Whispers

[Stomper90]

From tomorrows Trib:

 

>Whispers

 

The Cubs have an interest in signing San Diego's Dave Roberts and making him their new leadoff man if Juan Pierre leaves, as expected. Pierre told the Miami Herald he would be interested in returning to the Marlins, but hasn't heard from them. … Arizona right-hander Miguel Batista could return to the Cubs as a fifth starter after going 11-8 with a 4.58 earned-run average. … Most of the experts have Carlos Lee headed to Houston because he has a ranch there, but sources close to Lee insist the Cubs are his preferred destination because of his numbers in Wrigley Field and a chance to show up the White Sox. … The Cubs are expected to be in on the Jason Schmidt sweepstakes but probably won't go longer than four years because of the injury factor. Schmidt, with Barry Zito one of two prominent free-agent starters, is expected to wind up in Seattle.<<

 

I'm sick at the thought of bringing in a guy like Batista... Why not just have Marshall and Marmol in there instead? Sounds like a Shawn Estes type of signing to me. I truly have issues signing players like Dave Roberts and Batista--what good are these type of players? These are players that should go to the SFGiants. These are not 'win a world series players', they're 'field a .500 team players.

[questionmarkgrace]

paul sullivan contradicts himself everyother day. Its all speculation at this point.

[TruffleShuffle]

I'm sick at the thought of bringing in a guy like Batista... Why not just have Marshall and Marmol in there instead? Sounds like a Shawn Estes type of signing to me. I truly have issues signing players like Dave Roberts and Batista--what good are these type of players? These are players that should go to the SFGiants. These are not 'win a world series players', they're 'field a .500 team players.

 

Batista has had an ERA+ over 100 for the past six years. If your 5th starter is better than the average pitcher in baseball, then you're probably doing a lot better than fielding a .500 team.

[UMFan83]

Doesn't it seem like everything Sullivan said would seen to contradict what everyone else is saying? I think hes just throwing up stuff and hoping something sticks

[Balsa]

I like Dave Roberts.

[NorthsideAvenger]

I like Dave Roberts.

 

So do I. So if the Cubs sign Roberts, they would HAVE to look into acquiring more pop from the middle IF (ie Tejada/M. Giles).

[WrigleyField 22]

Initiatall I liked Roberts as well, but I think he is as likely to put up a .360 OBP as a .330

 

We could and should do better.

[JeffH]

In my opinion, Batista is far more likely to be a good value than Padilla or Lilly.

 

My feelings certainly wouldn't be hurt if they won the Matsuzaka bidding, then signed Batista and took a flier on Randy Wolf.

[BigbadB]

Dave Roberts would be a nice pick up. He doesn't block Pie, can play any outfield position, is a much better lead off option than Pierre, and wouldn't require emptying the bank account to sign.

 

Pie could impress enough in the Spring to land the everyday CF job. There are much worse 4th outfielders out there than Dave Roberts. I can think of 3 right away. John Mabry, Angel Pagan, Freddie Bynum.....

[goonys evil twin]

In my opinion, Batista is far more likely to be a good value than Padilla or Lilly.

 

My feelings certainly wouldn't be hurt if they won the Matsuzaka bidding, then signed Batista and took a flier on Randy Wolf.

 

Batista's been on my radar. He probably would be a better value than Padilla and Lilly. Those guys are probably better, and probably will be better for the next few years. But they will also probably be paid a lot more.

 

Batista at $4-5m per year could be a solid back of the rotation guy. He's not somebody who will put you over the edge, but he could eat innings with above average effectiveness. 2 years for $8m would almost be a no brainer for me, 3/12-15 is worth considering.

[RynoRules]

Dave Roberts would be a nice pick up. He doesn't block Pie, can play any outfield position, is a much better lead off option than Pierre, and wouldn't require emptying the bank account to sign.

 

Pie could impress enough in the Spring to land the everyday CF job. There are much worse 4th outfielders out there than Dave Roberts. I can think of 3 right away. John Mabry, Angel Pagan, Freddie Bynum.....

 

QFT

[WrigleyField 22]

So the idea would be Roberts as a 4th OF and insurance if Pie doesn't step up and take CF? I could live with that as long as we upgrade SS and 2B. However the article mentions him at leadoff meaning he would be handed the starting job.

 

I dunno, it really depends on the look of the rest of the offense.

[SCCubbieFAN]

QFT

 

What does this mean? :oops:

[Warpticon]

QFT

 

What does this mean? :oops:

 

Quoted for truth. Roundabout way of saying "I agree completely."

[SCCubbieFAN]

QFT

 

What does this mean? :oops:

 

Quoted for truth. Roundabout way of saying "I agree completely."

 

thanks Warp

[snoodmonger]

if they're thinking roberts in CF, that rules out soriano at cf. so that means they're either:

 

a. going after Soriano for 2B.

b. going to replace one of our exisiting corner OF guys with a guy w/ pop (prolly Murton)

c. pursuing pop via trade at SS (arod? tejada?)

d. not going after another big bat.

 

am i missing anything here? Options a & c I could totally live with. b i'd be unhappy about, unless it's jones; d is unacceptable.

[rjchapma]

if they go for a big bat I think itll be Soriano I really wouldnt want him center, but last year he showed he wasnt horrible in left. If comes down to Soriano or Murton Id go for Soriano and have a outfield of Soriano in left, Roberts in center, and jones in right. I know its not great definsivly, but the lineup would look great.

[fromthestretch]

if they go for a big bat I think itll be Soriano I really wouldnt want him center, but last year he showed he wasnt horrible in left. If comes down to Soriano or Murton Id go for Soriano and have a outfield of Soriano in left, Roberts in center, and jones in right. I know its not great definsivly, but the lineup would look great.

 

If it's not going to be good defensively in either scenario, then go with the better offense. I'd certainly prefer Murton in LF, Soriano in CF, and Jones in RF over your scenario.

[Magnetic Curses]

QFT

 

What does this mean? :oops:

 

Quoted for truth. Roundabout way of saying "I agree completely."

 

quite effing true. that's what i prefer it to mean.

[rjchapma]

true. I guess, but Id rather have roberts leading off and Soriano batting 2,4, or 5. Just my opinion though.

[soccer10k]

Most of the experts have Carlos Lee headed to Houston because he has a ranch there, but sources close to Lee insist the Cubs are his preferred destination because of his numbers in Wrigley Field and a chance to show up the White Sox.

 

Is it really that hard to grasp that Lee's numbers at Wrigley and the reason he likes hitting there is due to crappy Cub pitching and that if he came to play for the Cubs he wouldn't get to face that crappy Cub pitching when he plays in Wrigley?

[NorthsideAvenger]

Most of the experts have Carlos Lee headed to Houston because he has a ranch there, but sources close to Lee insist the Cubs are his preferred destination because of his numbers in Wrigley Field and a chance to show up the White Sox.

 

Is it really that hard to grasp that Lee's numbers at Wrigley and the reason he likes hitting there is due to crappy Cub pitching and that if he came to play for the Cubs he wouldn't get to face that crappy Cub pitching when he plays in Wrigley?

 

Then explain Moises Alou? Before Alou signed with the Cubs a few yrs ago, Alou had a career BA at Wrigley near the mendoza line. Maybe it's the "crappy pitching", but there are more variable of hitting at a certain park. Maybe as a hitter, he is really comfortable seeing the ball, etc, etc, etc. So I doubt the "crappy pitching" is the only reason why he seems to kill the Cubs.

[goonys evil twin]

Most of the experts have Carlos Lee headed to Houston because he has a ranch there, but sources close to Lee insist the Cubs are his preferred destination because of his numbers in Wrigley Field and a chance to show up the White Sox.

 

Is it really that hard to grasp that Lee's numbers at Wrigley and the reason he likes hitting there is due to crappy Cub pitching and that if he came to play for the Cubs he wouldn't get to face that crappy Cub pitching when he plays in Wrigley?

 

Then explain Moises Alou? Before Alou signed with the Cubs a few yrs ago, Alou had a career BA at Wrigley near the mendoza line. Maybe it's the "crappy pitching", but there are more variable of hitting at a certain park. Maybe as a hitter, he is really comfortable seeing the ball, etc, etc, etc. So I doubt the "crappy pitching" is the only reason why he seems to kill the Cubs.

 

Jeff Blauser

[NorthsideAvenger]

Most of the experts have Carlos Lee headed to Houston because he has a ranch there, but sources close to Lee insist the Cubs are his preferred destination because of his numbers in Wrigley Field and a chance to show up the White Sox.

 

Is it really that hard to grasp that Lee's numbers at Wrigley and the reason he likes hitting there is due to crappy Cub pitching and that if he came to play for the Cubs he wouldn't get to face that crappy Cub pitching when he plays in Wrigley?

 

Then explain Moises Alou? Before Alou signed with the Cubs a few yrs ago, Alou had a career BA at Wrigley near the mendoza line. Maybe it's the "crappy pitching", but there are more variable of hitting at a certain park. Maybe as a hitter, he is really comfortable seeing the ball, etc, etc, etc. So I doubt the "crappy pitching" is the only reason why he seems to kill the Cubs.

 

Jeff Blauser

 

You mean anti-Jeff Blauser. Blauser KILLED the Cubs during his playing days, and when he came to the Cubs, he basically retired. The opposite is true for Alou.

[goonys evil twin]

Most of the experts have Carlos Lee headed to Houston because he has a ranch there, but sources close to Lee insist the Cubs are his preferred destination because of his numbers in Wrigley Field and a chance to show up the White Sox.

 

Is it really that hard to grasp that Lee's numbers at Wrigley and the reason he likes hitting there is due to crappy Cub pitching and that if he came to play for the Cubs he wouldn't get to face that crappy Cub pitching when he plays in Wrigley?

 

Then explain Moises Alou? Before Alou signed with the Cubs a few yrs ago, Alou had a career BA at Wrigley near the mendoza line. Maybe it's the "crappy pitching", but there are more variable of hitting at a certain park. Maybe as a hitter, he is really comfortable seeing the ball, etc, etc, etc. So I doubt the "crappy pitching" is the only reason why he seems to kill the Cubs.

 

Jeff Blauser

 

You mean anti-Jeff Blauser. Blauser KILLED the Cubs during his playing days, and when he came to the Cubs, he basically retired. The opposite is true for Alou.

 

I'm not comparing him to Alou, I'm comparing him to Lee.