Paul Sullivan's rehaul of the Chicago Cubs

[dew1679666265]

We would be stupid to sign Pierre to a multi-year deal. Arbitration is the way to go, even if he will make 12mil per for that one year, that would be ok and if not, hey we get draft picks.

 

If we pay Juan Pierre 12 million next year, I, I...I dont know what I'll do. But it'd be especially cool if we sign Juan Pierre for 12 million, then lose Aram, to be replaced with Rich Aurillia.

 

Juan

Izturis

Lee

Aurillia

Jones

Barrett

Murton

Cedeno

 

300 runs scored in '07. Catch the excitement.

If we lose ARam we are done for, no matter what.

 

So, we might as well overpay for ARam right? At least we'll be getting good production from a player in his prime?

 

Man, I love the offseason, but next year looks so damn bleak. Hendry better have some trades in between the fat.

Hendry has def laid an egg on this one, but we all knew this was expected with that fool. I think it's to the point where we might not have no choice but to slightly overpay. WHo knows what ARam and his agent are thinking. One way or another I don't see how we would make the playoffs next year.

 

I disagree, we certainly shouldn't be favorites, but I think we could put together a contending ballclub. As I've mentioned earlier in this thread, add Andruw and Durham, play Murton in LF, and get a platoon guy in RF for Jacque, and our offense is much improved.

 

Durham

Murton

Lee

Andruw

Aramis

Jones

Barrett

Izturis

 

Add Fredi Gonzalez or Joe Girardi at manager, and maybe a semi cheap veteran starter and we're a pretty solid team. Not favorites for the playoffs and certainly not where we should be, but we can build a contender by next season.

 

That's a great lineup. But it is dependent on so many things happening in the right way. I pray it goes that way. But what if

 

a) Ramirez walks

b) Cedeno is our 2B

c) Jones was signed to play everyday

d) Sweet Lou is on our bench

 

Stranger things have happened. It is all a matter of which Jim shows up. Independent Jim or ManagerBish Jim. Independent Jim, the Jim that dumped Hundley, got us Lofton, Ramirez, Lee and Nomar. Or if we get Neifi! Macias, Enr!que, DJackson, THubbs, Jim.

 

a) Ramirez walks, we rebuild. Simple as that.

b) I really doubt it. Cedeno is likely going to assume the Neifi role or be traded. I doubt Hendry likes him enough to forgive this gosh awful season that easily.

c) Still with that lineup, a platoon is not necessary just helpful. Simply moving Jones down the lineup against lefties would help.

d) That could prove to be a problem if Sweet Lou is really like Dusty, but I suspect Hendry really likes Fredi, considering he was on Hendry's list when we got Baker.

 

So yes, there are quite a few ifs, but it's not out of the realm of possibilites that we field a solid team next year. I doubt my ideal lineup is exact but I wouldn't be surprised to see Hendry pursue something similar.

 

Okay, you calmed me down pretty good. I hope Hendry gets a manager sans ego. No Chevy commercials or nothing. Just someone who does their job, like Francona in Boston (before the title). I really think a Baker is to blame for many of the acquisitions. I know, I know, that means Rick Morrissey thinks I'm a racist. But otherwise, it just doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

 

Honestly, I think Baker played a large role in Hendry going for guys like Neifi, no platoon for Jacque, etc. Don't get me wrong, Hendry's no saint and he's certainly not innocent in all this, but I'm interested to see what happens this offseason with Baker gone. I'm still willing to give Hendry another chance.