I did say Sale was better than Arrieta, correct.

But Arrieta in 2014 pitched better than Sale did from 2012-2013. And in 2012-2013, Sox fans still thought Sale was amazing.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

Not in today's MLB, buddy.

If the Cubs come out of this off-season with one new pitcher, who do you want? Factor in assumed contract value and years. Also consider trade targets like Hamels.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

Relax . I heard on Levine's baseball show this morning that according to Lester's camp, money isn't the top factor in his decision. Which means he's going to highest offer .

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Proud member of the white guy grievance committee

It aint the six minutes. Its what happens in those six minutes.

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Proud member of the white guy grievance committee

It aint the six minutes. Its what happens in those six minutes.

I know it's not my money but that factors into my decision. All things being equal I would take Lester. Since they aren't I'll go with Shields. Moving to the NL will help. He's an innings eater and should be able to pitch until he's damn near 40. I can probably get 2 of him for the price of Lester. Lester isn't twice the pitcher he is and he's already lost a little steam on his fastball. Until the 2nd half of 2013 and last season you could argue Shields was better. I think Shields is definitely more durable.

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Be well

GO BEARS!!!

I wish the Sox had him.

And he will be even stronger in the NL without a DH to face.

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I think what he means is that if we're talking a couple million difference over six years, he'll take the lesser money to train in Florida rather than AZ.

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Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Matthew, Tulsi, and Don

They do have him. His name is Jose Quintana. Unless you think W/L records matter.

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Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Matthew, Tulsi, and Don

I would be fine with that too. That price tag scares me though. The top half of the Sox rotation could push them to the WS if we had any offense.

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Be well

GO BEARS!!!

I do think they matter.

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No its not. 8 years is fucking light years different than 5. If the Soriano contract was 5 years the fan reaction would have been a lot different

And no one bitched after a year. They won the division the first who years he was in the team and if they would have won the WS, it would have been worth it. It didn't work out. It was a good signing, just way too long

Unquestionably true over thest two years and most of hieer.

And total money doesn't really tell the story. Its per year. And Whether people like it or not Lester is worth about 18-20 mil a year if you slot him in mi his spot with what pitchers are currently making


But they need pitching and sometimes you have to overpay. Its not the money that kills you its the long deals

I hope/expect the Cubs will have enough funds where if a pitcher like Lester, Scherzer, or Shields is ineffective on the back end it wont kill the team

I wouldn't worry about any deal that is 4 years or less. Might have to 5 for a top pitcher

But I want them to compete this year so we differ there

Shileds was not better than Arrieta last year. Maybe it was a fluke, maybe not. Well see

Whether its this year or next year unless some crazy shit happens, the Cubs are going to have to add a couple pitchers and probably thru free agency (where we know 90% of the time payers are overpaid)

That's what kills me about Shark. He wants that kind of money too and he hasn't had a quarter of the success those others have had. He's a decent stat sheet and tools guy, just like Cutler.

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Proud member of the white guy grievance committee

It aint the six minutes. Its what happens in those six minutes.

20 wins is pretty much a thing of the past. Lester is more than above average.

And being like Kevin Brown is not a good thing.

But I'd be happy with Shields. He's a good #2

Honestly I find it best to rank the pitcher look at salaries of similar pitchers and work around that.although you have to take young guys in their first deal into account) Id say Samardzija is probably like 30 or 35th in MLB

Not sure if this was a reaction to what I wrote about Lester but its not accurate if it is.

The only reason I even mentioned the post season is because with The Royals run it was finally revealed to the casual fan that the name Big Game James hasn't been accurate since he was in college. He's a good pitcher who a lot of people overrate

Lester is better during the reg season and postseason


Also, please lets not criticize other fans for valuing guys with post season success. Its a rational thing to look at.

I want Lester, but by no means at all costs! Esepcially if this prevents getting others down the line, he had a GREAT year, but not sure that makes him a GREAT Pitcher.

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/writer/jon ... till-alive

~6 years, $140M is where it is at right now. Decision likely this week...

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

I am not a fan of this slowly creeping up like we are playing Pawn Stars! The money is where it is. Want a big bonus for winning a Cy Young, ask for it and I am sure they give it. Most teams have no issues with performance bonuses, but this $130-32 -35-38-$40. if he just chose where he wanted to be and said GIVE ME $140 M he would be inthe same scenario, but he would have got what he wanted.

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

you know, for a split second i saw this thread title here and i thought it said Jon Lieber, you know, the last 20 game winner (complete with a 3.80/1.15) for YOUR chicago cubs.

naturally, since life often "is like poetry. it rhymes." - george lucas, i think it'd be fitting for the cubs to add a Jon L. with a 6 letter last name that ends in -er. ergo, my guy (PROTIP: He's a god to most) tells me that Jon Lester to THE MIGHTY MIGHTY COO is a done deal.

of course, we're gonna find out that THE MIGHTY MIGHTY COO is a separate team entirely from the chicago baseball cubs and that means the cubs will just end up getting the 2014 equivalent of matt clement (HE'S A HORSE ya know!)

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he's testing the top end of the market and he will shop that top end to the team he really wants to play for

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

I bet it's great to be the talk of ball. But as a spectator just pick the damn Red Sox already.

Levine, take it for what's it worth, said the Dodgers will go to 170.

I'd put the likliness as

1) Red Sox
2) Giants
3) Dodgers
4) Cubs

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Team Cutler.

I think he goes to the Giants and I'll be fine with that.

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Kenny Williams fell for the banana in the tailpipe

yeah,me too. The Cubs have Hammels in tow. If they sign another 2 FA (innings eater-type)pitchers,that would be fine.

They need some hitting!!

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

I pray the Cubs stay away. They should be talking to Shields right now.

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Be well

GO BEARS!!!

They do need a #1 but 6/150 would be my max, maybe with a vesting option for year 7.