Looking ahead to 2008

[JWCUB]

What realistic moves can the Cubs make to improve this squad for '08? Mods, if you think this should be in transactions, then go ahead and move it. I wasn't exactly sure where to put it. This team has some question marks.

 

1. Will Floyd be back?

2. Will Prior return to '03 form and be a starter?

3. What kind of payroll will the new owner allow the Cubs to have?

4. Will the sale of the Cubs be completed in time for them to be involved in free agent signings?

5. Will Dempster be the closer?

6. Does Woody re-sign?

7. What trades can the Cubs realistically explore?

8. Do the Cubs have a realistic shot at Arod?

 

 

 

A lot will no doubt depend on #'s 3 and 4, but I am really curious as to what everyone else thinks.

[UK1679666180]

Doubtful

Doubtful

Similar to now, at least to start.

Doubtful

Probably

Probably

I would hope someone like Renteria or a middle of the bat in RF.

Doutbful

[kente777]

Lou needs to put his foot down and get Soriano out of the lead-off spot.

 

We need someone either in center (if Pie is not they guy) or someone in right with some decent power. We also need a shortstop -- preferably someone who is NOT gritty. The two offensive guys we get should be hitters WHO HAVE SOME SEMBLENCE OF PLATE DICSIPLINE.

 

We need one more good starter as well.

 

I don't think A-Rod is a Cub next year.

[C.C.]

Lou needs to put his foot down and get Soriano out of the lead-off spot.

 

We need someone either in center (if Pie is not they guy) or someone in right with some decent power. We also need a shortstop -- preferably someone who is NOT gritty. The two offensive guys we get should be hitters WHO HAVE SOME SEMBLENCE OF PLATE DICSIPLINE.

 

We need one more good starter as well.

 

I don't think A-Rod is a Cub next year.

 

Not sure about that one. I'm fine with what we have now. Why spend the money it'll take to get a starter. Spend it on offense, the pitching isn't the problem.

[UK1679666180]

If improving pitching reduces the chance of improving the offense, I'd pass.

 

Unless they trade one of the current pitchers for a bat, I wouldn't touch it, unless something became almost too good to be true, NRI stepping up big in Mesa, or a healthy Prior.

[UMFan83]

1. Yes

2. No, possible

3. Doesn't matter because the sale won't be completed until March at the earliest

4. No

5. Yes

6. Yes

7. A SS, CF, RF, Starter. Trade Soriano for 0.30 on the dollar (kidding I think)

8. No

[kente777]

Lou needs to put his foot down and get Soriano out of the lead-off spot.

 

We need someone either in center (if Pie is not they guy) or someone in right with some decent power. We also need a shortstop -- preferably someone who is NOT gritty. The two offensive guys we get should be hitters WHO HAVE SOME SEMBLENCE OF PLATE DICSIPLINE.

 

We need one more good starter as well.

 

I don't think A-Rod is a Cub next year.

 

Not sure about that one. I'm fine with what we have now. Why spend the money it'll take to get a starter. Spend it on offense, the pitching isn't the problem.

 

I guess you're probably right. As long as we have Marquis, we have to use him. Ugh.

[C.C.]

Lou needs to put his foot down and get Soriano out of the lead-off spot.

 

We need someone either in center (if Pie is not they guy) or someone in right with some decent power. We also need a shortstop -- preferably someone who is NOT gritty. The two offensive guys we get should be hitters WHO HAVE SOME SEMBLENCE OF PLATE DICSIPLINE.

 

We need one more good starter as well.

 

I don't think A-Rod is a Cub next year.

 

Not sure about that one. I'm fine with what we have now. Why spend the money it'll take to get a starter. Spend it on offense, the pitching isn't the problem.

 

I guess you're probably right. As long as we have Marquis, we have to use him. Ugh.

 

Everyone has a bad apples in their starting 5. Marquis wasn't all that bad this year. I thought he'd be worse. I pray for Prior to come back.

[Soul]

Once again, we need hitters who don't swing at everything.

[rynefan]

I'm never going to be convinced that Dempster is a textbook closer, or the closer the Cubs need. Probably the least of the team's problems right now (because there haven't been many games to close), but my two cents.

[C.C.]

I'm never going to be convinced that Dempster is a textbook closer, or the closer the Cubs need. Probably the least of the team's problems right now (because there haven't been many games to close), but my two cents.

 

Cubs could always use Howry or Marmol as closers. No reason going out and spending money for one. Anyway, Dempster is fine.

[C.C.]

Once again, we need hitters who don't swing at everything.

 

How about power hitters that hit for power!

[JWCUB]

Once again, we need hitters who don't swing at everything.

 

How about power hitters that hit for power!

[VanceJergins]

Lou needs to put his foot down and get Soriano out of the lead-off spot.

 

We need someone either in center (if Pie is not they guy) or someone in right with some decent power. We also need a shortstop -- preferably someone who is NOT gritty. The two offensive guys we get should be hitters WHO HAVE SOME SEMBLENCE OF PLATE DICSIPLINE.

 

We need one more good starter as well.

 

I don't think A-Rod is a Cub next year.

 

Not sure about that one. I'm fine with what we have now. Why spend the money it'll take to get a starter. Spend it on offense, the pitching isn't the problem.

 

Yeah, we have plenty of options for pitching next year. Z, Lilly, Hill for sure. Then fill out the final 2 spots with Prior ( ), Marshall, Gallagher, Marmol, Hart, Marquis ( [-X ), ?Guzman?, maybe even Veal if he can rebound. I think we should focus completely on upgrading 2 of SS, RF, CF.

[samhainn77]

Lou needs to put his foot down and get Soriano out of the lead-off spot.

 

We need someone either in center (if Pie is not they guy) or someone in right with some decent power. We also need a shortstop -- preferably someone who is NOT gritty. The two offensive guys we get should be hitters WHO HAVE SOME SEMBLENCE OF PLATE DICSIPLINE.

 

We need one more good starter as well.

 

I don't think A-Rod is a Cub next year.

 

Not sure about that one. I'm fine with what we have now. Why spend the money it'll take to get a starter. Spend it on offense, the pitching isn't the problem.

 

 

Yeah, we have plenty of options for pitching next year. Z, Lilly, Hill for sure. Then fill out the final 2 spots with Prior ( ), Marshall, Gallagher, Marmol, Hart, Marquis ( [-X ), ?Guzman?, maybe even Veal if he can rebound. I think we should focus completely on upgrading 2 of SS, RF, CF.

 

I agree completely. I hope we have the funds and smart GM to do these things.

[minnesotacubsfan]

whats wrong with Murton everyday in LF? Sori to RF...

 

I think Murton has 25-30 hr potential..upgrade SS

[jersey cubs fan]

Same thing they've needed for years, a real offense. No more of this 8th or worse in the league in scoring and bottom of the barrel in OBP/walks stuff (gee, think those two go hand it hand?). Get a freaking top 5 lineup, and along with a top 5 rotation your chances for making the postseason drastically increase, which in turn increases your chances to win postseason series.

[nilodnayr]

Can someone move this to transactions?

[Vanilla Ice]

Lineup I am looking for

 

1. Pie

2. Lee

3. Renteria/Tejada

4. Ramirez

5. Soriano

6. Soto

7. Murton

8. DeRosa

9. Z/Lilly/Hill/Marshall/Hart

[rawaction]

Renteria can be had. No reason he shouldn't be had by the Cubs. I like this option better than Tejada, and it's much more likely than ARod or Carlos Guillen.

 

In RF, I want Brad Hawpe. Unfortunately, with the Rockies success, I think they may stand pat and trade some of their great blocked bats (Stewart, Koshansky, Baker) for some more pitching.

[Outshined_One]

In RF, I want Brad Hawpe. Unfortunately, with the Rockies success, I think they may stand pat and trade some of their great blocked bats (Stewart, Koshansky, Baker) for some more pitching.

 

There'd be nothing wrong with picking up one of those guys, imo.

 

Seth Smith would be a good pickup.

[rawaction]

Interesting name that could be available at SS, is Rafael Furcal. Dodgers have a great young SS prospect who will be ready in the near future.

[shnsajax]

Lineup I am looking for

 

1. Pie

2. Lee

3. Renteria/Tejada

4. Ramirez

5. Soriano

6. Soto

7. Murton

8. DeRosa

9. Z/Lilly/Hill/Marshall/Hart

 

I would be very happy with that. Murton needs to play some winter ball though. Not sure about Hart as a starter though.

[shnsajax]

Interesting name that could be available at SS, is Rafael Furcal. Dodgers have a great young SS prospect who will be ready in the near future.

 

I past two seasons I thought we dodged a bullet with Furcal signing with the Dodgers. The Dodgers would have to eat 40-50% of that contract to make it worth it. His power has died to a point where him and Theriot could have a HR hitting contest with each other. I would rather go for Orlando Cabrera with Brandon Wood waiting in the wings for the Angles.

[jersey cubs fan]

Interesting name that could be available at SS, is Rafael Furcal. Dodgers have a great young SS prospect who will be ready in the near future.

 

I past two seasons I thought we dodged a bullet with Furcal signing with the Dodgers. The Dodgers would have to eat 40-50% of that contract to make it worth it. His power has died to a point where him and Theriot could have a HR hitting contest with each other. I would rather go for Orlando Cabrera with Brandon Wood waiting in the wings for the Angles.

 

It's definitely an interesting name, but not one I've ever been interested in. Furcal repeating a career year would help this team, but it still leaves them lacking that impact bat they need, and as was noted above, he's way too expensive.