Let's get the youth movement started

[WindyCity]

OK Jim -- waiver deals galore -- its time to get what you can and move on.

 

I want to see the following 25-man roster for the rest of the year (and I know I won't, but that won't change what I'd like to see for the last 6 weeks).....

 

Lineup:

2B Fontenot

LF Murton

1B Lee

3B Ramirez

RF Patterson

SS Garciaparra -- gotta see if he can regain his form

CF Pie

C Soto

 

Bench:

IF Cedeno

OF Greenberg

OF Kelton

IF Hoffpauir

IF Lewis

C Blanco

 

Rotation:

Prior

Zambrano

Maddux -- he's not going anywhere

Hill

Williams

 

Pen:

Dempster

Ohman

Novoa

Van Buren -- the kid deserves a shot

Valdez

Brownlie

 

If the Cubs are just going to go out and lose a bunch of games, let's at least see what these kids can do and get ready for 2006/7. Worst case scenario -- we might witness some energy, life, and desire to play the game.

[badgercub]

Some of those guys will get called up when rosters expand, not sure how much all of them will play though. This is a pathetic excuse for a ballclub and blame should be placed from top to bottom. Players are not mentally into the game, the Manager hasn't a clue, and obviously Hendry deserves to be questioned as well.

 

I hope we see a whole new starting outfield in 2007, use the last month and a half to evaluate Garciapara and bring up some of the young arms and let them start auditioning for next year. I like that Dempster would like to come back next year whether as closer, set up, or starter, let's see what Williamson can do other than that the bullpen is wide open. As far as the rotation goes only Z and Prior should be counted on for next year. Who knows what will happen with Wood but you better have a plan B in place. Maddux looks like he will be back that leaves one or two spots in the rotation open. Rich Hill is not helping his chances with his performance of late and Williams has some work to do.

[chicubs]

Just curious but have the Cubs ever truly rebuilt? I mean even in the 90s, they had a lot of vets on the team. Maybe its time for a twins-like rebuilding process. I mean a total revamp which includes getting rid of players like Maddux, Nomar, Macias, Hollandsworth, Walker, Neifi, Rusch, Williamson, Blanco, Burnitz, and Lawton. Sacrifice 2006 if you have too. It is clear with the current team that they cannot win a world series much less make a serious run at the playoffs. I knows its drastic, but maybe its time to do something. If we have to give up these players for squat, so be it. Its time for a fresh start.

 

 

I am only being half serious. I do think some sort of rebuilding year is neccessary however.

[larhur]

not only should we go with youth but we need to ship our older players that still have value to other teams. Burnitz, macis, Holly, walker, etc and a handfull of our middle relief corps, and do it now

[Illini Iceman]

 

If the Cubs are just going to go out and lose a bunch of games, let's at least see what these kids can do and get ready for 2006/7. Worst case scenario -- we might witness some energy, life, and desire to play the game.

 

I know I really enjoyed the energy, life and desire of Hill today while watching him get torched.

[E.J.]

Just curious but have the Cubs ever truly rebuilt? I mean even in the 90s, they had a lot of vets on the team. Maybe its time for a twins-like rebuilding process. I mean a total revamp which includes getting rid of players like Maddux, Nomar, Macias, Hollandsworth, Walker, Neifi, Rusch, Williamson, Blanco, Burnitz, and Lawton. Sacrifice 2006 if you have too. It is clear with the current team that they cannot win a world series much less make a serious run at the playoffs. I knows its drastic, but maybe its time to do something. If we have to give up these players for squat, so be it. Its time for a fresh start.

 

 

I am only being half serious. I do think some sort of rebuilding year is neccessary however.

 

I'm okay with getting rid of everyone you have there but Williamson. I think he's going to be very good for us next year. The rest of the players can go.

[WindyCity]

 

If the Cubs are just going to go out and lose a bunch of games, let's at least see what these kids can do and get ready for 2006/7. Worst case scenario -- we might witness some energy, life, and desire to play the game.

 

I know I really enjoyed the energy, life and desire of Hill today while watching him get torched.

 

You prefer watching seasoned veterans getting torched?

[Illini Iceman]

 

If the Cubs are just going to go out and lose a bunch of games, let's at least see what these kids can do and get ready for 2006/7. Worst case scenario -- we might witness some energy, life, and desire to play the game.

 

I know I really enjoyed the energy, life and desire of Hill today while watching him get torched.

 

You prefer watching seasoned veterans getting torched?

 

The point is that the excitement of youth wears off quickly when they are overmatched. I prefer the Cubs put the best team possible on the field. Sorry, but Walker is WAY better than Fontenot, Barrett is WAY better than Soto and Pie is just coming off an injury and is nowhere near MLB form. Murton in LF and Hill or Mitre in the rotation makes sense because those are major league ready players in positions where the team has weaknesses. The rest is just ridiculous.

[WindyCity]

Sorry, but Walker is WAY better than Fontenot, Barrett is WAY better than Soto and Pie is just coming off an injury and is nowhere near MLB form.

 

Can we really know any of this to be true until we give these guys some playing time at the ML-level?

 

My point is it is critical for the Cubs to find out what players from within their farm system can in fact be relied on to contribute next year and beyond. Without getting them up here to find out -- we are all just guessing.

[sporrer17]

Just a question, but why block Cedeno with Fontenot? Let Ronny play 2b the rest of the year and get him some big league ABs if you're set on going with a youth movement. He's played 2b some in the minors, and even once or twice this year for the big league club, so it's not really far-fetched. Plus, he projects to have more long term value than Fontenot.

 

Why Soto? He's not better than Barrett offensively, and if you want a defensive-minded light hitting catcher, go with Blanco. Or even Jose Reyes (AA catcher who has been given amazing reviews on his defense). Makes no sense to ditch Barrett, IMO, though.

 

LF Murton (not my ideal leadoff hitter, but oh well)

2b Cedeno

SS Garciaparra

3b Ramirez

1b Lee

CF Pie

C Barrett

RF Patterson

Pitchers spot

 

Only 2 lefties...I'd say going with Lawton over Patterson could be beneficial, as it'd give us a leadoff hitter and let Murton go back to a run-producing role, one he's probably more familiar with. However I think if you want a youth movement and you're willing to include guys like Soto, Hoffpauir, Kelton, and Lewis (all mediocre prospects, at best) then you have got to find playing time for Cedeno, and it will only come at SS/2b.