A Window Of Opportunity for Getting Luis Castillo???

[goonys evil twin]

 

The Cubs need LF, CF and RF production, they got none in 2005. They also need SS production. They don't need an upgrade to 2B.

 

It's sad that "none" in that sentence is not an exaggeration. Has there ever been a worse OF?

 

They were bottom 5 in the NL at all three OF positions. Some may be shocked to learn that LF was actually the best of the 3, at 12th out of the 16 team league. RF was 15, CF was 16. It's not even a debate about where the focus has to be.

[wastra]

Honestly, I think the cubs could do fine if they return our infield intact (Ramirez, Nomar, Walker, Lee with Cedeno backing up) and re-vamp the outfield with Murton and two additions (CF, RF) and have a solid 4th guy.

 

Offensively, that's a pretty good lineup if they find the right two outfielders- ESPECIALLY if our pitching returns mildly healthy. Would it be beyond the realm of reason to think that the Cubs could afford and possibly land both Giles and Damon? Granted, the Cubs will be hesitant to block Pie...but I think Damon would be easily tradeable in 2 years when Pie was ready.

 

I'm more worried about finding one more setup guy in the pen and a 5th starter than I am tweaking 2B.

[CubsWin]

Honestly, I think the cubs could do fine if they return our infield intact (Ramirez, Nomar, Walker, Lee with Cedeno backing up) and re-vamp the outfield with Murton and two additions (CF, RF) and have a solid 4th guy.

 

Offensively, that's a pretty good lineup if they find the right two outfielders- ESPECIALLY if our pitching returns mildly healthy. Would it be beyond the realm of reason to think that the Cubs could afford and possibly land both Giles and Damon? Granted, the Cubs will be hesitant to block Pie...but I think Damon would be easily tradeable in 2 years when Pie was ready.

 

I'm more worried about finding one more setup guy in the pen and a 5th starter than I am tweaking 2B.

Yeah, I'm fine with leaving 2B alone, too. Its just that the Cubs need OBP and Castillo provides it, that and a Gold Glove.

 

But, I'm fine with Walker if the Cubs can land Giles and someone to play CF. Personally, my choice would be Kenny Lofton, with Hairston facing lefties and possibly Patterson still in the picture somewhere.

 

I don't think it is likely at all that they will get both Giles and Damon. I see Damon sticking on the east coast, plus the Cubs won't want to block Pie. It is more likely that they will get one or the other but not both. And then there is the good possibility that they will get neither and have to get creative in a trade or something.

 

This should be interesting.

[goonys evil twin]

Honestly, I think the cubs could do fine if they return our infield intact (Ramirez, Nomar, Walker, Lee with Cedeno backing up) and re-vamp the outfield with Murton and two additions (CF, RF) and have a solid 4th guy.

 

Offensively, that's a pretty good lineup if they find the right two outfielders- ESPECIALLY if our pitching returns mildly healthy. Would it be beyond the realm of reason to think that the Cubs could afford and possibly land both Giles and Damon? Granted, the Cubs will be hesitant to block Pie...but I think Damon would be easily tradeable in 2 years when Pie was ready.

 

I'm more worried about finding one more setup guy in the pen and a 5th starter than I am tweaking 2B.

 

I would be more worried signing Damon to the deal he'll get compared to Giles and what he might sign. I think Damon is looking for 5/50 as a starting block. And while he's good with the OBP, he's not really that special, and he's been somewhat inconsistent. His last 5 seasons' OBP were .324, .356, .345, .380, .366, and he's had a sub 800 OPS 3 of 5 of those seasons. Add to that his absolutely pathetic OF arm and occasionally crazy play out there and I'm not sure he'd really be a wise signing. His SB totals keep declining, although he remains efficient. With a game seemingly dependent so heavily on speed/quickness, I'd be concerned about how the 32 year old ages over the course of his next contract. I see his defense, while seemingly good overall, deteriorating, and his avg/obp/slg to be far less than what I'd like to see from a big money player.

 

Then of course there are the concerns about his whole hollywood thing. He's been a golden boy since his KC days, but has never built upon those early successes (his best days were his 25/26 year old seasons).

 

I believe Damon might be better than I give him credit for, but I still wouldn't be all that comfortable seeing him signed like some sort of superstar.

[nilodnayr]

Honestly, I think the cubs could do fine if they return our infield intact (Ramirez, Nomar, Walker, Lee with Cedeno backing up) and re-vamp the outfield with Murton and two additions (CF, RF) and have a solid 4th guy.

 

Offensively, that's a pretty good lineup if they find the right two outfielders- ESPECIALLY if our pitching returns mildly healthy. Would it be beyond the realm of reason to think that the Cubs could afford and possibly land both Giles and Damon? Granted, the Cubs will be hesitant to block Pie...but I think Damon would be easily tradeable in 2 years when Pie was ready.

 

I'm more worried about finding one more setup guy in the pen and a 5th starter than I am tweaking 2B.

Yeah, I'm fine with leaving 2B alone, too. Its just that the Cubs need OBP and Castillo provides it, that and a Gold Glove.

 

But you have to think about what his 370 OBP would be replacing...that would be Walkers 350 OBP. And considering Castillos baserunning has gone from extremely disrupting to detrimental as well as Walkers big power advantage, all you are really paying for is Castillos defence. And since I am in the camp that Walkers defense is average and not really detrimental to the team I wouldnt be willing to pay the extra money and prospects to "upgrade" at 2B. Giles is the only guy I would want to upgrade to at 2b.