Next year offensively...

[kylescubs23]

I do not want to even get started on the pitching so lets look at the offense for next year:

 

CF Pierre...hopefully we can resign Juan and hope he gets off to a better start next year. I am not a big fan of a leadoff hitter whose obp is driven by their batting average, but he is our best option (Dave Roberts maybe)

SS Izturis...once again, obp driven by batting average. I do not know of a better spot in the order for him. If you move Barrett to the 2-hole, your bottom 3 are Izturis, Cedeno, and the pitchers spot, not good

1B Lee...if he recovers fully from the wrist, there is nothing else to say.

LF ???...this is the fundamental problem with our team. We need someone to hit between Lee and Ramirez, preferably lefthanded but I will not be picky. Where we are going to find this person, I have no idea. Carlos Lee would fit the description but I would pay the contract that he wants. (thoughts on Sheffield, although I think the Yankees will pick up his option)

3B Rammy...Hendry's biggest mistake since becoming GM (debatable) is giving him the out clause in his contract. Hopefully Rammy is with the Cubs next year and has a manager that will stay on him to make him one of the best players in the league.

C Barrett...one of the most improved players in the league over the last three years, offensively.

RF Jacque...strikes out way too much to my liking and looks lost in the of sometimes, no arm to speak, but would be fine batting seventh and platooning with Murton.

2B Cedeno...he's not going to bat 2nd and would be fine here.

 

Bench:

Murton...I just don't see how he can play next year. We have to get another big bat to help this offense produce and to protect us against losing Lee or Ramirez for an extended time. Having little to no power from your middle infield and centerfielder, gives you very few options and with Jacque signed for two more years, we cannot upgrade there.

Neifi (unfortunately)

Pagan

After that, who knows.

 

Defensively, our infield should be one of the best in the big leagues. Lee and Izturis are gold glove caliber, Rammy has improved tremendously and Cedeno should be above average at second. In the oufield, Pierre covers a lot of ground, but has no arm, Jacque scares the crap out of me and has no arm as well. If we get a significant upgrade in left, I could care less about the outfield defense.

 

Pitching is just a mess. Beyond Z, we have four rotation spots open (3 if you count Prior) and 4 bullpen sports open as well, hopefully Wuertz, Aardsma, and Novoa step forward the rest of the year.

 

Thoughts?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

1. I don't want to re-sign Pierre. We don't need somebody quick to lead off, we need someone who can get on base.

2. Izturis is a horrible option for #2 because HE DOES NOT GET ON BASE ENOUGH.

[PrimeTime]

Signing C Lee or or a big bat for left will be a big thing for next year, If we get him, you can deal with the weak bats and low OBP of the infielders,even though it would be nice to have players who get on base, I think our infield will be like a vaccumm though sucking up everyball which should be good..But our main thing is of course pitching, and second a big bat for left field like Lee..Also I think we should get rid of Jones and try to get Gary Sheffield Imagine having C Lee, D Lee, ARam ,Sheffield, Then Barret that just makes my mouth water

[chuckywang]

Can somebody explain to me what stats you want your no. 2 hitter to excell in, and why?

[Banedon]

So LF is the only new face you think we'll see on an absolutely horrible team next year? I think we'll see new faces at LF, 2B, and SS. I think Izturis becomes defense off the bench for hopefully a smarter manager. A smarter manager also puts Pierre down in the order somewhere, and gets some OBP (that we'd obviously have to get through trade or FA) up at the top.

[Caryatid]

Can somebody explain to me what stats you want your no. 2 hitter to excell in, and why?

 

I would say 1, 2, and 3 on the list are OBP, because you simply want guys on base for your 3-4-5 hitters. The ability to hit to the right side is usually pretty valuable if you plan on hitting and running.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Can somebody explain to me what stats you want your no. 2 hitter to excell in, and why?

 

OBP - getting on base. That should be self-explanatory. I could care less if he's RH or LH, if he can bunt or run. He needs to get on base.

[chuckywang]

Can somebody explain to me what stats you want your no. 2 hitter to excell in, and why?

 

OBP - getting on base. That should be self-explanatory. I could care less if he's RH or LH, if he can bunt or run. He needs to get on base.

 

What about the 7 and 8 hitters?

[AllStarMe]

Can somebody explain to me what stats you want your no. 2 hitter to excell in, and why?

 

On-Base Percentage, or OBP. We good-table setters high in the order so that the middle of the lineup has more RBI opportunities. This should be the UTMOST priority.

 

Speed is also valuable as a fast runner can go 1st to 3rd on a single, steal a base or two, and potentially beat out balls that might be a GIDP. Ability to make contact is a a plus, as productive outs in which a runner is advanced beats a K at the plate.

[mul21]

Pitching is just a mess. Beyond Z, we have four rotation spots open (3 if you count Prior) and 4 bullpen sports open as well, hopefully Wuertz, Aardsma, and Novoa step forward the rest of the year.

 

How will ther be 4 spots open in the pen? By my calculations, you'll for sure have Howry, Eyre, Dempster, and Rusch (no way he can start next year). Then as a probability you have Wuertz, Novoa, and Ohman. Then maybe Aardsma and some other young/scrap heap guys in the mix as well. No way there are 4 spots open.

[kylescubs23]

I was just going off of what our team will probably look like next year. Izturis will make $4.5 million next year, he will not be on the bench. I would prefer our leadoff hitter and and 2nd hitter get on at least a 350 clip, but the way our team is shaping up for next year, that will not happen. The only way that does happen is if Cedeno is traded and we acquire another 2nd basemen to hit 2nd. Cedeno will not be a bench player.

[Sammy Sofa]

Next year offensively...

 

...the Cubs will offend tremendously.

[kylescubs23]

I was trying to forget about Rusch and his contract. I was only counting on Howry, Eyre, and Dempster, thus 4 or 5 remaining.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Can somebody explain to me what stats you want your no. 2 hitter to excell in, and why?

 

OBP - getting on base. That should be self-explanatory. I could care less if he's RH or LH, if he can bunt or run. He needs to get on base.

 

What about the 7 and 8 hitters?

 

I want all of my players to be adept at getting on base. OBP is my #1 for 1-8, SLG is #1a in 3-6. My 7-8 are the ones with the lower OPS.

[chuckywang]

Can somebody explain to me what stats you want your no. 2 hitter to excell in, and why?

 

OBP - getting on base. That should be self-explanatory. I could care less if he's RH or LH, if he can bunt or run. He needs to get on base.

 

What about the 7 and 8 hitters?

 

I want all of my players to be adept at getting on base. OBP is my #1 for 1-8, SLG is #1a in 3-6. My 7-8 are the ones with the lower OPS.

 

Well, it's not feasible for any team to have that much abundance of riches. You also have to have guys who are in the lineup because of their glove, like Mientkiewicz or Orlando Cabrera.

[Soul]

Can you imagine the hell that's gonna break loose if ARam opts out?

 

 

Wow.

 

 

All kinds of crap is going to explode if that happens. Talk about no offense.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Well, it's not feasible for any team to have that much abundance of riches. You also have to have guys who are in the lineup because of their glove, like Mientkiewicz or Orlando Cabrera.

 

You didn't ask about what's feasible, you asked what I wanted. And no, you don't have to have guys like Mientkiewicz in your lineup. I am a firm believer in offense first, offense last. Defense is an afterthought.

[Sammy Sofa]

Aramis has this club by the throat at this point. They need him like crack.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Aramis has this club by the throat at this point. They need him like crack.

 

Did somebody say crack?

 

http://www.uvasportsfanatic.com/tyrone%20biggums.jpg

[badgercub]

Aramis has this club by the throat at this point. They need him like crack.

 

Did somebody say crack?

 

http://www.uvasportsfanatic.com/tyrone%20biggums.jpg

 

Crack and Chapelle, I love it. Great reference

[GlassCow]

I mean no personal slight by saying this, but I quit reading the initial post when it said that hopefully we would be able to resign Pierre.

[hankp101]

Just a thought, but what about Griffey for CF for next year? I believe he is a FA, but does he plan on trying to retire in a Reds uniform? At his age he might be willing to accept a 2 year deal, which should give Pie enough time to get ready, and he could always be shifted to a corner OF spot if Pie is ready in year 2.

[cubsjunky95]

I do not want to even get started on the pitching so lets look at the offense for next year:

 

CF Pierre...hopefully we can resign Juan and hope he gets off to a better start next year. I am not a big fan of a leadoff hitter whose obp is driven by their batting average, but he is our best option (Dave Roberts maybe)

SS Izturis...once again, obp driven by batting average. I do not know of a better spot in the order for him. If you move Barrett to the 2-hole, your bottom 3 are Izturis, Cedeno, and the pitchers spot, not good

1B Lee...if he recovers fully from the wrist, there is nothing else to say.

LF ???...this is the fundamental problem with our team. We need someone to hit between Lee and Ramirez, preferably lefthanded but I will not be picky. Where we are going to find this person, I have no idea. Carlos Lee would fit the description but I would pay the contract that he wants. (thoughts on Sheffield, although I think the Yankees will pick up his option)

3B Rammy...Hendry's biggest mistake since becoming GM (debatable) is giving him the out clause in his contract. Hopefully Rammy is with the Cubs next year and has a manager that will stay on him to make him one of the best players in the league.

C Barrett...one of the most improved players in the league over the last three years, offensively.

RF Jacque...strikes out way too much to my liking and looks lost in the of sometimes, no arm to speak, but would be fine batting seventh and platooning with Murton.

2B Cedeno...he's not going to bat 2nd and would be fine here.

 

Bench:

Murton...I just don't see how he can play next year. We have to get another big bat to help this offense produce and to protect us against losing Lee or Ramirez for an extended time. Having little to no power from your middle infield and centerfielder, gives you very few options and with Jacque signed for two more years, we cannot upgrade there.

Neifi (unfortunately)

Pagan

After that, who knows.

 

Defensively, our infield should be one of the best in the big leagues. Lee and Izturis are gold glove caliber, Rammy has improved tremendously and Cedeno should be above average at second. In the oufield, Pierre covers a lot of ground, but has no arm, Jacque scares the crap out of me and has no arm as well. If we get a significant upgrade in left, I could care less about the outfield defense.

 

Pitching is just a mess. Beyond Z, we have four rotation spots open (3 if you count Prior) and 4 bullpen sports open as well, hopefully Wuertz, Aardsma, and Novoa step forward the rest of the year.

 

Thoughts?

 

Why not bat Barrett second he's an on-base machine and he's doesnt strike out a lot. Izturis would then move to the 7 slot ahead of Cedeno. Man we better get Lee during the offseason or we will not only have a weak rotation we will have a weak offense as well.

[baseball7897]

Izturis is a 8 hitter in a lineup. The cubs can win a world series with Cesar at ss.

[chuckywang]

Well, it's not feasible for any team to have that much abundance of riches. You also have to have guys who are in the lineup because of their glove, like Mientkiewicz or Orlando Cabrera.

 

You didn't ask about what's feasible, you asked what I wanted. And no, you don't have to have guys like Mientkiewicz in your lineup. I am a firm believer in offense first, offense last. Defense is an afterthought.

 

And if the season ended today, the team with the best offense in the major leagues will not make the playoffs.