Cubs fans - - PLEASE, get REAL about Hamels!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This team with or without him will not be competing for several more years. Whats the point of getting him and paying the premium dollars? Unless you want to give a pitcher a 7-8 year deal?

I just dont see this, and even if Cubs want to spend the $, how many years are you gonna have to commit to?

Sorry, my bad.......

BWAAA...................................

>>Cubs fans - - PLEASE, get REAL about Hamels!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!>>

Agreed, this is getting ridiculous. He is not coming here.

I do find it funny though that a lot of the same people who want Hamels were the ones shouting 'Whats the point of getting him during a rebuild?' when people wanted Fielder last year. Was that just blind hatred for a chubby black guy? Funny that the svelte white guy isn't getting this kind of reaction.

Anyway, I think a lot of fans are in true denial about the rebuild. This isn't a one-year project. By Theo's own lofty and optimistic predictions, it'll take 3 full seasons. In reality, it will be more.

I agree 23, it looks like a looong time before we see this team in the play-offs and knowing the luck and the 'weight' that Hardslide keeps harping on about, even longer before we get into a World Series...sigh!

What would you ever do without cut & paste???? ;)

Good post, and youve answered the question regarding hamels, we're maybe 3-4 years away, whats the point?

I do think PF is a much different case. He was/is still very young, and I think would have been a good catch, if Cubs/PF was interested in coming here. He's young, and an everyday player, and as big as he is, he's always been healthy and a consistent hitter. If he was on a 6-7-8 year deal, he would still be hitting his prime about the same time Cubs would (supposedly) be competitive. Much bigger gamble to do that with a pitcher, methinks.

>>Much bigger gamble to do that with a pitcher>>

Definitely, no question there...

The Cubs have never gone after the biggest & best free agents. This policy will not change under Ricketts & Epstein. The difference before was that no attention was paid to scouting or the farm. We will most likely see young talent develop under Theo. It will just take time. Just what a Cubs fan wants to hear, right? heh..

<<The Cubs have never gone after the biggest & best free agents.>>

To be fair, yes they did - Soriano. (I was against his acquisition from the get-go, but thats another story.)

That was an aberration. The Tribune was about to sell the team so they spent a ton of money in order to boost the value of the team. And it worked. All those deals were backloaded so the future owner (Ricketts) would have to deal with them.

Never at any other point have the Cubs gone out and gotten the best and biggest free agents.

If we end up extending Garza, there is no chance we sign Hamels. We have Rusin (L) and Wood (L), who should be continuing to progress.

You have to trade Garza to an AL East team to repair the holes in our system.
You have to trade Maholm, because Rusin is ready.
Randy Wells is done. Casey Coleman is too inconsistent.

2012
#1. 2.11 ERA, 1.02 WHIP Ryan Dempster
#2. 4.07 ERA, 1.11 WHIP Matt Garza
#3. 4.04 ERA, 1.35 WHIP Jeff Samardzija
#4. 4.14 ERA, 1.26 WHIP Travis Wood
#5. 4.88 ERA, 1.32 WHIP Paul Maholm

2013 (2012 stats)
#1. 2.54 ERA, 1.21 WHIP Brandon McCarthy
#2. 3.47 ERA, 1.13 WHIP Anibal Sanchez
#3. 4.04 ERA, 1.35 WHIP Jeff Samardzija
#4. 4.14 ERA, 1.26 WHIP Travis Wood
#5. 4.56 ERA, 1.34 WHIP Chris Rusin (AAA)

Even without Garza... We. Are. Not. Getting. Hamels.

<<If we end up extending Garza, there is no chance we sign Hamels.>>

I disagree. And by no means do I think the Cubs could secure hamels. BUT, if they extend MG, I think you might see the Cubs at least make a play for hamels or some other pitcher, though I'm not so sure whats even available in FA. Reason being, if MG is extended, then it appears FO thinks it can compete within a shorter time horizon, not the 4-5 year plan many here suggest. I would think FO just might make some plays for top pitching and position players if they extend MG.

He got drilled in 1 bad outing, which raised his ERA like 1.50 points.

This is the same guy that blanked the loaded Angels roster in Spring Training this year for 5.1 innings.

Harry, no matter how you slice it, there is no quality or even decent pitching on it's way from the Minors, while the organization concentrated on position players under Hendry, emphasis on pitching went out the proverbial window. And now we're led to believe that Sanchez and McCarthy are going to want to come here to 'energize' this starting staff.....Fat chance! The Cubs are in a World of dogdoo when it comes to pitching and improvement in other areas is 'light years' away!

Anibal Sanchez and Brandon McCarthy are also available next year.
Around the same age as Garza and Hamels.

Look for Theo to replace Dempster and Garza with Maholm clones via free agency.