Rangers' Lee not out of Cubs future plans

[St.Paul Cub]

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.

 

I totally agree. Murton could platoon and provide inexpensive insurance if someone is injured. It probably wouldn't go over very well, but I'd consider putting Jones in CF too.

[Soriano12]

Carlos Lee is a luxury at this point.

 

The offseason should be focused on pitching, pitching, pitching, with some more pitching.

 

If Murton continues to develop, combine that with a healthy Lee and Aram...add in a 2B that can get on base, plus a new offensive philosphy via a new manager...I think the offense will be much improved.

[jmajew]

Carlos Lee is not worth the money he will get on the open market. He is not worth more than 10 million a year. He will probably get somewhere around 13 mil a year. To put this into context Paul Konerko is making 12 million a year and he has put up better numbers than Lee. Lee's career OBP 339 vs. Konerko 352. With that said I don't think Soriano is worth 13 mil a year either to play LF, simply because the increase in production is not worth and extra 12 mil. If Soriano were to play second I'd be more willing to pay him the extra 12 mil. Simply because we do not have a cheap option who can put up any sort of acceptable numbers at second.

 

Lets get this straight. The problem with the Cubs lineup isn't that we dont' have enough big boppers in the middle. The problem is that we have too many blackholes in this lineup. Between Pierre, Izturis, Cedeno, and the pitchers spot we have a serious lake of depth problem in the lineup. The cubs shouldn't use all of their money on one or two players. The need to sign/trade for a decent 2b, either Giles or Loretta, need to get a CF who will be around for a year to Pie is ready, Lofton?, then go out and get a platoon partner for Jones, Craig Wilson, and sign a starting pitcher for around 10-12 mil, zito or schmidt. I think a RH lineup of Lofton, Giles/Loretta, DLee, Ramirez, Jones, Barrett, Murton, Izturis/Cedeno and LH Lofton, Giles/Loretta, DLee, Ramirez, Barrett, Murton, Wilson, Izturis/Cedeno is much better than Pierre, Murton, DLee, Ramirez, CLee, Barrett, Izturis, Cedeno.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

If the Cubs are going to shell out 12+ million for an over-priced FA bat, I'd prefer the money be spent on Soriano and that we play him at secondbase.

 

I'm not advocating getting Sori, just that he would be preferred to Lee because he can play second, and if given the choice between Murton or Cedeno, I'd choose Murton every time.

[goonys evil twin]

Carlos Lee is a luxury at this point.

 

The offseason should be focused on pitching, pitching, pitching, with some more pitching.

 

If Murton continues to develop, combine that with a healthy Lee and Aram...add in a 2B that can get on base, plus a new offensive philosphy via a new manager...I think the offense will be much improved.

 

Not enough.

 

The offense is not going to just gel into solid group. It's been the weakness of this team for years now. If any part of the team stands a chance of taking what we have and turning into a solid core, it's the pitching. At least the Cubs have lots of pitching talent around. They don't have much in terms of offensive talent, and they desperately have to look outside the organization for help.

 

Pitching is far too inconsistent to rely upon it to carry your team. Sure, every year some team comes out of nowhere on the strength of their pitching, but it's next to impossible to plan for such an event. The best bet is to build the best all-around team, which means the best offense and the best pitching you can find.

[Backtobanks]

Carlos Lee is a luxury at this point.

 

The offseason should be focused on pitching, pitching, pitching, with some more pitching.

 

If Murton continues to develop, combine that with a healthy Lee and Aram...add in a 2B that can get on base, plus a new offensive philosphy via a new manager...I think the offense will be much improved.

 

I disagree. Obviously they need to sign or trade for at least one starter, but you can't win with the 8 position players they put into the lineup everyday. The Cubs have shown some promise in the young pitchers, but the offense continues to be pitiful. I wouldn't be surprized if Hendry gets an impact bat by packaging Cedeno and some of the pitching prospects. If Angelos ever realizes that his team is going nowhere, Tejada might be available. My hope is that the Marlins might trade Cabrera for a ton of prospects before he starts costing them too much money. The emphasis has been on the free agents (Lee & Soriano), but we don't know what names might be available in a trade during the off season.

[rawaction]

Carlos Lee is not worth the money he will get on the open market. He is not worth more than 10 million a year. He will probably get somewhere around 13 mil a year. To put this into context Paul Konerko is making 12 million a year and he has put up better numbers than Lee. Lee's career OBP 339 vs. Konerko 352. With that said I don't think Soriano is worth 13 mil a year either to play LF, simply because the increase in production is not worth and extra 12 mil. If Soriano were to play second I'd be more willing to pay him the extra 12 mil. Simply because we do not have a cheap option who can put up any sort of acceptable numbers at second.

 

Lets get this straight. The problem with the Cubs lineup isn't that we dont' have enough big boppers in the middle. The problem is that we have too many blackholes in this lineup. Between Pierre, Izturis, Cedeno, and the pitchers spot we have a serious lake of depth problem in the lineup. The cubs shouldn't use all of their money on one or two players. The need to sign/trade for a decent 2b, either Giles or Loretta, need to get a CF who will be around for a year to Pie is ready, Lofton?, then go out and get a platoon partner for Jones, Craig Wilson, and sign a starting pitcher for around 10-12 mil, zito or schmidt. I think a RH lineup of Lofton, Giles/Loretta, DLee, Ramirez, Jones, Barrett, Murton, Izturis/Cedeno and LH Lofton, Giles/Loretta, DLee, Ramirez, Barrett, Murton, Wilson, Izturis/Cedeno is much better than Pierre, Murton, DLee, Ramirez, CLee, Barrett, Izturis, Cedeno.

 

I agree that this is probably the cheapest way to make the team look better right away. The RF platoon and legit OBP in CF and 2B (although, I'm not a big Lofton fan), could make the offense slightly above average. With big years again from Lee, Barrett and Ramirez and something useful from Izturis, it could be a real good offense.

[NorthsideAvenger]

I just don't see any major free agents coming to Chicago, unless Hendry flies off the rocker, and gives said player a Mike Hamptonesque "IDIOT" contract. And quite frankly, there isn't a player in the free agent market that is worth it.

 

I rather see, if the Cubs can improve the offense, either through trade, or through in-house talent.

[Soriano12]

Carlos Lee is a luxury at this point.

 

The offseason should be focused on pitching, pitching, pitching, with some more pitching.

 

If Murton continues to develop, combine that with a healthy Lee and Aram...add in a 2B that can get on base, plus a new offensive philosphy via a new manager...I think the offense will be much improved.

 

I disagree. Obviously they need to sign or trade for at least one starter, but you can't win with the 8 position players they put into the lineup everyday. The Cubs have shown some promise in the young pitchers, but the offense continues to be pitiful. I wouldn't be surprized if Hendry gets an impact bat by packaging Cedeno and some of the pitching prospects. If Angelos ever realizes that his team is going nowhere, Tejada might be available. My hope is that the Marlins might trade Cabrera for a ton of prospects before he starts costing them too much money. The emphasis has been on the free agents (Lee & Soriano), but we don't know what names might be available in a trade during the off season.

 

Cabrera is an interesting proposition.

 

The Cubs and Marlins seem to have strange relationship.

 

We get screwed on the Dontrelle Willis deal.

 

They get screwed on the Derrek Lee deal.

 

We get screwed on the Juan Pierre deal...

 

So..they owe us....Cabrera in Wrigley...A man can dream.cant he.

:D

[RichHillIsABeast]

Unfortunately, Cabrera won't be coming to the Cubs. We really don't have the prospects, especially the position prospects, to get him.

 

It looks like overspending in FA might be the way to go. I'll take Soriano over Lee in LF. He's the better athlete and baseball player. He's a butcher at 2B, but at least there's some flexibility if Ronny Cedeno tanks (if he hasn't already).

[wvcbxl]

We get screwed on the Dontrelle Willis deal.

 

I don't think that's a fair comment.

Outside of Tim, most people reacted with a "Dontrelle Who?"

IIRC Willis was the lowest level prospect of the three involved in that deal, and still a very long way from the majors at the time.

[Backtobanks]

Unfortunately, Cabrera won't be coming to the Cubs. We really don't have the prospects, especially the position prospects, to get him.

It looks like overspending in FA might be the way to go. I'll take Soriano over Lee in LF. He's the better athlete and baseball player. He's a butcher at 2B, but at least there's some flexibility if Ronny Cedeno tanks (if he hasn't already).

 

But we could trade pitching prospects to the Marlins who could then trade them for positional prospects. Most teams are looking for pitching prospects over positional prospects.

[Soriano12]

We get screwed on the Dontrelle Willis deal.

 

I don't think that's a fair comment.

Outside of Tim, most people reacted with a "Dontrelle Who?"

IIRC Willis was the lowest level prospect of the three involved in that deal, and still a very long way from the majors at the time.

 

regardless....Willis has develeoped into one of the best young starters

in the NL.

 

6 Fingers was a bust.

 

Clement was serviceable for a while, ate innings etc.

[Magnetic Curses]

lee's never put up a .900 OPS, i just don't think he's going to be worth what is thrown at him. maybe he will be, but i'm not convinced--especially after he turned down that offer from the brewers.

 

however, i do love miguel cabrera.

[RynoRules]

I don't recall who it was who mentioned it, but I submit that expectations are not low and unfettered adoration cannot be expected at Wrigley any longer. The atmosphere changed in a big way after 03'. No more lovable losers - just losers.

[mg420]

lee's never put up a .900 OPS, i just don't think he's going to be worth what is thrown at him. maybe he will be, but i'm not convinced--especially after he turned down that offer from the brewers.

 

however, i do love miguel cabrera.

 

he did have .891 in 04, & has .888 so far this year. not exactly .900 but close enough. he hits .300 with 30 hr & 100 rbi every year. not sure what he's worth but there aren't many guys out there available who put up those #'s and the cubs should have alot of cash to spend next year. i would rather see them over pay in salary than in prospects.

[mul21]

lee's never put up a .900 OPS, i just don't think he's going to be worth what is thrown at him. maybe he will be, but i'm not convinced--especially after he turned down that offer from the brewers.

 

however, i do love miguel cabrera.

 

he did have .891 in 04, & has .888 so far this year. not exactly .900 but close enough. he hits .300 with 30 hr & 100 rbi every year. not sure what he's worth but there aren't many guys out there available who put up those #'s and the cubs should have alot of cash to spend next year. i would rather see them over pay in salary than in prospects.

 

Carlos Lee has only hit .300 for a full season twice in 7 full years and has been in the .260s 3 times. This year is the 4th straight he's hit 30 homers, but the big contract he'll get will put him at 34 or 35 by the end of it and he'll be an albatross to the payroll. Not to mention he's a butcher in the outfield. Would I like to see him in a Cubs uniform? Yeah, but not at the pricetag he'll demand.

[YearofDaCubs]

I just don't see any major free agents coming to Chicago, unless Hendry flies off the rocker, and gives said player a Mike Hamptonesque "IDIOT" contract. And quite frankly, there isn't a player in the free agent market that is worth it.

 

I rather see, if the Cubs can improve the offense, either through trade, or through in-house talent.

The problem is we don't have too much in-house talent.

[goonys evil twin]

lee's never put up a .900 OPS, i just don't think he's going to be worth what is thrown at him. maybe he will be, but i'm not convinced--especially after he turned down that offer from the brewers.

 

however, i do love miguel cabrera.

 

he did have .891 in 04, & has .888 so far this year. not exactly .900 but close enough. he hits .300 with 30 hr & 100 rbi every year. not sure what he's worth but there aren't many guys out there available who put up those #'s and the cubs should have alot of cash to spend next year. i would rather see them over pay in salary than in prospects.

 

No it is not close enough. And no, he does not hit .300/30/100 every year.

 

I don't understand why people are so willing to give guys accolades they have not earned. Hitting .300 once does not make you a .300 hitter. Driving in 100 a couple times does not mean you do it every year.

 

The fact is Lee's actual productivity is dwarfed by the productivity given to him by his reputation, always a concern when it comes to overpaying guys. This is the opposite of the situations Brian Giles and Bobby Abreu faced throughout their careers.

[davearm]

Carlos Lee needs to stay in the AL, where he can gradually migrate into DH-hood.

 

If an NL team signs him, he'll be the next Pat Burrell: solid power hitter, lousy LF, injury headache, huge contract, untradeable.

[neely crenshaw]

first, hendry has never brought a front line free agnet or trade to chicago.he always deals in players with issues.

he tends to try to catch lightning in a bottle

also sometimes to land the guy you want you have to be ready to overspend....

hindsight is 20/20 but 15 mil for beltran seems cheap compared to the 12.5 we pay for pieere and jones.

also we didn't want to overspend on furcal so we instead over spent on neifi beause we needed a vet behind cedeno, we overspent on pieere because we needed a lead off man, and we overspent on jones because we needed an impact signing. we could have eliminated all those by signing furcal for a little more money!

i think it's fair to say that a lineup that corey in it with furcal is easily equal to a neifi-pierre-jones combo

how about if we had an outfield of cpatt-beltran and murton?

as i said hindsight is 20/20 but i still think when you target a guy that you need to make a difference you have to go get that guy!

hendry would rather take plan c!