AL Exec: "Cubs Will Be Top FA Destination Now

[Rice Cube]

Yeah I know that ... soon I was referring to late May - early June. Byrd will be gone soon I would imagine. Rizzo won't be in minors all year and probably be in the majors by the latest at the all-star break. They will have to figure out what to do with LaHair. Also, if Soto does not hit, I think they wil trade him for whatever they can get for him.

They can't exactly get rid of Byrd if he doesn't hit, because nobody would want to give up fair value for that...most they would do is probably DFA Mather and then have Byrd be the bench guy, that would still open up a spot for Brett Jackson.

 

[waldo7239117]

Can't the Cubs send Mather down to the minors without DFA'ing him because he was signed to a minor league contract?

At this point, just trade him for whatever you can get. He's an upcoming FA and may save some salary.

 

[Rice Cube]

Can't the Cubs send Mather down to the minors without DFA'ing him because he was signed to a minor league contract?

At this point, just trade him for whatever you can get. He's an upcoming FA and may save some salary.

I think he can be sent to the minors. But trading a guy just for the sake of trading isn't always the best plan. Given the context of this team, waiting a few weeks to save that extra year of club control isn't that big of a deal.

 

[Rice Cube]

Since Mather isn't even arb-eligible he doesn't have the service time to earn veteran rights and thus cannot refuse an assignment to the minors.

 

[waldo7239117]

Marlon Byrd has probably always been a 4th OF, so let them do what they want to do with him. Jackson needs and should be up by before the all-star break.

 

[Rice Cube]

Marlon Byrd has probably always been a 4th OF, so let them do what they want to do with him. Jackson needs and should be up by before the all-star break.

I think if they had wanted to get rid of Byrd that badly they would have done it during the offseason. He's a cheap OF who's already produced for his contract and they could probably even release him if they wanted to. But again, take a look at this team. They could probably generate a few extra ticket sales for a while if they called up Brett Jackson and/or Rizzo, but if the team is going to miss the playoffs anyway, why waste the extra cost control?

If anything they probably dump Reed Johnson, make Mather the super-sub and Byrd as the fourth OF. They definitely can't bench Soriano if they want to get rid of him. They either play him every day and hope he doesn't suck, or they release him since he's a sunk cost.

 

[DewsSox79]

rival executives said the cubs were getting fielder or pujols. but i guess now we stopped with the specific players the "cubs are going to get" and going more the generic route.

better hope its not the same rival executive as the fielder/pujols rumors.

the end

 

[Rice Cube]

I think the Cubs will be a top free agent destination if they have the $. That's logical enough.

 

[DewsSox79]

I think the Cubs will be a top free agent destination if they have the $. That's logical enough.

its just a dumb thread IMO. If you have the money you will get those big FAs. Most of em go for the money not the stadium or the atmosphere of a ballpark.

 

[Rice Cube]

its just a dumb thread IMO. If you have the money you will get those big FAs. Most of em go for the money not the stadium or the atmosphere of a ballpark.

The thread was re: a blog post that outlined information from an unnamed "source". Take it for what you will :lol:

If the Cubs throw armored trucks full of money at players, they'll come whether or not the park facilities still suck.

 

[CODE_BLUE56]

Jax is ready but cubs are waiting(byrd to be traded)...rizzo most likely will be 1st baseman next year

i think he will be called up later this year

 

[IvyPickin87]

If the Cubs become competitive again in the next 2 years, yes it will be a top destination. If they suck, sure some players are only in it for the money, they might come to Chicago, but most will stay away. The teams that can offer money and a chance at a WS are the teams who will land the BIG FA's.

Example: Cubs offer 15+ mil a year, perennial cellar dweller

Yankees offer 15+ mil and a shot at a title, the player will take the yankees 9 out of 10 times.