Comments on: The Offseason Outlook – Part II http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/01/the-offseason-outlook-part-ii/ A Chicago Cubs Blog and Fan Site Thu, 18 Mar 2010 06:49:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Jeff Pico http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/01/the-offseason-outlook-part-ii/#comment-12690 Jeff Pico Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:28:03 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/01/the-offseason-outlook-part-ii/#comment-12690 Reed Johnson is arbitration eligible, and will probably cost $4 mil to $5 mil at most. For that, bringing him back is a no-brainer. Given the price of starting pitching, Harden WILL be back. Wood and Dempster will be the big decisions. Wood should be back, Dempster will cost alot, but seems to be a good match. I agree on all the guys we let go, with the exception of Blanco. I think he can still play, and he's fine as a cheap backup. I would rather let Edmonds walk and take my chances with Pie. Reed Johnson is arbitration eligible, and will probably cost $4 mil to $5 mil at most. For that, bringing him back is a no-brainer. Given the price of starting pitching, Harden WILL be back.

Wood and Dempster will be the big decisions. Wood should be back, Dempster will cost alot, but seems to be a good match.

I agree on all the guys we let go, with the exception of Blanco. I think he can still play, and he’s fine as a cheap backup. I would rather let Edmonds walk and take my chances with Pie.

]]> By: INCITEmarsh http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/01/the-offseason-outlook-part-ii/#comment-12688 INCITEmarsh Wed, 01 Oct 2008 22:43:31 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/01/the-offseason-outlook-part-ii/#comment-12688 I'm in favor of bringing Edmonds back if the price is right. Reed Johnson is no longer an everyday centerfielder, and I'm not willing to trust Felix Pie will become one in 2009. Unless Hoffpauir or Fukudome can play center, I think Edmonds is worth what Henry Blanco's being paid. I can let Kerry walk if he wants the organization to make up for the discount he let them have this year. Marmol is a star in the making, and the rest of the bullpen save Howry is solid. The only problem is if Dempster or Harden leave and we have to press Marshall or Samardzija into the rotation. I’m in favor of bringing Edmonds back if the price is right. Reed Johnson is no longer an everyday centerfielder, and I’m not willing to trust Felix Pie will become one in 2009. Unless Hoffpauir or Fukudome can play center, I think Edmonds is worth what Henry Blanco’s being paid.

I can let Kerry walk if he wants the organization to make up for the discount he let them have this year. Marmol is a star in the making, and the rest of the bullpen save Howry is solid. The only problem is if Dempster or Harden leave and we have to press Marshall or Samardzija into the rotation.

]]> By: Ken Begg http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/01/the-offseason-outlook-part-ii/#comment-12679 Ken Begg Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:29:04 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/01/the-offseason-outlook-part-ii/#comment-12679 "I’m glad he, and all of us really, were wrong about [Dempster]." Not *all* of us were wrong. At the very least, many of us took a wait and see attitude on Dempster, and spent a good amount of time defending his record as a closer last year from the 'Dumpster' crowd. “I’m glad he, and all of us really, were wrong about [Dempster].”

Not *all* of us were wrong. At the very least, many of us took a wait and see attitude on Dempster, and spent a good amount of time defending his record as a closer last year from the ‘Dumpster’ crowd.

]]> By: dave l http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/01/the-offseason-outlook-part-ii/#comment-12678 dave l Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:15:30 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/01/the-offseason-outlook-part-ii/#comment-12678 <blockquote>San Diego only signed Edmonds to a one-year deal otherwise they would be obligated to pay him.</blockquote>Wrong. St. Louis signed Edmonds to a 2-year extension before the 2007 season. St. Louis then traded Edmonds to San Diego before the 2008 season, so San Diego was on the hook for most of his salary ($6M) for the 2008 season (with St. Louis picking up an additional $2 million). The Padres then released Edmonds shortly into the season, meaning that they were still on they (and the Cardinals) were still on the hook for the $8 million dollars. Because Edmonds cleared waivers, the Cubs were able to sign him for the minimum, while the Padres/Cardinals were still required to pay him the $8M minus the salary the Cubs were paying him.<blockquote>I believe our number 1 pick last year is a power arm in the pen. </blockquote>Yea... and "our" number 1 pick also walked 23 guys in 20 innings in the minors this year. It very doubtful that he will be ready.

San Diego only signed Edmonds to a one-year deal otherwise they would be obligated to pay him.

Wrong.

St. Louis signed Edmonds to a 2-year extension before the 2007 season. St. Louis then traded Edmonds to San Diego before the 2008 season, so San Diego was on the hook for most of his salary ($6M) for the 2008 season (with St. Louis picking up an additional $2 million).

The Padres then released Edmonds shortly into the season, meaning that they were still on they (and the Cardinals) were still on the hook for the $8 million dollars. Because Edmonds cleared waivers, the Cubs were able to sign him for the minimum, while the Padres/Cardinals were still required to pay him the $8M minus the salary the Cubs were paying him.

I believe our number 1 pick last year is a power arm in the pen.

Yea… and “our” number 1 pick also walked 23 guys in 20 innings in the minors this year. It very doubtful that he will be ready.

]]> By: Matt Jacobs http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/01/the-offseason-outlook-part-ii/#comment-12677 Matt Jacobs Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:56:51 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/01/the-offseason-outlook-part-ii/#comment-12677 Does anyone, except the Yankees, pay a closer 10+ mil???? Does anyone, except the Yankees, pay a closer 10+ mil????

]]> By: Brad http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/01/the-offseason-outlook-part-ii/#comment-12676 Brad Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:20:23 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/01/the-offseason-outlook-part-ii/#comment-12676 San Diego only signed Edmonds to a one-year deal otherwise they would be obligated to pay him. I agree with your assessment, with the exception of Kerry. I love the guy, but he will get 10+ mil and he simply isn't worth it. He has been a slightly above average closer and we have Marmol who is capable. I know this leaves us without a setup man, but there are some young arms waiting for that chance that may setup right into that role. I believe our number 1 pick last year is a power arm in the pen. Whether he is ready by then is a different story, but I will leave that up to Hendry and Pinella. Let's just concentrate on this season and tonight's game. San Diego only signed Edmonds to a one-year deal otherwise they would be obligated to pay him. I agree with your assessment, with the exception of Kerry. I love the guy, but he will get 10+ mil and he simply isn’t worth it. He has been a slightly above average closer and we have Marmol who is capable. I know this leaves us without a setup man, but there are some young arms waiting for that chance that may setup right into that role. I believe our number 1 pick last year is a power arm in the pen. Whether he is ready by then is a different story, but I will leave that up to Hendry and Pinella.

Let’s just concentrate on this season and tonight’s game.

]]> By: dave l http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/01/the-offseason-outlook-part-ii/#comment-12675 dave l Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:19:46 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/01/the-offseason-outlook-part-ii/#comment-12675 <blockquote>If the Cubs were to keep Jim Edmonds around next year, would San Diego continue to pay him?</blockquote>No... Edmonds is only signed through this season, so he becomes a free agent this year. Also... Joe - Harden does have the ability to force a trade. I don't believe that this would be likely, but it is worth mentioning. What Harden <em>could</em> do is say that he is going to demand a trade unless he gets an extension, rather than just picking up his option. As for Blanco, it would cost the Cubs $2.7M to bring him back ($3M team option, $300,000 buyout). I don't think it is worth it (though I am no fan of Koyie Hill), but I could see Hendry bringing him back.

If the Cubs were to keep Jim Edmonds around next year, would San Diego continue to pay him?

No… Edmonds is only signed through this season, so he becomes a free agent this year.

Also… Joe – Harden does have the ability to force a trade. I don’t believe that this would be likely, but it is worth mentioning. What Harden could do is say that he is going to demand a trade unless he gets an extension, rather than just picking up his option.

As for Blanco, it would cost the Cubs $2.7M to bring him back ($3M team option, $300,000 buyout). I don’t think it is worth it (though I am no fan of Koyie Hill), but I could see Hendry bringing him back.

]]> By: cubbiedude http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/01/the-offseason-outlook-part-ii/#comment-12673 cubbiedude Wed, 01 Oct 2008 11:31:58 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/01/the-offseason-outlook-part-ii/#comment-12673 The only exception I take to your list is: I like having Henry Blanco around. Nothing against Koyie Hill, but I like having Henry around. I think he supports Geo Soto well. The only exception I take to your list is: I like having Henry Blanco around. Nothing against Koyie Hill, but I like having Henry around. I think he supports Geo Soto well.

]]> By: cubbiedude http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/01/the-offseason-outlook-part-ii/#comment-12672 cubbiedude Wed, 01 Oct 2008 11:21:39 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/01/the-offseason-outlook-part-ii/#comment-12672 I have one question for you, Joe. If the Cubs were to keep Jim Edmonds around next year, would San Diego continue to pay him? I have one question for you, Joe. If the Cubs were to keep Jim Edmonds around next year, would San Diego continue to pay him?

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