Can Ankiel still be optioned to AAA if we get him. He was one hell of a pitcher before he got into the Escasy scene in St.Louis (second largest to Boston and people wonder how this city ranked so high in most dangerous). He has a good bat and an incredable arm in the field. Would love for him to come here and succeed. That would piss off cardinal fans so much. People down here talked him up like he was the next clemens.

Welcome Will and DL!

Jim, on Hamilton david is right he is returned to the Devil Rays. The Cubs received cash from the Reds for Hamilton.

I have not heard any rumors about moving Murton. Hendry said during the meetings that Murton was not going anywhere.

Aaron, interesting thought on Ankiel.

I am stuck down in St. Louis and a buddy of mine said that he has heard rumors about Murton going in a deal to Tampa for a CF. I really hope this is not true. Has anyone else heard this?

Hamilton goes back to Tampa Bay and the Cubs retain whatever they received for him.

and does that have any effect on the player we received from the Reds? If Hamilton goes back to Tampa do we give the Reds their player back?

If Josh Hamilton does not make the Reds roster, who gets him? The Cubs or does he go back to Tampa?

Can't remember were I read it but it was a direct quote from Hendry. Marmol is a converted catcher and needs time to develop into a pitcher. Pedro was always a pitcher. He could be a very good pitcher. He needs to learn control. Cubs brass is very high on Marmol.

I think Pie's confidence is already shot. With his numbers last year and his numbers in the winter leagues. He probably should of took the winter off and get away from baseball instead of playing. As far as I know, and I admit that I don't know much about him, but I think this is the first time he has struggled at any level.

I'm a new arrival to chicagocubsonline. I've been looking for an interactive web-site with people who know their baseball. Looks like I have my place, thanks for having me!

No matter what the roster looks like at the beginning, you know that it will change. Very rarely do teams keep the same eight guys all season long. I think guys like Pagan, Murton, Floyd, and Pie can all add great depth. That's what the Cubs need! It would be nice to have a three-headed monster out there, but it is just not going to be the case. I definitely liked hearing the names of Jerome and Dwight, who were a part of my all-time favorite team ('89 NL East champs). Rookie ballplayers keep the opposition off balance, there is no scouting report! My bottom line is this, bring Pie up sooner than later. You want his plate appearances to count when the team is still in the hunt. I know that we all think that the Cubs are a favorite for the division, but we do know that can change with another Eyre-Lee type collision. I just don't want Pie to be another Ty Griffin (you see my infatuation with 1989), who never got a chance to play at the Major League level. They talked about Griffin forever but he never surfaced with the heavy expectations. Pie will hopefully not be another Griffin, but instead, a very solid first year contributor.

Jim, Where did you read that the Cubs think Marmol can develop into a Pedro? Other than the fact that they both throw hard, there is nothing in their careers (comparing through age 24) that suggests Marmol is anything like Pedro. Pedro's minor and major league number at similar ages were far superior to Marmol's. Additionaly, Pedro logged more major league innings by age 22 than Marmol did by age 24. Marmol's realistoc upside is a solid #3 or good #4 ... and that's if all turns out well.

Pagan is a good option for center. He is a solid defender and if he bats towards the bottom of the lineup, he'll do fine. The bottom line is that Pie is not ready. If they bring him up now, I think, that will kill his confidence and ruin him for the future.

Assuming Jones gets traded, which I think he will, i'm scared we'll have a tryout in Center between Pie, Pagan, Theriot, and possibly Floyd. I think Pie needs to earn his spot if he is the opening day starter but this situation reminds me of second base last spring. We all know how that panned out...

I wouldn't be totally against giving Pagen a chance, even though I believe that it would more than likely be a mistake. I see him struggling at bat but would be alright in CF defensively. He could suprise me though. And if I'm right, they could alway trade for a CF at the trading deadline, if their in the running or give Pie a chance.

Young players trying to make a name for themselves(Jerome Walton, Dwight Smith in 89) can be good for at least a year.

Trevor...I agree....look at the Pirates last year, and look at the A's with Mulder, Zito, and Lilly at one time....even the Brewers last year at times had 3 lefties. It's not necessarily a bad thing. Oh, and btw....I think it'd be a big mistake to trade both Marshall and Marmol. I could see Marshall packaged with Jones for a good CF, but does that really make sense anyhow? You'd be blocking Pie there if you did that. Soriano is a lock, and there's no way you give up on Murton, who comes cheap, and is very solid in LF. So basically you'd be committing a colossal mistake trading AGAIN for a 1 year rental like we did for Pierre. If you do anything, you have to sign a veteran, such as Bernie Williams, Darin Erstad, or Steve Finley. While none of those names exactly jump off the page at you, all you really need is a veteran stopgap there until Pie is ready, or to at least give him competition in spring training. Maybe we can use one of those "invites to spring training" on a veteran, much like we used with Grissom, and when he doesn't pan out, you didn't lose anything, and you either give it to Pie if he earned it, OR you make a trade at the end of spring training when rosters are already set.

Also, I mentioned before that I would love the Cubs to take a flier on Rick Ankiel for CF. He's a great athlete, has power, and could ulimately rub it in the faces of the Cards.

The reason why you dont want three lefties is that most lineup have mostly righthanders. A left hander (unless he has really good stuff)is at a disadvantage. Even though, a lefty will force a team to put in there right-handed platoon players that would be playing full-time if they were any good and are usually rusty from lack of play. But over a series,if you have three lefties they can lose that rust and play pretty good.

I can see your point but that is the reason why.

Trevor I agree. If you can win and get the job done I don't care if you throw with your feet.

Why would it not make much sense to have three lefties in the rotation? Not saying it's something to shoot for but I don't know why you try to avoid it.

Ronny will be fighting for a spot in ST.

i keep seeing izturus at ss. Are they giving up on cedeno????

I hope they don't trade Marshall, but if they don't, they could wind up with 3 lefties in the rotation. Hill, Lilly and Marshall. That doesn't seem to make much sense.

I hope they don't trade Marshall, but if they don't, they could wind up with 3 lefties in the rotation. Hill, Lilly and Marshall. That doesn't seem to make much sense.

Welcome Will. I also wouldn't mind having Floyd, as long as Murton is the left fielder.

Jim I agree, I also think Pagan is an option, and a good one; major league experience, good speed, good arm, more power than Pierre, basically just a good athlete. Hopefully he makes it tough on Pinella and has a great spring. Man i can't wait till Feb. 14th (and I don't mean so I can buy my wife a gift)

Welcome Will. I think Pagan is an option. I have read that Hendry is not letting Marmol go. They think that he could develop into a Pedro. Marshall has a ton of upside as well. I don't think that we are going to get anyone worth while to play center. I like all the in house options. Last season was Pagan's first and he was playing well until he got hurt. Came back and struggleda bit. He is a switch hitter and has a ton of speed. I think that he is ready to play everyday. I bat Murton second in my MLB 2005 for PS2 and he is batting like .350. Pagan is batting around the .300 mark. So that has to mean they are ready.

Why 05, becasue all the other games suck and EA sports can't make a version anymore except for college and thats not fun.

This early, there isn't gong to be too much trading for a big name with just prospects. Thats a trade deadline move (unless your KC, who know at the startof the season that they are out of any chance of making the playoffs). Teams are attempting, at this point to build a team for the season, not dump salary for prospects. You could possible see Jones and one of those pitchers for a pretty good centerfielder. Or possible both Marshall and Marmol to a team that is desperate for pitching. But they would have to be pretty desperate to give up a good name at center. A good centerfielder is hard to come by. Centerfield had to be a good fielder, good hitter(usually batting average and OBP, stolen bases, homeruns are a plus), and must be fast to cover all that ground in centerfield.

This is also a very dangerous trade possiblility. The cubs could easily get robbed blind on this because they are pretty desperate for a centerfielder.

Pagen is not an option. He would end up hitting .190 for the season and his confidence would be ruined.

Will, thats an option i didn't think of, Murton in the 2nd spot. That could possible work. The only question I would have with it is, would that be too much pressure for him batting that high in the lineup. I guess it depends on who they sign or trade for center. Don't expect a big name for centerfield. I just want a dependable guy, thats all I ask.

I really hope that Hendry could land:

Coco Crisp or Melky Cabrera to play CF. I am not too thrilled about Pie on the club at this point.

If Hendry could land either one our outfield assuming he trades Jones could be:

LF Murton/Floyd

CF Crisp or Cabrera

RF Soriano

The line up:

1 Soriano RF

2 Crisp or Cabrera CF

3 Lee 1B

4 Ramirez 3B

5 Barrett C

6 Murton/Floyd

7 DeRosa 2b

8 Izturis ss

I concur with Brian. With Floyd, Ward, Blanco, Pagan and DeRosa as a super-utility player, the Cubs should have their deepest and most versatile team yet. I love the Floyd signing because the Cubs always go cheap on their bench and it always comes back to bite them when injuries occur. He won't hurt Murton's development, because if Murton produces he'll play everyday. It's up to Murton to continue to improve, but if he doesn't Floyd will be a nice insurance policy.

Hey, I'm new to CCO and think this is by far the best Cubs site i've found. I've been reading for about a month and think the readers here know their stuff.

I agree that Murton needs as much PT as possible. I think he should bat second with his high OBP, as we need people on base before Lee and Ramirez.

Any thoughts on who they might propose to play center for Marshall/Marmol?...

In an offseason that has seen money thrown out the window, I do not mind to add to it with Cliff Floyd. However, I do not want to see him "platoon" with Matt Murton. As per Thomas' article yesterday, we need to let this kid develop. He led the team in batting average last season and is capable of improving his power numbers.

When it comes to Floyd, I would love to have him off the bench, play LF every now and again, spell D Lee at first a few times a month. He could be invaluable and is some more pop off the bench.

Last year, Mabry was the offseason bench signing and we have already improved that with the Ward acquistion. Adding Floyd would add proven depth and major pop. The Mets kept him on their roster even though he could not walk. When he came up against the Cards in Game 7, I was thinking Kirk Gibson all over again.

The point is, I want Floyd, I do not care if it is a expensive purchase, but the bottom line is Matt Murton needs to be an everyday player, that is the most crucial point.