As you may have read in the previous article, the two all-sports radio stations in Chicago are reporting vastly different things concerning the Cubs and free agent catcher Ivan Rodriguez.
The Score (670-AM) is reporting that an Arizona TV station (huh?) says that the Cubs and I-Rod are “close to agreeing to a three year contract worth $10 million a year and a player option for a fourth year.”
ESPNRadio1000 is reporting that Jim Hendry has not even discussed a contract yet with Rodriguez’s agent, Scott Boras.
I’m not saying those two reports are a little different, I’m saying if one station reported that I-Rod is leading an expedition to the North Pole and the other station reported he was last seen at Cape Horn, they’d be just as close.
Will the Cubs sign I-Rod? It makes an awful lot of sense, doesn’t it? Let’s examine why it very well could happen.
1) The Cubs got woeful production from their catching combo of Damian Bako and Paul Miller (or whatever their names are—like it matters?) Both excelled in one area, throwing out baserunners. Bako’s defense was shoddy all year, Miller’s deteriorated as the year went on.
2) I-Rod might be the best defensive catcher of all time. In fact, let’s take the might be out. He is the best defensive catcher of all time.
3) The Cubs managed to fill gaping holes at second base and in the bullpen at a 2003 cost of only $5.75 million. I know “only” is a little absurd when you’re talking about millions of dollars, but the reality is that the Cubs have plenty of money left for one big ticket free agent, and will still have money to make the kinds of in-season trades they made last year. You know, the fun ones where you trade for good players and don’t have to send any talent in the deal because you’re eating that player’s contract for a team that doesn’t want to pay him anymore.
4) He kicked their ass up and down the NLCS last year.
However, these are the Cubs, and you know there are reasons to “not” sign I-Rod.
1) He’s 32 years old and wants a four-year contract. If you give him a three year deal with a player’s option, it’s a four year contract. No matter how good he’s been, a 35 year old I-Rod will not be able to command $10 million for the 2007 season from anybody, so that’s an easy decision by him to exercise it. From 1995 to 1999 he caught at least 130 games a year, but injuries limited him to less than 111 (including a low of 91) from 2000 to 2002. He did catch 144 games last year and looked pretty injury free through the postseason. But at that age, at that position, it’s a risk.
Is he Todd Hundley (OK, nobody is Todd Hundley–bad example) or is he Benito Santiago? Though, we’ll see how the post-THG Santiago ages in Kansas City now.
2) Can he call a game? This was an issue in Texas. You heard the rumors that the pitchers hated him, and that his pride would cause him to call for fastballs whenever a runner was on first so he could show off his big arm and gun down anyone who dared to challenge him by stealing a base. But handling a very young, very talented Marlins’ staff seems to show otherwise.
OK, that’s pretty much it. Considering the Cubs only payroll restrictions are self-imposed, even if they sign I-Rod and he gets hit by a bus tomorrow, it won’t really impact the finances of the team. He’s a safer bet, even though he’s older, than Javy “Oooh, my knees” Lopez and Jason “Oooh, I can’t catch worth a damn” Kendall. Frankly, while some teams (like Florida) need to concern themselves with what impact an eight figure contract would do to their payroll if that player were hurt, the Cubs don’t. So there’s no good reason not to sign him.
—
The Illini suffered what can only be characterized as a “bad” loss last night in the Jimmy V Classic against Providence. Providence is not good. Providence didn’t play well. Providence won by 19. It’s only one game, and nothing to get too alarmed about. But it was ugly. The Illini turned the ball over 21 times. They gave up 46 second half points to a Providence team that needs a map and a flashlight to find the hoop. They shot EIGHT free throws. Remember when I lauded them for their performance against Temple’s trapping zone? Providence threw the tricky 2-3 zone that you and I learned in fifth grade against them and it worked.
Like I said it’s only one game. For now.
—
Things could be worse, they could have gotten beaten by Central Michigan. At home. I’m talking to you, Mike Brey.
—
David Huh is reporting today that the Bears are finally conceding the inevitable. They’re going to start Rex Grossman at quarterback against Minnesota. How much you want to bet that after a slow start, Grossman proves by the third quarter that he probably is the best quarterback on the team, and we all start wondering how that Green Bay game might have been different had Rex started, and had a few starts under his belt before the trip to Lambeau. Just a thought.
Really, the results of these last three games and Grossman’s stats are irrelevant. Like the Fighting Irish learned with Brady Quinn this year, no matter how good a player is, he has to be allowed to make some mistakes. The great ones only make the mistakes once. The Kordell Stewarts of the world make them a little too often and the Cade McNowns of the world make them every game. The 2004 Bears, like the 2004 Irish, will be better off for this.
—
The Illini were not good last night.
Groucho thinks that Jamal Crawford could lead the NBA in scoring. Sure, except for that Iverson guy.
Groucho’s stupid power rankings.
Mariotti puts down the doughnut for this hatchet job on the White Sox. In it, he deludes himself into thinking people take him seriously and he tries to throw out a plea for the Cubs to sign Miguel Tejada. Sure. Whatever. Jay, you’re a dimwit. Nobody takes you seriously.
Quick show of hands, how many of you remembered that Dan Reeves was coaching the Falcons, anyway?
Eddie Guardado is a Mariner. He certainly looks like he enjoys sailing anyway.
John Thomson is going to pitch for the Braves? How old is he? He’s got to be in his 70s. This is just dumb.
Bart Colon will cast his enormous ass shadow on the Anaheim mound next summer. Nice offseason Ken Williams is having, huh?
Nice of Tim Worrell to dress up for his press conference. Is that his best polo shirt he wore?
What part of Vinny Castilla sucks do the Rockies not remember?
Look out Cubs! The Cardinals signed Steve Cox and Brent Butler! Jim Edmonds issued a statement on the signings saying, “I like Cox.”
What a convienient rule, that won’t allow A-Rod to take a pay cut.
Who are we supposed to root for in the Gary Sheffield-Big Stein argument? How about we root for aneurysms all around?
Are we really supposed to care if Andy Pettitte signs with the Astros or not? I seem to remember a Sunday night in June when the Cubs took BP off of Pettitte last summer. Bring him and his stupid “hat pulled down over his eyes” to the Central. We’ll beat him like a stepkid.
Spiezio would be a nice sign for the Yankees.
Javy might go to Florida to play for the Marlins. At least he won’t have to kiss Ugie after saves.
Jock Jones fears he’s the next Twin out the door.
The Braves are after Jose “Career Year” Guillen.
Great, no more A&F T&A. What am I supposed to read in the bathroom. Oh, yeah!
Hillary’s mad at Al. Really though, isn’t an endorsement from Al the kiss of death?
Howard Kurtz with a long, but interesting look at Ted Koppel’s domination of the Democratic debate last night.
Wait, so it’s wrong to urinate in a bookstore? Oops.
Pencil in Katie Holmes for the new Batman. OK, she’s not going to be playing Batman, but it looks like she’ll be in it.
America’s finest news source says that Bill Clinton googled himself.
I’m sorry, but the "Sandwich Man" just looks lost out there as head coach of the Illini. Let’s see his career, both long-term and short-term…
Assistant for Purdue for 18 years. Heck, I’ve been to West Lafayette. Nobody stays there very long unless you are in prison, are insane, or Gene Keady.
Head coach for SIU for 5 years. OK, here’s the plan. Recruit one or two guys who are borderline Big Ten-talent starters and then get Big Ten-role players for the rest of the roster. Why? Because in the Missouri Valley Conference, it leads to 20+ wins and a pretty good chance at a conference title EVERY SINGLE YEAR. Heck, give me Kent Williams and Jermaine Deerman and put 10 bums around them and I can coach that team to 20 wins in the Valley. I’ve seen Valley games, and trust me, it’s no Big Ten. Not even close.
Now, recent history.
Two of Weber’s last four big games (SIU v. Creighton in last year’s MVC tourney, and last night) have been absolute blowouts. UNC/Illinois would have been #3 if not for the fact Deron Williams and Roger Powell were making everything and getting tons of garbage points respectively. Weber has gotten one recruit so far at Illinois, and he’s barely in the Top 100 in most recruiting services.
Here’s the bottom line: We know you’re happy to have the job Weber. Now shut up and get to coaching the team. Or, you could go to West Lafayette and ruin Purdue’s program. Whichever of those two you want to do is fine with me.
this knock on pudge about pitch calling and handling of pitchers is a crock of poo. we were beaten down about that subject for years by the idiots at the DMN and when we got Einar he was said to "be great with young pitchers." well you guys know how that turned out. if you don’t have pitchers that throw good pitches it doesn’t matter what pitch you call. it’s gonna be another long year down in Texas. i hope you guys get him.
test
icle
Does this mean this site only has one testicle?
Or should I just take my ball and go home?
test
icle
Looks like there’s a complete set now.
Hey, I’m in that group too.
would I qualify as the third testicle?
Yes, Shawn, and also as the testes’ "upstairs neighbor."
News Item: Right-handed reliever Juan Acevedo agreed to a minor-league contract with the Pirates yesterday. Acevedo, 33, joining his sixth team since 2001, was 0-3 with a 7.72 ERA and six saves last season with the New York Yankees.
JG Comments: On behalf of cubs fans everywhere, I would like to welcome Juan Acevedo to the National League Central division, and i wish him the best of luck in his pursuit of a Pirates’ roster spot.
Too bad I’m no ton the Cubs roster next year to kick Acevedo around!
JUAN GONE!!!
That was a great moment.
And you know, that moment is captured eloquently on page 75 of the new book, "Oops, They Did It Again: The 2003 Chicago Cubs", which is available at Desipio Crap Fiesta!.
Juan Acevedo, the gift that keeps on giving.
You know Andy, you should at least give us a "Shameless Plug Warning" before telling us about your book.
That way, I can get my account ledgers out and figure out that, as a college student, I still have absolutely no money.
and now Peter Gammons reports (so you know it’s wrong) that Javy Lopez will become a Cub.
That’s a relief. I was actually afraid that Javy would become a Cub.
You know, BC, you have an excuse. It’s these other freeloaders that the constant shameless plugs are for.
By the way, since Paul LaDuca is my favorite non-Cub in all of baseball, I want the Cubs to trade for him. If the Sox get him, I’ll just be forced to hate him, but they think Miguel Olivo is the solution, and they’re morons.
But, if the White Sox think Olivo is the solution, and he’s a moron, does that mean Olivo is a moron too? I THINK SO!!!
God I don’t think through what I say sometimes…
Here’s my original post:
But, if the White Sox think Olivo is the solution, and he’s a moron, does that mean Olivo is a moron too? I THINK SO!!!
What I meant to say is this:
But, if the White Sox think Olivo is the solution, and THEY are morons, does that mean Olivo is a moron too? I THINK SO!!!
Freeloader? I bought TWO of the books for crying out loud. I got one for myself and, if I deemed it appropriate upon reading mine, the second one for my twelve-year old nephew for Christmas.
The least you could do for us benefactors is provide a fresh dose for today.
Right on!
I didn’t actually buy a book, but I thought about it. And its the thought that counts, right?
So how about some pics of hot chicks?
I haven’t bought the book yet, either, but if you cut the Caray-Biggoesque banter with BC and post some pics of hotties, I’d be much more inclined.
Hey guys, I’ve been doing some checking, and it turns out there’s pictures of hot chicks all over the internet! When did this happen?
Also, I expect Kevin Brown to pitch really well in the 12 or 13 starts he makes for the Yankees next year.
test
For chrissakes, quit your bellyaching. The new Things I’m Loathe to Admit is wall to wall with pictures of hotties.
Man, rough crowd today. Guess I’ll join in. Hey Andy, what the hell do you think you’re doing, using your own site to promote your book?!? What right do you have to do that? Oh wait, yeah. I do need the new Daily Dose though, that thing is like internet crack.
If you’re doing philosophy at all, if you’re engaged in the way that ideas work, then it’s a male peculiarity to wish to go right up in the air and go round in circles without relating them to anything else. by texas hold’em