The Cubs need pitching now!

[redcheeks]

Since we seem to be done with the Wood experiment, we need to go hard after Schmidt or Zito. Pitching wins championships and we need to get our staff together. What do you guys think about this:

Zambrano Schmidt Zito Hill Miller

[Webgem]

I like it but Schmidt and Zito would be quite pricey.

That would be the best SR in baseball.:)

[scuba]

yeah, that would be a heck of a rotation. not realistic probably, but a good thought.;)

[Webgem]

How about

Zambrano
Schmidt
Zito
Matsuzaka
Hill
:D :D :D :D

[scuba]

:eek: Now that would be something!!

[Webgem]

Yea I'm dreaming....but pitching wins championships....;) ;)

[Waveland007]

I know they said we were one of the last 5 to have a slim chance at Matzusaka, but it sure would be sweet to get him. Zito is a fly ball pitcher and with Pedro thinking of retirement I see the Mets going for him hard. He would fit well at there park and there pitching coach use to be in Oakland. Schmidt would be great, but it looks like his heart may be with Seattle, but you never know money talks lol. We hear of us going for 2 SP and one of them being a stud/workhorse type. I would love to get the import and say Lilly. Think of the flexibility of that rotation 1 Zambrano 2 Hill 3 Matzusaka 4 Lilly 5 Miller. We could have 2 lefties blended into the rotation with the rest being inning eaters. And if by some miracle Prior takes his midol we have him down the stretch or late in the year lol. I hear many want Suppan, but his numbers are inflated, he had back to back 16 win seasons in 04 and 05, but had the best run support on the Cardinals. Also for people saying his era was a low 4 this year check that era before September 1st for the season, it was at about 5. Lilly has never been in the NL and that being said I think his numbers would drop here. I doubt we get Matzusaka, but it sure would be a huge shot in the arm. :cool:

[Webgem]

I read today the bid for Matsuzaka will be 20 mil.....It would be nice to see the Cubbies go high just once and really tick off the NY teams...:)

In my opinion I think 25 mil could get him. I don't know if any of you watched the WBC but his guy was nasty and he's only 26 years old.:eek:

[scuba]

Yeah, that Matsuzaka guy is nasty. I just wish the Cubs would get some big name pitcher this offseason. We've got more money to do it.

[Waveland007]

Regardless of the Aram situation Hendry is going for 2 SP and possibly Soriano, but say he honestly feels Aram will bail on him I wouldn't be surprised if he spent Aram's money toward a higher bid on Matzusaka. It wouldn't cover the 20-25 million, but 11 million is a huge chunk. I guess we just have to wait and stress wondering what will happen lol. :eek:

[scuba]

Regardless of the Aram situation Hendry is going for 2 SP and possibly Soriano, but say he honestly feels Aram will bail on him I wouldn't be surprised if he spent Aram's money toward a higher bid on Matzusaka. It wouldn't cover the 20-25 million, but 11 million is a huge chunk. I guess we just have to wait and stress wondering what will happen lol. :eek:

If we lose ARam, we better make some serious moves to make up for it.

[Waveland007]

oh no doubt, but when you consider the market this year for 3B he would have to get creative and probably upgrade the offense at other positions to make up for his loss. Probably make a trade or something :(

[Webgem]

To be quite honest, I'm worried about this offseason.

So many holes and the Cubbies aren't the only ones going after these top guys either...:confused:

[redcheeks]

I completely forgot about Prior. With Schmidt not available maybe this:

Zambrano Matsuzaka Prior Hill Miller


How much would it piss off the Yankees if the Cubs got Matsuzaka!

[roenick99]

Since we seem to be done with the Wood experiment, we need to go hard after Schmidt or Zito. Pitching wins championships and we need to get our staff together. What do you guys think about this:

Zambrano Schmidt Zito Hill Miller


I like it, but you list both Schmidt and Zito. I don't believe we get both, so that means we need another starter. I prefer to get Schmidt instead of Zito because Zito would throw up some wicked meatballs IMO. Who do you see as a lesser dollar "quality" starter? By lesser dollar I mean less than $10 million a year. Suppan is a possiblity. Most people say "NO" because he doesn't win 20 games every (and hasn't ever yet), but I don't believe we are looking for a #1 starter when you sign someone like him...

[roenick99]

Hey, how do you guys change your mood on here?

[redcheeks]

Well, Schmidt isn't available anymore, so that throws that idea out the window. I think we should really try to get Matsuzaka, but a lesser money guy wouldn't be bad either. Like you said, we don't have to find an ace or anything. Suppan would be solid. Maybe even like Padilla, but I'm not sure how much he's asking for.

Oh, and to change the mood thing, look where it says "My Mood" above the "Quick Links" up there. You should be able to click "Change Mood" and select which one you want.:)

[Mark Grace was da man]

I signed up due to you redcheeks, thanks for the link!

I don't think Schmidt was our guy either way, he's older and we need youth with our current squad. I think we should actually man up and shoot for a PROVEN MLB big guy in Zito(not that he's young but he's younger than Schmidt.) We DON'T need to spend 20MILL PLUS for an unproven Japanese talent.

[Supertack]

Not that it really matters, cause the chances of getting Schmidt or Zito are remote, but I don't think either one of those guys is our best option, but lemme get to that in a minute. Schmidt has limited his choice to the Giants or the Mariners. Sure, money can factor into decisions, but it doesn't look like the Cubs have any real chance at him. Zito on the other hand, I believe will go to a NL team, & the Cubs may have as good a chance as any getting him.

Now, as for should they get him. There's a lotta AL folks talking about how he has become pretty hittable the last couple years. Although his year end numbers were repectable (especially for the AL), do you shack out that much cash for 15 wins? I think the Cubs could do better with a few guys with slightly lower stature. Man, with what we've had to endure with pitching injuries the last couple years, I'd take all three of the Cardinals FA starters. I'd rather look at Mulder, Marquis, & Weaver than Marshall, Marmol, & Guzman.

[LeeEila's/rant]

Ditto Supertack , I agree about raiding the Cards would do doubles to help us . Good pitchers that they won't have. :p I believe Zito is over priced and I would rather have a solid #2 or 3 guy .

[Czech Swing]

Now that Aram is staying, maybe we can make a strong play for Zito. I don't think we have a chance at schmidt.

[geluf]

Any way we can warp time and space and somehow aquire Oswalt?

:p

[scuba]

Hey geluf! I'm not a big fan of getting players from rivals like the 'Stros and Cards, but Oswalt would be pretty awesome. :rolleyes:

[HOLYCOW!25]

What about Petitte? I think if the Cubs offered him enough money, he would decide to pitch again, and he could be really good. He started off last year kinda rough, but had a 2.93 ERA after the All-Star break. I think he'd be a solid pitcher to get.

[Drew]

I'm not entirely sold on Zito. He just doesn't seem to be a big game pitcher, and if the ultimate goal is to win a World Series (which it is), then I would prefer Schmidt. That's just my two cents though.

[Waveland007]

The Cubs have reached out to free agent Ted Lilly, and agent Larry O'Brien describes the club as an "intriguing" possibility.
Lilly, though, is believed to be want to pitch on the West Coast, perhaps with the Dodgers, Giants or Padres. His wife, Tasha, will be a third-year veterinary student at the University of California at Davis next season.