FREE AGENT Signings

[chibears55]

Maybe I'm reading it wrong but Jed has said "temper expectations" in a number of interviews, Theo has said when asked directly about playoffs that they "hope to be a buyer at the deadline" and other non committal language. The most striking example was at the Maddon press conference when they both said the verbal pretzel equivalent of "whoa, slow down there Tex" but then praised Maddon for having that kind of ambition. Also they're very careful to say "compete" as opposed to "contend". Listen, I could be dead wrong. As a fan I don't think they're ready and I kind of hope the FO doesn't think so either so that could be coloring my opinion. I don't think so but it could be. When this thing is a GO I want it to be real not fools gold.

You begin the season wanting to compete and as the year goes on , you hope to be in contention and become buyers to first reach the playoffs and once your there the world series..


The temper expectations and slow down comments is based on the facts that no matter who they add , the main core of this team is very young .. so, yes you hope to compete with the team coming out of ST and hope they gel and produce in order to be contenders by mid season. ..

 

[TC in Mississippi]

You begin the season wanting to compete and as the year goes on , you hope to be in contention and become buyers to first reach the playoffs and once your there the world series..


The temper expectations and slow down comments is based on the facts that no matter who they add , the main core of this team is very young .. so, yes you hope to compete with the team coming out of ST and hope they gel and produce in order to be contenders by mid season. ..

Yes, exactly what I've been trying to say. Basically don't force it but if it happens be prepared to deal with it and contend.

It's sort of a strange dynamic in that there hasn't been a lot of precedence for a big market team to lose on purpose for three years and ramping it back up again like this. The closest analogy is the Washington Nationals in their 5 year rebuild but they had a different mix. Their 5 years looked liek this in win totals 59,59,69,80, 98. The Cubs have gone 61,66, 73 since Theo & Jed took over. I expect 84 or 85 wins in 2015 and then into the 90's in 2016 but it certainly could look different than Washington based on the mix.

 

[beckdawg]

Saw fangraphs built this and kinda prefer it to other FA trackers

http://www.fangraphs.com/freeagents.aspx?sign=all&pos=all&nteam=all&oteam=all

 

[brett05]

Saw fangraphs built this and kinda prefer it to other FA trackers

http://www.fangraphs.com/freeagents.aspx?sign=all&pos=all&nteam=all&oteam=all

What is CS Salary/Years?

 

[beckdawg]

What is CS Salary/Years?

They did a crowd sourced vote on players salary/years so i'd assume it's that.

 

[brett05]

They did a crowd sourced vote on players salary/years so i'd assume it's that.

ah...

Thanks!

 

[TL1961]

I think if they sign Martin and Schwarber is hitting lights out he could be in left by September, certainly to start 2016. Yes, it would blow their false argument of two full years in the minors as their reason for keeping Bryant down, but I don't think they care. Everyone knew that was bullshit anyway and it was about maximizing years. Schwarber is not represented by Scott Boras. If he's hitting and the catcher idea is over with the signing of Martjn he comes up. Plus it's not all about Schwarber either , most scouts outside the Cubs organization don't think Bryant is a third baseman. Now he could also play right as well as left but you have Soler there. I just don't see why you fill a position where you have an acceptable answer with Coghlan and a platoon player until your final decision gets there.

We seem to be all coming at this from two different viewpoints; one how to you assemble the best team to compete in 2015 or 2015 is a learning and observation year where winning would be nice but not required. I'm on the latter.

I will be absolutely shocked to see Schwarber in 2015. I would bet the farm against that.

I wouldn't even pencil him in late 2016. I just don't think the guy has a position. And he is not close to the majors yet.

 

[chibears55]

Ok, lets try and get this thread back on topic. .

First major signing about to happen


@mlbtraderumors: Victor Martinez's new deal with the #Tigers would be worth roughly $70MM over four years, per @Enrique_Rojas1: bit.ly/14eQ4sO

 

[JZsportsfan]

Not awful I guess, still would be hesitant to pay him for 4 years. If I were Detroit, I would front load the deal big time.

 

[brett05]

Looks like he's getting 4yrs for $68 million. That's a ton of cash for someone his age.

 

[SilenceS]

He wont live up anywhere near to this contract. This year was a fluke for his age. He will come back down.

 

[Boobaby1]

Looks like he's getting 4yrs for $68 million. That's a ton of cash for someone his age.

I think Detroit is starting to hit that Phillies kinda wall where you have exorbitant contracts as players on the team are getting older with not a whole lot of youth to offset it.

They have quite a bit of money locked up in Miggy (31), V-Mart (35), Kinsler (32), Verlander (31), and Sanchez (30), with Price (29) being signed through next year. The names are sexy, but I can't imagine them staying with that nucleus and getting much better considering that they will have lost a formiddable piece in Scherzer, and you know what happens to players after 30? Same thing is happening in LA with the Angels.

But hey, it's the price for being competitive for stretches at a time. That is why the Cardinals are the envy of all organizations, and hopefully, the Cubs are poised to do the same.

 

[JZsportsfan]

I think Detroit is starting to hit that Phillies kinda wall where you have exorbitant contracts as players on the team are getting older with not a whole lot of youth to offset it.

They have quite a bit of money locked up in Miggy (31), V-Mart (35), Kinsler (32), Verlander (31), and Sanchez (30), with Price (29) being signed through next year. The names are sexy, but I can't imagine them staying with that nucleus and getting much better considering that they will have lost a formiddable piece in Scherzer, and you know what happens to players after 30? Same thing is happening in LA with the Angels.

But hey, it's the price for being competitive for stretches at a time. That is why the Cardinals are the envy of all organizations, and hopefully, the Cubs are poised to do the same.

I think the Tigers will be in a very similar position to that of the Phillies in 2-3 years

 

[Boobaby1]

I think the Tigers will be in a very similar position to that of the Phillies in 2-3 years

I don't see how they couldn't be. Their window is growing smaller every year.

Also sounds like the Cubs after they failed in 07' and 08'. They are hanging on to very slim chances right now, and I'll bet Miggy will start to endure more nagging injuries as he gets older. His body (like Albert Pujols') wreaks of it.

 

[SilenceS]

I don't see how they couldn't be. Their window is growing smaller every year.

Also sounds like the Cubs after they failed in 07' and 08'. They are hanging on to very slim chances right now, and I'll bet Miggy will start to endure more nagging injuries as he gets older. His body (like Albert Pujols') wreaks of it.

I am one to believe Pujols is older then he has said his whole career.

 

[chibears55]

Not a signing but a trade was made. .

@JonHeymanCBS: jeremy hellickson goes to dbacks in trade. cbsprt.co/1yGpFx2

 

[chibears55]

@Ken_Rosenthal: Executives involved in bidding for Russell Martin believe #Cubs are clear front-runner. Deal expected to be in four-year, $64M range.

16 per.. im still iffy with this one

 

[JZsportsfan]

Supposedly Martin wants to sign this week, but he's hoping someone steps in and gives him a 5th year.

I'd be very happy to land him at 4/64

 

[Boobaby1]

@Ken_Rosenthal: Executives involved in bidding for Russell Martin believe #Cubs are clear front-runner. Deal expected to be in four-year, $64M range.

16 per.. im still iffy with this one

Not me. That is what payroll flexibility is all about and why they traded away players to accomplish this. This is less than Soriano right now, and he is more valuable to the team because of his all around approach to the game. Not that Soriano was a clubhouse cancer or didn't have good work ethics, but his teaching and his patience at the plate is something the Cubs could use. Plus, this team needs a guy lake that to look up to.

The Cubs could let Castillo learn from him or package him to get another player of position that the Cubs could use. The Cubs could stay in house and bring up Rafael Lopez as their LH catcher who could also learn from Martin and the Cubs then save on not having to get another free agent back-up catcher.

I believe their are a few teams that would be interested in Castillo, and the Cubs could probably get a little ROI if they decide in trading him away.

 

[chibears55]

Not me. That is what payroll flexibility is all about and why they traded away players to accomplish this. This is less than Soriano right now, and he is more valuable to the team because of his all around approach to the game. Not that Soriano was a clubhouse cancer or didn't have good work ethics, but his teaching and his patience at the plate is something the Cubs could use. Plus, this team needs a guy lake that to look up to.

The Cubs could let Castillo learn from him or package him to get another player of position that the Cubs could use. The Cubs could stay in house and bring up Rafael Lopez as their LH catcher who could also learn from Martin and the Cubs then save on not having to get another free agent back-up catcher.

I believe their are a few teams that would be interested in Castillo, and the Cubs could probably get a little ROI if they decide in trading him away.

They spend 64 mil on him they better hope he provides more then clubhouse leadership and framing pitches, cause if he goes back to hitting .230 it wont be money well spent. . Especially if that extra money could of been used on a TOR pitcher..