I am shocked the Cubbies signed Tracy.

It must mean they have a trade in mind

probably for a pitcher

It wouldn't make any sense for Byrnes to come to the Cubs with Nady already on the team. He'd be better off going to SF where he could actually get playing time.

Ok, re-vote on that. Just looked it up after seeing SuzyS's response. Bedard had surgery on a torn labrum which is considered career-threatening/ending for pitchers at the major league level. Rich Hill also had the same surgery this past year.

Aaron, I would chime in and take that risk on Bedard. He is a Ben Sheets risk with health but his stats are pretty solid - a WHIP of 1.19 and BAA of .212 in 15 starts last year. 90 K's to 34 BB's so control is good even with the need for surgeries. A one year deal with an option at about $3 million would be better than $2 million on a FA RP or trading Guzman for someone else in the bullpen.

frygye and Aaron: No way would I risk 3M$ on Bedard. Yes, like Harden and Sheets, when he's on he is devastating...but his history is just a sketchy, now more so with the labrum. And I don't think he was ever the competitor that Harden and certainly Sheets are. I follow Seattle fairly closely, Bedard is a real slacker, even when he was just chewing up hitters he never seemed to be that "into" it, and his comments usually supported the notion. I'm not making this up, it is well published concern of him.

And Aaron, how could bemoan 3M$ to Nady only if he passes a physical as way too much money and then be willing to take a worse gamble at just throwing that money away on the likes of Bedard? When is the last time pitched? When is last time he finished a season?

Re...Dye...It will be interesting to see what did transpire there.

I wonder if the Northside/Southside thing had anything to do with it...given that he would have to go from starter to bench....and take a cut.

Either way...He's one of those guys that was always a cut above and deserved

ultimate respect for the way he played the game.

SuzyS, so true. I always enjoy players who handle the spotlight with respect for the game and the fans. Dye seems to be one of those guys.

Side note from previous comment thread: I was a Rich Hill fan, but I'm not convinced that Duncan can fix him and after the bit with the Orioles, I'm not convinced that Rothschild broke him. That said, I'm happy to have Maddux in the system. It can only help. Significantly.

And yes, I thought Mark Prior was the answer for three whole years. Sigh.

Fryegye...don't feel bad...we all went

for a ride with Prior.

(I hear he's hoping to pitch again.)

Maddux is a huge plus for us.

SuzyS.....If Dye could have been a Cub for a little over 3 mil.....Hendry blew it again. I hope you want Maddux to do some coaching with the staff, especially Z & Marmol. Rothschild is over-rated & has the front office buffaloed. Hopefully Ryno takes over the reigns in 2011 & Hendry & Rothschild are re-assigned.

Suzy,

I know you mentioned this above...and it was for the Mets...but I just wonder how low Bedard might be willing to sign for with such limited interest. We all know Hendry was fond of him before, and he almost always gets the guys he's fond of (unfortunately for us, they're almost always injury risks and at the downside of their career...but I digress)...but if Bedard will sign, for say, $3 million...would you do it? I would...I know we don't have money, but maybe Ricketts would approve that.

Aaron, I read a Seattle blog last year just after Bedard got hurt...I can't find the thing anymore.

So I can't prove anything. But it basically said that out of a sample

of 37 pitchers that had this surgery

only 1 returned to any semblence of

of their former selves.

I'm very leary of Bedard for that reason.

At best, I'd offer him a minor league

deal with mlb incentives if he can make

the team.

It's too bad...he was a good pitcher.

According to this article I read a few eyars ago I don't think Bedard would even consider the Cubbies:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3426985

Neil,

Was Dye good with that offer? Or was his reluctance why JH went with Nady?

Re: Byrnes -he made me nervous and I thought he was a flash in the pan with the D'backs (and I was right on that one). However, a minor league deal and his obvious hustle is a no-lose proposition. Come on, we gave Bako a shot and we know there is more upside possible with Byrnes.

It is true that we can only look at past performance to predict future performance (not optimistic with Tracy or Byrnes), but with the unfortunate exception of Kosuke, few play to their statistical average every year. They play better or worse than that average.

We're Cubs fans, we totally expect everybody to play above their average this year : ).

So Keith Law rates the Cubs farm system 7th this year and the White Sox as 30th? I think maybe the flags are beginning to blow out to centerfield...

I do not know the answer to your question ... sorry.

No problem. Just my idle curiosity. I hope Nady does great things for the team.

Byrnes on a league minimum minor league deal would be great. He'd give us some speed off the bench and has been very successful against lefties over his career. If he gets hurt or is ineffective, then you bring up Fuld. If Byrnes is healthy and has something left, he would be a big asset.

If Byrnes can help...why not?

Neil, I thought Nady's physical was today.

When can we expect word?

I heard today or Thursday for the physical.

Did you see the tweet from Jon Heyman about Jermaine Dye? The Cubs were talking with Dye about a similar contract they agreed to with Nady ... around $3 million

Neil...Did not see it...but thanks for the heads up.

I agree with everyone...this is a no risk situation. I say minor league deal. If he doesn't do well in ST, then no harm, no foul. If he really said he was jealous of Tracy's minor league deal, then by all means, sign the dude. I think you need to hedge against Nady's likely slow recovery and any unforeseen injuries (tongue-in-cheek) to the likes of Soriano, etc.

Yeah, agreed. How often do veteran's get "jealous" about a minor league contract?

I'm not really that hot on Byrnes in general, his .260/.320/.440 line certainly doesn't scream out, but he is a hard nose player, possibly a Reed Johnson-type replacement for league minimum. Then again, with Byrnes's injury history, why not just offer Reed $500,000?

Minor league deal with invite to spring training. Maybe Hendry will get lucky and find some dumber GM to take Fukudome off his hands. Maybe Omar Minaya.

Woody...the Mets are desperate for pitching...maybe we cna get them to take

a "Silva Platter". :)

Suzy the Mets will take their chances with what is left on the market I believe. Look for them to make a major play for the innings eater of Garland, and possibly take a flyer on Bedard. If Bedard was even part of what he is once, they could have a solid rotation with that

Santana

Maine

Bedard

Garland

Perez/Pelfrey/Niese

My mistake...Garland signed with the Padres yesterday.

Garland already signed with the Padres yesterday.

Woody...I agree...but I'm not sure

what Bedard can do after his surgery.

lol! nice jaja

I like Byrnes a whole lot. He runs hard to first and hustles in the field. The Cubs could always use a guy who leaves it all out on the field (a lot like Reed). If he is healthy, he could be an asset. And like the guys above said- he'll be cheap.

Hell, sign the guy for $500k plus incentives...........it's a no lose situation

I like to see Hendry look into adding Eric Byrnes on the team...maybe he has something left.

yeah get him