RynoHawk23

If we trade anything of value, we are stupid. Byrd is at best a #4 outfielder, and a bench player. If Pie didn't work out, I'd rather see us give Colvin a shot than Byrd. This is making me long for Jacque Jones. Sad.

This is disappointing. We are basically bringing back the same team as last year with more dependency on unproven players like Pie and Soto. (although it probably isn't very hard to outperform our '07 catching situation) Fukudome at best replaces the production we got from Jones/Floyd. Theriot is still a starting player. (I'm praying for Ronny Cedeno to have a ridiculous spring training) I think you can hope for improvement from Soriano, Lee and Ramirez. But we already saw what this team can do in the playoffs - not much without a legitimate #1a/#2 starter. Basically we are resigned to try to win the NL Central again and even that is questionable and not saying much league wide.

I'd take Marquis & Dempster over Lieber any day of the week. You do realize you are pulling for a guy that is old and has a near 5.00 era the last two years. I don't understand the thought That Dempster is completely awful. He's fine as a #4 starter. Its not like we're trotting him out there after Zambrano. Marquis is a fine #5 starter. Number 4 and 5 starters are not expected to win 15 games and have 3.00 era's. The real problem with these guys is when/if we make the playoffs. Because in all actuality Lilly is a #3 and Hill is a #4. We are missing the dominant #2 or #1a.

If it takes a name out of Hill, Marmol, Pie and Colvin to land Bedard, why in the world would you not entertain trading Pie or Colvin - since they both can't play centerfield at the same time and our corner outfield spots are locked up for the next 4 years?

I still think we are dealing from organizational strength. If anything, we have proven that we can find pitching. And with Marshall being a non-prospect and Gallagher being the meat of the deal, do the deed. Cedeno hurts depth wise, but is a non-entity to the Cubs, right or wrong. Dempster & Marquis are solid options at #4 & #5, with Hart in the wings. Roberts improves the top of the lineup, generates runs, and creates a deeper bench. And if we don't address SS, I'm betting Theriot/DeRosa forces the issue of DeRosa playing SS everyday and Theriot being the supersub - thus, the "marginal upgrade" IS really transfering to SS, which should be exciting more people I would think.

Thanks guys for welcoming me. I would argue that Roberts is an essential piece of the championship puzzle. I would say that if we acquire Roberts, we are at 2004 level of expectations as the National League favorite. We would have the best balance of pitching and hitting in the NL - disagree? With the Mets, Phillies, Rockies and Dbacks right behind us with obvious deficiencies. I don't think we have too many left handed hitting table setters that could deliver 50 steals and play good defense. That is our need. I don't really care what Renteria pulled in as trade. We are not the Braves nor the Detroit Tigers. The Chicago Cubs need more versatility in their lineup and Brian Roberts is a very solid solution. And trading 3 non-essential pieces for 2008 to try to win it all in 2008 is worth the price.

Long time reader, first time poster. Be gentle. :D I think this is a move that has to be made. It vastly improves the top of the lineup and gives us more versatility in the field with DeRosa being the supersub with the ability to fill in/spell Aramis, DLee, Roberts, Theriot, or even Soriano if needed. Roberts is a quality defender and a threat on the basepaths. I don't see his downside, especially coming to the NL. Just from reading, many of you value our prospects waaay to highly. Hendry would be dealing from a position of strength - and really organizational strength - we can usually grow pitching, we struggle with the positional players. I think Marshall has proven to be a 5th starter - and lets face it, not a guy Lou/Hendry trusts, right or wrong. Gallagher might be something, maybe not. But Angel Guzman was once an untouchable. Mark Prior absolutely could not be dealt for Miguel Tejada. Sometimes you have to pull the trigger, and screw what you gave up - worry about what you are getting to improve your team. The Orioles are buried in the AL East for the forseeable future. How are these guys going to haunt us? - at least in the next year or two? At worst Cedeno is the piece that I would regret giving up, just because I feel like he is the one that we haven't given a fair shot and is probably a more viable SS than Theriot - but let's face it, he's not a guy Lou/Hendry is going to trust. So reality is you have to give up value to get value. We're taking a shot at a World Championship. We saw how far the team as constructed got us last year - not far enough. Fukudome was a nice addition, but it just replaces what Jones/Floyd produced. We haven't added much yet. And everyone seems to be assuming that Soto is reliable. Pie will be serviceable. I don't hold that opinion. Especially with no viable backup solutions. Keep adding Jim. And yes, I do think we need a realistic #2 starter. I don't know if we will start the season with that player, but may be a trade dead line addition. Keep adding Jim. I am TIRED of falling short because of weak spots and just waiting for the next season, aren't you? I have no problem trading 3 pieces that are essentially not in our plans for one that is essential for a championship.