Backtobanks

If you're referring to the Braun news motivating the Brewers to up their offer to Prince, I don't see that happening. Braun potentially being suspended won't give them additional resources, at least not nearly enough to make a difference. The Cardinals won't be in play regardless. This improves the Cubs chances incrementally, but not enough to motivate Jed/Theo to do something significant they otherwise wouldn't, IMO. Having said that, I think the Cubs will make a play for Fielder regardless. But you don't drastically alter your big picture plans because Braun will miss 50 games next year. Braun will miss 50 games and might come back with the power of Ryan Theriot.

They haven't traded anybody of value yet. Listening to offers is different than trading.

I haven't made a 3-team trade proposal for awhile, so here goes: Reds get Gavin Floyd from WS and Marlon Byrd from the Cubs. White Sox get Randy Wells from the Cubs, Edinson Volquez from the Reds, and prospect (?) from Cubs. Cubs get Yonder Alonzo from the Reds and Travis Wood from the Reds. Cubs use Fielder money to go after Darvish, Cespedes, Soler, etc. Reds get a good starter, a solid LF. WS get 2 starters and prospect for Floyd.

Your explanation is why Theo & Co. have to get moving pretty soon. You've got a ton of holes in your proposal for 2013 and while we will have more money to spend, there's no guarantee that we will win any bidding wars or that wanted FAs won't re-sign before hitting free agency. Also, the other problem with "going young" is that Cespedes, Darvis, Stewart/Vitters/Lake, Jackson, Shark (as a SP), and McNutt have yet to prove they have ML ability.

Quote: "With our first two significant moves, we've attempted to make the team less right-handed than it has been and we've attempted to add better defense. We feel very good with both moves that we've done that." This quote does conjure up memories of Jim Hendry.

This. .. is completely wrong. We're past the GM meetings and past the winter meeting. We are well into the offseason. Stop pretending it's early. I agree, but a few, perhaps some people do need to calm down. The mass media (mostly radio) and meatheads are going to be whipping it up. Theo took control of a mediocre organization that was trending in the wrong direction. Also, we don't know what's going on with the renovations. I think the Ricketts are in investment mode right now and I don't blame them for not giving out too much money (I don't think you do either). It's not just the mass media and the meatheads, look at the number of posts on NSBB about the new FO and expectations. If the Cubs are going to be contenders in 2013, Theo is going to have to start doing something pretty soon or he will have a ton of holes to fill next offseason.

I think the Ricketts' and Theo have a long term plan and they are sticking to it. As long as "long-term plan" doesn't mean decades (or centuries) :lol: .

FWIW, this was the same commentary every time the Jim Hendry Cubs had a garbage offseason. Yeah, we would have had 10 pages of "donut" comments if Hendry came out with the same results after the winter meeting.

It's not like he hasn't done anything - he did buy a great house within walking distance from Wrigley. :lol:

Well I guess the Cubs aren't the "mystery 3rd team in on Pujols". from MLBTR: We heard late last night that there is "no shot" Albert Pujols will make a decision before the Winter Meetings end. Still, here's the latest on the man who has $200MM+ offers from three teams including the Cardinals, Angels, and a mystery team who would reportedly need to trade an established first baseman to clear a path for the three-time MVP:

The worst part of all of this Marlin stuff is that it will make Ozzie look like a good manager when they win some games.

Probably not everyday. He hasn't played there since 2009, and he wasn't that good there. But he could play there from time-to-time. I don't want Stewart as the everyday 3B for any reason, but I'd be fine if he got the ABs that DeWitt got last year. And like DeWitt, he is serviceable at 2B, 3B, and corner OF (LF). Why not? Other than Headley, I don't see a realistic 3B option that's guaranteed to outperform Stewart. Wouldn't suprise me too much if he had a higher OPS than Headley, actually. Daniel Murphy.

He's going to pay off the mortgage by renting out his garage (4-car) spaces during Cub games.

I want both. If the plan is to not go after any big money guys than I'd prefer to go for a handful of guys like this. Also, I really havn't heard much concrete evidence that the Pads are asking to much for Headley, just speculation. Now if the Padres asked for Sean Marshall straight up for Healdey what would people think about it? I'd go for it. we still have Marmol, Wood(probably), Russell, Dolis, Samardzjia(or Cashner, 1 will be in the pen), Carpenter, Beliveau, Gaub, and Whereabouts Unknown Guzman to put together a solid pen. I'd also like to take that ambidexterious fellow in the Rule 5 if he's there by the time our pick comes around. Even if Marmols traded it's decent if Cashners ready to take the closers role. Marhalls great, but he's a free agent after this year and we've all seen how highly back end bullpen guys are, especially lefities. If anyone views him as a possible closer, that makes himeven more expensive. If we could do Marshall for Headley and LeMahieu(although I'd first prefer see if they'd take Colvin or DeWitt in his place) and Maine for Stewart, I really can't see any reason not to be happy about it. If you're going to start floating Marshall's name out there, the Yankees would probably start offering more valuable pieces than Headley. If I made that trade proposal there would be 3 pages of posts making fun of me. We would be getting Headley and Stewart while giving up Russell and a few maybes. I think we ought to go after Daniel Murphy unless the Padres and/or Rockies meet our offers.

I'd much rather see Garza retained, but if the return is too good to pass up, so be it. "I'd much rather see Garza retained, but if and only if the return is too good to pass up, so be it." Fixed

It may be posturing, but what I've read the Padres are asking for a ton to get Headley. Headley is a solid player, but he's not Santo, Schmidt, or Ramirez. If the asking price is too high, we ought to go after Stewart and see what he can do. It looks like 2012 is a year of transition anyhow.

Anybody's available for the right price.

From MLBTR: Tigers, Blue Jays, Padres Inquired On Daniel Murphy By Tim Dierkes [December 5 at 2:19pm CST] The Tigers, Blue Jays, and Padres inquired on Mets infielder Daniel Murphy, tweets Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Sherman adds that the Mets like the Tigers' Andy Dirks as a potential center field alternative to Angel Pagan. Murphy, 26, hit .320/.362/.448 in 423 plate appearances while playing first base, second base, and third base this year. He would be a great pickup at 26 years old. Could platoon with Baker at 3B if we don't get Headley/Stewart. Could play regularly at 2B. Young, cheap, versatile LH DeRosa clone.

But that was facing the awesome Cubs' pitching staff. LOL He could be the opposite of Jeff Blauser.

Taking on Hudson's contract should reduce the price for Headley. Let's expand the deal to include Clayton Richard. How about Barney + Colvin + Szcur + pitching prospect for Headley + Richard + Hudson?

Andruw Jones would be a solid platoon for Jackson, DeJesus, and Colvin, especially if Soriano and/or Byrd are traded. Salary around $2 million with .924 OPS last year against LHP (.866 last 3 years). Also, can play all 3 positions in a pinch.

CJ is the 1st answer, none of the above would be the 2nd answer.

From MLBTR: •Rival teams say the Rockies would like a Double-A or Triple-A pitcher for Ian Stewart Unless the Cubs are really more interested in Headley, this should be done asap.

I think it's a great move and probably will be followed by trading either Soriano or Byrd. Let's not forget that everybody wants Jackson to be the everyday CF, but he's not an absolute "sure thing".

Garza is the type of pitcher that you ought to get 2 top prospects plus a decent prospect.