Cubs, Sox in pursuit of Scott Eyre

[nitetrain8601]

I don't get why everyone's knocking the Eyre move.  Just becuase the Cubs made a move, doesn't mean its a bad one.  Scott Eyre was really good last year and if he pitches like he did this past season, he's definately a great pickup, even if they did pay a mill or year too much (and if he pitches like he did last year, 3 million a year is more than fair).

 

1)He's overpaid.

2)Up until last year, he was a mediocre reliever at best.

3)He's not a young prospect who finally got it. He's an older guy who had a lucky year. I say he has more of a year like Esteban Loaiza had his 2nd year here rather than a year like last year.

 

I wouldn't knock the move if they didn't overpay so much. For that money, I would've just upped it a bit more to go after Ryan.

[SSH2005]

I don't get why everyone's knocking the Eyre move.  Just becuase the Cubs made a move, doesn't mean its a bad one.  Scott Eyre was really good last year and if he pitches like he did this past season, he's definately a great pickup, even if they did pay a mill or year too much (and if he pitches like he did last year, 3 million a year is more than fair).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Giving a 33 year old reliever a third year player option for what is likely a lot of money is not very wise. Eyre will be 36 years old by then and there's no way he won't pick up the option. The Cubs should have made it a team option or added a buyout after the first two years of the deal.

Edited November 18, 2005 by SSH2005

[Chisoxfn]

Perez played pretty solid last year. But I do agree the Sox have overpaid for some guys and they are definately putting a lot of faith in Eyre continuing to improve. Eyre has a pretty good arm for a lefty (good pop on the FB) but aside from that he's not worth what they gave him.

 

I don't know what the guaranteed figure is (I know its a 2 year deal w/3rd year option) but regardless it looks like the Cubs overpaid a bit, but thats to be expected with a lefty reliever, especially in a thin FA market.

[Chisoxfn]

I'm not so sure now.  This is straight from Cubs.com:

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/new...t=.jsp&c_id=chc

This could be the worst reliever contract in the history of the MLB.

Then my guess is it turns into the 3rd year option has a pretty big buyout. It would be assinine for them to give Eyre 5.5 million a year for 2 years. Really assinine.

[KevHead0881]

3 years / $11 million per Trib

 

Eyre Cubs' man in middle

The Cubs signed free-agent reliever Scott Eyre to a three-year, $11 million deal Thursday, outbidding division rivals St. Louis and Houston to secure the top left-handed setup man on the market.

 

The 33-year-old Eyre, who led the majors with 86 appearances last season, basically got the same deal Mike Remlinger signed before the 2003 season. All three years are guaranteed, although Eyre has a player option for the third season and can become a free agent after 2007 if he decides he's underpaid.

 

Though details of the contract still were being ironed out late Thursday, Eyre can make an extra $300,000 in incentives per year, earning $100,000 after reaching 70 games and another $200,000 if he makes 80 appearances.

 

Not as atrocious as the supposed 2 year deal, I still think its way overpaying for a guy who's had 1 good year.

[Chisoxfn]

1)He's overpaid.

2)Up until last year, he was a mediocre reliever at best.

3)He's not a young prospect who finally got it. He's an older guy who had a lucky year. I say he has more of a year like Esteban Loaiza had his 2nd year here rather than a year like last year.

 

I wouldn't knock the move if they didn't overpay so much. For that money, I would've just upped it a bit more to go after Ryan.

Did you see what Loiaza did with Washington this year? He pitched pretty darn well. That said I agree he's overpaid (Eyre).

[YASNY]

Hendry has been criticized for two years for not upgrading his bullpen. He really had no choice this offseason. Eyre is a good pitcher and Hendry went and got him. I'm not gonna knock this move from a Cub perspective. That said, I'm glad the Sox didn't sign Eyre to the same deal.

[SSH2005]

Did you see what Loiaza did with Washington this year?  He pitched pretty darn well.  That said I agree he's overpaid (Eyre).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Spacious RFK made Loaiza last season.

 

Home ERA: 2.86

Road ERA: 4.71

Season ERA: 3.77

Edited November 18, 2005 by SSH2005

[NorthSideSox72]

Hendry has been criticized for two years for not upgrading his bullpen.  He really had no choice this offseason.  Eyre is a good pitcher and Hendry went and got him.  I'm not gonna knock this move from a Cub perspective.  That said, I'm glad the Sox didn't sign Eyre to the same deal.

 

I agree with this, all around. He is a good setup guy to have, but at 3/11, they overpaid.

 

Me thinks Hendry is trying to prove he isn't like previous Cub GMs who have generally used the bullpen as a dumping ground.

[timotime]

have fun in 2006, landry! its nice to know that no matter how bad we do next year, at least the cubs will do worse!

[RockRaines]

Heres the thing: Scott Eyre. Ok, he is a good lefty reliever, yeah he can get some lefties out. Compare our bullpen, the twins, Cle, and the cubs. So they go out and get Scott Eyre. Does he look to be any better than many of the pitchers that are on those 3 AL Central division teams? Would you think Scott Eyre is a shut-down reliever? Seems to me that they are overpaying just because he is a lefty. Frankly I would rather have one of our righties over Scott Eyre at that cost. Has anyone looked up his stats lately?

 

Career Era's by year

 

1997-2005

5.04

5.38

7.56

6.63

3.45

4.97

1.59- 11 IP

4.46

3.32

4.10

2.63

 

Looks like his career avg is about what he usually performs at. His career ERA is 4.52. Marte's is about 3.20. Polite is just a hair over 4. Both guys make lots less money that Eyre, and are better pitchers overall. Saying that this guy is overpaid, is almost an understatement.

[NorthSideSox72]

Heres the thing:  Scott Eyre.  Ok, he is a good lefty reliever, yeah he can get some lefties out.  Compare our bullpen, the twins, Cle, and the cubs.  So they go out and get Scott Eyre.  Does he look to be any better than many of the pitchers that are on those 3 AL Central division teams?  Would you think Scott Eyre is a shut-down reliever?  Seems to me that they are overpaying just because he is a lefty.  Frankly I would rather have one of our righties over Scott Eyre at that cost.  Has anyone looked up his stats lately?

 

Career Era's by year

 

1997-2005

5.04

5.38

7.56

6.63

3.45

4.97

1.59- 11 IP

4.46

3.32

4.10

2.63

 

Looks like his career avg is about what he usually performs at. His career ERA is 4.52.  Marte's is about 3.20.  Polite is just a hair over 4.  Both guys make lots less money that Eyre, and are better pitchers overall.  Saying that this guy is overpaid, is almost an understatement.

 

They absolutely overpaid.

 

But he is pretty good for a left setup guy - look at his era over the last 4 years. It's about 3.63. Four years is not a fluke. And if you look at his whole career, he looks like a guy who has been gradually, in fits and starts, getting better.

 

If we could have gotten him for Marte money, I think it would have been a good move, since I think Eyre is getting better and Marte is... unpredictable. But, all for naught, since the Cubs buried him in cash.

[RockRaines]

They absolutely overpaid.

 

But he is pretty good for a left setup guy - look at his era over the last 4 years.  It's about 3.63.  Four years is not a fluke.  And if you look at his whole career, he looks like a guy who has been gradually, in fits and starts, getting better.

 

If we could have gotten him for Marte money, I think it would have been a good move, since I think Eyre is getting better and Marte is... unpredictable.  But, all for naught, since the Cubs buried him in cash.

Its just, when i think of Scott Eyre, he doesn make me think, shut down reliever. There are much more feared guys in our own division that I wouldnt want us to face. This guy was in the right place with the right desperate team.

[RockRaines]

from the cubs message board

 

msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5094612

 

"CHICAGO (AP) - Free-agent reliever Scott Eyre agreed to terms on a three-year, $11 million contract with the Chicago Cubs on Thursday night.

 

Eyre will earn $3 million in 2006, and $4 million in each of the following two years. The deal includes a $1.5 million signing bonus, and a no-trade clause and the third year is the player's option. Other incentives in the deal could add another $2.4 million over the three years.

 

Eyre's contract calls for up to $300,000 a year in performance bonuses. He will receive $100,000 for 70 appearances and an additional $200,000 if he pitches in 80 games. There is also wording that would give Eyre additional money should he become the Cubs' closer."

 

That's awful. Eyre can earn up to $13.4 million dollars if he hits all of his incentives every year. He will earn even more than that if he also becomes the Cubs' closer. What a terrible contract for a guy who has only had one really good season.

[timotime]

cubs suck. thy are obviously panicking right now. this is such a gross overpayment for a set up guy.

[YASNY]

You guys are thinking from a Sox payroll point of view. The Cubs payroll is a totally different situation. Eyre's been a good pitcher since he went on medication for ADD. From a Cub perspective this is a solid move.

[RockRaines]

You guys are thinking from a Sox payroll point of view.  The Cubs payroll is a totally different situation.  Eyre's been a good pitcher since he went on medication for ADD.  From a Cub perspective this is a solid move.

Not what their fans think, but thats neither here nor there. Word has it that Chipper Jones took a salary cut so the braves can resign Furcal, if that happens, I expect suicides on the north side.

[YASNY]

their fans think

 

Since when?

[kystevie]

Since when?

while I agree the Eyre is no "prize" if early returns are any indication, kenny must be willing to strike quickly if he hopes to secure players he is truly interested

in obtaining this off-season

[shakes]

Not what their fans think, but thats neither here nor there.  Word has it that Chipper Jones took a salary cut so the braves can resign Furcal, if that happens, I expect suicides on the north side.

 

I did heard on ESPN news this morning that Chipper is restructuring his contract in order to free up money for Furcal. I think the panic would begin on the north side and this would just be just the first contract the Cubs will overpay for. Johny Damon anyone?

[RockRaines]

Since when?

Since I posted comments from their message board 2 posts before yours.

[YASNY]

Since I posted comments from their message board 2 posts before yours.

 

Did you see what part of your post that I quoted?

[RockRaines]

Did you see what part of your post that I quoted?

Yes, that their fans think this is a solid move, I posted a quote that said it wasnt. Am I taking crazy Pills Yas, or are we totally off each others radar here?

[YASNY]

Yes, that their fans think this is a solid move, I posted a quote that said it wasnt.  Am I taking crazy Pills Yas, or are we totally off each others radar here?

 

Totally! The fact that "their fans think" ... at all... is what I was saying "Since when?" about.

[RockRaines]

Totally!  The fact that "their fans think" ... at all... is what I was saying "Since when?" about.

Hahaha, too early to get all witty on me Yas. I was up too late trying to process the 35 hot wings I ate for dinner. Now I get it.