Official: Winter Meetings Thread

[dabynsky]

i can only imagine what wilson is going to cost

Was I not arguing that he was going to get well above 15 million earlier this year?

But to answer your question you got figure he gets 5 years at this point and at least 16 or 17 million a year.

 

[dabynsky]

the marlins better pray people show up if they land pujols or fielder....the marlins are really gambling.

Really these deals are starting to remind of what the Diamondbacks did in the early 2000s with Reyes dealing being very backloaded and Buehrle's likely as well. Hopefully it pans out for them with a championship because signing speed guys for huge money well into their 30s rarely works out well.

 

[bleacherbum54]

the marlins better pray people show up if they land pujols or fielder....the marlins are really gambling.

not really marlins are smart they can just trade these guys they didnt give them a N&T clause dont have Jim Henry there giving everyone a no trade clause lol.

 

[dabynsky]

not really marlins are smart they can just trade these guys they didnt give them a N&T clause dont have Jim Henry there giving everyone a no trade clause lol.

NTC is only part of the problem the Cubs had. A guy whose value is primarilary based on his legs that has had leg injuries signed for mega bucks well into his 30s is never a smart strategy.

 

[waldo7239117]

Jimmy Rollins re-signs with the Phills.

 

[waldo7239117]

Jimmy Rollins re-signs with the Phills.

Maybe not...

 

[waldo7239117]

This is interesting... The Marlins are out on Pujols (agent called Marlins to tell them), but Pujols still has 3 offers 200+ million. Hmmmm

 

[waldo7239117]

Cubs: Day 3, Could the Cubs make their first move in Dallas? |

Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer have been pretty quiet in Dallas, but it sounds like their first move could on the verge of happening. No, it’s not big, but it’s a move. Here’s the latest from Dallas, Texas:

* The move the Cubs could be close on is acquiring 3B Ian Stewart. We heard yesterday that the Cubs cooled on the idea of acquiring Stewart, but Ken Rosenthal of Foxsports.com reports the Cubs are pursuing Ian Stewart. Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com said the Cubs still have interest in acquiring Ian Stewart, but also mentions the Cubs still have interest in Padres’ Chase Headley. Ken Rosenthal also says the Cubs and Rockies are talking about a Ian Stewart/Tyler Colvin swap. Both of whom need a change of scenery as both have struggled lately. The Cubs still would like Headley as their 3B, but the Padres are asking for too much and figure to move on. Having Stewart as the starting 3B next year does not sound good, but maybe Team Theo has a plan up their sleeves. Such as… trading Stewart in a trade for an upgrade at 3B (that’s speculation on my part, but you never know). It seems like this trade could be close and completed any time now.

The Rockies reportedly asked for DJ LeMahieu in excahnge for Ian Stewart and the Cubs said no. Good move on the Cubs part!

* Uh oh Cub fans…you may not like to hear this, but Prince Fielder to the Cubs may seem very unlikely now. It seems like Albert Pujols will re-sign with the Cards (after all) and the Marlins would switch their attention to Prince Fielder. They do like Fielder because of his age. If the Marlins offered Pujols the contract in length and the money, why wouldn’t he sign with Miami? They are about winning now and would he will have protection in the batting order. Scott Boras, Prince Fielder’s agent, said he’s looking for a 7 year contract worth upwards of 200 million. He will be cheaper than Albert and we all know the Marlins some how have the money now. If the Marlins do offer a good contract Fielder is asking for, I see him signing with the Marlins right away. But we don’t know what they will offer him. All reports regarding Prince Fielder and the Marlins are conflicting, but we should find out soon if they will make a hard push for Fielder. Also, it now seems the Marlins have moved on from Pujols as they made a big offer to pitcher CJ Wilson. The Money was not mentioned, but it was for 6 years. Wilson has been looking for a 6 year deal and wasn’t getting offered 6 years. So.. it would have looked that Wilson would be a marlin but they signed Mark Buehrle to 4 years worth 58 million (they still could still sign Wilson, though).

* There’s speculation that is the Marlins sign either of Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder, the Cubs would trade for Gaby Sanchez of the Marlins. Carlos Zambrano would then be involve in the trade, but we don’t know yet. As the Marlins have not signed one of the big 1B.

– Jed Hoyer (Cubs GM) said on MLB.com, that the the Prince Fielder situation was ”overblown”. In response to the rumors regarding the Cubs and Fielder.

* Carlos Pena officially declined arbitration today. We all knew he would as he’s looking for a multi-year contract. Teams have talked to Pena and have said his price is ‘ridiculous’. The Cubs offered arbitration to Pena on Novenmber 23rd. Bruce Levine said today the Cubs could still re-sign Pena if all options fail. We all know that and hope it doesn’t happen or for a reasonable price. Many would rather have Brian LaHair over at 1B because of his price. I’m not one because I’m not a fan of LaHair and there’s a reason he’s pretty much been playing his career in the minors.

* Aramis Ramirez officially declined arbitration. We all know he would too, but now we know for sure. Just like Pena, the Cubs offered arbitration on November 23rd. Aramis Ramirez does have interest and rival Milwaukee Brewers could be the leader for his service. Along with the Brewers, the Angels, Tigers and Phillies have said to have interest in Ramirez. The Phillies not as much anymore as they could be close to re-signing SS Jimmy Rollins. We have not heard the Tigers as of late. So.. it seems like it could be down to the Brewers and Angels. Ramirez will not be a Cub next year, that’s a guarantee.

* The Cubs are in on pitcher Hiroki Kuroda. 5 teams, including the Cubs are interested in Kuroda according to Jon Heyman. Heyman also mentions Kuroda could still return to Japan and pitch. Kuroda is looking for a 1 year contract with a high salary, around 12 million. I say no because it’s too much for a “nothing special” pitcher. If I remember correctly, Kuroda said he would return to Japan if he can’t stay in the West. Manly wanting to sign with the Diamindbacks or Rockies, both of whom have interest in Kuroda. The Cubs already lost out on 2 pitchers to the Dodgers, Chris Capauno and Aaron Harang. The Cubs also have interest in Edwin Jackson reports Bruce Levine.

* According to Jon Morosi of Foxsports.com, Kerry Would still would love to re-sign with the Cubs. But he wants a raise from his 2011 contract in which he made 1.5 million. That’s acceptable and Team Theo should give him the raise. It won’t be too much of an raise too. I have no question in my mind the Cubs will re-sign Kerry Wood. If they don’t, it’s likely he would retire as he has stated in the past.

So.. day 3 was more interesting.

 

[Rice Cube]

This is interesting... The Marlins are out on Pujols (agent called Marlins to tell them), but Pujols still has 3 offers 200+ million. Hmmmm

Maybe the media forgot how to count.

 

[waldo7239117]

Maybe the media forgot how to count.

Yeah, I count 1 and that's the Cards lol.

 

[waldo7239117]

Theo said he called to check on Mark Buehrle and said he would loved to have him, but asking price was too high.

 

[waldo7239117]

Breaking News (not really): A friend of Prince Fielder said he's very interested in joining the Cubs.

 

[Rice Cube]

Breaking News (not really): A friend of Prince Fielder said he's very interested in joining the Cubs.

That's surprising considering the Cubs are in shambles. Maybe it's the $$ talking.

 

[dabynsky]

Well I think so far the biggest thing that has been shown is that the team that offers the most money typically gets their free agent. Fielder to me has always struck me as being about the bottomline so I wouldn't be surprised if the thought was more about $$$ than anything else. Though reallythe Cubs do have a lot going for Fielder with Wrigley and Sveum.

 

[Lex L.]

Well I think so far the biggest thing that has been shown is that the team that offers the most money typically gets their free agent. Fielder to me has always struck me as being about the bottomline so I wouldn't be surprised if the thought was more about $$$ than anything else. Though reallythe Cubs do have a lot going for Fielder with Wrigley and Sveum.

Yup. Wrigley is definitely better in comparison to teams like Seattle. Not only that, but since the Cubs are one of the biggest markets (coupled with the restrictions on the draft) over the long run, the Cubs have the spending power over a lot of teams. I hope this is something that has registered with Prince in seeing how Cubs fans take over Miller Park when the Cubs are in town. If you want to see whats behind the spending power of the Cubs, try being a Milwaukee Brewer playing at home against the Cubs. Hopefully Ricketts will be someone who spends on the team on the field at the big league level. I don't want to be the team that mortgages the future by trading tons of prospects for players. I'm talking about the FA market. Theo needs to win early in free agency to get Ricketts behind him over the long run.

 

[Rice Cube]

I guess the best news is that, if Pujols' contract isn't too crazy while staying with the Cardinals, it'll keep Prince Fielder's contract amount down if the Cubs are going to try to snag him.

 

[Lex L.]

I guess the best news is that, if Pujols' contract isn't too crazy while staying with the Cardinals, it'll keep Prince Fielder's contract amount down if the Cubs are going to try to snag him.

I wouldnt dismiss the possibility of the Cubs getting Pujols. He might actually be cheaper and easier to get. It seems like there are a lot of snakes laying in the weeds where Prince is concerned.

The other thing that makes me wonder how deep the Cubs are in this, is the tweet by Princes friend, which admittedly could be nothing. But then it could also be a way of putting the message out to the Cubs, assuming there's any legitimacy to it. But the reason behind it might be a concern that the Cubs are actually going in on Pujols due to an uncertainty with Fielder.

 

[Rice Cube]

For some reason there are still a few $200MM offers out there for Pujols. Makes one wonder how much the Cubs actually offered.

 

[Lex L.]

For some reason there are still a few $200MM offers out there for Pujols. Makes one wonder how much the Cubs actually offered.

Earlier I pointed out that, if the Cubs are offering comparable money but over fewer years it could be a big factor. Theres the time value element that we've recently discussed thats a part of that. If Pujols wants to see all 2XX its more practical to take the deal that has a couple of less years. Its ofen been discussed how this is an approach the Cubs might be willing to discuss. From a financial perspective, it makes sense. People shouldnt be too easily swayed by the focus by the media. They're often pushing their own narratives.

 

[Rice Cube]

Earlier I pointed out that, if the Cubs are offering comparable money but over fewer years it could be a big factor. Theres the time value element that we've recently discussed thats a part of that. If Pujols wants to see all 2XX its more practical to take the deal that has a couple of less years. Its ofen been discussed how this is an approach the Cubs might be willing to discuss. From a financial perspective, it makes sense. People shouldnt be too easily swayed by the focus by the media. They're often pushing their own narratives.

I don't think the Cubs offered the full $200MM if they are skimping on the years. And if they don't significantly outbid the Cards, Pujols has no incentive to leave. He's established in STL with home and restaurant and yada yada. I would've loved for them to blow their wads for Pujols, but they either can't or won't do it, and maybe there's a legitimate reason.

There are other ways to build the team for the future and the now, but it kind of sucks that an opportunity like this will slip away. I guess that's how the cookie crumbles.