Which pitcher should we take?

[gosoriano]

Out of the top pitchers on the market or through trade, which one should we take or which one do you think we will end up with and why?

*Barry Zito, Athletics
*Jason Schmidt, San Fransisco
*Jake Westbrook, Indians
*Gil Meche, Mariners
*Ted Lilly, Blue Jays
*Jason Marquis, Cardinals
*Vicente Padilla, Rangers

[JordoCubs102105]

I would like to see Zito so we have a reliable arm, but he wants a lot of money. What I think we will get is Meche.

[Jason]

Barry Zito would be awesome.

[Waveland007]

Zito is so overated, an ace is somebody who has filthy stuff and even when there #1 pitch isn't working they can still shut you down. When Zito's curve isn't on he gets lit up like a BP pitcher. He wants more then Oswalt and that's a joke to me. His fastball has declined as well and now tops at 88 he's a #2/#3 being payed like he's Johan Santana because he won a Cy YOugn 5 years ago when he could throw 94 I say go after Schmidt, Westbrook, Jennings, Meche, or Padilla. 2 from that list would be great.

[LeeEila's/rant]

Jason Schmidt, San Fransisco

A good solid arm . A sure 6 innings . Solid pitching is the key a consistant workhorse is what we need.

[Zamby38]

Well I think that either Schmidt or Zito would be an excellent pick-up.
But both maybe be asking too much.
Idk, hopefully we can end up with one of them.

[Czech Swing]

All of the above.

[Zamby38]

Lol yeah.
I wish it was that easy.
Maybe we could throw in verlander and santana too.
haha.

[bringbacktuffy]

I would be happy with any two of them. Anyone who can eat up innings while not getting shelled would be great. With the potential of this offense as long as the starters can keep us in it we'll be just fine. Who's more of a ground ball pitcher? I could be wrong but I think meche gives up plenty of fly balls. Schmidt would prob. make the better fit.

[HOLYCOW!25]

Not Zito, he's a fly ball pitcher, and Wrigley is most definetly NOT a flyball pitcher kind of park.

[righthookbarrett]

Jason Schmidt, San Fransisco

A good solid arm . A sure 6 innings . Solid pitching is the key a consistant workhorse is what we need.

I'm not buying into Schmidt. Too old and he gets injured too often. Add the fact that he wants too much money, and I think we're better off with a Ted Lilly or a Jake Westbrook. When it comes down to it, the two pitchers I want to see in the rotation are Westbrook and Kei Igawa. Igawa has been mentioned sparsely this offseason and for good reason; he's an unproven talent and scouts say he may fare transition too well. But with the options we're faced with now, and the possibility that Igawa could end up being ace material? He's an attractive ballplayer for somebody like myself. A gamble, no doubt, but I think he's one we should definitely consider.

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

I would want Schmidt and Padilla but I think we will get Padilla, Meche and Marquis and I have no problem with that. Meche would be be much better in the NL IMO not unlike Arroyo coming from the AL. But we need more than one starter that can make 30-plus starts to even think about winning in 07. Anyone think we should persue Gange I think we should considering Dumpster.

[righthookbarrett]

You think we're going to go for three? What about Miller/Prior?

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

I hope we do. Some people said there would be a 7 starters at spring training then move 2 to pen or trade. I like the idea.

[cubscrazy99]

i think we sign meche and try to trade for westbrook. westbrook would do great at wrigley b/c he is a sinker baller. the rest of the rotation is filled out by Z, Hill, and Prior/Miller. That is a pretty good rotation to go w/ a very good offense

[Zamby38]

All I am going to say is that we need another pitcher.
No matter who we get, as long as its not some 17 year old rook.
Meche,Westbrook,Schmidt,Zito,Marquis,Padilla.
one of those.
please.

[Brutus T Manstrength]

I think we're going to end up with meche.. and I'd love a westbrook too.. I think if we can get two decent pitchers we'd be in pretty good shape. Zito would not be a good pickup, and I think Hendry knows that.. and I think Schmidt will be overpriced and getting too old. He'd be a good vet to have, but I don't think we need him.

[DLee25]

Zito would be a good pickup, but he is the exact same way as you said Schmidt was-overpriced, but not too old.

[John]

Westbrook, i would take westbrook. He has a killer sinker ball and thats what we need. My next choice would be Meche, watching him he reminds me of an oswalt and i believe he would dominate in the national league.

[Brutus T Manstrength]

I'm tellin' you.. Westbrook would be sexy in blue, and Zito would get killed in Wrigley. I'm not saying I don't like Zito.. I'm just saying that Chicago doesn't suit him.. Meche would be killer to have.. I've been pretty high on him for a couple years now, and he's just getting better, I think. What is he.. 27?

[Zamby38]

Lol I agree Westbrook would look sexy in blue and white.
haha.

[HEYHEY]

Pick any 2 off of that list and were ready.That would then replace what we had in Wood and Prior if they stayed healthy.If Prior come back then thats a bonus.