Re: Projected starting lineup for 2011?

[Old Style]

So now that the Cubs have the answer to all their problems (Carlos Pena), assuming no other major changes are made how do you see the starting lineup?

 

Fukudome RF

Castro SS

Byrd CF

Ramirez 3B

Pena 1B

Soto C

Soriano LF

DeWitt 2B

 

This is probably what I'd go with off the top of my head.

[jersey cubs fan]

I still think there is a very real possibility they find a way to deal away at least most of Fukudome's salary, to get a 3rd starter and/or set-up man. And I see Pena hitting between Ramirez and Byrd right in the middle.

[champaignchris]

DeWitt 2B

Castro SS

Byrd CF

Ramirez 3B

Perez 1B

Soriano LF

Colvin RF

Soto C

 

Or something to that effect. Those are the starting 8. Not sure how the batting order shakes out as there is no obvious lead off man.

[Prizefight]

DeWitt 2B

Castro SS

Byrd CF

Ramirez 3B

Perez 1B

Soriano LF

Colvin RF

Soto C

 

Or something to that effect. Those are the starting 8. Not sure how the batting order shakes out as there is no obvious lead off man.

 

Who is Perez? 8-)

 

Agreed with your 8 thought in a very much pull them out of the hat order. Castro/Dewitt are batting 1-2 or 7-8. I wouldn't mind seeing Soto up a bit higher this year especially if he keeps his OBP hovering around .400

Edited December 9, 2010 by Prizefight

[UMFan83]

DeWitt 2B

Castro SS

Byrd CF

Ramirez 3B

Perez 1B

Soriano LF

Colvin RF

Soto C

 

Or something to that effect. Those are the starting 8. Not sure how the batting order shakes out as there is no obvious lead off man.

 

Who is Perez? 8-)

 

OH NO NEIFI'S BACK!!!!

[UMFan83]

And yes, Quade has been in this organization long enough to know that you have split up your righties in the middle of the order. Pena will hit 4th.

[Cubswin11]

Castro SS

Soto C

Pena 1B

Ramirez 3B

Byrd CF

Fukudome RF

Soriano LF

Dewitt 2B

 

I would have Soriano/Byrd switch between the 5/7 spot depending on who is hitting the best or if there is a favorable matchup at a given time

[champaignchris]

DeWitt 2B

Castro SS

Byrd CF

Ramirez 3B

Perez 1B

Soriano LF

Colvin RF

Soto C

 

Or something to that effect. Those are the starting 8. Not sure how the batting order shakes out as there is no obvious lead off man.

 

Who is Perez? 8-)

 

Agreed with your 8 thought in a very much pull them out of the hat order. Castro/Dewitt are batting 1-2 or 7-8. I wouldn't mind seeing Soto up a bit higher this year especially if he keeps his OBP hovering around .400

 

Oh GEEZ!!! Obviously that's supposed to be Pena.

[davell]

I'm going to figure the Cubs get rid of Fukudome at some point, since it appears Colvin's going to be an everyday player next year for us.

 

CF BYRD

SS CASTRO

3B RAMIREZ

1B PENA

C SOTO

RF COLVIN

LF SORIANO

2B DEWITT

[Guest]

Under the assumption that Kosuke is gone:

 

Castro

Byrd

Ramirez

Pena

Soto

Colvin

Soriano

DeWitt

[third eye]

Why are people under the impression that Kosuke will be gone? Obviously there are salary considerations, and I know that at mid season last year most people expected he'd be dealt. But given his second half compared to Colvin's, is that still the right assumption? Based on the payroll parameters under which Hendry has operated this offseason, I assumed he was budgeted into the 2011 plans. I also havent seen any rumors specifically about him this offseason. What's the latest?

[UMFan83]

Why are people under the impression that Kosuke will be gone? Obviously there are salary considerations, and I know that at mid season last year most people expected he'd be dealt. But given his second half compared to Colvin's, is that still the right assumption? Based on the payroll parameters under which Hendry has operated this offseason, I assumed he was budgeted into the 2011 plans. I also havent seen any rumors specifically about him this offseason. What's the latest?

 

My guess is that considering that Fukudome will be a 34 year old FA after this upcoming year, his future as it pertains to the Cubs is pretty much next year only. Meanwhile, Tyco is younger, cheaper and has a long term potential with the Cubs. Trading fukudome would be all about creating space for Colvin to play every day.

[mookie]

Has it been agreed upon that Colvin's new nickname is T-Spike?

[David]

TyCo?

 

Aww jeez.

[David]

Can we please bat Soto 3rd and Byrd like 6th or 7th or something?

[jersey cubs fan]

Why are people under the impression that Kosuke will be gone? Obviously there are salary considerations, and I know that at mid season last year most people expected he'd be dealt. But given his second half compared to Colvin's, is that still the right assumption? Based on the payroll parameters under which Hendry has operated this offseason, I assumed he was budgeted into the 2011 plans. I also havent seen any rumors specifically about him this offseason. What's the latest?

 

The Cubs have talked about a couple things to make them better next year. One has been getting Colvin in the lineup everyday (or close to it). There was a slim chance he would move to 1B if they didn't sign one. But now that they have one, it seems to me the only realistic shot is in RF. There have been talks of moving Fukudome up until this fall. I happen to believe they want to do it now that they have Pena (another LH bat) and are still talking about mediocre pitchers (that will still cost millions). He is due $13.5m. If they can reduce their payroll but $7m+ by trading him, that will go a long way toward affording some mediocre pitching.

[daske17]

Can we please bat Soto 3rd and Byrd like 6th or 7th or something?

 

+1000

 

I don't know what else Soto has to do to prove he's not a bottom of the order hitter.

[jersey cubs fan]

Can we please bat Soto 3rd and Byrd like 6th or 7th or something?

 

+1000

 

I don't know what else Soto has to do to prove he's not a bottom of the order hitter.

 

Probably switch positions.

[Guest]

Why are people under the impression that Kosuke will be gone? Obviously there are salary considerations, and I know that at mid season last year most people expected he'd be dealt. But given his second half compared to Colvin's, is that still the right assumption? Based on the payroll parameters under which Hendry has operated this offseason, I assumed he was budgeted into the 2011 plans. I also havent seen any rumors specifically about him this offseason. What's the latest?

 

The Cubs have talked about a couple things to make them better next year. One has been getting Colvin in the lineup everyday (or close to it). There was a slim chance he would move to 1B if they didn't sign one. But now that they have one, it seems to me the only realistic shot is in RF. There have been talks of moving Fukudome up until this fall. I happen to believe they want to do it now that they have Pena (another LH bat) and are still talking about mediocre pitchers (that will still cost millions). He is due $13.5m. If they can reduce their payroll but $7m+ by trading him, that will go a long way toward affording some mediocre pitching.

 

If they trade Fukudome, who becomes the 4th outfielder? Isn't the team better off having Colvin as extra depth? To be able to stick Colvin in any one of Byrd, Fukudome or Soriano's spots if one of them gets hurt (none of them are spring chickens) seems like it would be better than getting rid of Fukudome and weakening the bench and the starting line up.

[jersey cubs fan]

Why are people under the impression that Kosuke will be gone? Obviously there are salary considerations, and I know that at mid season last year most people expected he'd be dealt. But given his second half compared to Colvin's, is that still the right assumption? Based on the payroll parameters under which Hendry has operated this offseason, I assumed he was budgeted into the 2011 plans. I also havent seen any rumors specifically about him this offseason. What's the latest?

 

The Cubs have talked about a couple things to make them better next year. One has been getting Colvin in the lineup everyday (or close to it). There was a slim chance he would move to 1B if they didn't sign one. But now that they have one, it seems to me the only realistic shot is in RF. There have been talks of moving Fukudome up until this fall. I happen to believe they want to do it now that they have Pena (another LH bat) and are still talking about mediocre pitchers (that will still cost millions). He is due $13.5m. If they can reduce their payroll but $7m+ by trading him, that will go a long way toward affording some mediocre pitching.

 

If they trade Fukudome, who becomes the 4th outfielder? Isn't the team better off having Colvin as extra depth? To be able to stick Colvin in any one of Byrd, Fukudome or Soriano's spots if one of them gets hurt (none of them are spring chickens) seems like it would be better than getting rid of Fukudome and weakening the bench and the starting line up.

 

Of course my preference is that they use Colvin as nothing more than a 4th OF. But I don't think the Cubs see it that way.

[woodchip2153]

Can we please bat Soto 3rd and Byrd like 6th or 7th or something?

 

I know this is crazy but with his high OBP, I think he'd be great at lead off.

[davell]

Why are people under the impression that Kosuke will be gone? Obviously there are salary considerations, and I know that at mid season last year most people expected he'd be dealt. But given his second half compared to Colvin's, is that still the right assumption? Based on the payroll parameters under which Hendry has operated this offseason, I assumed he was budgeted into the 2011 plans. I also havent seen any rumors specifically about him this offseason. What's the latest?

 

The Cubs have talked about a couple things to make them better next year. One has been getting Colvin in the lineup everyday (or close to it). There was a slim chance he would move to 1B if they didn't sign one. But now that they have one, it seems to me the only realistic shot is in RF. There have been talks of moving Fukudome up until this fall. I happen to believe they want to do it now that they have Pena (another LH bat) and are still talking about mediocre pitchers (that will still cost millions). He is due $13.5m. If they can reduce their payroll but $7m+ by trading him, that will go a long way toward affording some mediocre pitching.

 

If they trade Fukudome, who becomes the 4th outfielder? Isn't the team better off having Colvin as extra depth? To be able to stick Colvin in any one of Byrd, Fukudome or Soriano's spots if one of them gets hurt (none of them are spring chickens) seems like it would be better than getting rid of Fukudome and weakening the bench and the starting line up.

 

 

I've thought about that some too and my guess is they'd find a Chad Tracy type signing around the time of ST. If not, maybe Brandon Guyer proves himself ready a year ahead of time to take over as the 4TH OFer? He's on the 40 man now at least......

[Ding Dong Johnson]

TyCo?

 

Aww jeez.

Agreed, please don't.

[Guest]

Why are people under the impression that Kosuke will be gone? Obviously there are salary considerations, and I know that at mid season last year most people expected he'd be dealt. But given his second half compared to Colvin's, is that still the right assumption? Based on the payroll parameters under which Hendry has operated this offseason, I assumed he was budgeted into the 2011 plans. I also havent seen any rumors specifically about him this offseason. What's the latest?

 

The Cubs have talked about a couple things to make them better next year. One has been getting Colvin in the lineup everyday (or close to it). There was a slim chance he would move to 1B if they didn't sign one. But now that they have one, it seems to me the only realistic shot is in RF. There have been talks of moving Fukudome up until this fall. I happen to believe they want to do it now that they have Pena (another LH bat) and are still talking about mediocre pitchers (that will still cost millions). He is due $13.5m. If they can reduce their payroll but $7m+ by trading him, that will go a long way toward affording some mediocre pitching.

 

If they trade Fukudome, who becomes the 4th outfielder? Isn't the team better off having Colvin as extra depth? To be able to stick Colvin in any one of Byrd, Fukudome or Soriano's spots if one of them gets hurt (none of them are spring chickens) seems like it would be better than getting rid of Fukudome and weakening the bench and the starting line up.

 

 

I've thought about that some too and my guess is they'd find a Chad Tracy type signing around the time of ST. If not, maybe Brandon Guyer proves himself ready a year ahead of time to take over as the 4TH OFer? He's on the 40 man now at least......

 

A Chad Tracy type isn't somebody you really want to play everyday for any lengthy period of time if Soriano strains a quad or hammy. It's just one more year and a valuable year for Colvin to fill in and be quality bench help. That extra year will tell us a lot more about whether he's an everyday player at the major league level. He's going to get plenty of starts as it is.

[third eye]

Why are people under the impression that Kosuke will be gone? Obviously there are salary considerations, and I know that at mid season last year most people expected he'd be dealt. But given his second half compared to Colvin's, is that still the right assumption? Based on the payroll parameters under which Hendry has operated this offseason, I assumed he was budgeted into the 2011 plans. I also havent seen any rumors specifically about him this offseason. What's the latest?

 

The Cubs have talked about a couple things to make them better next year. One has been getting Colvin in the lineup everyday (or close to it). There was a slim chance he would move to 1B if they didn't sign one. But now that they have one, it seems to me the only realistic shot is in RF. There have been talks of moving Fukudome up until this fall. I happen to believe they want to do it now that they have Pena (another LH bat) and are still talking about mediocre pitchers (that will still cost millions). He is due $13.5m. If they can reduce their payroll but $7m+ by trading him, that will go a long way toward affording some mediocre pitching.

 

If they trade Fukudome, who becomes the 4th outfielder? Isn't the team better off having Colvin as extra depth? To be able to stick Colvin in any one of Byrd, Fukudome or Soriano's spots if one of them gets hurt (none of them are spring chickens) seems like it would be better than getting rid of Fukudome and weakening the bench and the starting line up.

 

Yeah I'd prefer to keep the outfield depth, with Colving getting around 50 starts between the three OF spots and maybe another 10-15 at 1B in case Pena gets hurt again. There will be plenty of plate appearances for Colvin even if they see him as an important piece for the future. It doesn't seem like the Garza or Webb additions would require Kosuke to be moved to clear payroll. The scenarios under which it was discussed before assumed we'd make a larger free agent $$ investment. That clearly hasn't been the case. I'm sure he was shopped at some point, and may still go for the right offer, but I don't see why it needs to happen even from Hendry's perspective.