My 2006 Chicago Cubs Opening Day Roster

[LuvChicagoSports]

Ok, a few of these moves could be made that have potential to tremendously help this team, but the move that could help most is getting rid of Dusty Baker, but I do not believe that will happen.

 

Lineup:

 

SS- Rafael Furcal

2b- Ronny Cedeno

1b-Derrek Lee

RF- Aubrey Huff (Cubs have been toying with getting him before and deal is finally made)

3b-Aramis Ramirez (I would have him hit 4th but it's Dusty managing)

c- Michael Barrett

cf-Corey Patterson

lf- Matt Murton

 

Rotation:

Prior

Zambrano

Maddux

Wood

Williams

 

Bullpen

Dempster- closer has has been good and likes the Cubs and his role.

Williamson

Ohman

Novoa

Wuertz

Another left handed reliever

 

Bench:

Hairston

Kelton

McClain

3 more players- 2 with good speed and ability to take a walk and 1 left handed bat with decent power. Obvioulsy they won't be great players because they would be starters then, but look for guys that have the potential to be good with their role. Would love Mackowiak.

 

I like the idea of Furcal and Cedeno up the middle. Pie IS NOT ready to come up. Part of the problem with Corey is that they brought him up way too soon and now it is really starting to show. Let Nomar walk. Maybe get a 3 way deal going in order to obtain Huff because you could pick up the WAlker option and send him to a team that needs a good 2b for some prospects that could be used to send to Tampa. Huff's numbers took a rough hit this season, but he is a very good offensive player throughout his career. Cedeno would be willing to move to 2nd if it meant playing everyday. Also this team would get considerably younger getting rid of guys like Todd Walker, Hollandsworth (already gone), and Burnitz. Furcal and Huff would both be 28 I believe and everyday players. D Lee would be the oldest every day player on the roster. Aramis, Furcal and Cendeno along with Lee would make a very good very young infield. Murton, C-Pat, and Huff would make a young starting outfield. Barrett would have to be moved up in the lineup where his offensive production would be better suited anyway.

 

If you can't get Huff, go get one of the Reds 4 outfielders. One will probably demand a trade this offseason, because all 4 deserve to be starters. Let me know what you guys think. I think this is a more well rounded team. Guys that can steal bases in Furcal, Patterson, Cedeno, and Lee. A leadoff hitter, better defense, and just flat out a better younger team IMO.

[AlwaysaCub]

Rotation:

Prior

Zambrano

Maddux

Wood

Williams

 

So we should take the rotation this year, which has generally sucked, and return it completely unchanged and only hoping that perhaps things will turn out better? No thanks.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Ok, a few of these moves could be made that have potential to tremendously help this team, but the move that could help most is getting rid of Dusty Baker, but I do not believe that will happen.

 

Lineup:

 

SS- Rafael Furcal

2b- Ronny Cedeno

1b-Derrek Lee

RF- Aubrey Huff (Cubs have been toying with getting him before and deal is finally made)

3b-Aramis Ramirez (I would have him hit 4th but it's Dusty managing)

c- Michael Barrett

cf-Corey Patterson

lf- Matt Murton

 

I don't think that lineup is much better at all than this year's.

[rawaction]

Rotation:

Prior

Zambrano

Maddux

Wood

Williams

 

So we should take the rotation this year, which has generally sucked, and return it completely unchanged and only hoping that perhaps things will turn out better? No thanks.

 

Yeah, let's get rid of those bums Prior and Zambrano. Seriously what do you expect the rotation to look like? Prior and Zambrano are way too good and young to trade. Wood is too talented and has a no-trade clause. Maddux isn't going anywhere unless he retires.

[LuvChicagoSports]

I would love to make a big addition to the rotation, but until Maddux comes off of the books, I don't see it happening. Personally I would love to see all kinds of changes, but again I don't see it happening. This isn't my ideal lineup, but one that I actually think could be put on the field. I think there are plenty of things that we could do, but won't do. Once again I said this is what I think we will put out on opening day 2006, not what I would do if there was no budget and teams we trade with would give us whatever player we deem that we want.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I would love to make a big addition to the rotation, but until Maddux comes off of the books, I don't see it happening. Personally I would love to see all kinds of changes, but again I don't see it happening. This isn't my ideal lineup, but one that I actually think could be put on the field. I think there are plenty of things that we could do, but won't do. Once again I said this is what I think we will put out on opening day 2006, not what I would do if there was no budget and teams we trade with would give us whatever player we deem that we want.

 

You can still improve the offense without going off the deep end. Sign Giles to play a corner, trade some of the excess arms to get another quality OF. If you trade for a CF, put Murton in LF. If it's a corner OF, then you consider the likelihood of Patterson bouncing back, or consider an outside option(trade, FA like Jacque Jones, etc.). If you can't reconcile all 3 corner OF spots, then attempt to upgrade at SS, whether it's bringing back Nomar, going after Lugo, throwing everything at NYY for A-Rod, etc.

[LuvChicagoSports]

I would love to make a big addition to the rotation, but until Maddux comes off of the books, I don't see it happening. Personally I would love to see all kinds of changes, but again I don't see it happening. This isn't my ideal lineup, but one that I actually think could be put on the field. I think there are plenty of things that we could do, but won't do. Once again I said this is what I think we will put out on opening day 2006, not what I would do if there was no budget and teams we trade with would give us whatever player we deem that we want.

 

You can still improve the offense without going off the deep end. Sign Giles to play a corner, trade some of the excess arms to get another quality OF. If you trade for a CF, put Murton in LF. If it's a corner OF, then you consider the likelihood of Patterson bouncing back, or consider an outside option(trade, FA like Jacque Jones, etc.). If you can't reconcile all 3 corner OF spots, then attempt to upgrade at SS, whether it's bringing back Nomar, going after Lugo, throwing everything at NYY for A-Rod, etc.

 

Why get Giles. He has been on a steady decline and is an older player. I don't want a guy that after next year we are upset about having 2 years left on his contract because we realize he is old and washed up. Furcal is a major upgrade at SS and fills two roles as he can be the lead off man we have been lacking since Lofton left town after the playoffs. Huff is a better option in RF than Giles anyway. I'd rather have Furcal than Nomar or Lugo anyway, and A-Rod isn't going anywhere. He is the BEST player the Yankees have and they know it. I'd be all for getting another player to play LF, but the question is who and what do you give up to get him. The free agent class is weak, and you don't want to trade away your whole system for a rent-a-player or a washed up vet like Hollandsworth that Dusty Baker will miss use again.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Why get Giles. He has been on a steady decline and is an older player. I don't want a guy that after next year we are upset about having 2 years left on his contract because we realize he is old and washed up.

 

Giles' numbers are up from last year, and the year before when he had an injury. His numbers away from pitcher's park Petco are OUTSTANDING. As has been said before, Giles would be a good 3 year investment. He keeps himself in great shape, and his plate patience(and therefore OBP) aren't likely to severely decline with age.

 

Furcal is a major upgrade at SS and fills two roles as he can be the lead off man we have been lacking since Lofton left town after the playoffs.

 

Walker is just as good a leadoff man, if not better than Furcal. Many people are blinded by speed in the leadoff spot. It's just not that necessary as long as the player isn't a complete stiff, and can hit for as many extra bases as Walker does. Cedeno is likely to come relatively close to Furcal's numbers. Even if he isn't as good, he'll be much cheaper and won't burden us with a long-term contract that will pay more than he's worth.

 

Huff is a better option in RF than Giles anyway.

 

I'd disagree. Giles has been the far superior hitter, and he won't cost any players to acquire. Huff has been worse than Burnitz this year, and he provides no value as a defender as well.

 

I'd rather have Furcal than Nomar or Lugo anyway, and A-Rod isn't going anywhere. He is the BEST player the Yankees have and they know it.

 

A-Rod was just a name to throw out that would be a clear upgrade. Lugo will likely give you almost identical if not better production to Furcal, but he'll make several million less. Nomar if healthy is a superior offensive player to Furcal, which has been a much bigger problem than defense. And again, neither will hamstring you with a bad valued contract like Furcal will.

 

I'd be all for getting another player to play LF, but the question is who and what do you give up to get him. The free agent class is weak, and you don't want to trade away your whole system for a rent-a-player or a washed up vet like Hollandsworth that Dusty Baker will miss use again.

 

Possible trade targets could include Griffey, Dunn, Kearns, Gomes, Church, Wilkerson, Guillen, etc. There's plenty of upgrades available, you just have to find the right situation to exploit.

[LuvChicagoSports]

I also mentioned the Reds outfielders, but they too would require us to give up players. My point is that Huff is 6 years younger than Giles is and that is the main reason I would take him over Giles. Giles could easily earn up to 10 million or more per season at age 34. Furcal on the other hand will cost us less than Nomar cost us this season at like 6 to 7 million per season. If Walker was such a good leadoff hitter he would have been cast in that role at some point previously. Don't get me wrong I like Todd Walker very much, but he isn't the answer at lead-off spot. The single biggest problem we have had over the past 2 seasons is not having a legititimate leadoff hitter. I'm speaking offensively only, because injuries to pitchers is the real biggest problem we have had. Furcal would fill that role perfectly. We were such a dangerous offense when we had Lofton up at the top of the order getting on, wreaking havok on the bases, and then the middle of the lineup would get him in. Derrek and Aramis are the answer as the 3 and 4 hitters. They are both very talented hitters who more often than not will get the runners home when the opprotunity is there. I also believe that Michael Barrett is miscast as the 8 hitter on the team. He should be hitting in an RBI position because he is a player that is above average offensively.

 

Also do not get me wrong here. I like the suggestions you are making except I don't think it fills the needs for a leadoff hitter. I guess we just disagree with the idea that Walker fits there or not. And I am not a guy that is obsessed with speed, I just like the fact that speed can't slump.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I also mentioned the Reds outfielders, but they too would require us to give up players. My point is that Huff is 6 years younger than Giles is and that is the main reason I would take him over Giles. Giles could easily earn up to 10 million or more per season at age 34. Furcal on the other hand will cost us less than Nomar cost us this season at like 6 to 7 million per season. If Walker was such a good leadoff hitter he would have been cast in that role at some point previously. Don't get me wrong I like Todd Walker very much, but he isn't the answer at lead-off spot. The single biggest problem we have had over the past 2 seasons is not having a legititimate leadoff hitter. I'm speaking offensively only, because injuries to pitchers is the real biggest problem we have had. Furcal would fill that role perfectly. We were such a dangerous offense when we had Lofton up at the top of the order getting on, wreaking havok on the bases, and then the middle of the lineup would get him in. Derrek and Aramis are the answer as the 3 and 4 hitters. They are both very talented hitters who more often than not will get the runners home when the opprotunity is there. I also believe that Michael Barrett is miscast as the 8 hitter on the team. He should be hitting in an RBI position because he is a player that is above average offensively.

 

Also do not get me wrong here. I like the suggestions you are making except I don't think it fills the needs for a leadoff hitter. I guess we just disagree with the idea that Walker fits there or not. And I am not a guy that is obsessed with speed, I just like the fact that speed can't slump.

 

Speed most can certainly slump, it's a fringe benefit in most instances that shouldn't be a priority. Walker was a leadoff hitter last year for around 250 PA's and had great results. He's been there before, not that what other teams have done should guide what your team should do.

[photoguy9883]

....I just like the fact that speed can't slump.

 

Apparently you've never had Furcal on a fantasy team, because he most certainly is a very steaky hitter.

[LuvChicagoSports]

no I didn't say that he won't go into slumps and things of that nature. I said speed does not slump. Meaning irregaurdless of what kind of at bat he has, if he finds himself on base he is potentially dangerous to other teams. Also, infield hits are a possibility more often than with players with slower speed or a lack of hustle. I by no means meant that Furcal is completely consistent and he himself won't go into a few slumps.

[wastra]

no I didn't say that he won't go into slumps and things of that nature. I said speed does not slump. Meaning irregaurdless of what kind of at bat he has, if he finds himself on base he is potentially dangerous to other teams. Also, infield hits are a possibility more often than with players with slower speed or a lack of hustle. I by no means meant that Furcal is completely consistent and he himself won't go into a few slumps.

 

Even with that ability to leg out a few infield hits mroe than another player, Furcal only gets on base at a .340 clip. That is neither good enough to hit leadoff, nor is it worth his projected $7MM+.

[Roast]

If I had my way in things, the roster would look like this:

 

Lineup:

SS- Cedeno

2B- Walker

1B- Lee

RF- Dunn

3B- Aram

LF- Murton

C- Barrett

CF- Cpatt

 

 

Rotation:

Prior

Z

Wood

Burnett

Maddux

 

Pen:

Dempster (closer)

Welly/Wuertz/Ohman

New Face

New Face

New Face

 

Bench:

Anybody but Enrique/Macias/Neifi.

[AC036198]

Those who say speed and defense never go in slumps are idiots. Sure, you'll always have speed, but you can still be in a slump where you get thrown out, or your bat is in a slump and you can't use your speed, and you can always go in a strech where your defense sucks and you can't throw anyone out.

[Jazz]

The only thing i wish Baker would do this offseason would be to play murton and cedeno regularly the rest of the way to get a good look at them, but he wont so we are in a bad situation with players who COULD give us decent production at a low price, but we arent sure about. So from that perspective:

 

Sign:

Giles: 3 years, 35 million dollars (majority up front)

Todd Walker: 2 years, 8 million

BJ Ryan: 2 years, 9 million

Garciaparra: 1 years, 3 million+incentives

Total FA Cost: Around 30 mil

 

Trades:

Williams, Sing, and another prospect for

Zito, and Duscherer

 

Opening Day Lineup

 

2B Walker

SS Garciaparra

1B Lee

3B Ramirez

RF Giles

CF Patterson

LF Murton

C Barrett

 

SP1. Prior

SP2. Zambrano

SP3. Zito

SP4. Wood

SP5. Maddux

 

RP Rusch

RP Wuertz

RP Ohman

RP Novoa

RP Dempster

CL Ryan

 

Bench

C Blanco

IF Cedeno

IF Perez

OF Grieve

OF Hairston

Util ?

 

 

I Like that entire lineup 1-8, balanced, mix of contact and power through, probably best 1-5 in NL if this lineup was possible.

[ltb]

if you're trading for the duke, why isn't he in the pen?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Those who say speed and defense never go in slumps are idiots. Sure, you'll always have speed, but you can still be in a slump where you get thrown out, or your bat is in a slump and you can't use your speed, and you can always go in a strech where your defense sucks and you can't throw anyone out.

 

Please do not call posters or groups of posters names like "idiots." That sort of behavior is not acceptable at NSBB.

[TrueBlueCubFan]

Here's my potential moves for the off-season:

As realistic as possible: Not nessarily what I want to see happen, but more what I think might happen.

 

Line-up:

2B Cedeno 350K

LF Murton 350 K

RF Giles 10.6 mil. (3 yr. 32 mil)

1B Lee 8 mil

3B Ramirez 10.5 mil

SS Nomar 5 mil+ incentives

CF J.Jones 6 mil ( 3yr. 18 mil)

C Barrett 4 mil.

total: 44.85 mil.

 

bench:

C Blanco 1.5 mil

2B/3B Fontenot 350 K

1B/3B Mc Clain 350 K

OF Greenberg 350 K

OF Hairston 1.5 mil (arbitration eligible)

total: 4.05 mil

 

SP:

Prior 7 mil (arbitration eligible)

Zambrano 8 mil (arbitration eligible)

Wood 11 mil base + bonus

Maddux 9 mil

Williams 350 K

total: 35.35 mil

 

bullpen:

Novoa 350 K

Ohman 350 K

Weurtz 350 K

Van Buren 350 K

swing man: Rusch 2 mil + incentives

set-up: Williamson 2 mil.

closer: Dempster 3 mil ( 2yr. 6mil)

total: 8.4 mil

 

line-up- 44.85 mil

bench- 4.05 mil

SP- 35.35 mil

BP- 8.4 mil

TOTAL: 92.65 mil.

 

This is as realistic as I could possibly get the roster for 06'. However, I feel there will be some trades & other moves which are very hard to predict.

Wellemeyer(out of options),Mitre & CPatt will be most likely trade bait.

I have a feeling JH will make alot of moves this off-season, unlike LY, where his main focus was dumping Sosa.

Giles is a OBP machine & this is an area the Cubs will need to improve.

J.Jones can play CF & is an excellent defensive OF

Defense is an area the Cubs need to signficantly improve

 

Posible alternative moves:

Burnitz option pu, instead of signing J.Jones

Neifi resigned as utility man or starting 2nd baseman

Furcal instead of Nomar

resigning Walker & moving Cedeno to SS

A stronger bench like signing of M.Sweeney or C.Gomez

Pie might make the roster out of ST, however, I think he will start the season @ AAA Iowa

[NCCubFan]

Those who say speed and defense never go in slumps are idiots.

Adding on to California Raisin's warning, personal attacks on other posters are not tolerated at NSBB; treating other posters with respect, even when you disagree with them, is a must. Referring to others as idiots is clearly a personal attack. If you had said they are mistaken, as opposed to idiots, that would have been OK.

[LuvChicagoSports]

It's alright I'm not gonna take offense if someone calls me an idiot. I too get frustrated with others opinions. I agree with him in the sense that speed can't be used when a player is unable to get on base like Corey Patterson, but that doesn't mean his speed is in a slump, it just means he has been unable to use it effectively. Players that have a ton of speed that don't utilize it are wasting one of the best weapons they can offer a team. Furcal however has a lot of stolen bases for a player with just an average obp. This can greatly help whoever hits behind him. Look at Marcus Giles and Tadihito Iguchi as examples. They see many more fastballs because of the player in front of them that is on base and a threat to steal. Speed not slumping not only can help the player but can help players behind them as well.

[AC036198]

Those who say speed and defense never go in slumps are idiots. Sure, you'll always have speed, but you can still be in a slump where you get thrown out, or your bat is in a slump and you can't use your speed, and you can always go in a strech where your defense sucks and you can't throw anyone out.

 

Please do not call posters or groups of posters names like "idiots." That sort of behavior is not acceptable at NSBB.

It was not meant to be an attack on anyone. It was a general statement. Sorry to those offended.

[AC036198]

It's alright I'm not gonna take offense if someone calls me an idiot. I too get frustrated with others opinions. I agree with him in the sense that speed can't be used when a player is unable to get on base like Corey Patterson, but that doesn't mean his speed is in a slump, it just means he has been unable to use it effectively. Players that have a ton of speed that don't utilize it are wasting one of the best weapons they can offer a team. Furcal however has a lot of stolen bases for a player with just an average obp. This can greatly help whoever hits behind him. Look at Marcus Giles and Tadihito Iguchi as examples. They see many more fastballs because of the player in front of them that is on base and a threat to steal. Speed not slumping not only can help the player but can help players behind them as well.

It wasn't meant to be an attack on you. It was a general statement. I'm sorry.

[AC036198]

Players under contract for next year:

 

Manager: Dusty Baker: 4-year deal worth 14M thru 2006 season signed on 11/16/02- he made 3.25M in 2004 and will make slightly more than 4M in 2005 Agent: Greg Genske (formerly Jeff Moorad)

 

Michael Barrett: signed 3-year deal worth 12M thru the 2007 season on 1/18/05- + he receives a 400K signing bonus and 3M salary in 2005 (2006 and 2007 salaries are unknown) Agent: Lonnie Cooper Service Time: 5.152

 

Henry Blanco: signed 2-year deal worth 2.7M thru 2006 season on 12/7/04- + he receives salaries of 1.2M in 2005 and 1.5M in 2006- + he can earn a bonus for winning a Silver Slugger Agent: Steve Schneider Service Time: 6.136

 

Mark Prior: 5-Year worth 10.5M- will make in 2002- 250K + 4M signing bonus, in 2003- 650K, in 2004- 1.6M, and in 2005- 2M, and in 2006- 3.6M- + he can void deal after 2004 if elgible for arbitration and then by opting for salary arb.- + receives a 5M escaltion of salary for winning Cy Young or an ALL-STAR selection in the previous year Agent: John Boggs Service Time: 2.131

 

Kerry Wood: 3-Year worth 32.5M- will make 7M in 2004, 8.5M in 2005 and 11M in 2006- + receives a 3M signing bonus, which is paid in 1M installments each of the first 3 years- + deal includes 2007 Mutual Option worth 13.5M or a 3M buyout, which could value the entire deal up to 43M- + has a complete NO-TRADE clause thru the 2006 season- + the option can be guaranteed w/ 400IP combined in 2005 and 2006(if option becomes guaranteed this way, it becomes a player option, which Wood would be able to void)- + can receives bonuses for Cy Young Agency: SFX (Pat Rooney, Greg Landry) Baseball Service Time: 6.169

 

Greg Maddux: signed 3-year deal worth 24M on 2/18/04- + he receives salaries of 6M in 2004 and 9M in 2005- + the third year of the deal is a Vesting Option for 2006 worth 9M- + that option vests with 400IP total in 2004 and 2005 combined Agent: Scott Boras Service Time: 18.021

Has 3.2 innings to go

 

Derrek Lee: 3-Year worth 22.5M signed on 2/28/04- will make 5.5M in 2004, 7M in 2005 and 8M in 2006- + receives a 2M signing bonus- + bonuses he has earned: 100K for 2005 All-Star selection Service Time: 6.125

 

Aramis Ramirez signed deal for 2005 season worth 8.95M on 2/4/05- + signed 4-year deal worth 42M thru 2008 season that supersedes deal for 2005 season on 4/4/05- + he receives a 1M signing bonus and salaries of 8M in 2005, 10.5M in 2006, 11M in 2007 and 11.5M in 2008- + the deal includes a Mutual Option for 2009 worth 11M, that can be exercised by a mutual agreement beetween him and the team- + the option can become guaranteed with 270 games played from 2007 thru 2008 + he has the right to terminate the deal after 2006 and opt for free agency- + bonuses he has earned: 50K for 2005 All-Star selection Agent: Adam Katz Service Time: 5.111

 

Players w/ options:

 

Todd Walker: signed deal for 2005 season worth 2.5M on 12/7/04- + the deal includes a Team option for 2006 worth 2.5M- + the deal also includes a Vesting Player options for 2006 that will be worth 2.5M or 2.7M, depending on an unrevealed number of PA he must reach in 2005 to guarnatee one of the options Agents: Alan Meersand, Greg Genske and Brian Carlin Service Time: 7.057 He likely will not vest his contract, so it will be a team option

 

Jeromy Burnitz: signed deal for 2005 season worth 5M on 2/2/05- he will make 4.5M in 2005- + the deal includes a Mutual Option for 2006 worth 7M or a 500K buyout- + he will not receive the buyout if the team exercises the option and he declines it- + he can earn 250K in performance bonuses based on games started each year Agent: Howard Simon Service Time: 8.100

 

Glendon Rusch: signed 2-year deal worth 4M thru 2006 season on 11/10/04- + he will make 2M each year- + the second year of the deal is a player option- + he can earn 2.4M in incentives over the life of the deal based on games started Agent: Tommy Tanzer Service Time: 7.020 Meaning he can decline his option and become a FA after this year.

 

Scott Williamson: signed deal for 2005 season w/invite to ST on 1/18/05- he will receive a minimum 316K salary next season and a 500K salary if he is placed on the active 25-man roster- + the deal includes a Team Option for the 2006 season worth 2M- + contract was PURCHASED on 3/30/05, and was placed on the 40-man roster, giving him a 500K salary Agent: Greg Genske Service Time: 6.000 Cubs should pick up his option

 

Protected players:

 

Hairston, Macias, Patterson, Big Z, Novoa, Wellemeyer, Liecster, Wuertz, Aardsma, and Williams. And to find all FA's this winter, visit:

 

http://mlb4u.com/freeagent.html

[CardsFanInChiTown]

It's alright I'm not gonna take offense if someone calls me an idiot. I too get frustrated with others opinions. I agree with him in the sense that speed can't be used when a player is unable to get on base like Corey Patterson, but that doesn't mean his speed is in a slump, it just means he has been unable to use it effectively. Players that have a ton of speed that don't utilize it are wasting one of the best weapons they can offer a team. Furcal however has a lot of stolen bases for a player with just an average obp. This can greatly help whoever hits behind him. Look at Marcus Giles and Tadihito Iguchi as examples. They see many more fastballs because of the player in front of them that is on base and a threat to steal. Speed not slumping not only can help the player but can help players behind them as well.

 

Here's an interesting article on base stealing that really opened my eyes.

 

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=2607