Gut this team?

[gus_dog]

I think that by sending Patterson down, a message is starting to be sent by management. I think more moves are on the way, and the Cubs will be sellers at the deadline.

 

Do you think that they will gut the team? Who would be safe?

 

Safe players, IMO:

Ramirez

Lee

Prior

Zambrano

Cedeño

Maybe 2-3 other young players (like Williams)

 

What do you guys think?

 

Is the Patterson demotion the first move in a general approach to gut the team, and are you in favour of such a gutting?

[minnesotacubsfan]

honestly, I think you can add

 

 

Barrett

Wood

Williams

maybe Maddux (unless released after July 31)

 

 

but I'm all for a shake up

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

I think Wood might be on the market, but he'd have to waive that no trade clause, which is doubtul. And I think Maddux is untradeable in general. With his contract, and possible retirement at the end of the year (you heard it here first... well, maybe not, but i'm calling it anyway), no team will want him.

 

My guess on guys who will not be traded under any circumstances:

Prior

Zambrano

Lee

Ramirez

Cedeno

Murton

Pie

Guzman

Hill

[SAMMYWHO]

I just have to laugh when I see Cedeno on that list. We're letting him rot on the bench for our potential write in all star (CRAP, CRAP, CRAP, CRAP) make me puke Neifi Perez. I work in the car business and it's like letting a used car sit on the lot for a long time. Don't sell it, let it rot. Kind of like Cedeno, we'll keep him around until he can't hit.

[umpunk]

Really, at this point I would start Cedeno everyday at short, Pie (when healthy) in center, Hairston at second, Dubois in left, and Murton in right. Trade Walker and Burnitz. See which of the kids could play and get ready for next season. I don't know if I would "gut" the team - there are some good young players who are clearly major league players, if not stars (Zambrano, Prior, Wood, Lee, Ramirez, Barrett, and J. Williams). As bad as the situation looks now, there are a lot of pieces in place.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

Guzman

I don't know about him any more. I keep hoping he will pitch this season and yet it never happens.

[1wizard]

What would it take to obtain Corey Patterson? I personally think he just needs a change. Please, serious responses. I know most Cub fans are sick of Corey but he does have trade value.

[Jon]

What would it take to obtain Corey Patterson? I personally think he just needs a change. Please, serious responses. I know most Cub fans are sick of Corey but he does have trade value.

His value is pretty low right now. Corey does need a fresh start with a coaching staff that understands what kind of ballplayer he is. I just hope that will be in Chicago.

[KatJ]

Gut the team? No - just the OF, some of the pen, the manager and his cronies (which may include the GM).

 

An IF of Barrett, Lee, Hairston, Cedeno, and Ramirez will be just fine.

[neely crenshaw]

everyone could go save for aram,lee, z and prior. really and truly if we have them and we can certainly sign,trade or pick off the scrap heap a team that is better than what we have. i like several of the players but realistically players like walker,barrett,hairston,burnitz,neifi,holla and our bullpen are a dime a dozen.

now i would like to keep williams,dempster(since we can not depend on getting anyone to replace him!) wood(although if someone wants to overspend...go for it), patterson.

reality is that as far as trades go holla may have value to someone's bench,walker,remingler,rusch are about all we have that someone else would want. neifi, barrett or burnitz might go if someone gets an injury but i can't see getting anything real valuable.

in my opinion our best bet is to be buyers with an eye on the future. grab a higher priced star that someone is dumping...like lee for choi.

also if anyone offers anything for are desposible guys...take it and start over. if we got "a" ball players for hairston, burnitz, holla, barrett, walker and perez there will be of role players available in the offseason.

[Neuby]

What would it take to obtain Corey Patterson? I personally think he just needs a change. Please, serious responses. I know most Cub fans are sick of Corey but he does have trade value.

His value is pretty low right now. Corey does need a fresh start with a coaching staff that understands what kind of ballplayer he is. I just hope that will be in Chicago.

 

What kind of ballplayer is he? No matter where u hit him he's still the same a guy that he idea of the strike zone, average at best bunter, very little idea how to use his speed to steal bases.

[Geech]

average at best bunter, very little idea how to use his speed to steal bases.

 

Is this supposed to be satirical?

[sporrer17]

I don't think you "gut" the team...no.

 

There are quite a few solid players on this roster that you would have a hard time finding a legit upgrade without overpaying dearly in prospects.

 

Think about it, seriously, can you upgrade significantly over any of these players/positions:

C-Barrett

1b- Lee

2b- Walker

3b- Ramirez

SS- Nomar (Cedeno)

 

The OF is a totally different situation. Our OF is completely in shambles. Burnitz has been solid. He doesnt seem to be much of a long term solution because of his age. He maybe has 1 more year. Hairston is solid, but is he good enough to block Pie or Patterson (provided he finds his swing in AAA)...Murton looks to be a very good, patience, big league hitter. Kind of reminds me of Mark Grace, only in RH version and much more athletic. He's got that good eye, but also makes solid contact. A little more pop and a lot more speed.

[Bench Coach]

DO NOT GUT THE TEAM!

 

Firebomb the bullpen, except for Dempster, and keep most of the rest of the team. I'd be wiling to let Patterson go in a trade, and I think we need some new bench guys.

 

What we really need is a true leadoff man. If Patterson turns into that, keep him, if not, trade him.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

We're averaging 9 runs a game now that Corey is gone. Leave the team alone. :D

[Dirt Dog Sparly]

To much here to gut the team.

 

The bullpen isnt great but when you are in the middle of a revolving door between Iowa and Chicago what can you expect? Not to mention a few guys who are doing roles they shouldnt.

 

The infield corners stay. Barrett stays because I dont see anything better out there realisticly.

 

The Cubs must get value out of Burnitz, Walker, and Hollandsworth, and maybe Harriston. I add Harriston because it is out there now that he is in Dustys doghouse, (IMO), and his value is a bit reduced.

 

If anyone bites then Perez and/or Macias.

 

Keep Blanco because he can play everyday if something happens to Barrett and he does everything you expect from a catcher well.

 

Allow Cedeno, Murton, Dubois, Patterson if he gets his head together, Fontenot; to show you if they have a clue and selectively go into the Free Agent market to fill the Bench and Bullpen in the off season.

 

Then take 2006 to let them learn how not to lose and then how to win. In 2007 get a key guy to put you back into contender status and go get them.

 

My two cents.

[AramisRamirez]

i wouldnt gut the team completely, though we could use cornerstone players in almost any position except for 1B and 3B.

 

but here are players i would be likely to keep

 

C barrett

1B lee

2B walker

3B ramirez

P prior

P zambrano

P wood

P dempster

 

we need a cornerstone player in any OF position or SS. we passed on Tejada, who at $72M is turning out to be a steal, and it could have changed our franchise, im not confident heading into next season with nomar/neifi at SS again. i would rather play hairston at SS, just not neifi. the corey patterson situation is pretty bleak, we just need him to play at a level he hasnt been playing at. without that, we're in big trouble.

 

we may have to work our farm system, as hendry has been doing. if pie comes back healthy, we might as well trot him out there too. yeah, he's young, but so is miguel cabrera. if your good, your good. so lets see what we got.

 

id like chone figgins and aubrey huff, but its not going to happen. figgins is one of the better players in the league, capable of playing nearly every position with great quickness. too bad the angels would never give him up....

 

we have two cornerstones in lee and aramis, but we really need a third. who can we sign?? johnny damon?? i would consider it. plug him into the leadoff spot....we need to make some financial investments. if he was going to leave boston, wrigley would probably be one of the few appealing places for him.

[ltb]

if pie comes back healthy, we might as well trot him out there too. yeah, he's young, but so is miguel cabrera. if your good, your good. so lets see what we got.

 

pie is not miguel cabrera, though. cabrera was ready for the big leagues, pie is not. the last time we put a 5-tool center fielder on the fast track, i think we all know what happened...

[treebird]

If anyone bites then Perez and/or Macias.

 

There's no way we'd trade Macias unless we fire Hendry and someone else hires him to be their gm.