After the Chicago Cubs failed to meet the expectations of new manager Lou Piniella in 2007, fans can only hope that the club will be looking to repeat its spending spree of last offseason.
But that doesn't mean the Cubs should hand Alex Rodriguez $350 million.
Someone will give A-Rod the money he's looking for. Hopefully that someone won’t be Cubs GM Jim Hendry.
Sure, A-Rod has Hall-of-Fame stats—but don't be fooled. He's proven he can't carry a team to the World Series, much less win one.
My two cents?
The Cubs should forget about Rodriguez—and target Curt Schilling and Mariano Rivera.
I realize that both players are nearing the end of their careers—but that's what makes them so intriguing for Chicago.
With the Cubs’ ownership situation still up in the air, Hendry can’t sign anyone to a long-term deal. Enter the 40-year-old Schilling and the 37-year-old Rivera.
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Rivera won't get anything more than a three-year contract, if that. Schilling stated on his website 38pitches.com that he'll retire after next season.
Schilling wants to stay with Red Sox, but even he knows they might not give him the $13 million he's looking for.
The veteran has already written letters to all his teammates thanking them for a great career—almost as if to announce that he'll likely sign with another team.
That other team should be the Cubs, who could be serious contenders to win their first World Series in 100 years if they sign Schilling.
Imagine the Cubs staff with Schilling in the mix. He won't get anywhere near as many strikeouts as Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lily, or Rich Hill—but he knows how to win games, and his passion and experience would greatly benefit the team.
That said, the real issue is the Cubs’ bullpen—specifically the closer role. Rumors have Bob Howry or Carlos Marmol replacing Ryan Dempster, but neither is good enough to help Chicago compete for a title.
Howry is inconsistent; his ERA was over 4.00 in May and July. He's a good seventh- or eighth-inning option when Marmol isn’t available, but he's no closer.
Marmol is too immature to close at the moment, as indicated by his performance against the Diamondbacks in Game One of the NLDS. He could grow into the role down the road—but until he's ready, the Cubs need an established presence in the ninth inning.
Like Mariano Rivera.
After a slow start in 2007, Rivera saved 30 games and was perfect in the playoffs. The Cubs will have to offer more than the $10 million the Yankees paid Rivera last year, but he's worth every penny—and still far cheaper than A-Rod.
And unlike A-Rod, Rivera has a knack for stepping up when it matters.
The young Cubs cannot afford to pay $350 million for someone who cares more about his stats than the success of his team. These Cubs aren't lovable losers anymore—they're a promising club looking to get over the hump.
Schilling and Rivera can help them do just that.
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about 1 year ago
Its hard not to agree with this. The Cubs don't need any more infield offense; Aramis Ramirez and Ryan Theriot are plenty good enough at A-Rod's positions of third and short.
What the Cubs really need is pitching, and Schilling and Rivera will do that. Mariano Rivera will replace the house of cards that is Ryan Dempster with an iron fortress, while Schilling has already one "cursed" franchise to not one, but two, World Series titles.
Besides, how can the Cubs pay Rodriguez $300-$350 million with no owner?
about 1 year ago
Well said. All of the championship teams have a few guys especially vets that know how to get the job done. Rodriguez may add wins during the season, Rivera and Schilling get you past round one. Plus they are a reasonable time commitment. I think the team needs more obp at top of line-up and some speed on defense and a dangerous bat. Hope Lee and Ramirez break out and take a look at Fukodome good OBP with a good arm and speed.
about 1 year ago
Well said. All of the championship teams have a few guys especially vets that know how to get the job done. Rodriguez may add wins during the season, Rivera and Schilling get you past round one. Plus they are a reasonable time commitment. I think the team needs more obp at top of line-up and some speed on defense and a dangerous bat. Hope Lee and Ramirez break out and take a look at Fukodome good OBP with a good arm and speed.
about 1 year ago
Would you get serious and I don't mean World "Serious". Where have you been the last 60 to 99 years? Signing oolldd, that's OLD, cast-offs are the main reason we HAVE NOT been to the WS in 63 years!!! Did Rivera pitch in the World Series this year? Was Shilling a MAJOR factor with Boston? No! No! No! Try this on for size, we sign Aaron Rowlan and platoon Jones and Murton in right field. This makes sense because "Banana" Pie seems a bust. The money left signing Rowland could be used to sign a good young pitcer or 2 to be a 4th or 5th starter. We should also sign a good back-up catcher for SOTO and drop Blanco.. If they do this I'll be Gen. Mgr. of the year!!!!!!!!!!!Guaranteed!
about 1 year ago
Would you get serious and I don't mean World "Serious". Where have you been the last 60 to 99 years? Signing oolldd, that's OLD, cast-offs are the main reason we HAVE NOT been to the WS in 63 years!!! Did Rivera pitch in the World Series this year? Was Shilling a MAJOR factor with Boston? No! No! No! Try this on for size, we sign Aaron Rowlan and platoon Jones and Murton in right field. This makes sense because "Banana" Pie seems a bust. The money left signing Rowland could be used to sign a good young pitcer or 2 to be a 4th or 5th starter. We should also sign a good back-up catcher for SOTO and drop Blanco.. If they do this I'll be Gen. Mgr. of the year!!!!!!!!!!!Guaranteed!
about 1 year ago
Earl,
First off, I'm not sure where the nickname "Banana" comes from for Felix Pie but if the nickname is what I think you're implying, that's a pretty racist comment and has no merit on anything have to do with making the Cubs a better team. I'm not happy with Pie either, but I wouldn't go that far to describe him.
More importantly, I would definitley want Torii Hunter or Aaron Rowand at center, but both of those guys will want long term deals - something management won't agree to considering the pending sale. We need to improve this off-season, but we also have to be realistic. The Cubs aren't signing anyone long term. That's why someone like Rivera or Schilling would be perfect.
I'm also not sure where you're getting your facts suggesting Rivera or Schilling weren't major factors. In the 2007 postseason, Schilling went 3-0 with a 3.00 ERA and 16 Ks. This is actually slightly better than the 04 Schilling when he rallied the Red Sox to the world series.
And Rivera didn't pitch in the World Series because of the terrible Yankees hitting. He has perhaps the least blame considering he never gave up a run during the playoffs this year.
These guys are old, but not cast-offs. In fact, they have at least one good year left in them, which is all the Cubs need before new management takes over and they can really spend some money.
about 1 year ago
How can you call Schilling and Rivera "old castoffs"? Sure, they're old, but they're nothing but castoffs; there are many teams looking into signing them (well, not Schill anymore), and they showed last year that they still have a lot left.
Plus, a veteran will be plenty to help a young team over the top. Schilling with the Red Sox in 04. Ivan Rodriguez with the Marlins in 03 and the Tigers in 06 (well, almost).
Yes, I know neither were on one-year deals (except Pudge with the Phish), but recall that this fact actually HURT both teams; Schilling was HORRIBLE (and hurt) in 05 and not great in 06 (so you can almost consider this year one of those one-year stints), and the Tigers missed the postseason this year behind I-Rod and his .716 OPS (don't even mention the Gold Glove, he only almost deserved it because Mauer was hurt).
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