Sun Times Article on Possible FA Acquisitions

[goonys evil twin]

I'm too impressed by Lee as a ballplayer and as a person to consider trading him...even if could potentially improve the Cubs. Lee is someone the Cubs should continue to build around.

 

He's a high character guy and you build around MVP's. I wouldn't be surprised to see him put up a 1.000 Ops next year. Sounds like he made some adjustments to his swing last offseason, so he should continue w/ the power. Can't see him batting for as high of average though.

 

He's hit .295/.390/.597 since the all star break, I think that's the type of line you could realistically expect next year. That is still very good, and well above his career numbers, but significantly off the pace of your typical MVP candidate.

 

Would a .987 OPS be significantly off the pace of a typical MVP candidate? I don't know if it is, and I guess it would depend on how many HR were included in that .597 SLG and how many RBI he had.

If Lee had a .987 OPS this year, it would be good enough for 3rd in the NL and 6th in the game.

There are only 5 players in all of baseball with a 1.000+ OPS and Ortiz is at 1.001.

 

With Bonds and Pujols in this league, and young guys like Cabrera, Bay, Dunn already mashing and getting better and better, I think a sub 1000 won't hold up to the best of them. Perhaps I phrased it poorly because a lot of writers get hung up on the definition of MVP, but I just look at it in terms of the most productive avg/obp/slg player in the league, and I think Lee won't be top 2 next year in that department.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Hmm...

 

Lee + Rusch for Webb + Tracy + Quentin.

 

Yeah, I'd do that.

 

Wow, that'd be awesome.

[USSoccer]

Hmm...

 

Lee + Rusch for Webb + Tracy + Quentin.

 

Yeah, I'd do that.

 

Wow, that'd be awesome.

 

I'd do that, but Hendry wouldn't be so bold as to enrage the Chicago sports media by trading away Lee for basically a prospect, no matter how good the prospect might be.

[Jazz]

Lee for prospects would never happen. Not in chicago, and not with how Lee is right now.

 

Only way you satisfy Chicago Sports Media, and the fans is by acquiring a big name OF like Abreu or Cabrera.

[nilodnayr]

If we took on Chipper and most of his contract we wouldnt have enough money to get Brian Giles. I'd do anything possible under the sun to get Marcus by himself though. I like his potential, but I guess the braves would be attracted to Walkers consistancy and low salary.

[Tim]

Hmm...

 

Lee + Rusch for Webb + Tracy + Quentin.

 

Yeah, I'd do that.

 

Wow, that'd be awesome.

 

I'd do that, but Hendry wouldn't be so bold as to enrage the Chicago sports media by trading away Lee for basically a prospect, no matter how good the prospect might be.

Basically, you're trading Lee and a couple million dollars of additional salary commitment to AZ for a cheap, very solid starter, a fairly proven first baseman / OF and a top 15 prospect. You're trading away a guy who just had his career year for three guys to plug holes.

 

Now, AZ might have flashbacks to the whole Richie Sexson thing and think better of this, but I think Milwaukee did pretty well on that deal.

[erik316wttn]

If we took on Chipper and most of his contract we wouldnt have enough money to get Brian Giles. I'd do anything possible under the sun to get Marcus by himself though. I like his potential, but I guess the braves would be attracted to Walkers consistancy and low salary.

 

Hendry ought to be at least considering this, and hammering out proposals for when he calls Schuerholtz.

 

Hendry NEEDS to pick up Walkers option. He can at least deal him if he decides that Walker isn't in the Cubs plans for 2006. There is no reason whatsoever to not pick up that option.

 

I think Lee is an untouchable right now. Dealing fan favorites who are probably the best hitter on the team (at least at the time) is always a very tricky proposal. And like someone said, Hendry would have to net Abreu or someone like that to deal Lee. I very much doubt the average fan would accept a Lee deal for prospects, even if you could nab Quentin or someone like that.

 

While this board would be absolutey beside themselves with glee if we traded Lee to Arizona for Quentin or the other guy (I forget his name right now), most fans would rebel and roast Hendry. Usually, immediate results are needed for the public to accept a trade of such a superstar, unless such superstar is hated.

[Tim]

Why does everyone keep ignoring Webb in that trade proposal? :?

 

Or Chad Tracy of the "proven" .305/.356/.542 line?

 

Sure, I love Quentin. But he's one of three pieces I'm getting in this trade. By trading one player at his peak, I'm filling three holes on the team.

[erik316wttn]

Why does everyone keep ignoring Webb in that trade proposal? :?

 

Or Chad Tracy of the "proven" .305/.356/.542 line?

 

Sure, I love Quentin. But he's one of three pieces I'm getting in this trade. By trading one player at his peak, I'm filling three holes on the team.

 

I don't know much about Chad Tracy. He wouldn't be terrible, I guess. Dusty would love him.

 

I've always liked Webb. Prior, Z, Webb would be a pretty darn good 1-2-3. Get a healthy Kerry Wood in there (if he can stay healthy) and that's a damn solid rotation. Williams would be a pretty good #5.

 

It would be hard to trade D-Lee though. And it would be hard to see D-Lee kill us 6 games a year seeing as the Dbacks always outscore us like 30-5 in a 3-games series.

[CubfaninCA]

Hmm...

 

Lee + Rusch for Webb + Tracy + Quentin.

 

Yeah, I'd do that.

 

Wow, that'd be awesome.

 

I'd do that, but Hendry wouldn't be so bold as to enrage the Chicago sports media by trading away Lee for basically a prospect, no matter how good the prospect might be.

Basically, you're trading Lee and a couple million dollars of additional salary commitment to AZ for a cheap, very solid starter, a fairly proven first baseman / OF and a top 15 prospect. You're trading away a guy who just had his career year for three guys to plug holes.

 

Now, AZ might have flashbacks to the whole Richie Sexson thing and think better of this, but I think Milwaukee did pretty well on that deal.

 

How you going to fill the superstar hole though?? He could have another huge year.

[Tim]

Hmm...

 

Lee + Rusch for Webb + Tracy + Quentin.

 

Yeah, I'd do that.

 

Wow, that'd be awesome.

 

I'd do that, but Hendry wouldn't be so bold as to enrage the Chicago sports media by trading away Lee for basically a prospect, no matter how good the prospect might be.

Basically, you're trading Lee and a couple million dollars of additional salary commitment to AZ for a cheap, very solid starter, a fairly proven first baseman / OF and a top 15 prospect. You're trading away a guy who just had his career year for three guys to plug holes.

 

Now, AZ might have flashbacks to the whole Richie Sexson thing and think better of this, but I think Milwaukee did pretty well on that deal.

 

How you going to fill the superstar hole though?? He could have another huge year.

Sure, he could. So could Tracy. Or Webb. Or Quentin. Or it could be that it is more important to have a good team than a great player.

[CubfaninCA]

Hmm...

 

Lee + Rusch for Webb + Tracy + Quentin.

 

Yeah, I'd do that.

 

Wow, that'd be awesome.

 

I'd do that, but Hendry wouldn't be so bold as to enrage the Chicago sports media by trading away Lee for basically a prospect, no matter how good the prospect might be.

Basically, you're trading Lee and a couple million dollars of additional salary commitment to AZ for a cheap, very solid starter, a fairly proven first baseman / OF and a top 15 prospect. You're trading away a guy who just had his career year for three guys to plug holes.

 

Now, AZ might have flashbacks to the whole Richie Sexson thing and think better of this, but I think Milwaukee did pretty well on that deal.

 

How you going to fill the superstar hole though?? He could have another huge year.

Sure, he could. So could Tracy. Or Webb. Or Quentin. Or it could be that it is more important to have a good team than a great player.

 

They can address their problems other ways. I can't get too fired up about Webb's 3.68 ERA or Tracy's .900 obp, when Lee's coming off an MVP year.

[Geech]

Hmm...

 

Lee + Rusch for Webb + Tracy + Quentin.

 

Yeah, I'd do that.

 

Wow, that'd be awesome.

 

It certainly would be, but I don't think AZ would ever do that.

[Brian]

I can't get too fired up about Webb's 3.68 ERA or Tracy's .900 obp, when Lee's coming off an MVP year.

 

I don't know I could get pretty fired up about that ;)

 

 

This is my ideal 2006, but i'm not set at RF/LF - this is only using FA signings, so if we could trade up at either of those positions that would be great. I'm not really for or against trading Walker if it can net us a stud corner outfielder go for it and hope Cedeno can handle 2nd. (also Walker would bat 2nd)

 

Furcal SS

Murton LF

Lee 1B

Giles RF

Ramirez 3B

Barrett C

Cedeno/Walker 2B

Patterson/Hairston CF

[MPrior]

They can address their problems other ways. I can't get too fired up about Webb's 3.68 ERA or Tracy's .900 obp, when Lee's coming off an MVP year.

 

I'd be pretty fired up about anyone's .900 OBP.

[BigbadB]

They can address their problems other ways. I can't get too fired up about Webb's 3.68 ERA or Tracy's .900 obp, when Lee's coming off an MVP year.

 

I'd be pretty fired up about anyone's .900 OBP.

 

Dusty would surely bat him 8th. :roll:

[CubinNY]

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.

[CubfaninCA]

They can address their problems other ways. I can't get too fired up about Webb's 3.68 ERA or Tracy's .900 obp, when Lee's coming off an MVP year.

 

I'd be pretty fired up about anyone's .900 OBP.

 

After Lee's 1.090, I can't.

[Keener98]

They can address their problems other ways. I can't get too fired up about Webb's 3.68 ERA or Tracy's .900 obp, when Lee's coming off an MVP year.

 

I'd be pretty fired up about anyone's .900 OBP.

 

After Lee's 1.090, I can't.

 

I think maybe you mean OPS because its not even possible for a 1.090 OBP. :shock:

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

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.

 

Hendry won't trade Lee this offseason. Yes, I think we could make a killing if we did it, but it will never happen in a sports town like Chicago, with the level of media scrutiny on a certain GM.

[mg420]

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.

[Geech]

Lee's already 30 and coming off a career year. This is a great time to trade him.

[rawaction]

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.

[sethuel1]

Who gives a damn what the fans think? They'll keep showing up and filling the ballpark, which is all that matters. Trade Lee if you can get that sort of deal, take a beating from jay Mariotti for 3 weeks, and then go out and laugh in everyone's face when the team does better than this year.

[Mark Priors Calves]

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