BigbadB

If I was Cleveland, I'd work a deal for Soriano or Kent before I'd make a play on Walker. Actually, why not offer up Crisp to San Diego for Loretta? San Diego could then improve their outfield defense and promote Josh Barfield.

Plenty of options there. I think it is important to nail down Furcal first, if that is Hendry's intent, so the leadoff hitter thing is resolved. That means the CF option no longer must be a leadoff man, opening up additional possibilities. There are the obvious choices: sign Kenny Lofton, trade for Milton Bradley, trade for Mike Cameron, trade for Juan Pierre. But my favorite choice would be a trade with Cleveland. How about: Walker + Rich Hill + Ricky Nolasco for Grady Sizemore and Rafael Betancourt? Or if that is a bit too rich for Cleveland, substitute Coco Crisp for Sizemore. Walker is expendable, Hill doesn't fit in the Cubs' rotation plans if they are going to sign a free agent like Burnett or Millwood, and Nolasco is a promising prospect, but still, a prospect. Cleveland solves their need for a 1B/2B option that can hit, they get a young starter to plug into their rotation (or use in the bullpen) in Hill, and they get the free option on Nolasco, who would likely pitch AAA for them in '06. Murton, Sizemore and Abreu in the OF, with Furcal and Cedeno up the middle, I really like that.... 8) Absolute pipe dream if you think Cleveland gives up Sizemore. I hope Pie ends up being as good as Sizemore appears to be. How many guys hit nearly .290, 111 runs scored, 70 XBH's and a .348 OBP at the age of 22? Tack on that he provides this kind of production from CF and will make 300K for a few more years yet, and you have what we like to call our top prospects, "untouchable".

Of the players labeled malcontents, how many were considered malcontents prior to their arrival in Wrigleyville? None! Me thinks that Dusty breeds malcontentia. Wasn't it the same year that Bonds and Kent got into a cat fight that the Giants went to the World Series?

Welcome to NSBB. Nice first post. I'd settle for that line up, though Brian Giles is #1 on my radar.

Yay, I'll be able to go to all the Dodger/Padres games in SoCal this year. I might even make arrangements to go to Arizona or Colorado this year as well.

:shock:

Cleveland won't trade Sizemore for anyone. He just turned 23, so the numbers he put up this past year was at 22 years of age. 70 XBH's, 22 stolen bases, 111 runs scored. Those are the kinds of guys you build around, not trade.

Yes, you are correct. Randa was traded. But, the original point is still accurate. The Padres have already given up on Burroughs.

No, San Diego gave up on Burroughs already. They signed Joe Randa to play 3rd this past year.

And because Cedeno has the potential to be a .260/.320 guy just as much as he has the potential to be a .310/.360 guy, I'd rather sign Nomar to a 1 year deal and give Cedeno plenty of chances to prove he should be an everyday starter.

SLG isn't everything, despite what this site preaches. This site disregards the importance of OBP? That's one of the more original criticisms levied against it. Anyway, leaving aside the fact that I despise OPS, you're absolutely right that SLG isn't everything, but then again neither is OBP everything either. As a result, Ichiro just is not as good as might be supposed from his reputation and thus his salary. Certainly he's a very good player, and the best leadoff hitter in the game. But his lack of power does prevents him from rightfully being classed a great player. Furthermore, Ichiro's now 32 years old, and his skill set of average and speed isn't particularly well suited to ageing. If they slip, Ichiro won't have much left to his game. If he only hits .280, his on-base/slugging aren't likely to be much higher .330/.400. That's problematic. But don't get me wrong, Ichiro's worth every cent that he makes simply because of the Japan factor, and I'll take him as the Cubs CF every day! And I mean everyday, Ichiro has missed just 14 games in 5 years in the majors! And then put Brian Giles in right... CF Ichiro Suzuki, RF Brian Giles, 1B Derrek Lee, 3B Aramis Ramirez, SS Nomar Garciaparra, 2B Todd Walker, C Michael Barrett, LF Matt Murton !! All the same, you have to be aware that Ichiro alone wouldn't represent the necessary offensive improvement that the Cubs have to be seeking this winter. And that's why Brian Giles would be necessary too. One other thing I want to get off my chest: the absolutely irrationality of the concept of not doing anything particularly too drastic about the centre field position for the sake of "keeping it open for Felix Pie". Felix Pie is still nothing but a prospect, albeit a very good one at that. Prospect failure rates being what they are, sometimes because of a lack of talent, or a lack of talent compatible with the majors, sometimes because of a lack of effort or dedication, sometimes because of injury, it makes little sense to pencil Pie in at this stage as the Opening Day 2007 centre fielder. It makes a lot more sense to work on the assumption that Pie will not make it, or better yet that Pie doesn't exist. Then the worst that can happen is that the continguency plan proves unnecessary, and you have an embarrassment of riches and an in-demand trading chip, in an AJ Pierzynski/Joe Mauer/Joe Nathan/Francisco Liriano/Boof Bonser kind of way, assuming of course that you were sensible as always when it came to the contracts. On the other hand, if you work on the assumption that Pie will make it, it's possible that you can end up with absolutely no-one, and thus put yourself into a weak and disadvantaged negotiating position when it comes to filling the vacancy. The Cubs have continuously done this over the years: they've purposely held spots open for people that have never come. Especially after this last season, Hendry must learn that a continguency plan too many is better than none at all. I agree with the top part, but disagree on the concept of not "holding" a spot for a rookie. What exactly is Phily going to do. They have one of the best prospects in the game sitting in AAA because the guy ahead of him is now old, oft injured and making a crap load of money for the next several years. Phily must be kicking themselves. I'm all for not just handing any rookie a spot to sink or swim. I definitely think that's the wrong approach on Cedeno. I'd rather see Cedeno earn it. Who blocks Pie now that either couldn't be traded or benched if Pie keeps improving like he has? My idea of going after Lofton gives us a bunch of guys who could keep centerfield productive in '06. Signing Damon to a long term deal to play center would be pulling a Philadelphia move, which could really come back and bite you.

Not many teams would be the slightest bit interested in trading for Lee. They'd have to give up something significant and Lee only has a year remaining on his contract.

And if Cedeno ends up being a mediocre offensive player (.260/.320), where does that help them in the grand scheme?

Maybe I'm just confusing Texas with Kansas City.

Yes

Where's Jerry Rice??????? :D

I thought they moved the fences back at Arlington, which neutralized the hitting advantage. Soriano had 92 XBH's for the Yankees a few years back, and it's not one of the more friendly parks for right handed hitters. Your reference to Soriano's defense is duly noted.

The problem is that we have lots of candidates for #4 and #5 (Maddux, Rusch, Williams, etc.) and most of the people you mentioned aren't much better than what we have. Valid point. I, for one, though have been wondering why we haven't heard Washburn rumblings considering JH's apparent love affair with a left handed starter any way he can get one. His name is Glendon Rusch.

And honestly, I wouldn't trade Mike freakin' Wuertz for Alfonso Soriano. Soriano sucks (for reasons that have already been documented on this website which I will not take the time to rehash). Wood's trade value is probably at the lowest it has ever been. I, for one, still think he has some mileage in left in his arm and am still optimistic that he can be effective. If you are going to trade him, at least wait until he gets back on track and his trade value rises commensurably (at which point any suggestion of a trade will probably met with howls of protest). Even I (Mr. OBP) don't think Soriano sucks. I'd gladly take him at 2nd base if I had very good to excellent OBP in the other 7 spots in the order. Not many 2b's give you 81 XBH's in a season. Heck, I'd take that kind of production out of Patterson. But, once again if the other spots in the order had very good to excellent OBP's.

I thought he just had a suspect arm. I thought he still got to a lot of balls that a not so speedy outfielder couldn't. I meant you can sign Lofton for 1.5-2m. Note the previous sentence where I stated we could trade him (Lofton) at the deadline like every other team in baseball has already done. Lofton only took 1m to play for the Yankees the year we traded for him. He might come cheaper than 2m

I'd feel okay with Encarnacion in RF if we got a power hitter in LF (e.g. Dunn) or at 2B (e.g. Kent). Encarnacion batting 6th is fine; if he's batting 3-4-5, we're in trouble. I don't like the looks of the offense with right handed hitters if you get Kent and Encarnacion. Now you have: Aramis, Lee, Encarnacion, Kent, Murton, Barrett all hitting right handed. The only lefties are likely the two guys that hit 1/2 in Dusty's world. No thanks. I'd rather have Burnitz back than sign Encarnacion.

Pujols, Rolen, Edmonds, Isringhausen, Eckstein, Carpenter, King and Mulder account for $63M. Add another $4M if they pick up Suppan's option. The Cards payroll last year was around $90M. I haven't read all the reports, but I did see a few that suggested an increase to $95-96M range was probable going into their new park. Therefore, many think they can easily give Giles $10M a season, and still have money to address their other needs. Assuming they pick up Suppan's option.... 9 guys, 67 mil, best case scenario, 30 million left for 16 players. Workable Signing Giles 10 guys, 77 mil, best case scenario, 20 million left for 15 players. Very difficult. They could get Giles, but that would make the rest of their offseason pretty tight. I actually see them going after a Encarnacion or Jacque Jones type. What makes you think this? Not that I doubt it, I'm just wondering why. Cause I WISH they'd go after one of those, but I have little reason to think that they will. 1)They are both good defensive OF's 2)The Card are already set @ the 1-5 holes. Eckstein,Grudz,Pujols,Edmonds,Rolen. JE or JJ would fit well in one of the 6-8 holes for them. 3) spending 10 mil per year on Giles won't allow them much room at all to improve in other areas like BP & adding another SP. I totally agree with this. They have no reason to out and spend that kind of money on Giles when defensive oriented guys like the two you mentioned works perfectly. Bring back Sanders and maybe look for a lefty hitting corner outfielder for bottom of the order balance. They will still have a good offense. If they sign Giles, they may handtie their budget next year or another year down the road. No reason to.

Pierre was quite unlucky BABIP wise, especially for a guy with his speed. However, even at his best he's not that great, and he'll be overpriced in cash and players. Lofton, on the other hand, is the poster child for BABIP good fortune. I don't want either. I'll take your word for it, but at the same time, why clog up centerfield anymore than you have to. You can use Lofton and Hairston in a platoon, you can use Lofton as a defensive replacement in any of the outfield spots late in a game. You can use him off the bench in a pinch hit role. You can use him as speed on the bases late in a game. You can hang on to Patterson and see if he gets things straightened out. You can trade him at the deadline like every other team in baseball has done. He won't cost anymore than 1.5-2m at the most. At that cost, he's nothing but value for the production he provides. If you get him as a free agent, you have a lot of possibilities in center with Lofton, Patterson, Hairston, Greenberg and Pie. Pierre would need to be traded for. Strike one. Pierre isn't a guy that would be used like Lofton could. Strike two. Lofton is coming off a season of .392 OBP compared to Pierre's .326. Strike three. If I'm the GM of this team, I sign Lofton and Giles, retain Nomar and Hairston and sign one more guy to the bench and then focus anything else on pitching. OF Giles, Murton, Lofton, Patterson, Hairston IF Aramis, Nomar, Walker, Cedeno, Lee, corner IF bat C Barrett, Blanco Of the guys listed above, only Patterson and Blanco are risks to have OBP's below .340. If Patterson gets things straightened out, it would be great to have a bench of Lofton, Hairston, Cedeno and a guy like Hansen or Branyan. Offense is done. How much did it cost? Giles, Nomar, Lofton and the back up infielder would cost less than 20m. Still plenty left over to make a push for Millwood or Burnett and Ryan or Howry.

If Pierre is guaranteed to give you a .360+ OBP, I might agree with you. But, his .326 OBP last year along with his 17 caught stealings makes him quite a risk. It was his worst batting average since he came into the league, so it could be considered an off year. Kenny Lofton is cheaper, provides a better OBP and doesn't get caught stealing very often. Lofton hit nearly as many doubles as Pierre in half the at bats. Pierre would cost us prospects. I'll take Lofton.

'Nuff Said. That's all you are planning on saying this entire offseason, isn't it? :D