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Cubs Rumors: Marmol, Payroll, Theriot
Bruce Miles of The Daily Herald has a few tidbits of information about the Chicago Cubs in his latest blog post.
Miles notes that the Cubs have an unusually high number of arbitration-eligible players this offseason, and singles out Carlos Marmol as an important case. Miles figures that the Cubs and Marmol's agent Barry Praver could disagree about the reliever's value, since his holds total and opponents' average are so strong, while his control is so unpredictable. The Cubs haven't had an arbitration case go to a hearing since early in the 1990s, but this one is a candidate for it.
Miles also writes that the number of raises through arbitration could affect the Cubs' payroll flexibility. GM Jim Hendry points out that since most of the players are in the first year of arbitration eligibility, there shouldn't be many massive raises, but says, "You do have guys that certainly are going to command an increase in salary, and yeah, you have to factor that all in with your total payroll. We'll see what the numbers look like."
Hendry was also asked whether middle infield was a priority this winter, and replies: "Not necessarily. I'm very happy with Ryan [Theriot]." He adds that Mike Fontenot and Aaron Miles had disappointing 2009 seasons, but that he expects them to bounce back next year.
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I hope he expects them to bounce back on another teams roster.
Posted by: twitter.com/plamorte | November 10, 2009 at 12:10 PM
"It's no secret that (Aaron) Miles had just a tremendous hiccup and a poor year after two really good years at St. Louis."
Oh come on you idiot! (Hendry, not you Luke, LOL)
Look, of course Miles will bounce back from that "tremendous hiccup". But what does that mean? Going from "God Awful, should look for employment as a caddy" to "wow, this guy is horrific at what he does". That still isnt an answer and he still shouldnt be on this club. Yet here you are defending him, like it isnt even a possibility he is gone?
Posted by: SuzysMan | November 10, 2009 at 12:16 PM
Oh, and those "two really good years at St. Louis" combine to give an average of slightly above replacement level. That isnt "very good"!
Posted by: SuzysMan | November 10, 2009 at 12:19 PM
Suzysman, this is something we can wholeheartedly agree on. Aaron Miles sucks.
Posted by: crunchy1 | November 10, 2009 at 12:30 PM
HAHAHA
Posted by: stlcards16 | November 10, 2009 at 12:33 PM
stlcards16, Don't laugh too hard. Between Miles, Fontenot, Sam Fuld, Reed Johnson and Andres Blanco the Cubs could field a pretty mean 5'10" and under community league basketball team. Someone needs to tell Hendry that "small ball" doesn't need to be taken that literally.
Posted by: crunchy1 | November 10, 2009 at 12:44 PM
haha, no it's just Aaron Miles. I live in Illinois but much closer to St. Louis but it's pretty even between Cub/Cardinal fans. I tried telling all the Cubs fans how bad Miles was before last season but all they wanted to do was look at his "ok" numbers and thought he was going to be good.
They did not realize TLR is very good with guys like him and picking their matchups. He will NEVER be a starter
Posted by: stlcards16 | November 10, 2009 at 12:50 PM
If Hendry *really* thinks that the middle infield situation is fine, then he should be fired for gross incompetence.
Theriot came back down to Earth after a couple of high-BABIP seasons. Fontenot is what he is. Neither are particularly good defenders, either.
And Miles...bwa ha ha ha.
Posted by: Christopher Heer | November 10, 2009 at 12:53 PM
I really get a kick outta you wanta-be gm's.
And yes a miles sucks and should have never been signed last off season
Posted by: gunsnascar | November 10, 2009 at 12:57 PM
stlcards, I went to school in Peoria, IL (Bradley) so I know a little bit about the rivalry down there. If you're on the losing end, it can get pretty tough. Hey, next time you have a tip on an ex-Cards player make sure you get a hold of Hendry first!
Posted by: crunchy1 | November 10, 2009 at 01:09 PM
crunchy1: Sorry I didn't think it was a secret. All other GM's seemed to know since the Cubs were the only team to even put an offer on the table to him
Posted by: stlcards16 | November 10, 2009 at 01:24 PM
The bounce I would like to see is Miles butt out of Chicago!!! Go ahead move Theriot to second and let Blanco and Castro platoon at SS until Castro is ready to take over everyday.
Posted by: Sportsontap | November 10, 2009 at 02:57 PM
What about Jeff Baker? thoughts? I would like him to work on walking a bit more but he was better than Aaron Mild.
Posted by: Bleacher_Buddha | November 10, 2009 at 03:47 PM
"The bounce I would like to see is Miles butt out of Chicago!!! Go ahead move Theriot to second and let Blanco and Castro platoon at SS until Castro is ready to take over everyday."
Posted by: Sportsontap
SS is the most important defensive position on the field. It might be better to platoon at 2B, especially since Theriot seems to handle the position adequately.
I'm not a Cubs fan but am interested in learning how good Castro is... any comparisons?
Posted by: Svengoolie | November 10, 2009 at 04:41 PM
The name I have heard Castro compared to is Tony Fernandez. Castro has a soft glove, strong arm and plus range according to some scouts. Theriot is an adequate shortstop with a weak but acurate arm. I believe his better position would be 2B.
Posted by: Sportsontap | November 10, 2009 at 05:12 PM