The Cubs signed Carlos Villanueva to a contract last night. We didn't know the terms of the contract and I felt about the contract similarly to Myles.
If I were a betting man, I'd say this is a one year deal for around $4.5 million, with an option year at $6 or so. That seems reasonable to me for a starter flier, and probably about as much as he could reasonably expect coming off of a decidedly average year. Any less, and I'll be happy. Any more, and I'd be disappointed, but not extremely so.
I took a look at his CAIRO projections and found he's projected to be the worst starter that's currently on the roster. This didn't even include an adjustment to his projections, which currently project him as a swing man. As a starter only, his projections would be well below that of Scott Feldman.
That said, I like Villanueva better than Feldman.
It's now been learned that the contract is a 2-year deal for $10 million. Even if the win value is $6-7 million, that's an overpay, but not by much. I'd have preferred it be a 1-year contract with an option so I'm a bit disappointed that the Cubs have given a swing man a 2-year contract, but it's not my money.
The Cubs don't appear to be done with their rotation either. The Cubs have targeted Edwin Jackson and appear to be the frontrunner in the bidding at this point. It's reported that the Cubs latest ofer is 4-year and $52 million.
Edwin Jackson signed only a 1-year contract last offseason for $11 million and $2 million of that was deferred. He's making out quite nicely compared to last offseason, but he's a better pitcher than most realize. I'll look more at this potential contract if or when it is completed. I also plan to take a look at the Cubs rotation later today.
@ WaLi:
If this isn’t +50 by the end of the day, I quit.
I’d have to imagine this means goodbye to Chris Rusin. He would probably clear waivers in any case.
*rimshot*
@ Myles:
Cory Wade ——-> Cubs, minor league deal
Apparently this happened a week ago, Brett just noticed it on the transactions list
@ dmick89:
You bastards. You can’t even do that right. (dying laughing)
@ Berselius:
World Series for sure now.
Berselius wrote:
As far as minor league deals go, they don’t get much better than Cory Wade. A TON of his poor performance last year was due to an insane HR/9 rate, and he has a career 3.34 K/BB rate. He was hit-unlucky last year too. There’s a great chance that Wade sticks, and could even have stuff to pitch in the 7th or 8th inning. His minor league numbers bear this out, as far as peripherals are concerned.
Just stop throwing that fucking changeup.
Marlins signed Polanco for only a little more than Ian Stewart. The difference between the two is that Polanco isn’t very good at this point in his career and Stewart sucks. I’d much rather have had Polanco.
Youtube embed doesn’t work with https. Interesting.
@ dmick89:
He got all of that one.
@ dmick89:
This
We could all use a neighbor like this.
Productivity at work has quickly approached zero. Final hour of work for the year.
EJax and Villanueva both gonna be Cubs pending physicals.
Someone tell me what to think.
@ Rice Cube:
These are the pitchers we were looking for.
Rice Cube wrote:
http://www.scientology.org/
I’ll believe it when Jackson has his press conference. Until then, I don’t believe any of this shit.
Since we have a lot of average pitchers now, would it be smart to pitch-a-game-by-committee?
For example, Jackson would pitch inning 1-3, Villanueva 4-6, and Feldman 7-9 (or whatever three pitchers).
Also, looks like Jackson got a NTC.
@ WaLi:
Yay!
WaLi wrote:
Men’s Health disagrees. (As does jon heyman).
I wonder if Garza will still be a Cub in two weeks. It’s certainly lining up for him to be traded for further farm restocking.
Berselius wrote:
It will be AWFULLY hard to trade Garza before Spring Training for fair value.
@ Myles:
Yeah, that’s probably right. HP thinks they’ll extend him but I don’t really see it happening.
Myles wrote:
He knows something you don’t know.
@ Myles:
Yeah, I don’t see the Cubs trading him for less than he’s worth and the only way he’ll be worth more is if he shows he’s healthy during the season.
@ GW:
Ah, there was a double negative I missed
I think Samardzija is gone by the deadline if he pitches well to start the season.
@ Aisle424:
Either that or this front office is literally trying to assemble the first 9-man rotation. (dying laughing)
@ WaLi:
I have always wondered about this. They always say that the first time through a lineup is the easiest, and it might be less strain to have 3 sets of three pitchers who pitch every 4th game. I know it’s unfeasible because it would put them completely unprepared to be a starter anywhere else after their contract with your team, and you are giving more innings to less good pitchers, but I’ve always found it interesting to think about.
@ Xoomwaffle:
In The Book, they suggest having 3 starts in the typical fashion we’re used to and then 2 other starters who work in each of the other 2 games.
Day 1: number 1 starter
Day 2: number 2 starter
Day 3: number 4 starter, number 5 starter (each for about 3 innings followed by the bullpen)
Day 4: number 3 starter
Day 5: number 5 starter, number 4 starter (same as Day 3)
This limits the times through the order for your two worst starters while still getting them about 6 innings per time through the rotation.
New Shit:
http://www.obstructedview.net/news-and-rumors/edwin-jackson-signs.html