Biggest Off-season need: #2 Starter or Big bat?

[cubsjunky95]

I personally think Hendry's #1 priority should be to go after another top of line starter like Zito or Schmidt. As we all know pitching and defense is what wins championships. Our 2007 rotation doesn't look too promising if you consider that Maddux and Wood probably won't be here, also Marshall and Marmol are still wildcards, and that Prior is injury prone (He's had 5 DL stints in 4 season in the bigs). The only certainty is Big Z, so with that being said we have to get a top of the line starter even if we must overpay for him.

What do you guys think?[/img]

[Sammy Sofa]

Both. No excuses.

[Brian]

i'm on the Schmidt bandwgn

[BigSlick]

Both. No excuses.

 

Agreed. If given a gun-to-the-head decision though, I'd take a big bat. I have a feeling our pitching is decent enough when the youngsters get some more experience. Matters what happens with Maddux, Wood, etc.

 

However, our offense is so terrible...I feel like vomitting. We have no power, we have no ability to get on base...theres really nothing going for them.

[KaiserCesar]

If you had to choose (which you shouldn't) I say you obvioiusly go with the bat. While you have a good number of starters who will soon be ready for the majors, there are barely any power hitting OFers in the minor league system, let alone ready to play for the big league club.

[cubsjunky95]

"Agreed. If given a gun-to-the-head decision though, I'd take a big bat."

 

You would take a bat considering that this rotation looks like a huge uncertainty next season. In my opinion hitting can come and a go but if your pitching is good enough you can get by with decent hitting. This team needs help at just about every facet of the organization (hitting, pitching, defense, coaching, scouting, front office people, etc) but I think it all starts with pitching or the lack thereof that the Cubs possess.

[RonnieWooWooSanto]

I'd go with the bat. Someone who can hit both left and right handers. Basically no glaring deficiency in one (i.e. Jacque Jones). Even though I think Jones overall is a pretty good hitter, I don't think he is a very good fit on this team(i.e left handed hitting deficient).

[soccer10k]

"Agreed. If given a gun-to-the-head decision though, I'd take a big bat."

 

You would take a bat considering that this rotation looks like a huge uncertainty next season. In my opinion hitting can come and a go but if your pitching is good enough you can get by with decent hitting. This team needs help at just about every facet of the organization (hitting, pitching, defense, coaching, scouting, front office people, etc) but I think it all starts with pitching or the lack thereof that the Cubs possess.

 

The Cubs have given up the eighth most runs in the NL (which puts us right in the middle of the pack), tenth most in the ML. The Cubs are also DEAD LAST in runs scored in the ML by 31 runs (35 in just the NL). While both are a problem, we need a bat more than pitching.

 

The pitching staff hasn't been horrible considering that 33 of the 86 starts have been made by players will little to no experience. Factor in the 8 combined by Prior and Wood and 8 more by Gopher Ball this isn't too bad. Marshall will have a full year under his belt next year. Marmol is getting starts as well and will be more experienced. Hopefully Guzman and Hill can get a few more starts so we can see if they can be relied upon next year as well. Prior has been looking better even though his record doesn't reflect this.

 

The offense on the other hand has been downright pathetic. That's all there really is to say about it.

[Scott G. F.]

Both. No excuses.

 

Second

[USSoccer]

Both, with the qualifier that if you can only afford one impact position, you go with the hitter.

 

I don't see it happening, though. I think Hendry would rather spend average money on both than high end money on either.

[hawkcub]

The bat, just look at the Cubs offence this year it is just horrid. Marshall and Marmol have gotten good Major League experience and have had some promising outings.

[cubfan1955]

Only one big bat? Putting a bandaid on a gaping wound won't stop the bleeding. Sheesh, lets set our sights a little higher and get a big bat, another good bat, a top flight pitcher and another decent pitcher. Then we would have a chance.

[mlarner]

Both. No excuses.

 

Second

 

Yes, with this team's payroll, recent failures, and some cheap youth playing everyday next year, absolutely no question that the Cubs should get both.

[Sammy Sofa]

I'd go with the bat. Someone who can hit both left and right handers. Basically no glaring deficiency in one (i.e. Jacque Jones). Even though I think Jones overall is a pretty good hitter, I don't think he is a very good fit on this team(i.e left handed hitting deficient).

 

The whole damn team with the exception of Lee is what you described.

[CubsBullsBears]

Zito, Soriano, AND Carlos Lee. That's what we need.

[BigSlick]

"Agreed. If given a gun-to-the-head decision though, I'd take a big bat."

 

You would take a bat considering that this rotation looks like a huge uncertainty next season. In my opinion hitting can come and a go but if your pitching is good enough you can get by with decent hitting. This team needs help at just about every facet of the organization (hitting, pitching, defense, coaching, scouting, front office people, etc) but I think it all starts with pitching or the lack thereof that the Cubs possess.

 

Unfortunately, we don't even have "decent" hitting. We are last in the NL in runs, OBP, SLG, Homers, you name it, we're the bottom.

[Shavo]

Zito, Soriano, AND Carlos Lee. That's what we need.

 

I'm so glad we have 30+ million to spend this off season!

[Magnetic Curses]

I personally think Hendry's #1 priority should be to go after another top of line starter like Zito or Schmidt. As we all know pitching and defense is what wins championships. Our 2007 rotation doesn't look too promising if you consider that Maddux and Wood probably won't be here, also Marshall and Marmol are still wildcards, and that Prior is injury prone (He's had 5 DL stints in 4 season in the bigs). The only certainty is Big Z, so with that being said we have to get a top of the line starter even if we must overpay for him.

What do you guys think?[/img]

 

incorrect. pitching wins championships. good defense is nice to have, but if you have good pitchers, they get a lot of ground balls and strike outs, putting little pressure on the defense to make great plays.

 

defense is not nearly as important as getting on base, driving the ball and scoring runs.

 

in football, defense wins championships, not in baseball.

[cubfan1955]

Zito, Soriano, AND Carlos Lee. That's what we need.

 

I'm so glad we have 30+ million to spend this off season!

Unfortunately if they don't go out and spend that kind of money they are going to have about the same quality team next year that they have this year.

[A New Era]

How about 2 #2 starters and 1 Big bat. Or 1 #2 starter and 2 Big bats?

 

Seriously, we need much more than just 1 Sp and 1 bat. And if it's not done then Hendry fails.

[CubsBullsBears]

How about 2 #2 starters and 1 Big bat. Or 1 #2 starter and 2 Big bats?

 

Seriously, we need much more than just 1 Sp and 1 bat. And if it's not done then Hendry fails.

And you can count on that.

[cubsjunky95]

"Agreed. If given a gun-to-the-head decision though, I'd take a big bat."

 

You would take a bat considering that this rotation looks like a huge uncertainty next season. In my opinion hitting can come and a go but if your pitching is good enough you can get by with decent hitting. This team needs help at just about every facet of the organization (hitting, pitching, defense, coaching, scouting, front office people, etc) but I think it all starts with pitching or the lack thereof that the Cubs possess.

 

The Cubs have given up the eighth most runs in the NL (which puts us right in the middle of the pack), tenth most in the ML. The Cubs are also DEAD LAST in runs scored in the ML by 31 runs (35 in just the NL). While both are a problem, we need a bat more than pitching.

 

The pitching staff hasn't been horrible considering that 33 of the 86 starts have been made by players will little to no experience. Factor in the 8 combined by Prior and Wood and 8 more by Gopher Ball this isn't too bad. Marshall will have a full year under his belt next year. Marmol is getting starts as well and will be more experienced. Hopefully Guzman and Hill can get a few more starts so we can see if they can be relied upon next year as well. Prior has been looking better even though his record doesn't reflect this.

 

The offense on the other hand has been downright pathetic. That's all there really is to say about it.

 

 

The Cubs are 15th in the NL in ERA, lead the the league in walks allowed and HR allowed, our hitting is atrocious but you have to think that if all those numbers were a little better we would be in better shape. I think it's safe to say that we are both right the hitting is horrendous and the pitching isn't that good.

[RonnieWooWooSanto]

I'd go with the bat. Someone who can hit both left and right handers. Basically no glaring deficiency in one (i.e. Jacque Jones). Even though I think Jones overall is a pretty good hitter, I don't think he is a very good fit on this team(i.e left handed hitting deficient).

 

The whole damn team with the exception of Lee is what you described.

 

I singled out Jones because from an offensive standpoint, he was the big free agent pick up this past off season.

[Bull]

I'd actually take two big bats over a top-notch starter and a big bat.

 

Someone mentioned Soriano and CLee.

 

That's not a bad start.

[cubfan1955]

I'd actually take two big bats over a top-notch starter and a big bat.

 

Someone mentioned Soriano and CLee.

 

That's not a bad start.

Throw in Abreu and we're good to go! :lol: