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<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->It's very curious that there's been no hint of extension talk between the Cubs and star first baseman Derrek Lee, who can become a free agent at year's end. The Cubs have given out some big free-agent deals, <b>but they should try to take care of their own players when possible</b>.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Why?
I'm curious what you guys think about that? I read and hear that a lot...that a team should "take care of their players." Usually it means giving a lot of money to aging stars.
Isn't that the very subject that caused all the howling about Ryan Howard's contract last week?
<!--coloro:#0000FF--><!--/coloro-->I am a huge D Lee fan. Huge. I like his play, his demeanor, his class, his inner strength, his fielding prowess and his bat.<!--colorc-->
<!--/colorc--> But if we can find a better option at first base, I don't feel as if we'd be kicking Lee to the curb. The Cubs have already blessed him with a $65 million dollar contract. The Cubs paid him tens of millions <i>before</i> that. Think about that...<i>tens of millions</i>!
The Chicago Cubs have made Mr. Lee one of the richest people on planet earth; I don't know the exact ranking, but I would guess that, in wealth, he's in the upper 1% of all humans on earth. In fact, he's likely in the upper .0001 %.
Why do we <i>owe</i> him another gigantic paycheck so that he can ride off into his sunset years in even more unimaginable wealth?
There's nothing better than to realize that the good things about youth don't end with youth itself. It's a matter of realizing that life can be renewed every day you get out of bed without baggage. It's tough to get there, but it's better than the dark thoughts. -Lance
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Sure, let's resign him. Can we use his 2010 numbers as a benchmark?
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We need to do what is best for the team, not what's best for Derrek.
I'm a big fan, as well (although...to this day I still have a hard time separating Lee from Game 6), but why do we "owe" him?
If he's our best option at 1B, then by all means sign him. If not, then wish him good luck.
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<!--quoteo(post=94682:date=May 4 2010, 03:09 PM:name=Butcher)-->QUOTE (Butcher @ May 4 2010, 03:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->We need to do what is best for the team, not what's best for Derrek.
I'm a big fan, as well (although...to this day I still have a hard time separating Lee from Game 6), but why do we "owe" him?
If he's our best option at 1B, then by all means sign him. If not, then wish him good luck.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Exactly. I like DLee, but if we don't sign another contract with him because it will make our team better I sure won't lose any sleep.
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<!--quoteo(post=94679:date=May 4 2010, 03:04 PM:name=KBwsb)-->QUOTE (KBwsb @ May 4 2010, 03:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->It's very curious that there's been no hint of extension talk between the Cubs and star first baseman Derrek Lee, who can become a free agent at year's end. The Cubs have given out some big free-agent deals, <b>but they should try to take care of their own players when possible</b>.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Why?
I'm curious what you guys think about that? I read and hear that a lot...that a team should "take care of their players." Usually it means giving a lot of money to aging stars.
Isn't that the very subject that caused all the howling about Ryan Howard's contract last week?
<!--coloro:#0000FF--> <!--/coloro-->I am a huge D Lee fan. Huge. I like his play, his demeanor, his class, his inner strength, his fielding prowess and his bat.<!--colorc-->
<!--/colorc--> But if we can find a better option at first base, I don't feel as if we'd be kicking Lee to the curb. The Cubs have already blessed him with a $65 million dollar contract. The Cubs paid him tens of millions <i>before</i> that. Think about that...<i>tens of millions</i>!
The Chicago Cubs have made Mr. Lee one of the richest people on planet earth; I don't know the exact ranking, but I would guess that, in wealth, he's in the upper 1% of all humans on earth. In fact, he's likely in the upper .0001 %.
Why do we <i>owe</i> him another gigantic paycheck so that he can ride off into his sunset years in even more unimaginable wealth?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I agree.
Millions for defense (and offense) but not one penny for tribute!
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Yeah, it IS like a tribute.
Anyway, I'm not mad at DLee...he should try to maximize his income while he still can.
I'm just sick of guys like Heyman who spew this claptrap about teams "taking care" of their players. It's offensive. Are they helpless, homeless fuckers? No. They're celebrity millionaires. Why do we have to "take care of them?"
There's nothing better than to realize that the good things about youth don't end with youth itself. It's a matter of realizing that life can be renewed every day you get out of bed without baggage. It's tough to get there, but it's better than the dark thoughts. -Lance
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The Cubs owe me and the rest of us fans way more than they owe Lee anything. I love the guy and admire him for his class and years of service to the team, but he is already set for life. That was the past, and he is by no means a Cubs icon. See if he will accept another 2 years or so at a reasonable rate, otherwise move on and see if we can find a younger option. We have too many bloated contracts to begin with, so paying someone out of nostalgia only hurts the team for the future. If his feelings get hurt, too bad. Find another team that can afford you.
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Yeah, if he accepts a two-year deal at a discount, then by all means sign him if he's our best option. I've always said I want Lee to retire a Cub, but not if it's at the expense of the team.
Oh, and Jon Heyman is a putz.
"Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that." - George Carlin
"That was some of the saddest stuff I've ever read. Fuck cancer and AIDS, ignorance is the scourge of the land." - tom v
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They had no problem letting Grace go and I'm sure they'll have no problem letting Lee go. You do what's best for the team.
Wang.
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But don't the Cubs "owe" Hoffpauir too?
Micah has toiled for years in obscurity making certain to never out perform DLee, just waiting for his opportunity to shine with the big club. <choke, choke>
Lee is a class act who at times carried this club who I would like to see retire as a Cub but if the Cubs can match his production at a cheaper price then see ya Derek and good luck.
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I would feel sick seeing DLee in a White Sox jersey considering Konerko is a FA-to-be, too. It would tear me apart.
I hate my pretentious sounding username too.
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How much does DLee command on the open market? Probably not much at his age. As much as I like him, and would like to keep him, the Cubs have no reason to go out and offer him more than his worth just because of what they've given other players... Usually, the market has dictated the money. There was another article this morning about the trade market for Prince Fielder, and there are very few teams that aren't set at 1B, outside of Boston and San Francisco. San Francisco would probably be Lee's best option in Free Agency... I'm sure Sabean would gladly hand out $15mm per year for a 35 year-old.
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I know he would never go for this, but in a perfect world, you sign DLee thru 2011(a one year extension), and take your chances on the 1B market then, when Pujols, Fielder, Gonzalez and Berkman all become free agents.
I hate my pretentious sounding username too.
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<!--quoteo(post=94771:date=May 4 2010, 03:40 PM:name=ColoradoCub)-->QUOTE (ColoradoCub @ May 4 2010, 03:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->How much does DLee command on the open market? Probably not much at his age. As much as I like him, and would like to keep him, the Cubs have no reason to go out and offer him more than his worth just because of what they've given other players... Usually, the market has dictated the money. There was another article this morning about the market for 1B, and there are very few teams that aren't set at 1B, outside of Boston and San Francisco. San Francisco would probably be his best option in Free Agency... I'm sure Sabean would gladly hand out $15mm per year for a 35 year-old.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I could see them making a run at Lee for sure. The Giants always go after the aging superstar, and usually it works for them. You can look no farther than their signings of Moises Alou, Randy Johnson, and Omar Vizquel.
I would also think they have their eyes set on Gonzalez or Fielder. Those two guys would make McCovey Cove popular again, and add a ton of opportunities for marketing.
I hate my pretentious sounding username too.
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<!--quoteo(post=94774:date=May 4 2010, 06:47 PM:name=Destined)-->QUOTE (Destined @ May 4 2010, 06:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=94771:date=May 4 2010, 03:40 PM:name=ColoradoCub)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ColoradoCub @ May 4 2010, 03:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->How much does DLee command on the open market? Probably not much at his age. As much as I like him, and would like to keep him, the Cubs have no reason to go out and offer him more than his worth just because of what they've given other players... Usually, the market has dictated the money. There was another article this morning about the market for 1B, and there are very few teams that aren't set at 1B, outside of Boston and San Francisco. San Francisco would probably be his best option in Free Agency... I'm sure Sabean would gladly hand out $15mm per year for a 35 year-old.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I could see them making a run at Lee for sure. The Giants always go after the aging superstar, and <b>usually it works for them.</b> You can look no farther than their signings of Moises Alou, Randy Johnson, and Omar Vizquel.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
If by "works for them" you mean doesn't work for them I totally agree.
All three of those guys you listed were underwhelming. Alou was decent when healthy but he was hurt a lot. The Giants haven't been any good since Bonds left.
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