sulley's simple steps to fixing the cubs

[jjgman21]

 

I wasn't aware of that. that makes him a little more difficult to get, but I think overpaying for a player like DeJesus rather than overpaying for a player like Freel makes alot more sense, and makes tons more sense than trying for Abreu, who will require tons in terms of talent and payroll.

 

Why? The only time I think overpaying makes sense is when you are getting back a pre-prime stud (Cabrera). And who says you have to overpay for Freel, his GM doesn't seem to want full value for his players.

 

other posters in this very thread have so advocated. "overpay" is a relative term. I don't think the Cubs should overpay for anyone, but I think you need to make a very attractive offer for a young, talented player like DeJesus. if he develops power, great. if he just continues his obp, you have a great leadoff man for 3 years to come.

[jmajew]

First, the cubs should trade Aramis and Maddux to the Dodgers for Chad Billingsley, Andy Laroche, and Ceasar Izturis.

 

Second, trade Bob howry and Izturis for Ryan Freel.

 

Off season re-sign Wood to fill howry's role and also resign Pierre. Then you sign Carlos Lee and Barry Zito/Jason Schmidt/Mark Mulder/Chris Young.

 

With these moves the Cubs will once again have a chance to compete.

 

Lineup

Pierre, Freel, DLee, CLee, LaRoche, Barrett, Jones/Murton/Pie, Cedeno

Bench

Walker, Nefi, Jones/Murton/Pie, Blanco, Theriot

Rotation

Zambrano, Zito, Prior, Billinglsey, Marshall

Pen

Dempster, Wood, Eyre, Rusch, Novoa, Wuertz.

[RonnieWooWooSanto]

First, the cubs should trade Aramis and Maddux to the Dodgers for Chad Billingsley, Andy Laroche, and Ceasar Izturis.

 

Second, trade Bob howry and Izturis for Ryan Freel.

 

Off season re-sign Wood to fill howry's role and also resign Pierre. Then you sign Carlos Lee and Barry Zito/Jason Schmidt/Mark Mulder/Chris Young.

 

With these moves the Cubs will once again have a chance to compete.

 

Lineup

Pierre, Freel, DLee, CLee, LaRoche, Barrett, Jones/Murton/Pie, Cedeno

Bench

Walker, Nefi, Jones/Murton/Pie, Blanco, Theriot

Rotation

Zambrano, Zito, Prior, Billinglsey, Marshall

Pen

Dempster, Wood, Eyre, Rusch, Novoa, Wuertz.

 

In this situation, the Cubs could probably get Freel just for Howry. Then you could start either Izturis or Cedeno at SS.

 

I think the Cubs should be cautious with pitchers and arm problems. Mulder could very easily backfire.

[Magnetic Curses]

i advocate bringing mabry back as well--.

 

Why in the world would you do that?

 

okay, how about russell branyan?

 

Branyan strikes out way to much to be a everyday player

 

No he doesn't, and he was advocating a bench role.

 

Branyan played in 134 games in 02 and struckout 151 times in 378 AB. If he played 162 games he would strikeout about 180 times. Not to mention he has a career .232 average. Just what we need more guys who cannot hit the ball. He may hit the HR but im not sure if he is a guy I would want on my team.

 

what are you talking about? we have a ton of guys that hit the ball, if you haven't noticed, cubs hitters don't strike out. that's part of the problem, not enough driving hittable pitches and too much slapping bad pitches.

 

striking out a lot is acceptable if you drive the ball and get on base.

[Magnetic Curses]

we should sell jones while his value is high, it won't ever be any higher for the rest of his career, he cannot play better than he is playing now. get out from underneath that contract.

 

but hendry has never been a guy to sell high, he reminds me of homer simpson waiting for pumpkins to mature, thinking they'll peak around christmas. or it could just be that he thinks getting jones makes him look smart, and he'll try to ride him into next year as a savior run-producer, which he is most certainly not.

 

okay, i'll revise the trade:

 

pierre and maddux to the white sox for brian anderson and josh fields. anderson has had a tough go of it so far, but he still is displaying the discipline that we so desperately need.

 

pierre is very overvalued right now, his slap-hitting ways are for the moment successful, let's exploit that.

 

that nets us a young third baseman and a young CFer. now, to find a place for aramis, jones, and marshall.

[jjgman21]

we should sell jones while his value is high, it won't ever be any higher for the rest of his career, he cannot play better than he is playing now. get out from underneath that contract.

 

but hendry has never been a guy to sell high, he reminds me of homer simpson waiting for pumpkins to mature, thinking they'll peak around christmas. or it could just be that he thinks getting jones makes him look smart, and he'll try to ride him into next year as a savior run-producer, which he is most certainly not.

 

okay, i'll revise the trade:

 

pierre and maddux to the white sox for brian anderson and josh fields. anderson has had a tough go of it so far, but he still is displaying the discipline that we so desperately need.

 

pierre is very overvalued right now, his slap-hitting ways are for the moment successful, let's exploit that.

 

that nets us a young third baseman and a young CFer. now, to find a place for aramis, jones, and marshall.

 

all the patience in the world is of little value (note I said little, not "no value") if it does not result in the player getting on base. whether generated through walks or hits, Anderson's OBP is still in Neifiland. Pie could come up right now and put up a .282/.332 line, and is 4-5 years younger.

 

again, 2 trades for players on major league rosters, 2-3 FA signings, a couple in house moves, and a few trades for minor league sticks, and this team is set up to make the playoffs next year, and set up to be very good for several years to come. this team doesn't need to be blown up. it needs a new coaching staff and some tinkering at a couple positions.

 

I agree that Jones is not a run producer if playing every day, but with the right platoon, right field could be a run producing position for the Cubs for the duration of Jones' reasonably priced contract. if he is going to be traded, you're right, now's the time.

[Hacking Out Machine]

we should sell jones while his value is high, it won't ever be any higher for the rest of his career, he cannot play better than he is playing now. get out from underneath that contract.

 

but hendry has never been a guy to sell high, he reminds me of homer simpson waiting for pumpkins to mature, thinking they'll peak around christmas. or it could just be that he thinks getting jones makes him look smart, and he'll try to ride him into next year as a savior run-producer, which he is most certainly not.

 

okay, i'll revise the trade:

 

pierre and maddux to the white sox for brian anderson and josh fields. anderson has had a tough go of it so far, but he still is displaying the discipline that we so desperately need.

 

pierre is very overvalued right now, his slap-hitting ways are for the moment successful, let's exploit that.

 

that nets us a young third baseman and a young CFer. now, to find a place for aramis, jones, and marshall.

 

all the patience in the world is of little value (note I said little, not "no value") if it does not result in the player getting on base. whether generated through walks or hits, Anderson's OBP is still in Neifiland. Pie could come up right now and put up a .282/.332 line, and is 4-5 years younger.

 

again, 2 trades for players on major league rosters, 2-3 FA signings, a couple in house moves, and a few trades for minor league sticks, and this team is set up to make the playoffs next year, and set up to be very good for several years to come. this team doesn't need to be blown up. it needs a new coaching staff and some tinkering at a couple positions.

 

I agree that Jones is not a run producer if playing every day, but with the right platoon, right field could be a run producing position for the Cubs for the duration of Jones' reasonably priced contract. if he is going to be traded, you're right, now's the time.

 

 

Actually, as of about a week ago, a strict Murton v LHP/Jones v RHP platoon in right would give you a line of .341 .387 .561. That's Cabrera numbers less about 25 or so walks a year, so your assertion that right field could be a run producing position for the Cubs is spot on. Unfortunately, the Cubs are paying Jones to be an everyday player, and don't have the ability to realize a sunk cost. Instead they square peg him into an everyday role to justify the money they spent.

[Magnetic Curses]

we should sell jones while his value is high, it won't ever be any higher for the rest of his career, he cannot play better than he is playing now. get out from underneath that contract.

 

but hendry has never been a guy to sell high, he reminds me of homer simpson waiting for pumpkins to mature, thinking they'll peak around christmas. or it could just be that he thinks getting jones makes him look smart, and he'll try to ride him into next year as a savior run-producer, which he is most certainly not.

 

okay, i'll revise the trade:

 

pierre and maddux to the white sox for brian anderson and josh fields. anderson has had a tough go of it so far, but he still is displaying the discipline that we so desperately need.

 

pierre is very overvalued right now, his slap-hitting ways are for the moment successful, let's exploit that.

 

that nets us a young third baseman and a young CFer. now, to find a place for aramis, jones, and marshall.

 

all the patience in the world is of little value (note I said little, not "no value") if it does not result in the player getting on base. whether generated through walks or hits, Anderson's OBP is still in Neifiland. Pie could come up right now and put up a .282/.332 line, and is 4-5 years younger.

 

no, brian anderson is just 24 years old, roughly 3 years older, but hardly an old man. as for his obp not being high, i'm not talking about that. he's not going to be hitting .200 forever and has already showed that he has the discipline to post a high obp once he does start hitting better. it's called IsoD, and his is around .081, which would be 2nd highest on our team.

 

I agree that Jones is not a run producer if playing every day, but with the right platoon, right field could be a run producing position for the Cubs for the duration of Jones' reasonably priced contract. if he is going to be traded, you're right, now's the time.

 

jones doesn't need to be platooned, with the money he is being paid, it's unlikely hendry would allow a platoon anyway. he's doing well now, but he'll never do better, trade him while his value is high.

 

what we need is big bat in right, then we can afford cedeno's rotten bat at short.

[jjgman21]

we should sell jones while his value is high, it won't ever be any higher for the rest of his career, he cannot play better than he is playing now. get out from underneath that contract.

 

but hendry has never been a guy to sell high, he reminds me of homer simpson waiting for pumpkins to mature, thinking they'll peak around christmas. or it could just be that he thinks getting jones makes him look smart, and he'll try to ride him into next year as a savior run-producer, which he is most certainly not.

 

okay, i'll revise the trade:

 

pierre and maddux to the white sox for brian anderson and josh fields. anderson has had a tough go of it so far, but he still is displaying the discipline that we so desperately need.

 

pierre is very overvalued right now, his slap-hitting ways are for the moment successful, let's exploit that.

 

that nets us a young third baseman and a young CFer. now, to find a place for aramis, jones, and marshall.

 

all the patience in the world is of little value (note I said little, not "no value") if it does not result in the player getting on base. whether generated through walks or hits, Anderson's OBP is still in Neifiland. Pie could come up right now and put up a .282/.332 line, and is 4-5 years younger.

 

no, brian anderson is just 24 years old, roughly 3 years older, but hardly an old man. as for his obp not being high, i'm not talking about that. he's not going to be hitting .200 forever and has already showed that he has the discipline to post a high obp once he does start hitting better. it's called IsoD, and his is around .081, which would be 2nd highest on our team.

 

I agree that Jones is not a run producer if playing every day, but with the right platoon, right field could be a run producing position for the Cubs for the duration of Jones' reasonably priced contract. if he is going to be traded, you're right, now's the time.

 

jones doesn't need to be platooned, with the money he is being paid, it's unlikely hendry would allow a platoon anyway. he's doing well now, but he'll never do better, trade him while his value is high.

 

what we need is big bat in right, then we can afford cedeno's rotten bat at short.

 

what you are advocating results in two rotten bats in the lineup, so you need yet another big bat in the lineup, and proposing a trade that would never go down in order to achieve it.

 

Anderson may not be at .200 forever, but with his lack of pop, he needs to raise his average 70 points next year, while maintaining his IsoD, in order to be an adequate option in center. the A's currently have a team IsoD of 81, and they have what you call a crappy offense. again, patience, aka IsoD, is a means to an end, not an end in and of itself, and until Anderson shows some indication that he can put up a good OBP at the major league level, I see no reason to trade for him when there are much better options available.

 

Hendry allowed a platoon in left going into 2005, I see no reason why he wouldn't go for one in right going into 2007, especially considering the Cubs have already dabbled in platooning Jones this season. he's far more likely to go for that than any of the trades you've proposed in this thread.

 

finally, the money Jones is being paid is market value for his career average production. combine his anticipated production with anticipated production of a right handed platoon, and you get a .350/.550 line for roughly 9-10M. perfectly reasonable, and certainly better value than you are likely to get for Abreu alone in 2007.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

FWIW, Anderson's BABIP should probably be about 50 points higher with the amount of line drives he hits.

[Magnetic Curses]

we should sell jones while his value is high, it won't ever be any higher for the rest of his career, he cannot play better than he is playing now. get out from underneath that contract.

 

but hendry has never been a guy to sell high, he reminds me of homer simpson waiting for pumpkins to mature, thinking they'll peak around christmas. or it could just be that he thinks getting jones makes him look smart, and he'll try to ride him into next year as a savior run-producer, which he is most certainly not.

 

okay, i'll revise the trade:

 

pierre and maddux to the white sox for brian anderson and josh fields. anderson has had a tough go of it so far, but he still is displaying the discipline that we so desperately need.

 

pierre is very overvalued right now, his slap-hitting ways are for the moment successful, let's exploit that.

 

that nets us a young third baseman and a young CFer. now, to find a place for aramis, jones, and marshall.

 

all the patience in the world is of little value (note I said little, not "no value") if it does not result in the player getting on base. whether generated through walks or hits, Anderson's OBP is still in Neifiland. Pie could come up right now and put up a .282/.332 line, and is 4-5 years younger.

 

no, brian anderson is just 24 years old, roughly 3 years older, but hardly an old man. as for his obp not being high, i'm not talking about that. he's not going to be hitting .200 forever and has already showed that he has the discipline to post a high obp once he does start hitting better. it's called IsoD, and his is around .081, which would be 2nd highest on our team.

 

I agree that Jones is not a run producer if playing every day, but with the right platoon, right field could be a run producing position for the Cubs for the duration of Jones' reasonably priced contract. if he is going to be traded, you're right, now's the time.

 

jones doesn't need to be platooned, with the money he is being paid, it's unlikely hendry would allow a platoon anyway. he's doing well now, but he'll never do better, trade him while his value is high.

 

what we need is big bat in right, then we can afford cedeno's rotten bat at short.

 

what you are advocating results in two rotten bats in the lineup, so you need yet another big bat in the lineup, and proposing a trade that would never go down in order to achieve it.

 

is there a better option in center? pierre? pie? anderson's LD% as TT has pointed out, would warrant a higher batting average and slugging percentage, it appears that he's getting unlucky. meanwhile, his BA is slowly coming up. i would wager that he'll be around .250/.340 by season's end.

 

the A's currently have a team IsoD of 81, and they have what you call a crappy offense. again, patience, aka IsoD, is a means to an end, not an end in and of itself, and until Anderson shows some indication that he can put up a good OBP at the major league level, I see no reason to trade for him when there are much better options available.

 

the a's do what they can with homegrown products and a payroll in the bottom half of the league--they can't afford a team full of great hitters in the prime of their careers. it's a miracle they're able to put a winning team on the field year after year--and a testament to the genius of their general manager.

 

Hendry allowed a platoon in left going into 2005, I see no reason why he wouldn't go for one in right going into 2007, especially considering the Cubs have already dabbled in platooning Jones this season. he's far more likely to go for that than any of the trades you've proposed in this thread.

 

how have they "dabbled" (i hate that word, maybe one of the most annoying in the english language. it makes me think of a wasp pooping on a mud nest) in platooning jones? he's played in 87 of 94 games! he's been given rests against certain left handers, but he's hardly been involved in a platoon situation.

 

finally, the money Jones is being paid is market value for his career average production. combine his anticipated production with anticipated production of a right handed platoon, and you get a .350/.550 line for roughly 9-10M. perfectly reasonable, and certainly better value than you are likely to get for Abreu alone in 2007.

 

who in the heck can the cubs acquire that would not want to start who can make a platoon with jones worth those kind of numbers? who? especially a player who's being paid 4-5 mil only to play against lefties? well, on second thought, that sounds like a hendry-type move.

[jjgman21]

 

is there a better option in center? pierre? pie? anderson's LD% as TT has pointed out, would warrant a higher batting average and slugging percentage, it appears that he's getting unlucky. meanwhile, his BA is slowly coming up. i would wager that he'll be around .250/.340 by season's end.

 

you already suggested a better option in this very thread in Brady Clark. I still like the suggestion I gave in this very thread, DeJesus.

 

the a's do what they can with homegrown products and a payroll in the bottom half of the league--they can't afford a team full of great hitters in the prime of their careers. it's a miracle they're able to put a winning team on the field year after year--and a testament to the genius of their general manager.

 

the A's were a way of illustrating a point. can anyone say anything contrary to 'the A's are great' without getting into a pissing match around here? see the Arod thread for my thoughts on Beane. I'm not doing it again.

 

how have they "dabbled" (i hate that word, maybe one of the most annoying in the english language. it makes me think of a wasp pooping on a mud nest) in platooning jones? he's played in 87 of 94 games! he's been given rests against certain left handers, but he's hardly been involved in a platoon situation.

 

the week before the all-star game he sat a couple times. you are probably right, not enough to consider it dabbling into a platoon. not sure what your opinion of that word adds to the conversation. fact remains that Hendry has tried a platoon at a corner outfielder before, so it's not without precedent.

 

 

who in the heck can the cubs acquire that would not want to start who can make a platoon with jones worth those kind of numbers? who? especially a player who's being paid 4-5 mil only to play against lefties? well, on second thought, that sounds like a hendry-type move.

 

did you even read other people's suggested moves? I've already suggested Cruz Jr. who is easily obtainable and gives the team alot of flexability being a switch hitter and outstanding outfielder. I'm sure there are plenty others. plus, the moves and team I suggested advocates over paying Wilson to be a part time starter/first guy off the bench / possible starter in 2008 role, so that gives you two right handed options.

 

sorry I present some valid arguments contrary to your opinioin. it really doesn't call for you getting so pissy with me.

[Magnetic Curses]

 

is there a better option in center? pierre? pie? anderson's LD% as TT has pointed out, would warrant a higher batting average and slugging percentage, it appears that he's getting unlucky. meanwhile, his BA is slowly coming up. i would wager that he'll be around .250/.340 by season's end.

 

you already suggested a better option in this very thread in Brady Clark. I still like the suggestion I gave in this very thread, DeJesus.

 

the a's do what they can with homegrown products and a payroll in the bottom half of the league--they can't afford a team full of great hitters in the prime of their careers. it's a miracle they're able to put a winning team on the field year after year--and a testament to the genius of their general manager.

 

the A's were a way of illustrating a point. can anyone say anything contrary to 'the A's are great' without getting into a pissing match around here? see the Arod thread for my thoughts on Beane. I'm not doing it again.

 

how have they "dabbled" (i hate that word, maybe one of the most annoying in the english language. it makes me think of a wasp pooping on a mud nest) in platooning jones? he's played in 87 of 94 games! he's been given rests against certain left handers, but he's hardly been involved in a platoon situation.

 

the week before the all-star game he sat a couple times. you are probably right, not enough to consider it dabbling into a platoon. not sure what your opinion of that word adds to the conversation. fact remains that Hendry has tried a platoon at a corner outfielder before, so it's not without precedent.

 

 

who in the heck can the cubs acquire that would not want to start who can make a platoon with jones worth those kind of numbers? who? especially a player who's being paid 4-5 mil only to play against lefties? well, on second thought, that sounds like a hendry-type move.

 

did you even read other people's suggested moves? I've already suggested Cruz Jr. who is easily obtainable and gives the team alot of flexability being a switch hitter and outstanding outfielder. I'm sure there are plenty others. plus, the moves and team I suggested advocates over paying Wilson to be a part time starter/first guy off the bench / possible starter in 2008 role, so that gives you two right handed options.

 

sorry I present some valid arguments contrary to your opinioin. it really doesn't call for you getting so pissy with me.

 

i don't see how i've gotten any more "pissy" than you have with me or any other poster in the threads you post in. it seems to me that your posts are nothing but "pissy". and declaring your own arguments valid or my arguments invalid does not make them so.

[jjgman21]

 

i don't see how i've gotten any more "pissy" than you have with me or any other poster in the threads you post in. it seems to me that your posts are nothing but "pissy". and declaring your own arguments valid or my arguments invalid does not make them so.

 

I think it is illustrative that, with all the rich baseball discussion going on between you and I, you chose this to comment on.

 

you escalated the rhetoric with your "it's called IsoD" jab. you further escalated it with your rant on the word "dabbled." review the thread and see who gets pissy with who first.

 

if my arguments aren't valid, counter them with better arguments, instead of resorting to sarcasm and condescention.

[dvdd127]

greg maddux and juan pierre to the brewers for brady clark and corey koskie. brewers move hall to third as hardy comes back. juan pierre's speed is overvalued, moreso than brady clark's far superior plate discipline and OBP. clark's defense in center won't be bad enough to outweigh his offensive contributions.

I would never do this.. because even though Pierre's speed might be overrated... He is still the fastest guy on the team... with the exception of sucky Fast Freddie Bynum (who is prolly out for the rest of the year and not in the plans for 07) and Maddux is probably the second best pitcher on the staff right now behind Big Z.... he is just not getting run support when he is pitching. Also, I would want at least one pitcher in return for Maddux.

 

jacque jones, aramis ramirez, sean marshall, and whatever cash it takes to make the salaries a wash to the phillies for bobby abreu. yes, unrealistic, and abreu probably wouldn't okay a trade to the cubs unless he were convinced they were headed in the right direction, but this could be remedied by doing things to simply convince him.

I would not trade Marshall without getting a pitcher in return.. and I definatly would not trade Ramirez.. who says he is not going to leave after this year even tho he has the option too... and is signed through the 2009 or 2010 season

 

bobby howry and angel guzman to the reds for ryan freel. i'd do the trade if i were the reds.

I would not trade Howry because he is a big part of the back part of our bullpen... I might trade Guzman.. if the right deal came along.. but even he would take a deal that blows me away to agree to.

 

offseason- use the wood money to re-sign z. use the maddux money to sign jason schmidt.

I agree about using the Wood money to re-sign Z.. but I would also resign Maddux and then trade Prior and sign Schmidt.

 

no, not an awe-inspiring group, but good enough to get the job done. if the mood strikes and wood is up for it, replace wuertz's name with his.

I agree that we should try to make Wood a reliever and then get rid of Wuertz.

 

 

i won't speculate on the bench, but as long as dusty's gone next year, keep perez and use him appropriately in late-inning defensive roles and perhaps someone who can spell an infielder every once in a while.

I agree not to speculate on the bench.. and even if Dusty is gone.. Perez has to go. He isnt worth it.

 

i advocate bringing mabry back as well--and bringing up theriot and fontenot.

Mabry is prolly going to retire... hes old... if he doesnt I say bring him back. and Call up Theriot

[Magnetic Curses]

 

i don't see how i've gotten any more "pissy" than you have with me or any other poster in the threads you post in. it seems to me that your posts are nothing but "pissy". and declaring your own arguments valid or my arguments invalid does not make them so.

 

I think it is illustrative that, with all the rich baseball discussion going on between you and I, you chose this to comment on.

 

you escalated the rhetoric with your "it's called IsoD" jab. you further escalated it with your rant on the word "dabbled." review the thread and see who gets pissy with who first.

 

if my arguments aren't valid, counter them with better arguments, instead of resorting to sarcasm and condescention.

 

there's just too much hypocrisy in this post.

[Magnetic Curses]

I would never do this.. because even though Pierre's speed might be overrated... He is still the fastest guy on the team... with the exception of sucky Fast Freddie Bynum (who is prolly out for the rest of the year and not in the plans for 07) and Maddux is probably the second best pitcher on the staff right now behind Big Z.... he is just not getting run support when he is pitching. Also, I would want at least one pitcher in return for Maddux.

 

pierre is one of the most overrated players in the league and it's all because of his speed. brady clark's OBP is around .070 points higher, whatever speed pierre has, his speed ain't THAT impressive as to ignore clark's ability to get on base. i'll take clark over pierre any day of the week. as for maddux, we have enough young pitchers to get the job done IF we sign a signifiacnt free agent pitcher. i'll go with marmol and hill and stick with them all year barring any kind of injury.

 

I would not trade Marshall without getting a pitcher in return.. and I definatly would not trade Ramirez.. who says he is not going to leave after this year even tho he has the option too... and is signed through the 2009 or 2010 season

 

ramirez would be stupid to opt out his deal. but we'd have enough pitching without marshall, who is not very good but shows an ability to get ground ball on occasion.

 

I would not trade Howry because he is a big part of the back part of our bullpen... I might trade Guzman.. if the right deal came along.. but even he would take a deal that blows me away to agree to.

 

the trade is good because it is for ryan freel. with two players like clark and freel at the top of the lineup, we'd score plenty of runs. guzman is expendable, like marshall, if a top of the rotation starter is signed in the offseason.

 

I agree about using the Wood money to re-sign Z.. but I would also resign Maddux and then trade Prior and sign Schmidt.

 

i don't know why you'd take maddux, if prior is healthy, he'll be good. if he's not, we can get just about anyone to put up the numbers that maddux would put up--heck, even rusch could do THAT. maddux's career with the cubs as a pitcher is most likely over.

 

I agree not to speculate on the bench.. and even if Dusty is gone.. Perez has to go. He isnt worth it.

 

neifi is a good defensive replacement, and can give any infielder the day off. good guy to have on the bench.

 

theriot

fontenot

pagan

branyan

perez

??????

[biittner77]

Needless to say, a lot depends on who is managing the Cubs next season and what type of philosophy he has.

 

A couple people have mentioned that set up guys are at a premium in this year's market. I'm wondering why people think that. Outside of the Reds- Nats trade who's gotten much for a set up man?

 

Does anyone think Nevin is a viable option to platoon with Jones in RF next season?

 

How much can we expect Murton to improve next season? Assuming Baker is gone and they don't hire Gene Clines to manage the Cubs Murton could thrive in the #2 spot in the order where his lack of power would not be a liability and his OBP an asset.

 

Since Hendry is still the GM, I'd expect the following to happen:

 

1 overpay Soriano with the hook that he can move back to 2nd base. His power makes up for Murton in LF. A better option might be a trade for Bill Hall but I don't see the Brewers as being too eager to trade him given his versatility.

 

2 offer arbitration to Slappy McGroundout. If he accepts Hendry gives him a one year deal with options.

 

3 Keep Nevin. "He saved us" after Lee went down.

 

4 sign an unexciting innings eater to compete for the 5th spot

 

5 call it an offseason

 

The Lineup:

 

CF Pierre

LF Murton

1st Lee

3rd Ramirez

2nd Soriano

RF Jones/ Nevin

C Barrett

SS Cedeno

P

 

Rotation

Zambrano

Prior

Marshall

Hill/ Guzman/ Marmol/ Rusch

FA Bleh lightning in a bottle type guy