soapy

If he's truly going to be used as the final bench player, I'll take Freddie and the extra million dollars, please. They both suck. You're killing me Smalls!! Honestly, as a cubs fan, how can you cry over one million dollars that isn't your money? I hope you're joking. Counsell sucks much, much, much less than Bynum - oh, and he's won a ring. I'm not crying. And I don't really care that much about just one million dollars. I'm just saying, I think it's a waste. It's not a big deal to me. But honestly, Counsell really isn't any better than Bynum at this point and brings nothing to the team that can't come from Bynum, Theriot, or Izturis. I don't give a crap about whether or not he's won a wring. Why does that matter? There are plenty of really awful players who have rings. Not to mention that Counsell isn't close to the player he was when he won that ring.

Counsell every day, twice on Sunday. Just say no to fast freddie. I guess I just don't see what Counsell can do at this point that Bynum can't.

I don't want to de-rail this thread too much, but I'm starting to think I'd be somewhat comfortable going into the season if Hendry just added Lugo at SS (goodbye Izturis) and added Lilly and Wolf. It's not ideal, but it might be enough depending on what Miller and/or Prior do.

If he's truly going to be used as the final bench player, I'll take Freddie and the extra million dollars, please. They both suck.

I'd prefer Wolf to Meche. Craig Counsel? That's the Hendry I know and hate. No thanks.

I'd do 6/$90 in a heartbeat.

1. We're not even close a WS team in my mind right now. 2. What steps? They got Wilken, but this years draft is a very big crapshoot, even compared to the average Cub draft. Alot of risks for a farm system that has rarely coached up positional players. 3. I'd rather win next year, but I don't see how overpaying mediocre players helps us do that. 4. Any smartly run orginization with a plan can retool and be good in just a couple years. The fact of the matter is the Cubs had tradeable assets and are too afraid to use them. They don't want to piss off fans because it would cost them moooneeey to piss off fans. Why would they risk that? Or maybe its just the kind of person I am. I think quick fixes usually end up being long term screw ups. Unfortunately I do realize I'm part of a very hungry fanbase. A fanbase that has not seen true victory in almost 98 years, and is desperate for one NOW. I think our window was 3-4 years ago, we've gone downhile ever since. The farm system has deteriorated. The big league team has question marks all over the place and the plan is to fill those large holes with some nice, old, expensive, mediocre FAs. Again, no direction in this franchise. Throw money at players who get people excited because we can and see the team marginally improve. sorry, i don't usually do this, but... =D>

Well, Jim is saying the right things. Just get the best hitters you can, and sort out things like positions and batting order later, IMO. It's better then last year where he was hell bent on getting a "lead-off hitter". I still don't think he's really changed his philosophy re: OBP. Maybe he's paying a little more attentions to it, I don't know, but the Soriano signing doesn't signify a change to me (other then $$). He's still the kind of player Hendry typically covets. Hendry likely sees a guy he considers toolsy, ahtletic, uses his legs, slugs, etc. If he's not going to go after OBP, I'm happy to see him go after some SLG. At least it's something.

I think some sports journalist just see a young guy, who makes a bare minimum (salary wise) and crushes lefties and just assumes he should be the one put in a platoon. However, anyone who has followed him closely can see that he's fine against RHP as well. I don't see a need to platoon him. Granted, if someone could be brought in cheaply who absolutely crushes RHP, I'm not against platooning him, I just don't think it's a priority or something that needs to be addressed. I'm much more interested in finding a platoon partner for Jones.

What if the upgrade is in the pitching department? What if Jones can be traded or a solid SP? I'd do that. Jones' 2006 would like nice in CF, but I wouldn't bet on him repeating that performance. I'd consider selling high (but not just dumping him).

oh my God. i find that hard to believe.

Does spending $17 million on Soriano mean the Cubs will win a WS though? I'm sorry, I'm just having trouble leting this go. It brings them closer, yes. But it's a pretty far cry from a sure thing that they would even make the playoffs with this team. More needs to be done. Okay, I'll stop now. Obviously more needs to be done. If this was it, and there was no room for anything else, then it's a terrible signing. But that doesn't seem to be the case. I guess I'm still skeptical.

agreed.

Does spending $17 million on Soriano mean the Cubs will win a WS though? I'm sorry, I'm just having trouble leting this go. It brings them closer, yes. But it's a pretty far cry from a sure thing that they would even make the playoffs with this team. More needs to be done. Okay, I'll stop now.

I sure hope so. If the $115 figure is correct, there's about $10-$15 million left. I hope there is a trade in the works (I'm guessing there is). I know I'm repeating myself, but I am glad they signed him. I'm just worried because a) I'm afraid he's far from a lock to repeat his 2006 numbers and; b) I'm worried about the last few years of the contract.

What a terrible argument. Last I checked the BoSox won a WS in 2004. The Yankees have won a few in the past 10 years as well. The Mets could easily win it next season. No Big Spending does not equal championships, but it usually keeps you in contention year in and year out. Right now, as a Cubs fan, I'll certainlty take that. Why is it a terrible arguement. those three team have one championship between them in the last six years. the yankees went on their championship run before they started the massive spending the have today. the mets have been spending big for years and haven't come close to a championship. how many championships did baltimore win in the 90's when they were grossly out-spending everyone? it's relevant. Spending money doesn't keep you from winning. That's completely absurd. It will increase your chances of going to the playoffs and get you better players in the long run. Just because other teams who spend money haven't won the World Series in the last few years doesn't mean it's impossible to do so. I didn't say that. Of course spending money WISELY increases your chances to win. Also, it can allow you to cover up your mistakes by spending more money. What I'm saying is, I'm not going to write off the massive amount of money going toward Soriano at ages 38 and 39. I'm glad they made the move to get him, but I'm very worried about the long terms effect of the contract. Others aren't becuase they claim they say, "If it brings the Cubs a World Series, who cares?" If it does, yeah I agree. But I don't think they are even close at this point and I'm not going to just say "who cares" about 17 million dollars.

What a terrible argument. Last I checked the BoSox won a WS in 2004. The Yankees have won a few in the past 10 years as well. The Mets could easily win it next season. No Big Spending does not equal championships, but it usually keeps you in contention year in and year out. Right now, as a Cubs fan, I'll certainlty take that. Why is it a terrible arguement? those three team have one championship between them in the last six years. the yankees went on their championship run before they started the massive spending the have today. the mets have been spending big for years and haven't come close to a championship. how many championships did baltimore win in the 90's when they were grossly out-spending everyone? it's relevant.

Why would I ask the Mets? Omar Minia is a spend-whore if ever there was one. That team was dead as recently as two seasons ago, and just got off the mat by outspending the entire league. They aren't winning based solely on Wright and Reyes. That's what I'm saying. All those teams have thrown around obscene amounts of money, but aren't exactly racking up the championships (one title between them in the last six years). I'm not going to say "who cares" to the Soriano contract and assume I won't care by the time he's 38/39 because I'll be so happy about the championships he's delivered to Chicago. This team is not drastically better then last year's team (yet). There is still a high probability that the Cubs will not win a WS in the next five years and the they will be weighted down by Soriano's massive contract long after his productivity has declined.

As far as I can tell, no (to all your questions).

I see a lot of people writing off the size of the contract by saying that they don't care about the long term effects of paying Soriano $17 million at age 38 (if that turns out to be true) because they'll be happy with the WS title before that. I wouldn't be handing out any WS trophies no matter what the Cubs do. Big spending does not equal championships. Ask the Mets, Yankees, Red Sox. They still have to be smart.

That Dayn Perry article sums up my feelings on this pretty well. I'm really anxious to see the actual terms of the deal. I'm still (foolishly) hoping that the last few years are team options. On one hand, I'm excited to see a big splash, especially this early in the off-season. It's a change of pace for Hendry. On the other hand, I'm certainly worried about the long-term (and short-term) effects of this contract. I've always said that I'm fine with Hendry over-paying for impact type players (vs. the Rusch's and Neifi's of the world). Be careful what you ask for, I guess.

Honestly, I'm more concerned with what contract he will get. If it's low, okay, it's not a bad gamble. It just seems guys that sign early in the FA process, don't sign for low dollars.

hahaha...wow. you're just making stuff up. First of all, Drew > Soriano and Drew > Wells. Secondly, who the hell is critical of Arod (besides stupid journalists)?

Agreed. I refuse to get my hopes up at this point.

vomit