Cubs Fan Dan

Is it me or is De Luca mixing up headlines from other MLB writers to come up with his own conclusion, if Gammons had not mentioned a Cubs CEO of Business being involved would this article even mention Kenney? De Luca is an idiot.

Was he in full cubs uniform?

huh? Time until Game 1 starts.

Heyman on top of it again........ To be fair, Heyman broke the Hoyer story yesterday. Missed that, was thinking Rosenthal broke that story.

Heyman on top of it again........

http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/7123358/source-chicago-cubs-announce-theo-epstein-hire-world-series Some information on Hoyer in this report.

So if the payroll is to be in the $150 million range every year than the Cubs will be players this offseason for (Wilson, Fielder, Fat Albert) correct?

LOL!

Meanwhile, Scott Miller chimes in saying that some sources are telling him Jackson tweaked his foot while others are saying he did not. Unless things change, Brett Jackson tweaked his foot. If they do change, he did not. hahaha yes thats clasic Heyman "I believe the odds are 25-75 percent that Jackson tweaked his foot."

Me too, but if we have a better option, I'd prefer it. I would still rather platoon DeWitt/Baker and use Barney in a utlility/late inning defensive sub role. I am intrigued with DJ. My feeling is the Cubs will let ARam go, replace him with Cuddyer/Encarnacion possibly a trade(Headley, Michael Young etc..) and go all out for Fielder/Wilson. I also just have a feeling Soriano may be dumped and the Cubs will go after a RF trade target. "Experts" keep stating the Cubs cannot compete next year but there are several scenerios in which they could definitely compete.

That is debateable, he averaged around 30 HR's and 100 RBI's and a .900+ OPS over a 5 year span from age 26-30. That is valuable at any position.

Well now I think this is going to happen, I am trying to wrap my head around what kind of compensation should be given but I really hope it does not include Castro, Garza or Jackson. I could see it being prospects starting with Wellington Castillo and prospects, or a salary swap in the Red Sox favor. What is fair?

I am so excited to follow the Cubs minors next season, I think the draft / international signings will put the Cubs near the top in baseball sooner than later in Minor League Rankings. This is the most optomistic i have been in a long time about the future of this organization.

I think this is the year of underdogs and surprises! Rays over Rangers in 5 Yankees over Tigers in 4 Phillies over Cards in 5 D'Backs over Brewers in 4 Yankees over Rays in 6 D'Backs over Phillies in 6 :clapping: Yankees over D'Backs in 5

speechless! go rays !

How many times does Ricketts have to state the new GM will make these decisions? Sandberg may come back but there is little reason to assume the new GM is going to turn down better options to make fans feel all warm and fuzzy. I am still more concerned about getting better on the field than in the dugout.

Well Ozzie is out and rumored to be going to the Marlins..... I don't think Z to the Marlins is out of question at all if Ozzie goes to FL

It is when they can probably do better, even if it's not immediately. Just because you can doesn't mean you should. CJ Wilson is the kind of arm I'd say that about, not Ricky Nolasco. Paying Z to play for the fish and getting and paying a pretty decent pitcher in return is a much better option than paying Z to play for some other team and over paying for Wilson (and whoever gets him will over pay). Disagree on both accounts...not only should they be aiming to do better than Ricky Nolasco and guys like him because they already have guys like him, but overpaying for Wilson in just money is way better than overpaying for Nolasco in prospects and money. Wilson is a better and more battle tested pitcher who's thrown 200+ in the past couple years to top it off. Nolasco is a short, mediocre fastball RH with a good curve and recent injuries...big pile of meh for what the Cubs seem to want to try to do. How legit could a Z to the Marlins idea really be anyway? I don't think it's legit, but if we're having a hypothetical discussion about trading Z plus cash for Nolasco or paying Z to play for someone else and signing Wilson it's a no brainer. Wilson is going to be looking for in the neighborhood of $100,000,000. In my mind I think the Cubs should make nice with Z and bring him back. The only people who seem to be pissed off at him are Quade and Hendry. Then they don't have two holes in the rotation. I was bringing up the Z to Marlins idea due to Guillen likely landing there if he gets himself fired. Z and Guillen are close so obviously it is not a legit rumor but an idea that could gain some traction in the coming weeks.. More of a conversation starter.

what do you supposed the payday will be? A Jared Weave type deal? If so I am in I think he and Garza would be an excellent top of the rotation.

The Hanley thing was definitely a pipe dream i was not really believing its a possibility. I suggested Colvin, Z, cash AND prospects for Morrison. My point was mainly based on all the White Sox, Guillen and Marlins rumors that have been around and the relationship Ozzie has with Z, it may make them a logical place to try to move Z. Adding the fact that they may be looking to dump Nolasco's salary and are fed up with Morrison and with some cash and prospects the their could be a deal that helps both ends. Obviously if Guillen stays with the Sox the Marlins will not likely be interested in Z, in that case yes I think Byrd being slightly cheaper than Nolasco would be a fair match.

I would love to have Nolasco penciled in the 3 or 4 spot. I think you take on the salary and just give up less. Sox dump Ozzie, Marlins sign Ozzie as new manager. Cubs trade Z, Colvin, cash and prospects for Logan Morrison and Ricky Nolasco (possibly expand prospects and deal to take on Hanley?) =D>. Sign Wilson/Fielder, try to keep Rammy(if no hanley) plan B/C being Cuddyer or the Flaherty/Baker combo worst case. Dump Soriano Best Case: SS Castro CF Jackson 1B Fielder 3B Ramirez(Aramis or Hanley) LF Morrison C Soto RF Byrd 2B DJ Lemahieu Wilson, Garza, Dempster(if he stays), Nolasco, Wells/Cashner I would definitely dig into Nolasco and Morrison together that could be a great way to improve the club without adding too much payroll.

Ramirez is staying..... He is too lazy to move. :hello: In all seriousness I think he will be back, if any of the mention GM's come in I believe they will be too smart to leave such a gaping hole in the offense. I also believe the Cubs will bring Pena back(I want Fielder/Pujols as much as anyone.) My view is the Cubs will target 2 starters via free agency (Wilson and a Vasquez type guy) and will move prospects to right field production. A few names I think the Cubs should keep an eye on are Ethier, Swisher, Kubel (obviously a LF option if Sori is dumped). If they are determined to trade Z for a bad contract Bay is a guy that might be an option. I think the Cubs should go after Wandy via trade if he is available. Hope you are back Rammy.

Could do a lot worse but honestly, Theo, Freidman, Cashman, Cherrington, Hahn better all have said no before the Cubs look this direction. However if Ricketts is taking consultation from Gillick this may make sense.

Glad to see Gaub coming up I think he should be a solid bullpen arm next year.

This. Add in Steve Stone somewhere in the front office and I may just run into high speed traffic.