Backtobanks

I think a lot will depend on how the Nats plan to rebuild. While Bowden may be the GM, I firmly believe Stan Katsen is calling the shots. I'd look to use some pitchers from the minors or a package built around Marshall. So much depends on which free agents the Cubs have a shot at. If you go all out for Soriano, what position does he play? I think it would really be interesting being Hendry this offseason and trying to make all of the pieces (free agents, trades, budget) fit together.

After learning on the bench from Lou, he might be ready to take over especially if the Cubs manage to build a winner in the next 3 years.

Could be Lou's heir apparent after 3 years.

Of the names being rumored, Carl Crawford is the player that intrigues me. He is very young with a tremendous upside of speed and power, bats left-handed, and is still cheap. He could be a mainstay for a decade in the OF. I realize an OF of Crawford, Murton, and Pie might not be perfect for 2007 contention, but it might be great for 2008-2015. I wonder which youngsters the Cubs would have to trade to get him.

I don't think ARam is going anywhere, but obtaining ARod or Tejada is a step backward because ARam matches them in production and the Cubs don't have to give up players for him. The only thing with that is that Ramirez's money will come off the books as well, which will allow the Cubs to sign another big-time FA. Don't get me wrong-I'll be very disappointed if the Cubs don't re-sign Ramirez. I definitely think it is a big priority that the Cubs sign him. Right now, the team is looking at signing or trading for one big hitter. If Ramirez leaves, they will hopefully just take the money and go get two big hitters instead. The free agent class doesn't have anyone who produces like ARam AND they will have to lose players to trade for a 3B.

That's why I can stay somewhat optimistic. If you can win your division and get into the playoffs, anything can happen so you don't have to build the best team in baseball, just the best team in your division and hope somebody on your team gets hot at the right time. Not "having" to build the best team in baseball is no excuse to not try to build the best team in baseball. Setting your sights simply on winning your division is a good way to miss your goal. Set your goal at best team in baseball, then if you miss, you can still be in the playoffs. Andy had 12 years of "contend within the division" and it took this team nowhere. This is evidence that the Cubs can win next year. They aren't years from contending. But, they cannot simply say, "well, we could have won 84 games if healthy, maybe with a little luck and another arm, we could win 89". Sometimes 90 isn't even enough. You don't know when you go into the season. Baseball is all about increasing your odds. The better you are, the better you chances of making the playoffs, which is the only way you have a chance to win in the playoffs. Build the best team you can afford without bankrupting the future. Of course you try to build the best team in baseball, but when your up against the Yankees who have no payroll limit, it is almost impossible. So in reality, you build the best team possible given the constraints (usually money) that are imposed on you by ownership. Hopefully that assembled team is good enough to get into the playoffs within their division and from there you pray for health and someone getting hot at the right time.

I don't think ARam is going anywhere, but obtaining ARod or Tejada is a step backward because ARam matches them in production and the Cubs don't have to give up players for him.

They don't seem to have any sense of ugency getting him back, so I have to wonder... I don't see why you said there's no urgency to get him back. Hendry is negotiating with his agent and negotiations involve give and take on both sides. I'm sure he would be signed by now if Hendry offered him an extension of 5 years and $100 million, but that's not how it works. Hendry is trying to keep the number as low as possible, while his agent is trying to get as much as possible.

That's why I can stay somewhat optimistic. If you can win your division and get into the playoffs, anything can happen so you don't have to build the best team in baseball, just the best team in your division and hope somebody on your team gets hot at the right time.

Let's get back to reality here. DLee isn't going anywhere and neither is Zambrano, Barrett, or ARam (if re-signed). Depending on who they would get in a trade, trade bait on the Cubs consists of any of the young pitchers, Prior, Jones, Cedeno, Murton, Dempster, Eyre, and their minor league players. Looking at that list explains why a trade for someone like ARod would need a 3rd or 4th team because there isn't enough of what the Yankees want or need to make a straight deal.

Hill is the most realistic option in any trade scenario. Prior has a lot of question marks, Zambrano isn't going anywhere, and the other young pitchers (Marshall, Mateo, Guzman, Marmol, etc.) have shown that they can be solid major league pitchers yet. Hill packaged with Murton/Cedeno/Jones/Pie/etc. would get the attention of most baseball GMs. In addition to the ARod rumors, I'm sure he would be asked for in any deal involving Dunn, Tejada, Crawford, or Andruw Jones all of which have been speculated.

Yea, but he doesn't pitch. Having an All-Star lineup with lousy pitching won't get you too far (see the Yankees).

All of the rumors and speculation I have read involves Hill being traded. I don't have a problem with that except, at this point Hill is the #2 starter in the rotation. If Hill is traded, I would think Hendry has to acquire a #2 and a #3 starter with the assumption that the #4 and#5 starters can come from Prior, Miller(?), Marshall, Guzman, Mateo, etc. I would think that the Cubs can't go into the season with one of the group I mentioned above as a #3 starter and expect to contend.

Carlos Lee would be a good fit in Houston. Depending on the money, I would think the Astros would be very serious about him.

I keep wondering how big Lou's coaching staff will be. I have heard rumors of McLaren, Elia, Quade, Rothschild, and Spier so far. I hope the Cubs aren't going to blow their payroll on the manager and a ton of coaches.

There is NO way that you trade Zambrano for ARod. Didn't anybody learn from the Yankees mistakes? Having an All-Star lineup with mediocre pitching doesn't get you very far. Also, I would think the Cubs would like to find a way to keep ARam and put ARod at SS since they have an offensive hole at SS, but not at 3B. As many of you have posted, there needs to be a third team involved for the Cubs to have a shot at ARod.

Ugg great, I wouldnt think he will out live Hendry who will most likely be gone when his contract expires, which is after the 2008 season right? If the Cubs get into the winning mode, I'm sure Hendry will be here for all of Piniella's contract.

I think that is one of the reasons a lot of people (including me) think the Cubs are not as bad as their record indicates and with a few smart moves can contend in the NL Central. I know the NL Central is weak, but once you get into the playoffs, anything can happen.

I will go on record and agree with this right now. Way to cover your butt. The comments of some on this great board are starting to diminish the quality it once had. Too many people jumping on the opinions of the outspoken. I think if the Cubs win in '07, it will be 95% due to the players and 5% to the manager, no matter who they hire!! I totally agree. I stated in one post that I doubt that there would be a swing of more than 3 games no matter whether they hired Piniella, Bochy, Girardi, or Brenley. Whether we want to admit it or not, these guys are all competent enough to win with the right players.

Not a problem, we can get ARod for compensation.

I doubt very much that Piniella would accept a one year contract. I'm sure it will be at least 2 years and probably 3 years. I would doubt anyone would take a one year deal with the Cubs and all of their baggage.

Obviously, the Cubs have to gamble this offseason because of their dismal performance during the season. My point is signing players like Soriano, CLee, Scmidt, etc. to $50-75 million contracts is a big gamble too. Giving up young players for Dunn, Tejada, or ARod is a giagantic gamble too. Personally I would take my chances with players in their prime rather than short-term contracts with players past their prime.

I agree. The bottom line is if Hendry acquires the right players and the Cubs have some semblance of health, the Cubs will contend with any of these guys. All of these guys have their share of supporters and detractors, but the fans and the media will jump on or off the bandwagon depending on results. There's been lots of threats about disowning the Cubs if someone like Piniella is hired, but most of the Cub fans will be waiting in line (real or virtual) when the tickets go on sale no matter which manager is hired.

Evidence that a player's production goes up 20-30% during their contract year? I guess I don't have any hard evidence, but observation seems to point to much better production during a player's contract year. All of a sudden .260 hitters turn into .300 hitters, guys who average 25 HRs hit 35 HRs, and pitchers who win 12 games suddenly become 18 game winners.