Constructing the 2012 Cubs

[Little Slide Rooter]

I mentioned Ethier before. I'd love to get him, injuries or not. However, he would be very expensive. As bad as the Dodgers are, they have 3 great young players in Ethier, Kemp, and Kershaw, and it might be in their best interest to do what they can to hand on to those 3 at any cost assuming it's possible and build from there especially considering that they're in a perenially weak division.

[Theo]

Ethier isn't that good.

[17 Seconds]

he's a very good hitter, he's just awful defensievly.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Yeah his defense is killer. Why was he so terrible at the plate last year compared to previous years? He doesn't excite me very much. Seems like Pena would be a better option.

[Sammy Sofa]

Ethier would also be turning 31 at the start of his hypothetical Cubs career. Not that that's a dealbreaker, but if they're looking at the Dodgers' OF I'd rather go with the 28-year old Kemp (yes, I know the tangent was Ethier for 1B. Pass).

[JeffH]

The name that pops up in mind for me would be someone like Matt LaPorta, a guy who has had struggles putting it together in the bigs, but has a solid approach at the plate and good raw power. Were his struggles due to the injury he had (hip?), or was it for other reasons?

 

LaPorta is an interesting name. Epstein/Hoyer/McLeod drafted him.

[toonsterwu]

On Kemp - I don't think we'd have the chips to trade for Kemp, and I imagine the Dodgers would try to focus on building around Kemp/Kershaw, and try to move other parts to give them space financially. If they deal Ethier to X team, then they can shift Kemp over to RF (assuming they land a CF).

[RammyFanny]

The name that pops up in mind for me would be someone like Matt LaPorta, a guy who has had struggles putting it together in the bigs, but has a solid approach at the plate and good raw power. Were his struggles due to the injury he had (hip?), or was it for other reasons?

 

LaPorta is an interesting name. Epstein/Hoyer/McLeod drafted him.

I had a dream the other night where Theo was going after all "great prospects that went subpar at the majors". The only two I remember us getting were Dominic Brown (Marmol + prospect(s)) and Justin Smoak. LaPorta would fall in there. But that was the offseason theme. If that turns out to be true, I will begin to quote my dreams as "according to sources".

[JeffH]

The name that pops up in mind for me would be someone like Matt LaPorta, a guy who has had struggles putting it together in the bigs, but has a solid approach at the plate and good raw power. Were his struggles due to the injury he had (hip?), or was it for other reasons?

 

LaPorta is an interesting name. Epstein/Hoyer/McLeod drafted him.

I had a dream the other night where Theo was going after all "great prospects that went subpar at the majors". The only two I remember us getting were Dominic Brown (Marmol + prospect(s)) and Justin Smoak. LaPorta would fall in there. But that was the offseason theme. If that turns out to be true, I will begin to quote my dreams as "according to sources".

 

Let's add Brandon Belt to that list!

[Guest]

I really wish we had followed TT's wishes last offseason and acquired Gordon.

[Guest]

Anyone see the Fangraphs piece about the cubs?

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/cubs-fans-will-need-patience/

[toonsterwu]

I really wish we had followed TT's wishes last offseason and acquired Gordon.

 

I wanted Gordon last offseason as well, and I would've given him another look at 3rd. That said, I don't think there was ever any real indication that they were going to move him or open to it. From what I recall, it was a lot more speculative guesswork by folks than actual rumors, but perhaps time is making me forget.

 

The Gordon of this offseason is probably Ian Stewart. I think there's a chance he might get moved (and I'd be interested in him), but Colorado probably doesn't do it unless they have a solid upgrade in place, and well, the 3rd base market sucks. Unlike, say, the Padres, they don't have a quality 3rd base prospect ready (Arenado is a couple years away).

[Guest]

I really wish we had followed TT's wishes last offseason and acquired Gordon.

 

I wanted Gordon last offseason as well, and I would've given him another look at 3rd. That said, I don't think there was ever any real indication that they were going to move him or open to it. From what I recall, it was a lot more speculative guesswork by folks than actual rumors, but perhaps time is making me forget.

 

The Gordon of this offseason is probably Ian Stewart. I think there's a chance he might get moved (and I'd be interested in him), but Colorado probably doesn't do it unless they have a solid upgrade in place, and well, the 3rd base market sucks. Unlike, say, the Padres, they don't have a quality 3rd base prospect ready (Arenado is a couple years away).

I don't see Stewart's underlying performance as solid as Gordon's was heading into last year. I'd be plenty willing to take a chance on him, but I wouldn't be as excited about him as I was on Gordon last offseason.

[Guest]

I really wish we had followed TT's wishes last offseason and acquired Gordon.

 

I don't think he was ever truly available for less than a steep price, but he would've been nice.

[toonsterwu]

I really wish we had followed TT's wishes last offseason and acquired Gordon.

 

I wanted Gordon last offseason as well, and I would've given him another look at 3rd. That said, I don't think there was ever any real indication that they were going to move him or open to it. From what I recall, it was a lot more speculative guesswork by folks than actual rumors, but perhaps time is making me forget.

 

The Gordon of this offseason is probably Ian Stewart. I think there's a chance he might get moved (and I'd be interested in him), but Colorado probably doesn't do it unless they have a solid upgrade in place, and well, the 3rd base market sucks. Unlike, say, the Padres, they don't have a quality 3rd base prospect ready (Arenado is a couple years away).

I don't see Stewart's underlying performance as solid as Gordon's was heading into last year. I'd be plenty willing to take a chance on him, but I wouldn't be as excited about him as I was on Gordon last offseason.

 

Well ... Gordon (last offseason) had never shown the type of power he did this year. Stewart, on the other hand, had shown good power, home and away, prior to 2011. That said, Gordon was a far more disciplined hitter than Stewart and didn't reach for pitches as much out of the zone. In Stewart's favor, though, is the fact that he plays a fairly solid 3rd base. I mean, besides the Moustakas factor, Gordon really wasn't that good at 3rd.

 

Anyhow, I feel like Stewart won't get moved unless it's a big deal. Could be wrong. If we're going with a big deal, I'd rather go after Headley first.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I really wish we had followed TT's wishes last offseason and acquired Gordon.

 

I don't think he was ever truly available for less than a steep price, but he would've been nice.

 

I remember last year their were rumblings of Colvin for Gordon, but that was little more than fan fic. Would sure have been nice though.

[pitchcs]

Soriano for Vernon Wells?

[dew1679666265]

Soriano for Vernon Wells?

 

There aren't many contracts in the majors worse than Soriano's, but Wells' is one. Wells gets $21 million each of the next three seasons while Soriano gets $18 each of the next 3 seasons. Soriano has been worth 4.4 WAR total the past 3 seasons, Wells has been worth 4.3 WAR. Soriano has been a plus defender according to UZR 3 of the past 4 seasons (largely based on his arm and range, I'd guess), Wells has been a major negative defender 3 of the past 4 seasons. Soriano's past 3 wOBAs: .314, .353, .325. Wells' past 3 wOBAs: .314, .362, .285.

 

Soriano is older by two years, but is still probably the (slightly) better player going forward and has the better contract.

[pitchcs]

Van [expletive] mentioned it in a small blurb in the Trib today. He's terrible though.

[pitchcs]

I love the Dick Van [expletive] show

 

 

Wow, they really don't want [expletive] to be typed.

[dew1679666265]

There may be no point to this idea, but I thought I'd toss it out there. What are the thoughts on a super cheap (i.e. minor league deal) to Nate McLouth?

 

I realize he's been awful the past couple of years, but he had three straight years (07-09) of really good offensive seasons - .364, .369, .350 wOBAs - and is still in his prime at 30 years old the entire 2012 regular season (turns 31 in October 2012). His BB% has improved the past three seasons (11.5 for two years and 13.7 in 2011) and he's held a strong IsoD his entire career (.088 career; .096, .108, .116 the past three seasons).

 

Is he somebody who could be "fixed" by Jaramillo? He seems to have a good approach looking at his peripherals, but his production has been pretty abysmal for two years now. I almost wonder if he's become too passive at the plate or something - maybe looking for the walk a bit too much?

[dew1679666265]

Van [expletive] mentioned it in a small blurb in the Trib today. He's terrible though.

 

The only positive to the idea is that Wells is younger and may be slightly less into his decline than Soriano. The numbers don't support that, though, and it's certainly not worth paying $3 million extra per year for the chance that he rebounds.

[Rob]

Soriano and Wells are both under contract through 2014. Wells makes $21 million per year. Soriano makes $18 million. I'd be willing to consider a swap depending on how much the Angels pick up. They're pretty similar players at this point.

 

That said, it wouldn't make much sense for the Angels. They're already facing a pretty nasty roster crunch with Bourjos, Trout, Abreu, Hunter, and Wells through the OF/DH. And that's assuming Trumbo can handle 3B. He can't, and will probably be pushing for playing time at DH with Morales taking back over at 1B.

 

They're looking to unload those guys, not swap one for another.

[XZero771679666304]

I know the possibility has been touched on before, but what about a deal the sends Soriano + cash to SF for Barry Zito? It would open a spot in the OF for taking a flier on a guy like Sizemore and could offset some of the lost innings if Zambrano is indeed banished. The Giants don't need Zito and Soriano might actually be better than some of the dreck SF has had in their lineup recently.

[illiniguy]

I really wish we had followed TT's wishes last offseason and acquired Gordon.

 

I don't think he was ever truly available for less than a steep price, but he would've been nice.

 

I remember last year their were rumblings of Colvin for Gordon, but that was little more than fan fic. Would sure have been nice though.

Trust me when I say the sports radio shows had floated that idea down here and many of my friends who love the Royals were all for it. I wonder if we kicked the tires at all?