The free agent bargain bin...

[Little Slide Rooter]

Heres whats left folks

 

Bartolo Colon

Freddy Garcia

Kyle Lohse

Livan Hernandez

Kevin Mench

Mike Piazza

Tony Clark

Preston Wilson

Reggie Sanders

Rondell White

 

and of course...

 

...Sammy Sosa

 

Any takers?

[Rob]

I'd be interested in grabbing Piazza as our backup catcher/bat off the bench, assuming he came cheaply enough. I just really hate the idea of going into the season counting on Henry Blanco.

[CubColtPacer]

If the Cubs traded Murton, I might be interested in Kevin Mench as a right-handed bat off of the bench. I'm not sure he would accept the role though because of how few starting at-bats he would get.

[photoguy9883]

I'd be interested in grabbing Piazza as our backup catcher/bat off the bench, assuming he came cheaply enough. I just really hate the idea of going into the season counting on Henry Blanco.

 

You doubt the ability of Koyie Hill to be our back-up back-up catcher.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I'd be interested in grabbing Piazza as our backup catcher/bat off the bench, assuming he came cheaply enough. I just really hate the idea of going into the season counting on Henry Blanco.

 

You doubt the ability of Koyie Hill to be our back-up back-up catcher.

 

All backup catchers are essentially the same offensively. They'll hit in the low .200s, and have 10 homers in a good year, be it Blanco, Hill, JD Closser, whatever. You may as well have a guy with Blancos defensive skills, especially when hes making around 3 mil this year, which is obscene for a backup.

[CubColtPacer]

I'd be interested in grabbing Piazza as our backup catcher/bat off the bench, assuming he came cheaply enough. I just really hate the idea of going into the season counting on Henry Blanco.

 

I wouldn't want to count on Piazza either. 39 years old, had a bad season last year, injury prone, and was terrible defensively in 06 and didn't play an inning in the field in 07. He would likely be better with the bat than Blanco, but he would break down very quickly if he was put back in the field again. He might be a slight upgrade over Blanco, but not really enough to sign him. My guess is Blanco comes back to his regular .620-.640 OPS this year.

[David]

Though it would never happen, I've been thinking Barrett would be a good option as our backup C. We already have the defense at the position in Geo. Barrett could both serve the purpose of a big pinch hitter and primary backup C. Plus he probably can play a few other positions, given his history.

 

Of course, we'd need to have a guy capable of playing emergency C for when we wanted to use MB's bat as a PH.

 

Again, I know it'll never happen.

 

BTW, am I remembering right that the Padres re-upped Barrett (or gave him arbitration) ala Todd Walker before?

Edited February 5, 2008 by David

[RynoRules]

I'd throw a bone (minor league contract with invite to ST) towards Colon and/or Hernandez.

[BigbadB]

What happened to Lofton? I thought he was a FA?

[mdwilla]

After the Roberts trade works it self out I'm a fan of Colon on a minor league contract. Mench would be a nice addition to the bench if we have to trade Murton. Lofton/Stewart /Green are all also nice options to have off the bench.

[Abe Frohman]

I'm hoping that if Murton isn't traded to net the Cubs something to plug a hole, the backup to Pie not working out is sliding Soriano to CF and Murton to LF.

[TheRaven]

Colon and Livan will get ML contracts.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

What's Reggie Sanders health like? If Murton is traded, Sanders might be a decent option for the bench.

 

If Piazza can handle a few games behind the dish every so often, he'd make a decent idea for a back-up catcher and pinch hitter.

[Derwood]

my guess is that every one on that list will want a ML contract

[Schwarber Fan]

What happened to Lofton? I thought he was a FA?

 

He is... I don't know where that list came from.

 

I guess it's just the best FAs...

[Little Slide Rooter]

my guess is that every one on that list will want a ML contract

 

I want an ML contract, but it aint gonna happen. Out of thebunch, Mench isthe only one I could see accepting a minor league deal. With the Yankees pitching situation, Im surprised they havnt signed Colon, Lohse, Garcia, and Livan already, or the Red Sox havnt signed them to block the Yankees.

[jyoung55]

What's Reggie Sanders health like? If Murton is traded, Sanders might be a decent option for the bench.

 

If Piazza can handle a few games behind the dish every so often, he'd make a decent idea for a back-up catcher and pinch hitter.

 

Sanders may never play again after that shot to the noggin. I think they have came out and said he is for sure not playing in 08.

[biittner77]

Can Preston Wilson play any CF at this point? As a guy that exclusively played against LH pitching he might be worth a look.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Preston Wilson sucks.

[Derwood]

What's Reggie Sanders health like? If Murton is traded, Sanders might be a decent option for the bench.

 

If Piazza can handle a few games behind the dish every so often, he'd make a decent idea for a back-up catcher and pinch hitter.

 

Sanders may never play again after that shot to the noggin. I think they have came out and said he is for sure not playing in 08.

 

Sanders took a shot to the head too? Or are you thinking of Juan Encarnacion?

[CubinNY]

Colon will be better than Lieber this year and the next.

 

Book it.

[SouthSideRyan]

Colon will be better than Lieber this year and the next.

 

Book it.

 

I could hit Colon's fastball right now.

[ManCrushOnNomar]

I'd take a flier on Tony Clark as the RH power off the bench... or LH. Edited February 5, 2008 by ManCrushOnNomar

[CubinNY]

Colon will be better than Lieber this year and the next.

 

Book it.

 

I could hit Colon's fastball right now.

Oh yea? Bhog's kid could hit Lieber's fastball right now.

[XZero771679666304]

Colon will be better than Lieber this year and the next.

 

Book it.

 

I could hit Colon's fastball right now.

Oh yea? Bhog's kid could hit Lieber's fastball right now.

 

Yeah, but Lieber hasn't derived his success from overpowering hitters. Reports say Colon couldn't break 90 MPH in winter ball. If that's true, he's virtually worthless.