The Cubs have 11 arbitration eligible players and today they have to decide which ones to tender a contract to. Those 11, and their projected salaries (Matt Swartz) are below. The service time for each player is in parentheses.
Jeff Samardzija (4.028): $4.9MM
Nate Schierholtz (5.078): $3.8MM
Travis Wood (3.004): $3.6MM
Darwin Barney (3.053): $2.1MM
Daniel Bard (3.079): $1.8625MM
James Russell (4.000): $1.7MM
Luis Valbuena (3.148): $1.5MM
Pedro Strop (2.156, Super Two): $1MM
Donnie Murphy (4.043): $1MM
Darnell McDonald (3.130): $700K
Mat Gamel (3.059): $500K
The Cubs currently have the entire roster filled out and there’s no need to keep all of these guys. There’s been talk about Darwin Barney being non-tendered, but that doesn’t seem at all likely. The guy can still play some defense and has value. I expect Darnell McDonald will be non-tendered and at least one of the other players on this list. It won’t be Jeff Samardzija, Nate Schierholtz, Travis Wood or Darwin Barney. That much I’m certain of.
/summarized
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Navarro ——-> Blue Jays
dmick89Quote Reply
Bard’s winter league performance has been bad. In fact, he may have been cut from his team in PR already. 3 games pitched and only got one guy out.
http://www.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=P&sid=l133&t=p_pbp&pid=453268
I know he’s coming back from injury, but seems to be making little progress for 1.8M.
SVBQuote Reply
My weekly playoff report is about the same.
Here’s my weekly draft report based on what might be the current draft order and the nfldraftscout rankings. This week I bump it to a top 10 (and add a few bonus picks)
1. HOU: Clowney – If Mariota returns to Oregon, HOU might play it safe and take Bridgewater. If not, I think they take the bpa and look QB later.
2. CLE (via STL via WAS): Bridgewater – WAS is in this spot, but they owe STL their 1. If STL ends up here, I think they trade down with CLE (who has two 1s and needs a QB). Everyone wins…except WAS.
3. JAX: Mariota – He’s the wildcard in this draft. I think he has the most potential of any QB in this draft and should cash in now. He’s reportedly 50-50 at the moment. Until he returns, though, he’s my pick here.
4. ATL: Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA: They’re not this bad, but that defense needs help. Most years, Barr would be the first defender off the board.
5. TB: Jake Matthews, OT, aggy: They’re also not this bad. Improving this offense starts up front.
6. MIN: Derek Carr, QB, Fresno: First big reach of the draft as QB is a glaring need here. Carr has really cleaned up his deficiencies going into this season, but I worry that he’s going to revert when he makes the jump. If he doesn’t revert, though, MIN wins big with this pick.
7. OAK: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson: Improving team needs impact players. I think they need a QB, but Watkins is the easy choice here.
8. STL (via CLE): Cameron Erving, OT, FSU – Bradford and the OLine are big issues. Take the impact OL here and a developmental QB later.
9. BUF: Jace Amaro, TE, TTech – First shocker! I like what BUF is building. Strong defensively and the offense is young. Amaro is what they need to take a leap forward.
10. NYJ: Mike Evans, WR, aggy – Beast. Not fast at all, but…he’s as mean and physical as Anquan Boldin, but younger and taller.
16. GB: Stephon Tuitt, 5-tech, ND – If GB sticks with the 3-4, they NEED impact DLine. I could also see them looking at Alabama S Clinton-Dix.
17. CHI: Trent Murphy, DE, Stanford – Must. Bring. Back. Melton. DLine should be priority, and there aren’t many impact players in this draft. Murphy’s scheme diverse, though, and is the best pass-rushing every-down DE available.
26. SF: Darqueze Dennard, CB, Mich. St. – If he’s here, he’s the pick. Dennard fits the SF defense to a T. Could also go WR at this spot.
Like You CareQuote Reply
Like You Care wrote:
My gut says they’re going to be looking for a safety, or someone on the O-line.
BerseliusQuote Reply
Like You Care wrote:
Sounds like the prototypical Vikes QB pick: a bit of a reach, a lot of hope, bust potential.
sitrickQuote Reply
@ SVB:
the Cubs have taken a chance on those guys in the past. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s non tendered and then signed more cheaply, but I bet they keep him around.
dmick89Quote Reply
SVB
I know he’s coming back from injury, but seems to be making little progress for 1.8M.
He’s even on the DL in my video game. Useless.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Berselius wrote:
Honestly, I think Tuitt is gone by that pick. I think he tests well and goes early. Clinton-Dix would be my pick for them if Tuitt’s gone.
Like You CareQuote Reply
sitrick wrote:
I think he’d be fine in MIN. It’s actually a great fit for a young QB. Pretty good OL, I like the WR/TE options there and Adrian Peterson. He won’t be asked to do much early. He might be a reach, but that’s just my opinion. Apparently there are a few teams that like him in the top 5. I just worry about QBs who have bad tendencies like he did and correct them around draft time.
Like You CareQuote Reply
Don’t lean on me man, cause you can’t afford the ticket
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Darnell McDonald could not be non-tendered today since he was already a free agent. He was Outrighted and Elected free agency back in October.
M WQuote Reply
Daniel Bard and Mat Gamel —————————> no tender for you
Suburban kidQuote Reply