iortiz

I heard that too, when he was with the twins. But I still believe that with the right strong-hand manager, he would fit just find here, plus he is more mature.

I wouldn't be surpriesed that Papelbon considered this issue as a strong point among others and beyond the money to go to Philly... BTW seems like we need to end our posts with a "in my opinion" every time we make a post in order to clarify that we don't claim the true as a flag, huh?

I'm pretty sure that nobody around here have claimed to know the accurate facts, all of us have made assuptions /opinions, in the end this is all about, isn't it?, then, we can agree or not. That's all. Some of us share your opinion about this issue. The longer they wait, the more it won't look good. But again, that's our perception btw....notice that I'm not claiming to know the facts

I'm business consultant not magician my friend :harhar: BTW great to hear you got the job. Congrats!

That is the kind of move I would have wanted for our team. That would have been a nice start, after the epic collapse. Hope that Cherington surprise us.

Agree. It doesn't look good at all from an outside-in perspective. A lot of time has passed and any move yet. As I said, and beyond the time that has passed, I'd hope that they have at least a plan or a strategy to face this 2012 offseason; the thing is, that the more I read the more my concerns grow and grow in our moving forward to fill our several holes which IMO are more important than the manager or Theo compensation.

At least they should consider the entire Theo compensation (whatever it means) as a part of the deal-package for Garza, of course, if they really are trying to go after him. On the other hand, I'm not sure if we have the pieces that the Cubs need. They are asking for elite prospect pitchers, aren't they? It would be great land a guy like Garza, that's for sure.

What would you give for Garza? He could be a solid 3-4 SP in our rotation.

Cubs Open For Business On Matt Garza By Tim Dierkes [November 28 at 1:54pm CST] Teams have a clear belief that the Cubs are open for business on starter Matt Garza, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney. *Some teams expect Garza to be dealt this winter. *Earlier this month, USA Today's Bob Nightengale wrote that the Cubs are willing to listen on everyone. Garza, 28, moved to the National League this year and posted career-bests with a 3.32 ERA and 197 strikeouts. *He's under team control for 2012 and '13, and MLBTR projects a salary around $8.7MM for '12. The Yankees, Red Sox, and Blue Jays, three of teams that had no access to acquiring Garza when he pitched for the Rays in the AL East, figure to inquire with Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer this winter. *The Rangers, Rockies, Marlins, Angels, Nationals, Reds, and Dodgers could be other interested parties, and the Twins certainly know Garza well having drafted him in '05. * What will it take to acquire Garza? *The Cubs' farm system is light on top-shelf young pitching, based on rankings from Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus. *With Manny Banuelos, Dellin Betances, and Martin Perez, the Yankees and Rangers' top arms could be of particular interest to the Cubs.

I'm optimistic, I think this is done at very most the next couple of weeks, I'll be surprised if they don't sign someone before this 2011 ends

I would give up Reddick since we already have Kalish and maybe a couple of mid-class prospects, but I'm not sure what the A's need. What is interesting in this kid is that he can give you 200 IP +, he already had a couple of great seasons 3.1/3.2 ERA (likely is not a fluke anymore), he would be cost controlled, he put a 4.2/5.0 WAR the last two years, he is young and seems not to be prone to injuries. If I were in A's shoes I would ask for him, what I would ask for Kalish or maybe more, but it is just me.

Btw, did you take the picture?

if true, they should better offer him 20M/2Y, right? But again, if they spend those tons of money on him 10-15 M how much is left for our pitching holes?, unless they are considering go over the cap.

That's exactly what I was thinking Jung. It woundn't make sense bust the cap by only a couple of millions this year... I wouldn't bust it if that were the case. BTW good analysis.

E1 and A700... A question... Beyond the term (1-2years) ... If they resign him +- 10 M (2012), and if they do not go over the cap... Are we going to have enough money to fill our real PIORITIES with solid players (pitching)? In other words, What do you read between lines (Assuming they resign him), mostly moving forward this 2012 offseason?

IMO this is not a matter of who is making more or less money but to execute properly predefined policies of conduct and discipline plus professionalism in both sides players and FO.

EDIT: Around 20 M before the cap?, so... If they pay him+- 20 M/2y, they will consider go over the cap?... I mean, the DH is not our priority, and if you pay him that contract you will eat around the half of our 2012 budget and still a lot of holes to fill in our pitching staff, right? I'm not sure if +- 10 M is enough in order to bring a solid SP and BP/depth arms.

Like in that reality show called Big Brother?