November 15, 2017: To Jake or Not To Jake

posted in: Cubs | 1

This is a tough one.  The Cubs need to be smart with their money, but they have a ton of it.  Jake’s best days may be behind him, but I think he has a lot of good ones left.  The Cubs window is wide open; Jake helped open it, and would help keep it open a bit wider in the next couple years.  To Jake or Not To Jake… that is the question.

I see these big money contracts thrown around all the time to guys who really don’t deserve it… but that’s the price of poker.  The Cubs have a big stack.  I think Jake is more worthy than many of these guys.  How many years is he looking for?

We’ve seen big year contracts come back and haunt us.  Alfonso Soriano comes to mind.  Brent Seabrook is creeping lately with the Hawks.  Don’t want to mention Cutler, but I just did.  Out of those three guys, who is the easiest one to stomach?  I’d have to say Seabs, because he has helped us win here… multiple times.  Kind of like the whole Heyward argument…  the fact that we won justifies the dough to a certain extent.  I know that doesn’t make me feel any better during the 162 grind and Heyward is batting his weight… or watching Seabrook stand like an immobile ice sculpture on the ice.  I’m just trying to sort through things…

Jake has brought us a lot of good times.  Attending his 20th win back in 2015 was my favorite Cubs game of all time that I was physically present for; it ranks right up there with that Aramis Ramirez GS game against the Phils back in 2008…  Anyways, the no hitters, the unbelievable 2nd half of 2015, the World Series wins, the HR off MadBum… I could go on here.  I love Jake.  Have we seen the best of Jake?  Would we be paying for past performance instead of projected future performance?  How did that “paying for future performance” work out for Heyward?
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There is no way to predict the future; if you know, let me know.  We already have the memory banks full of Jake warm and fuzzies… personally making me lean on bringing him back.  Yes, I do want him back.  But a 5 year deal???

How does 4 years 100 million dollar sound?  Too much?  Would you rather pay Alex Cobb 4 years 60 million and have 40 million to spare?  Would you rather trade Russell or Baez to get Archer?  You want to bring back Lackey too?  Montgomery in the rotation OK?  There are more questions than answers at this point.  Lester, Quintana, and Hendricks are the only sure bets at this point.  Definitely need at least one more quality starter, preferably two; no, Lackey is not a quality starter.

It’s hard to stay discipline, and stick to the script.  I know I couldn’t do it.  The emotions involved would be too much; I’d sign Jake back in a heartbeat.  But, I guess I would understand if we didn’t.  Still, if 4/100 gets him… sure would be nice to have him on that mound; someone we could trust.  It goes back to Trusting in Theo; he’s taken us to the promised land.  We want more; what’s the best way to get more?  Doing what is best for the Cubs, that’s how.  Choosing team over individual, that’s how.  I’ll always love Jake…  now what about Wade Davis?  That sounds like a whole ‘nother conversation.

  1. MK

    This is a very tough one. Theo and the Cubs need to make a smart decision. Yes, Jake has been amazing for the Cubs since he came over. 2 no hitters. A Cubs World Series. Domination for tons of starts. There is always a but, though. But does he still have 4 or 5 15+ win years left? Will injuries start to catch up with him? The good thing about that is it was not his arm, it was his hammy. Jake deserves a pay day…no doubt about it. The question is whether the Cubs will give it to him because other teams will. In certain respects, you have to pay for past performance because the future is uncertain. Cobb would be a nice addition, but there would be questions about him as well. Yes, he would come cheaper than Jake, but would the Cubs get more value? My idea for Jake, pay the man his money, Cubs. If he insists on a 5 year deal, make it 5 years for $110 million. 4 years for $100 million. I would front load the deal either way and make the back end of the deal more incentive based. I will not be crushed if the Cubs let him go elsewhere, but I think they should try to sign him, and Jake should be a little more lenient with the Cubs to try to make a deal. Either way, trust in Theo! We did it when he got to the Cubs and now the Cubs have a World Series title! These decisions do not get easier…see the Bhawks during their run. GO CUBS GO!!!

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