Offseason Outlook: Chicago Cubs

actually it does "jibe"..samardzija isn't going to do any worse than marquis and i would say that he would be better...and he would be the 5th starter doesn't affect the win now mentality either because you don't use five starters in the playoffs

and i agree i don't think wood is a sure thing as many think i believe dempster is more so because of his role in the clubhouse more so than his performance this year...but i am sayin you have to add something to the pen whether its people from the minors ready to go or whatever if you take wood and samardzija out of the pen

I also would not spend the money on Dempster, but would rather see them sign someone like derek lowe. Call the yankees on fukodome. They always could use an overpriced outfielder

Positive prospects for potential trades? I'd say that Marshall, Pie, Kroeger, Fox, Castillo, Hart, Wells, Colvin, Atkins, Ceda, Dumas Garcia, Canzler, Thomas, Papelbon, Chen, Jay Jackson, Bautista, Marquez Smith, Johnston, and Latham would all have appeal. In terms of making a big time trade for someone like Peavy, I'd say something centered around Ceda, Papelbon, Thomas, and either Colvin or Pie would be a good beginning. The problem is, there isn't a big-time, frontline prospect there. Smith and Bautista look like potential future studs, though.

By the way, it would be foolish to trade Vitters. For those that haven't been paying attention, ARam is signed through 2011 with an option for 2012. Come 2011, Vitters will be 22. In other words, about the time ARam may be headed out of Chicago... Vitters should be ready to replace him.

If Hendry can get one prime prospect for DLee, which I think can be done if you ship him off to whomever loses the Big Tex war, wheel that prospect with a few of our own in order to snag Peavy. Move Hoffpauir to 1B and provide that big LH bat for the middle of the lineup. Save $13 mil for other moves.

Trade Fuki and Marquis for whatever you can get. Eat all but $5 mil or so of their combined salaries if you need to. Move DeRosa to RF, start Fontenot at 2B.

Let Dempster and Wood walk. I doubt the Mets will take Wood, Adun. They are probably going to go after K-Rod or Fuentes. Of the two here, Wood is the guy I would prefer to keep. However, Peavy will be cheaper over the next two years than Dempster will most likely be. If you play your cards right, there will also be enough extra cash from making a couple of trades and from not spending what is already anticipated to go after Sabathia. If you miss out on Sabathia, you can still sign Burnett, Lowe, or Sheets and maybe keep a hold of Wood.

As far as CF goes, either give Pie a real shot at proving himself... or trade him and bring back Edmonds for one more season and give Colvin a chance at possibly getting it together in Iowa next year.

Sabinus: I think you are very close.

This team has to be built in '09 to win the WS. Nothing else will be acceptable.

We can't win the WS counting on Soriano/Lee to play major roles. Both of these guys have won a WS and neither of them is motivated to do what it takes to win another.

To put us in the best position to win the WS Hendry HAS to do the following (assumes resigning Demp/Wood or equivalents):

1. We need a LH #3 hitter that can drive in runs and hit for power.

(D Lee had 1HR with runners in scoring position in '08) Trade both D Lee/Marquis as salary dumps and sign Blanco to a lesser deal. Anything for Lee would be a bonus. If we eat $3MM of Marquis salary - someone will take him for 1 year at $7MM. This frees up $20MM

Sign Tex to a 6 year $120MM deal. This guy is 28 and in his prime (a future HOFer).

2. We have to have a leadoff hitter that gets on base and sets the table. I think Theriot(or the old Fuku) can do this. Drop Soriano to 7th (can't hit in the clutch against good pitching)

These are the "have to dos"

The "like to do" would be to dump Soriano. Do you think someone would take him if we ate $5MM a year for 6 years? Then we could get a legit leadoff hitter in B Roberts or Furcal for the same money and put Derosa/Hoffpauir in left.

Do you think Hendry has the smarts and b@&&s to pull this off?

I think Carl Crawford, a left-handed hitting 27 year old would look good in Cubbie blue...

Oh, and sending Cedeno to the minors is just stupid, Cubfan! Who else on the bench would play SS? Cedeno filled the middle IF backup role near-perfectly this past season. Fontenot doesn't really have the range to play SS. DeRosa will be starting somewhere. No one else is left to fill that need.

Besides, if Edmonds isn't brought back... would you not think to fill that vacant spot on the roster with Pie? If he is, do you not think that he'll be playing CF against RHP?

As I've watched the postseason results over the last half dozen years or so, I'm convinced more than ever that a top notch bullpen is a must-have rather than a luxury. Therefore, I'm of the opinion that the Cubs would be well served by keeping both Wood and Marmol to lock down the final 2 frames. While many argue that a closer is a poor place to invest large dollars, you have two dominant arms in the back half of the Cubs 'pen now. It'd be a step backwards to upset that applecart, IMO. This club must be built to win in October. The Cubs could likely make the playoffs without keeping Wood, but I believe they'll win a championship with the player. This postseason was more an aberration than a true reflection on the Cubs ability to win a title, IMO. Fixes must be made but the bullpen is not the problem.

Another way to save money is to wait until later in the Hot Stove season and target teams that have missed on signing free agents - in particular clubs that need a reliable number 3/4 starter. Then work to deal Marquis at that time expecting less in return but moving most if not all of his salary. It's a gamble, but there always seems to be a club or two that have available budget and need to fill rotation holes in late January.

Additionally, I think that Cedeno is a terrific asset. He would start for many clubs right now giving an interesting mix of power, speed, and defense. He's excellent insurance in case of injury and a nice tool off the bench for Lou. I'm less enamored with Ryan Theriot long-term and would trade Theriot if a solid return could be found enabling the Cubs to upgrade elsewhere. This would potentially open up a spot for Furcal to leadoff. Lots of "if's" but that's the great joy of the Hot Stove season!

Unlitedsoul, these are just suggestions. So you're telling me that it's not possible for the Cubs to sign an athelete to play right field in Crawford? The Cub's need a true-leadoff hitter. Soriano is a power hitter and needs to once again suck it up and bat lower in the order. Secondly, I'm just not a fan of Cedeno. He basically waste the 25th spot, I would love to package him in a deal and let one of the minor league players fight for a spot during spring training. Finally, the Cubs need a leader in the clubhouse, you can't tell any of them were one during the season, not one.

omg that guy up there siad carlos marmol for randy winn????? wow no way the cubs will give up marmol hes one of the reasons the cubs were so good this year