Move over Marlon Byrd and Mike Cameron, the Cubs will make Curtis Granderson their number one target of the off-season according to Bruce Levine ... if he is indeed available. Some recently questioned if Curtis Granderson is actually on the block. After all he has a cost-effective contract for 2010 and should be an important part of the Tigers' organization moving forward ... but the Tigers are having financial issues, like many teams and most of the country. Detroit has several high-priced veterans that cannot be moved and Granderson might give them several players, not just for 2010, but for the future.
Here is the latest from the mill, including info on the Cubs sending an offer sheet to the agent for John Grabow ...
Notes from Talkin' Baseball
The always-informative Bruce Levine talked everything Cubs' baseball, and a little White Sox too, with Jonathan Hood on his weekly show Saturday morning.
Levine stated the Cubs will continue to be proactive and will continue going "full throttle" to change this team.
The Cubs have $140 million already on the books for 2010 according to Bruce Levine (with players under contract, automatic renewals and arbitration eligible players). Levine said that number ($140 million) is very close to the projected payroll on opening day.
Some reports have suggested the Cubs' payroll could be from $143 million to $150 million next season. Levine said Jim Hendry would have to make lateral moves once again this winter. In other words, Hendry will have to drop payroll in order to make changes to his roster ... and Hendry will not have any room to make additions unless he sheds some current contracts.
A caller asked about Kelly Johnson of the Braves. Levine likes him but has not heard any interest from the Cubs. Johnson figures to be one of the many players non-tendered this winter. The Cubs have to upgrade at second base this offseason according to Levine. They cannot go into 2010 with the same middle infield. Levine views Jeff Baker as a good backup for second and third but not an everyday player. Mike Fontenot is not an option.
Geovany Soto will go into the season as the Cubs starting catcher ... with Koyie Hill as the backup.
Ted Lilly being back by mid-April is optimistic, late April or the first of May more realistic.
Jeff Samardzija will compete for a spot in the starting rotation of either the Cubs or the I-Cubs next year ... no more bullpen for the Shark.
Jim Hendry
The Cubs' general manager stated this week he thinks there will be a lot of trades throughout the game. Attendance was down seven percent and there are financial problems with many teams in Major League Baseball.
Milton Bradley
Bruce Levine reiterated the Rangers, Mets and Rays are the three teams Jim Hendry talked with the most about Milton Bradley during the GM meetings. It is going to take a lot of creativity to make a deal for Milton Bradley. Tampa or Texas would be good markets for Bradley while New York would not be. According to Levine, if the Mets acquired Bradley they would move him immediately to another team (Levine did not mention specifically, but this is where a three-team deal could be made that included Pat Burrell and Luis Castillo).
The Rays wanted Bradley last season and had a two-year deal for him on the table. Levine feels Bradley could be a good fit in Tampa but the Cubs are looking for the Rays to pick-up more than $3 - $4 million of Bradley's contract ... Hendry is not willing at this point to make the deal with the Rays and 'eat' that much money.
Marlon Byrd
Reports early last week indicated the Cubs would target Marlon Byrd to play center once free agency begins on November 20. Hendry attempted to trade for Byrd before the 2008 season ... and before Reed Johnson fell into their lap. In other words, Hendry has viewed Marlon Byrd as a player that could help the Cubs for several years.
Bruce Levine briefly discussed Marlon Byrd Saturday morning. Levine said with the recent rumors of Curtis Granderson possibly being available, Byrd has become a back-up plan, same as Mike Cameron, for the Cubs this winter.
Curtis Granderson
As mentioned on Saturday, Curtis Granderson will likely end up being the 2009-2010 version of Brian Roberts and Jake Peavy.
Bruce Levine indicated Curtis Granderson could be the Cubs' number one target if he is made available. Levine thinks it will cost the Cubs in terms of prospects in order to land Granderson.
The reason the Tigers could be shopping him is numbers. The Tigers have several contracts that cannot be moved (sound familiar) and they took a large hit in attendance last season. The Tigers drew roughly 3.25 million in 2008 and dropped to just 2.5 million through the gate in 2009. As Levine pointed out, at $50 per ticket, that is roughly $30 million in lost revenue.
The Tigers are also looking at a huge payday in the near future for Justin Verlander ... and must have the money to re-sign (or extend) him. Contracts of Dontrelle Wills, Miguel Cabrera, Magglio Ordonez and Jeremy Bonderman have really handcuffed the team and other than Cabrera all are viewed as bad contracts.
According to Bruce Levine, the Tigers know if they trade Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson they can get numbers in return. Not only do the Tigers have to shed payroll they also have to figure out a way to remain competitive.
Bruce Levine shot down the 'reports' from Phil Rogers on what it would take for the Cubs to land Curtis Granderson ... especially the one that mentioned Carlos Marmol. Levine was pretty adamant on the fact the Cubs would not include Starlin Castro in any deal ... much less one for Curtis Granderson. The Cubs view Castro as their future shortstop and feel the 19-year old could be in the big leagues a couple of months after the 2010 season begins.
Levine explained later in the show that he can guarantee that a Cubs' source did not tell Phil Rogers they would give up Starlin Castro and Andrew Cashner in a deal for Granderson.
Levine admitted Granderson would be a good fit for the Cubs both on and off the field. He would give them a leadoff hitter against right-handed pitching with Ryan Theriot hitting behind him ... depending on what they do with filling the hole at second base.
Levine drove home the fact Granderson cannot be played against left-handed pitchers ... and if the Cubs do acquire Granderson they should re-sign Reed Johnson. Levine feels Johnson could remain healthy and provide a solid platoon partner for Granderson.
Granderson strikes out a lot and the Cubs do not want another Alfonso Soriano swinging-n-missing at the top of the lineup but Rudy Jaramillo should be able to help him ... especially against lefties.
Levine mentioned later on Josh Vitters could be included in a deal for Granderson. Vitters might end up as a first baseman and might fit on an American League team a little better. From what Levine has heard, the Cubs will not give up either Castro or Andrew Cashner in a deal for Granderson ... and, as mentioned, debunked the Rogers' article.
Jake Fox could be an option in a deal for Granderson. Fox is viewed as an "AL player" and a DH but Levine is not sure if the Tigers would be interested in him. The Tigers will be looking for a replacement for Granderson in centerfield and at least three quality players that are cost effective and can help in 2010.
The Tigers cannot project their attendance for 2010 and cannot go into the season with a $120 million payroll.
Levine indicated toward the end of the show that the Cubs' interest in Curtis Granderson is legit but he is not sure if there is a match. The Cubs will not include Starlin Castro and Andrew Cashner is a deal for Granderson.
Aaron Miles
Bruce Levine mentioned the "personal problems" Aaron Miles had to deal with again last season ... and the fact he could not shake them, Levine did not go into specifics and has hinted in the past that is was a difficult divorce. Levine said the personal problem was not a death in Miles' family or a health issue.
Levine said the Cubs must move Aaron Miles and his $2.7 million contract this winter.
John Grabow
According to Bruce Levine, the Cubs' faxed over an offer sheet to Grabow's agent on Wednesday. The deal is believed to be two years worth around $7 million. Levine thinks the deal will get done but he's not sure if the contract is exactly what John Grabow is looking for ... the Cubs have until November 20 to work out a contract with Grabow before he hits the open market.
Randy Wells on XM Radio
Whether Randy Wells ends up being a one-season wonder or not will be determined soon ... but one thing is certain, Randy Wells "gets it". Randy Wells joined Jeff Joyce on MLB Live Weekend Edition (XM Radio) Saturday.
Jeff Joyce asked Wells about last year and his thoughts on the season. Wells said he was really pleased given his background and was glad he was given the opportunity to show he could be effective in the big leagues.
Wells is not sure when the Cubs decided he would be a starter. Wells spent time in the bullpen until he came back to the Cubs' organization from Toronto (Blue Jays picked Wells in the 2007 Rule V Draft but offered him back after one major league appearance).
Wells admitted he struggled as a starter before learning a slider with the Blue Jays and how to keep the ball down.
The Cubs' right-hander admitted he lost focus a little last season. He tried to use the fact he could be making his last start every time he was given the ball as fuel to keep him motivated. Wells explained he has to learn how to evaluate his own stuff in the first inning ... basically what he has to work with on a given day. He explained that sometimes he would try to push through instead of making adjustments, which shortened his outing several times.
Randy Wells is pleased with the amount of groundballs he was able to induce last year and feels that was a big key to his success.
Wells loves being a Cub, loves Wrigley Field and playing in Chicago. He explained that a player cannot "let the stuff get you down" that is associated with playing with the Cubs. There is a lot of pressure but you have to remain positive ... especially when dealing with some of the "fans". He said, "You just gotta laugh it off ... gonna have good days and gonna have bad days."
Jeff Joyce asked about Milton Bradley. Wells said, "Milton is Milton." He mentioned the fact he cannot speak for Bradley and described him as a great guy and a really good teammate. Wells went onto explain it went bad for Bradley early and he couldn't recover.
Randy Wells is not taking his spot in the rotation next season for granted. He does not expect the job to be handed to him and he realizes he must earn it. Tom Gorzelanny and Jeff Samardzija deserve a spot in the rotation according to Wells and they will be trying to take his job in the spring.
Wells thinks Darwin Barney, Mitch Atkins and J.R. Mathes could help the big league club win ballgames.
The break is already over for Wells. He has begun working out for next year, hired a personal trainer and received advice from Ryan Dempster and Ted Lilly on how to prepare for a long season. Wells said he would start throwing in December and "crank it up" in January.
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Good luck trading Aaron Miles without having to eat a big chunk of his contract as well.
As for Kelly Johnson....no thanks. We have a near identical twin named Mike Fontenot. Both have been in the league 4 years. Fontenot is a much better defender (.987 to .978). Hitting they both had major drops last year. Fonty went from .305 to .236 and Johnson went from .287 to .224. The rest of their offensive stats are quite comparable.
Does anyone know our attendance the last couple of years? After hearing about the Tigers, which wasn't really all the unsprising, it just made my wonder if we were over/under out 2008 numbers. I kind of doubt it with all the non-basefall fans that Wrigley draws... but curious just the same.
Chris, here's a link on the attendance figures for the Cubs.
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teams/cubsatte.shtml
http://espn.go.com/mlb/attendance
The ESPN link has the 2009 attendance.
2008 - 3,300,200
2009 - 3,168,859
Nice article. You really do a nice job, Neil. Thank you.
Miles is untradeable, imho, unless you eat all of his contract except the major league minimum. He'll be back on the big club just because they have to pay him.
Thank you and I agree on Miles
If they want Miles gone, they will have to release him and eat the remaining 2.7 million left on his contract.
Why would a club want to give up reasonable prospects for a potential platoon player in Granderson? Granted we face mainly right-handers, but don't you think that a multi-million dollar deal should assume (and require) that the player can be productive and proficient in each game scenario. Just ridiculous.
I do like the mention that Vitters might convert to 1B. Great opportunity for Derrick to mentor Vitters during his final contract year, and then turn over the spot to him in 2011 (or move Ramirez to 1B).
Reiterating what many have said already...this team needs to get younger without killing the farm system thru terrible trade scenarios. It would be nice to hear Hendry talk about giving spots to kids within the system instead of the trade scenarios that just rehash the same 'ol mentality. Please, no more Jacque Jones' and Cliff Floyds, please!
Another thought...how interesting that last off-season we couldn't land Peavy because we refused to add Vitters to the deal...a year later and Vitter's is now expendable for a platoon player.
Can this franchise ever properly assess their own internal talent and develop it??? Smackes of Pie, Hill, Patterson all over again.
Folks, we need to understand that Granderson is really Mel Hall. Check the stats. They are the same players. What would you give up to have Mel Hall starting in CF and hitting .183 vs lefties? And remember, every time he comes up in the late innings with men on, the opposing team brings in a LH pitcher, and the game is over.
I'm not saying I wouldn't have him on my team, but I am saying that his contract stinks, and he really is a platoon player with limited value. Better be wise here!
Aaron Miles will PROBABLY be the Cubs' starting 2B this coming season, or at least, a platoon with Baker. Get used to it.
yuck....hope not dude
Mel Hall...haven't heard that name in awhile. As I looked up his stats I was shocked to learn that in June of this year he is in prison on a 45 year sentence!! Two counts of sexual assualt with minors-one under 17 and one under 12. Holy Crap!!
Here's a link to the story:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4267746
Anyhow....
It was a great comparison to Hall who hit .287 vs righties and .222 vs lefties.
What an incredibly sad and sick story.
Too bad.
"What an incredibly sad and sick story.
Too bad"
Are you talking about Mel Hall or ripsnorter's fractured statistics?
Second is the big hole with the team, but there's no reason its not fixable through free agency. Either sign Orlando Hudson or resign Mark DeRosa. I'm not banking on Starlin Castro being the future of the team until Lou's gone, because if he comes up while Lou is still here, chances are very good he's riding the bench until he does leave, and by then, you can just say hello to Felix Pie/Ronny Cedeno/Rich Hill v4.
If push comes to shove...we move Theriot to second and start Blanco at ss....to open. Lou will play Castro when he's brought up...the kid is making waves.
Blanco is playing 2nd in Venuezela this winter.
His current line is:
.316 Ave/27 games/114AB's/22 RBI's/1HR/
10sb's/.377OBP/.474 SLG./ .851 OPS.
With his defense from the get go...he should be given the opportunity to keep the seat warm for Castro...and then would be more than an adequate backup for ss/second later in the season.
In my view...if Hendry doesn't have the money to sign a short term 2nd base/ss...
we should still be ok..If Theriot is at 2nd.
Our outfield is atrocious...and that has to be 1rst priority.
I don't see much salary relief coming from Milton...or a really viable player coming back...at this point.
Burrell would be totally useless to us...and his contract just as immovable
dor different reasons.
The Mets absolutely do not want Milton...
just like us the are looking to dump
players to make room for others.
Texas is in the middle of a sale process
and just trying to remain financially viable...
One has to wonder what Milton thinks
and feels about all this...that very few seem to want him.
Just because we trade Milton doesn't mean his salary comes off the books...in the current scenarios.
So Granderson's "affordable" contract may not be affordable for us at all...regardless of who goes in a trade.
The key to the off season still rides
on what JH is able to do with Milton...
if he can realize any payroll savings
or not...and it doesn't look good.
If I'm the rest of the league...I just wait it out re Milton....Then the Cubs will be forced to decide whether to open with him in right...or release him.
If that is the case...then the only way
for minor salary relief is to non-tender
arbitration players.
Yep...JH has painted himself into a corner.
If Miles doesn't show anything in spring traning...he'll be released...ala Gaudin/
Vizcaino et al.
Isn't it interesting that Gaudin is not likely to take a salary hit.
Yes indeed: JHendry has painted the entire team into the corner, and in all reality, only a sucker GM--if there are any out there besides JHendry--can deliver us from this mess. I don't think it will happen. I think Milton opens the season in RF for the Cubs in 2010.
Miles will be back, too.
Forget Blanco at SS. The Cubs cannot afford the lack of production at the plate from Blanco. NO POWER, people. You cannot score runs with a bunch of .250 hitting singles hitters with no speed. FORGETABOUTIT. Theriot hits .300 with no power already. Funko has no power for an outfielder. Same with Wald, Johnson, and really, Bradley. All this adds up to no run production, which adds up to another second division finish.
IF the Cubs want to win a trip to the playoffs in 2010, they will need to get some power in the lineup. Silly JHendry did not replace Edmonds 21 HRs, DeRosa's 21 HR and 87 RBI (okay, he replaced them with Aaron Miles 5 RBIs), and the Cubs suffered. The lack of hitters around Soto also hurt his production. JHendry stupidly thinks that you win with "pitching and defense." What a joke!
The only real solution is to find cheap hitters wherever you can find them. Maybe even a Jake Fox, Hoffpauir, or pickup someone else's cast off. But once you get them, you must play them. Unfortunately all I have seen from the Cubs is to play the "politically correct" player. Sorry=oh-no and his $138 million wasted dollars over someone with a hot bat. Likewise Bradley over a hot bat; Miles over the hot bat, etc. Unless that changes, forgetaboutit!
cannot agree more with you. Choose a guy, preferably a young one from the farm and stick to him.
I'm so sick of hearing JHendry (and Dusty Eugene Baker) saying, "You win with pitching and defense." Well boys, take a look at the NY Yankees. IN all of MLB, Yanks are #1 in runs scored, #12 in pitching, and #22 in fielding! Compare with the Cubs: #22 in runs scored, #5 in pitching, and #9 in fielding.
Compare with those in the Playoffs:
Angels #2 in runs, #23 in fielding, and #21 in pitching!
Bosox: #3 runs scored, #25 in fielding, #16 pitching.
Cards: #18 runs scored, #5 pitching, #15 fielding.
Phils: #4 runs scored, #8 pitching, and #29 of 30 teams in fielding! Only Pittsburgh was worse!
SO forgetabout Blanco at SS. We don't need a .200 hitter who can catch the ball. We've got Theriot already. We don't need more gloves. WE NEED HITTERS!
WAKE UP OUTTA YOUR COMA JHENDRY!
Why put that on Hendry and Baker? As a fan of baseball for about 25 years thats all I have heard from ANYONE was pitching and defense wins pennants. Thats not something that Jim Hendry or Dusty Baker came up with.
Further, I believe that over the course of a 162 games offense will carry you far. But when you reach the playoffs, you are presumably facing the best teams of the year and with the way the schedules shake out you are facing their ace twice and number two twice as well in 5 or 7 game series....you better have some pitching and good defense at that point.
Fact: The top 6 teams in runs scored all made the playoffs. The Dodgers #11, and Cards, #18 in runs, were the only playoff teams not in the top 10 in MLB.
Fielding is an overblown stat. Sure, we need to catch the ball, but playoff teams can be the worst fielding teams in MLB and win the World Series.
The formula for success: top of the league in runs, middle of the pack pitching, and any kind of fielding can win it all. Oh, yes: you also could use a manager that is not in a coma. Remember how Pinella took Pie over Hoffpauir? lol "A formula for disaster!"
These teams finished last in their respective divisions:
Baltimore, Cleveland, Oakland; Washington, Pitts, Arizona. How did they fare at the plate?
In the AL, Cleveland was #8 of 14; Oak was #9 of 14; and Balt. was #11 of 14 teams.
In the NL, Arizona was #8, Wash #9, Pitts was #16 of 16 NL teams.
Lesson: bottom of the league hitting produces bottom of the league wins.
Let's look at the top pitching teams in the NL:
Of the top 5 pitching teams, two made the playoffs. Cubs, Braves and SF Giants did not.
Of the top 5 AL teams, only the Yanks made it to the playoffs.
Let's talk fielding in NL:
Of the top seven fielding clubs, none made the playoffs.
In the AL, of the top nine fielding clubs, none made the playoffs!
Listen to Lou: "Fox and Hoffpauir cannot play for me. They don't field well enough!" lol Sorry-oh-no does, of course! And that's why Bradley was signed over Dunn. lol Let's see: Dunn had a bad year with a bad club: he hit only 38 home runs (breaking his streak of five consecutive years of at least 40 taters!); 105 RBI, and .267 with a better OBP than Bradley at .398. But Dunn cannot field as well as Bradley, so forgetaboutit.
Ripsnorter, you're dead wrong about pitching and defense being irrelevant to winning and your statistics are all FUBAR.
For example, The Phillies committed the 2nd fewest errors in major league baseball and had the 4th best fielding percentage, they were NOT 29th as you seem to think (and the Pirates weren't last, they were 1st!).
The Angels, Yankees, Red Sox, and Phils were all in the top 10 in fielding---fewest errors and highest fielding percentages.
Clearly, you were reading the charts UPSIDE DOWN.
Good grief!
#1 fielding club in the AL: KC Royals.
"#1 fielding club in the AL: KC Royals."
ONLY if you believe making the most errors in the AL and having the worst fielding percentage means they're the best fielding club.
They did both.
#1 fielding club in the NL: Washington Nationals. They were 59-103. Arizona, at #2, was 70-92.
"#1 fielding club in the NL: Washington Nationals. They were 59-103. Arizona, at #2, was 70-92."
Nope! WASHINGTON led the major leagues in MAKING ERRORS with 143. Nobody was close, the second worst fielding team, ARIZONA, could only manage 124 errors.
What was your point, again?
What's this talk around here about the Cubs getting Orlanda Cabrera to field the SS position? He was #20 of 22 SS with enough chances to qualify for Gold Glove at SS. Theriot was #12. And don't tell me "range." lol
Rip, Rip, Rip, Rip...sorry guy...we need it all.
Tes you need hitting...but if the Phillies threw 3 Cliff Lee's at the Yanks
the pitching wins. and in a 1 run game...I guarantee you there is great defense.
I'm old school...without pitching...you never win...without defense...your pitching goes down the tubes...and YES...if you don't score runs, you can't win.
If pitching didn't count...why did the Yankees spend all that money on CC Sabathisa and AJ Burnett?
The Yankees have consistantly spent the most money on payroll the last ten years
and only won one WS.
Now they have some pitching to go with an awesome offense. That's why they won...because they shut down the Phillies...(a not very shabby offense by the way.)
So ripsnorter...don't spout nonsense. YOU NEED ALL THREE...and statistics separating one from the other don't matter...
The one thing I did learn about statistics...is you can bend them to support any point you wish to...collectively.
How do you think the White Sox won the World Series in 05??? It sure wasn't b3ecause they were an offensive juggernaut.
We, the Cubs, are dificient in both defense and offense...that's why we didn't go anywhere.
ALL THREE RIPSNORTER...ALL THREE...and that will get you a title.
Ripsnorter...respectfully yours,
Suzy
I know a lot of this is purely speculative, and we do not have much to go off of, but I thought I'd offer a brief list of guys I'd like to go after this offseason:
FREE AGENTS:
Ankiel
Felipe Lopez
Wagner
Olivo (if we can trade Soto)
Tejada (one year, incentive laden deal similar to an Abreu deal last year, plus option)
Marlon Byrd
Eric Hinske
Kearns
Blalock
Mike Gonzalez
Brett Myers
Ben Sheets
*I am NOT suggesting that they go after everyone, obviously, but am merely giving a list of possibilities we should at least look into. We need some versatility, and guys like Lopez, Blalock, Hinske would satisfy the team's need for versatility. Throw in Ankiel and Byrd, who can both play all 3 OF positions, and there's even more versatility in that group.
Adding Gonzalez and Wagner might be a little tricky, as both would probably cost $4 million or more per year plus incentives.
POSSIBLE TRADES:
*our candidates-Theriot, Soto, Fontenot, Fuld, Hoffpauir, Fox, Lilly, Marshall, Bradley, Fukudome, Baker, Gorzelanny
BJ Upton
Uggla
Burrell
Granderson
Delmon Young
Dunn
L. Castillo
Phillips
EY Jr.
Hawpe
Lowe
Vazquez
Chris Davis
*the trade list, like FA, is purely speculative, but that could be a list that would intrigue Hendry. Hawpe, Dunn, Phillips, Davis, Dunn, Granderson, and Burrell, would satisfy our need for power. Lowe and Vazquez would satisfy our need for a starter after Lilly's injury, and EY Jr. and Upton would satisfy the speed factor
I do not believe that we have what it takes to get young (ie.-early-to-mid 20's up-and-comers), because they would likely cost us ALL of our top prospects like Castro, Parker, Gaub, Vitters, Cashner, Jay Jackson, LeMahieu, Flaherty, Burke, W. Castillo, Hak Ju Lee, and Carpenter.
The only young talent we have at the MLB level that would be in high demand, would be: Soto, Fox, Wells, Marshall, Gorzelanny, Guzman, Marmol, and possibly Caridad. We can't trade Marmol and Wells, so the pickings are slim.
I also doubt young talent will be traded under Ricketts' watch. It's pretty clear that he wants to build the system from within now. If we were to make a trade, it'd probably be for the young MLB talent we have, sans Marmol and Wells.
I am intrigued by several different lineups, including:
Lopez-2B
Tejada-SS
Lee-1B
ARAM-3B
Ankiel-CF
Soriano-LF
Olivo-C
Kearns-RF
*bench: W. Castillo, Blalock, Fuld, Blanco, Hinske
BJ Upton-2B
Granderson-CF
Lee-1B
ARAM-3B
Hawpe-RF
Soriano-LF
Soto-C
Castro-SS
*bench: W. Castillo, Tony Thomas, Snyder, Colvin, Blanco
Thing is, if we move some parts simply to get prospects, it's quite possible that we can make a lot of moves without actually giving up our own highly touted prospects, and I hope that's what happens.
Aaron, I love your posts.
There are many intriqueing players and possibilities on your list...a few items I disagree with, ie...(I don't think Burrell has any place on this team...he could only be used as a PH...and 9 mil is too much for that.)
While I'd love Wagner it looks like he might go back to the Red Sox...he said he loved it there and if offered arb...he would accept.
Felipe Lopaz would look great at 2nd.
and you know my feelings on EY Jr.
Mainly, I agree with your last paragraph.
While we might win the division...(Because it is so weak)...we won't be able to field a World Series caliber team until we work out of a few contracts...and replace them with more productive younger ones.
So I agree that our goal right now should be to build a top minor league
system...and make our trades accordingly.
If we can start doing that now in a few years...(maybe 3 or 4)...we should be able to field a team that consistantly rivals Boston/NY/LA/Philly.
Just an interesting tidbit on Adam Dunn:
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/highs-amd-lows-of-uzr-2007-9-dunn
One more time lol:
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/highs-and-lows-of-uzr-2007-9-dunn
Suzy, you beat me to the punch. Was just about to post how since 2007 no player in the league costs more runs to their team more than Adam Dunn because of defensive ability.
I wonder where Uggla stands on that list. That is the reason, I would not want either on this team.
Besides Maddux and Lee, when was the last time a Cub actually won a Gold Glove?? Anyone know?
Also curious, pitching wise. The Cubs have led the league for quite a few years in pitching staff strikeouts. Did we hold that honor again this year? I believe it coorelates to Rothschild as pitching staff. Since he has been the pitching coach I believe the Cubs have lead the league, if I am not mistaken. If anyone has the time to research it - I would be curious.
Here is the list of Gold Glove Cubs since the award was split between leagues in 1958. The obvious ones I remembered was Gracie getting a few and of course Ryne Sandberg's 10 consecutive wins.
2007 Derrek Lee 1B
2005 Derrek Lee 1B Greg Maddux P
2004 Greg Maddux P
1996 Mark Grace 1B
1995 Mark Grace 1B
1993 Mark Grace 1B
1992 Mark Grace 1B Greg Maddux P
1991 Ryne Sandberg 2B Greg Maddux P
1990 Ryne Sandberg 2B Greg Maddux P
1989 Ryne Sandberg 2B
1988 Ryne Sandberg 2B Andre Dawson RF
1987 Ryne Sandberg 2B Andrew Dawson
1986 Ryne Sandberg 2B Jody Davis C
1985 Ryne Sandberg 2B
1984 Ryne Sandberg 2B Bobby Dernier CF
1983 Ryne Sandberg 2B
1970 Don Kessinger SS
1969 Don Kessinger SS
1968 Glenn Beckert 2B Ron Santo 3B
1967 Ron Santo 3B Randy Hundley C
1966 Ron Santo 3B
1965 Ron Santo 3B
1964 Ron Santo 3B
1962 Ken Hubbs 2B
1960 Ernie Banks SS
That should have said 9 consecutive wins for Sandberg who has the most Gold Gloves for any National League second baseman.
Greg Maddux of course has the most Gold Gloves as a pitcher with a crazy 18!
An interesting fact...only one player has won a Gold Glove at two different positions.....Darin Erstad. He won as an OF with the Angels in 2000 and 2002 and then as a 1B with the Angels in 2004.
The Cubs did not hold the honor of strikeouts this year...just barely missed it.
The Giants led the majors with 1302.
The Cubs were tied with the Dodgers for second with 1272.
The Yankees led the AL with 1260.
Also the streak covered Rothschild's tenure with the Cubs but actually started the year before he joined the team. The streak started in 2001 under Oscar Acosta before Rothschild took over in 2002 and kept the streak alive until this year.