Cubs still pursuing Lugo.

[CubinNY]

I could tell you no offer has been made (remember, Lugo bats right-handed and the Cubs haven't exhausted LH possibilities yet), and it would be true, but I remember how much fun that was the other day with Schmidt.

 

Do you think they will look for a lefty shortstop, or a lefty CF and deal Jones?

 

They like Izturis a lot so I don't see them trading him. The latter is more of a real possibility.

 

This is what absolutely kills me. How can someone like a no hit-slick fielding SS a lot? They are a dime a dozen. The Cubs seem to have employed seemingly just about every single one of them over the last 3 or so years.

 

If they went out and grabbed a JD Drew type for the last spot in the outfield and then picked up a Mark Loretta type to play 2b, I think the Cubs could get by. Maybe that's the plan, but with Vernon Wells or someone of that caliber rather than Drew.

 

I've seen Izturis play enough that I just don't understand the manlove he's getting. And after a nearly 2 year layoff, he's bound to be even worse than he was before. Maybe we should sign Marquis. At least then we can count on more offensive production from the pitcher's spot than wherever Piniella decides to bat Izturis.

 

Ughh. #-o

 

I've written it numerous times, Hendry wouldn't have traded Maddux if he didn't think he'd get a good player in return.

 

It sucks.

 

Hendry is still behaving as if it is the 1980s.

[TheDude]

I've written it numerous times, Hendry wouldn't have traded Maddux if he didn't think he'd get a good player in return.

 

It sucks.

 

Hendry is still behaving as if it is the 1980s.

 

Or he still has that Gonzalez booted ball on his mind that cost the team a World Series appearance. Not saying it's right, but you never know.

 

Izturis doesn't bother me nearly as much as most of this board, mainly because I think at age 26 his offense isn't a lost cause, and because he won't bat anywhere but 8th in a non-Dusty world.

[YearofDaCubs]

I could tell you no offer has been made (remember, Lugo bats right-handed and the Cubs haven't exhausted LH possibilities yet), and it would be true, but I remember how much fun that was the other day with Schmidt.

 

Do you think they will look for a lefty shortstop, or a lefty CF and deal Jones?

 

They like Izturis a lot so I don't see them trading him. The latter is more of a real possibility.

 

This is what absolutely kills me. How can someone like a no hit-slick fielding SS a lot? They are a dime a dozen. The Cubs seem to have employed seemingly just about every single one of them over the last 3 or so years.

 

If they went out and grabbed a JD Drew type for the last spot in the outfield and then picked up a Mark Loretta type to play 2b, I think the Cubs could get by. Maybe that's the plan, but with Vernon Wells or someone of that caliber rather than Drew.

 

I've seen Izturis play enough that I just don't understand the manlove he's getting. And after a nearly 2 year layoff, he's bound to be even worse than he was before. Maybe we should sign Marquis. At least then we can count on more offensive production from the pitcher's spot than wherever Piniella decides to bat Izturis.

 

Ughh. #-o

 

I'm sure part of their reasoning is that they'll be batting Izturis eighth and not second, where Dusty had him in the order.

So as of right now our lineup will be:

 

Soriano

DeRosa

Lee

ARam

Jock

Murton

Barrett

Izturis

PITCHER

 

I honestly don't see the reason to trade Jock if they feel he has the ability to play CF. I don't see this lineup as a world beater either but it should be improved from last year though that isn't saying much.

[YearofDaCubs]

I could tell you no offer has been made (remember, Lugo bats right-handed and the Cubs haven't exhausted LH possibilities yet), and it would be true, but I remember how much fun that was the other day with Schmidt.

 

Do you think they will look for a lefty shortstop, or a lefty CF and deal Jones?

 

They like Izturis a lot so I don't see them trading him. The latter is more of a real possibility.

 

This is what absolutely kills me. How can someone like a no hit-slick fielding SS a lot? They are a dime a dozen. The Cubs seem to have employed seemingly just about every single one of them over the last 3 or so years.

 

If they went out and grabbed a JD Drew type for the last spot in the outfield and then picked up a Mark Loretta type to play 2b, I think the Cubs could get by. Maybe that's the plan, but with Vernon Wells or someone of that caliber rather than Drew.

 

I've seen Izturis play enough that I just don't understand the manlove he's getting. And after a nearly 2 year layoff, he's bound to be even worse than he was before. Maybe we should sign Marquis. At least then we can count on more offensive production from the pitcher's spot than wherever Piniella decides to bat Izturis.

 

Ughh. #-o

 

I've written it numerous times, Hendry wouldn't have traded Maddux if he didn't think he'd get a good player in return.

 

It sucks.

 

Hendry is still behaving as if it is the 1980s.

It does suck. I can't stand Izturis but nothing we can do about it since it's all in Hendry's hands.

[PrimeTime]

I think our infield is set for '07, Hendry has said recently, he " LOVES " our infield, and praised Izturis for his gold glove.They have always said he's be their SS of the future..Face it guys..Izzy isn't going anywhere unfortuantley...

[goonys evil twin]

So as of right now our lineup will be:

 

Soriano

DeRosa

Lee

ARam

Jock

Murton

Barrett

Izturis

PITCHER

 

I honestly don't see the reason to trade Jock if they feel he has the ability to play CF. I don't see this lineup as a world beater either but it should be improved from last year though that isn't saying much.

 

It's an improved offense, but not one I see bringing the team from worst in the league to top 5. And without a top 5 offense, I think they need at least a top 5 pitching staff, and right now, the staff is nowhere near that. Adding a couple innings eating mediocrities won't improve them enough.

[AllStarMe]

Or he still has that Gonzalez booted ball on his mind that cost the team a World Series appearance. Not saying it's right, but you never know.

 

But AGon had the reputation of being a stellar fielder, didn't he?

 

If anything, that incident says to me that even a slick fielding, no-hit SS can screw up in a huge situation, but if your team is up by 8 runs then it wouldn't matter.

 

I want an offensive juggernaut. I want Tejada.

Lugo would be ok at SS, but not so much a difference maker like Miggy. Anyone but Izturis.

[YearofDaCubs]

So as of right now our lineup will be:

 

Soriano

DeRosa

Lee

ARam

Jock

Murton

Barrett

Izturis

PITCHER

 

I honestly don't see the reason to trade Jock if they feel he has the ability to play CF. I don't see this lineup as a world beater either but it should be improved from last year though that isn't saying much.

 

It's an improved offense, but not one I see bringing the team from worst in the league to top 5. And without a top 5 offense, I think they need at least a top 5 pitching staff, and right now, the staff is nowhere near that. Adding a couple innings eating mediocrities won't improve them enough.

Agreed.

[TheDude]

Or he still has that Gonzalez booted ball on his mind that cost the team a World Series appearance. Not saying it's right, but you never know.

 

But AGon had the reputation of being a stellar fielder, didn't he?

 

If anything, that incident says to me that even a slick fielding, no-hit SS can screw up in a huge situation, but if your team is up by 8 runs then it wouldn't matter.

 

I want an offensive juggernaut. I want Tejada.

Lugo would be ok at SS, but not so much a difference maker like Miggy. Anyone but Izturis.

 

Gonzalez was not a stellar fielder. He had a good year that year (maybe his best), but by no means equalled the defensive skills of Izturis.

 

I'd like to see an offensive improvement myself, but won't be spinning out of control if Izturis is there on opening day.

[goonys evil twin]

Gonzalez was not a stellar fielder. He had a good year that year (maybe his best), but by no means equalled the defensive skills of Izturis.

 

I'd like to see an offensive improvement myself, but won't be spinning out of control if Izturis is there on opening day.

 

I don't see how you can defend such a claim. Gonzo had as good a defensive reputation as Izturis has. And he wasn't as damaged physically as Izturis is. Cesar is no wonderboy out there.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Bruce, what lefty hitting CFers are out there to pursue?

 

Are we talking Lofton?

 

They're looking at every possibility, including putting Jock there. Nothing is firm yet as trades take a lot more work than do free-agent signings.

 

Even Bruce does it...

[killthegoat06]

Bruce, what lefty hitting CFers are out there to pursue?

 

Are we talking Lofton?

 

They're looking at every possibility, including putting Jock there. Nothing is firm yet as trades take a lot more work than do free-agent signings.

 

Even Bruce does it...

:lol:

[PrimeTime]

Gonzalez was not a stellar fielder. He had a good year that year (maybe his best), but by no means equalled the defensive skills of Izturis.

 

I'd like to see an offensive improvement myself, but won't be spinning out of control if Izturis is there on opening day.

 

I don't see how you can defend such a claim. Gonzo had as good a defensive reputation as Izturis has. And he wasn't as damaged physically as Izturis is. Cesar is no wonderboy out there.

 

SS is one of the most important defensive positions out there and Izturis is one of the top SS in the game...If hes batting 8th im willing to live with that..It just means we need better production out of our other positions..

[killthegoat06]

Gonzalez was not a stellar fielder. He had a good year that year (maybe his best), but by no means equalled the defensive skills of Izturis.

 

I'd like to see an offensive improvement myself, but won't be spinning out of control if Izturis is there on opening day.

 

I don't see how you can defend such a claim. Gonzo had as good a defensive reputation as Izturis has. And he wasn't as damaged physically as Izturis is. Cesar is no wonderboy out there.

 

SS is one of the most important defensive positions out there and Izturis is one of the top SS in the game...If hes batting 8th im willing to live with that..It just means we need better production out of our other positions..

 

If only we could have Soriano at 2B ... Their are so many good offensive RFers out there ...

[Andy]

Gonzalez was not a stellar fielder. He had a good year that year (maybe his best), but by no means equalled the defensive skills of Izturis.

 

I'd like to see an offensive improvement myself, but won't be spinning out of control if Izturis is there on opening day.

 

I don't see how you can defend such a claim. Gonzo had as good a defensive reputation as Izturis has. And he wasn't as damaged physically as Izturis is. Cesar is no wonderboy out there.

 

SS is one of the most important defensive positions out there and Izturis is one of the top SS in the game...If hes batting 8th im willing to live with that..It just means we need better production out of our other positions..

That's a luxury we might not have.

[cubs121]

can anyone with Insider on Espn.com tell me what it says about the cubs offer to him?

 

thanks :D

[Rob]

can anyone with Insider on Espn.com tell me what it says about the cubs offer to him?

 

thanks :D

 

 

Just a couple pages back.

 

 

Here's what Insider had to say:

 

Toronto's pursuit of Julio Lugo ended when the Blue Jays signed Royce Clayton to a one-year deal. But the Cubs remain interested and have made Lugo a multi-year offer, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick.

Boston is looking at Lugo to replace departed shortstop Alex Gonzalez, and San Francisco continues to maintain a line of communication with Lugo's agents. While the Giants are looking at Rich Aurilia, Mark Loretta and Ray Durham as second base possibilities, they've talked about signing Lugo to play second and eventually shifting him to shortstop when Omar Vizquel retires.

[Soul]

So as of right now our lineup will be:

 

Soriano

DeRosa

Lee

ARam

Jock

Murton

Barrett

Izturis

PITCHER

 

I honestly don't see the reason to trade Jock if they feel he has the ability to play CF. I don't see this lineup as a world beater either but it should be improved from last year though that isn't saying much.

 

It's an improved offense, but not one I see bringing the team from worst in the league to top 5. And without a top 5 offense, I think they need at least a top 5 pitching staff, and right now, the staff is nowhere near that. Adding a couple innings eating mediocrities won't improve them enough.

Agreed.

 

Yeah, probably not enough. But then again, you never know --- could only take 83 wins to make the playoffs like last year.

[goonys evil twin]

Yeah, probably not enough. But then again, you never know --- could only take 83 wins to make the playoffs like last year.

 

Sure it could. But could isn't how you build a baseball team. It's definitely not how you build a $100+ million baseball team. If they spend what they are supposedly going to spend, they have no excuse to win less than 90.

[nilodnayr]

Bruce, what lefty hitting CFers are out there to pursue?

 

Are we talking Lofton?

 

They're looking at every possibility, including putting Jock there. Nothing is firm yet as trades take a lot more work than do free-agent signings.

 

Ryan Church and Gabe Gross would be ideal candidates.

 

Coco Crisp is a switch hitter

[Guest]

every possibility except the best one.

[cheapseats]

 

SS is one of the most important defensive positions out there and Izturis is one of the top SS in the game...If hes batting 8th im willing to live with that..It just means we need better production out of our other positions..

 

Then why did we trade Neifi Perez? According to John Dewan's Fielding Bible and many other advanced metrics, Neifi is a better fielder than Izturis. Note that I'm not advocating either player for the position.

 

Gonzalez was not a stellar fielder. He had a good year that year (maybe his best), but by no means equalled the defensive skills of Izturis.

 

This is simply untrue. Gonzalez was one of the best defensive shortstops in the game. His Davenport rate of 114 in 2003 is four runs better than Izturis's best year. And Gonzalez had many years better than that.

 

Izturis, at his best, is Alex Gonzalez without the pop.

[killthegoat06]

After the most recent Lugo rumor, I was thinking about what position Lugo would play at if he signed with the team. Hendry's made it clear that he's infatuated with Izturis, and so, pray as we mght, Lugo probably won't be playing shortstop.

 

Speculation has placed Lugo in CF. This would remove Jock from the lineup, and take away our #5 hitter. Hendry may have made some dumb moves in the past, but he is being paid to be the GM. He is being paid to know that Michael Barrett is a good hitter, but he is not the #5 hitter on a good team, let alone great. Hendry has also made it clear that he is seeking a left-handed bat. If Jock is traded, Hendry will probably want a left-handed bat in CF.

 

The next logical solution would be 2B. DeRosa would become a very expensive, although above average, utility infielder. Hendry may not be thinking in this manner, but barring acquiring another big bat, there is a possibility that Lugo could be the 2007 2Bman. Not a likelihoood, but a possibility.

[Ivy Walls]

First no matter what Hendry said about DeRosa starting exclusively at 2B I don't think that is edged in granite. Piniella is on record stating he is looking at the body of statistics going back decades and has found some reasons for the Cubs not winning besides talent.

 

Possessing the strongest bench. DeRosa looks to me to be the super sub and will probably emerge as playing around the diamond.

 

Lugo is another one if the Cubs emerge signing him who fits that mold, where 3 or 4 players play 120 games in a variety of platoons

 

I am guessing that the trade Hendry is looking for is a big impact in LF, (Crawford or Wells or Ramirez) and then move Soriano to RF, otherwise I could see him signing Lofton and Nixon and then looking to trade Jones & Murton.

 

If a trade for Crawford or Wells or whomever it would also involve a starting pitcher.

 

Here is trade: Ramirez for Murton, Jones, Marshall and Ohman

[baseball7897]

First no matter what Hendry said about DeRosa starting exclusively at 2B I don't think that is edged in granite. Piniella is on record stating he is looking at the body of statistics going back decades and has found some reasons for the Cubs not winning besides talent.

 

Possessing the strongest bench. DeRosa looks to me to be the super sub and will probably emerge as playing around the diamond.

 

Lugo is another one if the Cubs emerge signing him who fits that mold, where 3 or 4 players play 120 games in a variety of platoons

 

I am guessing that the trade Hendry is looking for is a big impact in LF, (Crawford or Wells or Ramirez) and then move Soriano to RF, otherwise I could see him signing Lofton and Nixon and then looking to trade Jones & Murton.

 

If a trade for Crawford or Wells or whomever it would also involve a starting pitcher.

 

Here is trade: Ramirez for Murton, Jones, Marshall and Ohman

 

That is when I would hang up the phone if I were the GM of the Red Sox.