Jim Hendry’s $300 million free-agent shopping spree over the winter helped change perceptions about the Cubs’ spending habits, but it also gave a false impression of the makeup of the team.
“Everyone looks at it like, ‘They spent $300 million, [so they should win],” right fielder Cliff Floyd said. “Yeah, but most of that went to two players (Alfonso Soriano and Aramis Ramirez), so you still have to hope we get better and better and everyone stays healthy.”
If the Cubs play into October, Hendry’s free-spending ways will be credited for paving the path. If not, it may be the end of the road for the Cubs’ GM.
Heading into the back nine of the 2007 season, here’s a look at Hendry’s free-agent scorecard:
PLAYER; CONTRACT; SCORE
Alfonso Soriano; 8 years, $136 million; BIRDIE
Despite a slow start, Soriano is tied for sixth in the National League with 43 extra-base hits and tied for seventh in runs scored with 60. Soriano still needs to bring his “A” game to Wrigley Field. He’s hitting .354 with a .640 slugging percentage on the road but only .255 with a .414 slugging percentage at home.
Aramis Ramirez; 5 years, $75 million; BIRDIE
A knee injury has slowed his running but hasn’t affected his hitting. Ramirez is batting .369 since June 1 and traditionally is a second-half hitter. One stat bears watching: He’s hitting .342 with a .637 slugging percentage in day games, and .275 with a .458 slugging percentage at night.
Ted Lilly; 4 years, $40 million; BIRDIE
The Cubs were looking for 15 or more victories from Lilly, and he’s more than halfway there at 8-4. Lilly ranks third in the NL in opponents on-base percentage (.279); sixth in opponents batting average (.231); eighth in walks per nine innings (2.16) and fourth in strikeouts-to-walks ratio (3.6 to 1).
Jason Marquis; 3 years, $21 million; PAR
Marquis got off to a great start but has slowed down as the weather has heated up. Yet he’s still 6-5 with a respectable 3.67 ERA and seventh in the league in opponents batting average (.231). He appears to tire after five or six innings. Opponents are hitting .300 off Marquis after 90 pitches.
Mark DeRosa; 3 years, $13 million; EAGLE
Unselfish attitude gives Piniella more lineup flexibility. He’s hitting .339 with 28 RBIs since June 1 and is second to Ramirez with 49 RBIs overall, one for every 5.3 at-bats. A clutch hitter, DeRosa ranks seventh in the NL with a .364 average with runners in scoring position. With RISP and two outs, he’s hitting .448.
Cliff Floyd; 1 year, $3 million; BIRDIE
It is probably no coincidence the Cubs’ record has improved as Floyd’s playing time has increased. He’s tied for third in the NL with a .385 average with RISP. He has been much better at night than in day games, with a .316 average and .526 slugging percentage at night as opposed to .271 and .282 in the daytime.
Henry Blanco; 2 years, $5.25 million; BOGEY
Defensive specialist played sparingly and hit only .194 in 36 at-bats before being disabled with neck spasms in May. Still has a chance to make amends if he returns by the end of July and has a typical second half. Blanco hit .318 after All-Star break in ’05 and .287 after the break in ’06.
Kerry Wood; 1 year, $1.75 million; BOGEY
Hendry gave Wood an incentive-laden deal with a relatively low base salary but watched him get shut down with shoulder problems in spring training. Wood could be a factor in the final two months. No matter what, his first outing at Wrigley Field figures to be an electric moment.
Wade Miller; 1 year, $1.5 million; BOGEY
Given a chance to be the fifth starter, Miller faded quickly in April and has been rehabbing ever since. Whether he will get another shot at the rotation will be determined by his upcoming rehab stint in the minors and whether Rich Hill can regain his early-season consistency.
Daryle Ward; 1 year, $1.05 million; BIRDIE
Lack of playing time hasn’t kept him from hitting. Ward is batting .356 since May 1 and .327 overall. Brought in primarily as a pinch-hitter, he’s batting only .217 in that role. May get a few more starts in right field vs. right-handers in the second half.
Jeff Samardzija; 5 years, $10 million; BOGEY
Was thought to be on the fast track based on impressive Cactus League outings. But Samardzija has struggled at Class A Daytona with a 2-5 record and 4.73 ERA. The former Notre Dame star needs the same consistency in his pitching as he has shown in his blogging.
