vance_the_cubs_fan

I think there's a strong liklihood that Rusch retires this offseason.

1. Any stat is worthless on a Monday. :evil: :wink: 2. Yes I remember Lieber with the Cubs. :D 3. In two weeks, I'll really start to miss Fred's stats. Thanks for an outstanding job. You do know that there really isn't a Fred, right? It's just the name Tim gave his computer. Are you suggesting Tim's computer drives a truck?

What will you trade me for Gates?

I could live with that trade. The Cubs would have a rotation of: Zambrano, Hudson, Prior, Hill + ? (Guzman, Ryu, Mateo...). The Cubs would need to sign a 2b better than Cedeno, but there are enough on the market. Jones, Lee, and Ramirez would make a formidable middle of the order.

I always love my trips to Wrigley.

I second the opinion of TT.

I'd pick up Glen. Even when TO returns, Glen will be the deep threat. I'd drop Gado. I don't think he helps you much. I'd keep starting Brady unless New Orleans has a favorable match-up like they did this past week.

The defending champion will have to claw his way out of an 0-2 hole to defend his title. Bye weeks start in week three, so things start to get interesting.

If we could get Lugo signed rather than Pierre, Pie's position for the next 10 years won't be blocked. There's your lead off guy. Either Izturis or Lugo can play SS or 2nd. But I can easily see Hendry viewing Soriano as a lead-off man, negating the need to pay for Pierre's services. If Soriano is signed to play second, I don't see Hendry going after Lugo. He'll have his SS in Izturis, and I think if Soriano is brought in, it will be to play secondbase.

Here is a payroll implication of my proposed moves. C Barrett- 4.5 million 1b Lee - 13 million 2b – Soriano (signs 5/70 deal)- 14 million SS Izturis – 4 million 3b Ramirez- 13 million (4/52 extension) LF Murton- 350 K (est) CF Pie- 330 K RF Jones- 4 million SP Zambrano- 10 million (est) SP Schmidt (4/45- structured 10,11,12,12)- 10 SP Prior 4.5 million (est) SP Hill 350 K SP Marshall/Mateo/Marmol/Ryu/Guzman- 350 K Bullpen: Dempster (5 million), Howry (4 million), Eyre (3.5 million), Ohman (1 million- est), Wuertz (350 K), and Aardsma (350 K) Bench: Soto- 330 K Theriot- 330 K C. Wilson (2 year 7.5 million contract)- 3.5 Pagan – 350 K DeRosa (2 year 4.5 million contract)- 2.25 That’s a total payroll of 99.76 million. There will be a few other additons that push it just over 100 million, escpecially adding in money we will pay to Rusch. If the Cubs push the payroll to 105-107 million range, there would be enough money to pursue Edmonds or Cameron for CF. I think this roster is very doable. I'd like someone to run a simulation and let me know if that line-up would be strong enough.

This is pretty much my ideal lineup, Vance. I agree that saving money by playing Pie in CF allows the Cubs to upgrade SP (which is very much needed). Make sure Jones has a nice platoon partner, and make sure you have someone on the bench who can play CF in case Pie completely bombs. I'd probably change the batting order, but that's not really a big concern for me. Now, if Soriano could/would play CF, that would absolutely be a great way to go. I just don't see that happening. I'll run payroll figures later when I don't have a class, but signing Soriano for second and letting Pie be the CF, here is a possible roster(bolded are FA aquisitions): C Barrett 1b Lee 2b Soriano SS Izturis 3b Ramirez Lf Murton CF Pie RF Jones SP Zambrano SP Schmidt SP Prior SP Hill SP: Marshall/Guzman/Mateo/Marmol Bench: Soto C Theriot 3b/SS/2b C. Wilson 1b/RF Pagan OF Mark Derosa 3b/ss/2b/of Bullpen: Dempster Eyre Howry Wuertz Ohman Aardsma There is still depth for SP as there will be four guys sent to Iowa in whichever is not the fifth starter. Furthermore sending Novoa to Iowa will allow for some bullpen depth as well. Cedeno also isn't included in the above either. He could be on the major league bench or sent to get at bats in Iowa. This roster should be affordable. There's some limited power on the bench and the bench still has some versatility. On another avenue, if money were available and Pie is deemed not ready, I wouldn't hesitate to explore Mike Cameron as an option for CF or to look at Edmonds if the Cardinals decline his option.

I'm not doubting that Cain is a keeper. At 21 years old, he's immensely talented. That being said, he's not a true Cy Young contender.

Bears 17, Vikings 13.

But ultimately, he still doesn't have the production of a number of other pitchers. I'm not saying or arguing that Cain should win the Cy Young award. But I just don't agree at all that he shouldn't be in the discussion. If I had a vote, Carpenter would get it. Look at some of the other guys that have been mentioned: Truffle brought up Cain's 3.75 ERA as reason Cain shouldn't be in the discussion. Ok, so then why did you, vance mention Smoltz (3.71) in PRC and Capuano (3.66) in WS. DKWG mentioned Derek Lowe (3.77). KingCubsFan said Cain didn't deserve it but mentioned Brad Penny (4.04). And as I stated earlier, Cain has the second best OPSA in the National League, with Carpenter being the only pitcher better than Cain. Again, I'm not saying Cain should win it but saying he shouldn't even be in the discussion is ludicrous. I only mentioned Smoltz and Cap in listing the stat to show Cain is not among the top five in those categoires that attempt to be comprehensive. I didn't offer commentary. I don't think Capuano or Smoltz belong in the discussion either. The discussion in my mind should involve Carpenter, Webb, Oswalt, and Arroyo with Zambrano meriting outside mention. Anyone else can get a mention as an also-ran. When taking the pitcher's entire performance in totality, these are the ones that have performed the best this season. Not only is Cain not in the top five of PRC, he's not in the top ten. He's also not in the top five of pitching WS either. When looking at composite stats, Cain doesn't belong. For those who want a less Saber approach, He's not among the top ten in ERA, wins, or strike-outs and barely cracks it with WHIP. I understand his numebers look good in some categories, but he's not among the top ten is the more comprehensive saber categories, nor is he in the top in the traditonal categories. He may be one of the top fifteen pitchers in the NL this year, but I don't see how anyone could think he's among the top five which would be needed to merit including him in the Cy Young discusion...unless you want to include fifteen pitchers in that discussion.

But ultimately, he still doesn't have the production of a number of other pitchers.

Top Five in PRC 1. Carpenter 2. Arroyo 3. Webb 4. Oswalt 5. Smoltz Top 5 in Pitching WS 1. Carpenter 2. Webb 3. Arroyo 4. Oswalt 5. Capuano I just don't see how Cain even merits mention within the discussion.

I'd say LA has a leg up on keeping him. I wouldn't be surprised to see him in SD either.

Yeah...I realized that too late.

Well, I'm done. Just not enough points this week.

Forgive me if I'd like the extra 70 points or more in OPS that Dunn would bring. I like Murton, but if the Cubs can improve by adding Dunn, I'd certainly make the move.

Carpenter leads the league in PRC, and it's really not all that close. I'd have to give him the award based on that. Carpenter also has a narrow lead over Webb in pitching win shares.

Furthermore, I'd be tempted to let Pie play CF if Soriano is signed. 2b Soriano LF Murton 1b Lee 3b Ramirez RF Jones C Barrett CF Pie SS Izturis That's not a horrible line-up. Use the excess money to sign Schmidt for the rotation.

Ideally, Soriano would hit lower in the order. But if having Soriano leading off means we can have a player like Edmonds in CF, I could live with Soriano leading off because frankly position in the batting order is less important than having talented players in the order to begin with.

The Panthers look bad without Smith in there. Their chances in the NFC are slipping away.

Soriano is also known as a lead-off hitter. Personally, I feel a team is wasting his SLG and his OBP is not ideal for lead-off, but many teams see him as just that. If Hendry signs Soriano, he may feel he has his lead-off hitter and go in another direction at CF instead of Pierre. As much as I despise him, what if Hendry were able to get Sori for 2b and then Edmonds for CF. 2b Soriano LF Murton 1b Lee CF Edmonds 3b Ramirez RF Jones C Barrett SS Izturis That would be quite a potent line-up provided Edmonds is over his concussion problems.