2006/2007 Trade/FA Extravaganza

[WrigleyField 22]

I was bored. I found myself talking a lot about the moves I'd make this deadline and this offseason in small broken bits in separate threads, so decided to make one large post stating what I would do with the trade deadline and the offseason all together. There is a lot of guessing, specifically with the trades and depending on who we might have to include or what we get, things could change considerably, but I simply tried to give an idea of what the general "gameplan" would be. I will be gone tomorrow morning so likely wont be able to repsond to many comments or criticisms you have but please discuss amongst yourselfs.

Warning: I typed it all out on wordpad ahead of time and then never really proof-read, hope it makes sense.

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Let me first say that while I think its possible to make a run in 2007, I would rather gain some valuable pieces and make a big run in 2008. This is based off that.

---- I did a lot of this before I found out about the Williamson trade. I figured him packaged with Jone or Maddux could get a lot. Hopefully we can still pull off some good trades.

 

2006 Trade Deadline:

Trade-

Walker

Blanco

Rusch

Niefi

Maddux

Jones

Nevin

J. Williams(I like him. Dont't think he has a spot in our organization)

Novoa

In some cases (Rusch, Niefi, Novoa) if you cant find someone to dump them on, cut them. A lot of these deals I would think would involve multiple players (ie Maddux and Walker for a prospect)

Look to aquire talented young players. Whether they be position players or pitches doesn't really matter, but I would place a preference on position players as we are weaker there. I would count on most of these guys being prospects who will take up a 40 man roster spot. I wont try and guess specific players who we might aquire, but lets say we get 3 position players. Assume at least two are ready to be tested for full time roles in 2007. The other guys could use another year in the minors or maybe is ready for a bench/platoon role in the majors. Just to make it easy I'll say we aquire a OF and 2B who are ready now, and a utility IF/OF who could go in the minors or fill a bench role. These roles just happen to be convienent which is why I assigned them. It could be a lot more tricky depending on the prospects we get.

 

40 man and roster at a glance:

Aardsma

Dempster

Eyre

Guzman

Hill

Howry

Marmol

Marshall

Ohman

Prior

Ryu

Wuertz

Zambrano

Barrett

Soto

Cedeno

Dopriak

Lee

Moore

Theriot

Murton

Pie

OF prospect

IF prospect

2B prospect

I took Reyes off the 40, but would keep him around, Assume we get rid/dont bring back Bynum, Mabry, Negron, Miller

So thats 25. On to the new additions. I am bad at figuring out who needs to be protected but will do my best:

Fox

Patterson

Gallagher

Wells

Those are the only guys the best I can tell who would need to be added or threatened to be taken.

That leaves us with 11 open spots on our 40 man. I'll add 3 extra spots in case I forgot about people who need to be protected leaving us at 8. Lets look at the big legue roster as it stands

SP

Zambrano

Marshall

Marmol

Hill

OPEN(Prior/Guz possible)

RP

Dempster

Eyre

Howry

Wuertz

Ohman

OPEN(Ryu/Guz possible)

C-Barrett

1B-Lee

2B-PROSPECT

SS-Cedeno

3B-Ramirez

LF-Murton

CF-OPEN

RF-PROSPECT

BENCH-Theriot, Soto, UTIL PROSPECT, 3 OPEN

Six Open Spots

 

Lets take a look at FA

Heres how I fill the 6 spots:

SP-Zito/Schmidt

-I'll say a top of the rotation guy is a must. They make us not so embarrassing next year and will still help for a big run in 2008. Doesn't place so much need on young arms. I'll say Zito here.

CF- Pie is not ready and so we need a stopgap guy. Gary Matthews, Tori Hunter, Mike Cameron, Kenny Lofton are possibilities. At the most I would give one year with a mutual option. I think Lofton or Cameron are most likely to accept this. I'l go with Cameron.

RP- I'm tempted to let a young guy take the last spot, but they can take Wuertz or Ohmans spot if they are that deserving. Probably a righty here: I won't speculate on exactly who this will be. Maybe a Japanese player.

That leaves three bench spots. I would look for a SS/2B and OF who could push Cedeno/Murton/Prospects if they don't perform. The OF I would want some power from. The last spot I'd want a guy who provides power from the opposite side of the other OF. Position doesnt matter too much. It will be hard to get quality becaus guys might want starting spots. I'll throw out names.

MIF-Loretta, Cora, Kennedy, Clayton, Counsell, A. Gonzalez.....

OF/Power Bats-Nixon, Stairs, Marrero, Dellucci,

I'll go with Marrero, Dellucci, Alex Cora

--- One other Free Agency Option and it would really depend on what type of guys you net in a trade. You could try to sign Carlos Lee this year. This would likely negate Murton to a 4th OF role. This is a possibility. I'll hope we an get a legit RF prospect and go with Murton in LF. If no one steps up in the Corner OF you can try and sign someone next year. This site ( http://www.mlb4u.com/freeagency07.php?order=position) shows next years FA and it looks good, although I' not sure how reliable it is.

With 6 FA signings you have 2 40man spots left, neither which look like they have a shot at a spot on the big league roster. I wouldn't mind Pagan if we could put him at AAA. Insurance if we needa CF. I'll also count on another one of Hedry's "recovery proects" like Demp, Williamson, Miller.

 

Theres a lot of assuming going on here. We don't know what we can get for Jones/Maddux/Walker/Nevin- our biggest trading pieces- Even if we get good prospects are they guys who we can give a spot to on next years big league roster? Maybe we can only aquire a bunch of IF prospects or pitchers and NEED to sign Lee to play OF because we have no young guy we coud try out there. The important point of all this is to show that we can be sellers this trade market, aquire a couple valualble pieces this offseason, test a lot of young guys next year, and fill the spots that no one steps up to take in the following offseason, allowing us to be legit contenders in 2008. There is a certian poster, I don't remember who, who always reminds people in the offseason that only one team has ever gone on a huge FA spending spree in an offseason and won a W.S. the next year. I have to agree, lets not go for broke in 2007.

 

For kicks my 2007 Chicago Cubs

SP

Zambrano

Zito

Marshall

Hill

Marmol(Prior if healthy)

RP

Dempster

Howry

Eyre

Ohman

Wuerts

FA(?)

Lineup

2B Prosect?(hard to say without a guess on who it is)

LF Murton/Dellucci

1B Lee

3B Ramirez

C Barrett

RF Prospect(see above about 2B)

CF Cameron

SS Cedeno

Bench- Theriot, Soto, Prospect(UTIL?), Marrero, Dellucci, Cora

If you don't like the particular bench guys or CF stop gap I chose there are other options, they are just examples.

Here's the FA list I used http://www.mlb4u.com/freeagent.php

[dvdd127]

Like I said in other threads.. I dont think we should trade Maddux unless we are blown away with a deal that will out value Maddux's future value to the franchise and I dont think we should trade Blanco because he is one of the better backup catchers in the game. I dont care who he is holding up... he is one of the better proven backup catchers in the game.

 

Now for the new names that you brought up.

We should trade Walker, Nevin, and Novoa for some prospects... or if possible one very good proven major leaguer. I dont think we will be able to trade Neifi or Rusch.. so just DFA them. Do the same with Williams. As for Jones, I dont think anyone will take him with 2 years on his contract and I dont want to pull off another So-so deal and pay him to play elsewhere for two years.

 

Now that Williamson is gone... we should call Theriot back up and see what he can do (I know there is a 10 day rule) so wait the 10 days and then call him back up for the remainder of the season.

 

40 man Roster-

 

Pitchers:

Aardsma

Dempster

Eyre

Howry

Miller ---- we are all forgetting that he is still rehabing... and should be ready by next year to help out in the rotation.

Guzman

Maddux ---- if he is not traded and doesnt retire

Hill

Marmol

Marshall

Ohman

Wuertz

Prior

The Z man (as if you dont know who I mean)

Wells

Gallagher

 

Catchers:

Barrett

Blanco

Soto

 

Infielders:

Lee

Ramirez

Cedeno

Theriot

Moore

Dopriak

Patterson

Mabry

 

Outfielders:

Pierre

Pie

Murton

Jones

 

Still 9 open spots. Ill get to those later.

 

SP:

The Z man

Marshall

Maddux

Miller

Marmol / Guzman / Prior / Hill

 

RP:

Aardsma

Dempster

Eyre

Howry

Ohman

Wuertz

Marmol / Guzman / Prior / Hill (only one of the three that are not in the rotation)

 

C- Barrett

1B- Lee

2B- Theriot

SS- Cedeno

3B- Ramirez

LF- Murton

CF- Pierre (if he isnt traded and returns)

RF- Jones (if he isnt traded or DFAed)

Bench- Blanco, Pie, Mabry, PROSPECT or FA

 

That would be the roster if Maddux, Blanco and others who could be traded are back in 07 and the Cubs trade others for prospects.

 

But this would leave 9 open spots on the 40 man roster... I will add 3 in the case some of the guys I mentioned retire or go elsewhere.

 

So now to the 2007 FA Crop:

We need a top of the rotation type guy who doesnt have an injury history... so I say do everything you can to get Zito.

 

For a back up middle infielder I would go after Clayton or Counsell. Maybe even try to get both.

 

For center field... I say bring back Pierre.. but if he goes elsewhere we need to get Lofton or Hunter and Cameron or Matthews Jr.

 

For left we should bring Mr. Carlos Lee home... and bench Murton or trade him. We need a power hitting outfielder.

 

As there was with WrgleyField 22's ideas.. there is a lot of assuming going on here.

 

Here is my 2007 Cubs 40 man Roster:

Notes: ^ = 25 man roster

 

Pitchers:

Aardsma

Guzman

Hill

Wells

Zito^

Dempster^

Eyre^

Howry^

Miller^

Marmol^

Marshall^

Ohman^

Wuertz^

Prior^

The Z man^

Maddux^

 

Catchers:

Barrett^

Blanco^

Soto

 

Infielders:

Lee^

Ramirez^

Cedeno^

Theriot^

Moore

Dopriak

Patterson

Clayton^

Counsell^

Mabry^

 

Outfielders:

Pierre^

Pie^

Murton^

Jones^

Matthews Jr.^

Cameron^

Lee^

 

I know there are more the 25 on the 25 man roster that I proposed.. but thats because we are not going to have all the guys that I suggested.

[Mephistopheles]

Why not take a flier on Matsuzaka? He'd probably be a bit cheaper than Zito or Schmidt. He's not 34+ like Schmidt and he's been durable most of his career.

[WrigleyField 22]

Why not take a flier on Matsuzaka? He'd probably be a bit cheaper than Zito or Schmidt. He's not 34+ like Schmidt and he's been durable most of his career.

 

Honestly I just knew nothing about him. He may very well be a good option. If he could be had real cheap maybe you could even sign him AND Zito and try and consolidate some of out young pitchers to get an even better young player.

[dvdd127]

Why not take a flier on Matsuzaka? He'd probably be a bit cheaper than Zito or Schmidt. He's not 34+ like Schmidt and he's been durable most of his career.

 

Honestly I just knew nothing about him. He may very well be a good option. If he could be had real cheap maybe you could even sign him AND Zito and try and consolidate some of out young pitchers to get an even better young player.

same here.. i know nothing about him

[Mephistopheles]

Fastball sits 92-96. He sat at 94 in the WBC, he hit 100 at the Olympics in Athens. He has a good slider, good chance and good fork. He's got excellent control and stamina. He's got a big fastball with three above average secondary pitches. He also throws a curve which is an average pitch at worst.

[sethuel1]

Maddux has future value to the franchise?

[dvdd127]

Maddux has future value to the franchise?

If you are directing that at me..I dont necissarilly think he does. but I think he will still be here in '07 unless he retires...I dont think he will be traded.

[sethuel1]

Maddux has future value to the franchise?

If you are directing that at me..I dont necissarilly think he does. but I think he will still be here in '07 unless he retires...I dont think he will be traded.

 

Ah, so you were referring to the franchise's opinion that he has future value to the franchise.

 

In that case, I agree with you.

[soccer10k]

Why not take a flier on Matsuzaka? He'd probably be a bit cheaper than Zito or Schmidt. He's not 34+ like Schmidt and he's been durable most of his career.

 

Honestly I just knew nothing about him. He may very well be a good option. If he could be had real cheap maybe you could even sign him AND Zito and try and consolidate some of out young pitchers to get an even better young player.

 

There is no way the Cubs sign Zito in the offseason and, for the amount of money he is going to command, I don't think they should go after him. Considering Boras is his agent it's unlikely that he is going to take a few mil a year less to go somewhere.

[dvdd127]

Why not take a flier on Matsuzaka? He'd probably be a bit cheaper than Zito or Schmidt. He's not 34+ like Schmidt and he's been durable most of his career.

 

Honestly I just knew nothing about him. He may very well be a good option. If he could be had real cheap maybe you could even sign him AND Zito and try and consolidate some of out young pitchers to get an even better young player.

 

There is no way the Cubs sign Zito in the offseason and, for the amount of money he is going to command, I don't think they should go after him. Considering Boras is his agent it's unlikely that he is going to take a few mil a year less to go somewhere.

no chance to get Zito??? Personally..I think there is a chace to get him... if we go after him agressively..unlike how we went after Beltran and Furcal the last two years.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Chances aside, we shouldn't spend that kind of money to get Zito.

[dvdd127]

Chances aside, we shouldn't spend that kind of money to get Zito.

and why not?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Zito is likely to get a deal that pays him 5/70- 5/75. In my estimates, he's not worth that much.

 

He's a good pitcher, just not that good.

 

I detailed some moves I'd make in another thread.

 

I'll try to find it and re-post.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Here it is:

 

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.

 

That was made without making trades. If I could pull off some deals, there's other moves I might make instead depending on what the Cubs could get in return for Maddux/Pierre/Walker/Nevin/Blanco at the deadline.

 

Those moves could impact any number of spots and roster decisions.

 

Other possibilities, is moving Jones to CF and using the Matthews money to upgrade another spot. Trading some excess pitching arms could net a bat, making the signing of Sheffield which is risky unneccisary.

[dvdd127]

Here it is:

 

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.

 

That was made without making trades. If I could pull off some deals, there's other moves I might make instead depending on what the Cubs could get in return for Maddux/Pierre/Walker/Nevin/Blanco at the deadline.

 

Those moves could impact any number of spots and roster decisions.

 

Other possibilities, is moving Jones to CF and using the Matthews money to upgrade another spot. Trading some excess pitching arms could net a bat, making the signing of Sheffield which is risky unneccisary.

Only thing I dont like is...... no Hank White. as i keep saying.. he is one of the better backup catchers in the game.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Here it is:

 

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.

 

That was made without making trades. If I could pull off some deals, there's other moves I might make instead depending on what the Cubs could get in return for Maddux/Pierre/Walker/Nevin/Blanco at the deadline.

 

Those moves could impact any number of spots and roster decisions.

 

Other possibilities, is moving Jones to CF and using the Matthews money to upgrade another spot. Trading some excess pitching arms could net a bat, making the signing of Sheffield which is risky unneccisary.

Only thing I dont like is...... no Hank White. as i keep saying.. he is one of the better backup catchers in the game.

 

For a much lower price, Soto could offer the same thing. It's not wise to allocate 1.5 million to the back-up catcher that plays maybe once a week.

[UMFan83]

I love how pretty much people have no hope for 2007. I don't either. Nice job Hendry.

 

 

Anyways, is that all the changes we need to make to our pitching? One starter and thats all?

[dvdd127]

I love how pretty much people have no hope for 2007. I don't either. Nice job Hendry.

 

 

Anyways, is that all the changes we need to make to our pitching? One starter and thats all?

this isnt true.. i have hope for 07

[UMFan83]

I love how pretty much people have no hope for 2007. I don't either. Nice job Hendry.

 

 

Anyways, is that all the changes we need to make to our pitching? One starter and thats all?

this isnt true.. i have hope for 07

 

Unless Hendry starts talking about plate discipline, I dont see it happening

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I love how pretty much people have no hope for 2007. I don't either. Nice job Hendry.

 

 

Anyways, is that all the changes we need to make to our pitching? One starter and thats all?

this isnt true.. i have hope for 07

 

Unless Hendry starts talking about plate discipline, I dont see it happening

 

My hope is that Hendry goes after players who have good OBP, while that may not be what they are most known for.

 

A guy like Sheffield, 304/397/550 from 2003-2005 and 309/372/439 before his injury this year, is a Hendry find. His value to Hendry is his batting average and power, yet he has good OBP. Hendry would be getting him for the wrong reasons, but he could still work out well.

 

I'm hoping that we're able to get this kind of player for 2007 and hopefully end up ok.

[UMFan83]

I don't think it would be wise for Hendry to risk his GM tenure to likely overspend the Yankees for a 39 year old, ex-steroid user who is sure to be suffering from diminishing abilities any day now.