Realstic look at 2006+

[Nobody youd want to know]

I'd really like to see Lugo leadoff at second, sign Nomar to another one-year dea, get Giles and re-sign Lawton. Lugo and Lawton setting the table for Lee, Ramirez, Giles and Nomar would be pretty interesting.....

 

With Lugo leading off, why would we even need Lawton? I think Murton could put up numbers comparable to Lawton's, or even better, out of the 2 hole, and I'd bet the farm he'd play better D in LF.

 

Plus he'd be about $6 million cheaper.

[HoopsCubs]

First I don't agree with trading Barrett...On a team that cannot score runs we need all positions to hit above thier weight...

 

A.J. would be a nice addition but I'm sure the Yankees or dodgers will outbid us....

 

I'm in favor a Furcal at short and re-signing either T.Walker or Grudz for second...With Cedano either traded or the top backup

 

The Cubs should have a lot of money to spend with few top A-list free agents....I see a salary dump type trade coming the cubs way....Say Vernon Wells and Ted Lilly(or this class of pitcher)....

 

Considering the Yankees are freeing up $15M with Kevin Brown a free agent, and $8.5M with Bernie Williams a free agent, it's hard to see how the Yanks couldn't get Burnett. JMHO.

[Cubzfan64]

First I don't agree with trading Barrett...On a team that cannot score runs we need all positions to hit above thier weight...

 

A.J. would be a nice addition but I'm sure the Yankees or dodgers will outbid us....

 

I'm in favor a Furcal at short and re-signing either T.Walker or Grudz for second...With Cedano either traded or the top backup

 

The Cubs should have a lot of money to spend with few top A-list free agents....I see a salary dump type trade coming the cubs way....Say Vernon Wells and Ted Lilly(or this class of pitcher)....

 

Considering the Yankees are freeing up $15M with Kevin Brown a free agent, and $8.5M with Bernie Williams a free agent, it's hard to see how the Yanks couldn't get Burnett. JMHO.

 

I agree - the only thing I can even think of that might hold them back is that their signings of Johnson and Pavano didn't do what they expected and although George seems to like throwing money at problems, the Yankees may not be willing to tie up big money on Burnett for as long as some other team may be.

 

That said, when you look at the Yankees this offseason and you realize 2 of their bigger needs are 1) a CF and 2) a starter, you have to think they will sign at least one of Damon or Burnett.

[marc_foust]

Giving up on the 06' season already? WOW, that's nice!

 

I may have misworded what I said there, but your response is also taking what I said out of context.

 

My response to marc_faust's idea's of what will happen in the offseason was basically that if the management and coaching staff don't undergo much change, the offensive "strategy" and "philosophies" don't change and the make up of the team isn't changed very much then I don't see much reason for enthusiasm.

 

I expect there to be some changes in the offseason of course, and I hope they consist of something more than adding a couple bench players.

 

I've gone into every season since the 60's with hope and expectations high, but my tolerance and patience is gradually being tested. I stand by what I meant by my comments that if we go into 2006 with basically the same group of ballplayers and the same ideas of how to play the game, I have no reason to expect any different results than .500 baseball.

 

I agree with you. We do not the power at every position or the pitching depth to win a series with Dusty Baker at the helm. We cannot hit enough bombs to compensate for mismanaged pitchers, idiotic substitutions, inability to call for small ball plays such as a squeeze or to let patterson take second without a hit and run. I am not saying that we need to base our entire philosiphy on small ball, but we cant just base it on power numbers either. Dusty has shown an inability to handle rosters, lineups, bullpen, and in game situations. Our pitching coach and batting coach have not been the pictures of compentency either.

 

I think that the talent that we have/will have is certainly good enough to make the playoffs year in and year out. Our starters are pretty strong 1-3(Z,Prior, Maddux) We have some power hitters(Lee, ARam, Nomar, Barrett) and we have table setters(Walker, Lawton, Barrett), our bullpen has been sufficient when handled correctly(wuertz, ohman, novoa, demp, wood). We have some players who with some serious work could be all star caliber(Barrett, Patterson) with the right coaching. This team while maybe not worth all 100 mil is still one of the better teams in the NL and should perform like it.

 

When performance is down something has to be done, it is pretty easdy to see who should face the music first and it shouldnt have been announcers, corner outfielders, or relievers. A team performance is usually a reflection on the coach/manager and in this case the reflection is very negative. With a lineup that could be put together in the next few years there is no reason why this team cannot make the playoffs if not more.

 

C- Barrett/Blanco Average to above average

1B- Lee Above average

2B- Walker/Hairston/Fontenot average to above average

SS- Nomar/Cedeno Average to above average

3B- ARam Above average

RF- ???

CF- Patterson/Pie Average and could be above very easily

LF- Murton/Lawton/???? Average to below average

 

SP

Z/Prior/Williams/Wood/Maddux/?? Above average

BP

Wuertz/Novoa/Ohman/Dempster/Williamson/??? Average

 

There are alot of young talented players on that roster and a few veterans that can still go. The core is set for the next few years andit should be a winning one. There are some questions that need to be answered this offseason and I think that most of them will with the remainder being answered before the deadline. The same old story is always that we are injured. Well that wont cut it this offseason. We field a player at almost every position that is better than most the teams in the league(Barrett, Lee, ARam, SP, Walker) and some that average at their positions(BP, Patterson, Murton). The glaring changes that need to be made are the OF, SP, and coaching staff.

[CubfaninCA]

Actually, the most realistic FA pickup could be Furcal. Lots of the big market teams are set @ SS.

 

Yankees - JeTaah

Boston - Renteria and H. Ramirez

NYM - Reyes & Matsui (Ok not exactly set, but have a real good prospect and an expensive SS).

Anaheim - Cabrera

Baltimore - Tejada

 

It's doubtful the Cardinals make a big offer. Perhaps Seattle, Philly or the Dodgers get in there, but it appears there will be more competition for Giles (LA & Anaheim for starters, he's a SoCal guy) than Furcal.

 

Furcal's obp this season isn't that great, but he's been raising it the past few months. He's only 26 and his average obp the past 3 years is about .345. I know some people love the walk, but another problem w/ the Cubs is that they don't manufacture runs. Furcal's one of the top base stealing threats in game. Also, he has tremendous range @ SS, a cannon for an arm and cut down on his errors.

 

This lineup could be fun to watch ~ Furcal, Murton, Giles, Lee, ARam, Soriano, Pie & Barrett.

 

And gmafb about Walker being nearly as good as Soriano in the 6th hole. Walker's a 2 hitter... I'd rather put Murton there and go w/ more power, youth and speed @ 2b. The Cubs have plenty of money.

[cbbryan]

Actually, the most realistic FA pickup could be Furcal. Lots of the big market teams are set @ SS.

 

Yankees - JeTaah

Boston - Renteria and H. Ramirez

NYM - Reyes & Matsui (Ok not exactly set, but have a real good prospect and an expensive SS).

Anaheim - Cabrera

Baltimore - Tejada

 

It's doubtful the Cardinals make a big offer. Perhaps Seattle, Philly or the Dodgers get in there, but it appears there will be more competition for Giles (LA & Anaheim for starters, he's a SoCal guy) than Furcal.

 

Furcal's obp this season isn't that great, but he's been raising it the past few months. He's only 26 and his average obp the past 3 years is about .345. I know some people love the walk, but another problem w/ the Cubs is that they don't manufacture runs. Furcal's one of the top base stealing threats in game. Also, he has tremendous range @ SS, a cannon for an arm and cut down on his errors.

 

This lineup could be fun to watch ~ Furcal, Murton, Giles, Lee, ARam, Soriano, Pie & Barrett.

 

And gmafb about Walker being nearly as good as Soriano in the 6th hole. Walker's a 2 hitter... I'd rather put Murton there and go w/ more power, youth and speed @ 2b. The Cubs have plenty of money.

 

So, who are we trading for Soriano?

[CubfaninCA]

Actually, the most realistic FA pickup could be Furcal. Lots of the big market teams are set @ SS.

 

Yankees - JeTaah

Boston - Renteria and H. Ramirez

NYM - Reyes & Matsui (Ok not exactly set, but have a real good prospect and an expensive SS).

Anaheim - Cabrera

Baltimore - Tejada

 

It's doubtful the Cardinals make a big offer. Perhaps Seattle, Philly or the Dodgers get in there, but it appears there will be more competition for Giles (LA & Anaheim for starters, he's a SoCal guy) than Furcal.

 

Furcal's obp this season isn't that great, but he's been raising it the past few months. He's only 26 and his average obp the past 3 years is about .345. I know some people love the walk, but another problem w/ the Cubs is that they don't manufacture runs. Furcal's one of the top base stealing threats in game. Also, he has tremendous range @ SS, a cannon for an arm and cut down on his errors.

 

This lineup could be fun to watch ~ Furcal, Murton, Giles, Lee, ARam, Soriano, Pie & Barrett.

 

And gmafb about Walker being nearly as good as Soriano in the 6th hole. Walker's a 2 hitter... I'd rather put Murton there and go w/ more power, youth and speed @ 2b. The Cubs have plenty of money.

 

So, who are we trading for Soriano?

 

Patterson, Walker, Welly & Mitre. Welly & Mitre are great!

[Sabermetrician]

Has Lugo been talked about at all?

 

$4.95 team option in Tampa Bay, we'd probably have to trade for him. But I'd rather do that and have Lugo for just one season than overpay for Furcal at $8-9 million, especially if it allows us to overpay for Damon... (read on)

 

The more I think about it, the more I wouldn't mind giving Damon a bit more than he probably deserves, as long as it's only a 3-year deal. The problem is, Damon might command 4 or even 5 years, and in that case it's too long even if it is for a cheaper price annually.

 

Unfortunately, this is the Cubs, and with our luck Jacque Jones will be our starting RF, Neifi Perez will be the every day shortstop, and some scrub like Luis Rivas will be signed as the 2B for the league minimum, since Walker's $2.5 million team option is just too much.

[cbbryan]

Has Lugo been talked about at all?

 

$4.95 team option in Tampa Bay, we'd probably have to trade for him. But I'd rather do that and have Lugo for just one season than overpay for Furcal at $8-9 million, especially if it allows us to overpay for Damon... (read on)

 

The more I think about it, the more I wouldn't mind giving Damon a bit more than he probably deserves, as long as it's only a 3-year deal. The problem is, Damon might command 4 or even 5 years, and in that case it's too long even if it is for a cheaper price annually.

 

Unfortunately, this is the Cubs, and with our luck Jacque Jones will be our starting RF, Neifi Perez will be the every day shortstop, and some scrub like Luis Rivas will be signed as the 2B for the league minimum, since Walker's $2.5 million team option is just too much.

 

I think Damon will use Boston and the Yankees to get ALOT more then he's worth............in years and money per/year. I like Lugo, but you're right TB may pick-up his option......I didn't realize he had one.

 

The Cubs will almost certainly pick up Walker's option.

 

And why in the heck would you think Furcal would get 8-9 million? I was thinking 6-6.5? Maybe I'm off, but I really didn't see him going that high, especially after last years SS and the money they received. I would say that Cabrera and Renteria were "valued" higher then Furcal. I just don't see him getting that much. Anyone else have a thought.

 

I do think the Cubs should buy out Burnitz (500K) rather then paying him 7M next year. That's just too much for him. Giles would be ideal, but he's a guy you may have to overpay to get to Chicago. I think he'd put up some great numbers in Wrigley, though.

 

I'd also like to see a trade for another corner OF. I haven't been particularly impressed with Lawton and if you sign Furcal you don't have to have Lawton to lead-off.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

Lugo would be nice, but I don't think he'll be available. At 4.95M, he'll probably stay in Tampa or we'll have to give up a lot to get him via trade.

 

Furcal at SS and Walker back at 2B would set our 1-2-3-4 in the lineup to be very solid. Walker's D is better than I expected, even if his range isn't great.

 

Mmmm, Kevin Millwood looks good too. I'll pass on the Burnett hold up.

 

Does anyone really think we can get Damon for 3 years, instead of 4-5 years, in this market? No Damon in Cubbie blue. CPat's performance this year really put us in a bind. Does he stay or go? Unfortunately, we'll probably see him blossom somewhere else after trading him for a couple scrubs. But hey, 2 scrubs are better than 1. :roll:

[YearofDaCubs]

Here are a couple of things I would like to see:

 

1. Dusty Baker fired. This one is essential.

2. Forget about Nomar. Sign Furcal as our SS. If that can't be done bring in Cedeno.

3. No thank you to Burnitz, and Lawton. Time for a new OF.

4. We need a new bench. Get rid of Holla, and Macias. We can keep Neifi but only if it is understood he will not be the starter.

5. We either sign Giles or trade for a legitimate power OF.

6. Bring in Murton to play the other corner OF spot.

7. Leave Patterson if we cant get a legitimate CF and always place him in the 8th spot.

8. Resign Dempster to be our closer for next year, if we cant we go hard for Wagner. We probably need to sign or trade for another veteran arm.

9. Walker or Hairston at 2B doesn't matter to me, but one has to stay. We need to have a consistent lineup out there whuch means one of them has to go.

10. Prior, Z, Wood, Maddux, Williams. I'm ok with that. Burnett would be nice but highly doubtful. I dont want Millwood here, sure he's having a good year but he was terrible for the Phillies the year prior. It's a situation similar to Pavano and Wright where it's aocntract year, you sign them and bam ur stuck with a mid 4era pitcher no thank we already have that in Maddux.

 

11. Fire Dusty Baker. Yes, this has to be the most important thing done this off-season. The entire coaching staff gone would be nice.

[USSoccer]

-Let go of Perez, Hollandsworth, Burnitz, Lawton and Rusch.

 

-Sign Giles and Millwood. Bid for BJ Ryan (I don't think we get him.). Sign Mark Sweeney as your LH bat.

 

-Start Murton in LF, start the season with Corey in CF. Call up Pie in June if ready.

 

-Attempt to trade Hill, Williams, and some of our glut of relievers for Adam Dunn or Kevin Mench. If you fail, Murton in LF.

 

-Use Aardsma and Van Buren in the pen.

[HoopsCubs]

-Let go of Perez, Hollandsworth, Burnitz, Lawton and Rusch.

 

-Sign Giles and Millwood. Bid for BJ Ryan (I don't think we get him.). Sign Mark Sweeney as your LH bat.

 

-Start Murton in LF, start the season with Corey in CF. Call up Pie in June if ready.

 

-Attempt to trade Hill, Williams, and some of our glut of relievers for Adam Dunn or Kevin Mench. If you fail, Murton in LF.

 

-Use Aardsma and Van Buren in the pen.

 

Would you give Billy Wagner 3 years and $24M? What do you think it will take to sign Giles? I'm thinking somebody will offer him 3 years and $30 million.

[USSoccer]

-Let go of Perez, Hollandsworth, Burnitz, Lawton and Rusch.

 

-Sign Giles and Millwood. Bid for BJ Ryan (I don't think we get him.). Sign Mark Sweeney as your LH bat.

 

-Start Murton in LF, start the season with Corey in CF. Call up Pie in June if ready.

 

-Attempt to trade Hill, Williams, and some of our glut of relievers for Adam Dunn or Kevin Mench. If you fail, Murton in LF.

 

-Use Aardsma and Van Buren in the pen.

 

Would you give Billy Wagner 3 years and $24M? What do you think it will take to sign Giles? I'm thinking somebody will offer him 3 years and $30 million.

 

I personally think the Cubs will target Wagner before BJ Ryan, but I don't think they'd go as high as 3/24. I think they'd go 2/14 with an option year, but I can easily see Hendry thinking that he can go into 2006 with Dempster as his closer. I wouldn't go 3/24 for Wagner. I wouldn't guarantee the 3rd year.

 

With Giles, I can see Hendry offering a deal similar to what Alou got when we signed him in 2002. Wasn't that 3/36? I personally would go 3/27 and frontload the money to protect yourself from a decline in the 3rd year when he'll be 39. Giles fits the profile of what Hendry seems to target-veteran LH power with tools.

[wastra]

I gotta be honest. I think talking about signing shortstops is premature until after september.

 

We have a great opportunity to give some youngsters a shot for everyday atbats. Murton and Cedeno spring to mind rather quickly. I want to see them every day for a month, then we can see who's available elsewhere this offseason.

 

Unlike the Dubois fiasco, we shouldn't enter spring training next season with no clue as to how Cedeno and Murton can handle it, because they BETTER be playing THIS YEAR.

[rawaction]

-Let go of Perez, Hollandsworth, Burnitz, Lawton and Rusch.

 

-Sign Giles and Millwood. Bid for BJ Ryan (I don't think we get him.). Sign Mark Sweeney as your LH bat.

 

-Start Murton in LF, start the season with Corey in CF. Call up Pie in June if ready.

 

-Attempt to trade Hill, Williams, and some of our glut of relievers for Adam Dunn or Kevin Mench. If you fail, Murton in LF.

 

-Use Aardsma and Van Buren in the pen.

 

Would you give Billy Wagner 3 years and $24M? What do you think it will take to sign Giles? I'm thinking somebody will offer him 3 years and $30 million.

 

I wouldn't touch Wagner for that much. I'd do 3/30 for Giles. It's hard to quantify what 10M/year is worth production wise, but Giles should be right around that level of production for 2 years (probably underpaid next year) and probably play at a 7-8M level his 3rd year.

[LoneStarCubFan]

I gotta be honest. I think talking about signing shortstops is premature until after september.

 

We have a great opportunity to give some youngsters a shot for everyday atbats. Murton and Cedeno spring to mind rather quickly. I want to see them every day for a month, then we can see who's available elsewhere this offseason.

 

Unlike the Dubois fiasco, we shouldn't enter spring training next season with no clue as to how Cedeno and Murton can handle it, because they BETTER be playing THIS YEAR.

 

The problem is that Dusty won't do that. These clowns will play just well enough for him to continue to insist they're still in the race.

 

Besides he plays kids all the time in spring training...

[YearofDaCubs]

I gotta be honest. I think talking about signing shortstops is premature until after september.

 

We have a great opportunity to give some youngsters a shot for everyday atbats. Murton and Cedeno spring to mind rather quickly. I want to see them every day for a month, then we can see who's available elsewhere this offseason.

 

Unlike the Dubois fiasco, we shouldn't enter spring training next season with no clue as to how Cedeno and Murton can handle it, because they BETTER be playing THIS YEAR.

 

The problem is that Dusty won't do that. These clowns will play just well enough for him to continue to insist they're still in the race.

 

Besides he plays kids all the time in spring training...

I will be dissapointed if Dusty is not fired.

[LoneStarCubFan]

There's no way in the world Hendry should consider offering Giles anything more than a two-year deal. At most give him a club option for a third year.

 

Signing Wagner would be a major mistake IMO. Closer is not an issue for this club.

 

Stay far, far away from Johnny Damon.

 

Sign Furcal at all costs.

 

Go the trade route to shore up the outfield if Giles won't sign for two years.

 

Completely rebuild the bench, this includes going with an ELEVEN MAN PITCHING STAFF YOU IDIOTS.

[goonys evil twin]

There's no way in the world Hendry should consider offering Giles anything more than a two-year deal. At most give him a club option for a third year.

 

Signing Wagner would be a major mistake IMO. Closer is not an issue for this club.

 

Stay far, far away from Johnny Damon.

 

Sign Furcal at all costs.

 

Go the trade route to shore up the outfield if Giles won't sign for two years.

 

Completely rebuild the bench, this includes going with an ELEVEN MAN PITCHING STAFF YOU IDIOTS.

 

Most of your decisions sound like smart, play it safe, don't overspend plans. Then you say sign Furcal at all costs. Why? Furcal isn't great. He's hardly an "at all costs" kind of guy. Personally I'd rather see Cedeno play for $350,000 than Furcal for $8-10m. I wouldn't hate to see Furcal signed, but he's not a must have.

[LoneStarCubFan]

There's no way in the world Hendry should consider offering Giles anything more than a two-year deal. At most give him a club option for a third year.

 

Signing Wagner would be a major mistake IMO. Closer is not an issue for this club.

 

Stay far, far away from Johnny Damon.

 

Sign Furcal at all costs.

 

Go the trade route to shore up the outfield if Giles won't sign for two years.

 

Completely rebuild the bench, this includes going with an ELEVEN MAN PITCHING STAFF YOU IDIOTS.

 

Most of your decisions sound like smart, play it safe, don't overspend plans. Then you say sign Furcal at all costs. Why? Furcal isn't great. He's hardly an "at all costs" kind of guy. Personally I'd rather see Cedeno play for $350,000 than Furcal for $8-10m. I wouldn't hate to see Furcal signed, but he's not a must have.

 

It's not a play it safe philosophy, it's a "the free agent market sucks this year so don't waste money in it" philosophy.

 

The Cubs NEVER do well signing big name free agent closers.

 

They rarely do well signing big name over-30 position players.

 

From a free agent standpoint Furcal is the only attractive guy out there IMO and worth the money the Cubs will have to sign him.

 

Typical Cub luck that they finally have the money to be a major player in the free agent market but there isn't anybody to spend it on.

[goonys evil twin]

It's not a play it safe philosophy, it's a "the free agent market sucks this year so don't waste money in it" philosophy.

 

 

Typical Cub luck that they finally have the money to be a major player in the free agent market but there isn't anybody to spend it on.

 

If you don't want to waste money on a free agent class that's not worth it, why advocate wasting money on Furcal? Surely anytime you go "at all costs" you will overpay, and given his name, Furcal is likely to get big money. I just don't see the logic between getting hot and heavy with Furcal. He's not a difference maker. He's an adequate position holder. If you can sign him reasonably, go ahead, but if the costs go up, go with Cedeno.

[LoneStarCubFan]

Sign Furcal. Trade for Dunn.