marc_foust

I lookat the talent on that list and try to figure out what package I would ask for in return and then I try to think of happy thoughts. I have to believe that any talks involving Hawpe or Eitheir would start with Hill+. Burrell and the Seattle duo would also cost a bit and they are more like consolation prizes (a little less so with Burrell). Church, Quentin , and Baldelli may not be any better than Murton in the long run.

We dont really need to pull off blockbuster deals or spend "300 million" this offseason to be successful. We just have to find some value. With the young players we have coming up we can get by with improving only a couple of positions from outside the organization. I dont think there would be too many people upset with starting next year with soto and blanco at catcher. same thing with Pie in center. If we can add a #5 hole RF bat and a #3 rotation pitcher the Cubs would be better than this year.

Ive seen mention of this guy on this board a couple of times. Is there an MLB player that he compares to stats and tools wise? And also what kind of posting fee will there be? Also is Milton Bradley a free agent this offseason?

I know those options are out there but I just dont see us able to add enough payroll to go out and sign those kind of players after this past offseason. As far as Crawford is concerned, what kind of package would you ask for is you were TB? I dont reallysee a package the Cubs could afford to give to land that caliber of player without creating holes elsewhere. Maybe we could land ARod assuming him and the Yanks part ways. But does that alone secure us a playoff spot? Because that size of contract would probably handcuff any moves we can make in the next 3-5 years. How many 100 mil contract players can one team afford?? Would the 2007 Cubs + ARod be enough in 08? I probably should have mentioned I was dreaming. We'd have to mortgage the future in order to acquire those guys. That is kind of the purpose of this thread. Are we looking at basically the same team next year and mediocrity for years to come or do the Cubs make a big splash this offseason and make a run at next year while being screwed for years to come?

I know those options are out there but I just dont see us able to add enough payroll to go out and sign those kind of players after this past offseason. As far as Crawford is concerned, what kind of package would you ask for is you were TB? I dont reallysee a package the Cubs could afford to give to land that caliber of player without creating holes elsewhere. Maybe we could land ARod assuming him and the Yanks part ways. But does that alone secure us a playoff spot? Because that size of contract would probably handcuff any moves we can make in the next 3-5 years. How many 100 mil contract players can one team afford?? Would the 2007 Cubs + ARod be enough in 08?

I am just curious as to what you all think of the cubs possibilities for this offseason. When I look at our team including the farm system I dont see many possibilities for improving this team in the offseason. Our trading chips (Pie, Murton, Marshall, Hill, etc) and our prospects(Again Pie, Soto, Cedeno, EPatt, Galagher,etc.) plus the free agent class does not bode well for drastically improving this team. The positions where we are looking to upgrade (C, SS, RF, CF, maybe 2B, SP) dont exactly have answers that are obvious to me. Which brings me to the questions: What caliber of player are we going to be able to aquire this offseason? Are our trading chips valuable enough to land any upgrades? Which free agents are we going to be able to land that will improve the club? And which prospects are we willing to hand playing time to?

It's hard to say, it's been reported that they were trying to give him away but couldn't, similar to when they just gave Abreu away. If they trade him it will be because they are trying to get rid of him. A lot may depend on how they finish 2007. If they come up short, and the fans get on Burrell for something, I could see them make a push to trade him for an arm, or two. They might take back somebody like Jones to offset salary (partially). Gallagher isn't untouchable. I'd trade Murton in a deal for a true impact bat. The Cubs need a bat they can count on. Murton could probably be a good bat, but they don't see interested in playing him. I just find it hard to believe that no one would offer a package better than just giving him away for money, even if a marginal player is sent the other way. I understand that Phili may be tiring of Burrell but I see him as worth more than a deal to the Marlins where they pick up all of the salary. If I were them I would probably be asking for a package of Murton, Gallagher, and maybe Patterson(Prolly a little too high) and would not want to pick up more than 1/3 of the remaining salary. Patterson would be more of a starting point but I think you get the idea. Maybe something like Pie and another prospect with them picking a bit more of the cash would be somewhat of a realistic starting point for them as well.

Im kind of curious but what do we have that would even begin trade talks with them or any other team. Cause if I was the Phillies(or any other team) my starting offer would include pieces and packages of this team that are considered fairly untouchable by cubs faithful (Pie, Soto, Gallagher, Murton, etc.). Realistically speaking, what are our trading chips? And what would you ask for a player of Burrell's caliber?

Lou did it causee I drrove 8 hrs to watch them play and really wanted to see Z and Wood. My family who was with me asked why Z pinch hit and I had no clue. Not that I was disappointed mind you.

not a very crediable source if you ask me...... That is kind of what I figured so I thought I would ask around here.

I was just browsing over at BCB and I saw this posted from Al Yellon, the editor-in-chief. Has anyone else heard anything on either of these fronts? "Finally, I've heard word today that there is possible activity on the trade front involving both Jacque Jones and Cesar Izturis. Something might happen in the next couple of days. Stay tuned. "

Unless I missed something recently, isnt Cedeno on the team still? He seems like a pretty decision. We would be short on middle infielders but it makes the most sense to me. Murton and Pie are better than Ronny so send him down.

I know this is more of a trade thread but I am just wondering what everyones thoughts on Mark Mulder are. I am not really sure what his injury concerns are, but if healthy you have to figure he has a higher ceiling than most of the canidates dicsussed ths offseason. If he isnt broken down, which I am not sure of, a KWood type deal would have to better than selling the farm for some of these guys or giving an arm and a leg to someone like Meche. Edit: Nevermind, I just looked at his stats for the past few years and found out he will miss at least the first month of the season. Sorry for wasting of a post.

Seriously, let Theriot play 2B and leadoff for all I care. Theriot Murton Arod Lee Ramirez Barrett Jones/Platoon Pie (or a stopgap CF) Quick question, who exactly are we trading to get ARod? You have give up something to get him.

Common, be realistic. Do you really think the Marlins let go of Cabrera where the BIGGEST guy in the trade they get is Angel Guzman!? Try Pie, Hill, Mateo, and Ryu then you might have a chance. In the end, to get Cabrera you're going to have to strip yourself of some of the important peices you need for next year. Namely, Hill. i would much rather see the cubs keep hill & pie and let murton play lf in 2007 than to trade them for cabrera. Well I do too. But I WOULD like cabrera. . I'd actually prefer we just went with Pie in Center next year, freeing up even MORE money to spend. But I have to figure he won't so I'd actually be up to giving up Pie and some top AA pitching prospects for Cabrera. ++I apologize, I meant for Fontenot to be Pie. My mistake.++ I was not syaing to pull Murton off of the field, I was saying to pull off Pierre. The only player I would try not to include would be Hill. Maybe toss in Guzman and throw in our third base prospect that just got called up. I know it may be overpaying to some, but I will take MVP caliber stats from a young, cheap player over some unknowns like Pie, Guzman, etc who will prolly be the second coming of CPatt. I know what you guys mean about saving money to sign other players, but who exactly would you like throw that money at, Zito, Schmidt, Soriano? All of whom are going to be extremely overpericed. If we are able to secure Cabrera and find a decent second baseman (Giles, Loretta, etc) Our lineup will be very good, maybe even great.

Here is my solution for the outfield: First do whatever it takes to keep ARam, then Let Pierre walk Try to pry Miguel Cabrera (RF) from the marlins for Guzman, Ryu, and Fontenot. Then sign Loretta for about 4-5 mil. If that happens, move Jacque to center. If not then work out a trade with the Braves for Andruw Jones and Marcus Giles. Maybe a package of Pie, Mateo, Fontenot, and Guzman. Leave Jacque in right, but give him off days against leftys with either Restovich, or some other cheap FA. I would not try to sign a FA pitcher unless it is a Zito, Scmidt, or Japanese guy, because one of our younger arms could proably put up comparable numbers to the other options for a lot less. Having said that though, I wouldnt mind to see us give out a Wade Miller like contract to Mark Mulder this year. Another low risk-high reward with a team option for a second year. If nothing else he may provide some veteran leadership for a young rotation, plus he and Prior could throw towels together. Lineup: Giles/Murton Murton/Loretta Lee ARam AJones/Cabrera JJones Barrett Izturis Go with a rotation of Z, Hill, Marshall/Guzman, Prior/Mulder, Ryu/Marmol/O'Malley/any other young arm in our system

What if closer to the trade deadline we try and package Jones to get Carlos Lee, assuming that the Crew knows they cant sign him next year. If we pay part of Jones salary and throw in an arm or two, maybe we could get something done. This is also contingent on Jones playing well until the deadline.

I dont think that we need to start disbanding this team's core. The problem is that Hendry/Baker tried to change the core by adding two supposed "small ball" players. We only have 2 maybe 3 real power threats on this team, Lee, Aram and maybe Barrett, we then have two contact hitters, Walker and Murton, and finally a question mark hitter in Cedeno. Then management decides that by adding Pierre we are now a small ball team. But our core has for the better part of a decade been built around pitching and the long ball. Pierre was in theory a good addition. The problem was not that we added Jones who is a solid player on paper, but that he didnt fill the need that we had, which was/is a five hole hitter with power. Our pitching can be solid if 2/3 of Prior, Wood, Miller stay healthy and picth to their capablities. Our BP is already a strength for us. You cant change an entire team by adding one of top lead off hitters in the game, and then adding more or less a role player in Jones. Baker says he wants to play small ball but still does not understand the importance of taking walks, hit and run, sac bunting, situational hitting, etc. You cant change your team philosiphy without changing your plate philosiphy. But if at the deadline if we can make a move for a power bat I think that we can be a somewhat complete team. Pierre appears to be turning it on and Wood makes his first start back tonight with Prior and Miller due back in the coming weeks. Getting Lee back will be huge. And another addition for the likes Jones(with chunk of salary paid), pay for them to take Glendon Rusch, Wuertz/Nova, and maybe Hill, could steal a bat from a small market team. Then a lineup of Pierre Walker Lee ARam Big Bat Barrett Murton Cedeno And a Pitcher staff of Z Prior/Wood/Miller Miller/Wood/Prior Marshall Maddux Ohman Howry Eyre Williamson Dempster Novoa/Wuertz/Ryu/Aardsma Long man:Rusch Looks like a major league lineup. But we will still not be a small ball team. Thats not neccesarilly a bad thing though. Then in the offseason we could look to upgrade at perhaps second and maybe add a more consitent arm to the BP than Wuertz/Novoa and improve the bench by adding that RH power hitting option we want. Also very importamt tp find someone to take Rusch.

Hey Demp, go ahead and earhole Furcal. And as far as Lee goes, Ill trade a liver for my wrist straight up...

There are approximatly 3-5 spots on the 25 man roster being competed for, if you are managing this team who makes your 25 man roster? Mine: 1- Lee 2- Walker 3- ARam C- Barrett Lf- Murton SS- Cedeno CF- Pierre RF- Jones Bench: Neifi Hairston Blanco Dopriak Pagan Mabry Rotation: Z Prior Maddux Williams Rusch BP: Dempster Eyre Howry Williamson Wuertz Ohman DL: Miller Wood

But Williams is probably our third best pitcher right now (taking into account age, health, contract, skill, etc.) I dont think that neccesarilly makes him expendable. Rusch, Hill, Koronka, Simontacchi, Miller, are expendable, Williams is an asset. Prior and Z areuntouchable, right behind them in value I see Williams.

But Williams is probably our third best pitcher right now (taking into account age, health, contract, skill, etc.) I dont think that neccesarilly makes him expendable. Rusch, Hill, Koronka, Simontacchi, Miller, are expendable, Williams is an asset.

Wherever he wants to play... Lee is better than 6 players on the cubs team(ARam and DLee not included) If we can get CLee we do it, I dont care who sits, he is better than everyone in our outfield.

I dont think there is really anyway that Guzman realistically has a shot of making the rotation out of ST because of the logjam we have. With Z,Prior, Maddux, Williams, Rusch, Miller, and Wood; Guzman will have to start in AAA until midseason when Hendry is able to make a trade. I could see Williams, Walker, Hill and one of Wuertz/Novoa being packaged for a big bat and to make room for him if he is lights out. But Williams, Rusch, Miller will not be sent to AAA, they will be traded. But I cant really see teams looking to deal early in the year.

Everything I have heard has said that as soon as Wood is back Williams will likely be the one moved out of the rotation.