[ssckelley]

Originally Posted by cjhawks

One thing you need to remember w/ Pena is that he is still collecting $5M from the Cubs this year. Half of his 1 year, $10 million contract last year was deferred to this year. So while he probably did make a mistake in turning down arbitration, he's actually making $12.25 million this year on a one year deal.

Still he would have collected at least 9 million for next year had he accepted arbitration.

Originally Posted by Hawkeye11en1

But what is his OBP, since we know that is all that matters anymore.

In the minors he is a career .368, much higher than Dewitt.

Originally Posted by woodyk1

Actually, Ramirez was offered arbitration, but it was never going to happen because Ramirez wanted a multi-year deal. Also, the Cubs get compensatory picks when the player signs elsewhere.

Chicago Cubs offer Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Pena arbitration - ESPN Chicago

I stand corrected, I missed the memo he was offered arbitration after he turned down the option year. Still a dumb move as he could have gotten even more money in arbitration. But it does not surprise me that Ramirez just wants to collect paychecks instead of having to work for his next contract. It would not surprise me to see his production drop next season.

[woodyk1]

Originally Posted by ssckelley

Still he would have collected at least 9 million for next year had he accepted arbitration.



In the minors he is a career .368, much higher than Dewitt.



I stand corrected, I missed the memo he was offered arbitration after he turned down the option year. Still a dumb move as he could have gotten even more money in arbitration. But it does not surprise me that Ramirez just wants to collect paychecks instead of having to work for his next contract. It would not surprise me to see his production drop next season.

Now that I think I agree with.

[cjhawks]

Originally Posted by ssckelley

Still he would have collected at least 9 million for next year had he accepted arbitration.

True, but he was also doing the Cubs a favor by not accepting. Pena is a smart guy and more than likely he and Boras could see the direction the Cubs were headed. He ended up on a team that he had success with in the past as well as a team that will be in the hunt for the playoffs. To him, that may have been worth the $2M trade-off.

[hawkfarmer]

Miami Marlins to meet with Yoenis Cespedes Wednesday, could offer deal - ESPN Chicago

Looks like Marlins are leaders for Cespedes and I think they will spend the money. I think the cubs would ahve to go over the top financially to get him, and I don't think they're ready to do that.

[tm3308]

Originally Posted by cjhawks

True, but he was also doing the Cubs a favor by not accepting. Pena is a smart guy and more than likely he and Boras could see the direction the Cubs were headed. He ended up on a team that he had success with in the past as well as a team that will be in the hunt for the playoffs. To him, that may have been worth the $2M trade-off.

This. There's more to life in baseball than money.

[ssckelley]

Pena commented several times that he wanted to be back with the Cubs but he was talked out of accepting arbitration by Boras who thought he could get a multi year deal on the open market.

[hawkfarmer]

Cubs have a decent set of prospects and I expect this list to change over the year with trades but there is potential. I like our infield prospect and I think Baez will move to 3B and Junior Lake to 2B, that could be a nice infield if they keep progressing. Be interesting to see if any of the current pitchers develop.

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/mlb/pros...2012/#list=chc

[bcl20]

It's kind of crazy how the Cubs went from having no first base prospects for a long time to having two guys who I love a lot (Rizzo and Vogelbach)

I also wonder if they'll try to trade Vitters at some point.

[hawkfarmer]

I don't know how much value Vitters has right now, but I think if they could trade him they would, but he might be kind of a throw in type of player. I would have liked to see what he could have done if he was healthy. His value, even in the cubs organization has dropped significantly every year.

[bcl20]

I've actually heard he is being considered as compensation for Theo. Not sure how I feel about that.

[hawkfarmer]

Originally Posted by bcl20

I've actually heard he is being considered as compensation for Theo. Not sure how I feel about that.

I'd prefer him to Brett Jackson

[Section136]

I would prefer Soler over Cespedes if we cannot get both. If Soler does become a Cub that is a pretty good haul Theo and Jed pulled from Cuba this offseason.

Reports: Cubs making push for Soler - Chicago Cubs Blog - ESPN Chicago

[Section136]

Cant believe pitchers and catchers report on Saturday already. ESPNChicago is previewing each unit this week. Here is the starting pitching preview.

Cubs spring preview: Starting rotation - Chicago Cubs Blog - ESPN Chicago

[hawkfarmer]

Originally Posted by Section136

I would prefer Soler over Cespedes if we cannot get both. If Soler does become a Cub that is a pretty good haul Theo and Jed pulled from Cuba this offseason.

Reports: Cubs making push for Soler - Chicago Cubs Blog - ESPN Chicago

Along with Concepcion, that'd make me very very happy. That would give soler a few years to develop as well and hopefully they could be the pieces in a few years that fill the small holes, not the gaping ones.

[1977Hawkeye]

Originally Posted by Section136

Cant believe pitchers and catchers report on Saturday already. ESPNChicago is previewing each unit this week. Here is the starting pitching preview.

Cubs spring preview: Starting rotation - Chicago Cubs Blog - ESPN Chicago

That article seems surprisingly upbeat about that rotation. Myself, I see a lot of question marks. If some of those guys bounce back, they could be ok. Otherwise, it could be a little rough. Guess I'm not sure what to expect out of that group, but I am keeping my expectations low for 2012.