VanceJergins

Did you read like the 5 times I said "as of now"? I figured a plain reading of the text would show plainly that I know the off season is far from over. But there's not a whole lot left to put them over the edge. So I would just keep the lineups updated as that off season goes along, but thats just me. Easy there. I was just pointing out the fact that discussing this now isn't very constructive. I think that came off more harshly than I meant it. BUUUT....more than anything it shows that the Cardinals and Astros more holes to fill will less to fill them with. I think its constructive to see where everyone stands now, and who has to add what.

Did you read like the 5 times I said "as of now"? I figured a plain reading of the text would show plainly that I know the off season is far from over. But there's not a whole lot left to put them over the edge. So I would just keep the lineups updated as the off season goes along, but thats just me.

I didnt see another thread designated for comparing the Cubs with their division rivals, so I thought I'd start one. The Cubs probably arent a 100 win team, but I think they're easily the best team in the division as of now. Here are the probable starting lineups and rotations for the Cubs, Cardinals, Astros, and Brewers, as of now. Cubs: Soriano-RF Murton-LF Lee-1B Ramirez-3B Jones-CF Barrett-C DeRosa-2B Izturis-SS Zambrano Hill Lilly Marquis Prior/Miller/Marshall Cardinals: Eckstein-SS Kennedy-2B Pujols-1B Rolen-3B Edmonds-CF Duncan-LF Encarnacion-RF Molina-C Carpenter Wells Reyes Wainwright? Suppan/Weaver?? Astros: Taveras-CF Biggio-2B Berkman-RF Lee-LF Ensberg-3B Scott-RF Everett-SS Ausmus-C Oswalt Williams Hirsh Rodriguez Albers Brewers: Weeks-2B Hardy-SS Fielder-1B Hall-LF Jenkins-RF Koskie-3B Clark-CF Estrada-C Capuano Bush Sheets Vargas ??? If anyone wants to do some stat breakdowns, that would be great. But as it stands, it looks like the Cardinals are the only team that could really compete. We still have our question marks, but our rivals clearly have more. Of course the offseason is far from over, but we still have a lot of trading chips and money left. Right now i would rank it: Cubs Cardinals Brewers Astros And maybe we can keep this undated when any of these teams make deals, or if the Reds do anything.

They want young starting pitching - either Marshall or Marmol if the reports are to be believed. The Jones market must suck b/c the O's reportedly offered Newhan. Church >>>>>> Newhan. Nah, that's just the Orioles attempting to take Hendry to the cleaners once again. Seriously, thats like Hendry asking for Tejada and Bedard for Jones. I wouldnt have even traded Bynum for Newhan.

I would have rather had Durham or Loretta or tried to trade for Giles. Who else was there other than that? My favorite was Durham, but I would have also liked the Japanese 3B whose name is escaping me at the moment. Iwamura or something like that. Yeah, if he really can play 2B I'd add him to the list. I guess what I'm saying is that 2B may be a hole, but not a hole on near the same level as SS. Okay...DeRosa's OPS's going backwards: 2006: .803 (pretty good, but a heck of a dropoff after his good first half) 2005: .764 (not bad, but in arlington and in 148 ab's) 2004: .613 (his previous career high in AB's) 2003: .699 (ick) As I said, it's still a hole. Probably a typo, but it was .813. But your point still stands. But refer back to my post about his career average.

If he matched his career averages at .273/.331/.404, that seems like it would be at or a little above league average for 2B. I might be completely wrong cause I have no real idea what average is.

I would have rather had Durham or Loretta or tried to trade for Giles. Who else was there other than that? My favorite was Durham, but I would have also liked the Japanese 3B whose name is escaping me at the moment. Iwamura or something like that. Yeah, if he really can play 2B I'd add him to the list. I guess what I'm saying is that 2B may be a hole, but not a hole on near the same level as SS.

I would have rather had Durham or Loretta or tried to trade for Giles. Who else was there other than that?

There are actually two positions left. CF and SS. Don't forget 2B... Mark DeRosa? Yeah, 2B is still a hole. DeRosa isnt the greatest, but there arent many better options. I would have rather traded for Giles or something, but I wouldnt call 2B a hole, I'd say its more....meh.

I'd love to have Crawford, but I cant see how anyone would want him over Church. Church: Makes at or near league minimum, put up an .892 OPS, 128 OPS+, and it would take like Marmol and Cedeno to get him; maybe just Marmol. Crawford: Makes a very reasonable $4 million, but thats 3.5 more than church, put up an .830 OPS, 111 OPS+, and it would take probably Veal, Gallagher, Patterson, or something like that to get him. Crawford has more speed and would probably play better defense, but Church is easily the better option.

I wouldnt cry if we got him, but Church would probably just as productive, has much better patience, is left-handed, and would come at a much, much lower price.

The Marlins have shown interest in Taveras.....

who cares about how many games he won? He's a good pitcher, better than Lilly and better than Meche. Definitely better than Meche, Lilly is debatable. OK, so it's debateable that he's better than a pitcher the Cubs just gave $10M (even though he's undoubtedly more consistent and a smaller health risk than Lilly). So again, why would he not be a good addition? I would like to have him, but I just wouldnt be very excited....like I'm not very excited about Lilly. And Garland will make more than Lilly over the next 2 years.

who cares about how many games he won? He's a good pitcher, better than Lilly and better than Meche. Definitely better than Meche, Lilly is debatable.

Crap. Garland and Oswalt. Carlos Lee. Crap. Garland could get lit up in that park. Garland IS going to get lit up in that park. Jon Garland is the quintessential product of what goes right with great run support. He's not the stud pitcher a lot of people think he is. He's not awful either, but he's not THAT good i didn't know run support affected ERA+ or WHIP. Well, he's only had one year with a good ERA+ and WHIP.

Garland's not that good. He's had 1 full season with an ERA under 4.50, but he could get more than Taveras and Buchholz. I keep hearing that Taveras is a young Podsednik, and he is except for the fact that he has a Pierre-esque walk rate. Usually I'd be happy for the White Sox to make a stupid move, but not when they're sending someone to our division. I hope this falls through. Too bad we already traded Bynum, we could have traded him and Mateo for Garland.

The guy just did us a huge favor and you're treating him like this?! We should be sending him flowers.

his body has to completely fall apart eventually, right?....right?

Yeah it's not like going into 2004, when we had 4 very good, healthy, young starting pitchers, a solid lineup and a good closer. We could be certain of success that year. Ugh...I hate thinking about that almost as much as '03. We were SOOOOO good!!!

So they want a corner outfielder and bullpen help....hmmmm. Jones, Eyre, Dempster, Marshall....Maybe they'd even throw in Kemp since they dont seem willing to give him a shot.

Thanks for the 3rd grade comment! Thanks for not getting a joke. A previous post already said he would be okay. Classy bro, classy! Someone in the hospital is no joke! It is as simple as that! They already said he was fine, there's no need to act all high and mighty and get on his case. The people flipping out need to get over themselves. ok enough fighting..this should be a glorious day...FREDDIE IS GONE I'm not fighting anyone. If I was, Hendry wouldnt be the only one at the hospital :x

Thanks for the 3rd grade comment! Thanks for not getting a joke. A previous post already said he would be okay. Classy bro, classy! Someone in the hospital is no joke! It is as simple as that! They already said he was fine, there's no need to act all high and mighty and get on his case. The people flipping out need to get over themselves.

I am fine with this. He could probably leverage that contract into buying the Cubs, and then solve all their problems. But then he'd be saddled with a $600 mil contract to begin his reign. Maybe he could then convince himself to take a massive pay cut for the good of his company.

Thats why we would have to throw in some prospects to sweeten the pot I think Marshall and maybe a pretty decent prospect like Moore could be possible. I think the only thing that would be possible would be Littlefield laughing his butt off right before hanging up the phone. Yeah, cause the Pirates have been such suave deal-makers in the past. And laughing and hanging up on people is most likely how professionals go about their business. Since when was Jacque Jones viewed as the equivalent of Adam Dunn on this board? Duke is better than Hill, discussion is ridiculous. Just because Littlefield has made dumb trades in the past doesn't mean he will make this one...Hendry has made some very horrible ones as well. He's not, hence the discussion of prospects and players like Marshall. WOW!! Well then that makes all the difference in the world! I understand thats sarcasm, but I dont quite understand the sarcasm. Are you saying teams dont add prospects to sweeten deals? Are you saying small market/ low-budget teams dont like getting prospects and cheap players? Please explain.

That's because of his 2.61 ERA in day games in 2004. He's gone 4.59 in 2005 and 4.12 in 2006 in day games. Maybe "horrible" isn't the right word. But he's not good. I honestly believe the Cubs have in-house options that are better then Meche. If you can honestly look at the numbers that Marshall, Gooz and company posted and Dempster posted when he last was a starter and say that, you must see something I don't. The difference is that Meche as been in the league for 6 years and still hasnt done anything. He may do marginally better than Marshall, Guzman, etc next year, but not $9.7 million better. I'd say at Marshall will have an ERA+ within 5 points of Meche.