Cubs to Sign First Round Pick Andrew Cashner

Arizona Phil has been all over the Cubs signings, but I did want to mention that the big fish of the draft, first-round pick(19th overall) Andrew Cashner will sign this week with the Cubs. The contract details:


As part of his contract with Chicago, Cashner will receive a signing
bonus of $1.54 million. He’ll also receive $75,000 that will go toward
finishing school, plus bonuses that will coincide with promotions.
Moreover, Cashner will receive an invitation to big league spring
training in 2009.

He should be in Arizona by next week and likely to Boise soon after. The Cubs have signed all but one of their first 27 picks, that one being 10th round pick RHP Alex Wilson out of Texas A&M.

Tags: 
Cubs 2008 Draft
Andrew Cashner
Submitted by Rob G. on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 1:55pm
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Comments

Submitted by The Joe
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 2:06pm

Kind of funny read your mention:

"The Cubs have signed all but one of their first 27 picks, that one being 10th round pick RHP Alex Wilson out of Texas A&M."

Juxtaposed with this from the same article:

"“We’ve pretty much signed everyone we wanted to,” Chicago Scouting Director Tim Wilken said."

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 2:10pm

yeah, I read that quote as "Alex Wilson is asking for too much fucking money...so fuck him."

Submitted by The Joe
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 2:15pm

Or a bizarre negotiation tactic.

Submitted by navigator
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 2:33pm

Maybe Teflon Wilken is fucked not Wilson. Before Alex Wilson had Tommy John surgery he projected as a #1 or #2 round pick. He was throwing 95-96 in early June ten months out after surgery and let it be known before the draft he probably wouldn't sign.

He'll be a senior next year. A healthy season and his stock rises dramatically. Makes sense.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 2:36pm

How has Wilken earned "Teflon Wilken" from you? He's had the gig for a year for fuck's sake.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 2:51pm

fwiw, this is his third draft actually...

Submitted by The E-Man
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 3:41pm

OK, my bad. He is three years in, instead of one. Hardly enough to have the "Teflon" moniker after three drafts, imo. This last draft happened 30 days ago - effectively, it really is TWO years of drafts - so he deserves "Teflon Wilken" based on two drafts? Give the guy a break for at least five in his position.

Submitted by navigator
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 5:50pm

for fuck's sake try to keep up

one year,

FALOFL

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 5:58pm

FALOFL?

Huh?

Submitted by Wes
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 6:15pm

I love falafel.

Submitted by crunch
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 6:55pm

hard being misunderstood all the time, eh?

Submitted by Raisin101
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 2:43pm

The Cubs are said to be scouting Wilson in the Cape Cod League to see if his health has returned and if he's returned to form (his strike out totals for Fulham make it seem like he's back). If they deem him worthy, I'm guessing they'll negotiate with him in early August and see if they can sign him (probably for late first round money). Wilson actually will be a junior next year (he's a draft-eligible sophomore right now), which means he has all the leverage in the world.

They used similar tactics on LHP James Russell to see if his offspeed pitch had developed enough to give him over slot money.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 2:50pm

thnx for the info....

Submitted by crunch
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 2:51pm

75,000 to finish school...he gonna get a PhD from harvard or he just planning on inflation for the year 2045 when he goes back to school to finish his last 2 years?

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 3:02pm

Not sure how much you think college costs... but at TCU they estimate the annual costs to be about $36,500.

Now... that includes room and board (about $8,500), so without room and board it costs about $28,000 a year. You are also assuming that he has enough credits to only graduate in two full-time years, which isn't necessarily a safe assumption.

Further... if he does school part-time, it is typically more expensive per credit than it costs when you pay for a full-time semester.

When you add books, transportation costs, etc... the $75,000 seems like a relatively accurate cost.

Submitted by crunch
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 3:15pm

yeah, i wouldn't count room/board, but yeah...luckily i live in a state where they don't treat 18 year olds like they need to mortgage their immediate lives in order to get an education from a public non-commuter college.

it was all just blah blah blah'ing anyway.

-edit-

for reference, in-state almost every UNC program college (UNC-CH, UNC-W, NCSU, etc) costs around 3-6K in tuition per year.

they can pay their profs 100s of K a year, have their buildings built, their research pimped out in proper labs, and all that stuff without sending students out in the world 100K in debt.

not that has anything to do with wilson, though...just fwiw.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 3:19pm

Well... TCU is not a state school, but further... many state schools are becoming quite expensive even for in-state students.

Example... at U of Illinois: $12,240 - 16,392 per year, tuition only, for in-state residents. it is $26,000-30,000 per year for out of state residents, and that is just tuition.

And hell... based on what we see from Chad, that money sure isn't worth it!!

Submitted by crunch
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 3:30pm

yeah, some states have insane in-state tuition.

we get a good chunk of out-of-state people coming to UNC-CH/NCSU because the out-of-state tuition is as cheap (or cheaper) than their own in-state tuition. we're not even talking about "rich kids" who just want to get away from their parent's grasp in another state or kids with scholarships.

UNC-CH...that school everyone loves cuz of their basketball program... $3750 a year tuition. add on another 2-3K in fees/taxes/weirdness...(roughly 20K per year out of state, tuition only...but fees/etc. are a level playing field for in and out of state students).

it's pretty common for an in-state student to come out of the UNC system less than 20K in debt. many, like myself, barely saw few K of debt when they finished.

Submitted by Dmac
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 2:56pm

"Maybe Teflon Wilken is fucked not Wilson."

It appears that all of the Cub's minor - league clubs are doing much better, at least as far as their W/L records show. Haven't you told us incessantly that their farm system was awful, primarily because of their standings? Wilken sucked according to you, all because of that one, lonely stat.

So which is it, he sucked then but still sucks now?

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 3:03pm

Dmac... stop using logic. It gets in the way of asinine assertions and opinions.

Submitted by navigator
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 5:49pm

Please link to an assertion of yours that wasn't assinine.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 6:00pm

Please link to an assertion of yours that wasn't assinine [sic].

Well... being that I do not know what "assinine" means, that may be a little difficult.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 10:37pm

Hmm... still trying to find the definition of "assinine" so that I can link to something that isn't it.

Can you help me out here with a definition?

Submitted by 10man
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 12:11am

Here is a link to an asinine definition.

pretty funny actually when you consider the context in the previous comments.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 7:14am

I know what "asinine" means... but I still do not know what "assinine" means.

Submitted by navigator
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 5:58pm

was awful, primarily because of their standings

nope

Some yahoos here like to put words in people's mouths, shoot paper tigers and burn straw men. Apparently one would be you.

So which is it, he sucked then but still sucks now?
"Teflon" Wilken refers to the fact that NO CRITICISM
is allowed to stick. As if he's beyond criticism even when Cleveland has no interest in any of his picks.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 6:02pm

"Teflon" Wilken refers to the fact that NO CRITICISM
is allowed to stick.

Thanks... we didn't know what it means when people refer to "teflon."

Thanks for enlightening us!

Submitted by crunch
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 6:58pm

actually, you did imply that a whole lot.

we asked you for backup...you gave win/loss records. we asked you to back it up you ignored it and continued to give more w/l records.

we only have what you give us.

now bitch about the word "primarily" or some other small aspect you can twist to make yourself right.

...or you can explain yourself when people ask. no, you dont have to...but it leads to the oh-so-horrible instance of someone *gasp* not understanding what the hell you're talking about besides what you actually say.

Submitted by 10man
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 12:13am

by "yahoo" i see that you're referring to Rob G. whom you just accused of that in another comment.

Submitted by Mister Whipple
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 8:51am

I'm readying my departing gift for when Navigator is banned.

Oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please.

Submitted by Bleeding Blue
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 12:27pm

Where were you guys when I was shooting down this tired act 2 years ago?

BTW, I'm waiting for the "Bluewater Wins the Nagivator" classic, where someone provides the link showing where he contradicted himself again (usually after he complains about being misquoted), and since he can't defend the facts, he complains that someone actually took the time to provide the evidence.

Submitted by 10man
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 12:39pm

we were busy trolling on the cards mvn blog, tripling their hit count.

Submitted by Mister Whipple
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 1:49pm

I was watching in horror muttering "Oh! The humanity!" I remember the fight well and thought he was a troll back then as well.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 3:27pm

this is all old news, but some links and stuff I haven't read

Q&A with BP where he says the Cubs would have taken Lincecum if he was available
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?arti...

also says he didn't want Wade Townsend when he was with the Rays.

official press release when he signed with the Cubs which gives a rundown of his time with Toronto:
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/press_releases/pr...

he was a major part of the 2004 and 2005 Rays drafts as well:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/?franch_ID...
Brignac, Neimann, McGee, Sonnastine

http://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/?franch_ID...
Hellickson and Mason were in BA's top 10 list to start the year

Submitted by crunch
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 3:42pm

"You could have sworn Kevin Appier would end up needing to get his arm Black and Decker'd (from the start), but he’s generally been healthy."

hahah!

aint that the truth. wow, almost forgot he existed.

Submitted by Raisin101
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 5:22pm

Thanks for the BP link, I had only read bits and pieces of it. I really wanted Lincecum that year and thought he'd fall to 13 (not trying to be some nostradamus here, I am just a big Pac10 guy who actually had seen Lincecum at UW).

Submitted by Dmac
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 3:40pm

Thanks, Rob - I remember reading about Wilken's excellent reputation and above - average track record regarding prospects from his previous stints, and was overjoyed when came over to the club. So the very least everyone can do is to give the man a few years before we can even begin to judge his efforts. Those who criticize have no idea about the Cub's incredible lack of any success with their farm systems in the past, aside from a brief period when Dallas Green was running things.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 3:45pm

Agreed. He really has only two years under his draft belt here, as the current one only took place about a month ago.

Submitted by navigator
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 6:12pm

So what? It's not like everyone doesn't know that Wilken was damn effective in the past. But what's he done for us? Wilken is responsible for his picks, and that's it. LaPorta was drafted last year. Promoted to AA after 30 games last year. Southern League All-Star this year.

Anything remotely comparable from Wilken?

Submitted by Bleeding Blue
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 12:47pm

You mean LaPorta, who was drafted as a college senior, is more advanced than the 17 year old High School student the Cubs drafted the same year?

I know I'm horrified that Wilkens dared to draft a 17 year old who wasn't able to be an All-Star at Double-A less than a year after he signed a pro contract. After all the guy drafted 4 picks later did, so that must be the benchmark for all players.

And then we get a question using the words "remotely comparable"????? geesh.

Submitted by 433
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 4:19pm

Off topic, but did anyone else hear a rumor that Braun is the PTBNL in the Sabathia deal? WSCR reported that Steve Stone's sources told him that's the case.

So, 433 says that a radio guy said that Steve Stone said that someone told him that Braun is included. Not exactly a verified story, but has anyone else heard this?

Submitted by The Joe
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 4:28pm

If so, then thank you Milwaukee.

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 4:32pm

This is just dumb.

Submitted by crunch
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 4:39pm

steve stone said what? =p

Submitted by Mister Whipple
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 8:53am

Astevestone says what?

Submitted by SheffieldCornelia
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 4:42pm

Uh...can anyone verify this? Braun as the PTBNL would be preposterous.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 4:45pm

no one is going to verify that because it's not true.

Submitted by jacos
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 4:45pm

That would be pretty awkward when he runs out to start LF at All Star game for NL in a Tribe uniform.

Submitted by Ryno
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 7:16pm

lol

Submitted by 433
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 5:28pm

I haven't found anything on the interwebs even discussing Braun as the PTBNL, so maybe this was just wrong or a joke something, but it was presented on WSCR's Mully/Hanley (sp?) show as seemingly legit. So for now, I'll just say "nevermind."

Submitted by Chifan
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 6:02pm

Melvin pointed at the presser today that the PTNBL can't be someone off the 40-man roster. So I assuming if Stone isnt talking out of his ass, he probably heard the guy who is the PTBNL was Mat Gamel who is a Braun clone, a butcher at 3b who can really hit.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 4:34pm

http://deadspin.com/5022550/why-red-sox-nation-why

Submitted by 433
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 5:30pm

In other news, why are the Cubs sending Cashner to "finishing school"? Are his manners really that bad?

Submitted by Hawkeye
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 5:41pm

DAMNIT!!! I was going to make that joke!!!

Submitted by Mister Whipple
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 8:56am

Well played, 433. Well played.

Submitted by Dmac
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 6:17pm

"But what's he done for us?"

Trollboy, your act has grown stale and tired. Nothing to offer except snark without substance - go play outside in your sandbox and fling your poo at the neighbors for a change.

Submitted by navigator
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 6:30pm

((crickets))

Who knew that Teflon in front of Wilken would push the TCR Yahoo button.

Not me.

Still wondering why it's NOT SNARKY to claim our draft
pick fucked himself by possibly asking for more money than the Cubs want to pay him.

Submitted by crunch
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 7:04pm

wow, then obviously you've never cross referenced your rants on this board, old boards, and other boards not even remotely related to baseball.

the fact you're on your 3rd ID on this board and your "bluewater boats" tag is on other boards kicking the same "im never wrong, why must i share this air with stupid men?" attitude...

well...

you gotta be used to this by now.

-edit-

see where i said '3rd ID on this board'...well, since TECHNICALLY this isn't the "old TCR" what i said was 100% wrong and therefore the entire statement is wrong.

the old posts and other info, while they may exist, cannot be discussed because of the technical error.

there nav...i saved you a reply about how retarded i am because you've only had 1 name on this particular board while conveniently ignoring the point.

Submitted by 10man
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 12:20am

dude, it doesn't matter what you name yourself. there's only one way to avoid an argument. when someone's calls you out, just keep quiet. the reason those guys keep ragging on you is you keep giving them the ammunition with which to shoot at you.

Submitted by rokfish
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 6:43pm

when i was litening to hanley on score today they were
saying that jj hardy was the ptbnl in the deal.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 6:46pm

as mentioned earlier, CBA rules state that a PTBNL cannot be on a 40-man roster.

Submitted by johann
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 7:07pm

I heard that CC Sabathia was the player to be named later. Something about the Brewers running out of food to feed him already.

Submitted by Raisin101
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 7:10pm

I believe it can be when it's a different league (as in this case). But I think it's very safe to assume it's a minor leaguer and the Indians just got a list to pick from and are scouting a few of them.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 7:32pm

you are correct sir, the actual PTBNL rules are it must be completed within 6 months and the player involved cannot play in the same league as the team he's being traded to..

Submitted by crunch
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 8:43pm

cc sabathia is 12/40 lifetime (.300/.317) with 2hr (1 this season). 12K, 1BB

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 9:38pm

So this whole CC Sabathia thing made me do some research on the Cubs' minor league system (since I haven't read an AZ Phil post for quite some now) and I was struck by how pathetic Tyler Colvin's numbers are. Maybe AZ Phil has addressed this in another post (he probably has, he addresses everything) but I'm wondering, is the guy hurt? Did Wilken just fuck up?

My other thought was, how is it that we couldn't come up with a package to satisfy Cleveland? Is our system so bad still that we couldn't find 4 prospects or so to make a trade with? Or do you guys think that Hendry just simply made the decision that Sabathia wasn't worth giving up a lot of prospects for. After all, it seems like free agent pitchers typically don't do very well after signing big contracts (Z will go against this trend I hope). I dunno if there are stats about this, though.

Speaking of pitching, and sorry if this is 3/44, but the article on Lincecom's pitching mechanics in SI was very interesting. The writer pointed to two Cubs guys, Brownlie and (of course) Prior as two prospects who had lousy mechanics according to the former Mets pitching coach Petersen. That article made me wonder where Wilken stands on that kind of thing. One of the articles RobG pointed to in his links on Wilkin seemed to indicate an appreciation for Lincecom but I am wondering if Wilkin subscribes to this whole biomedical (or whatever the hell they called it in the article) stuff. And I'm also wondering what Dr. Hecht has to say about all that.

So many questions. I think it's all the fires here in CA. The smoke is getting to me.

Submitted by crunch
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 9:37pm

"SAN DIEGO (AP) - Sitting at his locker in street clothes and squinting through two black eyes, San Diego Padres catcher Michael Barrett drew quite the crowd.

Greg Maddux, Monday night's starter against Florida, took a picture of Barrett with his iPhone. Ace Jake Peavy came over and offered consoling words to the injured Barrett."

stay classy mad ducks. hehe...

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8323236/Barrett...

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 9:45pm

Are they sure he just didn't run into Z in a bar or something?

Seriously, I always liked Barrett when he was a Cub. Not much of a catcher, but sure seemed like a pretty nice fella.

Submitted by billybucks
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 8:31am

My then-10-year old son and I met Barrett at the "Meet the Team" event last year -- terrific guy, very engaging with kids, lots of funny stories. Jacques Jones was great as well, by the way -- very soft spoken and polite.

I am glad they are both no longer on the team as players, but both were a pleasure to meet.

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 2:39pm

mark prior and kerry wood walk into a bar...then they promptly go on the DL for 4-8 weeks.

Submitted by Ryno
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 10:22pm

From the Scott Linebrink school of grammar:

"Just one more scar ain't going to kill me," - Barrett

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 9:49pm

"The game will begin at 7:05 p.m. and is believed to be the first minor league contest in the ballpark's 94-year history. "

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/chc/ticketing/minors_a...

Apparently, the writer of this article is not a Cubs fan.

Submitted by Hawkeye
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 11:22pm

You know, I must say that the Powers That Be deserve some kudos for this one. Not everyone can afford the tickets and such for a Wrigley Field experience, so it is fantastic that they are making the ballpark available for a game such as this.

I would love to see each level of the system play one game at Wrigley a year. Let the kids see what it is that they are working towards. Here is to hoping that this is not the last time that Wrigley does this.

Submitted by crunch
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 11:40pm

hell, the kids on the team are the ones that are gonna get their minds blown.

even if some of them played in a college world series (no idea if anyone did), this will be the biggest stage most everyone on that field will ever play on in their career now or in the future.

is it televised nationally, btw?

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 4:30am

God I am such an idiot. I didn't even think about how cool this must be for the kids. My wife is offering me, as punishment, the new video, "Great Moments of
Tony LaRussa".

Submitted by JoePepitone
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 10:14pm

Colorado over the Brewers tonight, 4-3. W00t.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 10:52pm

I love it when the Brewers lose close games.

Submitted by Chifan
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 9:24am

Over at NSBB, they are saying Kaplan said that Huddy could be a target:

http://www.northsidebaseball.com/Forum/viewtopic.p...

It makes sense as Tex is going to bolt in the off-season and Glavine and Smoltz are likely to hang them up at the end of the year. Plus they dont have Turner's money to throw around to fill the holes and the guys they have brought up from the farm havent worked so they might want a package of near MLB ready guys. Something like 1 of Marshall/Gallagher, 1 of Veal/Russell/Atkins, Ceda, Murton would seem to work.

Submitted by Little Nate Lewis
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 10:47am

Lets not forget befre tonight's game... screw Marty!

Submitted by SheffieldCornelia
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 11:05am

This lineup sucks.

Submitted by Brick
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 10:55am

Sabathia hits menopause.

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php...

Submitted by Wes
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 11:18am

That's just well done by you. It took me a couple times through the article to pick up on the reference. Very good work.

Submitted by Eric S
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 11:03am

Tim Hudson seems like a good match for both clubs. Braves may also covet Rich Hill, who pitched very effectively against the Braves last year.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 11:55am

this time it's Luis Bautista in Peoria

http://cubs.scout.com/2/767534.html

Submitted by Chad
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 12:36pm

I brought up Hudson days ago and was laughed at by Rob and Dave.

FYI

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 12:51pm

Where? Show me where I laughed at you about Hudson.

Submitted by Chad
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 1:00pm

It was in a live chat. Maybe you didn't. I was pretty sure you did though. I know Rob was involved.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 1:03pm

I haven't been in parachat for a couple of weeks.

But as Rob said... if I was there, we were probably just laughing at you, not your idea.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 12:57pm

I think it was in Parachat and we just laugh at you out of instinct.

It was more than a few days ago and the Braves were still very much in it at the time. But things are looking murkier for them, so maybe they'll consider it. But he's under contract through 2009 and the Braves really don't need to completely rebuild and with Smoltz and Glavine probably gone next year, I'm not sure why they'd want to lose another pitcher.

We shall see...

Submitted by Chad
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 1:13pm

use the reply button mister!

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 1:17pm

thanks and I did...the indentation is hard to see though when there are replies above it to other replies.

Submitted by Chad
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 1:20pm

well have that fixed then.

Submitted by Wes
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 1:26pm

They may not need to completely rebuild, but he is $13MM of their current $102MM payroll if they're looking to dump salary. He's not the highest paid Brave, if anyone was wondering.

That award goes to Mike Hampton at $15MM. $13.5MM in 2006. $14.5MM in 2007. $15MM in 2008. Ouchkabibble. I'd give you the amount they paid him per inning over those 3 seasons, but I still haven't quite figured out that whole dividing by zero thing.

EDIT: Larry Wayne Jones also paid $15MM + 5MM bonus this season.

Submitted by Chad
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 1:29pm

Larry Wayne Jones sounds more like a country singer. Or perhaps a serial killer.

Submitted by jacos
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 1:38pm

Is that the contract from Colorado still?

Submitted by Chifan
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 1:41pm

Yep and the Marlins are still paying for it.

Submitted by Wes
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 1:46pm

It is the 8/121 Colorado deal. The Braves took control of 100% of the contract beginning in '06. Colorado and Florida both paid the majority of his salary up until '05.

An interesting note about that deal is that if (and probably when) the Braves choose to buyout Hampton for $6MM after this year, they'll be forwarding that bill to Denver. The Rox are on the hook for the entire buyout. Either that or the Braves owe him $20MM in '09.

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 1:48pm

Remember when the Cubs tried to sign Hampton, with a reported offer around 100 million for 7 years, before he went to the Rockies? That's not dodging a bullet, more like avoiding a missile.

Hampton made his debut in 1993, and in his 17-year career he has now earned $121,575,086 from his contracts alone. This comes to $880,979 for each of his 138 career wins. He was a much better bargain early on though, and since signing his big 8-year contract prior to the 2001 season he has been paid $107,382,086 for a grand total of 53 wins, or $2,026,077.09 per major league victory. With all of the injuries it has cost the Braves and Rockies (and Marlins) $801,358.85 per game that he has even pitched in.

There are other bad contracts out there, but this was one of the worst.

Submitted by jacos
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 2:38pm

WISCGRAD-

I remember, McFail said he was shaking when he made the offer because it was so much money.

Remember Hampton chose Colorado not because the money but for the good public school system.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 1:53pm

my contention being how much payroll do they have to lose if they're already going to lose Teix, Smoltz, Glavine and I guess possibly Hampton off the books.

Not to mention Hudson is a GA native and signed at a discount to stay there, I'm not sure there's a big motive to move him. The Cubs didn't trade Z when the Cubs were tanking in 2006 even though he was a year from free agency. Why move Hudson, unless they can definitely make their team better for 2009? I just don't see the Braves in a big rebuild mode.

 

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 2:14pm

I doubt in the end they will get rid of Hudson, but they will surely entertain offers. He is 32 right now. Z was just 25 in 2006.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 2:26pm

maybe not the best comparision, but Hudson is going as good as ever and they'd have to pay more to get a pitcher of his quality in the FA market next offseason. Not like the Braves haven't had success sticking with pitchers past their "prime years".

 

 

Submitted by Chifan
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 1:39pm

They dont have have a chance to compete in 09. They will be missing 25 HR and 80 RBI's that Tex can provide and the 30 wins you could count on from Glavine and Smoltz. They have the worst pen in baseball and to add to the misery the guys they have called up from the farm have been bad. Atlanta needs a mass influx of guys that can help them on the cheap. Just as Milwaukee was a perfect fit with Cleveland because they had a influx of power hitting corners ( Im sure the PTNBL will be one of those), we would be with Atlanta because we have an influx of guys who are MLB or should be MLB ready soon a who can be solid contributors to a club and Hendry is probably willing to do a 5 for 1 deal.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 2:00pm

I really don't think the Braves are thinking they have no shot in 2009. They're third right now in team ERA w/o Smoltz and Glavine for pretty much the whole year. The "worst pen in baseball" is third in ERA in the NL among relievers, fourth in ERA among starters. It's hardly a hopeless situation in Atlanta right now.

Submitted by jacos
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 2:37pm

I was stunned when the pre season experts had Atlanta winning the division.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 2:50pm

stunned? really? I know the Mets looked unstoppable (as did the Tigres), but it's a pretty solid team. Their +25 run differential is still 2nd best in the division. Lots of injuries this year and Teix has finally woken up.

Submitted by jacos
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 3:31pm

I just didn't buy that rotation.

I think everyone thought the 1995 Glavine and Smoltz would be there.

JMO

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 3:07pm

Injuries and underperformance have just hit them hard. They projected to have a rotation of: Smoltz, Hudson, Glavine, Jurrjens, and either Hampton or James, with Soriano as the closer. The infield of McCann, Jones, Escobar, Johnson, and Texeira on paper was one of the best, and Francoeur was supposed to be solid in RF. They had some OF spots to fill, and needed to some young guys to step up and fill out the bench and bullpen, but Atlanta has seemingly always found a way to do this.

It was hard to predict that NONE of the young bats would do anything with the playing time, Francoeur would be briefly demoted to AA, Smotlz and Glavine and Hampton would be on the DL (well Hampton yes), and Soriano would have just 9 IP by mid-season.

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