2008/2009 Offseason Free Agents

[Rob]

I'm perfectly happy just trying to trade off Marquis for some salary relief, and re-signing Demp and Wood (provided they give nice discounts). Pie can slide into CF with Johnson tendered a contract as a platoon-mate, Samardzija and Marshall duke it out over the #5 starter slot. Grab a backup catcher off the scrapheap and we're good to go.

[nilodnayr]

I'm perfectly happy just trying to trade off Marquis for some salary relief, and re-signing Demp and Wood (provided they give nice discounts). Pie can slide into CF with Johnson tendered a contract as a platoon-mate, Samardzija and Marshall duke it out over the #5 starter slot. Grab a backup catcher off the scrapheap and we're good to go.

 

I guess with Milwaukee losing Sheets and Sabathia, bringing back the same team should put us in a fine position to take the division again next year, but I'd prefer we significantly upgrade so we don't have to rely on repeated career years by Dempster, Theriot, CF, and Wood's shoulder.

[BigbadB]

What's really nice with this team is that they can fill most of the position needs for next year from within. Pie and Hoffpauir can replace Edmonds and Ward. There are plenty of pitching options to replace any departing starters or relievers with names like Hill, Ascanio, Hart and Guzman to name a few.

 

Any outside addition just adds to the options. I don't think I'd try to spend on a bat this offseason. I'd be looking for ways to keep Dempster and Harden. If the Cubs can manage to do that, they are looking at being a dominant team for several more years.

[SouthSideRyan]

Harden's got a 7M team option BBB.

[ChiCubsFan]

Well it all depends on the owner situation...but if the money is there, I'd love to add a big bat in LF/RF and move Fukudome to CF. I know promising him RF was a big reason why he came here, but I think he'll be okay with it. However, I wouldn't be opposed to allowing Pie and Johnson to platoon in CF to start the season and give Pie the real chance that he deserves. If it doesn't work out we could always make a deal in July. I don't see resigning Dempster and Wood as problems. It'll get done. I'm pretty sure Marquis will also be able to be dealt. We may have to eat a few million, but it'll be worth it.

 

When's DeRo's contract up? After 2009, right?

[nilodnayr]

 

When's DeRo's contract up? After 2009, right?

 

Yup, hes due 5.5M next year.

[Rob]

Definitely let them walk:

Blanco

Ward

Lieber

Howry

Fox

 

Bring back if the price is right:

Edmonds

Dempster

Wood

 

Non-tender candidates:

Johnson

Gaudin

Wuertz

Cotts

 

I don't see us as likely to non-tender Gaudin or Cotts... but I can see us non-tendering Wuertz (which would be a mistake). Johnson may be more expensive than his skill-set warrants... that'll depend on how we solve the CF situation. If Edmonds returns, or Pie gets another shot, I think we'll keep him around as a platoon-mate and backup plan.

 

We do have some internal solutions that will help fill our roster nicely... I'd give real consideration to letting Edmonds, Dempster, and Wood all walk after this season. I'd also look into trading Lilly and Marquis for some salary relief. If we can scrounge up enough cash, our new owners can make a splash with a guy like CC Sabathia.

 

C - Soto, K. Hill

1B - Lee, Hoffpaiur

2B - DeRosa, Fontenot

SS - Theriot, Cedeno

3B - Ramirez

LF - Soriano

CF - Pie, Johnson

RF - Fukudome

 

SP1 - Zambrano

SP2 - Sabathia

SP3 - Harden

SP4 - Marshall

SP5 - Samardzija

 

RP - Marmol

RP - Guzman

RP - Ceda

RP - Gaudin

RP - Wuertz

RP - Cotts

RP - Hart

 

Our pitching depth would become a little bit thin... with only Ascanio ML-ready and on the 40 man in the high minors, and Hill a wild card. But we would be freeing up a few 40 man spots and could add guys like Wells and Atkins to the roster as back-end filler. And who knows? Maybe I overshot on how many players we'd really need to let walk to gain the cash necessary... maybe it could be done without trading Lilly. Either way, it's worth thinking about.

[Vanilla Ice]

I want no part of Sabathia

[Rob]

I want no part of Sabathia

 

That's a perfectly valid opinion. With as hard as his arm has been worked, I'd be very worried about devoting a large chunk of the payroll to him.

 

Still, I find myself drawn to the idea because that rotation is frighteningly good... when healthy.

[series65cubsfan]

Do you think that it would be better to stretch Samardzija out and not Gaudin? I was pretty sure that he could start as well. Or do you think that Samardzija has better 'stuff'?

[Backtobanks]

Definitely let them walk:

Blanco

Ward

Lieber

Howry

Fox

 

Bring back if the price is right:

Edmonds

Dempster

Wood

 

Non-tender candidates:

Johnson

Gaudin

Wuertz

Cotts

I don't see us as likely to non-tender Gaudin or Cotts... but I can see us non-tendering Wuertz (which would be a mistake). Johnson may be more expensive than his skill-set warrants... that'll depend on how we solve the CF situation. If Edmonds returns, or Pie gets another shot, I think we'll keep him around as a platoon-mate and backup plan.

 

We do have some internal solutions that will help fill our roster nicely... I'd give real consideration to letting Edmonds, Dempster, and Wood all walk after this season. I'd also look into trading Lilly and Marquis for some salary relief. If we can scrounge up enough cash, our new owners can make a splash with a guy like CC Sabathia.

 

C - Soto, K. Hill

1B - Lee, Hoffpaiur

2B - DeRosa, Fontenot

SS - Theriot, Cedeno

3B - Ramirez

LF - Soriano

CF - Pie, Johnson

RF - Fukudome

 

SP1 - Zambrano

SP2 - Sabathia

SP3 - Harden

SP4 - Marshall

SP5 - Samardzija

 

RP - Marmol

RP - Guzman

RP - Ceda

RP - Gaudin

RP - Wuertz

RP - Cotts

RP - Hart

 

Our pitching depth would become a little bit thin... with only Ascanio ML-ready and on the 40 man in the high minors, and Hill a wild card. But we would be freeing up a few 40 man spots and could add guys like Wells and Atkins to the roster as back-end filler. And who knows? Maybe I overshot on how many players we'd really need to let walk to gain the cash necessary... maybe it could be done without trading Lilly. Either way, it's worth thinking about.

 

I think Wood and Dempster will be back with favorable contracts because of their relationship with Hendry and the Cubs. I do think that Edmunds will be gone opening the way for Pie/Johnson in CF. I'm not sure what Johnson will cost, but he is a decent 4th OF/platoon, so I think he will be back. As you pointed out, Wuertz should be back even though he seems to be "out of the picture" with Lou. With a good spring, he might be valuable as trade bait if Lou doesn't want him. To me, Cotts is a question mark because he is hot and cold. I guess a lot will depend on who might be available during the off season to cover possible holes at CF/RF and lefty relief pitching.

[CarolinaCubFan]

I really like Holliday with Fuku going to CF.

 

Realizing it won't happen, but I'd shoot for DLee, Pie, and prospects to Cleveland for Sizemore and sign Teixeira. :pig:

[BigbadB]

Harden's got a 7M team option BBB.

 

I know that. What I meant was a contract extension.

[Tarver]

Harden's got a 7M team option BBB.

 

I know that. What I meant was a contract extension.

 

 

That would be a terrible mistake. $7 million isn't much to gamble, but if he excels in the postseason the smart play would be picking up his option then trading him.

[CubinNY]

Harden's got a 7M team option BBB.

 

I know that. What I meant was a contract extension.

 

 

That would be a terrible mistake. $7 million isn't much to gamble, but if he excels in the postseason the smart play would be picking up his option then trading him.

The smart play?

[Tarver]

You trust his health enough to pitch 200 innings next year? If the incoming package was right, hell yes I'd trade him.

[JeffH]

If the incoming package was right, hell yes I'd trade him.

 

This should be true of any player in the organization.

[BigbadB]

If the incoming package was right, hell yes I'd trade him.

 

This should be true of any player in the organization.

 

Exactly. However, it's no big secret that Harden is a health risk. What kind of package can the Cubs expect to get for a health risk? Personally, I'd like to see the Cubs win their division for the next 10 years. New ownership with deep pockets just might help make that a possibility. Even if Harden only pitches 100 innings a year, to have that kind of arm in the playoffs for the next 3-5 years to me would be worth it.

[YearofDaCubs]

I definitely don't want Edmonds back. Dempster has looked really good but this smells like a Pavano situation where the pitcher in a contract year pitches extremely well and that goes back to norm after he signs a big pay day. I only want him signed if he signs a good contract.