Looking ahead to 2008

[inari]

I just got back from Wrigley, so...

 

LF Soriano

2B DeRosa

1B Lee

3B Ramirez

RF Jones/Murton

SS Renteria

C Soto

CF Pie

 

SP Z

SP Lilly

SP Hill

SP Marquis

SP Prior

 

Yeah.

[Chocolate Milk]

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.

 

I'd LOVE to see that. He can reallllllly swing the bat.

 

Kid hit .402 as a freshman at Ole Miss.

 

I heard you played baseball there. Can you confirm or deny this?

[minnesotacubsfan]

I just got back from Wrigley, so...

 

LF Soriano

2B DeRosa

1B Lee

3B Ramirez

RF Jones/Murton

SS Renteria

C Soto

CF Pie

 

SP Z

SP Lilly

SP Hill

SP Marquis

SP Prior

 

Yeah.

 

ooohh hell..prior as a #5

 

 

I need more beer

[E.J.]

I just got back from Wrigley, so...

 

LF Soriano

2B DeRosa

1B Lee

3B Ramirez

RF Jones/Murton

SS Renteria

C Soto

CF Pie

 

SP Z

SP Lilly

SP Hill

SP Marquis

SP Prior

 

Yeah.

 

There is no way Soriano should be batting 1st anymore. He's not a leadoff hitter. I don't care how big his head is or how big his contract is. No more leadoff for Fonzie. Also, I don't want to see Jones on this team anymore. Get an impact RF. Trade Pie if that's what it takes. Get a new SS for sure. Theriot is terrible.

[Chocolate Milk]

Get a new SS for sure. Theriot is terrible.

 

Yes. He's extremely not good.

[Illini Iceman]

I just got back from Wrigley, so...

 

LF Soriano

2B DeRosa

1B Lee

3B Ramirez

RF Jones/Murton

SS Renteria

C Soto

CF Pie

 

SP Z

SP Lilly

SP Hill

SP Marquis

SP Prior

 

Yeah.

 

There is no way Soriano should be batting 1st anymore. He's not a leadoff hitter. I don't care how big his head is or how big his contract is. No more leadoff for Fonzie. Also, I don't want to see Jones on this team anymore. Get an impact RF. Trade Pie if that's what it takes. Get a new SS for sure. Theriot is terrible.

 

If the Cubs get Renteria there is no way they are also getting an "impact" RF. Jones/Murton would be fine if they get production from C and SS. Hopefully Soto will show enough to earn the 5th spot in the order and then you can move Jones/Murton down to 7th. But overall, I would take my chances with the above (and have Gallager, Hart, etc waiting in the wings in case the inevitable happens with Prior).

[Guancous]

I like the Renteria much better than Andruw Jones, Furcal or Torii Hunter. Those guys will cost at least $13 million a year. The benefit would be that the Cubs could save their trade chips for a starting pitching upgrade.

 

I hope this sweep made the players hungry. I'm concerned that only one playoff team reappeared from last year.

[frostwyrm]

Soriano overall 2007 stats:

HR  33
2B  42
3B   5
RBI 70

2007 w/ bases empty:

HR  23
2B  28
3B   5
RBI 23

 

Soriano absolutely must move out of leadoff next year. This is a guy whose gargantuan contract is based almost entirely on his XBH ability. Hendry and Lou need to ask themselves a question: why do we covet XBH in the first place? Simple -- it's because XBH is the best way to drive in baserunners.

 

Then Hendry should ask himself another question: did I really pay a guy $136 million to hit XBH with no runners on base?

[inari]

I'd love to have Soriano hit 4th or 5th too, but I think we all know it's not going to happen.

[treebird]

Soriano overall 2007 stats:

HR  33
2B  42
3B   5
RBI 70

2007 w/ bases empty:

HR  23
2B  28
3B   5
RBI 23

 

Soriano absolutely must move out of leadoff next year. This is a guy whose gargantuan contract is based almost entirely on his XBH ability. Hendry and Lou need to ask themselves a question: why do we covet XBH in the first place? Simple -- it's because XBH is the best way to drive in baserunners.

 

Then Hendry should ask himself another question: did I really pay a guy $136 million to hit XBH with no runners on base?

 

if we honestly believe soriano hits better with no one on base, we should probably keep leading him off and letting him start the game and bat behind the pitcher

[frostwyrm]

Soriano overall 2007 stats:

HR  33
2B  42
3B   5
RBI 70

2007 w/ bases empty:

HR  23
2B  28
3B   5
RBI 23

 

Soriano absolutely must move out of leadoff next year. This is a guy whose gargantuan contract is based almost entirely on his XBH ability. Hendry and Lou need to ask themselves a question: why do we covet XBH in the first place? Simple -- it's because XBH is the best way to drive in baserunners.

 

Then Hendry should ask himself another question: did I really pay a guy $136 million to hit XBH with no runners on base?

 

if we honestly believe soriano hits better with no one on base, we should probably keep leading him off and letting him start the game and bat behind the pitcher

 

I'll amend your statement slightly and say that if we honestly believe a hugely expensive power-hitting free agent hits better with no one on base, we shouldn't sign him.

 

Since we did sign him, I'd like to see him drive in someone other than the invisible man. 70 RBI is pathetic for a .560 SLG. If some of his personal numbers suffer a bit I'd be willing to accept that if his RBI's go up. Propping up personal stats of a selected player is not a valid reason to reduce run production.

[inari]

There's no reason Soriano should bat any differently in any spot in the lineup (unless it's in front of the pitcher). If Soriano bats between Lee and Aramis like he should, that shouldn't do anything but help him.

[treebird]

Soriano overall 2007 stats:

HR  33
2B  42
3B   5
RBI 70

2007 w/ bases empty:

HR  23
2B  28
3B   5
RBI 23

 

Soriano absolutely must move out of leadoff next year. This is a guy whose gargantuan contract is based almost entirely on his XBH ability. Hendry and Lou need to ask themselves a question: why do we covet XBH in the first place? Simple -- it's because XBH is the best way to drive in baserunners.

 

Then Hendry should ask himself another question: did I really pay a guy $136 million to hit XBH with no runners on base?

 

if we honestly believe soriano hits better with no one on base, we should probably keep leading him off and letting him start the game and bat behind the pitcher

 

I'll amend your statement slightly and say that if we honestly believe a hugely expensive power-hitting free agent hits better with no one on base, we shouldn't sign him.

 

Since we did sign him, I'd like to see him drive in someone other than the invisible man. 70 RBI is pathetic for a .560 SLG. If some of his personal numbers suffer a bit I'd be willing to accept that if his RBI's go up. Propping up personal stats of a selected player is not a valid reason to reduce run production.

 

i completely agree that we shouldn't have signed him.

 

that being said, i do not in anyway believe that he forgets how to hit as soon as there's a guy on base. he should be hitting lower because he's a high-power low-obp guy, not because of any false situational silliness.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

I just don't see any hope for this Cubs offense unless they can swing the

A-Rod signing. He sure would solve MANY problems.

 

Absolutely, I agree Soriano doesn't hit leadoff anymore. Awful.

 

Theriot--good kid, nice role player. Not a starter.

 

Pie--he's young, great. But I haven't seen ANYTHING about his plate appearances that doesn't scream Corey Patterson to me. Because he's young, let him develop more in AAA if you must, but I want a CF that can hit.

 

Jock Jones--outta here. Seriously. Just go.

 

Derrek Lee--can we admit 2005 was a fluke? If so, Lee is a fine nice bat, but I don't want him as my #3 hitter anymore. His BA and OBP are fine, and he can still run a little. I want him as my #2 hitter.

 

This would look good to me:

 

1. New CF--trade options that can leadoff include Coco Crisp and David DeJesus. Can free agent Aaron Rowand leadoff?

2. Lee, 1B

3. A-Rod, SS (let me dream)

4. Ramirez, 3B

5. Soriano, LF

6. Soto, C

7. DeRosa, 2B

8. Murton or whomever, RF

 

Finally, I really hope the Cubs bring back Ward for the bench. Cedeno showed some pop in September, I'm fine with him as my reserve IF (he can play 2B, SS and 3B). And Wood looks like a good reliever to keep, IF his price is reasonable. On the bye-bye side, I do not want to see Monroe, Trachsel, Ohman, Jones or Kendall ever again. Floyd seems like a nice guy, but I don't want him around either. Go to the AL Cliff, it's where you belong. And I sure wouldn't cry if the new GM managed to get rid of Eyre and Marquis, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

Siggy updated for posterity.

[C.C.]

This would look good to me:

 

1. New CF--trade options that can leadoff include Coco Crisp and David DeJesus. Can free agent Aaron Rowand leadoff?

2. Lee, 1B

3. A-Rod, SS (let me dream)

4. Ramirez, 3B

5. Soriano, LF

6. Soto, C

7. DeRosa, 2B

8. Murton or whomever, RF

.

 

Arod is a pipe dream. Someone like Dunn would fit.

[cubweiser03]

The trade market is the way to go. Id rather pay in prospects + the cash for the player upgrade than invest in a marginal player in the expensive talent deficiant FA market. As mentioned earlier im also all for Renteria, its going to cost talent but at least you are getting something very good in return at a position that can use the upgrade. The Cubs need to be players in the trade market this year and they have some good pieces to make it worthwhile for the other side.

 

I like the bullpen. Resign Wood. Of course Eyre sucks but the rest of the pen is good enough to make up for him.

 

If they dont trade Marshall im good with him in the 4/5 spot. He made some real nice progress this year. Id rather not see him go, but he is a good little piece of trade bait for an offensive upgrade.

 

Its pretty much all about the offense this off season.

[OleMissCub]

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.

 

I'd LOVE to see that. He can reallllllly swing the bat.

 

Kid hit .402 as a freshman at Ole Miss.

 

I heard you played baseball there. Can you confirm or deny this?

 

http://www.gifflix.com/data/media/81/saddam.jpg

[AAApittsburgh]

soriano, lf

fukudome, rf

arod, ss

aram, 3b

lee, 1b

derosa, 2b,

pie, cf

soto, c

[A New Era]

To improve this team we need to stop the carrosel in CF and RF, and get a some good stability (along with good players) in those spots.

 

Floyd was not good this year. Get an actual player.

Forget Prior.

Dempster is fine, Woody should be back.

Go with Murton OR Pie. Then get a very good bat for either CF or RF.

This is ofcourse unless you get Arod. Then you probably could play Murton AND Pie.

 

Overall, I think Murton deserves a shot. He does have the ability to possibly hit 15-25 HR and post a decent slugging and good OBP. The most important thing is to get rid of floyd and jones and get some stability in that outfield. Murton deserves the shot.

[A New Era]

Frostwyrm. Looks like ronald has been filling up on too many bigmacs. :D (your avatar). :lol:

[frostwyrm]

Frostwyrm. Looks like ronald has been filling up on too many bigmacs. :D (your avatar). :lol:

 

Ronald is sexy at any weight. The clothes make the man.

 

That and the makeup.

[UMFan83]

Better start pleding money to the Cubs if you want them to sign some of the people you guys are talking about. I just cant see any way that we spend more then a few million to improve the team this winter. There is no way either the Trib or their new owners are going to allow a ton of money being spent while the ownership is changing hands, even if the new owner was completely OK with it

[nilodnayr]

Soriano overall 2007 stats:

HR  33
2B  42
3B   5
RBI 70

2007 w/ bases empty:

HR  23
2B  28
3B   5
RBI 23

 

Soriano absolutely must move out of leadoff next year. This is a guy whose gargantuan contract is based almost entirely on his XBH ability. Hendry and Lou need to ask themselves a question: why do we covet XBH in the first place? Simple -- it's because XBH is the best way to drive in baserunners.

 

Then Hendry should ask himself another question: did I really pay a guy $136 million to hit XBH with no runners on base?

 

if we honestly believe soriano hits better with no one on base, we should probably keep leading him off and letting him start the game and bat behind the pitcher

 

I'll amend your statement slightly and say that if we honestly believe a hugely expensive power-hitting free agent hits better with no one on base, we shouldn't sign him.

 

Since we did sign him, I'd like to see him drive in someone other than the invisible man. 70 RBI is pathetic for a .560 SLG. If some of his personal numbers suffer a bit I'd be willing to accept that if his RBI's go up. Propping up personal stats of a selected player is not a valid reason to reduce run production.

 

i completely agree that we shouldn't have signed him.

 

that being said, i do not in anyway believe that he forgets how to hit as soon as there's a guy on base. he should be hitting lower because he's a high-power low-obp guy, not because of any false situational silliness.

 

If he wants to lead off so badly, I say we pull a TLR and bat the pitcher 8th and someone else 9th.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Well, as I look ahead to 2008, we have the following spots locked up:

 

1b Lee

2b DeRosa

3b Ramirez

LF Soriano

 

To fill the spots internally, we'd use Theriot/Cedeno at SS, Soto at C, Jones or Pie in CF, and Murton in RF.

 

Any of those four spots could be upgraded via trade or free agency. I think it is imperative that we upgrade one and probably should look to upgrading two of those spots.

 

As with everyone, Arod would be the top of my list if he's available. Right now, I find it hard to believe he will be. (And yes, I've heard all the reasons he will opt out or whatever, but I still have serious doubts.)

 

A few players that I'd take a long hard look at:

 

1. Renteria. The Braves will probably look to move him to make room for Yunil Escobar. He's a solid hitter who would be great hitting behind Soriano in the line-up. I'd offer a package centering around Sean Marshall and see if the Braves bite.

 

2. Posada- Like Arod, I really don't see him leaving NY. If he really is willing to sign elsewhere, I'd love to have Posada at catcher next season with Soto as the back-up.

 

3. Fukudome. My desire to see this guy join the Cubs is no secret. I think he'd be a success for the Cubs. Furthermore, his ability to play both CF or RF, allows the Cubs to choose to keep Jones, play Pie, or Murton. It gives us a lot of options.

 

4. Tejeda. My concern with Tejeda is that his defense is slipping. How bad is it? I don't know. It's not enough to make me pass, but it's enough for me to slide him down my list of options.

 

5. Adam Dunn. Yeah, I know most of you are shocked it took me until number five before I brought him up. The main reason, I consider him a long shot is I forsee the Reds picking up his option and not trading him until July 2008. Another drawback is that Soriano would need to move to right and it appears as if Lou isn't going to do that. Dunn could likely play RF as well as Floyd did this season, but I don't see that as something the Cubs are willing to experiment with.

 

6. Andruw Jones. I know many don't want him. He's definitely not my first option. But, there is a chance for him to have a bounce back season. He won't be cheap, and I'd probably pass, but it also wouldn't hurt to keep him in the discussions.

 

7. Barry Bonds. He has his issues and would require the same move of Soriano to right as Dunn would. I think he's a huge longshot, but if the price is right (7-9 million), I'd sign Bonds in a heartbeat.

 

8. Mike Cameron. Cameron plays great defense while providing some pop. He's not my top acquisition, but if the Cubs traded for Renteria, then Pie/Murton or Jones/Murton could platoon in RF and I think the Cubs would be much better than they currently are.

 

9. Bobby Abreu.

 

Noticeably absent are pitchers from my list. While I'm not opposed to upgrading the rotation, I think the Cubs could be ok with a group that includes Zambrano/Lilly/Hill at the top with Marquis and one of Marshall (Who I'd probably trade)/Gallagher/Hart/Prior rounding out the bottom.

[OleMissCub]

7. Barry Bonds. He has his issues and would require the same move of Soriano to right as Dunn would. I think he's a huge longshot, but if the price is right (7-9 million), I'd sign Bonds in a heartbeat.

 

http://www.gifflix.com/data/media/81/oswald1.jpg

 

Oh wait...it's Vance.