Backtobanks

From MLBTR: Cubs Looking At Several Veteran Starters By Mark Polishuk [November 27 at 5:54pm CST] The Cubs have five starters tentatively pencilled into their 2011 rotation, but given the number of question marks on that staff, it's understandable that the team is looking to add a veteran innings-eater to the fold. ESPN.com's Jason A. Churchill reports that Chicago has "shown interest" in Jeremy Bonderman, Aaron Harang, Kevin Millwood and Javier Vazquez, and also cites a Chicago Sun-Times item connecting the team to Vicente Padilla. Churchill says the Cubs "kicked the tires on" Jon Garland before the right-hander signed with the Dodgers. All five starters would make sense as low-cost additions; Vazquez has reportedly turned down a two-year, $20MM offer but it seems like he's more likely to end up in Florida or Washington than in Chicago. The Cubs are probably looking for a short-term deal, and Garland's $5MM pact with L.A. would likely be a good comparison point. That $5M salary (plus incentives and a 2012 vesting option) would likely be enough to land Millwood or Harang, and Bonderman would leap at that offer given his injury-riddled recent history. Padilla is coming off the most solid season of the group and could command a bit more money or a second year, though he made only 16 starts in 2010 due to various nagging injuries. Churchill cites the Mets, Padres and Pirates as other teams that could use a starter that fits Padilla's profile. Bonderman, Millwood and Vazquez all landed on Luke Adams' list of free agent pitchers that could benefit from a move to the NL, though pitching in a hitter-friendly park like Wrigley Field might not be what they had in mind. As we saw with the Garland signing, teams that play in pitcher's parks will have an advantage in finding extra arms for their rotation, especially when it comes to a pitchers like Bonderman or Harang who are trying to rebuild value. Speaking of rebuilding value, there's also a chance that the Cubs could look at a higher-ceiling starter such as Brandon Webb. Fanhouse's Ed Price (via Twitter) hears from a source that Chicago has been "in talks' with Webb, who has also drawn interest from several other teams. Chicago is relatively close to Webb's home in Kentucky, which could help the Cubs in the bidding process.

That's Hendry, though. He "respects" people and wants to try and do good by them. There's certainly positives in that, but there's been a couple moments in recent years where I wonder if that has hurt the Cubs (off the top, namely, the decision to let Kerry test the market because he deserved it, or whatever the stated reasoning was). At the time Kerry Wood was about to receive a ridiculously high contract. As much as most of us love Kerry, it was a good move by Hendry.

Not at these prices (or anywhere near these prices) : From MLBTR: Edwin Rodriguez Met With Javier Vazquez Today By Mike Axisa [November 20 at 2:54pm CST] 3:33pm: Joe Capozzi of The Palm Beach Post reports that Vazquez is "said to be seeking" a three-year deal worth $33MM, almost identical to his last contract. I guess there's no harm in asking.

I guess there isn't any real hard evidence. A HOF pitcher without size or extraordinary stuff (except control) and being noted as a smart student of pitching while willing to share insights with others seems to suggest he would be a good pitching coach.

With all the budgetary discussion, I'm guessing the new pitching coach would be someone coaching in the minors for the Cubs. I can't see them spending top dollar for a coach when they went cheap for the manager and are pleading poverty to fill the holes on the team.

I totally agree. Keep looking for a 1 year-deal on someone like Pena and make this deal to strengthen the bench and to give him time to work with Rudy. The bottom line is we're not giving up anything of value for him.

Sandberg only has a connection with Chicago and Philadelphia and doesn't have the resume to impress anyone into hiring him immediately. As for a ML coaching position, most managers pick people they've worked with or their friends to be their coaches. He probably picked the best job for a shot at eventually getting a ML position.

Correction: THE ENTIRE infield will be atrocious defensively. We would have to go after some fly ball pitchers. =D>

Exactly my point except the subsequent events make it a clear plus (not a wash) for the Cubs unless Byrd and Silva don't produce anything next year. I understand much of the Hendry hate, but he did a great job of correcting his original mistake and needs to get some credit for that.

DeWitt is an upgrade over Theriot. The key to whether the trade was good is how the two prospects develop. If they become good major leaguers, it was a good deal. If they flame out, it was a poor trade. And so far, as has been said, the Bradley for Silva deal has had good results. The trade may have been a bad idea, but it's worked out so far. not really. They've got a fat heartcase on their hands that can't be counted on for anything but almost has to be given a spot. Silva certainly contributed more than Bradley would have in 2010 and with the extra money they signed Byrd. I don't know how anyone can knock that deal. As for 2011, we will have to see what happens.

If you assume that Fukudome is gone no matter what, and you have seen some of the garbage Hendry has gotten in return for his salary dumps (Izturis, DeWitt, Silva, Hairston), you could definitely do worse than Dice K. That said, I'm in the camp that wouldnt take on a dime of salary in the trade. If they want to eat $12 million over 2 years to make the deal I'm willing to see what upside he has in the NL. Obviously there are significant risks (Injuries, inconsistency, general fatigue, etc) but I think he's got the kind of upside we aren't going to find much of in a Fukudome trade. I certainly don't agree with you lumping all of that garbage in the same sentence. Posters were clamoring to get rid of Theriot and getting Dewitt seems like a good deal. As for dumping Bradley to get Silva (plus the money for Byrd), that definitely has to go in the plus column for Hendry. The trade wasn't Theriot for Dewitt though. I guess I forgot that it was Lilly plus Theriot for Dewitt plus two decent pitching prospects, but I would still consider it a decent trade considering it was a salary dump from a team with a losing record.

If you assume that Fukudome is gone no matter what, and you have seen some of the garbage Hendry has gotten in return for his salary dumps (Izturis, DeWitt, Silva, Hairston), you could definitely do worse than Dice K. That said, I'm in the camp that wouldnt take on a dime of salary in the trade. If they want to eat $12 million over 2 years to make the deal I'm willing to see what upside he has in the NL. Obviously there are significant risks (Injuries, inconsistency, general fatigue, etc) but I think he's got the kind of upside we aren't going to find much of in a Fukudome trade. I certainly don't agree with you lumping all of that garbage in the same sentence. Posters were clamoring to get rid of Theriot and getting Dewitt seems like a good deal. As for dumping Bradley to get Silva (plus the money for Byrd), that definitely has to go in the plus column for Hendry.

And creating a hole. I'm not disagreeing with you, but putting Colvin in RF and signing a 4th OF would alleviate some money issues for a 1B.

Let's not forget all of the speculation about trading Fukudome. Assuming they eat some of his contract, that might free up another $10 million for next year.

That sounds like way too much for Luke Scott. I would think 1 of our middle relief pitchers should do it, but if they insist we can throw in a mid/low prospect.

I get a kick out of the argument that Sandberg would just "be here until somebody else hires me". Every coach and minor league manager is waiting for a major league manager's job and would leave as soon as one is offered. Sandberg has every right to leave, but I don't see any teams lining up to hire him. At least in the Cubs' organization he has celebrity status.

Could Johnson/Nady be filler until Adrian Gonzalez becomes available?

AZPhil made it sound like Hill WOULD be non-tendered most likely, but be given a NRI to camp and if he makes the team, he'd basically get the same 700,000 or so he made last year. it's still really unlikely that they'll keep four catchers on the 40 man. The two "kids" would have to play poorly enough for one of them to be outrighted for Hill to make the roster, in all likelihood. Oh, I agree. Just saying that it's definitely possible we won't be rid of Koyie Hill once things are settled. I could see the Cubs still taking him over Castillo or Chirinos unless one of them is on fire in the spring, no matter how bad Hill is. Hopefully with Quade, we won't follow the old school/"need a veteran" scenairio.

No

Evaluating a minor league manager based on win-loss record is about as valid as judging a pitcher by win-loss record. In other words, worthless. Well, I don't know of too many minor league managers who were promoted to major league managers when they had lousy win/loss records in the minors.

As others have posted, Quade would never hire Sandberg as bench coach. As for which job is a better stepping stone to managing in the majors, I would think it would be managing in AAA rather than being a bench coach. Usually the only bench coaches that take over are hand-picked successors to the manager (Like Mattingly with Torre). It's hard to prove you would be a great manager when you're sitting in the dugout with someone else making all of the decisions. At least managing in the minors has a win/loss record to go by.

I could see a young guy or first-timer take the job to build a resume to be considered for better jobs in the future. Riggleman, Wedge, Girardi, Gonzalez, Quade, etc. are now part of the "insiders" that are considered for open positions because of some early success. There are only 30 major league manager positions and probably 60 people who are "qualified" for the job plus another 60 who want to become qualified for the job. There's probably only a handful of guys who have any business turning down that gig. Jim Tracy was an established major league manager who went to Pittsburgh, then moved onto the job in Colorado. It's not just first timers who would have interest. That's my point. A managerial job in Pittsburgh is better than a coaching job or minor league job somewhere else. Do a decent job and you become one of the names that's always in the running for open managerial positions.

Well, he's 1 for 1, as Fredi returns to Atlanta. That was the easy one though. I know there are only so many managerial jobs available but I just don't see why anyone would want to take the Pirates job when you know there is virtually no way to succeed there. I could see a young guy or first-timer take the job to build a resume to be considered for better jobs in the future. Riggleman, Wedge, Girardi, Gonzalez, Quade, etc. are now part of the "insiders" that are considered for open positions because of some early success.

Well, at least he gets to the playoffs.

I can't believe DeJesus and Ross wouldn't be able to find a starting gig somewhere.