No Giles= Nomar??

[WrigleyinEngland]

What about this if Giles isn't available......

 

Re-sign nomar to play 2nd and hit 5th.

 

Trade with florida for Juan Pierre, not sure what it would take ( Patterson, Hill and Mitre??)

 

Sign Furcal to bat 2nd with pierre Leading off. My thinking behind this is....

 

I'm preety sure that pierre still has one year remaining before becoming a free agent. Therefor we have a year to see how JP looks in Cubbie Blue and wheather or not he is just a seat warmer for Pie. If JP is stella for us then look at a long contract + you can either move him or Pie to RF. That leaves you with a hole in RF. Jaque Jones or Encarnacion of florida could be options here.

 

Line-up

 

1- CF JP

2- SS Furcal/Cedeno

3- 1B-D Lee

4- 3B-A Ram/Nomar

5- 2B-Nomar/Cedeno

6- Rf- J Jones/ Encarnacion.

7- LF- Matt Murton

8- C - Barret/ Blanco

 

Not only will cedeno get enough starts to make it worth while him being here but there is a nice balance in that lineup. Pie has time to mature as do Murton and Cedeno. I'm going to say this bit quietly, with that collection of players you may have some nice Chips come trade deadline when JH might like to roll the dice.

 

Just an after thought , i know how popular todd walker is on here and this probably won't go down well but i would pick up his option and use him as trade bait if Giles is not available. I know its hard on todd but boy are we going to need some help next year....

[JeffH]

Trade with florida for Juan Pierre, not sure what it would take ( Patterson, Hill and Mitre??)

 

Sweet Mother of God.

[E.J.]

I think Hendry is going to go with strong defense up the middle, and I don't know if Nomar would be even a viable option at 2nd base. I'd really be worried about his defense at second, and him making the turns on double plays.

 

I think Hendry will make a trade to get us a high OBP/high SLG rightfielder. If he doesn't we're going to have another year of crap production from the outfield and another year of missing the playoffs.

[mg420]

no more nomar! just say NO! cedeno for ss!

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

What about this if Giles isn't available......

 

Re-sign nomar to play 2nd and hit 5th.

 

Trade with florida for Juan Pierre, not sure what it would take ( Patterson, Hill and Mitre??)

 

Sign Furcal to bat 2nd with pierre Leading off. My thinking behind this is....

 

I'm preety sure that pierre still has one year remaining before becoming a free agent. Therefor we have a year to see how JP looks in Cubbie Blue and wheather or not he is just a seat warmer for Pie. If JP is stella for us then look at a long contract + you can either move him or Pie to RF. That leaves you with a hole in RF. Jaque Jones or Encarnacion of florida could be options here.

 

Line-up

 

1- CF JP

2- SS Furcal/Cedeno

3- 1B-D Lee

4- 3B-A Ram/Nomar

5- 2B-Nomar/Cedeno

6- Rf- J Jones/ Encarnacion.

7- LF- Matt Murton

8- C - Barret/ Blanco

 

Not only will cedeno get enough starts to make it worth while him being here but there is a nice balance in that lineup. Pie has time to mature as do Murton and Cedeno. I'm going to say this bit quietly, with that collection of players you may have some nice Chips come trade deadline when JH might like to roll the dice.

 

Just an after thought , i know how popular todd walker is on here and this probably won't go down well but i would pick up his option and use him as trade bait if Giles is not available. I know its hard on todd but boy are we going to need some help next year....

 

Why trade for Pierre when you can sign Lofton and not give up the players?

 

If I keep Nomar, it's to put him at SS and keep Walker. I'm not saying that's the best course of action, but at the price it might be best.

 

Also, if I sign Furcal, I have no need to trade for Pierre as Furcal would fill the lead-off spot.

[HoopsCubs]

no more nomar! just say NO! cedeno for ss!

 

I don't think the Cubs are sold on Cedeno at SS. I also believe the Cubs feel Nomar is no longer an everyday SS. And offering Nomar arbitration could blow up in their face if he accepts, so they shouldn't go that route either.

 

With the money the Cubs have, in my opinion, they should offer him a super-utility role for 2 years and $6M. Get him on the field 4 days a week - one game at 3B, one game at SS, one game at 2B and one game in LF. $3M per season may sound excessive to many of you for this role, but given his OPS in August and September, I think it is worth it.

 

I don't know if he'd accept it. Perhaps, he will get an offer to start for somebody else, and he will take it. But you never know. He really enjoyed it here from all indications.

 

Hoops

[BigbadB]

I don't see Nomar accepting a role like that. I'm sure HE feels he's still one of the elite shortstops in the game and could easily land an everyday job with several teams. To make an offer like that would be an insult to him and he'd be sure to walk.

 

I think you'd need to giftwrap it a little better than that. Make that offer with loaded incentives and don't bring up how he will be used. Let him assume he'll be the everyday shortstop as he has always been known to be. Personally, if he came back with a low base salary loaded with incentives, I'd just stick him at SS and see if he can stay healthy and meet those incentives. If he does, the Cubs should be doing pretty good. (provided they filled the other holes on this team this offseason).

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

If Giles re-signs with the Padres, I'm going to look at making the following moves.

 

1. Go hard after Furcal. He's the next available FA and would give us a lead-off hitter and improved defense at SS.

2. Pick up Walker's option. With Furcal at SS, we'll have better defense and Walker will be an ideal number two hitter behind Furcal.

3. Strike a deal with the Dodgers for Lowe and Milton Bradley.

4. Attempt to trade for Jose Guillen.

5. Sign Octavio Dotel as set-up.

 

My line-up looks something like this:

 

SS Furcal

2b Walker

1b Lee

3b Ramirez

CF Bradley

RF Guillen

LF Murton

C Barrett

 

SP Zambrano

SP Prior

SP Wood

SP Maddux

SP Lowe

 

Bullpen:

CL Dempster

Set-up: Dotel

Ohman

Wuertz

Hill

Novoa

 

Bench:

Hairston

Grieve

Greenberg

Cedeno

Blanco

Branyan/Sweeney if possible or Fontenot

 

Dempster CL

[CuseCubFan69]

If Giles re-signs with the Padres, I'm going to look at making the following moves.

 

1. Go hard after Furcal. He's the next available FA and would give us a lead-off hitter and improved defense at SS.

2. Pick up Walker's option. With Furcal at SS, we'll have better defense and Walker will be an ideal number two hitter behind Furcal.

3. Strike a deal with the Dodgers for Lowe and Milton Bradley.

4. Attempt to trade for Jose Guillen.

5. Sign Octavio Dotel as set-up.

 

My line-up looks something like this:

 

SS Furcal

2b Walker

1b Lee

3b Ramirez

CF Bradley

RF Guillen

LF Murton

C Barrett

 

SP Zambrano

SP Prior

SP Wood

SP Maddux

SP Lowe

 

Bullpen:

CL Dempster

Set-up: Dotel

Ohman

Wuertz

Hill

Novoa

 

Bench:

Hairston

Grieve

Greenberg

Cedeno

Blanco

Branyan/Sweeney if possible or Fontenot

 

Dempster CL

 

I read that whole thing and not once was Wilkerson mentioned. Where's Vance and what have you done with him?

 

Wow...Bradley and Guillen...if the Black Hawks had these guys I'd say yes but I'm not sure on one team. Maybe the two attitudes would turn positive when put together. :sunny:

 

Nice team and I like seeing Greenburg on the 25 man. I can't imagine Grieve coming back though, especially after this year.

[Tim]

I still can't see Nomar making the pivot from the second base side with that arm angle.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I read that whole thing and not once was Wilkerson mentioned. Where's Vance and what have you done with him?

 

Wow...Bradley and Guillen...if the Black Hawks had these guys I'd say yes but I'm not sure on one team. Maybe the two attitudes would turn positive when put together. :sunny:

 

Nice team and I like seeing Greenburg on the 25 man. I can't imagine Grieve coming back though, especially after this year.

 

I'd like to have Wilkerson, but I'm not sure the Nats trade him. I think Guillen is more likely.

 

And if Dusty's strength is handling malcontents, let's see what he can do with Guillen and Bradley. Both players have immense talent. We tried the chemistry route this year, and it didn't work too well. Let's try having some talented malcontents and see where that goes.

 

Also, Guillen could be replaced with Floyd if Floyd is easier to acquire. I don't think it makes that much difference. If we could get Wilkerson instead of Guillen, then instead of Bradley we might go for Floyd as well, or maybe Ibanez.

[CuseCubFan69]

I still can't see Nomar making the pivot from the second base side with that arm angle.

 

Or the OF.

[WrigleyinEngland]

I guess i'm still influenced by the way the marlins owned us in '03. Castillo and pierre caused havoc and i see pierre and furcal doing similar things, and if they get on with D lee , A Ram and Nomar to follow that just sounds too good. Haven't looked but surely pierres SB's would be greater than loftons??.

[WrigleyinEngland]

Vance i nearly put Ibanez in my lineup, do you think he is up for grabs?, whats his D like??

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I guess i'm still influenced by the way the marlins owned us in '03. Castillo and pierre caused havoc and i see pierre and furcal doing similar things, and if they get on with D lee , A Ram and Nomar to follow that just sounds too good. Haven't looked but surely pierres SB's would be greater than loftons??.

 

 

If you like what Pierre/Castillo did for the Fish in 03, why not pull a deal for Castillo instead of Pierre?

 

That would give speed and defense up the middle. Personally, I'd rather keep Walker's bat there though.

[XZero771679666304]

I guess i'm still influenced by the way the marlins owned us in '03. Castillo and pierre caused havoc and i see pierre and furcal doing similar things, and if they get on with D lee , A Ram and Nomar to follow that just sounds too good. Haven't looked but surely pierres SB's would be greater than loftons??.

 

 

If you like what Pierre/Castillo did for the Fish in 03, why not pull a deal for Castillo instead of Pierre?

 

That would give speed and defense up the middle. Personally, I'd rather keep Walker's bat there though.

 

I've always thought Castillo was better than Pierre. I think Walker is as good as gone, unfortunately. I would be very interested in acquiring Castillo.

 

Heck, sign Furcal too. Having Castillo and Furcal up the middle and 1-2 in the order would immensely improve both the offense and the defense.

[WrigleyinEngland]

I like castillo , so if a deal is possible for him do you still go after furcal?. I'm worried that loftons numbers will go down sooner rather than later. How sold are you guys on Pie? is he the real deal or just another tease??.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I like castillo , so if a deal is possible for him do you still go after furcal?. I'm worried that loftons numbers will go down sooner rather than later. How sold are you guys on Pie? is he the real deal or just another tease??.

 

If Giles is off the board, I go after Furcal because he's the best FA available and we have money to spend.

 

The reason I keep Walker instead of Castillo is that we need outfield help badly. With the weak FA crop, especially if Giles re-ups with SD, you're going to have to trade to get value in the OF. We have few bullets to do that with, and I'd rather save them to acquire an impact OF rather than a lateral move at a position I can fill adequately for 2.5 million.

 

I think Pie is an extremely talented player who needs more time in the minors.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I like castillo , so if a deal is possible for him do you still go after furcal?. I'm worried that loftons numbers will go down sooner rather than later. How sold are you guys on Pie? is he the real deal or just another tease??.

 

Like XZero, I figure Walker is gone. I have no problem with Furcal + Castillo, that'll provide Hendry with his defense and give Dusty two players with good OBPs that are fast so he'll bat them 1-2.

[Tim]

I guess i'm still influenced by the way the marlins owned us in '03. Castillo and pierre caused havoc and i see pierre and furcal doing similar things, and if they get on with D lee , A Ram and Nomar to follow that just sounds too good. Haven't looked but surely pierres SB's would be greater than loftons??.

I've been through this so many times.

 

Can you please show the Cubs were "owned" in that series by Pierre & Castillo?

[WrigleyinEngland]

Vance , what about a trade for a hitter like Burrel? If you could swing a trade for OBP guys like Castillo and land furcal you may be able to afford the SO that Burrel would bring. If you re-sign walker you would have a saleable chip not a good fit for the Phillies but what about if Texas ships soriano we could offer Walker and pitching for Mench?

[WrigleyinEngland]

Tim , i know the stats wont show that for that series but it seems when we play the marlins they cause havoc on the basepaths. I dont just mean the hits walks etc, when they get either of those two guys on something seems to happen. One example is this year at Wrigley , can't remember the exact ways the run scored but Pierre led off got on base moved over on a wild pitch bunted over to 3rd the SF scored the run. Thins like that stick in the memory as does the nervous nature of our pitching staff once a guy like pierre gets on. Maybe i'm looking for us to get some of the podsednick effect???!!

[AAApittsburgh]

Tim , i know the stats wont show that for that series but it seems when we play the marlins they cause havoc on the basepaths. I dont just mean the hits walks etc, when they get either of those two guys on something seems to happen. One example is this year at Wrigley , can't remember the exact ways the run scored but Pierre led off got on base moved over on a wild pitch bunted over to 3rd the SF scored the run. Thins like that stick in the memory as does the nervous nature of our pitching staff once a guy like pierre gets on. Maybe i'm looking for us to get some of the podsednick effect???!!

Do pitchers really get nervous at the thought of a guy slapping the ball around the infield?

[Tim]

Tim , i know the stats wont show that for that series but it seems when we play the marlins they cause havoc on the basepaths. I dont just mean the hits walks etc, when they get either of those two guys on something seems to happen. One example is this year at Wrigley , can't remember the exact ways the run scored but Pierre led off got on base moved over on a wild pitch bunted over to 3rd the SF scored the run. Thins like that stick in the memory as does the nervous nature of our pitching staff once a guy like pierre gets on. Maybe i'm looking for us to get some of the podsednick effect???!!

first: What Podsednik effect?

 

Second: that's one run generated that way. I'd wager that they scored a whole lot more runs off extra base hits against us. They just weren't as flashy.

[USSoccer]

Tim , i know the stats wont show that for that series but it seems when we play the marlins they cause havoc on the basepaths. I dont just mean the hits walks etc, when they get either of those two guys on something seems to happen. One example is this year at Wrigley , can't remember the exact ways the run scored but Pierre led off got on base moved over on a wild pitch bunted over to 3rd the SF scored the run. Thins like that stick in the memory as does the nervous nature of our pitching staff once a guy like pierre gets on. Maybe i'm looking for us to get some of the podsednick effect???!!

first: What Podsednik effect?

 

Second: that's one run generated that way. I'd wager that they scored a whole lot more runs off extra base hits against us. They just weren't as flashy.

 

If by "Podsednik Effect" you mean our enitre pitching staff having career years at once, then yeah, i'd love some of that on our side of town. :P