Backtobanks

I don't understand sitting all of those players at the same time. I understand giving rookies a chance, but at least mix them in or substitute them in during the game.

In the Tribune article, they reported that Cabrera was suspended for disciplinary reasons. Now there's the person we want lol.

With all of the holes that the Cubs need to fill, why are people talking about trading Lee or Ramirez? The Cubs have a ton of money to spend, some major league players that could be considered trade bait (Walker, Rusch, Williams, Patterson, etc.), and a ton of young pitchers that could be packaged in a deal, so why mess with the 2 players that were the only ones that made this season tolerable to watch?

Nor should he.

My fear about the bench players is that Dusty will misuse them like he did this year. Hollandsworth strength was pinch hitting and spot starting, not playing full-time. Macias may be versatile, but should never be the first bat off the bench. Perez had to start most of the season, but should never be at the top of the lineup.

Hendry and Baker have to work together to run the Cubs. Hendry has stated often that it is Baker's job to handle the daily on-field duties and he would not interfere. As has been stated before, Hendry did not do a great job in acquiring players, but I still think the biggest problems come done to the decisions made by Baker. Hendry acquired an excellent offensive SS with a very good substitute. Unfortunately, the SS was injured and the sub had to play most of the season, but he did not have to bat at the top of the lineup. Hendry acquired a closer, but Baker decided to start him and use Hawkins as a closer for too long a period of time. Hendry brought some talented young players (Murton, Cedeno, Novoa, Ohman, etc.) to the team, but Dusty hesitated to use them as opposed to the veterans (Perez, Hollandsworth, Remlinger, Hawkins, etc.). I could go on with this list, but the bottom line is that this most of the failures of this club come from injuries and the misuse of players and bad decisions by the manager. Was this team capable of winning the Division? Probably not, but I do think they were capable of being a 90+ win team.

With Ryan Howard emerging in PHL, I have to think that the Phils are going to be desperate to unload Thome this offseason. The Phils will be willing to pick up some of the contract. Whaddya think of the Cubs making a play for Thome (but them insisting on Abreu be in the deal) picking up more of the $ on Thome's contract, and then the Phils flipping Lee to a third team for a #1 starter? To get Abreu, you would have to offer Prior or Zambrano.

The Mets and Marlins had better be picking up a ton of salary for Beltran and Lowell in that deal. We would get a very talented OF with an over-the-hill sub and take on 2 horrible contracts.

I vote for improving the offense. Most major league players are at least adequate defensively at their positions, while many are well below average offensively. Also, it depends on the position. An error-prone SS is more likely to affect the outcome of a game than an defensively-challenged LF or RF. How many game-saving defensive plays are made in a week compared to game-winning hits?

You might want to use a callup as a pinch runner or in long relief of a blowout game.

He certainly should be penciled in as the starting LF next spring unless the Cubs trade for Manny. I don't see any reason why he can't have .280/.350/ 25 HR. If he does that, he will be a good corner OF with the chance to be an outstanding corner OF with more experience.

The problem with the Cubs is in the dugout, not with the GM.

I wasn't a big Randy Winn fan, but he really impressed me in the Giants series. I don't know his contract details and I know the Giants just got him, but he might be a good CF/leadoff man with some speed. When Pie arrives, he could be 4th OF/pinch hitter/trade bait.

I still say that unless Rusch refuses to sign with the Cubs, bring him back. There's the old saying: "You can never have too much pitching." The origin of that quote goes back before Wood, so it is very relevant in the Cubs' case. Also, I think the Cubs are going to get more help on the trade front than on the free agent market.

All of you are forgetting "Dusty" logic. Obviously, Macias plays and bats first with Perez 2nd. At the end of the season, Dlee, Manny, and Aram combine for 150 HRs and 187 RBIs with Dusty's lineup.

I don't think the Tribune wants to pay anyone $20 million for 1 year. Manny is as good a hitter as you can find, but I think $20 million could be better spent. He might be worth it if he could guarantee a World Series title, but nothing can be guaranteed (especially in Chicago).

It would be interesting to see what he could do when left alone as a starter. Also, with the Cubs counting on Wood as a starter, it might not be a bad idea to have a 6th starter with major league experience. As I stated before, he might be an option to use in a trade package or in case Williams is used in a trade. I think he could turn out to be a pretty good bargain for some team.

Since the Cubs have a ton of money to spend, how about resigning Rusch and using Rusch or Williams as trade bait. I would think Rusch could be signed for a reasonable amount and either pitcher looks like a decent 5th starter on the Cubs. With Patterson, Rusch or Williams, Walker, Hairston, Mitre, Welly, and Hill as tradeable commodities, I would think that Hendry ought to be able to get something of value in 1 or 2 trades with some of these players.

I would like to see the Cubs get Rob Makowiak for the bench. The problem is someone will probably offer him a starting position someplace.

Do you really think the Tribune would eat Baker's salary and then hire someone making more money?

From ESPN Insider Article by Gammons: If the Marlins do not make the playoffs, they will lose $20 million-$30 million, likely cannot get a ballpark built and will have to try to trade Carlos Delgado to the Mets before Omar Minaya, the Mets' GM, starts tinkering with acquiring Manny Ramirez. If the Mets continue to dive and Carlos Beltran gets booed right on into October, it will be interesting to see the Mets' response if and when the Red Sox reiterate the offer they made in July of Ramirez for Beltran. It would save New York close to $30 million. Also of note: • Nomar Garciaparra might now be willing to move positions to take some pressure off his legs. Second and third base seem out because of his elongated arm action and angle, but center or left field would seem very possible. The Cubs plan to put Felix Pie in center field next season, but if they could sign Rafael Furcal (why shouldn't he want more than Jimmy Rollins?) and put Ronny Cedeno at second base, Nomar would seem to make a perfect fit in left field. Not that the Cubs have discussed it. Just a thought. Link: http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/gammons/story?id=2158786 By the way, doesn't it seem like every analyst or beat guy (local or national) is convinced that the Cubs do not have Todd Walker in their plans for 2006? I'm assuming that Walker is good trade bait after we sign or bring back Nomar, Furcal, Cedeno, and Perez. I'm not saying I agree, but I do think the odds of Nomar, Cedeno, and Perez returning are pretty good. That leaves Furcal and Walker. Looking at the teams needing a SS, I would think the Cubs ought to be in the running for Furcal. Something's got to give and Walker has the most trade value.

When you have a lineup like the Cards, you can afford to have a weak hitting catcher.

No way Dusty would let Gonzo go. He's the only guy Dusty would trust because of his age.

With Marte in the Southside doghouse big time, how about Mitre or Welly for Marte. I wouldn't break the bank for him, but he is a pretty good lefty and he might come cheap since he's in the doghouse.

Then we would see how good Lee really is on defense. If Baker is coming back why do I get this sinking feeling the 2 boy toys will be too? I don't think I can do this 3 years in a row. If someone is willing to let Perez start he'll be gone. It may be wishful thinking but I don't believe Macias will be back next year. I haven't looked it up but it seems as though Macias has gotten a lot fewer starts this year than last. Were it not for PH appearances we wouldn't have seen much of Macias. I can't help thinking Baker would like to have someone with more power for PH duties. Why would he leave when he has a guaranteed starting job here with Baker?