Real suggestions to solve the expected OF hole

[dew1679666265]

I could see the Cubs signing Cameron and moving Fuku back to right field.

 

I would like this quite a bit, but unless somebody will take Milton's salary, we probably can't afford $10 million.

[dew1679666265]

Gil Meche 2-24

 

Bradley + prospect(s) for Meche while swapping salaries (Meche: 10: $12; 11: $12 - Bradley: 10: $9; 11: $12)

 

Then look to deal Lilly or Z for a right fielder

 

Meche was decent in 07 and 08, but struggled this year. However, he was hurt this year so he might rebound next year. He's 30, so he's getting up there, but he's not old enough to expect him to fall off a cliff.

 

It might not be a great option, but it might be better than most.

Edited September 21, 2009 by dew

[jersey cubs fan]

I could see the Cubs signing Cameron and moving Fuku back to right field.

 

I would like this quite a bit, but unless somebody will take Milton's salary, we probably can't afford $10 million.

 

I think the Cubs have enough overpaid 30-something outfielders on the team.

[dew1679666265]

I could see the Cubs signing Cameron and moving Fuku back to right field.

 

I would like this quite a bit, but unless somebody will take Milton's salary, we probably can't afford $10 million.

 

I think the Cubs have enough overpaid 30-something outfielders on the team.

 

If we're making a move to improve the team for next year, Cameron might be a better option than most. He'd likely only sign on a 1-2 year deal as well.

 

I'd prefer a Seth Smith type deal for sure if we can do it, though.

[jersey cubs fan]

A one year contract with him might be one of the only options, but he might be signing his last contract this offseason, and I'd bet would be looking for 2-3 years, which I'd have little to no interest in given his age (37). A 1-year deal means you have to maximize cash, which could be very difficult for this team to pull-off.

[apete6]

Gil Meche 2-24

 

Bradley + prospect(s) for Meche while swapping salaries (Meche: 10: $12; 11: $12 - Bradley: 10: $9; 11: $12)

 

Then look to deal Lilly or Z for a right fielder

 

Meche was decent in 07 and 08, but struggled this year. However, he was hurt this year so he might rebound next year. He's 30, so he's getting up there, but he's not old enough to expect him to fall off a cliff.

 

It might not be a great option, but it might be better than most.

 

Didn't Milton try and fight the KC announcer? That might not go over well with the organization.

[dew1679666265]

A one year contract with him might be one of the only options, but he might be signing his last contract this offseason, and I'd bet would be looking for 2-3 years, which I'd have little to no interest in given his age (37). A 1-year deal means you have to maximize cash, which could be very difficult for this team to pull-off.

 

That may be true. The main interest I had in him was that we could get decent to good production for a 1-2 year deal.

 

If we can't get that, I'd probably lower my interest considerably.

[dew1679666265]

Gil Meche 2-24

 

Bradley + prospect(s) for Meche while swapping salaries (Meche: 10: $12; 11: $12 - Bradley: 10: $9; 11: $12)

 

Then look to deal Lilly or Z for a right fielder

 

Meche was decent in 07 and 08, but struggled this year. However, he was hurt this year so he might rebound next year. He's 30, so he's getting up there, but he's not old enough to expect him to fall off a cliff.

 

It might not be a great option, but it might be better than most.

 

Didn't Milton try and fight the KC announcer? That might not go over well with the organization.

 

Hmmm, you make a good point. I forgot about that.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Bradley + prospect(s) for Meche while swapping salaries (Meche: 10: $12; 11: $12 - Bradley: 10: $9; 11: $12)

 

Then look to deal Lilly or Z for a right fielder

 

Meche was decent in 07 and 08, but struggled this year. However, he was hurt this year so he might rebound next year. He's 30, so he's getting up there, but he's not old enough to expect him to fall off a cliff.

 

It might not be a great option, but it might be better than most.

 

Bradley and Theriot for Guillen and Gordon. Gordon would probably be a touch below average at 2B until Ramirez leaves, because Von Joshua turns him into a monster(hinge of the deal). Soriano/Guillen/Kosuke/Fuld/Johnson(or similar player if you don't want to pay him) are the 5 outfielders. Pick the best 3 for a given day, there's probably enough value to conjure up something non-terrible.

 

Push hard after Reyes or other worthwhile SS trade options(Hardy), Scutaro would also be a good FA option. Defense is a big priority.

 

Fukudome

Fuld/Johnson

Lee

Ramirez

Gordon

Soriano

Soto

SS

 

I'm not sure how much I like it, but it's a thought.

[dew1679666265]

Bradley + prospect(s) for Meche while swapping salaries (Meche: 10: $12; 11: $12 - Bradley: 10: $9; 11: $12)

 

Then look to deal Lilly or Z for a right fielder

 

Meche was decent in 07 and 08, but struggled this year. However, he was hurt this year so he might rebound next year. He's 30, so he's getting up there, but he's not old enough to expect him to fall off a cliff.

 

It might not be a great option, but it might be better than most.

 

Bradley and Theriot for Guillen and Gordon. Gordon would probably be a touch below average at 2B until Ramirez leaves, because Von Joshua turns him into a monster(hinge of the deal). Soriano/Guillen/Kosuke/Fuld/Johnson(or similar player if you don't want to pay him) are the 5 outfielders. Pick the best 3 for a given day, there's probably enough value to conjure up something non-terrible.

 

Push hard after Reyes or other worthwhile SS trade options(Hardy), Scutaro would also be a good FA option. Defense is a big priority.

 

Fukudome

Fuld/Johnson

Lee

Ramirez

Gordon

Soriano

Soto

SS

 

I'm not sure how much I like it, but it's a thought.

 

That's definitely interesting. I'd like to get Alex Gordon somehow.

[toonsterwu]

Even before the Milton suspension, I was hoping for an upgrade in CF next year. I believe that should be a primary focus (along with finding a top of the order bat), but the options are fairly slim. One name that would intrigue me, but would be extremely hard to pry away, would be Nyjer Morgan (before people go on and on about how unrealistic that is, I'm aware of it, but I'm also looking at Nyjer's age and that the Nats are still building ... I believe Rizzo would listen, but it might cost too much to be worth it). Two other names come to mind that have been bandied out there as guys their teams may potentially shop - Curtis Granderson and BJ Upton. Both of these would, to say the least, be costly, even coming off years. Would it be worth it? It obviously depends on who it costs, but one thing to note is that the system is in an in between phase, a phase where value judgments needs to be made. Those are obviously the preferred options. There's probably a couple more that could fit the mix, but in the case of Granderson and Upton, the Cubs would need to find a top of the order bat at another position (namely, MI). I've pondered names like Julio Borbon and Eric Young Jr., but I have a hard time seeing the Cubs go with a youngster in a critical spot to start in 2010. I wouldn't be aghast at a Sam Fuld/Reed Johnson platoon, but I imagine most would be disappointed. Shame Fuld got hurt.

 

If we had to go with Fukudome in CF again, that would mean searching for, likely, a top of the order bat in the MI and a potential middle of the order bat for RF. The problem with that is that it would likely cost us a lot, either in money and talent, and the likelihood is that the org has to clear money to make that happen.

[toonsterwu]

Gil Meche 2-24

 

Bradley + prospect(s) for Meche while swapping salaries (Meche: 10: $12; 11: $12 - Bradley: 10: $9; 11: $12)

 

Then look to deal Lilly or Z for a right fielder

 

Meche was decent in 07 and 08, but struggled this year. However, he was hurt this year so he might rebound next year. He's 30, so he's getting up there, but he's not old enough to expect him to fall off a cliff.

 

It might not be a great option, but it might be better than most.

 

I really don't anticipate the Royals dealing Meche. I think that Dayton Moore is hoping to somehow fix his offense this offseason and add a SP to the mix.

[RedFlash]

There is one deal in which the Cubs won't have to pick up any of the deal, in fact might even get this team to kick in some cash because this players makes about 2+ mill more per yr. I'm talking about the Giants. I saw this proposal on another site:

 

Aaron Rowand for Milton Bradley.

 

I know this may not be popular, but it is one of the few trades in which the Cubs would not have to kick any cash into the deal. (Seeing s Rowand's deal is a yr longer then Bradley). I know Rowand isn't great, but he knows Chicago, he plays very well doing to day and not that it is all that important, but he is a good character guy. But at least in the OF of Soriano/Rowand/Fuku, the only liability defensively would be Soriano.

 

I'm not crazy about the idea, but I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

[TruffleShuffle]

I could see the Cubs signing Cameron and moving Fuku back to right field.

 

I would like this quite a bit, but unless somebody will take Milton's salary, we probably can't afford $10 million.

 

i don't see anyone giving mike cameron $10M to play CF as a 37 year old. he might get something like $6-8M.

[toonsterwu]

There is one deal in which the Cubs won't have to pick up any of the deal, in fact might even get this team to kick in some cash because this players makes about 2+ mill more per yr. I'm talking about the Giants. I saw this proposal on another site:

 

Aaron Rowand for Milton Bradley.

 

I know this may not be popular, but it is one of the few trades in which the Cubs would not have to kick any cash into the deal. (Seeing s Rowand's deal is a yr longer then Bradley). I know Rowand isn't great, but he knows Chicago, he plays very well doing to day and not that it is all that important, but he is a good character guy. But at least in the OF of Soriano/Rowand/Fuku, the only liability defensively would be Soriano.

 

I'm not crazy about the idea, but I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

 

Why would the Giants create a CF question for themselves to add Milton? I'm not so sure that they would do that deal.

[Guest]

Even before the Milton suspension, I was hoping for an upgrade in CF next year. I believe that should be a primary focus (along with finding a top of the order bat), but the options are fairly slim. One name that would intrigue me, but would be extremely hard to pry away, would be Nyjer Morgan (before people go on and on about how unrealistic that is, I'm aware of it, but I'm also looking at Nyjer's age and that the Nats are still building ... I believe Rizzo would listen, but it might cost too much to be worth it). Two other names come to mind that have been bandied out there as guys their teams may potentially shop - Curtis Granderson and BJ Upton. Both of these would, to say the least, be costly, even coming off years. Would it be worth it? It obviously depends on who it costs, but one thing to note is that the system is in an in between phase, a phase where value judgments needs to be made. Those are obviously the preferred options. There's probably a couple more that could fit the mix, but in the case of Granderson and Upton, the Cubs would need to find a top of the order bat at another position (namely, MI). I've pondered names like Julio Borbon and Eric Young Jr., but I have a hard time seeing the Cubs go with a youngster in a critical spot to start in 2010. I wouldn't be aghast at a Sam Fuld/Reed Johnson platoon, but I imagine most would be disappointed. Shame Fuld got hurt.

 

If we had to go with Fukudome in CF again, that would mean searching for, likely, a top of the order bat in the MI and a potential middle of the order bat for RF. The problem with that is that it would likely cost us a lot, either in money and talent, and the likelihood is that the org has to clear money to make that happen.

You're going about it backwards. Find a guy who can play a position and hit/get on base and worry about where to bat him later.

 

IMO, the Cubs don't have many options and even less room to maneuver. I think many of us would like to upgrade at SS, the Cubs don't. They aren't doing anything in LF, 3rd, 1st, and C (likely, unless Lou is really pissed at Soto). What does that leave? RF, CF, and 2nd. Fukudome isn't going anywhere, although I would look to trade him first. He's basically a platoon player making full time salary. If they move him to RF his value is significantly diminished. Then the Cubs will have to find a suitable replacement in CF who can both hit and cover a lot of range. If they leave Fukudome in CF they have to find a RF with power. A much easier task, but made significantly more difficult if they have to pay most of Bradley's salary to get him out of Chicago. Then there is 2nd base. I'm guessing Dan Ugla although he's having a terrible year. He's a trade/DFA guy in Florida as he's about to make 8 million.

 

They are in a real bad place for the next few years unless some of the farm hands progress quickly

[imb]

Is there any chance that Bradley isn't traded to Baltimore?

 

I imagine Hendry's gonna have to call in a favor to get rid of Bradley, and Florida and Oakland don't seem like good destinations for Milton.

[jersey cubs fan]

I know this may not be popular, but it is one of the few trades in which the Cubs would not have to kick any cash into the deal. (Seeing s Rowand's deal is a yr longer then Bradley). I know Rowand isn't great, but he knows Chicago, he plays very well doing to day

 

What does that mean?

 

And why would the Cubs makes matters worse by spending even more money to get even less production? If you are trading Bradley and picking up the tab, you have to get quality back. If you are getting nothing back, you have to get the other team to pay the salary. You can't get crap back + pay more money.

[jersey cubs fan]

Is there any chance that Bradley isn't traded to Baltimore?

 

I imagine Hendry's gonna have to call in a favor to get rid of Bradley, and Florida and Oakland don't seem like good destinations for Milton.

 

Oakland works since nobody cares about anything there and he won't be talking to any press.

[imb]

Is there any chance that Bradley isn't traded to Baltimore?

 

I imagine Hendry's gonna have to call in a favor to get rid of Bradley, and Florida and Oakland don't seem like good destinations for Milton.

 

Oakland works since nobody cares about anything there and he won't be talking to any press.

 

I was mainly looking at it from the angle that he had already played there and they wouldn't want to deal with his [expletive] again, but Beane will probably look at it like it's essentially a free walk-machine, since we're going to eat 80 percent of his contract, anyway.

[RedFlash]

I know this may not be popular, but it is one of the few trades in which the Cubs would not have to kick any cash into the deal. (Seeing s Rowand's deal is a yr longer then Bradley). I know Rowand isn't great, but he knows Chicago, he plays very well doing to day

 

What does that mean?

 

And why would the Cubs makes matters worse by spending even more money to get even less production? If you are trading Bradley and picking up the tab, you have to get quality back. If you are getting nothing back, you have to get the other team to pay the salary. You can't get crap back + pay more money.

 

Except your not getting less production in Rowand, at least this yr anyways. the 2009 numbers (.265/.320/.432/.752 .v. .257/.378/.397/.775) suggests that they have been virtual equals in terms of production. Bradley has been a better OBP guy whereas Rowand shows more pop. I'm not saying this would be a great move or anything, but seeing as the Cubs are going to be limited in what they can do with Bradley, this could just a move they consider.

 

As for the money aspects, I think the Giants would have to kick in some money for this to work.

[jersey cubs fan]

Is there any chance that Bradley isn't traded to Baltimore?

 

I imagine Hendry's gonna have to call in a favor to get rid of Bradley, and Florida and Oakland don't seem like good destinations for Milton.

 

Oakland works since nobody cares about anything there and he won't be talking to any press.

 

I was mainly looking at it from the angle that he had already played there and they wouldn't want to deal with his [expletive] again, but Beane will probably look at it like it's essentially a free walk-machine, since we're going to eat 80 percent of his contract, anyway.

 

I don't know any details of his time there, but I believe that was the season he was traded to SD for a halfway decent arm. Oakland seems to like bringing guys back there, unless I'm just making that up and Giambi is the only one. I'd bet Beane could look at a chance to get Bradley hitting for half a season and maybe spin him for something more than he dealt away.

[jersey cubs fan]

I know this may not be popular, but it is one of the few trades in which the Cubs would not have to kick any cash into the deal. (Seeing s Rowand's deal is a yr longer then Bradley). I know Rowand isn't great, but he knows Chicago, he plays very well doing to day

 

What does that mean?

 

And why would the Cubs makes matters worse by spending even more money to get even less production? If you are trading Bradley and picking up the tab, you have to get quality back. If you are getting nothing back, you have to get the other team to pay the salary. You can't get crap back + pay more money.

 

Except your not getting less production in Rowand, at least this yr anyways. the 2009 numbers (.265/.320/.432/.752 .v. .257/.378/.397/.775) suggests that they have been virtual equals in terms of production. Bradley has been a better OBP guy whereas Rowand shows more pop. I'm not saying this would be a great move or anything, but seeing as the Cubs are going to be limited in what they can do with Bradley, this could just a move they consider.

 

As for the money aspects, I think the Giants would have to kick in some money for this to work.

 

Given the fact that OBP is more valuable than SLG, and Bradley has a larger OBP advantage compared to Rowand's SLG advantage, no they are not virtually equal.

 

 

Bradley is disappointing. Rowand sucks.

[toonsterwu]

Even before the Milton suspension, I was hoping for an upgrade in CF next year. I believe that should be a primary focus (along with finding a top of the order bat), but the options are fairly slim. One name that would intrigue me, but would be extremely hard to pry away, would be Nyjer Morgan (before people go on and on about how unrealistic that is, I'm aware of it, but I'm also looking at Nyjer's age and that the Nats are still building ... I believe Rizzo would listen, but it might cost too much to be worth it). Two other names come to mind that have been bandied out there as guys their teams may potentially shop - Curtis Granderson and BJ Upton. Both of these would, to say the least, be costly, even coming off years. Would it be worth it? It obviously depends on who it costs, but one thing to note is that the system is in an in between phase, a phase where value judgments needs to be made. Those are obviously the preferred options. There's probably a couple more that could fit the mix, but in the case of Granderson and Upton, the Cubs would need to find a top of the order bat at another position (namely, MI). I've pondered names like Julio Borbon and Eric Young Jr., but I have a hard time seeing the Cubs go with a youngster in a critical spot to start in 2010. I wouldn't be aghast at a Sam Fuld/Reed Johnson platoon, but I imagine most would be disappointed. Shame Fuld got hurt.

 

If we had to go with Fukudome in CF again, that would mean searching for, likely, a top of the order bat in the MI and a potential middle of the order bat for RF. The problem with that is that it would likely cost us a lot, either in money and talent, and the likelihood is that the org has to clear money to make that happen.

You're going about it backwards. Find a guy who can play a position and hit/get on base and worry about where to bat him later.

 

IMO, the Cubs don't have many options and even less room to maneuver. I think many of us would like to upgrade at SS, the Cubs don't. They aren't doing anything in LF, 3rd, 1st, and C (likely, unless Lou is really pissed at Soto). What does that leave? RF, CF, and 2nd. Fukudome isn't going anywhere, although I would look to trade him first. He's basically a platoon player making full time salary. If they move him to RF his value is significantly diminished. Then the Cubs will have to find a suitable replacement in CF who can both hit and cover a lot of range. If they leave Fukudome in CF they have to find a RF with power. A much easier task, but made significantly more difficult if they have to pay most of Bradley's salary to get him out of Chicago. Then there is 2nd base. I'm guessing Dan Ugla although he's having a terrible year. He's a trade/DFA guy in Florida as he's about to make 8 million.

 

They are in a real bad place for the next few years unless some of the farm hands progress quickly

 

I don't see how I'm going about it backwards by suggesting that, at some point, the Cubs have to find a top of the order bat ... somewhere. Simply amassing talent in of itself wouldn't do any organization or team justice if the pieces don't fit. This isn't some sort of intangibles discussion - it's inherent for any organization to find players to maximize the team's potential, and to not acquire another top of the order bat would be rather flawed by the Cubs.

[jersey cubs fan]

They need bats, regardless if they fit into somebody's preconceived notion about what a top of the order bat is.