Gordon Wittenmeyer write in todays SunTimes, that Paul Bako is going to be signed by the Cubs in the next couple days, to a 1 year deal worth $500,000. He would take the place of Henry Blanco (a step down from Blanco IMO). I realize that Soto should catch about 140 games and that makes the backup catchers position less relevant than on some other teams. But should Soto get hurt, do we really want Bako to be the catcher? Who knows, maybe Koyie Hill ends up beating him out for the spot.

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Go Cubs!!!!

I would rather have Robert Machado. Hell what is Rick Wilkins doing these days?

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jim sundberg

Hector Villanueva or Barry Foote

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My Maserati does 186.

damon berry mother fuckn hill

In the worst air-brushing in baseball card history...

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My Maserati does 186.

If only Berryhill didn't have the messed up shoulder and missed for the 89 playoffs...man we would only lost 4 games to 2....

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Would he have been able to tell Lancaster what the count was?

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My Maserati does 186.

He would have had to kidnap Will Clark to win that series

This will be Cub Redemption; the real crime was allowing Bako to leave in the first place.

This story is huuuuuge.....

I can't believe it, a Les Lackluster reference..

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Go Cubs!!!!

What, exactly, was wrong with keeping Hank White around?

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Nothing...anyone remember when Lancaster took an 0.00 ERA in to like June or July?
As a youngster I was impressed.

You beat me to it...Bryan...we must be about the same age....I was 10 during the 89 season...

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I turned 10 during that season

I am most displeased with this whole Bako thing.

I don't like it one bit.

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Seriously?

Maybe by the time your husband takes over the big league club (next year) he'll be gone

I don't like it either. I know Bako bats lefty and Hendry wants a more lefthanded batters (and rightfully so) but I don't think having a subpar lefthanded hitter like Bako improves the lineup.

IMO, Blanco is better defensively than Bako and Blanco seems to have a good rapport with the pitchers and Soto. I see this as a step back.

They can't afford him.

Agreed. I know they are saving about a million dollars, but it seems like they are being penny wise and dollar dumb. Blanco was a guy the pitchers AND Soto really respected and worked well with.

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Go Cubs!!!!

Cute

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Seriously?

So is Blanco done? I prefer Blanco, but if his neck still isnt right this is not a bad signing.

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He was released right after the end of the season.

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Seriously?

I think we all know what the Cubs need now.....

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He was not released. His contract expired and he became a free agent. He was looking for a contract of about 1.5 million and the Cubs decided Bako at 1/3 the cost, was a better deal. They are counting on Soto staying healthy, which is reasonable because he's young. But catchers tend to get hurt now and then and if Soto is out for more than a few games, I would much rather Blanco was taking his place.

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Go Cubs!!!!

For some stupid reason I looked up Sundberg's stats a few weeks ago. Now his name comes up in this thread a few times. Should have picked him in the death pool...

Sources told ESPN's Buster Olney that the Padres have agreed to terms with Henry Blanco on a one-year, $750,000 contract.


Blanco signed with the Padres for only $250,000 more than what the cubs offered Bako?? Why the hell didn't Hendry they sign Blanco for that amount?? I really don't understand what the hell Hendry's trying to do this off season. Maybe he can try to get him back in the Peavy deal.