BigbadB

Agreed. On a related note: Why don't the Cubs just move Soriano to RF where he belongs? I've become tired of the "wonder if he can play RF" posts when we have a guy in LF that would be the best RF option of anyone that might be available this offseason.

Antonelli, Matt I'll be shocked if he's with the big club opening day. None of our 2b's are guys who block Antonelli. I think I heard the Padres lost Blum also. Infante would be a guy they could use to hold down 2b until Antonelli is ready and then as a back up later. Obviously, Infante would not be one of the major trading chips for Peavy, however.

I love the thought of Santana in a Cubs uniform, but the only Santana the Cubs would trade for is Ervin. Why? Because of the same crazy and idiotic reasons the Cubs are looking for lefty power bats for RF. Hendry likes a good lefty pitcher, but he doesn't want a whole rotation of them. Sure, Hill or Lilly could be part of the deal that landed Santana, but I don't see them going that route. As funny as it sounds, I think the reason Marshall got pulled from the rotation and Dempster is getting a look in the rotation is because they don't want 3 lefties in the rotation. Here's a thought, though. San Diego is probably not going to get Peavy signed to an extension. They need outfield help and they have a huge hole at 2b.

Yay! One more year of Wood in the bullpen and then stretch him out to be a starter again in 2009. I'm guessing Wood probably agreed to a 1 year deal with some promises of getting an opportunity to start again after this year. This is great news.

It's actually quite entertaining watching the Reds spend talent and money on bullpen guys. I'm glad it's them and not us forking out big cash for Cordero. But, I can see why Reds fans are happy with this deal. They don't have problems offensively. They have holes in their rotation, but there aren't many teams that don't have that problem. It's always a bad move to spend big bucks on bullpen help. Relievers can't get anymore touch and go than they are now. Eyre certainly hasn't been worth the money. Who was the best reliever on the market last year and how did he do? Did he do better than Ryan Franklin, who flew way under the radar? The shelf life of a reliever isn't much more than the one good season they already tossed up, with a few limited exceptions. Marmol could fall on his face next year. The Cubs bullpen could go from first to worst next year. It's a complete crapshoot. That's why that contract was horrible. But, you can't blame Cordero for wanting it. It may be his only big contract. And if he can continue being effective, he'll be doing it for the Reds. And if they can't find the arms necessary to fill out their rotation, they do have a chance to be in the thick of things next year.

OF- Guererro OF- GMJ OF- Rivera DH- Anderson 3b- Cabrera (if they get him in trade) SS- Aybar 2b- Figgins 1b- Kotchman C- Napoli Not bad.

Sounds to me like Anaheim is about to deal for Cabrera. Kendrick, Mathis and Adenhart or Kendrick, Morales and Adenhart? Either of those deals would still have the Angels with Figgins, Aybar and Wood to move around between the two infield spots.

I can't believe everyone is giving this guy a pass. Do you realize how many steroids Jeter could purchase on the money he saved in avoiding his taxes?

Last word on rotoworld was that he probably wouldn't be back by ST...and its not a torn MCL and a torn meniscus. And he had elbow surgery to remove loose bodies. Personally, I love to have loose bodies floating around me. My original post was to get Hamilton or Scott (let me add Church) to complement Murton and/or Pie and then add Bradley. Bradley being available later might work to our advantage. The Cubs could see if Pie is able to hit at the major league level and, if not, pick up Bradley for less money (half a season). If he really struggles in the first half, a player like Hamilton or Church can help out in CF. I think you might be selling Hamilton short a bit. Assuming he's healthy and clean, he's gonna be a monster. I doubt the Reds would hand him over to the Cubs without being blown away. (Think Hill +) Scott is totally available, though, and suits that role perfectly. If we don't get the eff you Japanese dude I'd prefer Scott by a large margin over Geonkins. I have seen rumors that Hamilton might be traded because they have a glut of outfielders, but I don't know what the cost might be. Another very interesting name might be Seth Smith from the Rockies. Right now he's pretty much 3rd string in their OF, but he would certainly be what the doctor ordered as a young, cheap, left-handed, power hitting corner OF. I think they could use a 2B and pitching. Start with an offer of Theriot/Cedeno/Infante (their choice) or Ohman. Perhaps both? Either way the players mentioned are spare parts. Hendry could trade Matsui to Colorado for Smith after he gets him signed.

Leave it to Jim Hendry to have holes to fill at SS and RF and spend all of his resources on finding a 6th 2b. :roll:

Shocker of the offseason, no doubt. Rivera accepts a measily 3/45m deal.

Who can argue with logic?

And they went to different high schools together. Perfect. No need for Kazuo.

That's all well and good, but something tells me Hendry didn't just out of the blue make the decision that high school chums should be reunited. I have a feeling that it might have been a contractual requirement in order to get Fukudome here. I'm not sure how good Fukudome's english is these days. You'd have to assume he's been brushing up on it the last few years at the very least. Matsui has been here in the states for 5 years now and could be of much assistance in helping Fukudome adjust. It's really the only explanation for why Hendry is looking at giving Matsui a 3 year deal. The team he just had the most success with won't even give him that.

I figured it must have been something along those lines.

Torn ACL and meniscus. I don't know medicine, but I don't believe the meniscus is the same thing as the MCL.

No.

Same type of trade the Cubs originally got Murton, and with the same teams minus Minnesota involvement.

Yeah, he was one of 5 GMs to vote against it. LOL. Probably the same 5 GM's who have yet to embrace OBP, also.

Dusty calls Jim Hendry and convinces him that Soto simply isnt ready to be a starting catcher because 'you need veterans to catch dude'. Jimbo resigns Kendall for 3/20 to play catcher 158 games a year. I'd be more worried about Paul LoDuca being available right now.

I deleted a lengthy post I was going to submit that basically brought him up. Florida isn't in dire straits regarding CF. They could give Cody Ross a longer look and Reggie Abercrombie appeared to turn things around in AAA last year. Florida shouldn't necessarily be requiring a CF in a trade for Cabrera. They should be making the deal that nets them the best talent, period.

While I agree with most of what has been written by other posters, I'm convince that DLee will retire as a Cub, mostly because he is such a high-character guy. All together possible and it seems like he is an outstanding person from what I've heard and read. But, it is a business and you can't fall in love with a player either and if you get a chance to improve the team, you have to do it. If you want a bunch of nice guys you will have another 100 years of not winning. Actually, the team is already committed to being in love with that player the day they issue that NTC.

Yes he can. What bigger trade can the Cubs make without making them worse? If they trade Lee, Aramis, Z, or Hill at best they can hope to get the same level of potential production. None of the prospects are all that attractive, except for Pie (who doesn't love Pie?). They don't have a whole lot to bargin with. Who are they going to get with DeRosa + prospects? Marmol + prospects? DeRosaa + Marmol + prospects? Why does Fukudome need a caddy? Exactly. Hendry very well could prove us all wrong with some stunning deal, but what's the likelihood? If you do end up giving up DeRosa in a bigger deal, you've downgraded 2b significantly in doing so. What exactly makes DeRosa such a hot commodity to other teams? He's not exactly cheap for the production he provides. He's not head and shoulders better than other 2b's that could potentially be available. He'd do alright manning third base in Florida for a year or two. He would be a step up from Aaron Boone. But, the packages that LA will be offering (especially now that ARod is off the market) surely could beat what the Cubs can offer.

Yes he can. What bigger trade can the Cubs make without making them worse? If they trade Lee, Aramis, Z, or Hill at best they can hope to get the same level of potential production. None of the prospects are all that attractive, except for Pie (who doesn't love Pie?). They don't have a whole lot to bargin with. Who are they going to get with DeRosa + prospects? Marmol + prospects? DeRosaa + Marmol + prospects? Why does Fukudome need a caddy? Exactly. Hendry very well could prove us all wrong with some stunning deal, but what's the likelihood? If you do end up giving up DeRosa in a bigger deal, you've downgraded 2b significantly in doing so. What exactly makes DeRosa such a hot commodity to other teams? He's not exactly cheap for the production he provides. He's not head and shoulders better than other 2b's that could potentially be available.

Just thinking out loud, but what if the Cubs are trying to swing a bigger deal with another team and that team is insisting on DeRosa being part of the package? It would have to be for a heck of an improvement somewhere since the downgrade at 2b is not exactly in the best interests of the team.