Cubbies 5 year plan starts at 1B

by long4willie on Jan 9, 2012 5:35 PM EST

Interesting that the Cubbies go after a 1B to start their rebuild, Epstein and Hoyer believe Rizzo has the bat to build around, even as a first baseman, which should keep him healthy and in the lineup when they are ready to compete. The Pirates seem to have started at the other end of the diamond with Pedro, though I guess both teams have their stars, Cutch and Castro. Sounds like a very familiar scenario as we can count one more team in the rebuild mode. Would still like the Bucs to talk to the Padres on one of their other extra 1B.

See artcile here Cubs acquire Rizzon

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i would argue that it started with Travis Wood

but i wont.

by white angus on Jan 9, 2012 6:22 PM EST reply actions

maybe they should work on SS now that Castro may have been implicated in a sexual assault

by white angus on Jan 9, 2012 10:37 PM EST reply actions

Eh

I think Rizzo is seen more as better than Cashner so Theo pounced on that. Buster Olney said the vibe he was getting is that the Cubs are still pursuing Fielder and Rizzo won’t change that.

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by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Jan 10, 2012 3:00 AM EST reply actions

theo got him in boston, knows him better than anyone

by white angus on Jan 10, 2012 8:32 AM EST up reply actions

Yep

good point.

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by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Jan 10, 2012 8:58 AM EST up reply actions

And

in the same vein, Hoyer is pretty familiar with Rizzo as well.

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by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Jan 10, 2012 9:07 AM EST up reply actions

Sounds like a very familiar scenario as we can count one more team in the rebuild mode

the difference is that they have 2-3x the payroll that we do. We have to fill holes by waiting for someone to develop, they have the ability to bring young guys up and fill holes through top FA signings. I expect to see the Cubs at, or near, the top of the division for years to come, starting in 2013 or 14.

by Wizard of Woz on Jan 10, 2012 9:39 AM EST reply actions

let not get ahead of ourselves

they made a few trades so far but still are far away from really contending in 2013+. Lets see what they get in return for Garza if they end up trading him

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by C Shint on Jan 10, 2012 10:46 AM EST up reply actions

i agree

just because the Cubs got Epstein doesnt mean they will have the success of the RedSox in the 2000s

the Cubs have always had money, and for the most part they have spent unwisely.

by white angus on Jan 10, 2012 11:28 AM EST up reply actions

the Cubs have always had ~~money~~ Hendry, and for the most part they have spent unwisely.

FTFY.

Note: I’m not of the “Theo is God” camp. At all.

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by cocktailsfor2 on Jan 10, 2012 11:40 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

As

far as rebuilding… don’t forget that the Cubs still owe the Red Sox something for Theo and the Padres something for Hoyer I believe, unless I missed something.

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by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Jan 10, 2012 1:09 PM EST up reply actions

Maybe thats where Rizzo is going

One thing Hendry should get credit for though, is I think he was responsible for a lot of their homegrown players that came up.

by NastyNate82 on Jan 11, 2012 8:13 PM EST up reply actions

I doubt it

They really don’t have a spot for him. What would they do, flip the poor kid again?

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by glass0941 on Jan 13, 2012 9:58 AM EST up reply actions

Cubs sign Maholm for $4.25 mill

Maholm won’t put the Cubs over the top….. but he’ll probably contribute as a lefty innings-eater at the bottom of the rotation (assuming he has recovered from his injury).

This signing indicates that the Pirates were right in declining Maholm’s option. On the other hand, since Maholm stated repeatedly that he’d like to come back….. apparently the Pirates didn’t think Maholm was worth even HALF of his option.

- Would Maholm have signed with the Pirates for $4.5 to $5 million? Should the Pirates have offered him that much?

- Will the Cubs finish ahead of the Pirates in 2012?

by magnumo on Jan 10, 2012 11:27 AM EST reply actions

i would bet you that maholm wouldnt have taken the offer unless it was near the $9MM he was due

I think a 2 year deal for $15MM was fair for his talent, and even that was overpriced apparently.
maholm was NOT going to accept less to play in the Burgh again. He would rather make even less money for another team because PRIDE always trumps sense.

dont blame NH for this, its all on maholm

by white angus on Jan 10, 2012 11:30 AM EST up reply actions

Yea, I just can't see Maholm signing here....

…..at 4.5 – 5 million when they already declined his 9 million dollar option. Probably better both parties just moved on, not sure there is really much blame to go around. If I’m Maholm I wouldn’t accept 5 million from the Pirates, and it seems NH made a good evaluation on his market value.

Although, even knowing that Maholm’s market value was half of his option value, I would have kept Maholm because the Pirates have money to spend, and he would have been an upgrade over whomever will be their 5th starter.

by element1286 on Jan 10, 2012 3:16 PM EST up reply actions

unless one of the AAA guys emerge this season

the only one Maholm is truly better than is Correia, and his ceiling is already basement level

by white angus on Jan 11, 2012 3:15 PM EST up reply actions

Castro is no franchise building block. He hits for a great yet empty batting average and does nothing else. Horrible defense, no walks, no power. He’s a nice player, but he’s not especially valuable in a growing-more-analytical league.

No jinx no jinx no jinx.

by Suffering Buc on Jan 16, 2012 1:15 PM EST reply actions