Whats Jimbos First Order Of Buisness At The Winter Meetings?

[Sheffield_&_Waveland]

This should be an exciting week. I am ready to see what moves are made cause we should have an even better team by the end of the week. I think Jimbo will walk out of the meetings with at least 2 pitchers and I believe that is gonna be the main focus. Does anyone want to suggest who he signs?

[scuba]

This is how I see things working out, but who knows. I see us landing either Schmidt or Lilly, trading away Jones for a SP (possibly Jennings), and then signing Lofton for a year or two to man CF. I would be really surprised if we don't end up with Schmidt or Lilly, and we might end up with both, but probably not likely. Lofton gives us a bridge to get to Pie when he's ready. The Jones for Jennings trade seems good, but I'm hearing the Rockies want a young pitching prospect also in return, and I'm not sure Hendry is up for that given how much pitching he gave up for Pierre last year. It's hard to say if Jones will even get traded because he is the only left-handed bat we have and I'm not sure who else we could get for him besides Jennings. That's what makes it exciting though. We'll see what happens! :)

[Sheffield_&_Waveland]

That sounds very possible, good perspective. That entire situation with the limited left handed bats has me puzzled because I just don't see who we can add to the line-up with a left handed bat other than Lofton, but then again I can see them trading Jones for some pitching which is gonna leave us in the same situation so it should be interesting to see how things play out. I keep making mental notes that Manny is still out there that would make it all worth it if Jimbo can work that deal out and still end up with some pitching. But as I said he will have to work miracles for that to happen but we could always hope!!

[john h]

That sounds very possible, good perspective. That entire situation with the limited left handed bats has me puzzled because I just don't see who we can add to the line-up with a left handed bat other than Lofton, but then again I can see them trading Jones for some pitching which is gonna leave us in the same situation so it should be interesting to see how things play out. I keep making mental notes that Manny is still out there that would make it all worth it if Jimbo can work that deal out and still end up with some pitching. But as I said he will have to work miracles for that to happen but we could always hope!!


Would we be better off with Jones or Lofton in CF? Jones is younger, hit 28 HR last year and batted around .285. I think with a season behind him in Wrigley he will hit 30 HR. He has decent speed and has played CF for MN for two years. Lofton is a dink hitter who is 40+. Faster than Jones probably has no better arm and will hit from .290-.300. To me there is no upside trading away a left handed hitting power hitter for a 40+ year old. Yes, Jones is no great CF but he can still do a decent job relative to Lofton. We are short on LH bats as it is. Many people are not aware that Jones played with injury much of last year. This effected his throwing. If you look at the numbers of a combined Jones/Murton rotation in RF you have a very strong position and 30+ homeruns and a .300+ hitter. Once a rumor or posting about trading a guy like Jones is posted it gains momentum for whatever reason. Hope management weighs carefully trading away Jones. We need to get something very good for him if they go this route.

[john h]

This is how I see things working out, but who knows. I see us landing either Schmidt or Lilly, trading away Jones for a SP (possibly Jennings), and then signing Lofton for a year or two to man CF. I would be really surprised if we don't end up with Schmidt or Lilly, and we might end up with both, but probably not likely. Lofton gives us a bridge to get to Pie when he's ready. The Jones for Jennings trade seems good, but I'm hearing the Rockies want a young pitching prospect also in return, and I'm not sure Hendry is up for that given how much pitching he gave up for Pierre last year. It's hard to say if Jones will even get traded because he is the only left-handed bat we have and I'm not sure who else we could get for him besides Jennings. That's what makes it exciting though. We'll see what happens! :)

I read over and over that Schmidt wants to stay on the West Coast. I tend to believe it. I would like him but consider it a longshot to get him. I think we get Lily unless the Yankess blow us away which they could. I have no idea about how we handle CF but hope we do not discard J. Jones and bring in Lofton. Jones is a run producer and not 40+. Jones numbers were excellent last year. He may or may not want out of Chicago. If he does then trade him. I think we may see a supprise acquisition of Hendry by trade. Who? I have no idea.

[Sheffield_&_Waveland]

I totally understand what you are saying, I really don't like the idea of Jones being traded either. Under the circumstance that he is in a trade for a decent pitcher I would have no problem with it. My thoughts are that there is no room for Jones and Murton both in the Cubs line-up, with that being said I believe Murton is gonna break out and show some power so I would much rather see Jones traded before Murton.

[weeghman]

I hope Hendry signs Schimdt. I've been a big fan of his for a long time. Other than that I like the possibilities of Lilly, given his moderate success against the AL east. I think Zito is drasically overrated.
I live in Denver and have seen Jennings pitch first hand. The guy looks like he shows up after his bowling league but has very good stuff. If Hendry can steal him from O'Dowd, it would be a good move.

I hear a lot of people clamoring for Manny, but I think that that would not be the best move. I wouldn't complain cause Manny is Manny. However, If we are going to trade people away for an outfielder Carl Crawford, who is rumored to be on the block is an absolute all around stud. I know thats completely out of left field but can you imagine our 1 through 5 if that happened.

[Brutus T Manstrength]

they probably won't pick up crawford.. the guy's only like.. 25. I think they're looking for a cheap couple of years guy to wait on Pie, who I'm not entirely sold on thus far.

[bringbacktuffy]

to me this is looking a 'we cant have our cake and eat it too' kind of situation. Its unfortunate but entirely plausible that either jones or murton will be gone by spring training. I don't like it one bit but it looks like it may happen. I like the idea of putting jones in CF and Murton in left, but like in another post its all going to come down to who JH signs for SP whether its schmidt lilly or meche. christ im glad im not a GM, id lose my mind.

[ChiCubs1984]

I personally think Jim is going to land us Lilly and probably Lofton. I heard more often than not that Schmidt doesnt want to play for the Cubs. That being said I think the Cubs will be the team out there trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together that might put us over the top in 2007.

[HEYHEY]

The Lofton train left in 03.Hendry should have signed him for 04.Lets not regress here.Any pitching is needed and Hendry should get all he can.Big names and $ are not always the answer.I don't think whats out there now is not the answer as far as the FA market is concerned.I hope he works a trade for better like Dontrell Willis or others.

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

His first order of buisness is to find the buffet and eat it then find the bar and drink it. Then he will wake from his hangover and sign Lilly, Scmhidt and Zito.
(I was saing to myself im better than that but the truth is im not)

[Waveland007]

I have to say this now lol because it was right down the middle. I know if Prior is there he probably orders a Shirly Temple or a Virgin Pina Colada with an umbrella straw. :)

[Brutus T Manstrength]

and then gets hurt trying to put a ten dollar bill on the counter. We won't know how.. but it'll happen.

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

and then gets hurt trying to put a ten dollar bill on the counter. We won't know how.. but it'll happen.

Yeah then he will take a drink and it will be too cold and he will have tommy john.

[bringbacktuffy]

nah, he'll the bar for a pbr or two, get a hangover and put himself on the DL until the all star break

[Nashville Cub]

I have to say this because something has been in my head for about a month ago that sounds crazy but I think that Prior is going to be back this year. When Lou grabbed Larry right back for his pitching coach. I came from Oregon so I spent years with Lou and the Mariners and trust Lou. So I have to believe that Larry is a good pitching coach. With this in mind what is Larry has been protecting pitchers from Dusty? Who does towel drills? No one else that I know of. If this is correct then Larry was able to do things to keep pitchers hurting without actually damaging them. If that is the case then A. Larry is a good actor and B. I am not completely crazy. I think it is probably a combo of the 2. :rolleyes: ;) :rolleyes:

[bringbacktuffy]

I have to say this because something has been in my head for about a month ago that sounds crazy but I think that Prior is going to be back this year. When Lou grabbed Larry right back for his pitching coach. I came from Oregon so I spent years with Lou and the Mariners and trust Lou. So I have to believe that Larry is a good pitching coach. With this in mind what is Larry has been protecting pitchers from Dusty? Who does towel drills? No one else that I know of. If this is correct then Larry was able to do things to keep pitchers hurting without actually damaging them. If that is the case then A. Larry is a good actor and B. I am not completely crazy. I think it is probably a combo of the 2. :rolleyes: ;) :rolleyes:

I hope you're right, I really do, but unfortunately I don't have a whole lot of faith in Prior. I never even thought about Prior on the juice before his rash of injuries the last 2 years until i read about it on this borad and cubs.com. Then I thought about it, when he first came up he looked like he had dinner plates stuffed in his socks, then when he came back he looked like any average pitcher after cansucko's book and the indictments and the mandatory testing started. I don't know, I hope he can come back to form but I have my doubts.

[Shwerve]

With Hendry, expect the unexpected. He will come home with two pitchers be it from free agency or trade. The names are Lilly, Schmidt, Meche, Zito (although this was probably just his agent trying to push up the market value), Jennings (who sort of surprises me since it seemed the Rockies were trying to extend some of their younger pitchers) Padilla (though it seems Rangers have made few moves and are pushing for him) and Westrbrook (although Shapiro basically threw that away). I would take any combo of two of the above. This essentially gives us 6 +quality starters which is a luxury we have not had in a while. 3-4maybe but 6 , no. As for Jaque, I am a fan. I think he hasn't gotten the respect he deserves. He produced when no one else was. His arm is a little suspect. His base running makes you shake your head sometimes. I would take him back however. The notion isn't Jones for Lofton really. Jones possibly would give us a chance to bring in a quality starter. I'm for it. Lofton is older and doesn't produce like Jones but he produces at a different level that we need. Producing runs would be nice. He is a nice option in the 2 hole. 40 years old but still had 360obp and stole 30 bases. If you think of it as a trade of Jones for Lofton, it makes no sense. Speed and power is nice

[Shwerve]

You know that there is some freak trade that Hendry will pull off that is not even on anyone's radar.

[Shwerve]

Think about this... at their prime/healthy.....
Zambrano
Schmidt
Wood
Prior
Miller

[Sheffield_&_Waveland]

You know that there is some freak trade that Hendry will pull off that is not even on anyone's radar.

I can see this happening because we have mainly focused on discussing the pitching rotation and I read yesterday how Hendry said that he wants to put a quality player on the bench thats able to pinch hit in certain situations. They have definatly given Jimbo some room with the pocket books if he is looking to make moves such as that.

[Shwerve]

Big Papi for CF

[Brutus T Manstrength]

Big Papi for CF

For the Bench? haha

[Shwerve]

We could trade Izturis for A Rod straight up

[Brutus T Manstrength]

Yeah, and tell those bastard Yanks to eat his Salary..

[Shwerve]

Yanks have been surprisingly quiet this offseason.

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

Big Papi for CF

Yeah we all know Papi has the most range. Great Glove and the best arm ever!!
lol that would be so damn funny I would puke!!

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

Yanks have been surprisingly quiet this offseason.

Same thing said last season, then they sign Damon

[Shwerve]

I wanted Damon but still thought he was over-rated. He's an idiot, right?

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

I wanted Damon but still thought he was over-rated. He's an idiot, right?

Yeah he is over rated IMO but plays like his hairs on fire at times.

[Brutus T Manstrength]

Over rated? Man.. what do you people want in a player?

[Shwerve]

The yanks could use some work on the rotation
Wang, Johnson, Mussina, Pavano, Igawa

[Shwerve]

I want it all. OBP is big in a leadoff player. Stolen bases. I didn't say I was right. I did say I wanted him. I need to get off the sauce