Buyers or Sellers

[Jehrico]

Here's the quandry I think we're going to be facing in another month...I predict we're going to be below .500, but we'll still have a very possible, highly legitimate chance at winning the division and making the postseason, especially if we can make one very good deadline move. The question is, if that's the case, should we look to be buyers, or should we sell anyways? Even if we win this pathetic division, our chances in the postseason are not good. Should we further leverage the future for the bat to get us to the postseason just to likely be eliminated in the NLDS? That seems foolhardy. We have some pitchers doing very, very well, and starting pitching will always fetch a premium at the deadline. As pleased as I am with Marquis's performance, I don't expect him to repeat what he's doing three years in a row. Lilly I'm a little bit more optimistic about, but I'd still look at moving him for the right deal. Z is the tough question...I think the Z of old is finally coming back around, but there's always the uncertainties about his contract with the sale of the team.

 

On the other hand, with one solid move, we should be at least as good as the Cardinals were last year, so there's always the school of thought that you should never throw away a realistic shot at the postseason.

 

What would you do?

[NewUserName]

I dont thing the Cubs will ever be true sellers. They may trade some minor pieces. They will never just completely clean house though.

 

As for picking up a bat to be as good as the Cardinals last year. I dont like the idea but that is exactly the type of thinking that Hendry will do. His job is on the line.

[RynoRules]

I guarantee that Hendry will not sell if the team is within 10 at the ASB. He's trying to save his job.

[Soriano12]

Zambrano for Brandon Wood.

[jersey cubs fan]

I don't think they have a whole lot to sell.

 

I wouldn't be for dealing Lee and Ramirez at this point. The Cubs have the ability to contend within the next year or two with a competent GM. And those guys will be a part of it if it happens. Soriano is untradable. Nobody else among the position players is worth much of anything on his own. I would be up for dealing Barrett if somebody wants him, because I have no interest in seeing them extend him this winter (and he's a moron who isn't particularly good at baseball - despite a couple solid years at the plate). As for pitchers, I'd be fine if they traded away Zambrano for some solid youthful talent, but again, other than him, who do they have that they could deal as sellers?

[rynefan]

I agree with Jersey. We probably should be sellers, but we just don't have much to sell. I'm not saying write off the season, but something is not working with the "great" pieces we have, so with a few new faces, who knows.

[Derwood]

i think Hendry is fighting for his job (as someone else said) and will likely leverage the future for a band aid to get us to the playoffs.

[jersey cubs fan]

i think Hendry is fighting for his job (as someone else said) and will likely leverage the future for a band aid to get us to the playoffs.

 

This situation, GM fighting for his job on a team still "in the race" but with bullpen issues, just screams for a Garland/Karcher part II.

[ctcf]

I've actually been expecting him to try and pull off another Nomar blockbuster type trade in a last ditch attempt to save his ass.

[Keener98]

I've actually been expecting him to try and pull off another Nomar blockbuster type trade in a last ditch attempt to save his ass.

 

Problem is, there really isnt anybody out there like that in spots we could use the help i.e ss.

[Derwood]

i think Hendry is fighting for his job (as someone else said) and will likely leverage the future for a band aid to get us to the playoffs.

 

This situation, GM fighting for his job on a team still "in the race" but with bullpen issues, just screams for a Garland/Karcher part II.

 

shudder. Noel for Heredia was no better at the time, though Noel never panned out.

 

But yes, "Former First Round Pick for crappy middle reliever" seems about right

[ctcf]

I've actually been expecting him to try and pull off another Nomar blockbuster type trade in a last ditch attempt to save his ass.

 

Problem is, there really isnt anybody out there like that in spots we could use the help i.e ss.

 

That doesn't mean he won't try to get a star OF just to look good.

[rawaction]

You know Hendry is gonna go hard after middle relief. Instead of seeing that the major problems in the pen are the guys making big money (Eyre, Howry), Hendry will get more veterans making big money to compensate. I could see him trading Marmol and Marshall, among others to get a couple mediocre relief pitchers.

[jersey cubs fan]

You know Hendry is gonna go hard after middle relief. Instead of seeing that the major problems in the pen are the guys making big money (Eyre, Howry), Hendry will get more veterans making big money to compensate. I could see him trading Marmol and Marshall, among others to get a couple mediocre relief pitchers.

 

So anybody have a list of bodies to fill the role?

 

I'll nominate Chad Bradford.

[MustangMike]

I think we need another Right Fielder.

[Have a seat, Neifi]

I think we need another Right Fielder.

Preferably a lefthanded one who is past his prime and wouldn't take a walk if Jessica Alba were standing at first base wearing a french maid outfit.

[moorecg]

I think we need another Right Fielder.

Preferably a lefthanded one who is past his prime and wouldn't take a walk if Jessica Alba were standing at first base wearing a french maid outfit.

 

He's not left handed...but I think Preston Wilson could be had.

[Derwood]

You know Hendry is gonna go hard after middle relief. Instead of seeing that the major problems in the pen are the guys making big money (Eyre, Howry), Hendry will get more veterans making big money to compensate. I could see him trading Marmol and Marshall, among others to get a couple mediocre relief pitchers.

 

So anybody have a list of bodies to fill the role?

 

I'll nominate Chad Bradford.

 

i call dibs on mike stanton

[Have a seat, Neifi]

Too bad Ricardo Rincon's unavailable.

[Backtobanks]

I've actually been expecting him to try and pull off another Nomar blockbuster type trade in a last ditch attempt to save his ass.

 

Problem is, there really isnt anybody out there like that in spots we could use the help i.e ss.

 

You're never positive that they're available, but two names come to mind: Arod and Tejada.

[ctcf]

I've actually been expecting him to try and pull off another Nomar blockbuster type trade in a last ditch attempt to save his ass.

 

Problem is, there really isnt anybody out there like that in spots we could use the help i.e ss.

 

You're never positive that they're available, but two names come to mind: Arod and Tejada.

 

And if the Yankees stay on their current nosedive who knows what the arod situation will be.

[rawaction]

You know Hendry is gonna go hard after middle relief. Instead of seeing that the major problems in the pen are the guys making big money (Eyre, Howry), Hendry will get more veterans making big money to compensate. I could see him trading Marmol and Marshall, among others to get a couple mediocre relief pitchers.

 

So anybody have a list of bodies to fill the role?

 

I'll nominate Chad Bradford.

 

Jorge Julio, Jose Mesa, Darren Oliver, Elmer Dessens, John Wasdin, Mike McDougal, Scott Schoenweis, Roberto Hernandez, Ray King, Mike Stanton, Chris Reitsma.

[Jehrico]

I guarantee that Hendry will not sell if the team is within 10 at the ASB. He's trying to save his job.

Agreed. But what would you do?

[Jehrico]

I think we need to get another left fielder to play in Right Field.

 

fixed.

[USSoccer]

As tempting and cathartic as it would be to blow it all up and sell, I'm going to go ahead and advocate being a buyer.

 

We don't have any prospects that I would consider real "can't miss" guys. Maybe Pie and Veal, but that still leaves plenty of depth with which to deal. Our division sucks, and the NL isn't much better. St Louis proved last year that if you can get into the playoffs, anything is possible. I'll take that chance and be a buyer, knowing that all we have to do is be the tallest midget in the NL Central, and then take my chances in the playoffs against a pretty average NL.