State of the ballclub, what's next??

[WrigleyinEngland]

I know many on here including myself have been critical of this off season but how are we going to compete?. Is Hendry going to trust Dusty with platoons in LF and RF?. Is it possible he will trade for an OF or SS? i just feel we have so many holes. I really like the bullpen moves and i would of liked the pierre move if another bopper and starting pitcher had been added. One thing that hasn't been talked of on here is JH and dustys obsession with trying to catch lightning in a bottle. We never go for a sure thing, instead we try and plug gaps and get one good year out of a vet. So what state are we in? what other moves can we expect?. Is there anyway we compete next year?.

[YearofDaCubs]

I wouldn't be surprised if we were in a similar situation as last year trying to make the wildcard and then faultering. This was not the offseason I was expecting. I expected Hendry to do a better job of using the surplus money available to improve this ball club and he did a poor job of it. I think going forward it might be best to cut ties with Hendry and most definitely Baker.

[CubfaninCA]

The Cubs try to land Cliff Floyd in the blockbuster Manny deal. Murton gets sent back to Boston & Walker to the Mets. ;)

[wXw]

At this point, I just hope Hendry stops doing anything. I'm at the point where no news is great news.

[AcesHigh]

We went into the offseason needing a big bat to compete and we're still looking. This team will not go far if it doesn't get another guy that can hit some HR's with any consistency. We need that bat, even if it means trading away prospects.

 

That being said, I think Hendry is trying to bring in a another hitter, but he's not doing a real good job.

[anemic offense]

We went into the offseason needing a big bat to compete and we're still looking. This team will not go far if it doesn't get another guy that can hit some HR's with any consistency. We need that bat, even if it means trading away prospects.

 

That being said, I think Hendry is trying to bring in a another hitter, but he's not doing a real good job.

 

It obviously would help if the Cubs acquired a big bat, but unlike many here I didn't think it was a necessity. If there was one thing this team COULD not afford to do it was to go into the season without upgrading several key positions. So far, albeit not enthustically promising, the Cubs should be a lot better. CF, SS, and LF should be significant upgrades over what we had last year (not that they will necessarily be great indivdiually, rather we were just THAT BAD in here in the 05 season). RF should be a wash, while 2B is a big ??? with the looming insertion of Neifi/the trading of Todd. But what may be the biggest key (outside SP health) to the offseason is the BP. If there has been one common factor amongst the last several WS champs it is that they have a solid bullpen (there are other things but I think this stands out). In contrast, this team has fielded one of the worst pens over the last few year which was inept in every facet of the game (closing, inherited runners, pitching well in close games, BB/9, etc.) . IMO, the succeess of this team will be closely correlated with that of the pen. If Dempster, Howry, Eyre, and co. can prove their mettel, this could be a pretty good team. If they don't, the Cubs will be attrocious. As silly as it may sound (to some) I think it may be really that simple (or that hard because BPs are so tough to fix via FA...LT anyone??).

[Backtobanks]

We went into the offseason needing a big bat to compete and we're still looking. This team will not go far if it doesn't get another guy that can hit some HR's with any consistency. We need that bat, even if it means trading away prospects.

 

That being said, I think Hendry is trying to bring in a another hitter, but he's not doing a real good job.

 

While I would love to have another guy who can hit HRs, I think that Pierre leading off with a decent #2 hitter will account for quite a few more runs being scored. The Cubs will be competitive if certain players can avoid the DL (Wood, Prior, Ramirez, etc.), Murton and Cedeno get to play and perform at a decent level, and DLee and ARam do their thing. Many posters (including me) think the Cubs could win 90 games. Now if the Cards would come down to that level (very possible), we have a shot.

[Drew Doughty]

The Cubs have too many variables for success.

 

1) Lee is most likely going to decline, how much is an issue.

2) Ramirez and Wood's health, along with Prior avoiding freak injuries.

3) Prior having command and not throwing 100 pitches by the 5th inning

4) Bullpen consistency (though that goes for just about everyone)

5) Pierre bouncing back.

6) Murton and Cedeno being somewhat decent.

7) Second base...

8) Having a decent 5th starter)

9) Maddux having a decent season. I wouldn't mind a repeat of last year if the rest of the team is good

10) Dusty not screwing us over on a daily basis.

11) The Pirates wanting to trade with us

[Scotti]

While I would love to have another guy who can hit HRs, I think that Pierre leading off with a decent #2 hitter will account for quite a few more runs being scored. The Cubs will be competitive if certain players can avoid the DL (Wood, Prior, Ramirez, etc.), Murton and Cedeno get to play and perform at a decent level, and DLee and ARam do their thing. Many posters (including me) think the Cubs could win 90 games. Now if the Cards would come down to that level (very possible), we have a shot.

 

If Z, Prior and Wood are healthy this team can win a lot more than 90 games (even if Wood is not quite Wood):

 

*Very few teams have 2 true Aces (Z and Prior) and add a healthy (but recovering) Wood plus Maddux and Williams is plenty of starting pitching. The Pen is solid at worst (and very deep).

 

*The offense has three players who are either the best or second best in the NL (Lee, Ramirez and Barrett). The offense has a leadoff hitter who scored 13 more runs than all of our leadoff guys did last year (and he had a "bad" year).

[Southpaw191679666239]

The Cubs have too many variables for success.

 

1) Lee is most likely going to decline, how much is an issue.

2) Ramirez and Wood's health, along with Prior avoiding freak injuries.

3) Prior having command and not throwing 100 pitches by the 5th inning

4) Bullpen consistency (though that goes for just about everyone)

5) Pierre bouncing back.

6) Murton and Cedeno being somewhat decent.

7) Second base...

8) Having a decent 5th starter)

9) Maddux having a decent season. I wouldn't mind a repeat of last year if the rest of the team is good

10) Dusty not screwing us over on a daily basis.

11) The Pirates wanting to trade with us

 

12) The desire not to finish behind Milwaukee again. ;)

[AcesHigh]

We went into the offseason needing a big bat to compete and we're still looking. This team will not go far if it doesn't get another guy that can hit some HR's with any consistency. We need that bat, even if it means trading away prospects.

 

That being said, I think Hendry is trying to bring in a another hitter, but he's not doing a real good job.

 

While I would love to have another guy who can hit HRs, I think that Pierre leading off with a decent #2 hitter will account for quite a few more runs being scored. The Cubs will be competitive if certain players can avoid the DL (Wood, Prior, Ramirez, etc.), Murton and Cedeno get to play and perform at a decent level, and DLee and ARam do their thing. Many posters (including me) think the Cubs could win 90 games. Now if the Cards would come down to that level (very possible), we have a shot.

You're right, Pierre plus a solid 2 hitter(hopefully Walker) would account for a lot of runs, but I'm not sure that we are going to have that 2 hitter. Dusty will, more than likely, put Jones/Grissom/Neifi in the two spot. In order to make up for that lack of production, we need another power bat.

 

With Walker hitting two, our offense has a chance to be okay. I'm just not so sure he'll be there.

[back2backjax]

a lot of people on here are complaining that hendry didn't land a big bopper, etc., but i ask WHO SHOULD HE HAVE LANDED?

 

how many big bopping LF, RF and SS have been available this offseason? he went after furcal hard but chose not to overpay for him and i'm glad he didn't. i don't think furcal is worth $12.5 million more than cedeno.

 

so i ask, what LF or RF should hendry have gotten? yes, he is involved in the tejada talks, but it's not like he can snap his fingers and add tejada without giving up something significant in return. is anyone on this board comfortable with Z being exchanged for tejada?

 

i'm not saying he's done a great job, but some on here act like his job was as simple as going to the grocery store to pick up a SS, LF and RF. face it, this year's crop of FAs wasn't that great.

[YearofDaCubs]

a lot of people on here are complaining that hendry didn't land a big bopper, etc., but i ask WHO SHOULD HE HAVE LANDED?

 

how many big bopping LF, RF and SS have been available this offseason? he went after furcal hard but chose not to overpay for him and i'm glad he didn't. i don't think furcal is worth $12.5 million more than cedeno.

 

so i ask, what LF or RF should hendry have gotten? yes, he is involved in the tejada talks, but it's not like he can snap his fingers and add tejada without giving up something significant in return. is anyone on this board comfortable with Z being exchanged for tejada?

 

i'm not saying he's done a great job, but some on here act like his job was as simple as going to the grocery store to pick up a SS, LF and RF. face it, this year's crop of FAs wasn't that great.

It's not about just FAs. Giles was pretty much the only FA available. There were several options that could possibly be made through trade. Bradley, Wilkerson, Huff, Michaels as well as others. I don't think we want a big bopper as much as having a guy that has a good OBP. Considering what we gave up for Pierre we could have traded prospects for a better RFer than Jones.

[back2backjax]

It's not about just FAs. Giles was pretty much the only FA available. There were several options that could possibly be made through trade. Bradley, Wilkerson, Huff, Michaels as well as others. I don't think we want a big bopper as much as having a guy that has a good OBP. Considering what we gave up for Pierre we could have traded prospects for a better RFer than Jones.

 

wilkerson, huff and michaels aren't exactly season changers. and i've read more things questioning beane for acquiring bradley than praising him. even if bradley turns out OK, you also have to consider two things: 1) dusty met with him and something in that meeting could have raised a red flag with him; 2) colletti and dusty may not be on good terms so colletti may not have been willing to deal a player to us that could have helped. you see a lot of GMs ship guys out of the league so they're not constantly bit by that guy's production.

 

there is obviously a reason huff is still in TB. they may be asking too much for him and hendry could be waiting until midseason when their demands lower or until next offseason when he can sign him without giving up any prospects.

 

i just hate this notion that all this talent was available and hendry didn't get any of it. if this were two years ago when tejada was available for a $7M/yr upgrade over alex gonzalez...then yes, complain out loud about his inability to land a big time FA. but wilkerson, michaels and huff and far from big name FAs.

[neely crenshaw]

why is this surprising? this is exactly what has gone on the last 3 years.

[YearofDaCubs]

It's not about just FAs. Giles was pretty much the only FA available. There were several options that could possibly be made through trade. Bradley, Wilkerson, Huff, Michaels as well as others. I don't think we want a big bopper as much as having a guy that has a good OBP. Considering what we gave up for Pierre we could have traded prospects for a better RFer than Jones.

 

wilkerson, huff and michaels aren't exactly season changers. and i've read more things questioning beane for acquiring bradley than praising him. even if bradley turns out OK, you also have to consider two things: 1) dusty met with him and something in that meeting could have raised a red flag with him; 2) colletti and dusty may not be on good terms so colletti may not have been willing to deal a player to us that could have helped. you see a lot of GMs ship guys out of the league so they're not constantly bit by that guy's production.

 

there is obviously a reason huff is still in TB. they may be asking too much for him and hendry could be waiting until midseason when their demands lower or until next offseason when he can sign him without giving up any prospects.

 

i just hate this notion that all this talent was available and hendry didn't get any of it. if this were two years ago when tejada was available for a $7M/yr upgrade over alex gonzalez...then yes, complain out loud about his inability to land a big time FA. but wilkerson, michaels and huff and far from big name FAs.

Be that as it may all the guys I have listed would be improvements over Jones.

[CubinNY]

As the team makup looks right now, they appear to be a dangerous playoff team. What I mean is that the team is built for the short season that is the playoffs and not really for the long regular season. With Z, Prior, and Wood the Cubs can compete in any short series. They've added some bullpen help (at least on paper) and have improved the offense enough to compete on a small scale. As we know, it is not always the best team that wins but who is playing the best come the playoffs.

 

Like every year the health of the starting rotation will tell the season. I am not optimistic about the Cubs chances but one never knows utill the games are played.

[Bear Cub]

It is my opinion that the off season moves are far from completed. I have no idea what JH still has in mind, but I think this team will look drastically differant then the one we are looking at right now.

[Guancous]

With health, this team will win 83-88 games. If Wood is out for a while and we get used to Neifi starting, then the Cubs will win 77 games. I have blind faith that Hendry has one more move left.

[JD42K]

With health, this team will win 83-88 games. If Wood is out for a while and we get used to Neifi starting, then the Cubs will win 77 games. I have blind faith that Hendry has one more move left.

 

yup...Preston Wilson

[GlassCow]

Hendry isn't done painting his masterpiece yet. Marquis Grissom is still on the way. World Series here we come baby.

[Soul]

Hendry isn't done painting his masterpiece yet. Marquis Grissom is still on the way. World Series here we come baby.

 

I'm going to assume that was an attempt at humor. I know it definitely made me laugh.

[professahesse]

a lot of people on here are complaining that hendry didn't land a big bopper, etc., but i ask WHO SHOULD HE HAVE LANDED?

 

how many big bopping LF, RF and SS have been available this offseason? he went after furcal hard but chose not to overpay for him and i'm glad he didn't. i don't think furcal is worth $12.5 million more than cedeno.

 

so i ask, what LF or RF should hendry have gotten? yes, he is involved in the tejada talks, but it's not like he can snap his fingers and add tejada without giving up something significant in return. is anyone on this board comfortable with Z being exchanged for tejada?

 

i'm not saying he's done a great job, but some on here act like his job was as simple as going to the grocery store to pick up a SS, LF and RF.

 

face it, this year's crop of FAs wasn't that great.

 

 

My sentiments exactly.

[CarolinaCubFan]

a lot of people on here are complaining that hendry didn't land a big bopper, etc., but i ask WHO SHOULD HE HAVE LANDED?

 

how many big bopping LF, RF and SS have been available this offseason? he went after furcal hard but chose not to overpay for him and i'm glad he didn't. i don't think furcal is worth $12.5 million more than cedeno.

 

so i ask, what LF or RF should hendry have gotten? yes, he is involved in the tejada talks, but it's not like he can snap his fingers and add tejada without giving up something significant in return. is anyone on this board comfortable with Z being exchanged for tejada?

 

i'm not saying he's done a great job, but some on here act like his job was as simple as going to the grocery store to pick up a SS, LF and RF.

 

face it, this year's crop of FAs wasn't that great.

 

 

My sentiments exactly.

 

You've got a vailid point, but for me, it's not just this year. We're how many years into the Hendry administration? I wonder how much money we've spent on FA in that time and who do we have to show for it? Neifi? We've passed on Vlad, Tejeda, Beltran, and Giles. Vlad sure would look sweet in RF right now for 5/75.

 

Lee, Aram, and Barrett are to Hendry's credit. I'm still crossing my fingers that I get on NSBB and see we got Abreu. Trades are where Hendry excels, so I'm staying optomistic.

[Scotti]

why is this surprising? this is exactly what has gone on the last 3 years.

 

Do you mean to say that Hendry has picked up a crucial piece of the puzzle for the offense (such as Ramirez, Lee or Barrett)? I agree.