Cubs off-season

[Pogotheostrich]

The increases for Dempster, Williamson and Perez total +$6 million from their 2005 salaries. That Sosa money is going fast.

[ThatDude]

The increases for Dempster, Williamson and Perez total +$6 million from their 2005 salaries. That Sosa money is going fast.

im not counting that as Sosa money, im counting that as Remlinger(made $3.7M in 05) + Hawkins(due $3.5M in '06) money

so theres still the $16 from Sammy, about $7 from Burnitz, another $7 from Nomar. thats approx $30M i see to play with, not including the chance, albiet small, that TribCo opens up a bit more and raises the payroll

but Hendry cant go hogwild with it, as there are boys in house that need to be respected. boys named Zambrano, Prior, Lee. they are all more important than any offseason acquisitions



though i was against it at first, at this point im hoping they do sign Furcal and let Cedeno have 2B everyday. of course, that cant happen with Baker at the helm, but i can hope

Walker/Patterson/pitching spects should be able to get something solid back in trade, either in package or separately

[Invictus]

I'm also beginning to think that signing Neifi was more of a political move (albeit very expensive) to lure Furcal. Neifi and Furcal are good friends, and, also, Neifi has apparently tried talking with Furcal in the past few days "encouraging" him to join up with him in Chicago. There may still be some sanity in Hendry after all.

[ThatDude]

The Marlins and Cubs have reportedly had preliminary discussions about a deal involving Juan Pierre and Corey Patterson.
Just how much payroll do the Marlins have to shed? Part of the problem is that even GM Larry Beinfest doesn't know the answer to that question right now. Pierre will make at least $6 million and probably $7 million-$8 million in arbitration and he's eligible for free agency after next season, so a trade is a possibility. The Cubs' level of interest may depend on whether Rafael Furcal can be signed.

Hendry has swung some sweet salary dump deals in his tenure, and this could be another. if Corey+Mitre can get Pierre, then i think the deal gets done regardless of whether Furcal gets signed or not

[crazyforbaseball]

I already like the 1 -2 punch of Pierre and Furcal at the top followed by DLee and Aram....

Of course those guys could give you 100 SB by themselves if Dusty will allow it..

[chadlincoln]

I already like the 1 -2 punch of Pierre and Furcal at the top followed by DLee and Aram....

Of course those guys could give you 100 SB by themselves if Dusty will allow it..

I would kill for that 1-2 punch.

[ThatDude]

ESPN Radio 1000 is reporting that the Cubs are close to acquiring Juan Pierre from the Marlins for a pair of minor leaguers.

No Corey Patterson? We hope the Cubs wouldn't give up Felix Pie for one year of Pierre. Parting with pitching prospects, say Rich Hill along with Sean Marshall or Renyel Pinto, would be preferable.

as much as Hendry thinks of Pie and Hill, i doubt that either would be in this deal, at least i certainly hope not

as long as niether of those two is involved, ill probably end up pleased with this deal.

[ThatDude]

Cubs Trade Jon Leicester to Rangers for PTBNL


i imagine this is just a move to clear room on the 40 man for the vast number of spects that need to be protected from the Rule V coming up. that Sisco nonsense still upsets me, and i certainly dont want to see it happen again.

[crazyforbaseball]

I also heard a possibilty of a trade of Todd Walker for Aaron Heilman. I saw this on another message board but haven't heard anything from it so don't hold me accountable...

[ThatDude]

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs added a lefty to the bullpen mix on Thursday, signing free agent Scott Eyre to a two-year contract with a player option for a third year.

Eyre, 33, was 2-2 with a 2.63 ERA in a career-high 86 games with the San Francisco Giants, striking out 65 over 68 1/3 innings. Left-handers hit .182 against him last season, while right-handers didn't fare much better, batting .213. He did better on the road, posting a 1.30 ERA away from home compared to 4.01 ERA in San Francisco.

this could either be a solid addition to the pen and a really good signing, or it could be Mike Remlinger all over again