Backtobanks

Have they really? And if so, to what extent? Besides Daryl Ward who looks downright out of shape or injured, the Cubs do look to be "in shape". Wood, Zambrano, Dempster and Eyre all lost some weight. Prior isn't back to being himself, but technically he's "healthy". Wuertz is in the same boat. Ward looks injured or just terrible. Wood is wood, or should I say glass. But besides those guys, Lou is right, the Cubs stayed healthy this spring. Last spring, the Cubs gave up 3.58 walks per game and drew only 2.80. This spring those numbers are basically reversed. They have given up 2.89 walks per game and drawn 3.71. We've all seen the improvement Ronny Cedeno has made in hitting to right field to advance the runner and being more selective. He has drawn 11 walks in 55 ABs while last spring he drew only 4 in 55. Is Lou telling the truth? Have the Cubs actually made these improvements? Can veterans be taught new tricks? Can patience and throwing strikes be taught and taught so quickly? Or is it that Hendry has brought in some guys, both FAs and from the minors, that through more strikes and drew more walks and were more patient? I'll believe more when it happens during the season as well. But comparing last spring's numbers to this spring's is all the imperical data we have at the moment. I hope the Cubs didn't sign Daryle Ward expecting him to be in shape. He's been a big fatty for a long time now. Hopefully, he will regain his batting eye. Being overweight never seemed to stop some players (Babe Ruth, John Kruk, etc.)

You could put Pie in RF and leave Soriano and Murton where they are.

If he's healthy, he could have that by midseason.

Actually it is much better than replacing Izturis with Rolen or Andruw Jones because it is spread over the whole lineup rather than concentrated in one position in the lineup.

That was assuming injury and or poor performance by someone else that would send them to the DL or Iowa. Now that Cotts has been added, Wuertz has recovered, and Wood still has a shot to be on the active roster, there doesn't appear to be anymore room for Cherry (or Guzman). What does this mean? Has Cotts been assured a spot? You can suck, as long as you're a lefty.

You can question a lot of things about the 2007 Cubs, but pitching depth is certainly not one of them. To tell the truth, I would think the Cubs have one of the deepest staffs in baseball. Now if you want to argue about the quality of certain pitchers, that's different.

Barmes is the best option of those 4 names. I wouldn't trade a whole bunch for him though. I suppose it would be nice to have a defensive 25th man, but personally I'd like to see a guy who might get a base hit on occasion.

I saw some suggestions that looked pretty good on another site: Mark Bellhorn - non-roster invitee for the Reds Eric Bruntlett - not listed on the Astros depth chart Joe Inglett - reserve IF for the Indians What do you think?

Soriano and Murton both ranked as two of the best LF in baseball last year. Most advanced metrics had Jones at above average, too. The outfield defense will be fine. As long as Floyd isn't playing.

Let's make Izturis earn his money because he won't earn it at the plate.

I guarantee you that if the Cubs put Prior on waivers, all of the other teams would be lined up to claim him.

I agree. If the Cubs are battling the Pirates for last place, all of these positive grades will change quickly. On the other hand, if he's got the team playing .600+ baseball, he will be the undisputed toast of the town.

Then it's agreed. Theriot at 2B with Derosa as super utility man and platoon RF. I stated in another discussion that some AL baseball people thought RF was Derosa's best position.

What about Alberto Callaspo in a trade with the Diamondbacks. Foxsports' Ken Rosenthal reports that they think he is ready for the Majors, but their young infielders would probably not allow much playing time for him. His OBP in the minors was .404. I'm not sure what the Snakes would want, but relief pitchers seem to be their biggest weakness.

I agree, it's not like he's a .220 hitter with no power. Unless you get an offer that will definitely help the team, keep him and spot start Derosa in RF. Floyd is a total butcher in RF especially with bad legs. Use Floyd as a spot starter in LF and backup for Lee. Theriot should play 2B if Derosa is in RF. I would think that if Pie is ready at midseason, there will be a better market for Jones, especially in a package if other players (Miller, Marshall, Cedeno, Dempster) become expendable. Not sure if I missed something but I think Ward is the likely primary backup at first.Otherwise, I agree with everything you said. Today's Tribune lists the likely bullpen candidates and then goes through the bench. I wonder if it was an omission that they didn't include Ward's name. Also, in the Cub's notes section, they talked about Ward really struggling and if he doesn't get it together he could be replaced by Coats (who also wasn't mentioned as being on the bench). They did include Cedeno as a sub.

Going by Dewan's Fielding Bible, Jones is one of the worst outfielders in the game. He's got to be head and shoulders ahead of Floyd (especially with bum legs).

I agree, it's not like he's a .220 hitter with no power. Unless you get an offer that will definitely help the team, keep him and spot start Derosa in RF. Floyd is a total butcher in RF especially with bad legs. Use Floyd as a spot starter in LF and backup for Lee. Theriot should play 2B if Derosa is in RF. I would think that if Pie is ready at midseason, there will be a better market for Jones, especially in a package if other players (Miller, Marshall, Cedeno, Dempster) become expendable.

In today's Tribune, Phil Rogers suggests that they keep Pie and put him in RF for defensive purposes because Floyd can't play RF. He also stated that there are some baseball people who think RF is Derosa's best position. Finally, he suggested trading Jones even if they have to pay most of his salary. I don't understand why there is so much disinterest in Jones. I'm not saying he's the best OF in baseball, but there are some pretty mediocre players that are going to be starting for some teams. I still think that he could be a real bargain for a team that can use him in a platoon situation.

Not sure how dumb it was. He traded Aardsma, who doesn't have much upside at all, for Cotts, who sucks but had one year where he somehow pitched well. Eh, it's trading junk for junk mostly. Oh well. Kudos to Piniella for his comments. Those words were *not* for Cotts, who is finished in all likelihood. They were for all the other players on this team, who if they haven't already are now realizing Lou will most definitely notice and call out poor performance. Yay! Don't forget that Cotts is a lefty, so he will bounce around for awhile even though he sucks.

I don't think that is the case at all. He could play 2nd base or one of the corner outfield spots. And then we could go after Bonds or Dunn to play SS. ARod in the OF is realistic, Bonds or Dunn at SS is not. There's no reason for your post. Besides, ARod can play SS. My point is that an older, bulked-up ARod is still a much better SS option than what the Cubs now have, so why in the world would people talk about putting him in the OF.

I don't think that is the case at all. He could play 2nd base or one of the corner outfield spots. And then we could go after Bonds or Dunn to play SS.

How about trading J. Jones and Izturis to the Angels for Cabrera. The Angels need a OF, especially with GMJR's problems, and Cabrera can easily be replaced by Aybar with the brothers Izturis as backups. The Cubs get a solid SS and possible #2 hitter. Obviously, the deal might need to be tweaked a bit with other players and/or money.

As long as it isn't Neifi perez or Jose Macias.

I'm afraid that Pie would almost exactly match what Jones brings with the bat - neither one of them hits lefties well at all. hopfully pie dosent throw the ball into the ground one time and the next over everyone. i wouldnt trade jones now, wait a bit, we could get something a lot more valuable in return Well, supposedly Jones had arm (or shoulder) problems last year. I guess we'll see if that was true. As for getting something valuable in return for him, I really can't see that happening unless he's packaged with a few other players (a possibility). I think the best we could hope for is a prospect that is "under the radar" (i.e. someone like Murton)

As some others have posted, I've resigned myself to keeping Jones. I don't see any deals out there to strengthen the SS or OF situation. All things considered (salary, production with some platooning, and hopefully improved defense) actually makes him a pretty decent OF.