soapy

I'm beginning to think that that is what is going to happen too. Damon will go to the Yankees or Angels. Beltran will become Boston's CF. Cliff Floyd coming here. So Hoops, 3 minutes after you said we'd be going for a RF or CF, you say Cliff Floyd is coming here? :scratch: Actually my source thinks we're going after a RF AND CF. As for Floyd, I think if Hendry brings him here, it will be to play RF. Wow, a month and a half later I see your response. My question was that you are staying Floyd is a RF. Lets examine Floyd's recent defensive positionings. In 2002 for the Marlins 3/4 of the time he spent in RF because the defensive black hole, Millar, was in LF, so Floyd got 60 RF games by default. That was pretty much the extent of his RF experience. I've never seen Floyd play for an extended period of time but from what I've heard hes not a great defender, which is what it seems that Hendry is looking for. His RF stats look decent, however that was 350 games ago on his banged up legs (and a small sample size). He was healthy last year and put up good defensive numbers, but thats a risk. It just seems that Hendry doesnt want to be taking risks this year. I like Floyd, but I dont think he is the answer in for the cubs OF. Just throwing someting out there without thinking (this might not be popular) but if the Cubs had the money (they probably don't after the first four signings) I wouldn't mind seeing Floyd brought in to platoon in LF with Murton. Floyd's splits are pretty drastic (IIRC) and I'm sure Dusty would love to use Murton in a platoon if he could. If the Cubs could then acquire Giles or trade for Abreu, you're looking pretty solid in the OF. Maybe even keep Patterson in CF (unless they feel they need a lead-off hitter out there).

It's certainly possible. Maybe I'm just feeling strangly optimistic today.

Well, that is a legitimate concern, but Mabry can still get 3 (or so) starts a week between LF, RF, 3B and 1B without really taking away any significant playing time from anybody. Not to mention PH oppurtunities that he will probably get on an almost daily basis (when not starting). I'm sure he could get a significant amount of plate appearences (if that were tied into the incentives).

Will everyone here complain in 2007 then if he hits the DL :? But how many will survive without a heart attack if the Cubs win the world series because Z, Prior and Wood all have career years in 2006? The possibility of that bolded section is the only reason I haven't completely given up hope for 2006. It would be very special to see all three of those guys perform up to their potential at the same time.

I wish. Move Pitt back to the east please. Hello 9-10 more Cubs games for this guy!!

OMG, I didn't even think about Macias. That would be the best part of the deal. Bye bye, Gremlin. It's been real (as in, real painful to watch).

Bradley will not be a Cub. Despite his good bat and good defense, he is a bad fit for a team being built with chemistry in mind. Eyre came here because of the good clubhouse. Sosa left because he was bad for the clubhouse. Bradley is a headcase and won't be a Cub. It's more likely that a cash strapped team will take a chance on him once he is released. I like Wilkerson, but don't see things falling into place for the Cubs to get him. Pierre and Castillo could come cheap if we take on all the salary and send a guy like Walker back who is an immediate replacement and cheap. Corey, Walker, and maybe Hill/Nolasco/Williams/Mitre or a combination of them could get it done. I know that isn't a ton, but they have to get rid of salary, as much as to make a point to the fans in Florida as it is to help the team. I'd give up Hill in a second. I know a lot of people are really high on him, but I can only recall how many times I heard Juan Cruz being reffered to as the next Pedro. A prospect is by no means a sure thing, (Patterson, Cruz, Choi just a few examples) and to land some good players I would deal a good prospect. C'mon Hendry make some moves that help the team NOW. You may be right, but it's not a certainty that Bradley will not be a Cub. Unless....wait....are you Jim Hendry? :wink: Regardless, I really don't like Pierre. He would be an upgrade to what we had last year as far as CF production and lead-off, but there are much better options out there in my opinion. Especially for what he is making.

If he's brought in as strictly a bench player. That's not a bad move.

And if he is only seeking 3 years/$30 million, why are people suggesting JH offer him $39 million over 3 years. I think the 3/30 is perceived as the home town discount given to the Padres and everyone else will be expected to pony up a little more than that for his services. Sure, but the Yankees (reportedly) were offering 3/33. I'm of the opinion that that is a steal. Especially with the Cubs desperate for a RFer with some powere and OBP.

Castillo only please. Castillo Murton Lee Giles Ramirez Bradley (Walker traded to LA) Barrett Cedeno

And if he is only seeking 3 years/$30 million, why are people suggesting JH offer him $39 million over 3 years. Well, I agree with you there. Although, I still think 3/39 would be reasonable. I'd be pretty happy if the Cubs got him for that.

If Giles is really only seeking 3/30 so far, there really is absolutely no excuse for the Cubs not to be involved.

I am not at all high on Huff. If we thought Sosa was bad defensively in RF, Huff makes Sosa look like Andruw Jones. I don't see the Cubs getting a big bat for RF, at least not this yr, even tho it is a weakness. I know this is going to anger some people but, if the Cubs can land Furcal (or Lugo) and/or Pierre, I could definately see the Cubs bring back Burnitz for another yr. I could live with that as well. Say hello to fourth place (unless you get some absolutely ungodly pitching, in which case you might beat out the Brewers for third).

I'd rather have Castillo and Cedeno than Furcal and Cedeno. Join. I do believe Hendry has a plan. I just don't like it. IMO, the biggest gaping bleeding hole on this team is OBP. I don't believe Hendry sees it that way (except for MAYBE at the lead-off spot). We currently have zero right fielders on this team and Hendry allegedly is going to rely on a trade to fill that hole when a premier RFer is available in exchange for exactly zero players right now.

I'd prefer a Cedeno/Walker middle infield to a Furcal/Cedeno MI. I'd prefer to get my lead-off hitter elsewhere, even if it meant Pierre. Pierre Walker Lee RF (you now have all of Furcal's money) Ramirez Murton Barrett Cedeno Or, even better would be to trade for Castillo and Walker is dealt for an OF bat or pitching. Maybe Bradley or Wilkerson acquired to play CF. Castillo Murton Lee RF Ramirez Bradley Barrett Cedeno Depending on the RF acquired, I'd prefer either of those scenarios instead of paying Furcal 5/50.

That's exactly what I was going to say. Baker never saw Walker as a leadoff hitter last year, and I don't think that will change. Furthermore, I don't think you can pencil in Cedeno in any lineup at shortstop. Dusty didn't play him when we were out of the race last year, so why should we expect him to play Cedeno when we have something to play for? Unfortunately, the best we can hope for would be a 60/40 split between Cedeno and Neifi, but I'm not sure even that is possible. Co-sign^^ You guys are right to some extent and that's the problem. I'm so freakin' sick of people making excuses and saying that we need to taylor our roster to Dusty's (mis)management. THAT IS ABSURD. If we have to worry about Dusty putting our worst hitter at the top of the order, guess what, that hitter isn't your biggest problem. Your manager is. Having said that, the question was "what would you do?" That is what I would do. Cedeno is my SS, Walker is my 2B and leadoff hitter. Dusty gets with the program, or he finds a new job. It's not excusues. It's just reality. Baker could be in Chicago for a while. We aren't going to see him ever start some Moneyballer dream lineup. He wants guy's @ the top of the order w/ speed. Hopefully, Hendry can get guys who can get on base and have speed. Hence why I'm hoping for Furcal or Pierre. I wouldn't even consider that a "moneyballer" lineup though. Walker is not slow. Murton is fast. Those guys aren't going to steal a bunch of bases, but they're going to take extra bases on singles and balls in the gap. Like I've said many times before; I'm not against signing Furcal. But I'm against giving him a 5 year $50 mil contract when we have a guy who can likely fill the position in-house (for $350,000) and a hole the size the Grand Canyon in RF (which has zero chance of being filled in-house). Tayloring to Dusty's fetishes doesn't make this team any stronger. It only uses up money that can be allocated better elsewhere IMO. How many bases you think those 2 would steal in total?? Maybe 10? That top of the order seems pretty Moneyballish to me where the stolen base or threat of is pretty much insignificant. How many bases are Neifi/Macias going to steal? Neifi had a grand total of 8 (in 12 attempts) last year. You don't think Walker or Murton could match those lofty numbers?

That's exactly what I was going to say. Baker never saw Walker as a leadoff hitter last year, and I don't think that will change. Furthermore, I don't think you can pencil in Cedeno in any lineup at shortstop. Dusty didn't play him when we were out of the race last year, so why should we expect him to play Cedeno when we have something to play for? Unfortunately, the best we can hope for would be a 60/40 split between Cedeno and Neifi, but I'm not sure even that is possible. Co-sign^^ You guys are right to some extent and that's the problem. I'm so freakin' sick of people making excuses and saying that we need to taylor our roster to Dusty's (mis)management. THAT IS ABSURD. If we have to worry about Dusty putting our worst hitter at the top of the order, guess what, that hitter isn't your biggest problem. Your manager is. Having said that, the question was "what would you do?" That is what I would do. Cedeno is my SS, Walker is my 2B and leadoff hitter. Dusty gets with the program, or he finds a new job. It's not excusues. It's just reality. Baker could be in Chicago for a while. We aren't going to see him ever start some Moneyballer dream lineup. He wants guy's @ the top of the order w/ speed. Hopefully, Hendry can get guys who can get on base and have speed. Hence why I'm hoping for Furcal or Pierre. I wouldn't even consider that a "moneyballer" lineup though. Walker is not slow. Murton is fast. Those guys aren't going to steal a bunch of bases, but they're going to take extra bases on singles and balls in the gap. Like I've said many times before; I'm not against signing Furcal. But I'm against giving him a 5 year $50 mil contract when we have a guy who can likely fill the position in-house (for $350,000) and a hole the size the Grand Canyon in RF (which has zero chance of being filled in-house). Tayloring to Dusty's fetishes doesn't make this team any stronger. It only uses up money that can be allocated better elsewhere IMO.

That's exactly what I was going to say. Baker never saw Walker as a leadoff hitter last year, and I don't think that will change. Furthermore, I don't think you can pencil in Cedeno in any lineup at shortstop. Dusty didn't play him when we were out of the race last year, so why should we expect him to play Cedeno when we have something to play for? Unfortunately, the best we can hope for would be a 60/40 split between Cedeno and Neifi, but I'm not sure even that is possible. Co-sign^^ You guys are right to some extent and that's the problem. I'm so freakin' sick of people making excuses and saying that we need to taylor our roster to Dusty's (mis)management. THAT IS ABSURD. If we have to worry about Dusty putting our worst hitter at the top of the order, guess what, that hitter isn't your biggest problem. Your manager is. Having said that, the question was "what would you do?" That is what I would do. Cedeno is my SS, Walker is my 2B and leadoff hitter. Dusty gets with the program, or he finds a new job.

With the restructured contract of Chipper Jones, I'd see if Atlanta would rather just resign Furcal and trade Chipper to the Cubs. Cedeno plays SS since he is one. Overall I'd prefer Julio Lugo. I'd make Cedeno my SS and use all my resources to try to sign Giles and trade for Bradley or Wilkerson. If I can't sign Giles, I do everything I can to facilitate a trade for and impact RF. I try to sign or trade for another SP (not named Burnett) and possibly another reliable RP. I keep Walker. Walker Murton Lee Giles/Abreu/etc. Ramirez Bradley Barrett Cedeno Give Baker that roster and Neifi's leading off. Then I fire him. Hey, the question was, "what would you do?", not "what would Dusty or Hendry do?"

With the restructured contract of Chipper Jones, I'd see if Atlanta would rather just resign Furcal and trade Chipper to the Cubs. Cedeno plays SS since he is one. Overall I'd prefer Julio Lugo. I'd make Cedeno my SS and use all my resources to try to sign Giles and trade for Bradley or Wilkerson. If I can't sign Giles, I do everything I can to facilitate a trade for and impact RF. I try to sign or trade for another SP (not named Burnett) and possibly another reliable RP. I keep Walker. Walker Murton Lee Giles/Abreu/etc. Ramirez Bradley Barrett Cedeno

But can Mench catch the ball? To answer the original question: Can that team compete? Maybe, but your depending on Murton, Cedeno and Mench to have great seasons (for them). It's entirely possible that two of those three could have lousy years and then this team doesn't compete. I think you would absolutely have to add a SP to even consider taking a chance on that team. And even then I think you're playing for the wild card.

So it's not just me? That's comforting...I guess.

Aren't we just one year removed from Hendry's unequivocable assertion that Chemistry wins pennants? Yeah, but that was last year. Now catching the ball wins pennants. Okay, that joke is probably "played" at this point.

It's not just the last 2 years. Go back over 10 years. 1996-2005. How many playoff appearances have the Cards, Astros and Cubs each had? Cards and Astros each made it to the post-season 6 times. Cubs twice. Players aren't stupid - they know the history and see the traditions. That's true. But it's clearly still worth a shot. I would just absolutely hate to see Giles sign somewhere for 3/$36 or something like that and come to find out the Cubs weren't even getting in on the bidding because they just assume that they don't have a shot. If he turns you down, or gets drastically over paid or something, fine. But until then, they should be pursuing him.

I can agree with that. The Cubs don't have to sign Giles. He's not the only option. He just seems like the best option to me. I don't envision Hendry pulling off a trade for Dunn/Abreu/Manny or whoever. Maybe he can, but then your are talking about giving up serious talent to get those guys when all Giles will cost you is $.