You're the New GM

[Backtobanks]

After discussing the pros and cons of Hendry, what specific moves can be made to make the 2007 Cubs (or no later than 2008) a playoff team. What realistic trades, signings, and callups can be made? Is it really too late for 2007? Can a championship team be put together for 2008? You get to be the new GM with complete control and a budget in the $100 - $120 million range.

[A New Era]

AWESOME!! . . . . . where's my money?

[Wheelimus]

I'm not sure what you could do. Certainly clear up the Zambrano situation. Perhaps call up the Halo's and see if you can bring back Santana or Wood. Sort out your trash (Cesar, Eyre, Miller, Howry, Jones, Blanco, etc.) and see if you can bring back anything useful ala our trades last year.

 

Next year, looking at the FA class, I make a hard run at Andruw Jones even though I know the years and money will make me cringe. If Kent hits the market I might consider him. Would allow him, DeRosa, and Theriot to split up the at bats, with Theriot or DeRosa being able to spell a game here or there in the outfield. Will Dunn be on the market? As much as I like Murton, I'd sign Dunn and make Soriano play right.

[B]

I resign effective immediately.

[killthegoat06]

I bribe the other gm's.

[Soriano12]

I would trim the following "fat" ASAP

 

Jacque Jones

Cesar Izturis

Scott Eyre

 

Recall Pie, Fontenot, and another arm from AAA

 

Then I would look to move Zambrano by the deadline for the best package available.

 

I would name Weurtz my closer.

 

I would move Soriano to RF, and install Murton as my full time LF. Then after the 07 season I would decide whether to stick with him, or look for more of a power bat.

 

I would consider moving D. Lee to 2nd in the order if his HR's dont pick up.

[Omar]

I would consider moving D. Lee to 2nd in the order if his HR's dont pick up.

 

I can agree with your other moves, but are home runs really that important? I like to see them, but he's batting .370, hitting tons of doubles, and most importantly, driving in runners. I'll take that any day.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

The first move would be to try to get someone to take Howry and Eyre.

 

Next, I'd try to move Zambrano in the best deal possible. My preference would be to send him to the Angels in a deal that might net Brandon Wood.

 

I'd move Jones for whatever I could get for him and bring up Pie to play CF.

 

Finally, I'd sell Marquis while his value is still high.

[illiniguy]

The first move would be to try to get someone to take Howry and Eyre.

 

Next, I'd try to move Zambrano in the best deal possible. My preference would be to send him to the Angels in a deal that might net Brandon Wood.

 

I'd move Jones for whatever I could get for him and bring up Pie to play CF.

 

Finally, I'd sell Marquis while his value is still high.

Why not get into a deal with the DRays. bring back Longoria, Niemann, and anyone of their young outfielders. Longoria was a ss for a while also.

[TruffleShuffle]

The first move would be to try to get someone to take Howry and Eyre.

 

Next, I'd try to move Zambrano in the best deal possible. My preference would be to send him to the Angels in a deal that might net Brandon Wood.

 

I'd move Jones for whatever I could get for him and bring up Pie to play CF.

 

Finally, I'd sell Marquis while his value is still high.

Why not get into a deal with the DRays. bring back Longoria, Niemann, and anyone of their young outfielders. Longoria was a ss for a while also.

 

D-Rays have a team payroll of $24M this year... Z is making about half that. He's going to want way more than they could hope to pay him, and they're not in contention this year, so there's no reason for a rental. And lastly, they wouldn't trade perhaps the best hitting prospect in baseball for Zambrano, let alone trade him with two other valuable players.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

The first move would be to try to get someone to take Howry and Eyre.

 

Next, I'd try to move Zambrano in the best deal possible. My preference would be to send him to the Angels in a deal that might net Brandon Wood.

 

I'd move Jones for whatever I could get for him and bring up Pie to play CF.

 

Finally, I'd sell Marquis while his value is still high.

Why not get into a deal with the DRays. bring back Longoria, Niemann, and anyone of their young outfielders. Longoria was a ss for a while also.

 

D-Rays have a team payroll of $24M this year... Z is making about half that. He's going to want way more than they could hope to pay him, and they're not in contention this year, so there's no reason for a rental. And lastly, they wouldn't trade perhaps the best hitting prospect in baseball for Zambrano, let alone trade him with two other valuable players.

 

Exactly. Zambrano is either going to a team as a rental or a team that can afford to sign him long term. That's not the D-Rays. I could see the Yankees, Angels, and Mets on the short list.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Without putting a ton of thought into it...

 

1) If Teixeira is truly on the block, get him. If you need to do something similar to Z for Tex(both would be traded for fear of not extending them, so conditions would be made so both would need to be extended by their new teams), then do that. If they would rather take a combination of prospects/non-superstars, then do that.

 

2) Make a deal with the Angels. If we've dealt Zambrano for Tex, then use Murton to get a SP or a SS prospect.

 

For the sake of simplicity, let's say that we send Pie, Gallagher, and one of our failed high ceiling guys(Pawelek, Dopirak, Harvey) for Teixeira. As for Anaheim, let's say that we send Zambrano and Murton for Wood, Santana/Weaver, and Mathis. I think it's fair that we're sending a premium for Texas's top player, and that we're getting back a premium for our top player plus a young outfielder.

 

3) Send Blanco to a contender for a minor leaguer. Potential destinations include the White Sox, Tigers, and Yankees. We don't expect much in return besides salary relief, a low minors guy with at least a little promise works.

 

4) We need a center fielder. With the amount of money we have available to spend up in the air, and the fact that the previous moves don't exactly scream "win now", I say we send Dayton Moore an arm(nothing top of the line) for Joey Gathright. He's not going to hit a ton, but he'll take a walk, has the minor league history to be passable offensively with his SB ability, is one of the best defensive CFs around, and won't be arbitration eligible for the first time until after 2008.

 

5) If at any point Scott Eyre or Jacque Jones play well enough that we can trade them without paying them to leave, or we can get something relatively useful for them, then do it.

 

6) Barrett, Izturis, Floyd, and Ward are not brought back. Arbitration is offered to Barrett and maybe Floyd

 

So, we end up with:

 

Soriano RF

EPatt/DeRosa platoon 2B

Lee 1B

Teixeira LF

Ramirez 3B

Barrett C (Wood hits here in '08, playing SS)

Wood SS (Mathis/Soto combo hits here in '08, playing C)

Gathright CF

 

Hill, Lilly, Santana/Weaver, Marquis, Marshall/Guzman/Marmol/Veal('08 possibility)

 

Dempster closes, Wuertz and Guzman set him up, Howry and Marmol in middle relief, with Ohman as LOOGY and Eyre as long man. If Guzman or Marmol end up in the rotation for 2008 they are obviously no longer in the bullpen.

[Hosak8]

I would trim the following "fat" ASAP

 

Jacque Jones

Cesar Izturis

Scott Eyre

 

Recall Pie, Fontenot, and another arm from AAA

 

Then I would look to move Zambrano by the deadline for the best package available.

 

I would name Weurtz my closer.

 

I would move Soriano to RF, and install Murton as my full time LF. Then after the 07 season I would decide whether to stick with him, or look for more of a power bat.

 

I would consider moving D. Lee to 2nd in the order if his HR's dont pick up.

 

It wouldn't be your job as GM to decide where Lee hits. That's the managers job.

[illiniguy]

The first move would be to try to get someone to take Howry and Eyre.

 

Next, I'd try to move Zambrano in the best deal possible. My preference would be to send him to the Angels in a deal that might net Brandon Wood.

 

I'd move Jones for whatever I could get for him and bring up Pie to play CF.

 

Finally, I'd sell Marquis while his value is still high.

Why not get into a deal with the DRays. bring back Longoria, Niemann, and anyone of their young outfielders. Longoria was a ss for a while also.

 

D-Rays have a team payroll of $24M this year... Z is making about half that. He's going to want way more than they could hope to pay him, and they're not in contention this year, so there's no reason for a rental. And lastly, they wouldn't trade perhaps the best hitting prospect in baseball for Zambrano, let alone trade him with two other valuable players.

Ok the payroll thing I get. That said they have tried very hard to get impact pitching. In order to do that they are going to have to give up great talent.

[Hosak8]

Without putting a ton of thought into it...

 

1) If Teixeira is truly on the block, get him. If you need to do something similar to Z for Tex(both would be traded for fear of not extending them, so conditions would be made so both would need to be extended by their new teams), then do that. If they would rather take a combination of prospects/non-superstars, then do that.

 

2) Make a deal with the Angels. If we've dealt Zambrano for Tex, then use Murton to get a SP or a SS prospect.

 

For the sake of simplicity, let's say that we send Pie, Gallagher, and one of our failed high ceiling guys(Pawelek, Dopirak, Harvey) for Teixeira. As for Anaheim, let's say that we send Zambrano and Murton for Wood, Santana/Weaver, and Mathis. I think it's fair that we're sending a premium for Texas's top player, and that we're getting back a premium for our top player plus a young outfielder.

 

3) Send Blanco to a contender for a minor leaguer. Potential destinations include the White Sox, Tigers, and Yankees. We don't expect much in return besides salary relief, a low minors guy with at least a little promise works.

 

4) We need a center fielder. With the amount of money we have available to spend up in the air, and the fact that the previous moves don't exactly scream "win now", I say we send Dayton Moore an arm(nothing top of the line) for Joey Gathright. He's not going to hit a ton, but he'll take a walk, has the minor league history to be passable offensively with his SB ability, is one of the best defensive CFs around, and won't be arbitration eligible for the first time until after 2008.

 

5) If at any point Scott Eyre or Jacque Jones play well enough that we can trade them without paying them to leave, or we can get something relatively useful for them, then do it.

 

6) Barrett, Izturis, Floyd, and Ward are not brought back. Arbitration is offered to Barrett and maybe Floyd

 

So, we end up with:

 

Soriano RF

EPatt/DeRosa platoon 2B

Lee 1B

Teixeira LF

Ramirez 3B

Barrett C (Wood hits here in '08, playing SS)

Wood SS (Mathis/Soto combo hits here in '08, playing C)

Gathright CF

 

Hill, Lilly, Santana/Weaver, Marquis, Marshall/Guzman/Marmol/Veal('08 possibility)

 

Dempster closes, Wuertz and Guzman set him up, Howry and Marmol in middle relief, with Ohman as LOOGY and Eyre as long man. If Guzman or Marmol end up in the rotation for 2008 they are obviously no longer in the bullpen.

 

So we've already decided that Pawelek is a failure?

[Flames24Rulz]

Without putting a ton of thought into it...

 

1) If Teixeira is truly on the block, get him. If you need to do something similar to Z for Tex(both would be traded for fear of not extending them, so conditions would be made so both would need to be extended by their new teams), then do that. If they would rather take a combination of prospects/non-superstars, then do that.

 

2) Make a deal with the Angels. If we've dealt Zambrano for Tex, then use Murton to get a SP or a SS prospect.

 

For the sake of simplicity, let's say that we send Pie, Gallagher, and one of our failed high ceiling guys(Pawelek, Dopirak, Harvey) for Teixeira. As for Anaheim, let's say that we send Zambrano and Murton for Wood, Santana/Weaver, and Mathis. I think it's fair that we're sending a premium for Texas's top player, and that we're getting back a premium for our top player plus a young outfielder.

 

3) Send Blanco to a contender for a minor leaguer. Potential destinations include the White Sox, Tigers, and Yankees. We don't expect much in return besides salary relief, a low minors guy with at least a little promise works.

 

4) We need a center fielder. With the amount of money we have available to spend up in the air, and the fact that the previous moves don't exactly scream "win now", I say we send Dayton Moore an arm(nothing top of the line) for Joey Gathright. He's not going to hit a ton, but he'll take a walk, has the minor league history to be passable offensively with his SB ability, is one of the best defensive CFs around, and won't be arbitration eligible for the first time until after 2008.

 

5) If at any point Scott Eyre or Jacque Jones play well enough that we can trade them without paying them to leave, or we can get something relatively useful for them, then do it.

 

6) Barrett, Izturis, Floyd, and Ward are not brought back. Arbitration is offered to Barrett and maybe Floyd

 

So, we end up with:

 

Soriano RF

EPatt/DeRosa platoon 2B

Lee 1B

Teixeira LF

Ramirez 3B

Barrett C (Wood hits here in '08, playing SS)

Wood SS (Mathis/Soto combo hits here in '08, playing C)

Gathright CF

 

Hill, Lilly, Santana/Weaver, Marquis, Marshall/Guzman/Marmol/Veal('08 possibility)

 

Dempster closes, Wuertz and Guzman set him up, Howry and Marmol in middle relief, with Ohman as LOOGY and Eyre as long man. If Guzman or Marmol end up in the rotation for 2008 they are obviously no longer in the bullpen.

 

So we've already decided that Pawelek is a failure?

 

Considering the guy has had a major setback this year, I'd say he is.

[baseball7897]

Without putting a ton of thought into it...

 

1) If Teixeira is truly on the block, get him. If you need to do something similar to Z for Tex(both would be traded for fear of not extending them, so conditions would be made so both would need to be extended by their new teams), then do that. If they would rather take a combination of prospects/non-superstars, then do that.

 

2) Make a deal with the Angels. If we've dealt Zambrano for Tex, then use Murton to get a SP or a SS prospect.

 

For the sake of simplicity, let's say that we send Pie, Gallagher, and one of our failed high ceiling guys(Pawelek, Dopirak, Harvey) for Teixeira. As for Anaheim, let's say that we send Zambrano and Murton for Wood, Santana/Weaver, and Mathis. I think it's fair that we're sending a premium for Texas's top player, and that we're getting back a premium for our top player plus a young outfielder.

 

3) Send Blanco to a contender for a minor leaguer. Potential destinations include the White Sox, Tigers, and Yankees. We don't expect much in return besides salary relief, a low minors guy with at least a little promise works.

 

4) We need a center fielder. With the amount of money we have available to spend up in the air, and the fact that the previous moves don't exactly scream "win now", I say we send Dayton Moore an arm(nothing top of the line) for Joey Gathright. He's not going to hit a ton, but he'll take a walk, has the minor league history to be passable offensively with his SB ability, is one of the best defensive CFs around, and won't be arbitration eligible for the first time until after 2008.

 

5) If at any point Scott Eyre or Jacque Jones play well enough that we can trade them without paying them to leave, or we can get something relatively useful for them, then do it.

 

6) Barrett, Izturis, Floyd, and Ward are not brought back. Arbitration is offered to Barrett and maybe Floyd

 

So, we end up with:

 

Soriano RF

EPatt/DeRosa platoon 2B

Lee 1B

Teixeira LF

Ramirez 3B

Barrett C (Wood hits here in '08, playing SS)

Wood SS (Mathis/Soto combo hits here in '08, playing C)

Gathright CF

 

Hill, Lilly, Santana/Weaver, Marquis, Marshall/Guzman/Marmol/Veal('08 possibility)

 

Dempster closes, Wuertz and Guzman set him up, Howry and Marmol in middle relief, with Ohman as LOOGY and Eyre as long man. If Guzman or Marmol end up in the rotation for 2008 they are obviously no longer in the bullpen.

 

LAA is not in need for another SP. They already go 7 deep in Lackey, Colon, Santana, Escobar, Weaver, Saunders, and Moseley. They are more interested in trading for an impact bat than another SP. Maybe if they deal one of their talented SP then you could consider them taking Zambrano.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

So we've already decided that Pawelek is a failure?

 

He's still got age on his side somewhat, but this is his 3rd season in the system now and he has yet to stick in full season ball. That's a major disappointment at least, if not a failure.

[illiniguy]

So we've already decided that Pawelek is a failure?

 

He's still got age on his side somewhat, but this is his 3rd season in the system now and he has yet to stick in full season ball. That's a major disappointment at least, if not a failure.

I would rather have Buccholtz, Garza, and Bowden. Too bad we picked the wrong guy.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

2) Make a deal with the Angels. If we've dealt Zambrano for Tex, then use Murton to get a SP or a SS prospect.

 

For the sake of simplicity, let's say that we send Pie, Gallagher, and one of our failed high ceiling guys(Pawelek, Dopirak, Harvey) for Teixeira. As for Anaheim, let's say that we send Zambrano and Murton for Wood, Santana/Weaver, and Mathis. I think it's fair that we're sending a premium for Texas's top player, and that we're getting back a premium for our top player plus a young outfielder.

LAA is not in need for another SP. They already go 7 deep in Lackey, Colon, Santana, Escobar, Weaver, Saunders, and Moseley. They are more interested in trading for an impact bat than another SP. Maybe if they deal one of their talented SP then you could consider them taking Zambrano.

 

Anaheim needs something to put them over the top in the AL. Moseley and Saunders aren't anything special, especially as starters. Colon and Weaver have battled inconsistency and injuries, and Santana has been awful this year. They've been linked to Zambrano before(when their pitching was actually better than it is now with Weaver and Santana's success last year), and if they have a chance to add a pitcher of his caliber plus some cheap outfield help I don't think they'd be disinterested.

[baseball7897]

2) Make a deal with the Angels. If we've dealt Zambrano for Tex, then use Murton to get a SP or a SS prospect.

 

For the sake of simplicity, let's say that we send Pie, Gallagher, and one of our failed high ceiling guys(Pawelek, Dopirak, Harvey) for Teixeira. As for Anaheim, let's say that we send Zambrano and Murton for Wood, Santana/Weaver, and Mathis. I think it's fair that we're sending a premium for Texas's top player, and that we're getting back a premium for our top player plus a young outfielder.

LAA is not in need for another SP. They already go 7 deep in Lackey, Colon, Santana, Escobar, Weaver, Saunders, and Moseley. They are more interested in trading for an impact bat than another SP. Maybe if they deal one of their talented SP then you could consider them taking Zambrano.

 

Anaheim needs something to put them over the top in the AL. Moseley and Saunders aren't anything special, especially as starters. Colon and Weaver have battled inconsistency and injuries, and Santana has been awful this year. They've been linked to Zambrano before(when their pitching was actually better than it is now with Weaver and Santana's success last year), and if they have a chance to add a pitcher of his caliber plus some cheap outfield help I don't think they'd be disinterested.

 

And that would be an impact bat like Tejeda, Helton, and possibly Giambi.

 

I have to ask you if you seen Moseley pitch at all. He may not light up the radar gun but that is not what kind of pitcher he is. He has tremendous movement on his pitches and has shown the ability to dominate opposing batters this season with pretty good command of the strike zone.

 

They really don't need Murton either. With Rivera coming back and with the way Reggie Willits has been playing they wouldnt have a need for Murton this season.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Willits and Rivera aren't as good as Murton. Once Willits cools down they'll be in need of an outfielder again. Murton's a cheap solution that won't prohibit them from adding an impact OF in the future if they wanted to.

 

And again, Moseley isn't anything special. He doesn't walk a lot of guys(although even that has declined to unacceptable levels since he went to the Angel system), but he doesn't miss enough bats and gives up too many baserunners to be anything exceptional. And he's most definitely not going to be the reason the Angels would say no to a pitcher the caliber of Zambrano.

[Amazing_Grace]

I think the first thing I'd do is concede that the season is lost. Trading Zambrano becomes the obvious choice in that case. The key would be to get a pitcher who is young, cheap, and likely to be effective so the Cubs wouldn't have to spend money on another FA pitcher. I'd like to see Zambrano and Jacque Jones for Philip Hughes + other prospects if the Yankees would bite. There is one big name FA this offseason that will have a huge impact on whatever franchise he signs with, Miguel Cabrera. I think the Cubs use the money they would have thrown at Z to go after Cabrera. If necessary, I'd even deal Ramirez to free up more cash, hopefully for a good to decent RF or catcher. Beyond that, it would depend on who's available this offseason.

[CubColtPacer]

I think the first thing I'd do is concede that the season is lost. Trading Zambrano becomes the obvious choice in that case. The key would be to get a pitcher who is young, cheap, and likely to be effective so the Cubs wouldn't have to spend money on another FA pitcher. I'd like to see Zambrano and Jacque Jones for Philip Hughes + other prospects if the Yankees would bite. There is one big name FA this offseason that will have a huge impact on whatever franchise he signs with, Miguel Cabrera. I think the Cubs use the money they would have thrown at Z to go after Cabrera. If necessary, I'd even deal Ramirez to free up more cash, hopefully for a good to decent RF or catcher. Beyond that, it would depend on who's available this offseason.

 

3 things:

 

1) With Milwaukee playing so poorly, it seems a bit premature to give up on the season right now. If the Cubs bullpen shakes out a little bit of the dead weight and they put the arms in the proper order, this team will be right in it.

2) Cabrera is not a free agent until after the 2009 season.

3) Aramis has a NTC.

[CoolHandLuke]

I would trim the following "fat" ASAP

 

Jacque Jones

Cesar Izturis

Scott Eyre

 

Recall Pie, Fontenot, and another arm from AAA

 

Then I would look to move Zambrano by the deadline for the best package available.

 

I would name Weurtz my closer.

 

I would move Soriano to RF, and install Murton as my full time LF. Then after the 07 season I would decide whether to stick with him, or look for more of a power bat.

 

I would consider moving D. Lee to 2nd in the order if his HR's dont pick up.

 

It wouldn't be your job as GM to decide where Lee hits. That's the managers job.

 

Who is the manager's boss again?