The run to October: What do you want done in the 2nd half?

[ChiCubsfan0502]

Even though we are at the break, there are only 67 games left on the schedule. The Cubs are on pace for 97 wins and all in all, I couldn't be too much happier with the way things have gone.

 

When you consider all of the injuries they have suffered the last month and a half, a 4.5 and 5 game lead over the Cardinals and Brewers is just fine. The Cardinals have had tough injuries as well, so everything kind of evens out and this lead is about what we should have expected.

 

With 67 games to go, what are your needs/wants for the Cubs?

 

IMO, they should get one more starter and or relief pitcher. If we can get Burnett without paying too much for him, I'd love to see him as the 4th starter, with Lilly moving to the 5 hole. Brian Fuentes also is a guy I hope Hendry can swing a deal for.

 

I'm very comfortable with the starting offense but I expected more from D-Ward, who has not swung the bat very well off the bench. If Hendry can land a veteran lefty bat to bolster the bench, that's all I can really see that we need.

 

As of now, I think this team is hands down the best team in the NL. However, if Hendry can add another starter or bullpen arm, it certainly can't hurt.

Edited July 14, 2008 by ChiCubsfan0502

[ctcf]

Even though we are at the break, there are only 67 games left on the schedule. The Cubs are on pace for 97 wins and all in all, I couldn't be too much happier with the way things have gone.

 

When you consider all of the injuries they have suffered the last month and a half, a 4.5 and 5 game lead over the Cardinals and Brewers is just fine. The Cardinals have had tough injuries as well, so everything kind of evens out and this lead is about what we should have expected.

 

With 67 games to go, what are your needs/wants for the Cubs?

 

IMO, they should get one more starter and or relief pitcher. If we can get Burnett without paying too much for him, I'd love to see him as the 4th starter, with Lilly moving to the 5 hole. Brian Fuentes also is a guy I hope Hendry can swing a deal for.

 

I'm very comfortable with the starting offense but I expected more from D-Ward, who has not swung the bat very well off the bench. If Hendry can land a veteran lefty bat to bosler the bench, that's all I can really see that we need.

 

As of now, I think this team is hands down the best team in the NL. However, if Hendry can add another starter all bullpen arm, it certainly can't hurt.

 

No offense, but are you serious? The Cubs are done with SP for this season and I don't think I'd want them spending more chips on it as its probably the area they need the least improvement in.

 

I'd say they could use a bullpen guy if he came cheap and same for the bench.

[ChiCubsfan0502]

[

 

No offense, but are you serious? The Cubs are done with SP for this season and I don't think I'd want them spending more chips on it as its probably the area they need the least improvement in.

 

I'd say they could use a bullpen guy if he came cheap and same for the bench.

 

I'm very serious. Ted Lilly has not impressed me very much. Yes, he has 9 wins but the guy is a junk balling lefty who has given up an alarming number of homers. Seriously, why stop here? Given Harden's injury history, another starter would not hurt.

Edited July 13, 2008 by ChiCubsfan0502

[TMan92]

[

 

No offense, but are you serious? The Cubs are done with SP for this season and I don't think I'd want them spending more chips on it as its probably the area they need the least improvement in.

 

I'd say they could use a bullpen guy if he came cheap and same for the bench.

 

I'm very serious. Ted Lilly has not impressed me very much. Yes, he has 9 wins but the guy is a junk balling lefty who has given up an alarming number of homers. Seriously, why stop here? Given Hardens injury history, another starter would not hurt.

 

His name is Rich Hill.

[ChiCubsfan0502]

[

 

No offense, but are you serious? The Cubs are done with SP for this season and I don't think I'd want them spending more chips on it as its probably the area they need the least improvement in.

 

I'd say they could use a bullpen guy if he came cheap and same for the bench.

 

I'm very serious. Ted Lilly has not impressed me very much. Yes, he has 9 wins but the guy is a junk balling lefty who has given up an alarming number of homers. Seriously, why stop here? Given Hardens injury history, another starter would not hurt.

 

His name is Rich Hill.

 

:pig: Umm, no thanks. You would trust Hill in a playoff game? Yikes!

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Unless an injury strikes, I don't think we need another SP.

 

I'd like another bullpen arm. Gonzalez, Fuentes, Mahay, and Guardardo would top my shopping list.

[17 Seconds]

[

 

No offense, but are you serious? The Cubs are done with SP for this season and I don't think I'd want them spending more chips on it as its probably the area they need the least improvement in.

 

I'd say they could use a bullpen guy if he came cheap and same for the bench.

 

I'm very serious. Ted Lilly has not impressed me very much. Yes, he has 9 wins but the guy is a junk balling lefty who has given up an alarming number of homers. Seriously, why stop here? Given Hardens injury history, another starter would not hurt.

 

His name is Rich Hill.

 

:pig: Umm, no thanks. You would trust Hill in a playoff game? Yikes!

 

We're talking about number 4 or 5 starters here. How many teams have a number 4 starter that is better than Lilly? Very few. If you take out Lilly's first 4 starts this season (when his velocity was still down) he has a 3.82 ERA and is striking out nearly one an inning.

[evv98]

The bullpen is the biggest worry with Marmols collapse and Wood's blister problem.

[rocket]

Soriano to come back healthy and red hot.

[Dirt Dog Sparly]

The pen needs a go to shut down guy so Lou will quit riding Marmol like a rented mule. A bat off the bench with some pop would be nice, but who would go or go down?

 

Staying healthy is the thing this team needs the worst. Playing better on the road is number two with the bullpen shutdown guy third.

[Soul]

Rough day, but we won 2/3 and the Crew lost 2/3 this weekend. We gained a game on them overall heading into the break.

 

I can't remember the last time we had 57 wins heading into the all star break. We have played 95 games now. The Cubs would need to win 38 games in the 2nd half to get to 95 wins, a number which I think guarantees the division crown and home field advantage through the NL playoffs.

 

We're basically 5 games up on both St. Louis and Milwaukee (loss column).

 

We're in the driver seat. We just went through the toughest road stretch of the season and came through unscathed, August is full of home games. September will be rough though, if we haven't sealed the deal by then.

 

Everyone should feel very good about where we are right now. We get Soriano back very soon, and barring other injuries we should be pumping on all cylinders heading into the stretch run. We aren't even playing our best baseball and we're maintaining our division lead.

 

I'm happy for now.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Honestly, Soriano coming back is going to be HUGE for this lineup. This lineup is scary (not that Lou would arrange it this way, but whatever):

 

Soriano

Theriot

Lee

Ramirez

Soto

Fukudome

DeRosa

Edmonds

P

 

That's a damn good lineup. I'm not a big fan of this phrase, but getting Soriano back really is basically like making a trade.

 

I'd really like to add a righty power hitter for the bench. A bench of Ward, Fontenot, Blanco, Johnson, and another RH power bat is as solid as it gets. We'd need a backup for Theriot, but maybe you start working with Fontenot at SS so he could give Ryan a day off or two. I know we tried him there last year and he was terrible, but hopefully he could figure it out a bit.

 

We also need to look at adding another reliever. Fuentes is ideal, and he could setup Wood if Marmol is slumping. I love a pen of Gaudin, Cotts/Eyre as the lefty specialist, Howry, Marmol, Marshall/Lieber as the long man, Fuentes, and Wood.

 

Really, I think that's all we need, a right handed power hitter for the bench and a good reliever. The rest will just depend on us avoiding injuries.

[ctcf]

Honestly, Soriano coming back is going to be HUGE for this lineup. This lineup is scary (not that Lou would arrange it this way, but whatever):

 

Soriano

Theriot

Lee

Ramirez

Soto

Fukudome

DeRosa

Edmonds

P

 

That's a damn good lineup. I'm not a big fan of this phrase, but getting Soriano back really is basically like making a trade.

 

I'd really like to add a righty power hitter for the bench. A bench of Ward, Fontenot, Blanco, Johnson, and another RH power bat is as solid as it gets. We'd need a backup for Theriot, but maybe you start working with Fontenot at SS so he could give Ryan a day off or two. I know we tried him there last year and he was terrible, but hopefully he could figure it out a bit.

 

We also need to look at adding another reliever. Fuentes is ideal, and he could setup Wood if Marmol is slumping. I love a pen of Gaudin, Cotts/Eyre as the lefty specialist, Howry, Marmol, Marshall/Lieber as the long man, Fuentes, and Wood.

 

Really, I think that's all we need, a right handed power hitter for the bench and a good reliever. The rest will just depend on us avoiding injuries.

 

Meph's boy Khalil Greene would make an OK backup at SS and has some pop off the right side of the plate.

[CoolHandLuke]

1) Treat Harden very carefully. We don't necessarily need him to make the playoffs but we need him to win in the playoffs.

 

2) Figure out what is wrong with Marmol and get him back on track.

 

3) Get a center fielder if one that is a clear upgrade becomes available. As hot as Jim Edmonds has been at times, it is still a spot that could use improvement.

 

4) Keep Kosuke at the top of the lineup.

[CoolHandLuke]

1) Treat Harden very carefully. We don't necessarily need him to make the playoffs but we need him to win in the playoffs.

 

2) Figure out what is wrong with Marmol and get him back on track.

 

3) Get a center fielder if one that is a clear upgrade becomes available. As hot as Jim Edmonds has been at times, it is still a spot that could use improvement.

 

4) Keep Kosuke at the top of the lineup.

 

5) Fuentes

[Ding Dong Johnson]

1) Treat Harden very carefully. We don't necessarily need him to make the playoffs but we need him to win in the playoffs.

I concur

 

2) Figure out what is wrong with Marmol and get him back on track.

he could use an extended break every now and again

 

3) Get a center fielder if one that is a clear upgrade becomes available. As hot as Jim Edmonds has been at times, it is still a spot that could use improvement.

I really don't mind the one we have

 Year Ag Tm  Lg  G   AB    R    H   2B 3B  HR  RBI  SB CS  BB  SO   BA   OBP   SLG *OPS+  TB   SH  SF IBB HBP GDP 
+--------------+---+----+----+----+---+--+---+----+---+--+---+---+-----+-----+-----+----+----+---+---+---+---+---+
2008 38 CHC NL  43  131   18   35   8  1   9   28   0  0  21  28  .267  .366  .550  135   72   0   1   1   0   3
+--------------+---+----+----+----+---+--+---+----+---+--+---+---+-----+-----+-----+----+----+---+---+---+---+---+

 

4) Keep Kosuke at the top of the lineup.

this screams "sample size" but it's fun anyway:

 I Split         G   GS  PA  AB  R   H  2B 3B HR RBI  BB IBB  SO HBP  SH  SF ROE GDP  SB CS   BA   OBP   SLG   OPS  BAbip sOPS+ tOPS+ Split
+-+------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+--+--+--+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+--+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+------------+
  Batting 1st   12  12  58  50  10  13  2  0  1   5   7   0  16   1   0   0   1   0   2  1  .260  .362  .360  .722  .364    96    82 Batting 1st  
  Batting 2nd   11  11  51  45   4   6  1  0  1   3   5   0  14   0   1   0   0   0   0  1  .133  .220  .222  .442  .167    23    12 Batting 2nd  
  Batting 4th    3   3  13  11   1   3  2  0  0   3   1   0   2   0   0   1   0   0   0  0  .273  .308  .455  .762  .300    84    92 Batting 4th  
  Batting 5th   53  53 233 193  40  61 10  2  5  23  38   6  32   0   1   1   0   3   5  2  .316  .427  .466  .893  .357   128   125 Batting 5th  
  Batting 6th    6   5  25  22   3   6  1  0  0   2   3   0   5   0   0   0   0   0   1  0  .273  .360  .318  .678  .353    83    72 Batting 6th  
  Batting 7th    2   0   2   1   0   1  1  0  0   0   1   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0  0 1.000 1.000 2.000 3.000 1.000   692   649 Batting 7th  
  Batting 9th    2   0   3   3   1   1  0  0  0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   1   0   0  0  .333  .333  .333  .667  .333   135    68 Batting 9th  

[TruffleShuffle]

1) Treat Harden very carefully. We don't necessarily need him to make the playoffs but we need him to win in the playoffs.

 

2) Figure out what is wrong with Marmol and get him back on track.

 

3) Get a center fielder if one that is a clear upgrade becomes available. As hot as Jim Edmonds has been at times, it is still a spot that could use improvement.

 

i agree with these three. i'd also try to keep guys fresh by giving soto, theriot and derosa occasional rest. and getting soriano back/healthy is obviously very important.

 

i'd explore a trade for a LH reliever, as long as the cost isn't too great, but otherwise i'd be pretty much done trading at this point. i feel good about the team the cubs have put together.

[CoolHandLuke]

I liked what Edmonds has done and I was one of the few who didn't mind the move when it was made, but I just don't think those 100 some odd at-bats have very much predictive value. And I'm not saying cf has to be upgraded, I just think upgrading a team should be an ongoing process; standing pat is never an option. CF is the most feasibly upgraded starting spot so, while I don't necessarily go out of my way to get a cf, I do make a move if a move is to be made.

[Fro]

Definitely could use another dependable arm in the pen... whether that's from someone straightening themselves out/getting healthy, someone from the minors, or a trade doesn't matter.

 

Bench looks pretty good once Soriano comes back. If we go to 11 pitchers at some point you'd like a RH bat with a little pop off the bench, but we're fine as long as we're carrying 12 pitchers.

 

Still not out of the woods yet... after 3 at Houston we have...

 

3 @ Arizona

4 v.s. Florida

4 @ Milwaukee

 

If we can get through that and maintain our lead, August looks a lot better. Obviously September is going to be tough too, but most of those games are against the Brewers and Cards so we'll control our own destiny.

[17 Seconds]

I think Hendry should be concentrating on bullpen help. Even though I think Marmol will eventually be okay, it's at the point where you've gotta start planning for the worst. If Carlos doesn't turn it around and Wood gets injured, our bullpen suddenly looks horrific. I know midseason trades for relievers don't usually end up working, but a guy like Brian Fuentes seems like a relatively safe bet and he would fit perfectly into the pen. I mean, get an effective Fuentes on this team with a good Marmol and a healthy Kerry Wood and I don't really see any flaws with this team.

[Bruno7481]

Honestly, Soriano coming back is going to be HUGE for this lineup. This lineup is scary (not that Lou would arrange it this way, but whatever):

 

Soriano

Theriot

Lee

Ramirez

Soto

Fukudome

DeRosa

Edmonds

P

 

That's a damn good lineup. I'm not a big fan of this phrase, but getting Soriano back really is basically like making a trade.

 

I'd really like to add a righty power hitter for the bench. A bench of Ward, Fontenot, Blanco, Johnson, and another RH power bat is as solid as it gets. We'd need a backup for Theriot, but maybe you start working with Fontenot at SS so he could give Ryan a day off or two. I know we tried him there last year and he was terrible, but hopefully he could figure it out a bit.

 

We also need to look at adding another reliever. Fuentes is ideal, and he could setup Wood if Marmol is slumping. I love a pen of Gaudin, Cotts/Eyre as the lefty specialist, Howry, Marmol, Marshall/Lieber as the long man, Fuentes, and Wood.

 

Really, I think that's all we need, a right handed power hitter for the bench and a good reliever. The rest will just depend on us avoiding injuries.

 

Meph's boy Khalil Greene would make an OK backup at SS and has some pop off the right side of the plate.

 

Khalil Greene would be pointless, he doesn't have pop this year. The argument everyone likes to make about how well he would do outside Petco doesn't really hold water this year. He's slugging higher at home then on the road. And when I say higher, that doesn't exactly means that its high.

 

Home: SLG% .362

 

Road: SLG% .298

 

He has been terrible.

[ctcf]

Honestly, Soriano coming back is going to be HUGE for this lineup. This lineup is scary (not that Lou would arrange it this way, but whatever):

 

Soriano

Theriot

Lee

Ramirez

Soto

Fukudome

DeRosa

Edmonds

P

 

That's a damn good lineup. I'm not a big fan of this phrase, but getting Soriano back really is basically like making a trade.

 

I'd really like to add a righty power hitter for the bench. A bench of Ward, Fontenot, Blanco, Johnson, and another RH power bat is as solid as it gets. We'd need a backup for Theriot, but maybe you start working with Fontenot at SS so he could give Ryan a day off or two. I know we tried him there last year and he was terrible, but hopefully he could figure it out a bit.

 

We also need to look at adding another reliever. Fuentes is ideal, and he could setup Wood if Marmol is slumping. I love a pen of Gaudin, Cotts/Eyre as the lefty specialist, Howry, Marmol, Marshall/Lieber as the long man, Fuentes, and Wood.

 

Really, I think that's all we need, a right handed power hitter for the bench and a good reliever. The rest will just depend on us avoiding injuries.

 

Meph's boy Khalil Greene would make an OK backup at SS and has some pop off the right side of the plate.

 

Khalil Greene would be pointless, he doesn't have pop this year. The argument everyone likes to make about how well he would do outside Petco doesn't really hold water this year. He's slugging higher at home then on the road. And when I say higher, that doesn't exactly means that its high.

 

Home: SLG% .362

 

Road: SLG% .298

 

He has been terrible.

 

Oh I know. Hence him being a backup. I'd do that deal hoping a change of scenery might make him not suck.

[bhogg]

I'd like to see a bullpen upgrade. Other than that, you play your game and hope for as few injuries as possible.

 

Think of what's gone on this year.

 

The cubs go out of the gate pretty well, especially compared to last year. They went on that little run where everything went right. . . . then came what we all thought would be the roughest part of the schedule. 23 of 32 on the road with out soriano. The Cubs go 17-15 and gain a game on the Cardinals. That was impressive.

 

Now we sit at the break at 5 games up in the loss column. You can't ask for any more than that.

 

Other than Dempster, no Cub player is having an incredibly awesome once-in-a-lifetime year. The offense is as consistent as I've ever seen. The pitching staff is impressive with the addition of Harden. The sky's the limit if Hill gets his head back on straight.

 

I would not be surprised by a 7-10 game lead going into September.

 

This team will be tough as nails, assuming the injury bug stays away.

 

 

Once in the playoffs, anything can happen, but I like our chances with home field advantage.

[RedFlash]

The top three things that I want done in the second half, and they are equally important are:

 

1A: Get Marmol back on track.

1B: Make sure Harden is healthy and makes his starts.

1C: Get Soriano healthy and raking again.

 

Other things that the Cubs would get accomplished are gravy, if those first three are met.

 

Some honorable mentions:

 

*Move Fukudome back to 5th. The theory with his high OBP/low SLG would be better served higher up, has been disproved. Move Fukudome back to 5th.

 

*Acquire BOTH a lefty set up man, and RIGHTY POP off the bench.

 

If these things are met, I don't see why the Cubs can't win 100 games.

[Jehrico]

Honestly, Soriano coming back is going to be HUGE for this lineup. This lineup is scary (not that Lou would arrange it this way, but whatever):

 

Soriano

Theriot

Lee

Ramirez

Soto

Fukudome

DeRosa

Edmonds

P

 

That's a damn good lineup. I'm not a big fan of this phrase, but getting Soriano back really is basically like making a trade.

 

I'd really like to add a righty power hitter for the bench. A bench of Ward, Fontenot, Blanco, Johnson, and another RH power bat is as solid as it gets. We'd need a backup for Theriot, but maybe you start working with Fontenot at SS so he could give Ryan a day off or two. I know we tried him there last year and he was terrible, but hopefully he could figure it out a bit.

 

We also need to look at adding another reliever. Fuentes is ideal, and he could setup Wood if Marmol is slumping. I love a pen of Gaudin, Cotts/Eyre as the lefty specialist, Howry, Marmol, Marshall/Lieber as the long man, Fuentes, and Wood.

 

Really, I think that's all we need, a right handed power hitter for the bench and a good reliever. The rest will just depend on us avoiding injuries.

 

Meph's boy Khalil Greene would make an OK backup at SS and has some pop off the right side of the plate.

 

Khalil Greene would be pointless, he doesn't have pop this year. The argument everyone likes to make about how well he would do outside Petco doesn't really hold water this year. He's slugging higher at home then on the road. And when I say higher, that doesn't exactly means that its high.

 

Home: SLG% .362

 

Road: SLG% .298

 

He has been terrible.

 

Oh I know. Hence him being a backup. I'd do that deal hoping a change of scenery might make him not suck.

If SD would let him go cheaply enough (which we all know won't happen), he'd be a great option as a backup. Hendry would get kudos from me for buying low on a guy who normally was one of the league's best shortstops. Regardless of what happens in the playoffs, Hendry should seriously consider selling high on Theriot. I love what the guy has done, but I can't see this year as being anything other than a fluke. Get Khalil, trade Theriot high in the off season, then let Khalil and Ronny fight it out next year.