Which is a bigger priority for 2010

1. Add speed - leadoff hitter

2. middle of the order RBI hitter

I would say we could use a speed/stolen base player to lead off - I think we can get this player in CF or possibly at 2b. If we stick with Fukudome or Theriot as a leadoff option we still need speed.

If you look at the 5 years Soriano had before the Cubs he had at least 90 RBIs and twice over 100 RBIs. If he gets back to his 30+ HR power he is fine in the 5 hole.

I would still rather have another non-headcase middle of the order hitter. I know some might not think of Theriot and Fukudome as the ideal 1-2 hitters, but I would settle for them if we had Lee, Ramirez, Soriano, and player X (not necessarily in that order) batting 3-6 and hopefully a revived Soto.

Theriot and Fukodome find a way to get on base, and that's the job of 1-2 hitters. If they're geting on base at a .350 .OBP rate, we need guys to bring them home. If we could add someone like Roberts or Figgins, of course we'd be deeper and better off. In the reality of our current situation, we will be lucky to get prospects or a role player in exchange for Bradley; so, we are not likely to have the added payroll to take on an over-priced Figgins. We aren't likely to trade Vitters and 2 other high-ranked prospects for Roberts. What we are looking at is trying to trade Bradley without having to pay more than $5M a year on his contract and maybe get something back for him (it appears Texas is open to his return... stay tuned). If Bradley is traded, we need to add the best player we can, be he a high.OBP speedster or a #6 hitting RBI man. With our resources being only moderately flexible, we're going to need to get a FA deal or give up prospects for the likes of Hermida in Florida or Teahen in KC. I don't expect to see a superstar added in this off-season.  We'll se what Mr. Henry can swing.

It is estimated the Cubs have 8 million to spend and hopefully more after the Bradley trade. I think the Cubs need to look at making at least 1 trade to fill needs.

For example to fill CF

You could trade with Colorado - They have 2 CF's - Fowler / Gonzalez

You could trade with Oakland - They have 2 CF's - Davis / Sweeney

You could trade with Tampa - They have 2 CF's - Upton / Jennings - One of minors top prospects - played AAA

Trading for a CF gets you the speed and defense needed. It also gets the team a liitle younger without adding much payroll.

I guess the bigger question is who can you trade that those teams want?

If the Cubs could land Upton in a deal, that would be quite a coup for our OF. We need to add someone who can cover gound out there, and Upton is quite good at that. A lot, of course, depends on the Milton Bradley situation.  A good artile on it came out today:

http://www.chicagobreakingspor...eep-coming.html

One thought I had is involving Texas... The Rangers option on Kevin Millwood kicked in in September, so they're on the hook for a hefty salary (1 year).  I wonder if Bradley and Fuld, alond with cash considerations, would be something that could be worked out. Lilly will likely miss April (or more) due to his surgery (he's shut down for 4 months before he can begin throwing again).  Adding Millwood would be a meaningful acquisition, not merely a "dump job," and would give us a class A free-agent leaving at the end of 2010. It's worth exploring.

We can take Abreu off the potential wish list. 2yrs, $19M back with the Angels

mindbodyspirit wrote:

Theriot and Fukodome find a way to get on base, and that's the job of 1-2 hitters. If they're geting on base at a .350 .OBP rate, we need guys to bring them home. If we could add someone like Roberts or Figgins, of course we'd be deeper and better off. In the reality of our current situation, we will be lucky to get prospects or a role player in exchange for Bradley; so, we are not likely to have the added payroll to take on an over-priced Figgins. We aren't likely to trade Vitters and 2 other high-ranked prospects for Roberts. What we are looking at is trying to trade Bradley without having to pay more than $5M a year on his contract and maybe get something back for him (it appears Texas is open to his return... stay tuned). If Bradley is traded, we need to add the best player we can, be he a high.OBP speedster or a #6 hitting RBI man. With our resources being only moderately flexible, we're going to need to get a FA deal or give up prospects for the likes of Hermida in Florida or Teahen in KC. I don't expect to see a superstar added in this off-season.  We'll se what Mr. Henry can swing.

Well, the options I listed above are pretty much gone.  The Red Sox just traded for Jeremy Hermida and a deal in principal has been reached between the Royals and White Sox for Mark Teahen.  Me thinks Mr. Hendry needs to start ASAP before all of the available young, lower-priced options are off of the table.

Links:  http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/...my-hermida.html

            http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/...-white-sox.html

Off season priorities -

1. Trade Bradley - Until he is moved you will not know how much money you have to spend - plus you may fill a need with the player received in the trade

2. Get a CF - Fukudome much better defensively in right.

3. Get 2b - I'm not comforatable with a Baker / Fontenot platoon. Both better bench players

4. Get veteran starter - With Lilly missing at least 1 month the need has increased

Would Ankiel be to much of a risk to sign for CF to platoon with Reed or Fuld? Fuku could reamain in RF where everyone seems to say his defense is better. I think Ankiel has a chip on his shoulder, is a LH stick that has some power. With Lilly missing some time wouldn't it be better to give a young guy some innings early in the year instead of running out and spending money on a veteran guy?

cubfan234life wrote:

Would Ankiel be to much of a risk to sign for CF to platoon with Reed or Fuld?

Ankiel is coming off bad year, below avg fielder and represented by Boras. I would pass. I doubt the Cubs resign Johnson due to concerns with bad back.

Fuku could reamain in RF where everyone seems to say his defense is better. I think Ankiel has a chip on his shoulder, is a LH stick that has some power. With Lilly missing some time wouldn't it be better to give a young guy some innings early in the year instead of running out and spending money on a veteran guy?

They will already be starting 2 young pitchers - Wells and Gorzelanny (taking Harden's spot)

I'd rather keep Marshall in the bullpen and I have not seen Samardzija show offspeed pitches or control to be a starter.

Who do you want starting while Lilly is out ?

cubs2007 wrote:

cubfan234life wrote:

 

Would Ankiel be to much of a risk to sign for CF to platoon with Reed or Fuld?

 

Ankiel is coming off bad year, below avg fielder and represented by Boras. I would pass. I doubt the Cubs resign Johnson due to concerns with bad back.

 

Fuku could reamain in RF where everyone seems to say his defense is better. I think Ankiel has a chip on his shoulder, is a LH stick that has some power. With Lilly missing some time wouldn't it be better to give a young guy some innings early in the year instead of running out and spending money on a veteran guy?

 

They will already be starting 2 young pitchers - Wells and Gorzelanny (taking Harden's spot)

I'd rather keep Marshall in the bullpen and I have not seen Samardzija show offspeed pitches or control to be a starter.

 

Who do you want starting while Lilly is out ?

My point on Lilly being out is why go spend money on a vet when you have in house people that can start. I would rather had Samardzja start in April and see if he has what it takes rather than have an over priced vet. When Lilly comes back just where would that vet go? Ankiel is a below defender? From what I have seen with my eyes he covers the field and has a cannon for an arm, but you probably have some BS stat to throw out there. If it isn't Reed then it will be Fuld huh? Or Colvin? Doubt it.

They will already be starting 2 young pitchers - Wells and Gorzelanny (taking Harden's spot)

I'd rather keep Marshall in the bullpen and I have not seen Samardzija show offspeed pitches or control to be a starter.

Who do you want starting while Lilly is out ?

Gorzelanny hasn't been given the 5th spot in the rotation yet, and still will have to beat out Marshall and Samardzija. Still just because Lilly might miss a few weeks of the season next year isn't going to make them change there plans much. Because Lilly will most likely be back and be pitching by late April, and if you bring in a veteran starter. Then what happens to Gorzelanny, Marshall and Samardzija when that happens since the veteran probably won't be losing his rotation spot?? Also if you think the Cubs now see Marshall as just a reliever your silly. Yes he has been better as a reliever, but when he's capable of starting and possibly being a solid bottom of the rotation guy. Your almost wasting him as a LH specialist, because LH specialist are alot less expensive then 4th and 5th starters. Last season the Cubs didn't need him in the rotation because Wells pitched so well, and needed help in the bullpen. But I'm pretty sure he will be in the rotation mix next season, and have a chance to win the 5th spot or fill in for Lilly. While it's possible the Cubs might bring in another starter, it will probably be some guy coming off a crappy year and trying to win a job and probably not anybody good. Because remember when reporters asked Lou about Harden, he pretty much said they didn't have a spot for him because they had Gorzelanny, Marshall and Samardzija. So that should tell you the rotation is just about set and only guy they might bring in is someone crappy or very very average on a minor league deal or at very low cost. In which they will probably do now with Lilly out early in the year, but Gorzelanny, Marshall and Samardzija will still probably be ahead of him on the depth chart going into spring training.

Is the info we're receiving on Lilly "worst case scenario" as far as time frame? I mean the guy had an arthroscopic procedure done. I've never heard of someone getting scoped be out that long. Its not like they did a reconstructive job. Plus, given Lilly's strong character, I'm sure he'll be throwing by the end of ST.

Plus they said it would be four months.  Now if I do my math right 4 month would make it Feb.  That is before spring training starts.

cubfan234life wrote:

My point on Lilly being out is why go spend money on a vet when you have in house people that can start. I would rather had Samardzja start in April and see if he has what it takes rather than have an over priced vet.

If your confident that Wells and Gorzelanny/Marshall/Samardzija are good for 20+ wins then I would not bother signing a vet. But you never have enough starting pitching - Zambrano, Lilly, Dempster, Harden were all on the DL last year. I'd feel better with a veteran that has a proven track record.

When Lilly comes back just where would that vet go?

When Lilly returns you leave the vet in the rotation. You could move the rest back to the bullpen or minors.

Ankiel is a below defender? From what I have seen with my eyes he covers the field and has a cannon for an arm, but you probably have some BS stat to throw out there.

I'll let you read the stats for yourself. You been drinking with SomeDayWay ? You are getting his attitude.

http://www.fangraphs.com/stats...amp;position=OF

If it isn't Reed then it will be Fuld huh? Or Colvin? Doubt it.

Fuld is a 4th outfielder at best. Colvin will be in the minors where he belongs. They need to trade or sign CF

SomeDayWay wrote:

They said the same thing about Wood. Shoulders are fickle things. Very tricky, even more then an elbow. I rather go in like 2007/2008 with too much starting pitching then not enough like 2006. They need to go out and get a solid starter. We don't have a lot of holes but the ones we do have (2nd, CF, Mid-Rotation Starter) have to be fix correctly

I agree with everthing you say in your post. I can't wait until we trade Bradley so we can move forward in filling 2B, CF and a mid rotation starter. Trades are already happening and hopefully we can make moves before they miss out a player that is a good fit.

cubs2007 wrote:

cubfan234life wrote:

 

My point on Lilly being out is why go spend money on a vet when you have in house people that can start. I would rather had Samardzja start in April and see if he has what it takes rather than have an over priced vet.

 

If your confident that Wells and Gorzelanny/Marshall/Samardzija are good for 20+ wins then I would not bother signing a vet. But you never have enough starting pitching - Zambrano, Lilly, Dempster, Harden were all on the DL last year. I'd feel better with a veteran that has a proven track record.

When Lilly comes back just where would that vet go?

 

When Lilly returns you leave the vet in the rotation. You could move the rest back to the bullpen or minors.

Ankiel is a below defender? From what I have seen with my eyes he covers the field and has a cannon for an arm, but you probably have some BS stat to throw out there.

 

I'll let you read the stats for yourself. You been drinking with SomeDayWay ? You are getting his attitude.

http://www.fangraphs.com/stats...amp;position=OF

If it isn't Reed then it will be Fuld huh? Or Colvin? Doubt it.

 

Fuld is a 4th outfielder at best. Colvin will be in the minors where he belongs. They need to trade or sign CF

Your reminding me of my wife when her "friend" visits, you constanly find stuff to complain about and talk in circles. You love your stats, I like watching the game. There is no reason for a veteran pitcher to be brought in, even if Lilly misses 3-4 starts it is not the end of the wprld and would give a young guy some innings and experience. I would hold off on a starter until the trade deadline if we are even in the race.

cubfan234life wrote: Your reminding me of my wife when her "friend" visits, you constanly find stuff to complain about and talk in circles. You love your stats, I like watching the game. There is no reason for a veteran pitcher to be brought in, even if Lilly misses 3-4 starts it is not the end of the wprld and would give a young guy some innings and experience. I would hold off on a starter until the trade deadline if we are even in the race.

1. Lilly could miss more then that.

2. You already need a another starter because of Harden's departure.

3. You cannot expect Wells to pitch like he did mid-season. The guy we saw early in his starts and late is the guy you should expect. He is at best a 5th starter.

4. Marshall should really not be used as a starter because he is too valuable down in the pen.

5. Gordz is very medicore at best and should be used only as a swing man.

6. It's not like our remaining guys are bulletproof. Both Big Z and Dempster have a history of injury problems. What if one of them go down for a while with Lilly on the shelf as well? Now your really screwed and the season hasn't even started really.

7. So tell me why again you don't think we need another starter?