We Want a Pitcher, Not a Belly Itcher...

[HoopsCubs]

I'm exhausted hearing about the Mitchell report, Prior and Roberts.

 

Can I discuss another topic? I can't sleep at night thinking that two-fifths of the Cubs projected starting rotation for 2008 will come out of this pool of players: Dempster, Marquis, Marshall, Gallagher, Guzman and Samardjiza.

 

How do we acquire a solid, right-handed #3 to fit in between Lilly and Hill? I've heard names like Greinke and Blanton could become available. What would it take to get them? Who else is out there?

 

 

Hoops

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

A few names in free agency include Livian Hernandez, Bartolo Colon, Jon Lieber, and Matt Clement.

 

None of those sound too hot, so a trade would likely be the only way to acquire someone.

 

Of course, if what I hear about Clement maybe having to accept a minor league contract, I'd love to try to be the team that gets him on the cheap.

[VanceJergins]

I'm exhausted hearing about the Mitchell report, Prior and Roberts.

 

Can I discuss another topic? I can't sleep at night thinking that two-fifths of the Cubs projected starting rotation for 2008 will come out of this pool of players: Dempster, Marquis, Marshall, Gallagher, Guzman and Samardjiza.

 

How do we acquire a solid, right-handed #3 to fit in between Lilly and Hill? I've heard names like Greinke and Blanton could become available. What would it take to get them? Who else is out there?

 

 

Hoops

 

I would think an offer similar to what's been discussed for Roberts could get Blanton. Murton/Marshall/Patterson. I think Blanton would help us more than Roberts. I also agree with you about our current rotation.

[Yanksfan1523]

Kei Igawa :lol:

[RyneSandberg]

sike, why in the hell are we considering starting dempster again? :-k

[HoopsCubs]

Kei Igawa :lol:

 

Straight up for Marquis?

Except we don't need another lefty.

[Mephistopheles]

Kei Igawa wouldn't be a poor guy to look at, if the Yankees picked up some of the money. Although he's a better fit for a team like Washington, Seattle or San Diego.

[Yanksfan1523]

Picked up some of the money? He is only owed 4/16. How much do you want the Yanks to pay?

[HoopsCubs]

Kei Igawa wouldn't be a poor guy to look at, if the Yankees picked up some of the money. Although he's a better fit for a team like Washington, Seattle or San Diego.

 

Fukudome would have someone to talk to.

[Mephistopheles]

Picked up some of the money? He is only owed 4/16. How much do you want the Yanks to pay?

 

4 million sounds about right.

[Mephistopheles]

Kei Igawa wouldn't be a poor guy to look at, if the Yankees picked up some of the money. Although he's a better fit for a team like Washington, Seattle or San Diego.

 

Fukudome would have someone to talk to.

 

In that case why not just sign Akinori Otsuka? He's coming off of an elbow injury as well. I'm pretty sure they'd have better topics to talk about. They did play together for Chunichi for a year.

[Yanksfan1523]

Rumor has Kei going to Arizona. I won't shed a tear.

[questionmarkgrace]

Id be interested in Colon if he promised not to stay at the buffet table too long. He is a poster child for what zambrano shouldnt do. But as I say if he loses weight he might be worth it.

[marc_foust]

I brought this up in another thread, but what about taking a flyer on Chad Durbin. He is young enough to have some upside and still not cost a fortune. He is out of options, but he is looking pretty good compared to some of the options out there. My dad and older brother are tigers fans and they seemed pretty high on him. He ran out options and couldnt quite snag a spot in the deep tigers' rotation so they non tendered him.

[snoodmonger]

Kei Igawa wouldn't be a poor guy to look at, if the Yankees picked up some of the money. Although he's a better fit for a team like Washington, Seattle or San Diego.

 

Fukudome would have someone to talk to.

 

In that case why not just sign Akinori Otsuka? He's coming off of an elbow injury as well. I'm pretty sure they'd have better topics to talk about. They did play together for Chunichi for a year.

 

I could totally see Hendry using that as a criterion for signing a guy.

 

"I don't care about his K/9 or WHIP, what the hell would he have to say to Kosuke?"

[Hosak8]

I'm exhausted hearing about the Mitchell report, Prior and Roberts.

 

Can I discuss another topic? I can't sleep at night thinking that two-fifths of the Cubs projected starting rotation for 2008 will come out of this pool of players: Dempster, Marquis, Marshall, Gallagher, Guzman and Samardjiza.

 

How do we acquire a solid, right-handed #3 to fit in between Lilly and Hill? I've heard names like Greinke and Blanton could become available. What would it take to get them? Who else is out there?

 

 

Hoops

 

There are rumors of Blanton (and Haren) being available, as there are about AJ Burnett. Why not aim for both?

 

We currently have Marshall, Gallagher, Marmol, and potentially Guzman who would interest the A's and Jays. We also have a Canadian whom the Jays allegedly covet, in Dempster. We have a LF who should draw interest (Murton) and a couple of other prospects (EPatt, Fuld) who could draw some interest.

 

So, why not deal Marquis to the Mets for a prospect that Beane actually likes, and then flip that prospect to Oakland with EPatt, Marshall, and Marmol for Blanton? (Try for Haren, be happy with Blanton.)

 

Then deal Dempster, Murton, and Gallagher for Burnett.

 

Voila. Zambrano, Lilly, Blanton, Hill, Burnett.

 

Turn your attention to SS, call it an offseason.

[Clem Fandango]

Does Greinke still want to be a reliever? I noticed he started at the end of this year after moving to the bullpen. I'd wouldn't mind Greinke. Cheap, young, loads of upside. Probably would take a bit to get him, but he'd be a nice addition whether it'd be to the rotation or the bullpen

[badnews]

To me Freddy Garcia is the best of the rehab class, why all the talk about Colon but none about Garcia?

 

Kei Igawa wouldn't be worth giving anything up for.

[rawaction]

Does Greinke still want to be a reliever? I noticed he started at the end of this year after moving to the bullpen. I'd wouldn't mind Greinke. Cheap, young, loads of upside. Probably would take a bit to get him, but he'd be a nice addition whether it'd be to the rotation or the bullpen

 

Greinke would be an excellent pickup. And I don't think you have to worry about too many 24 year olds wanting to relieve over starting a ballgame. His numbers have been considerably worse as a starter, throughout his careeer, but he is a guy that I expect Larry Rothschild could really turn around. He had a very strong September, even with 1 disaster start. He finished the year, giving up 4 ERs in his last 18 innings. He's super cheap in salary and likely in prospects also. Cheap enough both ways that the Cubs could probably still go out and get a guy like Blanton/Burnett if they wanted.

 

I'd think the Royals would take a trade of a guy they could slot into their rotation in 2008 and a position player with some upside. Marshall, Gallagher or Hart along with Patterson. I'd maybe even give up a guy like Kyler Burke.

[RynoRules]

I like the Blanton idea quite a bit. Murton and Gallagher would be enough, IMO.

[bhogg]

What do you have against belly itchers?

[badnews]

I don't think Wrigley Field is the best place for an emotional china doll like Greinke to figure out his issues. In any event I don't think Greinke or Blanton would come as cheap as some say. I'd still like an answer as to why everybody hates Jon Garland but Blanton is a similar pitcher (moderate but not great G/F ratio, low K/9 for a righty) who sharpened his control better than Garland's last year, or why we should ignore the red-ass beatdowns Blanton gets when he pitches outside of Oakland.

 

Joe Blanton is an "innings eater." Unfortunately, Rich Hill averaged more innings per start on the road than Joe Blanton did. Oakland A's pitchers are the only ones who don't get the NL friendly ERA drop.

[Little Slide Rooter]

.

 

Can I discuss another topic? I can't sleep at night thinking that two-fifths of the Cubs projected starting rotation for 2008 will come out of this pool of players: Dempster, Marquis, Marshall, Gallagher, Guzman and Samardjiza.

 

 

Id be satisfied with most of these guys as a number 5, but I agree that we do need a solid number 4.

[anabiono]

yep, if we add a pitcher to slot into the 4 spot ahead of marquis...that would be lovely...

 

if we get a pitcher to slot into the 3 slot ahead of hill and marquis...color me very excited for the upcoming season

[JeffH]

Could someone tell me how Kei Igawa is any better than Jason Marquis or Ryan Dempster or Sean Marshall?

 

I guess since he's never pitched for the Cubs, he must be better.