Cubs Fan Dan

Cashner all the way.. The Cubs should be able to get a solid middle innings guy for Gorzelany. Use Cashner in the 5 spot and occasionally spot start Silva or Coleman to keep inning totals at a reasonable level.

Thank you baby jesus! Please delete this thread so I do not have to think about it.

I am not trying to be negative or discredit you, but what station did you hear this on? Flipping back and forth between 670 and espn1000 I have heard nothing on this, not to mention seeing nothing online.

I would not barf a fart yet, apparently nobody else has picked up on this "significant move". Kotsay will not get a 2 mil deal.

I guess I just do not agree with this statement because Garza is a Cub for the next 3 years. I agree, Hendry needs to win right now, however I do not think this trade is going to cost the Cubs that much in the future. If Guyer turns into a starting OF, Lee reaches the "jose reyes" peak, and Archer becomes bonafide #2 than yes this hurts bad... But if in the end the Cubs give up a 4th OF, a Middle rotation starter, and a high average low power SS, than I think it ends up as a win win for both sides.

This makes no sense... the Cubs already have 2 left handed corner outfielders, even if Fukudome is traded Snyder could produce at the shitty level Kotsay does.

Unless Pena has an unbelievable year, I can't see the Cubs offering arb to him, in fear he'd accept. If the Cubs miss out on Fielder or whoever next offseason though, they may not have much of a choice, but to keep him anyway. As far as Dempster goes, I can't see him leaving here early. It's his option, not the Cubs. In fact, part of me is worried we'll give him an extra year or two on top of that. As far as the Pac Rim goes, I'm waiting to see where the Boras client(Sung Hyuk Han) is going to sign. To me, he's a "must get" for us. We get anyone of importance over there as it is, so we better land him, even if he's going to cost quite a bit more than what we're used to paying out for Int FA's. I think if Pena bounces back than you have to offer him arbitration, he is using this as a platform year, he has basically stated a big year for him and he can look for his multiyear deal. If Dempster continues his success I cannot see him not trying to take advantge and grab a deal similar to Ted Lilly. He is more likely to opt out and the Cubs not offer him a deal than to take a year deal from the Cubs.

The Cubs have solid draft position this year and could potentially get type a status from Pena and possibly Dempster correct? If so they can make up the loss of Archer and Lee fairly quick. Not to mention they continue to scout the Pacific Rim better than anyone else.

True, but Dempster had easily the best year of his career at age 31. It does happen. I think the positive hear is the division change, I think Garza could improve his WHIP and lower his ERA to low-mid 3's. Not to mention that like big Z he is capable of shutting anyone out on any given day, which makes things hard to predict but gives you better hope in matchups versus pitchers like Carpenter, Wainright, Greinke and Gallardo.... Not to mention in a 5 game playoff series.

I do not mind this trade, it does spark excitement for this season however there are a couple things that bother me about this trade. 1: Losing Archer 2: Most likely putting Cashner in the pen 3: Koyie Hill will back up while Castillo sticks @ AAA. Archer hurts to lose and the organization has lost some depth for sure, however they have decent draft position this season and could gain some supplemental picks following this year if Demp opts out and Pena bounces back. I think Cashner needs to be given every shot at the 5th spot, the Cubs did not seemed to be worried about LHP they want the best pitchers in their rotation. Hill should have no spot on this team and the fact this improves his chances makes me nautious. Maybe I am biased but I think Garza, Demp and Z is a much better 1-2-3 than people will give them credit for on a national level. I also believe Wells benefits from this as he will match up versus a lot of back of the end startes in the NL central (which most of the NL central rotations lack depth). The Cubs rotation is the deepest in the NL Central and if the Cardinals / Reds do not get repeat performaces from players like Arroyo amd Jaime Garcia than this will push the Cubs right into contention. The non related factor is the offense, the rotation will be better but this entire teams' success relys on Ramirez and Pena bouncing back atleast to their career averages. I like the bullpen and I would look into Gorz for O'Day (something along those lines) just to keep Cashner in the rotation.

If Demp and Pena have bounce back years will they possibly net the Cubs supplemental picks? Or does Demp opting out give the Cubs nothing? Just wondering if Hendry may be more aggressive hoping they will have more picks in 2012 draft.

Yea this will be the trade that never happens...

No way Castro is included, keep in mind according to sources the Cubs would not include Cashner, Jackson, Archer or Castro in a deal for Adrian Gonzalez, i doubt any of them are included for Garza. My guess is IF this even happens it will be: Chirinos Lee Guyer Carpenter

He's been quoted saying hed have no problem being moved to DH/utility for Beltre. I am not a big fan of Michael Young, that being said... This very possibly could be a match for Soriano, Cubs could eat roughly 4 million a year to make up the difference in the extra year and take Young back, this would fill the Rangers DH spot and not create a log jam of infielders. The Cubs could slide Young to second, open up LF for Colvin/Guyer and it frees up payroll a year earlier. Offensively Soriano and Young are a wash, although I would put Sori ahead of Young slightly in potential. I would maybe even make the package sweeter just to open up LF for the next 4 years.

I'm not saying Lee will get another multi-year contract, but his down year last year was a result of a bad thumb. Now that he's healthy combined with playing in the AL and at Camden Yards, he could surprise a lot of people. Camden yards may help him but the AL East pitchers are much tougher than NL Central pitchers. Are they? Yes I have heard they never cry and walk barefoot over hot coals.

Not going to happen.... Not enough playing time for him on this team.

The cubs can definitely contend, you could argue that they are better in every category other than starting rotation when it comes to the Cardinals. The argument could be made that position by position the Cubs are deeper and stronger than the Reds, and the Brewers have a questionable bullpen and a horrible bottom of the order. The Cubs however have a decent rotation, should have a much better lineup providing Ramirez and Pena hit their career averages, and a very strong bullpen. There are a ton of questions for every team in the Central. With all of the money coming off of the payroll after this season you give it one more try by taking some risks on players like Pena, keep your top young players and see what happens.

I guess my confusion is how is the ball in Beltre's court? there are MAYBE 3 teams who are trying to get him and none of which are going to go 6 years... Seems to be one free agent every year who waits until late january to sign because he refuses to be realistic.

Who are these starters? I'd say Garza, Dempster and Z I agree, all three of those guys are very good, when they are on. My quote was under hanks name up there... Yes i am referring to Demp, Z and Garza... Any of those guys can beat any other teams' best pitcher on any given day, if you argue that than you obviously have not watched these 3 guys pitch. The are definitely more inconsistent, which is why they are considered true #1 starters, but they are capable of matching up.

I'm not sure exactly how big that "if" is, but I don't think it's small. Love to be wrong, though... Its not like Woods a sure thing either. True. Sad, but true. But we have John Grabow and Jeff Suckmardjiza too!!! All kidding aside the bullpen should be just fine if Wood can stay healthy, anything Angel gives us is a bonus, still would not surprise me if Jim moves Gorz and trys to pick up one more solid BP arm.

Is the Brewers bullpen very good or are they relying heavily on Axford to repeat his success?

I know Hendry has flown under the radar a lot of times and I understand the Rays are probably bluffing by saying they will not trade one of their starters, but I am not sure a Garza deal gets done without overpaying, nor do I think it gets done at all. I think we are looking at: Demp, Z, Wells, Silva/Gorz, Cashner. That being said, if the Cubs get Garza they have 3 pitchers who are capable of matching up with the powerhouse #1 starters on any given day. That combo would not be underwhelming at all in fact it would put the Cubs close behind the Cards and Brewers. Add in the Cubs pen and I think the Cubs will be the dark horse division winner.

If he can put up numbers similar to last season he definitely serves a purpose on a major league bench.

I have not followed the A's much but does anyone wonder why there has been little to zero interest in Duchscherer?

I am not worried at all I really do not care what the Cubs sign him for as it is pretty much a lock to be a 1 year deal. Guarrantee him more money please, just get him because if his agent is even close to correct and he can make 30 starts, he will be well worth it.