Does anyone know of a website where players can be compared by their contracts. For example, I could pull up Fukudome's stats as well as similar contracts to his.

Thought it would be interesting to compare how Cubs contracts stack up. Any help would be nice.

I also agree Smoltz or Garland would be nice pick-ups....but I really don't want to see anyone blocking Cashner/Coleman Diamond/Pabelbon.

Garland would likely do that ...while Smoltz wouldn't. (Due to one year deal

and likely time on the DL.)

Smoltz in tandem with Maddux could probably help the younger pitchers quite a bit.

I'm actually glad Contreras signed with Philly...he can blow hot and cold...depending on his mindset.

What I suspect is really happening is

JH is close to out of money. And the

remaining FA have not come to grips with being lowballed yet.

Ryan Dempster as Harry Carey, youtube style from 1/16/2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0dUzTJUI44

Mark,

Thank you for posting that...that's awesome!

I love me some Harry Caray impersonations, and Demp does it better than just about anyone out there. I thought I was good at Harry impressions, but he puts me to shame.

Anyway, onto Cubs talk...

You can now take Contreras, Ankiel, and Dotel off the lists of possibilities for this team.

Basically, the only worthy candidates left are: Gomes, Dye, Lopez, Blalock, Tracy (although I hear he's close to signing with another team), Tejada, Nady, Sheets, Garland, Lowry, Wang, and MacDougal.

Our bench right now, is: Hill, Baker/Fontenot, Hoffpauir, Blanco, and Fuld.

In my mind, only Hill and Baker should be with the team next year, especially when we need offense. My recommendation would be to find a starting 2B or SS via FA, and move Baker to a utility role. That would leave 3 open spots on the bench. Personally, I would try to sign Lopez first, due to his versatility, and if he's too expensive, then go after Tejada. In that case, you'd just move Theriot to 2B, as Tejada has more range.

Then, in my mind, you MUST have an option that could play 1B/3B in a pinch. Yes, Baker could be that guy, but I'm talking about a LONG stretch in the event of injury. In that case, you look hard at signing Blalock. That leaves 2 more spots to fill on the team. With Theriot and Tejada both capable of playing SS, and Baker 2B, you no longer need a middle IF back-up, plus you have Barney and Castro waiting in the wings if necessary. If I'm the Cubs, I sign Gomes IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!!!! He wants to play here, AND, he has the stats that would warrant consideration at an average of 20+hr, 50+RBI in limited playing time each and every year. Plus, he's 29.

That leaves one spot. You might be thinking...What if Byrd can't play CF? In the likely event that he can't (which I believe he can't), we have 2 internal options: Fukudome and Brad Snyder. Snyder can play all 3 OF spots, has plus defense, and a plus arm, AND a plus bat.

Your bench then becomes: Hill, Baker, Blalock, Snyder, and Gomes

The lineup becomes:

Fukudome-RF

Theriot-2B

Lee-1B

ARAM-3B

Tejada-SS

Soriano-LF

Byrd-CF

Soto-C

Snyder comes in late in games for OF defense, and Gomes is your power bat off the bench. Baker comes in during double-switches, thus enabling the Cubs to swap Theriot and Tejada interchangeably at SS. And in the event an opposing team brings in a righty reliever when you pinch hit with Gomes, you can swap in Blalock, then have him stay in the game at 1B or 3B to give Lee or ARAM a rest.

As the offseason has dragged on, I think Blalock is realizing that his starting opportunities are fading, in addition to teams strapped for cash. PLUS, not many teams are in need of a back-up third baseman likely requesting in the $3 million+ range.

I think it would suit him best if he came to us, under the tutelage of Jaramillo, whom he had a lot of success under.

Tejada will likely cost between $3-5 million plus incentives. Blalock will likely cost $2 million plus incentives, and Gomes will cost between $1-2 million. You save a million by dealing Fontenot, and getting rid of Hoffpauir as well will save you about $500-800k (as I believe he was one of our arby eligibles). Supposedly, we have somewhere around $8-9 million left in the budget. On the high end, those 3 will cost you $9 million, and then you let Samardzija, Cashner, Coleman, Jackson, Silva, Gorzelanny, Marshall, etc., battle it out for the final 2 spots in the rotation.

Yes, it'd be nice to have Sheets or Garland in the rotation and MacDougal as a late inning option in the pen, but our pitching depth is a strong suit...our offense, on the other hand, is NOT.

If I'm the Cubs brass, I'm perfectly comfortable with my pitching options now that Maddux has joined the fold, and I'd be fine with a rotation of:

Z, Dempster, Wells, Gorzellany (until Lilly is back), and Samardzija. You trade Marshall once he doesn't win the spot in the rotation, as him and his agent believe he deserves, and you save additional monies there, and you gain top prospect(s) in return with Gaub then ascending to the other lefty in the pen role.

I agree that Garland and his average of 200 IP would be a nice addition, and Sheets would be too big of a risk, but you must understand that Samardzija and Cashner are going to have to be given a chance at some point, so why not now?!?

Another important point to understand is that Gomes and Blalock are bonafide starters in this league, but can also put up huge numbers in limited playing time, as evidenced by last year's stats for both:

Blalock: 123 games, 462 AB's, 21 doubles, 25 hr, 66 RBI

Gomes: 98 games, 281 AB's, 17 doubles, 20 hr, 51 RBI

Both can strike out with the best of them, but can you believe that production in limited playing time?!?!?

There's absolutely no way that our current bench combined could even tally the numbers Gomes did in 98 games.

Hoffpauir played in 105 games, 234 AB's, 12 doubles, 10 hr, 35 RBI

Blanco 53 games, 123 AB's, 8 doubles, 1 hr, 12 RBI

Hill 83 games, 253 AB's, 12 doubles, 2 hr, 24 RBI

Fuld 65 games, 97 AB's, 6 doubles, 1 hr, 2 RBI

Fontenot 135 games, 377 AB's, 22 doubles, 9 hr, 43 RBI

That's a combined 1084 AB's with 60 doubles, 23 hr, 116 RBI

I think it's pathetic that 2 part time players last year in Blalock and Gomes were able to best the hr/RBI numbers of our entire damn bench with about 200 less AB's.

We will go all the way, I can assure you that, if Gomes, Blalock, and Snyder are on this roster. It doesn't even have to include Tejada...though it would be nice. Step one is Hendry getting off his ass, and actually IMPROVING the team.

We need to stop thinking JH is going after Tejada. There has not even been one rumor about the Cubs even considering him. I also disagree with you that Tejada can be had for 3-5 mil. The guy made 14 mil last year and I do not see him taking such a drastic pay cut though he will definitely play for less money somewhere but it will not be with the Cubs.

I agree with you for the most part that we need to upgrade the bench and what you propose I have no issue with but I do not see Blalock coming to the NL for less money. Someone in the AL will likely pick him up for 3 mil to DH and sub at 3rd and 1st. He is still a productive hitter and worth the expense. The Angels are one team that come to mind that may want his services and there are others that could use him. I just do not see him with the Cubs in a part time role.

In Response to Ramblings...by Brian.

-I love that you started off with "Sweetheart Lou"....it rubbed me the wrong way.

-re Hendry's hair...It brought to mind

a high fallooting trade show party in NY

I was went to. I was a salesrep in the industry at the time. Everyone was decked

out...Tip O'Neill and Ted Kennedy were deep in conversation just to my right.

Farah Fawcett and little Ralph Lauren were on the other side of me...you get the pic...a high powered party.

In strolls John Mill in scruffy ,holey

jeans and boat shoes...hair going every which way....and he could care less about his appearance.

Some successful guys...could just care less.

btw John Mill was the guy that made every housewife think Waterford when they thought of Crystal...made a fortune and was on his way to go sailing.

Sorry for the digression...but that's what Hendry's hair brings to mind.

I'm with Diehard re Sheets/Garland/Smoltz/Contreras.

If the guy doesn't have shut down stuff...give Diamond/Cashner/Coleman

a shot ( I don't trust Shark)

So far, Hendry has done a good job of getting rid of the "Irritants"...Miles,

Gregg,Heilman, Bradley. (He couldnt do anything about Soriano)...sorry guys,

I hate free swingers...successful or not.

But in the end...I'm not sure we are 10 games better...we might be...if healthy.

My goal this season is to beat Florida and Colorado on the road...If we can do that...the Cards will fall easily :)

Why not Dye...Why not right now today.

We need 1 more starting Pitcher to cover for ijuries. Any one remember the dice being rolled when Ramy went down. The relief staff is fine & deep. Say "NO" to the RH reliever. I like Ryno, a true cub, as Mgr in 2011. Maddux might be best suited as the pitching coach over GM but I'll take him either way. Reassign Rothschild to oversee the minor league system. Hopefully Jaramillo is the answer to our hitting woes.

Will Hendry ever sing during the 7th inning stretch. 40,000 boos at wrigley is better than 15,000 boos at the Convention.

I'm still surprised that Smoltz is still on the market. Now there's a competitive guy that, like Maddux, knows the NL. Likely a cheaper pricetag than Sheets...could be a solid 4th-5th in the rotation, and could additionally help mentor the youngsters.

Bryan, Smoltz on the market in this particular environment doesn't surprise me at all. Smoltz is a luxury for someone...like Pedro....Contreras etc...

"The Old Warriors"...you never know if they are going to last a season....But they offer a a lot in the right circumstance.

The thing is...somebody like Smoltz

doesn't want to wasre his time on a non-contender...and even the "big boys" are being frugal this year.

Contreras signed with Phiily today ... that makes me think Pedro is being unrealistic again in his contract expectations. I'd love to see the Cubs sign Smoltz, but haven't read anything along those lines. I've read about the Mets and Dodgers being linked to Smoltz ... Mets seem like a likely destination. I see the Mets bringing in both Sheets and Smoltz. Maybe that means we have a shot at Garland for a decent price tag???

As an aside for those who think JH has done terribly given the Cubs payroll, how about Minaya and his even larger payroll with the 70 win Mets.

I still maintain that over his tenure, JH has been an average GM (even when payroll is taken into account). I haven't done the analysis, but I'd guess that if you took the MLB teams with the top 10 opening day payrolls combined for '07-'09 (Cubs were 8th in '07 and '08 and 3rd in '09) and figured out the dollar cost of each win, the Cubs would end up somewhere in the middle of that group. You can't blame a GM for a team not going anywhere once the team reaches the playoffs. Playoff sample sizes are way too small and the winners in the playoffs are a reflection of luck more than anything else. In a best of 5 or 7 series, any team can win.

David, At this stage, I think everyone has already formed their own opinions on JH over and 8 year sample...and no one is likely to change their opinion.

That being said, The one thing I'd like to point out is we competed in a very weak division 07-08...with omly the Cardinals without serious flaws...and health issues held them back.

I'd like to see the Cubs build teams...

with an eye to competing with the best teams in baseball...not just the division.

This year, if Carpenter and Wainright are healthy...the Cards APPEAR to be the class of the division.

JH has a style of using older vets to plug holes as opposed to developing younger guys....and that style is very well documented.

Just by the economics and aging of the team...a different style has to emerge.

One of developing young players.

By signing Grabow to an over market contract...JH has clearly indicated

he is not about to change his spots.

Therefore, he is no longer a fit for the Cubs...in my opinion...as we are going to needsomeone that can build with youth.

SuzyS,

I agree with the vast majority of what you say in your post. I think the Cubs should be seeking a ton GM and top organization from bottom to the top. I have no problems with replacing JH because the Cubs should have a better than average GM. My only issue is that I think many people have been unfairly critical of JH because of his clear mistakes in 2009 (together with some bad luck) and have overlooked his past successes. It's the "what have you done for me lately" approach ... which is same approach that was behind the calls to replace DLee with Hoff and release Dempster.

Great post Neil:

1. You got my vote for Sandberg and manager and Maddux as GM. I would keep Jaramillo though as hitting coach but either the "Hawk" or Grace as bench coach. I would like Ferguson Jenkins or Rick Suttcliffe as pitching coach. Maybe someone can talk Rick out of the TV booth.

2. Ankiel signed with the Royals for 3.25 mil this year and 6 mil for next. Dye is now probably too expensive as I am thinking he will want around 6 mil. That leaves Gomes for possibly about what Ankiel got or a somewhat less. I am thinking between 1.5 and 3 mil. Too bad on Ankiel he might have been worth the risk?

3. I posted a while back that I am for Jon Garland but again Garland is not Ben Sheets who can stop cold a opponent and win you a 1-0 game in the playoffs. If you take away slots on youngsters then do it with players that can have a impact. Also, Garland will probably want a multi year deal and there remains the possibility that Sheets could be signed for a 1 yr deal with an option so if he wanted to he could walk and the Cubs could then bring up the young guns.

4. Agree if the Cubs do not sign anyone else to let Samardzija or Cashner and others battle it out for the 5th spot in the rotation.

I am glad you liked it. I wish I could take credit ... today's article is courtesy of Brian. He should be posting more this year, plus the radio show.

Brian, thanks for the laugh and change of pace.

Valerie looks great and hopefully Van Halen will hit the road this year!

My apologiex Brian as I did not see who the author was and just assumed it was Neil.

Great article Brian and really funny!!

USAToday profile on the Cubs....

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nl/cubs/2010-01-14-cubs-organizational-report_N.htm

A few thoughts on ramblings.....

* I'm with you on Jon Garland.

* I'll take Dye or Gomes.

* We need another CCO radio show.

* How about Brian Kelly doing the 7th inning stretch?

Imagine Geo and Z on the weight loss commercial with Dan Marino, and Boomer. A commercial showing Z beating up a gatorade machine as boomer is doing the color commentary and Marino saying He should get on Nutrisystem, and flash over to Soto eating a brownie. Then show there present physiques. Soto's one line is I switched to Nutrisystem for when I get the munchies. They show Z and Marino pointing and laughing, and Boomer says I bet that's the best brownie he has ever had!

Back to baseball. Ankiel signed for one year and 3.25 million and we are stuck with Byrd for three years at average 5 million per???? What was the hold up over Ankiel? I thought I remember hearing he was asking more than Byrd - that's why they jumped at Byrd. Ankiel made more sense as the starting Center fielder because this team is too right handed. He would of provided the pop lacking from the left side.

Hendry get Dye and be done with it. Leave the bullpen alone. If you are not going to get Sheets - go into the spring training giving Cashner a shot in the rotation or a bullpen spot. 2B will be s partial hole until Castro comes up. So don't waste the money there. LaHair and Snyder give you lefty pop now, so don't steal their roster spots away by adding a veteran pen guy or 2B. Get the right handed power bat for the fourth of/Fuku platoon partner and be done with it. Save the money to find some steals later (ala Edmonds/Reed).