First and foremost, it is only December 15. Pitchers and catchers do not report to Fitch Park for another two months. With that said the Cubs still have a lot of work to do and some are questioning where the money will come from to add a centerfielder and a bullpen arm.
According to a report from Dave Kaplan, the Cubs are not waiting until they unload Milton Bradley before making additions to their roster ... but sometimes actions speak louder than words. Whether Mike Cameron would have been a fit with the Cubs or not will never be known as this point ... Cameron agreed to a two year, $15.5 million deal with the Boston Red Sox on Monday night according to Ken Rosenthal.
Most figured Mike Cameron would be a Cub due to his relationship with Lou Piniella and the need for a good clubhouse guy that can play centerfield. With Cameron off the board, the Cubs will likely turn to Marlon Byrd according to the Tribune and if he signs with another team -- Rick Ankiel or Scott Podsednik.
But the Cubs have other holes that should be addressed ... and reportedly no money to add a starting pitcher, a middle infielder and quality depth to a team that is extremely weak off the bench.
Here's the latest from the mill ...
Money Changes Everything
Bruce Levine correctly pointed out on Monday that any money the Cubs could save by trading Milton Bradley will have zero impact on the 2010 payroll.
Pat Burrell and Milton Bradley are slated to make roughly the same amount of money in 2010. The only money the Cubs could possibly save on Bradley's contract effects the 2011 payroll ... not 2010. As pointed out by the CCO on several occasions, the thought the Cubs could add a player with the money saved by moving Bradley is incorrect.
Levine made three important statements in his report:
"If Hendry can save $6.5 million by eating $6 million, that will only help the person running the 2011 team."
"Unfortunately for Hendry, if he doesn't get extra money to sign a solid set-up man and a good centerfielder, someone else will be running the Cubs in 2011."
"The only real solution for the Cubs next season is to add payroll. If that doesn't work out, the team's new GM in 2011 can start trimming while some of the good looking farm system players make their way toward Wrigley Field."
It appears the clock is more than ticking on Jim Hendry's tenure as the General Manager of the Chicago Cubs.
Levine reported the $15 million of increased revenue due to ticket price increases would go "toward upgrades in Wrigley Field" and will not be added to the team's payroll for 2010. Levine thinks Hendry needs $7 to $10 million added for the Cubs to sign the players they need in order to compete in the division.
Milton Bradley
According to a report from Bruce Levine, Milton Bradley could be traded as soon as this week to Tampa for Pat Burrell.
Paul Sullivan pointed out in a tweet that Marlon Byrd and Milton Bradley share the same agent ... Seth Levinson. Byrd is rumored to be looking for a three-year deal. Could Levinson hold up the Cubs once again this winter?
Mark DeRosa
According to Dave Kaplan during Sports Central on Monday night, the Cubs have not contacted Mark DeRosa's agent this winter and will not be offering him a contract.
Matt Capps
Matt Capps would like to pitch for the Cubs ... and they are interested but so are several other teams. According to a report from Bruce Levine, the Cubs are one of at least 12 teams interested in signing the former Pirates' closer.
Paul Kinzer, Capps' agent, made a very telling statement about the possibility of his client signing with the Cubs.
"Matt has interest in the Cubs. We know they like him, but we'll be proactive in this market. You can't just wait on one team."
At least three teams are interested in Capps being their closer ... and the Cubs are interested in him pitching in the backend of the pen as a setup man to Carlos Marmol. Capps is looking for a multi-year deal and the "going rate for a pitcher like Capps will be somewhere in the area of $3 to $4 million."
Bruce Miles posted a very interesting blog on Monday about overpaying for relievers. The Cubs' beat reporter for the Daily Herald pointed out Neal Huntington's view (the Pirates) on paying for relief pitchers. Huntington is right ... and Miles shares the same opinions as the CCO.
Click here for the entire post ... it is a must read and well worth the time.
Ron Santo
Ron Santo received a new three-year contract from WGN Radio on Monday to remain with WGN Radio through the 2012 season.
Pat Hughes' contract is up after 2010 but is expected to remain 'The Voice of the Chicago Cubs.'
Ron Santo is up for election to the Hall of Fame by the Veteran's Committee next December.
Many of the Cubs' bloggers tweeted their support of Andre Dawson for the Hall of Fame last week ... maybe the same will be done for Ron Santo beginning next fall.
Joel Pineiro
Buster Olney tweeted on Monday that the Cubs are interested in Joel Pineiro ... and this is not the first rumbling about the Cubs being interested in the former Cardinal. Where would the money come from?
CCO News
The CCO Radio returns for the final time in 2009 on Tuesday at 7:00pm. The final show will be extended to 90 minutes and we welcome all calls and emails. To discuss the Cubs will the CCO, the call-in number is 347-237-4020 or you can send an email to neil@chicagocubsonline.com.
Vote for the top Cub of the decade!
Who was the best player for the Cubs from 2000 to 2009 ... place your vote in the CCO Poll on the right side of the main page.
Follow the CCO on Twitter ...
If you don't have an account on the CCO ... sign-up for one to share your thoughts and interact with the rest of the Faithful.
Well, that's the latest ... and I am sticking to it!
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Only God knows if they will report to Fitch Park Neil! lol
At any rate, I find that Cameron is a great defender, seems to be a great guy but he is a mediocre over all player. Has some power but strikes out ven more than Soriano and can't run anymore because he is old.
I for one would not care to leave the team as is and let the kids play. The "accesible" free agent crop do not inspire great things and I prefer to wait till the all star and see if this team is worth helping. Have a great day
I'm starting to read a lot about what we see is what we are getting for next year, and the reason Hendry made comments regarding late offseason (February) deals, is because he's hoping that players will be so desperate for work, that they'll take incentive-laden deals, which, in my mind, it'd actually be better to go with the likes of Brad Snyder (if we can even re-sign him), Colvin, Castro, Jay Jackson, Cashner, Papelbon, Parker, Gaub, etc., than signing the likes of Loretta, etc. that might come at a significant discount late in February.
It also looks more and more like Ricketts is doing this on purpose to Hendry to prove a point, and give reason to fire him at the end of next season (which doesn't help anything...certainly not a deprived fan base).
Just think if we actually had $20 million to spend this offseason, we'd be able to get all our needs like: Lopez, Uggla, etc.
but even low cost options like Ankiel and Capps will still cost more than $10 million combined just for one season. How do you eliminate salary to sign them?
Aaron...I'm in total agreement on playing our top prospects/youngsters v. assembling a team of mediocre throw-ins or has-beens.
I also concur that Rickett's is truly jamming Hendry, and is proving a point to the franchise "leadership".
When you read media commentary that "The Cubs need this or the Cubs need that from a payroll perspective to compete in the division", that's all pretty comical (and sad) since they already exceed (in payroll) the next closest division rival by what, $30-40m?
Hendry has painted a really bad situation that requires bold moves to remedy. It all started with the really bad move (!) to sign Soriano (not so much for him the player) but for the contract duration and no-trade clause. Error #2 was in signing the "safe bet" in Pinella, when the long-term face of the organization could have been Girardi. Consider for a moment how the last two years would likely have been different had we not had a senile manager at the helm who places players in his dog-house at an emotional whim.
Zambrano extended, Bradley signed (at all), Gregg, Miles, etc...the list is so long of miscues.
Like any business, there is a price to pay for poor performance, and more importantly, poor judgement. Hendry is about to find that out...personally!
I don't know, Aaron, Boras has already stated that he is seeking "big time" money for Ankiel. When Boras says that, you've got to believe that Cameron's 2 / 15.5M$ would be his absolute low mark for starting with the younger and more powerful Ankiel,
and only go up from there. Thanks Theo.
The only way Ankiel comes cheap is if he doesn't have a uniform yet on February 28.
TO ALL CUBS FANS: the ricketts famil, a/ka/a-the tribetts family(combo of ricketts and tribune) have spoken loud and clear:
to hell w/ the fan base; lets spend money on the stadium, not the team.
really, tommy tribetts, will $15M on a stadium help us win the division?, will anyone even show up to care, and when there is probably $200M needed, what good does $15M do?, and why are the fans PAYING for this? when it's been 101 yrs.since a championship.
101 YRS!!!--there is NO grace period.
wait till 2011 already, but hey the bathrooms will be bigger!.(put that on your x-mas card season ticketholders).
at this point, i will not be getting tix next year...........to enjoy the new bathrooms while watching the 4th place team the tribetts are SO proud of.
Look,from management's perspective, the reasoning is as follows: if the fan base cannot be discouraged enough to quit in 101 years (after all, there's a sucker born every minute!), then why not just raise ticket prices and keep payroll steady? We are in the baseball business for profits, not championships. So management is going to hold the current course.
Now I agree that every team needs to make a decent profit. The Cubs' problem is an incompetent GM that cannot accurately evaluate talent. Those of you who want the Cubs to play the kids, I've this news for you: THE KIDS CAN'T PLAY. Sure, if you want .185 hitting players with 0 HR and 5 RBI (cf. Aaron Miles), then let the kids play. ME, I WANT MORE.
T
For the starters maybe we look at rehabbing veterans, like Kelvim Escobar, Noah Lowry, Mark Prior,Rich Hill, Shawn Estes. I know these names does not sound to good but we could probably afford them and get lucky with one of them. Neil what do you think?
Promote an internal prospect(s) with upside potential, and let them play!
I agree but when has the Cubs actually do the right thing.
No debate there.
And fans, we need to stop kidding ourselves that the Cubs are going to make changes to the roster. Think a moment with me: if the Cubs had to throw in Jake Fox to save $1.7 million on Aaron Miles, then there is no way they are signing a Cameron for $8 million per, or anybody for much more than the ML minimum salary. Aaron is right: WYSIWYG.
I sure wish to fast foward to next off season already cause this one has really sucked for us. If I had a dollar for everytime Miltons name came up for trade this offseason. I would be able to buy out the cubs and convert it to Yankees part II. And buy a championship already. I am sick of hearing Bradley is close to be traded. Its not going to happen. And I say Steve Stone for GM next year!!!!! and Ryno to manage!!!!
Neil;
Wow first time I've heard Levine speak so harshly about Hendry...maybe he is reading CCO!
Bryan couldn't agree more on the Soriano signing...the thing that really speaks to Hendry's actions as GM is the length of that contract and the no-trade. Add that to the no-trade for Ramirez and Zambrano and you've taken out all your hedges...you better be sure of the value in return. Is it me or does it seem like just the Cubs have tied themselves up with these unnecessary clauses?
Another thing that irks me...did anyone hear of the Halladay Lee trade or the possible signing of Cameron by Boston until it has happened. Perhaps the best example is Lowell...there was rumblings that the Red Sox might try to move him but nothing like the vigil that is a trademark of Hendry moves. Everyone in the world seems to know what Hendry is going to do for months and months in a never ending soap opera.
When the open criticism starts coming from the mainstream media and respected journalists like Levine the death watch has begun for Hendry and company imo. The decision may already have been effectively made and Hendry is left to stew in the mess he himself has created... how appropriate...(wouldn't it be ironic and another "Cubbie occurance" though if the Cubs had another playoff appearance year and the Ricketts were forced to keep him like Angelo was forced to keep Jauron after 2001 13-3 year)
I am not going to miss that fact that Mike Cameron COULD have been a Cub, I agree he would have been an alright fit, but he is getting old and Marlon Byrd is a better option. Though where does the money come from? Trading away Milton doesnt free up any money then how do we get the extra cabbage to sign anyone? Trade away Milton for nothing to anyone who is willing to except him, increase payroll and try and sign Byrd. Then hope that everyone returns to their forms of two years ago when we were a 97 win ballclub, I think that everyone is over-reacting, we have the pieces in place and beyond the Cardinals in our divison the depth is awful, and even St. Louis is losing alot to free agency...Holliday, Pinero, DeRosa, Ankiel and so forth...no worries for next year, when all the Cubs players have a complete down year and we were still in the hunt of the division til late, it shows me that we can rebound with a much better effort and cruise to a division title
the rickets knew that a new GM would want to spend more and would say they are hamstrung by Hendry's contracts, so he is setting up Hendry to fix it or fail, so they can fire him in 2010.
I fully expect Hendry to be fired if the team is not contending next year and hope for a Sandy Alderson type to run the show the right way. from the farm system up.
This is Fun!
Read my posts so far this offseason. I was hoping BUT I knew. All of these names coming up, all of them with ridiculous price tags attached, and reportedly no money to spend. Is it frustrating? Hell yes! Was it inevitable? Yep! But let's take an aerial view...
This is not a bad thing. Hendry being gone is what we all expected and wanted. There is no way the Ricketts were going to put a face in front of Hendry's mess other than Hendry's (That's a big face in front of a big mess). Let's think about this for a minute...Say they hire a great and I mean GREAT GM...that GM would not be able to fix this. Then that GM would have their name dragged through the mud, and laughed at, and arguing with other people in the hotel lobby. Not gonna happen!
Now, what is happening. Hendry is being exposed. He messed this team up. He doomed em. There is no way he can dig out from this. Keep Lou, keep about the same team in place, keep payroll the same, DO NOT mortgage the farm for the flavor of the month, and SIT!!!!!!!!!!
Hire a great hitting coach who will filter his philosphies throughout the system, prime Sandberg with one more year with the kids.
What will happen in the future...New GM YAY...Sandberg at the helm YAY...payroll flexibility YAY...and an infusion of young talent YAY!!! No not young talent that you rushed to the bigs, but young talent that fought, bled and sweat together all through the minors, under the tutelage of a good baseball man.
It is hard for me, as I am sure it is hard for all of you, to wait. 102 years is a long time, and we deserve better. But blowing more money, on more inflated and worthless contracts just to "Look" better in 2010, would not only defeat the purpose of... but compound Hendry's mess.
Better days are coming Cub fans..in 2011. Let's hope that the Ricketts realize that and continue to not allow Hendry to "screw it up"! It's going to be a long season... but who knows could be a surprise season... I just know for a fact that my heart will not be broken this season... I have faith for what is to come... and that is sustained winning!!!
Bravo!
The Ricketts family is investing in the stadium for future gains which would lead to possibly more spending. Is there really anybody that you feel like they are totally missing out on anyway? Mike Cameron? I would rather they hold their roster close to what it is now, Bradley excluded, and save the money for a possible mid-season acquisition. You never know who will become available.
A little perspective shows that the Cubs are in a pretty good place relative to their division. The Cardinals look to lose Holliday, Pineiro and DeRosa while adding Brad Penny so far. Don’t forget all the top prospects they gave up to get Holliday and DeRosa. IMHO, they are in a much bigger bind than the Cubs are. The Brewers have added Randy Wolf and Latroy Hawkins. Serviceable players, but not first class upgrades. The Pirates and Reds could be a year or too away from being contenders and the Astros are a mess. My point is going into a season, if you give your team a chance to compete within their division (which the Cubs clearly can), you can add and compliment your team as you go, just like the Cardinals did last year.
There are plenty of Piniella haters here, but I agree with Ron Santo in that he did a wonderful job last season. To have each of your starting pitchers go on the DL at one point or another (sometimes multiple pitchers at once), the Bradley distractions, the Aram injury, Soriano Fontenot and Soto having the horrible years they had and still finish second and above .500 is pretty good. Heck, they were in first place as late as July. If you think about it, going into the start of last season, Piniella had only 2 maybe 3 of 8 position players play up to reasonable expectations (by reasonable, I mean at least equal to their previous worst season).
I think Ricketts is going to run this like a business. You know he had to sell his dad on this idea, so I think he has some pride on the line. What that means is you don't keep a guy around (Hendry) to fail or sabatoge him. If you don't think he fits in, you cut your losses. Ricketts was consulted before the extention. He sat in on the organizational meeting and knows what the offseason plans are for the team. Yes, I hope he realizes they need a baseball business person above Jim (Gillick or Alderson) to keep him accountable.
I'm sure there are accounting related advantages that are leading them to make improvements to Wrigley versus pouring it into salary at this time. This has to be done for a long term successful business.
Maybe Jim is starting to keep his cards a little closer to his chest, so this is upsetting the media and fans a little. This can only help the negotiations in regards to players he is interested. The media has to be making some of this up, because as some point out it doesn't make sense they are not increasing the budget but yet we are suppose to be signing Pineiro and Byrd to 3yr deals?
Also, you know at least one of those Rickett's are as passionate about the Cubs as all of us, so we'll have to have faith they are doing the right things while we are not privy to them. If something makes sense and the case is made, I'm sure a slight budget increase can be made.
Also, like Rip said, I'm not ready for a bunch of young guys this year. We don't have the team that needs them this year or the manager that would use them properly. If they win a job in spring training great, but lets not depend on any of them. If this team tanks, maybe they can be sellers at the deadline, then blow it up and rebuild. Some guys will give up their NTC if they know you are going back to scratch. I'll go watch the Pirates whenever I get the urge to see a bunch of young players.
let's review a few things that the fans keep bringing up:
1.making hendry the fall guy by not allowing him to spend will help end 101 YRS of no championship how?
2.STOP the discussion of winning the division; been there done that 3 times in the 7 yrs hendry has been the GM. number of WS wins-0.
3. would the yankees or red sox fans put up w. this-let's spend 15M on bathrooms we are happy; screw the product on the field.-answer-NO.
4.looks like we'll clean up the crap in the bathrooms; not on the field. the ricketts family is kidding themselves if they think there is a grace period-there is NOT.
101 yrs and counting; stop the we could win the division talk; who gives a damn.cubs fans deserve a WS championship; not in 5 yrs, but now.
5.the fans should demand ricketts show up to the convention if the purse strings do not allow at least 10M added to the payroll this year; let's see if he can handle the heat for screwing the fan base.
67', I understand your frustration but I think it is what it is. I personally thought the one guy that could have potentially put them over the top this year was Roy Halladay, since everything I have read says he is the real deal on all aspects. He would have provided some real leadership to that pitching staff. But they didn't want to cough up the money or prospects.
Now next year if Aram opts out they are looking for a 3rd baseman. Remember how they did when he was out this last year?The wheels on the bus go round and round.
cubs1967,
1. you are right, it will not directly help this year. but how will giving Hendry the 20M$ you would like Mr. "Tribbits" to hand over (another loan essentially, as the family certainly did not pay $850M in cash) to try to spend his way out of his mess help the future of the organization? How has Hendry proved, or earned your trust as a long suffering fan, that he can wisely and responsibly spend another pile of YOUR money? Because in the end, it is us, the fans, that will have to pay off the loan.
2. Agreed 100%
3. the Red Sox have made considerable upgrades to Fenway over the last decade in order to bring it up to 21st Century standards AND to increase and maximize profits. the Yankees -- they are on their own planet when it comes to spending and earning -- but did you notice there new billion dollar stadium this year? Do you really think that improving Wrigley in terms of players/coaches comforts in clubhouse and hitting/practice facilities will have a positive net gain? Or bringing the decrepit structure itself up to safety standards (falling chunks of concrete held together with nets!?) is not a priority? For the record, I for one, really love the huge pee troughs and will miss them when they are gone.
4. I've been waiting about 25 years myself (since I was old enough to really care). And that is long enough, but to call it a "grace period" isn't fair either. Tom Ricketts et al cannot be expected to step in and bring a championship immediately. Could it happen? yes. Should it be an expectation? I don't know.
5. I would like to see it too. Ultimately, the consumers have the power. Will you be attending to ask questions and demand results?
I am not ready to blame the new owners just yet. Short of giving away tens of millions of dollars and then signing new players for 10s of millions of dollars, what is an owner supposed to do?
Ok all props I have given Kenny Williams in the past couple of weeks have gone out the window. The White Sox just acquired JUAN PIERRE from the Dodgers. How many center fielders is this guy going to obtain? Jones, Kotsay, and now Pierre.
Why not just sign Reed back and let him play centerfield? The guy can play some defense, he likes it here, and is a great clubhouse guy. I want players that want to be here and help the Cubs win! No one seems to be considering this, but it seems like a good plan to me.
I did say yesterday that we could've swapped bad contract for bad contract (Juan Pierre) He wasn't that bad with us, he just wanted to get paid and he did someone else overpaid for him. Just like we did with Milton. I would rather have Pierre leading off that what we have had leading off. And I love Reed alot, but he's not an everyday player....
My thought is that no one wants to sign some aging player for centerfield, but we have Reed right here, that wants to play here. You can rotate him with Fukodome and sub in right field with Bradley (if he's still here), Hoffpauir, and you can sub Fuld in center. I just can't see spending the dollars on the people that are being discussed, when we can get just as much production from the people we already have...if we sign Reed back. There is no one available within' our budget that would make it worth while to sign and make us better.
Who would you rather have Bradley for 2 years at about 23 million or Pierre for 18 million? If you say its a wash then you know the value for Bradley ( about $8mm which the WS are paying plus two decent pitching prospects)
St. Louis Cards upped the offer for Holliday to $16 million per year.
Excellent!!! Boras has them bidding against themselves. They to can have a Soriano type contract on their books.
Someone will, that is almost certain now. How many years at 16M? He'll get it up to 18M$ per and at least 6 years. Awful.
How can the Cards do that? If they do, next year they better be ready to offer Pujols an ARod type deal...
I read today that the offer to Holliday is $16m over 7 years.
That would be the largest contract in St. Louis history, until Pujols shatters it next year.
While the Holliday signing would make St. Louis the team to beat in the NL Central for the next 2-3 years ... I'd love to see this 8 year deal happen. It will be a big burden on the Cards for years 4-8.
Especially when they sign Pujols! They will be strapped with heavy backloaded contracts for aging players... hmmmmmmm sound familiar?
If Holliday - Boras accept 16M$, while a boat load of cash - yes, I would have to say that it is a concession for Boras. Holliday is the premier hitter on the market. Bay and his agent aren't gonna like that...opps, maybe shoulda taken the 4 and 65...
If the Birds do get Holliday at that price their payroll is just under 100M$. But they haven't re-signed Ludwick, have they? yet Pujols will surely get a raise over the 16M$ he's making. Then they have to re-up Wainwright and/or Carpenter.
It can work the other way. If you get a really good ballplayer/athlete that is a real pro and plays for more than just the money they can be a cornerstone for many years to come...Who wouldn't have signed Elway for 8 years during his prime? The difference is the talent and personnel evalaution of the various club...that why some do better than others. The Cubs invest in incomplete or flawed talent...that has been one of the problems amongst many.
Elway? Huh?
That sounds good, jw, but the fact is there aren't any in-their-prime baseball players - let alone one of the top 3 players in the game - even Mr. Perfect Pujols that is not going to expect to be paid like the best player in the game. Agents don't allow that. He may give a break, but he's still gonna be a 20M$ per player in two years. You can bet on that.
Cubs are stepping up their pursuit of Byrd, re: Rosenthal, and Reed Johnson re: Muskat. I could warm up to Byrd if it were a 2 year deal max and consistent with the 3M$ he made last year. I trust Rudy's judgment and you know they have consulted him. Just no 3 years and 15 or something dumb like that. Funny thing is the #1 comparable hitter according to B-R.com is....Reed Johnson!! I love that.
man...Cubs fans have been coming out swinging in recent days....it's almost like what will happen if Congress passes the health bill.
Anyway, we need to come to certain realizations:
1) Cubs won't even finish 2nd next season, especially if the Cards re-sign Holliday. With the Brewers always dangerous lineup, and improved pitching, they'll be more dangerous as well
2) Currently, the average age of the Cubs lineup will be around 32 yrs old. If we sign someone like Byrd...that doesn't help matters at all.
3) Does a lineup like this inspire any confidence whatsoever:
Theriot-SS
Baker/Fontenot-2B
Lee-1B
ARAM-3B
Fukudome-RF
Soriano-LF
Byrd-CF (just FYI, Byrd bats best lead-off, or 4th or 6th, which he ain't batting 4th, and Soriano is slated for 6th, so it's not pretty)
Soto-C
*and that's even if we get Byrd...if not, it'll be something like this:
Fuld-CF
Theriot-SS
Lee-1B
ARAM-3B
Fukudome-RF
Soriano-LF
Baker/Fontenot-2B
Soto-C
4) So far, we've seen apparent targets be traded/signed such as: Teahen, Iwamura, Hermida, Hardy, Granderson, Millwood, Lindstrom, Rafael Soriano, Cameron, Lowell (in exchange for Bradley), Wagner. What more will we see be signed/traded before Hendry does something? Burrell comes to mind right away as someone the Rays would trade, not wanting to wait on Hendry. I believe Byrd will re-sign with the Rangers, Ankiel will re-sign with the Cards, Felipe Lopez will sign with the Dodgers, and Capps will sign with the Orioles...at least in my opinion.
All indications are that the Cubs will basically enter 2010 with the same roster, save for Hoffpauir, Jake Fox, Chad Fox, Gregg, Miles, and Heilman.
Fuld replaces Hoffpauir essentially right now
Baker replaces Miles (because Baker wasn't on the team at the start)
John Grabow replaces Gregg essentially
Justin Berg replaces Heilman
Esmalin Caridad replaces Chad Fox
*all of which were not on the original team that broke camp last year from Mesa.
Gorzelanny essentially replaces Lilly to start 2010, and Samardzija likely replaces Harden.
So, your likely roster for 2010 is....
Z
Lilly-DL to start season
Dempster
Wells
Gorzelanny
Samardzija
pen-Caridad, Marshall, Berg, Caridad, Grabow, Guzman, Marmol
bench-K Hill, Fontenot, Blanco, Adduci, Colvin (or some scrub veteran)
C-Soto
1B-Lee
2B-Baker
SS-Theriot
3B-ARAM
LF-Soriano
CF-Fuld
RF-Fukudome
YUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In fact, even if Hendry were to replace Adduci and Colvin with someone else, it certainly won't be a difference maker. And if he were to find a CF, it probably won't be Ankiel or Byrd...it'd probably be more like Podsednik.
Aaron...YUCK??????YUCK???YUCK???
I just startled the whole library
laughing truly out loud.
The sad thing is...I agree.
The Cubs have to resolve Bradley now...either come out and say he will be back next season...(Eat Crow) Trade him
or Release him now...Their time is up...it's becoming a Public Relations nightmare...ticket sales are going to be affected this season...I hope Rickett's is ready for that.
What's going to be their big Ad Campaign in 2010 ??? "COME OUT TO WRIGLEY AND WATCH RUDY TEACH THE OLD DOGS NEW TRICKS?"
This might be a historic season...the White Sox might outdraw the Cubs for the first time in 30 plus years.
Anyway, Merry Christmas Guys.
Well, it's been fun reading everyone's comments and Neil's story.
Phillies trade of Lee to Seattle Halladay to the Phillies...what a surprising and smart move...
Actually, Pierre to to the White Sox was pretty cool...They can use him as a leadoff/DH/LF at a reduced price.
Cameron for 15 million over 2 years is way to much...and out of our budget...and he was plan D...I wonder what plan "A" is/was.
It;'s pretty obvious the Cubs have to readjust their offseason game plan to fit reality...The question now is keep or release....Burrell doesn't really help...he's just another untradeable piece.
If you subscribe to the theory that Ricketts was forced to take on Clown Kenney...along with JH (as I do)...Then
it's a masterful strategy of hanging them out to dry in their own juices...
Guys, we all like to attack Hendry...bui
lets not forget "Clown" Kenney and his role in signing off with everything...
and then hanging around the clubhouse.
Internal politics aside this season...
we fans are going to actually bear the brunt of another difficult season...but this is a transition that is unavoidable
with the current circumstances.
Although we have a team geared to veterans...I'm more aligned with Aaron and Bryon's thinking re young players.
Let's give them a shot...what's to lose?
As far as Lou/JH/Clown Kenney goes...it's time to start guessing when they will be gone...June/July/August/
September...Let me be the first to say
I don't think they will finish the season. (At least JH/Lou)...I'm not so sure on inept executives like "Clown"
Kenney.
It is actually going to be the rough 2 years we envisioned last year...and it is tough to watch...while not unexpected.
Patience though...don't despair...remember last year the Cards did nothing in the off-season and made their big moves at mid season...
It is weird though...watching Hendry dangle in the wind.
BTW, I'm really concerned The Red Sox
are turning into the Cubs...overpaying for an old Cameron instead signing Bay or Halliday...(although I expect they'll make a play for Crawford or whomever
is hot later this summer...they still have a ton of prospects....and signing Lackey mskes their pitching staff look formidable....Dice K for Fukodome and Prospects???
The one thing Ricketts said was people will be held accountable. I love it, Hendry is going to get eaten alive until he resigns or is canned. Either way it will be a great day on the North side. Lou will last the entire season, collect his checks and start fishing next year in Florida. Ricketts knows Sandberg makes the most sense as the next manager - if he is a Cubs fan first, and not just in it as a businessman. Ricketts first major move of his era will be who he chooses to become the next GM.
The most significant move the Cubs will make this offseason, has already happened. Signing Rudy Jaramillo. Having the right guy in place to evaluate the talent coming up is key in the future success of this franchise. I don't care one way or the other if Bradley remains a Cub. He should not be the everyday starter however, instead platooning with Fukudome in right field would be the ideal situation. If he could hit 330+ from the right side of the plate, that will go a long way to making his attractiveness look very nice come trade deadline time.
We have the talent to be competitive this season, with the current roster and prospects except for one thing - starting pitching. This should be our top priority. Any additional resources should be used to fill this gaping hole. Lilly's injury will be impossible to replace him without a quality starter added.
2B/SS we will get by with Baker/Fontenot/Theriot until Castro is ready to come up later in the year.
We have so many lefty pen guys major league ready, I am sure Hendry should be able to deal for a righty reliever, and an outfield RH platoon player to team with Fuld and others in center.