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Thursday, November 19, 2009

Cubs sign Grabow to some dumbass contract

The Cubs and relief pitcher John Grabow have reached an agreement on a two-year contract extension…The deal, believed to be worth at least $7 million, comes one day before the Cubs’ exclusive negotiating window with the free agent was to close and concludes the Cubs’ top offseason pitching priority.

And with that, the budget for the offseason is tapped.

SouthSideRyan Posted: November 19, 2009 at 06:30 PM | 44 comment(s) | Login to Bookmark
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1. McCoy Posted: November 19, 2009 at 06:39 PM (#3391354)

Hendry loves giving mediocre players multiyear multmillion dollar contracts.

2. Cris E Posted: November 19, 2009 at 06:43 PM (#3391359)

He's like Horace Stoneham, setting them up for life (only he asks first.)

3. Steve Balboni's Personal Trainer Posted: November 19, 2009 at 06:45 PM (#3391362)

John Grabow represents a satisfying of the Cubs top off-season priority?

Wow, Cubs, shoot for the moon, there!

4. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: November 19, 2009 at 06:48 PM (#3391366)

$3.5 million? In this economy? In this market? For a lefty reliever?

5. Dewey, Steven Wright Wannabe and Soupuss Posted: November 19, 2009 at 06:49 PM (#3391368)

John Grabow represents a satisfying of the Cubs top off-season priority?

Top off-season pitching priority.

They don't need starting pitching. I suppose they could go for a top-flight closer, but I don't know that there's one available worth going for, is there?

6. Pops Freshenmeyer Posted: November 19, 2009 at 06:49 PM (#3391370)

Unless Soriano enters a monastery the Cubs are going to have some painful hot stove seasons for the next few years.

They don't need starting pitching. I suppose they could go for a top-flight closer, but I don't know that there's one available worth going for, is there?

Mike Wuertz

7. aleskel

Posted: November 19, 2009 at 06:49 PM (#3391371)

I was hoping that was the Sun Times' actual headline. Very disappointing.

8. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: November 19, 2009 at 06:56 PM (#3391380)

I suppose they could go for a top-flight closer, but I don't know that there's one available worth going for, is there?

Kevin Gregg is a free agent.

9. Enrico Pallazzo Posted: November 19, 2009 at 07:01 PM (#3391388)

$3.5 million? In this economy? In this market? For a lefty reliever?

AURORA BOREALIS! At this time of year? At this time of day? In this part of the country? Localized entirely within your kitchen?

10. Enrico Pallazzo Posted: November 19, 2009 at 07:02 PM (#3391390)

EDIT: D'oh!

11. Moses Taylor demands to be housewarmed Posted: November 19, 2009 at 07:05 PM (#3391396)

They don't need starting pitching. I suppose they could go for a top-flight closer, but I don't know that there's one available worth going for, is there?

Mike Wuertz

As much as we like beating dead horses, he doesn't come close to satisfying the criteria in the post you're responding to. Perhaps one day he might, but that ship has sailed.

12. The District Attorney Posted: November 19, 2009 at 07:12 PM (#3391411)

AURORA BOREALIS! At this time of year? At this time of day? In this part of the country? Localized entirely within your kitchen?

Yes.

13. zonk Posted: November 19, 2009 at 07:19 PM (#3391419)

Beyond the fact that I just generally don't like paying much money for relievers -

I don't see what reason anyone has to be all that upset about this signing. Grabow is a perfectly cromulent reliever - and cromulent relievers with 7 seasons of ML service generally cost this much. It's not really an overpay except in the sense that you can argue ANY non-stud reliever is an overpay.

My biggest problem with Grabow is that I'm not 100% sure Lou realizes that Grabow is miscast as a LOOGY. It took the Pirates 3 years to figure that out.

14. SouthSideRyan Posted: November 19, 2009 at 07:19 PM (#3391420)

Yes.

Can I see?

15. Teheran's Uranium Enriched Missiles Posted: November 19, 2009 at 07:21 PM (#3391426)

As a Braves fan, this reduces the chance that we will offer arbitrage to Soriano or Gonzalez

16. CWS Keith plans to boo your show at the Apollo Posted: November 19, 2009 at 07:22 PM (#3391431)

I suppose they could go for a top-flight closer, but I don't know that there's one available worth going for, is there?

Bobby Jenks!

17. zonk Posted: November 19, 2009 at 07:25 PM (#3391437)

Unless Soriano enters a monastery the Cubs are going to have some painful hot stove seasons for the next few years.

Look - I've been saying for about 18 months now that someone ought to just take one for the team, and stick Soriano with a syringe full of steroids a couple times. It's win-win...

If he tests positive, we save oodles of money incrementally -- first 50 games worth, then another season's worth - and finally, the rest of the albatross contract.

If he doesn't, he goes Bondsian.

Someone really needs to think of the franchise and take the risk.... not it (places finger on nose)!

18. The District Attorney Posted: November 19, 2009 at 07:26 PM (#3391440)

Can I see?

Oh. Umm... no.

19. Dewey, Steven Wright Wannabe and Soupuss Posted: November 19, 2009 at 07:27 PM (#3391443)

Bobby Jenks!

Not to hijack this thread, but I'm actually not too thrilled with the idea of the White Sox dealing Bobby Jenks. The bullpen isn't very good as it is - I don't think they should trade away one of the two good relievers they do have.

20. Jeff K. Posted: November 19, 2009 at 07:33 PM (#3391469)

Maybe it's because I came across the video for the first time in a while yesterday, but I now cannot get out of my head (and I'm okay with that, because I think it's perfect) "Bobbbbbaaaaaayyyyy ahhh-Jennnnnnnkkkkks!" Leroy is just the gift that keeps on giving.

21. TerpNats Posted: November 19, 2009 at 07:34 PM (#3391472)

Not to hijack this thread, but I'm actually not too thrilled with the idea of the White Sox dealing Bobby Jenks.

Hijacking a Cubs' thread to the Chisox? Surely you jest.

Getting back to the North Siders, meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

22. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: November 19, 2009 at 07:34 PM (#3391473)

This is a philosophical question, not specifically about this deal: I saw something on Fangraphs about this (BTW, some cretins are impersonating Cameron in the comments section.) Dave was down on the deal because, while "Doc" Grabow's ERA is okay, his peripherals sucked. I wondered if 150 innings over two years are a large enough body of work to cite. When evaluating relievers, shouldn't scouts have a larger role?

23. Meatwad is on team keefe Posted: November 19, 2009 at 07:42 PM (#3391487)

seems like another option could have been found for cheaper, esp. since the cubs have supposedly a tight budget

24. Gern Blanston Posted: November 19, 2009 at 07:55 PM (#3391521)

AURORA BOREALIS! At this time of year? At this time of day? In this part of the country? Localized entirely within your kitchen?

A tiger?! In Africa?!

25. SouthSideRyan Posted: November 19, 2009 at 08:01 PM (#3391538)

There is little doubt in my mind that if the Cubs fail to make the playoffs that Hendry is gone, so I guess this season is win-win. Of course, if we win the division with 88 wins and flame out in the playoffs, then it's just another punch in the nuts.(this time with a 5 year contract to Chone Figgins doing the punching)

26. Moses Taylor demands to be housewarmed Posted: November 19, 2009 at 08:02 PM (#3391540)

Getting back to the North Siders, meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

Well, that's not true. Ricketts stated he's staying completely out of the baseball decisions. As long as Hendry is here, we get these types of deals.

Beyond the fact that I just generally don't like paying much money for relievers -

I have no problem, if we're sure the reliever is worth it. I'm not sure Grabow is worth it, and doesn't sound like you are either. But my problem is that this is the first move we've seen. Every year it's the same thing with Hendry - throwing extra money around the edges that adds up and causes us to miss out. But in the environment, what's the rush? He rushed to overpay Dempster last year, did he learn anything? There were several LOOGYs available right before ST this year and I have no reason to think that wouldn't have happened again.

seems like another option could have been found for cheaper, esp. since the cubs have supposedly a tight budget

I agree, and we say this all the time, but who are those options this year?

27. Pops Freshenmeyer Posted: November 19, 2009 at 08:26 PM (#3391584)

As much as we like beating dead horses, he doesn't come close to satisfying the criteria in the post you're responding to. Perhaps one day he might, but that ship has sailed.

Ok then, Andy Sisco.

28. SouthSideRyan Posted: November 19, 2009 at 08:33 PM (#3391596)

I agree, and we say this all the time, but who are those options this year?

John Gaub.

29. Pops Freshenmeyer Posted: November 19, 2009 at 08:39 PM (#3391608)

Are Gorzelanny and Marshall both going to be starting?

30. Gern Blanston Posted: November 19, 2009 at 08:46 PM (#3391621)

Are Gorzelanny and Marshall both going to be starting?

You mean for the Cubs? I'm thinking not. (Or was your question rhetorical?)

31. Weeks T. Olive Posted: November 19, 2009 at 08:55 PM (#3391633)

Depending on Lilly's rehab, they may be - at least the beginning of the season if the Cubs don't re-sign Harden.

Zambrano
Dempster
Wells
Lilly
Marshall
Gorzelanny

32. Pops Freshenmeyer Posted: November 19, 2009 at 08:59 PM (#3391639)

It was rhetorical. I dont see a particular need for a lefty reliever without a pronounced platoon split.

33. Jack Keefe Posted: November 19, 2009 at 09:15 PM (#3391676)

I'm actually not too thrilled with the idea of the White Sox dealing Bobby Jenks. The bullpen isn't very good as it is - I don't think they should trade away one of the two good relievers they do have

He does not want to Imparis me Al but the other good reliefer of the Sox can be none other than Jack Keefe and you can bet I will not be traded why just yeasterday Mr Williams said I was to sign for 400 thousand dollars for next year and not a Penny less.

34. SouthSideRyan Posted: November 19, 2009 at 09:21 PM (#3391691)

at least the beginning of the season if the Cubs don't re-sign Harden.

They most likely won't even offer him arbitration.

And they'll probably give the 6th starter to job to Samardzija cause they won't want 3 lefties in the rotation. Sean Marshall will be the best damn mop up man you've ever seen.

####

35. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: November 19, 2009 at 09:23 PM (#3391698)

"Are Gorzelanny and Marshall both going to be starting?"

If the Cubs are lucky, Gorzelanny will be pitching in Iowa, or someone else's organization.

36. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: November 19, 2009 at 09:24 PM (#3391702)

"A tiger?! In Africa?!"

Just the other day, I shot a tiger in Africa. And how he got in my Africa, I'll never know!

37. zonk Posted: November 19, 2009 at 09:38 PM (#3391724)

If the Cubs are lucky, Gorzelanny will be pitching in Iowa, or someone else's organization.

Heh... I know you're not a big fan of Gorzelanny, and we did get some bad tastes of his inconsistency, but overall -- his peripherals in Chicago look pretty good.... I'd like to see a lower BB rate - but 40 Ks/13 BBs in 38 innings is certainly quality.

38. Pops Freshenmeyer Posted: November 19, 2009 at 09:50 PM (#3391750)

And the Cubs added another lefty to the mix by trading Heilman. I know this is small potatoes but Im not impressed with this use of $7 million.

39. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: November 19, 2009 at 10:01 PM (#3391770)

"I'd like to see a lower BB rate"

Which is exactly the reason I'm fine with him being gone, even if he does miss a fair number of bats.

I guess I'm being a little hard on him - he'd probably be a decent enough situational reliever. But he doesn't belong anywhere near a decent team's rotation, and he should definitely be behind Marshall in line for opportunities.

40. Not The Real Fausto Carmona (Dan Lee) Posted: November 19, 2009 at 11:26 PM (#3391863)

Kerry Wood is almost certainly available in trade. Unless Shapiro and Acta are dead-set on spending eight figures for a closer on a fourth-place team.

41. Dock Ellis on Acid

Posted: November 19, 2009 at 11:42 PM (#3391878)

I don't know that there's one available worth going for, is there?

How much he'll cost is a different question but Billy Wagner's tires are certainly worth kicking.

42. Mike Emeigh

Posted: November 19, 2009 at 11:53 PM (#3391888)

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see the Gorz succeed someplace else. Don't know that Wrigley is that place, but he certainly has the talent to give someone quality innings.

-- MWE

43. Walt Davis Posted: November 20, 2009 at 06:19 AM (#3392094)

Dumb move by the Cubs. Lousy K/BB, horrible WHIP (1.4), pedestrian HR-rate (1/9) and a career ERA+ of 107.

And he really is pretty much a LOOGY. Somehow his RHB numbers aren't much worse (neither set is impressive) but basically he walks the RHB. He has 3 times as many BB vs RHB than LHB (not quite twice as many PA ve. RHB) and his K/BB vs RHB is about 1.5 while it's over 3 vs. LHB. Unfortunately, lefties hit him pretty hard (339 BABIP!). He's just not a good pitcher.

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Thursday, November 19, 2009

Cubs sign Grabow to some dumbass contract

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