Let's be realistic

[Backtobanks]

We have all been ranting and raving about the Cubs, but let's be realistic about the second half of this season and 2007. The Cubs aren't going to trade everyone and rebuild for the next 3 years.

 

1. Hendry, Baker, Rothschild, and Spier will return. Not sure about Clines and Sarge.

2. The nucleus of the team will be: 1b - D.Lee, 3b - Aram (unless there is a blockbuster trade for Cabrera or Arod), SS - Cedeno (unless a deal for Tejada), C - Barrett, OF - Murton (unless a Cabrera trade), Pie

Midseason trades - Walker, possibly Jones, Pierre if possible otherwise he will leave as a free agent.

3. Starting Pitchers - Zambrano, Prior, Marshall, Guzman, Wood/ Williams.

Midseason trades - Maddux if he agrees otherwise won't be re-signed, Wood will leave after the season, Hill, Rusch, prospects.

4. Relief Pitching - Eyre, Howry, Dempster. Ohman, Wuertz, Novoa all available for the right deal. Midseason trade - Williamson.

 

2007 will have Pie in the OF, possibly a Murton/Jones platoon, Carlos Lee or Cabrera in LF, probably Womack (ugh) backed by Theriot/Patterson at 2B, a new backup catcher, and a possible free agent starting pitcher. Wood won't be dealt at midseason because of health issues, but if he returns strong, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Cubs re-sign him to a contract loaded with incentives.

[Banedon]

We have all been ranting and raving about the Cubs, but let's be realistic about the second half of this season and 2007. The Cubs aren't going to trade everyone and rebuild for the next 3 years.

 

1. Hendry, Baker, Rothschild, and Spier will return. Not sure about Clines and Sarge.

2. The nucleus of the team will be: 1b - D.Lee, 3b - Aram (unless there is a blockbuster trade for Cabrera or Arod), SS - Cedeno (unless a deal for Tejada), C - Barrett, OF - Murton (unless a Cabrera trade), Pie

Midseason trades - Walker, possibly Jones, Pierre if possible otherwise he will leave as a free agent.

3. Starting Pitchers - Zambrano, Prior, Marshall, Guzman, Wood/ Williams.

Midseason trades - Maddux if he agrees otherwise won't be re-signed, Wood will leave after the season, Hill, Rusch, prospects.

4. Relief Pitching - Eyre, Howry, Dempster. Ohman, Wuertz, Novoa all available for the right deal. Midseason trade - Williamson.

 

2007 will have Pie in the OF, possibly a Murton/Jones platoon, Carlos Lee or Cabrera in LF, probably Womack (ugh) backed by Theriot/Patterson at 2B, a new backup catcher, and a possible free agent starting pitcher. Wood won't be dealt at midseason because of health issues, but if he returns strong, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Cubs re-sign him to a contract loaded with incentives.

 

I don't think your #1 is necessarily realistic. I think it's necessary, but not necessarily realistic as far as what the Cub will actually do.

 

Also there will be some pitching upgrades made if Wood is let go. I don't think Guzman, or Williams will be in the rotation.

[wastra]

If this team returns basically the same nucleus with only changes in center, 2B and MAYBE starting rotation, Hendry would be well served to hire bodyguards, because the fan base will crucify him.

[Backtobanks]

We have all been ranting and raving about the Cubs, but let's be realistic about the second half of this season and 2007. The Cubs aren't going to trade everyone and rebuild for the next 3 years.

 

1. Hendry, Baker, Rothschild, and Spier will return. Not sure about Clines and Sarge.

2. The nucleus of the team will be: 1b - D.Lee, 3b - Aram (unless there is a blockbuster trade for Cabrera or Arod), SS - Cedeno (unless a deal for Tejada), C - Barrett, OF - Murton (unless a Cabrera trade), Pie

Midseason trades - Walker, possibly Jones, Pierre if possible otherwise he will leave as a free agent.

3. Starting Pitchers - Zambrano, Prior, Marshall, Guzman, Wood/ Williams.

Midseason trades - Maddux if he agrees otherwise won't be re-signed, Wood will leave after the season, Hill, Rusch, prospects.

4. Relief Pitching - Eyre, Howry, Dempster. Ohman, Wuertz, Novoa all available for the right deal. Midseason trade - Williamson.

 

2007 will have Pie in the OF, possibly a Murton/Jones platoon, Carlos Lee or Cabrera in LF, probably Womack (ugh) backed by Theriot/Patterson at 2B, a new backup catcher, and a possible free agent starting pitcher. Wood won't be dealt at midseason because of health issues, but if he returns strong, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Cubs re-sign him to a contract loaded with incentives.

 

I don't think your #1 is necessarily realistic. I think it's necessary, but not necessarily realistic as far as what the Cub will actually do.

 

Hendry has his extension, Baker's is all-but-announced, Rothschild will be rewarded for turning down the Tiger's offer and returning to the Cubs, and Spier has seemed to do a decent job (unlike Clines and Sarge).

[Banedon]

We have all been ranting and raving about the Cubs, but let's be realistic about the second half of this season and 2007. The Cubs aren't going to trade everyone and rebuild for the next 3 years.

 

1. Hendry, Baker, Rothschild, and Spier will return. Not sure about Clines and Sarge.

2. The nucleus of the team will be: 1b - D.Lee, 3b - Aram (unless there is a blockbuster trade for Cabrera or Arod), SS - Cedeno (unless a deal for Tejada), C - Barrett, OF - Murton (unless a Cabrera trade), Pie

Midseason trades - Walker, possibly Jones, Pierre if possible otherwise he will leave as a free agent.

3. Starting Pitchers - Zambrano, Prior, Marshall, Guzman, Wood/ Williams.

Midseason trades - Maddux if he agrees otherwise won't be re-signed, Wood will leave after the season, Hill, Rusch, prospects.

4. Relief Pitching - Eyre, Howry, Dempster. Ohman, Wuertz, Novoa all available for the right deal. Midseason trade - Williamson.

 

2007 will have Pie in the OF, possibly a Murton/Jones platoon, Carlos Lee or Cabrera in LF, probably Womack (ugh) backed by Theriot/Patterson at 2B, a new backup catcher, and a possible free agent starting pitcher. Wood won't be dealt at midseason because of health issues, but if he returns strong, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Cubs re-sign him to a contract loaded with incentives.

 

I don't think your #1 is necessarily realistic. I think it's necessary, but not necessarily realistic as far as what the Cub will actually do.

 

Hendry has his extension, Baker's is all-but-announced, Rothschild will be rewarded for turning down the Tiger's offer and returning to the Cubs, and Spier has seemed to do a decent job (unlike Clines and Sarge).

 

Bah..I misread it...thought you said that all WOULDN'T return. nevermind.

[Backtobanks]

If this team returns basically the same nucleus with only changes in center, 2B and MAYBE starting rotation, Hendry would be well served to hire bodyguards, because the fan base will crucify him.

 

The OF will be changed with Pie, Carlos Lee or Cabrera, and Murton or Murton/Jones platoon.

[wastra]

If this team returns basically the same nucleus with only changes in center, 2B and MAYBE starting rotation, Hendry would be well served to hire bodyguards, because the fan base will crucify him.

 

The OF will be changed with Pie, Carlos Lee or Cabrera, and Murton or Murton/Jones platoon.

 

Let's see if that happens first before stating it as fact.

[Southpaw191679666239]

We have all been ranting and raving about the Cubs, but let's be realistic about the second half of this season and 2007. The Cubs aren't going to trade everyone and rebuild for the next 3 years.

 

1. Hendry, Baker, Rothschild, and Spier will return. Not sure about Clines and Sarge.

2. The nucleus of the team will be: 1b - D.Lee, 3b - Aram (unless there is a blockbuster trade for Cabrera or Arod), SS - Cedeno (unless a deal for Tejada), C - Barrett, OF - Murton (unless a Cabrera trade), Pie

Midseason trades - Walker, possibly Jones, Pierre if possible otherwise he will leave as a free agent.

3. Starting Pitchers - Zambrano, Prior, Marshall, Guzman, Wood/ Williams.

Midseason trades - Maddux if he agrees otherwise won't be re-signed, Wood will leave after the season, Hill, Rusch, prospects.

4. Relief Pitching - Eyre, Howry, Dempster. Ohman, Wuertz, Novoa all available for the right deal. Midseason trade - Williamson.

 

2007 will have Pie in the OF, possibly a Murton/Jones platoon, Carlos Lee or Cabrera in LF, probably Womack (ugh) backed by Theriot/Patterson at 2B, a new backup catcher, and a possible free agent starting pitcher. Wood won't be dealt at midseason because of health issues, but if he returns strong, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Cubs re-sign him to a contract loaded with incentives.

 

Don't know how much stock to put into a Rotoworld analysis, but here it is:

 

Triple-A Iowa's Felix Pie went 5-for-6 with a double and three runs scored on Tuesday.

Pie raised his average to .283, but with a 36/12 K/BB ratio in 173 at-bats and only four steals in eight attempts, he's still having the same problems he did in past years. It's possible that he won't be ready to move into the Cubs' outfield at the start of 2007.

[wastra]

If I'm Hendry, the only people I wouldn't be looking to dump are:

 

Bullpen: (I'd do my best to keep the nucleus together)

Dempster

Howry

Eyre (might be one of our few good trading chips, though)

 

Lineup/Bench:

Ramirez

Lee

Barrett

 

Rotation:

Zambrano

Marshall

 

Unfortunately, he's locked himself into Neifi, Jones, and Rusch and I don't see many teams rushing to trade for them without having the Cubs pick up the bulk of the salaries.

 

I'd actively try to trade/dump: (although all are tough sales due to various issues)

Pierre

Jones

The entire bench

Hairston

Bynum

 

And see if I can get some value for:

Williamson

Walker

Wood

Prior

 

And I'd LISTEN to offers for (but It would have to be good value):

Murton (i'd rather platoon him)

Cedeno

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Triple-A Iowa's Felix Pie went 5-for-6 with a double and three runs scored on Tuesday.

Pie raised his average to .283, but with a 36/12 K/BB ratio in 173 at-bats and only four steals in eight attempts, he's still having the same problems he did in past years. It's possible that he won't be ready to move into the Cubs' outfield at the start of 2007.

 

I don't know how much stock the Cubs put into plate discipline, so I think he'll be up with the big league team for sure next season (possibly later this season). He's definitely a work in progress, though.

[Fro]

There's no chance in hell Baker gets extended as long as this mess continues. Period.

 

This isn't just bad performance, it's abyssmal.

[neely crenshaw]

there are a whole lot of assumptions there.

the cubs history pretty shows they will not deal for tejada, cabrerra or arod.

it's possible but until it's done...let's not even consider it.

jones is here to stay, he is not platooning for 6 mil a year..no one wants him at that price for that long. we might be able to deal him at the deadline of his 3rd year.

pie will be up unless pierre takes off. pie is not a lead off man. we will be back to the cpatt situation with a younger less proven player, unless we sign a 2B to lead off. hendry has shown this is not a priority. it took him 3 yeasr to get pierre and balked at signing furcal. look at our obp and that will tell you he does not see the importance of it.

we will have zambrano, marshall,and prior. i woory that hendry will sign wood. maddux will not be back..i am not sure he will be dealt though.

this will leave us terribly short in the rotation. prior could be hurt we means we will look a lot like this year with williams,hill and guzman or rusch in there...not good.

cedeno, aram, lee and barrett.

a very good beack end of the bullpen...a not so good front end. unfortunately with our starters we will see lots of them.

[CubfaninCA]

if the cubs continue to rely on their 5 cornerstone players (lee, aram, prior, wood and z) they're doomed.

 

gotta deal a few of those guys for multiple players.

[BeerHere]

if the cubs continue to rely on their 5 cornerstone players (lee, aram, prior, wood and z) they're doomed.

 

gotta deal a few of those guys for multiple players.

 

Agreed. Either Prior or Wood (possibly both) won't be back with this team next year.

[Cubway]

Call me crazy, but remember, you heard it here first! There is one other player that will be in the outfield for the Cubs if he is not traded ....... Luis Montanez!!

[Master Shake]

Rothschild better not return. I blame him for the injuries to Prior and Wood.

[Soul]

I'll take the Jones contract if I can show Pierre the door in turn for a real center fielder, and someone to platoon with Murton in LF.

 

Pierre must go. Preferrably today. Yes, I would call up Pie---as long as Clines and Sarge get a nice long vacation; the kind with a one-way ticket out of town.

 

I need to see the end of Neifi. It's like a man who just had surgery for lung cancer, and the doctor says "you must quit smoking or you will die." That's Neifi. We must be rid of him or we'll die.

 

Wood must go. He will never be a workhorse starter again, and everyone on the planet knows it. Prior gets one more chance to prove he will carry the load. Yes, you heard me, one more chance or Prior must go. Sorry, but this Irish tap-dance routine with pitchers hitting the D/L before spring training even begins must stop. Prior and Wood are worse than Rusch and Williams----because Prior and Wood are the REASON Rusch and Williams must trot to the mound and give up massive runs.

 

I'm sick of Gooz. He's either a prime prospect or a bust. You don't get to languish in the minors for a damn decade and still be called a good prospect. Yes, I'm exaggerating, but Gooz gets one more callup. If he pulls the crap he did last time, then bye.

 

Pitching: Williamson, yep. Eyre, yep. Howry, yep. Dempster, still yep.

 

Blanco must go. At some point the defensive skills can't outweigh bad offense. Blanco is well past that point.

 

Minor leagues: we need a coaching clean-house. Those jokers haven't developed a position player of real substance since Mark Grace. The players they bring us are most often unable to discern the strikezone, and have terrible fundamentals all around. Enough of this crap. When will someone see this and make some changes? We are a minor-league catastrophe position-player wise. Worst ever.

Edited May 25, 2006 by Soul

[neely crenshaw]

the thing is the only people with value are z, lee, barrett,cedeno and the bullpen. aram could be if he plays better and someone has a need but he is very expensive and not a rental, so whoever took him would have him for a while.

wood could have some value at the deadline if he pitches without much of a problem. we would have paid most of his deal already and he'd be gone at the end of the year.

walker and pierre could net something at the deadline for the same reason. but i don't see them getting anything that was close to being major league ready.

no one wants jones at the amount we pay him.

our bench would not bring in anything above an A level player, more likely cash.

miller might get come interest because of upside and low cost but why trade cheap players with upside in a firesale.

 

our kids have some value but not much. guzman would get interest but probably not net a stud unless he was a free agent to be..which at this point would be dumb..just sign them in the offseason

pie has value but we need him

we are really, really stuck. we have no one of value that we don't need and can only get prospects(and mostly not very good ones) for what we do have to trade. the only saving grace is that we will be one of only 4-5 teams that are out of the race at the deadlines meaning the players available might have more value.

[neely crenshaw]

Rothschild better not return. I blame him for the injuries to Prior and Wood.

also dusty has gotten ripped for the handling of the pitchers and barrett for pitch selection, when really these are both rothschild. the manager may make the final decision but it is really the pitching coach that knows the pitchers and when to use or change them...and we have been bad at that, also i watch rothschild and he calls the pitches.

[neely crenshaw]

i am really stuck on this topic!

we also have no young players ready to come up other than pie.

 

we can't afford to trade lee, barrett or aram because no one is even close. we do have murton and cedeno up but unless we know someone we can sign...how can we give up on the good players we have.

[BeerHere]

I'll take the Jones contract if I can show Pierre the door in turn for a real center fielder, and someone to platoon with Murton in LF.

 

Pierre must go. Preferrably today. Yes, I would call up Pie---as long as Clines and Sarge get a nice long vacation; the kind with a one-way ticket out of town.

 

I need to see the end of Neifi. It's like a man who just had surgery for lung cancer, and the doctor says "you must quit smoking or you will die." That's Neifi. We must be rid of him or we'll die.

 

Wood must go. He will never be a workhorse starter again, and everyone on the planet knows it. Prior gets one more chance to prove he will carry the load. Yes, you heard me, one more chance or Prior must go. Sorry, but this Irish tap-dance routine with pitchers hitting the D/L before spring training even begins must stop. Prior and Wood are worse than Rusch and Williams----because Prior and Wood are the REASON Rusch and Williams must trot to the mound and give up massive runs.

 

I'm sick of Gooz. He's either a prime prospect or a bust. You don't get to languish in the minors for a damn decade and still be called a good prospect. Yes, I'm exaggerating, but Gooz gets one more callup. If he pulls the crap he did last time, then bye.

 

Pitching: Williamson, yep. Eyre, yep. Howry, yep. Dempster, still yep.

 

Blanco must go. At some point the defensive skills can't outweigh bad offense. Blanco is well past that point.

 

Minor leagues: we need a coaching clean-house. Those jokers haven't developed a position player of real substance since Mark Grace. The players they bring us are most often unable to discern the strikezone, and have terrible fundamentals all around. Enough of this crap. When will someone see this and make some changes? We are a minor-league catastrophe position-player wise. Worst ever.

 

Blanco has to go.

[oldstyle81]

I dont bring Pie up until baker, clines and sarge are gone, they will ruin him just like they are ruining murton and cedeno

 

the last thing we want is another Corey patterson who will probably be a superstar now that he is gone (numbers are dramitically improved thus far)

[Backtobanks]

Call me crazy, but remember, you heard it here first! There is one other player that will be in the outfield for the Cubs if he is not traded ....... Luis Montanez!!

 

You're Crazy.

[Backtobanks]

there are a whole lot of assumptions there.

the cubs history pretty shows they will not deal for tejada, cabrerra or arod.

it's possible but until it's done...let's not even consider it.

jones is here to stay, he is not platooning for 6 mil a year..no one wants him at that price for that long. we might be able to deal him at the deadline of his 3rd year.

pie will be up unless pierre takes off. pie is not a lead off man. we will be back to the cpatt situation with a younger less proven player, unless we sign a 2B to lead off. hendry has shown this is not a priority. it took him 3 yeasr to get pierre and balked at signing furcal. look at our obp and that will tell you he does not see the importance of it.

we will have zambrano, marshall,and prior. i woory that hendry will sign wood. maddux will not be back..i am not sure he will be dealt though.

this will leave us terribly short in the rotation. prior could be hurt we means we will look a lot like this year with williams,hill and guzman or rusch in there...not good.

cedeno, aram, lee and barrett.

a very good beack end of the bullpen...a not so good front end. unfortunately with our starters we will see lots of them.

 

I think Jones can be dealt with the Cubs eating part of his salary. He is owed $5 million per year for 2 more years. That's not too outrageous, but if the Cubs eat 1-2 million, then I think a lot of teams might be interested. I'm getting the feeling that Womack will be our 2B and leadoff hitter for the 2nd half and maybe 2007.

[CubfaninCA]

aram & prior have lots of value. there are many teams that will roll the dice on prior. just look for a team w/ a really deep farm system. hey anaheim....

 

prior & wood have killed the cubs because the organization has waited around so long for both to be healthy instead of filling their spots. tough spot to be in considering their upside.

 

the first one who needs to go is pierre. gotta send a message. getting rid of rusch & nef would be meaningless. neither was expected by the organization to be a major contributor. pierre otoh was expected to provide a huge spark.

 

deal pierre & hill to pittsburgh for craig wilson. put jones in cf. pay half of pierre's salary. whatever. get him out.