Jose Cruz Jr. news

[GiveHyzduashot]

Baltimore made him a one year, $2 million offer that he declined. Baltimore, apparently, is out of the running.

That leaves two teams left who need a CF: our Buccos and the Giants, who are several million over budget. A darkhorse in all of this could be Tampa Bay, with Piniella managing the D-Rays maybe Cruz wants to go play for his former skipper.

The longer we wait the better our chances get.

[Big Dawg]

I know this is the Bucs forum but since this is where the thread is: I would LOVE to see the Mets make a run at Cruz. He'd be a significant upgrade over what they've got in CF now (Timo Perez/Shinjo).

[GiveHyzduashot]

... just as Cruz. Jr would be an upgrade over Mackowiak.

[Greymire]

Booo!!! :moon:

[imgreat95]

umm.. doesn't shinjo play for the Giants??

I still do not see putting up over $2 million when we have a guy who can put up almost identical numbers for much less money.

[BPBlueSox]

Shinjo is gone I thought. He sucks anyways.

I think we could get Cruz, Jr. for less if we wait a bit...and he's a lot better than Mackowiak no matter what you say, Shawn. I like Rob, but the guy is a role player...not a starter.

[Greymire]

I have to agree with Dan here. Cruz Jr. is Head over Heels better than Macowiak. He is faster, stronger, and a much better fielder. While his numbers were similar last year, it was a very down year for Cruz. He can hit .270 and give you 20 plus hrs and drive in 80 plus runs. That being said, I agree Shawn that he isn't enough better to warrant a 5mil contract or anything (since he just turned down 3). At 3 he might be an acceptable risk. At 2 he is a bargain. I like Rob Macowiak. I like his heart, constant improvement and his hustle. He may continue to prove critics wrong and get better still. I hope he does. If he were to improve as much as last year once again, then Cruz may not be worth it. I just think that right now Rob falls into the super sub category more than an everyday player. Lofton is still out there. A one year deal with him might be worth the gamblke till Alvarez is fully ready!

[Baseball Guru]

Originally posted by imgreat95
umm.. doesn't shinjo play for the Giants??

I still do not see putting up over $2 million when we have a guy who can put up almost identical numbers for much less money.

Nope, not anymore....Mets signed him a few weeks back as a FA.....Shinjo (http://www.addictsports.com/baseball/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16893)

Much to my dismay:cry:

[Baseball Guru]

Originally posted by Big Dawg
I would LOVE to see the Mets make a run at Cruz. He'd be a significant upgrade over what they've got in CF now (Timo Perez/Shinjo).

Most anyone at this point is an upgrade though.....

The problem with Cruz is that he reminds me of another Burnitz..

You just know what you are going to get with these guys for the most part:
.250 average, 20-30 HR's and a ton of K's....At least Burnitz on an average year can drive in 100 runs and has a little better obp%

Cruz is terrible with RISP......The only plus if we were able to get rid of Burnitz, and that is the only way I'd want to see the Mets get Cruz, is that his salary is lower which could lead to possibly signing someone else....

I dont see the Mets going after him though....

Sorry to barge in the Pirates froum with Mets talk folks;)

[Greymire]

It must really be slow on the Mets Front! Did you know I hate the Mets? LOL! :eviltongu

[Baseball Guru]

Originally posted by Greymire
Did you know I hate the Mets? LOL! :eviltongu

Nope:notme:

I do now though:eviltongu :lmao:

[imgreat95]

Who is to say what is the norm for Cruz?? He has had 2 seasons of the type that everyone is talking him up to be.

As for the "super sub," isn't that the same thing that everyone said about Vander Wal?? They said that because he was never given an opportunity to play every day. The only way we will know what we have in Mack, is if we let him play.

As for the Lofton idea, I have been wanting them to go afetr him for 3 years now.

[GiveHyzduashot]

Vander Wal was not a super sub in the sense Mackowiak is. Vander Wal had two or three positions. Mackowiak has five or six.

I think we do know a little bit of what Mackowiak can give us. If he gets 500+ at bats, which as a starter would be about right, he'll hit in the .240's with 25 homers and lots of strikeouts. Yes, that sounds identical to Cruz, minus the much better defense. Plus, Cruz will be entering his prime soon ... maybe it's with the Pirates?

I don't see why we would need to spend $2 million on Cruz. Cruz turned down a $2 million offer from Baltimore when he knew he would be competing with Mathews Jr. In Pittsburgh he would have the job all to himself. I'm thinking $1 million - $1.5 million would get it done.

I'd prefer Lofton over Cruz as well. Lofton would hit leadoff too, so then that problem is settled. Wilson bats second, Giles/Aram/Simon hit third through fifth, Stairs/Wilson bat sixth, Kendall seventh and Reese eighth.

[Greymire]

Originally posted by Baseball Guru


Nope:notme:

I do now though:eviltongu :lmao:

He he! It is only a mild hatred. I like a few of their players.

[imgreat95]

Josh, IF Cruz is signed, he damn well better not be handed the CF starting job. He should still have to earn it just like what anyone else would. The days of things being handed out here are supposed to be over, remember?

[Greymire]

He should have to win the spot if he is signed. It is not out of the realm thjat Alvarez will be our starter either. While I feel he should be in AAA, Dl did say it wasn't impossible for him to make the club. I would love to see Rob go out and flat out win the job. If he can do that, then great. I just think we need someone else. Even if he did win it, he might not be able to hold it. I find it interesting we are having this discussion since Macowiak and Cruz would probably not even be in the running to start with many teams. I guess that shows that we are still a few pieces away.

[3-2 Changeup]

Cruz will not be a Pirate--his agent is demanding $4M per year for a one year deal (he thinks things will be more lucrative next year), and Giles has agreed to move to CF freeing DL up to make a trade for a LF. You heard it here first.

[imgreat95]

Cruz signed with the Giants for $2.8 million and a mutual optionon a 2nd year. For all of those who may think that the Pirates missed on a chance to sign him, consider the following...


"From the first day, San Francisco has always been at the top of my list," Cruz said. "They've always been, 'We want to make a deal' all the time, instead of having deadlines like some other teams were trying to do. ... I was wanting to go to a team that was going to the playoffs and maybe to the World Series, and San Francisco was definitely the team to do that."





We never stood a chance.

[3-2 Changeup]

That sounds like pure BS to me. What do you expect him to say? "I'm a filthy little whore-dog who took the most money I could get?"

[Baseball Guru]

Originally posted by 3-2 Changeup
That sounds like pure BS to me. What do you expect him to say? "I'm a filthy little whore-dog who took the most money I could get?"



LoL:lmao:

I like that 3-2.....He should have just told it like it is:D

The truth hurts huh Cruz:hmm:

[imgreat95]

Who in their right mind would turn down $2.8 million to play on a team which barely lost the WorldSeries last season, and looks to be just as good this season.. with a chance to play along with Barry Bonds, Edgardo Alfonzo, Rich Aurillia to come here and make $1 million to play with Jack Wilson, Matt Stairs, and Randall Simons?

I know I sure as hell would be going to play in San Francisco.

[GiveHyzduashot]

I have to say for that money, I'm glad we didn't sign him. 2.8 million is too much. If we did sign him, I would've put the cap at $2 million, and that's stretching it.

I agree we never had a chance. Not just monetary wise but our standing too.

[3-2 Changeup]

Shawn, I too would have taken the money, unless it was the Bucs. I'm sure for him he would have considered Houston for less. But I am a little whore-dog and have readily admitted to jumping ship ona number of occasions for $10K or more. :D