The Cubs this offseason

[shnsajax]

I want ARod. Go cheap at 2nd (Theriot/Patterson, C Soto and CF Pie and get a right handed hitter that can play D at CF to help Pie. I think the pitching will be fine and if they could somehow move Eyre, it would be even better.

 

Yes please.

 

Theriot (2b)

Soriano (LF)

Lee

ARod

ARam

DeRow (RF)

Soto

Pie

 

Yum, yum, dim-sum.

 

Arod or Tejada.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I'd add Fukudome to the OF and call it an offseason.

[radarluv1]

if we get renteria, fontenot ( or was it theriot) should be able to give him an elbow to the face at full speed just to put that behind us. otherwise we'll have to wait until the season to put one into his ribs at 95mph.

[marc_foust]

I'd add Fukudome to the OF and call it an offseason.

 

Ive seen mention of this guy on this board a couple of times. Is there an MLB player that he compares to stats and tools wise? And also what kind of posting fee will there be?

 

Also is Milton Bradley a free agent this offseason?

[Guest]

I'd add Fukudome to the OF and call it an offseason.

 

Ive seen mention of this guy on this board a couple of times. Is there an MLB player that he compares to stats and tools wise? And also what kind of posting fee will there be?

 

Also is Milton Bradley a free agent this offseason?

 

No posting fee since he's a true free agent. But he might warrant at least a 4-year contract for $10 or more million/year.

 

Lord of Khemenu compared him to a lesser version of Sizemore in this thread: link (Premium).

[nilodnayr]

No salary leway + not a lot of extra talent to deal + pending sale = very dissapointing offseason to a lot of people in this thread.

[Backtobanks]

If I'm Hendry and knowing I have a minimal budget for next year, I'm looking for someone cheap or a hidden gem for RF.

 

I'd consider someone like Seth Smith of the Rockies, who doesn't have a spot with Hawpe and Holliday on the corners and platoon him with Murton. I don't like Murton in RF, but his bat, makes him a cheap and likely productive RF'er against LH'ers.

 

He does look like an interesting option, especially as a platoon player. My original suggestion was to convince Soriano to play RF and bat 5th for the good of the team. That way Murton or a Murton platoon would be more than adequate in LF.

[marc_foust]

No salary leway + not a lot of extra talent to deal + pending sale = very dissapointing offseason to a lot of people in this thread.

 

We dont really need to pull off blockbuster deals or spend "300 million" this offseason to be successful. We just have to find some value. With the young players we have coming up we can get by with improving only a couple of positions from outside the organization.

 

I dont think there would be too many people upset with starting next year with soto and blanco at catcher. same thing with Pie in center. If we can add a #5 hole RF bat and a #3 rotation pitcher the Cubs would be better than this year.

[Guest]

I don't see the point in adding another starting pitcher. Sure, Marquis might fall off a bit as he has in his second season with new teams in the past but Z should rebound. Prior (ehh, I know), Gallagher, Mateo and Hart are viable 6/7/8/9 starters and late in the season, Samardzija and Veal might be ready.

[rawaction]

Realistically,

 

Soriano, Lee and Ramirez are locks. DeRosa and Theriot are extremely likely to be back in the middle IF. That leaves CF, RF, and C. I think Soto and either Kendall/Blanco will be your two at C. So, the only places the Cubs can add the needed offense are CF and RF. Jones, Pie, and Murton are there for those 2 spots, but a team that needs offense in the OF shouldn't come back with those 3 players. But with the payroll already tied up, probably no room for FAs.

 

Here are some possible available OF options:

 

Good options:

 

Brad Hawpe- Colorado has Holliday, Spilborghs, and Tavares in the OF along with Hawpe now. And soon, will have to find a place to play Jeff Baker, Koshansky, and Ian Stewart....assuming Helton isn't going anywhere.

 

Andre Ethier- LA has money tied up and untradeable OFs, Gonzalez and Pierre, to go along with Kemp and Ethier. Plus, if they can add a big-time bat at 1B or 3B, either Loney or Laroche will have to be moved to the OF.

 

Decent options:

 

Pat Burrell- Philly has Victorino, Bourn, Rowand (who is a FA, but I think they will re-sign), and Werth in the OF. Works because Philly has a ton of offense, and can use the offense. Size of contract is an issue as Philly won't want to eat much and the Cubs can't afford much of it.

 

Raul Ibanez/Jose Guillen- Seattle has Ichiro, and youngsters Adam Jones and Wlademir Ballentien possibly in the starting OF next year. I think they will keep 1 for DH/insurance purposes. Neither are great, but should come cheap, prospects wise.

 

Risky options:

 

Carlos Quentin- Byrnes, Upton, Young is the OF next year. Quentin's the odd man out. He's risky because he's mostly unproven at the ML level, and no guarantee to be an upgrade in 2008 for the Cubs, who undoubtedly will be looking to compete.

 

Rocco Baldelli- Another team with an Upton and Young in the OF, along with Crawford. Baldelli is obviously a huge injury risk, and would likely be an upgrade, but hasn't proven he can stay on the field. Probably gonna cost more in prospects than he should because of his potential.

 

Ryan Church- Pena, Logan, Kearns in the OF next year, Church has pretty much already been benched. He doesn't necessarily guarantee an upgrade in the Cubs OF either. And you gotta think because the Cubs have shown interest the last 2 years, that he would be expensive to obtain.

 

The Cubs are probably at the point where they are gonna have to trade either Hill/Marshall, or Pie, or most of their minor league SP depth (Gallagher, Holliman, Veal, Mateo, Hart) in order to seriously upgrade the offense.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

FUKUDOME.

 

He can play either RF or CF. I think we could fill the other spots in house.

[Bruno7481]

FUKUDOME.

 

He can play either RF or CF. I think we could fill the other spots in house.

 

It wouldn't be a NSBB offseason without clamoring for the next great Japanese hope.

 

:wink:

[WrigleyField 22]

I wouldn't mind Fukkudome, but the sale might make adding salary difficult. If you figure Soto and and Pie can fill CF and C, that leaves two holes at SS and RF. Theriot could play SS, but I'd prefer him to be the main MIF backup where he would still get a lot of time playing 2B for DeRosa since DeRosa is the "supersub". Murton could also fill in at RF cheaply.

 

So really, at all of our positions that we could fill we have cheap young players to fill the holes. I would take out CF and C right now because we have players who are at the least, excellent defenders at the spot and one who is likely a good offensive player within the next few years. The other I'm not as sold on, but he plays a mainly defensive position.

 

So we need to fill SS or RF with a big acquisition. This is assuming we can move around some big contracts like Jones/Eyyre/Dempster to make room. Whatever position we spend on we will be looking at the scrap heap for the other spot. So that being said, aren't we much more likely to find cheap help from a RF/CF than from a SS? It seems like every offseason there are those decent hitting cheap contract OF available. Think of the Milton Bradley's.

 

Anyways I'm rambling, but I just hope that we give some young guys a shot.

 

LF-Soriano

RF-Murton/?

1B-Lee

3B-Ramirez

SS-Tejada or ARod?

2B-DeRosa

CF-Pie

C-Soto

 

The other option:

LF-Soriano

SS-Theriot

1B-Lee

3B-Ramirez

RF-Fukudome

2B-DeRosa

CF-Pie

C-Soto

 

I'd be pretty happy with either, but I think the first would be a little more proven.

 

Another good note is that we could potentially put together a pretty cheap bench. Fotenot, Theriot, Blanco, Ward, Murton, Pagan, Patterson, etc are all potential bench players with Blanco the only one who really makes a lot.

[UK1679666180]

If I'm Hendry and knowing I have a minimal budget for next year, I'm looking for someone cheap or a hidden gem for RF.

 

I'd consider someone like Seth Smith of the Rockies, who doesn't have a spot with Hawpe and Holliday on the corners and platoon him with Murton. I don't like Murton in RF, but his bat, makes him a cheap and likely productive RF'er against LH'ers.

 

He does look like an interesting option, especially as a platoon player. My original suggestion was to convince Soriano to play RF and bat 5th for the good of the team. That way Murton or a Murton platoon would be more than adequate in LF.

 

Either way, I don't see them having the money to get a key FA or the prospects to trade for a proven ML'er of high quality.

[Anomalied]

For reference, and assuming Ward and Eyre's options are exercised...

 

I don't know if players like Cedeno or Gallagher will make the team, but I just added them to fill out the roster.

 

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/4359/cubsnn4.jpg

 

I figure we're saddled with Eyre and Dempster, but after his performance in the second half, Jacque Jones could warrant a few suitors. Let's say he's traded for prospects.

 

Starting Lineup

1. Alfonso Soriano (RF)

2. Matt Murton (LF)

3. Derrek Lee (1B)

4. Alex Rodriguez (SS)

5. Aramis Ramirez (3B)

6. Mark DeRosa (2B)

7. Geovany Soto ©

8. Felix Pie (CF)

 

Starting Rotation

1. Carlos Zambrano (SP)

2. Ted Lilly (SP)

3. Jason Marquis (SP)

4. Rich Hill (SP)

5. Sean Marshall (SP)

 

Bench

1. Ryan Theriot (IF)

2. Mike Fontenot (IF)

3. Daryle Ward (IF/OF)

4. Angel Pagan (OF)

5. Henry Blanco ©

 

Bullpen

1. Ryan Dempster (LR)

2. Michael Wuertz (MR)

3. Will Ohman (MR)

4. Kerry Wood (MR)

5. Scott Eyre (SU)

6. Bob Howry (SU)

7. Carlos Marmol (CP)

 

The lineup is heavy on right-handers, but lefties have given us the most trouble, so I wouldn't be too worried. Yeah, I know A-Rod seems like a pipe dream, but you never know.

 

As for Soriano moving to right, I'd trust his defense out there much more than I would Murton's.

 

I don't expect the rotation to change.

 

Marmol taking over the closer's role is bound to happen after the terrific season he's had. Dempster then becomes the long reliever/spot starter.

[marc_foust]

Realistically,

 

Soriano, Lee and Ramirez are locks. DeRosa and Theriot are extremely likely to be back in the middle IF. That leaves CF, RF, and C. I think Soto and either Kendall/Blanco will be your two at C. So, the only places the Cubs can add the needed offense are CF and RF. Jones, Pie, and Murton are there for those 2 spots, but a team that needs offense in the OF shouldn't come back with those 3 players. But with the payroll already tied up, probably no room for FAs.

 

Here are some possible available OF options:

 

Good options:

 

Brad Hawpe- Colorado has Holliday, Spilborghs, and Tavares in the OF along with Hawpe now. And soon, will have to find a place to play Jeff Baker, Koshansky, and Ian Stewart....assuming Helton isn't going anywhere.

 

Andre Ethier- LA has money tied up and untradeable OFs, Gonzalez and Pierre, to go along with Kemp and Ethier. Plus, if they can add a big-time bat at 1B or 3B, either Loney or Laroche will have to be moved to the OF.

 

Decent options:

 

Pat Burrell- Philly has Victorino, Bourn, Rowand (who is a FA, but I think they will re-sign), and Werth in the OF. Works because Philly has a ton of offense, and can use the offense. Size of contract is an issue as Philly won't want to eat much and the Cubs can't afford much of it.

 

Raul Ibanez/Jose Guillen- Seattle has Ichiro, and youngsters Adam Jones and Wlademir Ballentien possibly in the starting OF next year. I think they will keep 1 for DH/insurance purposes. Neither are great, but should come cheap, prospects wise.

 

Risky options:

 

Carlos Quentin- Byrnes, Upton, Young is the OF next year. Quentin's the odd man out. He's risky because he's mostly unproven at the ML level, and no guarantee to be an upgrade in 2008 for the Cubs, who undoubtedly will be looking to compete.

 

Rocco Baldelli- Another team with an Upton and Young in the OF, along with Crawford. Baldelli is obviously a huge injury risk, and would likely be an upgrade, but hasn't proven he can stay on the field. Probably gonna cost more in prospects than he should because of his potential.

 

Ryan Church- Pena, Logan, Kearns in the OF next year, Church has pretty much already been benched. He doesn't necessarily guarantee an upgrade in the Cubs OF either. And you gotta think because the Cubs have shown interest the last 2 years, that he would be expensive to obtain.

 

The Cubs are probably at the point where they are gonna have to trade either Hill/Marshall, or Pie, or most of their minor league SP depth (Gallagher, Holliman, Veal, Mateo, Hart) in order to seriously upgrade the offense.

 

I lookat the talent on that list and try to figure out what package I would ask for in return and then I try to think of happy thoughts. I have to believe that any talks involving Hawpe or Eitheir would start with Hill+. Burrell and the Seattle duo would also cost a bit and they are more like consolation prizes (a little less so with Burrell). Church, Quentin , and Baldelli may not be any better than Murton in the long run.

[Backtobanks]

Realistically,

 

Soriano, Lee and Ramirez are locks. DeRosa and Theriot are extremely likely to be back in the middle IF. That leaves CF, RF, and C. I think Soto and either Kendall/Blanco will be your two at C. So, the only places the Cubs can add the needed offense are CF and RF. Jones, Pie, and Murton are there for those 2 spots, but a team that needs offense in the OF shouldn't come back with those 3 players. But with the payroll already tied up, probably no room for FAs.

 

Here are some possible available OF options:

 

Good options:

 

Brad Hawpe- Colorado has Holliday, Spilborghs, and Tavares in the OF along with Hawpe now. And soon, will have to find a place to play Jeff Baker, Koshansky, and Ian Stewart....assuming Helton isn't going anywhere.

 

Andre Ethier- LA has money tied up and untradeable OFs, Gonzalez and Pierre, to go along with Kemp and Ethier. Plus, if they can add a big-time bat at 1B or 3B, either Loney or Laroche will have to be moved to the OF.

 

Decent options:

 

Pat Burrell- Philly has Victorino, Bourn, Rowand (who is a FA, but I think they will re-sign), and Werth in the OF. Works because Philly has a ton of offense, and can use the offense. Size of contract is an issue as Philly won't want to eat much and the Cubs can't afford much of it.

 

Raul Ibanez/Jose Guillen- Seattle has Ichiro, and youngsters Adam Jones and Wlademir Ballentien possibly in the starting OF next year. I think they will keep 1 for DH/insurance purposes. Neither are great, but should come cheap, prospects wise.

 

Risky options:

 

Carlos Quentin- Byrnes, Upton, Young is the OF next year. Quentin's the odd man out. He's risky because he's mostly unproven at the ML level, and no guarantee to be an upgrade in 2008 for the Cubs, who undoubtedly will be looking to compete.

 

Rocco Baldelli- Another team with an Upton and Young in the OF, along with Crawford. Baldelli is obviously a huge injury risk, and would likely be an upgrade, but hasn't proven he can stay on the field. Probably gonna cost more in prospects than he should because of his potential.

 

Ryan Church- Pena, Logan, Kearns in the OF next year, Church has pretty much already been benched. He doesn't necessarily guarantee an upgrade in the Cubs OF either. And you gotta think because the Cubs have shown interest the last 2 years, that he would be expensive to obtain.

 

The Cubs are probably at the point where they are gonna have to trade either Hill/Marshall, or Pie, or most of their minor league SP depth (Gallagher, Holliman, Veal, Mateo, Hart) in order to seriously upgrade the offense.

 

I lookat the talent on that list and try to figure out what package I would ask for in return and then I try to think of happy thoughts. I have to believe that any talks involving Hawpe or Eitheir would start with Hill+. Burrell and the Seattle duo would also cost a bit and they are more like consolation prizes (a little less so with Burrell). Church, Quentin , and Baldelli may not be any better than Murton in the long run.

 

With the right deal, I could see the Cubs thinking about trading either Hill or Marshall. They've done a pretty good job, but I'm not sure the Cubs want to go into next year with 3 lefties in the rotation. Also, one of their strengths seems to be young pitchers, so they might be expendable for the right player.

[marc_foust]

Realistically,

 

Soriano, Lee and Ramirez are locks. DeRosa and Theriot are extremely likely to be back in the middle IF. That leaves CF, RF, and C. I think Soto and either Kendall/Blanco will be your two at C. So, the only places the Cubs can add the needed offense are CF and RF. Jones, Pie, and Murton are there for those 2 spots, but a team that needs offense in the OF shouldn't come back with those 3 players. But with the payroll already tied up, probably no room for FAs.

 

Here are some possible available OF options:

 

Good options:

 

Brad Hawpe- Colorado has Holliday, Spilborghs, and Tavares in the OF along with Hawpe now. And soon, will have to find a place to play Jeff Baker, Koshansky, and Ian Stewart....assuming Helton isn't going anywhere.

 

Andre Ethier- LA has money tied up and untradeable OFs, Gonzalez and Pierre, to go along with Kemp and Ethier. Plus, if they can add a big-time bat at 1B or 3B, either Loney or Laroche will have to be moved to the OF.

 

Decent options:

 

Pat Burrell- Philly has Victorino, Bourn, Rowand (who is a FA, but I think they will re-sign), and Werth in the OF. Works because Philly has a ton of offense, and can use the offense. Size of contract is an issue as Philly won't want to eat much and the Cubs can't afford much of it.

 

Raul Ibanez/Jose Guillen- Seattle has Ichiro, and youngsters Adam Jones and Wlademir Ballentien possibly in the starting OF next year. I think they will keep 1 for DH/insurance purposes. Neither are great, but should come cheap, prospects wise.

 

Risky options:

 

Carlos Quentin- Byrnes, Upton, Young is the OF next year. Quentin's the odd man out. He's risky because he's mostly unproven at the ML level, and no guarantee to be an upgrade in 2008 for the Cubs, who undoubtedly will be looking to compete.

 

Rocco Baldelli- Another team with an Upton and Young in the OF, along with Crawford. Baldelli is obviously a huge injury risk, and would likely be an upgrade, but hasn't proven he can stay on the field. Probably gonna cost more in prospects than he should because of his potential.

 

Ryan Church- Pena, Logan, Kearns in the OF next year, Church has pretty much already been benched. He doesn't necessarily guarantee an upgrade in the Cubs OF either. And you gotta think because the Cubs have shown interest the last 2 years, that he would be expensive to obtain.

 

The Cubs are probably at the point where they are gonna have to trade either Hill/Marshall, or Pie, or most of their minor league SP depth (Gallagher, Holliman, Veal, Mateo, Hart) in order to seriously upgrade the offense.

 

I lookat the talent on that list and try to figure out what package I would ask for in return and then I try to think of happy thoughts. I have to believe that any talks involving Hawpe or Eitheir would start with Hill+. Burrell and the Seattle duo would also cost a bit and they are more like consolation prizes (a little less so with Burrell). Church, Quentin , and Baldelli may not be any better than Murton in the long run.

 

With the right deal, I could see the Cubs thinking about trading either Hill or Marshall. They've done a pretty good job, but I'm not sure the Cubs want to go into next year with 3 lefties in the rotation. Also, one of their strengths seems to be young pitchers, so they might be expendable for the right player.

 

That was my thinking too. But I am not sure if any of the players in that list are worth the risk of giving up Hill. I like Hawpe and Ethier but I am not sure about them. I would almost be tempted to say keep our staff intact and just make a run at a Renteria or a Milton Bradley type. (Assuming we cant get ARod or Johan Santana of course)

[WrigleyField 22]

I would think Dempster could be moved without eating any salary. He has the "closer" label and has a good save percentage, so some team would probably like him. Eyre, I would take on most of the contract. Even if we save 1 million, thats one million more to spend, or one million less we have to backload someone's contract, etc. Jones is another guy who could be moved by taking only a little or no salary.

[Outshined_One]

Given the salary situation this team might be facing, maybe we're not quite looking at things the right way. Yeah, guys like Hawpe and Ethier would be awesome additions to the team, but the price the Cubs would have to pay would be fairly steep. Given the uncertain depth of this rotation, would it be wise to part with Hill or Marshall for those guys?

 

So...why not go the other way around and try doing what Texas did with Saltalamacchia? Are there any young players out there who are blocked, but would be major league ready in 2008?

 

Granted, this team doesn't seem especially high on trotting out young players every day, but they've shown enough of a willingness to do so that it could be a reasonable move. Moreover, the Cubs wouldn't be adding much salary.

[NCCubFan]

Are there any young players out there who are blocked, but would be major league ready in 2008?

Jeff Clement comes to mind. Many Cub fans were clamoring for the Cubs to draft him several years ago. He's blocked in Seattle by Johima.

[rawaction]

Given the salary situation this team might be facing, maybe we're not quite looking at things the right way. Yeah, guys like Hawpe and Ethier would be awesome additions to the team, but the price the Cubs would have to pay would be fairly steep. Given the uncertain depth of this rotation, would it be wise to part with Hill or Marshall for those guys?

 

So...why not go the other way around and try doing what Texas did with Saltalamacchia? Are there any young players out there who are blocked, but would be major league ready in 2008?

 

Granted, this team doesn't seem especially high on trotting out young players every day, but they've shown enough of a willingness to do so that it could be a reasonable move. Moreover, the Cubs wouldn't be adding much salary.

 

I think Quentin qualifies under this scenario. The problem with it though, I don't see the Cubs going with a clear unproven, along with Pie and Soto.

 

I'd probably try to hold on to Hill, but if Colorado would take Marshall and a prospect for Hawpe (I'd give up probably anyone in the system), I'd probably take that deal and hope one of the Cubs high minors arms can do what Marshall did this season as the 5th starter. I'd probably add Pie to the deal if the Cubs got a legit pitching prospect back. Then I'd let Jones play out his contract in CF, and hope Colvin or Eric Patterson can handle CF in 09.

[nilodnayr]

Given the salary situation this team might be facing, maybe we're not quite looking at things the right way. Yeah, guys like Hawpe and Ethier would be awesome additions to the team, but the price the Cubs would have to pay would be fairly steep. Given the uncertain depth of this rotation, would it be wise to part with Hill or Marshall for those guys?

 

So...why not go the other way around and try doing what Texas did with Saltalamacchia? Are there any young players out there who are blocked, but would be major league ready in 2008?

 

Granted, this team doesn't seem especially high on trotting out young players every day, but they've shown enough of a willingness to do so that it could be a reasonable move. Moreover, the Cubs wouldn't be adding much salary.

 

We could do what Texas did if we had, you know, someone like Mark freakin Teixiera to trade away.

[nilodnayr]

For reference, and assuming Ward and Eyre's options are exercised...

 

I don't know if players like Cedeno or Gallagher will make the team, but I just added them to fill out the roster.

 

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/4359/cubsnn4.jpg

 

I figure we're saddled with Eyre and Dempster, but after his performance in the second half, Jacque Jones could warrant a few suitors. Let's say he's traded for prospects.

 

Starting Lineup

1. Alfonso Soriano (RF)

2. Matt Murton (LF)

3. Derrek Lee (1B)

4. Alex Rodriguez (SS)

5. Aramis Ramirez (3B)

6. Mark DeRosa (2B)

7. Geovany Soto ©

8. Felix Pie (CF)

 

Starting Rotation

1. Carlos Zambrano (SP)

2. Ted Lilly (SP)

3. Jason Marquis (SP)

4. Rich Hill (SP)

5. Sean Marshall (SP)

 

Bench

1. Ryan Theriot (IF)

2. Mike Fontenot (IF)

3. Daryle Ward (IF/OF)

4. Angel Pagan (OF)

5. Henry Blanco ©

 

Bullpen

1. Ryan Dempster (LR)

2. Michael Wuertz (MR)

3. Will Ohman (MR)

4. Kerry Wood (MR)

5. Scott Eyre (SU)

6. Bob Howry (SU)

7. Carlos Marmol (CP)

 

The lineup is heavy on right-handers, but lefties have given us the most trouble, so I wouldn't be too worried. Yeah, I know A-Rod seems like a pipe dream, but you never know.

 

As for Soriano moving to right, I'd trust his defense out there much more than I would Murton's.

 

I don't expect the rotation to change.

 

Marmol taking over the closer's role is bound to happen after the terrific season he's had. Dempster then becomes the long reliever/spot starter.

 

Im not sure how its amortized, but you may have to add in 1M of Z's 5M signing bonus, 1M of ARam's 5M signing bonus, 1M of Sori's 8M signing bonus, 1.33M of Jacque's 4M signing bonus and, .5 of Howry's signing bonus. According to Cott's, Lilly's 4M signing bonus was already paid. I assume you have us non-tendering Cotts. So, that adds up for to about 106M. According to Cots we had a 100M payroll this year. Getting rid of Jones gets us back down to about 100M, adding ARod puts us at $130. Sure would be nice if we increased payroll by 30M. For reference it took 5 years (2001 to 2006) to increase our payroll $30M. Also, assuming 3% inflation, half of that increase was due to inflation.

[neely crenshaw]

I think the moves are more likely to be round trades rather than signings which would keep the cost down a bit. We will probably drop a few names for salary room..like floyd. Right now jones has to stay unless we pick someone up. i just don't think you can go with pie and murton as fulltime guys with no one behind them.

we certainly could use bullpen upgrade and I think a starter. we could continue with hill,marquis and marshall but they are too up and down. I would think we could grab a veteran pitcher for 2 young guys. I would love to grab a stud RF and then turn CF over to pie as a number 8 hitter.