Thread Rating:
10-26-2011, 12:50 PM
Guaranteed Contracts
Alfonso Soriano, LF: $54MM through 2014, full no-trade clause
Carlos Zambrano, SP: $18MM through 2012, full no-trade clause - IS A HEADACHE AND NEEDS TO BE TRADED
Marlon Byrd, CF: $6.5MM through 2012
Carlos Marmol, RP: $16.8MM through 2013
Sean Marshall, RP: $3.1MM through 2012
Contract Options
Aramis Ramirez, 3B: $16MM mutual option with $2MM buyout - DEMANDS HUGE CONTRACT EXTENSION FROM CUBS
Ryan Dempster, SP: $14MM player option - SUCKS BADLY AND NEEDS TO BE TRADED
Arbitration Eligible Players (estimated salaries)
Randy Wells, SP: $2.2MM
Blake DeWitt, 2B: $1.2MM
Geovanny Soto, C: $4MM
Matt Garza, SP: $8.7MM
Jeff Baker, UT IF/OF: $1.4MM
Koyie Hill, C: $850K (non-tender candidate)
Free Agents
Carlos Pena, Type B 1B
John Grabow, Unranked RP
Kerry Wood, Type B RP
Rodrigo Lopez, Unranked SP
Ramon Ortiz, Unranked RP
Reed Johnson, Unranked UT OF
Alfonso Soriano, LF: $54MM through 2014, full no-trade clause
Carlos Zambrano, SP: $18MM through 2012, full no-trade clause - IS A HEADACHE AND NEEDS TO BE TRADED
Marlon Byrd, CF: $6.5MM through 2012
Carlos Marmol, RP: $16.8MM through 2013
Sean Marshall, RP: $3.1MM through 2012
Contract Options
Aramis Ramirez, 3B: $16MM mutual option with $2MM buyout - DEMANDS HUGE CONTRACT EXTENSION FROM CUBS
Ryan Dempster, SP: $14MM player option - SUCKS BADLY AND NEEDS TO BE TRADED
Arbitration Eligible Players (estimated salaries)
Randy Wells, SP: $2.2MM
Blake DeWitt, 2B: $1.2MM
Geovanny Soto, C: $4MM
Matt Garza, SP: $8.7MM
Jeff Baker, UT IF/OF: $1.4MM
Koyie Hill, C: $850K (non-tender candidate)
Free Agents
Carlos Pena, Type B 1B
John Grabow, Unranked RP
Kerry Wood, Type B RP
Rodrigo Lopez, Unranked SP
Ramon Ortiz, Unranked RP
Reed Johnson, Unranked UT OF
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10-26-2011, 12:51 PM
The Cubs were a $134MM disaster in 2011. Despite all their spending the team hasn't reached the playoffs since '08. This summer they fired longtime GM Jim Hendry, whose teams made the playoffs in three of nine seasons. Owner Tom Ricketts seeks a more analytically-inclined GM to craft the roster. His other criteria include a commitment to player development and a track record of success. Ricketts has pledged silence during the ongoing search, but reports suggest he's initially targeting current GMs such as Theo Epstein and Andrew Friedman. The job security of Mike Quade is in question as well, as a new GM may want to hire a new manager.
The new GM will have to spend free agent dollars wisely, which was often a problem for Hendry in recent years. A steady payroll for 2012 could give the Cubs a hefty $40MM to work with in 2012 salaries. The possibility of a quick turnaround tempts Ricketts, who referenced the Diamondbacks' success in a recent interview. The D'Backs were fairly restrained in free agency last winter, but the Cubs are in a position to throw around some cash in the coming months. The potential areas to upgrade are plentiful, with openings at the infield corners, right field, the rotation, and in the bullpen.
The Cubs may have to make a concession at third base. The opportunity to re-sign Ramirez -- easily the best free agent third baseman available -- to a below-market contract hasn't motivated them, and the team's offense will suffer without him. The first base market is appealing, with superstars Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder options to take up more than half of the Cubs' payroll flexibility. With such a clear rotation need, though, the Cubs could lower their sights at first base and re-sign Pena or pursue Michael Cuddyer. Cuddyer's versatility could be a nice match for the Cubs, who have openings at all his positions.
The Cubs appear intent on unloading Zambrano, whose performance is probably worth a few million dollars to some team. Chone Figgins could be a reasonable target given the Cubs' third base vacancy and the limited options at that position, though the Mariners would have to be willing to take another potential head case from the Cubs. Assuming Dempster returns, he'll join Garza and Wells in the rotation. If a quick fix is the goal the Cubs would be best-served by shopping in the high-end section of the market: C.C. Sabathia, C.J. Wilson, or Yu Darvish. On the other hand, signing any of the potential $100MM+ players this offseason would hardly break the Cubs' cycle of piling on burdensome contracts.
I can't picture the Cubs slashing payroll given their attendance and rabid fanbase, but I'm also not convinced they're going to come away with Pujols, Fielder, Sabathia, Wilson, or Darvish. With so many needs, the Cubs could easily spread their surplus among four or five veterans. Other big-market teams have shown an ability to contend and improve the farm system simultaneously, a strategy the Cubs appeared to finally initiate with a slew of over-slot signings in the June draft.
The new GM will have to spend free agent dollars wisely, which was often a problem for Hendry in recent years. A steady payroll for 2012 could give the Cubs a hefty $40MM to work with in 2012 salaries. The possibility of a quick turnaround tempts Ricketts, who referenced the Diamondbacks' success in a recent interview. The D'Backs were fairly restrained in free agency last winter, but the Cubs are in a position to throw around some cash in the coming months. The potential areas to upgrade are plentiful, with openings at the infield corners, right field, the rotation, and in the bullpen.
The Cubs may have to make a concession at third base. The opportunity to re-sign Ramirez -- easily the best free agent third baseman available -- to a below-market contract hasn't motivated them, and the team's offense will suffer without him. The first base market is appealing, with superstars Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder options to take up more than half of the Cubs' payroll flexibility. With such a clear rotation need, though, the Cubs could lower their sights at first base and re-sign Pena or pursue Michael Cuddyer. Cuddyer's versatility could be a nice match for the Cubs, who have openings at all his positions.
The Cubs appear intent on unloading Zambrano, whose performance is probably worth a few million dollars to some team. Chone Figgins could be a reasonable target given the Cubs' third base vacancy and the limited options at that position, though the Mariners would have to be willing to take another potential head case from the Cubs. Assuming Dempster returns, he'll join Garza and Wells in the rotation. If a quick fix is the goal the Cubs would be best-served by shopping in the high-end section of the market: C.C. Sabathia, C.J. Wilson, or Yu Darvish. On the other hand, signing any of the potential $100MM+ players this offseason would hardly break the Cubs' cycle of piling on burdensome contracts.
I can't picture the Cubs slashing payroll given their attendance and rabid fanbase, but I'm also not convinced they're going to come away with Pujols, Fielder, Sabathia, Wilson, or Darvish. With so many needs, the Cubs could easily spread their surplus among four or five veterans. Other big-market teams have shown an ability to contend and improve the farm system simultaneously, a strategy the Cubs appeared to finally initiate with a slew of over-slot signings in the June draft.
10-26-2011, 01:08 PM
The guarenteed contracts are for the players that are CANCER! As long as they are in Cub's uniforms, God himself cannot help this team succeed! Good luck Cubs fans, you are continuing down the pat of "same ole', same ole"
10-26-2011, 05:18 PM
Joe Nathan is gonna be a Free Agent, I would love to see the Cubs get him and move Marmol to a RP. Marmol isn't consistent. Some days he has his good days, some days he's wild with his pitches
10-27-2011, 01:10 AM
Theo Epstein and Current Manager Mike Quade are expected to sit down face to face and talk (Hopefully it's to dismiss Quade as manager). There's a lot of talk about Ryan Sandberg becoming the Cubs Manager but Terry Francona's name was put out there as well, as of now those are the only 2 names that have came up for the Manager Position if it comes open.
Both Cubs and Padres confirmed that both General Manager Jed Hoyer and Assistant General Manager Jason McLeod are leaving the Padres to accept positions with the Cubs. Once the World Series ends, the Cubs will introduce Hoyer as their executive VP and general manager and McLeod as their senior VP of scouting and player development.
Both Cubs and Padres confirmed that both General Manager Jed Hoyer and Assistant General Manager Jason McLeod are leaving the Padres to accept positions with the Cubs. Once the World Series ends, the Cubs will introduce Hoyer as their executive VP and general manager and McLeod as their senior VP of scouting and player development.
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