Cliff Floyd?

[A New Era]

I don't know about you guys. But if the Cubs got into the post season (very likely in the NL central right now). .

 

How the HECK do you guys figure "this is not a WS calibur team". . What part of Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, and Alphonso Soriano isn't a "WS calibur team". .

 

Alot of things can happen mid season as well. If Hill is pitching like the ace he is, then you have Zambrano, Hill, and 1 out of Prior, Marquis, Lilly, Miller, rookies stepping up to be a bonified #3 to be a very solid post season pitching trio. If that doesn't happen, and we are serious contenders. You can bet JH will wheel and deal during the trade deadline mid-season.

 

I just can't fathom all these ideas, that this team "is not a WS calibur team". I just don't understand it. So explain it to me please!

[cbbryan]

I don't know about you guys. But if the Cubs got into the post season (very likely in the NL central right now). .

 

How the HECK do you guys figure "this is not a WS calibur team". . What part of Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, and Alphonso Soriano isn't a "WS calibur team". .

 

Alot of things can happen mid season as well. If Hill is pitching like the ace he is, then you have Zambrano, Hill, and 1 out of Prior, Marquis, Lilly, Miller, rookies stepping up to be a bonified #3 to be a very solid post season pitching trio. If that doesn't happen, and we are serious contenders. You can bet JH will wheel and deal during the trade deadline mid-season.

 

I just can't fathom all these ideas, that this team "is not a WS calibur team". I just don't understand it. So explain it to me please!

 

There's alot of "ifs" still out there, but I don't believe that the Cubs are done this offseason either.

 

The Cubs, IMO, have improved enough so far to compete in the Central. We can all admit that several things contributed to the Cubs only winning 66 games in '06. They were a much better team then that. A full season of DLee, adding Soriano, having ARam back, and having depth at P will help transform the club. The club should have been close to .500 in '06 which would have competed for the division. The club as it stands now is better and will be better then 66 wins.

[E.J.]

I don't know about you guys. But if the Cubs got into the post season (very likely in the NL central right now). .

 

How the HECK do you guys figure "this is not a WS calibur team". . What part of Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, and Alphonso Soriano isn't a "WS calibur team". .

 

Alot of things can happen mid season as well. If Hill is pitching like the ace he is, then you have Zambrano, Hill, and 1 out of Prior, Marquis, Lilly, Miller, rookies stepping up to be a bonified #3 to be a very solid post season pitching trio. If that doesn't happen, and we are serious contenders. You can bet JH will wheel and deal during the trade deadline mid-season.

 

I just can't fathom all these ideas, that this team "is not a WS calibur team". I just don't understand it. So explain it to me please!

 

You could go the other way with the pitching staff as well. Hill could pitch like a rookie and be very inconsistent. Prior and Miller could be on the DL all year. Lilly and Marquis could be what they were last year, or worse. Tons of if's in the rotation.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Cubs need another bat before you can start talking playoffs, IMO. Can I start beating the Adam Dunn Drum again? (ducks)

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Cubs need another bat before you can start talking playoffs, IMO. Can I start beating the Adam Dunn Drum again? (ducks)

 

Griffey's more likely.

[bhogg]

name one team in the NL that doesn't have a ton of "ifs.''

[Backtobanks]

name one team in the NL that doesn't have a ton of "ifs.''

 

And not just in the NL. Also, as I've posted before, it is still way to early to guess at what the finished rosters will look like for most teams.

[Electron Blue]

name one team in the NL that doesn't have a ton of "ifs.''

 

the nationals? ;)

[Soul]

I'm not trying to say that it happens every year, but the fact of the matter is that he's not spending that much money believing the Cubs have no chance.

 

2006 WS - STL ( 83 ) Detroit ( 95 WC)

2005 WS - CHW ( 98 ) Hou ( 88 WC)

2004 WS - Boston ( 98 WC) STL ( 105 )

2003 WS - FLA ( 91 WC ) NYY ( 101 )

2002 WS - ANA ( 99 WC ) SFG ( 95 WC )

2001 WS - ARI ( 92 ) NYY ( 95 )

2000 WS - NYY ( 87 ) NYM ( 94 WC )

 

This is a playoff team in the NL Central. The division winners the last few years have won 83, 100, 105, 88, 97, 93, and 95.

 

Also, remember that the Central has produced the WC in a majority of those years.

 

I think it's very possible that the Cubs will make the playoffs and make a WS appearance. I don't know that it's likely, but this team is capable no doubt.

 

I'm aware the Central is producing the Wild Card in many seasons----one of the reasons why I believe the objective in Hendry's mind is to grab up that Wild Card, or sneak out a weak divisional win.

 

If this wasn't the case, and Hendry was truly trying to win the World Series ASAP, then I strongly believe (though of course I have no proof) that Hendry would have looked at the lack of talent available in the FA market, and put the Cubs on a 2-year rebuilding plan.

[CubinNY]

Why are people not talking about Floyd taking ABs away from Murton?

[Wheelimus]

Probably because they hope (like I do) that Uncle Lou will split the at bats against righties between the two, favoring Floyd against the guys who just straight out mow down right handed batters. I'm picturing 300, maybe 350 at bats for Floyd, probably 400 for Murton. Somewhere close to that. And that's if Floyd is healthy.

[E.J.]

Probably because they hope (like I do) that Uncle Lou will split the at bats against righties between the two, favoring Floyd against the guys who just straight out mow down right handed batters. I'm picturing 300, maybe 350 at bats for Floyd, probably 400 for Murton. Somewhere close to that. And that's if Floyd is healthy.

 

I feel the same way. It's not bad having Floyd and Murton splitting time in LF because Floyd isn't going to be able to take the majority of the at-bats because of his health issues. I see Murton getting most of the at-bats with Floyd getting around 300 at-bats. If Murton comes out and lights the world on fire then we have a great pinch hitter in Floyd.

[CUBZ99]

With the recent reported signings of Marquis and Ward, and the possible signing of Floyd, who is headed off of the 40 Man roster? Last time I checked the 40 man was full after the addition of Lilly. Is there a big trade coming?

[Wheelimus]

With the recent reported signings of Marquis and Ward, and the possible signing of Floyd, who is headed off of the 40 Man roster? Last time I checked the 40 man was full after the addition of Lilly. Is there a big trade coming?

 

Going to guess Roberto Novoa and Glendon Rusch for starters. There's no danger in DFA'ing Glendon, even if they hold back hope that he can play mid 2007 or something. Nobody is going to claim him, so DFA him, let him choose to either stay in the organization or take his money and retire, and lets move on. Novoa would be more likely to be moved for a prospect who doesn't need 40 man roster protection yet.

 

There are also a few positional prospects who it wouldn't be the end of the world to have to cut and lose. Brian Dopirak is an obvious one. Don't even know if he'd warrant a claim. That sub .700 OPS doesn't do much for anyone at this point. Jose Reyes too, unless there's something about him worth caring about that I'm missing.

[Soul]

With the recent reported signings of Marquis and Ward, and the possible signing of Floyd, who is headed off of the 40 Man roster? Last time I checked the 40 man was full after the addition of Lilly. Is there a big trade coming?

 

Going to guess Roberto Novoa and Glendon Rusch for starters. There's no danger in DFA'ing Glendon, even if they hold back hope that he can play mid 2007 or something. Nobody is going to claim him, so DFA him, let him choose to either stay in the organization or take his money and retire, and lets move on. Novoa would be more likely to be moved for a prospect who doesn't need 40 man roster protection yet.

 

There are also a few positional prospects who it wouldn't be the end of the world to have to cut and lose. Brian Dopirak is an obvious one. Don't even know if he'd warrant a claim. That sub .700 OPS doesn't do much for anyone at this point. Jose Reyes too, unless there's something about him worth caring about that I'm missing.

 

It certainly is disturbing that 2 years ago I was watching Dope pound balls out of the ballpark like a King, only to find that now he isn't posting over .700 in OPS.

 

Will the Cubs ever be able to develop a power hitter?

[Wheelimus]

It's sad, he had such potential. Reduced now to someone who likely wouldn't be claimed if he were took off the 40 man.

[RynoRules]

There has to be a trade coming. How many bloody LOOGY's can we have?

[CubinNY]

It's sad, he had such potential. Reduced now to someone who likely wouldn't be claimed if he were took off the 40 man.

 

Mostly because he was injured and missed most of last year. I think it is way, way too early to write off Dopirak.

[goonys evil twin]

There has to be a trade coming. How many bloody LOOGY's can we have?

 

I'm really hoping Hendry has a significant trade in the works.

[davearm]

It's sad, he had such potential. Reduced now to someone who likely wouldn't be claimed if he were took off the 40 man.

 

Mostly because he was injured and missed most of last year. I think it is way, way too early to write off Dopirak.

I agree about not giving up on Dopirak, although the question of trading him is one of "when", not "if". He'll never get regular ABs with the Cubs with DLee entrenched at 1B.

[goonys evil twin]

It's sad, he had such potential. Reduced now to someone who likely wouldn't be claimed if he were took off the 40 man.

 

Mostly because he was injured and missed most of last year. I think it is way, way too early to write off Dopirak.

 

Maybe it's too early, but it's definitely not way, way too early. He turns 23 in a week, and he's had an atrocious minor league career. It would be passable for a slick fielding middle infielder, but he's had only one good season, and that was in low A. He sucked in high A and sucked in AA. It's hard to defend the claim that it was mostly because he was injured last year. His completely healthy FSL numbers would not seem to indicate he was ready to do anything in AA, even if he was healthy.

[CubinNY]

It's sad, he had such potential. Reduced now to someone who likely wouldn't be claimed if he were took off the 40 man.

 

Mostly because he was injured and missed most of last year. I think it is way, way too early to write off Dopirak.

 

Maybe it's too early, but it's definitely not way, way too early. He turns 23 in a week, and he's had an atrocious minor league career. It would be passable for a slick fielding middle infielder, but he's had only one good season, and that was in low A. He sucked in high A and sucked in AA. It's hard to defend the claim that it was mostly because he was injured last year. His completely healthy FSL numbers would not seem to indicate he was ready to do anything in AA, even if he was healthy.

 

- one way then.

 

I'd like to see him get healthy and see what he can do in Severville this summer. If he posts good numbers I'll be on the Dope dealing bandwgn.

[Guest]

Why are people not talking about Floyd taking ABs away from Murton?

Because my head is buried in the sand so I don't have to think about it.

[Guest]

It's sad, he had such potential. Reduced now to someone who likely wouldn't be claimed if he were took off the 40 man.

 

Mostly because he was injured and missed most of last year. I think it is way, way too early to write off Dopirak.

 

Maybe it's too early, but it's definitely not way, way too early. He turns 23 in a week, and he's had an atrocious minor league career. It would be passable for a slick fielding middle infielder, but he's had only one good season, and that was in low A. He sucked in high A and sucked in AA. It's hard to defend the claim that it was mostly because he was injured last year. His completely healthy FSL numbers would not seem to indicate he was ready to do anything in AA, even if he was healthy.

You heard it here first...Dope and Harvey will combine for at least 50 HR this year in AA.

 

Yep, I'm drunk on kool-aid!

[goonys evil twin]

Why are people not talking about Floyd taking ABs away from Murton?

Because my head is buried in the sand so I don't have to think about it.

 

I think the answer to the question is, it's necessary to get more out of the offense. Just like last year, I'd be fine with Murton starting 162 games and getting 750 PA, but the lineup around him has to be good enough to absorb less than ideal production from him. I don't see him putting up a .300/.400/.550 line, so we aren't talking about taking away at bats from a star. If Murton puts up a respectable 800 OPS against RHP, I would not be the least bit upset. But if you can get a hitter capable of putting up a 900 OPS in 200-300 of those PA, then you are making your team better. That would artificially inflate Murton's total line (because it would be more "against LHP" heavy), while at the same time providing a great line by the replacement player. I'm not concerned with Murton suffering to a lack of playing time, he'd still get a lot of at bats, and he doesn't seem to me to be the type of player that would sulk, or get lost with less playing time.

 

Ideally, they'd have better production elsewhere, so there would be no thought of sitting Murton from time-to-time. However, this team is still in need of more offense, and if they can't get it by acquiring ARod, Cabrera or Tejada, they have to get it somewhere.