Isn’t it nice when something that is “expected to happen soon” actually does happen soon?
As I noted this morning, the Chicago Cubs designated infielder Blake DeWitt for assignment 11 days ago to make room for Adrian Cardenas. With 10 days to settle a DFA, we expected something to happen yesterday or today.
Well, it did. DeWitt, 26, cleared waivers, and the Cubs have elected to send him to AAA Iowa. (UPDATE: DeWitt has apparently been outrighted once before in his career, which allows him to reject this assignment and become a free agent if he so chooses.)
DeWitt will likely be a non-roster invitee to Spring Training, where he’ll fight for a roster spot. If he makes the team, he’ll earn $1.1 million in 2012. If he doesn’t make the team, the Cubs will have another decision to make. It’s possible the Cubs would look to move DeWitt to another team at that point, or perhaps he would serve as depth at AAA for one more year.
The Cubs could have released DeWitt now, hoping that a team would pick him up, thus saving the Cubs about half of the $1.1 million he’s owed for 2012. But, here’s the thing – DeWitt’s contract might not be guaranteed (if, that is, the one-year deal he signed to avoid arbitration was not guaranteed, like the contract he would have received in arbitration). Without going into the nitty-gritty, if DeWitt doesn’t make the team in Spring Training, the Cubs can cut him while only having to pay about 20% of his contract. So, by not releasing him, they actually will have a theoretical chance to save more money. (In fact, I could be mistaken, but the Cubs could have already taken advantage of this procedural maneuver.)
Going into Spring Training, DeWitt will primarily be battling for a reserve role, with Darwin Barney the expected starter at second base, and Cardenas fighting for time there as well.
Yay?
Eh. Shrug.
Theo compensation.
I’m guessing they look to keep him in Iowa. If Stewart struggles at third and Vitters isn’t ready to go yet, DeWitt would be the best replacement if he’s still in the system. Without DeWitt, they would be looking at playing Baker there regularly or trying out Marquez Smith. DeWitt would be preferable to either option.
send him to bawston..
This is a better conclusion than I expected. I am still rooting that we will see the Blake Dewitt that we hoped to get. This gives him and us one more look. Additional competition.
Pretty good utility man for the right club–still have flashbacks per the day Quade had him in the starting lineup batting third.
Phillies Notes: Soler, Valdez, Wigginton
By Mark Polishuk [February 17 at 9:01am CST]
Here’s the latest from the City Of Brotherly Love…
•”Industry insiders” consider the Phillies to be a longshot for Jorge Soler, reports Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com. Though the Phils are known to be one of Soler’s top suitors, the team has never been big spenders on the international market and may balk at Soler’s price tag. Salisbury hears from one baseball executive who predicts Soler will end up with the Cubs, who are reportedly ready to offer the 19-year-old Cuban outfielder as much as $27.5MM.
Dave Sappelt is small but hitting ball sharply in Fitch batting practice. Impressive but what do I know–married wife after seeing her do a triple somersault at SIU basketball game.
Pics or it didn’t happen.
(I’m probably talking about Sappelt. Probably.)
Listen Ty, could your wife handle 3rd base?? We’ll trade you DeWitt AND Baker
Interesting photo of bleacher work: http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2012-02/233743420-17094842.jpg
I can’t wait to see it completed.
Looks to me like that shortens the HR distance, yes? Basket? Anyone know? Buehler?
When it was first announced, it was stated that it would not decrease field of play dimensions.
Yeah, it isn’t supposed to, but I see what you’re saying, Mike. Perhaps the construction elements are obscuring where the finished product will actually be.
If what you’re worried about is the stuff on the warning tracks, don’t worry. That’s just scaffolding, temporary construction material that will be gone before the renovation is done.
My apologies to Jim Hendry. The Lilly trade doesn’t look as bad as I thought.
Toosh-You’re just kidding, right?
Right. Sarcasm is just one of my many facets.
Somebody (any of the numerous Hendry defenders that still for some reason exist) please explain to me how that clown managed to keep his job so long.
I’m not sure that I qualify as a Hendry supporter, but I think that the answer is pretty simple. The Cubs had more winning seasons while Hendry was GM than under any GM (and earlier analogs) since before the Cubs stopped playing the same number of night games as everybody else. On Cub terms, he was highly successful.
…or he had more money to spend than any GM before him. Maybe a little of both.
The Cubs certainly were a lot less stingy under Hendry. One of the truly maddening things about being a Cubs fan for all of those years was how the Cubs never landed the big free agents. OK, obviously, only one team in 26 (and then 28, and then 30) could do that, but the Cubs surely had lots of $$$. However, what information seemed to leak out (we obviously got less with so few people being on the internet until the mid 1990′s) indicated that the Cubs were never even serious players.
The old axiom “you get what you pay for” certainly seemed to apply to the Cubs on-field results!
He also won more division titles than Epstein did in Boston, in the same amount of time. /devil’s advocate
Devil’s advocate part II: – 6 and 4 in his first 10 playoff games and 0 and 6 in his last 6. Therefore, he was highly successful in his first five years and highly unsuccessful in his latter five.
Look at the trades and signings in the ealy 2000′s as apposed the late 2000′s. At the time other GM’s were getting sacked after just 1 bad year. He somehow managed to keep his job without any decent short and long term plan 3 years longer than any other GM with similar performance. Final thought is two words – Milton Bradley.
GMs can put together a team that should compete for the playoffs. They have no power to influence how teams do in post-season: again, September performance is the only thing that predicts that, and as the Yanks, Braves, Sox, etc., show, that varies from one year to the next with no rhyme or reason.
And who were these other GMs who got sacked after single bad years? Most GM sackings come about as result of a lot of issues other than immediate performance. Yes, they come after a bad year: but they come after a lot more than one bad year.
Again, the Cubs had more winning seasons under Hendry than they’d had for a comparable stretch since, well, before WWII. People often talk like he dragged a dynasty into the mud, but, if anything, he dragged a laughing stock up to mediocrity. That (probably) is why Hendry kept his job.
Listen to the teams that are always good. Their goal at the start of the season is to win the World Series, not play .500 or compete for the post-season or win the division. With the revenue the Cubs had during Hendry’s tenure and the payroll he had to work with and his renowned ability to judge talent, his work can only be described as a failure.
Kevin Towers and the guy from the Arizona (I can’t think of his name) are the first two that come to mind.
No, the goal of the good teams is to get to post-season. No team ever has made it to post-season and lost because their goal in April was only to win the division, not the WS. Besides, playing well in April does count towards getting to post-season, but it has no bearing on success once you get there.
At any rate, we are not talking about good teams: the Cubs have not fit that description for any stretch of time since the Czar was still in power. It is human nature to judge people relative to their predecessors: and Hendry fared well relative to his predecessors.
And as I recall, Nicholas the Second was a big Cub fan.
Towers was fired after 2 consecutive seasons of the Pads loosing when ownership (foolishly) expected them to win, and due to disagreements with the owners. Byrnes was fired after 2.5 consecutive seasons in which the DBacks were expected to compete for post-season (they viewed 2007 as a “start” year). Again, there were intra-organizational political issues.
So, again, name a GM fired after a single disappointing season without intraorganizational politics playing a key role…..
Funny, I heard that it was Nicholas’ son who practically gushed Cubbie blue….
It’s true- hence the term “blue blood”. Too bad they made him replace his Cubs “C” tattoo with a hammer and syckel after the arrest.
How many playoff series or World Series?
Good point. My rough google count shows Epstein with 12 post season series and a record of 8-4 including two world series wins. Hendry had four post seasons series and a record of 1-3 (obviously no WS apparences). Also, Epstein did those numbers in 9 years to Hendry’s 10. Kind of makes me scratch my head to Kyle’s comment about Hendry being more statistically successful than Epstein.
My bad, Kyle simply said Hendry had more division titles, which I guess is true, but I’m not sure what that proves when you look at the results of those division titles.
To be forewarned is to be forearmed: Look at soxprospects.com and take a look at the list of prospects developed in the Red Sox farm system under Theo (2004 – 2011). Very few international signees or draftees are on major league rosters. Hardly one Dominican player (Hanley) has been developed upon the coat-tails of Pedro and Ortiz. Imagine that!
I’m going to assume I don’t have to point out the apples/oranges there.
Just had an apple. Haven’t had a really good orange in a long time.
touché! However, Hendry was a wee bit short on post-season appearances and 90+ win seasons, however…… The AL East really is pretty ridiculous: I mean, the Jays would be annual contenders in any other division (although not the AL West anymore), and they are not even afterthoughts.
The only way it could not look as bad as you thought is if you thought it actually caused Aids.
Wait, it didn’t cause AIDS? Well, I’ll be a rootin-tootin-sam-hootin-son-of-a-gun – DEWITT>TEBOW>REX GROSSMAN>LINDAMONIUM>LILLY>CHUCK NORRIS>RONALD REAGAN>GEORGE WASHINGTON>JESUS
Thanks for not going too far and adding Dick Tidrow in there.
I was about to criticize him for the same.
Just glad I could anger both factions of the Dick Tidrow Moustache Riders Association
Greeted Dick Tidrow about ten years ago at a double A game with a friendly question–I*ve been around felons for many years but his reaction scared the crap out of me. A scout friend found me cowering down the right field line and assured me that *s just Tid.
Those steely eyes bore through your skull.
twc you really know how to hurt a guy!
He’s still staring at you, ty. Try to look away.
Just. You. Try. It.
Alas, Brett is correct. I lost the left half of my body to his stache. Thankfully, he was in a good mood and gave me a trimming of it to regenerate my body, although it is odd walking around half-Superman, half-former-attorney-turned-blogger weak.
Hey, man. I just curled 20(!!!) pounds.
it fun to make fun but Cubs wouldnt have had all this aggravation baggage that comes with Bosox and San Diego corp raids and he wouldve done just as good a job without all the useless publicity in Chi Mag etc…just sayin
I wonder if the esteemed Mr. Tidrow knows he practically has his own cult here.
Depends on whether he goes to the second page of results when he Googles his name:
http://www.bleachernation.com/forum/index.php?/topic/157-who-would-win-in-a-fight-dick-tidrow-or-chuck-norris/
I’m going to try to find him at a Giants game this summer. If I can summon the courage to face him.
For the love of God, whatever you do: resist the urge to touch the mustache. It’s a trap.
based on his record posted here Ricketts would have been better off with him
A former American League Rookie Pitcher of the Year and 13-year Major League veteran, Dick Tidrow embarks on his 13th season as the Giants’ vice president, player personnel and his 18th year overall with the club.
An invaluable aide to Brian Sabean, Tidrow came to the organization prior to the 1994 campaign, serving as the club’s Major League scout for the American League. He was promoted to special assistant to the general manager in 1996, and was elevated to director of player personnel prior to the 1997 season. His current responsibilities include providing Major League player recommendations for trade or free agent signings, as well as scouting amateur players for the draft and evaluating each of the club’s minor league affiliates. His judgement for talent, whether acquired or developed through the farm system, can be seen throughout the roster of the Major League club, as he had a major hand in the teams drafting and development of the 2010 Championship rotation of Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez and Madison Bumgarner, as well as closer Brian Wilson. In addition, the Giants farm system owns the highest winning percentage in baseball over the past six seasons with a .565 organizational mark.
Prior to joining the Giants organization, Tidrow served as a special assignment scout with the New York Yankees from 1985 through 1993. The former right-handed pitcher, nicknamed “Dirt,” enjoyed parts of 13 years in the majors from 1972-84. He was honored as The Sporting News A.L. Rookie Pitcher of the Year as a starter with the Cleveland Indians in 1972, while also capturing pennant and World Series rings as a reliever with the Yankees in 1976 and ’77, respectively. He later pitched for the Cubs, White Sox and Mets. His lifetime numbers show a 100-94 record with 55 saves and a 3.68 ERA.
Dick Tidrow’s nickname isn’t “Dirt.”
No. That’s how he makes you feel when you behold his awesomeness.
It’s impossible to ride the stache. Nobody has ever made it even 3 seconds. Most don’t even make it on.
Pirates about to get burnett for a couple minor leaguers. Hopefully Burnett doesn’t turn into a stud pitcher in Pittsburgh.
He’s still young and it adds depth. If Barney or Cardenas goes down, DeWitt can fill in. Also, he can play several positions and Jaramillo has been working with him so who knows.
I’m actually surprised that he cleared waivers. I would have though someone would have picked him up.
Word around Fitch is Sveum is very-very-military!
What does that mean exactly?
it means he’s throwing hand grenades from the dugout, as if its a fox hole, at players who dont perform. air raids will be called in on the pitchers and catchers later today. target: bullpen
he’s also walking around saying ‘niner’ a lot.
Sorry to change the subject, but what is taking Selig so long on the compensation issue? It shouldn’t be that hard of a decision, Mr. Commissioner.
Could be they want Rizzo?
Amazing how the desire to cram a crappy CBA down baseball’s throat came about pretty quickly, but to send a 20th-ish prospect to the Red Sox takes forever, and then you have Bert and his incessent blabbering about it.
If he does make the decision today, it will likely be as close to the end of business as possible. The decision isn’t likely to make anyone completely happy, so he’ll likely try to let it be buried by announcing just before the start of the weekend.
On the topic, a poster on another message board who clearly works in baseball (he has called a number of surprising moves before they happened, including Cespedes) had this to say about the briefs :
“Heard that the Red Sox written argument was very well put together and a couple pages long… also heard that the Cubs argument was 5-6 pages long and went deep into detail on the potential league wide ramifications of a ‘significant’ return being required for such transactions. Actually heard that they referenced some personal transaction Selig himself did while in Milwaukee that would have potentially been affected by an ‘MLB office overreaction’ … should be interesting… “
“Actually heard that they referenced some personal transaction Selig himself did while in Milwaukee that would have potentially been affected by an ‘MLB office overreaction’”
Hahahaha. I love it.
GOD I would have loved to see those briefs. And, you know, helped write the Cubs’ one…
Theo’s briefs?
No, that’s Katie. Or is it Cheryl?
I’m pretty sure that the majority of the “Theo swoons” have come straight outta Columbus.
I have to believe the Red Sox’ brief would have been good for a laugh if nothing else. How they could argue that they deserve more than minimal, if any, compensation would have been hilarious.
My guess is the Red Sox’s arguments are heavily fact-driven (this was said, that was said), and the Cubs’ arguments are heavily precedent and policy-driven.
If that’s the case (“this was said”, that was said”), I have to believe Selig laughed out loud when reading it. There is precedent for this type of situation and that’s what he should be looking at.
I am inclined to believe that the Red Sox brief would be written by Nick Cafardo. He has such great logic and insight into the situation, I don’t see any way that he’s not involved somehow.
He would certainly argue for the moon.
My bet would be that they are waiting on a resolution for the Braun suspension case. Announcing compenstion at the same time would help to shadow last years MVP getting suspended for 50. Just a theory, but I think one is holding up the other.
Prediction: He makes 25 leaving ST as starting 3B…..just a hunch over lunch
Is he related to Joyce DeWitt?
I always preferred Suzanne Somers. Would’ve like to have been her thigh master. In more ways than one.
How could you reject a cute, petite brunette for a busty blond with the IQ of a grapefruit?
Oh, wait, never mind.
Actually, Suzanne is very, very smart! Met her in Vegas in 95. Class act!
r.i.p. gary carter……….one of the good guys…
Stupid unrelated question, but what shade of blue and red do the cubs wear? Royal blue?
Yes, stupid question.
Thanks for the expert opinion.
Not a stupid question and from what I can find the colors are Pantone 294, Pantone 186.
I see that the blue is HEX #0E3384 or RGB (14,51,132). HTH.
One of the Cubs DSLers was suspended 50 games. Not a big story, but never good to see.
http://muskat.mlblogs.com/2012/02/17/217-cubs-minor-leaguer-suspended/
When you take your organization and making it having alot of players in the system and go to the Dominican Republic along with other Latin countries you are going to find yourself with a player or 2 that get busted for Performance Hancing Drugs. It is never a good situation but the more players you have you will see a handful of kids who take these drugs to try to get ahead in the game.
what if as compensation Bosox gets Cubs first draft picks over next 3 yrs?..and San Diego gets Cubs 5th draft picks over same time period…some sort of fairness there?
Well, that would pretty much be unreasonable and insane.
draft picks are over rated…rather have Cuban defector signings
Me too. Does Castro still need a job? Oh wait- he’s dead.
I read that Castro could play some ball in his prime.
No. Remember that its basically getting Theo 1 year before his contract was up. I doubt you would see it but maybe giving each of them a cubs comp pick this draft could be included. but it shouldn’t be a lot.
It’s wishful thinking…0%chance.com DeWitt goes for compensation. A guy who cleared waivers straight up for Theo?? Uh, no. Gonna be a prospect who the Red Sox at least have a chance to develop. The whole league already knows DeWitt is garbage. Please Selig, sack up and make a damn decision so we can alll move on…
TeddyBallGame, I am starting to feel like I am stalking you. Hey if there is a way we can work out a deal for you to purchase the scorecards for me please let me know. You would be doing me a huge favor.
If you are both on the message board you can send each other direct messages and get a deal done.