Who'se available for RF?

[A New Era]

Via FA or someone who might not take too much talent to net in a trade? I want someone slightly better than Jones OBP wise and simular slugging and HR.

 

Because my Ideal line-up, if Hendry did everything I wanted to do. It would be this. .

 

SS Theroit

LF Murton

1B D Lee

2B Soriano

3B Ramirez

C Barret

RF ~Jones

CF Pie

P

 

This would be a very good line-up freeing up alot of money for Starting Pitching and possibly a bid for Matsasuka and or Saito + another FA pitcher. .

[Mephistopheles]

jd drew

[CubsWin]

jd drew

I think Drew is clearly the best idea for RF. Unfortunately, it is not a sure thing that the Dodgers are willing to trade him. If he is available, then, yes, Drew, for the right price in talent, of course.

 

Otherwise, the pickings seem a bit slim on the FA side. Aubrey Huff is somewhat of a butcher in the field, but he's a fairly decent left-handed bat and can fill at 3B if Aramis goes down. After him, there's Jose Guillen. But he likely won't be healthy at the start of next season, will he?

 

It looks like keeping Jones or going the trade route are the best options for RF.

[AllStarMe]

Any chance the Nats would trade Kearns? I think he'd make a great addition in RF, and I seem to recall Hendry taking an interest in him. He won't be too expensive as he only made 1.85 M this year, and though his power dipped at RFK, he'd be another year older and playing at Wrigley I could see a .280/.370/.500 type season totally within his grasp.

 

I don't know what incentive Wahington would have to trade him, he didn't really blow anyone away after going there. We could take on Vidro's contract since I think they're looking to move him and make room in their mif for Guzman and Lopez. Their pitching is pretty shaky as well, so they'd be looking for help there.

 

Think they'd bite at

Jones + Marshall + Aardsma/Eyre + 2nd tier pitching prospect

for

Kearns and Vidro?

 

The salaries would be close to a wash, Vidro is a great option to bat 2nd when healthy, and we have a competent backup in Theriot to spell Vidro for games or sub for an extended amount of time.

 

Although it could be fine tuned, this trade could make us a great deal better while leaving ample payroll room for additional moves to shore up the rotation and get a big bat at SS or CF. Perhaps trade for Tejada and plug in Pie in center. An outfield of Murton, Pie, and Kearns could be very good for a number of years.

 

I just looked at Kearns's 3 yr splits, and he's had a 978 OPS at Wrigley and 1.308 in StL.

 

Whaddaysay?

[CubFanPhilly]

I like the approach, but I'd prefer to avoid Soriano, platoon Theriot and Fontenot at 2B (Cedeno is "Plan B") and deal Izturis and the farm for A-Rod or Tejada.

 

FA or potentially available ('06 OPS as RF - J. Jones .836):

J.D. Drew .889

A. Kearns .842

M. Bradley .821

G. Jenkins .797

T. Nixon .779

 

If Murton could shift to RF:

P. Burrell .926

C. Lee .897

A. Dunn .854

F. Catalanotto .841

L. Gonzalez .806

 

Long shots, but what the heck:

M. Ramirez 1.048

B. Bonds .994

M. Cabrera .941

B. Abreu .875

 

Enough power (and perhaps enough arm?) to shift to RF:

V. Wells .906

A. Jones .895

M. Cameron .836

 

 

I think Burrell and Dunn are the most realistic trade targets, but they're not "guys who can catch the ball" making them the least likely acquisitions for Hendry and Piniella.

 

If I were to guess right now what will really happen it's:

CF Lofton

SS Lugo

1B D Lee

3B Ramirez

RF C Lee

LF Murton

C Barrett

2B Theriot

P

 

CFP

[RonSanto4HOF]

I'm not trying to pick on you, but why do people think Izturis and Cedeno are just going to disappear?

[BigbadB]

I'm not trying to pick on you, but why do people think Izturis and Cedeno are just going to disappear?

 

Because they need to. Actually, I'm okay with Izturis and Theriot as the utility infielders. If this team wants to improve the offense, they can't pencil in horrible OBP guys like Izturis or relative unknowns like Theriot.

 

For those expecting Theriot to continue to hit like he did in 2006, I'll quickly remind you that Cedeno did enough in 2005 to have our support with a starting job in 2006. Neifi Perez did enough at the end of 2004 to have management's support in 2005 and beyond.

 

Theriot is basically an unknown. I'd rather go with a known commodity.

 

Also, if there is a spot open for Izturis or Theriot, I have no faith that Lou would give the nod to Theriot over Izturis. Izturis has a slick glove, therefore his offensive deficiencies will be forgiven.

[rawaction]

jd drew

I think Drew is clearly the best idea for RF. Unfortunately, it is not a sure thing that the Dodgers are willing to trade him. If he is available, then, yes, Drew, for the right price in talent, of course.

 

Otherwise, the pickings seem a bit slim on the FA side. Aubrey Huff is somewhat of a butcher in the field, but he's a fairly decent left-handed bat and can fill at 3B if Aramis goes down. After him, there's Jose Guillen. But he likely won't be healthy at the start of next season, will he?

 

It looks like keeping Jones or going the trade route are the best options for RF.

 

I think Drew could be had. I think the Dodgers will go with Ethier and Kemp at 2 OF spots. Loney should be at 1B, with Furcal at SS and Betemit at 3B or 2B. I think they would still like to add a big RH bat, either at 3B (if Aramis leaves Chicago, look for him here) or in RF. They are also looking to add a big FA pitcher, IMO. So, I think Drew could be expendable if they get a Carlos Lee or Soriano and a pitcher like Zito.

 

It's probably a long shot, though.

[Guest]

I'm not sure I've mentioned this before, but I really, really really wish we had made the move for Abreu at the trade deadline.

[sherwood921]

P. Burrell .926

 

I would love Burrell. I'm afraid Philly will hold onto him now though because of their late season surge.

[CubFanPhilly]

P. Burrell .926

 

I would love Burrell. I'm afraid Philly will hold onto him now though because of their late season surge.

 

Gillick has made it clear that he'd prefer to move Burrell. He's come out and said that Burrell is not the guy to bat behind Howard.

 

Oct 19 Burrell will be shopped this off-season in an attempt to free up some salary and pursue more pitching, the Phillies' official site reports.

 

Recommendation: GM Pat Gillick said of the productive but inconsistent left fielder: "We know that at this point, Pat has had a difficult time protecting [Ryan] Howard." Burrell is owed $27 million over the next two season, so the Phillies would have to pay part of his salary as part of any potential deal. Burrell would have been shipped to Baltimore this past July had he agreed to drop his no-trade clause, and it appears Gillick will do his best to move him this winter.

 

 

Oct 18 Ken Mandel, of Phillies.MLB.com, reports the Philadelphia Phillies will try to move OF Pat Burrell this offseason. "We know that at this point, Pat has had a difficult time protecting [Ryan] Howard. We're going to have to continue to have to make an adjustment in that area," said general manager Pat Gillick.

 

The trick isn't getting the Phillies to deal Burrell, it's getting Burrell to waive his no-trade clause and getting the Phillies to take Jones back and a bad contract or throw in some cash.

[Neuby]

I would not mind Burrell because I don't think it would take much in terms of talent to get him. Jones and Nova for Burrell and Cash. It upgrades right field without dipping into the money has to improve other area's.

[JeffH]

Pat Burrell trying to play RF at Wrigley?

 

Sweet Mother Of All That Is Good And Pure, save us from that.

[JeffH]

Re-sign Ramirez.

 

Trade for Kearns and Drew. Put Kearns in RF and Drew in CF.

 

Sign Lugo for 2B.

 

Lugo-Murton-Drew-Lee-Ramirez-Kearns-Barrett-Izturis

[rawaction]

I'm not sure I've mentioned this before, but I really, really really wish we had made the move for Abreu at the trade deadline.

 

Tejada after the 03 season. Beltran after 04. Abreu 06 deadline. To me, having Alex Gonzalez, an expensive Sosa, and a losing team in those respective years are not reasons to let great bats go without giving much of an effort. I will forgive the Vlad thing with a still somewhat good Sosa and Alou.

[BigbadB]

I'm not sure I've mentioned this before, but I really, really really wish we had made the move for Abreu at the trade deadline.

 

Tejada after the 03 season. Beltran after 04. Abreu 06 deadline. To me, having Alex Gonzalez, an expensive Sosa, and a losing team in those respective years are not reasons to let great bats go without giving much of an effort. I will forgive the Vlad thing with a still somewhat good Sosa and Alou.

 

I cannot forgive the Vlad thing. Sosa's defensive skills had reduced him to nothing more than an average/below average LFer by that time. Felipe Alou had just taken the San Francisco Giants job, which made it easy to move Alou to the Giants.

 

Vlad in RF and Sosa to LF.

 

Sosa was horrible in RF and Alou ended up in San Fran anyway via FA. Vlad is not here.

[rawaction]

I'm not sure I've mentioned this before, but I really, really really wish we had made the move for Abreu at the trade deadline.

 

Tejada after the 03 season. Beltran after 04. Abreu 06 deadline. To me, having Alex Gonzalez, an expensive Sosa, and a losing team in those respective years are not reasons to let great bats go without giving much of an effort. I will forgive the Vlad thing with a still somewhat good Sosa and Alou.

 

I cannot forgive the Vlad thing. Sosa's defensive skills had reduced him to nothing more than an average/below average LFer by that time. Felipe Alou had just taken the San Francisco Giants job, which made it easy to move Alou to the Giants.

 

Vlad in RF and Sosa to LF.

 

Sosa was horrible in RF and Alou ended up in San Fran anyway via FA. Vlad is not here.

 

Remember Vlad had pretty scary back issues at that time too. I did want Vlad as much as anyone, but it was a lot less likely for the Cubs to be able to get rid of Alou at that point than it was to get rid of Sosa after 04.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

What do you think the Nationals would ask for Kearns? He's a damn nice player to have right now, finally growing into the player everyone thought he would be.

 

Bowden loves athletic guys.

 

And we could net a CFer with the Nationals too (they seem to hate Ryan Church).

 

Trading for either one would help our OF because both are excellent defensive players and good hitters who haven't gotten a chance before for whatever reason.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

What do you think the Nationals would ask for Kearns? He's a damn nice player to have right now, finally growing into the player everyone thought he would be.

 

Bowden loves athletic guys.

 

And we could net a CFer with the Nationals too (they seem to hate Ryan Church).

 

Trading for either one would help our OF because both are excellent defensive players and good hitters who haven't gotten a chance before for whatever reason.

 

I think a lot will depend on how the Nats plan to rebuild. While Bowden may be the GM, I firmly believe Stan Katsen is calling the shots.

 

I'd look to use some pitchers from the minors or a package built around Marshall.

[Backtobanks]

What do you think the Nationals would ask for Kearns? He's a damn nice player to have right now, finally growing into the player everyone thought he would be.

 

Bowden loves athletic guys.

 

And we could net a CFer with the Nationals too (they seem to hate Ryan Church).

 

Trading for either one would help our OF because both are excellent defensive players and good hitters who haven't gotten a chance before for whatever reason.

 

I think a lot will depend on how the Nats plan to rebuild. While Bowden may be the GM, I firmly believe Stan Katsen is calling the shots.

 

I'd look to use some pitchers from the minors or a package built around Marshall.

 

So much depends on which free agents the Cubs have a shot at. If you go all out for Soriano, what position does he play? I think it would really be interesting being Hendry this offseason and trying to make all of the pieces (free agents, trades, budget) fit together.

[CuseCubFan69]

What do you think the Nationals would ask for Kearns? He's a damn nice player to have right now, finally growing into the player everyone thought he would be.

 

Bowden loves athletic guys.

 

And we could net a CFer with the Nationals too (they seem to hate Ryan Church).

 

Trading for either one would help our OF because both are excellent defensive players and good hitters who haven't gotten a chance before for whatever reason.

 

I think a lot will depend on how the Nats plan to rebuild. While Bowden may be the GM, I firmly believe Stan Katsen is calling the shots.

 

I'd look to use some pitchers from the minors or a package built around Marshall.

 

Who's Stan Katsen? Is he Bowdens bartender?