Rangers' Lee not out of Cubs future plans

[Schwarber Fan]

Go get him Jim!

[mg420]

if they can trade jones i'd be all for it. they would come at a hefty price tag but adding lee & schmidt would work 4 me. a possible OF murton, pierre & lee in 2007?

[Soriano12]

I would rather have Soriono

[erik316wttn]

Go get him Jim!

 

I've lost all faith in Jim Hendry to make any competent moves anymore.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Did anyone notice this?

 

The Cubs figure to have interest in Lee in free agency unless they are scared off by his asking price or they go with a total youth movement.

 

Is that even a possibility?

[Outshined_One]

Did anyone notice this?

 

The Cubs figure to have interest in Lee in free agency unless they are scared off by his asking price or they go with a total youth movement.

 

Is that even a possibility?

 

If Ramirez opts out and leaves, I could see this team being almost completely blown up and started over from scratch next season. This team needs his bat in the absolute worst way. I simply cannot see many situations in which he could leave and the Cubs would be able to pick up his slack (Soriano and Carlos Lee?).

 

However, I don't think that'll happen. Hendry would be run out of town if he let Ramirez walk away.

[nilodnayr]

Does Sullivan realize that if Lee would have moved to Boras it would have HELPED out chances of getting him? Hendry is one of the very few GMs that has a decent if not amicable relationship with Boras. A move to Boras would have eliminated much of our competition if we were to go after him.

[Backtobanks]

Did anyone notice this?

 

The Cubs figure to have interest in Lee in free agency unless they are scared off by his asking price or they go with a total youth movement.

 

Is that even a possibility?

 

The Cubs would never go with a total youth movement and risk their season sellout of tickets. This is especially true with the White Sox in or near contention every year.

[dvdd127]

I would rather have Soriono

i would rather have both of them.. because knowing our luck... if we only get one... then he will be injured.. and we will be screwed...lol

[Balsa]

Lee would be a big upgrade in LF, but I can't help thinking that trading Murton will haunt us for a long time.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

However, I don't think that'll happen. Hendry would be run out of town if he let Ramirez walk away.

 

I'm not sure about that - they've already laid out the anti-Aramis stuff (hustle, etc.) to bust out if the Cubs can't re-sign Ramirez. Aramis does sound like he wants to return, but who knows what happens once a player gets on the FA market.

[Bruno7481]

Lee would be a big upgrade in LF, but I can't help thinking that trading Murton will haunt us for a long time.

 

I like Murton quite a bit, I hope he remains with the Cubs.

 

Having said that, is he really the type of player that would haunt the Cubs for a long time? If so, I haven't seen it.

 

I think he will be a sold ML player, but nothing near a superstar.

[bhogg]

Hendry is one of the few GM's who believes the crap that Boras sells him.

 

Boras: I have C Lee. He's gonna be the next Babe Ruth. You can have him for 25 Million per year.

 

Hendry: I dunno. . .how about 28 million?

 

Boras: SOLD!!

[daske17]

Did anyone notice this?

 

The Cubs figure to have interest in Lee in free agency unless they are scared off by his asking price or they go with a total youth movement.

 

Is that even a possibility?

 

The Cubs would never go with a total youth movement and risk their season sellout of tickets. This is especially true with the White Sox in or near contention every year.

 

I don't know. Wrigley has still sold out almost every game this season with the crapitude on the field. And with a waiting list of some seven years for season tickets, I'm absolutely sure you could put a group of corporate middle-aged white guys on the field for batting practice and they'd still sell out. . . oh wait, the Cubs already kinda do that.

 

Snarkiness aside, the Cubs will have no problem selling tickets for years to come regardless of the product on the field.

[Andy]

Lee would be a big upgrade in LF, but I can't help thinking that trading Murton will haunt us for a long time.

I'm on record as saying that Murton will be a great player in Oakland in a few years.

[mg420]

Lee would be a big upgrade in LF, but I can't help thinking that trading Murton will haunt us for a long time.

 

I like Murton quite a bit, I hope he remains with the Cubs.

 

Having said that, is he really the type of player that would haunt the Cubs for a long time? If so, I haven't seen it.

 

I think he will be a sold ML player, but nothing near a superstar.

 

he doesn't need to be a "superstar" to be a very valuable left fielder. if he can hit .300 with 25 hr's & an ops around .850 he would be putting up alou like #'s and they wouldn't be paying him 10 mil a year. he can also field and run the bases well unlike moses. he's going to make some mistakes but if they dont trade him i think he can play a fine LF for many years to come.

[Balsa]

He's a great hitter, and takes his time at the plate, all he needs is a little power development. And that will come with time. Or maybe not.

 

But all he'd need to do was bump up his SLG to around the .500 level and he'd be a very servicable and cheap LF.

 

I mean, look at his line for August: .328/.357/.627

 

Hell, look at this month by month:

 

April: .286/.368/.442

May: 286/.358/.393

June: .212/.257/.227

July: .360/.421/.440

August: .328/.357/.627

 

Clearly he had a very tough time in May and June, but he's really adjusted well since then.

Edited August 27, 2006 by Balsa

[NorthsideAvenger]

Who says if the Cubs acquire Carlos Lee, they would have to trade Murton? It may not be a popular decision, but the Cubs could platoon Murton for the remainder of Jones contract, (2 yrs) and still go after Lee.

 

With that said....outside of money....how can Hendry convince any good to major free agents tocome to Chicago? I mean:

 

1: The Cubs are likely to have a new coaching staff

2: An offense that still blows worse then some high school teams.

 

Right now, I can't see the Northside being an attractive place to play right now, espeically with the White Sox playing as well as they have the past two yrs.

[CubColtPacer]

He's a great hitter, and takes his time at the plate, all he needs is a little power development. And that will come with time. Or maybe not.

 

But all he'd need to do was bump up his SLG to around the .500 level and he'd be a very servicable and cheap LF.

 

I think Murton can be just fine without getting up to .500 SLG, but it is not going to be easy for him to get up to that level. To compare, Pat Burrell is at .501 this year, and there are plenty of players we'd expect to be at .500 that are not (J.D. Drew, Ordonez, Abreu, Giles-the highest slugging for any of the 4 of them is .459). I'd expect more of a .450 to .460 SLG with a .375-.385 OBP-he'll be an above average corner outfielder that way who is cheap.

[CubColtPacer]

Who says if the Cubs acquire Carlos Lee, they would have to trade Murton? It may not be a popular decision, but the Cubs could platoon Murton for the remainder of Jones contract, (2 yrs) and still go after Lee.

 

With that said....outside of money....how can Hendry convince any good to major free agents tocome to Chicago? I mean:

 

1: The Cubs are likely to have a new coaching staff

2: An offense that still blows worse then some high school teams.

 

Right now, I can't see the Northside being an attractive place to play right now, espeically with the White Sox playing as well as they have the past two yrs.

 

It's still the Cubs. They might not be the most attractive place to play right now, but they are more attractive then some clubs-and if they offer the money, people will come. Also, if you are a big hitter (say Soriano) you still know that you are going to be in one of the better middle of the orders in the league.

[Balsa]

Who says if the Cubs acquire Carlos Lee, they would have to trade Murton? It may not be a popular decision, but the Cubs could platoon Murton for the remainder of Jones contract, (2 yrs) and still go after Lee.

 

With that said....outside of money....how can Hendry convince any good to major free agents tocome to Chicago? I mean:

 

1: The Cubs are likely to have a new coaching staff

2: An offense that still blows worse then some high school teams.

 

Right now, I can't see the Northside being an attractive place to play right now, espeically with the White Sox playing as well as they have the past two yrs.

 

It's still the Cubs. They might not be the most attractive place to play right now, but they are more attractive then some clubs-and if they offer the money, people will come. Also, if you are a big hitter (say Soriano) you still know that you are going to be in one of the better middle of the orders in the league.

Not only that, but the NL Central is pitifully weak right now.

[frostwyrm]

Lee would be a big upgrade in LF, but I can't help thinking that trading Murton will haunt us for a long time.

 

I like Murton quite a bit, I hope he remains with the Cubs.

 

Having said that, is he really the type of player that would haunt the Cubs for a long time? If so, I haven't seen it.

 

I think he will be a sold ML player, but nothing near a superstar.

Carlos Lee isn't a superstar either, but he will be paid like one. I'll take a solid player at the MLB minimum.

[CubinNY]

Lee would be a big upgrade in LF, but I can't help thinking that trading Murton will haunt us for a long time.

 

I like Murton quite a bit, I hope he remains with the Cubs.

 

Having said that, is he really the type of player that would haunt the Cubs for a long time? If so, I haven't seen it.

 

I think he will be a sold ML player, but nothing near a superstar.

Carlos Lee isn't a superstar either, but he will be paid like one. I'll take a solid player at the MLB minimum.

Ditto. Lee will be spactacularly overpaid for the remainder of his career and he is exiting his prime years.

 

He's no hustler either. Nor is he scrappy. And he is slow. And he is not a good fielder.

 

I don't know why JH would want him, except for the fact that he played for the WS and use to pound Cub pitching. When he's with the Cubs he won't be facing Cub pitching.

[Backtobanks]

Who says if the Cubs acquire Carlos Lee, they would have to trade Murton? It may not be a popular decision, but the Cubs could platoon Murton for the remainder of Jones contract, (2 yrs) and still go after Lee.

 

With that said....outside of money....how can Hendry convince any good to major free agents tocome to Chicago? I mean:

 

1: The Cubs are likely to have a new coaching staff

2: An offense that still blows worse then some high school teams.

 

Right now, I can't see the Northside being an attractive place to play right now, espeically with the White Sox playing as well as they have the past two yrs.

 

The Northside is still considered an attractive place to play because the expectations are low and the adoration (unless you're awful) is high. Also, there's plenty of extra money to be made through local advertising, personal appearances, etc. Finally, contrary to all of the excuse-makers, I think quite a few players enjoy the day baseball and having a regular relationship with their families.

[C.C.]

Who says if the Cubs acquire Carlos Lee, they would have to trade Murton? It may not be a popular decision, but the Cubs could platoon Murton for the remainder of Jones contract, (2 yrs) and still go after Lee.

 

With that said....outside of money....how can Hendry convince any good to major free agents tocome to Chicago? I mean:

 

1: The Cubs are likely to have a new coaching staff

2: An offense that still blows worse then some high school teams.

 

Right now, I can't see the Northside being an attractive place to play right now, espeically with the White Sox playing as well as they have the past two yrs.

 

The Northside is still considered an attractive place to play because the expectations are low and the adoration (unless you're awful) is high. Also, there's plenty of extra money to be made through local advertising, personal appearances, etc. Finally, contrary to all of the excuse-makers, I think quite a few players enjoy the day baseball and having a regular relationship with their families.

 

You don't hear too many players who don't like to play in Wrigley Field. It'll always be attractive place for players...And the added bonus of if the Cubs do win a WS that team will be adored forever. Heck, the 1984 team is still worshiped!