Prior on the difference between the Cubs and Cards...

[UK1679666180]

That's part of why Prior doesn't see a huge gap in 2006 between runaway division winner St. Louis and the Cubs. "What's the gap between us and the Cardinals?'' he said. "It's a matter of staying healthy and getting a couple of key things that change the dynamics of our team. Then we'll be off and running.''

 

Defense, situational hitting and the bullpen seem the main dynamics that need change.

 

"Fundamentally, the Cardinals play good and their defense is solid,'' Prior said. "But it's funny. Everyone talks about their pitching [No. 1 in ERA in the league]. Look at their numbers and [Chris] Carpenter is the only one. They don't have anything that's too bad, but they got middle-of-the-road, average ERAs. But they play defense, and when they need to get a guy in, they get him in. We all need to do our part and play better. Like in 2003, when we had a couple of veteran guys that made sure we did it and we put ourselves in position to win the last couple of years.''

 

This current team isn't much worse than the '03 Cubs, the biggest dropoff has been the bullpen and the health of Kerry.

 

But, this Cubs team even when healthy isn't close to where the '05 Cards are.

 

Of course, there are certain things you can try and do to address the health of a pitcher over the course of a season and blame luck when a pitcher gets injured.

 

Getting a couple of key things that will change the dynamics of this team is easier said than done, I thought that was why traded Sosa.

[Derwood]

Anything the Cubs can do to increase the OBP at the top and improve the situational hitting and hitting with RISP will dramatically change this team.

 

And they can't count on Lee to give them this type of season again. They should count on not higher than .280/35/90 again when evaluating who they need to add in run production slots in the order. Hopefully I'm wrong and Lee will stay hot next year, but the Cubs have a bad habit of counting on guys having career years two seasons in a row

[UK1679666180]

They need at least one more stud in the pen, I want BJ Ryan, if they could get him as well as Sauerbeck as well as bringing back Dempster, I'd be content. It sould likes a difficult task, but they will have cleared around 11mil with Remlinger, Borowski, and Hawkins off the books.

 

I'd be content with Walker and Murton hitting 1-2, there's no speed there obviously, but you leadoff hitter who could get on base and a nice 32 hittre in Murton who is a good situational hitter as well as someone who get on base and drive in runs when needed.

 

I agree, you can't go into next year expecting MVP numbers from Lee. You have to get at least 1 top hitter for the OF spot, I like Giles, be impossible to sign him, but they should make every effort ot get him and bat him behind Lee and stick him in RF.

 

I think they can go cheap in LF (Murton), CF, and SS (Cedeno) and still compete. I want Langerhaus from ATL or Stern from Boston (for Rusch?)via trade, you just need a solid 4th OF'er in case they falter (Jose Cruz Jr.). I would have no problem with them signing Lofton to a 1 yr. deal either.

 

Onto the rotation...

 

1st 4 are set barring some unexpected retirement or trade. I'd like to see Millwood, I'd have no problem with Williams or Hill competing for the #5. But, there's no doubt in my mind someone from the rotation will get injured.

 

Want to compare yourself to the Cards and not see any separation, that's how you do it....

[K-Town]

I haven't followed him that closely, but is Angel Guzman a rotation option for the '06 Cubs?

[imb]

He hasnt been healthy since the mid 80's, so I dont think anyone is expecting too much out of him at this point.

[1908]

I haven't followed him that closely, but is Angel Guzman a rotation option for the '06 Cubs?

Here's pitching in the AFL this year. If he says healthy -- a huge if -- he has the stuff to be a difference maker.

[UK1679666180]

Guzman needs a year of clean health before I start projecting him into the rotation.

 

Hopefully, he has a solid AFL starts '06 at AA then makes it up to iowa and possibly a Sept. callup.

 

When I seen him at the end of August, there were glimpses of a future #2 starter.

[dalgreen]

Anything the Cubs can do to increase the OBP at the top and improve the situational hitting and hitting with RISP will dramatically change this team.

 

 

I agree. But I wish people would recognize that OBP is important up and down the lineup and not just at the top. Many innings could be led off with the #4 hitter, #7 hitter, #5 hitter, or the #3 hitter. It's important for the first batter of an inning to have the ability to get on base.

[ManEatingTarp]

Mark seems to have figured it out. The only difference between the 2 clubs was that the Cardinals caught the ball, hit the ball and pitched the ball better. Other than that they were pretty much the same...

[indifferent]

It's tough to allocate the dollars needed for a starter like Millwood for insurance purposes, especially with the thin starting pitcher market. Although the injury assumption to a rotation member is a good probability, it seems those dollars would be better allocated to RF, SS, bullpen, and possibly 2nd. As we've seen this year, even rich teams like Boston and NYY weren't able injury proof their rotation.

 

Who is most likely to be manning CF for the Cubs next year? Still Patterson or Pie or Hairston?

 

Ironically, the Cards were in a better position this year to take a starting pitcher injury with Reyes available. If he's slotted in the rotation next year, they lose that depth. Most likely Morris, but maybe Marquis will be gone next year. Cards also need a RF, 2nd base, and veteran LH relief in that order. I'll be very disappointed if they try to slot Luna at 2nd.

[dalgreen]

Mark seems to have figured it out. The only difference between the 2 clubs was that the Cardinals caught the ball, hit the ball and pitched the ball better. Other than that they were pretty much the same...

 

That's the simple way to state it, and you are right. However, how far ahead (or behind) would the Cardinals be if Rolen was healthy all year (keeping Walker's and Sanders' injuries), but Carpenter missed as much time as Wood did and Mulder missed the equivalent of Prior?

[ManEatingTarp]

It's tough to allocate the dollars needed for a starter like Millwood for insurance purposes, especially with the thin starting pitcher market. Although the injury assumption to a rotation member is a good probability, it seems those dollars would be better allocated to RF, SS, bullpen, and possibly 2nd. As we've seen this year, even rich teams like Boston and NYY weren't able injury proof their rotation.

 

Who is most likely to be manning CF for the Cubs next year? Still Patterson or Pie or Hairston?

 

Ironically, the Cards were in a better position this year to take a starting pitcher injury with Reyes available. If he's slotted in the rotation next year, they lose that depth. Most likely Morris, but maybe Marquis will be gone next year. Cards also need a RF, 2nd base, and veteran LH relief in that order. I'll be very disappointed if they try to slot Luna at 2nd.

 

I thnk Morris is gone. It wouldn't surprise me to see them bring Grudz and Reggie back. The big free agent move could ne Brian Giles. He fits the team, and I think they'll look to get one big FA name for the opening of the new stadium. If they go deep into the playoffs, the money should be there. I'm at a loss for a Lefty reliever, but those guys seem to shake themselves out by springtime.

 

I think the Cubs will make a big push for Damon and Wagner. Just a guess. Millwood is an interesting, but I think next year will be Rich Hill's year to be the #5.

[ManEatingTarp]

Mark seems to have figured it out. The only difference between the 2 clubs was that the Cardinals caught the ball, hit the ball and pitched the ball better. Other than that they were pretty much the same...

 

That's the simple way to state it, and you are right. However, how far ahead (or behind) would the Cardinals be if Rolen was healthy all year (keeping Walker's and Sanders' injuries), but Carpenter missed as much time as Wood did and Mulder missed the equivalent of Prior?

 

Dal, you always make good points, but injuries are one place that you can't say the Cards have been lucky this year. Yes, the starting staff has been healthy, but like Prior said, they're not very good anyway. ;)

[UK1679666180]

It's tough to allocate the dollars needed for a starter like Millwood for insurance purposes, especially with the thin starting pitcher market. Although the injury assumption to a rotation member is a good probability, it seems those dollars would be better allocated to RF, SS, bullpen, and possibly 2nd. As we've seen this year, even rich teams like Boston and NYY weren't able injury proof their rotation.

 

Who is most likely to be manning CF for the Cubs next year? Still Patterson or Pie or Hairston?

 

Ironically, the Cards were in a better position this year to take a starting pitcher injury with Reyes available. If he's slotted in the rotation next year, they lose that depth. Most likely Morris, but maybe Marquis will be gone next year. Cards also need a RF, 2nd base, and veteran LH relief in that order. I'll be very disappointed if they try to slot Luna at 2nd.

 

The Cubs have around 35-40 mil to spend with holes at 2 OF spots and 2 spots in the bullpen. Millwood would be a luxury at this point, but he could fall into the Cubs budget especially with Maddux and Wood off the books approx. 1 year from now. Allocate 13 mil towards the pen (Dempster), 12 towards OF (Giles and Lofton), rebuild this bench (5mil), pay the arbitration players and you'll not only keep the payroll even, you'll improve this team dramatically.

 

If the Cubs have any left over money, I wouldn't mind seeing them trade for Lugo or bring Nomar back. I think Cedeno can be solid SS defensively and a solid #8 hitter as he progresses.

 

But, the Cubs have the ability to build a 95 win team for next year.

 

I have little doubt in my mind the Cubs will have a new CF'er next year.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

It's tough to allocate the dollars needed for a starter like Millwood for insurance purposes, especially with the thin starting pitcher market. Although the injury assumption to a rotation member is a good probability, it seems those dollars would be better allocated to RF, SS, bullpen, and possibly 2nd. As we've seen this year, even rich teams like Boston and NYY weren't able injury proof their rotation.

 

Who is most likely to be manning CF for the Cubs next year? Still Patterson or Pie or Hairston?

Ironically, the Cards were in a better position this year to take a starting pitcher injury with Reyes available. If he's slotted in the rotation next year, they lose that depth. Most likely Morris, but maybe Marquis will be gone next year. Cards also need a RF, 2nd base, and veteran LH relief in that order. I'll be very disappointed if they try to slot Luna at 2nd.

 

As I've stated in a couple of the threads in "Trasactions," I think that Kenny Lofton could be returning for a one-year deal as Pie develops a little more. Lofton could fill in at CF while also answering that pesky lead-off question.

[dalgreen]

Mark seems to have figured it out. The only difference between the 2 clubs was that the Cardinals caught the ball, hit the ball and pitched the ball better. Other than that they were pretty much the same...

 

That's the simple way to state it, and you are right. However, how far ahead (or behind) would the Cardinals be if Rolen was healthy all year (keeping Walker's and Sanders' injuries), but Carpenter missed as much time as Wood did and Mulder missed the equivalent of Prior?

 

Dal, you always make good points, but injuries are one place that you can't say the Cards have been lucky this year. Yes, the starting staff has been healthy, but like Prior said, they're not very good anyway. ;)

 

He was talking about the 3-5 starters. Carpenter and Mulder, as my examples point out, have been very good. I'd give you Rolen being healthy all year, but without Carpenter it would've been interesting to see what the division standings would've looked like.

[dalgreen]

As I've stated in a couple of the threads in "Trasactions," I think that Kenny Lofton could be returning for a one-year deal as Pie develops a little more. Lofton could fill in at CF while also answering that pesky lead-off question.

 

I wouldn't mind seeing Lofton. I just hope some fans realize the starters' ERA may go up a bit because his defense is shaky as we saw at times in 2003.

[indifferent]

Regarding Prior's original comments about staying healthy, the same could apply to the Cards too.

[imb]

As I've stated in a couple of the threads in "Trasactions," I think that Kenny Lofton could be returning for a one-year deal as Pie develops a little more. Lofton could fill in at CF while also answering that pesky lead-off question.

 

I wouldn't mind seeing Lofton. I just hope some fans realize the starters' ERA may go up a bit because his defense is shaky as we saw at times in 2003.

 

I was telling Treeman that I wanted Lofton just yesterday.

 

Of course, I'm a moron, so he will probably suck next year.

[UK1679666180]

As I've stated in a couple of the threads in "Trasactions," I think that Kenny Lofton could be returning for a one-year deal as Pie develops a little more. Lofton could fill in at CF while also answering that pesky lead-off question.

 

I wouldn't mind seeing Lofton. I just hope some fans realize the starters' ERA may go up a bit because his defense is shaky as we saw at times in 2003.

 

I think Lofton and a platoon partner like Jose Cruz Jr. would do well together. Lofton and his 38-39yo body could rest against LH'ers and Cruz could see plenty of actions as well in CF.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Couldn't Hairston be the RH part of a CF platoon?

[indifferent]

OK, what would happen to Patterson? Would you trade him while his value is this low?

[UK1679666180]

He could, I wouldn't want him to though. I'd rather see him as a utility player off the bench in a role occupied by Macias right now.

 

They need a quality 4th OF'er, I think someone like Cruz provides that more than Hairston.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

OK, what would happen to Patterson? Would you trade him while his value is this low?

 

I think Patterson's tenure with the Cubs is over. I'm not sure where he'll be traded to, but I have no doubt he'll be traded.

[UK1679666180]

OK, what would happen to Patterson? Would you trade him while his value is this low?

 

The Cubs can't afford to hope he builds up his value. The only way to do that is to throw him out there everyday and they can't do that if they want to win it all next year.