Can the Cubs be fixed? Here are 6 ideas

[CubsBullsBears]

This is from the Sun-Times this morning:

 

http://www.suntimes.com/output/cubs/cst-spt-cubfix28.html

[srbin84]

Although this article is stating the obvious, it's correct. Whether or not the Cubs will follow it is another thing.

[oldstyle81]

Although this article is stating the obvious, it's correct. Whether or not the Cubs will follow it is another thing.

 

well it obvious to fans but not to the people in charge

[jtownie]

Hendry should definitely let Prior finish pitching out the year in hopes of maxing his trade value. While I am a proponent of keeping ARam he can definitely go in the right trade.

[roadster]

This is from the Sun-Times this morning:

 

http://www.suntimes.com/output/cubs/cst-spt-cubfix28.html

 

Some great ideas from a writer not named Bruce Miles...

[soapy]

First of all, I hope the Cubs don't try to make Pie a lead-off hitter.

 

I don't think trading Prior is a "no brainer". If he is healthy for the rest of the season, I wouldn't be opposed to bringing him back. If the right trade is available, sure I might move him, but it would have to be good. I'm guessing there isn't going to be a high enough of a return for Prior because of the past injuries.

 

I'm not opposed to Carlos Lee necessarily, but I'm not ready to overpay for him either. He's getting older and I'm not sure he's going to keep up this production. I'd sign him for the right price, but I'm not that excited about him.

 

Schmidt should be considered along with Zito. Zito is going to get a huge contract and he's pretty over-hyped at this point. I'd be open to signing him if Wood and Prior are both gone (which the author suggests).

 

I agree with his plan to trade Jones and bury Perez at the end of the bench.

 

I disagree with his opposition to trading an arm or two from the pen. I'd definitely be open to trading either Dempster or Howry in the right deal. Obviously Williamson too as he's a free agent after this year anyway.

[MPrior]

I liked some of the ideas, but not all of them. Trading Jacque is my favorite. Sell high, see if you can get something worthwhile for him. I'm also a big fan of not using Neifi, and while I don't want Pie batting leadoff, I definitely have no problems getting rid of Pierre - I'd like to trade him before the deadline, for anything.

 

However - I don't think trading Prior is a no-brainer. If the right deal came along, then he should be traded. But just trading him for the sake of trading him is full-blown moronic. His value is at its lowest right now, and his potential to contribute is enormous. Plus, he's not costing us too much money, so there's very little reason to trade him.

[NewUserName]

I am for adding a corner outfielder with some power. However I would rather we get a LH one. I would sell big to get Abreu, who also has been great and Wrigley. Having Lee, ARam and Lee in the middle of the order scares me. I like Lee, Abreu and ARam alot better.

 

If we were to trade Prior I certainly think he could be packaged to obtain Abreu. I would defineatly want to add at least 2 starters in the off season then assuming we are not going to resign Maddux

[rawaction]

I don't know why Prior couldn't bring a Tejada. Unless that corner OF is really good, and by his reasoning he wouldn't be if Prior can't get Tejada, then the Cubs are better off keeping Mark.

 

I don't agree on the bullpen comment. The Cubs have plenty of bullpen options. I still think Wuertz and Ohman will be very little dropoff from Eyre and Howry. Novoa and Aardsma could still develop into solid relievers. Then you have guys like Wells, Marmol (if doesn't make it as a starter), Rapada, and other guys in the high minors who have great stuff and could help out in relief.

[SCCubbieFAN]

Couple of problems I see with the writer's suggestions:

 

1. He says trade Prior to SD for a power corner OF but he doesn't say who. Does SD even have such a player worthy of trading for Prior whose name is not Brian Giles;

2. He's assuming FAs like Zito will want to sign with the Cubs. With the way things are going with this organization, I'm not sure there will be too many FA's begging to play for the Cubs in the near future;

3. Trading a pitcher with a very high upside is very risky unless you already have good reason to know he can and will be replaced easily.

[soccer10k]

1. I would part with Prior for someone like Tejada in return but I wouldn't get rid of him just to do so.

 

2. I wouldn't mind seeing Carlos Lee in the middle of the order. Between Abreu and Lee, the choice comes down to whether you want SLG or OBP. Lee has the higher SLG but Abreu has a higher OBP. Make your pick.

 

3. While I would like Zito, for the money he's going to command I don't think he's worth it. I wouldn't be surprised if the Yankees/Angels/Dodgers outbid the Cubs

 

4. Trade Jacque while he's high.

 

5. Get rid of Neifi

 

6. We could trade Dempster for the right price but I wouldn't allow Howry and Eyre to be touched.

[soccer10k]

I am for adding a corner outfielder with some power. However I would rather we get a LH one. I would sell big to get Abreu, who also has been great and Wrigley. Having Lee, ARam and Lee in the middle of the order scares me. I like Lee, Abreu and ARam alot better.

 

Why does Carlos Lee scare you but Abreu doesn't? Abreu is 32 and CLee is 30. I don't see why one would scare you but the other wouldn't.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I am for adding a corner outfielder with some power. However I would rather we get a LH one. I would sell big to get Abreu, who also has been great and Wrigley. Having Lee, ARam and Lee in the middle of the order scares me. I like Lee, Abreu and ARam alot better.

 

Why does Carlos Lee scare you but Abreu doesn't? Abreu is 32 and CLee is 30. I don't see why one would scare you but the other wouldn't.

 

Because Abreu is a much better player.

[goonys evil twin]

6. We could trade Dempster for the right price but I wouldn't allow Howry and Eyre to be touched.

 

Why not? Neither is a franchise player. No bullpen is going to carry a team. They are both older players with up and down pasts. And we know relievers have a short shelf life and are inconsistent. It would be negligent to turn down a trade that would better the ballclub just because we think these guys are the key to any future success.

 

Everybody should be available for the right place, and these guys aren't close to the Zambrano/Lee area, let alone the Ramirez/Prior zone.

[soccer10k]

I am for adding a corner outfielder with some power. However I would rather we get a LH one. I would sell big to get Abreu, who also has been great and Wrigley. Having Lee, ARam and Lee in the middle of the order scares me. I like Lee, Abreu and ARam alot better.

 

Why does Carlos Lee scare you but Abreu doesn't? Abreu is 32 and CLee is 30. I don't see why one would scare you but the other wouldn't.

 

Because Abreu is a much better player.

 

You don't know if he is going to continue to be better though. Both are likely to dropoff in the next few years as they get older. As I said before, it depends on what type of player you want. If you want a guy that's going to get on base, then by all means, go for Abreu. But if you want a #4 hitter, than Carlos Lee is your guy. I'm not opposed to either player but I don't want the Cubs to sign Abreu to be a big time power guy.

[goonys evil twin]

You don't know if he is going to continue to be better though. Both are likely to dropoff in the next few years as they get older. As I said before, it depends on what type of player you want. If you want a guy that's going to get on base, then by all means, go for Abreu. But if you want a #4 hitter, than Carlos Lee is your guy. I'm not opposed to either player but I don't want the Cubs to sign Abreu to be a big time power guy.

 

You shouldn't want one or the other. You should want the more productive hitter, which is Abreu.

 

Don't fill roster spots with stereotypes. That's how you end up with guys like Pierre. This team would be very well off with Abreu hitting 4th, or 3rd, or 5th, or 2nd, or 6th.

[soccer10k]

6. We could trade Dempster for the right price but I wouldn't allow Howry and Eyre to be touched.

 

Why not? Neither is a franchise player. No bullpen is going to carry a team. They are both older players with up and down pasts. And we know relievers have a short shelf life and are inconsistent. It would be negligent to turn down a trade that would better the ballclub just because we think these guys are the key to any future success.

 

Everybody should be available for the right place, and these guys aren't close to the Zambrano/Lee area, let alone the Ramirez/Prior zone.

 

Then allow me to fix my statement. If we get a great deal for either Howry or Eyre then do it. But it has to be a great deal where the Cubs are clearly getting the better of the deal.

 

Very few relievers are franchise players. If you have a solid bullpen it can really help your team. A good bullpen can be the difference between making and missing the playoffs (see 2004 when Hawkins blew 9 saves and the Cubs missed the playoffs by 3 games).

[soccer10k]

You don't know if he is going to continue to be better though. Both are likely to dropoff in the next few years as they get older. As I said before, it depends on what type of player you want. If you want a guy that's going to get on base, then by all means, go for Abreu. But if you want a #4 hitter, than Carlos Lee is your guy. I'm not opposed to either player but I don't want the Cubs to sign Abreu to be a big time power guy.

 

You shouldn't want one or the other. You should want the more productive hitter, which is Abreu.

 

Don't fill roster spots with stereotypes. That's how you end up with guys like Pierre. This team would be very well off with Abreu hitting 4th, or 3rd, or 5th, or 2nd, or 6th.

 

You want your #4 hitter to be a power guy. What else do you put there? I'm not stereotyping the roster. All I said is that I didn't think Abreu should hit fourth. I realize he has a great OBP so bat him leadoff or second. But I want a guy that is going to hit the ball and hit it hard batting fourth. Batting fourth CLee > Abreu.

[srbin84]

I really like what I have seen from Eyre and what he's done since getting the medication he needs. IMO, Asking price should be a good starting position player in return for him. Someone like Nady.

[Southpaw191679666239]

2. He's assuming FAs like Zito will want to sign with the Cubs. With the way things are going with this organization, I'm not sure there will be too many FA's begging to play for the Cubs in the near future.

 

This is why if Dusty stays for the rest of the season, Hendry better address the managerial situation ASAP after the REGULAR season ends.

[Geech]

You want your #4 hitter to be a power guy. What else do you put there? I'm not stereotyping the roster. All I said is that I didn't think Abreu should hit fourth. I realize he has a great OBP so bat him leadoff or second. But I want a guy that is going to hit the ball and hit it hard batting fourth. Batting fourth CLee > Abreu.

 

If every other position was the same, a lineup that featured Bobby Abreu would score more runs than one with Carlos Lee no matter where you hit them.

[soccer10k]

You want your #4 hitter to be a power guy. What else do you put there? I'm not stereotyping the roster. All I said is that I didn't think Abreu should hit fourth. I realize he has a great OBP so bat him leadoff or second. But I want a guy that is going to hit the ball and hit it hard batting fourth. Batting fourth CLee > Abreu.

 

If every other position was the same, a lineup that featured Bobby Abreu would score more runs than one with Carlos Lee no matter where you hit them.

 

How do you know this?

[goonys evil twin]

You want your #4 hitter to be a power guy. What else do you put there? I'm not stereotyping the roster. All I said is that I didn't think Abreu should hit fourth. I realize he has a great OBP so bat him leadoff or second. But I want a guy that is going to hit the ball and hit it hard batting fourth. Batting fourth CLee > Abreu.

 

If every other position was the same, a lineup that featured Bobby Abreu would score more runs than one with Carlos Lee no matter where you hit them.

 

How do you know this?

 

Because he's more productive.

[Geech]

Because he's more productive.

 

 

Didn't someone once post a link to a lineup simulator that estimated runs scored based on a given lineup? We might even be able to prove it.

[soccer10k]

Because he's more productive.

 

 

Didn't someone once post a link to a lineup simulator that estimated runs scored based on a given lineup? We might even be able to prove it.

 

A statement like "because he's more productive," when stated by itself with nothing else is one of the most useless statements ever to attempt to prove a point. They mean absolutely nothing and frankly, are just stupid.

 

I wasn't agreeing or disagreeing with you Geech, I just wanted to know where the statement came from and if you had anything to back it up. If you do, great post it and prove me wrong. I would like that and would change my view if this was true.