Anthony Rizzo gets paid.

[jbindm]

Chicago Cubs lock in Anthony Rizzo with 7-year, $41 million deal - ESPN Chicago

What do you think, Cubs fans? Do you think we locked up a good one early or is this yet another albatross contract to deal with in a few years? I like it; especially the team options that could make it a nine year deal. I'm no baseball expert, but that seems like a pretty good deal for a guy who could make multiple all star game appearances. He's a building block along with Castro.

 

[gocubs2118]

The contract isn't big enough to be an albatross. Even if he struggles, which I doubt, the contract is still small enough for it to not be that big of a deal.

There is literally no downside to this for the Cubs.

 

[Rabbuk]

There's escalators to take it up to 73 million. I hope those happen because it means he's playing as good as I think he will be.

 

[cmjh10]

As a Cards fan, this guy worries me. You Cubs fans should be excited about this guy, and you have him locked up cheap. Give him and Castro a few more years, and that could be a deadly 1 2 punch.

 

[boone7247]

Good contract for both parties in my opinion. Doesn't heap a lot of pressure on Rizzo but at the same time provides incentive for him to preform well. I wish more deals were done this way.

 

[Wesley]

Better money spent than Soriano funny money.

 

[JP4CY]

There is literally no downside to this for the Cubs.

There's escalators to take it up to 73 million. I hope those happen because it means he's playing as good as I think he will be.

Give him and Castro a few more years, and that could be a deadly 1 2 punch.

Good contract for both parties in my opinion.

Better money spent than Soriano funny money.

Samesies

 

[djcubby]

After the last regime, I'm happy with anything that isn't a 10 year contract for a washed up outfielder.

 

[Clark]

All this contract does is lock in his salary for his arbitration years for the most part, which is why the annual salary is so low. He's played well enough to have earned this.

I saw an article about the Cubs possibly pursuing Jacoby Ellsbury in FA after the season. Wouln't mind that signing as long as it isn't a ridiculous price.

 

[cycloneworld]

The contract isn't big enough to be an albatross. Even if he struggles, which I doubt, the contract is still small enough for it to not be that big of a deal.

There is literally no downside to this for the Cubs.

This. Here is the breakdown:

$2 mil signing bonus
2013 - $750k
2014 - $1.25 mil
2015 - $5 mil
2016 - $5 mil
2017 - $7 mil
2018 - $7 mil
2019 - $11 mil

Club Options
220 - $14.5 mil
2021 - $14.5 mil

Very little risk for the Cubs. Good deal for both sides.

 

[Clones21]

He will be good.

 

[Clark]

He will be good.

He is good. The question is if he'll be great.

 

[jbindm]

All this contract does is lock in his salary for his arbitration years for the most part, which is why the annual salary is so low. He's played well enough to have earned this.

I saw an article about the Cubs possibly pursuing Jacoby Ellsbury in FA after the season. Wouln't mind that signing as long as it isn't a ridiculous price.

I'd be on board with that. Epstein has things going in the right direction, albeit not as quickly as the fanbase would like. But a mess as big as the one he inherited takes time to clean up, and if the wait results in a stable organization that can perennially be a playoff contender, it's worth it.

 

[KnappShack]

Good contract for a nice young hitter who seems to be a quality club house guy.

Once Soriano is off of the books we can start bashing the Angels and their recent track record of horrible signings (look no further than first base/DH at The Big A for a painful contract)

 

[Doc]

The contract isn't big enough to be an albatross. Even if he struggles, which I doubt, the contract is still small enough for it to not be that big of a deal.

There is literally no downside to this for the Cubs.

This. Here is the breakdown:

$2 mil signing bonus
2013 - $750k
2014 - $1.25 mil
2015 - $5 mil
2016 - $5 mil
2017 - $7 mil
2018 - $7 mil
2019 - $11 mil

Club Options
220 - $14.5 mil
2021 - $14.5 mil

Very little risk for the Cubs. Good deal for both sides.

I think it's a great deal for the Cubs, but they increased their risk with it. If he regresses, they can't simply non-tender him anymore.

The Cubs would have had him cheap for a couple of more years regardless of how he performs. Essentially they bought out his arbitration years and took on more risk in terms of guaranteed money in exchange for what should be a very nice discount come the end of the decade.