The free agent bargain bin...

[mdwilla]

There was a lot of action on Colon early this offseason but his arm strength isn't there yet which is why no one has signed him yet. Sanders has said he wants to stay on the west coast or retire. Wilson as a guy that would only play against left handers and pinch hitting role would be nice.

[Mephistopheles]

Colon really hasn't been dependent on his four seam since his Indian days. Since then he's relied on what's become a quality sinking two seamer. I don't think reduced velocity is going to affect him as much now as it would five years ago. That said I would not advocate entertaining the idea of signing him. The guy who actually interests me is Kyle Lohse. He bombed out in Minnesota the last year there, but he's put up quite the quality run in Cincinnati and Philadelphia given the park effects. His career ERA in the NL is 4.55 while playing half of his games in two of the toughest park on pitchers in the leagues (although he performed well at both spots). I don't see any reason he couldn't post an ERA under 4.50 for the Cubbies next season if they wanted him. I'd take him in our rotation over Jon Lieber, Sean Marshall, Ryan Dempster and Jason Marquis. There's a very good chance his ERA is around 4.25 if he's a Cub. Lohse apparently wants a five year deal (won't happen), but if he would sign for a 3 year deal at a little higher rate than Marquis' (say 3 yrs 27 mil), why not grab him if we dump Marquis in a trade for Roberts.

[XZero771679666304]

Colon really hasn't been dependent on his four seam since his Indian days. Since then he's relied on what's become a quality sinking two seamer. I don't think reduced velocity is going to affect him as much now as it would five years ago. That said I would not advocate entertaining the idea of signing him. The guy who actually interests me is Kyle Lohse. He bombed out in Minnesota the last year there, but he's put up quite the quality run in Cincinnati and Philadelphia given the park effects. His career ERA in the NL is 4.55 while playing half of his games in two of the toughest park on pitchers in the leagues (although he performed well at both spots). I don't see any reason he couldn't post an ERA under 4.50 for the Cubbies next season if they wanted him. I'd take him in our rotation over Jon Lieber, Sean Marshall, Ryan Dempster and Jason Marquis. There's a very good chance his ERA is around 4.25 if he's a Cub. Lohse apparently wants a five year deal (won't happen), but if he would sign for a 3 year deal at a little higher rate than Marquis' (say 3 yrs 27 mil), why not grab him if we dump Marquis in a trade for Roberts.

 

I know Colon's 4-seamer isn't his bread and butter, but it seemed to me that he used it to bully hitters and set them up for the sinking stuff. Am I mistaken?

[Derwood]

Colon really hasn't been dependent on his four seam since his Indian days. Since then he's relied on what's become a quality sinking two seamer. I don't think reduced velocity is going to affect him as much now as it would five years ago. That said I would not advocate entertaining the idea of signing him. The guy who actually interests me is Kyle Lohse. He bombed out in Minnesota the last year there, but he's put up quite the quality run in Cincinnati and Philadelphia given the park effects. His career ERA in the NL is 4.55 while playing half of his games in two of the toughest park on pitchers in the leagues (although he performed well at both spots). I don't see any reason he couldn't post an ERA under 4.50 for the Cubbies next season if they wanted him. I'd take him in our rotation over Jon Lieber, Sean Marshall, Ryan Dempster and Jason Marquis. There's a very good chance his ERA is around 4.25 if he's a Cub. Lohse apparently wants a five year deal (won't happen), but if he would sign for a 3 year deal at a little higher rate than Marquis' (say 3 yrs 27 mil), why not grab him if we dump Marquis in a trade for Roberts.

 

 

ERA doesn't matter

[Sweet Swinging Billy]

What about Freddy Garcia? Was he injured last year? Does he have anything else left in the tanK?

[Derwood]

What about Freddy Garcia? Was he injured last year? Does he have anything else left in the tanK?

 

yes, no

[SouthSideRyan]

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

 

Yeah, but bhogg's kid's a better hitter than me.

[UK1679666180]

Is Ramon Ortiz a FA?

 

I like what I saw from him yesterday.

 

90-93 FB with more sink than I remember, he threw a cutter instead of a slider, and a nice chenge. Located well and shut down a good offense with Tejada, Furcal, and E. Encarnacion.

 

Obviously, it;s only one start but I came away impressed giving Licey the advantage in the Car. World Series.

[Vanilla Ice]

Corey Patterson?

 

I know he can't hit lefties so chill out

[Post Count Padder]

Is Ramon Ortiz a FA?

 

I like what I saw from him yesterday.

 

90-93 FB with more sink than I remember, he threw a cutter instead of a slider, and a nice chenge. Located well and shut down a good offense with Tejada, Furcal, and E. Encarnacion.

 

Obviously, it;s only one start but I came away impressed giving Licey the advantage in the Car. World Series.

There may have been a time where Ramon Garcia was an ok pitcher. That time has long since come and gone.

[CubsInNC]

Is Ramon Ortiz a FA?

 

I like what I saw from him yesterday.

 

90-93 FB with more sink than I remember, he threw a cutter instead of a slider, and a nice chenge. Located well and shut down a good offense with Tejada, Furcal, and E. Encarnacion.

 

Obviously, it;s only one start but I came away impressed giving Licey the advantage in the Car. World Series.

There may have been a time where Ramon Garcia was an ok pitcher. That time has long since come and gone.

 

 

Yeah, Ramon Garcia had a 108 ERA+ and 1.305 WHIP in 1997, with Houston, but his 3 years in the bigs are little if any information other than he stunk.

 

Ramon Ortiz though, hasn't been above average since 2004, and horrid the last few years. I'd rather use Marquis/Marshall/Gallagher/Lieber for the last 2 spots.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Corey Patterson?

 

I know he can't hit lefties so chill out

 

I didnt realise he was still out there. I would have thought that Dusty would have jumped on him like a vagrant on a passed out crack whore.

 

He really hasnt been that bad for Baltimore. Someone will pick him up.

[inari]

Corey Patterson?

 

I know he can't hit lefties so chill out

 

I didnt realise he was still out there. I would have thought that Dusty would have jumped on him like a vagrant on a passed out crack whore.

 

He really hasnt been that bad for Baltimore. Someone will pick him up.

 

His first year was okay, but he was dreadful last year.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Corey Patterson?

 

I know he can't hit lefties so chill out

 

I didnt realise he was still out there. I would have thought that Dusty would have jumped on him like a vagrant on a passed out crack whore.

 

He really hasnt been that bad for Baltimore. Someone will pick him up.

 

His first year was okay, but he was dreadful last year.

 

He hit .269 with 8 HR and 37 SB. Not great, but I wouldnt call it dreadful. No worse than anything we had in center last season.

[fromthestretch]

Corey Patterson?

 

I know he can't hit lefties so chill out

 

I didnt realise he was still out there. I would have thought that Dusty would have jumped on him like a vagrant on a passed out crack whore.

 

He really hasnt been that bad for Baltimore. Someone will pick him up.

 

His first year was okay, but he was dreadful last year.

 

He hit .269 with 8 HR and 37 SB. Not great, but I wouldnt call it dreadful. No worse than anything we had in center last season.

 

He had a .690 OPS. The Cubs got a combined .709 OPS out of CF last season.

[DenverCubs]

Corey Patterson?

 

I know he can't hit lefties so chill out

 

I didnt realise he was still out there. I would have thought that Dusty would have jumped on him like a vagrant on a passed out crack whore.

 

He really hasnt been that bad for Baltimore. Someone will pick him up.

 

His first year was okay, but he was dreadful last year.

 

He hit .269 with 8 HR and 37 SB. Not great, but I wouldnt call it dreadful. No worse than anything we had in center last season.

 

He had a .690 OPS. The Cubs got a combined .709 OPS out of CF last season.

Also, I would call what the Cubs got out of CF last year pretty dreadful.

[Post Count Padder]

Is Ramon Ortiz a FA?

 

I like what I saw from him yesterday.

 

90-93 FB with more sink than I remember, he threw a cutter instead of a slider, and a nice chenge. Located well and shut down a good offense with Tejada, Furcal, and E. Encarnacion.

 

Obviously, it;s only one start but I came away impressed giving Licey the advantage in the Car. World Series.

There may have been a time where Ramon Garcia was an ok pitcher. That time has long since come and gone.

 

 

Yeah, Ramon Garcia had a 108 ERA+ and 1.305 WHIP in 1997, with Houston, but his 3 years in the bigs are little if any information other than he stunk.

 

Ramon Ortiz though, hasn't been above average since 2004, and horrid the last few years. I'd rather use Marquis/Marshall/Gallagher/Lieber for the last 2 spots.

:doh:

[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.

 

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

:doh:

 

All those former Cardinals are the same to me.

[hardcorecubfan]

Sammy!!!! Sammy!!!! Sammy!!!! Wait its 2008 and not 98 forget about :oops:

[AlwaysaCub]

No no no no no this is obvious. Jim Hendry Will sign one Rondell White of all those players. He did, after all, play on the 2001 Cubs, and John Lieber probably needs a buddy.

[hardcorecubfan]

Is there a rehab case that is close enough to coming back that we can rehab until mid season, give two relief or batting appearances then trade in a package at the push for the playoffs?

Low cost but possibly higher return in a trade?

[Radar3454]

I am surprised Corey has not signed w/ anyone yet - he had a solid 2nd half for Baltimore .313 .331 .458 and is young enough and good enough defensively that I would think a few teams would give him a chance. I am not in favor of the Cubs being one of those teams FWIW.

[biittner77]

I am surprised Corey has not signed w/ anyone yet - he had a solid 2nd half for Baltimore .313 .331 .458 and is young enough and good enough defensively that I would think a few teams would give him a chance. I am not in favor of the Cubs being one of those teams FWIW.

 

Unless perhaps if they traded Pie as part of a package for a serious upgrade somewhere else. Patterson brings strong defense and would be a decent placeholder until Colvin is ready. Of course there's no evidence that Hendry is even considering an upgrade at SS so the point is moot.

[hardcorecubfan]

could the lack of signings be a cohesive drive by the owners to create desperate feeling among the players to sign at a lower price?

[AlwaysaCub]

could the lack of signings be a cohesive drive by the owners to create desperate feeling among the players to sign at a lower price?

 

Wouldn't that be called "collusion"?