The Mets landed Johan Santana pending agreement on a contract extention. This makes the Mets major players in the NL. I won't anoint them just yet. MLB seasons tend to dole out some wicked surprises every year. However, the Mets have clearly made a splash with this move (I assume they will get the contract situation squared away) and it certainly has to make some of the other NL contenders a little nervous.
The loudly voiced sentiment in Chicago is "for that price, why didn't the Cubs get him?" This is the perennial cry from the Cub faithful whenever a superstar gets moved or signs a free agent deal. The typical fan seems to think these things are just a matter of having Chicago executives decide they want something and it's a done deal. These same fans also continue to scream about how cheap the club is despite the evidence to the contrary in recent years (I'm not saying they spent well, but they spent).
Hendry seems to be indicating that the Cubs aren't done yet, but I think he is just expressing the usual thought that if something will improve the team and is doable, they will consider it (but I won't be surprised if something materializes). The Roberts rumors are fading fast and the Bedard situation continues to be a swirling cloud of dust in an empty field. I won't say that Santana in a Cub uniform wouldn't make me smile, but the fact that the Cubs were looking elsewhere doesn't turn me into a bitter anti-fan before spring training even starts.
I think the Cubs look better than they did last year. The naysayers disagree vehemently on this point. I look at the new bullpen version of Kerry Wood, Fukudome anchoring right field and legitimate competition for the 4 and 5 starter positions as big improvements.
The late inning pen situation looks outstanding and the offensive lineup will produce. If the Cubs break camp with DeRosa at second base, I don't see that as a negative. DeRosa was a gem last year. I like the competition Fuld provides Pie in center. A lineup with Soriano, Lee, Ramirez, and Fukudome is welcome.
I can hear you screaming from here. Soriano isn't a leadoff man! Fukudome will never hit for power! Lee had a down power year! Ramirez is fragile! Rich Hill, you have to be kidding me! Wood will never last the season! DeRosa isn't an everyday player! Theriot was awful in the back stretch! Soto?!?
Every team has questions. The Yankees haven't won every World Series despite the payroll and the talent. Injuries happen. Some players will underperform. Some will do the opposite.
As a fan, and not a victim of years of failure, I choose to see how the team can succeed. You can call that unrealistic, but where is the joy of admitting defeat in January? I know you are a better person, a better GM and a better talent evaluator than the Cub brass. You just choose to work at Joe's Tool and Die because you wanted to spend more time with the kids. Even knowing that, the unfulfilled dreams of fantasy general managers that would have swung the deal of Pie, Marshall and 4 cases of Old Style for Johan Santana are of little use to me.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Rumors
Along with the Brian Roberts speculation, some internet whackos are presenting the following rumors.....
Jason Marquis to Seattle for Willie Bloomquist or Jeremy Reed and the always sought after Player To Be Named Later.
Not sure what to make of this one, no big pickup here and lose some pitching depth. Certainly not the plus that the Brian Roberts acquisition provides. On the other hand, Marquis is not a huge loss, especially at his salary. Don't get me wrong, I liked the Marquis acquisition initially, but he's not untradable. Bloomquist would certainly be a backup for DeRosa (and no better than Theriot) and Reed is likely no better than the recently departed Pagan and certainly not as viable, at this point, as Pie and Fuld.
and...
Sean Marshall and R. Cedeno to Oakland for Mark Ellis and Alan Embree.
I happen to like Ellis, though on the face of it he really is not hugely better than Bloomquist. Embree obviously provides a solid, veteran lefty arm in the pen. However, I don't know that this makes too much sense either.
It only seems viable if they are moving parts to put something together for a bigger deal. Otherwise, I would rather see them go with the current roster. However, there is always something to be said for new environs. Perhaps a swap of young, unrealized talent is just what both parties need to spark something for the youngsters.
I haven't seen this confirmed in any way, so it's all just random bar talk anyhow.
Jason Marquis to Seattle for Willie Bloomquist or Jeremy Reed and the always sought after Player To Be Named Later.
Not sure what to make of this one, no big pickup here and lose some pitching depth. Certainly not the plus that the Brian Roberts acquisition provides. On the other hand, Marquis is not a huge loss, especially at his salary. Don't get me wrong, I liked the Marquis acquisition initially, but he's not untradable. Bloomquist would certainly be a backup for DeRosa (and no better than Theriot) and Reed is likely no better than the recently departed Pagan and certainly not as viable, at this point, as Pie and Fuld.
and...
Sean Marshall and R. Cedeno to Oakland for Mark Ellis and Alan Embree.
I happen to like Ellis, though on the face of it he really is not hugely better than Bloomquist. Embree obviously provides a solid, veteran lefty arm in the pen. However, I don't know that this makes too much sense either.
It only seems viable if they are moving parts to put something together for a bigger deal. Otherwise, I would rather see them go with the current roster. However, there is always something to be said for new environs. Perhaps a swap of young, unrealized talent is just what both parties need to spark something for the youngsters.
I haven't seen this confirmed in any way, so it's all just random bar talk anyhow.
Check Mark
The Cubs signed Jon Lieber, their last 20-game winner (2001), to a one-year deal valued at around $3.5MM. The deal includes incentives in the range of $4MM.
The numbers aren't tremendously impressive. The right-handed veteran missed the back half of 2007 after rupturing a tendon in his foot. Prior to the injury, Lieber pitched 78 innings with a 3-6 record and a 4.73 ERA. Nevertheless, he maintained a 2.5 strikeouts-to-walks ratio (vs 3.7 for his career) and is still a pitcher capable of eating up innings.
This is not earth shattering as far as off-season signings go, but it is something that needed to be done. The Cubs got what they wanted in a veteran arm that could push competition in the spring. They also got a player that is willing to go to the bullpen if that's how it all shakes out, further deepening the roster.
As usual, the harpies are dropping names like Santana and bemoaning this signing as another example of Cub mediocrity. As a fan, I have to see positives in this move. It has potential to blossom into something valuable and has cost them very little. I don't think it serves anyone's interest for the Cub brass to cease operations in an all-or-nothing push for one trade option. Not to mention that Hendry is still looking to tweak this club if they can get something worthwhile worked out (Mr. Roberts.....Mr. Roberts.....calling Mr. Roberts). Adding live bodies is a necessary first step to making a trade that likely sends young arms to another team.
The numbers aren't tremendously impressive. The right-handed veteran missed the back half of 2007 after rupturing a tendon in his foot. Prior to the injury, Lieber pitched 78 innings with a 3-6 record and a 4.73 ERA. Nevertheless, he maintained a 2.5 strikeouts-to-walks ratio (vs 3.7 for his career) and is still a pitcher capable of eating up innings.
This is not earth shattering as far as off-season signings go, but it is something that needed to be done. The Cubs got what they wanted in a veteran arm that could push competition in the spring. They also got a player that is willing to go to the bullpen if that's how it all shakes out, further deepening the roster.
As usual, the harpies are dropping names like Santana and bemoaning this signing as another example of Cub mediocrity. As a fan, I have to see positives in this move. It has potential to blossom into something valuable and has cost them very little. I don't think it serves anyone's interest for the Cub brass to cease operations in an all-or-nothing push for one trade option. Not to mention that Hendry is still looking to tweak this club if they can get something worthwhile worked out (Mr. Roberts.....Mr. Roberts.....calling Mr. Roberts). Adding live bodies is a necessary first step to making a trade that likely sends young arms to another team.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Deal Talk
Talk about town indicates that the Brian Roberts trade dealings with the Orioles are heating up again. Lot's of names flying around, but it seemed to be centered on Sean Marshall, Sean Gallagher and Ronny Cedeno. Depending on who you ask, that is a lot to give up. On the flip side, Baltimore is probably dealing Bedard and would like to stock some potential arms.
Let's face it, MacPhail knows what he would be getting, so a trade should just be a matter of coming to an agreement on what parts comprise the deal. It was reported around the league that the winter meetings talks involved a package of Murton and Gallagher. If I were the Orioles, I would have left that package on the table. Marshall just may tip the scale, but it may still be a bit on the low side. Complicating the picture is Roberts' name popping up in the most recent performance enhancement morass.
The Cubs are ready to roll with Zambrano, Lilly, Hill, Dempster, and Marquis as the likely starters if this deal goes through. Marshall is young and left-handed, which is always worth something, but has shown nothing to think he should be untouchable. Gallagher has not done enough at the MLB level to know, but I don't see him being the next Dontrelle Willis. Cedeno has not been overly impressive despite high hopes. I would rather keep Murton than Cedeno, given the choice.
Further, there are still a number of live arms on the market. If the Cubs think this core of Soriano, Lee, Ramirez and Fukudome on offense and Big Z, Lilly and Hill are close to being serious contenders, then a lead-off man such as Roberts is worth the price. If the resulting lack of pitching depth is a concern (Hart seems like a legitimate puzzle piece here, but probably not enough to be comfortable), the Cubs need to look at Josh Fogg, Livan Hernandez, Bartolo Colon, Kyle Lohse, Jason Jennings and even John Lieber. These are not aces, but servicable MLB pitchers. That could be enough to complement a lineup of Roberts, Theriot/DeRosa, Soriano Ramirez, Fukudome, Lee, Soto and Pie.
I would like to see the Cubs make the move. The results of waiting on the home grown talent haven't been that spectacular. There is benefit to using those players to gain help today. Despite the move, the Cubs would still have great potential in youngsters like Sam Fuld, Jose Ascanio, Hart, Carlos Marmol, Eric Patterson and Jeff Samardzija. While Pie, Thierot, Murton, Fontenot, and Soto are making contributions right now and some certainly may have a higher ceiling than we've seen to date.
Let's face it, MacPhail knows what he would be getting, so a trade should just be a matter of coming to an agreement on what parts comprise the deal. It was reported around the league that the winter meetings talks involved a package of Murton and Gallagher. If I were the Orioles, I would have left that package on the table. Marshall just may tip the scale, but it may still be a bit on the low side. Complicating the picture is Roberts' name popping up in the most recent performance enhancement morass.
The Cubs are ready to roll with Zambrano, Lilly, Hill, Dempster, and Marquis as the likely starters if this deal goes through. Marshall is young and left-handed, which is always worth something, but has shown nothing to think he should be untouchable. Gallagher has not done enough at the MLB level to know, but I don't see him being the next Dontrelle Willis. Cedeno has not been overly impressive despite high hopes. I would rather keep Murton than Cedeno, given the choice.
Further, there are still a number of live arms on the market. If the Cubs think this core of Soriano, Lee, Ramirez and Fukudome on offense and Big Z, Lilly and Hill are close to being serious contenders, then a lead-off man such as Roberts is worth the price. If the resulting lack of pitching depth is a concern (Hart seems like a legitimate puzzle piece here, but probably not enough to be comfortable), the Cubs need to look at Josh Fogg, Livan Hernandez, Bartolo Colon, Kyle Lohse, Jason Jennings and even John Lieber. These are not aces, but servicable MLB pitchers. That could be enough to complement a lineup of Roberts, Theriot/DeRosa, Soriano Ramirez, Fukudome, Lee, Soto and Pie.
I would like to see the Cubs make the move. The results of waiting on the home grown talent haven't been that spectacular. There is benefit to using those players to gain help today. Despite the move, the Cubs would still have great potential in youngsters like Sam Fuld, Jose Ascanio, Hart, Carlos Marmol, Eric Patterson and Jeff Samardzija. While Pie, Thierot, Murton, Fontenot, and Soto are making contributions right now and some certainly may have a higher ceiling than we've seen to date.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Goose in, Hawk out
The votes are in. Andre Dawson falls just short of the HOF. Lee Smith, Rod Beck and Shawon Dunston were also on the ballot. Yes, that is correct, one person voted for Shawon.
I love the guy. He was fun to watch and he loved the game, the fans and the Cubs. The Shawon-O-Meter will forever occupy a special place in my heart. Nevertheless, the joker that cast a HOF ballot for Dunston should have his voting priviledges removed. Same goes for the Chuck Knoblauch fan.
I love the guy. He was fun to watch and he loved the game, the fans and the Cubs. The Shawon-O-Meter will forever occupy a special place in my heart. Nevertheless, the joker that cast a HOF ballot for Dunston should have his voting priviledges removed. Same goes for the Chuck Knoblauch fan.
Pagan Rituals
Cubs dealt OF Angel Pagan to the Mets for a 22-year-old pitching prospect and a 25-year-old outfield prospect.
In other news...
Spring Training tix went on sale today.
The organization is going to add 70 box seats down the third-base line. 82 so called "Bullpen Box Seats" currently exist along the first-base line. The space was freed up after completion of the new drainage system. Presumably, these seats will be filled with people from Iowa.
The team will also extend digital signage.
In other news...
Spring Training tix went on sale today.
The organization is going to add 70 box seats down the third-base line. 82 so called "Bullpen Box Seats" currently exist along the first-base line. The space was freed up after completion of the new drainage system. Presumably, these seats will be filled with people from Iowa.
The team will also extend digital signage.
Friday, January 4, 2008
More Wrigley Flap and another Defection
Mayor Daley has already denounced (on the easy to understand premise that government in Illinois/Chicago has bigger problems to worry about) and subsequently softened on the potential acquisition of Wrigley Field by the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority. Now, 44th Ward Alderman Thomas Tunney has openly expressed concerns.
In other news, the Blackhawks have hired former Cubs Senior VP of Marketing, Jay Blunk. Blunk and John McDonough worked together for 22 years in the Cubbie marketing department before McDonough was hired as Hawks team president late in 2007.
In other news, the Blackhawks have hired former Cubs Senior VP of Marketing, Jay Blunk. Blunk and John McDonough worked together for 22 years in the Cubbie marketing department before McDonough was hired as Hawks team president late in 2007.
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