Thoughts on the Chicago Cubs and other topics in baseball. E-mail Tom at: tomsmithcubs@ hotmail.com

 
MARIOTTI'S MISHMASH: Jay Mariotti's column in today's Chicago Sun-Times is one long mishmash column. Mariotti writes about the Cubs, the White Sox, the Kane County Cougars, the White Sox are poorly run, the Billy Goat Curse, Greg Maddux and Ivan Rodriguez's free agent status, the Tribsters are cheap (you just knew Jay could not write a column on the Cubs without throwing that in), and then back to the White Sox.
On to the substance (well sort of) of Mariotti's column. Mariotti writes, "Since the Steve Bartman experience, the Tribsters have spent and improved their ballclub, tantalizing fans with the Maddux courtship and frustrating them only in not pursuing the still-available Pudge Rodriguez."
Why does Mariotti have to bring up Steve Bartman's name again? A month ago Mariotti was writing Moises Alou should apologize for making Bartman so well known. If Mariotti really believes what he wrote last month he would have written, "Since the Cubs lost in the playoffs,..." instead of dragging Bartman back into his column for no good reason.
Later Mariotti writes about the Cubs attempt to sign Greg Maddux. Mariotti writes, "I'd like to kick Cubs boss Andy MacPhail in his khaki-covered rump for prioritizing his negotiating game with Scott Boras, the Agent Owners Love to Hate, over a good-faith financial gesture to Maddux that his services are dearly needed. At this point, no grudge match against an agent should be remotely as important as seizing the opportunity to win a World Series championship." Where does Mariotti get the Cubs are in a grudge match with Boras? The Cubs have had long negotiations with Boras's clients (Bobby Hill, Mark Prior, Bobby Brownlie) but they have not been hostile. Even more importantly, does Mariotti really believe MacPhail would purposely try to blow signing someone he wants just to spite the player's agent? Please. The Cubs are offering Maddux what they are because the Cubs are the only serious bidder.
Toward the end of his column Mariotti writes about wanting the Cubs to sign catcher Ivan Rodriguez. Mariotti writes, "Why not give him $24 million for three years and watch him sign on the dotted line?" Probably because Rodriguez has already turned down that offer from the Marlins. If it was not good enough for Rodriguez in Florida why would he take it from the Cubs? Especially with a $40 million contract for four years with Detroit available to him?
So Jay wants the Cubs to spend $20 million for two years for Greg Maddux with no one else bidding for him and a big contract for Ivan Rodriguez. No wonder Hollinger is so screwed up financially. Somebody there must have been talking to Mariotti!
posted by Thomas at 10:29 PM

 
CUBS SIGN BOROWSKI, WOOD, AND LEE: The Chicago Cubs have signed relief pitcher Joe Borowski to a two-year contract. The Cubs have also signed pitcher Kerry Wood and first baseman Derrek Lee to one-year deals. The Cubs hope to sign Wood and Lee to long term deals soon. This is all good news for the Cubs.


CUBS SIGN DEMPSTER: The Chicago Cubs have signed pitcher Ryan Dempster to a one-year deal with an option for 2005. Dempster had "Tommy John" surgery last August so he probably will not be able to pitch in 2004 until late in the season. Not a bad move by the Cubs if Dempster returns to his old form with the Florida Marlins. Dempster might come in handy late in the season.


NO WORD ON MADDUX: Still no word on Greg Maddux. The Cubs look to be in good shape to get Maddux as the Cardinals, Mets, Orioles, Padres, Giants and Dodgers do not seem likely to make an offer. Maddux's agent Scott Boras claims many teams are after Maddux is likely false. If other teams had made offers to Maddux, Boras would have leaked those contract offers to the media as he has with the Cubs offer. Seattle is one place the might consider Maddux now that relief pitcher Kazuhiro Sasaki is going to stay in Japan in 2004 and the Mariners have $9.5 million to spend.
posted by Thomas at 7:36 PM