01-23-2012, 03:04 PM
[quote name='VanSlawAndCottoCheese' timestamp='1327342662' post='180747']
[quote name='willis' timestamp='1327336664' post='180731']
[quote name='1060Ivy' timestamp='1327331513' post='180722']
[quote name='VanSlawAndCottoCheese' timestamp='1327330737' post='180720']
We'll see who's more "embarassed" in 2020. Rebuilding may not feel right, but money spent on any high-priced free agent is wasted this year. Possibly next year too. I'd much happier to see them commit to rebuilding the club than make the kind of patchwork signings that led this team to the state its in.
But then, I'm not a seson-ticker holder.
[/quote]
Other than trading for Rizzo, the moves the Cubs have made this offseason would have complemented signings of Yu and Fielder. The significant difference is probably another $35 MM or so in compensation for this year and probably another 15-20 wins to this year's squad.
If LaHair is a bust and Rizzo fizzles out, Cubs will be scrounging for a first baseman in a few years. Now I'm expecting someone to mention Vogelbach, again a prospect who hasn't experienced his first year of professional baseball yet. Any of these 3 could be "the man" for the Cubs but am willing to wager that none of them will match what Fielder has already accomplish in his career or what he'll probably contribute the next 5 years.
[/quote]
I tend to side with you on this. I wanted Fielder because he's proven and would really fill the biggest need other than another solid SP. I get building with youth and all that, but it's the same feeling I have with Garza. Why not go with a proven MLB stud instead of risking it with maybes? At the end of the day, I think Prince would have taken 5-6 years to play for Chicago. And I don't see how that doesn't make sense.
Saying that, I like the aggressive move to net Rizzo, but would have been more pleased with Fielder manning 1B this year.
[/quote]
Sure, in a vacuum, who wouldn't rather have Fielder at first this year? Would we feel the same way in six years, when his contract could be a Soriano-type albatross? Just because you think he'd take 5-6 years to play in Chicago doesn't mean he would, of course. And there is no shortage of competition for "biggest need" on this team--including the minor leagues. I'm also giving Epstein, Hoyer, and company the benefit of the doubt that they know how to build a chamionship team better than I do.
[/quote]
I wouldn't call it a vacuum. Fielder will most likely be a very good player with huge numbers the next 5-6 years and I would hope that the Cubs can be competitive much sooner than that. And in a lineup that needs a big bat that makes others around him better, I was hoping to make a serious run at him. But it's all about time. If he would have listened to 5-6 years with an option for a 7th, you have to take a strong look. But if he is holding tight at 8-10 and someone lands him for that many years, they can have him.
[quote name='willis' timestamp='1327336664' post='180731']
[quote name='1060Ivy' timestamp='1327331513' post='180722']
[quote name='VanSlawAndCottoCheese' timestamp='1327330737' post='180720']
We'll see who's more "embarassed" in 2020. Rebuilding may not feel right, but money spent on any high-priced free agent is wasted this year. Possibly next year too. I'd much happier to see them commit to rebuilding the club than make the kind of patchwork signings that led this team to the state its in.
But then, I'm not a seson-ticker holder.
[/quote]
Other than trading for Rizzo, the moves the Cubs have made this offseason would have complemented signings of Yu and Fielder. The significant difference is probably another $35 MM or so in compensation for this year and probably another 15-20 wins to this year's squad.
If LaHair is a bust and Rizzo fizzles out, Cubs will be scrounging for a first baseman in a few years. Now I'm expecting someone to mention Vogelbach, again a prospect who hasn't experienced his first year of professional baseball yet. Any of these 3 could be "the man" for the Cubs but am willing to wager that none of them will match what Fielder has already accomplish in his career or what he'll probably contribute the next 5 years.
[/quote]
I tend to side with you on this. I wanted Fielder because he's proven and would really fill the biggest need other than another solid SP. I get building with youth and all that, but it's the same feeling I have with Garza. Why not go with a proven MLB stud instead of risking it with maybes? At the end of the day, I think Prince would have taken 5-6 years to play for Chicago. And I don't see how that doesn't make sense.
Saying that, I like the aggressive move to net Rizzo, but would have been more pleased with Fielder manning 1B this year.
[/quote]
Sure, in a vacuum, who wouldn't rather have Fielder at first this year? Would we feel the same way in six years, when his contract could be a Soriano-type albatross? Just because you think he'd take 5-6 years to play in Chicago doesn't mean he would, of course. And there is no shortage of competition for "biggest need" on this team--including the minor leagues. I'm also giving Epstein, Hoyer, and company the benefit of the doubt that they know how to build a chamionship team better than I do.
[/quote]
I wouldn't call it a vacuum. Fielder will most likely be a very good player with huge numbers the next 5-6 years and I would hope that the Cubs can be competitive much sooner than that. And in a lineup that needs a big bat that makes others around him better, I was hoping to make a serious run at him. But it's all about time. If he would have listened to 5-6 years with an option for a 7th, you have to take a strong look. But if he is holding tight at 8-10 and someone lands him for that many years, they can have him.
Dylan McKay is my hero