Your offseason wish list

[St.Paul Cub]

1. Sign Giles

2. Sign Furcal

3. Say goodbye to Nomar. I just don't see him staying healthy and I'd rather have Walker at 2nd and let Cedeno back up SS and 2B. Plus I'd save the money for the OF.

4. Address CF by trade or FA.

5. Dotel or another pickup to shore up the pen.

 

SS: Furcal

LF: Murton

RF: Giles

1B: Lee

3B: Ramirez

CF: ?

2B: Walker

C: Barrett

 

Zambrano, Prior, Wood, Williams, and Maddux as starters.

[Houston_Cub_Fan]

Sign B. Giles

Sign K. Lofton

Sign K. Millwood or A.J. Burnett

Sign any quality set up guy available

 

CF Lofton

SS Nomar

1B Lee

RF Giles

3B Ramirez

2B Walker

LF Murton

C Barrett

 

Zambrano

Prior

Millwood/Burnett

Wood

Maddux

[wastra]

I can't say what my priorities would be in terms of names, but I can show a priority list:

 

1. Re-sign nomar to a low deal with incentives for SS. $4-5MM+

2. Pick up Walker's option, bring back cedeno for backup MIF $2.5MM

3. Right Fielder (Giles) $12MM

4. Find starting CF/leadoff hitter. $4MM

5. starter $8-10MM

6. Righty setup (lock-down) $4MM

7. Lefty relief. $2.5MM

 

That doesn't include re-signing guys like Zambrano.

 

That's $40MM about what we're already committed to. What did we say we have left, a total of $45-55MM about what's already signed? that's about $10-12 to sign Zamrbano and shore up the bench a tad.

[goonys evil twin]

I can't say what my priorities would be in terms of names, but I can show a priority list:

 

I can to, and it most definitely begins with fixing the OF. They absolutely must find offense from the outfield. Last year LF, CF and RF were 12th, 16th and 15th in OPS among NL teams, respectively. That has to be priority number 1. Then figure out SS. There are options, whether it's Nomar, Furcal or Cedeno. The more offense you get out of the OF, the less you need from SS.

 

Then, find some pitching. I don't care if it's a lockdown closer, solid middle reliever, or middle of the rotation starter, they need to add a little more than they have now.

 

Finally, find a bat that can backup 3B (and hopefully 1B), who can provide some offense off the bench.

[CubfaninCA]

My wish list is realistic, so there's no Giles, Abreu, Burnett or Chris Carpenter on it.

 

1) Don't resign Nomar. He's fool's gold. Don't be fooled again. His body's wrecked.

 

2) Get a top notch starter. However, Millwood may not be realistic since his agent is Boras. :( Maybe take a shot w/ another Boras guy, Weaver, who should come a little cheaper.

 

3) Since they need to upgrade defence and speed, sign Furcal.

 

4) Get another middle of the order hitter. My guess is that they'll target Floyd, Soriano or Kent in a trade. Would not be surprised @ all to see Soriano on the team next year.

[goonys evil twin]

2) Get a top notch starter. However, Millwood may not be realistic since his agent is Boras. :( Maybe take a shot w/ another Boras guy, Weaver, who should come a little cheaper.

 

Something doesn't add up.

[CubfaninCA]

2) Get a top notch starter. However, Millwood may not be realistic since his agent is Boras. :( Maybe take a shot w/ another Boras guy, Weaver, who should come a little cheaper.

 

Something doesn't add up.

 

Well, he has a low WHIP and lots of potential, but he probably ends up like Clement. Just never gets over the hump. Get another adequate starter though, and it gives the Cubs the ability to package Jerome Williams and a few other players for a bat. Am guessing Williams has good trade value.

[Mizzou]

My wish list is realistic, so there's no Giles, Abreu, Burnett or Chris Carpenter on it.

 

I'm confused. I haven't heard anything about Carpenter going anywhere, and I'm not convinced that Abreu will go anywhere either, but... how are Giles and Burnett NOT realistic?

[CubfaninCA]

My wish list is realistic, so there's no Giles, Abreu, Burnett or Chris Carpenter on it.

 

I'm confused. I haven't heard anything about Carpenter going anywhere, and I'm not convinced that Abreu will go anywhere either, but... how are Giles and Burnett NOT realistic?

 

1) The Cubs are owned by the Tribune Company.

 

2) I don't think Hendry will give any huge deals out. Thus no Giles or Burnett. My bet is that the highest he goes is 4 and 40 for Millwood. Jmo but the Cubs are probably sockin away money for Prior, Zambrano and Lee.

[Guest]

1. Sign Giles

2. Sign Furcal

3. Say goodbye to Nomar. I just don't see him staying healthy and I'd rather have Walker at 2nd and let Cedeno back up SS and 2B. Plus I'd save the money for the OF.

By signing Furcal instead of Nomar I doubt you'd save any money for the outfield. If anything, I'd guess Furcal would tie up more 2006 budget than Nomar. The only way that wouldn't be true is if Nomar met all his incentive bonuses, in which case he'd still be an absolute bargain. (And a safe bet to outproduce Furcal.)

 

1) Don't resign Nomar. He's fool's gold. Don't be fooled again. His body's wrecked.

His body seemed to work pretty well the last couple months of the season when he was putting up a .318/.347/.531/.878 line. (Post-injury numbers.)

 

I'll echo what some others have said here by advocating retaining Nomar and Walker and throwing a buttload of cash (and maybe a few prospects) at our dysfunctional outfield. Even given his last couple injury-riddled seasons, I still consider the risk/reward factor for Nomar to be pretty good. The risk is relatively small because not only do we have a half-decent (and cheap) backup in Cedeno, by all accounts it sounds like Nomar would take a moderate/severe cut in guaranteed pay to stay here. The potential reward, on the other hand, is enormous. Furcal is a safer bet, though you'll have to make a much bigger commitment in terms of dollars/years to get someone with a much smaller potential impact.

[CubfaninCA]

1. Sign Giles

2. Sign Furcal

3. Say goodbye to Nomar. I just don't see him staying healthy and I'd rather have Walker at 2nd and let Cedeno back up SS and 2B. Plus I'd save the money for the OF.

By signing Furcal instead of Nomar I doubt you'd save any money for the outfield. If anything, I'd guess Furcal would tie up more 2006 budget than Nomar. The only way that wouldn't be true is if Nomar met all his incentive bonuses, in which case he'd still be an absolute bargain. (And a safe bet to outproduce Furcal.)

 

1) Don't resign Nomar. He's fool's gold. Don't be fooled again. His body's wrecked.

His body seemed to work pretty well the last couple months of the season when he was putting up a .318/.347/.531/.878 line. (Post-injury numbers.)

 

I'll echo what some others have said here by advocating retaining Nomar and Walker and throwing a buttload of cash (and maybe a few prospects) at our dysfunctional outfield. Even given his last couple injury-riddled seasons, I still consider the risk/reward factor for Nomar to be pretty good. The risk is relatively small because not only do we have a half-decent (and cheap) backup in Cedeno, by all accounts it sounds like Nomar would take a moderate/severe cut in guaranteed pay to stay here. The potential reward, on the other hand, is enormous. Furcal is a safer bet, though you'll have to make a much bigger commitment in terms of dollars/years to get someone with a much smaller potential impact.

 

Didn't Nomar have back problems when he returned?? He missed a series against Atlanta right? He should go DH in the AL. It may extend his career. His fielding is pretty bad anyways. Can't imagine how many errors he'd have if he made it through an entire season. Maybe 30??

[BigbadB]

You do realize that Rafael Furcal averaged close to 30 errors a season for the 3 years prior to this year, right?

 

27 in 150 games in 2002

31 in 155 games in 2003

24 in 131 games in 2004

[Andy]

1. Sign Nomar or, if he won't accept a cheap incentive-laden deal, sign Furcal.

2. Sign Giles.

3. Pick up Walker and Williamson's options.

4. Sign Millwood unless we're sure Jerome is ready to be the 5th starter.

5. Do everything possible to sneak Jose Macias out the door before Dusty notices. Neifi Perez, too.

 

Lineup:

 

SS Furcal

2B Walker/Cedeno

1B Lee

RF Giles

3B Ramirez

LF Murton/Walker

C Barrett

CF Patterson/Pie

 

(if Nomar comes back, lead off Walker, bat Murton second and put Nomar behind Ramirez)

 

Pitching Rotation:

Zambrano

Prior

Wood

Maddux

Millwood/Williams

[CubfaninCA]

You do realize that Rafael Furcal averaged close to 30 errors a season for the 3 years prior to this year, right?

 

27 in 150 games in 2002

31 in 155 games in 2003

24 in 131 games in 2004

 

Yeah, I know he was error prone before this year, but isn't his range quite a bit better than Nomar's..

[BigbadB]

Yeah, I'm sure it is. But, I can't help going back to the fact that we have Nomar, and we don't have Furcal. Rumors are already starting. Atlanta could make a play to bring him back. He's rumored to have said he'd move to 2b to play for the Mets.

 

What if Texas went after Furcal? They could trade Soriano, move Young back to 2nd and put Furcal at SS.

 

I'm not bringing all this up just to be annoying. I think they are legitimate concerns. I realize you really want Furcal. But, are you willing to settle for a 22 year old kid with 80 big league at bats if we can't get Furcal?

 

I think Cedeno has the chance to be very good. But, I wouldn't be willing to bet the entire 2006 season on it.

 

Consider this scenario. The Cubs retain Nomar with an incentive laden 1 year deal. It starts at 5m and can climb to 12m. The Cubs retain Walker at his 2.5m option. The Cubs go hard after Giles and Furcal and in some weird twighlight zone type of thing, they both sign with the Cubs. Lofton signs for 2m to platoon with Hairston in center.

 

Now you have trade commodity. Aramis would be quite appealing to quite a few teams. Walker as well. Maybe even both. What would Aramis, Walker and Jerome Williams land? What would Aramis, Walker, Williams and Mitre land? Nomar can cover 3rd and Cedeno plays 2nd.

 

What if you couldn't get Giles? Could you send Aramis to Philadelphia for Abreu in a package deal? Would Boston be interested in Aramis for Manny?

 

What if Murton didn't work out? Could Nomar play LF? With the gun he has, maybe he can play RF?

 

What if Nomar moved to 2nd and Walker got traded for bullpen help?

 

All of these things are realistic. Some are a stretch. But another thing that is realistic to me is Nomar gets the boot, Walker gets the boot, Furcal signs elsewhere, Giles signs elsewhere and we are attempting to sign this years versions of Jeromy Burnitz (Preston Wilson, etc...)

 

I watched last years debacle and it was truly a debacle. A few mods can recall that I nearly blew a head gasket when it was announced that they had signed Jeromy Burnitz. I went into a tirade. I calmed down and took a deep breath and shook it all off. I told myself "Self, this team can win even with Jeromy Burnitz in right field."

 

Of course, that was before I knew that Macias, Perez and Patterson were going to be leading the way in the lead off spot. That was before I knew Nomar was going to get hurt. That was before I knew Hollandsworth was going to get penciled in everyday.

 

To me, Nomar and Walker is like having two kings in your hand in a friendly game of draw poker. Do you toss the two kings away hoping for two aces? Or do you hope that you can draw another ace or two when you toss those other 3 cards?

[CubfaninCA]

I'm a little skeptical of Furcal's desire to change positions and go to NY. Perhaps his agent is just trying to give him more leverage in a cool SS market??

 

Looking at Atlanta's payroll, they have a lot of money invested in a few players, and they haven't been upping payroll of late. According to Dugout Dollars, Chipper Jones gets $15 million and Andruw Jones gets $13 million next year. Add Hudson, Hampton, and Smoltz and they're probably spending about $55 million on 5 players. Their payroll for this year was $85 million and they still need to give raised to Giles, Estrada, and Farnsworth. I'm not sure of the status of Kolb and Thomson who made $3 mil and $4 mil. this year. Altogether, I see them lowballing Furcal and having no problem going w/ Benemit instead.

[nilodnayr]

I'm a little skeptical of Furcal's desire to change positions and go to NY. Perhaps his agent is just trying to give him more leverage in a cool SS market??

 

Looking at Atlanta's payroll, they have a lot of money invested in a few players, and they haven't been upping payroll of late. According to Dugout Dollars, Chipper Jones gets $15 million and Andruw Jones gets $13 million next year. Add Hudson, Hampton, and Smoltz and they're probably spending about $55 million on 5 players. Their payroll for this year was $85 million and they still need to give raised to Giles, Estrada, and Farnsworth. I'm not sure of the status of Kolb and Thomson who made $3 mil and $4 mil. this year. Altogether, I see them lowballing Furcal and having no problem going w/ Benemit instead.

 

Yes, the Braves are in quite a pickle, thats why they couldnt do anything in the market last year to solve their barren OF...worked out for them though :D Heres their big salaries for 2006

 

Chipper: 17M +1.2M signing bonus w/ 2M of that deferred

Andruw: 13M + .5M signing bonus

Hampton: 13.5M

Smoltz: 8M + 2M signing bonus

Hudson: 6M + 2.5M signing bonus

 

So with bonuses its more like 62M! They'd be idiots to try to keep furcal and trade giles, especially with betemit ready. And thats not an org filled with idiots.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I'm a little skeptical of Furcal's desire to change positions and go to NY. Perhaps his agent is just trying to give him more leverage in a cool SS market??

 

Looking at Atlanta's payroll, they have a lot of money invested in a few players, and they haven't been upping payroll of late. According to Dugout Dollars, Chipper Jones gets $15 million and Andruw Jones gets $13 million next year. Add Hudson, Hampton, and Smoltz and they're probably spending about $55 million on 5 players. Their payroll for this year was $85 million and they still need to give raised to Giles, Estrada, and Farnsworth. I'm not sure of the status of Kolb and Thomson who made $3 mil and $4 mil. this year. Altogether, I see them lowballing Furcal and having no problem going w/ Benemit instead.

 

Yes, the Braves are in quite a pickle, thats why they couldnt do anything in the market last year to solve their barren OF...worked out for them though :D Heres their big salaries for 2006

 

Chipper: 17M +1.2M signing bonus w/ 2M of that deferred

Andruw: 13M + .5M signing bonus

Hampton: 13.5M

Smoltz: 8M + 2M signing bonus

Hudson: 6M + 2.5M signing bonus

 

So with bonuses its more like 62M! They'd be idiots to try to keep furcal and trade giles, especially with betemit ready. And thats not an org filled with idiots.

 

And it's because of those finances that I wouldn't be surprised if they entertained the idea of trading A. Jones. I'm sure that they'll publicly deny it, but production for dollar wise, they'd be smart to hang on to Giles and trade Andruw. His value is very, very high right now as well.

[Backtobanks]

Yeah, I'm sure it is. But, I can't help going back to the fact that we have Nomar, and we don't have Furcal. Rumors are already starting. Atlanta could make a play to bring him back. He's rumored to have said he'd move to 2b to play for the Mets.

 

What if Texas went after Furcal? They could trade Soriano, move Young back to 2nd and put Furcal at SS.

 

I'm not bringing all this up just to be annoying. I think they are legitimate concerns. I realize you really want Furcal. But, are you willing to settle for a 22 year old kid with 80 big league at bats if we can't get Furcal?

 

I think Cedeno has the chance to be very good. But, I wouldn't be willing to bet the entire 2006 season on it.

 

Consider this scenario. The Cubs retain Nomar with an incentive laden 1 year deal. It starts at 5m and can climb to 12m. The Cubs retain Walker at his 2.5m option. The Cubs go hard after Giles and Furcal and in some weird twighlight zone type of thing, they both sign with the Cubs. Lofton signs for 2m to platoon with Hairston in center.

 

Now you have trade commodity. Aramis would be quite appealing to quite a few teams. Walker as well. Maybe even both. What would Aramis, Walker and Jerome Williams land? What would Aramis, Walker, Williams and Mitre land? Nomar can cover 3rd and Cedeno plays 2nd.

What if you couldn't get Giles? Could you send Aramis to Philadelphia for Abreu in a package deal? Would Boston be interested in Aramis for Manny?

 

What if Murton didn't work out? Could Nomar play LF? With the gun he has, maybe he can play RF?

 

What if Nomar moved to 2nd and Walker got traded for bullpen help?

 

All of these things are realistic. Some are a stretch. But another thing that is realistic to me is Nomar gets the boot, Walker gets the boot, Furcal signs elsewhere, Giles signs elsewhere and we are attempting to sign this years versions of Jeromy Burnitz (Preston Wilson, etc...)

 

I watched last years debacle and it was truly a debacle. A few mods can recall that I nearly blew a head gasket when it was announced that they had signed Jeromy Burnitz. I went into a tirade. I calmed down and took a deep breath and shook it all off. I told myself "Self, this team can win even with Jeromy Burnitz in right field."

 

Of course, that was before I knew that Macias, Perez and Patterson were going to be leading the way in the lead off spot. That was before I knew Nomar was going to get hurt. That was before I knew Hollandsworth was going to get penciled in everyday.

 

To me, Nomar and Walker is like having two kings in your hand in a friendly game of draw poker. Do you toss the two kings away hoping for two aces? Or do you hope that you can draw another ace or two when you toss those other 3 cards?

 

With all of the problems that the Cubs have, I don't understand people suggesting trading Aram or Lee. I understand the fact that their value is very high, but these are two of the players you should build the team around. Using that logic, we should trade Zambrano, Prior, Barrett, and Dempster too. It took a long time to fill that black hole called 3B, let's not mess with it. Nomar at 3B for the whole season.....who's the backup? At least with Nomar at SS you have Cedeno to back him up.

[Houston_Cub_Fan]

AMEN!!

[BigbadB]

I didn't say you had to trade Aramis or Lee. I said you have that option.

 

Aramis is one of my favorite players. If the trade made sense and improved the team, I don't see why one couldn't consider it. I also think Nomar could be pretty good at 3rd once he got a little more settled in.

[Tim]

If somebody comes to the Cubs and makes an offer that makes the team better in the short and long run, I hope that Hendry would do the deal. It shouldn't matter who you are trading away if it improves the team over the entire foreseeable horizon.

[CubfaninCA]

I'm a little skeptical of Furcal's desire to change positions and go to NY. Perhaps his agent is just trying to give him more leverage in a cool SS market??

 

Looking at Atlanta's payroll, they have a lot of money invested in a few players, and they haven't been upping payroll of late. According to Dugout Dollars, Chipper Jones gets $15 million and Andruw Jones gets $13 million next year. Add Hudson, Hampton, and Smoltz and they're probably spending about $55 million on 5 players. Their payroll for this year was $85 million and they still need to give raised to Giles, Estrada, and Farnsworth. I'm not sure of the status of Kolb and Thomson who made $3 mil and $4 mil. this year. Altogether, I see them lowballing Furcal and having no problem going w/ Benemit instead.

 

Yes, the Braves are in quite a pickle, thats why they couldnt do anything in the market last year to solve their barren OF...worked out for them though :D Heres their big salaries for 2006

 

Chipper: 17M +1.2M signing bonus w/ 2M of that deferred

Andruw: 13M + .5M signing bonus

Hampton: 13.5M

Smoltz: 8M + 2M signing bonus

Hudson: 6M + 2.5M signing bonus

 

So with bonuses its more like 62M! They'd be idiots to try to keep furcal and trade giles, especially with betemit ready. And thats not an org filled with idiots.

 

Is Atlanta paying all of Hampton's salary or is Colorado still picking up some of it?

[CuseCubFan69]

I'm a little skeptical of Furcal's desire to change positions and go to NY. Perhaps his agent is just trying to give him more leverage in a cool SS market??

 

I agree....I said the same thing in another thread. At least Hendry has some nice options out there and how he goes about them is going to be a very interesting topic on this board.

[CubfaninCA]

I'm a little skeptical of Furcal's desire to change positions and go to NY. Perhaps his agent is just trying to give him more leverage in a cool SS market??

 

I agree....I said the same thing in another thread. At least Hendry has some nice options out there and how he goes about them is going to be a very interesting topic on this board.

 

You are a smart man. :)

 

Jmo but Hendry may be sitting in the driver's seat w/ Furcal.