RotoAuthority - has the Cubs signing 6 of the Top 50 FA

[JStaff17]

I wanted to get some opinions and possible lineups if all of these signings occur. I realize that this is an early and rough list, but it might give an idea of what the Cubs are interested in the offseason. Per their list:

5) Furcal, 10) Giles, 28) Howry, 37) Lofton, 39) Seanez, 45) Mark Sweeney.

 

These are all pretty familiar names aroung this board and most seem to think the Cubs will sign some/all of them. One question I had is why Howry and Seanez? They both had good years in '05, will probably be relatively expensive and we have good young arms in our pen already. I think maybe signing a LOOGY would be a better way to go. Sweeney would be a nice addition to the bench IMO, no more Macias as the Cubs top pinch hitter makes me feel much more comfortable in late inning situations.

 

My lineup would look like this if all these signings occur:

 

Furcal - SS

Lofton - CF

Lee - 1B

Giles - RF

Ramirez - 3B

Walker - 2B

Barrett - C

Murton - LF

Pitcher Spot

 

Bench

Sweeney - 1B/OF

Cedeno - MI

Blanco - C

Hairston - UT

Patterson/Burnitz/Pie Depending on who stays, etc.

 

Rotation

Zambrano

Prior

Wood

Maddux

Williams

 

Pen

Dempster

Ohman

Seanez

Howry

Novoa

Wuertz/Welly/Hill/Van Buren or another young arm

 

I could definitely live with this team. I'd love to see them keep Corey and for him to rebound but I have a feeling JH will trade him away, once again at his lowest value. Lofton would be an OK stopgap until Pie is ready, which I dont think is too long.

 

Thoughts?

[imb]

Furcal and Lofton seems redundant.

 

I'd rather sign Furcal, keep Corey and just let him hit 8th ALL YEAR, and sign Giles. Keep Murton in left, I guess.

 

Furcal

Giles

Lee

Ramirez

Walker

Barrett

Murton

Corey

[TheDude]

There is already a 6 page thread on this link and web site.

 

Of course, more people would know that if the the other thread wasn't titled, "Sounds Good To Me".

 

At least you appropriately titled your thread.

[JStaff17]

I would agree with that as well. Keep Corey, he's bound to come back strong. He's too good an athelete to struggle so mightily. Plus, hitting 8th like you said, he doesn't have to be a superstar offensively, as long as he goes and gets it in center. At this point, he is much stronger defensively than Lofton.

 

Sorry about the repeat, I didn't read the other thread, my bad

[BigbadB]

Lofton is a cheap signing for protection in the event Patterson continues to implode. Patterson could possibly boost his trade value by the trade deadline in a utility role. Pie could be ready by the all star break. Lofton could be a nice bat off the bench.

 

There are plenty of reasons to like Lofton returning on a cheap, one year deal.

[imb]

I'm actually for signing Lofton if we don't get Giles.

 

I think full years of Giles and Murton are big enough upgrades that as long as we get healthy years from the MI (Walker, Nomar/Furcal), we can afford Corey in the lineup.

 

If we have to sign Burnitz again (or another retread like him), then I think we should pick up Lofton, and hope he can play half a season as well as he did last year.

 

Of course, if we're stuck with Cedeno/Neifi at ss, and Murton in left, I think we have to look at any possible upgrades, whether it be Lofton, Preston Wilson, whatever.

[goonys evil twin]

Lofton is a cheap signing for protection in the event Patterson continues to implode. Patterson could possibly boost his trade value by the trade deadline in a utility role. Pie could be ready by the all star break. Lofton could be a nice bat off the bench.

 

There are plenty of reasons to like Lofton returning on a cheap, one year deal.

 

How would you like Lofton at 2/$6m, along with Wilson for 2/$10-14m? Because that's probably the type of people Hendry things would help this team.

[rawaction]

Lofton is a cheap signing for protection in the event Patterson continues to implode. Patterson could possibly boost his trade value by the trade deadline in a utility role. Pie could be ready by the all star break. Lofton could be a nice bat off the bench.

 

There are plenty of reasons to like Lofton returning on a cheap, one year deal.

 

How would you like Lofton at 2/$6m, along with Wilson for 2/$10-14m? Because that's probably the type of people Hendry things would help this team.

 

How do you know what Hendry thinks (assuming that's a typo), and yes, I know you said "probably"?

[soapy]

Lofton is a cheap signing for protection in the event Patterson continues to implode. Patterson could possibly boost his trade value by the trade deadline in a utility role. Pie could be ready by the all star break. Lofton could be a nice bat off the bench.

 

There are plenty of reasons to like Lofton returning on a cheap, one year deal.

 

How would you like Lofton at 2/$6m, along with Wilson for 2/$10-14m? Because that's probably the type of people Hendry things would help this team.

:thumbdown:

[goonys evil twin]

Lofton is a cheap signing for protection in the event Patterson continues to implode. Patterson could possibly boost his trade value by the trade deadline in a utility role. Pie could be ready by the all star break. Lofton could be a nice bat off the bench.

 

There are plenty of reasons to like Lofton returning on a cheap, one year deal.

 

How would you like Lofton at 2/$6m, along with Wilson for 2/$10-14m? Because that's probably the type of people Hendry thinks would help this team.

 

How do you know what Hendry thinks (assuming that's a typo), and yes, I know you said "probably"?

 

Just basing it on his history of overpaying for mediocrity, and ignoring the BB/OBP problem on this team.

 

Lofton, in theory, isn't a bad option. But if Kenny gets more than 1 year, or more than $1-2 million, and he's guaranteed the CF/leadoff job, no matter how he performs, it's a bad move. I actually think it would be kind of interesting to have Corey/Kenny/Greenberg battling for CF. But that would only be acceptable if they go big in RF. And going off Hendry's history, I'm not certain he'd solve that RF problem with an impact bat.

[YearofDaCubs]

I would agree with that as well. Keep Corey, he's bound to come back strong. He's too good an athelete to struggle so mightily. Plus, hitting 8th like you said, he doesn't have to be a superstar offensively, as long as he goes and gets it in center. At this point, he is much stronger defensively than Lofton.

 

Sorry about the repeat, I didn't read the other thread, my bad

You're giving Corey way too much credit.

[YearofDaCubs]

Lofton is a cheap signing for protection in the event Patterson continues to implode. Patterson could possibly boost his trade value by the trade deadline in a utility role. Pie could be ready by the all star break. Lofton could be a nice bat off the bench.

 

There are plenty of reasons to like Lofton returning on a cheap, one year deal.

 

How would you like Lofton at 2/$6m, along with Wilson for 2/$10-14m? Because that's probably the type of people Hendry thinks would help this team.

 

How do you know what Hendry thinks (assuming that's a typo), and yes, I know you said "probably"?

 

Just basing it on his history of overpaying for mediocrity, and ignoring the BB/OBP problem on this team.

 

Lofton, in theory, isn't a bad option. But if Kenny gets more than 1 year, or more than $1-2 million, and he's guaranteed the CF/leadoff job, no matter how he performs, it's a bad move. I actually think it would be kind of interesting to have Corey/Kenny/Greenberg battling for CF. But that would only be acceptable if they go big in RF. And going off Hendry's history, I'm not certain he'd solve that RF problem with an impact bat.

I totally agree with you.

[erik316wttn]

How accurate are these people? I'm not optimistic at all about us signing Giles.

[rawaction]

Lofton is a cheap signing for protection in the event Patterson continues to implode. Patterson could possibly boost his trade value by the trade deadline in a utility role. Pie could be ready by the all star break. Lofton could be a nice bat off the bench.

 

There are plenty of reasons to like Lofton returning on a cheap, one year deal.

 

How would you like Lofton at 2/$6m, along with Wilson for 2/$10-14m? Because that's probably the type of people Hendry thinks would help this team.

 

How do you know what Hendry thinks (assuming that's a typo), and yes, I know you said "probably"?

 

Just basing it on his history of overpaying for mediocrity, and ignoring the BB/OBP problem on this team.

 

Lofton, in theory, isn't a bad option. But if Kenny gets more than 1 year, or more than $1-2 million, and he's guaranteed the CF/leadoff job, no matter how he performs, it's a bad move. I actually think it would be kind of interesting to have Corey/Kenny/Greenberg battling for CF. But that would only be acceptable if they go big in RF. And going off Hendry's history, I'm not certain he'd solve that RF problem with an impact bat.

I totally agree with you.

 

Ok. I'll agree that he doesn't have a history of great FA signings, but he has brought all of the offensive talent this team has over via trade (Ramirez, Lee, Barrett, Murton, Nomar). I think Lofton would be a decent stopgap, but I agree it has to be $2M for 1 year. I have to think he will keep CF open for Pie. That's what leads me to believe he won't go after Preston Wilson, who would take a multi-year deal. I hope at the very least RF is filled via trade with a capable bat. I just have no idea who that could possibly be, and it likely won't be anyone as good as Giles, who's ripe for the picking.

[BigbadB]

Lofton was only a part time player last year. How is he going to reasonably expect some team to pay Yankee type money for him at this stage of his career? It's not reasonable. The Yankees dreaded that signing nearly the day after they did it. They also had the toughest time moving him once he signed that deal.

 

He signed a one year/1m deal to play for the White Sox in 2002, a one year/1m deal to play for the Pirates in 2003, and the Yankees came along with their fat checkbook and forked out 3m a year for him, then traded him after the first year. All three of those signings Lofton ended up being traded halfway through his contract.

 

I'll say again that he wouldn't be a bad pick up to platoon with Hairston or as a pinch hitter/pinch runner. Of course it would be a bad signing to give him Yankee money. And of course it would be horrible to sign him AND Preston Wilson. It could happen, but I would hope Hendry wouldn't be that dumb.

[YearofDaCubs]

Lofton is a cheap signing for protection in the event Patterson continues to implode. Patterson could possibly boost his trade value by the trade deadline in a utility role. Pie could be ready by the all star break. Lofton could be a nice bat off the bench.

 

There are plenty of reasons to like Lofton returning on a cheap, one year deal.

 

How would you like Lofton at 2/$6m, along with Wilson for 2/$10-14m? Because that's probably the type of people Hendry thinks would help this team.

 

How do you know what Hendry thinks (assuming that's a typo), and yes, I know you said "probably"?

 

Just basing it on his history of overpaying for mediocrity, and ignoring the BB/OBP problem on this team.

 

Lofton, in theory, isn't a bad option. But if Kenny gets more than 1 year, or more than $1-2 million, and he's guaranteed the CF/leadoff job, no matter how he performs, it's a bad move. I actually think it would be kind of interesting to have Corey/Kenny/Greenberg battling for CF. But that would only be acceptable if they go big in RF. And going off Hendry's history, I'm not certain he'd solve that RF problem with an impact bat.

I totally agree with you.

 

Ok. I'll agree that he doesn't have a history of great FA signings, but he has brought all of the offensive talent this team has over via trade (Ramirez, Lee, Barrett, Murton, Nomar). I think Lofton would be a decent stopgap, but I agree it has to be $2M for 1 year. I have to think he will keep CF open for Pie. That's what leads me to believe he won't go after Preston Wilson, who would take a multi-year deal. I hope at the very least RF is filled via trade with a capable bat. I just have no idea who that could possibly be, and it likely won't be anyone as good as Giles, who's ripe for the picking.

Believe it or not I would prefer to see our OF talent be upgraded via trade if we can't get Giles to a good deal.

[goonys evil twin]

Ok. I'll agree that he doesn't have a history of great FA signings, but he has brought all of the offensive talent this team has over via trade (Ramirez, Lee, Barrett, Murton, Nomar). I think Lofton would be a decent stopgap, but I agree it has to be $2M for 1 year. I have to think he will keep CF open for Pie. That's what leads me to believe he won't go after Preston Wilson, who would take a multi-year deal. I hope at the very least RF is filled via trade with a capable bat. I just have no idea who that could possibly be, and it likely won't be anyone as good as Giles, who's ripe for the picking.

Believe it or not I would prefer to see our OF talent be upgraded via trade if we can't get Giles to a good deal.

 

If they can't get Giles, they have to upgrade via trade. Status quo is completely unacceptable.

[TheDude]

Lofton is a cheap signing for protection in the event Patterson continues to implode. Patterson could possibly boost his trade value by the trade deadline in a utility role. Pie could be ready by the all star break. Lofton could be a nice bat off the bench.

 

There are plenty of reasons to like Lofton returning on a cheap, one year deal.

 

How would you like Lofton at 2/$6m, along with Wilson for 2/$10-14m? Because that's probably the type of people Hendry thinks would help this team.

 

How do you know what Hendry thinks (assuming that's a typo), and yes, I know you said "probably"?

 

Just basing it on his history of overpaying for mediocrity, and ignoring the BB/OBP problem on this team.

 

Lofton, in theory, isn't a bad option. But if Kenny gets more than 1 year, or more than $1-2 million, and he's guaranteed the CF/leadoff job, no matter how he performs, it's a bad move. I actually think it would be kind of interesting to have Corey/Kenny/Greenberg battling for CF. But that would only be acceptable if they go big in RF. And going off Hendry's history, I'm not certain he'd solve that RF problem with an impact bat.

Hendry has been really high on Pie, and even accused of trying to rush him by many on these boards based on his plan to promote Pie to the bigs had he not been injured this year.

 

I doubt very much Hendry would sign Lofton to a multi-year contract given that Pie would have to regress seriously to not be the CF targeted for 2007. If Lofton is in Hendry's sights, it is for one year.

[YearofDaCubs]

Ok. I'll agree that he doesn't have a history of great FA signings, but he has brought all of the offensive talent this team has over via trade (Ramirez, Lee, Barrett, Murton, Nomar). I think Lofton would be a decent stopgap, but I agree it has to be $2M for 1 year. I have to think he will keep CF open for Pie. That's what leads me to believe he won't go after Preston Wilson, who would take a multi-year deal. I hope at the very least RF is filled via trade with a capable bat. I just have no idea who that could possibly be, and it likely won't be anyone as good as Giles, who's ripe for the picking.

Believe it or not I would prefer to see our OF talent be upgraded via trade if we can't get Giles to a good deal.

 

If they can't get Giles, they have to upgrade via trade. Status quo is completely unacceptable.

No way can we go into the season with our OF the way it is right now. If we do, Hendry will be exposed.

[goonys evil twin]

Ok. I'll agree that he doesn't have a history of great FA signings, but he has brought all of the offensive talent this team has over via trade (Ramirez, Lee, Barrett, Murton, Nomar). I think Lofton would be a decent stopgap, but I agree it has to be $2M for 1 year. I have to think he will keep CF open for Pie. That's what leads me to believe he won't go after Preston Wilson, who would take a multi-year deal. I hope at the very least RF is filled via trade with a capable bat. I just have no idea who that could possibly be, and it likely won't be anyone as good as Giles, who's ripe for the picking.

Believe it or not I would prefer to see our OF talent be upgraded via trade if we can't get Giles to a good deal.

 

If they can't get Giles, they have to upgrade via trade. Status quo is completely unacceptable.

No way can we go into the season with our OF the way it is right now. If we do, Hendry will be exposed.

 

Not even just the way it is right now. To me, status quo is replacing Burnitz with somebody like Wilson or Jones, and settling on a second rate CF as well. They need somebody who is a real threat to have a 900+ OPS next season to play right, and is practically a guarantee for a .360+ OBP.

[MPrior]

Just a question, because I know next to nothing about Rotoauthority, but how accurate does it tend to be? A lot of the stuff he said made sense about the various signings, but he also has Kevin Brown signing with the White Sox. Why on earth would they sign a starter when they've got six good ones?

 

In any case, I hope he's right (at least about Brian Giles; I don't really want Furcal, as I'm not entirely sure how a .335ish OBP qualifies, as so many people seem to think, as a "true" leadoff hitter). Obviously I would love Howry and/or Seanez as well, and Lofton definitely helps out in the OBP department, and would make a more than adequate and very cheap stopgap for CF.

[imb]

All they are seeing is that Brian Giles is a free agent OF, we need Outfielders, and we have a lot of money to spend.

 

the end.

[CubfaninCA]

Lofton is a cheap signing for protection in the event Patterson continues to implode. Patterson could possibly boost his trade value by the trade deadline in a utility role. Pie could be ready by the all star break. Lofton could be a nice bat off the bench.

 

There are plenty of reasons to like Lofton returning on a cheap, one year deal.

 

How would you like Lofton at 2/$6m, along with Wilson for 2/$10-14m? Because that's probably the type of people Hendry thinks would help this team.

 

How do you know what Hendry thinks (assuming that's a typo), and yes, I know you said "probably"?

 

Just basing it on his history of overpaying for mediocrity, and ignoring the BB/OBP problem on this team.

 

Lofton, in theory, isn't a bad option. But if Kenny gets more than 1 year, or more than $1-2 million, and he's guaranteed the CF/leadoff job, no matter how he performs, it's a bad move. I actually think it would be kind of interesting to have Corey/Kenny/Greenberg battling for CF. But that would only be acceptable if they go big in RF. And going off Hendry's history, I'm not certain he'd solve that RF problem with an impact bat.

 

Besides Burnitz what history is there?? Choi for Lee? Signing Walker? Trading for Nomar? Trading for ARam and Lofton? Giving DuBois a shot in LF? Giving Patterson a million shots in CF? Trading for Barrett?? Trading for Lawton? Neifi Perez was never signed to start btw.

 

Contrary to your continual revision of history, Hendry has a clue.

[goonys evil twin]

Contrary to your continual revision of history, Hendry has a clue.

 

Trading for Alfonseca, and then inexplicably giving him a raise to $4m after he showed how much he sucked. Trading for Macias, then giving him a raise after a terrible season. Signing Hollandsworth to be the primarly LF last year. Signing Burnitz to be the RF last year. Bidding against himself for the services of Dusty Baker last year.

 

*Some more: Giving a piece of crap like Neifi a guarantee of more than $1m, then inexplicably giving him incentives for another $1.5 if he starts a lot. Hey, I got news for you, if Neifi is starting a lot, that's a bad thing, why pay more for a bad thing? Overpaying an aging and declining Maddux. Trading a promising young prospect for a terrible left handed specialist who can't even make the big club. Losing Andy Sisco because you just had to keep space for guys like Bartosh, Fox, Rohlicek, Koronka, Macias, etc.

 

A top 5 payroll for 3 years, and just 88, 89 and 79 win seasons to show for it.

 

I don't believe I said he has no clue. I have said repeatedly he overpays for mediocrity. $100 million, and 79 wins should be enough to support that claim.

 

The Cubs have ranked near last in the NL in walks throughout his time with the team, and because of that, they've been near the bottom of the league in OBP despite a decent AVG. Because of that lack of OBP, they've been low in the runs scored department, despite a good SLG. Failure to address a glaring and specific problem over the course of three years and having the team's results suffer because of it, seems like a pretty clear indication that the GM is not doing a great job.

[BigbadB]

Lofton is a cheap signing for protection in the event Patterson continues to implode. Patterson could possibly boost his trade value by the trade deadline in a utility role. Pie could be ready by the all star break. Lofton could be a nice bat off the bench.

 

There are plenty of reasons to like Lofton returning on a cheap, one year deal.

 

How would you like Lofton at 2/$6m, along with Wilson for 2/$10-14m? Because that's probably the type of people Hendry thinks would help this team.

 

How do you know what Hendry thinks (assuming that's a typo), and yes, I know you said "probably"?

 

Just basing it on his history of overpaying for mediocrity, and ignoring the BB/OBP problem on this team.

 

Lofton, in theory, isn't a bad option. But if Kenny gets more than 1 year, or more than $1-2 million, and he's guaranteed the CF/leadoff job, no matter how he performs, it's a bad move. I actually think it would be kind of interesting to have Corey/Kenny/Greenberg battling for CF. But that would only be acceptable if they go big in RF. And going off Hendry's history, I'm not certain he'd solve that RF problem with an impact bat.

 

Besides Burnitz what history is there?? Choi for Lee? Signing Walker? Trading for Nomar? Trading for ARam and Lofton? Giving DuBois a shot in LF? Giving Patterson a million shots in CF? Trading for Barrett?? Trading for Lawton? Neifi Perez was never signed to start btw.

 

Contrary to your continual revision of history, Hendry has a clue.

 

With Dusty Baker as the manager of this team and Hendry being Baker's boss:

 

Neifi Perez not only batted lead off 114 times, he hit 2nd 268 times

Jose Macias not only batted lead off 35 times, he hit 2nd 13 times

Corey Patterson 128 times and 78 times

Enrique Wilson hit 2nd 5 times

 

That was just in 2005. I can reference many other occasions in 2004 and 2003 where some of these same names mentioned above along with Rey Ordonez, Damian Jackson, Lenny Harris, Ramon Martinez and others received way too many opportunities to hit at the top of the order.

 

I'd call that ignoring the BB/OBP issue this team has had. I'm not sure Hendry has a clue.