Sun Times Article on Possible FA Acquisitions

[sethuel1]

If Cub fans start dictating personnel decisions then we're in some serious trouble.

 

Precisely. As I said before in a nother thread, Cubs fans have fallen back into the Sosa-style "Oh Derrek's up so I'll pay attention again for three minutes" type of watching ballgames. Who gives a crap about the fans. Go out and make the team better.

[CoolHandLuke]

I don't know how much more of this Quentin-ing I can take.

 

Walker/Patterson for Giles

 

aquire Bradley from LA somehow since they are so determined to get rid of him

 

Lee/Rusch for Webb/Tracy/Quentin

 

sign Brian Giles and a couple Bullpen guys

 

resign Nomar if he signs cheap, Cedeno as backup plan.

 

 

Giles

Bradley

Giles

Ramirez

Garciaparra

Tracey

Quentin

Barrett

 

Zambrano

Prior

Webb

Wood

Williams

 

Dempster

?

Novoa

Ohman

Wuertz

?

 

 

Not sure what it would take for Bradley but just thought Id throw it out there since he was mentioned in the article. Quentin might be able to play center and then Murton would get a chance to earn a starting role.

 

This team with health would have a great shot to win a championship in my mind.

[CubfaninCA]

if the cubs want to contend in the near future, it would be better to build on the core of lee, aram & barrett instead of trying to trade them when their value is perceived to be the highest.

 

Of course that would be better. But trading Lee for multiple younger and cheaper players is a better option than overpaying overrated players to try and make a run.

 

If you can trade Lee and get a huge upgrade at another position and a slight downgrade at 1B, then spend the extra money for another huge upgrade, then the Cubs will be a better team.

 

In the proposed deal, the Cubs get a pretty substantial upgrade at SP (Webb), a slight downgrade at 1B (Tracy, assuming Lee reverts somewhat to past trends), and a great prospect. If you can use the extra money to get Brian Giles over a player like Jacque Jones, then the team is better for it.

 

Still, I would rather keep Lee and find other ways to add these players or similar.

 

Why would Giles come to Chicago after they traded away a guy coming off an MVP season for a #3 starter, a 1b whose had one good season, and a kid?? Giles probably wants to win now. Not in 2009.

[CubinNY]

if the cubs want to contend in the near future, it would be better to build on the core of lee, aram & barrett instead of trying to trade them when their value is perceived to be the highest.

 

Of course that would be better. But trading Lee for multiple younger and cheaper players is a better option than overpaying overrated players to try and make a run.

 

If you can trade Lee and get a huge upgrade at another position and a slight downgrade at 1B, then spend the extra money for another huge upgrade, then the Cubs will be a better team.

 

In the proposed deal, the Cubs get a pretty substantial upgrade at SP (Webb), a slight downgrade at 1B (Tracy, assuming Lee reverts somewhat to past trends), and a great prospect. If you can use the extra money to get Brian Giles over a player like Jacque Jones, then the team is better for it.

 

Still, I would rather keep Lee and find other ways to add these players or similar.

 

Why would Giles come to Chicago after they traded away a guy coming off an MVP season for a #3 starter, a 1b whose had one good season, and a kid?? Giles probably wants to win now. Not in 2009.

 

Because the Cubs have filled three holes at the cost of one player?

 

Thus having the wearwithall to sign Giles plus some others.

 

And one more thing, exactly how good were the Cubs this year while Lee had his career year?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

if the cubs want to contend in the near future, it would be better to build on the core of lee, aram & barrett instead of trying to trade them when their value is perceived to be the highest.

 

Of course that would be better. But trading Lee for multiple younger and cheaper players is a better option than overpaying overrated players to try and make a run.

 

If you can trade Lee and get a huge upgrade at another position and a slight downgrade at 1B, then spend the extra money for another huge upgrade, then the Cubs will be a better team.

 

In the proposed deal, the Cubs get a pretty substantial upgrade at SP (Webb), a slight downgrade at 1B (Tracy, assuming Lee reverts somewhat to past trends), and a great prospect. If you can use the extra money to get Brian Giles over a player like Jacque Jones, then the team is better for it.

 

Still, I would rather keep Lee and find other ways to add these players or similar.

 

Why would Giles come to Chicago after they traded away a guy coming off an MVP season for a #3 starter, a 1b whose had one good season, and a kid?? Giles probably wants to win now. Not in 2009.

 

That's one way to look at it. Giles could also see a guy who was pretty good but never great before this year getting traded for a guy who owned his team this year(.300/.331/.562, 10 XBH in 73 AB), a guy with a top-20 ERA(that's a high number 2 starter), and one of the top prospects in the game.

[CubfaninCA]

if the cubs want to contend in the near future, it would be better to build on the core of lee, aram & barrett instead of trying to trade them when their value is perceived to be the highest.

 

Of course that would be better. But trading Lee for multiple younger and cheaper players is a better option than overpaying overrated players to try and make a run.

 

If you can trade Lee and get a huge upgrade at another position and a slight downgrade at 1B, then spend the extra money for another huge upgrade, then the Cubs will be a better team.

 

In the proposed deal, the Cubs get a pretty substantial upgrade at SP (Webb), a slight downgrade at 1B (Tracy, assuming Lee reverts somewhat to past trends), and a great prospect. If you can use the extra money to get Brian Giles over a player like Jacque Jones, then the team is better for it.

 

Still, I would rather keep Lee and find other ways to add these players or similar.

 

Why would Giles come to Chicago after they traded away a guy coming off an MVP season for a #3 starter, a 1b whose had one good season, and a kid?? Giles probably wants to win now. Not in 2009.

 

Because the Cubs have filled three holes at the cost of one player?

 

Thus having the wearwithall to sign Giles plus some others.

 

And one more thing, exactly how good were the Cubs this year while Lee had his career year?

 

Uh huh. Sure he would. Only way he'd come to Chicago is if the Cubs pulled off a deal to bring his brother in.

 

Without Lee we'd be looking @ a 65 win team, if that.

[JeffH]

Don't we think Arizona learned its lesson about trading multiple players to a Central division team for a long and lanky slugging first baseman?

[CuseCubFan69]

if the cubs want to contend in the near future, it would be better to build on the core of lee, aram & barrett instead of trying to trade them when their value is perceived to be the highest.

 

Of course that would be better. But trading Lee for multiple younger and cheaper players is a better option than overpaying overrated players to try and make a run.

 

If you can trade Lee and get a huge upgrade at another position and a slight downgrade at 1B, then spend the extra money for another huge upgrade, then the Cubs will be a better team.

 

In the proposed deal, the Cubs get a pretty substantial upgrade at SP (Webb), a slight downgrade at 1B (Tracy, assuming Lee reverts somewhat to past trends), and a great prospect. If you can use the extra money to get Brian Giles over a player like Jacque Jones, then the team is better for it.

 

Still, I would rather keep Lee and find other ways to add these players or similar.

 

Why would Giles come to Chicago after they traded away a guy coming off an MVP season for a #3 starter, a 1b whose had one good season, and a kid?? Giles probably wants to win now. Not in 2009.

 

Because the Cubs have filled three holes at the cost of one player?

 

Thus having the wearwithall to sign Giles plus some others.

 

And one more thing, exactly how good were the Cubs this year while Lee had his career year?

 

Banks...Sosa...maybe now Lee. I see a very bad pattern here. Cub fans can not fall in love with a player so much that they would go crazy if he is dealt during his peak to improve the team. I'm sick of the Cubs hanging onto one marquee player and no real supporting cast.

[CubinNY]

Don't we think Arizona learned its lesson about trading multiple players to a Central division team for a long and lanky slugging first baseman?

 

Yes I do, which is why I said I would be singing Hendry's praise.

 

But you never know, this is baseball. There is a sucker born every minute.

[Backtobanks]

I don't think Lee has magically become a great player. I'd expect that he will regress toward his career norms next year. However, he is still a top five first baseman. On the other hand, if Hendry can get back Tracy, Web, and Quentin for Lee and a couple of throw ins. I'd be singing his praises.

 

First, why does everyone think Lee is going to regress back to his career norms. He worked hard to make adjustments in his swing and plate coverage, so there isn't much of a reason to think he will revert back to a .270 hitter. Secondly, what guarantee that any young players we get in return for Lee will be the superstars that everyone is making them out to be. Finally, will a team like the Diamondbacks trade 3 very promising, young players for one excellent player when they are in a rebuilding situation.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

if the cubs want to contend in the near future, it would be better to build on the core of lee, aram & barrett instead of trying to trade them when their value is perceived to be the highest.

 

Of course that would be better. But trading Lee for multiple younger and cheaper players is a better option than overpaying overrated players to try and make a run.

 

If you can trade Lee and get a huge upgrade at another position and a slight downgrade at 1B, then spend the extra money for another huge upgrade, then the Cubs will be a better team.

 

In the proposed deal, the Cubs get a pretty substantial upgrade at SP (Webb), a slight downgrade at 1B (Tracy, assuming Lee reverts somewhat to past trends), and a great prospect. If you can use the extra money to get Brian Giles over a player like Jacque Jones, then the team is better for it.

 

Still, I would rather keep Lee and find other ways to add these players or similar.

 

Why would Giles come to Chicago after they traded away a guy coming off an MVP season for a #3 starter, a 1b whose had one good season, and a kid?? Giles probably wants to win now. Not in 2009.

 

Because the Cubs have filled three holes at the cost of one player?

 

Thus having the wearwithall to sign Giles plus some others.

 

And one more thing, exactly how good were the Cubs this year while Lee had his career year?

 

Uh huh. Sure he would. Only way he'd come to Chicago is if the Cubs pulled off a deal to bring his brother in.

 

Without Lee we'd be looking @ a 65 win team, if that.

 

That assumes that we just get rid of Lee for nothing in return, which obviously wouldn't be the case.

[CubinNY]

 

Uh huh. Sure he would. Only way he'd come to Chicago is if the Cubs pulled off a deal to bring his brother in.

 

Without Lee we'd be looking @ a 65 win team, if that.

 

OK, I see. So you will take another near .500 season so you can watch Lee maybe almost win the triple crown.

 

Not me dude. I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.

[JeffH]

But you never know, this is baseball. There is a sucker born every minute.

 

Usually on the north side of Chicago.

[CubfaninCA]

if the cubs want to contend in the near future, it would be better to build on the core of lee, aram & barrett instead of trying to trade them when their value is perceived to be the highest.

 

Of course that would be better. But trading Lee for multiple younger and cheaper players is a better option than overpaying overrated players to try and make a run.

 

If you can trade Lee and get a huge upgrade at another position and a slight downgrade at 1B, then spend the extra money for another huge upgrade, then the Cubs will be a better team.

 

In the proposed deal, the Cubs get a pretty substantial upgrade at SP (Webb), a slight downgrade at 1B (Tracy, assuming Lee reverts somewhat to past trends), and a great prospect. If you can use the extra money to get Brian Giles over a player like Jacque Jones, then the team is better for it.

 

Still, I would rather keep Lee and find other ways to add these players or similar.

 

Why would Giles come to Chicago after they traded away a guy coming off an MVP season for a #3 starter, a 1b whose had one good season, and a kid?? Giles probably wants to win now. Not in 2009.

 

Because the Cubs have filled three holes at the cost of one player?

 

Thus having the wearwithall to sign Giles plus some others.

 

And one more thing, exactly how good were the Cubs this year while Lee had his career year?

 

Banks...Sosa...maybe now Lee. I see a very bad pattern here. Cub fans can not fall in love with a player so much that they would go crazy if he is dealt during his peak to improve the team. I'm sick of the Cubs hanging onto one marquee player and no real supporting cast.

 

So the Cubs should have traded Sosa after 98??

 

Unlike years ago, the Cubs spend some money nowadays. Lee will have a supporting cast around him. They just need to discontinue spending money on guys likely to breakdown (Nomar).

[CubfaninCA]

 

Uh huh. Sure he would. Only way he'd come to Chicago is if the Cubs pulled off a deal to bring his brother in.

 

Without Lee we'd be looking @ a 65 win team, if that.

 

OK, I see. So you will take another near .500 season so you can watch Lee maybe almost win the triple crown.

 

Not me dude. I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.

 

The Cubs got nearly nothing from 40% of the their budget (Sosa, Wood, Nomar, Remlinger...) Next year should be different, as Sosa, Remlinger and hopefully Nomar are gone from the budget, and I expect Prior to have some good luck for a change and be dominant again. If Prior is 100% this year, we're still in the wildcard hunt.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

if the cubs want to contend in the near future, it would be better to build on the core of lee, aram & barrett instead of trying to trade them when their value is perceived to be the highest.

 

Of course that would be better. But trading Lee for multiple younger and cheaper players is a better option than overpaying overrated players to try and make a run.

 

If you can trade Lee and get a huge upgrade at another position and a slight downgrade at 1B, then spend the extra money for another huge upgrade, then the Cubs will be a better team.

 

In the proposed deal, the Cubs get a pretty substantial upgrade at SP (Webb), a slight downgrade at 1B (Tracy, assuming Lee reverts somewhat to past trends), and a great prospect. If you can use the extra money to get Brian Giles over a player like Jacque Jones, then the team is better for it.

 

Still, I would rather keep Lee and find other ways to add these players or similar.

 

Why would Giles come to Chicago after they traded away a guy coming off an MVP season for a #3 starter, a 1b whose had one good season, and a kid?? Giles probably wants to win now. Not in 2009.

 

Because the Cubs have filled three holes at the cost of one player?

 

Thus having the wearwithall to sign Giles plus some others.

 

And one more thing, exactly how good were the Cubs this year while Lee had his career year?

 

Uh huh. Sure he would. Only way he'd come to Chicago is if the Cubs pulled off a deal to bring his brother in.

 

Without Lee we'd be looking @ a 65 win team, if that.

 

That assumes that we just get rid of Lee for nothing in return, which obviously wouldn't be the case.

 

Yes, but we should never let facts get in the way of a really good point.

[CubfaninCA]

I don't think Lee has magically become a great player. I'd expect that he will regress toward his career norms next year. However, he is still a top five first baseman. On the other hand, if Hendry can get back Tracy, Web, and Quentin for Lee and a couple of throw ins. I'd be singing his praises.

 

First, why does everyone think Lee is going to regress back to his career norms. He worked hard to make adjustments in his swing and plate coverage, so there isn't much of a reason to think he will revert back to a .270 hitter. Secondly, what guarantee that any young players we get in return for Lee will be the superstars that everyone is making them out to be. Finally, will a team like the Diamondbacks trade 3 very promising, young players for one excellent player when they are in a rebuilding situation.

 

I wish this board was around in 1998 when Sosa had his first huge year. He turned 30 in November of 1998. Would love to go back in the archives for some of the trade proposals. :o

[rawaction]

I don't think Lee has magically become a great player. I'd expect that he will regress toward his career norms next year. However, he is still a top five first baseman. On the other hand, if Hendry can get back Tracy, Web, and Quentin for Lee and a couple of throw ins. I'd be singing his praises.

 

First, why does everyone think Lee is going to regress back to his career norms. He worked hard to make adjustments in his swing and plate coverage, so there isn't much of a reason to think he will revert back to a .270 hitter. Secondly, what guarantee that any young players we get in return for Lee will be the superstars that everyone is making them out to be. Finally, will a team like the Diamondbacks trade 3 very promising, young players for one excellent player when they are in a rebuilding situation.

 

I think he'll settle in for 2-3 years at my prediction for this year .290/.380/.570. Still a very good player.

[CubfaninCA]

if the cubs want to contend in the near future, it would be better to build on the core of lee, aram & barrett instead of trying to trade them when their value is perceived to be the highest.

 

Of course that would be better. But trading Lee for multiple younger and cheaper players is a better option than overpaying overrated players to try and make a run.

 

If you can trade Lee and get a huge upgrade at another position and a slight downgrade at 1B, then spend the extra money for another huge upgrade, then the Cubs will be a better team.

 

In the proposed deal, the Cubs get a pretty substantial upgrade at SP (Webb), a slight downgrade at 1B (Tracy, assuming Lee reverts somewhat to past trends), and a great prospect. If you can use the extra money to get Brian Giles over a player like Jacque Jones, then the team is better for it.

 

Still, I would rather keep Lee and find other ways to add these players or similar.

 

Why would Giles come to Chicago after they traded away a guy coming off an MVP season for a #3 starter, a 1b whose had one good season, and a kid?? Giles probably wants to win now. Not in 2009.

 

Because the Cubs have filled three holes at the cost of one player?

 

Thus having the wearwithall to sign Giles plus some others.

 

And one more thing, exactly how good were the Cubs this year while Lee had his career year?

 

Uh huh. Sure he would. Only way he'd come to Chicago is if the Cubs pulled off a deal to bring his brother in.

 

Without Lee we'd be looking @ a 65 win team, if that.

 

That assumes that we just get rid of Lee for nothing in return, which obviously wouldn't be the case.

 

Yes, but we should never let facts get in the way of a really good point.

 

Tracy & Webb get the Cubs to 70 wins this year. Woo hOoo.

[CubinNY]

 

First, why does everyone think Lee is going to regress back to his career norms. He worked hard to make adjustments in his swing and plate coverage, so there isn't much of a reason to think he will revert back to a .270 hitter.

 

B/c this year's numbers are so far out of line of his past numbers. This year he got off to an incredible start and has faded toward the end. Normally he starts off poor and then heats up. Be that as it may, he is 30 and at his peak but for him to have another season like this year would be remarkable. As I originally stated, he still is a top 5 1st baseman even at his career norms.

 

Secondly, what guarantee that any young players we get in return for Lee will be the superstars that everyone is making them out to be. Finally, will a team like the Diamondbacks trade 3 very promising, young players for one excellent player when they are in a rebuilding situation.

 

There is no guarantee that any of the young players would be superstars, but I don't reacall anyone stating that they would. Maybe I need to re-read the thread. And as I stated above, I don't think the D-backs would make the deal. Nevertheless, it is fun to talk about it.

[CubfaninCA]

if the cubs want to contend in the near future, it would be better to build on the core of lee, aram & barrett instead of trying to trade them when their value is perceived to be the highest.

 

Of course that would be better. But trading Lee for multiple younger and cheaper players is a better option than overpaying overrated players to try and make a run.

 

If you can trade Lee and get a huge upgrade at another position and a slight downgrade at 1B, then spend the extra money for another huge upgrade, then the Cubs will be a better team.

 

In the proposed deal, the Cubs get a pretty substantial upgrade at SP (Webb), a slight downgrade at 1B (Tracy, assuming Lee reverts somewhat to past trends), and a great prospect. If you can use the extra money to get Brian Giles over a player like Jacque Jones, then the team is better for it.

 

Still, I would rather keep Lee and find other ways to add these players or similar.

 

Why would Giles come to Chicago after they traded away a guy coming off an MVP season for a #3 starter, a 1b whose had one good season, and a kid?? Giles probably wants to win now. Not in 2009.

 

Because the Cubs have filled three holes at the cost of one player?

 

Thus having the wearwithall to sign Giles plus some others.

 

And one more thing, exactly how good were the Cubs this year while Lee had his career year?

 

Uh huh. Sure he would. Only way he'd come to Chicago is if the Cubs pulled off a deal to bring his brother in.

 

Without Lee we'd be looking @ a 65 win team, if that.

 

That assumes that we just get rid of Lee for nothing in return, which obviously wouldn't be the case.

 

Yes, but we should never let facts get in the way of a really good point.

 

65 wins = having Choi @ 1b and whatever 2nd tier FA they bring in due to Lee's savings. :o

[CuseCubFan69]

Banks...Sosa...maybe now Lee. I see a very bad pattern here. Cub fans can not fall in love with a player so much that they would go crazy if he is dealt during his peak to improve the team. I'm sick of the Cubs hanging onto one marquee player and no real supporting cast.

 

So the Cubs should have traded Sosa after 98??

 

Unlike years ago, the Cubs spend some money nowadays. Lee will have a supporting cast around him. They just need to discontinue spending money on guys likely to breakdown (Nomar).

 

The Cubs won in 98. I think Sosa should have been dealt in 2000.

 

The broken down players is what the Cubs do. They look for bargins to go with their superstar marquee players. I want a team of good players not one superstar to bring in the sheep. If the Cubs actually decided to go after good players to go with with Lee then yeah...I agree with you but history has shown they do not.

[erik316wttn]

Banks...Sosa...maybe now Lee. I see a very bad pattern here. Cub fans can not fall in love with a player so much that they would go crazy if he is dealt during his peak to improve the team. I'm sick of the Cubs hanging onto one marquee player and no real supporting cast.

 

So the Cubs should have traded Sosa after 98??

 

Unlike years ago, the Cubs spend some money nowadays. Lee will have a supporting cast around him. They just need to discontinue spending money on guys likely to breakdown (Nomar).

 

The Cubs won in 98. I think Sosa should have been dealt in 2000.

 

The broken down players is what the Cubs do. They look for bargins to go with their superstar marquee players. I want a team of good players not one superstar to bring in the sheep. If the Cubs actually decided to go after good players to go with with Lee then yeah...I agree with you but history has shown they do not.

 

Do you remember the trade proposals the Yankees gave us for Sammy? A bunch of crap for the #1 slugger in the game. Wonder why we didn't take that. :roll:

[illiniguy]

Banks...Sosa...maybe now Lee. I see a very bad pattern here. Cub fans can not fall in love with a player so much that they would go crazy if he is dealt during his peak to improve the team. I'm sick of the Cubs hanging onto one marquee player and no real supporting cast.

 

So the Cubs should have traded Sosa after 98??

 

Unlike years ago, the Cubs spend some money nowadays. Lee will have a supporting cast around him. They just need to discontinue spending money on guys likely to breakdown (Nomar).

 

The Cubs won in 98. I think Sosa should have been dealt in 2000.

 

The broken down players is what the Cubs do. They look for bargins to go with their superstar marquee players. I want a team of good players not one superstar to bring in the sheep. If the Cubs actually decided to go after good players to go with with Lee then yeah...I agree with you but history has shown they do not.

 

Do you remember the trade proposals the Yankees gave us for Sammy? A bunch of crap for the #1 slugger in the game. Wonder why we didn't take that. :roll:

didn't they offer Soriano?

[CubfaninCA]

Banks...Sosa...maybe now Lee. I see a very bad pattern here. Cub fans can not fall in love with a player so much that they would go crazy if he is dealt during his peak to improve the team. I'm sick of the Cubs hanging onto one marquee player and no real supporting cast.

 

So the Cubs should have traded Sosa after 98??

 

Unlike years ago, the Cubs spend some money nowadays. Lee will have a supporting cast around him. They just need to discontinue spending money on guys likely to breakdown (Nomar).

 

The Cubs won in 98. I think Sosa should have been dealt in 2000.

 

The broken down players is what the Cubs do. They look for bargins to go with their superstar marquee players. I want a team of good players not one superstar to bring in the sheep. If the Cubs actually decided to go after good players to go with with Lee then yeah...I agree with you but history has shown they do not.

 

Do you remember the trade proposals the Yankees gave us for Sammy? A bunch of crap for the #1 slugger in the game. Wonder why we didn't take that. :roll:

didn't they offer Soriano?

 

Iirc it was Soriano, Ledee and a couple of garbage pitching prospects.