2008 winter meetings: YOUR ideas of what to do

[CUBSSorianoWS]

It's going to be a boring day or 2, so why not do something fun?

 

2008 winter meetings. Just won the WS. Cuban is the owner.

 

Free Agents of Importance

1. Dempster

2.Wood

3.Johnson

4.Edmonds

5.Blanco

 

My plan would be to resign Demp. I would then attempt to sign Wood to a deal no longer than 2 years, 3rd year a team option. He is basically the face of our franchise, and I can't see him asking for an unreasonable deal. Whover doesn't get K-Rod is gonna go all-out for Woody.

 

If Wood asks for something unreasonble, I let him walk.

 

Sign Juan Cruz- Bust for us as a starter, turned out to be a good reliever for the D-Backs. Electric stuff. If Wood's gone, we sign Cruz, insert into Marmol's spot, move Marmol to closer.

 

I let Edmonds walk, and keep Johnson, but in a backup/utility OF role.

 

Trade for Matt Holliday-This may seem like a longshot, but I don't think it is that big of one. It's been reported that Colorado is probably going to rebuild this offseason. It will take a lot for Holliday, but with Lee's power outage, it would be worth it.

 

I'd do- Ceda, Pie, Rundle, Marshall, and a PTBNL. With Wood leaving, we get 2 type a picks, so it wouldn't be too bad. It would suck losing Ceda, but Cashner takes his role.

 

I then sign Affeltd to be our other lefty in the BP.

 

I ship off Marquis, and eat half/most of the salary. If Marquis can't be traded, I try trading Lilly, and you don't eat his contract.

 

Hopefully we can work something out with Harden as well.

 

2009 Chicago Cubs

1.Soriano

2.Fukudome

3.Holliday

4.Ramirez

5.Lee

6.Derosa

7.Soto

8.Theriot

 

Too many righties. Maybe they try for Dunn. Lou complains abot Lefty power.

 

Starting Rotation

1.Zambrano

2.Harden

3.Dempster

4.Lilly

5.Samardzija

 

Bullpen

Closer: Marmol

SU: Cruz

SU: Affeldt

MR:Gaudin, Cotts, Wuertz, etc...

[CubbieBum]

Get Cuban as owner is #1 on my list. With him anyone we want we get.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Johnson is not a Free Agent, he's arbitration eligible.

[Post Count Padder]

Re-sign Demp, Wood and maybe Johnson. Let Edmonds and Blanco walk. Make K. Hill the backup catcher or sign a cheaper option than Blanco.

 

I'm hearing rumblings that the Phils may sever their ties with Burrell. I'd be interested.

[UMFan83]

I would love to get a player capable of putting up a .900= OPS since Derrek Lee can't do that anymore. It's amazing how we've build a team full of consistently very good hitters, but without a great one.

[Backtobanks]

Re-sign Demp, Wood and maybe Johnson. Let Edmonds and Blanco walk. Make K. Hill the backup catcher or sign a cheaper option than Blanco.

 

I'm hearing rumblings that the Phils may sever their ties with Burrell. I'd be interested.

 

If you're interested in Burrell, that means Fukudome moves to CF and Pie is traded. It looks like the Mets will be in the playoffs, but I had heard that they might shop Beltran if they missed the playoffs. A package starting with Pie and Marshall (plus others) for Beltran and his overpriced contract would be interesting. I would think that Cedeno will be traded to someone who needs a young SS.

[Post Count Padder]

Re-sign Demp, Wood and maybe Johnson. Let Edmonds and Blanco walk. Make K. Hill the backup catcher or sign a cheaper option than Blanco.

 

I'm hearing rumblings that the Phils may sever their ties with Burrell. I'd be interested.

 

If you're interested in Burrell, that means Fukudome moves to CF and Pie is traded. It looks like the Mets will be in the playoffs, but I had heard that they might shop Beltran if they missed the playoffs. A package starting with Pie and Marshall (plus others) for Beltran and his overpriced contract would be interesting. I would think that Cedeno will be traded to someone who needs a young SS.

That was my thinking. I know we promised Fukudome RF, but i think we're better off with him in CF and getting a pwer-hitting RFer.

 

I also have a feeling Cedeno and Pie will be gone this offseason, but then again I thought that last offseason too.

[rocket]

Hopefully we can work something out with Harden as well.

 

"hey rich, we picked up your option".

 

problem solved.

[Guest]

My biggest concern - by far - for 2009 is starting pitching. I'm very concerned about Carlos continuing to hold up at an elite level. Harden is under contract, but is probably less than 50/50 on pitching more than 3/4 of the year. Dempster can walk and is having a career year not likely to be repeated, anyway. Lilly is a very good person to slot in at #4 but only average at #3 for a WS team. And those are the sure things in the rotation this year!

 

If Cuban is here and wanting to make a splash, I'd make CC my top priority.

 

If I could get Demp at a reasonable rate, I'd re-up with him. But I'd be very cautious about giving him a long-term contract at high dollars. There's also two first round draft picks available to us by letting him walk and replacing him with someone else.

 

I'd also make trading Marquis a priority, whatever I'd have to eat on the contract. I think it would actually be possible to move him while only eating a couple million on the deal. There are worse pitchers earning $7M and it would only be a one year commitment for the team taking him. I'm sure someone would take a shot at him trying to earn his next contract.

 

That would give us a top four of CC, Z, Harden & Lilly. We'd have Marshall & Shark as options at #5.

 

I'd definitely resign Woody if I could, though KRod is going to set a ridiculous price for closers this offseason. However, if Wood could get type A status, I'd be tempted to let him walk and take those picks, as well. Obviously, if we let Wood walk, there's going to be a short-term requirement for a lock-down reliever. I'm not sure who would be on the market, but someone would have to be signed. Cruz wouldn't be a bad option for setup, actually, and probably wouldn't be that expensive. He might sign for the expiring Howry money.

 

On offense...if the Mets are serious about moving Beltran I'd jump in with both feet. Pie would be the obvious centerpiece and I don't know that we'd have enough to get it done in the end. But that would be option #1.

 

Failing that I'd reach out to Teixeira and see if he'd play RF. He's athletic enough for it and has the arm for it as a former 3B. At that point, I'd be actively trying to move Lee from a position of strength. I'd be demanding a young OF as part of the package. I'm sure there's a GM out there who thinks this is just a down year and that Lee will get his power stroke back. If I couldn't get a good package, though, I'd be perfectly content to go into the season with Lee at 1B, Teix in RF and Kosuke in CF.

 

Failing both of those...I might be content to stand pat on offense unless something extraordinary came up.

[CUBSSorianoWS]

I love Lee as much as anyone, but I'd definitely consider moving him if it meant signing Texiera.

 

Im sure a team like Seattle, San Francisco, Cleveland, Toronto would love to have him.

 

I'd want Balentien from Seattle, a young pitcher from S.F.(Sosa?), Cleveland doesn't make me happy, and Toronto would have to give us one of Mcgowan/Marcum or Rios.

[RedFlash]

I love Lee as much as anyone, but I'd definitely consider moving him if it meant signing Texiera.

 

Im sure a team like Seattle, San Francisco, Cleveland, Toronto would love to have him.

 

I'd want Balentien from Seattle, a young pitcher from S.F.(Sosa?), Cleveland doesn't make me happy, and Toronto would have to give us one of Mcgowan/Marcum or Rios.

 

Seattle has already been burned by Richie Sexson, so they may be reluntant to acquire Lee. Besides that, Bavasi isn't the GM there anymore, and chance are the Cubs will have to eat some money to move Lee.

 

San Fran would be an interesting option. I wouldn't mind Sergio Romo and a prospect (if the Cubs eat a good portion of Lee's contract) type deal from the Giants.

 

As for Cleveland two words: Travis Hafner. Two more words: Victor Martinez. It wouldn't surprise me if Cleveland officially asks and gets Victor to move off catcher and start playing 1st base full time. With Shoppach showig he can be a pretty good offensive player (.272/.345/.538/.882 on the yr) it would make sense for Martinez to become a full time 1st/DH. So with Martinez/Hafner in Cleveland, I doubt they'd be interested in Lee.

 

Toronto has Lyle Overbay (.279/.368/.435/.803 v. Lee at .292/.362/.458/.820) and they may not see Lee as an upgrade, or necessary, considering Lee is making more then double of what Overbay is making. So I doubt they'll be interested.

 

Now, I do see the Angels being interested if they lose Tex. I see Baltimore being interested. Oakland could be interesed (as they are looking for RH power this offseason), especially if the Cubs eat alot of the contract. The Yanks might be interested if they fail to land Tex.

 

Otherwise, my feeling is the Cubs won't upgrade at 1st base. Which, IMO, means they HAVE to upgrade in the OF. They must take a shot at guys like Pat Burrell, Milton Bradley, Bobby Abreu.

[Guest]

I love Lee as much as anyone, but I'd definitely consider moving him if it meant signing Texiera.

 

Im sure a team like Seattle, San Francisco, Cleveland, Toronto would love to have him.

 

I'd want Balentien from Seattle, a young pitcher from S.F.(Sosa?), Cleveland doesn't make me happy, and Toronto would have to give us one of Mcgowan/Marcum or Rios.

 

Seattle has already been burned by Richie Sexson, so they may be reluntant to acquire Lee. Besides that, Bavasi isn't the GM there anymore, and chance are the Cubs will have to eat some money to move Lee.

 

San Fran would be an interesting option. I wouldn't mind Sergio Romo and a prospect (if the Cubs eat a good portion of Lee's contract) type deal from the Giants.

 

As for Cleveland two words: Travis Hafner. Two more words: Victor Martinez. It wouldn't surprise me if Cleveland officially asks and gets Victor to move off catcher and start playing 1st base full time. With Shoppach showig he can be a pretty good offensive player (.272/.345/.538/.882 on the yr) it would make sense for Martinez to become a full time 1st/DH. So with Martinez/Hafner in Cleveland, I doubt they'd be interested in Lee.

 

Toronto has Lyle Overbay (.279/.368/.435/.803 v. Lee at .292/.362/.458/.820) and they may not see Lee as an upgrade, or necessary, considering Lee is making more then double of what Overbay is making. So I doubt they'll be interested.

 

Now, I do see the Angels being interested if they lose Tex. I see Baltimore being interested. Oakland could be interesed (as they are looking for RH power this offseason), especially if the Cubs eat alot of the contract. The Yanks might be interested if they fail to land Tex.

 

Otherwise, my feeling is the Cubs won't upgrade at 1st base. Which, IMO, means they HAVE to upgrade in the OF. They must take a shot at guys like Pat Burrell, Milton Bradley, Bobby Abreu.

The Cubs have scored 55 more runs than any other team in the NL this season. They bring back Aramis, Lee, Soto, DeRosa, Theriot, Soriano & Fukudome. They are very unlikely to get a .934 OPS out of any of their CF options next year. However, they should still have more than enough offense to be in the top few in the league again even if they're platooning Pie and Johnson in CF.

 

I'd like to see Edmonds production get replaced, but I don't believe they HAVE to upgrade in the OF at all.

[Backtobanks]

The topic of this thread is what we would do during the off season, but realistically DLee isn't going to be traded by the Cubs. He is the high-character, elder spokesperson for the team. It might be in the best interest of the Cubs to replace him, but it won't happen.

[Post Count Padder]

The topic of this thread is what we would do during the off season, but realistically DLee isn't going to be traded by the Cubs. He is the high-character, elder spokesperson for the team. It might be in the best interest of the Cubs to replace him, but it won't happen.

Yeah, I honestly can't see them trading Lee.

[Vanilla Ice]

Id rather get Sheets than CC.

[nilodnayr]

Pffft, if we are going to go for it, go for it (with Cuban's $ of course).

 

Exploit the Padre's "marital" issues and trade a huge package (Theriot, Pie, Hill, Vitters?) to SD for Peavy and Greene (duck!).

Sign CC.

Sign Chipper Jones for RF (if ATL doesn't pick up his option, he decides to leave for a Championship and will move to the OF...a lot of "ifs"). If not, Giles would be a great value (but his "ifs" are just as bad if not more). Plan C would be settling for Burrell/Dunn. Obviously, move Fukudome to CF.

Resign Wood.

Pawn Marquis off on someone for a B prospect.

[davell]

Here's what I expect: Re-sign Dempster and Woody. Demp gets 3-39 with a 4th year vesting option or something like that. Woody gets 2 years guaranteed with a 3rd and 4th year option on him. I figure we'll keep Johnson too, but see him turning into the platoon partner of Fukudome or purely a 4th OFer next year. I see Marquis getting dealt to the AL somewhere, with us eating up to half of the money, but netting a decent prospect in return. I don't see Pie back next year, so I could see him getting dealt in a package for either a power hitting corner OF, with Fukudome moving to CF or more likely, in a deal for DeJesus......

[Guest]

I'm not good at coming up with trade packages (I am good at nixing your awful trade packages, though). How much do you think it'd cost for Nate McClouth?

[nilodnayr]

What are we going to do with Rich Hill? Hes out of options, correct?

[nilodnayr]

I'm not good at coming up with trade packages (I am good at nixing your awful trade packages, though). How much do you think it'd cost for Nate McClouth?

 

Ryan Theriot?

[davell]

I don't think the Pirates have any need to deal him honestly. Of course, anyone could be had for the right package. But, if I'm the Pirates with him just entering his first arbitration year, I'm asking for Vitters. Because dealing McLouth would probably alienate your fanbase that much more, unless you got a true stud prospect in return and Vitters is all we have that falls into that category. Quantity wouldn't get it done, in my opinion.....

[Bote McBoteface]

Get Cuban to buy the Cubs then sign/trade for every good player in the league.

 

C - Soto

1b - Pujols

2b - Utley

3b - A-Rod

SS - H. Ramirez

LF - Soriano

CF - Sizemore

RF - Fukudome (we'll keep him around for the funny last name)

 

1. Zambrano

2. Harden

3. Webb

4. Liriano

5. Santana

 

 

then call it an offseason and get ready for spring.

[JimSorgi]

Get Cuban to buy the Cubs then sign/trade for every good player in the league.

 

C - Soto

1b - Pujols

2b - Utley

3b - A-Rod

SS - H. Ramirez

LF - Soriano

CF - Sizemore

RF - Fukudome (we'll keep him around for the funny last name)

 

1. Zambrano

2. Harden

3. Webb

4. Liriano

5. Santana

 

 

then call it an offseason and get ready for spring.

 

 

That team is full of chokers. Only one of them has a World Series ring. And we don't have a bullpen.

[Bote McBoteface]

We'll hire Yost and Baker to co-manage, no need for a bullpen.

 

We'll bring Sabathia over too, I guess.

[Backtobanks]

Get Cuban to buy the Cubs then sign/trade for every good player in the league.

 

C - Soto

1b - Pujols

2b - Utley

3b - A-Rod

SS - H. Ramirez

LF - Soriano

CF - Sizemore

RF - Fukudome (we'll keep him around for the funny last name)

 

1. Zambrano

2. Harden

3. Webb

4. Liriano

5. Santana

 

 

then call it an offseason and get ready for spring.

 

 

That team is full of chokers. Only one of them has a World Series ring. And we don't have a bullpen.

 

With that lineup and those starters, even Howry could pitch in relief.