Since Our Collective Heart Attack Is Over...

[A New Era]

I'd personally like. .

 

Drew for CF

Iwamura for 2B

 

And either sign that Iwagaki picther and Lily. Or trade for a top 2 type pitcher and get Iwagaki (sorry if I am confusing the many japanese players). .

[Warpticon]

Offensively, I want a free agent CF:

 

1) J.D. Drew

2) Alfonso Soriano

 

Drew is more valuable for the money, in my opinion. He'll likely require fewer years and less money. Yes, he has health issues, and is a decent bet to miss 30-40 games. In that case, the Cubs should just follow the motto and PLAY PIE.

 

I also want a 2B:

1) Iwamura

2) Soriano

3) Durham

4) Giles

5) Loretta

 

Iwamura has the best combination of potential production, potential longevity, and probable low cost. Hence, he ranks highest, though how well he would play 2B or SS is still undetermined. Soriano is an impact player, but is probably not worth the money he's likely to command unless he plays second, where his defense is questionable. His ability to play 2B or OF makes him most intriguing. Durham is the guy I'd expect the best shot at getting, and his production per dollar ratio looks to be strong at this stage fo his career. He would also likely carry the least restrictive contract, which sets up opportunity to promote EPat if he appears ready. Marcus Giles is available in trade, but giving up talent versus signing a guy isn't particularly attractive in comparison--plus he's coming off a pretty poor season.

[RichHillIsABeast]

1) JD Drew in CF

 

I wasn't too high on Drew b/c of injury concerns, but if he goes down with an injury, we just stick Pie in there. His tools and OBP skills are sexy.

 

2) Zito or Schmidt

 

I'd prefer Schmidt just b/c we already have a similar pitcher in Rich Hill.

 

3) A platoon partner for Jones.

 

This is a no brainer.

 

4) A. Kennedy or some other good defensive 2B.

 

Theriot chills on the bench in a utility role.

 

5) Igawa

Edited November 12, 2006 by RichHillIsABeast

[RammyFanny]

I'd personally like. .

 

Drew for CF

Iwamura for 2B

 

And either sign that Iwagaki picther and Lily. Or trade for a top 2 type pitcher and get Iwagaki (sorry if I am confusing the many japanese players). .

 

Igawa.

[USSoccer]

Drew

Soriano

Igawa

Advil

[cubweiser03]

Iwamura's k/bb scare the crap out of me. They are even worse than Kaz Matsui's. He's a lot younger than Durham but Durham is more of a sure thing even with his age, thats why i prefer ray ray. Soriano would be great at 2b too but id like drew in CF rather than Soriano (if they didnt get Drew id love Fonz in CF). Drew and Ray seem realistic.

[Soriano12]

Right now I would also approach Zambrano with a 5 year deal b/t 55-60 and

see if he would bite.

[b_wiggy_66]

Right now I would also approach Zambrano with a 5 year deal b/t 55-60 and

see if he would bite.

 

Agreed lock him up now. Feed him the same crap you fed Aramis and get him to sign for a discount

[WrigleyField 22]

Well heres how I would break it down.

With the lineup I would be fine having one unkown or just plain bad player as the number 8 hitter. That could be Izturis(SS), Theriot(2B,SS), or Pie(CF). I wouldn't mind Pie staying in AAA for a bit and Izturis at 4.15 is an expensive backup and had to move, whereas Theriot is valuable as a backup. Plus I'm sure Hendry will ove having a good defender at short, so its a likely scenario.

 

That leaves 2B, CF, and possibly RF as places to upgrade.

Second base we should really look for a top of the order guy. Murton will be able to handle the other spot:

Loretta or Trade for Giles would be my top two choices.

 

Number one on my wishlist regardless of all else, is JD Drew. He could be CF or RF.

 

Another CF possibility is a trade for Andruw Jones, and if we can make a trade for him and Giles, that could be convienent. Need to sign him to an extension though.

 

For RF, we may just need a platoon partner for Jacque, Craig Wilson? I also wouldn't be opposed to Catallanotta and using him at the top of the order, but then you have to move Jacque.

 

The one thing that wold negate a lot of this is if there is a complete blowup in NY and the Yanks want ARod out and he uses his NTC leverage and all we have to do is give up a little talent and take pretty much the whole salary.

 

For the bench I would look into trading for Branyan for 3B or signing Helms/Graffanino/Aurilla. Pagan can stay as 5th OF, Theriot, Soto also good cheap options. That leaves spot for a 4th OF and another bat. Dave Robertswas mentioned, but as a starter. I would take him for the bench though. Some power would be nice too. Jose Cruz Jr? David Dellucci? Trot Nixon as part of platoon? Craig Wilson as mentioned before.

 

So for the position player my list of targets (with my prefernce bolded)

JD Drew

Andrum Jones

Marcus Giles

Mark Loretta

Craig Wilson

--

Branyan

Helms

Dellucci

Nixon

Cruz

Aurilla

Graffanino

 

Pitching Wise:

Right now I'd say we have 3 rotation spots taken with Zambrano, and the gazillion headed monster of Hill, Miller, Prior, Marshall, Mateo, Guzman, Marmol, Ryu ready for two spots. I'll assume Hill easiy takes one as the fourth man and the others battle for the fifth spot. That means we need a number 2 and 3 SP.

Zito

Schmidt

Matzwhatever- dependent on winning the bid obviously which I dont believe we'll do.

Wolfe(under normal cirumstances its a nice risk, but we have a lot invested into injury risks already, so I'll say no, but put him down anyways)

Mark Mulder

Ted Lilly

Vincent Padilla

Miguel Batista

Jeff Suppan

Iwaga

The way the market is, no matter who you get you will be overpaying for. Only three of those guys are worthy of being called number 2 pitchers and maybe a few more worthy of being called number 3 pitchers. It honestly doesn't look to good. Trades are another possibility, I havent heard much about who may or may not be on the market. Bottom line though is with the money we have tied up in injury risks the guys we get better last. Bullpen is fine as is, not neccessary to get anyone.

[Jazz]

Alright my first wishlist

 

-Sign JD Drew (4 Year Contract)

-Sign Ray Durham (2 Year Contract)

-Trade for Vernon Wells

-Trade Jones, and Dempster for Tim Hudson

-Trade for Ryan Freel

-Sign Vicente Padilla

-Sign Zambrano to an Extension

-Sign Sammy Sosa ( :) )

SS Freel

RF Drew

1B Lee

3B Ramirez

CF Wells

LF Murton

2B Durham

C Barrett

 

Bench

C Soto

IF Izturis

IF Moore

IF Theriot

OF Coats

OF Sosa

 

1. Zambrano

2. Hill

3. Hudson

4. Padilla

5. Prior/Miller

 

RP Prior/Miller

RP Wuertz

RP Ohman

RP Howry

RP Eyre

RP Dempster

Edited November 12, 2006 by Jazz

[Shilzzz]

Roberts

Drew

Lugo

 

Zito(Schmidt isn't happening. i don't like Zito but Schmidt will be in Seattle)

Hudson for Dempster, Jones + whatever minor leaguers

 

 

pretty decent. especially if prior can be decent(lol)

 

Roberts

Lugo

Drew

Lee

Ramirez

Barrett

Murton

Izturis

 

i really like that lineup(even with izturis being trash).

[b_wiggy_66]

It seems like a lot of people including me like Roberts. Has anyone heard any numbers regarding him(Years/dollars)?

[Soriano12]

It seems like a lot of people including me like Roberts. Has anyone heard any numbers regarding him(Years/dollars)?

 

I think Roberts will get 3 years b/t 4-7 per.

[Shilzzz]

It seems like a lot of people including me like Roberts. Has anyone heard any numbers regarding him(Years/dollars)?

 

I think Roberts will get 3 years b/t 4-7 per.

 

by that third year he will be really old, but a really good old bench player.

[Soriano12]

It seems like a lot of people including me like Roberts. Has anyone heard any numbers regarding him(Years/dollars)?

 

I think Roberts will get 3 years b/t 4-7 per.

 

by that third year he will be really old, but a really good old bench player.

 

I would front-load the contract to make him more tradable down the line.

[Derwood]

I have nothing new or original to contribute, so i'll just say that those of you asking for 7 or 8 moves will be disappointed when Hendry make maybe 2 or 3.

[nilodnayr]

Drew, Durham, Schmidt, and maybe another starter

 

Quoting myself since too many posts past to edit...

 

Since Wood is back and likely in the pen, what about a Jones+Dempster for Hudson deal? Atlanta gets rid of any '09 obligation, as well as at least 10 million total salary, plus a serviceable OF and a bullpen project like they've taken on before(Sosa, Reitsma, etc). A Zambrano, Schmidt, Hudson, Hill, Prior/Miller/youngster rotation would be fun.

 

I know you've been advocating Hudson because his cumulative peripherals in 06 werent a ton different than 05, but I thought when we dug deeper, it looked like 05 was more of a lucky year than 06 being unlucky?

[WrigleyField 22]

I have nothing new or original to contribute, so i'll just say that those of you asking for 7 or 8 moves will be disappointed when Hendry make maybe 2 or 3.

 

We'll see. He's gotten "busy work" out of the way already. There are rumors(likely false) of him already going after a big FA, Drew.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Drew, Durham, Schmidt, and maybe another starter

 

Quoting myself since too many posts past to edit...

 

Since Wood is back and likely in the pen, what about a Jones+Dempster for Hudson deal? Atlanta gets rid of any '09 obligation, as well as at least 10 million total salary, plus a serviceable OF and a bullpen project like they've taken on before(Sosa, Reitsma, etc). A Zambrano, Schmidt, Hudson, Hill, Prior/Miller/youngster rotation would be fun.

 

I know you've been advocating Hudson because his cumulative peripherals in 06 werent a ton different than 05, but I thought when we dug deeper, it looked like 05 was more of a lucky year than 06 being unlucky?

 

I agree, I'm afraid of Hudson going forward.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

by that third year he will be really old, but a really good old bench player.

 

Great avatar.

 

http://reds.enquirer.com/2003/10/12/nlcs_150x200.jpg

[muntjack]

I'm fine with Theriot at 2nd with EPatt waiting in the wings.

 

I offer Murton, Pie, Marshall and Veal to Florida for Miggy.

 

I then use the money to sign one of the big 3 pitchers and go after Andruw Jones.

 

With 4 #3 hitters in the lineup, we can keep Izturis at short for his glove.

 

 

Theriot

Barrett

Cabrera

Lee

Ramirez

Jones

Jones

Izturis

 

Zambrano

Schmidt//

Hill

Prior

Miller

 

If Prior can be healthy by the break, we're favorites to win it all, imo.

[CuseCubFan69]

What's your wish list for the rest of the offseason?

 

I'll post mine in a bit...

 

World peace.

[CubsWin]

I would like one of:

 

Iwamura

Soriano

Durham

Loretta

Giles

Lugo

Belliard

 

at 2b in no particular order

 

JD Drew in CF

 

Matsuzaka or Schmidt at SP

I would add Zito to that list and possibly one other veteran starter, but otherwise, you took the words right out of my mouth.

 

I can live without the 2B, but Drew and the starters are crucial.

[Outshined_One]

Scott Moore is now expendable.

 

Hmmmmmmmmm... :-k

[RichHillIsABeast]

Scott Moore is now expendable.

 

Hmmmmmmmmm... :-k

 

Move him to 2B or back to SS and see if he can handle it.