Has the 2006 Payroll Been Slashed?

[YearofDaCubs]

No excuses this year. Mediocrity should not be tolerated and thats exactly what is being planned.

[oldcubsfan]

I don't think he's been choked by lack of funds. I think to a greater degree he's getting choked by a dwindling pool of trade-value minor leaguers.

 

Just to belabor a bit more, I think part of this is his own choice, and partly the result of having some prospects too good to surrender easily.

 

It may be that Hendry is *not* offering Murton, or Cedeno, or Pie, or Guzman. Perhaps not even Hill.

 

For Tejada or Dunn, sure. But I don't think he's shopping many of those kinds of prospects for Aubrey Huff or earlier for Brad Wilkerson. I think he's seeing most of those guys (perhaps not all...) as A prospects who he won't trade except for a very good major leaguer. If a couple of those guys weren't quite so good, and were more in the B+ class like Nolasco or Brendan Harris or Beltran or Bobby Hill when they were traded, Hendry might have alittle more to work with.

 

But he's kind of asking a lot from his farm. He wants it to fill LF (Murton) and SS (Cedeno), the Maddux rotation spot (Guzman or Hill), he's already spent farm parts to get Pierre, and he still wants the farm to have enough left over to get a good RF and a good middle infielder. All this while having two recent farm graduates integral guys in the pen (Ohman and Wuertz), plus having another youngster (Williams) already in the rotatin.

 

Not a lot of farm systems have that kind of blend of quality and quantity and depth.

 

You make excellent, rational posts. Thanks.

[dbeider]

Well considering they've sold every ticket for two straight years, raised ticket prices again for 2006 and added 1800 seats for 2006, I would assume the payroll would be at least the same as last year.

 

If that's not the case I will be disappointed. At the very least I expect they would pick up some salary at the ASB.

 

They used to not really raise prices after dissapointing years, but after last year, I would hope that goes towards players.

[CubfaninCA]

A little quiz... When was Beltran signed last year?? Yes, the Winter meetings are over, but a lot can still happen.

 

Jmo but the potential Manny trade may be holding up some other deals. Once Boston, the Mets or Angels get whatever sorted out other deals will probably go through. Also, there just aren't many good RF's in the game now. The Cubs have the same problem 20 other teams have.

[BigbadB]

A little quiz... When was Beltran signed last year?? Yes, the Winter meetings are over, but a lot can still happen.

 

Jmo but the potential Manny trade may be holding up some other deals. Once Boston, the Mets or Angels get whatever sorted out other deals will probably go through. Also, there just aren't many good RF's in the game now. The Cubs have the same problem 20 other teams have.

 

There are 20 teams that are in desperate need of a RFer? :shock:

 

Kinda makes me wish Hendry put a little more priority in filling that spot.

[CubfaninCA]

RF never was a priority. Where else was Pie going to play after we acquired Pierre (who was always a Hendry target even if we got Furcal)? Whoever plays RF is just going to keep Pie's spot warm (in Hendry's ideal universe). I think that eliminates a FA outfielder like Jockstrap Jones b/c of the likely contract length (thank God) even though we have to deal with low production in a corner outfield spot (he's a CF, not a corner OF).

 

If what you are saying turns out to be true, then Hendry is probably waiting until Dec. 20 to see who gets non-tendered: maybe the Jay Gibbons/Craig Wilson platoon will be cheap.

 

Good points by MPM and Hoops. A lot may be riding on Tejada. If not Tejada, then Floyd. Basically a lot depends on Anaheim & NY, as I think the Cubs are standing in line waiting for the more serious franchises to wheel and deal.

[CubfaninCA]

A little quiz... When was Beltran signed last year?? Yes, the Winter meetings are over, but a lot can still happen.

 

Jmo but the potential Manny trade may be holding up some other deals. Once Boston, the Mets or Angels get whatever sorted out other deals will probably go through. Also, there just aren't many good RF's in the game now. The Cubs have the same problem 20 other teams have.

 

There are 20 teams that are in desperate need of a RFer? :shock:

 

Kinda makes me wish Hendry put a little more priority in filling that spot.

 

Jason Lane was #10 in ops and Encanarcion #12. What say you? Unless you want to give up Z or Prior, the Cubs aren't getting a star for rf, and Giles just wasn't happening. Too bad the Cubs didn't have an opening in RF the year Vlad was a free agent.

[YearofDaCubs]

RF never was a priority. Where else was Pie going to play after we acquired Pierre (who was always a Hendry target even if we got Furcal)? Whoever plays RF is just going to keep Pie's spot warm (in Hendry's ideal universe). I think that eliminates a FA outfielder like Jockstrap Jones b/c of the likely contract length (thank God) even though we have to deal with low production in a corner outfield spot (he's a CF, not a corner OF).

 

If what you are saying turns out to be true, then Hendry is probably waiting until Dec. 20 to see who gets non-tendered: maybe the Jay Gibbons/Craig Wilson platoon will be cheap.

 

Good points by MPM and Hoops. A lot may be riding on Tejada. If not Tejada, then Floyd. Basically a lot depends on Anaheim & NY, as I think the Cubs are standing in line waiting for the more serious franchises to wheel and deal.

At this point that's pure speculation.

[YearofDaCubs]

A little quiz... When was Beltran signed last year?? Yes, the Winter meetings are over, but a lot can still happen.

 

Jmo but the potential Manny trade may be holding up some other deals. Once Boston, the Mets or Angels get whatever sorted out other deals will probably go through. Also, there just aren't many good RF's in the game now. The Cubs have the same problem 20 other teams have.

 

There are 20 teams that are in desperate need of a RFer? :shock:

 

Kinda makes me wish Hendry put a little more priority in filling that spot.

 

Jason Lane was #10 in ops and Encanarcion #12. What say you? Unless you want to give up Z or Prior, the Cubs aren't getting a star for rf, and Giles just wasn't happening. Too bad the Cubs didn't have an opening in RF the year Vlad was a free agent.

With a little forsight they could have worked some magic. Then again we did have an opening at SS and that didn't seem to get them Tejada.

[CubfaninCA]

The bar set for RF is absurd and there's some major reaching going on...

 

The top tier is Vlad, Abreu, Giles, Ichiro and Sheff.

 

Vlad, Ichiro & Sheff are going nowhere. Giles yeah right, and sure the Cubs can get Abreu, if they give up Prior or Z.

 

The second tier's Jenkins, Green, Drew, Dye, Gibbons, Guillen, and I'll throw in a couple of guy who aren't regular rf's, Wilkerson, Bradley & Floyd.

 

If Hendry has no clue about rf, then why have there been rumors of interest in Bradley, Floyd and Wilkerson??

 

Give it up.

[YearofDaCubs]

The bar set for RF is absurd and there's some major reaching going on...

 

The top tier is Vlad, Abreu, Giles, Ichiro and Sheff.

 

Vlad, Ichiro & Sheff are going nowhere. Giles yeah right, and sure the Cubs can get Abreu, if they give up Prior or Z.

 

The second tier's Jenkins, Green, Drew, Dye, Gibbons, Guillen, and I'll throw in a couple of guy who aren't regular rf's, Wilkerson, Bradley & Floyd.

 

If Hendry has no clue about rf, then why have there been rumors of interest in Bradley, Floyd and Wilkerson??

 

Give it up.

Are you talking to me? Hendry obviously doesn't have a clue. He shipped out Sosa and replaced him with Burnitz and the next person might be worse than him now. Rumors are rumors. Actions speak louder than words and until I see somebody good in RF I'm sticking to my beliefs.

[CubfaninCA]

A little quiz... When was Beltran signed last year?? Yes, the Winter meetings are over, but a lot can still happen.

 

Jmo but the potential Manny trade may be holding up some other deals. Once Boston, the Mets or Angels get whatever sorted out other deals will probably go through. Also, there just aren't many good RF's in the game now. The Cubs have the same problem 20 other teams have.

 

There are 20 teams that are in desperate need of a RFer? :shock:

 

Kinda makes me wish Hendry put a little more priority in filling that spot.

 

Jason Lane was #10 in ops and Encanarcion #12. What say you? Unless you want to give up Z or Prior, the Cubs aren't getting a star for rf, and Giles just wasn't happening. Too bad the Cubs didn't have an opening in RF the year Vlad was a free agent.

With a little forsight they could have worked some magic. Then again we did have an opening at SS and that didn't seem to get them Tejada.

 

Who was going to take AGonz off the Cubs hands in 2003? The Cubs aren't the Yankees. They rarely sit $6 million players. AGonz was Ed Lynch's signing correct?

 

Yes, the Cubs have some major holes to fill still, but so do the top 2 franchises in baseball, the Yankees and Red Sox. Those rotations aren't going to take them far in the playoffs. Patience.

[CubfaninCA]

The bar set for RF is absurd and there's some major reaching going on...

 

The top tier is Vlad, Abreu, Giles, Ichiro and Sheff.

 

Vlad, Ichiro & Sheff are going nowhere. Giles yeah right, and sure the Cubs can get Abreu, if they give up Prior or Z.

 

The second tier's Jenkins, Green, Drew, Dye, Gibbons, Guillen, and I'll throw in a couple of guy who aren't regular rf's, Wilkerson, Bradley & Floyd.

 

If Hendry has no clue about rf, then why have there been rumors of interest in Bradley, Floyd and Wilkerson??

 

Give it up.

Are you talking to me? Hendry obviously doesn't have a clue. He shipped out Sosa and replaced him with Burnitz and the next person might be worse than him now. Rumors are rumors. Actions speak louder than words and until I see somebody good in RF I'm sticking to my beliefs.

 

Just was a general comment about the bar set for RF.

 

Burnitz 05 >> Sosa 05

[oldcubsfan]

A little quiz... When was Beltran signed last year?? Yes, the Winter meetings are over, but a lot can still happen.

 

Jmo but the potential Manny trade may be holding up some other deals. Once Boston, the Mets or Angels get whatever sorted out other deals will probably go through. Also, there just aren't many good RF's in the game now. The Cubs have the same problem 20 other teams have.

 

There are 20 teams that are in desperate need of a RFer? :shock:

 

Kinda makes me wish Hendry put a little more priority in filling that spot.

 

Jason Lane was #10 in ops and Encanarcion #12. What say you? Unless you want to give up Z or Prior, the Cubs aren't getting a star for rf, and Giles just wasn't happening. Too bad the Cubs didn't have an opening in RF the year Vlad was a free agent.

With a little forsight they could have worked some magic. Then again we did have an opening at SS and that didn't seem to get them Tejada.

 

Who was going to take AGonz off the Cubs hands in 2003? The Cubs aren't the Yankees. They rarely sit $6 million players. AGonz was Ed Lynch's signing correct?

 

Yes, the Cubs have some major holes to fill still, but so do the top 2 franchises in baseball, the Yankees and Red Sox. Those rotations aren't going to take them far in the playoffs. Patience.

You are being way too logical.

[YearofDaCubs]

A little quiz... When was Beltran signed last year?? Yes, the Winter meetings are over, but a lot can still happen.

 

Jmo but the potential Manny trade may be holding up some other deals. Once Boston, the Mets or Angels get whatever sorted out other deals will probably go through. Also, there just aren't many good RF's in the game now. The Cubs have the same problem 20 other teams have.

 

There are 20 teams that are in desperate need of a RFer? :shock:

 

Kinda makes me wish Hendry put a little more priority in filling that spot.

 

Jason Lane was #10 in ops and Encanarcion #12. What say you? Unless you want to give up Z or Prior, the Cubs aren't getting a star for rf, and Giles just wasn't happening. Too bad the Cubs didn't have an opening in RF the year Vlad was a free agent.

With a little forsight they could have worked some magic. Then again we did have an opening at SS and that didn't seem to get them Tejada.

 

Who was going to take AGonz off the Cubs hands in 2003? The Cubs aren't the Yankees. They rarely sit $6 million players. AGonz was Ed Lynch's signing correct?

 

Yes, the Cubs have some major holes to fill still, but so do the top 2 franchises in baseball, the Yankees and Red Sox. Those rotations aren't going to take them far in the playoffs. Patience.

I dont have to be patient about anything. I call it the way I see it. Add a prospect or two, and give 2mil and AGone would have been out the door. If all these team can add prospects and get rid of some of their worst players a little creativity by Hendry and he could have done it. Even with the holes the RSox and Yankees had they still made the playoffs. You say they don't have enough rotation to go deep into the playoffs well at least they can get here. And considering how we've had injuries the past couple of years I don't think we have a rotation good enough to get us INTO the playoffs especially when you consider the offense we have. At least the RSox and Yanks have the offense to offset the rotation. We sure as heck don't. Moses Hendry needs to start working some miracles as far as I'm conerned.

[YearofDaCubs]

A little quiz... When was Beltran signed last year?? Yes, the Winter meetings are over, but a lot can still happen.

 

Jmo but the potential Manny trade may be holding up some other deals. Once Boston, the Mets or Angels get whatever sorted out other deals will probably go through. Also, there just aren't many good RF's in the game now. The Cubs have the same problem 20 other teams have.

 

There are 20 teams that are in desperate need of a RFer? :shock:

 

Kinda makes me wish Hendry put a little more priority in filling that spot.

 

Jason Lane was #10 in ops and Encanarcion #12. What say you? Unless you want to give up Z or Prior, the Cubs aren't getting a star for rf, and Giles just wasn't happening. Too bad the Cubs didn't have an opening in RF the year Vlad was a free agent.

With a little forsight they could have worked some magic. Then again we did have an opening at SS and that didn't seem to get them Tejada.

 

Who was going to take AGonz off the Cubs hands in 2003? The Cubs aren't the Yankees. They rarely sit $6 million players. AGonz was Ed Lynch's signing correct?

 

Yes, the Cubs have some major holes to fill still, but so do the top 2 franchises in baseball, the Yankees and Red Sox. Those rotations aren't going to take them far in the playoffs. Patience.

You are being way too logical.

Logic has nothing to do with it. Excuses and playing it safe are not the answer anymore. Hendry is full of them.

[oldcubsfan]

A little quiz... When was Beltran signed last year?? Yes, the Winter meetings are over, but a lot can still happen.

 

Jmo but the potential Manny trade may be holding up some other deals. Once Boston, the Mets or Angels get whatever sorted out other deals will probably go through. Also, there just aren't many good RF's in the game now. The Cubs have the same problem 20 other teams have.

 

There are 20 teams that are in desperate need of a RFer? :shock:

 

Kinda makes me wish Hendry put a little more priority in filling that spot.

 

Jason Lane was #10 in ops and Encanarcion #12. What say you? Unless you want to give up Z or Prior, the Cubs aren't getting a star for rf, and Giles just wasn't happening. Too bad the Cubs didn't have an opening in RF the year Vlad was a free agent.

With a little forsight they could have worked some magic. Then again we did have an opening at SS and that didn't seem to get them Tejada.

 

Who was going to take AGonz off the Cubs hands in 2003? The Cubs aren't the Yankees. They rarely sit $6 million players. AGonz was Ed Lynch's signing correct?

 

Yes, the Cubs have some major holes to fill still, but so do the top 2 franchises in baseball, the Yankees and Red Sox. Those rotations aren't going to take them far in the playoffs. Patience.

You are being way too logical.

Logic has nothing to do with it. Excuses and playing it safe are not the answer anymore. Hendry is full of them.

 

Logic has everything to do with it.

[YearofDaCubs]

A little quiz... When was Beltran signed last year?? Yes, the Winter meetings are over, but a lot can still happen.

 

Jmo but the potential Manny trade may be holding up some other deals. Once Boston, the Mets or Angels get whatever sorted out other deals will probably go through. Also, there just aren't many good RF's in the game now. The Cubs have the same problem 20 other teams have.

 

There are 20 teams that are in desperate need of a RFer? :shock:

 

Kinda makes me wish Hendry put a little more priority in filling that spot.

 

Jason Lane was #10 in ops and Encanarcion #12. What say you? Unless you want to give up Z or Prior, the Cubs aren't getting a star for rf, and Giles just wasn't happening. Too bad the Cubs didn't have an opening in RF the year Vlad was a free agent.

With a little forsight they could have worked some magic. Then again we did have an opening at SS and that didn't seem to get them Tejada.

 

Who was going to take AGonz off the Cubs hands in 2003? The Cubs aren't the Yankees. They rarely sit $6 million players. AGonz was Ed Lynch's signing correct?

 

Yes, the Cubs have some major holes to fill still, but so do the top 2 franchises in baseball, the Yankees and Red Sox. Those rotations aren't going to take them far in the playoffs. Patience.

You are being way too logical.

Logic has nothing to do with it. Excuses and playing it safe are not the answer anymore. Hendry is full of them.

 

Logic has everything to do with it.

I don't think so. A little creativity is all it takes.

[stitchface]

Hoops, come in off the ledge!

 

I don't see Hendry functioning all that differently from his past.

 

Last year, he was allegedly very hot for Dan Kolb, but when the price got too high he stopped. Two years ago he wanted AJ Pierzynski, but when Twins demanded too much, he pulled back and settled for Barrett. We know he tried to trade for a RF last winter too, but when the prospect cost got too hot he stopped and settled for Burnitz. He wanted Kotsay this summer, but when the cost got too high, he stopped.

 

Seems to me he always decides about how far he's willing to go for a guy, and then if that's not enough he stops. That's to his credit, seems to me. Whether his choice of which guys to target and how much is too much, that's a matter for debate. But seems to me that when he's looking at guys now, he's doing the usual this-far-but-no-further as he always does, whether considering cost-in-trade or cost-for-FA. And since the supply-demand is so unfavorable this year, sellers are setting a very stiff price, be that FA's for money or teams in trade.

 

As Jeff notes, Hendry is already around $92 or so, with RF wide open. Add in the expected $9.5 he anticipated spending on Furcal and he'd be over $100, with RF still wide open and intent to fill that too. I don't think he's been choked by lack of funds. I think to a greater degree he's getting choked by a dwindling pool of trade-value minor leaguers.

 

Hendry said almost exactly that on the radio last week. He sets his price for FA or trades and doesn't go any higher.

[BigbadB]

Yes, the Cubs have some major holes to fill still, but so do the top 2 franchises in baseball, the Yankees and Red Sox. Those rotations aren't going to take them far in the playoffs. Patience.

 

Yankees:

 

Randy Johnson, Mike Mussina, Carl Pavano, Jaret Wright, Shawn Chacon, Chien-Ming Wang, etc....

 

Boston:

 

Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett, Matt Clement, Wade Miller, Tim Wakefield, Bronson Arroyo, David Wells, etc....

 

Are you sure you meant rotation? They look plenty deep to me. The only thing the Yankees need is a centerfielder, and Hideki Matsui said he'd be happy to play there. Between Matsui, Crosby and Bernie Williams, I think they'll be just fine.

 

Boston only needs a SS. Realistically, they could just stick Alex Cora, Kevin Youkilis or Andy Marte there and they'd probably be just fine. Assuming of course they resign Damon, which I have no doubt will happen.

 

So, each of these two teams not only have in house alternatives, but they could both open the season as is and be playoff caliber. Can we say this about the Cubs? Not a chance. We have Jerry Hairston Jr., Corey Patterson and John Mabry in RF.

 

The Cubs have a lot of work to do to be "playoff caliber".

[stitchface]

I don't think he's been choked by lack of funds. I think to a greater degree he's getting choked by a dwindling pool of trade-value minor leaguers.

 

Just to belabor a bit more, I think part of this is his own choice, and partly the result of having some prospects too good to surrender easily.

 

It may be that Hendry is *not* offering Murton, or Cedeno, or Pie, or Guzman. Perhaps not even Hill.

 

For Tejada or Dunn, sure. But I don't think he's shopping many of those kinds of prospects for Aubrey Huff or earlier for Brad Wilkerson. I think he's seeing most of those guys (perhaps not all...) as A prospects who he won't trade except for a very good major leaguer. If a couple of those guys weren't quite so good, and were more in the B+ class like Nolasco or Brendan Harris or Beltran or Bobby Hill when they were traded, Hendry might have alittle more to work with.

 

But he's kind of asking a lot from his farm. He wants it to fill LF (Murton) and SS (Cedeno), the Maddux rotation spot (Guzman or Hill), he's already spent farm parts to get Pierre, and he still wants the farm to have enough left over to get a good RF and a good middle infielder. All this while having two recent farm graduates integral guys in the pen (Ohman and Wuertz), plus having another youngster (Williams) already in the rotatin.

 

Not a lot of farm systems have that kind of blend of quality and quantity and depth.

 

You make excellent, rational posts. Thanks.

 

Its nice to see someone can compliment craig's posts without trying to belittle the rest of the posters.

[stitchface]

I am not too impressed with that yankees rotation - the only reliable starter is a big injury risk. Their offense on the other hand . . .

[CubfaninCA]

A little quiz... When was Beltran signed last year?? Yes, the Winter meetings are over, but a lot can still happen.

 

Jmo but the potential Manny trade may be holding up some other deals. Once Boston, the Mets or Angels get whatever sorted out other deals will probably go through. Also, there just aren't many good RF's in the game now. The Cubs have the same problem 20 other teams have.

 

There are 20 teams that are in desperate need of a RFer? :shock:

 

Kinda makes me wish Hendry put a little more priority in filling that spot.

 

Jason Lane was #10 in ops and Encanarcion #12. What say you? Unless you want to give up Z or Prior, the Cubs aren't getting a star for rf, and Giles just wasn't happening. Too bad the Cubs didn't have an opening in RF the year Vlad was a free agent.

With a little forsight they could have worked some magic. Then again we did have an opening at SS and that didn't seem to get them Tejada.

 

Who was going to take AGonz off the Cubs hands in 2003? The Cubs aren't the Yankees. They rarely sit $6 million players. AGonz was Ed Lynch's signing correct?

 

Yes, the Cubs have some major holes to fill still, but so do the top 2 franchises in baseball, the Yankees and Red Sox. Those rotations aren't going to take them far in the playoffs. Patience.

I dont have to be patient about anything. I call it the way I see it. Add a prospect or two, and give 2mil and AGone would have been out the door. If all these team can add prospects and get rid of some of their worst players a little creativity by Hendry and he could have done it. Even with the holes the RSox and Yankees had they still made the playoffs. You say they don't have enough rotation to go deep into the playoffs well at least they can get here. And considering how we've had injuries the past couple of years I don't think we have a rotation good enough to get us INTO the playoffs especially when you consider the offense we have. At least the RSox and Yanks have the offense to offset the rotation. We sure as heck don't. Moses Hendry needs to start working some miracles as far as I'm conerned.

 

You act as if all Hendry needs to do is wiggle his nose people will take the Cubs garbage and give them a star as well. It takes 2 to tangle.

 

As for the Red Sox, the Sox have a ton of moves they still need to make. As for the Yankees, they should never miss the playoffs when they outspend everyone by a far margin. Not making the World Series should be a major disappoint for that franchise.

[YearofDaCubs]

A little quiz... When was Beltran signed last year?? Yes, the Winter meetings are over, but a lot can still happen.

 

Jmo but the potential Manny trade may be holding up some other deals. Once Boston, the Mets or Angels get whatever sorted out other deals will probably go through. Also, there just aren't many good RF's in the game now. The Cubs have the same problem 20 other teams have.

 

There are 20 teams that are in desperate need of a RFer? :shock:

 

Kinda makes me wish Hendry put a little more priority in filling that spot.

 

Jason Lane was #10 in ops and Encanarcion #12. What say you? Unless you want to give up Z or Prior, the Cubs aren't getting a star for rf, and Giles just wasn't happening. Too bad the Cubs didn't have an opening in RF the year Vlad was a free agent.

With a little forsight they could have worked some magic. Then again we did have an opening at SS and that didn't seem to get them Tejada.

 

Who was going to take AGonz off the Cubs hands in 2003? The Cubs aren't the Yankees. They rarely sit $6 million players. AGonz was Ed Lynch's signing correct?

 

Yes, the Cubs have some major holes to fill still, but so do the top 2 franchises in baseball, the Yankees and Red Sox. Those rotations aren't going to take them far in the playoffs. Patience.

I dont have to be patient about anything. I call it the way I see it. Add a prospect or two, and give 2mil and AGone would have been out the door. If all these team can add prospects and get rid of some of their worst players a little creativity by Hendry and he could have done it. Even with the holes the RSox and Yankees had they still made the playoffs. You say they don't have enough rotation to go deep into the playoffs well at least they can get here. And considering how we've had injuries the past couple of years I don't think we have a rotation good enough to get us INTO the playoffs especially when you consider the offense we have. At least the RSox and Yanks have the offense to offset the rotation. We sure as heck don't. Moses Hendry needs to start working some miracles as far as I'm conerned.

 

You act as if all Hendry needs to do is wiggle his nose people will take the Cubs garbage and give them a star as well. It takes 2 to tangle.

 

As for the Red Sox, the Sox have a ton of moves they still need to make. As for the Yankees, they should never miss the playoffs when they outspend everyone by a far margin. Not making the World Series should be a major disappoint for that franchise.

Hendry had his opportunities to trade or sign free agents. Nobody ever said trading and signing FA was easy but as a GM you need to do whatever it takes to improve the team. Hendry hasn't done that in years. It's a fact.

[CubfaninCA]

Yes, the Cubs have some major holes to fill still, but so do the top 2 franchises in baseball, the Yankees and Red Sox. Those rotations aren't going to take them far in the playoffs. Patience.

 

Yankees:

 

Randy Johnson, Mike Mussina, Carl Pavano, Jaret Wright, Shawn Chacon, Chien-Ming Wang, etc....

 

Boston:

 

Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett, Matt Clement, Wade Miller, Tim Wakefield, Bronson Arroyo, David Wells, etc....

 

Are you sure you meant rotation? They look plenty deep to me. The only thing the Yankees need is a centerfielder, and Hideki Matsui said he'd be happy to play there. Between Matsui, Crosby and Bernie Williams, I think they'll be just fine.

 

Boston only needs a SS. Realistically, they could just stick Alex Cora, Kevin Youkilis or Andy Marte there and they'd probably be just fine. Assuming of course they resign Damon, which I have no doubt will happen.

 

So, each of these two teams not only have in house alternatives, but they could both open the season as is and be playoff caliber. Can we say this about the Cubs? Not a chance. We have Jerry Hairston Jr., Corey Patterson and John Mabry in RF.

 

The Cubs have a lot of work to do to be "playoff caliber".

 

Sure they're deep and good for the regular season when everyone's going 5 man rotation, but when the rotations are narrowed down in the postseason these rotations don't cut it. Boston has a possible #1 in Beckett, if healthy. Schilling may be a bigger question mark than Wood. The rest are #3's & 4's. The Yankees are counting on a couple of guys well past their primes (Johnson & Mussina) and a couple injury prone guys (Pavano & Wright) and some kids.

 

If this is what they're going to war with next year, they're tossing a bunch of money don' the toilet. As they say in Boston, bohk it.