I think we should trade for Roberts and everthing. TOday I heard that lou was going to bat sori at number 2 and theriot at lead off starting friday, I hate the idea of this happeing, but maybe this means roberts is on his way, I hope, and I think FUkudome is an ideal nuber 2 hitter a sori at the five hole. Put theriot at the 7 or 8 hole.

The question is:

Pie/DeRosa/Gallagher/Cedeno/other prospects

or

Crisp/Roberts/Payton

I just don't think roberts is enough of an upgrade at 2nd to warrent gutting our system.

If Gallagher, Cedeno, and Ceda can get Roberts, then I would be more for it. We wouldn't have to give up more to get Crisp in that scenerio.

So we are going to trade Pie, Gallagher, and Cedeno for Roberts? Then get Crisp to play CF in exchange for a few more prospects (Boston Globe reports that the Red Sox have no interest in Marquis)?

Crisp has hit .264 and .268 the last two years since he broke his wrist...

Roberts would be nice leadoff guy, but at the cost of gutting our system? No thank you. The idea is to stay as competitive as possible for as long as possible.

Once we make the playoffs it is a total crap shoot. To say we need to go for it now is absurd. We made the playoffs last year and have a great chance to do it again; without Roberts.

Pie and Gallagher would be very valuable for the next few years if they pan out. Their low cost alone could benefit us in the future. If they don't pan out....then we lost out on a minimal upgrade at 2nd.

If you guys are so bent out of shape to get a leadoff guy so Alfonso can get moved down; how about this lineup:

Fukudome

DeRosa

Lee

Soriano

Ramirez

Soto

Pie

Theriot

P

IF Soriano proves he can't run, Lou might just try this. Fukudome can work counts, get on base, and run a little. DeRosa had a .371 OBP last year and Lee, Soriano, ARam, and Soto would provide a lot of thunder. I think Theriot is better suited for the 8 hole than Pie, but you could switch them.

One more thing, Buying a team has a better chance then developing a team becuase you already know what your players can do. But your team has to be financial stable enough to do it.

I wrote this long book of a posting that I accidently erased with a bunch of good points. and I not going to write it again.

Jim, I see your point, but I disagree.

We need to go for it now. this is our best chance since I've been alive and we might have a two year window, thats it. Pie might end up being a star but we need a star now(keep in mind I paraphrasing my original posting, I would go into more detail but I got to get home)

As far as why we haven't won in 100 years its because of no dedication to doing it. Too busy counting the money they were making. Until now.(once again paraphrasing)

Two ways of winning a world series. Develop a team or buy a team.

We haven't done a good job of developing a team. '84 was accidental at best, '89 too. late 90 early 21st century, Sosa thats it. 2003 is the only year that our developing worked out and was our best chance with Zambrano, Woods, and Prior. And we know how that worked out.

Now that they are trying to sell, they are trying to buy a team.(that they could of done at anytime)

Who knows if the new ownership will be as spend thrifty.

Coco Crisp has been sitting out all spring with another injury. This is the guy you want in CF???? Jay Payton is the other guy. If any of you want to know why it has been 100 years, its all the irrational thinking that comes from not winning. People saying do whatever it takes to win. So what if we do that and don;t win???? Then what???? Stuck with more old players that no-one else wants.

Why is the Cubs higher-ups, and some fans so willing to part with talented prospects for other teams garbage. You say what stars have we traded away i say what stars have we gotton from our top prospects. ARam doesn't count, the pirates got nothing for him. DLee is the only one. My fav one but still. Why does everyone want aging players. All World Series teams are built around a combination of youth and veterans. Losing Pie will hurt more than getting Roberts.

I agree with Joe. We got two top prospects at CF Pie and Colvin. We only need one. As far as Cubs trading their prospects away and them becoming stars. Currently, other than Willis, who is starting to fall apart. I cant think of anybody.

Yes in the past, Lou Brock. But, every team can say that.

Well,

we may disagree on how to get there but we all want the same thing...the Cubs in the Series!!!!

Regardless of any of our speculation, Hendry/Piniella will make the decisions they feel are best and they are paid to do so. I personally think if the only hold-up to getting Roberts is Pie, then you trade him and move on with one of the best lead off men in the majors. Pie will probably be good, but, even at his best he's not that much better than our other options, and I really question that this year he will out perform someone who is a veteran like Crisp, just my opinion.

GO CUBS!!!!!!!!!

I've been a Cub fan for 50 years. Most of those years I could have fielded an all star team from the traded Cubs prospects. Cubs fans (and management) always value other teams players higher than their own. Thats why its been a hundred years!!!!!!!!!

Just curious,

Had anyone heard what Z said about Caridad on a MLB.tv interview with Reynolds? The Dominican speaks fluent Japanese but no English? What's the point of signing an aged Takasu now?

Jim I could not agree with you more. Pie doesn't go anywhere, and I don't think Hendry will do that. I don't see how people think Crisp will be an unpgrade over Pie. Pie is very capable of putting up the offensive numbers that Crisp has put up the last two years, plus he is having a pretty good spring. Pie is younger, has just as good of range, if not better than Crisp, and a much better arm than Crisp. SAY NO TO COCO!!!!

I would NOT be comfortable with a platoon of Payton Fuld/Patterson in CF.

Plus, I am not sure off hand without looking it up, what was our winning percentage with Pie in the lineup last year, if I am not mistaken it was pretty dang good.

As far as getting Roberts, he will add a lot to this years team and it will be great to have him. I think a deal can get done WITHOUT involving Pie.

Great comments Steve. However, Crisp is much better than many fans here are willing to admit.

and we wonder why it's been 100 years since we won a World Series???????

A lot of chatter so far this morning. I'd rather not trade Pie, but if that's what it takes to bring in Roberts than so be it. Roberts would be far more valuable than Pie would this year. If the Cubs get Roberts and Jay Payton, were in GREAT shape. You could platoon Payton and Fuld/Patterson/whoever and still have a SOLID team. I think its a no brainer. Yes, Pie looks like he has a bright future, but I'm tired of waiting. Do whatever it takes to bring a championship to the north side now!!! Worry about next season when we get there.

Oh, and I don't really want Coco Crisp. He's been a headache everywhere he's played. I just see him as an average player with an attitude problem.

Go Cubbies!!!

Maybey for Santana but as good a player as Roberts is he is only going to add 2-3 wins for 2 years (over Derosa). Pie has as much defensive talent as any CF in MLB. If Pie blossoms offensively, it would harken memories of Lou Brock. No trade with Pie in it!

Coco Crisp lost his job last year because he was hurt and now he is hurt again. This is the guy you want in CF????? Apart from some Testicle problems Pie doesn't have the injury history Crisp has and CRISP IS NOT GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Pie is way to much to give up for Roberts. Roberts would help alot but not at that price.

So what happens when Crisp gets hurt again and we are stuck with who in center? Fukudome?

Ryan,

Good comments.

If we keep Pie I do believe he will mature into a very good ballplayer, but, if you are going for a pennant this year, go with the more experience player who has proven abilities at this level. It seems us Cub fans have always been very hesitant about trading prospects and then regretting that decision years later, I call it the Lou Brock hangover. We are so scared about another Lou Brock type trade, well, if you studied all major league teams you would see that all of them have had similar trade fiascos. And anyway, if your trade leades to a pennant this year then so if that young player becomes a star later, you still won now.

I believe there is a very high liklihood that Pie could be traded. We'll wait and see I guess.

Also, given the fact that Soriano, for whatever reason showed up to camp with his quad not at 100%, I think makes it even more prudent that we land Roberts and move him down to 5th in the lineup.

Roberts

Fukudome

Lee

Ramierez

Soriano

Soto

Pie

Theriot

That is a scarry lineup, especially if Theriot can at least work some walks in this year to "flip" the lineup.

I can't see them trading Pie. Not given his potential and the way he's swinging the stick this spring. Plus the fact that he seems to keep Soriano happy when he with the club. Give them five prospects, just don't make one of them Pie.

I agree with Barry.

We have a very good team right now that could become the best in the National League. With the additions of Roberts and Crisp we would have the best blend of defense, speed, and offensive potential in the league.

I have been a Cub fan for over 45 years now, this is as good a team as I have seen going into the season, unfortunately, it could be better with the right moves, I think JH is trying his utmost to make that happen.

Let's not be like Cubbies of the past and be afraid to let an uproven prospect go thinking of future years when that prospect could bring us the final pieces to the puzzle to win it all this year.

Go Cubs, Go Lou, and JH get it done!!!

Matt, we all had, at one point or another, a "Crush" on the Riot. Hell at one point he carried the team but consistency matters and so if I look at things through vanilla lenses I really do not want to see him start.

I do want to say though, I mean how good is life for CUBS fans when we are talking about a lineup that sports three All Stars with the addition of BR!! Our pitching staff, with some questions could become tops in the NL!! I mean the potential is there!!

I know that when some of you (I won't say the names) read this comment you will assert that I am drinking CUBBIE Kool Aid and or looking through my CUBS lenses but we are GOOD!!! I mean really, really good with BR in the mix!! I'm talking possible WS appearance dependant on injuries and and whatnot.

I will end by saying look, every team goes to ST with that candle "lit!!" We will keep the faith until mathmatics forces us to put the fire out. I got it, I understand, let's be realistic this morning. But, I am telling you, the stars have aligned and this will be a back to back Division Championship year. The playoffs always comes down to trade deadlines and pitching ramping up to the the LCS but, I'm telling you all, we are really, really good!! I am somewhat cocky about this team but mainly because of Lou Pinelola and his character. He was the best aqusition of all!!

and again, all or you JH haters need to wake up and smell the coffee!!!

I hear you Matt. But I believe Dero will be the same guy.

Should I feel bad for saying "go ahead and trade Pie for Roberts"? Because this is where Im at, at this point. I want to win now. And I really think 2008 will be better with Roberts/Crisp than with DeRosa/Pie.

Nothing against DeRo. Im worried that he wont be the same guy. I think he'll be the supersub hes always been. But hit anywhere near .300? I dont think so.

And hear me out. My man crush on The Riot aside. I dont think he will hit anywhere near .300 either, so DeRo on the bench with Roberts playing table setter sounds wonderful when you have anyone from Theriot, DeRosa, Lee, Fuku-san, and Ramirez waiting to drive him.

I just really like Roberts, and Ill take him however we can. I'd also like for him to get to Cubs camp as soon as possible where he can adjust to out guys ASAP, as well.