As the Winter Meetings approach, the Cubs appear focused on acquiring a left-handed bat for right field before trading for Jake Peavy. All indications are that the Cubs and Padres continue to discuss Peavy but until the new ownership is in place there is simply not enough remaining in the budget to add the former Cy Young Award winner to the rotation.
For the second day in a row Milton Bradley was linked to the Cubs by the mainstream media. Ken Rosenthal reported the possibility early on Friday morning and stated other options like Raul Ibanez, Bobby Abreu, Adam Dunn, Jeremy Hermida, Mark Teahen, David DeJesus, Brian Giles and Randy Winn might not be available or the right fit.
Here are the updates from the mill. Plus.... Are the Orioles no longer the third team in the Peavy talks? Is Ronny Cedeno back in the talks for Jake Peavy? Could the Cubs non-tender Chad Gaudin? Have the Cubs asked around about Alfonso Soriano? And possible trading chips Jim Hendry could be heading to Vegas with....
Chad Gaudin
According to a report in the Tribune, "it wouldn't be surprising at all if the Cubs non-tendered" Chad Gaudin. The Tribune brought up Gaudin's mysterious late-night injury toward the end of the season and his 6.26 ERA as reasons the Cubs could part ways with Gaudin.
The former A's starter/reliever seems to be a perfect fit to be Lou Piniella's long man next season, especially if they deal Sean Marshall this winter.
Ronny Cedeno
In the wake of the Padres trading Khalil Greene to the Cardinals on Thursday, a report from the San Diego Union-Tribune focused on the Padres' shortstop woes. Kevin Towers said on Thursday night, "Our best option is probably via trade" to replace Greene. The other option would be a "cheap free agent."
The San Diego Union-Tribune mentioned David Eckstein as an option but stated "the Cubs offered reserve shortstop Ronny Cedeno as part of a package for Padres ace Jake Peavy, and Towers said he will revisit talks with Chicago GM Jim Hendry next week at the winter meetings in Las Vegas."
With Greene out of the picture in San Diego, Jim Hendry might have gained a trading chip for Jake Peavy....and at the same time help out Ronny Cedeno. Cedeno has the tools to be a good shortstop at the big league level, he simply cannot put it together mentally under the pressure of playing on the North Side.
Alfonso Soriano
Dave Kaplan reported a few weeks back that the Cubs called around to gauge interest in Alfonso Soriano....a very surprising comment at the time. But a report on Cubs.com Thursday indicated that one of the "big contracts" the Cubs might unload at the Winter Meetings....Alfonso Soriano. From Cubs.com:
"If anyone is interested, the final six years of Alfonso Soriano's $136 million deal."
Are the Cubs really shopping Soriano? Stay tuned....
Jake Peavy
Of course, what would updates from the rumor mill be without mentioning Jake Peavy? Dave Kaplan talked in between segments and guests on Thursday night about the Cubs quest to trade for Jake Peavy. Kaplan said he made calls about Peavy and called the possible trade "nonsense". Kaplan questioned why the Cubs would trade their best prospect, Josh Vitters, from a farm system that Tim Wilken is trying to rebuild....as well as taking on another huge contract for a pitcher that missed seven starts last year. Kaplan said the addition of Peavy would cost the Cubs $83 million dollars.
Peavy is owed $11 million for 2009, $15 million in 2010, $16 million in 2011 and $17 million in 2012 with a club option for 2013 worth $22 million with a $4 million dollar buyout. That is a guaranteed contract worth $63 million if his option for 2013 was not exercised. But rumors have suggested Peavy would want his option for $22 million picked up to approve a trade, add in the option and the figure owed to Peavy would be very close to what Kaplan reported....
Kaplan was very adamant about the fact he would not make the deal if he were the Cubs. He said he asked Steve Stone about making the trade and Stone said he would not make the deal. Kaplan went on to explain that he talked to two scouts on Thursday and they told him Jake Peavy is a number two pitcher outside of PETCO and not a number one....at Wrigley, according to Kaplan, Peavy would not be an elite number one pitcher.
Sean Marshall is the Cubs 'security blanket' for Rich Harden according to Kaplan. He explained that he heard the framework for the Peavy deal was in place.
Buster Olney discussed the Peavy trade briefly with Charley Steiner on the Baseball Beat Thursday. Olney said the Padres are looking for young athletic players for Peavy, like Josh Vitters. Olney explained that in the post-steroid era teams are looking to be more athletic, especially the Padres in that big ballpark.
In his blog Olney said the discussion between the Cubs and Padres "are essentially on hold at this point, as the Cubs' ownership is being settled." Olney indicated once the ownership situation is solved, "the talks figure to restart." Olney mentioned the same as Kaplan about the framework being in place for the deal and the fact it is centered around Josh Vitters.
Ken Rosenthal reported the Cubs "continue to speak daily" with the Padres about Jake Peavy and the deal still might require a third team....but according to Rosenthal, that third team, "at least for now is not the Orioles."
Adam Dunn
Buster Olney reported that the Cubs would like to have Adam Dunn in their lineup but with Alfonso Soriano in left, Dunn in right would give the Cubs a defensively challenged outfield. Olney said, "There's virtually no chance of their moving Soriano's contract." Dunn has lost 14 pounds already this off-season.
Jeremy Hermida
The Florida Marlins' outfielder has been in and out of the rumor mill all off-season....and on Thursday a report from MLB.com put him right back in. According to the report, the Cubs are one of four teams with Jeremy Hermida on their radar. The other three: the Rays, the Phillies and the Brewers.
Trading Chips?
According to a report on Cubs.com, Ronny Cedeno, Jason Marquis and Felix Pie are "trading possibilities" at the Winter Meetings.
Top Prospects
The Cubs top prospects according to Cubs.com:
- Tyler Colvin
- Josh Vitters
- Angel Guzman
- Mitch Atkins
- Justin Berg
- Rocky Roquet
- Marcos Mateo
Len Kasper
The only news.... According to multiple reports on Thursday, Len Kasper received a contract extension and will remain the voice of the Cubs on the television side through the 2011 season.
Finally.... The CCO added a new feature on Thursday night. Check out the Poll on the right side of the site and place your vote. The poll will change from time to time, but the first is....Should the Cubs include Josh Vitters in a deal for Jake Peavy?
Well, that's the latest....and I'm sticking to it!
Well, the biggest Cub news so far is the 3 year extension for Len Kasper. Nice move.
Commenting from the late night posts yesterday, while Vitters may not "be studly" right now, as mentioned the kid is only 18. He'll still grow, gain strength and mature, and with the right coaching may (and I underscore may) be a solid successor for Aramis Ramirez in a few years. But yet here we go again, giving up on guys like Vitters and Pie.
With a Venezuela league going on presently I just don't get why Pinella and Perry aren't "living" down there, watching, coaching and teaching our young kids in the off-season. I know I've pounded on this previously, but coaching/managing are year round jobs.
While attempting to see a bright light to the 2009 year, the reality is this team has no leaders (outside of perhaps DeRosa and Dempster), no real true chemisty/identity, and a very over-rated and outdated manager. If Lou thinks he saw pressure last year with the 100 year milestone expectation, just wait til this year when 3 million fans turn with bigtime expectations and zero tolerance after two horrendous post-season showings.
Leading into next weeks' meetings I'd go directly ask Derrick Lee which team he would agree a trade to, and then make that happen (for whatever top prospects you can get). Then go peddle Soriano and his mistake of a contract as well as Marquis to who ever will take them, and get some more top prospects.
My lineup would then be:
Johnson LF
Pie CF
Hoffpauer 1B
Ramirez 3B
Soto C
DeRosa/Fk RF
DeRosa/Font 2B
Theriot SS
I'd then add a cheap Edmonds and Randy Johnson, perhaps try to pry a McLouth from the Pirates, start aceclerating the farm system, and say "play ball". I pray we stay away from all these ageing, high priced, over the hill outfield FA's.
Bryan? We would not even make it to our traditional playoff sweep with that lineup. It is nicely set with the righty lefty matchups and I'd sure give a shot to Hoffp...but are you ready to crown him an MLB 3rd hitter? I'm not saying he could'nt be...but you can't just put an unproven guy in the most important slot in the line up.
Also I think we need Soriano. He makes the team win a lot more games than what he makes them lose. I would bat him 5th or 4th and leave him there the whole year to see what he can do. DLEE would bat 6th or 5th.
McLouth would be a dream come true!
Hmm, next week could be pretty interesting.
Once again Neil, thanks for all of the info. Next week could be pretty interesting.
Nick...you're more than welcome.
i would like to know how we have given up on pie. should we just plug him in the lineup and let him continue to struggle and hurt our chances. with pie in center all year, we do not win the central. johnson and jimmie won multiple series for us and pie still struggled in AAA. i think we have given pie multiple chances and he has not taken full advantage of them..
I, for one, would love to see the Cubs move Soriano, but no one is going to take on his contract.
I just don't understand why anyone wants to give up on Soriano. Yes, he has not put up "superstar" numbers in the two years here, but still has but up good numbers. He has had several injuries, including leg injuries that have hampered him.
I think we all noticed at the end of last season he seemed to be over the leg issues. It was very noticeable he wasn't favoring his leg any longer.
That being said, I'm excited to see what he can do for us if he stays healthy all year. He certainly can and HAS carried the club at times in both years with the team.
People bash his defense, and while I'll admit he doesn't look pretty and won't make spectacular plays...he certainly isn't a liability...AND has a cannon of an arm! THAT is a great factor to have in preventing baserunners from challenging. His 29 assists in two years are not too shabby.
Don't think the Cubs can move Soriano's contract, but I think they should focus on Furcal to provide a lefty bat at the top of the order. Move Theriot to 2nd, and DeRosa to RF and platoon at 2nd. Fuku to center w/ Reed Johnson. Add Peavy if possible, 2nd option would be Derek Lowe (postseason experience).
Batting order:
Furcal SS
Theriot 2B
Soriano LF
Ramirez 3B
Lee/Hoffpauir 1B
Soto C
DeRosa RF
Johnson/Fukudome CF
Pitcher's spot
Rotation:
Zambrano
Peavy/Lowe
Lilly
Harden
Marquis/Marshall
If we can move Soriano, go after Matt Holliday!!!!!!
Without being defensive on my comments regarding Pie, but when have we ever given him the opportunity to play 6 of 7 games a week for an extended stretch of time (let's say 2 months), and get him 20-25 bats a week? His opportunities have always been in a limited platoon basis or as a defensive replacement.
The kid is just 23! Lou Brock, Sandberg, Joe Morgan, etc, etc, etc didn't make it big until they got regular playing time, with the confidence that the team/organization was fully behind them and committed to their success.
I agree completely! Pie is just turning 24...and he has NOT been given a chance to play and succeed. In 2007 he had 177 AB's and struggled with a .215 average. He was replaced by Jacque Jones who hit for better average (.285) but had no more power than Pie (5 home runs) and definitely less speed and lower quality defense.
No matter what he hits, he would provide us with EXCELLENT defense it CF and speed on the bases. He needs to be given the every day spot and left alone. Throw Johnson in there against tough lefties and a few other starts to keep Pie fresh and see what happens.
As Bryan mentioned Ryne Sandberg....1984 was when Ryne put everything together and became a star...at the age of......24.
After two unproductive years with the Cubs, Lou Brock was traded to the Cardinals in his third year..at the age of....25......and we all know what happened from there.
Give Pie the job in CF, put him in the leadoff spot....and be done with it.
Joe S.,
Wow, we've agreed a lot more lately...I think it'd be foolish to trade Pie, and it'd be yet another indictment on the Cubs organizational philosophy. If you consider how close the '69 Cubs came to dominating. Imagine now if they had Brock on the team:
Brock-CF
Kessinger-SS
Williams-LF
Santo-3B
Banks-1B
Hundley-C
Beckert-2B
Hickman-RF
AHHHHHHHHH...the dreaming...if you look at that team, however, we had a lot of 30-something hitters, while our pitching rotation was almost like it is now---guys like Holtzman, Jenkins, Hands, and Selma, all hitting their stride at mid 20's.
If you look at similarities, you start seeing the following:
-Banks at 38 yrs old was essentially Lee but with a terrible OBP, yet still getting 23 hr, 106 RBI
-Santo at 29 yrs old was essentially ARAM in all areas, getting .289 avg, .384 OBP, 29 hr, 123 RBI
-Williams at 31 yrs old was essentially Soriano, but better, striking out less, walking more, and slightly better #'s overall getting .293 avg, .355 OBP, 21 hr, 95 RBI
-Hundley at 27 yrs old was close to Soto's #'s, just slightly less at .255 avg, .334 OBP, 18 hr, 64 RBI
-Kessinger at 26 yrs old was almost a mirror image of Theriot outside of avg and OBP at .273 avg, .332 OBP, 4 hr, 53 RBI
-Hickman at 32, was also very similar to Fukudome, with slightly more power at .237 avg, .326 OBP, 21 hr, 54 RBI
***the only difference seems to be the age of Banks vs Lee at 38 vs 32 yrs old. They also did not have quite the depth that we had on our bench with DeRosa, Cedeno, Johnson, Hoffpauir, Fontenot, etc. At 2B they were weak, and CF they were weak, while we had the combination of DeRosa/Fontenot at 2B and we had Johnson/Pie/Edmonds in CF, which was way better than their production...
That being said...here is what happend the following year:
-Hickman switched to 1B, and had a MONSTER year at .315 avg, .419 OBP, 32 hr, 115 RBI
-Santo had a typical Santo year at .267 avg, .369 OBP, 26 hr, 114 RBI
-Williams had a monster year at .322 avg, .391 OBP, 42 hr, 129 RBI, and had an astounding K:BB ratio getting 72 walks vs 65 K's
-Callison filled in admirably for Hickman in RF at .264 avg, .348 OBP, 19 hr, 68 RBI
-Ernie Banks was a part-time player with 12 hr, 44 RBI
Now, why do I bring all these stats up? Well...If the Cubs then were in the league today, they would've probably made the playoffs in '69, '70, and '71 (though, you can't be for certain, since there were fewer teams, etc., so who knows what would've happened...but I'm stating the hypothetical). Anyway, if you look at the way those teams were constructed, it seems very similar to where we're at today.
In all 3 seasons, Jenkins, Hands, and Holtzman were in the rotation, with an addition of Milt Pappas in '70 and '71. All were mid to late 20's at the beginning of the run, much like Zambrano, Dempster, and Lilly at the beginning of our run in 2007. Now, pitching staffs were constructed entirely differently back then with teams relying more on starters than relievers.
My fellow fans, we have a team constructed eerily similar to that of the '69-'71 teams. We have a highly respected manager in Piniella, much like Durocher was. Both were also fiery individuals as well. Additionally, in '71, Santo, Williams, and Hickman had their production cut by nearly 25% each.
I say that, because in year 3 of this so-called run, we have equally aging productive veterans like Lee (Banks/Hickman), ARAM (Santo), and Soriano (Williams). Maybe it's the reverse, where Soriano and Lee have monster seasons like Hickman and Williams did in '70 with 30-40 hr, 110+RBI each....But do you really think that's likely?
Our problem then ('69-'70), as it has also been recently for us since 2003, was a bona-fide leadoff man and a younger power lefty bat. We had Patterson in 2003, then he was injured, and we obained Lofton via trade, which is one of the major reasons we made the playoffs in the first place, not to mention, making the NLCS. So, just as Brock certainly could've helped push those teams over the top, Pie, equally, could provide the same boost for us. It's about time we give him a chance. ALl we need to do after that, is go after a power lefty bat like Dunn, and shore up the pen.
Z, Lilly, Dempster, and Harden, are all capable of 15 wins each, at minimum when healthy. That's 60 wins for 4 starters. If we get Peavy, he'd add about 15 more, raising the total, and at worst, the combination of Marshall/Guzman/Samardzija/Hill/etc., would be able to at least pull off 10 wins if we don't land Peavy.
Last year, if you average the wins of the top four starters, we end up with 15 wins each (I'm throwing in Marquis to that, since we didn't acquire Harden 'til later). Additionally, if you
add the wins of Harden, Hill, and Gallagher, you have 9 wins, and if you factor in at least one of Marshall's 3 wins (since he also pitched in relief), you get 10 wins...That's how those numbers are attainable.
I would do the deal for Peavy ONLY if it did NOT include Vitters or Pie. It just doesn't make good sense for us. If you look at the numbers I presented, then factor in a full year of Guzman, Samardzija, etc. in the pen, and the addition of Gregg (I just vomitted), then you can reasonably expect additionally wins from the pen from each of those guys. Fact is, we don't NEED Peavy, and with the Braves now offering a contract to Burnett, the addition of Vazquez, and their trading of Flowers, it takes them out of the running. Peavy won't go to the AL. The Padres have backed themselvs into a corner as well by trading away Greene, and have been very open about getting Peavy off the books no matter what.
If Hendry overpays when he has all that leverage, then, as I commonly say, he deserves to be fired.
At most, we should offer Marshall, Cedeno, Guzman/Hart, and either Colvin/Welington Castillo.
That's one MLB proven and ready starter, one MLB ready SS, one swingman/starter-type and MLB proven, and one top catching of OF prospect. That's more than a lot of other teams would be willing to part with, but we have the luxury of having guys with proven MLB success that are surplus to us.
Just realized I left out a big hole in the rotation.
Zambrano
Peavy/Lowe
Dempster
Lilly
Harden/Marshall
I don't think the fact that Vitters is the centerpoint for a deal for Peavy means we've "given up" on him either. This is a guy that won the Cy Young a couple years back - you're not going to get him without giving up something.
As I said, Vitters is an 18 year old kid....who knows what he is going to turn out to be. How can anyone say he is a "cant miss"? The guy just freakin got his drivers license a couple years ago...lol
As I also posted last night his stats are limited and hardly make me think oh my god we cant trade this kid....
In 2 years limited time with Rookie Ball and A Ball...he has hit a respectable .290 but with just 5 homeruns. Where is the excitement from that? Where is the can't miss from that?
Not to mention his defense is HORRIBLE. In 69 games at 3B he has 21 errors...his fielding percentage is .897!!
Yes, I know Aramis was a crappy 3B when he came to us (his percentage wasn't THAT low though) and he worked to get better. I understand that. My point is...where is this "great prospect" tag coming from and the fear of trading him. He hasn't displayed power, and he sucks at defense. So, though he MAY improve, the fact that he has these areas that need improvement and that precludes him IMO from being a "great prospect".
I say we forget about Peavy and try for Roberts again. I saw recently where the O's stopped contract talks with Nick Markakis. I know this is premature, the contract talks that is, but I would ask them about Roberts and Markakis. That would fill the need for a speedy lead-off guy and a left handed bat in right field. I doubt the O's would trade Markakis but it would be something worth looking into. I would be willing to trade Vitters and anyone else for those two.
Roberts 2B
Theriot SS
Ramirez 3B
Markakis RF
Soriano LF
Lee 1B
Soto C
Dome/Reed CF
we still would have
Zambrano
Dempster
Lilly
Harden
Whoever
That's quite a pipe dream you have there. Markakis and Roberts!?! Maybe if Hendry decided to sell the Cubs to Angelos for $1 there is a chance.
Bryan, I definitely agree on Pie...as for your lineup...and trades...
The Cubs already approached Lee, and he declined. I think the owners should get together with the MLBPA and hammer out a deal where there's only limited no trade clauses (ie.-you can only be traded to certain teams). I hate this crap about teams not being able to trade their overpriced veterans that are holding the team back from putting a competitive product on the field and getting younger. I understand why it happens...guys are comfortable, their kids are in schools, etc., but fact is, if I didn't live up at my job, I'd be shipped off elsewhere or even fired. Why should they play by different rules? Agents love to say "baseball is a business" when their clients move on from the only team they've ever known chasing the green...I'd tell those same agents to eat shit, because we're getting younger. But anyway....
Contracts that are severely hampering our progress include: Soriano and his $17 million per average, Lee and his $12 million average, Marquis and his $10 million remaining, and Fukudome and his $12 million per average.
That's $51 million for 4 freaking underachieving players.
This is why I can't stand Lee, and I can't stand Hendry. Couldn't Hendry find someone in our minors to put up a line of: .300 avg, .360 OBP, 20 hr, and 85 RBI...Oh, yeah, his name is Hoffpauir, and he costs $400,000....
I mean, that's all he really has to do, is find a taker for Lee, and at the very least, get rid of Marquis, and he could insert Hoffpauir at first, and sign Dunn for LF, and force Soriano to RF if need be...or vice-versa. If Hoffpauir slumps his sophomore season, then at least you have Dunn as a fallback producing about a .250 avg, .400+OBP, 40 HR, and 100+RBI, and considering what we got from Fukudome last year, anything we get out of Hoffpauir is gravy.
A side note guys...and especially Neil...I will be attending the winter meetings in Las Vegas. If you would like me to provide updates, I certainly can do so. Just let me know.
Aaron:
That is so cool, are you working there or just hanging out? Have a good time.
You are right we have agreed more.....but when all is said or donw between any of us....we love the Cubs and just want to win!!
I think we are getting Peavy....I dont think the Padres are painted into a corner though. They made it clear from the start both Peavy and Greene were being shopped. The Braves not being in contention has less to do with them trading a prospect and more to do with the fact the Braves as an organization do not have no-trade clauses and Jake insists on keeping his.
We MAY just be able to get Peavy without using Vitters however. If we are using a third team, they are giving at least one player and possibly two. I would certainly expect Cedeno on the list now with Greene traded....and probably Marshall and Hart. I think we can get by without losing Vitters or Pie although living here in San Diego, I'd be suprised if Pie wasn't the key player for the Padres. A leadoff hitter who can play the huge CF in Petco?? Yeah, Pie would be MY personal target in the trade.
I still say that I am very happy with Ramirez, Soriano and even Lee. I would, however, be the first to agree a shift in the batting order for Lee is a must, and Soriano only if we insert Pie or a true leadoff hitter there.
Aaron, definitely post updates from the Winter Meetings.
If you do so, post them in the Community Blog so they do not get 'burried' in the comments for the day. I will make sure to link to them.
Thank you for doing that, I think everyone will enjoy.
Can anyone tell me why there is a desire to have Adam Dunn in the lineup, even if Soriano wasn't? While he has great power, he doesn't hit for average and is more like an all or nothing type hitter. With Dunn and his strikeout ability, my thinking is that they want to have the wind blowing in and out at the same time.
I agree Tom...that has been my point all along....he is ALL OR NOTHING. Several people are drooling for this clown who yes will hit 40 or so homeruns in all likelihood....but will also likely only hit .240 and strike out 200 times.
I can picture how many of those homeruns will be meaningless....and how many times I'll be cussing at the TV because he is up at the plate and we need a base hit to score a runner from second or third and the jerk strikes out...
Aaron, Winter meeting updates would be great!
This is not an original idea of mine as JimK floated the thought on here a few weeks ago, but Gardenhire announced that Delmon Young is not in his starting OF plans. That would see to make Young and his 5 tool talent available. I wonder if Vitters and a couple of our spare parts might bring Young to the North side.
both...I have a couple meetings I need to attend for my work, and I will probably be able to divulge a little bit. I actually plan on trying to speak with some of the ESPN guys, but I'll keep my ears open, and will have my laptop with me, so I can post if I hear anything.
I don't know why everyone is so down on Dunn when compared to Soriano. I would much rather have Dunn.
2008 stats
Dunn .239 avg, 40 hr, 100 rbi, .395 obp, 164 so, 122 walks
Soriano .282 29 hr, 75 rbi, .344 obp, 103 so, 31 walks
2007 stats
Dunn .264 ave, 40 hr, 106 rbi, .386 obp, 165 so, 101 walks
Soriano .299 ave, 33 hrs, 70 rbi, .299 obp, 130 so, 43 walks
When you look at them head to head Soriano does have a higher Average and a lower Strike out rate but Dunn leads in every other category. Also I don't beleive Dunn has been on the DL as much as soriano.
if you look at their 07 numbers in which they played roughly the same amt of games Soriano struck out 30 times less but Dunn walked almost 60 times more. I know people say he isn't clutch but honestly, how easy would it be to get distracted playing in Cincinnati as bad as they are.
This is just my opinion but I think Dunn would fit much better with the Cubs than Soriano does.
First when you are paid millions of dollard, getting distracted as an excuse doesnt fly.
Second, defensively both Dunn and Soriano have their issues, but Soriano is far and away superior because of his arm! In 07 and 08 combined Soriano had 29 assists compared to Dunn's 9. Soriano has a cannon, which is a huge factor.
Finally the batting average difference is a huge factor. As has been written before Dunn is All or Nothing. If the Dunn that hit .236 in 2007 shows up that will really suck! Funny last year Soriano had 127 hits compared to Dunn's 122. And Soriano had 64 less at bats because of his DL trips.
Since Soriano was injured a couple times last year, look at their stats from 2007.
Dunn hit just 7 more homeruns than Soriano, yet Soriano had 15 more doubles and 3 more triples. When you calculate total bases which includes singles, Soriano is ahead 324-265!! Dunn had 106 RBI's to Soriano's 70..but remember Soriano hits leadoff. True he only leads off once per game...put he always follows the 8/9 hitters.
So all that said, how in the world could you want Dunn over Soriano??
Aaron, that is very cool man. Updates would awesome. Have a good time.
As a frequent reader and an infrequent commentor I'll make the following observations:
Soriano - not a liability, overall an asset to help get you to the playoffs. While expensive I attribute that expense to the sorry state of the Cubs farm system in developing position players and the terrible record Cubs had just posted so we need to live with it as the price to buy success. Play Soriano for the bat during the season and use Pie to cover for him in late inning lead situations.
As for Pie, there's nothing wrong with carrying a modestly performing hitter who can play the outfield and be a late inning base running sub for the major league minimum. If he doesn't develop then that situation takes care of itself. At the expense of showing my age and while the game has changed, the Big Red Machine of the 70's carried a defensive player for several years who eventually turned into a good everyday center fielder - Caeser Geronimo (gotta love that name)! From my non-professional eye I see a lot of similarities.
Peavy - too much for too little outside PETCO.
D Lee - love him, just drop him in the order and keep the doubles and the D coming.
ARam - drop to third and maximize the hitting and power.
Lou - when given talent he wins. He know's talent and makes Hendry a better GM. He doesn't "fall in love with players" and plays guys who produce. You don't have to be a genius to win the World Series you need talented palyers and the wisdom not to screw it up (e.g., BillY Martin, Sparky Anderson, etc.).
Left Handed Run Producer - this truly is the sole issue the Cubs should and appear to be focused on - media reports on Peavy aside. All conversations should begin and end with this issue as it is the difference maker. More pitching, more defense, more speed, better OBP from the leadoff position are all good things that should be pursued - however they only make marginal improvements to what you already have which ranges from "acceptable" to "good" depending on the topic. Finding this solution takes you from "nothing" to something "much better". The goal should be someone who can produce for the season and playoffs ala Jim Edmonds did for about 45 - 60 day period last year.
Fukodome - too much success in Japan to not expect to see improvement this year. Has enough immediate value and potential to warrant carrying for another year.
A few musings from fellow Cub fan in Central Illinois - dangerously close to Cardinalville.
Bill, dude...great post! Could'nt agree more.
Dont be an infrequent commentor any more!
Bill...good to hear from you and great points.
I dont understand how people can argue to get rid of soriano but to keep and play pie. People are arguing that pie has so much upside...could he come out and hit 50 homeruns and get 50 steals? No. Soriano could. The team is focusing to win now. Soriano, and Lee, both are capable of playing better than they did last year. While you could go to prospects and hope that they succeed, you could also take the safer option and stick with the vets we have. What's the worst that could happen with pie starting? .200 avg or even worse. What's the worst that can happen with Soriano? The last two years. Arguing that the upside is too strong for our prospects is illogical because the upside for our vets that didn't perform last year is much, much higher for next year.
Shawn, I think most people don't want Dunn becuase of the very reason of already having Soriano. There are similarities, and we just can't afford another bad OF on the other side of the field. Plus, do we really want ANOTHER guy who stikes out a ton ? Think about how many times late in the game, and the game is on the line, and Dunn is facing the other teams's closer...and all we need is a flyball or single . You know what's going happen --> K ! Please no. Guys like Dunn are so overrated, IMO, becuase they make their living against weak pitchers in games that are blowouts. and in the playoffs, when you really need them (like Sori), they will fail, because most of the pitching will be good.
please no ! He's terrible.
i think get peavy because you put him in a rotation already best in league you add peavy best roataion in basball no doubt anyone can argue that one and pitching wins and i rather have the best roation in mlb than best lineup pitching wins and we still led pretty much every category in offensive catagories so why not get jake best roation in mlb without question
I'm with Bill on fukudome. Talk about giving up on a guy to early. First time he played a 162 game schedule, first time he played ball in another country, just came off of season ending elbow surgury in 2007. I see him panning out as the guy we thought the cubs signed.
I'm also with everyone who says no Peavy and no to trading Pie. He has never been given a shot. To anyone who says otherwise is wrong. Its not an opinion just watch the games. How can you expect him to work on his hitting in the majors when he never gets to play. The fans need to have more patience with the kid. if we do trade him we will hear many on hear complain that we got rid of him about 2-3 years from now.
I would not mind having Peavy but I agree with you Jim...Pie needs a full season to show what he's got in the lead off spot.
_Experts can say what they want about this farm system...but I cannot mention a team, other than the Rays, that essentialy does not have prospects because they are atleast part time with the big club_
Hoff
Pie
Marshall
Guzman
Cedeno
Fontenot
Marmol
Soto
Pleaseeeeeee stop, the farm produced Harden and has, surprisingly, served its pupose in many other ways.
Out to Party....see ya guys!!!!
We went from the scary naked diet guy ad to Papa Johns Pizza.......now we're talking!!!!!
Just read that Greg Maddux is hanging up the spikes on Monday at the winter meetings which happen to be in his hometown of Vegas.
Thanks for the memories Greg!! Just wish the Cubs never would have let you go.
Joe...good post on the Community Blog. You beat me to it again.
Maddux is the best pitcher of his generation....period.
Harden was not produced in our farm system, we got him from Oakland...I'd say give Fukudome another season to show his true potential.
I agree Peavy could make our staff the best in baseball, which doesn't help if you can't hit the other team's pitching in the.playoffs.
Personally I choose to think that although Harden wasn't produced IN our farm system, in a way he was produced BY our farm system.... as were Lee and ARam. Players that were acquired by giving up players developed in our system.
At least it's one way to look at it :-)