Who Do You Build Around?

[CubsWin]

The moves made this off season are being partially decided right now with the performances being given by Murton, Williams and others.

 

Who should the Cubs keep? Who should be counted on to perform and, thus, built around this off season?

 

Should Wood be counted on to be a part of the rotation? Matt Morris had this same surgery done a year ago and he bounced back nicely, but the histories of Wood and Morris are quite different. Should the Cubs make a play for Burnett?

 

Murton has made a believer out of me. Are you ready to give him LF?

 

Williams has turned things around lately and appears a decent option at 5th starter.

 

Did Cedeno show you enough before breaking his hand to give him the starting job at SS? Is Nomar worth signing to another one-year, incentive-laden deal? Are you willing to trade Cedeno or move him to 2B if you sign Furcal? If so, can Cedeno be counted on to produce similar numbers to what Walker has put up the last couple of years. I don't think so.

 

Who plays CF? The Cubs can't trade Corey for very much right now, so the smart play is to rebuild him. That starts in winter ball. If he opts not to play winter ball, the Cubs can't afford to wait until spring training to find out if he can hit. Can the Cubs win a world series with Hairston playing CF? Who would you acquire? Sign Damon? Trade for Hunter or Cameron? Is Greenburg ready? Please don't tell me that you think Pie is?

 

Do you bring Burnitz back? I don't think so. I think RF is the best chance the Cubs have to improve their offense this off season. I think the two best options are signing Brian Giles or trading for someone.

 

We haven't even touched on the bullpen. Re-sign Dempster? I do. Who else do you build around? Ohman? Probably. Wuertz and Novoa? One or the other, but preferably not both. Make a big play for B.J. Ryan? If possible. Trade for someone like the Twins' Jesse Crain? Depending on the price, yes.

 

The Cubs have a lot of questions and should have a lot of payroll with which to play. Who do you build around?

[CubsWin]

Obviously, I build around Lee, Ramirez and Barrett. I'm also sold on Murton to be good with a chance at very good, but I would try my best to have as strong of a 4th OFer as I possibly could. I also pick up Walker's option.

 

That leaves CF, RF and SS to be filled.

 

Of the pitchers, clearly the Cubs should build around Zambrano and Prior. Maddux will be back unless the Cubs ask him to retire which I don't see happening. Williams has an ERA under 4 while in a Cubs uniform, and he is still cheap, so I bring him back and build around him. That leaves one rotation spot open. I try to fill with Burnett. I realize that he is an injury concern, too. But if the Cubs can afford to sign him, I think he is worth the gamble. If he stays healthy and Wood returns strong, the Cubs move Williams to the pen and have him ready to step in if/when one of them goes down. If Burnett is healthy but Wood gets relagated to the bullpen, then the rotation is still 3 deep for the playoffs. The same holds true if it is the other way around. The danger, of course, is that if both are injured, the Cubs have spent nearly 20 million dollars on two DL spots. However, the potential payoff is high enough, and, once Maddux is gone, Burnett is the type of player that can help the Cubs win a World Series over the long haul, that I think it is worth the risk of injury.

 

In the pen, I build around Dempster, Ohman and either Novoa or Wuertz but not both. That leaves 3 open spots, or 4 if for some reason the Cubs decide to go with a 7 man pen again. I give Williamson a strong look next spring and try to acquire two proven relievers under 30.

 

As far as the bench goes, Blanco is already under contract. I bring back Hairston and build from there.

 

So I would keep:

 

Barrett

Lee

Walker

Ramirez

Murton

 

Prior

Zambrano

Williams

(Maddux)

 

Dempster

Ohman

Either Novoa or Wuertz but not both.

 

Blanco

Hairston

 

Elsewhere on the roster but I'm not sure exactly where are Cedeno and Wood. With Williamson and Patterson being given every chance to make the team next spring.

 

Who do you build around?

[Jazz]

I agree with your assessment and like this topic.

 

I dont know if he can be considered someone to build around, but there is no doubt in my mind that nomar should return. his numbers when healthy are great, and he will come at a bargain basement price of 2-3 mil + incentives.

 

I dont think walker is a necessity. He could land us a good deal with the right team such as say Minnesota. Id send them Walker and Hill and see if we can get the Hunter and Craine package that some have speculated.

[CubsWin]

I agree with your assessment and like this topic.

 

I dont know if he can be considered someone to build around, but there is no doubt in my mind that nomar should return. his numbers when healthy are great, and he will come at a bargain basement price of 2-3 mil + incentives.

 

I dont think walker is a necessity. He could land us a good deal with the right team such as say Minnesota. Id send them Walker and Hill and see if we can get the Hunter and Craine package that some have speculated.

I'm not thrilled with Hunter, but short of signing Johnny Damon, he might be the best CFer out there. The problem with Hunter, of course, is that he isn't a lead-off man and bats righty. Damon is a good lead-off hitter and bats lefty. However, I'm not sure the Cubs have the money or fortitude to sign Damon and Giles, and Giles is clearly the better hitter.

 

As far as Crain goes, I'll take him happily. If the only way I can get Crain is by taking Hunter, then I would have to strongly consider it.

 

I don't know why you would want to trade Walker. The Cubs need left-handed bats and OBP, and he provides both. For a 2B, his power numbers are pretty darn good. If they aren't going to upgrade the offensive production at 2B by trading him, then why do it?

 

As far as Nomar is concerned, I agree completely. It would be a one-year deal. Cedeno would be ready to take over in '07 and would be worked in regularly to keep Nomar fresh. Nomar's upside is too great to let him go especially if he is willing to sign that kind of contract. It makes too much sense not to do it, plus there aren't any better alternatives out there for the money.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

I agree with your assessment and like this topic.

 

I dont know if he can be considered someone to build around, but there is no doubt in my mind that nomar should return. his numbers when healthy are great, and he will come at a bargain basement price of 2-3 mil + incentives.

 

I dont think walker is a necessity. He could land us a good deal with the right team such as say Minnesota. Id send them Walker and Hill and see if we can get the Hunter and Craine package that some have speculated.

 

I would gladly trade Walker + Hill for Hunter + Crain; and then turn around and spin Hunter + cash + Brian Dopirak to Florida for Juan Pierre.

 

Crain is an excellent reliever.

[CubsWin]

It makes too much sense not to do it, plus there aren't any better alternatives out there for the money.

I don't often respond to my own posts, but I figured I would put out a pre-emptive post. I figured many fans would respond to the quote above by mentioning Rafael Furcal's name.

 

If the Cubs spend the money on Furcal, then they might not have enough left over to get someone like Giles and Burnett or Giles and Damon or Giles and whomever. If they don't, who is going to hit lead-off? Furcal isn't that great of a lead-off hitter and would be very expensive.

 

But that's not the worst of it. The biggest negative impact if the Cubs signed Furcal would be felt over the next 4 years because he would be blocking Cedeno from being the Cubs everyday shortstop during that time.

 

This is important. Having a good and inexpensive SS is a huge advantage for a team. It would allow the Cubs to spend their money keeping players like Z, Prior and Lee for many years as well as adding players like Burnett, Giles and Dunn when the need/opportunity arises.

 

Cedeno playing a solid SS for the Cubs in the future is huge, and signing Furcal would squander that opportunity before the Cubs had a chance to use it. Having Cedeno play 2B doesn't save the Cubs the same amount of money because, as Walker as shown, it is fairly possible to sign a productive 2B for only a few million. But productive SSs are much more expensive. That's why allowing Cedeno to grow into the starting SS and having him on the cheap for several years would be such a big opportunity for the Cubs to put together and keep together a team that is capable of winning it all over a period of several seasons.

[CubsWin]

I agree with your assessment and like this topic.

 

I dont know if he can be considered someone to build around, but there is no doubt in my mind that nomar should return. his numbers when healthy are great, and he will come at a bargain basement price of 2-3 mil + incentives.

 

I dont think walker is a necessity. He could land us a good deal with the right team such as say Minnesota. Id send them Walker and Hill and see if we can get the Hunter and Craine package that some have speculated.

 

I would gladly trade Walker + Hill for Hunter + Crain; and then turn around and spin Hunter + cash + Brian Dopirak to Florida for Juan Pierre.

 

Crain is an excellent reliever.

Wow, don't you think you are overpaying for Pierre? Now if the Cubs could get Castillo, that would be another story.

 

And, I agree, Crain is a great reliever.

[CubsWin]

Castillo would be an offensive upgrade over Walker, but I can't see why the Marlins would agree to trade him unless they feel he is getting too expensive.

 

If there is a way, there is your lead-off hitter.

 

But we are getting off topic. Who would you build around?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I agree with your assessment and like this topic.

 

I dont know if he can be considered someone to build around, but there is no doubt in my mind that nomar should return. his numbers when healthy are great, and he will come at a bargain basement price of 2-3 mil + incentives.

 

I dont think walker is a necessity. He could land us a good deal with the right team such as say Minnesota. Id send them Walker and Hill and see if we can get the Hunter and Craine package that some have speculated.

 

I would gladly trade Walker + Hill for Hunter + Crain; and then turn around and spin Hunter + cash + Brian Dopirak to Florida for Juan Pierre.

 

Crain is an excellent reliever.

 

So, let me get this straight. You'd trade Todd Walker, Rich Hill, Brian Dopirak and cash for Jesse Crain and Juan Pierre? The Cubs are getting ripped off big time there.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

I agree with your assessment and like this topic.

 

I dont know if he can be considered someone to build around, but there is no doubt in my mind that nomar should return. his numbers when healthy are great, and he will come at a bargain basement price of 2-3 mil + incentives.

 

I dont think walker is a necessity. He could land us a good deal with the right team such as say Minnesota. Id send them Walker and Hill and see if we can get the Hunter and Craine package that some have speculated.

 

I would gladly trade Walker + Hill for Hunter + Crain; and then turn around and spin Hunter + cash + Brian Dopirak to Florida for Juan Pierre.

 

Crain is an excellent reliever.

 

So, let me get this straight. You'd trade Todd Walker, Rich Hill, Brian Dopirak and cash for Jesse Crain and Juan Pierre? The Cubs are getting ripped off big time there.

It really depends on how much money they are tossing in. If they are throwing in just a little bit I think they should at least toss in Pie and EPatt/Gallagher.

 

(Not being sarcastic, I would take Hunter over Pierre in a second)

[imb]

I wouldnt even trade Hunter for Pierre straight up.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I wouldnt even trade Hunter for Pierre straight up.

 

Nor would I.

[CubsWin]

I wouldnt even trade Hunter for Pierre straight up.

 

Nor would I.

Nor would I, but this has got me thinking.

 

I would trade Walker and prospects to the Twins for Hunter and Crain, if I knew that the Marlins would take EPatt, Hairston and other prospects (Hill or Williams, etc.) for Castillo.

 

That would give the Cubs a line-up of:

 

Castillo (switch-hitter with a .390 OBP and gold glove caliber defense)

Nomar/Cedeno

Giles (assuming they can sign him)

Lee

Ramirez

Hunter

Murton

Barrett

 

It gets pretty heavily right-handed, but it ain't too shabby.

 

Not too mention that the Cubs would also have added a great, young reliever to a bullpen that sorely needs one in Crain.

 

I know, I know. The Marlins won't trade Castillo. Blah, blah, blah...

[don_kessinger_was_good]

I agree with your assessment and like this topic.

 

I dont know if he can be considered someone to build around, but there is no doubt in my mind that nomar should return. his numbers when healthy are great, and he will come at a bargain basement price of 2-3 mil + incentives.

 

I dont think walker is a necessity. He could land us a good deal with the right team such as say Minnesota. Id send them Walker and Hill and see if we can get the Hunter and Craine package that some have speculated.

 

I would gladly trade Walker + Hill for Hunter + Crain; and then turn around and spin Hunter + cash + Brian Dopirak to Florida for Juan Pierre.

 

Crain is an excellent reliever.

 

So, let me get this straight. You'd trade Todd Walker, Rich Hill, Brian Dopirak and cash for Jesse Crain and Juan Pierre? The Cubs are getting ripped off big time there.

 

Todd Walker is unneeded (Cedeno), Rich Hill is a one-trick pony, and Dopirak looks like a bust. In exchange, I get a leadoff man and a setup man for my bullpen. Yeah, I'd do those trades. Cubs aren't getting ripped off at all.

[Diffusion]

Barrett ©, Blanco (Bench), Lee (1B), Walker (2B), Nomar (SS), Ramirez (3B), Hairston (Bench), Cedeno (Bench), Murton (LF), Patterson (Bench), Greenberg (Bench), Prior, Zambrano, Wood, Maddux, Williams (all SP), Dempster (Closer), Ohman, Novoa, Wuertz, Van Buren, Williamson (all setup).

 

I'd be more than happy with all those players coming back next year in those roles. Actually, I'm not happy with Maddux being back in the rotation, but it's going to happen regardless. Anyway, that's 22 players, leaving just CF, RF and a bench/bullpen role open. Obviously it's who we get for those CF and RF spots that's all important. Mike Cameron (via a trade of Rich Hill if possible, with Todd Wellemeyer if necessary) and Brian Giles via FA would be great, maybe Tom Gordon again for the bullpen. Milton Bradley could be an interesting option in CF, because there's no doubt that he can play.

 

OUT: Rusch (trade/FA), Rich Hill (trade), Wellemeyer (trade/non-tender) Fox (FA), Koronka (DFA), Mitre (trade/waivers), Macias (trade/non-tender), Perez (FA), Burnitz (FA), Grieve (FA), Soto, McClain, Theroit (all back to minors).

 

All of that though probably only leaves us with a payroll next year of around $96m, so there's still a bit of wiggle room. Maybe make a run at BJ Ryan as well for the bullpen and leave Van Buren at Triple-A for now.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I agree with your assessment and like this topic.

 

I dont know if he can be considered someone to build around, but there is no doubt in my mind that nomar should return. his numbers when healthy are great, and he will come at a bargain basement price of 2-3 mil + incentives.

 

I dont think walker is a necessity. He could land us a good deal with the right team such as say Minnesota. Id send them Walker and Hill and see if we can get the Hunter and Craine package that some have speculated.

 

I would gladly trade Walker + Hill for Hunter + Crain; and then turn around and spin Hunter + cash + Brian Dopirak to Florida for Juan Pierre.

 

Crain is an excellent reliever.

 

So, let me get this straight. You'd trade Todd Walker, Rich Hill, Brian Dopirak and cash for Jesse Crain and Juan Pierre? The Cubs are getting ripped off big time there.

 

Todd Walker is unneeded (Cedeno), Rich Hill is a one-trick pony, and Dopirak looks like a bust. In exchange, I get a leadoff man and a setup man for my bullpen. Yeah, I'd do those trades. Cubs aren't getting ripped off at all.

 

A top 5 offensive 2B is always needed. Whether or not Hill or Dope look like they'll pan out doesn't mean to throw them into any deal. Pierre is awful, his OBP is like 12 points lower than Hunter's this year.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

I agree with your assessment and like this topic.

 

I dont know if he can be considered someone to build around, but there is no doubt in my mind that nomar should return. his numbers when healthy are great, and he will come at a bargain basement price of 2-3 mil + incentives.

 

I dont think walker is a necessity. He could land us a good deal with the right team such as say Minnesota. Id send them Walker and Hill and see if we can get the Hunter and Craine package that some have speculated.

 

I would gladly trade Walker + Hill for Hunter + Crain; and then turn around and spin Hunter + cash + Brian Dopirak to Florida for Juan Pierre.

 

Crain is an excellent reliever.

 

So, let me get this straight. You'd trade Todd Walker, Rich Hill, Brian Dopirak and cash for Jesse Crain and Juan Pierre? The Cubs are getting ripped off big time there.

 

Todd Walker is unneeded (Cedeno), Rich Hill is a one-trick pony, and Dopirak looks like a bust. In exchange, I get a leadoff man and a setup man for my bullpen. Yeah, I'd do those trades. Cubs aren't getting ripped off at all.

 

A top 5 offensive 2B is always needed. Whether or not Hill or Dope look like they'll pan out doesn't mean to throw them into any deal. Pierre is awful, his OBP is like 12 points lower than Hunter's this year.

But he can run really fast and bunt a lot!!

[CubfaninCA]

It makes too much sense not to do it, plus there aren't any better alternatives out there for the money.

I don't often respond to my own posts, but I figured I would put out a pre-emptive post. I figured many fans would respond to the quote above by mentioning Rafael Furcal's name.

 

If the Cubs spend the money on Furcal, then they might not have enough left over to get someone like Giles and Burnett or Giles and Damon or Giles and whomever. If they don't, who is going to hit lead-off? Furcal isn't that great of a lead-off hitter and would be very expensive.

 

But that's not the worst of it. The biggest negative impact if the Cubs signed Furcal would be felt over the next 4 years because he would be blocking Cedeno from being the Cubs everyday shortstop during that time.

 

This is important. Having a good and inexpensive SS is a huge advantage for a team. It would allow the Cubs to spend their money keeping players like Z, Prior and Lee for many years as well as adding players like Burnett, Giles and Dunn when the need/opportunity arises.

 

Cedeno playing a solid SS for the Cubs in the future is huge, and signing Furcal would squander that opportunity before the Cubs had a chance to use it. Having Cedeno play 2B doesn't save the Cubs the same amount of money because, as Walker as shown, it is fairly possible to sign a productive 2B for only a few million. But productive SSs are much more expensive. That's why allowing Cedeno to grow into the starting SS and having him on the cheap for several years would be such a big opportunity for the Cubs to put together and keep together a team that is capable of winning it all over a period of several seasons.

 

The chances of getting Burnett, Giles or Damon are slim & none. The best recent free agent the Cubs got was Alou, who was an injury prone player. Hence they only had to offer him 3 years. Considering the history of this franchise, Furcal's may be the best FA we can hope for. Shouldn't be lots of competition for him since many of the big market teams have good shortstop's. Getting Millwood would be nice too.

[BigbadB]

Barrett ©, Blanco (Bench), Lee (1B), Walker (2B), Nomar (SS), Ramirez (3B), Hairston (Bench), Cedeno (Bench), Murton (LF), Patterson (Bench), Greenberg (Bench), Prior, Zambrano, Wood, Maddux, Williams (all SP), Dempster (Closer), Ohman, Novoa, Wuertz, Van Buren, Williamson (all setup).

 

I'd be more than happy with all those players coming back next year in those roles. Actually, I'm not happy with Maddux being back in the rotation, but it's going to happen regardless. Anyway, that's 22 players, leaving just CF, RF and a bench/bullpen role open. Obviously it's who we get for those CF and RF spots that's all important. Mike Cameron (via a trade of Rich Hill if possible, with Todd Wellemeyer if necessary) and Brian Giles via FA would be great, maybe Tom Gordon again for the bullpen. Milton Bradley could be an interesting option in CF, because there's no doubt that he can play.

 

OUT: Rusch (trade/FA), Rich Hill (trade), Wellemeyer (trade/non-tender) Fox (FA), Koronka (DFA), Mitre (trade/waivers), Macias (trade/non-tender), Perez (FA), Burnitz (FA), Grieve (FA), Soto, McClain, Theroit (all back to minors).

 

All of that though probably only leaves us with a payroll next year of around $96m, so there's still a bit of wiggle room. Maybe make a run at BJ Ryan as well for the bullpen and leave Van Buren at Triple-A for now.

 

It looks like I fit in the Diffusion camp with my plan. I'm not so sure it will happen, but if I was Hendry, I'd consider my infield as set with the resigning of Nomar to another 1 year deal. Ramirez, Nomar, Walker and Lee in the infield, and Barrett behind the dish. The outfield is where things have got to change. I'm going to predict that the opening day outfield in 2006 will be completely different than the opening day line up from '05. I like Murton a lot, but with Dusty at the helm for another year, I don't like his chances of playing time over a veteran of lesser ability, so Murton and Cedeno are my 4th outfielder and 5th infielder. Giles is an absolute must for RF. You throw as much money as needed to lure him in. You don't let him slip away. Without him, the team could be a middle of the pack team once again. With him, and the Cubs are a superpower.

 

With the signing of Giles, there probably won't be enough to get Damon, but I'd sure try to free up the money to make it happen. The bidding for Burnett could go higher than what Damon will get, and the Cubs biggest need is exactly what Damon does, get on base.

 

Damon

Walker

Lee

Giles

Ramirez

Nomar

Murton

Barrett

 

The likelihood the Cubs land the two best offensive free agents on the market this year? NONE. So, it's Patterson and Hairston in center until Pie is ready and an upgrade over Murton in left.

 

I'll expect Wood back in the rotation:

 

Zambrano

Prior

Wood

Maddux

Williams/Guzman/Hill

 

Trades to upgrade the bullpen will be necessary. Sometimes you've just got to blow up something! The outfield and the bullpen are the two best candidates. Dempster is my only lock in the pen. Every other job is up for grabs.

[CubinNY]

Ok, if I were GM here is what I would do:

 

1. Go after Aubry Huff- The GM is one his way out so they may be easier to deal with. Huff made 4.9 mill last year (a bit over priced but he is coming into his prime). It is rumored that they are looking to move him for front end pitching rotation. I'd see if they would take back end and middle rotation plus a prospect (Mitre or Williams and Welly plus one of Craig/Doparik). Dope has DH written all over him

 

Huff is having a terrible year so his value will not be any lower.

 

2. If Patterson is not willing to go and play winter ball and change his approach then I get rid of him for a bullpen arm. Maybe try and get Scott Shields from LAA for Patterson and a prospect (A ball). I would definately try to get him to the AL though. I am having a hard time with this one.

 

If I have to trade Patterson then I will have to find another CFer. Damon is out b/c he will want more years and money then I am willing to give. Although I don't care for Lofton, I'd sign him for one year and hope like hell that Pie learns some discipline at the plate next year so I can bring him up at the ASB

 

I keep Nomar and quietly explore trade opportunities for Aramis Rameriz. Very quiet. I would see who was willing to give up a young front end starting pitcher. If I can't trade Aramis I leave the infield the same. Does Boston have anyone???

 

I have no idea what to do about the bullpen b/c this always seems like a crap shoot to me. I guess I resign Dempster, keep Wurtz, Ohman, and Novoa and see what is out there in the free agent market.

 

Batting order

 

Lofton CF (L)

Nomar SS ®

Lee 1st ®

Aramis 3rd ®

Huff RF (L)

Murton LF ®

Walker 2nd (L)

Barrett C ®

Edited September 20, 2005 by CubinNY

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I don't know who I'd build around per se, but how the offseason goes is pretty fluid from my POV. I think signing Giles or trading for someone of similar caliber is a must. Much like CubinNY, I'd quietly shop Lee to see what kind of return he would gather. See how much LA would give up in a multi-team deal to get Lee on their hands. Test Bowden's stupidity to see if he'd give up Johnson, Wilkerson, and something else. What you do for the OF, SS, and pen all depend on each other really.

[rawaction]

Ok, if I were GM here is what I would do:

 

1. Go after Aubry Huff- The GM is one his way out so they may be easier to deal with. Huff made 4.9 mill last year (a bit over priced but he is coming into his prime). It is rumored that they are looking to move him for front end pitching rotation. I'd see if they would take back end and middle rotation plus a prospect (Mitre or Williams and Welly plus one of Craig/Doparik). Dope has DH written all over him

 

Huff is having a terrible year so his value will not be any lower.

 

2. If Patterson is not willing to go and play winter ball and change his approach then I get rid of him for a bullpen arm. Maybe try and get Scott Shields from LAA for Patterson and a prospect (A ball). I would definately try to get him to the AL though. I am having a hard time with this one.

 

If I have to trade Patterson then I will have to find another CFer. Damon is out b/c he will want more years and money then I am willing to give. Although I don't care for Lofton, I'd sign him for one year and hope like hell that Pie learns some discipline at the plate next year so I can bring him up at the ASB

 

I keep Nomar and quietly explore trade opportunities for Aramis Rameriz. Very quiet. I would see who was willing to give up a young front end starting pitcher. If I can't trade Aramis I leave the infield the same. Does Boston have anyone???

 

I have no idea what to do about the bullpen b/c this always seems like a crap shoot to me. I guess I resign Dempster, keep Wurtz, Ohman, and Novoa and see what is out there in the free agent market.

 

Batting order

 

Lofton CF (L)

Nomar SS ®

Lee 1st ®

Aramis 3rd ®

Huff RF (L)

Murton RF ®

Walker 2nd (L)

Barrett C ®

 

I'm not that high on Huff anymore after this season. Maybe a change of scenery would help, but not for the price he's been rumored to be going for. I hate all things Kenny Lofton. I'd rather put Hairston out there, hope he gets back to the .360ish OBP that he has shown in the past (04, and 1st half of 05) and then hope Felix is ready next summer.

 

But I wouldn't be disappointed with that team. With Williams/Mitre gone, though, I would hope the Cubs would get a starter. That team could do well if Lofton keeps it up (not likely, career year at 38), Murton keeps it up, and Huff gets back to pre-05 numbers. But that would be just as many ???? as this season. That doesn't bode well.

 

My best guess is that the Cubs will go after Preston Wilson, Cameron, or Pierre for CF. Then they will get either Floyd, Dellucci, or re-sign Burnitz for RF/LF. I think the rest of the money will be spent on Furcal.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

My best guess is that the Cubs will go after Preston Wilson, Cameron, or Pierre for CF. Then they will get either Floyd, Dellucci, or re-sign Burnitz for RF/LF. I think the rest of the money will be spent on Furcal.

Wow, if that's what the Cubs do this offseason I am going to be very upset/disappointed (which I think is going to happen anyways).

[USSoccer]

I would explore trade opportunities for Lee. Would Boston be interested in him and be willing to trade Manny in return? Would Anaheim be interested?

 

I'd build around ARam, Z, Prior and Dempser as the closer. Murton is my starting LF (if no Manny) and Cedeno is my Neifi, filling in at 2nd, SS and 3B when needed. Walker stays unless we get a good offer. I'd keep Hairston around as a 5th OF.

 

I'd target Kevin Millwood and Brian Giles in FA, and do everything possible to get them both. If you land Milwood, you can deal Williams.

 

I'd target Manny, Torii Hunter and Alfonso Soriano in trades.

 

I'd release, non-tender or otherwise dispose of Perez, Macias, Grieve and Wellemeyer. I'd use Hill, Mitre, Dopirak, Patterson and Sing as trading chips.

[craig]

The moves made this off season are being partially decided right now with the performances being given by Murton, Williams and others.

 

Who should the Cubs keep? Who should be counted on to perform and, thus, built around this off season?

 

Lee, ARam, Barrett, and Z are about the only ones to be counted on. I'd build around dempster, too, given cost/risk/value. Personally I'd be happy with Walker back, but I'd be open to trading him instead if value was fair. I'd support resigning Nomar in some capacity (2B or OF) if he signed for a price I liked. I'm fine with either Murton or Cedeno or both. But I don't think any of the Walker/Nomar/Murton/Cedeno bunch are secure enough, health/performance-wise to count on them performing at a high level.

 

 

Should Wood be counted on to be a part of the rotation? Matt Morris had this same surgery done a year ago and he bounced back nicely, but the histories of Wood and Morris are quite different. Should the Cubs make a play for Burnett?

 

Plan for him, but don't depend on him. If he's healthy and strong, absolutely structure your team so that he'll be able to be used as starter as opposed to relief. But don't structure so that if he isn't healthy and good, the season is cooked.

 

Murton has made a believer out of me. Are you ready to give him LF?

 

I'm fine if they do, and use the funds to upgrade elsewhere. But I don't think it's a must. For example, if Murton was sharing a spot with a Hairston or Burnitz, or was perhaps a 4th outfielder platooning with somebody in left and available to play fulltime if/when Nomar got hurt, I'd be fine with that. I wouldn't object to Nomar in left and Giles in right, with poor Murton on the outside, for example.

 

 

Williams has turned things around lately and appears a decent option at 5th starter.

 

I don't trust him, really, and don't want to build around him as #5. I'd prefer to add a rotation pitcher (if price is right, which is rare for pitchers...). I think Williams could do well in relief, and would be better as #6 starter, who became #5 only if/when Wood or Prior or Z got disabled. Or,put differently, I'd like to see a situation where, in the even tof zero injuries, there was one spot to be filled by the winner of the Wood/Williams/Rusch (if back)/Hill/prospects pool. If wood is good, great. If not, Williams or whomever. But I don't want williams as #5, Maddux as #4, Wood as #3, Prior as #2. As soon as Wood or Prior get hurt, then a rotation with Maddux-Williams-Hill/Rusch as 3-4-5 could be scary bad.

 

Did Cedeno show you enough before breaking his hand to give him the starting job at SS? Is Nomar worth signing to another one-year, incentive-laden deal? Are you willing to trade Cedeno or move him to 2B if you sign Furcal? If so, can Cedeno be counted on to produce similar numbers to what Walker has put up the last couple of years. I don't think so.

 

Nothing certain. I definitely believe Cedeno is ready to handle a job. But I'm not certain he'll really excel if so, and I don't think it would be a big problem to have him *not* be given a regular job. I'd like Cedeno at SS and Nomar at 2nd. I'd like Furcal at SS and Nomar at 2nd. I'd like Furcal at SS and Cedeno at 2nd (if they use Walker to get some OF help, and spend the money well in outfield/pitching). I do think the prospect of going with Nomar/Walker defensively up-the-middle would be hard to love.

 

Who plays CF? The Cubs can't trade Corey for very much right now, so the smart play is to rebuild him. That starts in winter ball. If he opts not to play winter ball, the Cubs can't afford to wait until spring training to find out if he can hit. Can the Cubs win a world series with Hairston playing CF? Who would you acquire? Sign Damon? Trade for Hunter or Cameron? Is Greenburg ready? Please don't tell me that you think Pie is?

 

Greenberg no way. Pie not at first, for sure. Corey is a question. Not only can I not count on him, I seriously wonder if I even want his salary. I'm reluctant to be throwing $2.5 at a guy I don't trust to start, and if he's not starting will not be of much use. I could see just winging it; hope Corey bounces back, if not Hairston hold the fort till Pie?

 

Do you bring Burnitz back? I don't think so. I think RF is the best chance the Cubs have to improve their offense this off season. I think the two best options are signing Brian Giles or trading for someone.

 

Easier said than done, of course... Limited pool of options, and I assume the guys who are a significant upgrade on Burnitz are unlikely to be available for trade... But no, I'd like to make a change. Maybe just for change sake, I don't know. Getting Giles would certainly make sense in many ways, but unlikely the Cubs will pay the length he'll get.

 

We haven't even touched on the bullpen. Re-sign Dempster? I do. Who else do you build around? Ohman? Probably. Wuertz and Novoa? One or the other, but preferably not both. Make a big play for B.J. Ryan? If possible. Trade for someone like the Twins' Jesse Crain? Depending on the price, yes.

 

Stick with dempster and hope he holds up. Keep Ohman. After that, it all depends on everything else... Is Rusch back? Do we get a starter so Williams is possible bumped to pen? Williamson? I'd like to get one serious RH reliever from outside, and might be game to settle for that, pending Rusch.