cubsfan26

Of course Blanco was fine as the backup catcher while he was here, look at how much money he made. I doubt Blanco minded that much only getting 120 AB's last year, when he was making 2.8m. If the Cubs wanted to bring him back and overpay again I'm sure he would have been fine with that. But if everything is equal, do you think he stays with the Cubs at 750k for 120 AB's, when he could go to another team for the same price for 200-250 AB's? Hendry didn't misread anything about Blanco. The guy obviously took less money to get more playing time. Plus Blanco has averaged 244 AB's a season from 1999-2006, and got the lowest amount of AB's of his career last season(when healthy). Like I said before, why stay with the Cubs for 750k, when you can go to the Padres for the same salary and get double the AB's? From what I have heard Henry Blanco doesn't resign with the Cubs for 750k, and would have been over a million, to get him to stay. Just because a guy signs elsewhere for a lower salary doesn't mean he would sign with you're team for that some price.

Seconded. He might be interested in a back up role, but not one with a catcher like Soto in front of him. Pudge still wants to play and get AB's, thats not gonna have with Soto on the team. It's gonna be pretty hard to find a catcher better then Bako who would be willing to sign here, unless we overpaid. Thats why I still feel it would have took more then 750 K to resign Blanco. Yes he signed with the Padres for that, but he also has a much better chance to get playing time with the Padres. Pudge will probably sign with the Mets, Marlins or Astros were he will still get alot of AB's even if he isn't starting everyday.

Not really Beimal said a bunch of teams were offering him low ball deals, and he hasn't got a fair contract offer all offseason. So he would have to choose the Cubs low offer over about 5-8 other teams if he wanted to come here still.

He's the former first round pick we got for Wuertz.

Hmmm.... I wonder how much the Cubs would have to pay Bako if he didn't make the team?

Hmm. Harden's shoulder issues were pretty significant towards the end of the season http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2009/02/piniella-were-going-to-get-it-done.html From what I heard, Harden shoulder issue was there when the Cubs traded for him last year. It just effected Harden more towards the end of the year when the innings and starts started pilling up. Thats why Harden worked so hard to strength it this offseason. Here's a pretty good article on Harden http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090214&content_id=3828398&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

The payroll wasn't huge in 07, and is it Hendry fault the team underachieved so much the first two months of the season? He put the same roster on the field in April and May when the Cubs were 7-9 games under 500. Then the team that had one of the best records in baseball from June to the end of the year. When you have a new manager, and a bunch of new players. Sometimes it takes a little while to figure everything out. I know that might sound like a excuse, and the record was still 85 wins. But that year we had two different teams IMO. The bad team in April/May, and the good team from June on, that often played like he did in 08. I agree my comments aren't making this convo go away. So you're making a pretty good point. But it comes to a point when you see a few pages complaining about Aaron Miles and comparing contracts to Bobby Abreu, and I'm just like come on. Plus people can only complain about a move so long IMO. I'm fine with people expressing their opinion, but it can go overboard when there still bashing a move months later, and bringing up other contracts to bash a move again. At some point you just need to sit back and see how the move works out. If Miles somehow hits like he did last year for the next two seasons, people won't be bashing that deal nearly as much. People wouldn't be praising Hendry for months, if he signed Bradley to a 1y 1.5m deal. They would say it was a good signing, great bargin, but after a few days that would be the end of it. When they don't like a move, it gets brought up over and over again. People act like they can see in the future, and already know this or that is gonna happen for sure when their bashing a move. There's a difference in saying they dislike a move, then doing that IMO. For example I don't like the Mark DeRosa move, I expressed that before. But now I'm at the point were I'm just gonna see how it works out. If Fontenot sucks, and the depth sucks then I will be bashing Hendry. After Hendry success the last two years, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. But If he's wrong then I think Hendry deserves a ton of blame, and thats the time for these comments.

Whats the going rate for a back up infielder? Gm's pay players what they demand that year. If you need a veteran back up infielder, thats what they cost this offseason. Not to be rude but people complaining about Aaron Miles and 2.2m he makes next year have too much time on their hands to complain. Miles salary has very little impact on our team as a whole. Thats the guy Hendry wanted for the bench, he will help the team. If you don't like his salary and think he's getting paid 1m too much. Well that sucks, but thats the market for back up middle infielders. When did I say Hendry deserved a free pass? The fact that people are still complaining about some of these moves right now shows Hendry got nothing but a free pass. There's a difference from a guy getting a free pass, then getting bashed. Hendry is almost getting bashed, for some of the moves this offseason. People have given their opinion of these moves months ago when they happen. There comes a point for people to just be quiet, and see if Hendry is smarter then us again or not. Guess what there are gonna be some bargin aging corner outfielders signed this offseason for not alot of money. So lets compare what there getting paid to Aaron Miles, and bash Hendry. =D>

I guess the Cardinals 06 World Series win shouldn't really matter either. Winning the division is winning the division, if were gonna say this. Then we can say we got unlucky in 2004, winning 89 games and missing the playoffs, it doesn't work both ways. So when you factor in were we at in 06(due to injuries, Hendry/MacPhail), to how much we improved in 07 it was a successful year. Especially having one of the best records in baseball after June. People can complain all they want about Hendry moves this offseason, it still doesn't take away the fact that he has done a good job the last two years. At this time in 2007, people were assuming Mark DeRosa was gonna be a overpaid bench player, Marquis was gonna have a 5 or 6 era, Lilly was gonna be a overpaid number 4. So I think people should maybe stop assuming so much and thinking their opinion is right and Hendry is wrong.

I don't think people called it a good contract, it just happen to be one of the better pitching contracts signed that offseason. The Cubs didn't move Marquis total contract, but going 23-18, with a 4.43 era in 61 starts. Looks pretty good right now at 2y at 16m, plus a free year of Luis Vizcaino. I don't think anybody isn't saying Hendry should be safe from negative comments. But he deserves the benefit of the doubt a little more then he gets on here. People are almost being as critcial of this guy as we just lost 100 games last year. At some point people just need to shut it, and see what happens. Because the Cubs improved 19 games from 06-07, and improved 12 and half games from 07-08, making often simliar questionable moves. So lets see what happens, Hendry does seem on a roll the past few offseasons. So people shouldn't be surprised if some of these moves work out alot better then we expect right now.

Because the market for Bradley was guarantee him 2 years, while it wasn't for Abreu? I thought the goal was to add the best players, not get the best bargin. Sure we could have waited a bit and got a better bargin, but then we would have gotten a lesser player. It also would have made a bigger market for Abreu if we were still on the market for a RF, which would have probably gotten Abreu more money as well. Nobody is giving Hendry a free pass, it's just stupid to bash him for paying back up middle infielders the price they were getting paid this offseason. If Hendry is the only GM who does this, then I can understand these comments. But there's 5-7 back up middle infielders that got paid simliar money. It's not his fault that ageing corner outfielders aren't getting paid much more then back up infielders this offseason. The Cubs weren't in the market for a ageing corner outfielder, they wanted Bradley. Because we added one of the top ones on the market this offseason, who's currently only 30. The Cubs feel he's the best oufielder on the market not name Manny Ramirez. I never said there wasn't a market for any corner outfielder. There just wasn't much of one for the ones 35 or older with declining stats. This offseason teams put Abreu at the Andersons/Griffey level. While Bradley, Ibanez, Burrell, and Dunn were the guys who got 8-10m plus per year. All four of those guys would have gotten paid simliar salaries if they signed with other teams.

All player salaries are related, regardless of position. It only is if that player will join your team for that same salary. Everytime people see a guy sign a deal, they assume he would have signed with the Cubs for that salary. Does anyone really think Abreu signs with the Cubs for 5m? Also if were complaining about Miles for 2.2m next year, shouldn't the Mets fans be complaining about signing Alex Cora to a 1y deal at 2m? They could use Abreu alot more then us, right now. Samething goes for the Reds who signed Jerry Hairston to 2m deal. There's a bunch of teams that signed middle infielders to simliar contracts that could be saying the samething right now. Again to bring up Miles and Abreu topic is just more pointless complaining. I'm not picking on you Dexter, just that people are even talking about this is silly. Simple fact is there was a market for back up middle infielders this offseason(alot of them got paid), and not one for ageing corner outfielders.

I never said that, I said they don't use it as the be all end all that us fans use it as. If a guys OPS is below 750 we usually call that player bad or supbar, depending on the postion. Most GM's don't believe every player has to hit for power, and are happy with them if they hit for average and get on base. Otherwise explain why guys like David Eckstein, Luis Castillo, and many many others have started for major league teams and made alot of money over the years. Thats why I mentioned that Theriot might have to be moved to 2b at some point. His defense as a 2b would most likely be average at worse, and probably pretty decent. But that still doesn't change the fact that as long as he hits for average and gets on base. He will have a everyday job in the major leagues on some team. As for Theriot at SS next year, the Cubs seem ok with his defense. It's never been a problem or we haven't heard many behind the scene stuff about the Cubs wanting to move him to 2b.

It does because major league teams value what Theriot did higher then fans do. Us fans rate players on OPS and a bunch of other stats and compare them to other players. The Cubs knew from day one that Theriot has no power, and they are happy with him if he hits for average and gets on base at a high rate. Very few major league teams have more then 5-6 hitters who hit for power, and honestly alot GM's(more old school ones) like having a few hitters who don't hit for power in their line-up to mix things up. As long as Theriot is hitting hitting 290 plus and gets on base at a 350-360 plus rate, he will have a everyday job in the major leagues for some team, even if they have to move him to 2b. Thats why guys like Luis Castillo and David Eckstein hit towards the top of the order on World Series winning teams from 03-06. I'm not saying it's right or I agree with it. But you can be a SS/2b hit for average and get on base with no power and still be a everyday player year after year.

Well I think awful was a strong word, I don't think he's awful. Is he good no, and yes subpar there at times, but I wouldn't say awful. Plus the baserunning isn't his fault IMO, his SB/CS rate was due to Lou running him so much early in the year. There's a reason why he was a good base stealer in 06 and 07 and not one last year. I was never trying to say Theriot is great. I'm just saying in the major leagues players don't lose everyday jobs after hitting 307 with a 387 OBP in 580 AB's, no matter what their OPS is(especially midlde infielders). Alot of major league teams value more then just a players power, even though thats how us fans often rate a player. So it's not realistic for a major league hitter to hit that well and not have a everyday spot the next year. Sure they might move him to another postion, but he's still playing everyday. I'm just being realistic and there's no chance and never was any chance Theriot would lose his starting job. It's just not realistic in real major league baseball, with how things work.

Dunn is reportly getting 2y at 20m.

It's not realistic, what team would make Theriot a platoon player after the year he had? Especially part of a platoon that won't get many AB's? Theriot had the 7th best OBP in the NL, 2nd highest OBP/BA among SS. He was even 8th OPS in the NL and 10th in the MLB for SS. Now he probably won't be as good next year, but he should still be pretty good. So there's no way he's gonna lose his everyday spot.

So is DeRosa at 1y at 5.5m, but if DeRosa really was traded because they wanted Fontenot to get regular AB's. Signing Hudson doesn't make much sense. I think it's harder to find that type of player then you think. Sure they might be able to find a guy with simliar power. But not a guy who can hit for average the way Miles can for 400 AB's. Yeah I know hitting for average isn't everything, but I don't think power is everything for every player either. I personally would rather have a 290/330/700 hitter over a 250/330/710 hitter. But thats just my opinion, from watching baseball for a long time.

Keep in mind Jerry Hairston, Alex Cora, Felipe Lopez, Nick Punto and others signed for 2m plus this offseason as well. Craig Counsell also got 1m even though he's turning 39 this year. Back up infielders had no problem getting paid this offseason. From what I heard Miles had a two year deal on the table from the Cardinals, and a bunch of one year deals with simliar salary to what he will make this season. We can all think Miles is crap, but alot of major league teams find him valueable for whatever reason. Orlando Hudson hasn't signed with anyone yet because, he's probably unwilling to accept 2-3m per season. He wants 5-8m, for probably at 3-4 years, but might have to accept a 1y at 5-6m. Now Ray Durham is harder to understand, maybe he still wants to start everyday, and thats what he meant not getting any starting offers. Otherwise I don't understand why so many teams would be staying away from him.

I agree probably just Hudson agent trying to build up interest for Hudson. Hendry has been on the radio, and told reporters plenty of times that he's going with Fontenot/Miles at 2b next year.

I don't get this reference Hendrys Untouchables. Hes the last of his kind. People on the internet overvaluing Fuld = Hendry making him untouchable? I don't get it. Was there ever anything about Hendry not wanting to trade Fuld? I think he was misquoted, and Bruce Miles came on here and told everyone what he really said.

Would anybody else be shocked if Jacque has a half way decent spring, and is the Reds primary LF next year? I think Reds fans will cry if Chris Dickerson is on the bench or in Triple A, and Jones is in LF. If Jones can get back to being the hitter he was on the Cubs in 07, he will probably make the Reds and have a big role. But if he's horrible again like last year, I don't even think Dusty can justify putting him on the team. Daryle does seem like a Dusty type guy, but he probably will take too many pitches for Dustys taste. I can see him say Daryle swing the bat man, you're a big dude who can hit the ball far. If you walk you will just clogg the bases, since your so big and slow. I dunno what Dusty does to get his GM to sign so many of the players he wants. It seemed like he did that with Hendry, and now Jocketty.

Well I think in the long run, what we got for DeRosa will end up looking a little better then it does right now. I know alot of scouts are pretty high on Archer, but he still has a long way to go. I guess I don't understand it being a salary dump, when were only saving 3.3m. Especialy when the payroll was suppose to be between 140-145m, and is only at 137m right now(and look pretty much done). If we keep DeRosa our payroll would still only be at 140m. I really don't think it's a huge difference between 137m or 140m, especially when it comes down to having DeRosa or not. Unless we just basically wanted to go with Fontenot and give him primary AB's at 2b. But who knows maybe Hendry is still gonna make another move.

It all depends on how Ricketts feels about Lou I guess. I know the current guys incharge think very highly of Lou. One question I have is has Lou ever been fired?

The Cubs payroll is currently 137.2m, take away Miles 2.2m and keep DeRosa and our payroll is 140.5m. I'm starting to think getting rid of DeRosa had more to do with getting Fontenot regular AB's then anything. Because I don't think the 3.3m saved is really the issue. I think they like Fontenot bat alot, and feel he can put up simliar numbers to DeRosa, but from the LH side of the plate. Now I wouldn't have made the move, because I'm worried about the outfield depth. But I can understand the Cubs liking Fontenot and wanting to give him regular AB's. We will just have to wait and see how these moves work out next year. I have a feeling they will work out alot better then some think.