levine is reporting contract backloaded:

here's hoping 3M 1st year; then maybe 6M and 6M.........that would still leave close to 5M for RP and 2b.........

Now all the Cubs need to do is go after Calero and Felipe Lopez and that would be a decent winter of activity now that all the headaches are gone from the team.

I think though that JH will probably secure a RH for the pen and then try to finalize the trade for Castillo. Maybe he has something in the works as far as a trade goes for a RH arm in the pen but I haven't seen any names thrown around.

before the byrd bashing begins:

he's not played full time all his career (maybe not a good sign); but just like a part time RB in football; his legs aren't as old as a 32yr old who plays everyday.

fuld will be the back-up CF now(saves money over reed johnson) since baker could play RF.......but need help at 2b then.

rudy is getting paid 800K; his 3 projects:

sori

geo

keep bryd hittin' like he did in TEX

JH has been projecting this...so I'm not surprised...just disappointed.

On the plus side...it only appears to be 5 mill per year...which should be a lot easier to move.

That says a lot, doesn't it...talking about trading a guy before he has even played an inning yet?

Well, as a Cubs fan...I hope he hits .400

with 100 homers.

"Say it isn't so, Joe."

Levine is reporting the Cubs signed Marlon Byrd for 3/$15M. 3yrs again. He'll be average and declining, with mediocre CF defense.

Joel, I know there are some skeptics about Marlin Byrd but living in Texas and having a chance to watch fairly frequently on Fox Sports SW (Rangers are my second favorite team) he is a solid player. He is not spectacular but will give us a solid bat. He had many clutch hits for the Rangers last year and I will think he will do that in Chicago.

Granted the Cubs have not had a lot of success with signing everday starters the last couple of years but I hope he wil be the exception. Byrd also is not that old and he probably has at least a couple of good years left.

Also, if Brett Jackson can WOW us then maybe the Cubs look at a platoon situation. You just never know.

If the Cubs did in fact finally sign him I hope everyone at least gives him a chance. Also, Rudy already knows him so that should help a lot.

I would still like the Cubs to go after Ankiel though if they can afford it but that would depend on him willing to play part time and how much the Cubs would be willing to spend.

diehard...they said Hendry only had 5-6 million to spend...so I don't think Ankiel is in the Cards...pun intended.

I really hope you are right about Byrd...

I'm not excited about it...but will reserve judgement and give the guy a chance...we need him to produce.

Happy New Year Cub Fans!

Great debate all. I also will not do a year in review nor will I comment on what JH should do. I think I have been clear on my stances for both.

I agree Brett Jackson should be invited to ST. I was also very excited to see him drafted, and agree that he could solidify CF for us.

If Jackson, Castro and any of the young pitchers we have produces that would be a boon to the perception of our minor league system.

And lastly, I believe Thomas Diamond will be the surprise name we see come out of ST. Highly touted as a Rangers prospect, and now healthy.

Good luck to you all in 2010. Cheers, Skoal and all that fun stuff.

I took a quick look at Brett Jackson's stats on Baseball America.com and they are pretty impressive.

BA G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB

.318 53 211 50 67 6 3 8 36 31 56 13

OBP SLG OPS

.418 .488 .906

If you ask me pretty impressive at any league.

What does anyone else know about him as I do not get to follow the minors that much?

Granted he is probably at least two years away but seems like he could become a solid part of the Cubs outfield in the future.

There is definitely reason he has been rated as high as #2 Cubs prospect. He is an athlete. I hope he gets an invite to ST and see what happens, Gordon Beckhum got that invite from the Sox last year showed what he could do, went down for a little bit to get some more experience and now he is a mainstay in their lineup. He came from college not HS, so he has a couple years of polish in that regards under his belt.

The kid could definitely solve the center field problem that has been a gaping hole for years on end. I have read many experts state that he was the steal of the first round by the Cubs. Here's to hope for the future.

BULLPEN 2008 vs. 2010

Wood (34 svs) vs. Marmol: equal. Wood was shakey for a lot of those saves. I never loved him as a closer. Marmol can be shakey, too, with all of those walks. That's why I call it equal. Hopefully Marmol will do better than Wood.

Guzman vs. Marmol: 2008 Marmol was simply great. Guzman can be good, if healthy. I sure hope he's healthy.

Eyre vs. Grabow: Eyre had a 2-0 record with 7.15 ERA. Edge: Grabow!

Howry vs. Silva: Howry. And Howry was awful in 2008.

Our pen isn't great, but if--if--Gaub or Caridad or Gray or Berg can outperform the 2008 Howry, I'd call our pen equal.

Marshall 2008 = Marshall 2010.

FACE IT: the 2008 Cubs didn't win on pitching; they won on hitting and slugging. They lead the league in runs scored. That's where the action is at. JHendry should look for some bats. Anymore stupid "Mark DeRosa for Aaron Miles swaps" should be considered a terminal offense. Fire his incompetent hide!

One thing I forgot to note was that I disagree with you that the Cubs didn't win in 2008 because of pitching. On the contrary I think there pitching was the difference. The Cubs could stack up a solid core of four starters, especially after the Harden trade and match up well against anyway. Also, we stayed healthy that year.

The problem was that in the playoffs the Cubs did not hit or pitch. The pitching especially did not give them a chance by keeping games close. I am still shccked by Lou giving the ball to Dempster in game 1 but that is now old news.

DieHard:

The Cubs had the same 5 starters in 2009 as they had in 2008--except Hardin was with them the whole year, and that Wells replaced Marquis. I assume you agree that the 2009 Wells was better than the 2008 Marquis.

Therefore I say that pitching did not win the 2008 division for the Cubs. They led the league in hitting and runs scored! That won it.

The 2008 bullpen wasn't very good past Marmol and Wood. Howry had a 5.10 era, Eyre a 7.15 era.

Again, I think the slugging of the bottom of the order was the difference: Edmonds, Soto, DeRosa and Fontenot. THe other pieces: Lee, Aram, Soriano, were there in 2007 and 2009. It was the added offense of these other guys that really put them over the top.

I have to agree with SusyS that both pitching and hitting and let us not forget fielding that won the division for us in 2008.

Yes, I agree that the bottom of the Cubs order in 2008 made a difference. That was made obvious last year with the lack of production which was compounded by ARAMs injury. This definitely exposed many Cubs weaknesses in the lower part of the order from the 5 hole on. If you look at the bottom part of the Cubs order this year you still have to be skeptical of a repeat of last year. We have done little to improve relying on a rebound year from Soriano and Soto and hoping that Baker and Fotenot will be productive. Too me that is asking an awful lot to fall in line.

I also agree that the 2009 Wells was probably better than the 2008 Marquis. The irony is that we could sure use Marquis despite his eradict nature and inconsistency in 2010.

Rip...it was both pitching and hitting that won it in 08.

While the lack of hitting last season was the focal point....the pen was horrible also...How many games did Gregg/Heilman/Cotts lose for us?

I think "Z" might have had 4 or 5 more wins early on...leaving with a narrow lead...and the pen blew it.

We had great hitting in 08...Soriano was on...DeRo plugged any holes we had and

Edmunds/Johnson were great.

But we also felt we could shut down the opposition...and they felt it too.

Rip AND Diehard...I just started laughing...

You just managed a whole discussion on the Cubs rotation and pen...without one word about our latest acquisition... Silva!!!

I don't know how much he can help...but he can certainly hurt us...and that has to be taken into account.

Also, I still think Guzman could be a stud...IF HEALTHY.

I watched a previous video last night of Lou saying the pen was young and he'd like one experienced righty back there.

I just hope the Cubs don't weigh experience over production when making the trade.

Ha! I noticed that too, Suzy, and was wondering how long it would go before a mention. He's not even in Rip's list of #5's. He's not in mine either! So clearly that move was simply to rid us of you know who.

I still don't like it.

Actually I threw Silva in as a possible number 5 starter but if he struggles in the spring then will probably be in long relief.

Another thing the Cubs may do if they are not completely convinced he is healthy is put him on the DL to start the seaon to build up arm strength.

The best I see for Silva is the Cubs 5 starter or long reliever.

I definitely agree that the Cubs bullpen is probably too young. I also wished that Guzman would not have had so many injuries. He might have made a good starter if for that fact.

Diehard...you did mention Silva...my apologies...

Re Guzman,,,I firmly believe he would have been an ace if he could have been healthy...but he never was...so we'll never know.

I agree with all your points on the bullpen but I am definitely worried about them finishing games.

From the 7th inning on it is going to be a nail biter in my opinion. Marmol though has the stuff to develop into the NLs version of Rivera.

I do not think though that Guzman is the answer in the 8th inning. He struggled in that limited role last year but you never know. I have always liked him and I do hope he could be an effective late inning reliever.

I would like the Cubs though to bring in one more reliever as insurance just in case.

The Cubs also do have a lot of good young arms such as Gray, Stevens, Berg, Caridad, etc so hopefully they will develop and take the next step.

I also think Marshall is better suited for the pen and as a spot starter. He gives Lou options in the 5-7 innings against a tough left hander with his sweeping curve ball or he can go for one to two innings in relief.

Rip...It may not be a problem...but it is certainly a question mark.

WILL:

Z be the Z of the first part of his career...or the Z of the last 2 years

with a late season swoon?

Lilly come back strong?

You said it...Dempster or Dumpster?

Wells...Sophomore Slide???

#5 starter...Lots of competition...will someone step up?

This staff has the talent to be really good, if healthy. It also has the talent to stink it up...

Personally, I'd like to see another ace on the staff...but there are a lot of

young arms in the system...perhaps, if

we are extremely lucky. one my develop

over the course of the season.

An inexpensive signing if Sheets would not hurt.

I agree with all your points and the irony is I had made almost the same comments on ripsnorters posting before I read yours. That is scary.

I also agree Ben Sheets "IF HEALTHY"!! if the Cubs would choose to sign him could be a difference maker. The problem is that he has not pitched effectively in over two years and is his arm healthy enough to go out there a every fifth day and pitch at least six innings.

If he can not give the Cubs innings then they are only going to burn out the bullpen like last year. That is why I am also worried about Wells and the number five slot. With all the young Cubs arms in the bullpen we do not want to over expose them and fatigue them leadking to a lot of late innings. Those are definitely moral breakers.

diehard...Most everyone can see the questions on the Cubs staff...so if our comments were similar without seeing each others...it's not "scary"

Everyone serious Cubs fan I think sees the issues with the Cubs rotation except for the Cubs management.

The Cubs should have found a way to get Peavy but instead the White Sox get him. When are the Cubs going to learn?

Hopefully like ripsnorter pointed out if the Cubs are in contention come the July trading deadline they will go out and get a true "ACE"!! and not a backend rotation guy but a true differenc maker.

Suzy:

If you recall 2008 Z had a good first half, and a lousy 2nd half. 14 wins.

He can do that again, I think.

Dempster 2008 had a career year with his control; 2009 was the real Dumpster. I'm looking for another 2009 outta him, but that can be worth 14 wins if we have some offensive production behind him.

Wells: I want 15 wins out of him. Bill James says 10-10 record with a Dumpster-like ERA of 4.10. Would two Dumpsters on your starting staff hurt your feelings? I could live with that.

2008 #5 start was Hardin (12), Gallagher (10) and Marshall (7). Marshall was awful--2 QS. Gallagher was 4-2. Hardin was 5-1 in 12 starts. I think Gorzalenny (aka "Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde") can pull of 12 QS for us and equal the Hardin/Gallagher/Marshall show.

So our starting pitching is somewhat worse, but not a lot worse, imho.

Now let's talk hitting, where I think the Division will be won or lost.

2008 led the league in hitting.

Look at 2008 outfield:

Soriano 29 taters

Edmonds 19 taters for Cubs; led MLB in slugging for CF.

Funko 10 taters

Johnson 6 taters

Ward 4 taters

Hoffpauir 2 taters

Comparo 2008 vs. 2010

Soriano vs. Soriano: edge 2008 Soriano

Edmonds vs. Ankiel: I think the Cubs need to sign this guy for the taters, and hope that he can hit .275. Otherwise a platoon of Fuld/Johnson is not going to net you much slugging production. And the division in 2008 was won by the slugging of the bottom of the order: DeRosa, Soto, Edmonds, and believe it or not: Fontenot and his 9 taters.

Funko vs. Funko: he's the same piece of junk he's always been. Don't look for more; look for less. He's 34, ain't he?

INFIELD

ARam vs. ARam: 27 taters vs. about that in 2010.

Theriot vs. Theriot: about equal

DeRosa (21 taters) vs. Baker/Fontenot: DeRosa hands down. He had 87 RBI. You ain't gonna get that outta Baker/Fontenot.

Lee (22) vs. Lee: Hopefully Lee 2010 is better than Lee 2008.

Soto (23) vs. Soto 2010: hopefully Soto can bounce back, but I do not expect 23 taters. I expect 15 at best.

BENCH:

Fontenot 9 taters 2008 vs. Fontenot 2010: edge 2008. I think Fonenot may hit .275 this year if he bounces back like I think he can. He is a bench player and was overexposed last year.

Blanco vs. Hill: a toss up.

In summary, JHendry could help us by getting Ankiel. We need the slugging. We should never have traded Fox away. Not only could he play various positions, he could hit the ball. Let him play! So now he needs to find a slugger (JOHNNY GOMES!) to put up some numbers for us.

And with this tweaking, and a lot of luck, 2010 could be another division winning year.

OK, ya'll want to talk about what it will take for the 2010 Cubs to top their division, so I'll show you.

You really don't need five top starters for the entire year. Look at 2008 and who started for the Cubs:

Z 30 starts

Dumpster 33 starts

Lilly 34 starts

Marquis 28 starts (and you'd say Marquis is not a top starter, wouldn't you?).

The fifth starter was:

Hardin 12

Gallagher 10

Marshall 7

Hill 5

Lieber 1

Guzman 1

Those were your fifth starter. 36 starts.

Now let's comparo 2008 with 2010 Starters:

Z vs. Z--it is equal

Lilly compares with Lilly--almost equal due to his current injury status.

Dempster vs. Dumpster--depends on if he has any control this year. Almost equal.

Wells vs. Marquis= Wells, imho. I'm looking for 15 wins outta him.

Gorzalenny vs. Hardin/Gallagher/Marshall/et al. I'm going to call this equal. He could be good and win 15 for us; he could be awful and lose 15. Larry Rothschild was able to make Gallagher a winner at the ML level. We still have Marshall. Hardin wasn't great in 2009. No doubt you are going to say that Hardin did a "lights out" job when he arrived in 2008. Yup. He won 5 games in 12 starts. But he wasn't lights out in 2009.

In summary I think our 2010 staff is about equal to 2008--maybe a shade better in that I think Wells is better than Marquis. Lilly's current health is the wild card that no one can really call right now. I'd like to have more starters for 2010, but I am saying we have as much as the 2008 staff had. Therefore we have enough to start the year. I do not see starting pitching as our major problem as we start 2010.

I agree that the Cubs starting rotation can be as good as in 2008 but I am still a little concerned with the level of performance. In my opinion right now it is not a championship caliber rotation though.

I also agree that the Cubs really only need four really good starters and can use a swing man for the number five.

In order for the Cubs to take the next step and make it deep into the playoffs thtey need a true "ACE"!!, ie Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay. Big Z has never approached that level. Big Z is the wildcard on how hte Cubs staff does. The problem in my opinion is that he has not developed a off speed pitch to offset his heavy fastball and hard slider. If you look at Big Z last year he had a hard time putting hitters away. Another pitch would give him that out pitch and make him the ACE the Cubs need. I think he will bounce back and win his customary 12-16 games but will not get beyond that unless he makes some adjustmenst.

Dempster like you said it is about control. He is not a dominating pitcher but if he can get all his pitches over the plate consistently he could have another 2008.

Lilly is the most consistent pitcher we have. I hope he can come back from his injury in a hurry because the Cubs need him.

Wells I am stil concerned about him suffering from the sophomore jinx. He struggled the last few starts but I am hoping that was because of fatigue. If he performs well I think the Cubs can win the division but if he struggles the Cubs could be in trouble.

Gorzelanny, Silva, Samardzija, Marshall, Atkins, etc. Someone in spring training needs to step up. Who pitches the best will win the job by default. Maybe the Cubs should look at a lefty righty mix.

DieHard: yes, I agree, we need to acquire someone at the deadline like Halliday or Lee to put us over the top. We'll have to see how the season unfolds to see who it is, and if we can afford them.

I really enjoyed reading the lively debates yesterday...Neil thanks once again for a great site!!!

The only Cub's article in the Tribune:

"Jim Hendry refutes Carlos Zambrano is on the trade market"

Nice to hear he's alive.

From the sublimely obvious department

it's New Year's Eve...for me a time to

remember good family times...(as my departed mother's birthday was Dec. 31rst).

I'll skip all the year in review stuff

re the Cubs...an look forward with

guarded hope to our improving minor league system...no evident saviors there...but lot's of hope for some

exciting baseball.

No matter how you cut it...we are a day closer to that elusive world series

championship...(when, I don't know)...

but we ARE closer to it.

Happy New Year to all on this site.

Be safe out there...

especially Barry & friends...(who posred

Christmas Day from Germany...on his way

to Afganistan.

Go CUBS Go.

Suzy...thank you!

Happy New Year to the Faithful!