Now what is the Cubs biggest need?

[sharkfan50]

Well besides a RH pitcher in the pen to replace Hart :lol: I gotta say when I look at the way this current team is constructed that a RH Veteran bat off the bench to replace Cedeno's is crucial. That to me is a glaring hole. Cedeno and Blanco coming off the bench as your primary RH bats simply is not good enough. I know I know, when the Cubs face righties once Soriano is healthy, Johnson will be the Primary RH bat. The point is though, Cedeno is a terrible PH and is just sucking up a roster spot and the Cubs are definitely pursuing this hole.

 

Any ideas who would be a nice pick up? I personally wouldn't mind the Cubs going after Chris Gomez of the Pirates. He is a .263 lifetime hitter but his last 5 seasons have been pretty solid. He also has a career .303 BA and a .397 OBP as a PH. Sure would take that over Cedeno, ay?

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

3B

[sharkfan50]

+666

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

at this point it is nitpicking...I think this team could use a real color analyst on the radio instead of a "cheerleader"..but that is about it.

[sharkfan50]

My apologies, I wasn't aware that improving the team was "nitpicking". I personally like the idea of improving the team as much as possible and the next time Cedeno comes up late in the game in a crucial part of the game and shows no plate discipline and swings at garbage over his head and strikes out, you let me know if you still think that i'm "nitpicking".

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

easy killer.

[jersey cubs fan]

I don't see how finding a veteran RH bat off the bench could be crucial, but if they can find one for very little in return, fine.

[Laura]

They'll need someone who can play a backup SS role if they lose Cedeno. Fontenot isn't a SS, and DeRosa has played all of one game there with the Cubs. Gomez has played 13 games at SS this season. He has 3 errors (insert standard caveat that errors do not equate to defensive ability or lack thereof) and is 37 years old. I'm not sure he's the right replacement at first glance.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I don't see how finding a veteran RH bat off the bench could be crucial, but if they can find one for very little in return, fine.

 

Agreed. The top of my wish list is another reliever, and even that is probably a low priority and would have to come without offering much of our top level trading chips.

[javy knows my name]

I don't see how finding a veteran RH bat off the bench could be crucial, but if they can find one for very little in return, fine.

Yeah, this. I don't think it's possible to have a "glaring hole" on the bench.

[David]

They need to get, be, and stay healthy.

 

That's all they need.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

You always need another good reliever.

[CubbieBum]

I'm going to stick with a title being our biggest need.

[pretty blonde nobody]

Now what is the Cubs biggest need? Well besides a RH pitcher in the pen to replace Hart

Not really, isn't Hart is the 13th pitcher? I would think/hope they're not planning on carrying that many for the second half anyway. Getting another reliever would be nice, though, in case Marmol keeps struggling and since Howry's been pretty blah.

[Joe_Cub]

1) fix marmol, keep him fixed

2) keep harden healthy

3) get soriano back

4) keep theriot's mojo going

5) fix rich hill

[SouthSideRyan]

They'll need someone who can play a backup SS role if they lose Cedeno. Fontenot isn't a SS, and DeRosa has played all of one game there with the Cubs. Gomez has played 13 games at SS this season. He has 3 errors (insert standard caveat that errors do not equate to defensive ability or lack thereof) and is 37 years old. I'm not sure he's the right replacement at first glance.

 

Yeah, Chris Gomez is done as a SS.

 

And of course he pretty much has the same numbers as Cedeno.

[rawaction]

Leadoff hitter?

 

I think the biggest need is probably still another starting pitcher. I don't think it's a make or break type of thing, but if you look at the team you can't improve 3B, 1B, C, LF or RF. Derosa has been great. Theriot has been solid. And the CF platoon has worked. The glaring weakness right now is Marquis/Lilly, whoever is struggling at the time. Sure there's Marshall, Gaudin and potentially Hill, but none of them are likely to be much better than Marquis/Lilly for the rest of this year. And you still have the potential for a Harden injury and/or Dempster flameout. Having 3 of those names in the rotation after an injury is a scary proposition. Still though, probably not worth it given what the Cubs would have to give up and the money they would be paying Lilly/Marquis to be in the pen, released or traded.

 

The most glaring need worth making a move on is a bullpen arm. Preferably a shutdown lefty in the spot occupied by guys who are just pitching once a week anyway.

[biittner77]

A droid that understands the binary language of moisture vaporators. WHICH I'D ALREADY HAVE IF MY NO ACCOUNT HALF BROTHER HADN'T STOLEN MINE IN THE PREQUEL!

 

I'm sorry. The Cubs could use another reliever.

Edited July 17, 2008 by biittner77

[tfarks]

Get Randall Simon from the Newark Bears

[brinoch]

Get Randall Simon from the Newark Bears

 

Lefty. Psht.

[Skyballer]

I don't think you can ever have enough starting pitching, both Lilly and Marquis are more than shakey. If we could eliminate one or both(trade and or Hill) of them, we'd be set.

[Sammy Sofa]

Winning a stupid World Series.

[cubs121]

Winning a stupid World Series.

[CubbieBum]

a new color guy

[Outshined_One]

Trade-wise, I'd poke around for the following...

 

1) A LHP reliever. Another dominant reliever period would be nice, but I'm not a huge fan of the lefties the Cubs currently have in the bullpen. Brian Fuentes would be nice, but if another option presents itself, that'd be good.

 

2) Another SP. I'm hoping Hill comes back healthy, but given Harden's health, Dempster pitching a ton in the first half, and the questionable nature of the back end of our rotation, another SP could help the Cubs' cause. I'm not thinking about someone like Wolf or Maddux who may or may not be an upgrade over Marquis. I'm thinking more along the lines of someone who can step into the rotation and at least be an effective #3 type. Rich Hill could fill that role, but if Burnett could be had for cheap or someone else is unexpectedly available, that could help.

 

And then, in short...

 

3) RH power bat off the bench.

4) Backup SS in case Theriot comes crashing down to earth.

5) Backup CF who can hit RHPs in case Edmonds is re-injured or goes back to being ineffective.