are jumping all over the story. 3. He has asked permission to talk to Epstein. 4. The delay can be explained by the Jewish holiday and/or the discussion of compensation. Now tell me that Ricketts won't look like an idiot if he has a press conference next week to introduce his new GM - Rick Hahn (who he claims was his first choice all along). Please explain what you're actually complaining about here and what Ricketts has done wrong. He's said NOTHING about Theo Epstein. So you're criticizing him because Epstein is his first choice? Or are you criticizing him because the media is speculating like they do on everything sports related? Or are you just criticizing for having a "first choice" in his GM search? I'm criticizing people who think Epstein isn't the first choice and the fact that Ricketts seems to have gone "all in" for Epstein. Any other choice would have been hired by now.
  22. Backtobanks
    At this point, anybody who doesn't think Epstein is the first choice is either naive or stupid. 1. Ricketts basically said that the Red Sox are his model as to what he wants to do. 2. The media in both towns and nationally are jumping all over the story. 3. He has asked permission to talk to Epstein. 4. The delay can be explained by the Jewish holiday and/or the discussion of compensation. Now tell me that Ricketts won't look like an idiot if he has a press conference next week to introduce his new GM - Rick Hahn (who he claims was his first choice all along).
  23. Backtobanks
    Zambrano + Colvin + decent prospect + $16 million ($9 million in 2012 and $7 million in 2013) for Nolasco + Morrison. (The $16 million is the difference between the contracts of Nolasco and Zambrano).
  24. Backtobanks
    All of this speculation/rumors/talk had better happen because Ricketts and his second choice are going to look pretty stupid if it doesn't happen.
  25. Backtobanks
    It depends on whether his Achilles tendon is torn or not.
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