Bruce Miles Speculates...

[HoopsCubs]

Mr. Miles has some detailed transactional stuff in his column today.

 

http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/sportsstory.asp?id=87204

[soapy]

I was reading that earlier this morning. Another nice article from Bruce.

 

I was surprised that he commented with such certainty that Barrett would be back. I'm glad, but wondered if the Cubs brass wasn't starting to sour on him.

 

Bruce also mentioned a couple of possible off season targets that are mentioned here quite often, Furcal and Giles. It will be interesting to see if Hendry targets one or both.

 

Bruce also seemed to indicate that Hendry was probably going to bring back the same front four in the rotations with Wood, Prior, Zambrano and Maddux. I have been wondering if Hendry might target Millwood or somebody like that. But Bruce made no mention of it.

[HoopsCubs]

I was reading that earlier this morning. Another nice article from Bruce.

 

I was surprised that he commented with such certainty that Barrett would be back. I'm glad, but wondered if the Cubs brass wasn't starting to sour on him.

 

Bruce also mentioned a couple of possible off season targets that are mentioned here quite often, Furcal and Giles. It will be interesting to see if Hendry targets one or both.

 

Bruce also seemed to indicate that Hendry was probably going to bring back the same front four in the rotations with Wood, Prior, Zambrano and Maddux. I have been wondering if Hendry might target Millwood or somebody like that. But Bruce made no mention of it.

 

I think Hendry is going to surprise us with an offseason acquisition to join the rotation. My tea leaves suggest that Barry Zito could be on the radar. Just like the deals Beane did with Mulder and Hudson last year, I think he could do the same with Zito this offseason. It would cost us Corey Patterson and Rich Hill (and perhaps another prospect). And with Wood and Maddux free agents after 2006, there is enough money to sign Zito to an extension. While other GMs are jockeying to get AJ Burnett, Hendry should swoop in and grab Zito while no one else is looking.

 

Hoops

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

It really sounds like Hendry is looking at acquiring a FA closer.

 

Converted starter Ryan Dempster has 19 saves in 21 chances. Hendry says he wants Dempster back, but interestingly Hendry didn’t sound 100 percent committed to Dempster as his ’06 closer.

 

“There’s no question in my mind I want to re-sign Dempster, and I’m very happy with the job he did closing,” Hendry said. “I’ll take a look at what’s out there to help us make the pen better.

 

“It could be left-handed. It could be late-inning people. At the same time, I’m very happy with Dempster so I’m not looking at that as, ‘I’m going out to look for a closer.’

 

 

I'm thinking he may have interest in Wagner, though I hope the interest is in Ryan.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I was reading that earlier this morning. Another nice article from Bruce.

 

I was surprised that he commented with such certainty that Barrett would be back. I'm glad, but wondered if the Cubs brass wasn't starting to sour on him.

 

Bruce also mentioned a couple of possible off season targets that are mentioned here quite often, Furcal and Giles. It will be interesting to see if Hendry targets one or both.

 

Bruce also seemed to indicate that Hendry was probably going to bring back the same front four in the rotations with Wood, Prior, Zambrano and Maddux. I have been wondering if Hendry might target Millwood or somebody like that. But Bruce made no mention of it.

 

I think Hendry is going to surprise us with an offseason acquisition to join the rotation. My tea leaves suggest that Barry Zito could be on the radar. Just like the deals Beane did with Mulder and Hudson last year, I think he could do the same with Zito this offseason. It would cost us Corey Patterson and Rich Hill (and perhaps another prospect). And with Wood and Maddux free agents after 2006, there is enough money to sign Zito to an extension. While other GMs are jockeying to get AJ Burnett, Hendry should swoop in and grab Zito while no one else is looking.

 

Hoops

 

Hoops, is your speculation based on words from sources or just a hunch?

[bannor10]

Could someone post the highlights of the article....(if there are any more) My works fire wall prevents the Daily Herald....

 

Furcal would be great, along with an left handed outfielder with power..Giles would work...How about Klesco(sp)? I wonder if the pods would want to dump his $$$

 

We should have about 30 mil to spend....

[JC]

I think Hendry is going to surprise us with an offseason acquisition to join the rotation. My tea leaves suggest that Barry Zito could be on the radar. Just like the deals Beane did with Mulder and Hudson last year, I think he could do the same with Zito this offseason. It would cost us Corey Patterson and Rich Hill (and perhaps another prospect). And with Wood and Maddux free agents after 2006, there is enough money to sign Zito to an extension. While other GMs are jockeying to get AJ Burnett, Hendry should swoop in and grab Zito while no one else is looking.

 

Hoops

 

I'm glad you have that kind of faith in Hendry, Hoops, because I sure don't. The only way this happens is if Beane initiates it. And, if thats the case, Hendry had better make sure that someone is with him so he leaves with his shirt.

 

Do you really see Beane having an interest in Corey? It would be Beane's M.O. to grab a player while his value was low, but Corey's plate approach seems like it would terrify Beane.

 

Now, I could see him targeting Dopirak very easily with the down year he has had and the fact that he is practically made to be a DH. Maybe something like Hill, Dope, and another arm would get Zito.

[HoopsCubs]

Hoops, is your speculation based on words from sources or just a hunch?

 

Vance, it's a hunch at this point.

[LuckyPup]

As much as I would love to have Giles it just doesn't seem logical-I mean, he loves the west coast and teams like the Dodgers, Angels, and maybe even Mariners will line up to get him-we would have to overpay to get him to come to Chicago-My guess is he is a Dodger on opening day-you don't think Depodesta has noticed that .400 obp clip-and he has some $$$ to throw around this offseason- MOre likely our outfield will add through trade-Klesko is an interesting option although i believe he would veto through no-trade any deal away from socal. Dunn is not going inside the division unless it is to Houston :(

 

I really think Cpatt is on the market this offseason with a combo of highly rated players to provide an enticing package to teams looking to move an OF with some salary- The guy I would love to put in between Lee and Aram is Garrett Anderson-I know he makes alot of dough but his numbers in Wrigley would be ridiculous-he is a line drive type guy with pop/hits for average and plays solid defense-alot of those deep flyouts in Anaheim would be on the street at Wrigley-with the decline of Finley they need a CF and, well we got one to spare in Cpatt-

 

Cpatt+J.Williams+R. Hill+Hairston+Mitre+ a couple of rule 5 guys(Koronka +Rohlicek) for G. Anderson

I know it seems like alot but these are all extra pieces if we are being honest and are easily replacable. I know this leaves us with no CF but signing a stopgap(i.e Lofton, Winn) to hold the spot warm for Pie wouldn't be too difficult-also Greenburg plays well enough defense to get playing time in CF as well.

 

Pick up Walkers option-

Sign BJ Ryan(3@24)

Sign Dempster(2@7)

use a pen of-Ryan-Dempster-Williamson-Novoa-Ohman-Wuertz

SS to Cedeno

LF is Murton's

I like the Zito idea-maybe he could come reasonably-if not I sign someone like Paul Byrd, or give rusch the rotation spot-

 

CF-Lofton/Winn/Greenburg/Pie

LF-Murton

1B-Lee

RF-G.Anderson

3B-Aram

2B-Walker

C-Barrett

SS-Cedeno

 

Prior-Z-Maddux-Wood-Rusch

Ryan-Dempster-Williamson-Novoa-Ohman-Wuertz

[kylescubs23]

If we could somehow get Giles and Furcal, I would be ecstatic. But I just don't see Giles in Chicago, as someone mentioned earlier. If we did get Giles, we could keep Corey and bat him eighth, at least we'll know he'll play decent defense and anything he would add with the bat would be bonus. Also, if Corey wasn't used to acquire a starter, we would still have to sign another starter that we could depend on making 25-30 starts next year. Don't fool yourselves, Neifi will definitely be back, which isn't necessarily a bad thing if he only plays off the bench to give Furcal and Walker a rest.

 

Furcal

Murton

Lee

Giles

Ramirez

Walker

Barrett

Patterson

 

Neifi

Blanco

Branyan (I like this idea)

Hairston (I think he'll be traded)

???

 

Zambrano

Prior

Wood

Maddux

Millwood (???)

 

Closer: Dempster or Ryan

Novoa

Williamson

Ohman

Aardsma

Wuertz

[chopsx9]

Manager: As unhappy as Dusty Baker sounds, he has another season left on his four-year, $14 million deal. Hendry says the two men are on the same page.

 

 

This by far the most disheartning statement I have read in sometime. I had really hoped they weren't even on the same book. I'm pretty sure Dusty's is a My Little Pony coloring book so hopefully JH is just being supportive publically.

[TheDude]

As much as I would love to have Giles it just doesn't seem logical-I mean, he loves the west coast and teams like the Dodgers, Angels, and maybe even Mariners will line up to get him-we would have to overpay to get him to come to Chicago-My guess is he is a Dodger on opening day-you don't think Depodesta has noticed that .400 obp clip-and he has some $$$ to throw around this offseason-

If you want to convince Giles to come to Chicago, all you have to do is show him his splits while in Chicago at Wrigley...

 

AB R H HR RBI AVG OBP SLG OPS

41 18 19 6 19 .463 .593 1.073 1.666

 

[edit]Those are 2002-2004[/edit]

Edited August 26, 2005 by TheDude

[erik316wttn]

As much as I would love to have Giles it just doesn't seem logical-I mean, he loves the west coast and teams like the Dodgers, Angels, and maybe even Mariners will line up to get him-we would have to overpay to get him to come to Chicago-My guess is he is a Dodger on opening day-you don't think Depodesta has noticed that .400 obp clip-and he has some $$$ to throw around this offseason-

If you want to convince Giles to come to Chicago, all you have to do is show him his splits while in Chicago at Wrigley...

 

AB R H HR RBI AVG OBP SLG OPS

41 18 19 6 19 .463 .593 1.073 1.666

 

What are his road splits agains the Cubs in his career, though?

[erik316wttn]

Manager: As unhappy as Dusty Baker sounds, he has another season left on his four-year, $14 million deal. Hendry says the two men are on the same page.

 

 

This by far the most disheartning statement I have read in sometime. I had really hoped they weren't even on the same book. I'm pretty sure Dusty's is a My Little Pony coloring book so hopefully JH is just being supportive publically.

 

If they're on the same page, then burn the book.

[TheDude]

What are his road splits agains the Cubs in his career, though?

Sorry, but isn't that the same thing? If he is on the road, and playing against the Cubs, then he is in Wrigley...

 

ESPN only had individual year, or 3 year, but not career.

[Backtobanks]

As much as I would love to have Giles it just doesn't seem logical-I mean, he loves the west coast and teams like the Dodgers, Angels, and maybe even Mariners will line up to get him-we would have to overpay to get him to come to Chicago-My guess is he is a Dodger on opening day-you don't think Depodesta has noticed that .400 obp clip-and he has some $$$ to throw around this offseason-

If you want to convince Giles to come to Chicago, all you have to do is show him his splits while in Chicago at Wrigley...

 

AB R H HR RBI AVG OBP SLG OPS

41 18 19 6 19 .463 .593 1.073 1.666

 

[edit]Those are 2002-2004[/edit]

 

Yea, but that is against Cub pitching.

[Backtobanks]

As much as I would love to have Giles it just doesn't seem logical-I mean, he loves the west coast and teams like the Dodgers, Angels, and maybe even Mariners will line up to get him-we would have to overpay to get him to come to Chicago-My guess is he is a Dodger on opening day-you don't think Depodesta has noticed that .400 obp clip-and he has some $$$ to throw around this offseason- MOre likely our outfield will add through trade-Klesko is an interesting option although i believe he would veto through no-trade any deal away from socal. Dunn is not going inside the division unless it is to Houston :(

 

I really think Cpatt is on the market this offseason with a combo of highly rated players to provide an enticing package to teams looking to move an OF with some salary- The guy I would love to put in between Lee and Aram is Garrett Anderson-I know he makes alot of dough but his numbers in Wrigley would be ridiculous-he is a line drive type guy with pop/hits for average and plays solid defense-alot of those deep flyouts in Anaheim would be on the street at Wrigley-with the decline of Finley they need a CF and, well we got one to spare in Cpatt-

 

Cpatt+J.Williams+R. Hill+Hairston+Mitre+ a couple of rule 5 guys(Koronka +Rohlicek) for G. AndersonI know it seems like alot but these are all extra pieces if we are being honest and are easily replacable. I know this leaves us with no CF but signing a stopgap(i.e Lofton, Winn) to hold the spot warm for Pie wouldn't be too difficult-also Greenburg plays well enough defense to get playing time in CF as well.

 

Pick up Walkers option-

Sign BJ Ryan(3@24)

Sign Dempster(2@7)

use a pen of-Ryan-Dempster-Williamson-Novoa-Ohman-Wuertz

SS to Cedeno

LF is Murton's

I like the Zito idea-maybe he could come reasonably-if not I sign someone like Paul Byrd, or give rusch the rotation spot-

 

CF-Lofton/Winn/Greenburg/Pie

LF-Murton

1B-Lee

RF-G.Anderson

3B-Aram

2B-Walker

C-Barrett

SS-Cedeno

 

Prior-Z-Maddux-Wood-Rusch

Ryan-Dempster-Williamson-Novoa-Ohman-Wuertz

 

I assume since we are giving up 7 players for Garrett Anderson, the Angels are paying his whole salary. I like Anderson too, but 7 players for him?????

[Transmogrified Tiger]

As much as I would love to have Giles it just doesn't seem logical-I mean, he loves the west coast and teams like the Dodgers, Angels, and maybe even Mariners will line up to get him-we would have to overpay to get him to come to Chicago-My guess is he is a Dodger on opening day-you don't think Depodesta has noticed that .400 obp clip-and he has some $$$ to throw around this offseason- MOre likely our outfield will add through trade-Klesko is an interesting option although i believe he would veto through no-trade any deal away from socal. Dunn is not going inside the division unless it is to Houston :(

 

I really think Cpatt is on the market this offseason with a combo of highly rated players to provide an enticing package to teams looking to move an OF with some salary- The guy I would love to put in between Lee and Aram is Garrett Anderson-I know he makes alot of dough but his numbers in Wrigley would be ridiculous-he is a line drive type guy with pop/hits for average and plays solid defense-alot of those deep flyouts in Anaheim would be on the street at Wrigley-with the decline of Finley they need a CF and, well we got one to spare in Cpatt-

 

Cpatt+J.Williams+R. Hill+Hairston+Mitre+ a couple of rule 5 guys(Koronka +Rohlicek) for G. AndersonI know it seems like alot but these are all extra pieces if we are being honest and are easily replacable. I know this leaves us with no CF but signing a stopgap(i.e Lofton, Winn) to hold the spot warm for Pie wouldn't be too difficult-also Greenburg plays well enough defense to get playing time in CF as well.

 

Pick up Walkers option-

Sign BJ Ryan(3@24)

Sign Dempster(2@7)

use a pen of-Ryan-Dempster-Williamson-Novoa-Ohman-Wuertz

SS to Cedeno

LF is Murton's

I like the Zito idea-maybe he could come reasonably-if not I sign someone like Paul Byrd, or give rusch the rotation spot-

 

CF-Lofton/Winn/Greenburg/Pie

LF-Murton

1B-Lee

RF-G.Anderson

3B-Aram

2B-Walker

C-Barrett

SS-Cedeno

 

Prior-Z-Maddux-Wood-Rusch

Ryan-Dempster-Williamson-Novoa-Ohman-Wuertz

 

I assume since we are giving up 7 players for Garrett Anderson, the Angels are paying his whole salary. I like Anderson too, but 7 players for him?????

 

Garret Anderson of the .315 OBP and .742 OPS? No thanks.

[HoopsCubs]

As much as I would love to have Giles it just doesn't seem logical-I mean, he loves the west coast and teams like the Dodgers, Angels, and maybe even Mariners will line up to get him-we would have to overpay to get him to come to Chicago-My guess is he is a Dodger on opening day-you don't think Depodesta has noticed that .400 obp clip-and he has some $$$ to throw around this offseason- MOre likely our outfield will add through trade-Klesko is an interesting option although i believe he would veto through no-trade any deal away from socal. Dunn is not going inside the division unless it is to Houston :(

 

I really think Cpatt is on the market this offseason with a combo of highly rated players to provide an enticing package to teams looking to move an OF with some salary- The guy I would love to put in between Lee and Aram is Garrett Anderson-I know he makes alot of dough but his numbers in Wrigley would be ridiculous-he is a line drive type guy with pop/hits for average and plays solid defense-alot of those deep flyouts in Anaheim would be on the street at Wrigley-with the decline of Finley they need a CF and, well we got one to spare in Cpatt-

 

Cpatt+J.Williams+R. Hill+Hairston+Mitre+ a couple of rule 5 guys(Koronka +Rohlicek) for G. AndersonI know it seems like alot but these are all extra pieces if we are being honest and are easily replacable. I know this leaves us with no CF but signing a stopgap(i.e Lofton, Winn) to hold the spot warm for Pie wouldn't be too difficult-also Greenburg plays well enough defense to get playing time in CF as well.

 

Pick up Walkers option-

Sign BJ Ryan(3@24)

Sign Dempster(2@7)

use a pen of-Ryan-Dempster-Williamson-Novoa-Ohman-Wuertz

SS to Cedeno

LF is Murton's

I like the Zito idea-maybe he could come reasonably-if not I sign someone like Paul Byrd, or give rusch the rotation spot-

 

CF-Lofton/Winn/Greenburg/Pie

LF-Murton

1B-Lee

RF-G.Anderson

3B-Aram

2B-Walker

C-Barrett

SS-Cedeno

 

Prior-Z-Maddux-Wood-Rusch

Ryan-Dempster-Williamson-Novoa-Ohman-Wuertz

 

I assume since we are giving up 7 players for Garrett Anderson, the Angels are paying his whole salary. I like Anderson too, but 7 players for him?????

 

And, doesn't he also have some sort of degenerative/arthritic condition in his knee or ankle, which has put him on the shelf regularly?

[NewUserName]

said this somewhere else but Frucal is well on his way to being overpaid. If we just went with Cedeno he would be almost as good and alot cheaper.

[rawaction]

Garrett Anderson is not a very good player. He's a good hitter, who got by because he could make contact with some power. Might as well hold on to Corey Patterson. He could easily be just as productive as Anderson has been the last couple years.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

The Cubs are not about to overpay for Barry Zito when the organization thinks--unwisely--they already have a baby version of him in Rich Hill. I am all for the Cubs getting a #2/#3 quality starter this offseason, in fact I think it is an absolute necessity. But Barry Zito won't be that guy. Beane won't move him, he needs ONE veteran guy, and the fans love him (not a trivial thing in Oakland).

 

If you want to talk about a LH starting pitcher that I think could be had in the right deal, the names I come up with are CC Sabathia, Oliver Perez, Mike Maroth and Doug Davis. Most likely FA would be Jarrod Washburn. Of this group, I would most like Perez because he has electric stuff but has been hurt and had a bad year prior to the injury. Plus, he's a bit of a headcase, a volatile personality, and you never know but maybe that doesn't play well in the Pittsburgh front office.

 

I like Sabathia, too.

[reggiemiller rules]

Not a chance that Pittsburgh moves Perez, he is young and cheap and put him together with Duke and you have a good young 1-2 punch. There is not a chance they move him unless you extremely overpay for him.