Little Slide Rooter

I don't get how Koyie Hill is good defensively. He's not particularly good at blocking pitches in the dirt or throwing out base runners. A coach in the dugout calls the game. When they say 140 starts for Soto do they mean at catcher or are they going to try to have him play some 1st base against LH starters? 120 starts at C and 20 at 1st seems like a more realistic plan. In which case Koyie Hill is a terrible choice at backup catcher. Thats just the thing. Its one thing to carry a light hitting backup catcher because of their defense or history. Henry Blanco, for example couldnt hit his way out of a wet paper bag, but he had proven track record as a steller defensive catcher, and the fact that he was Greg Madduxes prefered catcher didnt hurt, but Koyie Hill was a career minor leaguer who got lucky because we needed a backup catcher at the time and he was called up. Nothing Ive seen from him screams out defensive star. If you dont have catching depth in your system, then go with a Koyie Hill, but we have some. Now I very much agree with keeping Castillo in Iowa to get regular PT, but Max Ramirez, or even Steve Clevenger or Chris Robinson should be given the opportunity rather than wasting any amount of money on Hill. I do think that people are getting far too hung up on whose our backup catcher, as I said before that no teams hopes have ever hinged on a backup catcher, no matter who he is, but on the other hand, there was no reason to offer Hill any contract to begin with, even if it is under 1 mil when we had these other guys in the minors. Even of Max/Clevenger/Robinson fell flat on their face, Im sure their would be a multitude of Koyie Hills or better available for next to nothing.

He has a sore hip. I wouldnt mind if Wellemeyer got a middle relief/mop up spot, but if he wins a rotation spot, that would be a travesty.

But how valuable is Castillo going to be playing once a week? No matter how good a hitter, it is rare that they use a backup catcher to pinch hit unless its extra innings. Hes better off getting everyday PT in Iowa. Max Ramirez is the guy to keep around.

Pretty much. No teams playoff hopes have ever hinged on a backup catcher. Its good to have the better bat on the bench, but they rarely go to the backup catcher to pinch hit. After Soto hopefully proving that 2009 was the fluke and not 2010, I cant imagine that they would platoon him with anypne anyway. However, Max Ramirez is an intriguing, out of options player, and Id prefer that we keep him up as backup with Castillo in AAA.

His line wasn't that bad before today. Today I'm sure sealed his fate to not make the rotation. It looks like it will come down to whether they want to take Silva or Cashner. Hmm, the young flamethrower with ace potential or the fat guy with a heart condition who gives out runs like McDonalds does cheeseburgers. Why must life saddle us with such hard decisions?

At 23, almost 24, Castillo might be more valuable playing everyday in Iowa. If he can rake like he has been during ST, he could build some solid trade value, and we could then keep Max Ramirez around as the backup C.

Can Carlos Silva even go to the bathroom without giving up 4-5 runs?

William Barret Travis would be proud.

We really are in awful company in the 1 or less club. If they were going by overall career and not just 2010, Aramis and Z would be on it.

When it comes to guys with the skill set of Ryan Theriot, there a dime a dozen, and could be plucked from any farm system, it all depends on the needs of the team. Bobby Scales comes to mind as a guy who could have had more of a big league career had he been on a team with a need for a guy of his skill set, which is very similar to Theriots, and actually had better numbers at the age Theriot was when he was called up. Theriot actually lucked out and was in the right organization at the right time.

If by Michael Young they mean Josh Hamilton, Id be all for it.

I I hope he invested some of that 13 mil wisely. If we let him go, surely someone will take a flyer out on him. I wouldnt be surprised if multiple teams have been scouting him all spring training.

Marshalls quite valuable as a 7th-8th inning reliever. Last year, he came up big when the likes of Grabow, Caridad, and Samardzia were being tried at the set up role and failing miserably. Considering the fact that teams have been shelling out 2-3 year deals to 7th-8th inning guys this offseason, Marshalls home will likely be in the pen as long as hes a Cub, especially with Cashner, Jackson, Carpenter, and Coleman all lined up in front of him for a rotation spot. We have some solid rotation depth in the minors, but as for relievers, not so much.

I agree that Hendry shouldn't go after Young, but DeWitt is playing himself out of any job with the Cubs. I wouldn't be surprised to see Barney and Ojeda make the club out of ST and DeWitt being sent to AAA (if he has any options left). His defense is terrible, and if he is not going to hit he really has no value. Id be very surprised, maybe a bit sickened to see that. At least the 25 yearold DeWitt has the potential, and with the 36 year old, Ojeda, what you see is what you get, a gritty, journeyman utility player who will be lucky to OPS in the mid .600s. I truely hope that the desire to steel more bases doesnt translate to we want to be grittier and keep Ojeda, Fernando Perez, and Koyie Hill over the guys who could potentially produce.

No to the first one, unless the Rangers add something else to it. Yes to the second. Getting rid of Silva and Grabow would be nice. And I feel like the Rangers would be way more inclined to do the second one. Silva and Grabow in Arlington? Yikes. Young is a player that would definitely be huge in the Cubs lineup, assuming he would be able to make the transiton to 2nd. However, hes 34 years old and making 16 mil each of the next 3 years. Maybe if we sent them Kosuke, DeWitt, and one of Randy Wells/Jay Jackson/Chris Carpenter/Casey Coleman it would work as long as they thre in a bit of cash. I know theres a lot of Kosuke love, but whether NSBB likes it or not, Colvins going to be given every opportunity to win the full time RF job from him, so we may as well get something for Kosuke. Giving up Fukudome and a young pitcher for Young is way too much. The bottom line is that the Cubs aren't really a fit unless the Rangers are going to eat a lot of salary. Value is relative. Fukudome is a very good, underrated player, but how valuable is he if hes making 13 mil to be a 4th outfielder unless the golden boy falls flat on his face? On one hand I like Fukudome, but on the other, Im also for giving Colvin the chance to prove himself, especially since no matter what, Fukudomes likely gone next year, and he may as well audition. Middle infielders who can regularly OPS in the .800s arent easy to come by, and if Young can switch to 2nd, hed be very valuable. The only other thing Id like Texas to throw in would be past of Youngs salary.

No to the first one, unless the Rangers add something else to it. Yes to the second. Getting rid of Silva and Grabow would be nice. And I feel like the Rangers would be way more inclined to do the second one. Silva and Grabow in Arlington? Yikes. Young is a player that would definitely be huge in the Cubs lineup, assuming he would be able to make the transiton to 2nd. However, hes 34 years old and making 16 mil each of the next 3 years. Maybe if we sent them Kosuke, DeWitt, and one of Randy Wells/Jay Jackson/Chris Carpenter/Casey Coleman it would work as long as they thre in a bit of cash. I know theres a lot of Kosuke love, but whether NSBB likes it or not, Colvins going to be given every opportunity to win the full time RF job from him, so we may as well get something for Kosuke.

I really dont see any teams giving up anything in terms of cash or prospects for Silva, and any team scouting him is more likely waiting for the Cubs to cut him toward the end of spring training. Id assume that there are pitching desperate teams doing the same with Oliver Perez.

Who are the most likely candidates to make the bullpen? Marmol, Marshall, and Wood are obviously in. Who else has the best shot of making it? Unfortunately Grabow and hopefully Guzman. Im going to bet on 1 of Wellemeyer or Looper with the last spot going to Smardzjia simply because hes out of options and Hendry isnt ready to let that bird fly.

Minor detail, but most lineups include a second baseman. Pujols can cover 1st and 2nd. Hes that damn good.

Whut. I should rephrase myself. I would love to have Pujols but I don't want to pay a 40 year old 30 million dollars. The first 5 years of the contract would be nice but I would rather go with Prince. Were talking about 5 years of the best hitter of our time here and a team whose gone 102 years without a World Championship. I think if you ask any Cubs fan if theyd accept 3-5 years of overpaying a 40 something Pujols for a World Series win or 3 in the first 5, 99/100 would say yes.

One would have to think that, but I think the point is a valid one. Let's examine the teams who could even potentially afford the contract Pujols wants: Angels: Could be a factor, absolutely, though Arte Moreno isn't a fan of contracts as huge as what Pujols wants Mets: In major financial trouble at the moment, and you don't figure that's going to all go away (to the point where they could offer $275-$300 million) by November or December Phillies/White Sox/Yankees/Red Sox: All have first basemen signed to huge contracts Dodgers: Could be a factor, but similar to the Mets, their ownership situation is still in flux, which could potentially preclude them from a signing that huge And save for the Cubs, that's really all of the teams who could even potentially afford a contract that large, isn't it? Nationals: Gave Werth huge money, seem willing to spend. Rangers: Big market, good team, no long term 1b. THey offered Lee huge $, but this would take double Giants: Good team, good market, big contracts ending soon Blue Jays: I think they have about $15M committed beyond 2011 and a solid core of young players. They could afford $30M to one guy if they wanted to. I'd bet on St. Louis, the Cubs have a good chance, but lots of teams will be in on Albert. I can't see the Giants doing it unless they don't plan on resigning some of their pitchers. Zito goes 18.5/19/20/7 (buyout) through 2014. Lincecum's making $14M this year and that's only going to go up. Cain's going to be making $15.3M next year. Sanchez is at $4.8M this year and will likely get another raise through arbitration next year. Then there's Sandoval, who is still dirt cheap but will be due a raise next year, and a couple years down the line, they've got Bumgarner and Posey. Their payroll was $96M in 2010 which was as high as it's ever been and if they hand Pujols a $25-30M/year contract, it's going to be very hard to keep the young players. EDIT: Between Zito (19M), Rowand (13.6M), Huff, (10M), Cain (15.3M) and Wilson (8.5M), they've got 66.4M tied up in payroll in 2012. Adding Pujols puts them close to their 2010 payroll for six players. What about Baltimore? I dont know what kind of money these guys have laying around, but it seems as though every few year, they take a break from raiding our dumpster to make some desperate attempt to compete in the NL East that never works out well. If theres ever a guy that would finally do it for them, Pujols is it.

It was an amazing season propped up performances that weren't likely to either be repeated or sustained, and few people (even those that were optimistic about how he would do) saw Bradley as the "missing piece of the puzzle." Just because they were picked to likely win a crappy division if they stayed healthy is still pretty [expletive] far from what you initially said. They were picked to take the NL and run with it, and there really wasnt much competiton in the NL period. The Phillies had the offense, but they didnt have the pitching. With CC and Sheets gone, the Brewers werent likely to be a threat, and the Cards had Pujols and Wainright and that was about it. The NL should have been the Cubs for the taking.

This discussion is geared toward what they were projected to be, not what they actually were, and when you took the rotation that should have been and a lineup boasting Sammy Sosa, Moises Alou, Aramis Ramirez, Derrek Lee, and future star Corey Patterson, it was hard to imagine that team missing out on the playoffs.

Uhhhh They sure as hell looked like the best team on paper each of those years. If healthy, 2004 would have looked like an all star team. In '08 and '09, they were certainly the best team in the NL on paper. What? The '08 team certainly had an impressive season, but they weren't all that exceptional going into the season on paper. A good team, sure, but the "best team in the NL?" They were even less impressive going into '09, especially given who they were relying on and how old the team was. Ill give you 2008, but all of the 2009 pre season had the NL Central, and possibliy the NL as The Cubs and everyone else. Theyd just come off an amazing season, and had supposedly found that one missing puzzle piece, and "got more left handed".

Uhhhh They sure as hell looked like the best team on paper each of those years. If healthy, 2004 would have looked like an all star team. In '08 and '09, they were certainly the best team in the NL on paper.