The 2009 Offseason Thread

[C.C.]

I would hate to be Hendry this off season. I mean what do you do? Make a few tweaks and roll the dice with virtually the same players - These same players who haven't won a playoff game in two years. We need a lefty stick - Need a number 3 hitter - Need a RF'er.

 

Beltran is the only person who sound able to obtain and fits that bill

 

I don't see the Mets trading Beltran and what do we have that the Mets would want?

[rchap24]

I would hate to be Hendry this off season. I mean what do you do? Make a few tweaks and roll the dice with virtually the same players - These same players who haven't won a playoff game in two years. We need a lefty stick - Need a number 3 hitter - Need a RF'er.

 

Beltran is the only person who sound able to obtain and fits that bill

 

I don't see the Mets trading Beltran and what do we have that the Mets would want?

 

I don't seem them either, but that's the consensus on who everyone else think is obtainable. Who do you propose?

[C.C.]

I would hate to be Hendry this off season. I mean what do you do? Make a few tweaks and roll the dice with virtually the same players - These same players who haven't won a playoff game in two years. We need a lefty stick - Need a number 3 hitter - Need a RF'er.

 

Beltran is the only person who sound able to obtain and fits that bill

 

I don't see the Mets trading Beltran and what do we have that the Mets would want?

 

I don't seem them either, but that's the consensus on who everyone else think is obtainable. Who do you propose?

 

Adam Dunn comes immediately to mind.

[Little Slide Rooter]

We were left with an extremely bitter taste in our mouth, but the team doesnt need as much help as we think.

Move Marquis for prospects or cash

 

Resign Wood and Demp

Sign Joe Beimel

Sign Milton Bradley to a 2 year deal with an option for 3rd and 4th

Re sign Blanco if we can get him for cheap, if not, keep Koyie hill as back.

 

2009 opening day

 

1. Soriano LF

2. Theriot SS

3. Ramirez 3B

4. Soto C

5. Bradley CF

6. Lee 1B

7. DeRosa RF

8. Fontenot 2B

 

bench

Hoffpauir

Fukudome

Johnson(vs LHP, start him in RF and DeRo at 2B)

Cedeno

Pie

K. Hill

 

Rotation

Zambrano

Harden

Dempster

Lilly

Marshall/Hill-we'll want both on hand, as I wouldnt want to bet on a Harden having a full season

 

Pen

Wuertz/Guzman

Shark

Beimel

Gaudin

Marmol

Wood

Edited October 6, 2008 by Little Slide Rooter

[rchap24]

I would hate to be Hendry this off season. I mean what do you do? Make a few tweaks and roll the dice with virtually the same players - These same players who haven't won a playoff game in two years. We need a lefty stick - Need a number 3 hitter - Need a RF'er.

 

Beltran is the only person who sound able to obtain and fits that bill

 

I don't see the Mets trading Beltran and what do we have that the Mets would want?

 

I don't seem them either, but that's the consensus on who everyone else think is obtainable. Who do you propose?

 

Adam Dunn comes immediately to mind.

 

Everyone on here always say they want him. Believe me I totally would be down for getting him, but is remotely possible to get him? or is it just the same man love for the guy that would be hard to trade for?

[C.C.]

I would hate to be Hendry this off season. I mean what do you do? Make a few tweaks and roll the dice with virtually the same players - These same players who haven't won a playoff game in two years. We need a lefty stick - Need a number 3 hitter - Need a RF'er.

 

Beltran is the only person who sound able to obtain and fits that bill

 

I don't see the Mets trading Beltran and what do we have that the Mets would want?

 

I don't seem them either, but that's the consensus on who everyone else think is obtainable. Who do you propose?

 

Adam Dunn comes immediately to mind.

 

Everyone on here always say they want him. Believe me I totally would be down for getting him, but is remotely possible to get him? or is it just the same man love for the guy that would be hard to trade for?

 

Why couldn't we get him? I'm sure he'd have no problem playing in Wrigley. Just got to make him a offer.

[rchap24]

I would hate to be Hendry this off season. I mean what do you do? Make a few tweaks and roll the dice with virtually the same players - These same players who haven't won a playoff game in two years. We need a lefty stick - Need a number 3 hitter - Need a RF'er.

 

Beltran is the only person who sound able to obtain and fits that bill

 

I don't see the Mets trading Beltran and what do we have that the Mets would want?

 

I don't seem them either, but that's the consensus on who everyone else think is obtainable. Who do you propose?

 

Adam Dunn comes immediately to mind.

 

Everyone on here always say they want him. Believe me I totally would be down for getting him, but is remotely possible to get him? or is it just the same man love for the guy that would be hard to trade for?

 

Why couldn't we get him? I'm sure he'd have no problem playing in Wrigley. Just got to make him a offer.

 

I'm not saying we couldn't and by no means would I have a better idea than you. I just haven't heard any possible chance that they will move him.

[Guest]

I may not be in the spirit of this thread, but the offense was easily, by far, the #1 offense in the NL. I'd love to add a Teixeira or a Beltran, but the offense isn't a huge problem on this team.

[C.C.]

I would hate to be Hendry this off season. I mean what do you do? Make a few tweaks and roll the dice with virtually the same players - These same players who haven't won a playoff game in two years. We need a lefty stick - Need a number 3 hitter - Need a RF'er.

 

Beltran is the only person who sound able to obtain and fits that bill

 

I don't see the Mets trading Beltran and what do we have that the Mets would want?

 

I don't seem them either, but that's the consensus on who everyone else think is obtainable. Who do you propose?

 

Adam Dunn comes immediately to mind.

 

Everyone on here always say they want him. Believe me I totally would be down for getting him, but is remotely possible to get him? or is it just the same man love for the guy that would be hard to trade for?

 

Why couldn't we get him? I'm sure he'd have no problem playing in Wrigley. Just got to make him a offer.

 

I'm not saying we couldn't and by no means would I have a better idea than you. I just haven't heard any possible chance that they will move him.

 

Isn't Dunn a free agent after this year?

[Little Slide Rooter]

So when are teams allowe to start wheeling and dealing again? Isnt something like midnight after the last out of the final game of the WS?

[rchap24]

I would hate to be Hendry this off season. I mean what do you do? Make a few tweaks and roll the dice with virtually the same players - These same players who haven't won a playoff game in two years. We need a lefty stick - Need a number 3 hitter - Need a RF'er.

 

Beltran is the only person who sound able to obtain and fits that bill

 

I don't see the Mets trading Beltran and what do we have that the Mets would want?

 

I don't seem them either, but that's the consensus on who everyone else think is obtainable. Who do you propose?

 

Adam Dunn comes immediately to mind.

 

Everyone on here always say they want him. Believe me I totally would be down for getting him, but is remotely possible to get him? or is it just the same man love for the guy that would be hard to trade for?

 

Why couldn't we get him? I'm sure he'd have no problem playing in Wrigley. Just got to make him a offer.

 

I'm not saying we couldn't and by no means would I have a better idea than you. I just haven't heard any possible chance that they will move him.

 

Isn't Dunn a free agent after this year?

 

I don't think so? If he is then you got me sold totally and he'd be 10X better than Beltran :good:

[Little Slide Rooter]

I would hate to be Hendry this off season. I mean what do you do? Make a few tweaks and roll the dice with virtually the same players - These same players who haven't won a playoff game in two years. We need a lefty stick - Need a number 3 hitter - Need a RF'er.

 

Beltran is the only person who sound able to obtain and fits that bill

 

I don't see the Mets trading Beltran and what do we have that the Mets would want?

 

I don't seem them either, but that's the consensus on who everyone else think is obtainable. Who do you propose?

 

Adam Dunn comes immediately to mind.

 

Everyone on here always say they want him. Believe me I totally would be down for getting him, but is remotely possible to get him? or is it just the same man love for the guy that would be hard to trade for?

 

Why couldn't we get him? I'm sure he'd have no problem playing in Wrigley. Just got to make him a offer.

 

I'm not saying we couldn't and by no means would I have a better idea than you. I just haven't heard any possible chance that they will move him.

 

Isn't Dunn a free agent after this year?

 

I don't think so? If he is then you got me sold totally and he'd be 10X better than Beltran :good:

 

2008 was Dunns option year, and he is a free agent for 2009. However, I really dont see Hendry being ble to pick up that big of a free agent on the offseason with the ownerssip in question. Bradley would be a better bet.

[rchap24]

I would hate to be Hendry this off season. I mean what do you do? Make a few tweaks and roll the dice with virtually the same players - These same players who haven't won a playoff game in two years. We need a lefty stick - Need a number 3 hitter - Need a RF'er.

 

Beltran is the only person who sound able to obtain and fits that bill

 

I don't see the Mets trading Beltran and what do we have that the Mets would want?

 

I don't seem them either, but that's the consensus on who everyone else think is obtainable. Who do you propose?

 

Adam Dunn comes immediately to mind.

 

Everyone on here always say they want him. Believe me I totally would be down for getting him, but is remotely possible to get him? or is it just the same man love for the guy that would be hard to trade for?

 

Why couldn't we get him? I'm sure he'd have no problem playing in Wrigley. Just got to make him a offer.

 

I'm not saying we couldn't and by no means would I have a better idea than you. I just haven't heard any possible chance that they will move him.

 

Isn't Dunn a free agent after this year?

 

I don't think so? If he is then you got me sold totally and he'd be 10X better than Beltran :good:

 

2008 was Dunns option year, and he is a free agent for 2009. However, I really dont see Hendry being ble to pick up that big of a free agent on the offseason with the ownerssip in question. Bradley would be a better bet.

 

Well then C.C. (the poster not the FA) sign me up! :write:

[Backtobanks]

We were left with an extremely bitter taste in our mouth, but the team doesnt need as much help as we think.

Move Marquis for prospects or cash

 

Resign Wood and Demp

Sign Joe Beimel

Sign Milton Bradley to a 2 year deal with an option for 3rd and 4th

Re sign Blanco if we can get him for cheap, if not, keep Koyie hill as back.

 

2009 opening day

 

1. Soriano LF

2. Theriot SS

3. Ramirez 3B

4. Soto C

5. Bradley CF

6. Lee 1B

7. DeRosa RF

8. Fontenot 2B

 

bench

Hoffpauir

Fukudome

Johnson(vs LHP, start him in RF and DeRo at 2B)

Cedeno

Pie

K. Hill

 

Rotation

Zambrano

Harden

Dempster

Lilly

Marshall/Hill-we'll want both on hand, as I wouldnt want to bet on a Harden having a full season

 

Pen

Wuertz/Guzman

Shark

Beimel

Gaudin

Marmol

Wood

 

I think most baseball people agree that Bradley can't be considered an everyday OF anymore. Spot starter/pinch hitter/DH are about all he can do.

[JeffH]

Cubs under contract for 2009:

 

LF - Alfonso Soriano ($16,000,000)

RF - Kosuke Fukudome ($12,000,000)

3B - Aramis Ramirez ($15,650,000)

2B - Mark DeRosa ($5,500,000)

1B - Derrek Lee ($13,000,000)

SP - Carlos Zambrano ($17,750,000)

SP - Ted Lilly ($12,000,000)

SP - Jason Marquis ($9,875,000)

RP - Jeff Samardzija ($1,300,000)

 

Total (9 players) - $103,075,000

[Little Slide Rooter]

I think the first question we should be asking is does Hendry have the green light to anything big before the ownership situation is taken care of.

[JeffH]

I may not be in the spirit of this thread, but the offense was easily, by far, the #1 offense in the NL. I'd love to add a Teixeira or a Beltran, but the offense isn't a huge problem on this team.

 

This strikes me as a very dangerous position.

 

It seems unlikely that we'll be able to duplicate this year's CF production.

 

Kosuke is very likely to be a total waste.

 

Theriot had a .340 BABIP. Expect a drop in his numbers.

 

DeRosa seems unlikely to duplicate his performance.

 

Lee is in a steep decline.

 

Aramis should be solid, but he's on the wrong side of 30 now.

 

Soto is terrific, but I would expect there to be an eventual decline in his numbers as his career games caught totals increase. It may be slow, but it will probably catch up to him eventually.

 

I don't think the offense will be a disaster, but, with pretty much the same bunch returning, I would take the under on 800 runs scored.

[Guest]

I may not be in the spirit of this thread, but the offense was easily, by far, the #1 offense in the NL. I'd love to add a Teixeira or a Beltran, but the offense isn't a huge problem on this team.

 

This strikes me as a very dangerous position.

 

It seems unlikely that we'll be able to duplicate this year's CF production.

 

Kosuke is very likely to be a total waste.

 

Theriot had a .340 BABIP. Expect a drop in his numbers.

 

DeRosa seems unlikely to duplicate his performance.

 

Lee is in a steep decline.

 

Aramis should be solid, but he's on the wrong side of 30 now.

 

Soto is terrific, but I would expect there to be an eventual decline in his numbers as his career games caught totals increase. It may be slow, but it will probably catch up to him eventually.

 

I don't think the offense will be a disaster, but, with pretty much the same bunch returning, I would take the under on 800 runs scored.

I'm far more worried about a collapse on the pitching side than hitting. We can lose 55 runs off our total scored this year and still be the #1 offense in the NL. That's possible, but I don't see the perfect storm of factors you're talking about actually occurring.

 

On the pitching side, Z is an injury waiting to happen, Harden is a walking injury and Demp shouldn't be brought back at what he'll get and Marquis is Marquis. Lilly is the surest thing in next year's rotation at this point.

 

If it comes down to a choice on where to invest dollars for 2009, I'd much rather spend on the rotation.

[jersey cubs fan]

I'm far more worried about a collapse on the pitching side than hitting. We can lose 55 runs off our total scored this year and still be the #1 offense in the NL. That's possible, but I don't see the perfect storm of factors you're talking about actually occurring.

 

On the pitching side, Z is an injury waiting to happen, Harden is a walking injury and Demp shouldn't be brought back at what he'll get and Marquis is Marquis. Lilly is the surest thing in next year's rotation at this point.

 

If it comes down to a choice on where to invest dollars for 2009, I'd much rather spend on the rotation.

 

I think the offense's performance this year was somewhat flukish. I don't like their chances of repeating at #1. It's not so much a perfect storm as it is a realistic concern about a team that never walked before, and all of a sudden decided to walk this year. They probably won't drop back to their old place at the bottom, but if they don't make additions, I see them going down a bit. Pitching probably should be the bigger concern, but in a lot of ways, there's a lot less you can do about pitching. Injuries play a much bigger role, and guys suffer inexplicable declines. You probably are at the mercy of fate with pitching, and because of that, I think I'd rather spend the money on the more sure thing, offense, than on pitching. That doesn't mean ignore the pitching. But there's no way they should even consider expensive middle relief, or another free agent to battle for 5th starter.

[Little Slide Rooter]

How about Colorodo as a trade partner? They were entertaining the idea of trading some of their plaer at the deadline, but changed their mind. I wouldnt mind goinf after Holliday or Hawpe. Hawpe could be that sold lefty bat that weve needed. I wonder what theyd want in return for him.

[mul21]

We were left with an extremely bitter taste in our mouth, but the team doesnt need as much help as we think.

Move Marquis for prospects or cash

 

Resign Wood and Demp

Sign Joe Beimel

Sign Milton Bradley to a 2 year deal with an option for 3rd and 4th

Re sign Blanco if we can get him for cheap, if not, keep Koyie hill as back.

 

2009 opening day

 

1. Soriano LF

2. Theriot SS

3. Ramirez 3B

4. Soto C

5. Bradley CF

6. Lee 1B

7. DeRosa RF

8. Fontenot 2B

 

bench

Hoffpauir

Fukudome

Johnson(vs LHP, start him in RF and DeRo at 2B)

Cedeno

Pie

K. Hill

 

Rotation

Zambrano

Harden

Dempster

Lilly

Marshall/Hill-we'll want both on hand, as I wouldnt want to bet on a Harden having a full season

 

Pen

Wuertz/Guzman

Shark

Beimel

Gaudin

Marmol

Wood

 

What happens to Marquis and his $9+ million? Bradley can barely play a corner OF position at this point, let alone be your everyday guy in CF.

 

It's definitely a quandry as to what should get done in the off season, and while I don't give a whole lot of credence to the LH bat thing, it would be nice to add a Texeira or Beltran type bat if for no other reason than to get Lee out of the 3 spot with all the ground balls he's hitting now.

 

Even though it's not realistic, I'd like to see Lee, Soriano, and Marquis sent packing and bring in Manny and Texeira. That would give you a Manny, Tex, Aram 3-4-5 and free up some cash to bring back Demp or sign Lowe.

[daske17]

How about Colorodo as a trade partner? They were entertaining the idea of trading some of their plaer at the deadline, but changed their mind. I wouldnt mind goinf after Holliday or Hawpe. Hawpe could be that sold lefty bat that weve needed. I wonder what theyd want in return for him.

 

I'm totally on the Hawpe bandwagon. I think he'd be a solid addition to the team, and provide a left-handed middle of the order bat. I just don't think CO is willing to trade him nor would we have what it takes to get him.

[Cubswin11]

Here is what I hope we do/some of what I expect is done

 

In House Things:

-Resign Wood, Johnson, Dempster(assuming he doesn't have crazy demands I would expect 3-4 years at 35-50 mil.

-Options picked up on Blanco and Harden

-Ward, Howry, Edmonds let go

 

-Trade:

Cubs get Brian Roberts, minor league pitcher

Orioles get Theriot, Jose Ceda, 1 of Cedeno/Fontenot, 1 of Guzman/Marshall/Gaudin, Minor leaguer

 

Free Agent signings:

Rafael Furcal 3 years 30ish million

1 of Luis Ayala, Joe Beimel, Juan Cruz, Mark Hendrickson

 

Lineup could be:

Furcal SS/Roberts 2B

Roberts 2B/Furcal SS

Lee 1B

Soriano LF/Ramirez 3B

Ramirez 3B/Soriano LF

Soto C

Derosa RF

Pie/Johnson CF

 

Roster:

Position Players

1)Furcal

2)Roberts

3)Lee

4)Ramirez

5)Soriano

6)Soto

7)Derosa

9)Pie

10)Johnson

11)Kosuke/Hoffpauir (maybe start Kosuke in the minors unless he shows improvements in winter ball/ST)

12)Blanco

13)Fonteno/Cedeno(whoever isn't traded)

 

Pitchers:

14)Z

15)Harden

16)Dempster

17)Lilly

18)Marquis

19)Wood

20)Marmol

21)Samardzija

22)Gaudin/Guzman/Marshall

23)Wuertz/Ascanio/Cotts

24)Gaudin/Guzman/Marshall

25)FA

[17 Seconds]

How about Colorodo as a trade partner? They were entertaining the idea of trading some of their plaer at the deadline, but changed their mind. I wouldnt mind goinf after Holliday or Hawpe. Hawpe could be that sold lefty bat that weve needed. I wonder what theyd want in return for him.

 

I'm totally on the Hawpe bandwagon. I think he'd be a solid addition to the team, and provide a left-handed middle of the order bat. I just don't think CO is willing to trade him nor would we have what it takes to get him.

 

His home/road splits aren't bad either. But yeah, I don't see that happening.

[Mephistopheles]

really demote kosuke to AAA