Cubs Will Target Soriano, Schmidt

[TB_11]

Hendry does a lot of things wrong, but he's pretty good at evaluating our own system and knowing who to trade.

 

Accurate assessment. Additionally if upper management is committed to increasing the payroll, this would be a good time to start accumulate proven veterans through free agent signings and trades.

[mg420]

Schmidt + Kuroda = Good

Soriano = Bad

 

where would you prefer the much needed offense to come from?

 

i don't love soriano or anything, but he's the best hope for making this offense respectable.

 

i would much rather see drew in cf for the cubs than soriano.

 

As would I but Drew may cost the Cubs plenty in prospects as Soriano will just cost money, especially if the Cubs lose Ramirez they'll need all the assets to get a 3rd baseman. Hendry has some very good options and if he screws this one up he deserves the boot.

 

i dont know that to be true. the dogers have several good young Of guy like either & kemp that are ready to take his place and they might take less than you think to lose drew's large contract. they need some lefties in the bullpen so maybe eyre & ohman might be enough for drew. i know it's a longshot but stranger things have happened.

[davearm]

Schmidt + Kuroda = Good

Soriano = Bad

 

where would you prefer the much needed offense to come from?

 

i don't love soriano or anything, but he's the best hope for making this offense respectable.

 

i would much rather see drew in cf for the cubs than soriano.

 

As would I but Drew may cost the Cubs plenty in prospects as Soriano will just cost money, especially if the Cubs lose Ramirez they'll need all the assets to get a 3rd baseman. Hendry has some very good options and if he screws this one up he deserves the boot.

 

i dont know that to be true. the dogers have several good young Of guy like either & kemp that are ready to take his place and they might take less than you think to lose drew's large contract. they need some lefties in the bullpen so maybe eyre & ohman might be enough for drew. i know it's a longshot but stranger things have happened.

I was thinking that if they're in a hurry to get rid of Drew's contract, then maybe they take Jones straight up. That saves them a pretty nice chunk of change over 2 years.

 

If Murton could play in RF, then Burrell - Drew - Murton is a pretty potent (albeit defensively suspect) OF that would come relatively cheaply in terms of players dealt, and gives you contracts that are up in 2 years (IIRC).

 

Add Schmidt, Kuroda, and a 2B (Durham? Giles? Ikegawa?), and that's a pretty nicely upgraded roster.

[A New Era]

Your agenda to go after "JH haters" is blinding. I don't hate JH. It was more of a rant on what the Cubs have done in the past and what I think they should do. It's easy to second guess. But I'll go ahead and first guess for ya. we should not trade Hill, Murton, Veal, Pie, Eric Patterson, or Fox. Instead we should go after the big FA available from Japan and US, and use only the pospects needed to fill the rest in with very good above average players.

Your original post implies that Hendry makes it a habit of trading our prospects for mediocre garbage. This just isn't true. In his 3+ years as GM, he's done this once (Juan Pierre) and traded one good prospect (Ricky Nolasco). Hendry does a lot of things wrong, but he's pretty good at evaluating our own system and knowing who to trade. If anything, he holds on to too many of them for too long.

I agree with your strategy though. No sense in trading away talent when we have money to spend.

 

Also to add to that, if anyone wants to say "it's easy to second guess". It's also easy to learn from our mistakes and not do it again. Let's try real hard not to trade another "willis" for a an emergency stop gap. Or to support such a thing. Soriano will cost us nothing but money, and money we have. And he is the best target for this off-season for this team.

[cubweiser03]

I would be extremely happy if the Cubs are serious about these 2 guys and end up getting them both.

[abuck1220]

Schmidt + Kuroda = Good

Soriano = Bad

 

where would you prefer the much needed offense to come from?

 

i don't love soriano or anything, but he's the best hope for making this offense respectable.

 

Get a 2B in Free Agency(Durham and Iwamura are my favorites, Loretta would be okay too), and revamp the OF in trade. Kearns, Burrell, A-Rod(which isn't the OF, but still), Sheffield, maybe Cabrera, Hawpe, or Cuddyer if they come available.

 

What and alomst completely strip our farm system of any of the A prospects left of it? I'd rather keep the prospects and sign big free agents when they become available, somewhat simular to the mets.

 

If we would have done it that way a few years ago, just for example. We could have a guy like Beltran and still have guys like Willis, Garland. . ect. . Instead we trade the Willis' and Garland's for mediocre crap and think we're gonna contend. (we=JH). .

Your hate for Hendry is blinding. Garland was traded 8 years ago, when Hendry might not have even been in the organization. And Willis was traded before Hendry was GM too. Next time you try and trash Hendry, at least criticize him for things he's actually done.

 

It's very easy to second guess.

 

yeah, it's almost like somebody saying they knew jeff weaver was going to pitch the cardinals to the world series.

[nilodnayr]

Schmidt + Kuroda = Good

Soriano = Bad

 

where would you prefer the much needed offense to come from?

 

i don't love soriano or anything, but he's the best hope for making this offense respectable.

 

i would much rather see drew in cf for the cubs than soriano.

 

As would I but Drew may cost the Cubs plenty in prospects as Soriano will just cost money, especially if the Cubs lose Ramirez they'll need all the assets to get a 3rd baseman. Hendry has some very good options and if he screws this one up he deserves the boot.

 

i dont know that to be true. the dogers have several good young Of guy like either & kemp that are ready to take his place and they might take less than you think to lose drew's large contract. they need some lefties in the bullpen so maybe eyre & ohman might be enough for drew. i know it's a longshot but stranger things have happened.

I was thinking that if they're in a hurry to get rid of Drew's contract, then maybe they take Jones straight up. That saves them a pretty nice chunk of change over 2 years.

 

If Murton could play in RF, then Burrell - Drew - Murton is a pretty potent (albeit defensively suspect) OF that would come relatively cheaply in terms of players dealt, and gives you contracts that are up in 2 years (IIRC).

 

Add Schmidt, Kuroda, and a 2B (Durham? Giles? Ikegawa?), and that's a pretty nicely upgraded roster.

 

Can you please explain to me why the dodgers would be in a hurry to get rid of Drew's contract? Or why they would even want to trade him at all?

[Soriano12]

Can you please explain to me why the dodgers would be in a hurry to get rid of Drew's contract?

 

11.4 Million for a .498 SLG %.

 

I think any team would be looking to dump that like a bad habit.

[sethuel1]

Schmidt + Kuroda = Good

Soriano = Bad

 

where would you prefer the much needed offense to come from?

 

i don't love soriano or anything, but he's the best hope for making this offense respectable.

 

Get a 2B in Free Agency(Durham and Iwamura are my favorites, Loretta would be okay too), and revamp the OF in trade. Kearns, Burrell, A-Rod(which isn't the OF, but still), Sheffield, maybe Cabrera, Hawpe, or Cuddyer if they come available.

 

What and alomst completely strip our farm system of any of the A prospects left of it? I'd rather keep the prospects and sign big free agents when they become available, somewhat simular to the mets.

 

If we would have done it that way a few years ago, just for example. We could have a guy like Beltran and still have guys like Willis, Garland. . ect. . Instead we trade the Willis' and Garland's for mediocre crap and think we're gonna contend. (we=JH). .

Your hate for Hendry is blinding. Garland was traded 8 years ago, when Hendry might not have even been in the organization. And Willis was traded before Hendry was GM too. Next time you try and trash Hendry, at least criticize him for things he's actually done.

 

It's very easy to second guess.

 

yeah, it's almost like somebody saying they knew jeff weaver was going to pitch the cardinals to the world series.

 

http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/1196258/2/istockphoto_1196258_referee_touchdown.jpg

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Schmidt + Kuroda = Good

Soriano = Bad

 

where would you prefer the much needed offense to come from?

 

i don't love soriano or anything, but he's the best hope for making this offense respectable.

 

Get a 2B in Free Agency(Durham and Iwamura are my favorites, Loretta would be okay too), and revamp the OF in trade. Kearns, Burrell, A-Rod(which isn't the OF, but still), Sheffield, maybe Cabrera, Hawpe, or Cuddyer if they come available.

 

What and alomst completely strip our farm system of any of the A prospects left of it? I'd rather keep the prospects and sign big free agents when they become available, somewhat simular to the mets.

 

If we would have done it that way a few years ago, just for example. We could have a guy like Beltran and still have guys like Willis, Garland. . ect. . Instead we trade the Willis' and Garland's for mediocre crap and think we're gonna contend. (we=JH). .

Your hate for Hendry is blinding. Garland was traded 8 years ago, when Hendry might not have even been in the organization. And Willis was traded before Hendry was GM too. Next time you try and trash Hendry, at least criticize him for things he's actually done.

 

It's very easy to second guess.

 

yeah, it's almost like somebody saying they knew jeff weaver was going to pitch the cardinals to the world series.

 

I don't know about that...but it should be as easy as learning these.

[erik316wttn]

I wish Fukudome would get posted, but that's just wishful thinking.

 

Iwamura has expressed a desire to play pretty much any position on the diamond. He would be worth a look-see, imo.

 

I agree, but Fukudome would be great too.

 

Is it me or is Fukudome the most comical name ever? Look at how it's spelled, then seperate the letters.

[sethuel1]

I wish Fukudome would get posted, but that's just wishful thinking.

 

Iwamura has expressed a desire to play pretty much any position on the diamond. He would be worth a look-see, imo.

 

I agree, but Fukudome would be great too.

 

Is it me or is Fukudome the most comical name ever? Look at how it's spelled, then seperate the letters.

 

Dick Trickle

[Mizzou]

I wish Fukudome would get posted, but that's just wishful thinking.

 

Iwamura has expressed a desire to play pretty much any position on the diamond. He would be worth a look-see, imo.

 

I agree, but Fukudome would be great too.

 

Is it me or is Fukudome the most comical name ever? Look at how it's spelled, then seperate the letters.

I have no idea how to pronounce that, but even when I do learn the correct pronunciation, I'm still going to say it my way.

[mg420]

Can you please explain to me why the dodgers would be in a hurry to get rid of Drew's contract?

 

11.4 Million for a .498 SLG %.

 

I think any team would be looking to dump that like a bad habit.

 

aside from his contract, as i indicated in my original post they have several rookies like either & kemp ready to start in the OF to go along with anderson.

 

who knows if they would be willing to trade drew but he does make an awfully large amount of $ at a position which they have several prospects ready to take over.

[nilodnayr]

Can you please explain to me why the dodgers would be in a hurry to get rid of Drew's contract?

 

11.4 Million for a .498 SLG %.

 

I think any team would be looking to dump that like a bad habit.

 

aside from his contract, as i indicated in my original post they have several rookies like either & kemp ready to start in the OF to go along with anderson.

 

who knows if they would be willing to trade drew but he does make an awfully large amount of $ at a position which they have several prospects ready to take over.

 

The Dodgers have 30M to spend on a starter and back up corners (upgrading 3B if one is available)...they don't need to get rid of Drew's contract. Marlon Anderson is not going to start for them. A playoff hopeful team with $ is not going to go with an Ethier, Kemp, Repko OF. If they were cash strapped maybe, but they have $ to spend and would have to replace his offensive production if they were to trade Drew. They don't need any of our prospects so some one please explain to me how the dodgers benefit from trading Drew?

[nilodnayr]

Can you please explain to me why the dodgers would be in a hurry to get rid of Drew's contract?

 

11.4 Million for a .498 SLG %.

 

I think any team would be looking to dump that like a bad habit.

 

Average NL RF slugging in 2006 was 453

 

Drew was second in the NL in OPS in 2006 by 8 points.

 

In 2005 he led NL RFs with 250+ ABs in OPS by 86 points

 

In 2004 he led NL RFs in OPS by 35 points

 

All of the reasons we want Drew are the same reasons LA would want to keep him.

[nilodnayr]

If Hendry is going after Schmidt, the length of the contract should be no longer than 2 years.

 

Then Schmidt's agent will politely tell Hendry that Jason is not interested in coming to the cubs by asking the insane asylum to come get Hendry.

[craig]

I'm not a Hendry apologist by any means.

 

But, I think some of the alleged goals would make a ton of sense.

 

Soriano for CF and Schmidt for rotation as the two big-time signings, and then pursue Kuroda (sp?) as the lesser guy.

 

Soriano in center would elevate the team HR output by about 35 relative to Pierre. Schmidt isn't young, has had injuries, and isn't the superstar he was a few years ago. But he still wasn't much worse than Zambrano last year, and might still be capaable of 3.5-type ERA if things worked.

 

If healthy, Z-Schmidt might provide a very nice 1-2 punch. If things worked out, Hill and Kuroda as 3-4, and then take your chances with Prior/Marshall/Miller/Guzman/Mateo/Marmol at 5. It might turn out bad. But you might easily end up with a really good rotation, and in the odd event that Prior ended up being useful, you might have a super rotation.

 

The other thing I can imagine with a Soriano signing would be that he could play center for a while, but wouldn't need to stay there forever. Unlike Jones or Murton, he has a right-fielder's arm. Play him in center for this year and next, bring up Pie as a 4th outfielder next year, and then if Pie is progressing Pie can move into center between Soriano and Murton, once Jacque is gone.

 

The Schmidt/Soriano/Fukoda plan might easily be a fiasco. Soriano stinks in center, Schmidt has bum arm and is no better than Maddux, etc..

 

But to me it seems like an ambitious, creative, and potentially hugely effective plan.

 

Hendry is much reviled for last winter too. But I think the original plan, sign Furcal and fix the bullpen, that was a good plan too. And he came very close to landing Furcal. Making Furcal first target made tons of sense. The only problem was that Hendry wasn't able to make it happen. But in terms of a plan, in retrospect I think it was a good one.

 

Soriano/Schmidt/Fukoda is even less likely to be actualized, probably. But I think it's a pretty intriguing plan.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I wish Fukudome would get posted, but that's just wishful thinking.

 

Iwamura has expressed a desire to play pretty much any position on the diamond. He would be worth a look-see, imo.

 

I agree, but Fukudome would be great too.

 

Is it me or is Fukudome the most comical name ever? Look at how it's spelled, then seperate the letters.

 

Dick Trickle

 

Dick Pole.

[Soriano12]

Can you please explain to me why the dodgers would be in a hurry to get rid of Drew's contract?

 

11.4 Million for a .498 SLG %.

 

I think any team would be looking to dump that like a bad habit.

 

Average NL RF slugging in 2006 was 453

 

Drew was second in the NL in OPS in 2006 by 8 points.

 

In 2005 he led NL RFs with 250+ ABs in OPS by 86 points

 

In 2004 he led NL RFs in OPS by 35 points

 

All of the reasons we want Drew are the same reasons LA would want to keep him.

 

What do those historical numbers have to do with Drew's current

production given his salary?

[nilodnayr]

Can you please explain to me why the dodgers would be in a hurry to get rid of Drew's contract?

 

11.4 Million for a .498 SLG %.

 

I think any team would be looking to dump that like a bad habit.

 

Average NL RF slugging in 2006 was 453

 

Drew was second in the NL in OPS in 2006 by 8 points.

 

In 2005 he led NL RFs with 250+ ABs in OPS by 86 points

 

In 2004 he led NL RFs in OPS by 35 points

 

All of the reasons we want Drew are the same reasons LA would want to keep him.

 

What do those historical numbers have to do with Drew's current

production given his salary?

 

It means that over the last 3 years Drew has been the best RF in the NL, so yeah that has a lot to do with why the Dodgers wouldn't want to trade him.

[A New Era]

I wish Fukudome would get posted, but that's just wishful thinking.

 

Iwamura has expressed a desire to play pretty much any position on the diamond. He would be worth a look-see, imo.

 

I agree, but Fukudome would be great too.

 

Is it me or is Fukudome the most comical name ever? Look at how it's spelled, then seperate the letters.

 

Dick Trickle

 

Dick Pole.

 

Spotted Dick. . I know it's not a name, but I felt left out. :cry: :lol:

[Soriano12]

It means that over the last 3 years Drew has been the best RF in the NL,

 

Bobby Abreau disagrees.

[rawaction]

I think LA sees their lineup as it is now: Furcal-SS, Ethier-LF, Drew-RF, Kent-2B, Loney-1B, Kemp-CF, Martin-C, Betemit-3B. I think they want to upgrade at 3B. And if they can't get a big enough bat there, which they likely won't if Ramirez re-signs and ARod stays in NY, they will look to replace Drew. I fully believe they will enter the Carlos Lee/Soriano sweepstakes. The Dodgers don't have the big RH hitter. Nomar will likely be gone. Kent is an injury risk who will be 39 in March and shouldn't be counted on as more than a 5th or 6th hitter for a good offensive team. Kemp isn't there yet. I don't think they will want to go into the season with their 2 biggest hitters, being their 2 biggest injury risks. Kent will be impossible to trade....again being 39 and in the last year of his contract.

 

And the fact that LA gave Drew a huge contract and he has barely has a full season's worth of plate appearances in his 2 years there could lead to him being traded.

[nilodnayr]

It means that over the last 3 years Drew has been the best RF in the NL,

 

Bobby Abreau disagrees.

 

Too bad for Bobby. the stats agree with me...

 

Drew OPS+

 

158

148

125

 

Abreu OPS+

 

123

129

120 (as a Phillie, since my claim was that Drew has been the best RF in the NL)

 

Drew beat him all 3 years and pwned him in 04 and 05