The 2009 Offseason Thread

[weis21]

OK, if any of this has been covered I apologize. Here's my take.

 

C: Soto = gold

 

1B: Lee - Would love to trade him, but what is his value at this point? Not to mention his NTC. He seems to apparently have a good influence in the clubhouse. Bat second please.

 

2B:Derosa - Keep unless you somehow get a steal for Roberts. I seriously doubt that happens though. Go after Roberts in 2010 if you still have your semi, Jim.

 

SS: Theriot - Sell high. He got on base at a great percentage in 08. He also OPS+ 95. He's average with the glove at short but has a below average arm and below average range. Sell. High. For. Once. Furcal is number one option, if that fall through then Renteria.

 

3B: Ramirez - Obviously keep.

 

LF: Soriano - There is no good answer here. He's got a brutal contact. Listen to offers, but undoubtedly there will be no takers. In LF or RF, he's got terrible insticts but a great arm. He's never played RF before, leave him in LF.

 

CF: Trade Florida a package involving Pie for Hermida. Pie, Atkins, Veal would work for me. I have little hope for Veal, might as well sell while his value is somewhat ambiguous rather than nonexistent. Move Fukudome to CF. Teach him to hit lefthanders and breaking balls. I'm not a hitting coach so I don't know how to do this. But get it done.

 

RF: Hermida

 

SP: Harden, Z, (sign) Burnett, Lilly, Marshall/Gaudin/Marquis

 

RP: Marmol, (re-sign) Wood, Marshall/Gaudin/Marquis, Shark, Cotts?, etc.

 

Anyways, this is my October plan. I'd go this with lineup:

 

SS Furcal/Renteria

1B Lee

3B ARam

LF Soriano

RF Hermida

C Soto

2B DeRosa

CF Fukudome

 

That's a damn fine lineup, especially if Fukudome could figure out how to hit MLB pitchers. Not a complete overhaul, but some nice additions and changes.

[inari]

We really want Edgar Renterria? He's... terrible. He was significantly worse than Theriot last year and has been inconsistent through his whole career.

[weis21]

We really want Edgar Renterria? He's... terrible. He was significantly worse than Theriot last year and has been inconsistent through his whole career.

Well he definitely has upside and he was only a viable option (in my scenario) because Hendry sold high on Theriot. Ideally he would sell high for another SS, otherwise what other options are there out there for SS? I suppose we could hand it over to Cedeno but I'm not more comfortable doing that either.

 

Cesar Izturiz is this side of 30...

 

*ducks*

[Flames24Rulz]

If you're going after a SS, go after Furcal or Orlando Cabrera. I'll keep saying it until I'm blue in the face about Cabrera. He's the perfect #2 hitter in a lineup, his defense is superb, and he'll be cheaper than Furcal. Plus this team needs a jackass, seriously.

[weis21]

If you're going after a SS, go after Furcal or Orlando Cabrera. I'll keep saying it until I'm blue in the face about Cabrera. He's the perfect #2 hitter in a lineup, his defense is superb, and he'll be cheaper than Furcal. Plus this team needs a jackass, seriously.

Not sure about the whole "need" of a jackass, but I'd be fine with that too. However, he's 34,I want nothing more than 2 years. I think someone's dumb enough to offer 3 or more.

[17 Seconds]

What about Renteria? Hes not likely to be retained by the Tigers. I know '08 wasnt his year, but netween '02-'07 he OPSd well over .800. Hes not the answer, but he could be worth taking out a flyer.

 

He did?

 

02- .803

03- .874

04- .728

05- .720

06- .797

07- .860

 

Add in his .697 OPS from last season and basically he's sucked for 4 of the last 5 seasons.

[Flames24Rulz]

If you're going after a SS, go after Furcal or Orlando Cabrera. I'll keep saying it until I'm blue in the face about Cabrera. He's the perfect #2 hitter in a lineup, his defense is superb, and he'll be cheaper than Furcal. Plus this team needs a jackass, seriously.

Not sure about the whole "need" of a jackass, but I'd be fine with that too. However, he's 34,I want nothing more than 2 years. I think someone's dumb enough to offer 3 or more.

 

Two with a mutual option for a third would be perfect.

[17 Seconds]

It saddens me that I have no confidence whatsoever in the oranization taking the job away from Theriot. I'd be shocked if they were even considering it.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Am I missing something on Orlando Cabrera? When has he ever been good?

[gflore34]

OK, if any of this has been covered I apologize. Here's my take.

 

C: Soto = gold

 

1B: Lee - Would love to trade him, but what is his value at this point? Not to mention his NTC. He seems to apparently have a good influence in the clubhouse. Bat second please.

 

2B:Derosa - Keep unless you somehow get a steal for Roberts. I seriously doubt that happens though. Go after Roberts in 2010 if you still have your semi, Jim.

 

SS: Theriot - Sell high. He got on base at a great percentage in 08. He also OPS+ 95. He's average with the glove at short but has a below average arm and below average range. Sell. High. For. Once. Furcal is number one option, if that fall through then Renteria.

 

3B: Ramirez - Obviously keep.

 

LF: Soriano - There is no good answer here. He's got a brutal contact. Listen to offers, but undoubtedly there will be no takers. In LF or RF, he's got terrible insticts but a great arm. He's never played RF before, leave him in LF.

 

CF: Trade Florida a package involving Pie for Hermida. Pie, Atkins, Veal would work for me. I have little hope for Veal, might as well sell while his value is somewhat ambiguous rather than nonexistent. Move Fukudome to CF. Teach him to hit lefthanders and breaking balls. I'm not a hitting coach so I don't know how to do this. But get it done.

 

RF: Hermida

 

SP: Harden, Z, (sign) Burnett, Lilly, Marshall/Gaudin/Marquis

 

RP: Marmol, (re-sign) Wood, Marshall/Gaudin/Marquis, Shark, Cotts?, etc.

 

Anyways, this is my October plan. I'd go this with lineup:

 

SS Furcal/Renteria

1B Lee

3B ARam

LF Soriano

RF Hermida

C Soto

2B DeRosa

CF Fukudome

 

That's a damn fine lineup, especially if Fukudome could figure out how to hit MLB pitchers. Not a complete overhaul, but some nice additions and changes.

 

Letting Dempster walk and signing Burnett is great move hopefully, Hendry' thinking along the same lines. I don't know if Burnett will be cheaper but, I believe he'll perform better than Dempster.

[rchap24]

OK, if any of this has been covered I apologize. Here's my take.

 

C: Soto = gold

 

1B: Lee - Would love to trade him, but what is his value at this point? Not to mention his NTC. He seems to apparently have a good influence in the clubhouse. Bat second please.

 

2B:Derosa - Keep unless you somehow get a steal for Roberts. I seriously doubt that happens though. Go after Roberts in 2010 if you still have your semi, Jim.

 

SS: Theriot - Sell high. He got on base at a great percentage in 08. He also OPS+ 95. He's average with the glove at short but has a below average arm and below average range. Sell. High. For. Once. Furcal is number one option, if that fall through then Renteria.

 

3B: Ramirez - Obviously keep.

 

LF: Soriano - There is no good answer here. He's got a brutal contact. Listen to offers, but undoubtedly there will be no takers. In LF or RF, he's got terrible insticts but a great arm. He's never played RF before, leave him in LF.

 

CF: Trade Florida a package involving Pie for Hermida. Pie, Atkins, Veal would work for me. I have little hope for Veal, might as well sell while his value is somewhat ambiguous rather than nonexistent. Move Fukudome to CF. Teach him to hit lefthanders and breaking balls. I'm not a hitting coach so I don't know how to do this. But get it done.

 

RF: Hermida

 

SP: Harden, Z, (sign) Burnett, Lilly, Marshall/Gaudin/Marquis

 

RP: Marmol, (re-sign) Wood, Marshall/Gaudin/Marquis, Shark, Cotts?, etc.

 

Anyways, this is my October plan. I'd go this with lineup:

 

SS Furcal/Renteria

1B Lee

3B ARam

LF Soriano

RF Hermida

C Soto

2B DeRosa

CF Fukudome

 

That's a damn fine lineup, especially if Fukudome could figure out how to hit MLB pitchers. Not a complete overhaul, but some nice additions and changes.

 

Letting Dempster walk and signing Burnett is great move hopefully, Hendry' thinking along the same lines. I don't know if Burnett will be cheaper but, I believe he'll perform better than Dempster.

 

I'd love those moves. I'd prefer Furcal over Renteria though. Furcal is faster and is a switch hitter.

[Little Slide Rooter]

The thing is, we should go after anything we dont need. If we could get CC that would be great. If not, re sign Dempster.

 

Adam Dunn would be a great addition to the lineup, but where in the field to put him? RF, and have Fuku and Reed Johnson platoon in CF?

 

Spend the Spring trying to teach Fontenot how to handle LHP. If so, he could have 2B full time, and give DeRo RF, or let him be a super sub if we were to sign Dunn.

 

If we could get Renteria or Furcal, sweet, otherwise, Im happy with Theriot.

 

The one thing Id really like would be a solid lefty out of the pen. Joe Beimal is a name that comes to mind. Now that Kuo or whatever is coming into his own, I cant see the Dodgers going out of their way to resign him.

 

All this being said, as previously stated by Mr. Miles, I really dont see the 2009 Cubs looking much different than the 2008 Cubs

 

1B Lee

2B Fontenot/DeRo

SS Theriot/Furcal/Renteria

3B Ramirez

OF Soriano

OF Fuku

OF Johnson/Dunn?

C Soto

Bench Johnson

Bench Pie

Bench Blanco

Bench Hoffpauir

Bench Fontenot/DeRo

Bench Cedeno/other crappy backup SS

SP Z

SP Harden

SP Demp/CC

SP Lilly

SP Marshall/Hill

RP Marmol

RP Wood

RP Shark

RP Gaudin

RP Wuertz

RP Beimal/Cotts/Lefty

[SouthSideRyan]

 

Letting Dempster walk and signing Burnett is great move hopefully, Hendry' thinking along the same lines. I don't know if Burnett will be cheaper but, I believe he'll perform better than Dempster.

 

I probably agree that it's a good move, but I don't see Hendry letting Dempster walk unless he gets CC.

 

And Orlando Cabrera sucks. Renteria does too. The only FA SS I'd take over Theriot or Cedeno is Furcal.

[fromthestretch]

Not sure if Tampa Bay would even be willing to deal him, but what about Ben Zobrist?

 

Positives: Switch-hitter, can play multiple positions, minor league numbers show that he has the ability to get on base, and he showed some power this year in limited action.

 

Negatives: Not exactly a young prospect anymore as he'll be entering 2009 at age 28, and he doesn't appear to be anything better than average defensively at SS.

 

If Cedeno isn't going to get an opportunity here, and if Tampa Bay is committed to Bartlett at SS, perhaps a deal could be made. If the Cubs can't sign/don't want to consider Furcal, then I'd rather try someone like Zobrist than deal with a Renteria or Cabrera. Just thinking out loud.

[italianocubsfan7]

Assuming the Angels go with a younger outfield and buyout his contract, how about signing Vladimir Guerrero to play right field? I would start at 4 years and $56 million.

[fromthestretch]

Assuming the Angels go with a younger outfield and buyout his contract, how about signing Vladimir Guerrero to play right field? I would start at 4 years and $56 million.

 

He may be listed as 32, but his knees are like 64. He needs to stay in the AL where he can DH at least 40 times a year.

[The Voice of Reason]

 

Letting Dempster walk and signing Burnett is great move hopefully, Hendry' thinking along the same lines. I don't know if Burnett will be cheaper but, I believe he'll perform better than Dempster.

 

I probably agree that it's a good move, but I don't see Hendry letting Dempster walk unless he gets CC.

 

And Orlando Cabrera sucks. Renteria does too. The only FA SS I'd take over Theriot or Cedeno is Furcal.

 

If Hendry had gotten Furcal a few years ago he wouldn't have had been tempted or had the resources to overpay for Soriano. Better late than never.

[rchap24]

Assuming the Angels go with a younger outfield and buyout his contract, how about signing Vladimir Guerrero to play right field? I would start at 4 years and $56 million.

 

I really could live with his legs in the outfield....That is if he would sign a reasonable contract of 12-13mil a year. That bat is still so good and he still has the arm as well.

[Andy]

I'm pretty sure the other 29 teams in baseball know Theriot has next to no chance of repeating his 2008 numbers, so I don't get the whole 'sell high' thing.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I'm pretty sure the other 29 teams in baseball know Theriot has next to no chance of repeating his 2008 numbers, so I don't get the whole 'sell high' thing.

 

I always thought if Theriot as a .300 type hitter. He just needs to be a little smarter on the basepaths. he should have a decent career ahead of him.

[rchap24]

I'm pretty sure the other 29 teams in baseball know Theriot has next to no chance of repeating his 2008 numbers, so I don't get the whole 'sell high' thing.

 

I always thought if Theriot as a .300 type hitter. He just needs to be a little smarter on the basepaths. he should have a decent career ahead of him.

 

I agree with this statement and why would 29 teams think that? He put up similar type numbers last year up until the last month. He matured a little this year and put up those numbers for a longer time this year. I really think he'll put these type of numbers for the rest of his career it's not that crazy.

[fromthestretch]

I'm pretty sure the other 29 teams in baseball know Theriot has next to no chance of repeating his 2008 numbers, so I don't get the whole 'sell high' thing.

 

I always thought if Theriot as a .300 type hitter. He just needs to be a little smarter on the basepaths. he should have a decent career ahead of him.

 

I agree with this statement and why would 29 teams think that? He put up similar type numbers last year up until the last month. He matured a little this year and put up those numbers for a longer time this year. I really think he'll put these type of numbers for the rest of his career it's not that crazy.

 

That's not accurate. He had one great month last year that propped up his numbers. Take a look:

 

2007

April .299/.347/.328

May .256/.330/.367

June .224/.272/.276

July .348/.437/.483

August .276/.315/.353

Sept .202/.257/.263

 

Entering Sept. 2007, he was at .281/.342/.365. Those numbers were largely inflated due to a great month of July. Without that one month, his numbers would have been freaking terrible. They weren't good to begin with.

 

 

2008

April .323/.396/.434

May .308/.407/.337

June .309/.369/.340

July .333/.395/.407

August .281/.384/.302

Sept .278/.360/.316

 

Entering Sept. 2008, he was at .311/.391/.365. You're talking about a near 50 point difference in OBP from that time last year. On top of that, he was pretty steady month-to-month...OBP-wise anyway.

[Butterscup1679666578]

I'm pretty sure the other 29 teams in baseball know Theriot has next to no chance of repeating his 2008 numbers, so I don't get the whole 'sell high' thing.

 

I always thought if Theriot as a .300 type hitter. He just needs to be a little smarter on the basepaths. he should have a decent career ahead of him.

 

I agree with this statement and why would 29 teams think that? He put up similar type numbers last year up until the last month. He matured a little this year and put up those numbers for a longer time this year. I really think he'll put these type of numbers for the rest of his career it's not that crazy.

 

That's not accurate. He had one great month last year that propped up his numbers. Take a look:

 

2007

April .299/.347/.328

May .256/.330/.367

June .224/.272/.276

July .348/.437/.483

August .276/.315/.353

Sept .202/.257/.263

 

Entering Sept. 2007, he was at .281/.342/.365. Those numbers were largely inflated due to a great month of July. Without that one month, his numbers would have been freaking terrible. They weren't good to begin with.

 

 

2008

April .323/.396/.434

May .308/.407/.337

June .309/.369/.340

July .333/.395/.407

August .281/.384/.302

Sept .278/.360/.316

 

Entering Sept. 2008, he was at .311/.391/.365. You're talking about a near 50 point difference in OBP from that time last year. On top of that, he was pretty steady month-to-month...OBP-wise anyway.

 

I'm glad I checked if someone else posted before I started looking all that up, because I was about to go to BR and post the same thing.

[fromthestretch]

I'm pretty sure the other 29 teams in baseball know Theriot has next to no chance of repeating his 2008 numbers, so I don't get the whole 'sell high' thing.

 

I always thought if Theriot as a .300 type hitter. He just needs to be a little smarter on the basepaths. he should have a decent career ahead of him.

 

I agree with this statement and why would 29 teams think that? He put up similar type numbers last year up until the last month. He matured a little this year and put up those numbers for a longer time this year. I really think he'll put these type of numbers for the rest of his career it's not that crazy.

 

That's not accurate. He had one great month last year that propped up his numbers. Take a look:

 

2007

April .299/.347/.328

May .256/.330/.367

June .224/.272/.276

July .348/.437/.483

August .276/.315/.353

Sept .202/.257/.263

 

Entering Sept. 2007, he was at .281/.342/.365. Those numbers were largely inflated due to a great month of July. Without that one month, his numbers would have been freaking terrible. They weren't good to begin with.

 

 

2008

April .323/.396/.434

May .308/.407/.337

June .309/.369/.340

July .333/.395/.407

August .281/.384/.302

Sept .278/.360/.316

 

Entering Sept. 2008, he was at .311/.391/.365. You're talking about a near 50 point difference in OBP from that time last year. On top of that, he was pretty steady month-to-month...OBP-wise anyway.

 

I'm glad I checked if someone else posted before I started looking all that up, because I was about to go to BR and post the same thing.

 

I probably should have just looked it up on here. I'm sure it's been posted at least a dozen times combined by myself and several others.

[rchap24]

I'm pretty sure the other 29 teams in baseball know Theriot has next to no chance of repeating his 2008 numbers, so I don't get the whole 'sell high' thing.

 

I always thought if Theriot as a .300 type hitter. He just needs to be a little smarter on the basepaths. he should have a decent career ahead of him.

 

I agree with this statement and why would 29 teams think that? He put up similar type numbers last year up until the last month. He matured a little this year and put up those numbers for a longer time this year. I really think he'll put these type of numbers for the rest of his career it's not that crazy.

 

That's not accurate. He had one great month last year that propped up his numbers. Take a look:

 

2007

April .299/.347/.328

May .256/.330/.367

June .224/.272/.276

July .348/.437/.483

August .276/.315/.353

Sept .202/.257/.263

 

Entering Sept. 2007, he was at .281/.342/.365. Those numbers were largely inflated due to a great month of July. Without that one month, his numbers would have been freaking terrible. They weren't good to begin with.

 

 

2008

April .323/.396/.434

May .308/.407/.337

June .309/.369/.340

July .333/.395/.407

August .281/.384/.302

Sept .278/.360/.316

 

Entering Sept. 2008, he was at .311/.391/.365. You're talking about a near 50 point difference in OBP from that time last year. On top of that, he was pretty steady month-to-month...OBP-wise anyway.

 

I'm glad I checked if someone else posted before I started looking all that up, because I was about to go to BR and post the same thing.

 

I probably should have just looked it up on here. I'm sure it's been posted at least a dozen times combined by myself and several others.

 

Ok well I was proved wrong there, but why do you think there's not chance he'll bat .300 next year?