baseball7897

No baseball team has won a world series without a solid defense.

I hate the Whitesux. GO TIGERS!!! I was wondering. Is there any Cubs fans who are also Whitesox fans here?

NO!!!! Why involve the Padres?? And Howry for Vazquez or Garcia I would not do. I would demand Broadway and Fields in return for Howry. Do you know Kottaras? I sure know the cubs have Barrett and a slugger in Jake Fox in the minors. Barrett is under contract for only one more year. It would be nice to have an heir apparent. Fox may develop into a good catcher, maybe better than Kottaras, but Kottaras rates much higher currently. In Sickel's 2006 Prospect book, he rates Kottaras as a B+ prospect. Sickels didn't include Fox in the 2006 book. Kottaras is a year younger than Fox and has already advanced to AAA and even has a Future's game selection in his resume'. While Fox was putting up a 313/383/574 line at single A, Kottaras, while being nearly a full year younger, was putting up a 276/394/451 line at AA. Kottaras is also viewed to be better defensively behind the dish than Fox is generally viewed. Fox likely projects to have more power than Kottaras, but Kottaras has a higher ceiling and higher liklihood of reaching that ceiling than Fox does. Jake Fox's exploits in single A at a year older than Kottars is now should not have much if any affect on whether Kottaras would be a good acquisition. I dont see Kottars getting traded anyways. If he is so damn good why would the Padres deal him? Specially when Piazza is about done.

NO!!!! Why involve the Padres?? And Howry for Vazquez or Garcia I would not do. I would demand Broadway and Fields in return for Howry. Do you know Kottaras? I sure know the cubs have Barrett and a slugger in Jake Fox in the minors.

A young, experienced lefty.........be prepared to be stunned. Who would be coming off a shoulder injury. I know someone will offer him $10M.

Wood is one guy I want to see do well

I respect your opinions but I think my team is better than Vance's. My rotation would dominate opposing teams day in day out. Im also not signing a guy in Matthews who is having a career year in Texas. I think Kennedy is better than Castillo or at the very least the same player. Sheffield is coming off a serious wrist injury. Vance is also hoping Prior stays healthy the whole year and if he dosent your going to have the same problems they are having now. Rookies coming in and making their first starts. With my team you know your going to get quality starts from the rotation, one of the best bullpens in the league and a versitle bench.

I rather go after a proven guy in Ichiro than Taveras. I dont see how you would not want Ichiro?

I agree with the fact Catalanotto would probably get a starting spot in someones lineup. As for Payton and Counsell I would not give them starting spots. Payton is a 4th outfielder for the A's and Counsell is getting old and would benefit from a job off the bench. If Brenly becomes the manager for the Cubs then I dont think there would be a problem with signing Counsell.

That's likely a 110-115 million team and I don't think the Trib is going to authorize that much payroll. Who cares how much money it would cost. I want to see a World Series in Wrigley. So do all of us, but when I post in these threads, I try to keep a little realism involved. If you want to go fantasy, why not sign every decent FA and have the Cardinals trade us Pujols. This is realistic. Im only adding 1 big contract in Zito and a couple of mid- small range deals with Floyd, Counsell, Payton, Kennedy and Catlanotto. The Tribune has alot of money. The Cubs organization does not have a problem selling tickets or beer sales. So they should have alot of money to spend.

That's likely a 110-115 million team and I don't think the Trib is going to authorize that much payroll. Who cares how much money it would cost. I want to see a World Series in Wrigley.

If I were incharge of the Chicago Cubs I would want my 07 team to look like this: First move would be to find takers for Perez, Rusch, Mabry, Blanco, Walker and Maddux. I would try to deal either Maddux or Walker to the Mets for Heilman. Second move would be too Fire the coaching staff besides Chris Speier and Larry Rothschild. Third on my list would be to begin the FA signing's/trades. I would make my best offer to Zito and hopefully he will accept. Then I would call up the Angels to see what it would take to get Figgins and Lackey. Maybe a Pie, Prior, another hitter and a couple of young arms? After I get that deal done I would go after Adam Kennedy, Jay Payton, Cliff Floyd, Craig Counsell, Frank Catalanotto and Jeff Weaver. Then try to work out a deal with Kerry Wood for the closer role. 1. Figgins CF 2. Kennedy 2B 3. Lee 1B 4. Floyd LF 5. Ramirez 3B 6. Barrett C 7. Murton/Jones RF 8. Cedeno SS 9. P Bench: Soto Theriot Payton Catalanotto Counsell 1. Zambrano 2. Zito 3. Lackey 4. Weaver 5. Marshall/Hill/Marmol Bullpen: Heilman Ohman Howry Dempster Eyre Wood

Only if he could improve on his defense then he would be one of the top catchers in baseball.

If there is still spots open. Count me in.

Theriot should be in the starting lineup the rest of the year. Trade Walker for Heilman.

If the Cubs have a shot to deal Prior like they had with Baltimore they should consider it. Lackey for Prior would be a deal I would strongly consider. 1. Zambrano 2. Zito 3. Lackey 4. Jeff Weaver 5. Marshall/Marmol/Hill There you have 5 starters who would take the ball every 5th day

I hope the Cubs stay away for Abreu and Clark. I really don't understand why Murton is not in anyone's plans? He is a pretty good hitter and is still young. I would like to see the Cubs sign either Jay Payton or Frank Catalanotto for the bench.

There was a rumor during the off-season in which the Cubs would send Corey Patterson to Seattle for Gil Meche.

Why in the world would you do that? okay, how about russell branyan? Branyan strikes out way to much to be a everyday player No he doesn't, and he was advocating a bench role. Branyan played in 134 games in 02 and struckout 151 times in 378 AB. If he played 162 games he would strikeout about 180 times. Not to mention he has a career .232 average. Just what we need more guys who cannot hit the ball. He may hit the HR but im not sure if he is a guy I would want on my team.

Im getting so sick and tired of Prior. He has spent pretty much his whole career on the DL. 7 times in 5 years. The Bedard and Tejeda deal looks pretty good right now.

Ohman's a mediocre loogy. The Cubs could find guys as good as him, if not better, in their own system.[/quote Are you kidding me?? Left-handed specialist are hard to find. The Cubs have a good one in Ohman. Not many major leagues teams can say they have that one left-handed pitcher in the bullpen who can get a lefty out. My opinion im holding on to Ohman for next year.

If they get a good offer for him, they'd be stupid not to trade him. His pitching has added about one win over a replacement level pitcher this year, and that's the same level of performance that PECOTA expects through 2010. I'd rather see the Cubs go the Zambrano/Liriano route with middle relief; bring up promising minor league starters, and give them regular work out of the bullpen. Note to Hendry/Dusty: this won't work too well with 7 men in the bullpen. Ohman is a left-handed specialist of course he is not going to get alot of wins. His job is to get left handers out and he excels at that. Yeah I would consider offers for him but if im not overwhelmed im holding on to him.

I hope the Cubs decide not to trade Ohman. Lefties are hitting .169 against him.

Why in the world would you do that? okay, how about russell branyan? Branyan strikes out way to much to be a everyday player

Zito is pitching