cybercub

SS Rafael Furcal $ 9.0M (FA) 2B Luis Castillo $ 5.0M (Trade) 1B Derek Lee $ 8.0M 3B Aramis Ramirez $10.5M CF Milton Bradley $ 3.8M (Trade) LF Matt Murton $ .3M RF Austin Kearns $ 1.5M (Trade) C Michael Barrett $ 4.0M ------- $42.1M Bench 1B/COF Mark Sweeney $1.5M (FA) 2B/SS Ronnie Cedeno $0.3M C Henry Blanco $1.5M OF/2B Jerry Hairston Jr. $2.7M 2B/3B Bill Mueller $2.5M (FA) ------- $8.5M Starting Rotation RHP Kerry Wood $11.0M RHP Mark Prior $ 4.0M RHP Carlos Zambrano $ 5.0M RHP Kevin Millwood $ 9.0M (FA) AJ Burnett or LHP Jarod Washburn RHP Greg Maddux $ 9.0M ---------- $38.0M Bullpen RHP Ryan Dempster $4.0M RHP Bobby Howry $3.0M (FA) RHP Scott Williamson $2.0M LHP Glendon Rusch $2.8M LHP Will Ohman $1.0M RHP Michael Wuertz RHP Todd Wellemeyer Roberto Novoa ----------- $12.8M Trading Chips 2B Todd Walker OF Corey Patterson RHP Sergio Mitre RHP Todd Wellemeyer or Roberto Novoa LHP Rich Hill RHP Jerome Williams Plus a surplus of potential at the minor league level. I feel like Castillo could be had in the right deal (Walker plus some pitching). The Dodgers would likely take Patterson and Mitre for Bradley, and the Reds would probably take Hill and a lower level prospect for Kearns. In my opinion, making these moves would make the Cubs better offensively AND defensively. As far as the bench goes, Cedeno backs up Furcal and Castillo. Hairston can play any outfield position and second base. Blanco platoons with Barrett. Sweeney would be "pinch-hitter extrordinaire" also backing up first base and both corner outfield positions. The trick will be finding someone who can back up Ramirez at third base. Bill Mueller would be my 1st choice. He was well-liked in Chicago and has played for Dusty before. I don't know if he would accept a bench role though. On to the starters. I think the Cubs SHOULD go out and get another frontline starting pitcher. There are several quality starters availible via FA this offseason and with the Cubs' pitchers injury history, the more pitching, the better. From what I've read in previous threads, AJ Burnett would like to play at Wrigley Field. Kevin Millwood is a viable option and Jarod Washburn would probably come cheaper than Burnett or Millwood. Now for the bullpen. If the Cubs are to have any hope of contention in 2006, the bullpen MUST perform better. Demptster has proven he can close games. Williamson will be better in 2006. Bobby Howry would be a great addition to the pen. Strong, durable and has experience closing. Glendon Rusch would be the long-man or spot starter, and Mike Wuertz, Will Ohman, Todd Wellemeyer or Roberto Novoa would round it out. Obviously, some of the salary figures I have suggested are somewhat inaccurate, but they will likely be close enough for the sake of argument.