I know there is a school of thought that insists Epstein and Hoyer are colluding with Ricketts to spin a massive conspiracy in which they pretend to be trying to make the team better while simultaneously taking an extended vacation (for Epstein) and pocketing billions of dollars (for Ricketts) by deliberately taking every possible action to sabotage the Cubs, ruin the value of the franchise, and chase away any possible fan base. This is not a thread for those theories.
For the rest of us, the Cubs are going to have a massive mountain of cash to spend in the next free agency period. Who should they spend it on?
Cot's Baseball Contracts (now owned by Baseball Prospectus (and thankfully, still free (for now (but that could chance at any time)))) remains one of the best sources for all baseball contract info. http://www.baseballp...ts/?page_id=177
So.. who should the Cubs try to sign?
Edit: Some of the Cot's data looks a little old. If you aren't sure, you might double check against Baseball Reference.
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gratefulled (36)
Free Agent Targets For 2013
Started By Luke, Apr 19 2012 06:23 PM
33 replies to this topic
#2
Luke
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Posted 19 April 2012 - 06:42 PM
My Top Five list.
Cole Hamels - Like, duh.
Shaun Marcom - He should do alright in the middle of the Cubs' rotation.
MIchael Bourn - Why wait for a farm-raised lead off guy when there is a good one right here?
Mike Napoli - He could start 140 games split between first and catcher and provide a needed big bat. That takes pressure off Rizzo at first and Clevenger/Castillo behind the plate, should they struggle at times.
Brandon McCarthy or A Reliever - Depending on where Samadzija winds up next season (rotation, pen, or on another team), the Cubs could possibly use another arm somewhere. McCarthy would be a nice back of the rotation starter if needed. Any of a number of relievers would work if not.
That could give the Cubs a rotation of Hamels / Garza / Marcom / Wood / Volstead / McNutt / McCarthy / Samardzija. In turn, that could allow one or more of those guys (Samardzija? McNutt?) to move into the bullpen further strengthening it.
The batting order would have a true lead off guy. Napoli could hit third or fourth and should take some RBI pressure off Castro, Jackson, and Rizzo.
Cole Hamels - Like, duh.
Shaun Marcom - He should do alright in the middle of the Cubs' rotation.
MIchael Bourn - Why wait for a farm-raised lead off guy when there is a good one right here?
Mike Napoli - He could start 140 games split between first and catcher and provide a needed big bat. That takes pressure off Rizzo at first and Clevenger/Castillo behind the plate, should they struggle at times.
Brandon McCarthy or A Reliever - Depending on where Samadzija winds up next season (rotation, pen, or on another team), the Cubs could possibly use another arm somewhere. McCarthy would be a nice back of the rotation starter if needed. Any of a number of relievers would work if not.
That could give the Cubs a rotation of Hamels / Garza / Marcom / Wood / Volstead / McNutt / McCarthy / Samardzija. In turn, that could allow one or more of those guys (Samardzija? McNutt?) to move into the bullpen further strengthening it.
The batting order would have a true lead off guy. Napoli could hit third or fourth and should take some RBI pressure off Castro, Jackson, and Rizzo.
#3
Brett
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Posted 19 April 2012 - 06:45 PM
McCarthy, other than Hamels, is one I find very interesting. His price could go WAY up by the end of this year if he stays healthy and productive.
#4
MichiganGoat
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Posted 19 April 2012 - 06:47 PM
Yes to Hamel not sold on Napoli for the size contract he will seek. The name I'll be tracking is Adam Jones I think he's 2014 unless the O's sign him now.
#5
MichiganGoat
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Posted 19 April 2012 - 06:49 PM
Oh and Bourne, absolutely I think he's exactly the type of guy that Theo would want on the Cubs, and we don't really have a prospect that would be blocked by him.
#7
Luke
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Posted 19 April 2012 - 06:52 PM
Oh and Bourne, absolutely I think he's exactly the type of guy that Theo would want on the Cubs, and we don't really have a prospect that would be blocked by him.
Maybe Szczur. But Szczur could push DeJesus to fourth outfielder in 2014. That would give the Cubs a fantastic defensive outfield. If the Cubs landed Upton or Either as well, then they just have one of those great problems. Szczur in a Top 100 guy; he could probably be dealt in a package for pitching (or something else).
#9
Brett
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Posted 19 April 2012 - 08:15 PM
Doubt DeJesus is still a Cub come 2014. Potentially expensive option year for a 34-year-old.
Oh and Bourne, absolutely I think he's exactly the type of guy that Theo would want on the Cubs, and we don't really have a prospect that would be blocked by him.
Maybe Szczur. But Szczur could push DeJesus to fourth outfielder in 2014. That would give the Cubs a fantastic defensive outfield. If the Cubs landed Upton or Either as well, then they just have one of those great problems. Szczur in a Top 100 guy; he could probably be dealt in a package for pitching (or something else).
#10
hansman1982
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Posted 20 April 2012 - 10:55 AM
THERE WILL BE NO FREE AGENTS TO SIGN!!11!!1!!!!1!!! EVERY PLAYER WILL BE SIGNED TO AN EXTENSION AND THOSE WHO AREN'T WILL COST ELEVENTY BAJILLION DOLLARS!!!!
I do like your rotation, that would be STRONG and would allow McNutt to come into the bigs through the pen. Bourn I would like as well, but he is a Boras client and may be too over the top in terms of contract length. He would allow you to release Soriano (yes, I have given up ALL hope of trading Soriano) and move Jackson to LF.
I do think that, if the Phillies don't trade him to someone who extends him, Hamels will be in blue pinstripes next year. While the front office won't cave to fan pressure, he is a great player and the team will need at least 1 big time free agent signing next winter to keep the fans happy. 2 birds, 1 stone.
I do like your rotation, that would be STRONG and would allow McNutt to come into the bigs through the pen. Bourn I would like as well, but he is a Boras client and may be too over the top in terms of contract length. He would allow you to release Soriano (yes, I have given up ALL hope of trading Soriano) and move Jackson to LF.
I do think that, if the Phillies don't trade him to someone who extends him, Hamels will be in blue pinstripes next year. While the front office won't cave to fan pressure, he is a great player and the team will need at least 1 big time free agent signing next winter to keep the fans happy. 2 birds, 1 stone.
#12
fromthemitten
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Posted 21 May 2012 - 10:46 PM
Jeff Keppinger/Freddy Sanchez to fill in at 2B and ugh.. 3B market is pretty bleak which is a shame since that's where the Cubs need the most help in the lineup. There's too many arms to list in the relief market so lets just say the Cubs need to throw out a bunch of minor league deals to some of the older arms and hope they can get a couple good reclamation projects.
#13
MichiganGoat
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Posted 22 May 2012 - 05:22 AM
Um I'd rather take my chances on anything before signing Keppinger or Sanchez. Neither one are exciting and would cost more than their value is worth.
#15
Crockett
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Posted 22 May 2012 - 01:09 PM
Oh and Bourne, absolutely I think he's exactly the type of guy that Theo would want on the Cubs, and we don't really have a prospect that would be blocked by him.
Maybe Szczur. But Szczur could push DeJesus to fourth outfielder in 2014. That would give the Cubs a fantastic defensive outfield. If the Cubs landed Upton or Either as well, then they just have one of those great problems. Szczur in a Top 100 guy; he could probably be dealt in a package for pitching (or something else).
Szczur isn't going to be a major league-caliber starter. He'll be a decent 5th OF. Extremely bearish on him.
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