we should go after lugo

[irishcubsfan]

I think lugo would be a great signing for the cubs becuase we could put him in center with soriano in left field or put him at short stop and let soriano play center. I also think cliff floyd would be a great pick up to split time with murton in left or start if jones is traded. ps i think we should look to jason schmidt and then trade for westbrook after that our team is looking pretty olid what do you think?

[righthookbarrett]

I think lugo would be a great signing for the cubs becuase we could put him in center with soriano in left field or put him at short stop and let soriano play center. I also think cliff floyd would be a great pick up to split time with murton in left or start if jones is traded. ps i think we should look to jason schmidt and then trade for westbrook after that our team is looking pretty olid what do you think?

I think as excited I am about the recent aquirement of Soriano, that the Cubs need to halt spending somewhere. What do we have left to spend? I'm hearing all sorts of numbers but not getting a real definite answer. And how much is Lugo looking for? Is he a free agent or would we have to trade for him?

[DLee25]

I don't think Hendry knows a definite $$$ # he can spend. Lugo is a FA

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

Yeah Lugo is over rated to me and we dont need him at 4 years at 8 million per year, just dosent seem like a worth while deal.

[Zamby38]

Well would you rather have Cedeno or Lugo play Shortstop?
If hendy can/wants to make the deal for lugo, thats what he will have to decide?
I would personally want Lugo, More speed and range, and also experience!

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

Neifi will do

[Zamby38]

No, Neifi had his chance.

[righthookbarrett]

Well would you rather have Cedeno or Lugo play Shortstop?
If hendy can/wants to make the deal for lugo, thats what he will have to decide?
I would personally want Lugo, More speed and range, and also experience!

What about Izturis? As of right now (which isn't saying much cause he could be gone tomorrow), Izturis is the starting shortstop. And I don't really have a problem with it really. The way I feel about things, not everybody can be a stud baseball player. That's just the way it is. With Soriano, Lee, Ramirez, Barrett, and Jones/Murton all providing good or terrific offensive numbers, I'm fine knowing Izturis will be starting at SS. He's a fine defensive player when he's on, and I see defense as one of the defining characteristics of the SS position.

[Zamby38]

Would Izturis bat in the #2 position?

[righthookbarrett]

Would Izturis bat in the #2 position?

That's where I'd put him. My lineup would look something like:

1-Soriano
2-Izturis
3-Lee
4-Ramirez
5-Jones
6-Barrett
7-Murton
8-DeRosa
9-Pitcher

[dundeecub]

this may sound mental, but thats what im here for:

Theriot in CF

He has time in the OF in the minors, including CF, has a decent arm and has shown all signs of being a good no. 2 batter.

hence:
Soriano - lf
Theriot - cf
DLee - 1b
ARam - 3b
JJones - rf
Barrett - c
DeRosa - 2b
Izturis - ss

i have a suspicion that Izturis will be traded away for pitching given the infield logjam and talk of lugo. i would quite like to have seen theriot get some time at ss in september because that is an interesting option (more offensive upside than cedeno, better defensively too).

now to sit back and watch none of this happen....
dc

[Zamby38]

Damn.
That's all I can say.
Is DeRosa more of a defensive player?
I havent watched him play much.

[righthookbarrett]

this may sound mental, but thats what im here for:

Theriot in CF

He has time in the OF in the minors, including CF, has a decent arm and has shown all signs of being a good no. 2 batter.

hence:
Soriano - lf
Theriot - cf
DLee - 1b
ARam - 3b
JJones - rf
Barrett - c
DeRosa - 2b
Izturis - ss

i have a suspicion that Izturis will be traded away for pitching given the infield logjam and talk of lugo. i would quite like to have seen theriot get some time at ss in september because that is an interesting option (more offensive upside than cedeno, better defensively too).

now to sit back and watch none of this happen....
dc

Yeah, but then where does Murt fit in? Do you think the Cubs plan on trading him? It'll be interesting to see how the offseason unfolds, that's for sure. If I'm Jim Hendry, I'm shopping Murt and Theriot. I know that's going to make a lot of people cringe, but if it can nab us some starting pitching, screw it.

[righthookbarrett]

Damn.
That's all I can say.
Is DeRosa more of a defensive player?
I havent watched him play much.

Supposedly DeRosa is an excellent defensive player who can be used as a utility guy. 2B, 3B, OF. Hey, that lineup isn't bad at all. You've got the core of Ramirez, Lee, and Soriano, plus Barrett, Murton, Jones, and DeRosa, all guys who have put up good, solid batting averages last season.

[Zamby38]

Yes, and if DeRosa can play a little center field here and there, that would get Cedeno some time at 2nd base, which is what he needs, experience.
A lot of different situations that can work.
hmm...tough choice as to who to shop and who to keep.

[righthookbarrett]

Yes, and if DeRosa can play a little center field here and there, that would get Cedeno some time at 2nd base, which is what he needs, experience.
A lot of different situations that can work.
hmm...tough choice as to who to shop and who to keep.

One thing's for sure. Piniella is gonna have his hands full in Spring Training.

[Zamby38]

Yes he is.
But, maybe by the time spring training comes along things will have played out and there will be less "____ is on the block."
who knows?
but I hope its nots a scrum a week before the season starts!

[dundeecub]

I like Murton, and im intigued by him as a pinch hitter and even as a 1b/3b. He has decent pop, but unless Soriano plays Cf or Jones is traded there's nowhere for him here. He could be on the trade block, ditto Izzy, Cedeno (I will be furious if Theriot goes, i mean really angry), Soto and Reyes (we need to lose one of them from the 40-man), Bynum, and most of the relievers who're not marquee viz: Demp, Wood, Howry, Eyre, Cotts

[irishcubsfan]

man happened i feel asleep last week and now apparently ryan theriot is ernie banks or something why do u want him to play so bad. if he were that great he would hae played a lot more then he did last year plus he not even the top second base prospect we have right now. lugo would be a great additon to this team becuase it allows us to move derosa to left with izzy playin short and gives us many oppurtunities plus we need another left handed bad in the order so i think we need to sign liff floyd hwho would come inexpensive or mayebe craig wilson.

[dundeecub]

i merely think theriot has more upside than he is given credit for, and deserves the time to prove it. he has a good obp and is enough of a threat in the 2 slot to give soriano steal opportunities. he is only nominally a second baseman: he has seen major time at ss, 3rd and left (at aaa).

the way the roster IS NOW, i would hope to see him play a major part, but there are improvements to be made, no doubt.

[Webgem]

Lugo would be a good #2 hitter behind Soriano....I'm not so sure about his skills in CF though.

I like Murton don't get me wrong but I think he will be trade bait if they can aquire SP.

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

Why is everyone on the bandwagon for this guy? I mean dont get me wrong hes a ok player but for the contract he wants sounds high for a average player. Just look at how much jp got, we might as well of gave him that.

[irishcubsfan]

lugo is not going to play center field soriano is how many time dou have to betold that?

[DLee25]

Soriano is gonna be playing CF? Show me that in text. There is a possibility, both him and lugo could play. But I don't see anywhere that Soriano is gonna play CF, I heard hes going to play one of the corners.

[HOLYCOW!25]

Yea, everything I've heard or read has said he's probably gonna play one of the corners. But I would want him in center so we don't have to worry about getting another outfielder, and just focus on pitching.

[irishcubsfan]

when soriano was first signed lou pinella said in an interview that soriano would lead off and play center field that is one of the main reasons he wanted to come to the cubs aslo jim hendry has said it on many occasions

[DLee25]

He did not say he was gonna play CF, he specifically said that we are gonna put him at one of the OF Positions, and leave him there. I don't know what video your watching but it is wrong.
He did say he would be leadoff man.

Show me hendry saying Soriano playing CF, and Lou.

[Zamby38]

Yeah, Soriano was only guaranteed the leadoff spot, and the cubs were not sure of what outfield position he was going to be at.
I too would like to see the link for hendry saying soriano will play center.

[DLee25]

People can't jump to conclusions because we don't have SET CF yet. Just because we signed soriano does not mean he will play CF. Although i think it is a possibility if we don't get one.

[Webgem]

Soriano was guaranteed the leadoff spot that's it.

'We basically told him we wanted him to be our leadoff hitter,'' general manager Jim Hendry said Monday after Soriano, 30, passed a physical to complete the eight-year, $136 million deal. ''We feel he can do the most damage in that spot. He was very glad to hear that. We didn't know that was his preference, but he was pleased with that.''

Hendry and new manager Lou Piniella also promised Soriano -- a converted second baseman who led the National League in outfield assists last season -- that he will play one outfield position, though that spot has yet to be determined.

[scuba]

I think the plan right now is to play Soriano in CF. He would move to a corner OF spot if we trade Jones, and Murton will play the other corner position. Personally, I think we should pass on Lugo. We can afford to have Izturis at SS because we have enough offense to make up for him and he is a Gold Glove caliber SS. If we end up trading him, then I would say give Theriot a shot at short. I know Theriot doesn't have a bunch of experience in the big leagues, but the guy looks quite a bit better than Cedeno and would be much cheaper than Lugo. Plus, I love how he plays the game. Also, instead of putting that money into Lugo when we have other options, we need to put it toward acquiring a couple good pitchers and taking care of Big Z. You don't need an All-Star at every position to win. Pretty sure the Yanks haven't won it all in a while and look at their lineup. ;)

[billbucknersjersey22]

Agree! Let's get some pitching. There are a bunch of guys that can hit .277 and play shortstop for a lot less than 8M a season...Lugo has talent but lets put some money into some guys that can get somebody out. We don't want to always have to score 10 runs to win a ballgame.

[bringbacktuffy]

yeah im not sold on lugo- how about crawford in center, soriano in rightor left, murton/pagan at the other corner, trade jones for pitching? thoughts?

[dundeecub]

i would be very surprised if we got crawford, particularly with the pie situation. i think scuba may be right and we see soriano in cf for a year with jones in right and murt in left.

on the other hand jones is our best trade bait, and we will need to make at least one trade for a pitcher. if we can only get an average FA starter then we might need jones to get a quality starter as well (because we do need 2 imo).

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

yeah im not sold on lugo- how about crawford in center, soriano in rightor left, murton/pagan at the other corner, trade jones for pitching? thoughts?

I think Big Jim should try to trade patterson, pie and marshall, or something like that, for Crawford. If you look at his numbers they are better than Brock's at this point in both there career's. He is a great player that gets no media attention and I think is far better that Juan Pierre ever was or ever will be. I would have him lead-off with Soriano in the 2 hole. The combo could steal 100 base's, hit 65 homeruns and score 250 runs. That combined with Lee and Aram would make the cubs the best team at scoring runs in baseball. But thats all what I would do after the rotaion gets major upgrades. I would not like Lugo one bit.

[ChinMusic22]

What about Izturis? As of right now (which isn't saying much cause he could be gone tomorrow), Izturis is the starting shortstop. And I don't really have a problem with it really. The way I feel about things, not everybody can be a stud baseball player. That's just the way it is. With Soriano, Lee, Ramirez, Barrett, and Jones/Murton all providing good or terrific offensive numbers, I'm fine knowing Izturis will be starting at SS. He's a fine defensive player when he's on, and I see defense as one of the defining characteristics of the SS position.

I like Izturis. He's got a good glove, which with our current lineup is all you really need from the SS. I think instead of spending money on Lugo, it's tme to divert some funds toward some starting pitching... Wood & Prior are still suffering the wrath of Dusty, and are too much of a question mark. Padilla & Eaton would be nice additions.

[LeeEila's/rant]

Lugo would be a good #2 hitter behind Soriano....I'm not so sure about his skills in CF though.

I like Murton don't get me wrong but I think he will be trade bait if they can aquire SP.

My man Murt is still really an unknown around the league. I doubt if anyone is concidering him trade material .

My thoughts , Murton has showed so much skill and ability last year , he may one day be one of the greatest we have seen. I know , I know I sound nuts but , you concider all what he did was with NO encouragement or assitance of Dusty.

Unless Murton really sparkles in training camp he may be platooned . This being the "MUST WIN YEAR " Old Lou may be more comfortable with tried vets over young talent.

[ChinMusic22]

Why is everyone on the bandwagon for this guy? I mean dont get me wrong hes a ok player but for the contract he wants sounds high for a average player. Just look at how much jp got, we might as well of gave him that.

I'm with you. Lugo's an average shortstop but nothing spectacular. I don't see him in CF. If Sori is going to be a corner OF, we're better off signing Lofton, and putting the remainder of that money that would be given to Lugo toward the rotation.

[newt07]

What about Izturis? As of right now (which isn't saying much cause he could be gone tomorrow), Izturis is the starting shortstop. And I don't really have a problem with it really. The way I feel about things, not everybody can be a stud baseball player. That's just the way it is. With Soriano, Lee, Ramirez, Barrett, and Jones/Murton all providing good or terrific offensive numbers, I'm fine knowing Izturis will be starting at SS. He's a fine defensive player when he's on, and I see defense as one of the defining characteristics of the SS position.

I've been having this discussion on the Cubs board, everyone wants to knock his offense. That is what the rest of the team is for. We need defense up the middle of the field.
As far as where he should bat, I think Murton is more suited for the 2 hole.

[dundeecub]

As far as where he should bat, I think Murton is more suited for the 2 hole.

Agreed, with the lineup being the way it looks atm Murton should be at the top, not at 7 like most of last year. I guess it depends who we get for CF, if its someone like Lofton (eek!) then I think he would have to go at 2, because he only has value at the top of the order.

[HEYHEY]

Is Lugo any different than Pagan and much cheaper.I like Izturus at short or Cedano.Does Theirot play short?