Jon Paul Morosi tweeted that Kerry Wood would like a raise. My first thought was this: why would the Cubs give him a raise if his only other option is to retire? Wood has said he’ll retire or play for the Cubs so I see no reason to offer more money than the $1.5 million he earned last year. My second thought was this: is he even worth a raise? If he is worth one then I could at least understand giving him one, but if he isn’t then I want nothing to do with giving Wood a raise. The Cubs aren’t a charity so whether or not he gets a raise is dependent on whether or not he deserves one. It’s also dependent on whether or not there is a market for him and Wood has eliminated that himself.
We’ll focus only on his value though. Last year he was worth 0.5 rWAR and 0.5 fWAR. He also threw 51 innings, which is a rather high total for Wood. A few years ago his 3.35 ERA would have looked quite good, but last year the league average ERA in the NL was 3.81. Replacement level for a reliever isn’t much worse than league average, but it’s league average as a reliever. The reliever ERA was 3.59. Wood wasn’t much better than the league average reliever and therefore not a whole lot better than replacement level.
Going back to 2009 he’s been worth only .4 rWAR and 1.1 fWAR. Over the last 3 years he’s barely been better than a replacement level reliever. CAIRO projects a 3.59 FIP and 0.5 WAR. Bill James projects a 3.87 FIP. Using the last 3 years and these projections we can see there’s no way you could reasonably expect Kerry Wood to provide more than .5 WAR in 2012. He’s getting older so I’d probably even say that’s wishful thinking.
The value of the win is about $4.5 million to $5 million so he is worth a raise, but I wouldn’t give him one. He’s definitely not good enough to deserve a raise in my opinion. The Cubs have Sean Marshall and Carlos Marmol at the end of the bullpen and there’s no reason to think that Andrew Cashner or even Jeff Samardzija couldn’t provide what Wood does. If I’m the Cubs, I offer Wood the same $1.5 million and tell him to take it or leave it. Wood has hurt his own value in limiting the market to one team. I wouldn’t call $2.5 million a bad deal, but i don’t think it’s a good one either. Anything over $2.5 million is a bad contract though.
Personally, I’d prefer the Cubs just move on and save the $1.5 million. Wood doesn’t add much or anything at all to this team at this point in his career.
“Just say no” (dying laughing)
I wonder if Kerry would be asking for a raise if Hoyer et al didn’t talk about how much they wanted him back. In any case, it’s clear that they want him for more than his on-0field contributions (Theo mentioned that he is an asset in the clubhouse as well as on the field.)
Oh, and this goes without saying, but it appears Miami is leading the bidding for C.J. Wilson
I was going to put the limit at $2 million…$2.5 isn’t that too far out. I like Kerry, and that was a nice gesture last year coming in for a low as he did. I still say $2 million or invite him to spring training as an instructor to help teach the kids how to throw 20 strikeouts in a game and then blow out their elbows.
That’s Koyie’s job!!!
[quote name=Aisle424]That’s Koyie’s job!!![/quote]I accidentally neg’ed this. I approve of this comment and apologize to Aisley and the whole of the Obstructed View community. My thumbs are a bit unwieldy at times.
[quote name=Bottleasmoke]I accidentally neg’ed this. I approve of this comment and apologize to Aisley and the whole of the Obstructed View community. My thumbs are a bit unwieldy at times.[/quote]
You need a special +1-ing wand.
[quote name=Bottleasmoke]I accidentally neg’ed this. I approve of this comment and apologize to Aisley and the whole of the Obstructed View community. My thumbs are a bit unwieldy at times.[/quote]
I’m watching you.
Ortiz, K-Rod ————> arbitration
The Brewers are going to pay big $$ for a setup man, unless they manage to trade him.
Levine says that the Cubs are talking to the Rangers about a Garza trade,
Robothal: Pujols in talks with Angels, Mystery Team, Cards.
Or probably just the Cardinals.
Tim Brown confirms that the Angels are going hard after Pujols
Berselius admits that dumping things here from twitter is infinitely more fun than writing this NSF grant.
[quote name=Berselius]Tim Brown confirms that the Angels are going hard after Pujols[/quote]Hole-y innuendo.
[quote name=Berselius]Berselius admits that dumping things here from twitter is infinitely more fun than writing this NSF grant.[/quote]Good luck to your pursuit of funding.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Hole-y innuendo.[/quote]
They’re really charging up the rear here, now that the Marlins are out.
The Ian Stewart + change for Colvin + LeMahieu trade rumor is getting a bit of play.
Go Angels go! Spend spend spend!
Don’t look now, but Carlos Beltran might be sliding into buy-low territory. The Giants aren’t going to re-sign him and Dierkes says a lot of teams are worried about his knees. Might be a good opportunity to get in on a guy others may be undervaluing.
[quote name=Aisle424]Go Angels go! Spend spend spend![/quote]By tomorrow, then Angels could be the proud owners of LaTroy Hawkins, Aramis Ramirez and Albert Pujols.
[quote name=Berselius]Tim Brown confirms that the Angels are going hard after Pujols[/quote]FLAGGED
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Don’t look now, but Carlos Beltran might be sliding into buy-low territory. The Giants aren’t going to re-sign him and Dierkes says a lot of teams are worried about his knees. Might be a good opportunity to get in on a guy others may be undervaluing.[/quote]
Great fallback 1B option, especially if their interest in Pujols/Fielder is just a price-raising smokescreen. They might be happy with LaHair though.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]By tomorrow, then Angels could be the proud owners of LaTroy Hawkins, Aramis Ramirez and Albert Pujols. [/quote]
And still have Vernon Wells and Torii Hunter under contract.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Don’t look now, but Carlos Beltran might be sliding into buy-low territory. The Giants aren’t going to re-sign him and Dierkes says a lot of teams are worried about his knees. Might be a good opportunity to get in on a guy others may be undervaluing.[/quote]Unfortunately, the Cubs outfield looks a little crowded (if consistently mediocre). What are the chances Beltran can learn an infield position?
[quote name=ACT]Unfortunately, the Cubs outfield looks a little crowded (if consistently mediocre). What are the chances Beltran can learn an infield position?[/quote]He’d be the first baseman if they signed him, I’m guessing.
[quote name=Berselius]Great fallback 1B option, especially if their interest in Pujols/Fielder is just a price-raising smokescreen. They might be happy with LaHair though.[/quote]Wouldn’t look bad in LF, either. Heavy side of a platoon with Sori, plus getting AB at 1B to keep LaHair from getting overexposed?
[quote name=ACT]Unfortunately, the Cubs outfield looks a little crowded (if consistently mediocre). What are the chances Beltran can learn an infield position?[/quote]I’m pretty sure with the group of unproven/aging/shitty players out there, the Cubs can make room for Carlos Beltran. (dying laughing)
If the Cardinals somehow don’t land Pujols, they’ll have some money to spend. It’s a good thing Buehrle went to FLA. He seemed like a perfect match for STL.
[quote name=Berselius]If the Cardinals somehow don’t land Pujols, they’ll have some money to spend. It’s a good thing Buehrle went to FLA. He seemed like a perfect match for STL.[/quote]And was very vocal after he signed his last contract that that’s where he wanted to sign his final deal. Somehow, that junkballing redneck has induced teams to pay him $114 million over his last two contracts.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]And was very vocal after he signed his last contract that that’s where he wanted to sign his final deal. Somehow, that junkballing redneck‘s no hitter, perfect game, and average of 4+ WAR/yr for 11 years has induced teams to pay him $114 million over his last two contracts.[/quote]
FWIW
I’m still amazed how Buehrle managed those no-hitters with his ridiculously low strikeout rate.
[quote name=ACT]I’m still amazed how Buehrle managed those no-hitters with his ridiculously low strikeout rate.[/quote]No-hitter = lots of luck.
Don’t need no stinkin’ FIP.
Morosi has a source saying Wilson is expected to go to the Angels
Spend, Marlins, Spend!
Wow, the Angels are actually on the verge of out-bidding someone?
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/12/cubs-rangers-discussing-matt-garza.html
Maybe the Rangers could just send their front office? That seems fair.
[quote name=ACT]Wow, the Angels are actually on the verge of out-bidding someone?[/quote]Vernon Wells gave them a taste of high rolling and now they want more.
[quote name=Berselius]FWIW[/quote]Meh. (dying laughing)
The agents for Wilson, Fielder and Pujols have to be laughing their asses off at the way they are flossing the writers right now.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]The agents for Wilson, Fielder and Pujols have to be laughing their asses off at the way they are flossing the writers right now.[/quote]
(dying laughing), Boras made it sound like Fielder had a dozen offers as he was leaving todya.
[quote name=Berselius](dying laughing), Boras made it sound like Fielder had a dozen offers as he was leaving todya.[/quote]It’s pretty incredible how uniformly uncritical the writers are being right now.
Wilson’s still deciding between Miami and LAAoAoAoA I guess? So, take your talents to South Beach please, Ceej. That Halo would suit Alberto better.
Angels reportedly offered 10/210 to Pujols.
[quote name=Berselius]Angels reportedly offered 10/210 to Pujols.[/quote]OCCUPY ANAHEIM
kinda sucks that kelly johnson accepted arbitration. i was interested in him for 2B
[quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]kinda sucks that kelly johnson accepted arbitration. i was interested in him for 2B[/quote]He can still be traded I think.
.
When Kerry Wood came back to the Cubs last year, the left a lot of money on the table just to be in Chicago and be with the Cubs. He probably would have been able to score 3yrs /$10 million or something like that.
In return, there probably is some sort of Gentlemens agreement, moral obligation or whatever for the Cubs to take care of him.
I suppose that includes giving him some training/instruction job with the organziation aftert he retires.
Either way, it’s by no means a pure business decision whether he’ll back next season nor should it be.
Whatever gentlemens agreement there was is kind of irrelevant with an entirely different front office. I think Wood gave the Cubs a little break last year, but I don’t think it was by that much and I don’t believe he’d have scored a 3-year deal. He had been essentially a replacement level reliever since he left the Cubs in 2008. He was probably worth the same $2.5 million last year that he is this year.
The fuck?
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-your-morning-phil-agonz-cj-two-dankses-20111208,0,2637175.story
(dying laughing) I love how people conveniently forget how the Yankees pretended they were interested in Crawford so the Red Sox would pay more. The Red Sox pursuit of Crawford was anything but low-key. It was so plainly obvious that their rival made them play tens of millions more for a player. The Red Sox got beat by the Yankees last offseason in that deal.
[quote name=AndCounting]The fuck?
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-your-morning-phil-agonz-cj-two-dankses-20111208,0,2637175.story/quote
Phil Rogers’s dog has really topped himself this week
FWIW, I’d consider the Phillies the stealthiest team. The Cliff Lee signing out of nowhere had me at hello.
I’d put the odds of the Cubs acquiring Adrian Gonzalez a bit higher than the odds of me winning the MVP in baseball the next 37 years. If the Cubs don’t want to spend money, why the fuck would they spend money AND trade prospects? It’s like Phil Rogers doesn’t understand how unbelievably stupid an idea that is.
[quote name=mb21] It’s like Phil Rogers doesn’t understand how unbelievably stupid an idea that is.[/quote]It’s exactly like that. (dying laughing)
Don’t want to spend money = wants to spend money and give up lots of prospects in Rogersland. (dying laughing)
Phil Rogers dog found an old stash of qualudes. He wrote about a theory that the red sox are the 3rd team in on Pujils with the idea of trading AGon to the cubs for garza and marmol. Talk about trolling to get website traffic.
It’s hard to believe Phil Rogers gets to put these ideas into a respected paper instead of unleashing them during a Cubs post-game show like the rest of us morans.
[quote name=Mish]FWIW, I’d consider the Phillies the stealthiest team. The Cliff Lee signing out of nowhere had me at hello.[/quote]
Mystery Team is the stealthiest team. We don’t even know what their record was last year. They’re a bunch of baseball playing ninjas.
[quote name=JMan]Phil Rogers dog found an old stash of qualudes. He wrote about a theory that the red sox are the 3rd team in on Pujils with the idea of trading AGon to the cubs for garza and marmol. Talk about trolling to get website traffic.[/quote]Yeah, that’s all that was. The Tribune is actually quite good at not just getting immediate traffic, but lumping a bunch of popular search terms together to get even more traffic on that article later on. All they really have left is posting pictures of half naked hot chicks.
I can’t get over the idea that Rogers basically admits they don’t want to spend money and then goes on to suggest it’s possible what they really really want is to spend money and trade prospects. How does one’s brain develop in this way?
[quote name=mb21]Yeah, that’s all that was. The Tribune is actually quite good at not just getting immediate traffic, but lumping a bunch of popular search terms together to get even more traffic on that article later on. All they really have left is posting pictures of half naked hot chicks.[/quote]
They just need to bring Bleacher Report into the fold, so we can see an informative slideshow of their seo-baiting columns.
[quote name=mb21]I’d put the odds of the Cubs acquiring Adrian Gonzalez a bit higher than the odds of me winning the MVP in baseball the next 37 years. If the Cubs don’t want to spend money, why the fuck would they spend money AND trade prospects? It’s like Phil Rogers doesn’t understand how unbelievably stupid an idea that is.[/quote]It didn’t say the Cubs would give up prospects, it said they would give up Garza and Marmol for Gonzalez and prospects.
[quote name=Berselius]They just need to bring Bleacher Report into the fold, so we can see an informative slideshow of their seo-baiting columns.[/quote](dying laughing)
[quote name=AndCounting]It’s hard to believe Phil Rogers gets to put these ideas into a respected paper instead of unleashing them as fanshots[/quote].
[quote name=ACT]It didn’t say the Cubs would give up prospects, it said they would give up Garza and Marmol for Gonzalez and prospects.[/quote]OK, the Cubs don’t want to spend money, but they really really want to spend money and give up valuable players.
[quote name=mb21]OK, the Cubs don’t want to spend money, but they really really want to spend money and give up valuable players.[/quote]
Valuable players that could be traded for better prospects than the org fillers that would likely come along in the above deal.
The Cubs could Fielder for cash. They could get Pujols for cash. Why on god’s stupid green earth would they instead get the equivalent player and give up talent?
[quote name=Berselius]Valuable players that could be traded for better prospects than the org fillers that would likely come along in the above deal.[/quote]Exactly.
But that column wasn’t about being intelligent. It was about getting hits and since the Cubs haven’t done shit during the Winter Meetings they’ve probably fallen well short of their expected traffic levels.
[quote name=mb21]Exactly.
But that column wasn’t about being intelligent. It was about getting hits and since the Cubs haven’t done shit during the Winter Meetings they’ve probably fallen well short of their expected traffic levels.[/quote]
Julie summed it up well on twitter last night
[quote name=JulieDiCaro]I love how all the Chicago beat writers are trying to pretend they have inside info. It’s pretty clear the Cubs front office isn’t talking.[/quote]
[quote name=JSlip1]Source: #Cubs are at winter meetings, have plans[/quote]
[quote name=Julie DiCaro]Source: Theo spotted in Dallas, believed to be at Winter Meetings.[/quote]
[quote name=JulieDiCaro]Sources tell me the Cubs are in Dallas, have spoken to agents for some players.[/quote]
Making up ridiculous trade rumors is all the beat writers have (dying laughing). The only media guy we haven’t heard from is Orange Guy, who is probably on vacation.
Lindsay Lohan nude Playboy photos.
That ought to help us out a little.
[quote name=Aisle424]Lindsay Lohan nude Playboy photos.
That ought to help us out a little.[/quote]
Pizza hut milf alien porn
[quote name=Berselius]Pizza hut milf alien porn[/quote]Pics or it didn’t happen.
I don’t buy this whole “Cubs front office isn’t talking” shit either. This stuff became public when Thoyer was in Boston. They didn’t suddenly shut up. The Cubs front office uses sources to their advantage. The difference is that while the Boston media are scumbags like Cubs beat writers, the Boston ones actually do their jobs.
There were tons of trade rumors in San Diego last year. There were rumors of various signings as well. These guys didn’t shut up. The Cubs media would just rather say they’re keeping it secret than do their fucking jobs. It’s laughable.
[quote name=mb21]I don’t buy this whole “Cubs front office isn’t talking” shit either. This stuff became public when Thoyer was in Boston. They didn’t suddenly shut up. The Cubs front office uses sources to their advantage. The difference is that while the Boston media are scumbags like Cubs beat writers, the Boston ones actually do their jobs.[/quote]
It could just be the newness of it all. There’s been a complete regime change at the level of where these decisions are made. They need some time to cultivate some sources. I don’t think anyone familiar with what the Cubs are up to even knows Phil Rogers’s name. Which is fine by me.
[quote name=Berselius]It could just be the newness of it all. There’s been a complete regime change at the level of where these decisions are made. They need some time to cultivate some sources. I don’t think anyone familiar with what the Cubs are up to even knows Phil Rogers’s name. Which is fine by me.[/quote]I’d agree with this to a point. But The Rickettseses have been on the job for over 2 years now and most of those people are the same. I wonder who put a muzzle on Crane Kenney? He was clearly a source for much of the Hendry firing denial.
[quote name=Aisle424]I’d agree with this to a point. But The Rickettseses have been on the job for over 2 years now and most of those people are the same. I wonder who put a muzzle on Crane Kenney? He was clearly a source for much of the Hendry firing denial.[/quote]
At the same time, what the fuck does Crane Kenney know right now anyway.
It could be the newness, but I’m thinking it has more to do with incompetence than anything else. The Cubs media wasn’t breaking any stories even when Hendry was around. Levine did his fair part and the rest was left to the national media. Levine still apparently has some inside info and the national media (sometimes even the Red Sox or Cardinals media) are breaking stories for the Cubs.
I can’t think of a single story the Chicago Tribune, Sun-Times or Daily Herald broke regarding a Cubs signing over the last 5 years. David Kaplan is easily more plugged in than anyone at the Sun-Times, Herald or Tribune. Levine is too and that’s not even close. The others are just lazy.
Of course, Bruce Miles could be breaking stories left and right and we’d have no idea (dying laughing)
[quote name = Tim Brown]Source: Pujols will sign with Angels for 10 years for between $250 and $260 million. Full no-trade. Pujols decided Thursday morning.[/quote]
Oh happy day
Well, that was a surprise.
Tim Brown just tweeted that a source told him Pujols has decided to sign with the Angels for 10/260
[quote name=Berselius]Oh happy day[/quote]So we can take Aisley off suicide watch?
[quote name=WaLi]So we can take Aisley off suicide watch?[/quote]No, a source told me he was contemplating taking a bath with a toaster if the Cubs nontender Koyie HIll.
Omgomgomgomgplzbtrue
This might be fun to pay attention to today: http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2011/12/8/2620206/morning-pujols-thread-mystery-teamwork#comments
[quote name=GBTS]Omgomgomgomgplzbtrue[/quote]It was only one picture of Lindsay. Control yourself.
Flaherty ——–> Orioles in Rule 5
Lendy Castillo ————> Cubs (from Phillies)
I’m awfully confused why Flaherty wasn’t protected. The Cubs only have 35 on their 40-man roster.
$260 mil is fuckshitassloadtonwagon of money.
So…if an AL team takes Fielder and Pujols is already in LAAoA, I guess the Cubs will only have to face them 6 times a year at most even with all-year interleague. Not a bad deal.
[quote name=Rice Cube]So…if an AL team takes Fielder and Pujols is already in LAAoA, I guess the Cubs will only have to face them 6 times a year at most even with all-year interleague. Not a bad deal.[/quote]Makes competing in the Central a WHOLE lot easier.
[quote name=mb21]I’m awfully confused why Flaherty wasn’t protected. The Cubs only have 35 on their 40-man roster.[/quote]
this. there always seems to be something i’m missing about the process.
Per HP, Castillo is an infielder converted to P a year ago
[quote name=Berselius]Lendy Castillo ————> Cubs (from Phillies)[/quote]In the Major League phase of the draft? What the fuck for? Dude has thrown 51 innings above rookie league and hasn’t yet pitched in even Advanced A ball.
[quote name=mb21]I’m awfully confused why Flaherty wasn’t protected. The Cubs only have 35 on their 40-man roster.[/quote]You’ve said it before about Marquez Smith, and I share the suspicion about Flaherty: there has to be something there that the org sees, that we don’t see, and that they don’t like.
[quote name=JMan]Makes competing in the Central a WHOLE lot easier.[/quote]2011 Chicago Cubs: We Didn’t Improve, Everyone Else Just Got Shitty
So Lendy Castillo who has never pitched above A ball is on the roster and Ryan Flaherty is not. The Cubs must think Flaherty sucks. This makes no sense to me at all. Lendy has as much chance of sticking on the MLB club as Patton did.
Unfortunately the Cubs actaully kept Patton around.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]You’ve said it before about Marquez Smith, and I share the suspicion about Flaherty: there has to be something there that the org sees, that we don’t see, and that they don’t like.[/quote]
at least with smith, they had a full 40 man, no?
[quote name=mb21]In the Major League phase of the draft? What the fuck for? Dude has thrown 51 innings above rookie league and hasn’t yet pitched in even Advanced A ball.[/quote]Let’s See What Happens
Marwin Gonzalez was picked by the Red Sox
[quote name=GW]at least with smith, they had a full 40 man, no?[/quote]The Cubs haven’t had a full 40 for a while now. It was 37 for much of last season, IIRC
I just heard Pujols——–> Angels. 10/250 or so
[quote name=Rodrigo]I just heard Pujols——–> Angels. 10/250 or so[/quote]
we’ve got bigger fish to fry here. the cubs picked up lendy castillo!
[quote name=Rodrigo]I just heard Pujols——–> Angels. 10/250 or so[/quote]Somewhere, Rob G. just punted a kitten.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]You’ve said it before about Marquez Smith, and I share the suspicion about Flaherty: there has to be something there that the org sees, that we don’t see, and that they don’t like.[/quote]what I’ve read is that he cheats in power and his ceiling is that of a bench bat.
So, this exists:
And yes, that is a cross in the right of the Tebowtaur
There’s some confusion over the Cubs Rule 5 pick. BA says it’s Leandro Castillo, not Lendy.
When I heard Pujols was an Angel, I was hoping he died.
[quote name=Dr. Aneus Taint]When I heard Pujols was an Angel, I was hoping he died.[/quote]People think he might be doing steroids, so he must go to hell.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]So, this exists:
And yes, that is a cross in the right of the Tebowtaur[/quote]
Where is his penis? In the front or the back?
/Parks And Recreation
Cubs take 3B Ricky Alvarez from LAAoLAoDoA in minor league portion of Rule 5
So Phil Rogers was wrong?
[quote name=Berselius]Where is his penis? In the front or the back?
/Parks And Recreation[/quote](dying laughing)
[quote name=GBTS]So Phil Rogers was wrong?[/quote]After that tumble in the fountain, Phil just hasn’t been the same.
New celebratory shit: http://www.obstructedview.net/articles/major-league-baseball/albert-pujols-goes-to-play-for-angels-team-that-hardly-ever-plays-the-cubs.html
My favorite Phil Rogers moment ever still has to be his touting Paul Byrd as a FA power hitter the Cubs could sign.
Just wanted to jump in to say something I never thought I’d say: HOORAAAY FOR ANAHEIM!!!!!
[quote name=GW]at least with smith, they had a full 40 man, no?[/quote]A lot closer to 40 than the 34 the Cubs entered the offseason with. I really don’t get it. I especially don’t get it when you take some guy like Lendy Castillo.
[quote name=JMan]what I’ve read is that he cheats in power and his ceiling is that of a bench bat.[/quote]I can understand that, but I don’t understand protecting Lendy Castillo at the expense of Ryan Flaherty. I also think they had plenty of room to protect one more guy. It’s actually quite frustrating at this point. I assumed the Cubs knew something and that he wouldn’t be picked for similar reasons as Marquez Smith.
[quote name=Berselius]There’s some confusion over the Cubs Rule 5 pick. BA says it’s Leandro Castillo, not Lendy.[/quote]Leandro Castro: http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=castro001lea