BCB sources say....

[rawaction]

Why are we even talking about closers? Dempster has been flat out filthy in that role, he wants to stay here, and he shouldn't be too expensive to keep.

 

I think most if not all who were talking about Howry were talking about getting him in addition to keeping Dempster. I know I'm not extremely comfortable with any of our current setup/fireman options.

 

At least 1 major upgrade is needed in the pen. I think Ohman, Novoa and Wuertz are good bullpen options, but they shouldn't be your 1-2-3 guys to get to the closer. Get an 8th inning guy or an established closer (moving Dempster to the 8th), and the pen becomes much better. Get 2 arms and the pen can be a strength with Ohman, Novoa, and Wuertz in less pressure filled situations.

[USSoccer]

Why are we even talking about closers? Dempster has been flat out filthy in that role, he wants to stay here, and he shouldn't be too expensive to keep.

 

I think most if not all who were talking about Howry were talking about getting him in addition to keeping Dempster. I know I'm not extremely comfortable with any of our current setup/fireman options.

 

At least 1 major upgrade is needed in the pen. I think Ohman, Novoa and Wuertz are good bullpen options, but they shouldn't be your 1-2-3 guys to get to the closer. Get an 8th inning guy or an established closer (moving Dempster to the 8th), and the pen becomes much better. Get 2 arms and the pen can be a strength with Ohman, Novoa, and Wuertz in less pressure filled situations.

 

 

Agreed, although I think Novoa could become a good 7th inning setup guy. Wuertz would seem to me to be best used in middle relief.

[abuck1220]

i don't want any of those players.

 

i'd take burnett, but the cubs have more pressing issues. like team chemistry and defense at 2b and catcher. :roll:

 

Not a Howry fan? I've heard that Cleveland wants to keep Howry as their closer next year, so he may never become available.

 

eh...relievers are so fickle. it's so tough to judge how good a guy is based on 40-60 innings. i agree the cubs need an upgrade in the pen, but i'm just wary of throwing a mulit-year deal for a bunch of cash at a bullpen arm.

 

that being said, i wouldn't mind howry. he's been pretty consistent over the course of his career. i'm not doing backflips for him though.

[CubfaninCA]

Put Rodriguez back on the roids and he'd be a great pickup. Would be nice to have better d @ the most important defensive position. However, I can see him breaking down like Garciaperra and he's not that productive anymore, so no thanx. Too expensive.

 

Nice to hear about Burnett.

[DougDascenzo]

I wouldn't mind Ivan. Im not that big of a barret fan.

 

How about this for next year, going along with what dude was saying + acquiring an actual legit Lefty bat in the outfield, (Damon or Giles)

 

If we could get Giles for Right Field: Furcal

 

Furcal

Cedeno

Lee

Giles

Ramirez

Jacque Jones/ Monroe for CF

Murton

Barret/ I-Rod

 

To me that lineup is killer... as good a 3 4 5 as their is in the league, all while improving the D

 

Maybe bat Murton 2nd if he stays good?

 

This improves us both defensively (monstrously in the IF...) and offensively as well.

 

Is this doable tho? I dont know, especially if improving the pen is a high priority

 

We cant go into next year with both Walker and Nomar up the middle.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I wouldn't mind Ivan. Im not that big of a barret fan.

 

How about this for next year, going along with what dude was saying + acquiring an actual legit Lefty bat in the outfield, (Damon or Giles)

 

If we could get Giles for Right Field: Furcal

 

Furcal

Cedeno

Lee

Giles

Ramirez

Jacque Jones/ Monroe for CF

Murton

Barret/ I-Rod

 

To me that lineup is killer... as good a 3 4 5 as their is in the league, all while improving the D

 

Maybe bat Murton 2nd if he stays good?

 

This improves us both defensively (monstrously in the IF...) and offensively as well.

 

Is this doable tho? I dont know, especially if improving the pen is a high priority

 

We cant go into next year with both Walker and Nomar up the middle.

 

I really don't see the Cubs spending enough to land both Giles and Furcal. It really isn't too likely at all.

[JeffH]

I really don't see the Cubs spending enough to land both Giles and Furcal. It really isn't too likely at all.

 

I agree with that, but they're going to have to put the payroll somewhere.

 

The Cubs are probably going to have around $40 million to spend on eleven players. At least two (or three, if they carry six reserves next season) of those eleven are going to be bench guys. It could be four (or five), if Murton and Cedeno get everyday jobs.

 

It's going to be tough to spend that much money without bringing in two very highly paid new players.

[biittner77]

I would like to know who those "sources" are before I put much stock into any of that chatter.

My source is telling a much different story.

 

My source is a magical pumpkin patch that appeared in front of my garage. The pumpkins seem to think that Larry Biittner will come out of retirement to replace Macias.

 

But that's crazy. Surely Biittner would replace Murton in LF.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

I would like to know who those "sources" are before I put much stock into any of that chatter.

My source is telling a much different story.

 

My source is a magical pumpkin patch that appeared in front of my garage. The pumpkins seem to think that Larry Biittner will come out of retirement to replace Macias.

 

But that's crazy. Surely Biittner would replace Murton in LF.

 

well, it couldn't be much worse than the Holly/Dubois platoon we endured this year.