Strive for mediocrity in 2007, or go for it in 2008?

[frostwyrm]

How do you plan to make Dempster disappear in option 2? Does it involve a shovel?

 

What about Glendon? You may need a backhoe for him.

[NCCubFan]

How do you plan to make Dempster disappear in option 2? Does it involve a shovel?

 

What about Glendon? You may need a backhoe for him.

Send them to the Bates Motel. :D (I just watched Psycho last night.)

[Iceblink]

a sidenote:

 

We're talking big business here (Trib), so cutting $30 million from payrollin 2007 does not in any way equal adding $30 million in 2008. That $30 million would go into the stockholder's pockets and Christmas bonuses for all the upper management.

 

Ding, ding, ding.

 

Exactly.

 

We're not only talking big business, but we're talking about an ownership group that's never shown wisdom when it comes to their baseball team. Financial wisdom for themselves? Sure. For the team? Nah.

[CubFanPhilly]

How do you plan to make Dempster disappear in option 2? Does it involve a shovel?

 

What about Glendon? You may need a backhoe for him.

 

Glendon is a DQP. Dempster is a trade (along with a big box of cash). Both are factored into the payroll total.

[Jehrico]

How do you plan to make Dempster disappear in option 2? Does it involve a shovel?

 

What about Glendon? You may need a backhoe for him.

 

Glendon is a DQP. Dempster is a trade (along with a big box of cash). Both are factored into the payroll total.

I'd rather keep Dempster over the offseason. We'd be paying someone to buy low if we dumped him. I think he's struggling with his confidence, and I also think that with an offseason followed by a low-pressure ST, he'll work things out and get it back. I don't expect him to ever put up Billy Wagner type numbers as a closer, but he should be able to serve as an effective setup man at the worst. Then trade him next year when his value peaks a little.

[mg420]

dempster needs to close until marmol gets some experience in aaa and can take over for him in the majors.

[CuseCubFan69]

The middle is the weak link on this team IMO, starting 8 wise. I like Barrett the best of the bunch and the Cubs really really need his bat because of poorly the whole team hits. Assuming....a big asumption that Ramirez does come back what options do the Cubs have to fix this problem? Could Lugo be signed and play 2B/leadoff thus pushing Izturis to the 8th spot (again assuming Murton will bat 2nd)? If Hendry makes this move he would have some extra middle infielders/prospects to make a deal and get Andruw Jones or Drew (Tims thought) for CF. Drew would give the Cubs an added left bat and then they could get the best available righty to platoon/pinch hit with for Jones.

 

Or....Get Soriano for 2B and move Jones to CF. Then, sign or trade for the best available RF. If the RF can lead off fine and if not put Murton in the leadoff slot. Also, why not put Murton in RF....he can't be any worse than Jones, and get a leadoff/good OBP guy for left? The Cubs have Theriot and Cedeno around for cheap and decent backups.

 

I think either option still leaves room $$$ for a free agent starting pitcher.