davell

According to Pine Tar Press, at some point, the Cubs signed a LHP named Franly Figueroa for a 70,000 bonus out of the DPL. They have a small list of guys that have signed this winter, none to very large bonuses. No info is given.

Probably as good as any. All we really know about Soler is he's 6'3, 205, has good speed for now, that probably turns into averagish once he fills out, has solid power potential and an arm that profiles for RF, with better plate discipline than Cespedes, although he struggles with breaking stuff inside the zone. Kind of scary, but it's like having Heyward or Bubba Starling on the open market and seeing what they'd bring. He'd become our top prospect immediately and won't have to be rushed, like Cespedes will.

Good, I hope that guy is right. There is no need to only go all-out for just one of them. For clarification, it's not Marlin(the guy who's money}, it's the guy who probably has a connection or two, but if I remember, his connections aren't even Cub related, maybe the Royals or some other random team. Marlin has been extremely quiet.

Oh yeah. No clue when he even becomes available. Same for the rest of the 30ish Cubans waiting to be signed as well. I guess they'll just trickle in at different points. The Yankees signed a guy yesterday for instance. They all have different timetables and my guess is we'll hear when Soler and maybe Rivero and Luis are cleared, but not the rest.

Soler is more important for me. But I don't believe this at all. As tight lipped as we are, I seriously doubt any offer we make is going to leak like this. We're laying in the weeds on both these guys. That's how we roll nowadays.

No other team with competent management is going to change their offer to Soler based upon where two other guys signed. True. The problem with that is the "competent management". That only applies to probably half of baseball.

I truly think our FO plan this offseason has been to get all 3 of these guys. At this point, I'll be very surprised if we don't get at least 2 of them. If we get Cespedes though, I could see a team go crazy and give Soler crazy as hell money, partly to block us from totally dominating this market.

It's one letter off on the keypad, happens to all of us. As for the question, I've got McNutt out of those 3 going forward. Even if he winds up as a setup guy, it's likely, to me anyway, he'll have a better career than Vitters or Lake. Love the upside both possess, just have way too many doubts. Big years for all 3 though, if enough people answered that question from here, I have no idea how the vote would turn out.

Pot stirrer! Just kidding, welcome to the site. To me, it's all about Ricky Bobby: If you ain't first, you're last. I'd rather suck, if not for the fact we're going to have so many younsters out there that need to have success. I really think we'll be better than what people are thinking, especially if Garza and Soto are here all season.

We're going to head into 2013(current roster) with around 76 mill committed. Counting projected arb raises for Soto, Castro, Stewart, Garza, Wood, Volstad, and Russell. In this case, we'd need a 2B, an OF with power, and a pair of frontline pitchers. One pitcher could be traded for and we'd probably need to find a FA. If this gets done and we add Cespedes, 2B could work with Barney and/or Cardenas. But, looking things over, I definitely think we'll be in contention next year. In fact, it probably makes more sense for us to keep Garza, and I've been advocating dealing him more than anyone probably.

I just can't see Wells in our rotation. I think he's the odd guy out and if things are even between him and. The others, he's the one that's put in the long guy role or traded. For some reason, I think Shark is going to complicate things even further and win a spot. Then, it becomes both those guys, unless there's an injury.

I still expect another trade from us. Probably Byrd, especially if we get Cespedes. I kind of think both Sappelt and Campana get plenty of time to judge whether or not they have a longterm future here(as a 4th OFer). But I could see them as a season beginning platoon, until Cespedes comes up(if he signs). Only other thing I see differently is I think Castillo is in AAA, with either Clevenger or Jaramillo as our backup. Castillo needs to be playing everyday, since the Cubs see him as a future starter.

Count me as borderline ecstatic. We've upgraded the farm, added extra picks for the upcoming draft, traded for upside types that could turn into much more and will go into next year with Soriano as the only "bad" money we've got. Saved money off major league team, put it in other areas that were needed and still probably will win more games than last year's squad. In my opinion. This franchise is in MUCH, MUCH, MUCH better shape than it was before Theo was hired.

There's an article that CubsDen posted, translated from Spanish, that says Cespedes left Miami with a 40 mill offer from them. Unsure of validity, but if true, that's good news for us.

With the lack of potential impact hitters available in FA over the next couple of years, I really think we'll do what it takes to get Cespedes, the more I think about it. Money be damned, if it comes to it. We have very little commitment after this season, other than Soriano. To the point that even if Cespedes is a miss, it's not a killer for us, in any way. Unless he is like CJ Wilson and willing to pass up more money, maybe much more, I think he winds up with us.

Different articles from today certainly make it seem like the Chargers are cutting ties with Jackson. Due to the amount of FA WR available this offseason.

I don't see much of a chance we'll ever be able to actually trade Soriano, unless it's a bad contract swap. First, there's always going to be a bunch of older guys available in FA each year. Because they are only getting one year deals now to begin with. Secondly, Soriano's production hasn't gotten as poor as it probably will. He may very well regress each of the next 3 seasons, for all we know. It's very unlikely though, that he'll do MORE than he has recently however, and even if he did, other team's would look at it as an aberration anyway. We're stuck with him. My guess is he'll be here all of 2012 and we'll finally DFA him midway thru 2013.

It very well could be the case, but I'll think it's just the closest place for him to meet with everyone at, until proven otherwise. I think we're in this thing bigtime and will actually be a little surprised if we miss out. At the very least, I fully expect that if he winds up with the Marlins, it'll take a HUGE deal to get him. For some reason, I'm starting to think 6/72 is what he's going to get. He's not even the one I want out of him and Soler, but I really think we're getting Cespedes, for some reason.

Hoyer said they'll look into extending Garza, as expected. I guess 5/65 is pretty fair, including this season?

I'm definitely OK going with an OT in the 1st. But even if we take a WR in the 2nd, I want one thru FA as well.

George Ofman insinuated on Twitter someone's made a bigger offer than the Marlins.

I think that'll change now. If he held anything against us(and I think he did too) it was Hendry's total aversion to sabermetrics. He's liked our moves this offseason and is definitely upbeat about Theo, so I kind of expect more benefit of the doubt from him now personally. Even if Theo drafts a Szczur type guy. I know this kind of stuff isn't supposed to play into things, but for some reason, I always thought Law had in for Hendry. Could be wrong though.

Iowa Pitching wise, Iowa starts out with Struck, Raley, and Rusin seemingly as locks, with Casey Coleman as very likely, unless he earns a swing man role in Chicago. Jay Jackson and Alberto Cabrera probably fight it out for the 5th spot, unless we go with a retread and move both of them to the pen. I'm not going to talk much about bullpen arms in this, as we know it's going to be a shuttle back and forth for a group of the guys battling it for our last 2-3 spots in the majors. Maine, Mateo, Dolis, Beliveau, Gaub, and Weathers, along with some older guys like Corpas, Sonnanstine, etc. Tennessee Looks to be very crowded in the rotation here, may have a few decisions to make. McNutt has already been said to be here and I think Rhee has as well, same with Beeler. Ryan Searle pitched well over the winter, so he's likely, as is Jeffry Antigua. But Jokisch is probably here as well, right? Larry Suarez? Moved permanently to the pen? Does Frank Del Valle get moved up this much, because of age? Bullpen arms I see here are Kurcz and Rhoderick, maybe Casey Harman. Possibly Serrano and AJ Morris? Daytona Rotation wise, it's close to as clear as we've got. Robert Whitenack has already been confirmed, Zack Cates seems a definite, as does Austin Kirk. Considering Robinson Lopez was injured most of last year, my guess is since he's already seen A ball twice, he gets the nod here, close to default. 5th spot is up in the air though: Simpson maybe? Assuming he's worked through his injuries. Concepcion? Pushing some with him, but he does have a 40 man spot.....Bullpen here should see Zych, Batista, and Hatley. Wallach is a possible starter or maybe even a bullpen arm here or Tennessee. Zack Rosscup could figure here or Tennessee as well. Peoria Again, this could start off with Simpson or Concepcion, maybe even both. Ben Wells is a lock and that's about it. I see quite a bit of piggybacking between Rosario, Liria, Peralta, Kyler Burke, Yao Lin Wang, Austin Reed, Graham Hicks and Su Min Jung. As much as I want to see DILLON Maples in full season ball, I doubt we do in 2012. I think we'll go slow with him. Hunter Ackerman and Carlos Martinez make sense for the pen here, outside of the typical piggybacking, maybe Michael Jensen as well. Only putting him as a possibility because he shows up on AZphil's chart as a reliever and I figure he knows something we may not on him. Boise and Mesa Obviously, the rest of everyone, plus new draft picks start out here. Maples, Taylor Scott, JIN Young Kim seem to be Boise locks, unless they're bumped up. Austin Urban, Ian Dickson, Ethan Elias, Arturo Maltos-Garcia, and Brian Smith seem to be piggybacking at one of these 2 spots. Not as much intrigue here, mainly because our pitching is weaker than our hitting. I guess for me, the guys I'm most interested in to see where they start out at would be Maples, Simpson, Lopez, Concepcion(obviously), Rosario, and Zych(just because I could see him starting higher than Peoria)

I'll go through each position here, if I leave anyone out, feel free to put them somewhere, as I'm only listing guys I'm currently keeping an eye on and not organizational fodder. Catcher I see the loser of the backup Catcher battle between Clevenger and Jaramillo showing up in Iowa, along with Welington Castillo, who I don't think the Cubs will put in the majors, so he'll get more at bats. Tennessee seems open to me, unless they bump Micah Gibbs up a level, which I doubt. I see him at Daytona with Cabezas starting the year in Peoria. This leaves Justin Marre and Rosario to fight it out for Boise and Mesa, unless the Cubs see fit to go ahead and bring Marck Malave over from the D.R, which I think is a very distinct possibility, since he did very well in Winter Ball and Instructs. First Base Obviously, it looks like Rizzo starts the season in Iowa, but I figure Rebel Ridling will also be there, probably playing LF until Rizzo is called up. Justin Bour looks to be a lock for Tennessee and that's where it gets hard to figure. My guess is we'll see Hoilman get the nod at Daytona and one of Vogelbach(probably) or Shoulders gets to go to Peoria. With the loser being in Boise. No idea what we may have in Mesa here. Second Base Tough position to figure. No clue who's in Iowa, possibly Cardenas? Logan Watkins seems definite for Tennessee. Ronald Torreyes seems a lock for Daytona. What about Rubi Silva though? Is he sticking at 2B or is he going to have to move to the OF? I figure Devoss gets Peoria, but his glove could soon move him into the OF as well. A wildcard here could be Gioskar Amaya. He doesn't really seem to have a position yet, but his bat obviously puts him somewhere. Could be Boise at 2B OR 3B, but it could be Peoria at either spot as well. Someone like Keith Lockhart could figure in this mix as well. Shortstop Again, a position with a logjam down in the lower levels. At Iowa, I figure we'll see Gonzalez, Tolbert, or Amezaga. In Tennessee, do we move Lake off yet? I kind of doubt it, but who knows? In Daytona, I expect Alcantara to be there. But, it wouldn't shock me to see Marco Hernandez bumped up to here either, ala Castro. Because Baez will almost definitely see Peoria to start the season. If Hernandez is NOT bumped way up, I guess he's in Boise with Carlos Penalver starting out in Mesa. Wes Darvill seems like the odd man out. Position change or backup role coming his direction very soon. Third Base Josh Vitters seems like the only rather bigtime prospect we'll see in Iowa all season long, as Rizzo and Brett both likely hit the majors by midseason. Matt Cerda appears to be the guy for Tennessee and I don't have an answer for Daytona. Dustin Geiger and Willson Contreras should be battling it out in Peoria, unless the Cubs push Jeimer Candelario up this far, as AZPhil mentioned as a possibility back during Instructs. If that's the case, I guess Contreras or Geiger could wind up in Boise again. Outfield Lots of org fodder to move around here, but Brett Jackson starts off in Iowa, withone of Sappelt or Campana. In AA, Ha should start the season in CF, with Burgess in RF. My guess is one of Szczur or Crawford starts out in LF with the other in Daytona. The only other prospect I see starting out in Daytona's OF is Taiwan Easterling. Maybe Rubi Silva starts as an OFer this year though, since this is where he'll be level-wise anyway. Peoria will have Reggie Golden as a definite, probably with Yusiel Balaguert somewhere in the OF as well for them. Chen seems like the easiest bet for CF to me, but all 3 of these guys have played it at times. Oliver Zapata could see Peoria as well, but I'd think more as a midseason callup. If not, we'll see him, John Andreoli, Trey Martin, Dong Yub Kim, Marcus Schlect, Dunston Jr and Jeffrey Baez battling between Boise and Mesa. To me, there are some interesting decisions to make: Starting with Szczur. Other guys I find interesting to see where they land are Vogelbach/Shoulders, Amaya, Hernandez, Devoss in the middle infield, Candelario on the corner, and maybe Easterling(because of age) in the OF.

I want no part of Jeffery in the 1st. He'll be 260+ and running a 4.7 within 2 years.