Capps signs with Nats and Cubs offseason progress report

Apparently the decision for Matt Capps was quite simple. A guaranteed closer role with a team that is trying to build themselves up versus a setup role with a club that is on a downward path. Capps took the role that will make him more money down the line, the sure thing if he does his job. Who can blame him?

Here is what the Washington Times reports:

Here’s an early Christmas present for Nationals fans: Matt Capps indeed came to terms with Washington early this morning (nearly 2 a.m.) on a one-year contract. The deal is for $3.5 million, with some incentives that could push his salary up to nearly $4 million if he closes out enough games in 2010.

and

One important point to make, because there may have been some confusion about this last night. Even though Capps’ deal is for only one year, the Nats do have control of him for two years. He won’t have enough service time to become a free agent until 2012 and thus will be eligible for arbitration one last time next winter. That’s the reason both Washington and Capps were willing to do a one-year contract, and why Capps actually preferred it. This way, if he posts good numbers in 2010, he can either get a nice raise through arbitration or even negotiate a long-term contract with the Nats.

So all the Cubs had to do with Capps was secure him for a season and he would have been controlled by the club next season. While, I’m happy the Cubs didn’t overpay for Capps; it’s disheartening to see that they couldn’t somehow come to terms with a player they wanted.

Cubs offseason progress report:

So, we’ve reached Christmas and what have we learned about the Cubs this offseason? On the field, no improvements have been made. The team is actually worse with the departure of Rich Harden and say what you want about the nut job that manned RF, but Sam Fuld or Tyler Colvin are not upgrades.

There is still time left in the Cubs offseason. At this point I know alot of Cub fans want to point fingers. Many want to point them at the new owner others the old GM. I probably lean more toward the latter, but the early returns on the new Cubs owner are not very shiny. Regardless of what camp you are in on the blame games, it is real clear that the Cubs are a team that is on a downward trend. With this core of players the Cubs made good runs in 2007 and 2008. The team now does not have the supporting cast around Lee, Ramirez, Soriano, and Zambrano that they had a few years ago. This is not a good place for the club to be.

Anyways, Hendry now has more than a month to figure out who the team will parade out on the field in Spring Training in Mesa. I know anything can happen in baseball, and I respect that, but to just call this thing the way I see it the Cubs at this point are trending down. It’s $140 million for a .500 club. That’s not acceptable on any level.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Cub fans!