what now,

[larhur]

OK, enough lamenting about the past, I have been a fan two long to give up now and say woe is me, all of you fairweather fans go away and leave us good and loyal Cub fans to discuss hwo to fix this.

 

Lets look at the club,

Catcher--Soto-, set for years to come, He will continue to hit 20+ homers a year and catch an excellent pitching staff, but after a long season don't expect him to carry the club, his job is to catch, I really see him hitting 7th.

 

first base- Lee, once a feared hitter, no longer, But he is a good player who will average 280 with about 20 homers a year, dont expect more, he probably has several more years to play.

 

second base--Derosa--came into his own this year, should stay at second, will hit around the same as Lee, no more not much less.

 

Shortstop--Theroit--A good player who will learn to get better, But will not hit for power nor will he steal many bases, He starts to break down later in the season, he is not a detriment to this team, he is an assest to this club.

 

Third--Ramerez--the only real star we have, but he is at the top of his game, how long can he stay on top?

 

Left--Soriano--Fun to watch, terrible defense, very streaky hitter, will probably get better both defensively and more consistently at bat, he can carry the club when he gets hot and when he is cold the club flounders.

 

Center--We don't have a good consistent center-fielder, both of our CF this year were castoffs form other teams, needs upgrading.

 

Right--Fukadome--got tired, confused and went down hill, But he was a star in Japan and will get better next year, pencil his for 20+ homers and a 270 plus batting average next year.

 

Our pitchers weren't a problem so I wont critique them, although I expect one more starting pitcher to join the club, Wood to still close, and maybe Marquis, Marmol, Cedeno, Wuertz, etc to change teams, for that new starting pitcher, don't want to give up Marmol but some team will insist., maybe the Brewers

[anabiono]

maybe the brewers?

 

marmol to the brewers? for who?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

SS should be upgraded

 

CF was the position that provided the best offensive output after Edmonds was acquired

[UMFan83]

maybe the brewers?

 

marmol to the brewers? for who?

 

Braun and Fielder

[jersey cubs fan]

first base- Lee, once a feared hitter, no longer, But he is a good player who will average 280 with about 20 homers a year, dont expect more, he probably has several more years to play.

 

second base--Derosa--came into his own this year, should stay at second, will hit around the same as Lee, no more not much less.

 

Shortstop--Theroit--A good player who will learn to get better, But will not hit for power nor will he steal many bases, He starts to break down later in the season, he is not a detriment to this team, he is an assest to this club.

 

Left--Soriano--Fun to watch, terrible defense, very streaky hitter, will probably get better both defensively and more consistently at bat, he can carry the club when he gets hot and when he is cold the club flounders.

 

Right--Fukadome--got tired, confused and went down hill, But he was a star in Japan and will get better next year, pencil his for 20+ homers and a 270 plus batting average next year.

 

Lee may have several more years to play, but as a non-elite 1B approaching his mid 30's, he does not have several more years of being adequate.

 

Derosa's season should be viewed as somewhat flukish, I doubt he just came into his own at 33. He's in his last year of his contract, and should not be extended, so either have him play out the season or trade him at a high point. I'd trade him.

 

Theriot isn't going to continue to get better. He turns 29 this winter and has likely reached his peak, which was okay, but hardly special. His entire game is based on finding holes with singles and bloops. He hits nothing hard, and I don't see him maintaining these numbers very long. And at his age, we might expect his defense to get even worse, as middle infield is a young man's position.

 

Soriano is what he is, and he is not going to get better. I doubt he improves defensively or in terms of consistent offense. He turns 33 this winter, and if anything he's going to just get worse.

 

I think Fukudome should be better next year, but I wouldn't pencil anything in for him.

[Sammy Sofa]

How much of Lee falling off power-wise could be attributed to his back? I seem to recall the back issue coming up here or there as the season went on.

 

It seemed like after he tweeked it with that funky swing earlier in the season that his mojo really tailed off.

 

Obviously, I'm not expecting him to return to 2005 levels and I know he's getting older, but I wonder if the offseason will allow his back to fully heal and if we'll see a boost next year compared to 2008.

[jersey cubs fan]

How much of Lee falling off power-wise could be attributed to his back? I seem to recall the back issue coming up here or there as the season went on.

 

It seemed like after he tweeked it with that funky swing earlier in the season that his mojo really tailed off.

 

Obviously, I'm not expecting him to return to 2005 levels and I know he's getting older, but I wonder if the offseason will allow his back to fully heal and if we'll see a boost next year compared to 2008.

 

Until he tweaks something next year. Obviously the offseason provides a chance to heal, but back problems don't tend to just go away for good.

[Abe Frohman]

While CF certainly may be an area the Cubs can upgrade, the platoon of Reed Johnson and Jim Edmonds was cheap and extremely productive. As CFers, here is their combined line:

 

.294 avg

496 AB

86 R

146 H

35 2B

22 HR

88 RBI

60 BB

.370 ob%

 

That isn't real bad for a low price (or high). I'd consider sticking with it and upgrading SS and getting another starting pitcher.

[Sammy Sofa]

How much of Lee falling off power-wise could be attributed to his back? I seem to recall the back issue coming up here or there as the season went on.

 

It seemed like after he tweeked it with that funky swing earlier in the season that his mojo really tailed off.

 

Obviously, I'm not expecting him to return to 2005 levels and I know he's getting older, but I wonder if the offseason will allow his back to fully heal and if we'll see a boost next year compared to 2008.

 

Until he tweaks something next year. Obviously the offseason provides a chance to heal, but back problems don't tend to just go away for good.

 

I didn't say it would go away for good, and even if he came back stronger I'd still prefer to see somone else hitting 3rd with Lee hitting 2nd or 5th.

[jersey cubs fan]

While CF certainly may be an area the Cubs can upgrade, the platoon of Reed Johnson and Jim Edmonds was cheap and extremely productive. As CFers, here is their combined line:

 

.294 avg

496 AB

86 R

146 H

35 2B

22 HR

88 RBI

60 BB

.370 ob%

 

That isn't real bad for a low price (or high). I'd consider sticking with it and upgrading SS and getting another starting pitcher.

 

It would be a signficantly more expensive platoon, with 2 guys well past their prime years. I would bet heavily against them repeating those totals.

[Sammy Sofa]

While CF certainly may be an area the Cubs can upgrade, the platoon of Reed Johnson and Jim Edmonds was cheap and extremely productive. As CFers, here is their combined line:

 

.294 avg

496 AB

86 R

146 H

35 2B

22 HR

88 RBI

60 BB

.370 ob%

 

That isn't real bad for a low price (or high). I'd consider sticking with it and upgrading SS and getting another starting pitcher.

 

It would be a signficantly more expensive platoon, with 2 guys well past their prime years. I would bet heavily against them repeating those totals.

 

Indeed. It was nice they struck gold with Edmonds this year, but it's time to let him on his way.

[CubColtPacer]

first base- Lee, once a feared hitter, no longer, But he is a good player who will average 280 with about 20 homers a year, dont expect more, he probably has several more years to play.

 

second base--Derosa--came into his own this year, should stay at second, will hit around the same as Lee, no more not much less.

 

Shortstop--Theroit--A good player who will learn to get better, But will not hit for power nor will he steal many bases, He starts to break down later in the season, he is not a detriment to this team, he is an assest to this club.

 

Left--Soriano--Fun to watch, terrible defense, very streaky hitter, will probably get better both defensively and more consistently at bat, he can carry the club when he gets hot and when he is cold the club flounders.

 

Right--Fukadome--got tired, confused and went down hill, But he was a star in Japan and will get better next year, pencil his for 20+ homers and a 270 plus batting average next year.

 

Derosa's season should be viewed as somewhat flukish, I doubt he just came into his own at 33. He's in his last year of his contract, and should not be extended, so either have him play out the season or trade him at a high point. I'd trade him.

 

Theriot isn't going to continue to get better. He turns 29 this winter and has likely reached his peak, which was okay, but hardly special. His entire game is based on finding holes with singles and bloops. He hits nothing hard, and I don't see him maintaining these numbers very long. And at his age, we might expect his defense to get even worse, as middle infield is a young man's position.

 

Do you think you can get enough on the trade market though for DeRosa to compensate for a year at his 2007 levels (I doubt he can hit at his 2008 levels again) and then a potential 2 draft picks when he leaves? I'm not sure his trade value is high enough to make up for both of those which would make me lean towards keeping him and hoping to pocket the picks after the year. I agree with you that signing him to an extension is the worst option of the 3.

 

As for Theriot, I agree with the overall point but disagree with some of the finer points. It's probably semantics..but he hits plenty of hard hit balls. It's not like he's trying to find holes with weakly hit balls most of the time. He hit more no doubt line drive singles than probably any other hitter in the league this year. The question becomes if somebody can keep up a line drive rate like that with his swing pattern. I'm not sure if he can, and even if he does his upside is so limited because his swing prevents him from getting a lot of extra base hits. I think the next couple years will have him bouncing between a .690 and .750 OPS before he declines and fades right out of the league. A medium priority to upgrade that would be higher if there were more options available.

[Mugged By Fluffy]

Get Soriano out of the lead off spot and do whatever they have to do to get a real leadoff hitter. If they have to train Fontenot or Theriot, or trade them for one along with some prospects, then do it.

 

Unless he goes back home to Japan and falls on a sword, they are stuck with Fukudome for a while. May as well put him in CF and get a lefty hitting power hitter for RF. I don't know if Hoffpauir can handle it or not. What do you guys think?

 

I would sign Wood, but not Dempster. Chances are good the Cubs will be in the playoffs again next Oct. Dempster just doesn't have the stomach for high pressure situations. We saw it last year when he was closing, we saw it this year in the playoffs.

 

Send Aramis Ramirez to see a sports psychologist.

[MPC]

it's too early to tell. there hasn't been a world series champion crowned yet. once that happens, then hendry will copy the model they've won with.

[anabiono]

i wish we didn't have soriano

[chuckywang]

it's too early to tell. there hasn't been a world series champion crowned yet. once that happens, then hendry will copy the model they've won with.

 

He'll magically attain some young, productive, and exciting players?

[SouthSideRyan]

Get Soriano out of the lead off spot and do whatever they have to do to get a real leadoff hitter. If they have to train Fontenot or Theriot, or trade them for one along with some prospects, then do it.

 

Yeah they should lock Theriot and Fontenot alone in a room with Rickey Henderson. Train them to be a leadoff hitter? What does that mean? I bet it means train them to be worse at hitting in the 1 spot than Alfonso Soriano.

 

Unless he goes back home to Japan and falls on a sword, they are stuck with Fukudome for a while. May as well put him in CF and get a lefty hitting power hitter for RF. I don't know if Hoffpauir can handle it or not. What do you guys think?

 

He can't handle it offensively or defensively.

 

I would sign Wood, but not Dempster. Chances are good the Cubs will be in the playoffs again next Oct. Dempster just doesn't have the stomach for high pressure situations. We saw it last year when he was closing, we saw it this year in the playoffs.

 

Dempster's success as a closer in '05 - irrelevant. Dempster's success during '08 regular season - irrelevant. Dempster's one postseason start and '07 struggles - the ultimate truth.

 

Send Aramis Ramirez to see a sports psychologist.

 

You could probably get the # of the guy he must've went to in '03 when he carried the team's offense on his back. Or maybe he wasn't a headcase, mental midget, whatever other cliche Bull Durham taught you back in '03.

[Sammy Sofa]

Get Soriano out of the lead off spot and do whatever they have to do to get a real leadoff hitter. If they have to train Fontenot or Theriot, or trade them for one along with some prospects, then do it.

 

Unless he goes back home to Japan and falls on a sword, they are stuck with Fukudome for a while. May as well put him in CF and get a lefty hitting power hitter for RF. I don't know if Hoffpauir can handle it or not. What do you guys think?

 

I would sign Wood, but not Dempster. Chances are good the Cubs will be in the playoffs again next Oct. Dempster just doesn't have the stomach for high pressure situations. We saw it last year when he was closing, we saw it this year in the playoffs.

 

Send Aramis Ramirez to see a sports psychologist.

 

Almost everything suggested here is redonkulous.

[jaxxradio]

Soriano needs to be taken out of the leadoff spot. If he refuses, trade him for what you can get and wash your hands of him. The Cubs are also in desperate need of a LH slugger to sit between Lee and Ramirez. That lineup is too heavy with right-handed hitters and that was one of the many reasons why I was concerned when LA proved to be the first round opponent.

 

One of the other things I would do.. and I know it's not going to be popular.. but I would deal Zambrano if the price was right. I have never thought this guy was an ace and he proved it yet again in the post-season. While the defense did let him down..the bottom line is as a pitcher, you have to make sure the snowball doesn't turn into a fullblown avalanche. Z has never been able to harness his emotions when the routine plays aren't made. That's when the pitcher needs to pick up his team..and very rarely have I ever seen Zambrano do that.

[David]

Cobs

[David]

Soriano needs to be taken out of the leadoff spot. If he refuses, trade him for what you can get and wash your hands of him. The Cubs are also in desperate need of a LH slugger to sit between Lee and Ramirez. That lineup is too heavy with right-handed hitters and that was one of the many reasons why I was concerned when LA proved to be the first round opponent.

 

One of the other things I would do.. and I know it's not going to be popular.. but I would deal Zambrano if the price was right. I have never thought this guy was an ace and he proved it yet again in the post-season. While the defense did let him down..the bottom line is as a pitcher, you have to make sure the snowball doesn't turn into a fullblown avalanche. Z has never been able to harness his emotions when the routine plays aren't made. That's when the pitcher needs to pick up his team..and very rarely have I ever seen Zambrano do that.

 

Wait, what?

 

I'm not even a big Z fan, but how could Zambrano have handled the comedy of errors behind him any better?

Edited October 6, 2008 by David

[SouthSideRyan]

I'm impressed/shocked that it took this long for somebody to throw Zambrano under the bus for game 2.

[jersey cubs fan]

One of the other things I would do.. and I know it's not going to be popular.. but I would deal Zambrano if the price was right. I have never thought this guy was an ace and he proved it yet again in the post-season. While the defense did let him down..the bottom line is as a pitcher, you have to make sure the snowball doesn't turn into a fullblown avalanche. Z has never been able to harness his emotions when the routine plays aren't made. That's when the pitcher needs to pick up his team..and very rarely have I ever seen Zambrano do that.

 

What the hell was he supposed to do? He got ground ball after ground ball and his defense kept effing it up. Theriot screwed up the first, Zambrano bounced back and got another that Derosa screwed up, then he came back against and got another that Lee couldn't handle. A really good hitter got a line drive after Z made several excellent pitches in an inning that went on far too long.

 

Trade him if the price is right, but this is just an absurd point.

[jaxxradio]

I'm not throwing him under the bus..I'm just stating fact..when was the last time you saw Z get out of a jam that included poor defensive plays??

 

In game two, it was Z that gave up the run scoring double to Martin. I realize the guys on base were as the result of poor defense.. but again..a pitcher has to prevent the snowball from turning into an avalanche..he didn't do it in game two and has rarely, if ever, shown the ability TO do it.

[David]

I'm not throwing him under the bus..I'm just stating fact..when was the last time you saw Z get out of a jam that included poor defensive plays??

 

In game two, it was Z that gave up the run scoring double to Martin. I realize the guys on base were as the result of poor defense.. but again..a pitcher has to prevent the snowball from turning into an avalanche..he didn't do it in game two and has rarely, if ever, shown the ability TO do it.

 

Ok, so after three times that he should've gotten out of the jam, you're blaming him for giving up a double to a very good hitter?

 

Makes sense.