DesMoinesCub

If he is used when we are down by 7 or 8 runs in a blowout game, I don't have a problem with it. If he saves the bullpen by throwing 3 or 4 innings when Marquis gets taken out in the 3rd, I say go for it. How does this work with his options and what not? That may change my mind a bit.

Yeah...I knew Ohman wasn't a free agent, but I don't think he will be with the Cubs next year. That is why I figured in his money. I know ARod is a long shot, but by being able to fill in holes with younger guys makes the possibility a little easier to dream about.

Also, there are seven guys at the beginning of this year's team that I will be free agents: Wood, Ohman, Miller, Izturis, Floyd, Cotts, Barrett- Now that would save us 16.7 million that could be used somewhere. Now, I know some of these guys are no longer with the Cubs, but it is money they are freed from.

So since we have more money commited next year then we spent this year are we going to sign any free agents? Not even the big names, but can we go after anyone? My arguement is that we could fill any possible holes with our younger guys, so we could spend less money and yes, if we up the payroll, try to get A-Rod. It is far mor likely that we can sign him if we don't have to add another starter, pick up another outfielder, add a couple of bench guys and two guys for the bullpen. My point is that if we can fill out the roster with cheap young guys, we can spend more money on an area that can be upgraded...and yes, we will need to up the payroll to do that.

This whole A-Rod thing has me thinking... The Cubs starting rotation will all be back next year so no additional money needs to be spent this off season. If for some reason, someone can't go you have a lot of options in the minors. Starters- Soriano (LF) Pie/Jones (CF) DeRosa, Murton, Theriot (RF) Lee (1B), Ramirez (3B), DeRosa/Theriot (2B) and a SS Soto/Blanco © Bench- Fontenot (INF) Jones/Pie/Murton, Blanco, bring Ward back for 1.2 Million (option according to Cot's Baseball Contract), throw Fox in there as well Bullpen- Marmol, Wuertz, Eyre (I hope not), Howry, Dempster, Wood (if at a decent price), Gallagher, Petrick, Guzman The point is, we really don't need to spend any money this off season. We have many quality bench guys who are younger and will take very little of our payroll. Same for the remaining spots in the bullpen. So, if we aren't going to spend any money, why can't we go after A-Rod. The reason I am putting DeRosa in right and Theriot at second is because we won't have to spend any money on a RF (even though I agree DeRosa and an average RF is better the Theriot/DeRosa...but we won't have to spend any money this way). I really think it is possible.

I think the answer you want is Barrett, who was catching for the Montreal Expos when Mac hit #70. Marrero and Lampkin caught for STL. However, Barrett is not catching tonight, Bard is.

Maybe this has been discussed in a game thread, but I don't feel like searching through one of those to find an answer. Living in Central Iowa (Des Moines area) our local cable subscriber (Mediacom) has not picked up Comcast, and instead has given us the treat of Fox Sports Midwest which is the Cardinals network. I don't even want to get started on that...anyway, Tuesday night I sit down to watch the Cubs-Cardinals game and instead am treated to The World Series of Poker. Tonight, same thing. Is there something with Fox Sports rights to cover the Cubs because of Comcast? I tried calling Mediacom, and they told me it was a Fox Sports issue. I called Fox Sports, and got a recording about MLB Blackout rules that didn't help at all. Anyone know why this is happening? It really sucks the one time I want to watch the Cardinals, I can't

Do you think it has anything to do with it being a night game? Gives people a few more hours to drink after work, class, etc.

I was over on Rotoworld checking out somethings, and some writer over there suggested Ramon Hernandez to the Cubs...that got me thinking what Baltimore had that could help us... Huff- contract expires in 2010 3year/20 mil currently hitting .262 6 HR 42 RBI .301 OBP and .697 OPS Has played 0 games in the OF this year Hernandez- contract expires 2009 4year/27.5 million .240 4HR 34 RBI .337 OBP .697 OPS (recently on or close to coming off the DL) Millar- 1 year 2.75 million with option .282 9 HR 36 RBI .399 OBP .861 OPS Has played 2 games in the OF Trachsel- 1 year 3.1 with option 5-6 with a 4.95 ERA has been on the DL and is expected to come off on Saturday has started 30+ games in 10 of his 13 full seasons with starts of 22, 28 and 6 the other 3 Tejada- On DL (I know I am dreaming) Anyway, I am in no way saying I want any of these guys and don't know if any are an improvement. Maybe get Trachsel to be the 5th starter (and his 4 hour games) and then that would allow us to trade Marshall for an OF Bat. What does everyone think? I know the Cubs love trading with Baltimore...

All right...I'll bite. I am interested, but who the heck is it?

I was thinking Marshall or Hill and Pie to get things started as well. No way do I trade Marmol...he is by far our best bullpen arm (at least right now). I am struggling to decide if Pie is a tradeable in this situation. The Cubs outfield next year could be Soriano and ??? and ??? (Murton/Jones/Floyd/FA) Would Marshall or Hill along with Pie and good minor league pitcher (Veal/ Petrick/ Holliman) be enough for McCann and Renteria?

I have been giving this Braves thing a long look. They have two areas of strength (Cathers and Shortstop) that we have a weakness at. I would love to see a McCann/Salty and Escobar/Renteria combination traded to the Cubs. Now, this is going to be a pretty "pricey" deal in terms of what the Cubs would have to give up in my opinion. First, the Braves have Thorman and Johnson at 1st and 2nd. Then they would have Renteria, Jones, Escobar at SS and 3B. Jones is not the poster boy of health, so Escobar is their "super sub". Diaz and Harris have not been terrible, but will they keep it up, and Francour is a fixture. A. Jones is sucking it up, and could walk at the end of the season. The Braves are only 3 games behind the Mets, so are they going to want to make a trade? What would you give up to get any combination of those 4 guys. Take into consideration where the Braves are in the standings, and their future. I see the OF as being a need for ATL and maybe some starting pitching. Thoughts?

I have read somewhere that Barry is not going to give any of his "items" to the HOF. I can't find the article, but he basically said he is looking out for himself. If I were there and caught the ball, I would give it to the HOF just to spite Barry. Or maybe sell it at auction for a couple million.

I haven't put much thought into this, and I really haven't done the research to see who is playing RF for the Mets, but woud Jones to the Mets make sense with Green out with a broken foot. Again, to long of a day, so I don't want to look anything up (who actually is in RF, who would be a fair "prospect" to get back). Just thinking of trading to a possible need in NY.

I know there are a ton of these already, but on ESPN News, they said that Z has said he is close to ending all negotiations with the Cubs and will be a free agent at the end of the year. They then went in to trade talks, and Keith Law (don't really know who he is and what he really knows) said the Cubs could get a king's ransom for Z at the trade deadline (assuming Mil is still playing good ball and the Cubs are out of it). So my question is what exactly is a king's ransom? A young prospect pitcher ready to make the big leagues, a ready to go prospect for the field? So, all of the minor league experts, put together your best deal for Z with the teams that are going to be or you think are going to be in contention. Please no Z for ARod trades here!!!