Soto a starter in 2008?

[jersey cubs fan]

My thinking is that Blanco could retire. His career may be done, and I'd have to imagine he won't get much PT next year. And his injuries are starting to mount. I'd settle for Koyie Hill as a backup (to Soto) next year if it meant Blanco retired or was DFA'd and Kendall was elsewhere.

 

I agree. I could almost see the Cubs and Blanco coming to a buyout decision with Henry moving into some sort of coaching position, possibly instructing minor league catchers or as a bullpen coach.

 

I would definitely settle for that sort of $700,000 catching situation, if it means investing millions in a real bat elsewhere.

I doubt that happens. The Cubs are stuck with Blanco, period. You won't see any buyouts at a discounted price.

 

Most likely, but there's something about the Blanco story that just makes me think the guy is really considering retirement. He doesnt' want to just give up all that money, but if he can get 80% of it without doing the work of a player, while still maintaining a positive relationship with the Cubs so he can get into the coaching fast track, maybe he'd choose that path.

[nilodnayr]

Nice to finally upgrade a position and not have to trade for them and/or overpay them.

 

Let Pie start as well, while they're at it.

 

I really like the idea of Pie and Murton in the OF with Soto behind the plate, a rotation that includes Hill and possibly Marshall, a bench that includes Theriot and Fontenot, and a bullpen with Marmol and maybe a guy like Hart. That's a lot of payroll cleared up for a SS upgrade.

 

I don't see alot of payroll being cleared up.

 

They owe an additional 20 mil worth of salary to Z, Soriano, Ramirez, Lilly, Marquis, and Derosa compared to '07. That's more than salaries of the FAs that would leave.

 

They'd have to unload salary to take on additional salary.

 

They already have to have a large increase to keep a somewhat similar roster, adding someone like Renteria/Tejada, without them taking on salary doesn't seem like it fits.

 

Which is unfort. b/c this team is still one (great/Arod) to 3 (good) players from becoming good enough to contend.

 

Well Tejada and Renteria really aren't in the same boat. Renteria is 6M, Tejada is 13M.

[nilodnayr]

Nice to finally upgrade a position and not have to trade for them and/or overpay them.

 

Let Pie start as well, while they're at it.

 

I really like the idea of Pie and Murton in the OF with Soto behind the plate, a rotation that includes Hill and possibly Marshall, a bench that includes Theriot and Fontenot, and a bullpen with Marmol and maybe a guy like Hart. That's a lot of payroll cleared up for a SS upgrade.

 

I don't see alot of payroll being cleared up.

 

They owe an additional 20 mil worth of salary to Z, Soriano, Ramirez, Lilly, Marquis, and Derosa compared to '07. That's more than salaries of the FAs that would leave.

 

They'd have to unload salary to take on additional salary.

 

They already have to have a large increase to keep a somewhat similar roster, adding someone like Renteria/Tejada, without them taking on salary doesn't seem like it fits.

 

Which is unfort. b/c this team is still one (great/Arod) to 3 (good) players from becoming good enough to contend.

 

I would strongly consider dealing away Jones. I think Marquis might actually be tradeable. And a black horse candidate for money saving potential is DeRosa. He's had a nice year, but nice isn't what this team needs. He's basically a slightly over 100 OPS+ guy the last two years, but a bit below for his career. He'll be 33 as well. I don't think he's a lock to repeated his 2007, in which case, I'm not convinced the Cubs would be unable to get similar production out of Patterson, Theriot, Fontenot, Cedeno. Plus, I think DeRosa would actually be valued relatively high on the trade market, as opposed to being a salary dump. They could actually get something for him, and save some millions in return to spend on a real SS, RF or CF.

 

I agree, Marquis might be tradeable. If you look at the other pitchers available like Kyle Lohse and Carlos Silva who are going to command in the range of 4/32, Marquies at...son of a backloaded contract. Well, he'll be getting 8M per, but it will only be for 2 years. That might be attractive to teams.

[jersey cubs fan]

I agree, Marquis might be tradeable. If you look at the other pitchers available like Kyle Lohse and Carlos Silva who are going to command in the range of 4/32, Marquies at...son of a backloaded contract. Well, he'll be getting 8M per, but it will only be for 2 years. That might be attractive to teams.

 

Not to mention, the threat of him using his right to demand a trade/free agency after year 1 would actually work in the team's favor.

[UK1679666180]

If they could get trade Marquis and Jones, they should. But, who knows what type of market there is for either of them. Jones wasn't traded b/c of the amount the Cubs were sending to Florida and I'd expect the Cubs to eat much of the salary if they trade Marquis.

 

I'm definitely not optimistic about the Cubs improving their roster as much as others this off-season, last year was the year to make those improvements and they were the biggest spenders of the offseason.

 

Now, it's time to let the youngsters come in and try and fill in pieces.

 

I'd love Renteria, but if he's avail, the demand will increase the cost likely beyond what the Cubs might be willing to give up.

 

I'd be content with getting a LH'ed bat to platoon in RF like Seth Smith, stick Pie in CF, Cedeno at SS, and Soto behind the plate.

 

I hope improvements next year will come from players like Soto being better than the revolving door at C, Cedeno better than Theriot/Izturis at SS, Pie better than what he was and Jones in CF.

 

Lou has a better idea on how to handle this pen, pray for a mircale named Prior and try and progress.

 

Like I said, this is one great player away from competing (Rodriguez) or 3 good players (SS, RF, and SP), I don't see either of those occuring with the limited resources they have to spend.

[Guest]

Nice to finally upgrade a position and not have to trade for them and/or overpay them.

 

Let Pie start as well, while they're at it.

 

I really like the idea of Pie and Murton in the OF with Soto behind the plate, a rotation that includes Hill and possibly Marshall, a bench that includes Theriot and Fontenot, and a bullpen with Marmol and maybe a guy like Hart. That's a lot of payroll cleared up for a SS upgrade.

 

I don't see alot of payroll being cleared up.

 

They owe an additional 20 mil worth of salary to Z, Soriano, Ramirez, Lilly, Marquis, and Derosa compared to '07. That's more than salaries of the FAs that would leave.

 

They'd have to unload salary to take on additional salary.

 

They already have to have a large increase to keep a somewhat similar roster, adding someone like Renteria/Tejada, without them taking on salary doesn't seem like it fits.

 

Which is unfort. b/c this team is still one (great/Arod) to 3 (good) players from becoming good enough to contend.

 

I would strongly consider dealing away Jones. I think Marquis might actually be tradeable. And a black horse candidate for money saving potential is DeRosa. He's had a nice year, but nice isn't what this team needs. He's basically a slightly over 100 OPS+ guy the last two years, but a bit below for his career. He'll be 33 as well. I don't think he's a lock to repeated his 2007, in which case, I'm not convinced the Cubs would be unable to get similar production out of Patterson, Theriot, Fontenot, Cedeno. Plus, I think DeRosa would actually be valued relatively high on the trade market, as opposed to being a salary dump. They could actually get something for him, and save some millions in return to spend on a real SS, RF or CF.

 

EPatt's days at second base are over, apparently.

[CubinNY]

EPatt's days at second base are over, apparently.

What? So soon? His days as a prospect are numbered then too.

[imb]

EPatt's days at second base are over, apparently.

What? So soon? His days as a prospect are numbered then too.

 

Not if he can play center. His bat would play at either position.

[SouthSideRyan]

 

EPatt's days at second base are over, apparently.

 

dumb.

[Guest]

EPatt's days at second base are over, apparently.

What? So soon? His days as a prospect are numbered then too.

 

Not if he can play center. His bat would play at either position.

 

Exactly, his bat is as valuable at CF. But then his days in the organization might be numbered.

 

Again, this isn't 100% but it's just the impression I've gotten - he was listed as a CF when he was called up (and is listed as an OF on the 40-man) and he played CF the last 2 weeks at Iowa when there were other CF options and no 2B options with the I-Cubs.

[Mizzou]

EPatt's days at second base are over, apparently.

What? So soon? His days as a prospect are numbered then too.

 

Not if he can play center. His bat would play at either position.

 

Exactly, his bat is as valuable at CF. But then his days in the organization might be numbered.

 

Again, this isn't 100% but it's just the impression I've gotten - he was listed as a CF when he was called up (and is listed as an OF on the 40-man) and he played CF the last 2 weeks at Iowa when there were other CF options and no 2B options with the I-Cubs.

Why was he switched in the first place? Was he pretty rough defensively?

[Guest]

EPatt's days at second base are over, apparently.

What? So soon? His days as a prospect are numbered then too.

 

Not if he can play center. His bat would play at either position.

 

Exactly, his bat is as valuable at CF. But then his days in the organization might be numbered.

 

Again, this isn't 100% but it's just the impression I've gotten - he was listed as a CF when he was called up (and is listed as an OF on the 40-man) and he played CF the last 2 weeks at Iowa when there were other CF options and no 2B options with the I-Cubs.

Why was he switched in the first place? Was he pretty rough defensively?

 

Yeah - his range is good but his glovework and footwork is horrible. It was bad enough that the Cubs were getting him OF time to make him a utility guy but now he might be sticking in the OF (he has the range, arm and speed to stick in CF if he can learn the position).

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

The only way I don't have Soto as the starter next season is if Posada could be lured away from New York.

[nilodnayr]

EPatt's days at second base are over, apparently.

What? So soon? His days as a prospect are numbered then too.

 

Not if he can play center. His bat would play at either position.

 

Exactly, his bat is as valuable at CF. But then his days in the organization might be numbered.

 

Again, this isn't 100% but it's just the impression I've gotten - he was listed as a CF when he was called up (and is listed as an OF on the 40-man) and he played CF the last 2 weeks at Iowa when there were other CF options and no 2B options with the I-Cubs.

Why was he switched in the first place? Was he pretty rough defensively?

 

Yeah - his range is good but his glovework and footwork is horrible. It was bad enough that the Cubs were getting him OF time to make him a utility guy but now he might be sticking in the OF (he has the range, arm and speed to stick in CF if he can learn the position).

 

Think B.J. Upton.

[nilodnayr]

For reference, the Cubs game 239/304/369 from their catchers this year.

[shnsajax]

EPatt's days at second base are over, apparently.

What? So soon? His days as a prospect are numbered then too.

 

Not if he can play center. His bat would play at either position.

 

Exactly, his bat is as valuable at CF. But then his days in the organization might be numbered.

 

Again, this isn't 100% but it's just the impression I've gotten - he was listed as a CF when he was called up (and is listed as an OF on the 40-man) and he played CF the last 2 weeks at Iowa when there were other CF options and no 2B options with the I-Cubs.

Why was he switched in the first place? Was he pretty rough defensively?

 

Yeah - his range is good but his glovework and footwork is horrible. It was bad enough that the Cubs were getting him OF time to make him a utility guy but now he might be sticking in the OF (he has the range, arm and speed to stick in CF if he can learn the position).

 

Think B.J. Upton.

 

but not as good. We can reunite Eric with Corey for Tejada. Of course Corey has to resign with Baltimore, although I doubt he will be demanding a huge contract.

[nilodnayr]

EPatt's days at second base are over, apparently.

What? So soon? His days as a prospect are numbered then too.

 

Not if he can play center. His bat would play at either position.

 

Exactly, his bat is as valuable at CF. But then his days in the organization might be numbered.

 

Again, this isn't 100% but it's just the impression I've gotten - he was listed as a CF when he was called up (and is listed as an OF on the 40-man) and he played CF the last 2 weeks at Iowa when there were other CF options and no 2B options with the I-Cubs.

Why was he switched in the first place? Was he pretty rough defensively?

 

Yeah - his range is good but his glovework and footwork is horrible. It was bad enough that the Cubs were getting him OF time to make him a utility guy but now he might be sticking in the OF (he has the range, arm and speed to stick in CF if he can learn the position).

 

Think B.J. Upton.

 

but not as good. We can reunite Eric with Corey for Tejada. Of course Corey has to resign with Baltimore, although I doubt he will be demanding a huge contract.

 

But now they are both CFs. Maybe Eric can replace Corey.

[Derwood]

i expect him to start, hit .217 in April, and Hendry to trade for a Molina or something in a typical panic move

[hawkeyecub]

 

EPatt's days at second base are over, apparently.

 

dumb.

 

I don't understand comments like this. It's not like the organization doesn't want him to be a second baseman or is only moving him because he's blocked by someone. They understand his value is higher at 2B than in LF.

 

It's pretty clear that there isn't much hope of him being an adequate 2B. Just because we wish we could have his bat in the middle infield, doesn't mean the scouts and coaches are wrong.

 

Also this wasn't just directed at you.

[nilodnayr]

 

EPatt's days at second base are over, apparently.

 

dumb.

 

I don't understand comments like this. It's not like the organization doesn't want him to be a second baseman or is only moving him because he's blocked by someone. They understand his value is higher at 2B than in LF.

 

It's pretty clear that there isn't much hope of him being an adequate 2B. Just because we wish we could have his bat in the middle infield, doesn't mean the scouts and coaches are wrong.

 

Also this wasn't just directed at you.

 

I compared it to BJ Upton earlier, and I think the same thing applies here. The DRays gave Upton EVERY opportunity to take over an infield spot, it ended up he couldn't do it and they moved him. I think the frustration is that the Cubs are pulling the plug too early. I'm not on the coaching staff, I don't see him play, but his optimal value is in 2B, I'd rather pull the plug late on him there than early.

[YearofDaCubs]

For those of you banking on Blanco retiring, don't bank on it.

 

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/593128,CST-SPT-cubnt08.article

 

Also says Floyd won't retire if he can be a starter. If it was me, I would not resign Floyd. There's nothing he can do that Murton can't.

[SouthSideRyan]

Nilo summed it up well. The frustrating thing is that they're so eager to get him up to the majors to be a friggin utility player that they move him to the OF where his bat won't play. He wasn't brutal at 2B, there's no reason not to stick with him there, let him play it out at AAA and see if he can improve. Abandoning 2B and moving him to a position where he's already blocked by a superior prospect is killing his career before it started.

[Guest]

 

EPatt's days at second base are over, apparently.

 

dumb.

 

I don't understand comments like this. It's not like the organization doesn't want him to be a second baseman or is only moving him because he's blocked by someone. They understand his value is higher at 2B than in LF.

 

It's pretty clear that there isn't much hope of him being an adequate 2B. Just because we wish we could have his bat in the middle infield, doesn't mean the scouts and coaches are wrong.

 

Also this wasn't just directed at you.

 

I compared it to BJ Upton earlier, and I think the same thing applies here. The DRays gave Upton EVERY opportunity to take over an infield spot, it ended up he couldn't do it and they moved him. I think the frustration is that the Cubs are pulling the plug too early. I'm not on the coaching staff, I don't see him play, but his optimal value is in 2B, I'd rather pull the plug late on him there than early.

 

This I can agree with, they just gave up on him after an error-streak and moved him mid-season. His bat is too good to be a utility player.

[davearm]

 

EPatt's days at second base are over, apparently.

 

dumb.

 

I don't understand comments like this. It's not like the organization doesn't want him to be a second baseman or is only moving him because he's blocked by someone. They understand his value is higher at 2B than in LF.

 

It's pretty clear that there isn't much hope of him being an adequate 2B. Just because we wish we could have his bat in the middle infield, doesn't mean the scouts and coaches are wrong.

 

Also this wasn't just directed at you.

Agreed. If he can't do it, he can't do it. I'd leave it up to the Cubs' coaches and player development folks to make that determination, and you can be sure it will be with great reluctance.

 

Dumb would be stubbornly trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, and delaying the inevitable (if it has indeed reached that point, which apparently it has).

[Keener98]

 

EPatt's days at second base are over, apparently.

 

dumb.

 

I don't understand comments like this. It's not like the organization doesn't want him to be a second baseman or is only moving him because he's blocked by someone. They understand his value is higher at 2B than in LF.

 

It's pretty clear that there isn't much hope of him being an adequate 2B. Just because we wish we could have his bat in the middle infield, doesn't mean the scouts and coaches are wrong.

 

Also this wasn't just directed at you.

Agreed. If he can't do it, he can't do it. I'd leave it up to the Cubs' coaches and player development folks to make that determination, and you can be sure it will be with great reluctance.

 

Dumb would be stubbornly trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, and delaying the inevitable (if it has indeed reached that point, which apparently it has).

 

They would be the last guys I would trust really.