The Cubs off-season
questions post was getting far too long, and then I came up with an idea....Instead of bombarding you with an epic post detailing a slew of issues, I would
just give you a post for each issue that I think the Cubs are going to have to
deal with this off-season. To keep you interested, here is the list that I'm
working on right now (there may be more later).
Cubs Ownership Alex
Rodriguez Team Needs Alfonso Soriano Future for Felix Pie Mark Prior
and Kerry Wood Zambrano/Lilly Pitch Counts Get Rid of Excess Jason
Marquis Situation (thanks for the reminder gianluca)
We all know the situation by now. Alex Rodriguez has the ability to opt out of his huge contract with the Yankees to roam in the tall, green grass of a new city. Will that city be Chicago...and will that team be the Cubs? That's what we are here to figure out.
First, I want to start with A-Rod as a baseball player. He will probably end up being the greatest player of our generation and he very well may end up being the best player in the history of the game. I know he's never won a championship, but his production ranks up there with the best that has ever played the game. He hustles on nearly every play and he's always outworked the competition. He is the ultimate baseball player. That being said, would he be a good fit for the Cubs? The short answer is no.
The Cubs are already pretty solid at third base and since MLB doesn't allow sign and trade deals, A-Rod wouldn't have a position to play. I know that people have visions of grandeur of A-Rod moving back to shortstop, but that's not going to happen. He hasn't played that position in four seasons and the toll it would take on his body at this point would be immense. Shortstop isn't an easy position to play for anyone, let alone someone who hasn't played it in four seasons. If he moved back to his original position, he would be doing so with less range and an older body, those two add up to trouble...and injuries. That just doesn't seem like a wise decision for whatever teams signs him for a quarter of a billion dollars, or more. A-Rod is a third basemen now, and will stay there.
Next, let's talk about his relationship with Lou Piniella. Supposedly, they have a father-son type relationship and while that's great and all, I don't think it's going to matter too much if/when A-Rod is looking for a new home. A-Rod's agent is Scott Boras and he's going to be looking for one thing, cash. Whether it's through endorsements, possible team ownership or just flat out dollar bills....his emphasis is on one thing, to fatten his wallet. I'm sure if A-Rod makes his way through The Friendly Confines every once in awhile that he'll be nice to Lou and they'll have some great pictures taken together, but Lou isn't going to be a factor in the final decision of where A-Rod plays. Having a certain manager can sway a free agent from time to time, but that's not going to happen in this situation.
Last, let's talk about that cash. Let me be honest with you.....right now the Cubs don't have the cash to sign A-Rod, even if they wanted to. With the new ownership search beginning soon, the Cubs aren't going to be able to sign a contract worth a quarter of a billion dollars. It's just not going to happen. The Cubs not only couldn't do it, but MLB probably wouldn't allow it because of the effect it would have on the assets/liabilities of the club. The new ownership group isn't going to be put into place until February '08, at the earliest, so the visions of Mark Cuban sweeping and and signing A-Rod as a Christmas present for all Cubs fans is just a dream. I'll get into the whole 'signing of free agents' thing a little more when I do my post on the new ownership situation.
On top of all of that there has been talk that he doesn't even want to play in the National League, which would be good for him so he can DH at the end of this contract. It would be great if A-Rod came to the Cubs and won a World
Championship while playing under Lou Piniella, but I just don't see it
happening. My Prediction: A-Rod re-signs with the Yankees or signs with the Angels.
SportsCenter went ahead and did a segment on this issue with Jay Mariotti and....he actually agrees with me. Wow!
7 Comments
gianluca
said
There needs to be a rule that Jay Mariotti is not allowed to be mentioned in any discussion about the cubs. The only thing I want to hear is the story of how Ozzie Guillen killed him in fit of rage.
Unfortunately, the cub ownership situation is probably the biggest obstacle to getting this done. Their payroll is not mind blowing this year or next but will grow with ARAM, Z, and Soriano's deals. I'm not even sure the team will be sold before next year so I wonder how they will move forward
AROD will end up playing first base for the end of his career and I got no problem shipping Lee to the for young cenerfielder (like Young in Arizona or Sizemore) and some young pitching. Now that ain't going to happen but we can hope.
Can't wait to talk about team needs when I make the case for signing Andruw Jones.
I couldn't really tell if you were serious or not. I think even if the Cubs already had the new owners they would pass on A-Rod.
He'll finish his career as a DH, just like everyone else. I doubt he moves to first base at any time.
gianluca
said
At the end he'll be a DH back in the AL when he's chasing Bonds record. He'll hold off on the dh stuff til he's physically unable. He's been incredibly durable as well.
I just see him having some kind of throwing issue again - remember last year - and needing to move to first. I was truly suprised he kept it together all year with everything going on from the fans hating him early to the she-male stripper to his wife with the stupid shirt at the game. Coming out of the gate hot was the best thing that could happen to him. I think he would have wept uncontrollaby with another year like last post season.
He's never coming to the cubs but I'd make room for him if he did at whatever position he wanted to play.
I actually think he's going to use the DH more liberally to stay away from injuries and to get more days off. Boras talked about A-Rod playing until he's 45 (scoff), so I think they are going to try to pamper him as much as possible. I highly doubt he'll move to the NL after spending his entire career in the AL.
Agree: I doubt he's moving to the NL. The three choices in play are the Angels, Yankees, and Red Sox. The Red Sox have the money - Manny and Schilling both expire next year - but I can't see A-Rod switching sides in this, nor can I see the Yankees getting outbid by the Sox. One thing Big Stein likes is celebrating milestones in Yankees uniforms. Milestones like you know, HR #600, 700, 714, etc...
The Angels are the toughest competition. Moreno is definitely going after a slugger to pair with Vlad. A-Rod would be a perfect fit for the Angels. In the end, though, I think the Yankees outbid everyone, and the Angels end up with Bonds as their DH.
I like the Angels...a lot, for the way they play the game. A-Rod would look really good in that lineup. As you said though, George won't let him go without a fight.
Hoosiernation
said
After putting some thought into this, I don't see him as a Cub. There are too many variables with the ownership transfer. Timing would be a huge one. To bring him on, you would have to trade Ramirez, sign A-Rod and do it all when there is a clear view of the new ownership which could be quite a while down the road. That's a pretty minimal size window to take care of all of those major items espcially when you throw other teams in the mix who are interested in A-Rod. I don't see him going to play with Pinella for the fact that Pinella has only 2 years left on his original contract and A-Rod is wanting 10 years (is that correct?). So as Jack mentioned, the manager idea is out the window. As good as he is, I would prefer to let him go on his way somewhere else.
2008 Cubs Preview
There needs to be a rule that Jay Mariotti is not allowed to be mentioned in any discussion about the cubs. The only thing I want to hear is the story of how Ozzie Guillen killed him in fit of rage.
Unfortunately, the cub ownership situation is probably the biggest obstacle to getting this done. Their payroll is not mind blowing this year or next but will grow with ARAM, Z, and Soriano's deals. I'm not even sure the team will be sold before next year so I wonder how they will move forward
AROD will end up playing first base for the end of his career and I got no problem shipping Lee to the for young cenerfielder (like Young in Arizona or Sizemore) and some young pitching. Now that ain't going to happen but we can hope.
Can't wait to talk about team needs when I make the case for signing Andruw Jones.
I couldn't really tell if you were serious or not. I think even if the Cubs already had the new owners they would pass on A-Rod.
He'll finish his career as a DH, just like everyone else. I doubt he moves to first base at any time.
At the end he'll be a DH back in the AL when he's chasing Bonds record. He'll hold off on the dh stuff til he's physically unable. He's been incredibly durable as well.
I just see him having some kind of throwing issue again - remember last year - and needing to move to first. I was truly suprised he kept it together all year with everything going on from the fans hating him early to the she-male stripper to his wife with the stupid shirt at the game. Coming out of the gate hot was the best thing that could happen to him. I think he would have wept uncontrollaby with another year like last post season.
He's never coming to the cubs but I'd make room for him if he did at whatever position he wanted to play.
I actually think he's going to use the DH more liberally to stay away from injuries and to get more days off. Boras talked about A-Rod playing until he's 45 (scoff), so I think they are going to try to pamper him as much as possible. I highly doubt he'll move to the NL after spending his entire career in the AL.
Agree: I doubt he's moving to the NL. The three choices in play are the Angels, Yankees, and Red Sox. The Red Sox have the money - Manny and Schilling both expire next year - but I can't see A-Rod switching sides in this, nor can I see the Yankees getting outbid by the Sox. One thing Big Stein likes is celebrating milestones in Yankees uniforms. Milestones like you know, HR #600, 700, 714, etc...
The Angels are the toughest competition. Moreno is definitely going after a slugger to pair with Vlad. A-Rod would be a perfect fit for the Angels. In the end, though, I think the Yankees outbid everyone, and the Angels end up with Bonds as their DH.
I like the Angels...a lot, for the way they play the game. A-Rod would look really good in that lineup. As you said though, George won't let him go without a fight.
After putting some thought into this, I don't see him as a Cub. There are too many variables with the ownership transfer. Timing would be a huge one. To bring him on, you would have to trade Ramirez, sign A-Rod and do it all when there is a clear view of the new ownership which could be quite a while down the road. That's a pretty minimal size window to take care of all of those major items espcially when you throw other teams in the mix who are interested in A-Rod. I don't see him going to play with Pinella for the fact that Pinella has only 2 years left on his original contract and A-Rod is wanting 10 years (is that correct?). So as Jack mentioned, the manager idea is out the window. As good as he is, I would prefer to let him go on his way somewhere else.