Cubs going after star-studded roster

synergy · October 17, 2006

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/99274,CST-SPT-cub17.article

Cubs to pursue Soriano, C. Lee, AND Schmidt.....

wow.

KingCubsFan · October 17, 2006

Will someone please explain to me why people still think of Soriano as a leadoff hitter?

C.C. · October 17, 2006

It's where he's most comfortable and his OBP of .368 at the number 1 slot last year ain't all that bad.

C.C. · October 17, 2006

I believe it! And quite frankly they have no choice. Losing viewership to the W.Sox I'm sure was an embarrasment for the Cubs.

Mark Priors Calves · October 17, 2006

Its not bad at all, but his SLG is much more beneficially a bit farther down in the order.

CubColtPacer · October 17, 2006

That's true, but when courting a free agent one has to be amenable to some things they may want, and letting Soriano bat leadoff would be a fine concession to make to him.

CubinNY · October 17, 2006

Will someone please explain to me why Hendry is going after Carlos Lee?

soapy · October 17, 2006

That's what I'd like to know as well. I'm not too concerned with where Soriano would hit in the lineup, but am encouraged that they view him as an option in CF. No thanks to Lee.

Tracer Bullet · October 17, 2006

His OBP last year was .351, which isn't great for a leadoff hitter. His career .325 OBP would look pretty bad in the top spot.

TheDude · October 17, 2006

ESPN Sportscenter last night also threw out a very brief one-liner when discussing the Piniella signing - they noted Piniella said he wants to pursue Alex Rodriguez in the offseason.

Bote McBoteface · October 17, 2006

An A-rod trade would most likely involve Mark Prior and/or Ronny Cedeno, would it not?

C.C. · October 17, 2006

I have no idea! Save the 12 million and kepp Murton out there.

TheDude · October 17, 2006

No clue. I'm simply pointing out that a major sports news outlet attributed the comment to Piniella, as opposed to ordinary random fanboy dream lineup speculation.

goonys evil twin · October 17, 2006

One of two possible good reasons:

A) As negotiating leverage with others (if you don't sign, we'll get somebody else).

B) Because he's planning on dumping Jones and thinking of all possible OF options.

One really terrible reason:

He thinks Lee should replace Murton.

TheDude · October 17, 2006

I was actually thinking he might consider Murton the 400 AB 4th outfielder in that scenario, getting starts around the outfield and in all AL away games.

Bote McBoteface · October 17, 2006

Maybe he's just bluffing so that Aram will think that they are making progress and re-sign with us. Then once that is done he'll go back to his normal self?

wastra · October 17, 2006

First off, it's encouraging that Hendry seems to want to spend big buck and put together a pretty dominant team NOW.

Second, I have littel faith he'll do it successfully.

Third, I'd rather pass on Lee and spend the money getting Soriano, Schmidt AND another quality starting pitcher.

TheDude · October 17, 2006

You really think Hendry is going out of his way to be more wily and manipulative than Dr. Claw?

Seriously, is it difficult to think Hendry would pursue top talent? He went after Lee, Ramirez, and Garciaparra. He's gone after Soriano several times in the past as well.

Coming off the season he just had, with a new manager ready, and a reported increased budget (not to mention he likely wants his own contract extended following a good year), Hendry probably recognizes this is the year he must show his worth to the organization, or he could be out after 2008.

BigbadB · October 17, 2006

How often does a team go out and get 3 of the top 5 free agents AND trade for one of the best available players via trade in 1 offseason?

Ain't happenin'.

UK1679666180 · October 17, 2006

Showing interest and going after them is different than actually getting them.

I don't see the Cubs getting all 3 or getting to a point where they realistically plot Murton into a 4th OF'er role. Nor, do I think a 4th OF'er can get 400ABs minus injuries or a starter struggling.

Tracer Bullet · October 17, 2006

I'd settle for 2/5 (Schmidt & Soriano) and the trade for ARod.

Knyption · October 17, 2006

Knowing the cubs luck.. they will sign schmidt and he will be hurt by May.

They will sign Soriano and he will hit 40 hr's with about as many walks and 200 k's

They will sign C. Lee and he injure his leg in july and be out for the year

Prior will return to form and look good till august then go down needing tommy john's

Wood will become a killer closer and suffer gagne syndrome.

Soriano - KKKKKKKKK's

D. Lee - Good Season

Theroit - Flash in the pot

Cedeno / Izzy - Terrible OBP

Aram - Benched due to laziness

C. Lee - Killer season then leg trouble

J. Jones - Fulltime while Murton sits the bench A LOT

BArrent - Another fist fight and be suspended 2 weeks during the stretch

Zambrano - Arm Surgery

Prior - Back to form, then injured again

Schmidt - Season ending shoulder trouble in May

Hill - Inconsistant but promising

Whoever - Up and down from the minors

Wood- looking good as closer than just blowing up again

everyone else - pissed off

2007's MOST PISSED OFF MAN ON THE EARTH: LOU Piniella - he'll prolly end up breaking a camera or something.

jmajew · October 17, 2006

All I ask from the Cubs is to trade for A-rod, sign Mike Cameron, and sign eitehr Daz, Zito, or Scmidt. If you can't get A-rod then go after Julio Lugo.

A lineup of Theriot, Murton, Lee, A-rod, Aram, Barrett, Cameron, Jones or Lugo, Theriot, Lee, Aram, Murton, Barrett, Cameron, Jones both look pretty good.

TheDude · October 17, 2006

I don't think anybody actually expects to land all these players. The point is, they sure seem bent on getting at least one of them, and doing so improves the team.

It isn't fair to put the GM in a no-win situation. The Cubs have a reputation for not pulling the trigger on the big names. Hendry appears to be trying to change that reputation, with Lee's deal, Ramirez's deal, and the rumors he is floating in the media.

Obviously we all have to wait and see what happens, but it is exciting to see the Cubs pursuing some major talent.

USSoccer · October 17, 2006

Isn't there a limit to the number of Type A FA's you can sign?

Cubs going after star-studded roster

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