Yahoo article on 2006-7 FA

[baseball7897]

If I were incharge of the Chicago Cubs I would want my 07 team to look like this:

 

First move would be to find takers for Perez, Rusch, Mabry, Blanco, Walker and Maddux. I would try to deal either Maddux or Walker to the Mets for Heilman.

 

Second move would be too Fire the coaching staff besides Chris Speier and Larry Rothschild.

 

Third on my list would be to begin the FA signing's/trades. I would make my best offer to Zito and hopefully he will accept. Then I would call up the Angels to see what it would take to get Figgins and Lackey. Maybe a Pie, Prior, another hitter and a couple of young arms? After I get that deal done I would go after Adam Kennedy, Jay Payton, Cliff Floyd, Craig Counsell, Frank Catalanotto and Jeff Weaver. Then try to work out a deal with Kerry Wood for the closer role.

 

1. Figgins CF

2. Kennedy 2B

3. Lee 1B

4. Floyd LF

5. Ramirez 3B

6. Barrett C

7. Murton/Jones RF

8. Cedeno SS

9. P

 

Bench:

Soto

Theriot

Payton

Catalanotto

Counsell

 

1. Zambrano

2. Zito

3. Lackey

4. Weaver

5. Marshall/Hill/Marmol

 

 

Bullpen:

Heilman

Ohman

Howry

Dempster

Eyre

Wood

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

By the way I'd take Soriano and Pie/Pagan over Castillo and Sarge Jr.

 

I thought about that, but given the estimate on the article which was what I was trying to go by, Soriano would have pushed my payroll to 105 million and I don't think the Cubs will go that high.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

If I were incharge of the Chicago Cubs I would want my 07 team to look like this:

 

First move would be to find takers for Perez, Rusch, Mabry, Blanco, Walker and Maddux. I would try to deal either Maddux or Walker to the Mets for Heilman.

 

Second move would be too Fire the coaching staff besides Chris Speier and Larry Rothschild.

 

Third on my list would be to begin the FA signing's/trades. I would make my best offer to Zito and hopefully he will accept. Then I would call up the Angels to see what it would take to get Figgins and Lackey. Maybe a Pie, Prior, another hitter and a couple of young arms? After I get that deal done I would go after Adam Kennedy, Jay Payton, Cliff Floyd, Craig Counsell, Frank Catalanotto and Jeff Weaver. Then try to work out a deal with Kerry Wood for the closer role.

 

1. Figgins CF

2. Kennedy 2B

3. Lee 1B

4. Floyd LF

5. Ramirez 3B

6. Barrett C

7. Murton/Jones RF

8. Cedeno SS

9. P

 

Bench:

Soto

Theriot

Payton

Catalanotto

Counsell

 

1. Zambrano

2. Zito

3. Lackey

4. Weaver

5. Marshall/Hill/Marmol

 

 

Bullpen:

Heilman

Ohman

Howry

Dempster

Eyre

Wood

 

That's likely a 110-115 million team and I don't think the Trib is going to authorize that much payroll.

[baseball7897]

If I were incharge of the Chicago Cubs I would want my 07 team to look like this:

 

First move would be to find takers for Perez, Rusch, Mabry, Blanco, Walker and Maddux. I would try to deal either Maddux or Walker to the Mets for Heilman.

 

Second move would be too Fire the coaching staff besides Chris Speier and Larry Rothschild.

 

Third on my list would be to begin the FA signing's/trades. I would make my best offer to Zito and hopefully he will accept. Then I would call up the Angels to see what it would take to get Figgins and Lackey. Maybe a Pie, Prior, another hitter and a couple of young arms? After I get that deal done I would go after Adam Kennedy, Jay Payton, Cliff Floyd, Craig Counsell, Frank Catalanotto and Jeff Weaver. Then try to work out a deal with Kerry Wood for the closer role.

 

1. Figgins CF

2. Kennedy 2B

3. Lee 1B

4. Floyd LF

5. Ramirez 3B

6. Barrett C

7. Murton/Jones RF

8. Cedeno SS

9. P

 

Bench:

Soto

Theriot

Payton

Catalanotto

Counsell

 

1. Zambrano

2. Zito

3. Lackey

4. Weaver

5. Marshall/Hill/Marmol

 

 

Bullpen:

Heilman

Ohman

Howry

Dempster

Eyre

Wood

 

That's likely a 110-115 million team and I don't think the Trib is going to authorize that much payroll.

 

Who cares how much money it would cost. I want to see a World Series in Wrigley.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

If I were incharge of the Chicago Cubs I would want my 07 team to look like this:

 

First move would be to find takers for Perez, Rusch, Mabry, Blanco, Walker and Maddux. I would try to deal either Maddux or Walker to the Mets for Heilman.

 

Second move would be too Fire the coaching staff besides Chris Speier and Larry Rothschild.

 

Third on my list would be to begin the FA signing's/trades. I would make my best offer to Zito and hopefully he will accept. Then I would call up the Angels to see what it would take to get Figgins and Lackey. Maybe a Pie, Prior, another hitter and a couple of young arms? After I get that deal done I would go after Adam Kennedy, Jay Payton, Cliff Floyd, Craig Counsell, Frank Catalanotto and Jeff Weaver. Then try to work out a deal with Kerry Wood for the closer role.

 

1. Figgins CF

2. Kennedy 2B

3. Lee 1B

4. Floyd LF

5. Ramirez 3B

6. Barrett C

7. Murton/Jones RF

8. Cedeno SS

9. P

 

Bench:

Soto

Theriot

Payton

Catalanotto

Counsell

 

1. Zambrano

2. Zito

3. Lackey

4. Weaver

5. Marshall/Hill/Marmol

 

 

Bullpen:

Heilman

Ohman

Howry

Dempster

Eyre

Wood

 

That's likely a 110-115 million team and I don't think the Trib is going to authorize that much payroll.

 

Who cares how much money it would cost. I want to see a World Series in Wrigley.

 

So do all of us, but when I post in these threads, I try to keep a little realism involved. If you want to go fantasy, why not sign every decent FA and have the Cardinals trade us Pujols.

[ChiCubsFan]

If I were incharge of the Chicago Cubs I would want my 07 team to look like this:

 

First move would be to find takers for Perez, Rusch, Mabry, Blanco, Walker and Maddux. I would try to deal either Maddux or Walker to the Mets for Heilman.

 

Second move would be too Fire the coaching staff besides Chris Speier and Larry Rothschild.

 

Third on my list would be to begin the FA signing's/trades. I would make my best offer to Zito and hopefully he will accept. Then I would call up the Angels to see what it would take to get Figgins and Lackey. Maybe a Pie, Prior, another hitter and a couple of young arms? After I get that deal done I would go after Adam Kennedy, Jay Payton, Cliff Floyd, Craig Counsell, Frank Catalanotto and Jeff Weaver. Then try to work out a deal with Kerry Wood for the closer role.

 

1. Figgins CF

2. Kennedy 2B

3. Lee 1B

4. Floyd LF

5. Ramirez 3B

6. Barrett C

7. Murton/Jones RF

8. Cedeno SS

9. P

 

Bench:

Soto

Theriot

Payton

Catalanotto

Counsell

 

1. Zambrano

2. Zito

3. Lackey

4. Weaver

5. Marshall/Hill/Marmol

 

 

Bullpen:

Heilman

Ohman

Howry

Dempster

Eyre

Wood

 

That's likely a 110-115 million team and I don't think the Trib is going to authorize that much payroll.

 

I also think it's a little worse than Vance's proposal. Not bad, but the offense is still pretty weak.

[baseball7897]

If I were incharge of the Chicago Cubs I would want my 07 team to look like this:

 

First move would be to find takers for Perez, Rusch, Mabry, Blanco, Walker and Maddux. I would try to deal either Maddux or Walker to the Mets for Heilman.

 

Second move would be too Fire the coaching staff besides Chris Speier and Larry Rothschild.

 

Third on my list would be to begin the FA signing's/trades. I would make my best offer to Zito and hopefully he will accept. Then I would call up the Angels to see what it would take to get Figgins and Lackey. Maybe a Pie, Prior, another hitter and a couple of young arms? After I get that deal done I would go after Adam Kennedy, Jay Payton, Cliff Floyd, Craig Counsell, Frank Catalanotto and Jeff Weaver. Then try to work out a deal with Kerry Wood for the closer role.

 

1. Figgins CF

2. Kennedy 2B

3. Lee 1B

4. Floyd LF

5. Ramirez 3B

6. Barrett C

7. Murton/Jones RF

8. Cedeno SS

9. P

 

Bench:

Soto

Theriot

Payton

Catalanotto

Counsell

 

1. Zambrano

2. Zito

3. Lackey

4. Weaver

5. Marshall/Hill/Marmol

 

 

Bullpen:

Heilman

Ohman

Howry

Dempster

Eyre

Wood

 

That's likely a 110-115 million team and I don't think the Trib is going to authorize that much payroll.

 

Who cares how much money it would cost. I want to see a World Series in Wrigley.

 

So do all of us, but when I post in these threads, I try to keep a little realism involved. If you want to go fantasy, why not sign every decent FA and have the Cardinals trade us Pujols.

 

This is realistic. Im only adding 1 big contract in Zito and a couple of mid- small range deals with Floyd, Counsell, Payton, Kennedy and Catlanotto. The Tribune has alot of money. The Cubs organization does not have a problem selling tickets or beer sales. So they should have alot of money to spend.

Edited July 16, 2006 by baseball7897

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

If I were incharge of the Chicago Cubs I would want my 07 team to look like this:

 

First move would be to find takers for Perez, Rusch, Mabry, Blanco, Walker and Maddux. I would try to deal either Maddux or Walker to the Mets for Heilman.

 

Second move would be too Fire the coaching staff besides Chris Speier and Larry Rothschild.

 

Third on my list would be to begin the FA signing's/trades. I would make my best offer to Zito and hopefully he will accept. Then I would call up the Angels to see what it would take to get Figgins and Lackey. Maybe a Pie, Prior, another hitter and a couple of young arms? After I get that deal done I would go after Adam Kennedy, Jay Payton, Cliff Floyd, Craig Counsell, Frank Catalanotto and Jeff Weaver. Then try to work out a deal with Kerry Wood for the closer role.

 

1. Figgins CF

2. Kennedy 2B

3. Lee 1B

4. Floyd LF

5. Ramirez 3B

6. Barrett C

7. Murton/Jones RF

8. Cedeno SS

9. P

 

Bench:

Soto

Theriot

Payton

Catalanotto

Counsell

 

1. Zambrano

2. Zito

3. Lackey

4. Weaver

5. Marshall/Hill/Marmol

 

 

Bullpen:

Heilman

Ohman

Howry

Dempster

Eyre

Wood

 

That's likely a 110-115 million team and I don't think the Trib is going to authorize that much payroll.

 

I also think it's a little worse than Vance's proposal. Not bad, but the offense is still pretty weak.

 

Ok. I was wrong. Your payroll is estimated near mine, aroun 102 million. But there's going to be massive player costs in those trades. I don't see the Angels trading Lackey and Figgins, and my guess Marshall would have to be part of the deal along with Pie and probably more. I like the roster I've constructed a bit better. It's deeper but has a few more injury risks.

[ChiCubsFan]

How about sending the Yanks Jacque if they agree to take either Rusch or Perez off our hands and send us a decent prospect back? That way you can free up some cash. Now we have to fill LF too. How bout Frank Catalanotto. Very underrated and a platoon with him and Murton would be nice and not too expensive. Then you'd have enough money to get Soriano and play Pagan/Pie in CF.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Why would Payton, Catalanotto, and Counsell all sign deals to be bench players when they're pretty certain to get starting offers?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

If I were incharge of the Chicago Cubs I would want my 07 team to look like this:

 

First move would be to find takers for Perez, Rusch, Mabry, Blanco, Walker and Maddux. I would try to deal either Maddux or Walker to the Mets for Heilman.

 

Second move would be too Fire the coaching staff besides Chris Speier and Larry Rothschild.

 

Third on my list would be to begin the FA signing's/trades. I would make my best offer to Zito and hopefully he will accept. Then I would call up the Angels to see what it would take to get Figgins and Lackey. Maybe a Pie, Prior, another hitter and a couple of young arms? After I get that deal done I would go after Adam Kennedy, Jay Payton, Cliff Floyd, Craig Counsell, Frank Catalanotto and Jeff Weaver. Then try to work out a deal with Kerry Wood for the closer role.

 

1. Figgins CF

2. Kennedy 2B

3. Lee 1B

4. Floyd LF

5. Ramirez 3B

6. Barrett C

7. Murton/Jones RF

8. Cedeno SS

9. P

 

Bench:

Soto

Theriot

Payton

Catalanotto

Counsell

 

1. Zambrano

2. Zito

3. Lackey

4. Weaver

5. Marshall/Hill/Marmol

 

 

Bullpen:

Heilman

Ohman

Howry

Dempster

Eyre

Wood

 

That's likely a 110-115 million team and I don't think the Trib is going to authorize that much payroll.

 

Who cares how much money it would cost. I want to see a World Series in Wrigley.

 

So do all of us, but when I post in these threads, I try to keep a little realism involved. If you want to go fantasy, why not sign every decent FA and have the Cardinals trade us Pujols.

 

This is realistic. Im only adding 1 big contract in Zito and a couple of mid- small range deals with Floyd, Counsell, Payton and Catlanotto.

 

It may be realistic, I just posted that it's possible depending on how much those mid-range guys ask for. But your whole line-up revolves around the Angels accepting a trade for Figgins and Lackey. I'm not sure they would be eager to trade either.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

How about sending the Yanks Jacque if they agree to take either Rusch or Perez off our hands and send us a decent prospect back? That way you can free up some cash. Now we have to fill LF too. How bout Frank Catalanotto. Very underrated and a platoon with him and Murton would be nice and not too expensive. Then you'd have enough money to get Soriano and play Pagan/Pie in CF.

 

That's good thinking. I was trying to form my team by only using FA signings. Obviously there's lots you can change with trades.

 

The Dodgers have a lot of OF's now. Rather than sign Sheffield, I might see what it would take to get Drew off of their hands.

 

Personally, if I could Walker to sign a one-year deal at the same salary of this year, I'd do that as well. I just don't find that very probable with this regime.

[baseball7897]

Why would Payton, Catalanotto, and Counsell all sign deals to be bench players when they're pretty certain to get starting offers?

 

I agree with the fact Catalanotto would probably get a starting spot in someones lineup. As for Payton and Counsell I would not give them starting spots. Payton is a 4th outfielder for the A's and Counsell is getting old and would benefit from a job off the bench. If Brenly becomes the manager for the Cubs then I dont think there would be a problem with signing Counsell.

[KaiserCesar]

If I were incharge of the Chicago Cubs I would want my 07 team to look like this:

 

First move would be to find takers for Perez, Rusch, Mabry, Blanco, Walker and Maddux. I would try to deal either Maddux or Walker to the Mets for Heilman.

 

Second move would be too Fire the coaching staff besides Chris Speier and Larry Rothschild.

 

Third on my list would be to begin the FA signing's/trades. I would make my best offer to Zito and hopefully he will accept. Then I would call up the Angels to see what it would take to get Figgins and Lackey. Maybe a Pie, Prior, another hitter and a couple of young arms? After I get that deal done I would go after Adam Kennedy, Jay Payton, Cliff Floyd, Craig Counsell, Frank Catalanotto and Jeff Weaver. Then try to work out a deal with Kerry Wood for the closer role.

 

1. Figgins CF

2. Kennedy 2B

3. Lee 1B

4. Floyd LF

5. Ramirez 3B

6. Barrett C

7. Murton/Jones RF

8. Cedeno SS

9. P

 

Bench:

Soto

Theriot

Payton

Catalanotto

Counsell

 

1. Zambrano

2. Zito

3. Lackey

4. Weaver

5. Marshall/Hill/Marmol

 

 

Bullpen:

Heilman

Ohman

Howry

Dempster

Eyre

Wood

 

That's likely a 110-115 million team and I don't think the Trib is going to authorize that much payroll.

 

I also think it's a little worse than Vance's proposal. Not bad, but the offense is still pretty weak.

 

Agreed, I also don't like that Rothschild is retained in 7897's proposal.

[baseball7897]

I respect your opinions but I think my team is better than Vance's. My rotation would dominate opposing teams day in day out. Im also not signing a guy in Matthews who is having a career year in Texas. I think Kennedy is better than Castillo or at the very least the same player. Sheffield is coming off a serious wrist injury. Vance is also hoping Prior stays healthy the whole year and if he dosent your going to have the same problems they are having now. Rookies coming in and making their first starts. With my team you know your going to get quality starts from the rotation, one of the best bullpens in the league and a versitle bench.

[TruffleShuffle]

I'll be stunned if Mulder gets a $10M per year contract

[TheDude]

Looking at the players we have under contract for 2007, I have

 

C Barrett- 4.5 million

1b Lee - 13 million

2b - ?

SS Cedeno- 350 K (est)

3b Ramirez- 11 million

LF Murton- 350 K (est)

CF ?

RF Jones- 4 million

SP Zambrano- 9 million (est)

SP Prior 4.5 million (est)

SP ?

SP ?

SP?

Bullpen: Dempster (5 million), Howry (4 million), Eyre (3.5 million), Rusch (3.25 million), Ohman (1 million- est), Novoa (450K est)

Bench: Perez (2.5 million), Bynum (400 K est)

 

That's 16 players under contract for 68.5 million. Based on that assesment, I need four players for the bench, three starting pitchers, a 2b and a CF.

 

If the Cubs allocate a 100 million payroll and buyouts to players like Wood do not count against it, I have roughly 31 million to play with.

 

I'm going with the estimates in the article as I make my moves.

 

First I'm going to DFA Rusch, so I'm going to need one more bullpen pitcher, but I'll still count his 3.25 in the payroll.

 

The first deal I'll take is Sheffield at 1/9. That'll eat up a third of my extra cash, but if healthy I think he will be worth it. I'm going to shift Jacque to leftfield to make room for Sheff and Murton moves to the bench as a platoon partner for Jones. I still need a CF and 2B but I now only need to fill three bench spots.

 

They project Schmidt at 4/45. I think that's a bit high, but I'll take him at that amount and hopefully structure it like this: 07: 10 million, 08: 11 million; 09: 12 million; 10: 12 million. So, Schmidt cost my 2007 team 10 million.

 

I still need CF, 2b, and two starting pitchers.

 

I'll fill out my rotation with kids from the farm like Guzman, Hill, Marmol, or Marshall. With those four, I'll also have some pitching depth. The kids will cost me 400K a piece at the most. One of those kids as well as Wuertz can finish out my pen at 400K as well.

 

I'm now in need of three bench spots and a 2B and CF. I have my 25th man in Bynum, a 4th OF in Murton, and back-up 2b/SS in Perez. I'll use Soto as the back-up catcher and he's cheap at 350 K. I'm going to try to lure DeRosa with a 2 million deal to play for the bench. He can back-up at 3b/2b and OF. I'll likely retain Pagan for 500K and that's my bench.

 

I still have to find a 2b and CF. I have about 9 million left to spend if I'm going to stay at 100 million for my payroll. I'm looking at several options. One is to bust the bank for Soriano. If I do that, Pie or Pagan will have to be my CF. I could go with Gary Matthews in CF and still have enough to pursue a player like Kennedy or retain Walker. (I have no delusions that Hendry would keep Walker, so I'm trying to look in other areas.) I'm going to go after Luis Castillo at 2B, and hope to get him for a deal aroun 2/7. I'm going to count him at 3.5 million against my 2007 payroll.

 

Then I'll take Gary Matthews at 3/20, structured as 07:6 million, 08: 7 million, 09: 7 million.

 

That takes my total payroll to 101.5 million.

 

Here's my line-up:

 

1. Matthews CF

2. Castillo 2b

3. Lee 1b

4. Sheffield RF

5. Ramirez 3b

6. Jones/ Murton LF

7. Barrett C

8. Cedeno SS

 

Rotation:

Zambrano

Schmidt

Prior

Marshall

Guzman/Hill/Marmol

 

Bullpen:

Dempster CL

Eyre

Howry

Ohman

Novoa

Wuertz/Guzman/Marmol

 

Bench:

Perez

Murton

Bynum

Soto

DeRosa

Pagan

 

I think that this team would have adequate depth and would be much better than the current product we're looking at.

 

Good work Vance. I'll take it.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

If I were incharge of the Chicago Cubs I would want my 07 team to look like this:

 

 

1. Figgins CF

2. Kennedy 2B

3. Lee 1B

4. Floyd LF

5. Ramirez 3B

6. Barrett C

7. Murton/Jones RF

8. Cedeno SS

9. P

 

Bench:

Soto

Theriot

Payton

Catalanotto

Counsell

 

1. Zambrano

2. Zito

3. Lackey

4. Weaver

5. Marshall/Hill/Marmol

 

 

Bullpen:

Heilman

Ohman

Howry

Dempster

Eyre

Wood

 

That's likely a 110-115 million team and I don't think the Trib is going to authorize that much payroll.

 

Who cares how much money it would cost. I want to see a World Series in Wrigley.

 

I doubt you would see one with that lineup. It really isn't much better than what we already have.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Looking at the players we have under contract for 2007, I have

 

C Barrett- 4.5 million

1b Lee - 13 million

2b - ?

SS Cedeno- 350 K (est)

3b Ramirez- 11 million

LF Murton- 350 K (est)

CF ?

RF Jones- 4 million

SP Zambrano- 9 million (est)

SP Prior 4.5 million (est)

SP ?

SP ?

SP?

Bullpen: Dempster (5 million), Howry (4 million), Eyre (3.5 million), Rusch (3.25 million), Ohman (1 million- est), Novoa (450K est)

Bench: Perez (2.5 million), Bynum (400 K est)

 

That's 16 players under contract for 68.5 million. Based on that assesment, I need four players for the bench, three starting pitchers, a 2b and a CF.

 

If the Cubs allocate a 100 million payroll and buyouts to players like Wood do not count against it, I have roughly 31 million to play with.

 

I'm going with the estimates in the article as I make my moves.

 

First I'm going to DFA Rusch, so I'm going to need one more bullpen pitcher, but I'll still count his 3.25 in the payroll.

 

The first deal I'll take is Sheffield at 1/9. That'll eat up a third of my extra cash, but if healthy I think he will be worth it. I'm going to shift Jacque to leftfield to make room for Sheff and Murton moves to the bench as a platoon partner for Jones. I still need a CF and 2B but I now only need to fill three bench spots.

 

They project Schmidt at 4/45. I think that's a bit high, but I'll take him at that amount and hopefully structure it like this: 07: 10 million, 08: 11 million; 09: 12 million; 10: 12 million. So, Schmidt cost my 2007 team 10 million.

 

I still need CF, 2b, and two starting pitchers.

 

I'll fill out my rotation with kids from the farm like Guzman, Hill, Marmol, or Marshall. With those four, I'll also have some pitching depth. The kids will cost me 400K a piece at the most. One of those kids as well as Wuertz can finish out my pen at 400K as well.

 

I'm now in need of three bench spots and a 2B and CF. I have my 25th man in Bynum, a 4th OF in Murton, and back-up 2b/SS in Perez. I'll use Soto as the back-up catcher and he's cheap at 350 K. I'm going to try to lure DeRosa with a 2 million deal to play for the bench. He can back-up at 3b/2b and OF. I'll likely retain Pagan for 500K and that's my bench.

 

I still have to find a 2b and CF. I have about 9 million left to spend if I'm going to stay at 100 million for my payroll. I'm looking at several options. One is to bust the bank for Soriano. If I do that, Pie or Pagan will have to be my CF. I could go with Gary Matthews in CF and still have enough to pursue a player like Kennedy or retain Walker. (I have no delusions that Hendry would keep Walker, so I'm trying to look in other areas.) I'm going to go after Luis Castillo at 2B, and hope to get him for a deal aroun 2/7. I'm going to count him at 3.5 million against my 2007 payroll.

 

Then I'll take Gary Matthews at 3/20, structured as 07:6 million, 08: 7 million, 09: 7 million.

 

That takes my total payroll to 101.5 million.

 

Here's my line-up:

 

1. Matthews CF

2. Castillo 2b

3. Lee 1b

4. Sheffield RF

5. Ramirez 3b

6. Jones/ Murton LF

7. Barrett C

8. Cedeno SS

 

Rotation:

Zambrano

Schmidt

Prior

Marshall

Guzman/Hill/Marmol

 

Bullpen:

Dempster CL

Eyre

Howry

Ohman

Novoa

Wuertz/Guzman/Marmol

 

Bench:

Perez

Murton

Bynum

Soto

DeRosa

Pagan

 

I think that this team would have adequate depth and would be much better than the current product we're looking at.

 

Good work Vance. I'll take it.

 

Thanks. I'm also not opposed to making a trade for a RF bat so that the risk of Sheff at 9 million isn't necessary. But by having Matthews, Sheff, Murton, and Jones with DeRosa on the bench i think there is some depth there. Also Pie in AAA also adds some depth.

 

Another advantage, at least at the top of the order is there would be two switch hitters. After that the line-up gets very right-handed in the middle, but I still think it would be an improvement over this year's version.

[Monco]

Looking at the players we have under contract for 2007, I have

 

C Barrett- 4.5 million

1b Lee - 13 million

2b - ?

SS Cedeno- 350 K (est)

3b Ramirez- 11 million

LF Murton- 350 K (est)

CF ?

RF Jones- 4 million

SP Zambrano- 9 million (est)

SP Prior 4.5 million (est)

SP ?

SP ?

SP?

Bullpen: Dempster (5 million), Howry (4 million), Eyre (3.5 million), Rusch (3.25 million), Ohman (1 million- est), Novoa (450K est)

Bench: Perez (2.5 million), Bynum (400 K est)

 

That's 16 players under contract for 68.5 million. Based on that assesment, I need four players for the bench, three starting pitchers, a 2b and a CF.

 

If the Cubs allocate a 100 million payroll and buyouts to players like Wood do not count against it, I have roughly 31 million to play with.

 

I'm going with the estimates in the article as I make my moves.

 

First I'm going to DFA Rusch, so I'm going to need one more bullpen pitcher, but I'll still count his 3.25 in the payroll.

 

The first deal I'll take is Sheffield at 1/9. That'll eat up a third of my extra cash, but if healthy I think he will be worth it. I'm going to shift Jacque to leftfield to make room for Sheff and Murton moves to the bench as a platoon partner for Jones. I still need a CF and 2B but I now only need to fill three bench spots.

 

They project Schmidt at 4/45. I think that's a bit high, but I'll take him at that amount and hopefully structure it like this: 07: 10 million, 08: 11 million; 09: 12 million; 10: 12 million. So, Schmidt cost my 2007 team 10 million.

 

I still need CF, 2b, and two starting pitchers.

 

I'll fill out my rotation with kids from the farm like Guzman, Hill, Marmol, or Marshall. With those four, I'll also have some pitching depth. The kids will cost me 400K a piece at the most. One of those kids as well as Wuertz can finish out my pen at 400K as well.

 

I'm now in need of three bench spots and a 2B and CF. I have my 25th man in Bynum, a 4th OF in Murton, and back-up 2b/SS in Perez. I'll use Soto as the back-up catcher and he's cheap at 350 K. I'm going to try to lure DeRosa with a 2 million deal to play for the bench. He can back-up at 3b/2b and OF. I'll likely retain Pagan for 500K and that's my bench.

 

I still have to find a 2b and CF. I have about 9 million left to spend if I'm going to stay at 100 million for my payroll. I'm looking at several options. One is to bust the bank for Soriano. If I do that, Pie or Pagan will have to be my CF. I could go with Gary Matthews in CF and still have enough to pursue a player like Kennedy or retain Walker. (I have no delusions that Hendry would keep Walker, so I'm trying to look in other areas.) I'm going to go after Luis Castillo at 2B, and hope to get him for a deal aroun 2/7. I'm going to count him at 3.5 million against my 2007 payroll.

 

Then I'll take Gary Matthews at 3/20, structured as 07:6 million, 08: 7 million, 09: 7 million.

 

That takes my total payroll to 101.5 million.

 

Here's my line-up:

 

1. Matthews CF

2. Castillo 2b

3. Lee 1b

4. Sheffield RF

5. Ramirez 3b

6. Jones/ Murton LF

7. Barrett C

8. Cedeno SS

 

Rotation:

Zambrano

Schmidt

Prior

Marshall

Guzman/Hill/Marmol

 

Bullpen:

Dempster CL

Eyre

Howry

Ohman

Novoa

Wuertz/Guzman/Marmol

 

Bench:

Perez

Murton

Bynum

Soto

DeRosa

Pagan

 

I think that this team would have adequate depth and would be much better than the current product we're looking at.

 

Matthews is having a career year. He most likely will hit like his 2005 numbers. I don't think hes a leadoff hitter either. If Sarge gets fired he definately wouldn't come here . I wouldn't use Dempster as a closer or Cedeno at short. There are alot of things that would have to break right (injuries,development of pitchers)to even jump ahead of the Cards let alone a pennant.

[Backtobanks]

I'll be stunned if Mulder gets a $10M per year contract

 

A young, experienced lefty.........be prepared to be stunned.

[baseball7897]

I'll be stunned if Mulder gets a $10M per year contract

 

A young, experienced lefty.........be prepared to be stunned.

 

Who would be coming off a shoulder injury. I know someone will offer him $10M.

[Monco]

I'll be stunned if Mulder gets a $10M per year contract

 

A young, experienced lefty.........be prepared to be stunned.

 

Who would be coming off a shoulder injury. I know someone will offer him $10M.

Jim Hendry

 

He could be the number 3 pitcher of our bum shoulder rotation. Prior,Wood,Mulder,Miller