There's got to be more action

[fromthestretch]

ok...i will agree with the soto and pie factor...although soto can't be any worse than the musical chairs we had at catcher last year...

 

but we already know that we need an upgrade at SS, and another starter better than marquis...i would even be willing to say that an upgrade like roberts over derosa will pay dividends as well...unless somehow he has an outstandingly huge career year...which i doubt will happen...

 

and don't get me wrong, i am excited about fukudome...but i believe there is probably going to be an adjustment period for him...kind of like soriano last season...

 

i may be in the minority here, but i think the smartest thing for hendry to do would be to try as hard as possible to get another starter before the season begins...

 

I'm confused why people are worried about Marquis while Dempster is currently considered to be a part of the rotation. I'm no fan of Marquis, but at least he's been league-average three of the past four seasons. If we're going to get another starter, let it be part of an effort to replace Dempster. If the Cubs can replace both with better pitchers, I'm all for it. If not, they can probably get away with Marquis at the back of the rotation. But Dempster should not be starting.

[jersey cubs fan]

I'm confused why people are worried about Marquis while Dempster is currently considered to be a part of the rotation. I'm no fan of Marquis, but at least he's been league-average three of the past four seasons. If we're going to get another starter, let it be part of an effort to replace Dempster. If the Cubs can replace both with better pitchers, I'm all for it. If not, they can probably get away with Marquis at the back of the rotation. But Dempster should not be starting.

 

I think some people are operating under the assumption that Lou has already seen the light on Dempster in the rotation and therefore, don't believe he will be starting.

 

I'm not sure Marquis is a safer bet than Dempster though.

[jersey cubs fan]

It's Jim, remember?

 

Yes, Hendry's strategy has typically been to go with what you got, and then wait to upgrade at the deadline. I hate the strategy. It eliminates any chance of running away with the division early, and having a truly great season. The Cubs are far too willing to try and tread water for 3 months instead of trying to be the best you can by April 1, and then working for improvements later. There isn't a realistic deal out there that will eliminate your chances of also improving in July. However, if you wait until July 31 you no longer have the chance to field the best team possible for the first 100 games.

[fromthestretch]

I'm confused why people are worried about Marquis while Dempster is currently considered to be a part of the rotation. I'm no fan of Marquis, but at least he's been league-average three of the past four seasons. If we're going to get another starter, let it be part of an effort to replace Dempster. If the Cubs can replace both with better pitchers, I'm all for it. If not, they can probably get away with Marquis at the back of the rotation. But Dempster should not be starting.

 

I think some people are operating under the assumption that Lou has already seen the light on Dempster in the rotation and therefore, don't believe he will be starting.

 

I'm not sure Marquis is a safer bet than Dempster though.

 

I don't think Marquis is a good starter, but I'd bet quite a bit on him to outperform Dempster over the course of a full season.

[jersey cubs fan]

I'm confused why people are worried about Marquis while Dempster is currently considered to be a part of the rotation. I'm no fan of Marquis, but at least he's been league-average three of the past four seasons. If we're going to get another starter, let it be part of an effort to replace Dempster. If the Cubs can replace both with better pitchers, I'm all for it. If not, they can probably get away with Marquis at the back of the rotation. But Dempster should not be starting.

 

I think some people are operating under the assumption that Lou has already seen the light on Dempster in the rotation and therefore, don't believe he will be starting.

 

I'm not sure Marquis is a safer bet than Dempster though.

 

I don't think Marquis is a good starter, but I'd bet quite a bit on him to outperform Dempster over the course of a full season.

 

Back to back seasons of completely disastrous meltdowns, and being left off his team's playoff roster, may have taken a toll. I have zero confidence in Marquis. I don't have confidence in Dempster either, and don't think he'll actually start all year anyway, so I wouldn't take that specific bet. But if somebody committed to both of them all year long, I wouldn't put my money on either. Both are probably going to have a 5+ ERA and endure some excrutiating games.

[BigbadB]

It's Jim, remember?

 

Yes, Hendry's strategy has typically been to go with what you got, and then wait to upgrade at the deadline. I hate the strategy. It eliminates any chance of running away with the division early, and having a truly great season. The Cubs are far too willing to try and tread water for 3 months instead of trying to be the best you can by April 1, and then working for improvements later. There isn't a realistic deal out there that will eliminate your chances of also improving in July. However, if you wait until July 31 you no longer have the chance to field the best team possible for the first 100 games.

 

I agree with that, for the most part. However, a trade of Cedeno, Marshall and Gallagher for Roberts is not the type of upgrade that I would consider to be an overall improvement of the team.

 

If you are going to upgrade, upgrade SS, CF and/or SP. Upgrade the positions of real need of upgrading.

[jersey cubs fan]

If you are going to upgrade, upgrade SS, CF and/or SP. Upgrade the positions of real need of upgrading.

 

Sure, ideally those are the positions you'd look at first. However, an improvement is an improvement and the Cubs are weak enough that it's possible to upgrade in more than those spots. I'd prefer a SS upgrade to anything else, but I'd prefer a 2B upgrade to status quo.

 

It should be noted, that while 2B isn't an obvious need, they still don't have a single everyday 2B on the team. DeRosa is not and has never been an everyday player, let alone an everyday second baseman.

[Soul]

If you are going to upgrade, upgrade SS, CF and/or SP. Upgrade the positions of real need of upgrading.

 

Sure, ideally those are the positions you'd look at first. However, an improvement is an improvement and the Cubs are weak enough that it's possible to upgrade in more than those spots. I'd prefer a SS upgrade to anything else, but I'd prefer a 2B upgrade to status quo.

 

It should be noted, that while 2B isn't an obvious need, they still don't have a single everyday 2B on the team. DeRosa is not and has never been an everyday player, let alone an everyday second baseman.

 

DeRosa did appear to tire a bit when he was playing too much. I noted it, and a number of others too.

 

I'd take Roberts, but the back of our rotation is going to be butt-ugly and I'm worried about it.

[inari]

If you are going to upgrade, upgrade SS, CF and/or SP. Upgrade the positions of real need of upgrading.

 

Sure, ideally those are the positions you'd look at first. However, an improvement is an improvement and the Cubs are weak enough that it's possible to upgrade in more than those spots. I'd prefer a SS upgrade to anything else, but I'd prefer a 2B upgrade to status quo.

 

It should be noted, that while 2B isn't an obvious need, they still don't have a single everyday 2B on the team. DeRosa is not and has never been an everyday player, let alone an everyday second baseman.

 

DeRosa did appear to tire a bit when he was playing too much. I noted it, and a number of others too.

 

I'd take Roberts, but the back of our rotation is going to be butt-ugly and I'm worried about it.

 

Honestly, I think a Gallagher-Marshall back end would be decent.

[anabiono]

ok...i will agree with the soto and pie factor...although soto can't be any worse than the musical chairs we had at catcher last year...

 

but we already know that we need an upgrade at SS, and another starter better than marquis...i would even be willing to say that an upgrade like roberts over derosa will pay dividends as well...unless somehow he has an outstandingly huge career year...which i doubt will happen...

 

and don't get me wrong, i am excited about fukudome...but i believe there is probably going to be an adjustment period for him...kind of like soriano last season...

 

i may be in the minority here, but i think the smartest thing for hendry to do would be to try as hard as possible to get another starter before the season begins...

 

I'm confused why people are worried about Marquis while Dempster is currently considered to be a part of the rotation. I'm no fan of Marquis, but at least he's been league-average three of the past four seasons. If we're going to get another starter, let it be part of an effort to replace Dempster. If the Cubs can replace both with better pitchers, I'm all for it. If not, they can probably get away with Marquis at the back of the rotation. But Dempster should not be starting.

 

you realize that me saying we need someone better than marquis means that i would be comfortable with marquis in the 5-hole right? that means dempster no longer has a slot...

 

as much as i would prefer to not have marquis on this team...that just isn't the case...he is going to pitch and he is going to start...so...to maximize the efficiency of our rotation it only makes sense to slot a better pitcher in the 3-hole (preferably a rightie)...thus making our rotation balanced and more well rounded...

 

Z

Lilly

?

Hill

Marquis

 

dempster can go braid the ivy for all i care, just as long as he isn't in the starting rotation or sniffing the ninth inning...i will be fine

[Soul]

If you are going to upgrade, upgrade SS, CF and/or SP. Upgrade the positions of real need of upgrading.

 

Sure, ideally those are the positions you'd look at first. However, an improvement is an improvement and the Cubs are weak enough that it's possible to upgrade in more than those spots. I'd prefer a SS upgrade to anything else, but I'd prefer a 2B upgrade to status quo.

 

It should be noted, that while 2B isn't an obvious need, they still don't have a single everyday 2B on the team. DeRosa is not and has never been an everyday player, let alone an everyday second baseman.

 

DeRosa did appear to tire a bit when he was playing too much. I noted it, and a number of others too.

 

I'd take Roberts, but the back of our rotation is going to be butt-ugly and I'm worried about it.

 

Honestly, I think a Gallagher-Marshall back end would be decent.

 

I was referring to how it would look if we traded Gallagher/Marshall for Roberts...

[Bull]

happy now?