Winter Meetings Thread (Merged)

[cubs121]

Ted Lilly still isn't sure where he'll be pitching in 2007. But it won't be in Toronto. Lilly crossed the Blue Jays off his list Wednesday and has narrowed his possible destinations to the Cubs and Yankees, his agent, Larry O'Brien, told ESPN.com at the winter meetings. O'Brien, who is seeking a four-year, $40 million deal, plans to meet with Yankees GM Brian Cashman on Wednesday night.

 

well I hope we get him since Schimdt is gone...We cant come out of the meetings with no one..Lilly would be a good number 3..Hopefully we get him and maybe swing a trade for someone to be our numbr 2

 

since Schmidt is gone. I wouldnt mind getting Lilly... but then i seriously want Jim getting another starter..... and a note to Jim: DO SOMETHING!

[TruffleShuffle]

Ted Lilly still isn't sure where he'll be pitching in 2007. But it won't be in Toronto. Lilly crossed the Blue Jays off his list Wednesday and has narrowed his possible destinations to the Cubs and Yankees, his agent, Larry O'Brien, told ESPN.com at the winter meetings. O'Brien, who is seeking a four-year, $40 million deal, plans to meet with Yankees GM Brian Cashman on Wednesday night.

 

well I hope we get him since Schimdt is gone...We cant come out of the meetings with no one..Lilly would be a good number 3..Hopefully we get him and maybe swing a trade for someone to be our numbr 2

 

Can't see the Cubs getting a #2 without giving up a piece of their major league team (someone like Murton/Hill) or trading away some top minor league talent. I'd rather the Cubs not do this. If we really want a good pitcher, let's wait til next offseason. Here are some options:

 

Bronson Arroyo (not sure if he's UFA yet)

Buehrle (if he bounces back)

Freddy Garcia

Aaron Harang (UFA?)

Jason Jennings

Joe Nathan (not a starter, but he's really good)

Jake Westbrook

 

 

Plus you've got guys on small-market teams getting further into arbitration, when you might be able to get them more cheaply. I don't think the Cubs are gonna win this year, so I'd rather they not mortgage the future.

[nilodnayr]

With Schmidt being a Dodger, does anyone else think we're going to push hard for Zito?

I don't.

 

I think the focus is Lilly and Meche, like we've been hearing all along.

 

Zito will be choosing between the Mets for 5/75 and the Rangers for 6/100.

 

Yay for overpaying for mediocrity! I pray for trade opportunities to open up.

 

Let's look across town. Williams is supposedly shopping either Buehrle, Garcia, Garland, or Vazquez to open up a spot for McCarthy. Why don't we look into that and try to pry one of them (with the exception of Vazquez for obvious reasons) away? They need some bullpen help so I would try to trade them Eyre, Marmol, and maybe a couple of other prospects for one of those three pitchers.

 

Whether we like it or not, that is probably the best chance that the Cubs are going to have to improve on their rotation. Either one of the Sox pitchers or Jake Westbrook.

 

Freddy Garcia would be a good option. He's lost a few MPH, and his FB% and HRs increased last year, but he was still an effective pitcher with excellent control and IIRC Comiskey inflates homers more than Wrigley. They should have interest in Jacque considering their current starting LF is Pods.

[Banedon]

Williams is going to want an arm and a leg for his pitchers. I think the "McCarthy to the minors" thing is just for show...I think he wants to get rid of a starter, but wants to look like he doesn't need to...so he can get max value.

[Bruno7481]

Will Carroll speculating the Cubs have some prospects and ability to make a deal with a with a team for pitching "just south of them."

 

Hmm....

[mg420]

Will Carroll speculating the Cubs have some prospects and ability to make a deal with a with a team for pitching "just south of them."

 

Hmm....

 

i would much rather see the cubs sign lilly and meche than to trade the farm for guys like garcia & valdez.

[TruffleShuffle]

Will Carroll speculating the Cubs have some prospects and ability to make a deal with a with a team for pitching "just south of them."

 

Hmm....

 

Chris Carpenter!

[NorthsideAvenger]

Will Carroll speculating the Cubs have some prospects and ability to make a deal with a with a team for pitching "just south of them."

 

Hmm....

 

Chris Carpenter!

 

Try closer to home.

[PrimeTime]

The Cubs are talking to the Nationals about Ryan Church, who could be an option to platoon with Matt Murton.

 

The Nationals will want pitching back, which could mean Angel Guzman, Sean Marshall or Carlos Marmol. The Cubs surely won't consider parting with Sean Hill for the 28-year-old.

[mg420]

The Cubs are talking to the Nationals about Ryan Church, who could be an option to platoon with Matt Murton.

 

The Nationals will want pitching back, which could mean Angel Guzman, Sean Marshall or Carlos Marmol. The Cubs surely won't consider parting with Sean Hill for the 28-year-old.

especially since sean hill is not on the cubs roster.

[Rusch33]

The Cubs are talking to the Nationals about Ryan Church, who could be an option to platoon with Matt Murton.

 

The Nationals will want pitching back, which could mean Angel Guzman, Sean Marshall or Carlos Marmol. The Cubs surely won't consider parting with Sean Hill for the 28-year-old.

 

 

Who's Sean Hill? :wink:

[CubsInNC]

The Cubs are talking to the Nationals about Ryan Church, who could be an option to platoon with Matt Murton.

 

The Nationals will want pitching back, which could mean Angel Guzman, Sean Marshall or Carlos Marmol. The Cubs surely won't consider parting with Sean Hill for the 28-year-old.

 

Heck, I'd give em Sean Hill, Felix Patterson, and Donnie Marshall (go Malph!) for Church. j/k :P

[BigbadB]

The Cubs are talking to the Nationals about Ryan Church, who could be an option to platoon with Matt Murton.

 

The Nationals will want pitching back, which could mean Angel Guzman, Sean Marshall or Carlos Marmol. The Cubs surely won't consider parting with Sean Hill for the 28-year-old.

 

 

Who's Sean Hill? :wink:

 

Shawn Hill is a starting pitcher for the Washington Nats.

[PrimeTime]

The Cubs are talking to the Nationals about Ryan Church, who could be an option to platoon with Matt Murton.

 

The Nationals will want pitching back, which could mean Angel Guzman, Sean Marshall or Carlos Marmol. The Cubs surely won't consider parting with Sean Hill for the 28-year-old.

especially since sean hill is not on the cubs roster.

 

haha, yea, they wouldnnt trade rich hill, give them Marmol or Marshall and call it a day

[TheDude]

There have already been numerous threads on various individual players, but I thought a summary thread of all CF options that have surfaced during the winter meetings might be helpful to promote discussion.

 

These are all the options I have read thus far from assorted media reports:

 

Cubs looking into availability of Ryan Church (Washington Post)

Cubs talking to Kenny Lofton (out of Dallas)

Cubs inquired about Aaron Rowand (Sun-Times article)

 

Additionally, we've heard rumors about Cubs grooming in-house options for 1-year usage at CF, such as J. Jones, or even Theriot and Patterson the younger.

 

Fans have promoted exploring Baldelli and A. Jones, among others.

 

What do you think is most likely? What do you prefer?

[Drew Doughty]

Lofton is most likely, Church is my preference.

 

I wouldn't mind JJones either.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Pie and a shortstop that can hit

[goonys evil twin]

I think it would be pretty cool if they somehow ended up with a platoon of Michaels and Church. You could end up with something like a 825 OPS out of CF, with a decent 4th OF whenever one of them is sitting.

[TruffleShuffle]

The Cubs are talking to the Nationals about Ryan Church, who could be an option to platoon with Matt Murton.

 

The Nationals will want pitching back, which could mean Angel Guzman, Sean Marshall or Carlos Marmol. The Cubs surely won't consider parting with Sean Hill for the 28-year-old.

 

 

Who's Sean Hill? :wink:

 

Veteran defenseman on the New York Islanders. Not sure if the Cubs have the ability or right to trade him.

[TheDude]

Pie and a shortstop that can hit

I know you must have posted Pie at least a dozen times, and clearly that's your preference, but I haven't read anything that shows me he will get a real shot at starting with the club in 2007.

 

I just don't know how realistic it is at this point.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Pie and a shortstop that can hit

 

That's what I wanted. I don't even know what SS we could acquire now though.

[UMFan83]

How does Pie deserve a shot? He really has to work on his OBP before we give him a shot

[Yestheydo]

Church/ Theriot would be my preference.

Lofton/ Theriot is my guess.

 

I'm actually excited that Hendry apparently sees Theriot as a Freel-like supersub.

 

Edited to predict that Theriot plays more major league CF than Pie in 08 as well.

Edited December 6, 2006 by Yestheydo

[b_wiggy_66]

I like Church, but I don't think Hendry thinks he is a starting option. I think he looks at him as more of a bench player.

[Butterscup1679666578]

How does Pie deserve a shot? He really has to work on his OBP before we give him a shot

 

I'd rather land a SS who could hit and start Pie than get a guy like Church and start Izturis.