Realistic 2007 Cubs Team

[b_wiggy_66]

Alright I know there have been a lot of posts about this so I figured I throw my thoughts out there. First off we have 3 offensive spots to fill this offseason LF,CF, and I think 2B. Ronny and Izturis up the middle is not enough offense. With the money from Maddux, Wood, Pierre, and Nevin the team will have about 30-35 mil. to work with.

 

The first thing I think they should do is sign Mike Cameron for CF. He plays a gold glove CF and has a good arm, he also has been swinging the bat pretty good this year and has above avg. speed. Then since Pierre is gong they need to make a strong push for Lugo. I think Lugo would be the best option and could be our leadoff hitter, but he will probly cost to much Craig Counsell would be a good veteran bat with good speed and D signing him would save us money for our other spots. This would also give Cedeno and E. Patterson another year to mature and develop.

 

Then comes the tricky part spend big money on C. Lee, Soriano, Zito, or spread the money out more. I think the best bet would be to spread it out and get C.FLoyd for LF and sign Schmidt to be our #2 guy. This would fill to holes with good players, their older but its about time we win. Finally sign Lidle or another average guy to be an inning eater for us. This would probly cost closer to 40-43mil. but they have the money to up it back to 100 mil.

 

Lineup:

Counsell 2B

Izturis SS

Lee 1B

Floyd LF

A-ram 3B

Jones RF

Cameron CF

Barrett C

 

Rotation

Zambrano

Schimdt

Prior

Lidle

Marmol/Marshall

 

I know this probly won't happen but I think this team could win it. Thoughts?

[goonys evil twin]

Counsell is old and not good. Cubs don't need 36/37 year old middle infielders

[CP_414]

Alright I know there have been a lot of posts about this so I figured I throw my thoughts out there. First off we have 3 offensive spots to fill this offseason LF,CF, and I think 2B. Ronny and Izturis up the middle is not enough offense. With the money from Maddux, Wood, Pierre, and Nevin the team will have about 30-35 mil. to work with.

 

The first thing I think they should do is sign Mike Cameron for CF. He plays a gold glove CF and has a good arm, he also has been swinging the bat pretty good this year and has above avg. speed. Then since Pierre is gong they need to make a strong push for Lugo. I think Lugo would be the best option and could be our leadoff hitter, but he will probly cost to much Craig Counsell would be a good veteran bat with good speed and D signing him would save us money for our other spots. This would also give Cedeno and E. Patterson another year to mature and develop.

 

Then comes the tricky part spend big money on C. Lee, Soriano, Zito, or spread the money out more. I think the best bet would be to spread it out and get C.FLoyd for LF and sign Schmidt to be our #2 guy. This would fill to holes with good players, their older but its about time we win. Finally sign Lidle or another average guy to be an inning eater for us. This would probly cost closer to 40-43mil. but they have the money to up it back to 100 mil.

 

Lineup:

Counsell 2B

Izturis SS

Lee 1B

Floyd LF

A-ram 3B

Jones RF

Cameron CF

Barrett C

 

Rotation

Zambrano

Schimdt

Prior

Lidle

Marmol/Marshall

 

I know this probly won't happen but I think this team could win it. Thoughts?

 

I don't think that is a good lineup. Counsell's best days are long gone. Ceaser cannot hit 2nd on a good team. He simply can't.

[cubs121]

yeah i would like some one elsee... ... and a better lineup~!

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Yuck!

 

That team would be lucky to finish fourth.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I'm not sure how the salaries would all fit and I'm not feeling like doing all the number crunching right now...I'll save that for October-November...but anyways...

 

1. I'd move Jones to CF.

2. I'd try to sign Schmidt, Soriano, and Sheffield.

3. If one of those signs elsewhere, I'd try to use pitching and Cedeno to acquire a big bat for either second or RF.

 

Here's my team (not a line-up, as I haven't put much thought into it)

 

C Barrett

1b Lee

2b Soriano

SS Izturis

3b Ramirez

LF Murton

CF Jones

RF Sheffield

 

SP Zambrano

SP Schmidt

SP Prior

SP4-5 Marshall, Hill, Guzman, Marmol, Williams, etc.

 

I think that line-up could produce some runs, even with the health risk in Sheffield. While less than ideal, I'd probably use Soriano in the lead-off spot with Murton hitting second. Izturis slides in the eighth spot, Jones seventh, Barrett sixth with the heart Lee, Sheffield, and Ramirez.

[CP_414]

I'm not sure how the salaries would all fit and I'm not feeling like doing all the number crunching right now...I'll save that for October-November...but anyways...

 

1. I'd move Jones to CF.

2. I'd try to sign Schmidt, Soriano, and Sheffield.

3. If one of those signs elsewhere, I'd try to use pitching and Cedeno to acquire a big bat for either second or RF.

 

Here's my team (not a line-up, as I haven't put much thought into it)

 

C Barrett

1b Lee

2b Soriano

SS Izturis

3b Ramirez

LF Murton

CF Jones

RF Sheffield

 

SP Zambrano

SP Schmidt

SP Prior

SP4-5 Marshall, Hill, Guzman, Marmol, Williams, etc.

 

I think that line-up could produce some runs, even with the health risk in Sheffield. While less than ideal, I'd probably use Soriano in the lead-off spot with Murton hitting second. Izturis slides in the eighth spot, Jones seventh, Barrett sixth with the heart Lee, Sheffield, and Ramirez.

 

Thats a solid squad. Soriano would probably be forced into the leadoff spot on that team by most managers.

 

Soriano

Barrett

Lee

Aramis

Sheffield

Jones

Murton

Izturis

Pitcher

 

I think if I were filling out the lineup card on this team it would be more like: Murton, Barrett, Lee, Aramis, Soriano, Sheffield, Jones, Izturis, Pitcher.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Let me say further, I'm not sure if I can fit that squad into a 100 million payroll. It's going to be tight, depending on Soriano's numbers. Also, there are indications the Yankees will pick up Sheffield's option.

 

Signing Soriano becomes the lynch-pin, as he puts some offense in the middle of the line-up and allows the Cubs to shop Cedeno. Cedeno could be used in a package to bring in a RF if the Yankees keep Sheffield.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Another option would be retaining Pierre and signing Soriano. At that point, the team has to decide whether we're better off with Murton or Cedeno in the line-up. Personally, I think we're better off with Murton and would use him in LF with Soriano at second.

[Salazar89]

After today's comments Henry seems set on Cedeno and Izturis up the middle. I see them signing Carlos Lee to add some power and shore up the rotation with a top tier signing. Unfortunatley, Murton looks to be the odd man out.

 

C Barrett

1b Lee

2b Cedeno

SS Izturis

3b Ramirez

LF Lee

CF Pierre (resigned)

RF Jones

 

SP Zambrano

SP Schmidt/Zito

SP Prior

SP4-5 Hill, Marshall, Wood, Guzman, Marmol, & Miller

[UK1679666180]

Let me say further, I'm not sure if I can fit that squad into a 100 million payroll. It's going to be tight, depending on Soriano's numbers. Also, there are indications the Yankees will pick up Sheffield's option.

 

Signing Soriano becomes the lynch-pin, as he puts some offense in the middle of the line-up and allows the Cubs to shop Cedeno. Cedeno could be used in a package to bring in a RF if the Yankees keep Sheffield.

 

Early potential Soriano rumors have that one being tough. I think I read 5 yr. 80 (16mil per).

[CP_414]

After today's comments Henry seems set on Cedeno and Izturis up the middle. I see them signing Carlos Lee to add some power and shore up the rotation with a top tier signing. Unfortunatley, Murton looks to be the odd man out.

 

C Barrett

1b Lee

2b Cedeno

SS Izturis

3b Ramirez

LF Lee

CF Pierre (resigned)

RF Jones

 

SP Zambrano

SP Schmidt/Zito

SP Prior

SP4-5 Hill, Marshall, Wood, Guzman, Marmol, & Miller

 

I could see that happening. If they are going to go with that middle infield, I would hope for an upgrade in CF along with Lee.

[cubs121]

that much for SORIANO? that pretty ROUGH..

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Let me say further, I'm not sure if I can fit that squad into a 100 million payroll. It's going to be tight, depending on Soriano's numbers. Also, there are indications the Yankees will pick up Sheffield's option.

 

Signing Soriano becomes the lynch-pin, as he puts some offense in the middle of the line-up and allows the Cubs to shop Cedeno. Cedeno could be used in a package to bring in a RF if the Yankees keep Sheffield.

 

Early potential Soriano rumors have that one being tough. I think I read 5 yr. 80 (16mil per).

 

And that's a lot of dough, and I'd probably pass.

 

Who would pay that much for him? I know the Nationals want to keep him and maybe they are the front-runners. Does Soriano still intend to move back to second? If so, then what becomes of Vidro in Washington?

[UK1679666180]

According to two sources who requested anonymity, Soriano would like to make more money than Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal, who signed for three years and $39 million last December. Soriano is looking for something in the range of five years, $80 million. The sources believe that Soriano is willing to frontload the money during the first couple of years of the contract, realizing that that the Nationals are looking to build for the long-term future of the franchise.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

According to two sources who requested anonymity, Soriano would like to make more money than Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal, who signed for three years and $39 million last December. Soriano is looking for something in the range of five years, $80 million. The sources believe that Soriano is willing to frontload the money during the first couple of years of the contract, realizing that that the Nationals are looking to build for the long-term future of the franchise.

 

Yikes!

 

Looking at those dollars makes me glad I'm not in Hendry's shoes. Fixing this mess he created may not be possible over the next two years.

[NorthsideAvenger]

Here would be my lineup in 2007

 

Lineup:

CF: Pierre

2B: Durham (I think he would be perfect in the #2 slot)

1B: Lee

RF: Sheffield

3B: ARam

LF: Jones/Murton LF

C: Barrett C

SS: Izturis

 

Rotation

Zambrano

Schimdt

Prior

Marshall

Guzman

 

LR: Marmol/Rusch (BIG FATTY is here in 2007,, unofrtunately)

 

*Sheffield MIGHT be willing to switch to 1B this yr, but he won't be happy about it. I think he would leave NY to return to RF.

 

*Ray Durham isn't the player he was even 5 yrs ago, but he doesn't have to be. Durham is a career .280/.350/.440 and would slot in very NICELY between Pierre and Lee. This would allow the Cubs to keep one less black hole out of the starting lineup, but Cedeno/Perez would be crappy bench.

[neely crenshaw]

my guess is you have to resign pierre. we are stuck with jones. we have aram,lee and barrett.

if we are to be good jones can not hit higher than 6 or7..perferably 7.

barrett can not hit 2 through 5. he simply can't. he is a great hitter for a catcher but any catcher not named pudge or piazza can't be there..you must have better options if you are going to be good.

we need a 2 hole hitter and a banger.

we can't have izturis and cedeno..i would prefer cedeno because he has more upside but i think he will be the one to go because of that.

we must fix our pitching through free agency with a stud. if not it won't matter much.

i think we can make a package of young pitchers and a spare ss to get tejada(we could add murton but would like to deal him seperately).the other ss goes to 2b and hits 8th. however we must sign pitcher or we can't afford to give up a marmol or guzman. if we sign zito it's time for some of them to go.

so we are now looking at a LFer who can hit 2nd. i actually wouldn't mind a rf..because to me jones needs to play left of course if we want to egt greedy get lee to play left and hit tejada 2nd but hendry won't do that.

 

lineup

pierre cf

leftfielder

tejada ss

lee 1b

aram 3b

barrett c

jones rf

cedeno/izturis 2b

pitcher

 

we can wish but hendry's history tells he might get 1 big name on offense and one pitcher but there is no way he signs soriano and lee or trades for tejada and gets either one.

[RynoRules]

After what Jones has been through here in his first year, think there is any chance he'll ask to be dealt during the Winter?

 

I assume that is not a realistic possibility.

[CP_414]

my guess is you have to resign pierre. we are stuck with jones. we have aram,lee and barrett.

if we are to be good jones can not hit higher than 6 or7..perferably 7.

barrett can not hit 2 through 5. he simply can't. he is a great hitter for a catcher but any catcher not named pudge or piazza can't be there..you must have better options if you are going to be good.

we need a 2 hole hitter and a banger.

we can't have izturis and cedeno..i would prefer cedeno because he has more upside but i think he will be the one to go because of that.

we must fix our pitching through free agency with a stud. if not it won't matter much.

i think we can make a package of young pitchers and a spare ss to get tejada(we could add murton but would like to deal him seperately).the other ss goes to 2b and hits 8th. however we must sign pitcher or we can't afford to give up a marmol or guzman. if we sign zito it's time for some of them to go.

so we are now looking at a LFer who can hit 2nd. i actually wouldn't mind a rf..because to me jones needs to play left of course if we want to egt greedy get lee to play left and hit tejada 2nd but hendry won't do that.

 

lineup

pierre cf

leftfielder

tejada ss

lee 1b

aram 3b

barrett c

jones rf

cedeno/izturis 2b

pitcher

 

we can wish but hendry's history tells he might get 1 big name on offense and one pitcher but there is no way he signs soriano and lee or trades for tejada and gets either one.

 

It has been widely reported the O's turned down Ervin Santana for Tejada. It has also been reported they turned down Roy Oswalt. We have nothing to offer them for Tejada. Angelos is crazy and thinks Tejada is Babe Ruth or something. He's not gonna get traded, baring a major change in philosophy from the old man in Baltimore.

[Sarcastic]

I think some of the realistic lineups are a tad bit unrealistic. I don't fault people for being optimists, but I think what we are more likely to see next year is something very similar to the current team with a extra bat for the OF, someone like Lee, and an extra #2 pitcher if we get lucky. The only way the team is likely to contend next year is if the following occur (already assuming we get the two FAs):

 

1) Prior has a full, healthy, productive season.

2) Lee comes back and produces well.

3) Barrett doesn't lose too much production from this year.

4) Pierre and Izturis return to old form.

5) Jones matches his current season.

6) Cedeno improves.

7) At least one of the young pitchers (Marmol, Marshall Hill) is really ready for next year and has a solid season.

8) There are no other long injuries to key players.

 

If all these things happen, the team could be solid. I don't think it seems probable, but it seems even less probable that we will be able to swing trades for two or three good ballplayers without giving up more than a few of our starters who are stuck between AAA and the MLB, as some people are hoping for.

[WindyCity]

Ladies and Gentlemen, the 2007 Chicago Marlins!

 

CF Pierre

2B Castillo

1B Lee

LF Sheffield

3B Lowell (ARam opts out and signs with Boston, the BoSox turn around and send Lowell to the Cubs for your 3 favorite prospects - left unnamed so you can each imagine the worst case scenario)

C Barrett (he'll be back)

RF Encarnacion (Jones gets dealt back to the Twins for Castillo, Cubs sign Juan just to make RF worse)

SS Izturis (he'll be the everyday SS)

 

The team shocks everyone and makes it all the way to the NLCS, where a $25 million payroll Florida team takes them out as Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera (the only Marlins Hendry doesn't pursue) make like its 2003 and lead a young, talented team to the franchise's 3rd World Series Championship in 10 years.

[bhogg]

My "dream 2007" would be this:

 

CF Pierre

2b Loretta (aging, but a pretty good fit, and fairly cheap)

1b Lee

3b A Ram

LF Carlos Lee

C Barrett

RF Jones / Murton platoon

SS Izturis

 

SP Zambrano

SP Schmidt (or some other good FA pitcher)

SP Prior

SP Marshall

SP Hill / Guzman / whomever

 

 

This would require the Cubs to sign two "stud" free agents -- something I cannot remember them ever doing.

[texascub]

Ladies and Gentlemen, the 2007 Chicago Marlins!

 

CF Pierre

2B Castillo

1B Lee

LF Sheffield

3B Lowell (ARam opts out and signs with Boston, the BoSox turn around and send Lowell to the Cubs for your 3 favorite prospects - left unnamed so you can each imagine the worst case scenario)

C Barrett (he'll be back)

RF Encarnacion (Jones gets dealt back to the Twins for Castillo, Cubs sign Juan just to make RF worse)

SS Izturis (he'll be the everyday SS)

 

The team shocks everyone and makes it all the way to the NLCS, where a $25 million payroll Florida team takes them out as Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera (the only Marlins Hendry doesn't pursue) make like its 2003 and lead a young, talented team to the franchise's 3rd World Series Championship in 10 years.

 

If we went the Marlins' route, wouldn't we be a young team? We could go down that path with a team like this:

 

C: Barrett, Soto

1B: Lee

2B: Patterson, Cedeno

SS: Izturis

3B: Ramirez

LF: Murton, Nic Jackson

CF: Pie, Walker

RF: Jones

 

SP: Z

SP: Marshall

SP: Marmol/Guzman

SP: Hill

SP: Prior/Wood (placed this low because I won't rely on them for anything)

 

RP: Marmol/Guzman (whichever one doesn't start)

RP: Williams

RP: Ohman

RP: Eyre

RP: Howry

RP: Aardsma

Closer: Wuertz

 

That follows the Marlins' plan pretty closely, is pretty cheap, and would probably be better than this year.

[WindyCity]

If we went the Marlins' route, wouldn't we be a young team? We could go down that path with a team like this:

 

I thought it was obvious that I wasn't being serious -- I was just looking for ex-Marlins that Hendry could add to the club (i.e. Sheffield, Lowell, Encarnacion) to go along with the ex-Marlins we already have (Pierre, Lee).