The Cubs made a big splash by signing Alfonso Soriano, and he'll help, but they still need pitching.
The Cubs have a solid No. 1 in Carlos Zambrano, and maybe a good No. 4 in Rich Hill. That's a pretty big hole.
Assuming Soriano plays center, he'll be an upgrade over Juan Pierre as far as having an arm. His on-base percentage was slightly higher than Pierre's, but Soriano had over 40 homers, stolen bases and doubles. The problem is he doesn't walk enough.
Could the Cubs have spent the money more wisely? Maybe, but it's hard to criticize getting one of the most talented offensive players in the majors.
Well, it's good to see the Cubs have finally becomed NY Yankess III, (Boston owning the JR title in spending). I think it has been proven in professional sports you CAN'T BUY a championship, see Yankess, Red Sox, Angels, Knicks, Redskins, and the Cubs are trying to do it in one year with an average group of free agents at best. If you get lucky with free agents signings, see Tigers, it will still take you a year or 2 before serious results show, that means overspending on Ichiro next year. Cubs are going for quick fix, adding offense, in a small stadium, no wind or blowing out, should get you to .500. They need atleast one starter, but i believe they should not "double up" on pitchers, the more varied your starters, the better. Also, top starters are way overvalued on this market. Padilla, Meche, should be Henrys plays.
Regardless of what they have and need right now in terms of pitching, the Cubs made a statement by signing Soriano and actually scoring big in free agency. Cubs fans can thank Kenny Williams for lighting a fire under the Cubs' management, who don't like getting made fun of by White Sox fans any more than Cubs fans do. Although scoring Zito will be a much more significant second step, I'd say Soriano is not a bad first step at all towards not being the laughingstock of the league.
I think the Cubbies and Hendry were tired of getting outbid for players they wanted (Beltran and Furcal). So they finally stepped up to the plate and made a huge signing. Who else would they have signed instead. Zito has been inconsistent that last couple of years and I really don't think he is that great to begin with. We already have a lefty in Hill who has the same makeup as Zito. Schmidt is injury prone and we don't need another pitcher like that. No other hitter on the market can bring what Soriano brings to the table. He has shown that he is actually quite good in the outfield as opposed to second base. Offensively this guy is a monster who is still in his prime. How about having to face him, D-Lee, and Aramis. If anything it should be fun this year to be a Cubs fan because it finally looks like they are spending the money and spending it on the right guys. Also I don't think they are done yet. Hendry will probably add at least 2 middle teir pitchers like Gil Meche or Padillia.
I think it's huge to allocate so much money to one player.You spend so much on one player that you can't field a complete team because you're tapped out.In base ball signing guys to guaranteed contracts don't always translate into longevity.Aramis looked like he was playing for a new contract this year.Will he keep up the hustle that he conned the Cubs into believing was the new Aramis.I'd rather field a team with guys that are hungry to succeed,more than these mercenaries that take up rosters nowadays.It looks like we're making splashes to just make splashes.When a team is not that close to being great it takes more than one high-priced player to get them over the top.With a depleted farm system we're just biding time until next year when they raise ticket prices to recoup what they are pushing on us as progress.I guess Hendry can say that Lou made him do it.
This only proves Hendry has some kind of second baseman fetish. First derosa and now soriano, thats two more second basemen, and last year he had how many on the team? 7 right? So, i guess its nice that the trb has increased the cubs budget so hendry can at least indulge himself with better quality second baseman. It would be nice if at some point he could try and sign some other position player or maybe a pitcher. Who knows he may like it. Maybe he just plans on cornering the second baseman market.
Nice the tribune corp finally loosened the pursestrings for the cubs payroll. Makes me angry though that they seem to have been bleeding the cubs for decades with sweetheart, inhouse broadcast deals that shift the cash out of the team over to the tribune owned superstation and cubs radio media outlets.
The only teams having comparable value broadcast rights and actual income are braves and yankees, and they haven't just been hiding it but actually have put it back into the teams. Now the Tribune is up for sale and in order to value the team, some daylight will have to shine on the tv and radio deals and indicate how much has been diverted from the team income and payrolls each and every year. No coincidence they start to spend now, can't sell the team for full value if they have lowballed their own value for the broadcast rights. But cheer up cubs fans, think of it as subsidizing bozo all those years.
Now what the Cubs have to do is sign up Sammy Sosa to fill out their outfield. Hitting wise they seem OK. Now we need a closer and 2 starting pitchers. With the weak Central any team catching fire can win. And no team has that great a pitching staff. I can dream can't I? I don't have too many opening days left!
Roman,
My apologies for being M.I.A. from the blog. I've been waiting for something like this signing.
All of the White Sox and Cardinal fans can jump in here and make sad attempts at insulting Jim Hendry and this move, however, I would bet they would be singing a different tune if this was their team. Alfonso Soriano was the biggest free agent signing of the offseason. No one in their right mind can argue that. Coupled with Aramis Ramirez, the Cubs have now signed two of the biggest and most sought after free agents this winter. That's a far cry from their recent signings of middle to lower tier free agents like Jacque Jones (TRADE HIM!) or Jeromy Burnitz at a bargain price. Cub fans everywhere should be celebrating this trade.
I caution you on this Cub fans. Do not get discouraged if Soriano struggles in his first season as a Cub. Carlos Beltran struggled with an average of .266 and 16 home runs in his first season with the Mets. Last year he put up MVP calibur numbers once he got used to his New York surroundings. He'll be under a microscope in his first year, however, he's got 8 of them to settle in and I feel he'll be ready to go.
I agree with you Roman that they definitely need to go after some pitching. I'd put my money on this other kid from Japan. I live in the Dallas area and I'm not sold on Vicente Padilla. But they definitely need to make another splash with regards to starting pitching. We'll see what Mr. Hendry has got up his sleeve. I for one, no longer doubt him. Thank goodness for a last place finish in 2006!
It's definitely a good move by the Cubs to get a guy like Soriano in the line-up!!! I guess those empty seats towards the end of the year finally woke up the Tribsters and figured out that as fans we aren't taking losing anymore!! Now it's time to get a FIVE man pitching staff that can stay healthy and win some games!!! Can you imagine it was only three years ago when we had five aces on the staff and now we are talking about that as our weakness!!!
What an acquisition. He was the best LF in the NL last year hitting and fielding. Our lineup has instantly become the most feared in the NL.
Soriano
Barrett
D.Lee
Ramirez
J.Jones
DeRosa
Murton/Pagan
Izturis/Cedeno
Zambrano
Pretty good for the friendly confines. If we scoop one more legit arm we should be top of the Central poised for a playoff run.
GO CUBS!!!
The CUBS are in a very good pisition to contend for the division title from an ofensive point of view now pitching wise well their not that bad either.. i know we have said this before but hopefully this is the year Woods and Prior are finally injure free. now with that said Woods needs to go to the bullpen no questios asked.... it should be an interesting year for the Cubs though.
The Cubs and their fans will hate this deal in a couple of years. Eight years? Ask the Rockies how they feel about Todd Helton's deal right about now. Hendry is behaving like a desperate man and will, in the long run, drag this organization down with him. The Cubs should have let him go last year or, as much as I hate to say it, given him a long term deal. Perhaps with some job security he would consider the future of the team and its best interests, not his own. Bad, bad move.
Nice splash for the Cubs, so now they can win games wih softball scores 10-8. As a Tiger fan, we overpaid for Pudge and Mags, but you have to do that. However, you still have to get the other team out. You need to start with pitching and build from the there. When the Sox won, they did not score thousands of runs, but won with pitching and defense. I think they did the right thing, but I does not appear that loveable loser tag is going away any time soon.
Upside: The cubs are committing to winning, building a team like a major market team. I agree you don't automatically win a championship by buying the best players, but the Yankees and Red Sox of the world are alot more competitive year in and year out than the Cubs have been. If this is just a one year thing for the Cubs, then it's a waste. If this is the beginning of them playing ball with the big boys, all these years of suffering will finally pay off (eventually).
Downside: Soriano has never thrown a pitch in his life. If Hendry is able to put together a much improved staff and sweet Lou doesn't destroy young arms (like Baker did), this point will be mute. But they need to land two good, second-tier starters for this signing to make sense. I’m thinking Theriot makes pretty good trade bait to KC, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, etc for a good, young middle rotation player and there are some decent #2 guys out there to sign via free agency.
Overall thoughts: I’m ecstatic about this signing. That thought will change one way or the other with the rest of this off season.
What a joke, a team that will score 800 runs but will give up 1200. That still means losing, even with Soriano.
Get the "big" picture here.
As usual, the Cubs continue the "musical chairs" of keeping fan interest.
What does winning a pennant have to do with Cubs' financial success? Think about it - the Cubs draw 35,000 in the rain on an April afternoon while the kids are still in school - even with a "last place" team.
There is nothing about winning a pennant that would improve the financial bottom line - attendance. As long as those turnstiles rotate frequently on game day at Wrigley, pennant or no pennant - Northside baseball is a goldmine!
The CUBS are back in "business"...and here are 2 good reasons that show exactly how.
The first is that "this" team is for sale and who wants to buy a baseball park, even if its the best one in the world, without at least a somewhat competitive team. This signing goes a long way towards making the CUBS more attractive to potential ego driven billionaires who want nothing more than to be able to say "I" fixed the most "unfortunate" and "cursed" (LMAO) team in sports history.
Second this guy is a player...and in a line-up with Ramirez and Lee he can't help but to produce if for no other reason than the guys hitting behind him...I don't need to point out that he has shown that he can hit...run...and play defense. I'll have to take my chances on his production...he may not be pocket aces...(busted ACES Wood and Prior only got us in the pot and killed us before the turn card came out) but he has to be at least an Ace King off-suit... and who knows we pick up an arm or two on the flop and all of a sudden we have a monster hand.
Alas, no, the CUBS may not make the playoffs this year or next...but they may be geared up enough to be sold to someone who will be insensed until "he/she/them" wins the World-Series in a place with a franchise where many have thought that it was all but impossible. Making that owner the best in sports...at least until opening day the following year.
Those of us that have a few years left in the tank...may look back and remember...that this signing i.e. "business deal" made it possible to win the 2009 or 2010 World-Series of Baseball.
So go get your goats ready, go smack around your Bartman dolls...but don't be late in line for your series tickets...the business side of the game will help this team to get to the place all CUBS fans have dreamed about...a World Series.
In close, although we all know that you can't buy a World series, we have learned over the past 90 years or so, that a little extra cash will go along way to getting you into the ball-park.
From South Beach...
GO CUBS!!!!!!!!!
phpearson10@yahoo.com
As a sox fan, let me just say that I don't understand how I hear everyone crying for Soriano, then he signs, then people are still crying. Geez, if he hadn't been signed, Cubs are cheap. If someone else signed him, then the Cubs aren't interested in winning. He signs an eight year deal and they spend to get him and it's still whining. Look, three years from now, they can always use him to get a massive trade done to improve their ball club. Now for all the people that want a Series win next year it's not going to happen. But long term I think this deal helps out the Cubs(or has the potential to help them out)greatly so think past this year and stop all the crying!
GO SOX!!!!!
People can say anything negative they can manage to think of, but NONE of them would say they wouldn't have liked to land Soriano in their team this winter.
Anytime you add a 40-40-40 guy to the lineup, it makes your team better.
We all knew when they brought in Sweet Lou and not Joe Giardi, the Cubs were up to something. 98 years of losing will do this to a team. I LOVE the Soriano signing but agree with everyone else that pitchers are needed. There is alot of offseason left before we get going so I believe alot more moves will happen. This franchise has so much money and never seems to make the big move. Now they finally do it and everyone cries about it. I never hear Yankees fans cry about the money they are spending. I dont care who plays where just let me see a World Series game at Wrigley before I die. HOLY COW FOREVER!!
Roman,
I've got to post this email I sent to Mac, Yurco, and Harry on ESPN 1000AM. They were bringing up the 8 year contract argument and how Soriano won't be worth it in 5-6 years.
"Hey Guys,
I'm back in town visitng the family for the holidays and what a great weekend for Chicago sports!
About the Soriano deal...people in the national media questioning the longevity of this move long term don't get it. They're trying to put us in the same bracket as the Yankees, Cardinals, or any other competing team. We're the Cubs! Our fans don't care about 8 years from now. If Soriano helps us win a world series in the next year or so for the first time in a century, we'll all have a 5-6 year hangover and the future won't matter. For other teams, they need to be concerned with the present and the future. Cub fans live each year as if it's "the" year and that's all that matters. if an 8 year contract is what it took to get soriano here, then that's what they had to pay him. they could sign Henry "Hank White" Blanco to a 20 year deal if it helps us win a World Series before we're too old to enjoy it. I say "great move" Jim Hendry and thanks for being on the fans' side."
I think it's pretty valid. By the way, what's up with all of the haters on this board posting about how the Cubs are going to give up 1200 runs? It's not even December and none of the free agent pitchers have been signed yet. Why are the Cubs judged on a per day basis by White Sox and Cardinal fans? Just watch Hendry work his magic...
i think it's a good signing. forcing him to lead-off seems a bit foolish. who puts a 40 homer/100rbi guy a place in the order where he'll have no chance to drive anyone in but himself? he'd be a great #3. as far as the money goes, that's just the market. mine as well sign the top player for too much than a bottom player for too little.
Everyone thought it was great that we got Garciaparra and then he was hurt and everyone felt betrayed.They didn't re-sign him and he went on to have a better year with L.A.With baseball it's the gauranteed long term contracts I don't like.Sosa was signed to a LTC and he wasn't worth it by the end.Aramis didn't do diddly until he could've signed a LTC and now he's the hustle king.I'm just not convinced.Maybe if they had let him go I would've been more up about Soriano.I just don't like malingerers getting over when they will eventually revert back to their care less ways.Getting 1 guy just doesn't translate to me that great feeling.The fans will be betrayed by one of these guys.It may not be Soriano but it'll be a betrayal nonetheless.I don't go to games because the yuppies still occupy the best seats.They are the ones that pay the salaries in the end.If it's Monopoly money by all means pay everyone the sky's limit.But if it's the true fans that suffer because they'll have to pay inflated prices for everything,excuse me please.Anyone advocating paying a 200 million dollar team salary do so because they don't go to games.I know where the money is going to come from.Enjoy the games.
Uhhh, sorry to burst bubbles Cubs fans, but do you know why Soriano doesn't play in the American League? Well, perhaps the NL pitchers will finally realize that you just need to throw the high heat inside once and then the rest of the pitches can be breaking balls on the outside of the plate and Soriano will chase every one of them. See 2003 playoffs with the crappy Yankees. We can start keeping a tally on how much each of his strike outs will cost.
What is up with all you people who don't like this deal? All we ever hear is that the Cubs don't spend money to get top talent. For once they go out and get someone and it's criticized. Shut up and enjoy having one of the best players in baseball in this city. The Cubs need more pitching and is there any reason to doubt Hendry's determination at this point? Stop complaining and give the Cubs credit for doing SOMETHING to get better.
From a marketing perspective this is the best thing the Trib could have done to make Cub fans forget about last season but as always winning has to be done on the field. Can Piniella take the Cubs from worst to first? Possible but as long as Albert, Ryan, Lance, Adam and Carlos get come to Wrigley and bang with Alphonso,Aramis and Derek,Cubs pitching will decide this season. As of right now the Cubs need one or two more effective starters. Now we have the makings of having two of the major's best teams in the same city. Good Luck Cub Fans!! See you at the Crosstown Showdowns!! It will be a good time for all Chicago baseball fans.
I'm excited about the Soriano signing and all Cubs fans should be, as it means the frustration of the last few years is being addressed in an aggressive way. Granted, Soriano isn't Barry Zito, but there's still time to get a pitcher or two, either F/A's, trades or both. We will contend this year! Good move, Mr. Hendry and Mr. McDonough!
While the Soriano signing was very cute, Jim Hendry still happens to be the dumbest GM in the city, and maybe the country. First you sign a guy with one year outfield experience to be the captain of your outfield? Secondly, why did you trade decent, if not good, prospects for Juan Pierre if you weren't going to re-sign him? You can't possibly tell me that you thought the cubs were going to win last year, even with a healthy Prior and Wood! Soriano is just going to be the next Sosa. A stud ballplayer, that everyone is going to turn on the minute he gets caught taking a whizz in public. The Cubs aren't trying to win, they are hoping to win. So go blow that smoke at someone else!
Can't wait to see how many RBIs he picks up driving in Izturis and Rich Hill/Zambrano/Prior/Unknown Pitcher/Unknown Pitcher! As far as Hendry "working his magic" and "being on the fan's side", he did nothing more than throw a huge amount of money at a star player because the suits let him. There really wasn't anything "magic" or philanthropic (as if he was "against" the fans before this?) about it. With the addition of Soriano, the team is now paying him, Ramirez and Lee approximately $46,000,000 a year, and that will go up significantly after they re-sign Zambrano to a long-term contract (if they can) or his salary increases through arbitration over the $6.5MM he made this season. I'd be surprised to see them spend much more than they already have - - just enough to get the blind and gullible to populate the Confines. Until Hendry fills out the starting rotation with a few quality guys and truly beefs up the bullpen this team isn't going to win a pennant, much less a world series.
Great signing by Hendry...This is going to be a killer line-up:
Soriano - CF
Izturis - SS
Lee - 1B
Ramirez - 3B
Jones - RF
Barrett - C
Murton - LF
DeRosa/Theriot - 2B
Zambrano and Hill will be good starters, we need help
after that...The bullpen should be very good, although the sooner Wood shows he's ready to close the better, since Dempster
seems to have lost his edge.
Cotts is a great addition, but I hate to lose Aardsma.
Should be a fun year.
i don't see how any cub fan can complain about the soriano move. i have been a cub fan since 1968 and this is the biggest move since andre dawson (who of course was low-balled by the tribune.) who cares about the money? it's their money not mine, at least some of those sex and the city promos will do some good (i should mention that those so-called beautiful women on that show are 3 woofers in my book.)
the big mistake would be to put soriano leading off. matt murton should lead off, he is quick, draws walks and is baseball smart, this guy can hit as he proved when he made the adjustments last second half.
sure pitching is a question, i would get surfer boy mark prior healthy and trade him asap. but juan mateo showed real promise so he is a possiblity. angel guzman was one of the most highly thought of prospects in baseball coming back from 2 years on the shelf, i wouldn't toss him just yet. sean marshall also showed promise. the cubs also have a blue chip lefty in donald veal who could be close (not to mention sean gallagher,billy petrick and mark pawelek down the road. i would give padilla or lilly a shot.
the cubs minor league system isn't as dire as one is led to believe. felix pie, tyler colvin, eric patterson, ryan norwood and jacob fox all had great years (the jury is out on ryan harvey and brian dopirak though.) also the cubs will not have to give up their top 5 draft pick this year to the nationals, which makes the soriano deal all the better. the cubs minor league scouting director built the devil rays current loaded system, so that is another good sign.
hell, i have been through the jim tyrones, scot thompsons, mick kellehers, larry biitners, mike vails, carmen fanzones, gene hisers of the world, give lou and hendry a chance, i for one love this move for soriano, i got to see him in AA in norwich, connecticut many times and he is one exciting ballplayer and twice the offensive force of the truly overrated derek jeter. go get 'em cubs in 2007!!!!!!
All of you naysayers, give it a rest. I think the Cubs are on the right track . They have a manager who won't take any less than all out play on the field. This will be the year. Mark my words! Either jump on board, or jump in the lake. We don't need fans like you guys.
Cubs Hendry has made some big signings & now pitching is need of help.A legit closer,a starter or two besides (Marquis of cards I hope).Marquis is a good batting practice pitcher I hope cubs don't acquire. As for sox ?Williams must be on a long winter vacation?
Hey Red Sox fan,
Just a little bitter about the Cubs landing the best free agent this offseason, huh? I garauntee that you would take Soriano and his 40-40 over Coco Crisp(IS he named after a cereal?) in center. Also if the AL figured him out when he was with the Yanks than how do you explain the numbers he put up with the Rangers? He is a free-swinger and will have alot of K's but he will also put up big numbers from the lead-off spot. Also I don't hear you talking about the huge money your team put up for a pitcher who has pitched exactly 0 pitches in MLB. He may be the stud that Theo thinks he is but 51 mil plus another 15 a year for 3 years just to watch him walk in 3 yrs to the Yanks. Look at your own team first before passing judgement. At least Soriano is a proven player unlike your prized free agent who might not even sign. By the way how's 3rd in the east looking, your going to be there for a while.
It is pretty ignorant to gripe about this signing. I am happy the Cubs are finally doing something. I'd like to see the Cubs get another burner to bat leadoff and drop Soriano to the two or three hole or at least get a bat that doens't come pre-injured. As far as pitching, the Cubs will likely get Igawa, because they can outbid anybody who is interested in him and they will sign two more guys relegating Miller and Prior to having to earn their spots in the rotation. Their bullpen looks solid for a change. If they can get their starters to the 7th they should be in good shape.
Is this the official statement that the Cubs don't think Felix Pie is the future center fielder 10 year all star, future hall of famer and Mr. Everything?
Once again, another "can't miss kid" misses. It's one thing to open the checkbook. Great. But the lack of minor league developement (other than pitchers that get traded away) means that we'll continue to have a winning season each decade.
A guy by the name of Ray Michael posted this:
"If Soriano helps us win a world series in the next year or so for the first time in a century, we'll all have a 5-6 year hangover and the future won't matter. For other teams, they need to be concerned with the present and the future. Cub fans live each year as if it's "the" year and that's all that matters."
Has he considered that it is exactly this mentality that has prevented this club from winning a World Series for nearly a century?
Just asking.
How can Soriano, Lee, and Ramirez NOT be 3, 4, and 5 hitters? Why would you want Soriano to be the lead-off man?
Ray's right. Just look how well long term blockbuster contracts have worked out for the Cubs in the past century.
Mr. Pedro Vera stated it was a bad move to sign Soriano. If the Cubs win the World Series in the next couple of years, I highly doubt any Cub fan will care what his stats are 8 years from now! By the way, the Tribune doesn't care how much money that has been spent. They aren't going to be around to pay those bills.
this is a reply to gn jaxon. how can you say felix pie is a bust? the kid hasn't even played 1 inning of major league ball yet. if you ask me the cubs are doing the right thing by keeping him at AAA another year, so he is not rushed like corey patterson was. he actually projects as a right fielder and should be ready when jacque jones is out of town.
pie is barely in his 20's and really came on last year at the end of the season. in truth he had better numbers than other highly touted prospects such as jose tabata and lastings milledge. true pie needs to get better plate discipline but he is hardly ready for the scrap heap, you don't want another lou brock deal, do you?
As someone who lives in Washington, DC and watched Soriano play last year, I can tell you a couple of things about him that you should know: 1) he is an exciting player who will hit lots of home runs at Wrigley (he should hit at least 50 there), and will steal lots of bases; 2) he will also strike out in many clutch situations. He is not a great clutch hitter; 3) unless his running is reigned in by Cubs coaches (he always had a green light in DC), he will get thrown out many times trying to steal bases or take 2nd on a single, frustrating fans who would rather have a baserunner; 4) he is NOT a great fielder. The reason he led the league in assists this year was because teams were running on him every time a ball was hit to left field. IF he gets to the ball, he has a great arm and can throw people out, but he has not yet learned how to judge and hustle for fly balls. I think playing him in center field would be a big mistake; and 5) those of us who are in DC will miss him terribly. He was pretty much the only reason to go to the Nats games this year. Go Cubbies!
It's amazing to me all the einsteins out there that say you cannot buy a world series,that may be true, but it sure seems apparent that you can buy yourself into the playoffs and you will never win a series if you do not get to the playoffs.
Wow that's a lot of money to be throwing around. It appears payroll will increase around $30 million this year. Where did the Tribune co. get all this "found" money? The Cubs aren't raising ticket prices this year. One can only surmise that they've been hiding revenue and hoarding profits all these years at the expense of us blue sheep that blindly pack Wrigley every year. The White Sox win the World Series, follow that up with another 90 win season, our team sucks eggs to the tune of 96 losses. So what happens? Some of us started wising up and actually stopped going to the games. Granted all the games were sold out but how many of the tickets were sold to the Cubs scalping agency? We stopped being suckers and paying through our noses to get these tickets. Garbage on the field, both literally and figuratively, empty green seats, and lower revenue finally spurs the Cubs to spend money. Imagine that?
You can never satisfy people... first you say that they don't spend enough money, then when they actually shell out the dough, they spent too much??? Not like they are spending your money! The tribsters have more than enough to get soriano and still have money left over, so please don't mention anything about going over budgets, etc.... If hendry doesn't get a couple of pitchers, then having all the bats in the world won't matter... BUT please don't complain about this contract or them spending too much money, ridiculous! By they way, Soriano, who will hit leadoff, has a better on-base percentage than pierre ever had.
having watched Cub teams of the late 20's &30's who didn't win a world series, I cant get excited about the teams they field. This group couldn't even make those teams.Come down to earth Cub fans & and stop celebrating before a game is played.
NOW LET'S SIGN MAYBE PADILLA AND MARQUIS AND/OR LILLY, TWO WILL DO!!!!!!!!!!!1
HOLD ON! The cubs finally spend money and people are still complaining. This was the most sought after free agent and the cubs got him. Everybody knows how Texas was in the past. They had all this hitting and no pitching.where did it get them? NOWHERE I think Even Hendry can figure this one out. Give him a little time. He WILL improve the pitching staff!!!
Congrats for making such a huge signing & obtaining a quality manager. He's obviously a good player, but isn't it strange how Hendry talks out of both sides of his mouth (last year he was complaining about the Dodgers signing Furcal for 3 years @ $39 million)?!?! He's now overpaid a career .278 hitter as no other team was crazy enough to offer that many years or throw that amount of money at him. Basically, after competing for a 100-loss season last year, numerous empty seats & the White Sox winning the World Series in '05, well, they needed to sign someone big. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Essentially, the Cubs managed to sign a modern-day Sammy Sosa. Just look at the similiarities...both are from the Dominican Republic...both have had a 'me-first' attitude (remember when Soriano complained about going to the outfield - he didn't want to play?!)...both were/are talented...both had a high-number of strike-outs (and the Cubs 'really' want to put Soriano at leadoff - with his 160 strikeouts last year?!?!)...both have hit a ton of homeruns, and, both have hit really well with runners in scoring position (Soriano was a pathetic .231 last year). Pardon my sarcasm, of course.
For Cubs' fans sake, let's hope that next year Soriano doesn't come to spring training having gained about 30 lbs during the off-season & have full-blown acne...just like Sammy Sosa did when he turned 31 years old.
It'll blow up in their faces, again. They blow all this money and their fans are posting on message boards about how to get WS tickets, and then, less than a week later, their key leadoff hitter, Juan Pierre, gets away and goes to the Dodgers! They really Cubbed that one. They'll reek again in '07, just as always.
If the Cubs 20 year old outfield prospect Felix Pie has a good spring I think then and only then will Jacques Jones be traded (My opinion only...Obviously he won't play center field...left or right field are possiblilities)...He could be trade bait too which would be sad to me because I really like Pie...He is on of those 5 tool players that is really fun to watch...Also, second baseman Eric Patterson just had a good Arizona Fall League season...Second Base and Center Field...just what the Cubs' need more of...Also, yer not a baseball genius if you can sign a player by offering "A-Rod" type money...The Tribune opened their checkbook (looking more attractive to potential buyers) so it was a no-brainer...The Cubs are going to be sold with a hefty profit for the Tribune Company...All that said, it would be refreshing to see some of the minor league prospects make the team...The Cubs certainly have enough to offer anyone to get pitching help...They also have 6 of the highest rated pitching prospects in the Minor Leagues...Anyway, Soriano is a nice start...Maybe the Trib company can be "goated" into keeping the checkbook open and signing more solid players for Lou...Don't take this personal anyone and bash me but I still think (my opinion only) Kerry Wood should turn into a reliever because I don't know how many more surgeries he can have and pitching relief would certainly ease his work load (innings's wise)...Ahhhhh the Hot Stove Season...I love it!!!
As I was growing up in the city of Chicago, we were the second largest city in the country. Chicago is now the third largest city. Let's act like it. The Cubs, Bears, Blackhawks and Bulls should be competing for the playoffs and championships every year. If this is the Cubs first attempt to be the equal of the Yankees and the Red Sox, then it is about time. Jim Hendry, you need to get Jason Schmidt and two other pitchers who can eat up innings to save the bullpen. Go get Carlos Lee. Let's do this thing right.
How can any Cub fan criticize the Soriano signing? Are we not sick of "waiting till next year?" Name another player w/ 40-40 potential. Who's to say what is too expensive. They had to have a big bat...this was the biggest bat on the market. This guy is going to excite Cubs fans for the next couple of years. Will the contract be worth it when Soriano is 38? Probably not, but maybe by then we won't be saying "wait till next year" any longer! Great job Hendry!!!!!!!!!!
#1. Set money aside, it's not your money they're spending-- tickets will basically be whatever the market will bear anyway.
#2. Some of you are talking about the need for pitching as if you invented the concept. Any 2 year old knows the rotation is a mess as it stands and that we need pitching. Pinella knows it, Hendry knows it. Now we have to wait and see what they do about it.
Signing Soriano was symbolic and smart. It proved to the fans that the Cubs aren't cheap and it netted one of the best batters of last year. They still need to solve the problem of starting pitching. Signing two starters at 8.5 million each (Lilly and Meche) shouldn't be a problem with their new aggresive strategy. Also, the problem of a new left fielder will not be solved by adding the often injured and unreliable Cliff Floyd. A trade for Marlins 3B/ LF Miguel Cabrera would be a coup for Hendry, not only because he has one of the most coveted bats in the major leagues, but also because of the low price he comes at. The Marlins are looking for a catcher and a cheap center fielder. A trade for Michael Barrett ($4.5 Million a year) and Matt Murton ($.375 million?) should not only get the deal done, but also lower the payroll considering that Cabrera only makes half a million dollars this year and leave room for left handed Felix Pie to move up. I know he's not left handed, but that the Cub's lineup with Miguel Cabrera in it would make any time shiver in intimidation. Plus, the friendship between Hendry and GM Larry Beinfest of the Marlins would give the Cubs an inside track to that deal. Just food for thought.
WELL LET ME SEE WHEN THE CUBS FINALLY TRY TO MAKE A WAY EVERYONE HATES BECAUSE OF THE TYPE OF DEAL IT IS,BUT FOR ONCE WE HAVE ACHIEVED THE BASEBALL DREAM IN THE NEW FREE AGENCY ERA YOUR TEAM GETTING THE MOST HIGLY-TOUTED CHATCH OF THE OFF SEASON SO LETS KEEP AN OPEN MINE GO CUBSSS!
One thing you guys who think it's the greatest signing EVER seem to forget:Who actually lives up to their contract in Cubbie-land.If I was going to be a free agent I'd play my heart out too.Once these guys sign they are NEVER the same.Yeah,it's great we get the best free agent available,but why now?This is the same Hendry and the same ownership.Why are they so interested in giving you guys a world series when they've been here all this time.You guys are sheep if you think they all of a sudden have the fan's interest now.This is a smoke screen and you guys are falling for it.The Tribune always had this money and you think because there were empty seats at the end of the season that they care.They've been crying poor and fluffing their mattresses full with cash for forever and now you think they want to appease the fans.You think they're gonna spend their cash on free agents because it's the right thing to do?Why learn economics now.They would never spend their money.Even now it won't be their money.Raising ticket prices and the price of concessions is how they make up for signing free agents in the long run.Sure,they won't raise the prices this year but look at the money they've saved already from last year.And the year before that.These guys are all rich a thousand times over and have never done anything to leave you a dollar in your pocket after you leave the game.This amounts to your future ex-wife taking cooking classes so she'd be a better cook for her next husband.All those years of bad meals you endured aren't going away.They next guy will still have it better than you did.So if I'm not convinced of their sincerity don't chide me.I'm just not placated like you to remove that bad taste from my mouth.If you guys want to think that all will be well on the northside because they have your best interest at heart that's great you feel that way.But don't attack the ones that don't.
The Tribune needs to sell the Cubs to an independent owner who cares not only about making money but also winning. There is no way possible for that to happen when the Cubs are governed by a board of directors who just care about the shareholders first. When the trib sells the cubs then Chicago will really have something to be happy about! Soriano is a good start though.
Dang William R. Donald...Have you ever heard of putting a space after your periods?...No need to read yer rambling diatribe anyway because if there is anything negative to find in a subject, you are the one to find/snivvle about it...Who cares what the Trib did, does, will do...They got a good player who is exciting to watch...I think you are one of those people who hates to see others feel good so what you say about everyone in your rambling says more about you than it does your targets...Learn to type...INDENT AFTER YOUR PERIODS...and hey ds lighten up cause if you keep that attitude up, when you die, someone else's life will pass in front of your eyes...Prices will be what the market will bear???...Gee you are coming off like you invented money management...Any kid selling baseball cards knows that pricing the cards involves what the market will bear...If someone wants to type what they feel about pitching, why does it bother you so much?...S'matta you have someone in your life you don't have guts enough to tell off so you come slumming in a blog?...Go pound sand.
Soriano, is now going to be the biggest name in Chicago Sports. He will immediately make in impact for the Cubs, and is probably the wisest choice the team has ever made. I can't wait to go get a new soriano jersey in Cubbie blue.
The Cubs sign their biggest free agent in history, a quality offensive player who does better on defense than their current list of outfielders. Yet everyone complains because there is still no pitching. People, the winter season is not over and all the quality pitchers are still on the market. The Cubs had to move fast to secure Soriano, and there are some decent quality arms out there like Suppan, Meche, Lilly and Padilla. As far as spending too much on one player, remember what Himes did in 92--passed on Maddux and got us a "bargain" full of free agents. Remmebr Guzman and Maldanado? The Trib has money, and we have been giving it to them for years. So "YES!" go out and spend it on top tier free agents. I still like to see some package for Carl Crawford or Rocco Baldelli.
I think they almost needed to do what they did, or should feel they did, because of the money they're getting, packed houses for the worst team in the national league, yikes, they better fork it out and give people a reason to give them even more money, besides seeing pretty vines and drinking five dollar old styles.
Soriano, Lee, Ramirez...its a good shot, give prior one more year, zambrano is a rock, hill seems to need expreience, nix dempster as a closer, maybe give him a shot at starting again? can give miller a shot, i think above all they need to get one quality starter and i say stay pat and wait after that
If they use a guy with 46 homers in the leadoff spot they're bigger idiots then I thought.
Tom Vaitys- Not to worry the Cubs will still find a way to loose and its just a matter of how. Either the Cubs will loose like last season- “The Usual under .500 and then scapegoat someone-like this past season the one manager that almost got em’ there previously.
Perhaps the North Siders smell that ol' Cubbies-Cicadas phenomena- i.e. every o so many years they'll come out swinging, go to the playoffs, not be able to close and then blame everyone and everything but themselves and continue to disappoint. Don't look for Mr. Bartman at any games as I'm sure he's an A's fan or some such like- that’s if he’s not using an alias.
Some Perspective:
Do the words never had two consecutive seasons over .500 in over 30 years mean anything?
Does the fact that The Tribune Company's need to sell off assets for money have anything to do with a little window dressing ala Alfonso Soriano?
Maybe-Maybe not Cubbies but while you are there grinning and standing in the middle of the road (say about July 15th) thinking of averting the so called “curse� (of the goat) and then try to avert your gaze from the oncoming headlights of the Houston Astros.
Since the close of World War 2 the Cubs are the biggest loosers in MLB and as a Sox fan let me tell ya’- they never ultimately disappoint. Granted they were a pretty hot team during the Great Depression and actually won the World Series during the Pre Cambrian epoch when dinosaurs roamed freely.
To misquote Gen. Patton- "Cubs fans love a looser and they will never tolerate a winner"- that's the only reason I can think of for rewarding losing season after loosing season. Therefore the acronym fits- C-Completely U-Useless B-By S-September.
To call the Cubs the Yankees of Illinois is much like saying the Know-Nothings were a powerhouse of American politics.
Do you ever wonder why Sox fans go to watch the game and Cubs fans go to watch each other?
Go Sox 2007!
Dear Clock-watcher or whatever you call yourself;I never took a typing class but I'm not stupid to criticize someone because they have a difference of opinion.I'll most likely tell what my opinion is and give my 2 cents in the matter.No,I will not change how I type to make you happy.If you Love the Trib and everything they have stood for that's just you.I can honestly say that I haven't been the best Cub fan in a lot of years because they just wouldn't shake that loser mentality.I was a fan when they had guys named Cardinale,Kessinger,Lacock,Tarzan Wallace and dudes like that.I can't say that what we've had lately has been much better than that.I'm angry because they haven't cared and haven't tried to give their fans much to celebrate.My question is why act like you care now?If I'm wrong to ask that then so be it.Does it bother you that they left you all these years wanting more and as a fan deserving more?Anyone that attacks someone for grammatical and puntual mistakes has got to be hiding behind something.It wasn't like what I said was wrong.It was a difference of opinion and you and I are entitled to our own.If what I write offends you just skip it.And no matter what you don't have to put an S after hate.Thank you very much Clockteacher.
Expect the Cubs to contend in weak NL Central. Sweet Lou will not sit back and chew on a toothpick while Jones serves up another baserunning blunder. The Cubs should stick Soriano in right. Michael Barrett in left and sign Kenny Lofton to play center. Pitching help will come with Meche and Schmidt.
Did the Cubs spend as the market dictated, or did they set the market? I'm not a huge fan of the contract for Sorriano, but I love the player. In this instance, both sides of the argument are probably right. Sorriano is a player we'll love to watch for 3-4 years, then the money and his age will become a problem (Ask Houston fans how glad they are to be out from 39-year-old Jeff Bagwell's $18M contract.)
But for those compaining that we need pitching, please watch and wait. We haven't even gotten to the winter meetings yet. If nothing is done by Jan.1 on this front, your complaints are probably valid. But even then it's too early to say.
I'm sure we'll make an offer to Zito or Schmidt but will probably get outbid. Meche, Padilla and Lilly are more likely targets - solid if not spctacular arms.
Look for another bat as well via either FA or trade - J. Lugo or V. Wells are nice options. Lugo will cost about $12-13M. Wells will cost players and a contract extension.
I guess my point is that the Sorriano deal does not exist in a vacuum. There are a number of moves that JH will either make or not make that will ultimately dictate whether this is a good move or not. Yes we need pitching, yes we need another bat. Until we know how these issues are addressed, its a waste of time to dicker over one signing.
But I know that that's the fun of the hot stove league.
It's way too early to buy play-off tickets, but I am hopefully thinking brighter days may be around the corner. Of copurse I'm not to sure how far it is to the "corner". We could have a decent pitching staff if Miller shows improvement and Cott can convert back to starting. One or two signees like Lilly, Padilla or Marquis [there's a couple more] could prove adequate. I'm sure not counting on Prior, who will probably have to have an operatio in the near future. Wood is strictly bull pen for now.
The Soriano signing is being spun in the media as a "statement" by the Cubs and Trib organizations. I don't see it as a statement as much as a concession to the realities of the market. It is a great move by Mr. Hendry, but it was not our most significant one.
If we had not re-signed Aramis Ramirez, we would have never been a player for Soriano. We would have lost out on both, and functionally been thrust into a rebuilding mode. There were no other center-piece players on the market, and we would have been fielding a second-stringer at 3b in the best of circumstances. Extending ARAM was the crux of the off-season IMO. The Soriano signing makes our offense deeper.
If we do not add 2 more dependable, 200 innings guys to the rotation, the Cubs are going to be the most expensive 3rd place team in organized sports. As the Cubs have very little to trade with (Jacque Jones and Eric Patterson will not net us a Westbrook, Willis, or even a Vasquez), we're going to have to pay the market prices on this year's second tier guys. I think a rotation of Zambrano, Suppan, Meche, Hill, and Miller/Prior would be solid enough to give our guys a chance to take the NL Central. Anything less makes the ARAM & Soriano signings look like a new Mercedes Benz being driven out of the showroom on retreads.
Soriano is a great addition. Yes they still need pitching, but dont forget they still have Rich Hill, Marshall, Marmol who have shown they have talent to make it in the big leagues. They didnt look as good as some of the Marlins pitchers but they still show some promise. And out of Wade miller, prior and wood , at least one of those three should have a good season .
The cubs will be in the playoffs next season
THE SIGNING OF ALFONSO SORIANO,THAT'S THE BIGGEST SURPRISE IN THE MAJORS THIS TIME AROUND AND, IT'S GONNA BE SCARY FOR TEAMS IN THE NATIONAL LEAGUE, ESPECIALLY IN THE CENTRAL DIVISION. ADDING HIM TO THE LINE UPS WITH THE LIKES OF D-LEE,RAMIREZ,BARRETT,JONES, IZTURIS AND THE OTHERS, IT'S A FORCE TO BE RECKON WITH. OF COURSE THEY ARE GONNA NEED A PITCHER OR TWO AND THEY WILL OUT DISTANCE EVERYBODY, ESPECIALLY THE CARDINALS. WATCH FOR PUJOLS TO HAVE A PRAISE FOR THE CUBBIES IN A MONTH OR TWO INTO THE SEASON AND THE CUBBIES BETTER GO GETSOME PITCHING ASAP AND THERE JOB WILL BE DONE.AND IT WILL BE THE BIGGEST STORY OF THE YEAR,IF THEY WIN THE WORLD SERIES. I AINT SAYING THEY WILL BUT IT SEEM TO ME THAT THEY ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK, SO HENDRY, PLEASE JUST LISTEN TO THIS,GET A PITCHER OR TWO, AND PEOPLE WILL LEAVE U THE HECK ALONE AND U WILL BE FINE FOR YEARS TO COME.
Cubs overpaid for high strike out, no position, egoist from sammy sosa's home town. So cubs just get rid of sosa and get out from under his bad contract and they give how much to sosiana? the cubs still need a leadoff man and someone to bat second. Look at the dodgers, they pick up juan pierre so they will have him and furcal 1,2. And they didn't even have to give up three good young pitchers to marlins to do it. Hendry got pantsed by Colletti.
But for now who cares, hendry can just keep on spending the new owners money, until there is a new owner. Salary cap is what 147 mil now, still a long way to go. Piniella will have his work cut out for him to fit all these "odds and ends" together to make a team, let alone win something.
Nope...Soriano is perfect now all they need is a couple more pitchers...i would keep pierre and put Soriano 2nd or 3rd in the lineup and keep pieer in center..put soriano at shortstop or left
I think Soriano is a great sign, emphasis on the word sign: a sign that the Cubs want their fans back and a sign that is the biggest of the free agents.
As for pitching, it seems the Cubs were outbid by the Royals for Gil Meche. But why isn't anyone in the Cubs brass going after Mr. Tony Armas, Jr. of Washington?? He has looked brilliant at times and faulty at others but he could probably benefit from a change of scenery. He has not benefitted from being around a quality pitching staff or quality pitchers and could probably reverse his and our fortunes in a Cubs uniform. Look at his numbers, with the exception of the W/L column: they are almost identical to Brad Penny's with Tony serving up nearly 40 less hits in 35 fewer innings. Also noteworthy is the ER:
G IP H R HR BB SO W L Sv P/GS WHIP BAA ERA
Penny: 34 189.0 206 94 19 54 148 16 9 0 97.7 1.38 .279 4.33
Armas, Jr: 30 154.0 167 96 19 64 97 9 12 0 92.5 1.50 .279 5.03
Armas is available and though most of you aren't probably singing his praises, remember he has not benefited from a productive offense or the best defense, folks! If we can't get Westbrook or Penny, go for it.