marc_foust

I havent been able to see Lawton play this year and dont really know much about him. I was wondering if you all thought he would be worth resigning next year? Also if he isnt who would you choose over him and for how much before keeping Lawton becomes the better idea?

I agree we can find a corner outfielder. Question is can we find two? Unless Lawton is kept or Murton starts we are stuck having to find two corner outfielders for next year. In a weak FA class and not wanting to sell the farm I really think that an outfield of Nomar/Patterson/Giles or Nomar/Patterson/(Kearns or Huff etc.) could put up some acceptable power numbers. While maybe not perfect it will be far better than what we have now. I think that Nomar can easily put up better numbers than Lawton and Murton in Left.

I would really like to see Nomar given a shot in LF next year. His numbers are at least average for a corner OF. Plus with a few more needs on this team with such a weak FA class it would be an easy fix. If Nomar goes down we have Murton waiting. Plus we can give Cedeno a shot as well.

I just really think that Kearns fits the ARam/Barrett/Lee mold where a change of scenery to a somewhat contender will spark him to become the kind of player we are looking for. If cheap enough I would like to giver him a look. If it doesnt pan out for a starter it is always good to have a guy with power on the bench.

Todd Walkers Stats this year: G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BA OBP SLG 71 270 36 80 18 2 7 27 1 .296 .346 .456 2005 Salary: $2,500,000 Alfonso Soriano G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BA OBP SLG 110 456 80 131 30 2 28 82 18 .287 .326 .546 2005 Salary: $7,500,000 Walker leads Soriano in BA and OBP. While Soriano may have more HR and RBI's Soriano also bats in a stronger lineup. Why get rid of a guy with very good OBP just to add a power hitter so we can find another OBP guy in the OF? 2B is one of bright spots with Walker. With this trade we are just creating a whole in the OF instead of actually filling a need. I would advocate keeping Walker at 2B and looking at moving Nomar to LF. With Nomar's numbers I think he could be very similar to what we are looking for. Nomar: SPLIT G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BA OBP SLG Career 1031 4212 745 1346 294 50 183 716 86 .320 .368 .543 Nomar's numbers are very similar to Soriano's so we by leaving Walker and moving Nomar that also enables Cedeno to play. Which would fill one of our major holes. Then if we could just add an OF through FA(Giles) or trade (Kearns) On a side note a trade for Kearns: Mitre, Koronka, Holla for Kearns

This is getting close to perfect for me--but I'd go further. Like a lot of posters here, I really like Todd Walker, but I think Matt Murton has more upside, power- and baserunning-wise, and this lineup can't really afford two of the same kind of hitters. So we trade for Soriano, which from the sound of things won't take too much. The only other trade I'd make is with Tampa, for an outfielder. Not the usual suspect, tho--I'd rather have Gomes, with Crawford a close second, followed by Gathright. I think Gomes can lead off, even though he has great power. His minor league career OBP is .393, plus he can steal the occasional base. Missing in action: Williams (moved to Texas in Soriano deal), CPatt (moved somewhere for someone), Dempster (not resigned), Neifi (good riddance), Hollandsworth (ditto), Burnitz (not resigned), Nomar (sorry, but I don't throw good money after bad). Dark horse deal: Three-way trade with Cincinnati and another team (San Diego?) to net us Dunn and someone (Loretta?) for Derrek Lee. Brandon Sing steps in at 1B for us, Dunn plays LF, Murton RF (and leads off). Forget Gomes. 1) Maddux isnt going anywhere unless for some reason chooses to retire. 2) You like Walker but would rather trade him because a rookie with about 10-20 games of MLB experience and is a similar player?! Lets trade one of the best position producing players on the team because an unproven rookie plays similar to him? That doesnt make much sense to me. Walker produces at the league average and probably above but you would move him for an OF who has limited power and defense for the position he plays. That just doesnt make sense to me. 3) And you want to trade DLee. who, even if he doesnt produce like this year, will be solid offensivly and makes everyone on the field better defensivly for a player (dunn) who is hit or miss and not the surest player on defense. Lets trade a five tool player for a power hitter? Anyone else on the team ok, but not our most complete player. 4) Bringing back Demp for the pen would not be bad move even if you want Wood for the closer. A proven veteran who start on occasion is not a bad guy to help anchor the pen. 5) I really like your bullpen. I know alot of people are disappointed right now with Wuertz but I think he has a promising career. Same with Novoa. I think if you add Dempster to that pen it is very solid. 6) I like your starting pitching as well. I agree we should seek out a SP from either the FA market or trades. I think if we can add just one starter we will be ok and let the fifth spot be decided between Hill, Mitre, Williams, Rusch, and whoever else is not traded.

As I mentioned in another thread, I dont know why everyone is so quick to drop Todd Walker. Walker is a top producing player at his position. Instead of replacing one of our better players why not fill one of our actual needs? Move Nomar to the outfield where his production would be somewhat passable for a corner outfielder. Then we would only need to decide what to do with RF, CF, and pitching. If we move to second we lose a talented left handed bat and create another whole we need to fill in a weak FA class. We have a few players that produce at or above position expectations, those being Lee, ARam, Barrett, Walker, Prior, Z, Maddux in a number five roll, Dempster, Ohman, Wuertz or Novoa could get it done, and Williamson. Nomar in the outfield could also meet needs. That leaves Patterson as a question mark and a need for starting pitching, bull pen help, and RF assuming Cedeno plays SS.

You do not need a "stereotypical lead off guy". Speed is certainly not everything. Let Walker bat leadoff if that is a problem. I dont think I would mind Pierre if Patterson doesnt show me something the remainder of the season. But I also wouldnt pay all that much to get him. 2B Walker LF Nomar 1B Lee 3B ARam RF Giles CF Patterson SS Cedeno C Barrett

I dont know why everyone is so set on moving Todd Walker. His is a very good 2B who can bat anywhere in the lineup, from leadoff to eighth. If we are moving Nomar anywhere why not move him to a corner outfield position? Walker certainly isnt a problem on this team. So instead of losing a talented left handed bat why not fill one of our actual needs? Todd Walkers Stats this year: G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BA OBP SLG 71 270 36 80 18 2 7 27 1 .296 .346 .456 2005 Salary: $2,500,000 In Comparison: Jeff Kent G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BA OBP SLG 109 396 68 118 27 0 22 80 4 .298 .383 .533 2005 Salary: $7,350,000 Alfonso Soriano G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BA OBP SLG 110 456 80 131 30 2 28 82 18 .287 .326 .546 2005 Salary: $7,500,000 I dont know why anyone would want to have a guy with Todd Walker's stats and salary on their team? Leave second base alone and fix the actual problems of this team, like the corners, starters, bullpen, bench, and most of all coaching staff. My suggestion for this offseason: 1) Either trade for Kearns, Huff etc, or sign Giles to play one corner 2) Find a pitching coach that can help Wood stay healthy and make Maddux the number 5 starter (I will take 10-13 wins out of my number 5) 3) Either let Nomar play short or move him to the outfield 4) Resign Demp and Williamson 5) Find a batting coach to help CPatt or trade for a centerfielder like Pierre 6) Try the FA market for a starter My lineup: 1B Lee 2B Walker SS Cedeno 3B ARam C Barrett LF Nomar/Kearns RF Huff/Nomar/Giles CF Patterson/Pierre Bench: Hairston Murton Neifi Blanco Hollandsworth Blum Starters: Z Prior Wood Williams/Burnett/Weaver/Washburn Maddux Pen: Dempster Williamson Ohman Rusch Any 2 of: Novoa/Wuertz/Aardsma GM: Hendry Manager: Not Baker Pitching Coach: Not Rothschild Batting Coach: Mark Grace Base coaches can stay :wink:

No matter what moves are made I believe that we have a core of guys that we can build around: 1B Lee 2B Walker 3B Aramis C Barrett SP- Z, Prior, Maddux RP- Demp, Williamson, I think that every other position is upgradable. Walker and Barrett while maybe not the top player in the league at their position I think are near the top for production. An to try to replace them would cost time, resource, and money that should be used to improve other positions. Other players that handy and not immediate needs are as follows IMO: C Blanco SP Williams, Wood, Hill OF CPatt SS Nomar Our bullpen and OF need alot of attention. If we can add a big bat to the outfield we may be able to get away with having CPatt and Murton round out the rest of the OF. The SP needs another arm to make the rest fall into place. Maddux and Wood are not going anywhere and Prior and Z are staples. If we can get a FA signing or perhaps a trade then we can maybe go with Williams in the rotation. The bull pen needs some help as well. Demp needs to be resigned. Williamson should be help next year. Ohman is fine as a Loogy. Between Novoa, Wuertz, Welly etc we can either use an arm or trade for other pieces. Aardsma can also be added to the pen. SS is a spot that needs to be addressed as well. If Nomar can be brought back for a cheap contract then go with him but Cedeno is the immediate backup. I also like the idea of moving Nomar to the OF if it can be done. If we can get a player like Huff or Kearns for the outfield and move Nomar as well I believe that will make for a good OF. If no trades are reasonable go after Giles for a short contract 2 years preferably but no longer than 3. Patterson gets another chance if he finishes well this year. The Needs of this team should be addressed in the following order: 1) Find an OFer through trade or sign Giles 2) Find a number 3 or 4 starter 3) Resign Demp to close 4) Determine what to do with Nomar (OF, SS, or cut lose) 5) Find a dependable arm for the pen 6) Dump Macias The tradable pieces for this team should include all of following: Holla, Hairston, Williams, Mitre, Rusch, Neifi, Grieve, Murton, Patterson, Blanco, Novoa, Ohman, Wuertz, Hill, Dope, and most of the rest of farm. Top targets: Burnett at a price Giles at a slightly higher price to a 2-3 deal Another OF: Kearns, Huff, etc.

My 25 man roster: C- Barrett 1B- Lee 2B- Walker SS- Nomar/Cedeno 3B- ARam RF- Huff/Giles/Kearns**** CF- Cpatt LF- Murton Bench: Hairston Hollandsworth Blanco Neifi Murton Nomar/Cedeno Starters: Prior Z Burnett/Williams** Wood Maddux/Hill/Mitre*** Bull Pen: Williamson Dempster Wuertz Aardsma Novoa Rusch *Only sign Nomar to a one year incentive laden deal. If no Nomar then Cedeno starts. ** I wouldnt mind seeing us get into the bidding for Burnett. If not Burnett then Williams ***If Maddux does not retire then he is my fifth starter. I think we can count on him for ten wins and to stay healthy, I will take that from my fifth. ****I would go after Kearns first, then Huff and if none of them sign Giles to a 2-3 year deal. I really think that Kearns will flourish in wrigley. Also I know that some will criticize my keeping Neifi but I think he is a good bench SS. If Nomar comes back then maybe you can get rid of him and bring up Grieve. Also I like Holla and Hairston as bench players. If used correctly they can be very effective as role players. Hairston is a nice option because he can play many different positions and bat up and down the lineup. If we can add a more established player than Murton I wouldnt mind but I also wouldnt mind seeing him starting. Batting order W/ nomar: 1 Walker 2 Murton 3 Lee 4 Aramis 5 Nomar 6 RF Spot 7 CPatt 8 Barrett W/O Nomar 1 Cedeno 2 Walker 3 Lee 4 Aramis 5 RF Spot 6 Murton 7 CPatt 8 Barrett

Sure, now he gets a hit. Let go Walk and DLee.

Um, Macias didn't pitch hit for Hairston. Macias came in for Hairston in CF an inning or two ago. Maybe hairston is hurt. Either that or Dusty got fed up with Hairston's approach. I think that Hairston tweaked his ankle making dusty worry about his range in CF.

Nierko really has maddux's number tonight, he is 3-3.

Only if the giants hand us another run. Because we are doing everything possible not to score.

I actually think it would be funny if it was.

Can some one post the starting lineups for me. I cant seem to find them. TIA

I have been watching BBTN and Sportscenter and they keep talking about how bad a move it was to bring in Novoa to walk Pujols instead of having the previous pitcher do it. I remember hearing this statement during the game and it added to my loathing of Dusty.

I completely agree with those of you that say we stole one yesterday. If Neifi doesnt make that play at the end I think that we lose. But all that matters is the "W". As confident as I could be with the pitching matchup, we suck against average pitchers. The cubs do not do a very good job of beating up on lesser pitchers. Lets hope we can pull this one out. Ah, who am I kidding we suck too much to win this one :wink: :wink:

Which of the moves listed would make the biggest impact on the cubs chance at the playoffs? And other does not count firing Dusty because we all know that would be the winner of the poll.

Thanks.

I have seen before that some of the NSBB members post links to other boards occasionally. I was wondering if we could possibly compile a list of the respected fan sites for the teams so that some of the members that do not know about them (like myself) could have access to trade talks and insider news. It gets a little old trying to keep up with the other teams at sites like ESPN and MLB .coms. Any help would be appreciated.

Just got on. Saw the last half of the game. I had a very bad feeling going into the ninth. It seemed like we were destined to lose and on the Pujols shot, Neifury reaches and pulls down the dp ball showing us why he is out there everyday, the GG caliber defense. Great win, lets do it again tommorow. Btw... this team still sucks.

A 3 pitch strikeout for mad dog

Dusty actually got it right for once!! That is my the lineup I have wanted since Murton came up. The correct 1-2, Lee followed by ARam, Barett batting in the meat of the lineup, and a nice rlrl at the bottom of the lineup. I have got to give dusty credit here. On a side note, did anyone else notice dunn is playing first today?