Dayn Perry's Top 20 Free Agents (from Fox Sports)

[goonys evil twin]

think about it padilla or jaun mateo? I prefer padilla no matter how bad he did the last three seasons.

 

For 6-8 million bucks (if not more), I'd be inclined to take my chances that one of Guzman, Marshall, Mateo, or Marmol would be able to put up an ERA approximating 4.50.

 

I'd even be more apt to rush Gallagher up to the bigs and take my chances with him than throw money at Padilla. Gallagher has an advanced approach to the game, and I think he'd be able to handle the adjustment fairly well. Veal definately needs some more seasoning, though...

 

The Cubs cannot rely on any of those players next year. It would be disastrous. They need to get 2 starters.

[rjchapma]

im ok with any of them being 4 and 5 in our rotation, but we need to starters for 2 and 3.

[goonys evil twin]

im ok with any of them being 4 and 5 in our rotation, but we need to starters for 2 and 3.

 

How could anybody be fine with that group accounting for 2/5ths of the rotation after how poorly they performed this year? They were terrible.

[rjchapma]

first off they were basically the number 3,4, and 5 for us last year which shouldnt be where you stick 4 rookies. all im saying is that if they dont have as much pressure on them to be lights out like they had last year they might perform a little better or at least 4th or 5th starter type of numbers.

[goonys evil twin]

first off they were basically the number 3,4, and 5 for us last year which shouldnt be where you stick 4 rookies. all im saying is that if they dont have as much pressure on them to be lights out like they had last year they might perform a little better or at least 4th or 5th starter type of numbers.

 

That's dreaming right there. There is no more pressure for a #4 starter to perform than for a #5. It's not the pressure to fulfill a specific spot that made them struggle. They were not, and are not, ready or able to be major league starters. They were all rushed due poor planning on Hendry's part.

[rjchapma]

I completely agree with you that they were rushed. On the other hand though Id rather have two legitamate starts after Z. If we can get someone else in there instead of those two that be great, but they odds of us signing 4 starters is unlikely thats all.

[HoopsCubs]

think about it padilla or jaun mateo? I prefer padilla no matter how bad he did the last three seasons.

 

For 6-8 million bucks (if not more), I'd be inclined to take my chances that one of Guzman, Marshall, Mateo, or Marmol would be able to put up an ERA approximating 4.50.

 

I'd even be more apt to rush Gallagher up to the bigs and take my chances with him than throw money at Padilla. Gallagher has an advanced approach to the game, and I think he'd be able to handle the adjustment fairly well. Veal definately needs some more seasoning, though...

 

Here's my thinking and pardon me if I'm being too harsh or impatient with the young guys. I didn't see anytning in those guys last year that made me believe they are worthy of being in the 2007 rotation. The only guys I want in the fifth spot of the rotation are either Wade Miller or Mark Prior - I'm optimistic that one of those guys will be healthy (and I'm assuming Miller will be back). Figuring Z as the #1 and Hill as the #4 is the approach I would take. Therefore, the Cubs absolutely need to sign a #2 and a #3.

 

Assuming Ramirez is signed, in my estimation, the offseason cannot be viewed as successful if we don't at least have 2 new starters in the fold plus 1 new bopper at either CF, RF or SS and a decent OBP guy playing 2B or SS.

 

If the payroll is truly $115M, the Cubs have ample resources to get it done!

[ChiCubsFan]

think about it padilla or jaun mateo? I prefer padilla no matter how bad he did the last three seasons.

 

For 6-8 million bucks (if not more), I'd be inclined to take my chances that one of Guzman, Marshall, Mateo, or Marmol would be able to put up an ERA approximating 4.50.

 

I'd even be more apt to rush Gallagher up to the bigs and take my chances with him than throw money at Padilla. Gallagher has an advanced approach to the game, and I think he'd be able to handle the adjustment fairly well. Veal definately needs some more seasoning, though...

 

Here's my thinking and pardon me if I'm being too harsh or impatient with the young guys. I didn't see anytning in those guys last year that made me believe they are worthy of being in the 2007 rotation. The only guys I want in the fifth spot of the rotation are either Wade Miller or Mark Prior - I'm optimistic that one of those guys will be healthy (and I'm assuming Miller will be back). Figuring Z as the #1 and Hill as the #4 is the approach I would take. Therefore, the Cubs absolutely need to sign a #2 and a #3.

 

Assuming Ramirez is signed, in my estimation, the offseason cannot be viewed as successful if we don't at least have 2 new starters in the fold plus 1 new bopper at either CF, RF or SS and a decent OBP guy playing 2B or SS.

 

If the payroll is truly $115M, the Cubs have ample resources to get it done!

 

But would the production of Padilla or someone similar be $8 mil better than Marshall, Marmol, or Guzman? I'd say no. That said, if you can get 2 stud starters, then you spend the money to do it. As you said, we also need to resign Ramirez and add another two solid batters.

[Rob]

think about it padilla or jaun mateo? I prefer padilla no matter how bad he did the last three seasons.

 

For 6-8 million bucks (if not more), I'd be inclined to take my chances that one of Guzman, Marshall, Mateo, or Marmol would be able to put up an ERA approximating 4.50.

 

I'd even be more apt to rush Gallagher up to the bigs and take my chances with him than throw money at Padilla. Gallagher has an advanced approach to the game, and I think he'd be able to handle the adjustment fairly well. Veal definately needs some more seasoning, though...

 

Here's my thinking and pardon me if I'm being too harsh or impatient with the young guys. I didn't see anytning in those guys last year that made me believe they are worthy of being in the 2007 rotation. The only guys I want in the fifth spot of the rotation are either Wade Miller or Mark Prior - I'm optimistic that one of those guys will be healthy (and I'm assuming Miller will be back). Figuring Z as the #1 and Hill as the #4 is the approach I would take. Therefore, the Cubs absolutely need to sign a #2 and a #3.

 

Assuming Ramirez is signed, in my estimation, the offseason cannot be viewed as successful if we don't at least have 2 new starters in the fold plus 1 new bopper at either CF, RF or SS and a decent OBP guy playing 2B or SS.

 

If the payroll is truly $115M, the Cubs have ample resources to get it done!

 

I don't disagree with you, necessarily.

 

I realize we need at least one front line starter. I'm hoping it's Matsuzaka, personally. I just feel that Z, Daisuke, Hill, Prior, Guzman looks like a much nicer rotation than Z, Suppan, Padilla, Hill, Prior; and it's most likely be a lot cheaper.

 

Daisuke & Guzman I feel is a better combo than Suppan and Padilla

 

I guess what I'm saying is that while I realize we have some money to throw around this summer, I'd rather spend it on the real difference makers. Aramis, Daisuke, Zito, Bonds, Schmidt, Soriano, etc... the odds of us finding a cheaper replacement that can perform at the same level as those guys is close to nil. The odds of being able to find a player in the bargain bin that can perform at the same level as Suppan or Padilla is a lot higher.

 

I'd rather have a bunch of superstars and gamble that a few young guys can perform than have a whole team of league-average guys with very little chance of spontaneous improvement if it's my money I'm spending.