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champsx5

Nov 13th 2007, 6:14 am

BigZ38

Nov 13th 2007, 7:13 am

I've heard about Kuroda a Japanese pitcher. The Cubs are interested in him but so are about 10 other teams. Carlos Silva has seemed to caught the Cubs interest to but he'll cost to much. I think the Cubs will go within the organization on this one.

Doba

Nov 13th 2007, 9:16 am

I'd be very suprised if the Cubs started the season without trading Marquis/Dempster/Marshall/Hill. One of those guys is leaving. That doesn't bother me one bit either.

TRIPLE PLAY

Nov 13th 2007, 11:40 am

1. Zambrano
2. Lilly
3. Marquis
4. Hill
5. ?

We have Marshall, but he might be dealt. I don't want to see Dempster in the rotation. Maybe we have to sing a free agent? Maybe we need to make a trade? Maybe we have someone in our system? What kind of rumors can we start? #3 he gone,see ya...please someone take 'em!! I wonder if #2 can duplicate last year? #4 is soft & we know what #1 can do when he WANTS! #5 must not come from inside,no way Demp wins 10 or more,it's too little too late w/ him.Hello Pacific Coast League,c'mon down!!

Bockstock

Nov 13th 2007, 1:01 pm

I'd be very suprised if the Cubs started the season without trading Marquis/Dempster/Marshall/Hill. One of those guys is leaving. That doesn't bother me one bit either.

+1 but I would rather one of Gallagher/Hart/Holliman be traded instead of Hill

Shwerve

Nov 13th 2007, 8:40 pm

dempster will be serviceable. marquis is serviceable. both of those dudes will be 4.5era guys. those guys (as part of the rotation above) along with our potentially potent offense will take us back to the playoffs. i just think we need at least one more top of the rotation dudes. kiroda turned us down last year, didn't he? also he is projected to be a 3-4-5 guy in any rotation. silva going to be a 4+era guy who will slide in 3-4-5 in our rotation. i don't think we're gonna benefit from this guy. i don't think dumpster will be much worse than this clown. that said, lets trade dumpster or marquis and all of triple A to minnesota for santana. of course i'm joking to some degree

ARamfan

Nov 13th 2007, 9:05 pm

I'd be very suprised if the Cubs started the season without trading Marquis/Dempster/Marshall/Hill. One of those guys is leaving. That doesn't bother me one bit either.

I wouldn't be bothered by that either. :cool:

Bockstock

Nov 13th 2007, 9:41 pm

dempster will be serviceable. marquis is serviceable. both of those dudes will be 4.5era guys. i just think we need at least one more top of the rotation dudes. silva going to be a 4+era guy who will slide in 3-4-5 in our rotation. i don't think we're gonna benefit from this guy.

Man, hard to tell where you are being sarcastic and serious.

Dempster is no way, shape, or form a career 4.5 ERA starter, unless you are the cubs GM and can use his only decent season as a starter five years ago to justify using him as a such, kind of like he used Izturis 2004 season to justify him as the starting SS despite glaring deficiencies.

No way you pay $40 Million to Silva. I don't see the point of overpaying another middle of the rotation starter when Rich Hill is 20 times cheaper and projects to be just as good/better.

champsx5

Nov 14th 2007, 5:06 am

I'd be very suprised if the Cubs started the season without trading Marquis/Dempster/Marshall/Hill. One of those guys is leaving. That doesn't bother me one bit either.

Since August of 2006, Hill has an ERA around 3.20. Why do you have a problem with him? He has been better than Zambrano, Lilly, anyone on the Cubs staff in that span. It would make sense to trade Marshall. I don't theink the Cubs can survive going with 3 lefties for a whole season.

Since the Cubs had the second lowest ERA in the NL, and the Cubs biggest weakness was OBP (They finished what...13th in walks out of 16 teams?) they need guys that can get on base and make the other teams pitch counts go up. If the Cubs go after 2 outfielders, it probably won't leave much room for a big name pitcher. But I did hear Steve Stone say Dontrlle Willis could be traded. Problem is...He's another lefty.

Shwerve

Nov 14th 2007, 6:12 am

Since August of 2006, Hill has an ERA around 3.20. Why do you have a problem with him? He has been better than Zambrano, Lilly, anyone on the Cubs staff in that span. It would make sense to trade Marshall. I don't theink the Cubs can survive going with 3 lefties for a whole season.

Since the Cubs had the second lowest ERA in the NL, and the Cubs biggest weakness was OBP (They finished what...13th in walks out of 16 teams?) they need guys that can get on base and make the other teams pitch counts go up. If the Cubs go after 2 outfielders, it probably won't leave much room for a big name pitcher. But I did hear Steve Stone say Dontrlle Willis could be traded. Problem is...He's another lefty.

would you be ok with 3 lefties if one of them was santana?

Shwerve

Nov 14th 2007, 6:15 am

Man, hard to tell where you are being sarcastic and serious.

Dempster is no way, shape, or form a career 4.5 ERA starter, unless you are the cubs GM and can use his only decent season as a starter five years ago to justify using him as a such, kind of like he used Izturis 2004 season to justify him as the starting SS despite glaring deficiencies.

No way you pay $40 Million to Silva. I don't see the point of overpaying another middle of the rotation starter when Rich Hill is 20 times cheaper and projects to be just as good/better.

that's my real point. i don't see any reason spending $40mil to a guy like silva that isn't going to make that much of a difference for us. dempster ( if he has a 4.5ERA or 5+ERA) is a 4or 5 starter. marquis is a 4-5 starter. silva will slide right in there as well. to take us over the edge we need another zambrano type

Bockstock

Nov 14th 2007, 8:26 am

that's my real point. i don't see any reason spending $40mil to a guy like silva that isn't going to make that much of a difference for us. dempster ( if he has a 4.5ERA or 5+ERA) is a 4or 5 starter. marquis is a 4-5 starter. silva will slide right in there as well. to take us over the edge we need another zambrano type

gotcha man, I agree 100%

That's why I'm having a hard time believing Rich Hill and Carlos Marmol are in the Carl Crawford talks, unless Hendry is going back on everything he has said the past two years. Even if Hill is projects as a career #3, the Cubs have nothing to replace these two unless they spend alot of $$

Doba

Nov 14th 2007, 9:04 am

Shwerve

Nov 14th 2007, 10:26 am

gotcha man, I agree 100%

That's why I'm having a hard time believing Rich Hill and Carlos Marmol are in the Carl Crawford talks, unless Hendry is going back on everything he has said the past two years. Even if Hill is projects as a career #3, the Cubs have nothing to replace these two unless they spend alot of $$

as of right now, it is a rumor.
http://www.bradenton.com/breakingsports/story/200836.html

i'm under the belief that you don't trade solid pitching for anything, but i'm also torn in believing crawford will be a difference maker for us. bring in kuroda and santana. THEY ARE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY ARE!

SkullKey

Nov 14th 2007, 1:04 pm

Thanks for the link. I had not heard of Crawford trade rumors and I just spent some time yesterday trying to see what was out there about him. I'm surprised if there is any legitimacy to them.

Crawford would make a fine CF for the Cubs. If they get Fukudome bat [Crawford] 3rd in the line-up [Fukudome is a natural #2 and an excellent one. I just read somewere that he could excell at any of the first 6 positions in a line-up - I guess that really means he could hit anywhere in a line-up - he adjusts his style to the needs. Cubs need more of that].

I don't know what interest the Rays have in Patterson ? Where does he play for them ? They have both his positions covered, althought it doesn't hurt to just add talent.

Rich Hill would certainly help Tampa - he'd help just about any team. Add him to Kazmir (age 23) and Schields (26) and in half a year or a year and a half or two years when Price (22) and Niemann (24) join the rotation they will have the best starting pitching in baseball. 3 #1's and a #2 and a #3. They have a lot of the best young talent in the minors [Longoria and Brignac especially. I wish like hell if the Cubs are actually talking to Tampa they try to get Brignac] and their RF just finished 2nd for ROY not a bad start. They might finally be getting good.

These trade rumors can be strange though. The Rays biggest needs are bullpen (huge), SS (no mention of Cedeno) and catcher. Who plays LF for them if them trade Crawford ? No mention of Murton. He could fit in well with them if they trade Crawford.

Murton, Cedeno, Blanco (I hope we would never give up on Soto right now) and Marshall (and another pitcher hopefully not Hill) seems more likely.

I would love for Crawford to be a Cub. I would hate to see Hill (and/or Patterson) go.

taz57

Nov 15th 2007, 1:46 am

"No way you pay $40 Million to Silva. I don't see the point of overpaying another middle of the rotation starter when Rich Hill is 20 times cheaper and projects to be just as good/better.[/QUOTE]".

If they have 40 mil to throw around, throw it at Fukudome. They need to fill the rightfield position with a good everyday player. That would give them the opporitunity to bring Pie along without having too much pressure on him to produce. Soriano, Pie, and Fukudome would make for a very good defensive outfield, something that the Cubs have not had in a while.

taz57

Nov 15th 2007, 2:27 am

It really worries me of the thought of Dempster in the rotation. Hopefully, it is just a bargaining ploy by Hendry to sell him as a starter. Kerry Wood would be better suited in that role, but I don't want to see that either.

My choice for the 5th starter is Kevin Hart. The kid has ice water running through his veins, and is not afraid to challenge hitters. He could be just rewards for the Dontrelle Willis deal.

champsx5

Nov 15th 2007, 5:15 am

would you be ok with 3 lefties if one of them was santana?
Santana would be awesome...but it seems teams were able beat up on the lefties towards the end of the season. I think Santana's price would be pretty high...
Seriously, if the Cubs get Santana...that would mean our outfield would stay as it is with no major additions. Could we get back to the playoffs with the same offense?

SkullKey

Nov 15th 2007, 1:08 pm

" ..... that would mean our outfield would stay as it is with no major additions ..... "

Let's hope not. This the entirety of the Cubs outfield staff right now:

Projected starters:
LF: Soriano
CF: Pie or Patterson
RF Murton
Reserves (and the extent of the 40 man roster):
Fuld (zero Major League at-bats)
Pagan.

That's it; there is no one else although I think they currently have 2 slots open on the 40 man roster.

Murton everyday in right ? Pagan everyday anywhere ?

Pie - Patterson - Fuld ? Talk about unproven !

Essentially the Cubs have 1 proven outfielder of everyday quality. Something must happen. Fukudome is almost critical. Pie or Patterson or Fuld must emerge as a CF. Murton needs to take a big step up defensively and consistency.

No - I think a return to the play-offs is dubious without at least 1 new man and the emergence of at least 1 incumbent.

To me outfield might be the Cubs biggest concern as of right now.

..................................................

I just checked. Patterson has 8 Major League at-bats and has spent 90% of his career as a middle infielder - fully one third of the Cubs available outfielders have a total of 8 ML ABs ! Pagan and Pie both could handle CF defensively but can either hit well enough to justify everyday play ? Murton's abstract numbers ( AVE - OBP - SLG ) have all gone down the last 3 years (a bad sign - he should be entering his best years) . From .321 to .281 batting (a significant drop of .040); from .386 to .356 OBP (worrisome); and from .521 to .438 in SLG (very worrisome). Does he still take the game seriously or is he relaxed and content thinging he's a proven Major Leaguer now ?

Fresh talent upgrades needed !

Shwerve

Nov 15th 2007, 2:32 pm

hendry would not have gotten rid of jones and monroe if he wasn't going to replace one or both. i can see fukudome and/or guillen and/or crawford

infante can also play outfield apparently. does that make you feel better

BigZ38

Nov 15th 2007, 2:51 pm

As for the rotation I want to see Marshall or Hart have a shot at the number 5 spot if they aren't traded. Marshall was a decent number 5 last year.

Shwerve

Nov 15th 2007, 6:26 pm

i'm ok with marshall/ hart being #5 so long as marquis/dempster aren't 3-4

Shwerve

Nov 16th 2007, 9:51 am

clement is looking for 1 year and 2mil. want to bring him back? trade marquis and dempster, bring in santana and slide clement into the #5 and give hart another year to develop or throw him in the pen.

i'm a god blessed genious in my own world

Doba

Nov 16th 2007, 12:51 pm

I'd take Clement back.

Bockstock

Nov 19th 2007, 10:50 am

I'd take Clement back.

Could you imagine Clement and Trachsel in the same rotation??

The IF would need to keep a bottle of caffeine pills handy

SkullKey

Nov 19th 2007, 12:38 pm

" ..... does that make you feel better ..... "

No.

bringbacktuffy

Nov 19th 2007, 2:52 pm

I don't like it. I dont like it at all. There arent a lot of options in FA and Dempster is, well Dempster. Someone is going to get dealt and Im scared it will be hill. I have a feeling that this will be the year Hill steps up and becomes the Barry Zito type pitcher people had said he was gonna be. I think I said that last off-season, but hey its gotta happen sometime.