Would you mortgage the future for a better shot at the WS?

[RegulusBlue]

As we can all see, this season has one of the best Cub teams we've ever seen. It may be the best in the majors, and it may be the best Cub team for a decade or more. The offense is cooking, the defense is passable to good, and the pitching has been a great surprise. The only apparent chinks in the armor are replacing Soriano for six weeks, doubt about the longevity of our pen due to overuse, and the near inevitable explosion of Dempster and Marquis(and possibly Gallagher).

 

The Cubs are real good right now, but a trade could bring home something very special in October. This begs the question:

 

Would you make a blockbuster trade for a starter or another star player if it cost our farm system quite a few prospects? Would you risk it all to potentially win it all?

[Old Style]

It depends what the deal is. Of course you need to be willing to trade some youngsters for players that can help you now, but you have to be smart about it.

[soapy]

this is one of the few years where i might. they are going to be saddled with some big contracts on some aging players in a few years. they may not have a big window of oppurtunity and are probably only one front-line starter away from being a heavy favorite to win it.

 

i'd give up quite a bit for Sabathia. if you can pick up Sabathia and say...Bradley...then you have a helluva team put together.

[UMFan83]

Most years, I would hesitate. But this year it seems obvious that we can be 1-2 pieces away from being a juggernaut. As long as its not for a 39 year old pitcher having a flukishly good year, I would do it. This needs to end now.

[C.C.]

Yes! Clear out the farm and everything else.

[Keener98]

Absolutely! Our team as we stand right now, really has no use on the field for our prospects, so we might as well use them to get a star pitcher. Before I get jumped on for saying that, let me explain. Our LF is locked up for 6 more years. Our RF is locked up for 3 more years. Our 3rd basemen is locked up for 3 or 4 more years. Our 2nd basemen is locked up for 2 more years. Our 1st baseman is locked up for 2 or 3 more years. Our Ace pitcher is locked up for 5 more years. Our #2 or 3(lilly) is locked up for 2 more years. So that leaves SS which is currently being manned by a guy tearing it up. While I have been a big Cedeno guy, what Theriot has done so far is pretty amazing. Can he keep it up? Who knows, but IF he can produce hes under our control for a couple more years. Our starting catcher is a rookie, and is under our control for awhile longer.

 

So that leaves CF, the rotation, and the BP as possible spots for our "prospects". Ill basically ignore the bullpen as its not usually filled with guys who are labled as prospects that we'd be giving up in a deal. So that leaves the rotation and CF. If Demp continues pitching this well, or even if he slips up a bit, hes shown the ability to be an average to above average starter. Id be willing to bet Ryan would give the Cubs a pretty good discount to come back to the Cubs after this year. That leaves 2 holes in the rotation, unless we are able to re-sign the pitcher we traded the prospects for. So that leaves 1 spot in the rotation. Id be willing to bet we could fill this slot with somebody still within the organization, or with a guy coming back from injury.

 

So that leaves CF. We could either sign a free agent, or move somebody within our organization there. So once again, yes mortgage the future now!

[Cubs Fan In New York]

Murton and Pie seem like they're never going to get a fair shake on the big league club, so they can be used in a trade toward getting a frontline starter. There really isn't anyone down there that stands out that can't be traded.

[moochpuppy]

You might not have to give up too much for say Gil Meche from the Royals. I think he would be a nice addition to the rotation. Include Jose Guillen in a deal as well. Edited June 13, 2008 by moochpuppy

[Keener98]

Murton and Pie seem like they're never going to get a fair shake on the big league club, so they can be used in a trade toward getting a frontline starter. There really isn't anyone down there that stands out that can't be traded.

 

 

Exactly there is nobody dominant enough in our system that is untradeable. If a combination of our guys can bring in 1 dominant guy, then do it.

 

By the way, welcome to the forum!

[Cubs Fan In New York]

Murton and Pie seem like they're never going to get a fair shake on the big league club, so they can be used in a trade toward getting a frontline starter. There really isn't anyone down there that stands out that can't be traded.

 

 

Exactly there is nobody dominant enough in our system that is untradeable. If a combination of our guys can bring in 1 dominant guy, then do it.

 

By the way, welcome to the forum!

 

The only problem I can see with our farm system is that the guys that should have alot of trade value, probably don't anymore because of how much we've jerked them around. It might take alot more now to get someone dominant than it could've before the season started.

 

Thank you :) I've been lurking for around 2 years and for some reason waited until now to join 8-)

[Keener98]

You might not have to give up too much for say Gil Meche from the Royals. I think he would be a nice addition to the rotation. Include Jose Guillen in a deal as well.

 

 

Puke. Meche's contract is discusting, Ill pass. The Cubs have plenty of 2-4 starters, the addition of another dominant number 1 starter would put the Cubs over the top.

[Ryno is God 23]

I have a question.....If the Cubs trade for CC and he sings as a FA somewhere else next winter....... Do the Cubs get the comp pick?

[Keener98]

I have a question.....If the Cubs trade for CC and he sings as a FA somewhere else next winter....... Do the Cubs get the comp pick?

 

They will recieve 2 picks

[evv98]

I would trade anyone on the farm to get to the World Series. I would trade any combination of them for a 1 or 2 starter. Of course I still feel the Hill has 2-3 starter stuff and would be very valuable in the future (or in the second half if he can get it together), but I would package him if it meant getting back a Sabathia or a Harden.

[MSG T]

I know I'll catch hell from at least a few people, but I'd do two things:

 

1.Do what I could, without being ridiculous( ex. a 3 1/2 month $20mil contract), to sign Barry Bonds. He could play left while Soriano is out, then be a 4th OF/PH/DH for the rest of the year, occasionally making up a Bonds/Soriano/Fukudome OF. Even with limited use, the numbers he could put up would make this lineup incredible.

 

2. Make the best offer I could for CC, if that didn't work go after AJ. Even with his struggles this year Sabathia is a very good pitcher that would be outstanding to match up with Z as a 1/2 combination. If he could be locked up long term, great, if not oh well, he's still the best available( that we know of), and could go a long, long ways towards getting a WS.

[Banghart]

I think everyone here is in favor of getting C.C. Sabathia, and I am sure most everyone is willing to give up any prospect to get him. I think what most people here question is two things. First if the Indians are actually going to trade him because they can just keep him and get the two compensation picks at the end of year or if we have enough to get him. Sabathia, if available, is going to be the best starter, and clearly the biggest need. I don't think the Cubs are going to be unwilling to trade for Sabathia, but I do have serious doubts we have enough, or of what they want, to get the Indians to trade him to us. Edited June 13, 2008 by Banghart

[evv98]

I know I'll catch hell from at least a few people, but I'd do two things:

 

1.Do what I could, without being ridiculous( ex. a 3 1/2 month $20mil contract), to sign Barry Bonds. He could play left while Soriano is out, then be a 4th OF/PH/DH for the rest of the year, occasionally making up a Bonds/Soriano/Fukudome OF. Even with limited use, the numbers he could put up would make this lineup incredible.

 

So you are basically saying you would sell your soul to the devil for a Cubs World Series?

 

Me too.

[Ryno is God 23]

I have a question.....If the Cubs trade for CC and he sings as a FA somewhere else next winter....... Do the Cubs get the comp pick?

 

They will recieve 2 picks

 

I actually knew that the team would get 2.

[Cubs Fan In New York]

I know I'll catch hell from at least a few people, but I'd do two things:

 

1.Do what I could, without being ridiculous( ex. a 3 1/2 month $20mil contract), to sign Barry Bonds. He could play left while Soriano is out, then be a 4th OF/PH/DH for the rest of the year, occasionally making up a Bonds/Soriano/Fukudome OF. Even with limited use, the numbers he could put up would make this lineup incredible.

 

So you are basically saying you would sell your soul to the devil for a Cubs World Series?

 

Me too.

 

I thought he didn't like the fans and playing in Wrigley? Maybe I mis-remember but I could have sworn he's said he doesn't like it there. Couple that with the fact that he can barely run. I wouldn't mind it at all if we were an AL team, but his knee's plus a brick wall doesn't leave me too hopeful for his defense.

[PrimeTime]

With how many years it's been, and how bad we all want to see one in our lifetime,It's worth doing whatever it takes

[Little Slide Rooter]

If we were to get CC Sabathia or someone similar, and planned on signin him for a few years, absolutely. When your a team with money, and not a lot of luck as far as position player prospects go, you msy as well get what you can.

[anabiono]

i think the only player out there that we would have to give up a pretty decent clip to get would be C.C.

 

i don't think burnett will be that expensive...or harden...

 

other than that...i don't want anyone else...unless someone else will become available that hasn't been mentioned yet...

 

but yes...without question...for C.C. you give up whatever and we win!

[twothousandfive]

This question doesn't really get fun until what the Cubs give up hurts, and the player(s) they get back are over 28 and have a contract that ends after this year or next year.

 

So, on the give up side -- if every need to make this team better could be addressed in a single deal, and a very average catcher was included, do you trade Soto?

 

Would you trade him for Brad Penney and Rafael Furcal, and an average catcher LA picked up somewhere? (Not that the Dodgers need a catcher.)

 

Would you trade him for Bedard and Roberts (and Ramon Hernandez), with DeRosa moving to LF and playing super-sub when Soriano comes back? (Not that one team has both those guys, anymore.)

 

How about Beltran, Maine and Schneider from the Mets?

 

If you are offering up middling prospects from the minors, it isn't mortgaging the future. It's gotta' really hurt before you are playing the game.

 

I'd say no to all three deals, because the Cubs are in good position to make the post-season, and short post-seasons are fluky. I would most certainly trade Cedeno/Hart for a masher who could be a late season PH and World Series DH, if they get there. Say Jason Giambi. That comes close to the spirit of mortgaging the future.

 

If you answered "yes" to the question, but oppose all of those deals, I think you need to change your answer to "no."

[cubscausestress]

I have a question.....If the Cubs trade for CC and he sings as a FA somewhere else next winter....... Do the Cubs get the comp pick?

 

They will recieve 2 picks

 

I actually knew that the team would get 2.

 

actually, it depends on if it's a meatloaf song or a fugazi track. although, i'm not sure if fugazi is interested in the commercial side of helping the cubs get a comp pick.

[Backtobanks]

This question doesn't really get fun until what the Cubs give up hurts, and the player(s) they get back are over 28 and have a contract that ends after this year or next year.

 

So, on the give up side -- if every need to make this team better could be addressed in a single deal, and a very average catcher was included, do you trade Soto?

 

Would you trade him for Brad Penney and Rafael Furcal, and an average catcher LA picked up somewhere? (Not that the Dodgers need a catcher.)

 

Would you trade him for Bedard and Roberts (and Ramon Hernandez), with DeRosa moving to LF and playing super-sub when Soriano comes back? (Not that one team has both those guys, anymore.)

 

How about Beltran, Maine and Schneider from the Mets?

 

If you are offering up middling prospects from the minors, it isn't mortgaging the future. It's gotta' really hurt before you are playing the game.

 

I'd say no to all three deals, because the Cubs are in good position to make the post-season, and short post-seasons are fluky. I would most certainly trade Cedeno/Hart for a masher who could be a late season PH and World Series DH, if they get there. Say Jason Giambi. That comes close to the spirit of mortgaging the future.

 

If you answered "yes" to the question, but oppose all of those deals, I think you need to change your answer to "no."

 

I think Soto is probably one of the most "untouchable" players in the league right now. Finding a young stud catcher only happens about once every 20 years, so I can't think of a realistic deal in which I would include Soto.