~60 million to spend?

[czman]

I want to first say that I fully admit that I am not a CBA/salary expert for baseball. I did some cursory research and it looks like the Cubs will have a salary of ~65 million in 2015, including arbitration.

If that is correct the Cubs should have ~60 million or so to spend if they want. I think that is probably enough to bring in Max Scherzer and another good pitcher (maybe Francisco Liriano) plus a decent LF/CF OBP guy to put at the top of the lineup.

Is that a reasonable expectation, even if you don't like the names. Am I way off on the salary for next season and what to expect the Cubs to spend?

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Everything I've read says that they currently have about $44 million in commitments with arbitration estimated in. They want to stay under $100 million so I'd say $50 million is closer. Lester will cost about $27 million per (Scherzer would be more) . They could certainly afford a secondary pitcher like Liriano of Brandion McCarthy at $9-$11 million per. With the possible exception of Lester I don't see them getting in bidding wars over anyone so I don't think Russell Martin will be someone they'll sign. They may kick the tires though. I do think they want to position themselves for a run at David Price next year if he becomes available so they're not going to comitt to big money for players they don love.

 

[czman]

Where did you read/hear the Cubs wanted to stay under 100 million? I was not aware of that.

 

[beckdawg]

$50 mil is likely the low end. I have done the math else where in topics and if you really want me to go into it again I can. Off the top of my head, they have around $30 mil in commitments and likely have another $30 they will spend on arbitration. In 2012 and 2013 they spent $105-110 mil and had they landed Tanaka for the price reported they would again have been at that range. $110 minus 60 is obviously $50 mil.

That being said, there's talk of roll over from 2014. There's also the WGN tv contract which should bump it up some. So, $60 mil isn't that unlikely.

 

[CSF77]

I would find it entertaining if they sign Shields this year and Price next. Reunite Maddon's aces with him after they all moved out from the poor house of Tampa.

 

[pablovi]

I hope they don't get Shields...

 

[Raskolnikov]

its gonna be Lester and a closer.

 

[Boobaby1]

I would find it entertaining if they sign Shields this year and Price next. Reunite Maddon's aces with him after they all moved out from the poor house of Tampa.

I know you said entertaining, but I think the Cubs will get out bid by many teams in the pursuit of Price. Heck, he might not even leave Detroit as they will have very little left with Scherzer gone, Verlander not pitching like he used to, and Sanchez in the last year of his contract.

I'd rather have Lester with no loss of a draft pick, and then next year, get a very decent high end pitcher in free agency if they don't get him this year, or trade out some of players to net a good pitcher. That's the beauty of having a desirable farm system and young players.

Also, factor in that Wood and E-Jax probably won't be with the Cubs, and by that time, Edwards and Johnson could be looking for a rotation spot.

I think the Cubs know this, and with some of the staff making the league minimum, landing that big TOR this year should be a must.

 

[beckdawg]

I would find it entertaining if they sign Shields this year and Price next. Reunite Maddon's aces with him after they all moved out from the poor house of Tampa.

Have to trade for Carl Crawford first.

 

[CSF77]

Have to trade for Carl Crawford first.

hell no

 

[CSF77]

I know you said entertaining, but I think the Cubs will get out bid by many teams in the pursuit of Price. Heck, he might not even leave Detroit as they will have very little left with Scherzer gone, Verlander not pitching like he used to, and Sanchez in the last year of his contract.

I'd rather have Lester with no loss of a draft pick, and then next year, get a very decent high end pitcher in free agency if they don't get him this year, or trade out some of players to net a good pitcher. That's the beauty of having a desirable farm system and young players.

Also, factor in that Wood and E-Jax probably won't be with the Cubs, and by that time, Edwards and Johnson could be looking for a rotation spot.

I think the Cubs know this, and with some of the staff making the league minimum, landing that big TOR this year should be a must.

Shields is an age issue. 33 at the start of the season. He would be on the down turn post ped in a contract. The question is is his down turn production better than what some mid tier F/A's on the market?

Price will be expensive. But, signing Maddon if anything signifies that now they will spend on pitching. Buster O. said on ESPN that the word on the street is they are going to spend big on SP this off-season and that means the top fish also. They have plenty of bats in the system but the arms are far behind.

My prediction is they will get one of Lester, Schzer or Shields. Lester would be a home run here. Hammels I'll bet becomes the 2nd arm as he wants to come back anyways and should be cost effective.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

I know you said entertaining, but I think the Cubs will get out bid by many teams in the pursuit of Price. Heck, he might not even leave Detroit as they will have very little left with Scherzer gone, Verlander not pitching like he used to, and Sanchez in the last year of his contract.

I'd rather have Lester with no loss of a draft pick, and then next year, get a very decent high end pitcher in free agency if they don't get him this year, or trade out some of players to net a good pitcher. That's the beauty of having a desirable farm system and young players.

Also, factor in that Wood and E-Jax probably won't be with the Cubs, and by that time, Edwards and Johnson could be looking for a rotation spot.

I think the Cubs know this, and with some of the staff making the league minimum, landing that big TOR this year should be a must.

I've been saying for some time that I think it's a longshot for the Cubs to get Price if for no other reason than Detroit almost has to sign him unless they come to terms with Scherzer which I think is unlikely with Scherzer's agent spouting number like 7 years/$230 million. Those are numbers designed to sign with the Yankees not resign with Detroit. Once Scherzer is gone I'm guessing Detroit makes inking Price their top priority. Of course some say Price is determined to test the free agent waters and if so maybe the Cubs do land him. If he's the guy they really want I don't see them getting outbid for him necessarily. Of course the other thing is that if Price can't come to terms with him and god Cubs think they can and are in the Wild Card hunt in July maybe they trade for him and sign him right then and there.

 

[TL1961]

its gonna be Lester and a closer.

Agreed. I think Lester and bullpen help, if not specifically a closer. There are a couple guys who would really strengthen the pen, which is already pretty good.

Not sure how much they'll spend right now. They have a ton of room to add players, but I also don't see then rushing out to spend $ just for the sake of spending. But I like that they are in a position to add help now - perhaps lots of it - without surrendering players. I don't want to see any prospect traded this offseason.

 

[TL1961]

I have desire to see them add James Shields. And that was before I saw that he is 33. He is so-so, and has failed in the postseason many times.

I want big talent, not necessarily big names. But of the names out there, I say:

Lester - Yes.

Russell Martin - perhaps.

Neshek, or Andrew Miller or Zach Duke - Yes, to one of them if not too expensive.

Jason Hammel - perhaps.

Jake Peavy - On one hand, he's a grade A a-hole. But he is rumored to want to come to he Cubs along with Lester. And a personality like his might actually be needed. (I dislike him, but would be OK with him if cheap enough. He's not worth big $.)

 

[czman]

$50 mil is likely the low end. I have done the math else where in topics and if you really want me to go into it again I can. Off the top of my head, they have around $30 mil in commitments and likely have another $30 they will spend on arbitration. In 2012 and 2013 they spent $105-110 mil and had they landed Tanaka for the price reported they would again have been at that range. $110 minus 60 is obviously $50 mil.

That being said, there's talk of roll over from 2014. There's also the WGN tv contract which should bump it up some. So, $60 mil isn't that unlikely.

On Fangraghs, I think, I saw the Cubs had 63 million for next year total. I rounded to the nearest 5. I agree I thought the Cubs were suppose to be able to spend 110 million and I figured they could roll some of that over too because of the new media contract money coming in.

The new media money and the Joe Maddon signing make me think the Cubs are going to spend a over the 110 and maybe push the 120-125 range. The way they max out that TV deal is to start to win and draw more viewers on TV. Also it makes little sense to pay a manager 5 million and then keep the payroll at 95 million. Maddon could have just stayed with the Rays.

I think 115 is the low they spend unless all of the top guys get payed just overly stupid money and there is no one else to spend on.

 

[czman]

I kind of want the Cubs to stay away from Lester a bit. He has pitched ~380 innings more than Scherzer. I don't want Shields at all. He has ~500 more innings pitched than Lester.

I know Scherzer is going to cost ~30 million per and probably get 6 or 7 years. 6 at 190 might get it done.

There is a lot pf pitching talent out there so the Cubs should be able bring one guy in. The OF bat might be a bit harder to find. Especially since there is not a lot of top of the order guys available. I think a power bat would help too, just to take some of the RBI pressure off the younger players. To get RBIs though you need players on base.

 

[Parade_Rain]

Why do the Cubs need to sign a closer? Strop, Ramirez, Rondon.,etc. I don't get it. They also have Viscaino at AAA.

 

[chibears55]

Nick markakis just became available. .. he a possibility for LF now

 

[JZsportsfan]

James Shields really isn't a TOR anymore IMO. He's had a great career, but he's 33 which is a problem, and he's lost velocity already. Wasn't good in the postseason and he's already been offered a 5 year deal by the Royals.

I'd prioritize the offseason as:
1. Lester
2. OF/C either Markakis/Martin
3. #3 SP

 

[SilenceS]

Why do the Cubs need to sign a closer? Strop, Ramirez, Rondon.,etc. I don't get it. They also have Viscaino at AAA.

Add rivero who had a tremendous year in the minors and throws hard. He is probably our closer in the near future. Cubs have a plethora of power arms.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk