Proposal: If you were to raise the white flag today...

[RynoRules]

If you were JH and decided to scrap the season based on our recent play, what transactions would you make? Keep the "40 man" issues in mind, and try and come up with a realistic trade scenario or two.

 

And feel free to fire the manager and his staff. That happens all the time.

 

EDIT: Remember that you are making moves with an eye towards 2007 and setting yourself up in the mid-season trade market and the Hot Stove League.

 

EDIT NO. 2: For the purpose of this hypothetical, its not realistic to fire yourself (you are Hendry) b/c you just received a contract extension. I know many of you fantasize about doing so, but not possible here (or the real world, for that matter).

Edited May 7, 2006 by RynoRules

[E.J.]

First moves would be to fire Baker, Rothschild, Cline, and Sarge.

[USSoccer]

First moves would be to fire Baker, Rothschild, Cline, and Sarge.

 

DFA Perez, Bynum and Rusch. Promote Pie, Wuertz and Aardsma.

 

Bench Jones and try and deal him for low ceiling prospects. East 1/2 his contract each year for the 3 years. If not feasible, shop Pierre for 1 good prospect and 2 mid level prospects. Play Pie in RF.

 

Trade Williams for Choi.

 

Trade Wuertz for Graffanino.

 

 

Pierre

Cedeno

Walker

Ramirez

Murton

Barrett

Pie

Choi

P

 

Graffanino

Hairston

Blanco

Restovich

Mabry

[RynoRules]

First moves would be to fire Baker, Rothschild, Cline, and Sarge.

 

DFA Perez, Bynum and Rusch. Promote Pie, Wuertz and Aardsma.

 

Bench Jones and try and deal him for low ceiling prospects. East 1/2 his contract each year for the 3 years. If not feasible, shop Pierre for 1 good prospect and 2 mid level prospects. Play Pie in RF.

 

Trade Williams for Choi.

 

Trade Wuertz for Graffanino.

 

 

Pierre

Cedeno

Walker

Ramirez

Murton

Barrett

Pie

Choi

P

 

Graffanino

Hairston

Blanco

Restovich

Mabry

 

I don't understand your reasoning behind the two moves I highlighted.

[USSoccer]

First moves would be to fire Baker, Rothschild, Cline, and Sarge.

 

DFA Perez, Bynum and Rusch. Promote Pie, Wuertz and Aardsma.

 

Bench Jones and try and deal him for low ceiling prospects. East 1/2 his contract each year for the 3 years. If not feasible, shop Pierre for 1 good prospect and 2 mid level prospects. Play Pie in RF.

 

Trade Williams for Choi.

 

Trade Wuertz for Graffanino.

 

 

Pierre

Cedeno

Walker

Ramirez

Murton

Barrett

Pie

Choi

P

 

Graffanino

Hairston

Blanco

Restovich

Mabry

 

I don't understand your reasoning behind the two moves I highlighted.

 

Graffanino replaces Perez' supposed versatility at a fraction of the cost and about triiples his production. Choi plays 1B until Lee comes back, costs virtually nothing and will produce in that spot.

[Shavo]

DFA - Perez, Bynum, Rusch, Blanco.

 

Call up - Pie, Ryu, Soto, Theriot.

 

Trade - Pierre for the best possible prospects (if you can't get some solid prospect(s) for him, hold on to him and offer him arby)

 

Jones for anything, eat some salary if needed.

 

If/when Pagan is back, send him down. Wood comes back, send down Ryu. Prior comes back, send down Hill/Guzman. Miller comes back, send down Novoa.

 

Sign a bat in right (Lee plz) for 2007.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

You can't trade Jones until June 16th.

 

The players you want to DFA are paid $8MM this year, how depressing is that? And $6MM of that is guaranteed again in 2007.

 

I wanted Jim Hendry fired a LONG time ago, now the words "chicken", "home", and "roost" come to mind. What a disaster.

[Shavo]

You can't trade Jones until June 16th.

 

The players you want to DFA are paid $8MM this year, how depressing is that? And $6MM of that is guaranteed again in 2007.

 

I wanted Jim Hendry fired a LONG time ago, now the words "chicken", "home", and "roost" come to mind. What a disaster.

 

I don't make all of the moves at once. By the trade deadline is when I would want them all done.

[TXCubsFan]

While it's too early to raise the white flag today, let's assume we're towards the end of June, we're even further behind, and Wood, Prior, and Miller have returned and are pitching well. I would consider trading the following for major league ready prospects or young position players:

 

Wood, Miller, Rusch, Pierre, and Jones.

 

The advantage of trading a healthy Wood is avoiding a difficult decision in the off-season on whether to keep him. He may have real trade value this summer, more than the draft picks we'd get from his free agency departure. Let another team like the Texas Rangers manage his injury risk.

 

Pierre doesn't seem to be playing at the level we expected but might provide the Yankees or Boston with a speed option.

 

As for Jones, the Cubs either need to get a permanent platoon partner for him or trade him.

 

If Maddux continues to throw well, keep him for next year along with Marshall, Guzman, and Hill. Did you notice Rich Hill sitting next to Mad Dog during last night's start? Very good sign. Maddux's influence and knowledge of the game could be more valuable to the Cubs than Wood's fastball, given the young pitching talent we have.

 

In 2007, having a rotation of

 

Z

Prior

Maddux

Marshall

Guzman

Hill (swing man from bullpen)

 

could really be something special.

 

We'll also need a RH power bat off the bench.

[Backtobanks]

After reading the first few posts, I'm glad Hendry is still the GM.

[Dirt Dog Sparly]

Basicly right now is just wait and see. The guys I start calling around about are Rusch, Bynum, Perez, Harriston, Walker, Pierre, Wood, Wuertz, Williamson, Restovitch, Miller,and Mabry.

 

Tiering them I would go with:

Wood, Walker, Williamson, and Perez on the top.

Pierre, Harriston, Mabry,Miller, and Wuertz.

Everyone else.

 

The top tier becomes the solid package of prospects in return.

The next tier would be a 1 and 1 level. A prospect that is high risk, high reward and a solid organisational guy.

The bottom level is seeing if we can get a sleeper out of our trade partners system.

 

Perez is on the top tier because of his value to us, not his value to others. The package to get Perez would not be as good as the package to get Wood or Walker. So dont scream because your panties are in a wad that you dont like Perez because he is Dustys boy.

 

Dusty is put on notice that at the All-Star break we will chat. If he dosent have a clue what you mean the the All-Star chat is pretty much decided for me before it happens. The coaches are also put on notice, if Dusty is gone at the break they will be retained through the end of the year. Then they need to go find new jobs.

 

If Dusty makes it to the end of the year he will not be resigned. My main reason being that he has not motivated players to thier best performances. Yes, sometimes they need an uncle, but sometimes they need the proverbial boot up the backside. Basicly what they need now. In otherwords quit enabling excuses and find ways to win, not lose.

 

My two canidates to replace him would be Fredi Gonzalez from ATL or seeing what it would take to get Girardi from FLA. They have a bunch of our pitchers, lets see if they want any more.

 

Whoever I hire will have the right to pick thier own staff within reason.

 

Anyone I have left of Rusch, Bynum, Wuertz, or a high prospect that I dont see making the 25, but will cause roster acrobatics to keep them, I try to trade over the off season.

 

Free Agency becomes a bit of a problem because at this point not knowing who has and hasnt been traded I am not sure which holes need to be filled.

 

 

You asked, I replied. Enjoy folks.

[Shavo]

After reading the first few posts, I'm glad Hendry is still the GM.

 

I guess you enjoy seeing Bynum and Perez on this team! Did your Glendon Rusch Jersey come in the mail yet?

 

Just kiddin :D

[BigbadB]

Now is not the time to start selling off players. The trade deadline is a different story. Between the trade deadline and the offseason, there is plenty of reason to believe the Cubs have the resources to make this a good team again. Unfortunately, I'm not sure that the people in charge are capable of doing so.

 

They won't just blow it up. The Tribune spent a lot of money once again this year to see a good product on the field. They won't do a fire sale. They will do everything they can to stay competitive this year and thereafter.

[TB_11]

IF we decided to play for 2007, I'd give as many of the guys in the minors a shot at the show as possible, just to see who can produce at a consistent level for 2007. Find out who's ready to produce next year, fill the gaps in the offseason.

[Backtobanks]

After reading the first few posts, I'm glad Hendry is still the GM.

 

I guess you enjoy seeing Bynum and Perez on this team! Did your Glendon Rusch Jersey come in the mail yet?

 

Just kiddin :D

 

If Hendry can't make a deal now for a 1B, because everyone knows the situation the Cubs are in, can you imagine all of the wonderful players and prospects they could get for Rusch, Bynum, Perez, Walker, Mabry, etc. The Cubs would end up paying all of their salaries and receiving low-A ball prospects in return. I agree that we could bring up someone from the minors and get rid of Bynum, but having a white-flag sale when everyone knows you're desperate is ridiculous.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

DFA Rusch and Bynum

 

Tell Neifi he's trespassing if he's ever seen at a Chicago Cubs function ever again.

 

Fontenot, Sing, and Greenberg(or Nic Jackson) take the 40 man spots

 

Call up Theriot, Wuertz, Fontenot, and Greenberg/Jackson

 

Send down Novoa

 

Lineup until Lee returns: Murton/Walker/Ramirez/Barrett/Jones/Cedeno/Pierre

 

Once Lee gets back(Restovich sent down) and calendar permits, pay Jones' way off the team until it's worth some team's while to take him. Miller takes his spot on the 40 man, Sing or Restovich takes his spot on the 25 man.

 

Trade Williams, Hill/Guzman, and Dopirak to TB for Gomes(Restovich/Sing sent down). Other targets could be Abreu, Burrell, Diaz, and Craig Wilson. If you can't get any of them without paying through the nose, then platoon Greenberg/Jackson and Sing/Restovich in the 6 hole until September when Pie plays it every game.

 

Lineup for remainder of season: Murton/Walker/Lee/Ramirez/Gomes/Barrett/Cedeno/Pierre

 

Rotation for remainder of season: Zambrano/Maddux/Prior/Wood/Marshall, remainder of Hill/Guzman and Ryu next in line for rotation spot.

 

Pen for remainder of season: Dempster/Howry/Eyre/Williamson/Ohman/Wuertz

 

Bench for remainder of season: Blanco/Hairston/Mabry/Theriot/Fontenot/Greenberg(or Jackson)

[RynoRules]

DFA Rusch and Bynum

 

Tell Neifi he's trespassing if he's ever seen at a Chicago Cubs function ever again.

 

Fontenot, Sing, and Greenberg(or Nic Jackson) take the 40 man spots

 

Call up Theriot, Wuertz, Fontenot, and Greenberg/Jackson

 

Send down Novoa

 

Lineup until Lee returns: Murton/Walker/Ramirez/Barrett/Jones/Cedeno/Pierre

 

Once Lee gets back(Restovich sent down) and calendar permits, pay Jones' way off the team until it's worth some team's while to take him. Miller takes his spot on the 40 man, Sing or Restovich takes his spot on the 25 man.

 

Trade Williams, Hill/Guzman, and Dopirak to TB for Gomes(Restovich/Sing sent down). Other targets could be Abreu, Burrell, Diaz, and Craig Wilson. If you can't get any of them without paying through the nose, then platoon Greenberg/Jackson and Sing/Restovich in the 6 hole until September when Pie plays it every game.

 

Lineup for remainder of season: Murton/Walker/Lee/Ramirez/Gomes/Barrett/Cedeno/Pierre

 

Rotation for remainder of season: Zambrano/Maddux/Prior/Wood/Marshall, remainder of Hill/Guzman and Ryu next in line for rotation spot.

 

Pen for remainder of season: Dempster/Howry/Eyre/Williamson/Ohman/Wuertz

 

Bench for remainder of season: Blanco/Hairston/Mabry/Theriot/Fontenot/Greenberg(or Jackson)

 

Well done. Really like the idea of giving Jackson a shot.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

It's too early to raise the white flag. I doubt you would get value for anyone.

 

There's no one in the minors that is in need of a promotion to DFA guys in the majors for in my opinion...so, that could wait as well.

 

Now, assume we're entering mid June- early July and it's clear this team should be a seller rather than a buyer...here's what I would do.

 

Remember in these moves, I have no qualms trading within the division because most of the guys I'm trading are impending FA.

 

1. Talk to Maddux about accepting a trade. Maddux could have a lot of value to a team that feels it needs a veteran presence on the mound. His contract is up after the year. If I could get a decent prospect or package of prospects for him, I'd make the deal.

 

Possible destinations: Mets, Brewers. Cardinals, Reds, Diamondbacks.

 

2. Discuss with Wood if he would be willing to waive his no-trade clause. To the right team, Wood could be a huge boost.

 

Possible destinations: Mets, Yankees, Phillies, Rangers, Diamondbacks, Red Sox, Reds.

 

3. Trade Pierre to a team in need of a CF/lead-off.

 

Possible destinations: Red Sox, Diamondbacks, Angels

 

Other guys I'd put on the block would be Walker, Hairston, Williamson, Miller, Rusch, and Jones.

 

I'd try to get the best package of prospects that I could for any of these players.

 

When the offseason rolled around, I'd try to use those prospects to trade for players to fit in with the core of Lee, Ramirez, Murton, Barrett and Cedeno along with a rotation of Zambrano, Prior, and Marshall.

 

It's too early to get into specifics because many teams don't exactly know what they need.

[CubfaninCA]

It's not wise to make any big moves until the deadline. If they're out of it, deal off Wood before they lose him in free agency. Same goes for Walker & Pierre. Deal off Ramirez cause he could bring back 2-3 young players.

 

But back to reality, I highly doubt they'll out of it. Marshall & Maddux have been great, and I think the pitching will keep them in it. This is just a stretch of really bad hitting. The horrible hitting won't continue.

[srbin84]

Keep Z, Lee, Murton and Cedeno + good young players. Trade the rest in a Marlins type firesale for the ages. Go low payroll next year and play the superstar prospects we get like the Marlins are doing...two years if needed. Then use all the saved money from having low payrolls to sign all the good ones to long term deals and fill in a player or two here and there to complete the 2008/2009 team. Then enjoy the dynasty for years to come.

[Rob]

1. Trade Pierre to a team in need of a "real" CF and leadoff man. Should be able to get 2 mid-tier prospects for him, or one very young prospect with a great ceiling and a high flameout rate.

 

2. Move Jacque to center. It should boost his value (and production relative to the league). At the end of the season, he'd be easily tradeable as a CF. And Pie could take over the next season. Be sure to hold on to Jacque until the end of the season though, as he wont get much in a trade in mid-season.

 

3. DFA Rusch and Bynum, option Novoa to AAA

 

4. Call up Sing or acquire a AAAA player to stick in right field. Bring up Ryu to use as the long man, Wuertz to the pen in middle relief.

 

5. Hold on to Neifi until some team loses their SS, and trade him off for a low-ceiling prospect. Theriot comes up as the replacement.

 

6. See about trading Maddux, perhaps back to the Braves to shore up their rotation. Draw the names of their prospects out of a hat, as if you think one you choose will do well outside their system, you're mistaken.

 

I know there's more, I can't just think of it all off the top of my head...

[Backtobanks]

IF we decided to play for 2007, I'd give as many of the guys in the minors a shot at the show as possible, just to see who can produce at a consistent level for 2007. Find out who's ready to produce next year, fill the gaps in the offseason.

 

The problem is if you bring up minor leaguers who aren't ready, what are they going to show you? They're going to look overwhelmed at the plate and on the mound. How are you going to decide who can produce at a consistent level for 2007, if they come up and stink. Kaspar and Brenley were talking about the fact that Guzman will be a good major league pitcher. I haven't seen anything yet that suggests that.

[RynoRules]

IF we decided to play for 2007, I'd give as many of the guys in the minors a shot at the show as possible, just to see who can produce at a consistent level for 2007. Find out who's ready to produce next year, fill the gaps in the offseason.

 

The problem is if you bring up minor leaguers who aren't ready, what are they going to show you? They're going to look overwhelmed at the plate and on the mound. How are you going to decide who can produce at a consistent level for 2007, if they come up and stink. Kaspar and Brenley were talking about the fact that Guzman will be a good major league pitcher. I haven't seen anything yet that suggests that.

 

I disagree with that last statement. Guz clearly has plus-stuff, but he isn't comfortable being in The Show.

[LoneStarCubFan]

First, I'd clean house on the coaching staff. If Lou Piniella won't take the job, bring up the I-Cub staff for the rest of the year.

 

Everyone on the 25-man with the exception of:

 

Murton

Cedeno

Dempster

Barrett

Zambrano

Marshall

 

would be available in a trade.

 

As far as short term solutions, I'd probably do the following:

 

DFA Bynum.

Send Restovich down

Call up Theriot

Call up Pie

Nail Neifi's worthless ass to the bench until I can dump him

 

Run the following line-up out there every day until Lee comes back:

 

Pierre (where else can he hit?)

Walker

Murton

Ramirez

Barrett

Pie

Cedeno

Theriot

 

Bench

Jones

Mabry

Hairston

Neifi

Blanco

 

When Lee comes back, eat Neifi's contract and release him.

 

Rotation

Zambrano

Maddux

Marshall

Hill

Guzman

 

Bullpen

Ohman

Rusch

Novoa

Williamson

Howry

Eyre

Dempster

 

When Wood comes back, Hill goes down.

When Prior comes back, Guzman goes down

IF Miller comes back, Rusch goes away

[Backtobanks]

IF we decided to play for 2007, I'd give as many of the guys in the minors a shot at the show as possible, just to see who can produce at a consistent level for 2007. Find out who's ready to produce next year, fill the gaps in the offseason.

 

The problem is if you bring up minor leaguers who aren't ready, what are they going to show you? They're going to look overwhelmed at the plate and on the mound. How are you going to decide who can produce at a consistent level for 2007, if they come up and stink. Kaspar and Brenley were talking about the fact that Guzman will be a good major league pitcher. I haven't seen anything yet that suggests that.

 

I disagree with that last statement. Guz clearly has plus-stuff, but he isn't comfortable being in The Show.

 

 

Is there any guarantee that he will ever be comfortable being in The Show. Juan Cruz had plus-stuff, Rich Hill has plus-stuff, Guzman has plus-stuff, as do many AA and AAA pitchers, but all that means is they have the

potential to be a good major league pitcher. Personally, I would like the Cubs to put some of these players in a package for Craig Wilson (even if it means overpaying).