Potential Free Agent Targets

[nilodnayr]

Schmidt, Catalanotto, and a second baseman that can hit in the top 2 in the order. Maybe a platoon partner for Jones if you hate Restovich.

 

Cat/Murton/2B

2B/Cat/Murton

Lee

Ramirez

Barrett

Jones/Restovich

Pie

Izturis

 

Cat would be wonderful, hes one of the best value players in the league. But this is Hendry we are talking about. A more realistic option would be Nixon. We'd pay more, but if used properly, would still be worth the money. I'd have to believe that our MI would be Cedeno and Izturis, so unfortunately I don't see us being able to improve at 2b. I think we can look across town to see how Pie would be next year if we brought him up. I'd like to take a more conservative approach and leave him in AAA for another year (or a good part of a year) and let him continue to hit like he has the last couple months. Dave Roberts is a guy who could do a nice job being a placeholder for Pie. Also, the cubs had interest in him a couple years ago.

 

Roberts

Nixon/Murton

Lee

Ramirez

Barrett

Jones/Resto

Izturis

Cedeno

 

Yeah, there are two auto outs, but I think thats just the reality of our lineup next year. I think this is the best we could do, while also affording a Schmidt/Zito.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Schmidt, Catalanotto, and a second baseman that can hit in the top 2 in the order. Maybe a platoon partner for Jones if you hate Restovich.

 

Cat/Murton/2B

2B/Cat/Murton

Lee

Ramirez

Barrett

Jones/Restovich

Pie

Izturis

 

Cat would be wonderful, hes one of the best value players in the league. But this is Hendry we are talking about. A more realistic option would be Nixon. We'd pay more, but if used properly, would still be worth the money. I'd have to believe that our MI would be Cedeno and Izturis, so unfortunately I don't see us being able to improve at 2b. I think we can look across town to see how Pie would be next year if we brought him up. I'd like to take a more conservative approach and leave him in AAA for another year (or a good part of a year) and let him continue to hit like he has the last couple months. Dave Roberts is a guy who could do a nice job being a placeholder for Pie. Also, the cubs had interest in him a couple years ago.

 

Roberts

Nixon/Murton

Lee

Ramirez

Barrett

Jones/Resto

Izturis

Cedeno

 

Yeah, there are two auto outs, but I think thats just the reality of our lineup next year. I think this is the best we could do, while also affording a Schmidt/Zito.

 

Like I've said elsewhere, I'm not convinced that Cedeno is penciled into 2B next year. Especially with the departure of Perez, I think Hendry could go after a 2B and use Ronny as a utility player. I don't think Hendry is actively trying to avoid having Cedeno at 2B, but I think he sees it as a spot he could stand to upgrade.

 

You're probably right about Cat, and Nixon for the price may end up being a better option. I would think Jones would move to LF, which would make the Murton/Jones platoon more likely. The hard part might be convincing Nixon to come as a platoon player, and convincing Hendry Nixon needs one.

 

Also, I disagree with the Anderson comparison to Pie. Pie has shown pretty steady progress throughout his trek through the minors, and is hitting his stride at AAA now. Anderson's numbers got progressively worse as he moved up the ladder and was much older than Pie. Especially with the adjustment we've seen Felix make at Iowa, and the fact that despite his age he's managed to hit for average everywhere he's gone, I don't think he'd be as much of a washout as Anderson has been. That said, if the situation called for it, I wouldn't mind Pie starting at Iowa next year.

[A New Era]

 

I was down on Murton earlier this year, strongly hoping for a Jones/Murton platoon but his splits have been less exagerrated aand he is red hot since the ASB, despite not playing everyday. I think he could pretty easily build on his 1st full season with a .800+ OPS that is OBP heavy. When you weigh that for LF with some options like Carlos Lee whose OPS is more BA dependent, he could outproduce guys like that by 08, without investing a lot. I'd make an offer to Soriano and outside of signing him, not replace Murton in LF.

 

I'm with ya on Murton. Sure of the 2 big FA bats, Carlos Lee plays LF. But Soriano plays 2B. I'd rather replace Cedeno because Murton can give you +.350 OBP. In other words I'd rather have Soriano/Murton than Cedeno/Lee. Wouldn't you?

 

Your other ideas are great and show what a good smart ballclub and contendor would do. By using cheap guys but who have good OBP so you can save your money for a couple big guys. But I doubt many of your ideas would be used. What I'm wishing for now is a #2 and #5 signing, keeping guys like Hill and Marshall who show progress. And getting Soriano for 2B and keeping Murton in LF.

[RockTheIvy]

As bad as our offense has been this season, I can't help but be hopeful for 07 simply because Neifi! is gone. If Caesar is our only garbage bat, and bats eighth, the offense is not as far from being decent as I thought.

What I would do:

 

Sign Cameron.

Sign Loretta.

 

 

Loretta

Murton

Lee

Ramirez

Barrett

Jones

Cameron

Izzy

 

Both the offense and the defense would benefit from signing those two.

[soapy]

I'd like to see Hendry sign Soriano (2B) and Schmidt (maybe another SP if they have the money). Cedeno becomes a utility player. Call up Pie.

 

Murton LF

Soriano 2B (or Barrett)

Lee 1B

Ramirez 3B

Barrett C

Jones/Restovich RF

Pie CF

Izturis SS

 

Zambrano

Prior

Schmidt

Marshall/Hill/Marmol/Guzman/FA pitcher to fill out rotation

 

As little faith as I have in Hendry, I do think this is a possible scenario simply because of the affection that Hendry has reportedly had for Soriano in the past. It is very likely however that he will be overpaid and the Cubs won't get involved.

 

I'm really not as high on Carlos Lee as most people.

[Soriano12]

I'd like to see Hendry sign Soriano (2B) and Schmidt (maybe another SP if they have the money). Cedeno becomes a utility player. Call up Pie.

 

Murton LF

Soriano 2B (or Barrett)

Lee 1B

Ramirez 3B

Barrett C

Jones/Restovich RF

Pie CF

Izturis SS

 

Zambrano

Prior

Schmidt

Marshall/Hill/Marmol/Guzman/FA pitcher to fill out rotation

 

As little faith as I have in Hendry, I do think this is a possible scenario simply because of the affection that Hendry has reportedly had for Soriano in the past. It is very likely however that he will be overpaid and the Cubs won't get involved.

 

I'm really not as high on Carlos Lee as most people.

 

I agree. IMO..its only a matter of time before he is strictly a DH.

 

Its not the like the Cubs have any chance of contending in 07 anways so use this offseason to improve the pitching staff...and give Murton another year in LF.

 

Then after 07 upgrade the OF(Vernon Wells)

[A New Era]

I'd like to see Hendry sign Soriano (2B) and Schmidt (maybe another SP if they have the money). Cedeno becomes a utility player. Call up Pie.

 

Murton LF

Soriano 2B (or Barrett)

Lee 1B

Ramirez 3B

Barrett C

Jones/Restovich RF

Pie CF

Izturis SS

 

Zambrano

Prior

Schmidt

Marshall/Hill/Marmol/Guzman/FA pitcher to fill out rotation

 

As little faith as I have in Hendry, I do think this is a possible scenario simply because of the affection that Hendry has reportedly had for Soriano in the past. It is very likely however that he will be overpaid and the Cubs won't get involved.

 

I'm really not as high on Carlos Lee as most people.

 

I agree. IMO..its only a matter of time before he is strictly a DH.

 

Its not the like the Cubs have any chance of contending in 07 anways so use this offseason to improve the pitching staff...and give Murton another year in LF.

 

Then after 07 upgrade the OF(Vernon Wells)

 

I see no reason we shouldn't try to compete in '07. We are in the horrid NL Central after all. The Cardinals have come back to the pack. And we have to consider with a couple good moves we can compete easily in the NL Central. If JH could be Soriano I'd be all for it.

[Magnetic Curses]

1. sign edmonds.

 

2. trade cedeno, marshall, jones, and cash for ryan freel.

 

3. sign jason schmidt.

 

4. sign mike mussina, but mulder would probably be a more, hendry-esque guy.

 

5. trade angel guzman for brady clark.

 

1. brady clark

2. ryan freel

3. dlee

4. edmonds

5. ramirez

6. barrett

7. murton

8. izturis

 

1. zambrano

2. schmidt

3. mussina

4. prior

5. hill

 

novoa

eyre

dempster

howry

ohman

wood

 

restovich

pagan

fontenot

theriot

branyan

???????

Edited August 24, 2006 by Stannis

[rawaction]

Expensive way: Sign Soriano to play 2B, or trade for JD Drew for RF and move Jones to CF (or Drew can play CF), sign Schmidt.

 

Cheap, but still productive way: Sign Loretta to play 2B, Sign Bradley or Roberts to play CF. Sign Hinske for bench. Sign Padilla. RH platoon partner for Jones (don't really know who).

 

Roberts/Loretta

Loretta/Murton

Lee

Ramirez

Bradley/Murton

Barrett

Jones

Izturis

 

Zambrano, Prior, Padilla, Marshall, other young pitcher.

[CuseCubFan69]

1. sign edmonds.

 

2. trade cedeno, marshall, jones, and cash for ryan freel.

 

3. sign jason schmidt.

 

4. sign mike mussina, but mulder would probably be a more, hendry-esque guy.

 

5. trade angel guzman for brady clark.

 

1. brady clark

2. ryan freel

3. dlee

4. edmonds

5. ramirez

6. barrett

7. murton

8. izturis

 

1. zambrano

2. schmidt

3. mussina

4. prior

5. hill

 

novoa

eyre

dempster

wuertz

ohman

wood

 

restovich

pagan

fontenot

theriot

branyan

???????

 

Do you think Prior will be well enough to be counted on?

[baseball7897]

1. sign edmonds.

 

2. trade cedeno, marshall, jones, and cash for ryan freel.

 

3. sign jason schmidt.

 

4. sign mike mussina, but mulder would probably be a more, hendry-esque guy.

 

5. trade angel guzman for brady clark.

 

1. brady clark

2. ryan freel

3. dlee

4. edmonds

5. ramirez

6. barrett

7. murton

8. izturis

 

1. zambrano

2. schmidt

3. mussina

4. prior

5. hill

 

novoa

eyre

dempster

wuertz

ohman

wood

 

restovich

pagan

fontenot

theriot

branyan

???????

 

Your giving up way too much for Freel.

 

What happened to Howry? Is he included in the Freel trade also?

 

That starting rotation is very injury prone.

 

Trading for Brady Clark would make no sense. You would be giving up one of your best pitching prospects for him. Why not just re-sign Pierre? He brings more to the table than Brady Clark will.

[Soriano12]

ugg...No Edmonds. Thanks

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Why not just re-sign Pierre? He brings more to the table than Brady Clark will.

 

Not true. Clark is better offensively and defensively.

[jmajew]

I know I already posted some ideas in this thread but here is another set. Sign Lofton to play CF for 3 mil, 2008 will be Pie. Sign Craig Wilson to a two year 6 million dollar deal. Platoon him with Jones. Sign Soriano to play second 5/75 seems about right for him.

 

For the rotation you need one more solid starter. Guys like Mulder, Zito, Schmidt would be great. The only problem is I don't think we should break the bank for another pitcher. No more than 11 mil a year. So that probably rules out Zito and Schmidt, plus Zito is overrated and Scmidt is getting old. IF we can get them for that great. But otherwise we should look at Mulder, Gil Meche, Cory Lidle, Tomo Ohka. I'd even look to trade for Freddy Garcia. If the guy from Japan, Matasuka(I hope i'm close), is as good as everyone says i think he would be worth the 11 mil-15 mil range, mainly because he is still young and will just be hitting his prime.

 

Our Bullpen is set already. Dempster, Howry, Eyre, Wuertz, Ohman, Aardsma/Novoa/etc. Our bench we can fill with young players/inexpensive players. Jones/Wilson, Pagan, Cedeno, Fox(backup C), Theriot, and Resterovich.

 

Lineups

RH

Lofton

Murton

DLEE

Ramirez

Jones

Soriano

Barrett

Izturis

 

LH

Lofton

Murton

DLEE

Ramirez

Soriano

Barrett

Wilson

Izturis

 

This would put our payroll somewhere around 100-110 mil

[NCCubFan]

Do you think Prior will be well enough to be counted on?

I'm hoping that Hendry will finally show the brains NOT to count on him, then when he isn't being counted on he finally stays healthy and lives up to his promise. Reverse psychology. :D

[Soriano12]

Prior should be considered a 5th starter going into 2007.

 

Bottom line.

[Andy]

1. sign edmonds.

 

2. trade cedeno, marshall, jones, and cash for ryan freel.

 

3. sign jason schmidt.

 

4. sign mike mussina, but mulder would probably be a more, hendry-esque guy.

 

5. trade angel guzman for brady clark.

 

1. brady clark

2. ryan freel

3. dlee

4. edmonds

5. ramirez

6. barrett

7. murton

8. izturis

 

1. zambrano

2. schmidt

3. mussina

4. prior

5. hill

 

novoa

eyre

dempster

wuertz

ohman

wood

 

restovich

pagan

fontenot

theriot

branyan

???????

Sulley for GM.

[Jazz]

I know you guys are probably worn out by these "2007 roster predicition/offseason plan" threads, but here's another.

 

1. Unload Rusch to another team through waivers during this season

 

2. Release Bynum

 

3. Resign Zambrano to a 4 year/~45M

 

4. Sign Jason Schmidt to a 3-4 year/~40-45M deal

 

5. Sign Alfonso Soriano to a 4-5 year/~48-55M deal

 

6. Sign Craig Wilson to a 1 year/~2.5M deal

 

7. Sign Craig Counsell to a 1 year/~2M deal

 

8. Trade Jones, Izturis, and Hill to Tornoto for Vernon Wells

(if that doesn't do it, offer one of Mateo, Marmol, and Guzman)

 

9. Resign Hendry Blanco to a 2 year/~2.5M Deal

 

 

RF Pie (350k)

LF Murton (500k)

1B Lee (13M)

3B Ramirez (11M)

2B Soriano (~13M)

CF Wells (~3M) [Extension hopeful for around ~10M]

C Barrett (~4M)

SS Cedeno (500k)

 

SP1. Zambrano (~11M)

SP2. Schmidt (~13M)

SP3. Prior (5M)

SP4. Marshall (350k)

SP5. Marmol (350k)

 

Spot Starter/Long Relief: Guzman/Mateo (350k)

RP1. Wuertz (500k)

RP2. Aardsma (500k)

RP3. Novoa/Ryu (500k)

RP4. Howry (4M)

RP5. Eyre (3M)

CL Dempster (5M)

 

Bench

C Blanco (~1M)

IF Counsell (~1M)

IF Theriot (350k)

OF Wilson (~1M)

OF Pagan (350k)

 

Total = 92M (98M if Wells is extended)

 

Some of these salaries might be wrong, and I might be forgetting buyouts, but I think Hendry has enough money to make 2 big splashes in the FA and one big trade. Tell me where I'm getting to optimistic (Salaries, Trade Value, etc..). I think we can really get this kind of team by 07.

[baseball7897]

I know you guys are probably worn out by these "2007 roster predicition/offseason plan" threads, but here's another.

 

1. Unload Rusch to another team through waivers during this season

 

2. Release Bynum

 

3. Resign Zambrano to a 4 year/~45M

 

4. Sign Jason Schmidt to a 3-4 year/~40-45M deal

 

5. Sign Alfonso Soriano to a 4-5 year/~48-55M deal

 

6. Sign Craig Wilson to a 1 year/~2.5M deal

 

7. Sign Craig Counsell to a 1 year/~2M deal

 

8. Trade Jones, Izturis, and Hill to Tornoto for Vernon Wells

(if that doesn't do it, offer one of Mateo, Marmol, and Guzman)

 

9. Resign Hendry Blanco to a 2 year/~2.5M Deal

 

 

RF Pie (350k)

LF Murton (500k)

1B Lee (13M)

3B Ramirez (11M)

2B Soriano (~13M)

CF Wells (~3M) [Extension hopeful for around ~10M]

C Barrett (~4M)

SS Cedeno (500k)

 

SP1. Zambrano (~11M)

SP2. Schmidt (~13M)

SP3. Prior (5M)

SP4. Marshall (350k)

SP5. Marmol (350k)

 

Spot Starter/Long Relief: Guzman/Mateo (350k)

RP1. Wuertz (500k)

RP2. Aardsma (500k)

RP3. Novoa/Ryu (500k)

RP4. Howry (4M)

RP5. Eyre (3M)

CL Dempster (5M)

 

Bench

C Blanco (~1M)

IF Counsell (~1M)

IF Theriot (350k)

OF Wilson (~1M)

OF Pagan (350k)

 

Total = 92M (98M if Wells is extended)

 

Some of these salaries might be wrong, and I might be forgetting buyouts, but I think Hendry has enough money to make 2 big splashes in the FA and one big trade. Tell me where I'm getting to optimistic (Salaries, Trade Value, etc..). I think we can really get this kind of team by 07.

 

I dont like the idea of Pie leading off. I would put Soriano in the leadoff spot. He excells in that spot in the order.

 

Another problem, I would rather deal Cedeno, and keep Izturis at ss.

 

Your bullpen and rotation is a little weak. Maybe add another cheap SP that could eat up innings( Weaver).

 

What happened to Ohman?

[neely crenshaw]

first we have to decide our we looking to win next season in in the near future!

if we look to win now...my hope we will have lost about 25 mil in starters salary(wood,maddux and hopefully rusch)

we will lose pierre's deal 6 mil...neifi's 2.5...walker 3.0 blanco...not much

 

if we choose to get a 2b..like loretta we have 2 of 3 guys to deal in cedeno,izturis and theriot....

we have an abundance of pitchers that are at least looking like they "can" make it... we do not need all of them-mateo, guzman, marshall, hill, omalley...deal 2-3 for a proven non free agent starter or position player. we should be able to package enough pitching and position guys to get 3 proven players and at least one should/could be a stud.

 

then we can try to sign 2 guys to fill in through free agency what we couldn't trade for.

 

the best part about this season is we have been able to showcase quite a few youngsters without devaluing any of them. the guy who has looked the worst has the most upside in guzman. murton,cedeno and theriot have all shown enough to make gm's believe they'll continue to play well and get better.

the rest of the pitchers have all shown flashes of major league starter quality.

we have a wealth of talent and a wealth of open money this offseason. to me , we see what hendry is made of right now. it's make or break time

[Jazz]

I know you guys are probably worn out by these "2007 roster predicition/offseason plan" threads, but here's another.

 

1. Unload Rusch to another team through waivers during this season

 

2. Release Bynum

 

3. Resign Zambrano to a 4 year/~45M

 

4. Sign Jason Schmidt to a 3-4 year/~40-45M deal

 

5. Sign Alfonso Soriano to a 4-5 year/~48-55M deal

 

6. Sign Craig Wilson to a 1 year/~2.5M deal

 

7. Sign Craig Counsell to a 1 year/~2M deal

 

8. Trade Jones, Izturis, and Hill to Tornoto for Vernon Wells

(if that doesn't do it, offer one of Mateo, Marmol, and Guzman)

 

9. Resign Hendry Blanco to a 2 year/~2.5M Deal

 

 

RF Pie (350k)

LF Murton (500k)

1B Lee (13M)

3B Ramirez (11M)

2B Soriano (~13M)

CF Wells (~3M) [Extension hopeful for around ~10M]

C Barrett (~4M)

SS Cedeno (500k)

 

SP1. Zambrano (~11M)

SP2. Schmidt (~13M)

SP3. Prior (5M)

SP4. Marshall (350k)

SP5. Marmol (350k)

 

Spot Starter/Long Relief: Guzman/Mateo (350k)

RP1. Wuertz (500k)

RP2. Aardsma (500k)

RP3. Novoa/Ryu (500k)

RP4. Howry (4M)

RP5. Eyre (3M)

CL Dempster (5M)

 

Bench

C Blanco (~1M)

IF Counsell (~1M)

IF Theriot (350k)

OF Wilson (~1M)

OF Pagan (350k)

 

Total = 92M (98M if Wells is extended)

 

Some of these salaries might be wrong, and I might be forgetting buyouts, but I think Hendry has enough money to make 2 big splashes in the FA and one big trade. Tell me where I'm getting to optimistic (Salaries, Trade Value, etc..). I think we can really get this kind of team by 07.

 

I dont like the idea of Pie leading off. I would put Soriano in the leadoff spot. He excells in that spot in the order.

 

Another problem, I would rather deal Cedeno, and keep Izturis at ss.

 

Your bullpen and rotation is a little weak. Maybe add another cheap SP that could eat up innings( Weaver).

 

What happened to Ohman?

 

Forgot Ohman, but you can imagine he'd be there battling for a roster spot, no big deal.

 

If Pie wasn't leading off, than he'd probably be #8 in the lineup with Soriano there, I could live with that.

 

I really dont want Izturis on the team, despite is all-star defense. He isn't worth the money IMO. Cedeno is almost as good defensively and has room to improve offensively, plus he is cheap.

 

I would not be opposed to adding a veteran to fill out the rotation, but I'd rather not sign one, as the free agent crop is slim and guys like weaver will go at 7-9 mil. I'd probably trade some of our young pitching for someone like Paul Byrd or Kenny Rogers.

[Marco4]

I'd love to see Tim Wakefield as a Cub.

[Drew Doughty]

I know lineup order doesn't matter and all that fun stuff, but Soriano should never, ever lead off. Absolutely kills whatever production he adds as a power source. I'd much rather him hit solo shots from the 5 spot in the order.

[Magnetic Curses]

1. sign edmonds.

 

2. trade cedeno, marshall, jones, and cash for ryan freel.

 

3. sign jason schmidt.

 

4. sign mike mussina, but mulder would probably be a more, hendry-esque guy.

 

5. trade angel guzman for brady clark.

 

1. brady clark

2. ryan freel

3. dlee

4. edmonds

5. ramirez

6. barrett

7. murton

8. izturis

 

1. zambrano

2. schmidt

3. mussina

4. prior

5. hill

 

novoa

eyre

dempster

howry

ohman

wood

 

restovich

pagan

fontenot

theriot

branyan

???????

 

Your giving up way too much for Freel.

 

What happened to Howry? Is he included in the Freel trade also?

 

That starting rotation is very injury prone.

 

Trading for Brady Clark would make no sense. You would be giving up one of your best pitching prospects for him. Why not just re-sign Pierre? He brings more to the table than Brady Clark will.

 

1. no way i'm giving up too much for freel. freel is going to be expensive now given his frequent spots on web gems, cincinnati is going to want a starter and an OF who can step right in and be productive. i'm throwing cedeno in because they might want a SS, too, and i'm of no mind to let the exclusion of cedeno be a dealbreaker in a trade for freel. cedeno is of no use to us, let another team think he might be of use to them.

 

2. howry was initially included in a different trade, and i forgot to re-add him to the bullpen, so i fixed it. sorry.

 

3. injury prone? are you kidding me?

 

a. zambrano hasn't made less than 30 starts in a full season in his entire career.

 

b. schmidt will have averaged over 30 starts per year over the last five years after finsihing this season.

 

c. mussina hasn't made less than 24 starts in a single season in the last 14 seasons. he's also made 30 or more starts 10 times in those 14 years, and might get to 30 again this season.

 

d. hill is not injury prone as far as i can tell.

 

e. prior is injury prone, but as a back of the rotation starter, he' expendable and will have less pressure to perform. he's still also exteremely talented and worth the trouble.

 

this would be our most durable rotation in years. i don't know what you've been watching, but it's certainly not the actual numbers.

 

7. brady clark is more productive than juan pierre. he'll also be cheaper next season because all anyone sees with pierre is speed, it's definitely not OBP.

 

the team i've assembled is fueled by OBP. with clark and freel hitting in front of lee, ramirez, edmonds, and barrett, there will be plenty of RBIs to go around. murton would be allowed to grow, and izturis's offense probably wouldn't hurt us very badly, with his defense helping us immensely.

 

i've devised a way that the cubs can keep izturis, you should be excited.

 

i haven't even mentioned the bullpen, yet. the bullpen would be lights out, the manager could bring hill along slowly and coddle prior's pitch counts.

 

this team would score a lot of runs, the starters would throw a lot of innings, and the bullpen would hold a lot of leads. what's not to like?

[baseball7897]

1. sign edmonds.

 

2. trade cedeno, marshall, jones, and cash for ryan freel.

 

3. sign jason schmidt.

 

4. sign mike mussina, but mulder would probably be a more, hendry-esque guy.

 

5. trade angel guzman for brady clark.

 

1. brady clark

2. ryan freel

3. dlee

4. edmonds

5. ramirez

6. barrett

7. murton

8. izturis

 

1. zambrano

2. schmidt

3. mussina

4. prior

5. hill

 

novoa

eyre

dempster

howry

ohman

wood

 

restovich

pagan

fontenot

theriot

branyan

???????

 

Your giving up way too much for Freel.

 

What happened to Howry? Is he included in the Freel trade also?

 

That starting rotation is very injury prone.

 

Trading for Brady Clark would make no sense. You would be giving up one of your best pitching prospects for him. Why not just re-sign Pierre? He brings more to the table than Brady Clark will.

 

1. no way i'm giving up too much for freel. freel is going to be expensive now given his frequent spots on web gems, cincinnati is going to want a starter and an OF who can step right in and be productive. i'm throwing cedeno in because they might want a SS, too, and i'm of no mind to let the exclusion of cedeno be a dealbreaker in a trade for freel. cedeno is of no use to us, let another team think he might be of use to them.

 

2. howry was initially included in a different trade, and i forgot to re-add him to the bullpen, so i fixed it. sorry.

 

3. injury prone? are you kidding me?

 

a. zambrano hasn't made less than 30 starts in a full season in his entire career.

 

b. schmidt will have averaged over 30 starts per year over the last five years after finsihing this season.

 

c. mussina hasn't made less than 24 starts in a single season in the last 14 seasons. he's also made 30 or more starts 10 times in those 14 years, and might get to 30 again this season.

 

d. hill is not injury prone as far as i can tell.

 

e. prior is injury prone, but as a back of the rotation starter, he' expendable and will have less pressure to perform. he's still also exteremely talented and worth the trouble.

 

this would be our most durable rotation in years. i don't know what you've been watching, but it's certainly not the actual numbers.

 

7. brady clark is more productive than juan pierre. he'll also be cheaper next season because all anyone sees with pierre is speed, it's definitely not OBP.

 

the team i've assembled is fueled by OBP. with clark and freel hitting in front of lee, ramirez, edmonds, and barrett, there will be plenty of RBIs to go around. murton would be allowed to grow, and izturis's offense probably wouldn't hurt us very badly, with his defense helping us immensely.

 

i've devised a way that the cubs can keep izturis, you should be excited.

 

i haven't even mentioned the bullpen, yet. the bullpen would be lights out, the manager could bring hill along slowly and coddle prior's pitch counts.

 

this team would score a lot of runs, the starters would throw a lot of innings, and the bullpen would hold a lot of leads. what's not to like?

 

I just found that bolded part to be a joke.