Neuby

Vernon Wells or Andruw Jones in center would like mighty nice with Soranio and Schmidt in the fold.

40/40/40/ from a second baseman or center field next season if fine by me.

I see a lot of trade Dempster and use Wood in a closers role banter about lately. I won't Wood to a bonus to the bullpen next year. I don't want him counted on to the main set up man or the closer , I would prefer to keep Dempster, Howry, Eyre,Wuertz as the core of next years pen. Wood and Marmol could be huge wild cards in next years pen.

The Riot gets on base twice tonight and comes with the Sacrafice. I think he's locked up a spot on next years bench for sure and hopefully he can find his way into the starting lineup a few times a week and can turn into our Ryan Freel.

Girardi has shown he can guide a young team very well, even if it's a talented young team. Girardi is not a yes man and being a former backstop and learning from Zimmer and Torre over the years we could do a lot worse than the re-tread names being tossed around here. It's going to take a lot more than Girardi to make this team a contender but it's a start.

Hopefully they sell quick so the Cubs can hire a new manager and get Ramirez locked up.

I want no part of Wood being the Cubs closer come April. The last thing the Cubs need to do again is count on Kerry Wood or Mark Prior for anything. Prior is the teams fifth starter next season you just can't count on him to be healthy again. If the Cubs bring back Wood as part of a plan to have a dominate pen and insurance if Dempster continues to struggle. Wood Dempster Howry Eyre Wuertz Ohman/Aardasma/Nova New Nasty boys?

CF has to be a place where Hendry can upgrade this offseason. I am in favor of Soranio, Lofton,Roberts,Cameron, Matthews Jr in center field over Pierre. Pierre doesn't get a good read on balls in the outfield and his arm is terrible. All these other options will more than likely cost less than Pierre expect Soranio and provide large upgrades.

I think Dempster can turn it around next season and would prefer to hang onto him . I want Wood brought along slow next season in the bullpen to ensure sucesss. Wood Dempster Eyre Howry Wuertz Ohman Hopefully this dismal season will make the Trib open up the checkbook and bump this payroll up to the 110 millon dollar range. Schmidt , Soranio, and make a deal for Tejeda. Pie , Nova, Izutris,Marshall should get it done. Schmidt Z Hill Miller Prior/Guzman/Marmol/Mateo/Omalley/Gallegher/ For CF Hendry can snag a guy like Kenny Lofton for 2 million or less to man CF until Pie is ready. I think a guy like Mark Mulder is on Hendrys radar with Mulder being from the area Hendry might try to lure him in on an incentive l laden deal.

The cubs will have to make moves before maddux would to return but with Zambrano- back troubles Prior - injury troubles Hill- Can he continue his dominate form a couple times through the league Guzman, Marshall,Mateo, Miller,Marmol, Omalley,Gallegher, are all have ? marks in my book. The Cubs have the money to spend and having a guy around like Maddux who will be around every fifth day is something the Cubs need. Schimdt Zambrano Hill Prior Maddux Its gives the the Cubs some options on trading some young pitching to get some big bats. Schimdt and Maddux along with hop

Anyone else like the idea of Maddux coming to Chicago this offseason at the right price? I think Maddux would welcome a return to the Cubs if Giradi was managing and the team made big moves in the offseason. Schimdt Zambrano Hill Maddux Prior/Miller/Marshall/Mateo/Guzman/Omalley/Marmol The Cubs could use some of there young arms and get 2 big bats that this lineup really needs.

Jim, I think its time to look at door #2. I agree that, if Prior was healthy, he could be better than Zambrano. I think some people have forgotten his comeback in 2005, before he was hit by that line drive. He hasn't been the same since, but if he starts next season healthy, he could be. Still, I don't think anyone is going to guarantee Prior will be productive next year. The problem is, at this point, that argument is academic. Whether or not you believe Prior is coming back, we still could use a good front of the rotation starter. If you write off Prior, we'd need someone to be the number two. We might need a number three also, but since there really aren't enough available impact pitchers to restock our rotation from the market, it doesn't make a difference. I say, they should see what Prior can do next year, and try to improve the rotation regardless. Hendry had better come up with 2 or 3 starters if he's going to fulfill his promise to "fix this thing" in the offseason. What two or three starters could be gotten from the market that would be a substantial improvement over Hill, Marshall, or Miller? That doesn't seem realistic. Hendry is going to have to get very lucky to turn the team around next year. Hendry doesn't need luck to turn this team around, just spend the money. Dave Roberts or Kenny Lofton in center wouldn't a cheap upgrade in center. Schmidt and big Z can anchor a rotation with guys like Guzman,Marshall,Prior, Mateo,Miller. Soraino at second along with a productive bat in left to go with Murton and Jones platonn in right and this team is easily good enough to compete for the central.

The cubs needs to go after a number one or two starter like Schmidt to anchor the rotation. Schmidt Zambrano Meche/Lilly/ Livan Hernandez/ Hill Marshall/Mateo/Guzman/Gallegher/Omalley/ I also hoping Hendry can get Wood signed to a cheap deal to be a possible difference maker out of the bullpen. I also hope he looks into offering local product Mark Mulder a incentive laden deal along with Miller if he pitches well the next two weeks.

I hope Hendry considers what Miller shows the rest of the way and if he shows anything Miller will be worth another look. Wood having sucesss in the bullpen next year would our pen one of the best in game. Mark Mulder would make a nice gamble also. Hendry is going to have to gamble and spend big this offseason to get this team back to the playoffs. I only want the names above if we can also add a top tier starting pitcher this offseason and two big bats.

The only stumbling block will be Hendry pulling off an impact trade. I think he can get Andruw Jones but were gonna get outbid by the Angels for Miggy. Doesn't Wilson also play a pretty soild RF? I thought I remeber him having a really good arm in right and he can serve the role of a third catcher. Hendry needs to gamble on and give some incentive laden deals to Wood Miller Mulder Wood comes back as a RP with a chance to supplement Dempster as closer. Wuertz Eyre Howry Dempster Wood Ohman/Novoa/Guzman/Ardasma/Omalley/ That bullpen is deep and a huge weapon with the right manager.

My bet is that next season Thomas ends up in Minnesota to stick it to Kenny Williams. Could be a monster bat in there lineup next season that might come at a decent price.

Shut him down now and let him get an early start on the offseason.

kind of a strange position to try him at imo with guys like harvey & perhaps pie in the system. if he could handle it 3b would be a better position for him to get a chance. other than moore, i dont see many decent prospects in the cubs system at 3b. Keep Fox behind the plate a catcher that can hit is a huge asset to have. How bad is Foxs defense?

I would love back next year in a role off the bench, if he comes to camp knowing that role hopefully he can get some reps behind the plate and at third base and left field. It would be nice to know we have a third string catcher that we can run out there for a few games that can hit.

If the cubs continue to run Nevin and Mabry out there everyday we run the chance of getting a better draft pick come June. I wish Pagan could play some first , I want Pagan and Murton getting as many at-bats as possible with whats left for the season but Baker will continue to run Pierre and Jones out therer everyday.

Let's not forget that Joe also represented a nation of baseball fans when the Cubs returned to Wrigley post 9/11 and adressed the crowd.

Zambrano Schmidt Prior Marmol Marshall I would really like to give Wood another shot if the deal is for 3 million or less after the Cubs pay his buyout. With the health the Cubs staff have had over the last few years having Wood slotted as the sixth option for your rotation is needed.

The Cubs should jump in and get both Abreu and Lieber. They should be able to package Lieber to another team if they eat all of his salary. Hendry has to get creative to make this team competive for next season it's gonna need to be a good deadline for Hendry in terms of selling of his veterans and hopefully getting some pieces that can help now. Walker Perez Mabry Blanco Maddux Rusch Pierre Jones Nevin All of these guys could interest contedners and Hendry needs to sell these guys off now if not only to get talent in return but also to get the young talent we have a chance to play.

Lovely isn't it? Young pitchers often can not be judged by there numbers at very early stages in there devolpment thats why there's guys out there in baseball land called scouts and GMs. There main job is to evaulate talent and numbers are only one of the many tools they use to measure that talent.

Besides general business ethics, yes, the commissioner's office would most definitely get involved. Maddux to the Dodgers with everyone knowing that if Maddux intends to suit up next season at all it will be as a Cub is more likely.