What is the Biggest Need?

[HoopsCubs]

Power hitting OF?

Higher slugging middle infielder?

#2/#3 starting pitcher?

Other?

 

If the Cubs 2008 financial commitments put them in a spot where they can only make one major change (via free agent or trade), what move would you make? For argument's sake, let's exclude A-Rod from this conversation.

 

 

 

Hoops

[ManCrushOnNomar]

Aro.... nevermind.

[jersey cubs fan]

any bat that's a good bet to outperform Theriot/Cedeno at SS, Jones/Pie in CF or Murton/Jones in RF.

[USSoccer]

Upgrades at SS, RF, CF and C.

 

Soto starting at C upgrades that. So that leaves 2 OF spots and SS.

 

It wouldn't kill them to upgrade from Marshall and Marquis, either. The offense, though, should be top priority.

[Have a seat, Neifi]

CF or SS. Murton ain't great, but he'll give us an .800-.820 OPS in RF if he plays everday. CF and SS on the other hand need drastic offensive upgrades.

 

Personally, I'd prefer to upgrade SS offensively via trade, and let Pie play in CF.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

We need one more bat. I don't think it matters if it comes from CF, RF, or SS as long as it is in one of those areas. We can live with what we have in-house at any of those positions as long as one is greatly upgraded.

 

I'd love to trade for Renteria or Tejeda if possible as I think that would do the most good.

 

However, signing Bonds and shifting Soriano to right might do the trick as well.

 

I'd kick the tires on Andruw Jones for CF.

 

If Arod opts out, he's obviously the direction to go.

 

I'd also be happy with Fukudome.

[Abe Frohman]

A left-handed power bat. Would like to see at least 2 more LH forces in the lineup.

[USSoccer]

I'd look at Abreu if he isn't picked up, Renteria, ARod (obviously).

 

I think Miguel Tejada might be the most likely upgrade out there. I think Baltimore matches up with us trade-wise very well.

[biittner77]

SS has the greatest room for improvement and an OF would be easier to acquire at the trade deadline if needed than a good SS. Also, the Cubs can get at least avg. production out of the Jones/ Murton Platoon in RF if need be. If Pie and Soto live up to expectations the addition of an offensive SS will make the lineup strong.

[Abe Frohman]

I'd look at Abreu if he isn't picked up...

 

Totally agree. He would be an EXCELLENT fit.

[USSoccer]

We do have some movable players. Jones, Dempster, Howry, Blanco, Marquis, Eyre, Ohman and DeRosa all could concievably have value in the offseason market.

 

The big variable is the payroll. Hendry's MLB.com interview seemed to indicate that it should at least be the same as last year. If it's bumped up, we should have some flexibility. If it stays the same, he's going to have to get a little creative to fill these needs.

[SouthSideRyan]

SS/RF/CF is the order of my priorities. I wouldn't be heart-broken to only upgrade one, but we need to upgrade one.

[CuseCubFan69]

I agree that SS/RF/CF are the priorities and it doesn't matter which one gets filled first as long as it's an upgrade. I want the best available for any of the 3 and then you can go from there.

[bukie]

Try to get Abreu, and see if he can play any CF. If so, platoon Pie and Murton. If not, play Pie full-time, and see if you can get anything decent for Murton.

[Have a seat, Neifi]

I have a really bad feeling that we're just going to basically 'stand pat' and do little if anything this off-season, and not just because of the ownership situation; for some reason I get this feeling that Hendry thinks we're "there" and that another full season under Lou (with a healthy roster) will do the trick.

 

I sincerely hope that's not the case, but for some reason I fear we'll be a little complacent this winter.

[mdwilla]

Abreu would be nice short term soultion in the outfield he still runs pretty well and has a strong arm. I say give Pie the job in center and let's see what he can do, Soranio, Pie , Abreu would be a solid outfield defense. Murton along with others could be shopped to net an upgrade at short .

[Backtobanks]

I have a really bad feeling that we're just going to basically 'stand pat' and do little if anything this off-season, and not just because of the ownership situation; for some reason I get this feeling that Hendry thinks we're "there" and that another full season under Lou (with a healthy roster) will do the trick.

 

I sincerely hope that's not the case, but for some reason I fear we'll be a little complacent this winter.

 

I disagree. I think Hendry realizes that the Brewers will be as strong, and maybe stronger, in 2008. Also, the poor performance in the playoffs certainly shouldn't make him complacent. I would imagine he will be looking at the SS options (Renteria, Tejada, Furcal) first and then possibly a middle-of-the-rotation starter.

[shnsajax]

Biggest need is an owner, and ASAP.

[Rob]

Realistically speaking, DLee, Aramis, Sori, DeRo, Z, and Lilly are pretty much locks to go into next season with their same old jobs. Additionally, Hill and Marquis are extremely like to keep their spots, and Soto seems to have guaranteed himself the starting catcher spot through the first few months of the season.

 

This leaves the following positions relatively open, and these are the people currently slated to play there:

 

SS - Theriot

CF - Jones/Pie

RF - Jones/Murton

SP5 - Marshall

 

The average NL SS hit .279/.337/.420, Theriot hit .266/.326/.346

The average NL CF hit .273/.336/.426, Jones hit .285/.335/.400, Pie hit .215/.271/.333

The average NL RF hit .275/.344/.442, Jones hit .285/.335/.400, Murton hit .281/.352/.438

The average NL P had an ERA of 4.43, Marshall had an ERA of 3.92.

 

More than anywhere else, the need at SS is really glaring. Pie is likely to get much, much better... Murton is also likely to do a bit better. Theriot and Jones are about where you can expect them, though... and we really can't afford the likely event that Theriot duplicates his 2007 season.

[muntjack]

Why shouldn't we look at acquiring a #1 starter? Anyone who would push Z down to #2 would turn our rotation from solid into a potential powerhouse. I hear the Dodgers have a brilliant GM......

 

or

 

Hill/Pie/Murton/Marmol for J. Santana?

 

Santana

Z

Lilly

Gallagher/Marshall

Marquis

[AllStarMe]

Why shouldn't we look at acquiring a #1 starter? Anyone who would push Z down to #2 would turn our rotation from solid into a potential powerhouse. I hear the Dodgers have a brilliant GM......

 

or

 

Hill/Pie/Murton/Marmol for J. Santana?

 

Santana

Z

Lilly

Gallagher/Marshall

Marquis

Awesome rotation, no doubt, but what does your outfield look like in this scenario?

[muntjack]

Why shouldn't we look at acquiring a #1 starter? Anyone who would push Z down to #2 would turn our rotation from solid into a potential powerhouse. I hear the Dodgers have a brilliant GM......

 

or

 

Hill/Pie/Murton/Marmol for J. Santana?

 

Santana

Z

Lilly

Gallagher/Marshall

Marquis

Awesome rotation, no doubt, but what does your outfield look like in this scenario?

 

 

Soriano/ A. Jones/ J. Jones

 

30 mil for ARod or 20 mil for Johan + 10 for A Jones?

 

Again, I'm not saying either scenario is likely, just trying to illustrate how much more formidable we are with another frontline starter. That rotation with this lineup?

 

 

Soriano

DeRosa

Lee

ARam

A. Jones

Soto

J. Jones

Cedeno/Theriot

 

 

and I don't see how we lose 70 games. Prior comes back and its lol. Come playoff time, who is gonna beat that 1-2-3?

[NewUserName]

Why shouldn't we look at acquiring a #1 starter? Anyone who would push Z down to #2 would turn our rotation from solid into a potential powerhouse. I hear the Dodgers have a brilliant GM......

 

or

 

Hill/Pie/Murton/Marmol for J. Santana?

 

Santana

Z

Lilly

Gallagher/Marshall

Marquis

Awesome rotation, no doubt, but what does your outfield look like in this scenario?

 

 

Soriano/ A. Jones/ J. Jones

 

30 mil for ARod or 20 mil for Johan + 10 for A Jones?

 

Again, I'm not saying either scenario is likely, just trying to illustrate how much more formidable we are with another frontline starter. That rotation with this lineup?

 

 

Soriano

DeRosa

Lee

ARam

A. Jones

Soto

J. Jones

Cedeno/Theriot

 

 

and I don't see how we lose 70 games. Prior comes back and its lol. Come playoff time, who is gonna beat that 1-2-3?

 

 

A Jones wont be coming for $10 million. I heard the Dodgers are going to offer Kemp and Kershaw for Santana. That pretty much would trump your proposed offer. I would be all for trading for Santana, but it looks unrealistic.

[Backtobanks]

Why shouldn't we look at acquiring a #1 starter? Anyone who would push Z down to #2 would turn our rotation from solid into a potential powerhouse. I hear the Dodgers have a brilliant GM......

 

or

 

Hill/Pie/Murton/Marmol for J. Santana?

 

Santana

Z

Lilly

Gallagher/Marshall

Marquis

 

I'm all for going after Santana, but not at that price. Let's not forget that Santana might be a one-year rental. Also, you are assuming the Cubs will sign a big-name CF to replace Pie.

[VanceJergins]

Would the upgrade from Murton to Abreu be worth the price? Abreu will be turning 34 and had an OPS of .814 this year, while Murton just turned 26 and had an OPS of .791. I wouldn't be at all surprised if Murton out performed Abreu next season.