Who Stays / Who Goes (Players)

[Omar]

I don't know about putting names on lists, but I would try to change the dynamics of the team on the field. I love Murton and Cedeno, but both offer alternatives to the current baseball preferred environment. And as such, inclusion of them makes Jones a poor choice and Pierre a weaker choice.

 

Murton doesn't have the power to be a classic LF. He has excellent value in a lineup, but value you traditionally want at the 2B, SS, or CF position. Cedeno is a classic NL SS for old school baseball, where excellent defense is the prime consideration, and any offense is gravy.

 

As such, the production for inclusion of those two young, bright players requires offsetting elsewhere in the field. The Cubs RF needs to be a stud 4/5-hole power answer. The Cubs have excess power at 2B and C to make-up for either Cedeno or Murton, but not both, so the compensation has come from a prime power hitting corner. The alternaive to no stud RF is a power hitting CF, which is where Pierre becomes a poor choice given the overall dynamic. Compensation has to come somewhere for Murton's and Cedeno's lack of power production.

 

So for folks to keep Murton and Cedeno in the rebuild of the core of this team, the lineup has to look something like this:

 

LF/SS Murton/Cedeno

2B Walker

1B Lee

3B/RF Ramirez/[insert stud]

3B/RF Ramirez/[insert stud]

CF [insert mid-power CF]

C Barret

LF/SS - Murton/Cedeno

 

The idea that everyone needs to go is excessive. The core is still very solid.

 

I have zero issues with most of the pitching names. Rusch is my only gripe. The performance overall is sub-par, but not the talent, and with a solid pitching coach, the Cubs staff has potential with the current names (minus Rusch) to be best in the NL.

 

 

Walker

Murton

D. Lee

C. Lee

Ramirez

Barret

Pie

Cedeno

 

This could be the team next year. This would be a huge offensive improvement, while keeping the rotation in tact ...

 

Zambrano

Wood

Prior

Marshall

Miller/Guzman/Hill/Williams.

 

Get rid of Rusch, Blanco, Bynum, and Neifi (if possible). If one of those has to stay, fine. ONE of those.

 

Likely be Neifi AND Blanco. Who do you suggest at back-up catcher?

[CubfaninCA]

if the cubs continue to really struggle, they should shop ramirez. yes, he can be quite productive, but he's also quite injury prone & expensive.

 

I wonder what the Yankees or Angels would be willing to trade for him. The Yankees could dh him and Anaheim could use him @ 3b.

I doubt the Yankees have anything in the minors.The Angels have quite a few prospects Mc Pherson,Kendrick, Wood.

 

Wood & McPherson works. Wood sounds like a phenom. Not so sure about McPherson tho. Cubs can move Cedeno to 2b.