Backtobanks

From a Padres Blog: A little off topic, but I also wonder aloud if the Padres would work out a trade with the Cubs. They could sweeten the compensation the Padres will be receiving for Hoyer and Jason McLeod leaving. I have done previous pieces profiling specific players, and thought Brett Jackson would fit well in PETCO Park with his five-tool ability. Instead of one or two fringe prospects, the Padres could include Headley for Jackson

It really is. The Cubs have contended in the not too distant past. The Cubs are clearly heading in the right direction, and they have money to spend. People will go to the money unless the situation is a disaster and the Cubs aren't a disaster. Even if we assume all that to be true (and again, I think we are over-stating how we look relative to what others feel about us - as noted earlier in one of these threads, sure, I could see a combination of moves this off-season to make us a good squad, on paper, but viewing things externally, entering the off-season, the Cubs have 1 good starter, 1 good offensive player, 1 good asset to help positionally, and question marks as to whether or not there is legitimate rotation help on the horizon (and I'm still more bullish on McNutt than most, but there are legitimate questions there), along with a system that I really like, but legitimately, is fairly weak as so many of the top pieces are so far away)), it presumes that the Cubs money will somehow trump other organizations. It's possible - Chicago looks as nice a destination as there is out there. Some folks will shy away from Canada, and the Marlins aren't likely capable of making multiple big moves this off-season. Anyhow, I guess I'm throwing cold water on all the excitement, so I'll stop. Seriously, all things considered, what other franchises look much better than the Cubs. Yankees, Red Sox, and maybe the Angels.

Reyes, easily. Prince is fat, but fortunately he doesn't have a history of injury to worry about. As Bob Sanders posted, it's an easy choice picking a fat guy at a position of need over a crippled guy at a position that's filled.

If you want to create goodwill with us older fans, you need to sign Ernie Banks. LOL

With the money the Cubs are ready to spend in the next year or two and the reputation of our front office, I can't see why anybody would not want to come here.

Much more expensive. Too RH. LOL

I suggested a trade (under "Trading Zambrano") - Zambrano + Russell + Byrd/Colvin + Jay Jackson for Swisher + Hughes.

Keep Rudy, but replace Riggins asap.

Zambrano + Russell + Byrd/Colvin + Jay Jackson to the Yankees for Swisher (option picked up) + Hughes. Zambrano - reunited with Rothschild, in a "contract" year with a team that can afford his option if he pitches well, strict manager/team policies to keep him under control, veteran, contending team with fewer young players to blame. Yankees need pitching and get Z, a young, cheap, effective LHRP, and a decent prospect. Byrd could start in RF or Colvin could be solid LH 4th OF/RF. Budget isn't impacted much for 2012 giving them room for FA starter. Depth at catcher still can be used as trade bait to obtain another starter. Cubs get a middle of the order bat on a 1-year deal. Hughes has been disappointing but may benefit from change of scenary. Swisher starts in RF and possible platoon with LaHair at 1B ( if Pujols/Fielder not signed).

The compensation to Boston, San Diego, and Tampa Bay would wipe out our farm system.

Epstein on Chicago Tribune Live made it sound like there was some thought as to retaining Zambrano, re-signing Ramirez, and giving LaHair a good shot at 1B. http://www.csnchicago.com/shows/ctl

Alot of money for alot of years. You assume he'll he dead weight in years 8-10. I believe that's kind of just made up. Plenty of truly great players lasted into their late 30s and even early 40s. You also assume that the contract would serve as a handcuff. Unless he shatters every bone in his body under his new contract I don't buy that. It's an assumption based on general concepts being applied to a talent that isn't general. The real scary thing about Pujols is that he might already be in his late 30s. :lol:

No. I don't see any scenario where Z pitches for us again. Theo wasn't as sure about that on ctl as you are. He said starting pitching is something the cubs need and thzZ does have talent. But said he needed to do a lot of listening. I kept hearing him talk about "buying into the program", "everybody on the same page", "everybody accepting responsibility", "players supporting their team mates", etc. None of that sounds like Carlos Zambrano.

I legitimately believe no one can convince me that it's a bad idea to sign the best bat in the game and a historically great player. THAT idea is asinine to me. To be an elite team we need elite players. As mul21 said - at what cost and for how long? Everybody would love to have Pujols for the next 5-6 years, but if he's going to get 8-10 years, then you have 3-4 years of a dead-weight contract handcuffing your team from making the moves it needs to make.

Unless Theo has some interesting trades on the horizon, losing Ramirez and re-signing Pena doesn't look good for 2012.

2 predictions having Pujols/Fielder signing elsewhere. I thought Theo was going to build a winner.

I think most of us agree that it makes more sense to keep him than to pay him to pitch somewhere else, but I think Zambrano has finally got on management's last nerve.

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/10/23/fish-unlikely-to-trade-for-big-z-might-try-james-shields?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter i'm sure the marlins are really freaking concerned about the 2013 option that vests when zambrano finishes in the top 4 of the cy young voting Especially since the Cubs will be paying for most of the contract anyhow.

Anyone know where this was in the Trib? Sunday Sports page 10 in "Whispers Column" under Phil Rogers' column.

Completely horrible and inaccurate analogy. A better analogy would be to have an offensive team that bats and a defensive team that fields and pitches.

That's what she said.

The results aren't really relevant in discussing how good of a move this is as this time I agree that it's a great move, but in the end it's all about results. It's like having the best team on paper, but they don't win the WS. All the GM (or president of baseball operations) can do is assemble the best players possible and hope that translates into a team that wins the WS.

I think we have the best front office in name and pedigree. Let's wait until we see the results before we can say they are the best.

Having Fielder for 3-4 years and then having him opt out of the last 3-4 years would be about the best-case scenario. Having Fielder/Pujols/Sabathia/Wilson for 3-4 years and then opt out of the rest of the contract would be the best-case scenario. So would the Cubs getting Theo Epstein and well all know not a chance in hell! 23% I would think the Cubs would be the favorite to sign one of Pujols/Sabathia. They have a need for a 1B, have as much money to spend as anyone, and seem to be headed toward being a winner. Sorry about that, should be Pujols/Fielder.

When you lose your Fielder, a lot of teams can pitch around Braun making him a lot less effective.