Re: Projected starting lineup for 2011?

[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......

 

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.

 

I have no question our major league team is better off for 2011 with Fukudome on it. But, since he's rumored to be gone and we supposedly have a money crunch as well, I just don't see us investing much into a 4th OFer for next year. Maybe bring Reed Johnson back if he's healthy? No matter what though, I doubt we spend more than a minimum level major league contract for whoever it is.

[scarey]

Castro

Fukudome

Soto

Ramirez

Pena

Byrd

Soriano

DeWitt

 

I'm almost tempted to switch Pena and Ramirez, having three guys taking tons of walks in front of ARam would be very nice.

 

If Fukudome gets traded.

 

Castro

Soto

Pena

Ramirez

Byrd

Colvin

Soriano

DeWitt

[Northside Blues]

1 fukudome, rf

2 byrd, cf

3 ramirez, 3b

4 pena, 1b

5 soto c

6 soriano/colvin lf

7 castro ss

8 dewitt 2b

[EhDubya]

SS Castro

RF Fukudome

CF Byrd

1B Pena

3B Ramirez

C Soto

LF Soriano/Colvin

2B DeWitt/Baker

[Old Style]

Can one of you numbers guys post a comparison of Fukudome to Colvin, please? I know some people that think Colvin is far & away a better hitter than Fukudome and I want to show them some statistics.

[Old Style]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-1210-cubs-chicago--20101209,0,619616.story

 

Pena then could bat behind between Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano, giving the Cubs a right-left-right power trio in the middle of the order. Tyler Colvin probably would bat behind Soriano for left-right-balance. He was ill-used at the top of the lineup under because he seldom walks and has a low on-base percentage. Quade ended that experiment quickly.

 

Geovany Soto then would wind up in the No. 8 hole, switching spots with Colvin against left-handers. Soto, like Baker, killed lefties in 2010, batting .367 against them.

Fukudome is still on the team, right?

[javy knows my name]

Well, as long as our best hitter is still getting the least amount of PAs...

[Ballgame64]

SS Castro

RF Fukudome

CF Byrd

1B Pena

3B Ramirez

C Soto

LF Soriano/Colvin

2B DeWitt/Baker

 

A big F No to Byrd hitting 3rd. He was horrible in that spot last year - .227/.272/.300/.572 with one homerun and 17 rbis in 52 games in 2010. Unless he somehow becomes a more patient hitter, I don't want him in front of Pena, Ramirez or Soto. I'm not sure why the Cubs treat Soto like he is as bad as Koyie Hill at the plate.

[SouthSideRyan]

Well, as long as our best hitter is still getting the least amount of PAs...

 

He's a catcher. What do you want Koyie Hill hitting 3rd when he starts??

[Cubswin11]

Castro SS

Soto C

Pena 1B

Ramirez 3B

Byrd CF/Soriano LF (Whoever is hitting better/matchups)

Fukudome/Colvin RF

Soriano LF/Byrd CF (Whoever is hitting worse/matchups)

Dewitt/Baker 2B

 

I think that is our best lineup going into the year

[Cubs Fan Dan]

These are assuming Fukudome is not with the Cubs (although I hope he is)

vs RHP

Castro

DeWitt

Ramirez

Pena

Soto

Byrd

Soriano

Colvin

 

vs LHP

Castro

Baker

Ramirez

Pena

Soto

Byrd

Soriano

Colvin

 

Anyone else think that with the ridiculous contract that have been given out Fukudome's value may have increased? Even if you take his salary a good year could result in him being a type-A.

[davell]

The Cubs won't (and shouldn't) offer Fukudome arbitration, if he winds up a Type A next offseason.

[jersey cubs fan]

The Cubs won't (and shouldn't) offer Fukudome arbitration, if he winds up a Type A next offseason.

 

Plus they can't.

[javy knows my name]

Well, as long as our best hitter is still getting the least amount of PAs...

 

He's a catcher. What do you want Koyie Hill hitting 3rd when he starts??

I want Koyie Hill shagging balls, and only every third day

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I want Koyie Hill getting his fingers removed because only then would I be convinced he won't be back.

[Post Count Padder]

Colvin

Castro

LeHair

Baker

DeWitt

Hill

Barney

Fuld

 

but in all seriousness, I hope for:

 

Fukudome

Byrd

Ramirez

Pena

Soto

Soriano

Castro

DeWitt

[Guest]

The Cubs won't (and shouldn't) offer Fukudome arbitration, if he winds up a Type A next offseason.

 

Plus they can't.

Right.

 

To flesh this out a bit for people wondering why, Fukudome will not have six years of service time when his contract ends. So the Cubs cannot offer *that type* of arbitration to Kosuke and therefore would not be eligible for compensation if he moves to another team.

[soapy]

I refuse to assume Fukudome is gone until it happens:

 

Fukudome

Soto

Ramirez

Pena

Byrd

Soriano

Castro

Dewitt

[CubsWin]

Quade led off with DeWitt a lot after taking over. When he sat DeWitt, he led off with Baker. Maybe the addition of Pena changes things, but I don't see any reason why Quade would do things differently at the top of the order. I would. I subscribe to the get your best hitters the most ABs thinking, but apparently he doesn't.

 

With Fukudome:

 

Castro

Fukudome

Ramirez

Pena

Soto

Soriano

Byrd

DeWitt

 

With Colvin:

 

Castro

Soto

Ramirez

Pena

Soriano

Colvin

Byrd

DeWitt

 

What will probably happen:

 

DeWitt

Castro

Ramirez

Pena

Soriano

Byrd

Soto

Colvin

[Cubs Fan Dan]

If Guzman can break camp healthy I am just really excited about our bullpen with Woody coming back!

 

Oh yea, I think the lineup will work out fine,

[Rob]

Without bothering to actually do any math, I imagine the highest scoring lineup would be something like:

 

Fukudome

Soto

Ramirez

Pena

Soriano

Byrd

Castro

Pitcher

DeWitt

[StarlinOnYou]

Looking at the lineup gives me some optimism for next season to be honest. If Pena rebounds to his form - the lineup looks pretty damn good IMO.

 

Of course, Castro has to continue develop and Dewitt has to hit, but it's really not that bad of a NL lineup, in my opinion.

 

I think Ramirez will really benefit this season from Pena.

[Little Slide Rooter]

1. Fukudome RF

2. Castro SS

3. Ramirez 3B

4. Pena 1B

5. Soto C

6. Soriano LF

7. Byrd CF

8. DeWitt 2B

 

Not exactly a dazzling lineup, but its one thats solid all the way through.

 

to round out the openeing day roster, Id expect

 

OF Colvin

OF Snyder/LaHair, probably LaHair due to the ability to play 1st as well

IF Barney

IF Baker

C Hill :(

 

SP Zambrano

SP Dempster

SP Wells

SP SIlva

SP Cashner? if Gorz traded, otherwise in pen

 

BP Marmol

BP Wood

BP Marhsall

BP Guzman

BP Grabow

BP 2 of Berg, Russell, Samardzjia, Gaub, Stevens, Schlitter, Caridad etc.

[MSG T]

Without bothering to actually do any math, I imagine the highest scoring lineup would be something like:

 

Fukudome

Soto

Ramirez

Pena

Soriano

Byrd

Castro

Pitcher

DeWitt

 

That's pretty much what I thought of too. Although, I will admit to giving thought to having Soto lead off.

[Cubs Fan Dan]

I think Pena and DeWitt are both guys who could have big season. I still see DeWitt as a Todd Walker type long term, I think he will start to develop as a solid second basemen under the Cubs. Hope Pena bounces back.