OF Options...

[kylescubs23]

Lets assume that Murton wins the LF job in the spring and Patterson is traded in the winter. How about these options for center and right...

 

Randy Winn:

Not the flashiest of players, but plays a solid outfield while putting up career averages of 290/350/430. He's been slightly above those numbers this year and has stolen 19 bases. He won't turn 32 until June of next season. Almost positive he's a free agent.

 

Chad Tracy:

Turns 26 in May, has hit 25 hr's in right around 500 at bats. Potential to be a consistent 300/350/525 hitter. Moved to the outfield this year after playing third and first the last two seasons. By no means a gold glover, but should be more comfortable there next year. As has been discussed numerous times, the D-Backs have a lot of options next year in the outfield and on the corners, but are pretty much stuck with what they have. Gonzalez, Green, Clark, Glaus, Conor Jackson, and Carlos Quinten. They also need a centerfielder.

 

Winn cf

Murton lf

Lee 1b

Ramirez 3b

Nomar ss

Tracy rf

Walker/Barrett 2b/c

Barret/Cedeno c/2b

 

Just two options I hadn't heard a lot about. I think the D-Backs are a prime trade partner for one of our outfield spots. Your thoughts?

[CuseCubFan69]

If the Cubs sign Winn I would assume it would be a multi year deal and I'm not sure they want to invest in him with Pie in the wings unless it's a deal they can move.

[mg420]

i would take those two guys in a second. they both hit left handed to boot (doesnt wynn switch hit?) which will be a big factor next year with a mostly right handed line up. other names i have heard include floyd, gliles, lofton or even moving nomar to the of ala robin yount. the question is what would it take to get tracy?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Tracy is not a bad option, but I'm not sold on Randy Winn.

 

I think that the Cubs should be able to put together a better outfield than Murton, Winn, and Tracy with the money that is available.

[JeffH]

Randy Winn:

 

Not the flashiest of players, but plays a solid outfield while putting up career averages of 290/350/430. He's been slightly above those numbers this year and has stolen 19 bases. He won't turn 32 until June of next season. Almost positive he's a free agent.

 

Nope, the Giants have an option on him and he has his own option if the Giants decline to exercise theirs.

[LoneStarCubFan]

I'm convinced the Reds are going to deal an outfileder. The question is, which one is available.

[rawaction]

I'm convinced the Reds are going to deal an outfileder. The question is, which one is available.

 

I think LA wows them for Dunn. Couple of those pitchers and Cincy will jump.

[CuseCubFan69]

I'm convinced the Reds are going to deal an outfileder. The question is, which one is available.

 

I think LA wows them for Dunn. Couple of those pitchers and Cincy will jump.

 

That looks like a very good match Raw. LA has too deep of a minor league system to compete with.

[CubfaninCA]

I'm convinced the Reds are going to deal an outfileder. The question is, which one is available.

 

I think LA wows them for Dunn. Couple of those pitchers and Cincy will jump.

 

That looks like a very good match Raw. LA has too deep of a minor league system to compete with.

 

The Dodger prospects can't be looking too hot considering a lot of those guys got to play on the big club this year. Looks like Edwin Jackson may be a bust.

[CuseCubFan69]

I'm convinced the Reds are going to deal an outfileder. The question is, which one is available.

 

I think LA wows them for Dunn. Couple of those pitchers and Cincy will jump.

 

That looks like a very good match Raw. LA has too deep of a minor league system to compete with.

 

The Dodger prospects can't be looking too hot considering a lot of those guys got to play on the big club this year. Looks like Edwin Jackson may be a bust.

 

I thought they had a bunch of top prospects? Just because Jackson struggled doesn't mean the rest will plus I'm sure the Reds are going to want pitching...how old I do not know.

[UK1679666180]

I think the Cubs should make a play for Jason Michaels from Philly or someone like Langerhaus from ATL to address CF. As far as RF, I think Burnitz will be back (I don't approve of it), but Giles would be ideal, signing him is another story.

 

Giles is the off-season priority, if I was Hendry. Get him and everything could fall into place.

[rawaction]

I think the Cubs should make a play for Jason Michaels from Philly or someone like Langerhaus from ATL to address CF. As far as RF, I think Burnitz will be back (I don't approve of it), but Giles would be ideal, signing him is another story.

 

Giles is the off-season priority, if I was Hendry. Get him and everything could fall into place.

 

Could have a very productive offense just from adding another .400 OBP in there. Nobody else may ever get on base, score, or knock in a run, but the combo of Giles, Lee, Ramirez, and Barrett should put up a lot of offense. Add Walker and a healthy Nomar, and the offense has the chance to actually be good.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I'm convinced the Reds are going to deal an outfileder. The question is, which one is available.

 

I think LA wows them for Dunn. Couple of those pitchers and Cincy will jump.

 

That looks like a very good match Raw. LA has too deep of a minor league system to compete with.

 

The Dodger prospects can't be looking too hot considering a lot of those guys got to play on the big club this year. Looks like Edwin Jackson may be a bust.

 

Very few of their top prospects got to play with the big league club this year - their top 3 prospects are some order of Joel Guzman, Chad Billingsley and Andy LaRoche. Just because Edwin Jackson hasn't been that good doesn't change how good other players are and doesn't change the fact the Dodgers have one of the two best farm systems in baseball (I think it is the best system).

[HoopsCubs]

I think the Cubs should make a play for Jason Michaels from Philly or someone like Langerhaus from ATL to address CF. As far as RF, I think Burnitz will be back (I don't approve of it), but Giles would be ideal, signing him is another story.

 

Giles is the off-season priority, if I was Hendry. Get him and everything could fall into place.

 

If you look at each team's committed contracts for 2006, and assume each team's 2006 payroll will be +/- 5% of 2005 payroll, it should shock nobody that Jim Hendry and Omar Minaya will have the most money to spend among all NL clubs this offseason. And I think Hendry will actually have a tad more available than Minaya. Therefore, salary per year should not be an issue for Hendry in terms of signing Giles. I think what it will come down to is the duration of contract. I can't see Hendry going above 3 guaranteed years, but I suspect the Mets, Dodgers and Cardinals could go with 4.

 

Hoops

[UK1679666180]

I think the Cubs should make a play for Jason Michaels from Philly or someone like Langerhaus from ATL to address CF. As far as RF, I think Burnitz will be back (I don't approve of it), but Giles would be ideal, signing him is another story.

 

Giles is the off-season priority, if I was Hendry. Get him and everything could fall into place.

 

Could have a very productive offense just from adding another .400 OBP in there. Nobody else may ever get on base, score, or knock in a run, but the combo of Giles, Lee, Ramirez, and Barrett should put up a lot of offense. Add Walker and a healthy Nomar, and the offense has the chance to actually be good.

 

Exactly. They'll need to establish another higher OBP guy at the top, that isn't Giles, but Giles would immediately create more offense from ramirez and whomever hits behind him. Unfort., Burnitz has taken the role of most likely to benefit from having two superior hitters in front of him and not done enough with it.

 

You get a higher OBP at the top and in the middle, this avg. offense will turn into a very good one.

 

That's why my priorities for the OF would be signing Giles and trading for Michaels.

 

The rotation should be improved by health and experience for Williams.

 

Bullpen needs more experience and 1-2 players from becoming very good.

[Tedward]

Exactly. They'll need to establish another higher OBP guy at the top, that isn't Giles, but Giles would immediately create more offense from ramirez and whomever hits behind him. Unfort., Burnitz has taken the role of most likely to benefit from having two superior hitters in front of him and not done enough with it.

 

You get a higher OBP at the top and in the middle, this avg. offense will turn into a very good one.

 

That's why my priorities for the OF would be signing Giles and trading for Michaels.

 

The rotation should be improved by health and experience for Williams.

 

Bullpen needs more experience and 1-2 players from becoming very good.

 

Getting Michaels away from Burrell might actually allow him to concentrate more on baseball than the Philly nightlife scene. Not a bad idea UK. Michaels has some skills.

[UK1679666180]

If you look at each team's committed contracts for 2006, and assume each team's 2006 payroll will be +/- 5% of 2005 payroll, it should shock nobody that Jim Hendry and Omar Minaya will have the most money to spend among all NL clubs this offseason. And I think Hendry will actually have a tad more available than Minaya. Therefore, salary per year should not be an issue for Hendry in terms of signing Giles. I think what it will come down to is the duration of contract. I can't see Hendry going above 3 guaranteed years, but I suspect the Mets, Dodgers and Cardinals could go with 4.

 

The only team I see being a player is the Dodgers of those 3.

 

Mets, they'll have to trade either Cameron, Floyd, or Beltran.

 

Dodgers w/Werth's disappointment could enter the picture.

 

SD will be in it as well.

 

Cardinals-similar to the Cubs depends on how they feel about Walker as well as Sanders. Personally, I think both will be back.

[goonys evil twin]

I think the Cubs should make a play for Jason Michaels from Philly or someone like Langerhaus from ATL to address CF. As far as RF, I think Burnitz will be back (I don't approve of it), but Giles would be ideal, signing him is another story.

 

Giles is the off-season priority, if I was Hendry. Get him and everything could fall into place.

 

Could have a very productive offense just from adding another .400 OBP in there. Nobody else may ever get on base, score, or knock in a run, but the combo of Giles, Lee, Ramirez, and Barrett should put up a lot of offense. Add Walker and a healthy Nomar, and the offense has the chance to actually be good.

 

Exactly. They'll need to establish another higher OBP guy at the top, that isn't Giles, but Giles would immediately create more offense from ramirez and whomever hits behind him.

 

Why can't Giles be a higher OBP guy at hte top?

 

I'd hit him 2nd, with Lee and Ramirez to follow. Giles doesn't have a ton of power, his greatest attribute is his OBP, so why not put him in front of the Cubs great SLG threats? I'd consider a Murton/Giles/Lee/Ramirez/Nomar/Walker/Barrett/whoever lineup to be pretty good.

[HoopsCubs]

If you look at each team's committed contracts for 2006, and assume each team's 2006 payroll will be +/- 5% of 2005 payroll, it should shock nobody that Jim Hendry and Omar Minaya will have the most money to spend among all NL clubs this offseason. And I think Hendry will actually have a tad more available than Minaya. Therefore, salary per year should not be an issue for Hendry in terms of signing Giles. I think what it will come down to is the duration of contract. I can't see Hendry going above 3 guaranteed years, but I suspect the Mets, Dodgers and Cardinals could go with 4.

 

The only team I see being a player is the Dodgers of those 3.

 

Mets, they'll have to trade either Cameron, Floyd, or Beltran.

 

Dodgers w/Werth's disappointment could enter the picture.

 

SD will be in it as well.

 

Cardinals-similar to the Cubs depends on how they feel about Walker as well as Sanders. Personally, I think both will be back.

 

I'm almost certain Hendry and Minaya will have a conversation about Cliff Floyd and/or Mike Cameron this offseason. It may be a short one, but they'll talk. Both players are signed through 2006.

[CubfaninCA]

I'm convinced the Reds are going to deal an outfileder. The question is, which one is available.

 

I think LA wows them for Dunn. Couple of those pitchers and Cincy will jump.

 

That looks like a very good match Raw. LA has too deep of a minor league system to compete with.

 

The Dodger prospects can't be looking too hot considering a lot of those guys got to play on the big club this year. Looks like Edwin Jackson may be a bust.

 

Very few of their top prospects got to play with the big league club this year - their top 3 prospects are some order of Joel Guzman, Chad Billingsley and Andy LaRoche. Just because Edwin Jackson hasn't been that good doesn't change how good other players are and doesn't change the fact the Dodgers have one of the two best farm systems in baseball (I think it is the best system).

 

If they won't deal the likes of Houlton, Jackson, Perez, etc. doubt these future stars are going anywhere either.

[UK1679666180]

He has a .545 SLG away from Petco. You get me one more higher OBP guy (Michaels) along with someone like Walker/Murton hitting 2nd and there is enough OBP there to put Giles between Lee and Ramirez. His power (would be 3rd highest on the team).

 

Putting him 4th you could still use his higher OBP as having Ramirez hit behind him will do and maximize his power to dirve in hitters like Lee, Michaels, Murton/Walker.

[CubfaninCA]

I think the Cubs should make a play for Jason Michaels from Philly or someone like Langerhaus from ATL to address CF. As far as RF, I think Burnitz will be back (I don't approve of it), but Giles would be ideal, signing him is another story.

 

Giles is the off-season priority, if I was Hendry. Get him and everything could fall into place.

 

If you look at each team's committed contracts for 2006, and assume each team's 2006 payroll will be +/- 5% of 2005 payroll, it should shock nobody that Jim Hendry and Omar Minaya will have the most money to spend among all NL clubs this offseason. And I think Hendry will actually have a tad more available than Minaya. Therefore, salary per year should not be an issue for Hendry in terms of signing Giles. I think what it will come down to is the duration of contract. I can't see Hendry going above 3 guaranteed years, but I suspect the Mets, Dodgers and Cardinals could go with 4.

 

Hoops

 

If Boston trades Manny, can see them getting in there, and if he wants to win real bad, he may go to Anaheim for a discount. They can move Anderson to DH and put Giles in LF.

[UK1679666180]

Getting Michaels away from Burrell might actually allow him to concentrate more on baseball than the Philly nightlife scene. Not a bad idea UK. Michaels has some skills.

 

Philly has some odd decisions to make, Michaels has some legal troubles, Lofton has been very productive and likes Manuel, and they have the AAA (IL) MVP waiting for his shot.

[HoopsCubs]

I think the Cubs should make a play for Jason Michaels from Philly or someone like Langerhaus from ATL to address CF. As far as RF, I think Burnitz will be back (I don't approve of it), but Giles would be ideal, signing him is another story.

 

Giles is the off-season priority, if I was Hendry. Get him and everything could fall into place.

 

If you look at each team's committed contracts for 2006, and assume each team's 2006 payroll will be +/- 5% of 2005 payroll, it should shock nobody that Jim Hendry and Omar Minaya will have the most money to spend among all NL clubs this offseason. And I think Hendry will actually have a tad more available than Minaya. Therefore, salary per year should not be an issue for Hendry in terms of signing Giles. I think what it will come down to is the duration of contract. I can't see Hendry going above 3 guaranteed years, but I suspect the Mets, Dodgers and Cardinals could go with 4.

 

Hoops

 

If Boston trades Manny, can see them getting in there, and if he wants to win real bad, he may go to Anaheim for a discount. They can move Anderson to DH and put Giles in LF.

 

Probably true about Boston. That's why I limited my comments just to NL teams. Boston and New York Yankees can out-spend the Cubs. I'm not so sure about Anaheim. They do free up $21M by letting Salmon, Washburn and Byrd walk, but half of that will go into raises for Vlad, Anderson, Colon, Cabrera, Escobar, Kennedy, Finley and Erstad.

[CubfaninCA]

I think the Cubs should make a play for Jason Michaels from Philly or someone like Langerhaus from ATL to address CF. As far as RF, I think Burnitz will be back (I don't approve of it), but Giles would be ideal, signing him is another story.

 

Giles is the off-season priority, if I was Hendry. Get him and everything could fall into place.

 

If you look at each team's committed contracts for 2006, and assume each team's 2006 payroll will be +/- 5% of 2005 payroll, it should shock nobody that Jim Hendry and Omar Minaya will have the most money to spend among all NL clubs this offseason. And I think Hendry will actually have a tad more available than Minaya. Therefore, salary per year should not be an issue for Hendry in terms of signing Giles. I think what it will come down to is the duration of contract. I can't see Hendry going above 3 guaranteed years, but I suspect the Mets, Dodgers and Cardinals could go with 4.

 

Hoops

 

If Boston trades Manny, can see them getting in there, and if he wants to win real bad, he may go to Anaheim for a discount. They can move Anderson to DH and put Giles in LF.

 

Probably true about Boston. That's why I limited my comments just to NL teams. Boston and New York Yankees can out-spend the Cubs. I'm not so sure about Anaheim. They do free up $21M by letting Salmon, Washburn and Byrd walk, but half of that will go into raises for Vlad, Anderson, Colon, Cabrera, Escobar, Kennedy, Finley and Erstad.

 

Sounds like they're raking in the revenue, so wouldn't be surprised to see Moreno up payroll some more and try to take more market share away from the Dodgers, who are tightening their budget. Damon's probably their #1 target though.