Cubs in Catbird seat with Catchers?

[bd811]

If the Marlins do not reach a deal with Pudge Rodriguez by tomorrow, which it appears they are not going to as the two sides are still very far apart, the Cubs should be sitting in a great position to get one of the guys they want. The Marlins are unable to offer Pudge arbitration due to a clause in his contract. All the active/big market teams have catchers already:
NYY-Posada
NYM-Piazza
Bos-Varitek
Phils-Lieberthal
ATL-Estrada
LA-LoDuca
Bal-Lopez(at least thats what will probly happen)
Padres-Hernandez
Twins-Mauer
Giants-Pierzinski
etc.

That leaves two big market catchers left in the market, Pudge and Kendall, and one team seeking a catcher with such a price tag, the Cubs. Oakland may need a catcher, but they are not in a position to sign or trade for either of these players.

Therefore, the Cubs may be Pudge's only option and they can use a deal with the Pirates as leverage to lower his price tag even further. And they can use Pudge as leverage with the Pirates, although at some point the Pirates will pull out of a deal, so they had better be cautious.

In any case, the Cubs are in position to acquire a front line catcher and I will be at least somewhat disappointed if I see Damian Miller behind the dish on opening day.

[rockin500]

i'd be a bit disappointed too if i see him behind the plate while i am freezing my ass off in the stands.

cmon, lets go for pudge! :)

[bd811]

He wants $10 million per but hes not gonna get it, and every Cub fan knows Hendry doesn't like getting into bidding wars for players, but this time it will sort of be the opposite.

[redsoxman]

No team will offer Pudge the type of contract that he wants, anyways. He wanted Florida to sign him for 5 years and the guy is 35-years-old now and has seen a good amount of time on the disabled list in the past. He's a liability for a long term contract, plus he wants too much.

But I do agree. I see Pudge in a Cubs uniform next spring or maybe in a Braves or Orioles uniform.

Which teams are currently shopping for a catcher right now?

I know the Orioles are, Marlins, Cubs, Royals (looks like Benito Santiago is headed that way), Braves, and who else?

[rockin500]

if the braves cant afford javy and sheff, how are they going to afford pudge?

[bd811]

The Braves will probly go with Estrada, who was acquired for Kevin Millwood last year.
KC appears to be signing Santiago, as you said.
The Marlins will probly give the job to Ramon Castro and Mike Redmond, their backups from last year.
The Orioles look like theyre going hard at Lopez.
Oakland doesn't have a catcher, but they dont have the cash to get a big-name guy.

[bd811]

Originally posted by redsoxman
No team will offer Pudge the type of contract that he wants, anyways. He wanted Florida to sign him for 5 years and the guy is 35-years-old now and has seen a good amount of time on the disabled list in the past. He's a liability for a long term contract, plus he wants too much.


Also, Pudge is only 31 years old. Not sure where you got 35.:umm

[redsoxman]

My bad on the age, sorry about that. His b-day was on the 30th of Nov., so he's 32 now.

[bd811]

Well Pudge is officially unable to go back to the Marlins(until May anyway, for what thats worth.)

It was also brought to my attention by a little blurb on Kendall's page on ESPN that the Mariners may also be seeking a catcher. I doubt that interefers with the Cubs pursuit of a catcher much though...if there is pursuit in the first place, that is.